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Percy couldn't help but feel a little bit apprehensive as he stood, trolly in hand, a the wall between platforms 9 and 10. To say his life was crazy was the understatement of the era, but running straight at a stubbornly solid looking wall was a step too far in his book. He gulped a little bit, trying to ignore all the eyes that seemed to be boring into his skull. Perhaps he'd feel a little more assured if it hadn't been Ron of all people who'd been giving the instructions. Even if they had made the most miniscule bit of progress in the trying-not-to-kill-eachother department, he still didn't fully trust the guy, and knew the satisfaction Ron would gain from what a fool he'd look after running straight at a BRICK WALL. How and ever, the ticket clearly said platform 9 and 3/4, and with none matching the description in visible sight one was forced to expect the unexpected. Oh well, Percy thought to himself, stepping back slightly, the worst that can happen is a concussion, and you've survived that many times before. He charged at the barrier, screwing his eyes tightly shut and bracing himself for impact.
It never came.
Instead it felt somewhat like he was passing through a cascading waterfall of sorts. Cold air brushed across every inch of exposed skin, but it wasn't uncomfortable, you just knew it was happening. It felt at as if you were running through nothingness, but the shadowy outline ahead gave him some clue that he was soon to emerge. Suddenly he found his feet hammering onto solid ground, trolly wheels shuddering to a halt as he stopped abruptly, causing the contents of his trunk to shudder violently, and he tried to ignore the distinct sound of glass shattering to pieces. He just sighed, looking around and taking in his surroundings.
Before him stood a magnificent scarlet steam engine, with the words Hogwarts Express painted along the side. I'm really here, he though to himself, as groups of people brushed passed to reach the train, pushing trolleys just like his. He felt comfortable here, not sticking out as he often had in the past. That was when reality came crashing down sadly, and he remembered why he was there; another new home he wouldn't have the luxury of really enjoying. Stop thinking about that, he told himself, but the uncertain future without so much as a prophecy to guide him, or at least one regarding him, was a little daunting.
It wasn't long before the Weasleys, Harry and Hermione soon joined the crowded platform, causing a fake casual look that was far too well-practised for someone so young to emerge onto Percy's face. He shuddered slightly when Harry parked his trolly right next to his, causing Hedwig to start hooting and snapping uncharacteristically loud.
"Hedwig!" Harry scolded as the cage rattled relentlessly. "I don't know why she's acting like this, she's usually so calm." I might have an inkling, Percy thought, disgruntled, but said nothing, instead just giving a blatant shrug. He looked at Harry for a moment, sadness filling him. He may have had a hard childhood, but he was still quite a young, cheerful person, and he didn't deserve the destiny that was foretold for him, the destiny Hectate had fully informed him of in the dream the night before. Percy couldn't help but recall the empty shells he and his friends had become after the wars, just about holding it together, ghosts of their former selves. He had to help in some way- that path was caused you to fall down a spiral of self destruction and nobody deserved that.
"How come you didn't get an owl Percy?" Harry asked curiously. "It would be an easy way to keep in touch with your friends at that summer camp?" Percy almost laughed.
"Owls don't... like me that much." Percy replied hesitantly. "I've had bad experiences with them in the past, trust me on that." He could just picture Athena laughing evily from her magnificent throne in Olympus as a hoard of owls pecked him to death. He shivered just at the thought. Harry stared at him confused, but was giving up on finding any logic among Percy's madness at this stage, and carefully chose not to ask what the hell was going on in that teenager's head.
"So, youre going into fifth year with us, right?" Hermione caught up with the pair as they began to board the train, Ron trailing behind reluctantly.
"Yep, that's the plan," Percy told her. He had been a little bit relieved when Molly had told him; at least he didn't have to navigate this crazy new life alone. Percy was far behind all the rest of the students his age, so placing him in seventh year certainly wasn't an option after missing so much, and he was way too old to even consider placing at the beginning. The original consensus had been to put him in fourth year, and give him some time to adjust and catch up before the year of his OWLs. However, Dumbledore seemed quite certain that Percy had to remain with Harry, Ron and Hermione, and nobody bothered to argue with that somewhat irrational, stubborn man anymore. "I'm going to need a lot of after class tutoring to catch up, but the Order seem to think I'll manage." Even if the idea of me doing well at school is completely deluded, Percy restrained the urge to add. He had a different feeling about this year, though. For once he really was going to try. It seemed a lot of Wizarding things linked back to Latin, even if the wizards didn't always notice the connection, so being near fluent was already a little bit of a head start. Also, the winging it as he went along and asking others, mainly Annabeth, but we weren't going to think about that, for information technique wasn't going to work anymore when he had so many secrets to keep safe. He had to push himself; there was no excuse now.
"Well," Hermione began, "if you need any extra help I'd be happy to." Percy was touched; he barely knew the girl, and he knew it was an offer he'd properly have to accept at some stage.
"Thanks Hermione, that'd be great." His tone was sincere, and he couldn't fully understand the scarlet cheeks and diverted gaze that followed. He found himself looking at her for a moment, not quite sure why. She was kind, maybe not the most modest but a good person none the less, and she had such a bright smile. She had trusted him when nobody else had, and he would remember that forever.
"Uggh, get a move on lovebirds," Ron groaned as they shuffled into one of the empty compartments. Percy raised his eyebrows; what was he on about? Hermione looked like she was so close to punching him until all he had left was the smallest shred of consciousness left, and Harry was trying not to laugh.
"What was Ron on about?" Percy whispered to Harry when they sat down, genuinely confused. Harry just shook his head, laughing, as Ron and Hermione made their way to the perfect carriage.
"Just forget it," he told Percy, studying him slightly as if trying to make up his mind on something. Percy just shrugged, opting to look out the window at the world that was whirring by, mind eventually wandering to what had happened last night......
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The place that he had found himself standing in was simply an empty abiss. White light was all that could be seen no matter where you looked, and it appeared to be stretching on and on for all of eternity. He felt so uncomfortable when he made the stupid mistake of looking down; there was nothing to be seen, nothing resembling a floor or solid surface at all, just more nothingness. He glanced around, knowing why he was here, waiting for her to arrive.
It was like the light bent around her, folding and stretching to let her pass, causing her figure to emerge right in front of Percy without any warning. Even if he hadn't been expecting her he would be know instantly who she was. She was deathly pale, but undeniably beautiful nevertheless. Her eyes were as black as the darkest night sky, and they were seemily impenetrable, like not even the darkest light would manage to break through them. They mirrored her hair; onyx in colour, long, dark and sleek, held in a sophisticated black ponytale. Her dress almost appeared like an illusion; it was dark and sleeveless, and the way it rippled made it seem like the cloth was ink cascading haphazardly off her body. Hectate raised her head in aknowledgement, smiling ever so slightly at him.
"Well, Perseus Jackson, I'm sure you are aware that we have much to discuss, and if you base it off any encounters you have ever had with my kind, I can't assure you it will be good...." He didn't reply, simply letting the silence stretch on like the area surrounding him. She frowned slightly, feeling a little pity, but didn't act on it; there was no other way. She snapped her fingers, and for a moment it felt as if the world spun around them. Percy thought he was going to fall to the ground; there wasn't a single solid thing to be found to stabilise himself against. When the shaking, worse than that of an Earthquake, finally stopped, he found that he was standing in a completely different place again. It took him a moment to adjust to the dimmer light; the process of his consciousness being flung to and fro was beginning to become a little disorientating, even if they were just somewhere inside his peculiar mind. He now stood in a room that looked like something out of an elegant manor, with two comfortable armchairs, a flickering fire and a large oak table. Hectate too had changed, now in a long flowing robe resembling that worn by the wizards, except in a beautiful dark green, contrasting with her now deep crimson hair. Her black eyes glistened in the light of the flickering flames.
"Sit, young hero, and we shall begin," she told him, and he did as she asked, curiosity building in him. He wasn't fully sure why he was trusting her so soon, with Gods you never really knew, but she had helped them with Gaea, and Percy doubted she wanted to let her world be torn apart by a psychotic mass murderer. He just wasn't sure how far she would use him to get her aims; that was the question playing ceaselessly on his mind.
"Maybe you have reached this conclusion already, I don't know how much you have been thinking over matters, but I am the reason you weren't sent to Ivelmory when you were 11 years old." Percy's curiosity was piqued by her words, earning a little more of his attentiveness. "I knew you were in much more danger from your fate in the Greek world, and your role there was much more crucial than your possible, now confirmed, role in mine. Taking you away to study magic would only have been another obstacle in your path to get to Camp safely. I wont deny that I was on the side of Kronos in the Second Titan War, and perhaps I hope you would raize Olympus as opposed to preserve it at the time, your immense power certainly wouldve allowed such, but now with my children getting the recognition they deserve, I no longer hold a grudge against the Olympians. But anyway, back to the matter at hand. I knew you were Voldemort'd grandson, and I'll admit the thought of your potential power did worry me, but after seeing your character grow, I realised your heart is nothing like the poisoned shell of his, and you were the perfect person to defeat him." Percy's heart thudded in his chest like wildfire.
"Defeat him?" Percy repeated uncertainly. "But I thought... Harry...." Hectate nodded knowingly.
"I'm guessing you have heard the prophecy so. The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies.... Yes, this prophecy does regard Harry Potter, that much is set in stone, almost anyway, but there is one important factor that prophecy that many overlook, is that it never stated he would do it alone." Her words were serious and her eyes were steely; the tension built more and more in the room, just waiting for someone to break it.
"You have a hard time ahead of you hero." Hectate spoke first. "It would be cruel of me to illusion you otherwise. You must work hard, develop your magic, and search to uncover the many secrets before anyone else; there are things you must find out before the rest, that much is essential if this plan is to work at all. There is only one fate where both you and Harry come out of this alive, and it is a grim one indeed. I can't try sway your decisions, but I can tell you this; you will have a hard choice to make before the year ends, but no matter how much fate may try to tempt you to run, don't." Percy stared at her wordlessly, unsure of what was the right thing to say. He wanted to run now, escape all of this inevitable hardship, but Harry needed him. Hermione needed him. And Ron... well unfortunately he did too.
"I don't know what I'm doing," Percy blurted, desperation filling him. "I have no clue about anything in this world, no one I can tell everything. It isn't as simple as having people like me to talk to anymore; theres nobody in the same place as me! As for uncovering secrets, I've no idea where I'd even begin! I can't do this." He heaved a deep sigh, closing his eyes for a moment as he shook his head. Hectate looked at him solemnly, pity felt in her heart.
"You simply underestimate all you are capable of. You always have. You have beaten worse enemies before, and you shall prevail again. As for the secrets, trust your battle instincts. You need to learn your opponent. You know Voldemort strives to obtain the Curse of Achilles, but you also have heard him talk about being above death already. How is he so powerful? How did he become that way? Those are the questions you must first answer." She rose from her chair, walking towards him and placing a hand delicately on his shoulder. "I have faith in you, Perseus Jackson, and you should too."
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"We're here!"
Percy was brought back down to the real world with a bang; he had been so lost in memories that he hadn't even remembered the hour passing. He turned to Harry.
"Sorry for drifting off like that," he told him. "I wasn't trying to be rude." Hermione and Ron had returned to the carriage, and Percy was relieved he hadn't left him completely alone. Harry smiled.
"It's fine, honestly. I thought perhaps you needed it...." his voice trailed off, and Percy knew what he was implying.
"Yeah, I probably did." Percy scratched his head sheepishly, glancing over at Hermione, who's head was buried in a book. Her beautiful, somewhat haphazard brown hair glistened in the light, and her eyes were so alive with knowledge. He shook himself out of his thoughts; why was he staring like that?
Crowds of students hurried off the train as soon as it came to a halt, loud chattering almost bursting Percy's eardrums. He was shocked when he first caught view of the school; it was incredible, more like a castle than anything else. Happiest could be felt in the air, and for a moment he really felt like everything was going to be ok.
He was filled with memories as his curious eyes fell opon the creatures pulling the carriages. At first sight the natural sense of human judgement took over and he was revolted at the unusual sight, but the longer he looked, the more beauty he managed to see in their unique appearance; the sleek blackness of their skin, the magnificent size of their skeletal wings. He began to stroke one gently, shocked at its calm behaviour, and how it seemed to sort of nuzzle into his hand. Well, they do appear to be half horse, he thought to himself.
"Its a Thestral," Hermione informed him, suddenly appearing at his side in full prefect uniform, recognising his look of bewilderment. Percy nodded appreciatively, still uncertain as to how she seemed to be staring right through it.
"Beautiful, aren't they?" he asked her, trying to ignore the choruses of 'Lord Perseus!' that had began to fill his head. "It's just Percy," he told them calmly, "and its an honor to meet all of you too." Hermione shrugged, unaware of the full-fledged conversation taking place in his mind.
"I wouldn't know," Hermione informed him. "I've seen sketches in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a textbook, but I can't see them." She paused for dramatic effect, unable to resist the temptation to witness Percy's temporary confusion. "They can only be seen by those who have seen death themselves."
That, Percy had not known.
"For Hades sake," he mumbled to himself, relieved when Hermione appeared not to have heard him. They already knew of his trauma, but with his mother alive and the awkward vagueness he had to maintain as to his father's family, yet more questions being raised as to who he had seen wasn't exactly an opportune circumstance.
"Was it your girlfriend?" That cause Percy's head to turn, and Hermione blushed furiously, eyes darting immediately to the ground. "Well, I assume girlfriend. You dropped hints about some girl, and you seemed really sad when you mentioned her. It can't be your Dad because he was list at sea, and you don't know what happened him so you couldn't have seen it." He gaped for a second at the amount of attention she had payed to him.
"Your right about it not being my Dad," he replied. Yeah, he can't die. "Annabeth though, is alive and well. We're just... not together anymore. Technically she betrayed me, but I know she didn't intend on hurting me really. We just weren't meant to be together anymore I guess." He sighed, stroking the thestral's leathery skin softly. "I had a bit of a turbulent childhood, to put it mildly, and me and a few friends got kidnapped. One of them died." He glanced at the sky: it wasn't dark enough to see the stars yet, but he could see Zöe's constellation in his mind.
"That's terrible Percy," Hermione whispered quietly. "Nobody should go through that. That isn't fair." He smiled sadly.
"Life isn't fair," he replied simply, tears brimming ever so slightly in his eyes as images of all his fallen friends flashed through his mind. Hermione didn't know quite what to say, and they stood there motionless until everyone began to board the carriages. Percy jumped in first, leaving Hermione alone for a moment.
"I'm going to make your life better, Percy Jackson," she whispered to the horizon, "even if it's the last thing I ever do."
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That's another one! Thanks for reading and beating with all the setting up the plot, action will start soon I promise. Love you all. Happy Early Christmas!
-𝓕𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓲𝓻𝓵𝓐𝓿𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓻