Through the years

[PERCY]

Percy had hoped for a somewhat quiet summer after the whole ordeal with the chamber of secrets. Unfortunately, this was ruined in the form of the Di Angelo siblings and Annabeth getting kidnapped. While his last two quests had surely been dangerous this was the first one to bring so much sorrow with it. losing not one, but two of his friends. It also made him realize how serious his predicament is since in two years he was supposed to defeat Kronos.  

He shook his head trying to get rid of his thoughts. While in normal public places, this might has seemed weird, the F train to downtown New York was not one of them. He was heading into the city centre to do some last errands before Dumbledore was supposed to pick him up. Percy’s thoughts wandered to the first time Dumbledore had paid them a visit.

Percy and his mom were hanging on the small couch in their even tinier New York apartment. Both had a large bucket of popcorn in their laps while intensely looking at the TV screen. While Percy’s attention span was usually nonexistent, a slasher movie marathon did the trick. Also, the fact that Gabe had ‘disappeared’ made everything ten times more fun, his house hadn’t felt this comfortable for years.

Percy was about to shove another fist of popcorn into his mouth when the doorbell rang. His mom, who had been intensely looking at the screen jerked and proceeded to throw all her popcorn into the air. “Oh dear, this is why I don’t do horror movies,” she sighed “Percy can you get the door while I’ll clean up this mess?”

“Sure, Mom,” He said as he hopped from the couch. He battled his way through their small hallway, now filled with boxes of Gabe’s stuff they were getting rid of and peeked through the hole in the door. The person was too far off to the right for Percy to properly see but he could make out a tuft of white hair. Must be an old person he thought. Which would be considered ‘relatively’ safe so he proceeded to open the door.

In front of him was indeed an old man although surely not the regular ‘get off my lawn’ kind of old man. This one was wearing bright purple robes bedazzled with little ornaments. His hair and beard were both so long they had to be tucked into the rope around his middle. And his eyes held a strange twinkle. Great Percy thought, another three-thousand-year-old relative who has come to kill him.

“Perseus Jackson,” The old man asked. See, Percy thought, only bad guys call me Perseus.

“It’s Percy… but yeah that’s me” He responded laid back.  

“Ah, great!” the old man said “My name is Albus Dumbledore and I’ve come to ask some questions,” he gave a small smile with it.

From his attitude, the old man Dumbledore didn’t seem dangerous. In fact, Percy concluded that if he wanted to kill him he probably already would have tried by now since Percy was clearly unarmed, as he stood there in his pajamas.

“Would you like to come inside?” Percy asked.

“That would be wonderful, I wouldn’t mind a cup of tea” Dumbledore responded. That’s not exactly what Percy had offered in his words but he gathered it must have been a cultural thing as Dumbledore spoke with a heavy English accent.

Percy turned to head back indoors. “Watch out in the hallway, it’s a mess right now,” he said as he heard Dumbledore shovel behind him.

 “Mom!” Percy yelled in the direction of the kitchen where he heard his mom “This old dude was at the door and he wants to ask some questions,”

“old dude…”He heard Dumbledore mutter under his breath.

“Oh, and he wants some tea!” Percy added.

His mom's head appeared from the kitchen. “You‘ve let a strange man into our house?” she asked blankly.

“Well he knows me, and he didn’t kill me so it’s fine” Percy replied.

His mom clearly wasn’t done with the conversation but at that point, Dumbledore came into her view. “Don’t you worry Sally, I wish your family no harm,” Dumbledore said “I merely want to ask you both some questions,”

His mom gaped like a fish for a second before she announced that she should be out in a moment with tea.

In the meantime, Percy directed Dumbledore to an armchair while he took back his place on the couch. Once seated Dumbledore began with his first question.

“Perseus,” he said “Don’t you think I look a bit different from any regular…old man?” he asked.

Percy chuckled at the question “First of all, it’s Percy. Only my mom calls me Perseus when she’s angry. And for you looking strange? well maybe anywhere else but you’re in New York man, only today I already saw two naked dudes and a woman dressed up as Elvis.”

“I suppose so” Dumbledore responded “I haven’t been in New York since the 1940’s guess things have changed quite a bit. Although last time I met this funny man named Jacob- but I won’t bore you with silly stories” Dumbledore gave him a small smile as an apology for his rambling “So for my second question… what is the meaning of the word dude?”

Percy was about to respond but at that exact moment, his mom came walking back in. She placed a steaming cup of tea on the table in front of Dumbledore.

“So Mr...?”

“Dumbledore” Dumbledore supplied

“So Mr. Dumbledore, what are those questions you were talking about?” she asked.

“Well, Sally, not to be rude but I suppose until this day you have never found out who your birthparents are, right?” Dumbledore guessed.

Percy saw his mom's mouth fall open a little bit. Her parental journey had always been a big part of her story. She was adopted as a small infant by Jim and Estelle Jackson, who died when she was only five years old. The rest of her childhood was spent under the care of her uncle Rich who happened to pass away around her senior year. His mom had tried to find her birthparents a while ago but with no results turning up, she abandoned the search.

“No I haven’t,”  She confessed.

“If you want, I can tell you about your heritage,” Dumbledore revealed “but you must have an open mind,”

Percy’s mom let out a big breath. “I want to know,” She said.

“Well then” Dumbledore scrapped his throat. “As I said, my name is Albus Dumbledore and most days I am known as the headmaster of Hogwarts, a school for witchcraft and wizardry.” He paused a second to let the information sink in with Percy and his mom. “However, before I became the headmaster of Hogwarts I was teaching a class named defence against the dark arts. One of my exceptional students being Cassiopeia Black, Cassy as she liked to be called… your mother Sally.”

From the corner of his eye, Percy noticed that his mother had turned pale. He reached out and grabbed her hand.

“She was a wonderful girl” Dumbledore continued. “Unfortunately, her parents weren’t as good-hearted as Cassy. Once she graduated they handed her over to a group of dark wizards as a token of their devotion.” He said, “I didn’t hear much about her until years later when I learned from an intel that she had delivered baby squib.”

“What’s a squib?” Percy asked puzzled.

“A baby born from a magical bloodline, but who didn’t inherit the magic itself,” Dumbledore explained “I can’t tell you much about your father Sally, except for the fact that he hated non-magical people or muggles as we call them. So when he found out you didn’t inherit his powers he order both you and your mother to get disposed of.”

Percy’s mom made a little gasp. He saw a small tear forming in the corner of her eye.

“While he succeeded in killing Cassiopeia, she made sure he could never get his hands on you. She faked your death and somehow got you to the Jacksons instead.” Dumbledore took a deep breath “I know this is unknown territory for you both, with my talks about wizards and witches, but I hope you believe me,”

Percy and his mom both shook their heads. “Trust me,” She said smiling even though tears were now running down her face “This isn’t the strangest I’ve heard,”

After this Dumbledore spend about an hour talking about the magical world. About wands, broomsticks, potions and curses. He also explained about the magical creatures, which sounded very much like the monsters Percy encountered on a daily basis. He wondered how deeply this magical world and his world were related. Besides that what Dumbledore talked most about was his love for Hogwarts, and how sad he was that Sally had never been able to go.

“Thus,” Dumbledore concluded and proceeded immediately by throwing a curveball at Percy and his mom; “Do you know who Percy’s father is?”

“Why would you need to know that?” Percy’s mom asked guarded.

“Now I have to say we’re not the most, ehm, Tech-savvy society? But we couldn’t find any records of him” Dumbledore clarified “And because Perseus here does seem to have inherited the magical abilities,”

“Wait what, you’re telling me that I am a wizard?!” Percy sputtered.

“It seems so,” Dumbledore confirmed with a smile. “That’s why I was asking about your father Perseus. A squib giving birth to a full magical child is very rare, possible but rare”

Percy’s mom shook her head with a small chuckle “Well I can assure you Percy’s dad was not a wizard,”

Dumbledore’s eyes shone at that. Percy could almost hear the ‘interesting’ coming from the old man's brain.

“Anyways” Dumbledore continued “Normally you would’ve started last year at Ilvermorny, but since they have missed their chance I would like to offer you an official place at Hogwarts,”

“You mean I would be going to this wizard school of yours?” Percy deadpanned.

“Yes indeed” Dumbledore responded.

“And I get to come home for all holidays?” He asked

It was probably not the question Dumbledore expected but he smiled and shook his head.

Percy turned around to face his mother. “What do you think Mom?”

She smiled at him “Percy, I am already happy there is a school left that wants to take you in,”

Percy pondered for a moment. London was a far end from home and camp but he had a good feeling about this. And potions and charms classes sounded way more interesting than algebra and lit.

“Okay, I go,” He said “On one condition… you and your wizardry get me to London without flying,”

Dumbledore gave a loud laugh at that. “That can be arranged,”

“Percy” a woman’s voice exclaimed.

Percy jumped out of his thoughts and looked around him disoriented. He realized he had not only missed his stop, but the whole train was now empty except for the weird lady sitting across from him. She was as pale as a sheet of paper but her ponytail hair and long flowy dress were as dark as obsidian. She looked like a former emo kid Percy thought. At her foot sat a small black dog and… was that a polecat?

“Aha!” she exclaimed making Percy flinch “I knew that old Dumbledore had taken you in. Good! it would’ve been such a shame to have sent you to Ilvermorny,”

Percy started at her triumphant smile for a second before asking; “Uh, who are you, lady?”

Her face fell in disbelief as she repeated “Who are you, lady? Unbelievable! The youth from nowadays!” Percy kept looking at her questionably.

She sighed “I am Hecate… You know the goddess of witchcraft?”

“Gotcha” Percy replied “So how do you know about me going to Hogwarts? As far as I know, none of the gods seem to know about there being a wizarding world.”

“Well...” Hecate started “It started out as my little plaything, making some witches and wizards left and right. But then the whole burning them on the stake thing happened and Zeus got really mad so I kind of promised I stop making them,” She shrugged her shoulders “Which I did! But I forgot to inform him that they could also reproduce.”

“Oh great so now I am another thing Zeus hates,” Percy groaned “But wait a minute? How did they never figure it out?”

“Oh!” she exclaimed “I made this nifty shield thing, kind of like mist but for gods. Plus I stay away from anything magical world so they don’t follow me… but honestly, the gods are not paying that much attention in general. Too busy having feasts and sleeping with-”

“Okay stop!” He yelled, “Seriously lady, TMI!”

“Just being honest” she responded.

“And why are you here?” Percy asked

“Well Percy Jackson, I thought I smelled something magical coming of you, but I also smelled a lot of fish so I wasn’t sure,”

“Hey!” Percy retorted. She once again proceeded to shrug her shoulders

“Anyways, I wasn’t sure. And if I went and stalked you, well Poseidon would have definitely thought something was up. So just now I used a quick little-” and she knocked her finger against her head. Legilimens Percy guessed she meant to say.

“So why now?” He wondered.

“Well… the people are correct. Voldemort is rising.” She sighed “This whole thing is becoming too big to hide, so before Zeus decides to level out England, I better explain it to him… and of course tell him you're working on it!”

“What!” Percy exclaimed.

“I am not asking much! All you have to do is befriend Harry Potter and help him a bit, quite simple,” She explained.

Percy looked at her with a straight face. “Too late, Harry and I hate each other and we’re sworn mortal enemies” he deadpanned.

Now it was Hecate’s time to freak out. “What!” she exclaimed.

Before Percy was getting blasted off the face of the earth he threw up his hands “Just kidding, Just kidding. Harry and I have been friends since the first day. Helped him multiple times now,” He said hurriedly.

“I swear you Poseidon boys-” She grumbled “Ok get up, we’re at our stop,” She was already reaching to help him up.

“What do you mean,” Percy retorted “Where almost at Coney Island righ-” She suddenly grabbed his shoulder and a flash of gold light blinded him. When Percy opened his eyes he was in a familiar place; the top of the Empire State Building also known as Mount Olympus.

“We’re going to tell them right now? I wasn’t done with my errands,” Percy huffed.

“Oh come on, we both know you’re errands only included buying a big pile of candy to sell from your dorm room” She jabbed.

“How did you know that? “ He argued.

“Legilimens, remember?” She responded “Now I promise if you help me I get you all the candy you want,”

She started walking towards the throne room. In the end, Percy decided to follow her since one; he didn’t want to have beef with the goddess who was the cause for his wizard powers and two; he really wanted that candy.

Percy did get more nervous as they got closer to the hall. The last time he was up here they literally decided if he should be allowed to live. And with the little stunt Hecate was planning he hoped they weren’t going in for a second round of voting.

As they approached the doors, Hecate waved her hand to make them fly open. They stepped over the threshold when Percy immediately heard a loud and somewhat bored voice question; “Hecate what’s the meaning of this meeting?” Zeus said while still polishing the lightning bolt in his hand.

Apparently, he hadn’t immediately spotted Percy yet but just as Hecate was about to respond he turned his eyes towards the two. “Perseus Jackson!” Zeus's voice boomed loudly “What are you doing here!”

Percy refused to flinch for this man. “Not really sure to be honest,” He said. From the corner of his eye, he saw Poseidon raise the corner of his mouth just the tiniest.

Just before Zeus could respond, or possibly kill him, Hecate jumped in. “I brought him with me,” She said “I need his help,”

“Pfff this little prawn again?” Ares complained “You should try one of my kids, they would beat this kid to a pulp in a second,”

Percy felt anger washing over him. Until now Ares's kids hadn’t been able to lay a hand on him.  but even his impulsiveness was smart enough to not attack Ares in a room full of gods.

“Well it’s a bit different than that,” Hecate responded.

“So get on with it,” Zeus said “We haven’t got all day,” Well Percy thought, they probably do have all day.

“Yeah so ehm,” Hecate spluttered. She actually seemed nervous about telling him “You remember those little witches and wizards I used to make, but then you made me get rid of them,”

Zeus responded by giving her an angry stare.

“Well actually you told me to stop making them…but they could kind of make themselves at that point..” She said, her voice getting more and more silent. Percy almost saw the tiny flames appear behind Zeus’s eyes.

“You. Mean to tell me. They are still walking around?!” Zeus bellowed.

Hecate shied away so much that it almost looked like she was hiding in her robes. “Sort of… they made this whole community with schools, shops, even got their own sports,” she said quietly.

For a second Percy thought he and Hecate were done for. Zeus was going to throw his big bolt at them and ZAPP! One order of fried Percy, coming up. Instead, he slapped his palm into his face and muttered “I can’t deal with this,”

He looked back up at Hecate and asked “Why are you telling me this now? And why is this boy here?”

“So I always shielded them from you all… but right now they have this, this sort of war going on and I just wanted to let you know before you decide to electrify half of England…”

“A wizard war?” Zeus grumbled.

“Actually more like a dark wizard trying to take over” Percy piped in.

“And why would you know this, Percy?” Poseidon asked curiously.

“Eum… apparently mom was more than a wizard in the kitchen?” He said uncertainly while he proceeded to pull his wand from his sock.

The gods were silent for a moment, and the mayhem started

“That’s so cool, Perc!” Apollo Yelled. “Let's vote again to kill the kid” Ares boomed in the back. Athena looked like she wanted to disintegrate him and Poseidon seemed to pale “A wizard? –“He muttered silently.

“SILENCE!” Zeus declared loudly. He turned to Hecate “What kind of threat is the boy, Hecate?”

“Well not much more of a threat than he usually is,” Hecate said. Zeus kept looking at her sternly, not satisfied with the answer. She sighed “Look he can’t even do magic outside of the school unless he’s at least 17. By then the prophecy has passed, so it's not going the be magic that decides if he kills us all or not,”

Percy wanted to facepalm so hard right now. Great way to phrase it. However surprisingly, it was good enough for Zeus.

“Hecate since you have been reliable in the past I will let this go for now, but if this goes out of hand I want you to finish it immediately, all of it,” He said the last part while his eyes fixated on Percy. While the threat should have scarred him, he was actually somewhat relieved. This was way easier than his last couple of times up on Olympus.

Hecate nodded furiously.

“Okay dismissed” Zeus announced and in a great blinding light he disappeared from his throne.

“Wait that was it!” Ares bellowed looking angry. He pointed his finger at Percy “I’ll get you someday punk” and he too disappeared.  

One by one the gods started to disappear. His dad gave him a tiny wave with a small wave, to which Percy replied the same, and he disappeared into a cloud of foam.  

Hecate and Percy started to head towards the doors.

“Well that went great,” Hecate said.

Percy huffed “I’m just lucky we’re still alive… well for now at least”

“Ah don’t worry!” Hecate responded “I will help you, together we make sure the wizarding world doesn’t cease to exist,”

Percy just stared at her. Hecate however wasn’t phased.

“Now hurry home your lift to London could be here any moment,” She continued “Oh and I will drop your candy off at home, so good luck and I will speak to you later,”

“Wait!-” Percy tried to say, but at the same time Hecate transformed once again into a blinding light.

 “At least you could have given me a ride home” Percy grumbled as he stomped his way to the elevator.