Percy PoV

I told him everything.
Dumbledore nods wearily.

"Unfortunately I don't understand. I'm doing everything I can to keep you out of harm's way."

"Perhaps, but my world is complex. Add to that the spy in our midst, and there are a lot of factors that can come into play."

"I know that. However, I don't really like it. No offense Perseus..."-

"Percy", I corrected.

"...Perseus, I'd rather have you than anyone else fall on it. Imagine if any student other than you were attacked by a monster like that."

I nod my head.
"Even I almost died. I probably would have stayed there, if not for Rish's help."

"The mermaids told me so."

"Do you talk to mermaids?"

"Yes, I understand and speak their language. To tell the truth their words can have two meanings. I would say they expressed to me the violence of your fight, unless they were talking about potatoes playing golf with baseball bats. But I'm pretty sure of my translation."

I smile.

I wonder if I'm not dead for real after all. What I saw, the person who sent me back here... I think I know who she is.

Unfortunately, she wouldn't tell me, and I don't know why. But if I'm right, then I have to trust.

"Perseus, are you listening to me?"

"Oh uh no sorry."
I'll think about this later. In the meantime, I have to deal with the problem here.

"You were saying?"

"I'm asking if you have any idea who is behind this."

"You mean the spy?"

"No. That I trust in you. I'm talking about the guy pulling the strings from above."

"Oh..."

The director remains silent.

A whistle sounds.

"Ah, they're about to announce the grades. Come on, we'll continue this conversation later."

I start walking towards the jury.

"Oh, by the way."

"Yes Albus?"

"You're going to have to learn to make up more believable spells. Headwaterproof, seriously?"

"I was under pressure! And I must say that I don't usually bother with silly justifications, I just dive in and that's it. "

Dumbledore laughed.
"Be careful not to overdo it, though. We don't want to find out who you are."

I nodded my head.
"Albus?"

"Yes, Perseus?"

"You have a beetle on your head."

Dumbledore casually shooed him away, and we parted.

I join Harry, Ron and Hermione.
Krum stood a few steps away from Hermione, trying to start a conversation, but to no avail.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! We'll start giving out the grades now!"

Ludo Bagman was once again in a jovial mood.

And he starts to give the notes.

I don't listen, observing the surroundings instead.
I prefer to stay on the lookout, in case we have a bad surprise.

So you found it?

"Chaos?"

Yes. Did you find out who you'll be fighting?

"No. But I guess I should know by now."

Yeah. Think again.

"Actually, my knowledge of mythology is limited."

All right, then. What's the name of the dark wizard?

"Voldemort."

But not his name! His title!

"Uh, do I sense a divine exasperation in your voice or am I mistaken?"

Just answer.

"The dark lord."

Right. And who could be more powerful than a dark lord?

"The Lord of Light? They always say good triumphs over evil, so light triumphs over darkness!"

If I listened to myself I would slap you on the back of the head.

"It would be a divine slap then!"

She doesn't answer.
"I'm sorry."

Stop with your rotten remarks. Be serious for a moment.

"I am serious!"

You are wrong. A powerful evil entity is at work. The Leviathan, which you had a hard time fighting, almost losing your life, is just a pawn for him.

"So if I understand correctly, it's not the Lord of Light. Disappointed."

I'm sorry about that.

"It's not your fault."

Actually it is, because he's my child.

"Your child?"

Yes.

I roll my eyes.
"Why does that not surprise me?"

I don't need your comments. The point is, he's after you now. The tests are over. Next time, he'll try to kill you for real.

"Oh, it was fake? Well, you'll have to tell him he needs to brush up on some things then! Because I felt pretty dead!"

That's because you gave up. But that's not the problem. Once you understand who he is, you'll have to meet him and defeat him.

"If you don't?"

The world ends and you all die.

"Not very cheerful. I mean, I guess you're not going to tell me the name?"

I'm not. I gotta go. I have urgent business to attend to. Try to make more progress.

And I feel Chaos' presence fading.

"Bravo Percy! Tied with Cedric and me!"shouts Harry, bringing me back to reality.

"Uh, thanks."
I missed the grades.
But I know my place in the ranking.

Krum tries to engage with Hermione again, expressing that she has a bug in her hair, but she ignores him and simply removes the beetle.

My eyes meet hers and she stares at me suspiciously.
She opens her mouth to speak but resigns herself and finally says nothing.

"The last task will take place on June 24! A month before, the champions will be informed of the nature of this task! Thank you all and see you soon!" Concludes Ludo Verpey.

The crowd starts to disperse, heading towards the school.

Anne gives me a quick wave and I respond. Krum joins her and they head towards the Durmstrang boat.

On the other side, I see Fleur and Peter heading towards the Beauxbatons carriage.

The jury was also separating.
Verpey was leaving with a light step while the directors were following the champions.
Crouch seemed to be in bad shape. Maybe he is sick ?

"Well, what if we went back to the castle?" Ron suggested.

"He came to Hogsmeade!" exclaimed Ron.

It was March.
An owl from Sirius had just reached Harry, expressing his wish to meet him at Hogsmeade.

"But if he gets caught..."

"Don't worry, Harry. Your godfather is a tough guy. Come on, we have Potions class."

We're going to potions class, where the Slytherins have already arrived.

When we arrived, they started to snigger.
I glare at them and they stop, when someone comes out of the circle.

"Here, this should interest you!"

The girl throws something in our direction, and Hermione catches a magazine on the fly.

But before she can unfold it, Snape exits the room.
"I can see it's a lot of fun here."

"Red alert, I repeat red alert, the snake is coming out of its hole!" I call out, eliciting laughter from the Gryffindors.

"Mr. Jackson."

"Mr. Snape."

A sneer appears on his face.
"I see the gentleman is in a joking mood today. You're going to get detention for insulting me."

I raise my eyebrows.
"I didn't insult you. I never said you were the snake. Now, if you feel like you're being targeted, I can't help it."

"Don't get smart with me."

And he waves me in.

I sit down at my table.
"No chance of that. For that he have to be smart."

Harry and Ron laugh.
Hermione unfolded the magazine as Snape turned his back.

The whole front page was taken up by an article about Harry being heartbroken after Hermione was with Krum or something.

"So we read magazines in class? Twenty points off for Gryffindor."

Snape grabs the magazine.
"Oh yes, I understand. Potter has to keep up with his fame."

And he starts reading.
"Harry Potter's secret wound..."

I cut him off.
"You know we can read, we don't need you. We already hear enough of the sound of your thin voice with the class, we don't need another reading break."

He looks at me smugly and turns the page.
"The true identity of Percy Jackson."

Huh? What did he just say?

"Well then Jackson? Are we hiding something? Or should I say Perseus?"

🔱 🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱🔱
Hi demigod!
Already sorry for the wait time, I'm pretty busy right now 😭😅

I hope you enjoyed reading the chapter!
Well I agree that it's not the most exciting one but you need some talk to move the story forward haha!

I'll see you soon in the next chapter,
Until then,
Stay cool, demigod

Word count:
1386