Percy's POV

Me and Hermione are just strolling along to Ancient Greek. Neither of us were saying anything and it's really awkward. She was clutching her arm, and I was just whistling. My mind felt like it was being swirled around in a storm of air spirits. What was that guy's name again? Oh, right. Dylan, the botherer of Jason. I share that title with him.

As much as Harry hated me, I wouldn't think he'd have gone so far as to hurt Hermione. I mean, she is, or rather, was, his best friend. I still feel guilty for tearing apart their friendship. It was cute compared to me and Annabeth's, but it was still a strong one.

"So," I said, "How's your arm holding up?"

Hermione's hand fell away from the wound, "It's alright, thanks to you." She said that last part quietly, like she was in shock or something.

What's so bad about me being helpful? I'm just a helpful dude!

I cleared my throat, "It might leave a scar, but it'll look really cool."

Hermione shrugged, "If you don't mind, I'd rather leave my skin scar free."

I scratched the back of my head, embarrassed. Wow. I literally had nothing to say. I always have something to say! I had a Persassy remark when Annabeth found out I ripped up her blueprints, and after I got that bucket on my head. For the record, I might have been stumbling around with a bucket jammed onto my head, but I sure as Hades looked hot doing it.

When Leo gets back, I'm gonna need to have a word with that boy. Need to cut down on my McShizzle exposure.

We walked into the Greek classroom, and I saw a very happy child of Hades. I felt a grin split my face and I noogied him. "Neeks!" I shouted, "What're ya doing here?"

He brushed me off with a frown, "You keep calling me 'Neeks' and you might just find a sword up your gluteus maximus, Perce," he said in Greek.

I smiled, "Aw, come on! You know I'm better at that than you. Plus, I've got a very Skittley bodyguard."

Nico paled, "I'm sorry, did you just say Skittley? As in, Skittles?" I nodded, my eyebrows waggling up an down. 

At that moment, Luna popped up in front of his face, scaring the Hades out of him. "Wassup, Neeks?" She said, grinning, "How'd you get turned into a professor?"

I felt my eyes bug out, "Wait, you're teaching? But you're like, fifteen." Nico puffed his chest out, "No, I'm like, eighty!" The rest of the wizards looked at him strangely.

His pale face turned as red as a Weasley's hair and he shouted, "I'm kidding, kidding. I am fifteen. I'm a little young, but I am your professor, and I deserve as much respect as you'd give Dumbledore. Plus, I've been through more than any of you ever will. Well, except young Perseus."

I glared at him mockingly. "Whatever you say," I said, walking to sit between Hermione and Luna, "Neeks." I winked at him and he glared back with a smile.

Of course, Harry decided to burst out, "Percy's lying! He hasn't been through so much. The hat says so and he says so, but they're the only ones!" Nico and Luna shot him a death glare. He literally paled past white. Is there something past white? Let's just say you could practically see his skull.

Nico's voice turned quiet and threatening. "I know what he's been through even if your ego filled brain refuses to believe it. In fact, most of the time I was right there with him. So shut up, Potter."

The whole class went, "Oooh." Needless to say, Harry returned to his normal state of being a tomato.

Then he got down to business, "Alright, class! We will be beginning with a pretest to see where you are."

Hermione's hand shot up, "But we haven't been given the chance to review the material! I don't know much on the Greek heritage, and-" She was cut off by Nico.

He waved his hands, "Hermione, right? Well, Hermione, this doesn't count as a grade, it's just so I can get a good idea of what I'll need to be covering."

Hermione nodded, abashed. I chuckled, nudging her, "Yeah, 'Mione." She stuck her tongue out at me, and I just grinned. I hoped things were back to the way they were.

Professor Di Angelo walked around the classroom handing out papers. As he passed our table, me and Luna shouted together, "Neeks!"

He laughed, "Don't worry, I've got you covered." He gave us our tests in Greek. I sighed in relief. And here I thought that Nico would make me read it in English. Stupid Percy!

Ron burst out of his seat, "That's not fair! You can't help them and not us."

Nico looked exasperatedly at him, "Would you like a copy of their version of the test? You can't have the regular version back if you say yes, though, Weasley."

Ron nodded furiously, Harry raising his hand as well, "Me too, Professor Di Angelo."

Nico shrugged, "Whatever you say, boys." I snuck Hermione a peek of my version of the test, and she chuckled. Maybe me thinking Nico would make me read English wasn't as stupid as it got.

Ron and Harry both yelled, "But Professor! I can't read this!"

Nico shrugged again, "You said that you wanted his test. No give backs." Still protesting, we all started.

Nico's test was so easy.

(A/N Bold is the questions, Italics is Percy's thoughts, Bold Italics is the answer)

1. Who are the Big Three gods?

That's so easy. Obviously Poseidon, Hestia, and Hades. I wish.

Poseidon, Hades, and Zeus

2. Who is the goddess of the hearth?

Oh, so hard, Neeks. You can do better than that. Who's the greatest demigod? Annabeth, obviously.

Hestia

3. Name three heroes from Greek Mythology.

Percy, Annabeth, and Thalia. What about the old ones? Definitely not Heracles. That dude's a jerk.

Perseus, Theseus, Odysseus

4. Who are the twelve Olympians?

Why must Mr. D be an Olympian? Why?

Poseidon, Hephaestus, Artemis, Athena, Apollo, Hermes, Demeter, Zeus, Hera, Dionysus, Ares, Aphrodite

5. Name three different kinds of Greek monsters.

In other words, name three things that Percy has defeated. I think I've fought just about every Greek monster known to the gods.

The minotaur, the Chimera, Medusa

Me and Luna finished at the same time and put our feathers down. Wait. I'm sorry. We put our quills down. Haven't these wizards ever heard of pens? Get with the times, people.

Hermione, Ron, and Harry stared at us in shock. I was this close to shouting at them. We are DEMIGODS! And we have Greek in our BLOOD! Our precious BLOOD that GAIA likes spilling. Come to think of it, so did every MONSTER in the WORLD! Styx! ADHD out of control again. I really need to work on that.

But I didn't think Nico would appreciate that. I didn't think Hermione would appreciate it either. But I think that Harry and Ron would totally appreciate it and it would make them warm up to me. Definitely.

By the time everyone had finished those five questions, me and Luna had popped in and out of the class to kill a hellhound, two empousai, and an evil harpy. I almost didn't make it out of that last one. He had reminded me too much of Ella, who was dating my brother. Good thing I've got Rainbow Face to watch my back.

When we walked back into the class after sending that harpy to Tartarus, Hermione raised an eyebrow at me. "And where were you two on this fine day?" She asked us, "Are you two dating?"

Ugh! Me and Rainbow Face? I was dating my Wise Girl, last time I checked. I felt my face contorted, and I'm sure that Luna looked the same way.

"Ew! Gross. No. We're both single." I shot Luna a warning glance, hoping she wouldn't tell Hermione that I'm dating Annabeth. Just like this morning, I'd like to keep that a secret.

Luna nodded so fiercely I thought her head was gonna fall off. Nico handed back the tests.

Harry stood up, "And what did you get, oh so great Jackson? Did poor wittle Pwetty Boy get a zero?" His voice turned mocking at the end, his face shifting into a sneer.

I laughed at him, "I got a hundred. Did poor wittle Potter get a zero?" I held up my paper to his obvious shock.

His face turned scarlet and Hermione looked up at me, "I got a sixty," she said in awe, "How did you get a hundred?"

I sat down and propped my feet up on the table, "I'm smart that way."

She and Luna smirked, saying together, "No you're not." I laughed with them as the bell rang.

I looked at Hermione, "What class do we have now?"

She looked down at our schedules. "I have Muggle Studies and you have a free period."

I chuckled, "I'm sorry, did you just say muggle?"

Hermione raised her eyebrow, "Yep. It's just another word for a nonmagical person. I didn't want to waste this period."

I shook my head, "I would say 'only you', but Annabeth would probably agree. Do you want me to wait outside your class? I don't really have anything else to do."

Hermione's face split into a smile, "Nah, Perce. You go enjoy your free time. Wow, Harry and Ron never offered anything as kind as this," she put her hand on my shoulder, "Why don't you go to the library? Or if you want, down to Hagrid's hut. Tell him that I sent you. Although, he might be teaching a class. But you were amazing in ours. You could probably help him."

I grinned at her, "Do you guys have a pool, or a lake, or something?"

She nodded, "Just the Black Lake, but there are dangerous merpeople and a squid down there."

I smiled, "Not dangerous for me. Just call me back up when it's time for class, 'Mione."

Before she could respond, I darted up to the Gryffindor Dormitory, only to find Neville Longbottom waiting outside the portrait.

I waved, "Hey, Neville. What're you doing out here?"

He shrugged sadly, "I forgot the password. Again."

I chuckled, "Sounds like something I would do. Here, it's Athena's Blue Cookies."

The portrait of the Fat Lady swung open, and Neville nodded his thanks. I raced up to the Boy's Dorm only to find Harry and Ron waiting for me angrily.

Ron smiled evilly, "So the Pretty Boy arrives."

I winked, "I know I'm pretty, but you don't need to keep saying it."

While the two boys stood there in shock at what I'd just said, I rummaged through my trunk for my swimming shorts.

Then Harry regained his composure, "I know you're a Death Eater. The way Snape trusts you, and your tattoo. You don't have to hide it. That's why you're trying to get close to Hermione. So you can kidnap me."

I smirked, "Wow. You think you're so great, oh Chosen One. I don't know why anyone would want you. I mean, you can be a bit obnoxious." Yes, I know what obnoxious means. Annabeth only uses it on me about five hundred times a day. Harry's face turned red again as I shot down toward the lake.

Pulling on my Nemo swim shorts, I felt a deathly presence behind me. I turned around, seeing nothing.

I almost turned away, when a branch snapped. My demigod senses were prickling, shooting bolts of electricity arcing through my body. Then I remembered.

Annabeth had an invisibility hat. Didn't Thanatos have an invisibility cloak? And didn't Hecate say that that cloak had fallen into the hands of her pet community some centuries ago? Didn't Dumbledore say that Harry had inherited that cloak from his father? Didn't my mom say that she'd send me blue cookies in a care package? Oh, wait. That's irrelevant.

I held my hand out, "Harry, Ron, I know you're there. You'd better come out before I have to take away that cloak." They remained silent and unmoving, probably hoping I'd convince myself I was wrong. I shrugged, turning away, "Don't say I didn't tell you so."

With that, I summoned Thanatos's cloak to me with the powers Hades had blessed me with. I saw someone I never thought I'd see under it.

Hermione Granger.

No, no. I definitely saw Bighead Potter and Redhead Ronald. Redhead Ronald. That has a nice ring to it. What about Ronald the Redhead? Ooh, that's great. Stop. Back to the task at hand.

I raised an eyebrow at the boys, "And what did you think you'd get by following me, British boys?" They looked terrified.

I shook my head, "You may forget, but I am a professor. I'm keeping this cloak until further notice. And five points away from Gryffindor."

Why am I taking points away from my own house? I don't really care.

When they started to protest I flashed them a smile, "Each." I heard them shouting after me as I dove into the Black Lake. It's really fun to pester them.

When I hit the bottom I made a bubble around me and IM'ed Annabeth. She was in the dining pavilion, and everyone screamed, "It's Percy!"

I waved, "Hey, guys. Nice to know that some people miss me, Annabeth," I said pointedly to my girlfriend, who was just sitting and chewing on her pancakes.

She nodded at me, "Seaweed Brain," she said with her mouth full, "IM me again in five minutes. She cut the connection and I didn't even see what she did after that. So I waited for a minute and decided that waiting was dumb.

I made another IM and saw she was facing away from me at the beach. I couldn't take it anymore. I needed to see her in person.

I focused. I felt my body dissolving into shadow and when I reopened my eyes, I was behind Annabeth. I felt a smile creeping up onto my face. This was really risky. It might end with me missing a limb. But in extreme circumstances, if I die, just tell my mom. Don't let anyone eat my cookies.

"ANNABETH!" I screamed, ready for anything. She grabbed my arm and judoflipped me over her shoulder. You know, I should have expected that.

Her face was murderous. I gulped and smiled, "'Sup, Wise Girl. How you doin'?"

She shook her head, grinning, "I almost killed you, Seaweed Brain. Couldn't you get back sooner?"

I shook my head, "I'm drenched in classes!"

Annabeth laughed. Man, I loved her laugh. "You can't get drenched in anything, Kelp Head."

Annabeth took my hand and we lay on the sand in silence for a while. "What's Hogwarts like?"

I looked over at her, "It's great. You'd love the architecture. They do things with little sticks that we see on a daily basis. They use them to change into animals, they use them to bend fire and water and air. They use it to see the future. Can you imagine?"

Annabeth smiled, "All they really need is Frank, Leo, Jason, Rachel, and you and they'd be set for life." We chuckled, enjoying each other's company while it lasted.

"What about the wizards? Are they nice?" Annabeth asked, her mouth close to my ear.

I shrugged, "Yeah. There's this girl, Hermione. She's great. You'd really like her. She's just like you. Just not as awesome."

I nudged her, but she wasn't smiling. Her lips were pressed in a thin line, her face contorted in something like... Jealousy?

I let a small laugh escape my lips, "Oh, Annabeth Chase. You can't be jealous, can you? There's nothing between us. She's just a friend."

Annabeth smiled, "It's just, I can't keep an eye on my investment anymore."

I chuckled, "No one can replace you. You're the love of my life."

I pressed a soft kiss to her mouth and she smiled into it. "Thanks, Perce."

I stood up, "Now, I've got to get to whatever class I'm supposed to be in. See ya, Wise Girl."

Annabeth gave me a hug, "Try not to fail."

I grinned, "I almost forgot. Nico and Sevvy teach there. And Skittles to watch my back." Annabeth's face turned incredulous as I dissolved into water. That was not a sight I would forget.

I appeared back in the Black Lake, watching the fish and the merpeople above. Suddenly I heard Hermione's voice shouting through the water. It shouldn't have been possible. Sound doesn't travel very well through the water. I swam up to the surface, willing myself wet.

When I climbed to the shore and pulled a Mrs. O'Leary, shaking my hair out, water flying over a very startled Hermione. I grinned, pushing my hair out of my face.

Hermione turned red and looked away with a squeal. I pulled out my wand and pressed it against my arm, using my powers as a son of Poseidon to dry myself rather than actually think of the spell.

I pulled on my robes and shouted, "Let's go, 'Mione. What's next?" Hermione was looking anywhere but me. I tilted her head up with my finger, "Hermione?"

Her face, if possible, got even redder than it already was. She stuttered, "Herbology, come on, Percy." She speed walked away, refusing to slow down.

I trailed behind her until we reached the greenhouses. No problem. Katie and her mom taught me a thing or two about plants, not to mention my crazy camp director, Mr. D. Professor Sprout greeted the class. How ironic is that? I mean, who names a herbology professor Sprout?

Anyway, the teacher said something about mandrakes. Me and Hermione were given a pot. We had these weird, fuzzy earmuffs on, which I really didn't like.

I felt... I felt... Impaired. Yeah. I couldn't hear anything, and my inner demigod was going crazy. I couldn't tell if something would sneak up on me or what.

I pulled out one of the leaves and it turned out to be a crying baby. I crying dirt/plant baby. And I thought the plant was weird. But it was crying, and the professor was watching me.

I didn't exactly listen to the instructions, and I couldn't hear Hermione trying to talk to me, so I just tried to calm it down.

I scratched it behind the ear like I would to Mrs. O'Leary. Don't judge me! I've never handled a real baby. My mom's pregnant, but that's it. Stop looking at me like that.

Surprisingly, it stopped crying. Everyone looked at me in shock. Me, just holding a giggling dirt baby. Must be strange or something.

Professor Sprout motioned to the bowl next to me. I put the mandrake into the bowl, watching her nod in approval. But the second I let go, it started crying again, and I snatched it back up.

I picked mandrake after mandrake, calming all of them down as I went. Soon, I was holding about a dozen babies in my arms.

Hermione took off my earmuffs for me, grinning. "Percy," she said, "That was amazing! How did you do it?"

I shrugged, careful not to knock off a mandrake crawling around on my shoulder, "How am I supposed to know, 'Mione? Shouldn't you have some ideas?"

Before she could answer, Professor Sprout walked over, "Perseus!" she said happily, "You've earned twenty points for Gryffindor! I definitely have enough mandrakes for the cure now!"

I looked at Hermione, "What cure?" Hermione started a long lecture about the healing components of mandrakes, along with their toxins.

I tried to listen. I really did. But I zoned out, like how I don't listen to the 'amazing arches' and the 'whoa, look at those columns' talks that Annabeth gives me every time we see a monument.

Harry was fuming behind me, obviously jealous that I had a bunch of slimy, dirty, muddy babies crawling over me and a very talkative bookworm spouting facts into my ear. Who wouldn't want that?

I helped Professor Sprout empty the mandrakes off my shoulders and into the bowl after class, feeling an overwhelming urge to hold them again after they started bawling.

The professor smiled kindly at me, "Thank you, Perseus. You truly are a great student. I am glad you don't let the sins of your grandfather hold you back or decide who you will be."

I nodded at her, "It helps that I never knew about him before I made who I am today, then. Also, it's Percy, Professor Sprout."

She waved me off, "Okay, Percy. Now get going! You don't want to be late to dinner."

I darted out of the room, where I already heard the sounds of happy children eating dinner. I can't believe I missed dinner. Dinner is my time, bro! My stomach growling like Mrs. O'Leary, I walked into the Great Room.

And everyone stopped to look at me.