THE DESCENDANT OF SLYTHERIN

CHAPTER 1 : MANY LETTERS BUT NOT FROM ONE

Percy POV

I got expelled from another school. Surprise, right? Oh, okay, let me reintroduce myself again. My name is Persephone Jackson, but call me Percy Jackson. I am going to turn twelve this August and live in Manhattan. About my school, yup, when we went to the Saratoga battlefield, I had an accident with a Revolutionary War cannon. I wasn't aiming for the school bus, but of course, I got expelled anyway. It's completely usual for me. If you don't believe me, trust me. If you want more proof, here it is: at my fourth-grade school, when we took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Marine World shark pool, I sort of hit the wrong lever on the catwalk, and our class took an unplanned swim. Now you get it. This is my record, but there is something that is unknown from Muggles—oops, I let it slip. Okay, no more secrets. Muggle means non-magical people. So yeah, I am Laia Black, a witch attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Scotland, which is the only school I haven't been expelled from... yet. I completed my first year, and this September, I am off to Hogwarts again for my second year. I know you're asking me, "Then why the hell are you attending a Muggle school when you are attending a magical school like Hogwarts?" I know, right? But my personal professor, Hecate Olympia, has said so. My mum and my godfather, Remus, have also advised me that Muggle education is very important. In the future, it will be useful. I have no idea how Muggle education is important for a witch, but I am attending for their sake.

Through the window, I saw owls land with a soft thump on my bed. One fell unconscious. At that moment, we could see who he belongs to. His name was Errol, and he belongs to the Weasley family. Another one is mine, Fed. I sent him to deliver a letter to Hermione, one of my best friends from Hogwarts. She always has my back no matter what. I dashed to the bed, untied the cords around Errol's legs, took off the letter from Ron, my other best friend from Hogwarts who's more like a protective brother, and then I carried Errol to Fed's cage. Errol opened one bleary eye, gave a feeble hoot of thanks, and began to gulp some water. Then I took off the letter from Fed as well. It's a reply letter from Hermione. First, I unfolded Ron's letter:

"Dear Laia,

How is your Muggle school, or did you get expelled already?"

What an understanding friend. Yep, Ron, I got expelled.

"I still have no idea why you are attending a Muggle school, but who am I to ask, Miss Potion Prodigy? I hope you still have time for us. Don't overstress yourself. Get some rest. We all know about your potential, so don't let the Muggles get you down. Harry still didn't reply to any of our letters. I'm really thinking of going to London to meet him. Do you think his uncle locked him up and isn't letting him have any means to communicate with us? Laia, if your Muggle school is over, can you make it to the Burrow? Mum asked me to invite you. Fred and George said that they want their pranking partner back soon, and I can say they miss you more than anything. I don't know how you made them like this, and they want a novel-worthy story of how you blew up another school (but I really think, please don't tell them, we want Hogwarts as it is). Okay, take care and see you soon. Miss you.

With Love,

Ron"

OMG, Ron, what an understanding friend you are. Yep, I blew up another school, but I'm really sorry. I want to tell the story to Gred and Feorge since I don't want to miss out on all the fun. About Harry, what's up with you, bro? Why are you not replying to any of our letters? I think I have to have a word with Remus about you. There is something fishy. And about the Burrow, it would be fun at the Burrow, but I really want to stay with my mum, even if it means putting up with smelly Gabe. Let me think about that. Moving to Hermione's letter, it reads:

"Dear Laia,

How is your school going? Have you made any friends yet? Does your dyslexia disturb you with your studies? Don't let it win over you. Try your level best. That's enough. Remember, you've got your place in Hogwarts. Has Harry replied to you? He hasn't, right? What happened to him? Do you think his uncle blocked our letters from reaching him? It's just what I thought... Let's wait and see. Don't worry; he will manage it. By the way, are you going to the Burrow? Ron told me he's going to invite you. He invited me, but I don't think I'm going to make it. But we will meet in Diagon Alley. Take care. We will meet very soon.

With love,

Hermione"

I don't think I found any difference in both Ron and Hermione's letters. They have so many similarities, but they also disagree on one thing (according to them). You know, they both are sweet and caring and all, especially about each other. They will understand one day. As for me, I am going home. Wow, a sweet little time with smelly Gabe. That's what I really look forward to. But on the bright side, I am going to spend some healthier time with my mum. While I am thinking about how I am going to spend my remaining summer, through the window, I saw an owl, and surprise, it's from Ced. Cedric is my Hufflepuff senior who helped me in my academics. Not just a senior, but my secret best friend who understands me and is there for me no matter what. I opened his letter, and it reads:

"Hey Bravey,

What's up? Everything alright? Have you blown up your Muggle school yet? If you did, don't worry, I am proud of you. Don't be shocked. If you got expelled from your Muggle school, then you've got more time to complete your summer homework, don't you? It would be difficult to concentrate on both. I get it. But you can do this. And don't hesitate to ask me for help (I mean not only in academics, you know; you can ask me anything). I am really eager to listen to your new story of how you got expelled. Tell me when we see each other. You know what? I want to thank you in advance for giving me a worthy story of how you blew up each and every school. You are going to break Fred and George's record. I am waiting to meet you (and for your story...). See you soon. Take care.

Your Casanova,

Ced"

What have I ever done to have a friend like you, Ced? Sure, I will tell you when we meet again. I am really missing Hogwarts and all my friends—Harry, Ron, Neville, Hermione, Ced. Oh my God, I want to go back soon. Even though I got so many letters, there's one I really expected but didn't receive—Harry. Little bro, what's going on? Are you okay? Be strong. You can do it. Remember that. Even if we are not next to you, we are always with you. But I want to meet you, bro. I am really missing you...