Perseus Potter

Chapter 10

Pruina headed back to the dorm when the two cousins left the room and walked to the Great Hall, entering to find that only Dumbledore and Snape were already there. The two professors turned when they heard the two enter the room. An awkward silence stretched between the four until Nico broke it.

“Where is everyone? Are we late?” he asked.

Percy glanced around and frowned. “No, we aren’t late. It’s 4:37. Everyone should be here.” After defeating Kronos, he had somehow gained the ability to always know what time it was, down to the second.

“What are you two doing up this early?” Snape asked. “Breakfast starts at 6:00.”

The two demigods furrowed their brows and looked at the two adults in confusion. “Why would you start it that late?” Nico asked incredulously, his cousin nodding in agreement.

Dumbledore chuckled. “Mr. di Angelo, no students wake up before 5:30.”

Percy frowned at the man, both in disappointment and hatred. “You’re saying we could have trained longer?”

Snape’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “How long have you been up?”

“About an hour and a half, I think,” Nico said, glancing at Percy. “You got the exact time?” Nico was the only one who knew about Percy’s new ability.

“We started training at 3:14 and seven seconds,” Percy said thoughtfully, “and we got up at 3:03 and thirty-four seconds. It’s currently 4:39 and fifty seconds. So, we’ve been up a total of one hour, 36 minutes, and 34 seconds, if you factor in the time it took me to say all that.”

Snape didn’t bother hide his surprise at, not only how early they woke up, but also how precise he was.

Dumbledore, however, expertly covered it with a smile directed at the two demigods. “Well, I’m sorry to inform you that we don’t have any food prepared yet, but I’ve been meaning to speak with you, if you’d like to join us.”

Percy and Nico exchanged glances, having seen right through the old man’s act, before shrugging and walking further in. “Sure, why not?” Percy said.

When they had reached the two adults, Dumbledore began speaking again. “I have been informed of your mission here,” he said. “I have a few more questions for you, if you wouldn’t mind. Severus is aware of the situation.”

“Depends on the questions. You can ask, but I won’t promise you an answer.”

“How have you gotten Harry to trust you in such a short time? He is not the trusting type,” Dumbledore asked.

“Pass,” Percy said.

“Why do you and Harry look so much alike?”

Percy fought back a scowl as he answered. “A mere coincidence, I suppose. I was as surprised as you are now.”

“Why did the sorting hat take so long for you?”

“I’ve lived a long life,” Percy said bluntly.

Snape snorted at his words. “You’re fifteen.”

“Appearance isn’t everything, Professor,” Percy said calmly, though he was struggling to hide his shaking hands.

Nico glared at Snape. “I’m older than you by at least 50 years and Perce is older than me.”

Percy snickered at the look on Snape’s face. “Next question please.”

Snape asked a question before Dumbledore got a chance. “What makes you qualified to protect Harry and why should I trust you to do so?”

Percy smiled. The caring and protective man he knew was there, hidden under a carefully constructed mask. “I’m highly skilled in wandless and silent spells and physical combat. I can defeat an army single handedly. I would die for Harry without hesitation, making me the best person for the job.”