Secrets of Hogwarts and the Slytherin Prince

THE SORTING HAT

When they got off the train, Piper found Percy easily, Onyx in her arms. There were two girls with her, Hermione, and a grey eyed girl Percy had seen in Diagon Alley when they met Draco Malfoy. Hermione and the blonde girl Percy recognized were laughing together, and Piper was smiling. "You missed it, Percy. That Draco kid came by, and Annabeth cast a jinx on him. I didn't know you could make people croak like frogs."

Percy smirked as Draco walked past with a scowl on his face, glaring at the blonde girl meanly. His hair was no longer slicked back and his robes were a bit of a hazardous mess. He straightened them and stood, surrounded by a couple beefy boys who were of similar build to Markus. Draco had a deep scowl on his face. Harry and Ron were staring up at someone, and Percy followed their eyes. His eyes widened to see a large man, taller than the average human. He had a broad, kind smile on his bearded face, and Percy was stunned.

"First years over here! All yeh first years, come over here!" The man waited until a massive group had formed around him.

"Hi, Hagrid." Harry called, waving.

"'Ello, Harry." The man, Hagrid, smiled before explaining that first years, unlike the other students, took boats to the school, and then were sorted into their houses. Piper seemed to have a better idea of what that meant, after hanging out with Annabeth and Hermione, so Percy interrogated her as they followed Hagrid.

"One of the professors, Professor McGonagall, tells us about Hogwarts before leading us into the Great Hall- Oh... There's not enough room..." She frowned as Percy sat in a boat with Ron, Harry, and another boy with blonde hair. "I'll go sit with Annabeth and Hermione!"

She disappeared in the group of first years and Percy looked around glumly. The boats soon set off, and Percy watched uneasily as the large stone castle grew nearer and nearer to them.

***

Hagrid lead them inside the castle, before telling them to stay put and wait for Professor McGonagall. So, they did. Draco Malfoy found them quickly, though.

"So, Potter. I see you've met my good friend Percy Jackson. Looks like you know how to choose your friends...." Percy simply glared into Draco's pale face, wanting to make his perfectly straight nose crooked and unfixable. Surely, though, magic could fix it.... Eventually.

"You're friends with this loser?" Ron scoffed under his breath.

"Not on my life. Or his, for that matter." Percy said lowly in response.

"Oh... Red hair, hand me down robes... You must be a Weasley."

Ron looked furious. "Keep it in, Malfoy-" Percy was about to get his wish to knock Draco's nose out of shape when a booming voice called.

"Boys, what is going on here?" Draco grinned sickly, and Percy scowled into his white face.

"Nothing, Professor." The blonde girl, Annabeth, who had been in the boat with Piper cut in. "Mr Malfoy was just asking Mr Jackson what house he thought he might get into."

Percy looked at her in surprise. She defended him, and knew his last name... How? And why!?

Professor McGonagall nodded, a pleasant smile on her face. "Alright, Miss Chase. Thank you for clearing that up. Now, if everyone will follow me, we will get you all sorted into your houses."

She turned on her heel and began to walk away. Percy, Piper, Draco, Harry, Ron, and Annabeth lead the procession. Percy tried talking to Annabeth, to ask why she would defend him, but she kept a stoic expression, not speaking to anyone - Though, especially not to Percy.

She took a few confident steps ahead of everyone else, keeping up with Professor McGonagall, who was a stern faced, grey haired woman with the same eyes and stoic expression that Annabeth wore. Percy couldn't help but wonder if they were related in some way... It would make sense. They had the same posture, the same air of confidence that demanded respect. Admittedly, he was a little scared of both of them... More so the Professor, but still both of them.