Professor of Secrets

5

Chapter Five

I own nothing. JK and Uncle Rick are way better writers than I am.

Professor Jackson didn't come into breakfast at the normal time the next day. Actually that was probably a good thing; the owls were back. They were sitting everywhere, having just delivered the post. The professor walked in casually. As one the entire body of owls looked at him.

"Oh no."

They started to rise but flew down again when Nerida landed next to the professor. A battle of sacred animals was the last thing they needed.

Percy sighed in relief and sat down in his chair. Nerida hooted and ruffled her feathers.

Didn't I just stop the owls attacking you, she said. I think I deserve a reward.

Well you weren't here yesterday, Percy grumbled telepathically as a reply. When they all attacked me and Minerva had to use her 'Daughter of Athena' prowess to tell them to lay off.

Well I want tuna.

You are a phoenix. A water phoenix. From the ocean. And you want fish, Percy said, raising his eyebrows. It's Blackjack all over again.

I am nothing like that pegasus. And tuna is a perfectly acceptable thing to eat. Oh, before I forget, I have a bunch of letters for you. From all your friends.

Percy picked up the letters and rifled through the packet. One from Grover, one from Frank and Hazel, one from Piper and Jason, one from Leo and Calypso, one from Travis and Connor and one from Annabeth. He noticed that Will sent Nico a letter as well.

He opened the one from Grover and read it.

Hi Perce,

How are you doing? Same old, same old back here at camp. Heard you haven't been sacked yet. I wonder how you have managed it. Coach Hedge and Mellie say hi and Chuck said his first word, flowers. Not quite what Hedge was expecting but he'll take what he can get. Clarisse oohed like an Aphrodite kid. Hope to see you again soon.

From the G-man

Percy chuckled and opened the one from Frank and Hazel.

Hi! Frank and Hazel here. Hope to see you again soon Perce, its boring here without you. Oh it was so funny! The water phoenix tried to nuzzle me and Frank got all protective. He turned into a bigger water phoenix and stood in front of me, and the water phoenix looked at him all unimpressed then squawked at him. He changed back blushing like mad. I was not blushing! And Perce, boy can your bird cuss when she wants to. From Frank and Hazel.

Awwwwww! They even write together! Adorable. Next he opened the one from Piper and Jason.

Hey bro, how ya doin'?

Piper says hi and congrats on getting a job. We've found out that the baby is going to be a girl. Imagine, having a girl with Piper's charm-speak and guts and my lighting and wind powers. It's going to be mayhem! Especially if she gets some spunk from Thalia. Can't wait to see you again!

Jason and Piper.

Percy leaned over and showed it to Professor McGonagall who patted him on the back and told him to write her congratulations. He cautiously opened the letter from Leo. He didn't want to catch fire today thanks. Although Calypso would probably bring him down to earth with a well timed smack.

Super sized McShizzle is in da BUILDING! Supreme Commander of the most amazing vessel the Argo II ready to make you join Team Leo- OW! Sunshine! That hurt! You almost ruined my awesomeness. Okay, okay, geez, I'll stop. Anyway, whats the news? Any hot girls? 'Cause all da ladies luuuu- OW! Sunshine, stop hitting me. I was joking. No-one could replace you. Fine. Anyway. All is well back here in camp. Sunshine is adjusting well and I was thinking about making a girl for Festus. Can metal dragons even have kids in the conventional way- sorry. ADHD acting up again. See you when I see you. GO TEAM LEO!