Storm Clouds

Percy's P.O.V.

A/N:
Okay, okay, please don't kill me, I know this is so late. Like, seriously, I last updated a year ago or something. How did that even happen? Anyway, props to chanusik2003 for finally making me pull my weight and get something done - this one's for you!

I stiffened. What did he know? How did he know? No, if he knows, why doesn't he know that I already know? Could you keep up with that? I'll be impressed if you did.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mom and the rest of the Seven stiffen as well. The British people were looking at us curiously to see our reaction.

'And what powers is that?' I asked casually. My hand found Riptide inside my pocket, and waited for them to reveal the truth.

'Percy, do you believe in magic?' asked the Dumbledore dude.

I saw - Harry and Hermione? - suppress a snigger at his words. Well, they were really cliché.

I wasn't sure how to reply either. It didn't seem he knew of the Olympians, but I wasn't sure whether to admit to believing in magic. If this was a joke, then I'd be seriously embarrassed if I said yes.

I glanced at my mother. She didn't look at me, but her head subtle gave a small shake. No.

I looked up at the guests. 'No, not really,' I said. 'Why, should I?'

'I would recommend so, Percy,' Dumbledore said, seemingly not put off, 'because, believe it or not, you are a wizard.'

This should have surprised me. I should have leaped up, I think, declared him crazy and called the nearest mental institute or something.

But I didn't. This may have been my reaction when I was twelve, but, honestly, being told I was a wizard would probably be one of the more normal things someone's said to me lately. Even if that someone looks like Gandalf and is wearing mismatched bedsheets.

I shrugged. 'Okay, and?' Immediately I cringed.

Annabeth and my mom had both stiffened beside me, and I could just imagine them rolling their eyes and facepalming. That was not the right thing to say.

Even Dumbledore looked slightly shocked.

Before he could say anything, the redhead burst out, 'Are you not shocked?' he demanded. 'Did you already know?'

Shit. Why won't Annabeth's wiseness rub off on me?

'Oh, I am,' I said quickly. 'I just ..' I trailed off, trying to think of an explanation. 'This is just ... a bit weird to me. I need time to process this.'

They all nodded in understanding.

'Percy, your grandparents from your mother's side were also wizards,' Dumbledore continued. 'Your grandfather's name was Tom Riddle, but we have not yet found out who your grandmother is.'

I nodded, confused. 'But I thought they died in a plane crash?' I turned to Mom. 'You told me they died in a plane crash.'

But Mom looked just as shocked as I felt. 'That's what I thought too, Percy.'' She glanced at Dumbledore. 'I'm sure Mr Dumbledore will explain.'

'Of course,' he said. 'We may not know who your mother is, but we can only assume that she is dead, for not long after your birth, you disappeared and were later adopted by a couple named Laura and Jim Jackson. I assume you know the rest?'

My mom nodded. 'Yes. So, you are saying that my parents are in actual fact wizards?'

'Yes, but whilst you are a Squib - the common term used for a non-magical being in a wizarding family -' Dumbledore added, at our confused expressions, 'Percy here has shown remarkable power in the past few years, and so we are led to believe that he is a wizard, like his grandparents.'

'I'm a wizard? Are you sure it's not just because of my da - I mean, well, I do tend to have weird things happen around me, but I can't help it.'

I panicked a bit then, hoping they'd believe me. This was not going well.

Dumbledore smiled. 'Proof that you are a wizard, Percy. Those who have not yet learned to control their magic, like you, often accidentally cause unusual things to happen around them.'

I stopped myself from protesting. I knew these only happened because of my Dad and the many monsters trying to devour me, but I couldn't tell them that, as they couldn't know about the gods.

So instead I nodded slowly. 'Yeah, okay, I guess that makes sense ...' I said. 'So what now? I'm sure you didn't just come all the way here to tell me I'm a wizard, did you?'

'Ah, yes, Percy, that is correct,' Dumbledore said. Suddenly his voice turned very grave and serious. 'Your grandfather is no ordinary wizard, I'm afraid. He is very powerful, and has used that to his advantage.'

I glanced at my friends, feeling a terrible sense of déjà vu right now.

'Let me tell you about a boy, Percy, who made all the wrong choices ...'