When Worlds Collide~

CHAPTER FIVE

Harry

I bit my lip as I thundered down the corridor to McGonagall's office. Other kids shouted in surprise as I barreled past them, occasionally drawing curses from the older ones.

I hated to leave my friends in possibility of danger, but Hermione was right; if the weird dude was sent from someone who wanted to cause me harm (*cough cough*) it would be best to stay away and keep my identity hidden. But the sword looked like it could cause some serious damage too, but Hermione was more than proficient at casting shield charms. And Ron had guts when you needed them, I can tell you that.

Still, I didn't like leaving my friends - but someone had to tell am authority figure, and since I was at the back of the group anyway, I could slip away easier.

Breathless, I pounded on McGonagall's door and heaved it open without waiting for an answer.

"Professor -"

Professor McGonagall looked up from a pile of parchment on her desk. "What's happened now, Potter?"

She instantly hoped that he somehow hadn't found Percy... Heavens forbid.

"There's this stranger in the Gryffindor Tower, Professor, and he's got this sword -" I gasped for breath (Well, you can't really blame me, those stairs are a killer) "and he almost decapitated Ron with it -"

I was cut off as McGonagall abruptly stood up. "Harry, why were you there in the first place?"

"Um, you see, professor, we were looking for a place to play Exploding snap in peace-"

"I see. This is unfortunate, but there aren't any ways to get out of this now." McGonagall strode towards the door, motioning for me to follow. "And tell me, what was the situation when you left?"

I quickly told her about Hermione suggesting I leave for the above reasons, with she and Ron stalling time while I went and got the first authority figure I could get to.

McGonagall didn't say anything, only sped up her pace.

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Yeah, you're probably overjoyed because it's Harry's POV now, but... Switching back to Percy. Yeah. I offer you my deepest condolences.

PERCY

Rapid, footsteps sounded on the stairs behind the ginger and the brunette. Seconds later, McGonagall strode through the doorway, also brandishing a polished stick. (Gods. These people really loved their twigs, didn't they?)

"Has anyone been injured?" McGonagall said, standing between the two kids and I. Harry, or who I guessed was Harry, stood warily beside her, one hand fiddling in his pocket.

"Thankfully, no," said the redhead, glancing at Riptide.

I smiled bashfully as McGonagall turned to me, her mouth set in a tight line.

"Uhh... Yeah, about that..."

"Perse- Percy, what happened to not drawing attention?"

"It's our fault, professor," the brunette spoke up.

I looked at her, surprised. Weren't we supposed to despise each other for the moment?
I saw the freckled ginger look at her incredulously as well. The girl continued, but not before discreetly poking the redhead in the ribs.

"We wanted to play Exploding Snap where we wouldn't disturb anyone and we thought that this room wasn't occupied-"

"Miss Granger," McGonagall said, "Did I not tell you that this room was out of bounds from yesterday?"

"I-" suddenly the girl was tongue-tied.

McGonagall tutted. "I suppose it's slightly too late now." With a neat turn of her wrist, she flicked her stick at the door and it closed, latching with a small, satisfying click.

"Er- Professor?" Harry asked tentatively, "Too late to what, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Well, Potter, if you'd let me explain myself, you might find out. Oh, and Percy, could you just- ah, put the sword away? Thank you."

McGonagall waved her hand at me. "This is Percy Jackson, who just today transferred to be a student, among other things, at Hogwarts. Normally, he would never have come here, or even hear of this school. But Professor Dumbledore has concluded that we need all the help we can get.
"Now Potter, I understand that what I will tell you now may be rather frustrating for you. Although Professor Dumbledore knows that you can look after yourself, as you have proved in many circumstances, he has taken it upon himself to find some extra - erm, protection for you, considering the circumstances - You-Know-Who rising and all. And Percy's here for that purpose."