Percy Jackson Arrives: Hogwarts is Doomed

Chapter 11

~*~*~*<Harry>*~*~*~

Something's up with those new kids. They were following us when we were at Kingscross and threatened us at Diagon Alley. There's six of them now, I don't know where the other two came from but they're just as strange. I will find out what they're up to and why they're here. Whatever they're hiding, I will find out what it is.

The sorting ceremony was about to begin. It felt so strange sitting back at our house tables for the welcome feast, just like old times. The last time I was in this hall, it was when we were preparing for the battle of Hogwarts. That seems like an age ago. Maybe this year, we could actually have a normal year now that Voldemort's gone. We could do what Hermione's always wanted: have a normal year to study.

"You're attention please," Professor McGonagall called. She'd just snook in from the back of the hall. "This year, we are welcoming new students in all years, so they will be sorted after the first years." As if on cue, which it probably was, the grand oak doors burst open and about sixty people walked in to the great hall. They stood in a line. About two thirds were clearly first years, they all stood together and were whispering nervously.

The last third was made up of several other students, who were most definitely not eleven. Six of them stood out at once. They were clustered together right at the back of the group. They were standing tall and each had a calm expression on their faces. The only thing suggesting that they hadn't been here their whole lives was their eyes. They were darting about everywhere and didn't look friendly. It was like they were trying to decide who would be the first to charge up to them and challenge then to a duel.

I recognised four of them. There was that guy who basically looked like a better me, Percy, then there was that blonde boy who was mean to Malfoy, Jason , there was the scary girl who was probably Percy's girlfriend by the way they were holding hands, Annabeth, and finally Jason's girlfriend, Piper. There were two that I hadn't met before: a girl and a boy. The girl looked younger than the others and had blonde hair, dark blue eyes and bright red streaks in her hair. If she wanted to blend in, she wasn't doing a very good job. The boy had dark brown skin and dark hair. He was wearing a strange symbol on a chain around his neck. It looked like an eye. The girl was wearing one too, but hers was like an angel.

My chain of thought was broken when the hat started singing.

"Once I was new and grand,
But now I'm old and worn,
Yet I still remember the times,
Before the world was torn.

Still it is divided,
And secrets are not shared,
Because you still have the fear,
That war will be declared.

An enemy is rising,
And you must be aware,
That if you do not unite in time,
It shall end in despair.

Though I must divide you,
I hope you shall unite,
To defeat your common enemies,
And together face their might.

There's nothing hidden in your mind,
That the sorting hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you,
Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry,
Set Gryffindors apart.

You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,
And unafraid of toil.

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind.

Or perhaps in Slytherin,
You'll make you're real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means,
To achieve their ends.

So where should I put you,
Will you pass the test,
As the sorting hat I will,
Put you where you fit best."

That was different. What does it mean 'secrets', 'war', 'fear', 'enemies', 'despair' and 'unite'. Really? Another war! That is not fair. Who do we have to unite with? What secrets? More enemies? Who could it be? Why can't I have one year of peace and quiet? One year! It's almost like there's some force up there laughing at me as they say 'nope! No breaks for you! Hah!' It's no fair!