When Worlds Collide~

Chapter 6 (continued)

Percy•

"Neglecting your charge, Jackson? On your first day, no less." With a small clink, Professor Snape set down a small glass vial on his desk. "I don't mean to doubt Professor Dumbledore's choice, of course, but how do you plan on protecting Potter if need be?"

"With this." I pulled Riptide out of my pocket.

"And?"

I uncapped it and watched the soft glow somewhat brighten the dim classroom. "It's a sword."
Ten points to Percy.

"I already know that. Is there anything else you're planning, or is that it?"

"Uh, I can control water - y'know, being a son of Poseid-"
"Be careful where and when you speak, Jackson," said Snape, his eyes glinting coldly in the light coming off Riptide. "But still - is it only water, or other liquids as well?"

Other liquids.

In that moment, I was back in Tartarus, the broken glass inside me spilling hot, molten anger as the steaming poison from various plants pooled around a sobbing and cringing Ahklys, and behind her was Annabeth, begging me to stop. Even with countless scratches and grazes, tangled hair, charred clothing and wreathed in Death Mist, she was still the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

My breath caught in my throat. I felt a heavy weight on my chest, like the crate of bowling balls I'd dropped on the two gorgons Stheno and Euriyale back in the Bargain Mart.
It's barely been a day, but I'm already missing Annabeth so badly it's like a constant stomachache. But I only just realized painful the stomachache is.

"Jackson. Jackson!"
I blinked as cold liquid dripped down my face. Gods, I hoped it wasn't from one of those nasty jars on the shelf.
Nope. Just water. Thank the gods.

"Jackson, do you hear me?" Snape's face swam into view. Or just the blurry image that I could see through the water. I willed it away and blinked again.

"I hear you."

Snape lowered the small tankard he had been holding, disappointment evident in his expression. If he was confused, he was hiding it well.
"If you aren't able to do what you came here to do, I suggest you leave and give the job to someone else. You may go."

Wait, that was all he wanted to know?
Snape raised an eyebrow impatiently. "Are you leaving yet? I daresay you've left Harry for long enough."

I managed to leave before a scathing comment left my mouth.

---•---
Harry•

I must admit, I was glad that Percy walked out of that classroom alive, but we were late (again) for our next class.
And it was Transfiguration. Oh hell.

As Percy neared, I realized that he was as white as a sheet. I frowned.
"Percy, you okay?"

"Huh?" Percy looked up as if from a daze. "Oh yeah. I'm good." He cracked a grin. "What's next?"
"Transfiguration." Hermione said. "We'd better get going as well, or we'll be late again."

As the four of us walked back towards the main corridor, but not before I heard Percy mutter quietly to Ron, "Transfiguration? Sounds painful..."

We were, in fact, late. Very much so. When we walked in, McGonagall's mouth was set in a thin line.

"Potter, Weasley, Granger," she said severely, "Would you care to tell me why you are late?"

Wait, now McGonagall was acting like Percy didn't exist.

Professor McGonagall was still waiting for our answer. And, for the second time, Percy spoke up and saved us from points being deducted. And a possible detention.

"It's not their fault. I was held back by Professor Snape. Sorry."

McGonagall pursed her lips. "Get to your seats, then. Also, get your wands out. This is a practical lesson."

"Blimey," whispered Ron. "We didn't even get points deducted. Shot, Percy."

Percy didn't seem to notice. He was gawking at the other Gryffindors, who were attempting to transfigure guinea pigs into goblets.

"You all right there, Percy?" Hermione frowned, waving her hand in front of his face.
"Huh?" Percy laughed uncertainly. "Uh, yeah. I just don't have... Um..."

Ron furrowed his eyebrows. "Wait, you don't have a wand?"
"Uh, no..."

"Um, maybe ask McGonagall for a spare one... If she has any. Does the school even have spare wands?" Hermione looked from Ron to me. I shrugged nonchalantly and turned back to my guinea pig. What was the incantation again?

"She's probably got spares," Ron said, apparently giving up on Transfiguring his rodent altogether. "Go up just in case."

When Percy had left, Hermione immediately turned to me.
"You alright there, Harry?"

"Sure, I guess..." I cast a sidelong glance at her. "Erm, why?"
"Oh, um..." She gave a slightly panicky look to Ron, like help?

"Well," Hermione continued hesitantly, "You've just been awfully quiet and... Ron and I were wondering..."
Ron widened his eyes and shook his head, as if to say, no, no, don't drag me into this I beg you oh god no.

"Anyway, Ron and I were wondering if, you know... Something was wrong?"

I gave a short, brittle laugh. "No, nothing's wrong. Nothing important."
I could tell they were curious, but Percy was walking back to our table, hands in his pockets. So they shut up temporarily.