Chapter 17: Chapter 16
Percy walked down to the Hufflepuff common room dressed ready for the day's classes. He found the common room crowded with people all looking over the notice board.
"Hey Emma, what's going on?" Percy asked a third year Hufflepuff.
"They just put up a notice Percy, it seems Durmstrang and Beauxbatons are coming over tonight! Classes are going to end early so that we can all prepare!"
Percy blinked, "wow, it is the end of October already?"
"Yup! I'm so excited! How do you think the foreign students are going to act? Will they even speak english?"
"Hmm, I'm not sure, maybe. If you want you can probably use a translation charm to learn the language."
"I see….anyway, I have to go Percy, I have Snape first thing in the morning! And I forgot to do my homework!"
"What? Agin? Sigh, fine, but next time remember to do it. Bye Emma," Percy waved her away as he made his way to the Great Hall for breakfast. He sat down and munched of his food as the others came to join him.
Just then the morning mail owls came down delivering their letters. Surprisingly an ministry owl swooped down and dropped a large file on his lap.
Percy looked up and waved, "thank you!" the owl hooted once and flew away not bothering to stop. It still had several letters and papers attached to it's leg, guess it was still on duty.
Percy took up the folder and looked it over. It was a document for his patent, he flipped over the papers and grinned, "yes! Yes! Yes!"
Gordana and the others looked over surprised, "what happened Percy? You look like you just had sex with a veela."
"Oh please, I'll admit Percy is good looking but even he can't snag a veela!" Heather cried out causing the others to laugh.
Kelly giggled at the statement while Percy rolled his eyes. "Ha ha. And for your information I can too snag a veela. I got Kelly didn't I?" the mini veela grinned as she high fived Percy.
"Right, anyway, why the smiles though? You got some good news?" Miguel asked.
"Sort off," Percy nodded, he showed them the papers, "the ministry finally approved my patents! As of 8 o'clock today the idea of quick quills and hoverboards, as I have made them, have been officially patented by one Percy Jackson!"
"Awesome!" Michael said looking over the document, "according to this you have full intellectual rights for them! If anyone even tries to copy it you can sue them!"
"How did you know that?" Kristien asked.
"Oh, I want to be a solicitor when I grow up," Michael said with a shrug, "reading the law is kinda my thing."
"Cool," Miguel looked over the document, "hey does this mean that you'll finally make those quills for us?"
"What? You will?!" Margaret screamed in joy, "please tell me you will Percy! Because I cannot stand this anymore! If you can make me finish my homework faster than I'll do anything!"
"Oh, that's a nice offer Percy, I suggest you take it up," Juan grinned pervertedly causing Kristen to smack the boy up the head.
Percy chuckled, "tempting offer but I'll pass. Actually I am planning on selling the quick quills soon. I just need to make them first," Percy grumbled, "maybe I should owl order some quills and then get to carving the runes...hm….maybe I can get some from Hogsmeade next week, I still haven't even visited the place yet."
"Nice, so how much are you going to sell them for?" Gordon asked as he passed Percy back the pile of documents.
"Well I was thinking around a galleon."
"A galleon?!" Heather screamed, "that's highway robbery!"
"Hey! This is an advanced piece of rune work unlike ever seen before! It's unique! Like a unicorn!"
"Bullshit! I refuse to pay any less than 5 sickles!"
"Oh Hades no! You trying to bankrupt me Otterburn?! 15 sickles!"
"I'll admit your work is good Jackson, but I ain't paying that much money. 8 sickles, and that's my final offer."
Percy glared, "10, and before you argue let me just remind you that I'm going to be hand crafting these runes myself. I'm going to carve these by hand on the stem of a feather. You don't like it, then don't buy."
Heather and Percy glared at each other for the longest time. Finally Heather's mouth twitched as she smiled, "deal."
Percy nodded, "good," he then turned to the others, "the rest of you are still paying a galleon by the way."
"What?!"
"Come on!"
"That's not fair man!"
Percy chuckled as they quickly ate their breakfast and made their way to their classes.
They had double period of transfiguration first and charms after that. Through class Percy couldn't focus as he was excited for tonight. After all today was the day the triwizard tournament officially began.
By charms Percy's attention had gone out the window. Flitwick was going on and on about the aguamenti charm and Percy was really bored. Why did he need to conjure water out from his wand when he could just pull it out from the air? Plus he already knew this charm, water spells came easy for him.
Percy was daydreaming as he stared out the window when suddenly, "Mr Jackson!" Flitwick squeaked grabbing Percy's attention. "Are you paying attention."
Percy blinked, he stood up, "ah...yes?"
"Is that a question or an answer?"
Percy groaned, "sorry...it's just I already know this spell sir. And it's quite easy for me. So my mind started to….wander."
"Reall? And what exactly did it wander about?"
"Well...for one it wondered about the tournament starting tonight," Percy shrugged, "I mean, I'm pretty excited to see two more magical schools come over. Plus you know….french girls are hot."
The boys in class chuckled, even Flitwick smiled a little. "Very well Mr. Jackson, I admit this charm is a little boring, what would you recommend as a substitute for today's class?"
Percy blinked, "wait, seriously?" Flitwick nodded with a smile, "well okay then. How about...well how about a translation charm? If the school is going to filled with foreigners then isn't it a good idea to know what they are saying?"
The class started to whisper in agreement while Flitwick himself nodded, "right you are Mr. Jackson, right you are. Very well sit down, today I'll teach you all the translation charm. Now, what you must understand about this charm is that it does not allow you to speak in a foreign language, merely understand it. However it does translate said language into english, so you can understand what the foreigner is saying. Now, let's begin…."
That charms class was by far the most interesting class Percy had so far. Everyone was excited to learn, though by the end of the class no one had actually succeeded in learning the charm properly. One Ravenclaw girl almost got it, it was the same girl that hated Percy's guts and glared at him in Runes.
After lunch was over that day McGonagall stepped up in front of the hall and addressed the school, "students, as you know today Hogwarts will be visited by two foreign schools, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. As such classes after lunch will be canceled," the students cheered as McGonagall waited until they stopped.
"Yes, now, the reason for this is because we as the host school wish to make this event grand and amazing by welcoming them with the hospitality that is expected of us. As such you are all expected to wash up and make yourselves presentable for tonight, gathered outside the castle doors at 6:30, which is when they are all expected to arrive. Be warned if any of you do anything to embrace this school in front of our guests then you will be punished severely. Is that understood?"
The students cowered under the glare, even Fred and George understood how serious the teacher was being and wisely kept their mouth shut.
In the Hufflepuff common room Percy and his friends sat around their table waiting for when they were expected. They all wore clean new Hogwarts robes, the girls did their hair and makeup while the boys combed their hair.
"It's stupid that we can't pull anything today," Percy grumbled, "if we showed off to the foreigners then we would get respect instantly."
"Yeah but you heard McGonagall," Miguel argued, "she looked like she was out for blood. It's best not risk to Percy."
"Well….I mean we could try something else," Kristien suggested.
"What do you mean?" Percy asked.
"She said we shouldn't try to prank someone, right?" they all nodded, "so we don't. Let's prank ourselves!"
"Ah Kristien, are you alright? Did you hit yourself in the head again?" Michael asked.
"No Michael, I think she's onto something," Gordan whispered, "we aren't the house that pulls pranks, so they would never suspect us. So if we did do something we would look like the victims instead!"
"So what do we do?" Percy asked, "turn ourselves yellow and black?"
"Yeah!" Heather nodded, "we can dye everything yellow and black! It's not harmful to others and if we do get caught we can just say we are displaying house pride!"
Slowly they all grinned evilly as they quickly formed their plan into shape. They told the seventh years and the fifth years and got them all on board. The younger years couldn't be trusted, plus the professors could easily make them all talk. So for now only the senior members of the Hufflepuff house knew about the plan.
They spent most of their time preparing for the 'self-prank' that they all nearly didn't make it time for the foreigner's arrival. But since they were the house with the common room closest to the Castle doors, they managed to make it just as everyone else arrived. They all gathered at the edge of the castle looking out onto the flat plains below.
"So where do you think they are going to come from?" Kristien asked.
"I'm guessing by air," Percy shrugged, "there's no other way to arrive at Hogwarts directly. That or by carriage from Hogsmeade."
"Well flying sounds most likely," Miguel nodded in agreement, "it seems most likely."
"Look over there!" A fourth year Gryffindor called out pointing at the sky.
They all turned as one and saw a group of winged horses flying towards them carrying behind them what looked like a carriage.
"Are those pegasi?" Percy asked in wonder.
"No, don't be ridiculous Percy! Pegasi are myth! No one has seen them for centuries!" Margaret exclaimed, "they are probably Abraxans!"
"Aba-what?"
"Abraxans, giant horses with wings," Miguel explained.
"Okay, that makes no sense! They have wings, so that obviously means they are pegasi right?!"
Gordon shrugged, "well it sounds logical, but honestly we don't know why they are different."
"Professor Hagrid once mentioned something about Aberrans being Roman and pegasi being greek. Maybe that's the difference?" suggested Juan.
"Huh...so they are giant cheep knock offs, nice to know," Percy and Kelly nodded as one.
"Percy they aren't knock off's," Heather said rolling her eyes.
"Everything Roman is a knock off of Greek, that's just a fact," Percy replied.
"Don't start with this again man!" Michael groaned, "I swear just because you are half greek doesn't mean it's the greatest thing since sliced bread!"
"Actually many people believe the greeks were the first to slice bread," Percy grinned.
"Wait, really?" Kristien asked surprised.
"No, but I just wanted to say that," Percy chuckled as the others groaned.
The carriage drew closer and closer growing bigger and bigger. They realised that it wasn't actually a normal carriage at all, it was as big as house! The Abraxan landed the house gently prancing their giant hooves into the ground huffing in disgust.
"Look at this disgusting place! Are we expected to stay here for the rest of the year?!" one of the Abraxans yelled out.
"We must, it's what mother wishes, and we cannot disobey," the one at the lead yelled back.
"This is so weird," Percy groaned, apparently he could understand them, but considering they were just giant pegasi that really shouldn't' have been a surprise.
The house sized carriage opened up as a young boy dressed in blue jumped out. He brought out a iron steps and laid it in front off the carriage. A giant woman walked out, bending her head under the 10 foot tall door.
Everyone gaped at her size, she was taller than Hagrid by at least a foot! She carefully walked down, with a grace that seemed impossible for her size, and Dumbledore walked up to greet her.
"Ah, Dum'ledore, so good to see you," she said as Dumbledore took her hand and kissed her on either cheek.
"Madame Maxime, may I welcome you to England and Hogwarts. If you need anything, just ask," Dumbledore bowed.
"I think she's the french headmistress," Juan whispered. Everyone nodded, but said nothing.
Percy looked over to the carriage and saw several students walk out into the cold October night. They wore silk blue robes that were very thin, Percy almost wanted to laugh at the way they all shook like leaves in the wind at the harsh English weather. Sometimes it payed to have the immunity the curse of Achilles offered.
"My Abraxan needed to 'andle with care," Madam Maxine warned.
"I'm sure Hagrid will be more than capable of handling their every need," Dumbledore waved to the groundskeeper who walked forward and bowed. Percy could even see a hint of a blush under the professor's cheeks, looks like someone was in love.
"I see, be warned 'Agrid, they drink only single malt whiskey, only the best and they are quite difficult to 'andle."
"Don't worry madam, I'm sure I can handle them," Hagrid bowed as he took the reigns of the carriage and guided the Abraxan to a prepared stable for them. Apparently Hagrid already knew of their arrival.
"Madam Maxine, professor McGonagall will take you and your students inside," Professor Dumbledore said as McGonagall stepped up and gave the french headmistress a warm smile.
Maxine agreed and quickly ordered her students in french to follow her inside. The group of Hogwarts students gathered outside split in half, making way for the french students to enter the school.
Percy noticed the way the Beauxbaton students served and he suddenly got an idea. He drew his wand and turned to his friends, "hey guys, I think I know how to make an impression on them."
"How?" Michael whispered back.
"Do you all know the warming charm?" Percy asked receiving several nods in reply, "good, cast them on the frenchies, they look like they are about to freeze to death. Should give Hufflepuff a good name."
They all agreed and quickly the message was passed onto every Hufflepuff gathered. They all drew their wands, and when the french students passed them by on their way inside they all moved as one casting the warming charm on them.
The french students flinched, Maxim looked furious as she saw several spells being shoot at her students.
McGonagall however was the first to react, "what is the meaning of this! This is not how we treat our guests!"
"Relax Professor, we didn't mean them any harm," Percy said with a chuckle, "they just looked like they were freezing, so we just casted a warming spell on them. See," Percy pointed at the surprised looks on the french students.
Maxim's anger seemed to drain away as she saw her students no longer shiver from the cold. She turned to McGonagall and smiled, "your students are very kind professor McGonagall."
The transfiguration mistress looked stunned. Percy and the other Hufflepuff chuckled at her gazed look causing her to snap out of it. "Ah-yes, yes they are. Hufflepuffs are known to be kind. 10 points for showing compassion towards our guests," McGonagall nodded as she turned around and quickly walked away.
"Yes!" Gordon cheered as the other Hufflepuff laughed in joy.
"Percy you are a genius!" Juan shouted as he put one arm around Percy, "you just gave me an in with the french chicks!"
Percy chuckled, "and yet you are still not going to get lucky!"
"Hey!" Juan yelled back as everyone, Kelley included, laughed at the boy. The french students looked confused but grateful, looking at the badger wearing students and nodded their thanks. They quickly walked in and the Hogwarts students went back to waiting for the other students.
"There at the lake!" one student yelled out. Everyone looked and saw a full one victorian era sail ship rise up from out off the black lake. Percy blinked, 'shit, I hope Nick's okay.'
"Holy crap!" someone yelled as the night boat docked in the lake closest to the castle. A plank came down and several men and women dressed in heavy furs came walking down with a bearded man at their lead.
"Ah! Karkaroff! Welcome to Hogwarts!" Dumbledore greeted the man with a hug, "did you have trouble getting here?"
"Not at all Dumbledore!" the man said without any trace of an accent, "it is good to see this old place again."
"Ah yes, well Severus will show you and your students inside, please go with him," Dumbledore motioned to the potions master who nodded his hello to the headmaster.
The students broke apart again and allowed the Durmstrang to pass through. The students started to whisper again as they pointed and stared at one of the students next to the headmaster.
"Percy! That's Krum!" Michael yelled pointing at the smaller man next to Karkaroff. Percy looked and sure enough recognized the shorter man, if he recalled correctly he may or may not have treated him with Hecate. He warned him not to get her drunk and then went and got drunk himself.
"Hey it is," Percy realised watching the man and the headmaster pass through the students without even looking at either of them. Percy smiled and waved, "hey Krum!"
The young seeker blinked, he turned and noticed Percy right away. He waved back, remembering seeing the boy and his crazy aunt before he entered Hogwarts.
"Percy! Krum just waved to you!" Gordon hissed.
"How did you pull that off?!" Juan asked as slowly everyone else looked to Percy in amazement.
"Oh my aunt may have insulted him after the quidditch finals," Percy chuckled rubbing his head nervously, "she was very…..disappointed at the results. So she kind of started to shout at Krum and I made sure she didn't go overboard."
"Woah," they all agreed with Gordon as they slowly started bombarding Percy with questions upon questions.
Percy however was spared though as Sprout quickly pushed them all into the castle as the welcome feast was about to begin.
Hufflepuff waited behind as the other houses went in first. As Percy and the others walked in they noticed the Durmstrang students and the Beauxbatons students wait outside the Great Hall, apparently they were waiting for them to settle in.
Percy spotted a few beautiful french girls and a couple of Bulgarian beauties, but unlike Juan he didn't gape at them with open amazement. The idiot even went as far as whistling and winking at some of the french girls, though they seemed to appreciate the attention.
Quickly the Hogwarts students and staff took their seats and waited. Dumbledore stood up and motioned for the foreign students to enter. Quickly the french and students look around for a place to sit. The Durmstrang students chose to sit down with the Slytherin, much to Gordon's disappointment, he really wanted Krum to sit with them.
The Beauxbatons students, surprisingly, chose to sit with the Hufflepuff students. The Badgers grinned smugly at this as they glared at Gryffindor and Ravenclaw finally showing them up. The boys especially looked happy since they were now sitting next to french witches. Juan looked so happy he seemed to be crying.
The older french students sat down between the seventh years and the sixth years. A beauxbaton which sat across Percy with a few of friends joining her. Percy and his friends wished them all hello which the french replied with a polite node.
Dumbledore stood up and everyone in the hall turned to him, "I have only one thing to say, tuck in!" He waved his hands and the hall was filled with food once again.
Percy noticed that the dishes were a little bit different this time around. He noticed a lot of fancy looking dishes that looked very un-English to say the least. It was very light and wasn't covered in grease, very un-English indeed.
But before Percy could start eating Juan then tapped his shoulder, "dude, switch with me," he begged.
Percy blinked, "why?"
"Because I want to next to the girls," Juan pointed at the french witches. Percy rolled his eyes and stood up switching with Juan. The witch sitting next to Percy noticed this and looked disappointed. Juan sat down and smiled, "hello, I'm Juan, nice to meet you."
"Bonjour," the girl nodded. She had brown hair and freckles on her face, "je m'appelle Camille."
"Camille, what a beautiful name," Juan nodded, "Que pensez-vous de notre école?"
The girl and her friends looked surprised. "Tu parle français?" she asked.
Juan smiled and nodded as he started talking about how his mother was french and how he spent most of his formative years in France. It was really amusing seeing Juan flirt, Percy had to admit, he had charm.
Percy looked at the students from Beauxbatons and noticed that most of them were quite nice to look at. They must be using some kind of charm because there was no way every single student in that school looked that amazing!
Or maybe Maxim brought along students that only looked good in order to make a good impression? That would be a very stupid thing to do, because from what Percy understood off the tournament, beauty alone won't save you.
Percy also noticed that most of the boys were staring at the french witches while the girls did their best to not seem like they were checking out the french boys. The french seemed to be aware of this as they smiled smugly chatting with each other in french.
The demigod then felt someone tap his shoulder and point to the seventh years. Cedric looked at him and raised five fingers. This was the sign, Cedric had just told him to tell everyone in the sixth year that their 'self-prank' would begin in five minutes.
Percy paused, 'wait...the charm will turn everyone in the table yellow and black….meaning the french students will be affected as well!' Realising in horror at what was going to happen Percy knew right away that he had to stop the prank before he went off.
"Cedric!" Percy yelled over. The boy motioned to ask what it was and Percy pointed at the french students. Cedric's eyes went wide as he realised what Percy meant, he quickly motioned to stop the prank and Percy agreed.
Percy called and told all his friends to stop the prank and passed the message onto the fifth years as well. In five short minutes the prank was put on hold, Percy was glad they avoided that mess, if these frenchies were anything like Catherine they would not take kindly to being the butt of a joke.
With that crisis solved Percy then looked at the dishes and shivered, "what is this?"
"I think it's french," Gordan grumbled.
"It ez called Bouillabaisse," one of the french witches called out from down the table, "it is a sea food served in the southern regions of France."
"It's fish?!" Percy yelled out in horror.
"Yez...why? Iz that a problem?" a Beauxbatons wizard asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah! Fish are friends, not food," Percy chuckled remembering the line from Nemo. Everyone else looked confused, "come on guys, don't tell me you don't know this! It's from Finding Nemo!"
"Finding what?" Heather asked.
"Finding Nemo! You know, little fish get's lost, his dad goes to find him, finding nemo!" Percy cried out.
"Iz that a British ztory? I zo not recognize it," Camille said looking confused.
"It's not british, must be some some American thing," Juan said with a shrug.
"You are American?" the Beauxbaton wizard form before asked.
Percy nodded, "yeah, I'm American but serious! You guys haven't heard off this movie! It's…." 'Oh wait...it hasn't even been released yet. Shit,' Percy sighed, "never mind, you guys wouldn't know it even if I told you."
Gordon rolled his eyes, "crazy American."
"Stupid British," Percy shoot back.
"At least we don't start talking crazy in the middle of meals," Heather teased.
"No, but you also don't have any sense of taste," Percy argued back, "I mean for the love of the Gods! You don't even have pizza! What type of feast doesn't have pizza!"
"That iz true," a french girl nodded, "in Beauxbaton we have pizza all the time."
Percy blinked, "wait, are you serious?"
The french students around them nodded, "very zerious."
Percy hung his head, "I should have listened to Catherine and joined Beauxbatons."
"Oh please, you don't even know french!" Kristien rolled her eyes.
"So? One language translation charms and bang! I'm all set," Percy grinned. Kelly got bored sitting in his robes as she looked up and squeaked. Percy nodded, he carefully took her out and placed her on the table conjuring a red rubber ball for her to play with.
"What iz that?" Camille asked as the french students all noticed Kelly playing around the Hufflepuff table.
"That's Kelly, Percy's girlfriend," Juan teased.
"Yeah, and she's best friends with Juan's imaginary girlfriend," Percy shot back with a grin.
"I hate you," Juan grolwed.
"I know, I don't care."
"Iz it a veela toy?" one girl asked.
"Yeah, my aunt got it for me during the world cup. She charmed it to seem life like and gave it to me as a gift," Percy explained as he ate a set of sausages.
"You 'ave charmed it to look alive?" a french boy asked in amazement, "zhe must be zome witch."
"Actually she's a squid," Percy shrugged, "she got someone else to do the charming."
The french nodded as they watched Kelly play with the ball bouncing it all over the table. The Hufflepuff were used to it by now, they even treated Kelly as an unofficial mascot of the table.
"Fleur! Ce type ici a une chose pour veelas!" Camilla called into the group of french students and a silvery blonde haired girl popped out.
"De quoi parlez-vous Camille?" the girl asked.
"Regarde ça," Camille pointed at Kelly who was bouncing the red ball joyfully.
"Elle est tellement mignonne!" the girl cheered as she started to speak in rapid french at Kelly who looked just as confused as Percy and the others.
"Okay that's it," Percy took out his wand and waved it around his head muttering the translation charm over himself. He felt the magic enter his ears and slowly seep into his brain. Percy then payed attention to the rambling french girl from before who now sat next to Camille.
"-She looks just like Gabriel! So small and adorable!" the young woman turned to Juan, "did you make this?"
Juan blinked as he blushed and furiously nodded his head, "yes I did!I charmed her myself!"
Percy blinked, "Juan, dude, are you okay?"
Juan turned to Percy and glared, "do not take this from me Jackson," he then turned back to the girl and smiled, "her name is Kelly, I charmed her myself. Do you like her? You can have her if you want."
Percy's jaw dropped, "Juan! Dude! Not cool!" Percy smacked him up the head, "you put one finger on her and I swear to the Gods I will hang you by your briefs man!"
Juan rubbed his head and blinked in confusion, "ah...why did I say that?"
Camille chuckled, "it iz not your fault, Fleur'z allure must have trapped you."
Fleur, the girl with the silver hair, looked down and sighed, "this fucking thing won't leave me alone." She cleared he throat and switched to english, "zo who did make thiz thing?"
"That would be me," Percy said raising a hand, "and a quick question, are you a veela?"
Fleur blinked as Camille chuckled next to her. Fleur glared at her friend before turning back to Percy and nodding, "yez, I am a vella, more zpecifically a quarter veela."
Percy nodded, "huh, cool," he turned to Kelly and grinned, "hear that Kelly? You have company!" Kelly instead of celebrating growled as she glared at Fleur before running towards Percy and grabbing his arm protectively.
Percy chuckled, "sorry about that, she doesn't like strangers."
Fleur smiled, "it iz alright...what iz it?"
"She's sort off the unofficial mascot for our house," Gordon grinned, "hello I'm Gordan, pleasure to meet you beautiful."
Fleur sighed but maintain her smile, "hello Gordon, nice to meet you as well."
"You know I once rode a firebolt! Yeah it's true, one of my friends has one and he let me borrow it. Also this summer me and my parents went to Egypt for a month! We are pretty rich, my mother is a muggle businesswoman so she provided us with a lot of money. You know if you want I could take you to Egypt some time."
Percy rolled his eyes, the way Gordon was drooling at her it was obviously he had become caught up in the girl's allure as well. Percy smacked him up the head, Gordan yelped and rubbed his head in pain, "hey! What was that for?!"
"You were caught in her allure dumbass. It was funny at first but it became pathetic really fast," Percy chuckled.
Gordon blushed red as he looked from Percy to Fleur, who was hiding a smile behind her hand. "S-sorry," Gordon quickly returned to his meal embarrassed to the core.
"It iz alright, it 'appens from time to time," Fleur nodded before turning to Percy, "where exactly did you get it, may I ask?"
"Well my aunt got her at the quidditch finals as a desk toy, but she kind of went overboard and had someone charm her to seem alive," Percy chuckled as he rubbed Kelly's checks much to the mini veela's embarrassment and secret joy, "she then latter gave her to me so that I would stop….ah, never mind."
"No pleaze, I am curious," Fleur pushed, "why did your aunt give you it?"
Percy chuckled, "it's silly really. When I saw her the first time I was kind of weirded out, like honestly all veelas creeped me out back then. Like I literally ran away from them, I didn't realise why until I saw your avian form," Percy shivered, "when I was younger I was attacked by something that looked similar, so I never really got over it."
Fleur looked amazed, "I zee, zo you are afraid of veela?"
Percy chuckled, "lady I saw them turn into fireball throwing bad asses, I have a healthy respect and fear of all veela. Including Kelly here," Percy looked down at the little veela who grinned back.
"Why do you call it a her? Is zhe really alive?"
Percy shrugged, "well I like to think so. Plus I'm kind off attached to her now, so I can't really call her an it now can I?"
Fleur nodded as she looked at Kelly who was still glaring at her. Fleur smiled, "hello little veela. Would you like me to hold you?" Kelly glared and shook her head. Fleur seemed surprised, "zhe is very ztubborn yez?"
Percy chuckled, "yup. My aunt made her to act just like a real veela."
Fleur gave a teasing glare, "and 'ow do you know that veela are ztubborn?"
"Well I saw them at the world cup throwing fireballs at leprechauns," Percy shivered remembering those memories, "not something I'm soon going to forget."
"I zee...tell me, what iz your name?"
Percy blinked, "oh how rude of me, I'm Percy, Percy Jackson, sixth year Hufflepuff, and yes I am an American, pleasure to meet you."
The french quarter veela nodded, "hello, I'm Fleur Delacour, zeventh year Beauxbatons ztudent here to participate for the triwizard tournament."
Percy smiled, "nice, I hope you get selected as well, it will be fun defeating a veela."
Fleur blinked, "you are going to join the tournament as well?"
Percy nodded, "yup!"
"But are you not a zixth year?"
"Yeah, but I'm seventeen," Percy shrugged, "when I transferred her from America I hadn't yet completed my OWLs, so I had to join sixth year instead."
"I zee..." Fleur nodded, "well what makes you zo zure you will be zelected in the first plaze?"
Percy chuckled, "woman please, I'm Percy freaking Jackson, of course I'll get selected."
"And there's the arrogance," Juan spoke up finally rolling his eyes, "you know someone else can be selected too you know? Like Cedric? Or even someone from Gryffindor."
"Yeah? Like who? The best they have is Angelina, who let me just say I can beat with one hand tied behind my back. Sure, I'll admit Cedric is talented, but he's a pretty face and not much more."
"Oh shut it you Yankee! You aren't ever going to get selected!" Heather teased.
"Watch me, you Brit!" Percy shouted back as the entire sixth year broke out in playful argument with Percy making everyone laugh or getting hit up the head for saying something stupid.
Fluer on the other hand just watched this in amazement. She turned to Camille, "d-did he just ignore me?"
Camille who hadn't noticed this before slowly nodded, "I think he did. Did he somehow resist your allur?"
"No….that should be impossible," Fleur said as she watched Percy and the other Hufflepuff students laugh and talk amongst each other. Percy did eventually talk to her again, but only a passing question about how they journey was and where they would sleep. Fleur was surprised at the way Percy treated her, like every other person there, and though the rest of the boys seemed to be giveing Fluer their undivided attention she kept her eyes glued on Percy, enchanted by his every action.
Soon the feast was over and Dumbledore made his announcement. He introduced Ludo Bagman, the same man who was the announcer at the quidditch finals, and Barty Crouch who were both going to serve as judges for the tournament along with each school's headmaster.
However the one selecting the champions wasn't even alive. It was an enchanted called the goblet of fire, when Dumbledore revealed the object Percy had to hold a gasp as he watched the blue flames danced in the cup, it looked so beautiful, like the flames in Hades' castle.
The next day was a Saturday, Percy expected he had to wake his friends up, but surprisingly they woke up all on their own. Everyone was excited for the champion selection. Percy wore his muggle attire and walked to the Great Hall with his friends.
"Heya Harry!" Percy called out waving to Harry.
Harry smiled, "hello Percy, going to put your name in?"
Percy nodded, "you bet! Hogwarts champion at your service!"
"How are you so sure you are going to be selected?" Rom asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh please Ron," Percy chuckled rolling his eyes without actually answering his answer.
"We did it!" George and Fred screamed as they ran into the hall with a potion in hand. Percy recognized instantly, and he also knew it wouldn't work.
"That won't work idiots," Percy chuckled.
"And how do you know that?" Fred asked.
"Because I'm smart," Percy shot back, "besides, we all know who's going to be Hogwarts champion."
"Who?" George asked
"Me, duh," Percy shrugged.
"Oh really?"
"Care to make a wager?"
"Yup," Percy grinned, "how much?"
"Well," George looked Percy over and then whispered to Fred. They whispered for a few seconds before they nodded.
"The winner gets your Felix Felicis," one of them said smugly.
Percy raised an eyebrow, "okay...what do I get?"
"What do you want?" the other twin asked.
"I want…." Percy thought about it for a few seconds and then spoke, "I heard you two were good at sneaking things from Hogsmeade even if it isn't a Hogsmeade weekend, am I right?"
"We can either accept or deny this claim," one twin nodded.
"Right, well if I win then I want you two to bring things from Hogsmeade for me, I'll pay for the object, but no service charge," Percy grinned.
The twins looked at each other and grinned, "deal!" they said as one.
They then chugged the ageing potion and jumped over the age line. For a second Percy thought he screwed up, and that somehow his knowledge in potins failed him. But when the twins put their names in the goblet they were suddenly expelled out with a powerful red blast.
They got up and found themselves with beards as big as Dumbledore's. They began to fight each other, blaming the other one for the potion's failure while everyone else just looked on and laughed.
Just then the Beauxbatons students arrived. They walked in a line as they put chits of paper in the goblet. Percy noticed Fluer in the back surrounded by witches each chatting amongst each other but ignoring the quarter veela.
She had her head hung, looking scared, very scared and there was no one to support her. Percy didn't think that was fair.
"Hey Fleur!" Percy called. The veela looked up surprised, Percy grinned as he put his thumb up, "I look forward to kicking your butt in the tournament!"
Fleur looked cross at first but then chuckled, "oh please, you won't make it pazt the first task."
"Well if that's the case you won't ether," Percy grinned. The french witch chuckled but said nothing, but she now smiled, looking less worried.
She put her chit of paper inside the goblet without incident, as she walked out as waved at Percy who waved back.
"Huh...she's cute," Harry said grinning at Percy.
Percy narrowed his eyes, "yeah, she is...kind off like Susan huh?"
Harry's grin dropped as he began to blush. "What about Susan?" Hermione asked.
"It-it's nothing!" Harry hissed blushing red.
"Oh come on Harry, you shouldn't have secrets from your friends," Percy chuckled, he then looked around and noticed Susan sitting with her friends in one corner of the Great Hall, "oh look Susan's right here! You should do it now Harry!"
"Do what?" Ron asked, "mate what is he going on about?"
"N-nothing," Harry blushed hanging his head before glaring at Percy, "aren't you supposed to putting your name in a cup or something?"
Percy chuckled, "relax Potter I have time, but seriously, aren't you supposed to be a fearless Gryffindor or something? How can a girl render you catatonic?"
"A girl?!" Hermione shouted.
"Percy!" Harry roared.
"I have to go! See you tonight!" Percy waved as he ran away from the three Gryffindors. Harry tried to chase but Hermione and Ron grabbed him and started bombarding with questions.
Percy looked back and chuckled seeing Harry struggling to answer their questions. The demigod then looked at the goblet and focused. He stepped across the age line without incident, it was official, he was seventeen, even Dumbledore's magic acknowledged that. He reached into his hoodie pocket and pulled out a chit of parchment with his name on it and put it in the goblet.
The blue flames increased in size for a second before returning to normal. Percy sighed, 'okay….that's done.'
Percy quickly walked out off the castle and took a deep breath. It was Saturday morning, and that meant one thing. He took out his hoverboard and placed Kelly down wrapped up in his hoodie.
He ran through the castle entrance and jumped on his board taking off into the air. Percy grinned as he soared into the air, temporarily breaking free of the Earth's problems and concerns. Percy grinned as he pushed his board towards the Black Lake, cutting through the surface water with his board's speed startling the fish underneath.
A tentacle rose out from the lake's depths as it tried to swat Percy away, Percy grinned as he skillfully dodged it, "not today Nick!" The squid waved Percy a wave, every time Percy flew above the lake Nick would reach up and try to swat him out off the sky, it was all in playful fun as Nick knew Percy would survive the water.
An hour or so later Percy flew back down just as the younger kids came outside in the droves.
"Alright munchkins line up!" Percy called out, "remember, if you damage my board I will damage you! No flying at breakneck speeds and if you fly higher than fifty feet Hooch will have my head, so I will come back and haunt you! Got that?!"
"Yes Percy!" they cried out.
"Good! Knock yourselves out!" Percy tossed them the board and walked back to Kelly and his jacket. He quickly put it on and Kelly crawled into his hoodie as Percy sat down and leaned on the grassy fields. He looked at the first years playing on his hover board and smiled, it reminded him of the younger demigods in camp, the ones that had nowhere else to go, desperate for any form of distraction.
"Iz that your board?" Percy looked up and saw Fleur standing next to him looking at the younger children play on the hover board.
"Yeah," Percy nodded, "sit down, I don't bite."
Fleur nodded, "thank you," she sat down gracefully with her spine straight with her legs folded under her behind, "where did you get a flying board?"
"I made it," Percy replied.
"Truly?" Fleur asked surprised.
"Yeah, I even have a patent for it if you don't believe me," Percy chuckled.
The french witch smiled, "no, your word iz good enough. Though I must zay I am impressed, you are turning out to be quite the imprezzive wizard Mr. Jackzon."
"Oh please Fleur call me Percy, I'm not one for formalities," Percy smiled as Kelly jumped over to Percy's other shoulder glaring at Fleur.
"I zee...well then tell me Perzy what else can you do?" Fleur asked as she tried to burn holes into his head.
Percy looked at her and blinked, "are….are you trying to use your allure on me?"
Fleur blinked in surprise, "I...well yez...iz it not working?"
Percy chuckled, "yeah, sorry but no. That won't work on me bird brain, I'm immune."
"What?! How can you be immune?!" Fleur asked, completely forgetting the fact that Percy just called her bird brain.
"It's something to do with my dad," Percy shrugged, "I don't know really, my aunt wasn't really clear on the details. But yeah, I'm 100% immune to the veela charm, so don't go trying to charm me into bed you here?"
Fleur blushed, "I-I would never do such a thing!"
"Really? Why? Am I not handsome enough for you?" Percy teased.
Fleur's face turned red as she stammered, "I-I, I don't, no you are 'andsome but I-I-"
Percy couldn't hold back his laughter anymore as he rolled back holding his stomach laughing, "oh gods! Your face! It's so red! Oh Gods help me!" Kelly joined in, though her laugh was more cruel than Percy's.
"That izn't funny Percy," Fleur glared, "you are a very mean person."
Percy finally stopped, "s-sorry, I promise I didn't mean anything bad by it. It's just funny embracing people like you."
"Like me?" Fleur asked with an edge to her tone.
"People who can be easily embarrassed," Percy said with a shrug.
"Oh," fleur sighed, "I zee...I'm zorry, I thought you meant-"
"-Because you are a veela?" Percy asked, Fleur nodded slowly and Percy waved her off, "relax, I don't care if you're a veela or not. In fact I have plenty of friends who are veela. In fact I think you know one of them, she used to go to your school, tell me do you know off a girl named Catherine? Short hair, kind of grumpy all the time?"
Fleur looked shocked, "how do you know Catherine?"
"I meet her after the quidditch finals," Percy shrugged, "we talked a bit, I asked her about Beauxbatons, I was actually wondering if I should join there instead, Catherine did make a very compelling case for you school, but in the end I chose Hogwarts."
"I zee...why did you pick 'Ogwarts may I ask?"
"Well mostly because I already know english, so it won't be that difficult to settle in here. But also because I kind off already applied," Percy chuckled, "though I must say I nearly switched when Catherine told me about all the places one can hide for a kiss. Hogwarts is great, but no one should ever have to make out in a broom closet! It's inhumane!"
Fleur chuckled, "yez Beauxbatonz iz known for it'z….beautiful isolated gardenz."
"Speaking from personal experience?" Percy chuckled.
"Well I mean...it iz difficult for a veela," Fleur said shyly, "it's because...well-"
"-Because you don't know if someone loves you because of you or your allure," Percy completed nodding in understanding, "yeah, I know. Catherine mentioned that part."
Fleur nodded, "yez...from the way you zpeak off her you zeem quite familiar with Catherine, no?"
Percy blinked as his cheeks turned red, he coughed into his hand, "well in a way of speaking sure. We kind of just got drunk and woke up with a nasty hangover."
"Really? And nothing elze 'appened?" Fleur asked with a teasing smile, "because if Catherine 'asn't changed from when I knew 'er three years ago then when zhe got drunk zhe also began to 'ump everything in zight."
Percy turned red, "yeah, she ended up with one of the Bulgarians. I think it was one of the chasers."
"Hm...what did 'e look like?"
"Ash...blonde hair and blue eyes? Why?"
"Really? That'z zurprising, zhe always did prefer men with black 'air," Fleur gave Percy a sidelong glance and a smirk.
"Hey look that cloud is so white!" Percy pointed up, "so white and fluffy! It looks like a tea cup doesn't it?"
Fleur chuckled, "yes Perzy it does. Although you are dodging my question, which makez me think that Kelly iz not the only veela you are zlose with."
"Oh look at that cloud! It looks like a giant lion fighting a pig! Oh, it looks like the pig is winning!"
"You do know the more you move dodge my question the more you seem guilty yez?"
"Hey you know enough about me, tell me about you," Percy smiled, "how do you like Hogwarts so far? Is the weather bothering you too much?"
Fleur chuckled, "fine, have it your way. I like the caztle, though I must zay there is much to be desired. Beauxbatons iz much cleaner than this castle and much more beautiful. It'z fields aren't barren like this, we have gardens filled with flowers, and you already know what people do in there."
Percy chuckled, "hey it's not my fault the only thing I know about your school is the best places to make out."
Fleur rolled her eyes, "I can zee Catherine's influence on you 'as not worn off."
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Percy smiled, "anyway Fleur tell me, what do you think I'm going to have to face in the first task?"
"You? Don't you mean me?"
"Well fine, us. What do you think we have to face in the first task?"
"I do not know, but whatever it iz I'm excited. I'll finally zhow them I'm not just a blonde bimbo, maybe now they might ztart taking me zeriously," Fleur glared at the people around her, though Percy didn't think she meant these people directly.
"I see...so you're in it for the recognition huh?" Percy asked.
Fleur sighed, "yez...for too long people have thought of me az zimply zex on legz, az you zay. I want to show them I am worthy of being more," she turned to Percy, "tell me Percy why are you participating?"
"Me?" Percy shrugged, "honestly? Well….I think it's because I'm bored."
"You're bored?" Fleur chuckled, "you realize people have died in this tournament yez?"
Percy shrugged, "I know. But the challenge is just too tempting. I've always been the kind of guy that likes to do amazing things. And this world, the wizarding world, it's one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. And besides, I doubt anything they can throw at me can be that bad. What's the worst that can happen?"
"Well...they could make you fight a magical creature?"
"Been there done that."
"What?"
"Long story, please go on."
"The could make you ride a 'Ippogriff."
"And how is that a bad thing? All I have to do is bow and wait for it to accept me. And I don't know if you know this, but everyone loves me! I'm like pudding!"
Fleur chuckled, "well I 'ave to zay Perzy you are certainly an interesting perzon to be around."
"Fleur!" someone called, "we have to go! Maxim is calling us!"
"I'll be right there!" Fleur shouted back. She sighed, "well it zeems I 'ave to leave now Percy. I enjoyed our talk. It has been...ztrange to zay the least."
"You mean now that you finally talked to someone who can form coherent sentences around you?"
Fleur laughed, "yez, I zuppose zo. Goodbye Percy, Kelly," Fleur waved at them both as she stood up and walked away.
"Bye!" Percy waved at her while Kelly stuck her tongue out, "Kelly that wasn't very nice!" Kelly groaned as she looked away, "oh I'm sorry, I didn't make you angry! Please don't ignore me!" Kelly huffed as she climbed off Percy's hoodie and walked back to the castle, "oh come on Kelly! Come back! I'm sorry!"
Fleur watched Percy chase after the little veela toy and laughed, she couldn't help it, just being near the strange American boy made her smile. He seemed nice enough, though his history did seem questionable. Especially since Catherine was involved, Fleur shivered she still remembered how much trouble her senior got into, she prayed Percy wasn't involved with her, for his sake if nothing else.
That night everyone had gathered for the Halloween feast. Percy and Fleur sat down together as they talked about each other's school and classes. It seemed Fleur was a mistress at charms and quite good in transfiguration, which were ironically two subjects Percy didn't do that well in. She agreed to help him out from time to time and he in return promised to help her out with potions, something she wasn't very skilled in.
"Hey, is it just me or is Percy and the veela chick sitting pretty close together?" Gordan whispered to Juan.
"Dude...come on," Juan rolled his eyes.
"What? I'm just saying, something could be going on between those two."
"Gordan, mate, I think when Juan said 'come on' he meant that it was obvious that something was going on between those two," Miguel explained.
"Obviously," Juan nodded, "look at the way she bites her lip every time he looks at her. Obviously there's something going on."
"Oh please, you four are just looking into this too hard," Heather waved them away.
"Oh come on Heather, Percy and the veela chick are obviously more than friends," Kristen pressed.
"Plus we all know Percy has a thing for veela," Margaret pointed at Kelly who was looking at Percy and Fluer with puffed cheeks and a glare on her face.
"You think Kelly is jealous?" Michael asked.
"Neah, can't be," Gordon shrugged. He suddenly heard Fleur and Percy laugh loudly, "what do you think they are laughing about?"
"No idea," Juan said with a shrug as he slumped his shoulders, "but I do know one thing though. I officially have no chance to get with a french veela."
Soon the feast came to a close as Dumbledore stood up and called for silence. "Now, the goblet is sorting through it's options for champions. While it does that I remind you all once again what exactly this means. This tournament is not a game, once chosen you cannot withdraw, you are bound to compete, or else lose your magic in forfeit."
Fleur turned to Percy, "zee Perzy, it isn't a game."
"Life is a game my dear Fleur, I just have the decency to treat it like the game it is," Percy shot back with a grin.
"Now, let us begin," Dumbledore stepped back and pushed the goblet forward. The blue flames burned red as a piece of burnt paper shot up into the air and floated gently down into Dumbledore's awaiting hands.
"And the champion for Durmstrang is….Viktor Krum!"
The hall broke into cheers as everyone clapped for the world class seeker. Percy kind of expected this considering he was good enough to be in the quidditch finals. But mostly because he didn't know anyone else from Durmstrang.
"Please Mister Krum, though this door," Dumbledore pointed at the door behind the teacher's table that lead to the trophy room. The hall cheered until Krum entered the room and then Dumbledore called for silence.
The fire turned red again and shot out another piece of paper, this one blue and fancy looking, obviously it had the champion of Beauxbatons names written on it.
Fleur lowered her head in anticipation, Percy smiled and patted her back, "relax, it'll be fine." Fleur looked up and smiled giving Percy a node.
"And the champion for Beauxbatons is….Fleur Delacour!"
Fleur's face broke into a smile as she stood up tall and proud. Everyone in Hufflepuff cheered loudly for her while most of her fellow school mates cried in disappointment.
"I'll zee you zoon Perzy," Fleur smiled as she quickly walked to the front of the hall and into the trophy room like Krum.
Once the hall settled down again the goblet shot out another piece of paper. Before Percy could even see what it looked like Dumbledore plucked it out off the air.
The tension in the hall built, there were only a handful of the other schools in the hall, but this person was going to represent Hogwarts itself and would be chosen out of the four houses. Percy felt nervous, a small part of him wanted to not be selected, after all all he ever did as a demigod was avoided danger, now he's charging into it! But another part of him, the louder part of him, demanded a chance to prove that Percy the human was just as worthy as Percy the demigod.
"And the champion for Hogwarts is..." Dumbledore drew the tension out. The students looked on eagerly while a few glared at Dumbledore for drawing this out. The headmaster read the chit again and chuckled, "the champion for Hogwarts is Percy Jackson from Hufflepuff!"
Percy jaw dropped in surprise as the entire Hufflepuff table roared into celebration.
"You did it! You actually got in!" Juan yelled into Percy's ears as he pulled Percy to his feet and brought him into a bone crushing hug. Percy slowly brought himself out of shock as he accepted everyone's congratulations as they pushed him towards Dumbledore.
"Come up Mr. Jackson," Dumbledore said with a gentle grandfatherly smile.
"I'm so scared right now," Percy gulped as he walked up to the Headmaster with Kelly in his pocket shaking in her boots. Everyone in the hall, be it Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Gryffindor cheered loudly for him.
Percy even saw Harry, Ron and Hermione get on their feet and clap while cheering him on loudly. Percy waved at them with a stupid smile on his face, he nearly tripped to get onto the platform but quickly steadied himself. The hall laughed a bit, but Percy didn't mind, he shot them a wide smile and quickly walked to the back door.
It opened up to him and Percy walked in. As the door shut behind him the hall's cheering was cut off. Percy's heart was beating loudly, but he calmed it down, what's done is done, there was nothing he could do to change it now.
He walked into the trophy room and smiled seeing Fleur and Krum stand in opposite corners of the room, Krum next to the fire place and Fleur next to the windows overlooking the fields outside.
"Hello Fleur, miss me?" Percy grinned.
The french witch looked up in surprise as she smiled "Perzy! You made it!"
Percy scoffed, "you sound surprised."
Fleur smirked, "I am. But I meant what I zaid, you won't last through the first task."
"We'll see about that tweetie bird," Percy grinned as he turned to Krum, "hey Krum! Nice to see you again!"
Krum nodded, "nice to see you. How is your aunt?"
"She's fine, by the way sorry about the last time, you have to understand she is really not a nice person when she get's drunk."
Krum nodded, "I can understand. Although, it was a little unfair you leaving her alone while you drank yourself silly with the cheerleaders."
Percy blushed red. Fleur raised an eyebrow, "Percy, what cheerleaderz?"
Percy chuckled, "you remember Catherine right?"
Fleur nodded, "oh, I zee."
Krum looked at Percy and Fleur and mumbled something in his native tongue giving a small grin. Fleur and Percy looked confused, but Krum didn't seem to want to explain what he said.
Just then the door opened and a fourth person walked in. Percy looked over and was surprised to see Harry walk in.
"Harry? Are you okay? Did something happen?" Percy asked, he looked over the boy, he looked scared, shaken, like he had seen Vernon naked, again.
"I-I..." Harry began but couldn't bring himself to complete the sentence.
"Harry, did something happen?" Percy asked as he quickly walked to his younger friend.
Just then the door opened once more as the officials for the tournament walked in with Ludo Bagman at the leade.
"Extraordinary!" he said looking at Harry and the other students, "ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you, the fourth triwizard champion!"
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