After the Giant War

Percy marched out of the Big House with Chiron on his heels.

"Percy! Percy you need to calm down!"

"Calm down!? You want me to calm, down?! How could I? How could I when you just sprouted the Next, oh, Great Prophecy?" Percy retorted. "And what? Like 10 minutes after we ended a war?!"

Chiron trotted slowly over to Percy, wary of the power emanating off of him. "I know this is a shock-"

"Yeah! Just a little." Sarcasm dripped from his sentence. Percy glared with the strength to kill monsters. Chiron backed up a little.

Chiron's voice became calmer. "They just want to talk, my boy."

"Like Hades, I'm getting involved in another war. You know where the other ones left me? They left me alive Chiron" Percy's eyes hardened, then he quietly added, "And with everyone else dead."

"We don't know for sure she's..." Chiron attempted, but then stopped. Percy didn't comment.

Neither of them have seen Annabeth after the battle with Gaea, which has left them, and what was left of the camps to presume her dead.

"Chiron. I can't handle another loss. And with my mom and Paul...I- I just can't get involved with anything that could hurt them." Percy looked up to meet his eyes. "I'm sorry."

Chiron nodded, acknowledging the exceptionally powerful demigod and went to trot away. When he was a few steps from the Big House he turned and called, "Percy, you can't run from a prophecy."

Percy smirked, a bit of his old self showing. "I'm not running, I'm strategically stepping around."

Percy fiercely battled the Minotaur for what he hoped would have been the last time.

"You know, I'm getting real sick of us always fighting. So what do you say? We chill out, grab a quick bite of ambrosia, then be on our merry way?" Percy dodges yet another blow. "Fine then. Be that way." Within seconds, the Minotaur was at Percy Jackson's mercy.

"Hey quick question- You wouldn't happen to know the whereabouts of a certain Annabeth Chase now would you?"

The Minotaur grunted.

"Fine." Gold dust showered onto Percy.

If Chiron found out Percy was purposely seeking out monsters he would throw a fit. Percy deemed it smart to not mention it and keep this as his sort of, side quest.

But seeing as his quest was starting to venture into the 'no go zone' Percy decided to head back to camp, if nothing to at least be able to say, hey, its been a while, I'm not dead thought you'd like to know.

And this had nothing to do with the prophecy that Percy wanted nothing to do with.

But as always, the Fates have never been on his side, so when he got to camp, Percy was greeted with Chiron, and an old guy dressed in fabulously bright robes.

"Percy, I was just showing an old friend of mine around camp. Care to join?" Chiron asked.

Since the Giant War, Percy's been on high alert around magical beings. And he's gotten pretty good at rooting them out. So with his hand in his pocket, gripping Riptide, he gave a sharp nod gesturing to Chiron he'd follow and observe.

"Percy, this is Dumbledore...Dumbledore this is Percy Jackson."

Dumbledore looked up at him, his calculating eyes giving off no hint of warmth, yet his tone spoke otherwise. "Ah yes, Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon. Quite a legend I hear."

Percy gripped riptide. Alarm shooting through his body, sending a warning glance at Chiron.

Chiron saw. "Percy he is of no threat. You can put Riptide down. I have told him of your quests and feats."

Dumbledore chimes in. "And must I say, they are of incredible bravery and loyalty in which they were carried out. I am...sorry about Annabeth." Percy stiffened.

"She's. Not. Dead."

Chiron And Dumbledore passes sad, knowing looks, which didn't go unnoticed by Percy. Though he decided anything he said wouldn't of been valued to their beliefs.

It seemed as if Dumbledore was grasping at any straw to have a conversation with Percy. Was this the happy go lucky kid Chiron mentioned years ago? "Before I forget, Percy, happy birthday."

Percy tensed. He knew Dumbledore was trying to be nice, but he couldn't help but think of Annabeth. "Thanks." He said, with nothing to lead into further conversation.

Dumbledore was determined. "You turn...19, today, correct?"

"Yes." Percy's voice took on a guarded age.

"Remarkable, considering your past."

Percy glared, and he wasn't so sure Dumbledore was being friendly anymore.

"And going through two wars? That's impressive...you must be quite powerful?" He wouldn't stop asking Percy questions, which was making him angry.

"What do you want?" Percy snapped.

Chiron sensed Percy's tone and knew if he let this go on any longer someone would get hurt. "Why don't we go inside and get some tea?"

Percy started at Chiron, unbelievably. "Tea?"

"Ah, yes, please. Tea would be wonderful." Dumbledore casted a glance at Percy while following Chiron into the Big House.

Percy debated whether or not to leave, but ultimately decided if Dumbledore was going to use him- in his war, Percy presumed- then he was going to use him right back.

With that, Percy followed them into the Big House.

When he walked in, Chiron was sitting in his wheelchair next to Dumbledore, casually stirring tea amid the tense feelings in the air.

Percy sat down in a chair across from him. His hand never leaving riptide.

They all sat there for silent minutes stirring tea, taking in the surroundings, or in Percy's case, silent anger.

It was Percy who broke the silence. "Who are you." It wasn't a question, it was an order. Percy slipped back into his old, interrogating, self. Cold, hard, distant. Something he learned while searching for Annabeth.

"I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." He made direct eye contact with Percy. "I am a wizard."

Percy sat there unfazed. Not much surprised him anymore. Rather than asking him to elaborate, he fired another question. "Why are you here?"

Chiron stared at Percy, then looked to Dumbledore. He had at least expected Percy to give some sort of indication he was surprised at hearing wizards existed.

Chiron sighed. Percy wasn't the same, and he shouldn't be expecting he acted like he was.

Dumbledore on the other hand, was quite shocked Percy didn't react. Wizards were a big deal, they've been so secretive, how could he not have been surprised? But still, he answered his question.

"I have come to discuss important matters facing the wizarding world. I've been hoping that you would be of help." Dumbledore hesitated. Gauging whether or not to revel the main reason he asked Percy.

Percy waited. He had all day for this, but he would be damned if he was fighting in another war, when past ones have taken so much from him.

Dumbledore continued, evading an important piece of information. "Having a demigod as strong as you-" And that was his mistake.

Percy shot up, furious.

Chiron felt the atmosphere in the room lower, and knew it had to do with Percy's increasingly strong power.

Then, Percy growled, "I will not be used as a pawn in your war." With that, he stormed out of the Big House, heading towards the beach.

Chiron glared at Dumbledore. As friendly as he was with the man, he still prioritized Percy first. "You could not have said it any better, Albus."

Dumbledore noticed Chiron's unusual sarcasm and realized, it would be a lot harder than he thought to get Percy Jackson, Grandson of Voldemort, on his side.