1.05.2022

Tensions ran high as the Quidditch match approached, I chuckled at their antics, busting a few students when they went too far, but other than that I just enjoyed the chaos. The morning of I saw a few paler than normal faces, and laughing softly I pressed cool droplets to the back of their necks, soothing them slightly, and continued to talk to Severus about the upcoming game.

Then I saw the pins. I groaning I looked over to Severus who shrugged,

"Oh, come on, it's just like War Games, mess with the opponents head to seal the win,"

"You know this isn't what we do it, but alright," I conceded. Watching the Great Hall slowly empty out, it's too bad I wouldn't get to see the game, but I wasn't stupid enough to go into the stands.

I smiled as I drifted down to the bottom of the lake, I could still hear the cheers from all the way down here, I smiled and waved as the creatures came up and greeted me.

Waving goodbye I kicked back up, heading for the surface, jumping onto the shore just as Ron ran up to me,

"I messed up- if I wasn't so lousy at Quidditch, -it as the song that wound me up -this is all my fault," he said quickly in a panic,

"Woah! Woah! Calm down, what happened?"

"Harry, George, and Malfoy had a row, Professor McGonagall, took them into her office but I saw Umbridge go in after her- I know somethings wro-," I was already taking off, running down the corridors gritting my teeth, why did I have to be on babysitting duty with a power-hungry witch?

I slinked into the room just in time, "I really think I will have to ban these two from playing Quidditch ever again,"

"Ban us?" Harry started shocked

"Yeah. No." I said drawing the attention of everyone in the room and causing Dolores to pale,

"P-Percy, I didn't see you at the game," Dolores said and I shook my head,

"I wasn't in the stands," I admitted looking over to the boys, "Although I don't think one little scuffle warrants a ban for life."

"B-but Percy, they attacked the other team," she said and I had to hold back from rolling my eyes

"Did the other team attack them?"

"Crabbe hit Harry with a Bludger after he saw Harry got the snitch," Goerge offered and looked back over to Dolores

"And we aren't in Severus' office with him because..."

"Well- that was different- I- um-," Dolores stuttered and I just sighed and gestured towards the door,

"You can go boys, Min-McGonagall will hand out your punishment later," I said and they looked at each other for a second before running out and I heard a 'whoop' from Goerge, I chuckled.

"P-Percy, listen we can't let-,"

"Holy Hera! Come on, Dolores! They're just kids! I hit Severus all the time and he's fine!" I pointed out, causing the two women to gap at me,

"Look I don't condone violence but he was just standing up for his friend, so whatever punishment you were going to give them Minerva will be just fine, and Dolores will you please stop trying to go behind my back I am literally here to monitor you so stop for the love of Zeus trying to be sneaky! You aren't slick!" I said frustrated she nodded and looked down I sighed and rolled my eyes,

"If you need me, I'll be at the lake," I said before spinning around and walking back out.

I was staring at the lake when I saw a light go on in the cabin drawing my attention. I wandered towards it slowly, before knocking on the door,

"-er -ello? Who are ya?" A half-giant answered and I tensed but stuck out my hand,

"Percy Jackson, Defense Against the Dark Arts co-teacher," I said, tilting my head, "But really just a glorified baby sitter,

"Percy- Percy- Percy- I've heard that name before," the half-giant said scratching his beard,

"that's quite the bruise you've got there- mind if I ask were you got it?" I asked

"-er well my companions got a little rough," he chuckled nervously and I studied him,

"I swear I've heard ye- name before," He commented, and I smiled slightly,

"Who might you be?" I asked, gently,

"Er- oh right! I'm Hagrid- I'm the groundskeeper of Hogwarts," he said and I nodded, "Come in! Come in! I just got home, but I think I might have some tea,"

I nodded slowly following him inside, drawing out my pen before I sat, just in case. Hagrid Froze,

"Is that-," His gaze snapped to mine, "You're- Perseus!" he exclaimed bumping back into his wall. I fixed him with a gaze,

"The only things that call me that want me dead," I said smoothly, I looked back up to his injury, "But that looks like a bruise from a giant,"

"-er P-Percy? Can I call you Percy?" He asked uncertainly, I looked him over before relaxing,

"Yeah, yeah I think you can," I said putting riptide away and glancing at his eye, "Do you want me to get that?" I asked

"Huh? Oh, this? It's okay- magic doesn't work very well one me-," I laughed cutting him off,

"Not that type of magic," I said, causing him to freeze, before nodding slowly,

"Yeah- thanks," he mumbled as I crossed the room drawing some water and pressing it on his eye some, letting it heal as it would heal me ()

He sighed as I pulled away, the bruise on his eye completely healed,

"I- -er I'm a big admirer of yours," he said and I looked up,

"Really?" I asked surprised,

"Yeah- I apricate you being here too- did Dumbledore recruit you for the war?" he asked and I shook my head,

"No, just the teaching gig," I admitted, Hagrid opening his mouth to say something else when a knock sounded on the door. He froze looking towards me,

"Heh-heh you know how the wind is sometimes-," Hagrid sweat,

"Hagrid it's us!" Harry's voice came through the door,

"I -er -um," I got up and opened the door, seeing nobody but knowing the trio was there,

"Do you want to be expelled?" I asked I saw the snow crutch slightly before sighing and stepping aside,

"Get in here before you get caught," I said subtly clearing their tracks in the snow, "And next time don't leave tracks, you're going to get caught," Suddenly a large dog came clambering through the little hut, I laughed as it tackled me

"Fang! Yeh dozy dog! Off of 'im!" I just laughed and pushed him off with ease,

"It's fine," I said brushing it off, before turning towards the trio who guiltily stood in the corner, a shimmery cloak in Harry's hand, I sighed and looked back between Hagrid and the trio before rolling my eyes, and strolling out, "I didn't see anything," I deiced, and hearing laughing from the cabin a few minutes later was worth it. I made my way back to the lake staring at the water. I missed my friends at camp.

It wasn't much longer than I saw Dolores making the trek down. I groaned and threw myself back into the snow. Can't a guy catch a break? Man, this was getting annoying. Sighing I stood and went back to Hagrid's cabin,

"And was he talking back to you?" Dolores questioned and Hagrid stumbled over his question before his eyes landed on me

"Percy! Yer back!" he exclaimed causing Dolores to turn towards me shocked.

"There you are! I was wondering where you were-,"

"Don't play that game, Dolores, I told you where I would be, so what are you doing here now?"

"I was here to inform," She looked back to Hagrid and sniffed obviously looking down her nose at him, "Hagrid that as High Inquisitor it is my unfortunate but necessary duty to inspect my fell teachers," I paused before nodding my head,

"Alright, well let's get you back to the castle," I said grabbing her arm and pulling her away, "See you later Hagrid," I said over my shoulder and he waved for a second before closing the door. I sighed and looked over at Dolores before shaking my head.

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