Percy Jackson and The Wizarding World

Detention with Snape was about as fun as Percy expected—meaning, it sucked.

The potions classroom smelled like burnt herbs and something that vaguely reminded Percy of rotten eggs. Snape loomed over him, sneering as Percy scrubbed cauldron after cauldron by hand.

"I assume your… unique abilities don't extend to basic cleaning skills, Jackson," Snape said icily, watching him struggle with a particularly stubborn stain.

Percy gritted his teeth, resisting the urge to snap back. Not the time to get on his bad side… again. Instead, he forced a smile. "Just soaking up the ambiance, Professor. Love what you've done with the place—very dungeon-chic."

Snape's lip curled. "Enough of your insolence. I don't know what game you're playing, but mark my words—you do not belong here."

Percy shrugged. "Funny, I've been told that before." He thought about Camp Half-Blood, about Poseidon's cabin, about feeling out of place no matter where he went. "But trust me, I'm not here to mess with your little wizard club."

Snape's dark eyes lingered on him a moment longer before he swept away, his cloak billowing behind him like an angry shadow.

Percy sighed in relief. One crisis averted.

Later That Night – Gryffindor Common Room

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were waiting when Percy finally trudged back into the common room, his hands raw from scrubbing. He collapsed onto the couch, groaning. "I'm never touching a cauldron again."

Ron snorted. "Welcome to Snape's version of torture. You lasted longer than I did on my first go."

Hermione tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Well, now that you're free… we need to talk about what you heard in the Slytherin common room."

Percy rubbed his face. "Yeah, Malfoy's definitely hiding something. He said 'it's just a matter of time' before something happens. My guess? Whatever's in the Chamber of Secrets is waking up soon."

Harry frowned. "We still don't know what it is."

Percy hesitated. "Actually… I do." He glanced around to make sure no one else was listening. "I saw it last night."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Saw what?"

"A basilisk," Percy said grimly. "Big, scaly, and definitely not friendly."

Ron paled. "Blimey, Percy! You mean there's a giant snake slithering around the castle?!"

"Yup," Percy confirmed. "And it's whispering creepy things like 'find them' and 'destroy the enemies of the heir.' Which, by the way, doesn't sound super promising for non-purebloods."

Hermione looked horrified. "A basilisk… the monster of Slytherin! That explains the petrified students!"

Harry leaned forward. "If we know what it is, we need to figure out where it's coming from."

Percy nodded. "I think I have a lead. That note I got? It said to 'seek the one who guards the Chamber.'"

Ron blinked. "And who's that supposed to be?"

Percy smirked. "Well, I think it's someone who knows a lot about secrets… and happens to have a pet that can look you in the eye without turning you to stone."

Harry's face lit up. "Hagrid!"

"Exactly," Percy said. "If anyone knows what's really going on, it's him."

Hagrid's Hut – Midnight Visit

The trio, along with Percy, snuck out of the castle under Harry's invisibility cloak. The grounds were eerily silent, the only sounds being the distant hoots of owls and the rustling of leaves.

"I swear, if we get caught again, I'm blaming you," Ron whispered to Percy.

"Relax," Percy whispered back. "I'm a pro at sneaking around. My friend Annabeth would be proud."

When they reached Hagrid's hut, Harry knocked lightly on the wooden door. A few moments later, Hagrid appeared, his massive form silhouetted in the doorway.

"Harry? Hermione? Ron? And… Percy?" Hagrid frowned. "What are yeh lot doin' out here at this hour?"

Percy stepped forward. "Hagrid, we need your help. It's about the Chamber of Secrets."

Hagrid's face fell, and he glanced around nervously before ushering them inside. "I dunno what yer talkin' about," he muttered, avoiding their gazes as he poured them mugs of tea.

Percy leaned in. "Come on, Hagrid. You know something. What's in the Chamber?"

Hagrid sighed heavily, stroking Fang's head. "It ain't what people think, I swear. Back when I was a student, people thought I opened the Chamber 'cause o' Aragog—"

"Your giant spider?" Ron paled. "Yeah, we've met."

"But Aragog didn't do it!" Hagrid protested. "No, the real monster's been hidden deep in the castle fer centuries. Legend says Slytherin himself left it there, waitin' for his true heir to awaken it."

Harry leaned in. "And who's the heir, Hagrid? Do you know?"

Hagrid looked uneasy but shook his head. "Dunno for sure… but I'd keep an eye on those Slytherins, if I were yeh."

Percy sighed, frustrated. "Alright, then where's the entrance to the Chamber?"

Hagrid hesitated, then said softly, "There's been whispers about the girls' bathroom on the second floor. Moaning Myrtle's hauntin' it… strange things happen there."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Of course! Myrtle's bathroom! No one ever goes in there!"

"Thanks, Hagrid," Harry said. "We'll check it out."

Before they could leave, however, there was a loud knock at the door.

Percy and the others froze.

Hagrid's face turned pale. "Get yerselves under the cloak. Now!"

They ducked beneath the invisibility cloak just in time as the door creaked open, revealing a stern-looking Dumbledore and a scowling Lucius Malfoy.

"Hagrid," Lucius sneered. "There have been… concerns about your involvement in recent events. I think it's time we had a little chat."

Percy clenched his fists under the cloak, watching as Malfoy stepped inside. He didn't like this one bit.

Dumbledore's voice was calm but firm. "Come now, Lucius, we cannot act without proof."

Lucius sneered. "Proof will come, Headmaster. And when it does… people will suffer for their mistakes."

Percy felt a chill run down his spine. He had a feeling that the real danger was just getting started.