Gabe Ugliano was not known for being a reasonable man.

To his friends, he was uncompromisingly incessant, and held an authoritarian role over any activity, mainly their poker games, they so regularly held.

To his employees, he was uncompromisingly stingy, never once dishing out extra holidays, or bonuses, and demanded unreasonable hours for unreasonable, yet still legal, pay.

To his neighbours, he was uncompromisingly aggrieved, and would take the slightest infraction on anything as a personal attack, refusing to settle any disputes without police intervention.

And to his family, he was just, uncompromising. His wife and stepson were nothing but mere servants, receiving payment in the form of the occasional backhander, and no, we're not talking about politics. They were kept locked under strict draconian rules, in spartan conditions.

Which is why to say Sally was shocked when he agreed to leave the house for the weekend, so that she and Percy could spend his birthday by themselves, was an understatement. Normally for his birthday, Sally managed to get half an hour, and one blue cupcake, to wish him happy birthday.

Many thoughts ran through her mind, wondering why this heartless man suddenly found himself with enough to change it.

She didn't dare ask. No asking, no risking, a motto she acclimatised herself to long ago, a tingle fluttering across her cheek in reminder.

Of course she didn't know that Gabe had already made plans with his lackeys to leave town, and only saw this as an opportunity to try a new form of gaining obedience from the woman who constantly rebels, but never leaves.

So when the time arouse, Sally waited with bated breath, wondering whether or not Gabe was true to his word, for once.

When she woke up, she looked to the other side of the bed, hoping that she wouldn't spy Gabe's very unflattering form next to her.

When she confirmed he wasn't, she began to get a feeling of happiness run through her chest. Happiness because she got to spend the day with Percy, and no Gabe, but also another kind of happiness. She couldn't place it. It felt like a feeling of relief, but not an immediate relief like she usually got when Gabe has left, as though some time soon she's going to be content once again.

Still, she didn't get her hopes up too high, there was many a night (which were more often than not), that Gabe would simply pass out on the couch as his dizzying mind couldn't think straight enough to control his feet to lift his immense weight to walk him to the bedroom.

She quietened her breathing, realising that her breathes were quickly getting louder in a form of elation which left her feeling breathless. She strained her ears to hear a glimpse of the usual snore that she always heard, signifying her husband was asleep.

Yet she couldn't hear anything.

She wrapped a nightgown around her pyjamas, and had a look throughout the apartment, just to make sure.

She had to make sure.

She knew that if Gabe was somewhere in her home, then all thoughts of birthday celebrations went out the proverbial window.

Gabe hated birthdays.

Sally didn't understand why, but yet again, she didn't dare question it, for fear of what the maniac she married would do in retaliation.

He wasn't in the apartment.

And Sally couldn't have been happier.

She quickly got all the ingredients for making a blue chocolate birthday cake that she had bought a week prior, and had stashed away in fear of angering Gabe if he saw them. Well, if he saw them AND understood what it would mean.

She worked silently, a million thoughts going through her mind. All centring on maybe Gabe isn't as bad as I once thought, maybe he can show compassion, and this is going to be Percy's best birthday, second to none other than those he couldn't remember due to age (or lack thereof).

She was so engrossed in her thoughts and baking, that she didn't hear the light flutter of trained wings, or the quiet *pop* and *thud* of something materialising out of thin air, and dropping to the floor by the doorway.

No, she was so engrossed with what she was doing, she also neglected to hear the sound of a door opening and closing, and the jubilant footsteps of a newly christened 11 year old boy.

It wasn't until her son Percy had rushed into the room, and bade her a good morning, that she was pulled from her thoughts.

She spun around, and upon noticing the radiant and equally shocked look on his face, smiled down at her son, in her own happiness.

"Sleep well, Percy?" Sally asked, once Percy had finally come out of his shock at realising that he would be getting a cake on his birthday.

"It was the best I've slept in ages." Percy answered, a little absentmindedly. "Is that blue food colouring, mom?"

Sally couldn't help but chuckle at his antics, he always let food rule him. Though she did notice his answer to her question, and she didn't think her smile could stretch any wider.

"Of course it is Percy. You didn't think on your special day that there would be nothing blue?" She question him, tongue in cheek.

She couldn't help but notice the dark look that crossed his eyes as the last words slipped out of her mouth.

"But I did. Gabe never lets us doing anything nice." the malice that seeped through his whispered words that were intended solely for him, were noticeable at once.

He didn't know why his mom was with Gabe. He couldn't understand it, and while he loves his mom more than anything in the world, he can't stop the angry thoughts that pass through his childish mind, questioning why she would put them through this situation. Of course he didn't know about the extenuating circumstances, such as income stability and what have you, so it's understandable for a son to be confused as to why the nicest woman in the world, was with one of the worst men.

Sally on the other hand, while she couldn't boast telepathy, had a general idea of the picture Percy was painting in his head, and she could feel her heart start to break. She knew that while Percy still loved her, he was partly blaming her for the situation they were in.

Sally also blamed herself partially too. She knew that she had made the right decision for their family's survival, and she would do the exact same thing again in a heartbeat if it meant they were both provided with the protection that Gabe, and his pay checks, brought them. But it doesn't take away from the fact that she still chose this option, as opposed to the alternative that was provided for her.

She kept telling herself, that when Percy was old enough to learn the truth about their situation with Gabe, and why they needed him, she would leave Gabe and take Percy with her. The only problem was, that she just didn't know when that time will be.

As slow as Percy was, he wasn't an idiot, he couldn't read words, but he could read people. And what he saw from his mom hurt him. He knew that she knew what he was thinking. She always knew. And then the hurt that flashed through her eyes which made Percy instantly forgive her, as it immediately told him there was more to the story than he knew. He also looked on as her eyes settled on a far way look, with a steely determination, which told him that his mom was deep in thought about something she felt strongly about.

Percy, too, wasn't a mind reader, so he didn't have a clue as to what the actual thoughts were, so it was all purely conjecture, but he was confident in having understood the right emotions that he saw.

Sally had a range of emotions zip through her head, but she made sure her face was neutral, before planting a small, almost cheeky smile on her face, before leaning down a little and softly saying, "but Gabe isn't here now, is he Percy?"

The reaction was almost instantaneous. Percy's face lit up, and his mind had already wandered off from anger, being replaced by a similar cheeky happiness. He also realised with more confidence that his mom must have a good reason for why she was with Gabe, as she clearly wasn't too fond of him either.

"Do you need any help making the cake?" Asked a joyous Percy, mirth whipping around his offer of help.

A slight chuckle escaped her mouth, before a smile graced her lips.

"Of course not Percy. It's your special day and I couldn't be happier to make this for you." She told him, "why don't you go to the living room and put on your favourite channel? Hmm? Gabe isn't here to say no."

Percy couldn't nod his head fast enough, and it was the quickest she had ever seen Percy turn on the spot.

Yet the grin that wormed it's way onto her face at watching Percy's childlike antics, slowly turned into a slight frown, for Percy didn't make his way further into the room, and had stopped still, looking down at the ground.

She headed towards him, to see if he was okay, before she saw him bend down and pick up something she should've noticed sooner.

As he was returning to a standing position, he questioned, "why are there three letters on the ground? And why are they all for me?"

Sally, being equally confused, could do nothing except shrug her shoulders, before quickly realising how stupid that must seem, as Percy was still facing the opposite way.

With a slight blush painting her cheeks, she voiced the shrug, and said "I don't know Percy, bring them to the table, we'll open them there."

Percy just nodded his head, in a trance like state. He never got any mail. And yet, here were three letters, clearly addressed to him, albeit very strangely.

He trudged slowly towards the table, eyes still plastered on the letters in his hand.

He lay them on the table, and looked at his mom to see what she made of them. She was also looking puzzled, but was staring intensely at one in particular.

Looking down at each letter, he spied only one that wasn't as abnormal as the others, but still close.

He reached for the least weird one, and when he had it in his hands, he scrutinised it carefully. He also saw his mom looking at this one, with the same look she had before. Guessing it was the same one, he tried to work out what it was.

It felt like there was some kind of thin cylindrical object in it. He tried guessing what it was, but he could only come to the conclusion that it was a pen, which he thought was ridiculous. Who would mail an envelope, for just a pen?

Deciding he was tiring himself out at trying to rationalise why a pen would be mailed, he moved on to the front. This is why, though it was a normal envelope, it was still weird.

Looking at it, he read the words on the front, finding himself pleasantly surprised that he had no trouble reading it, whatsoever. Which was reason number 1 as to it abnormality, as he couldn't read, like, at all without major difficulty.

Reason number 2 came next. He read through the words on the front, all 2 of them. This struck him as odd, as he was sure mail was supposed to have something more than just his name "Perseus Jackson", like his address or something.

But no, it was simply just his name, written in a glowing bronze-y ink colour. Which is reason number three.

It was glowing. He didn't know that was at all possible. Deciding not to think about it till later, caring too much about what this weird letter would say, he opened up the envelope, and poured out what was in side.

His suspicions were confirmed correct when a ballpoint pen rolled out of it, followed by a letter falling out a little more softly.

He immediately reached for the letter, failing to notice his moms slight gasp at seeing the pen.

As his fingers gripped the letter, he suddenly had a change of heart. There was something in his stomach that fluttered at every contact with the letter. And the feeling scared him.

He decided to open everything first, then look at what they all were.

Going for he next letter, he saw that this time, he couldn't understand the words, and knew that he would take ages to get through it.

Luckily his mom saw this too, and reached forwards and picked up the letter. Percy sent her a small smile, which she returned just as quickly.

She was just about to read the front out, when she saw that the last letter had the exact same words too. Now normally, this wouldn't be too weird for a regular letter, but both of these not only got the address down, but also the exact room Percy was in, which was not a common occurrence. The only difference in each letter being handwriting style.

She pulled the other letter closer, but kept the first one in her hands.

"Mr P. Jackson,
The back bedroom
2nd Ave & E 59th St,
New York, NY 10022", Sally read out, wariness evident in her tone. (A/n - just a random place I chose with my eyes closed, in Manhattan.)

Handing it back to her son, Sally noticed the strange crest on the back, stamped in a velvety purple wax seal.

Percy immediately understood what his mom was expecting, so he turned the letter over in his hands. Not nearly having enough interest in the wax seal, as he'd already let out his confusion at it back in the doorway where he found the letters.

Till he looked a little closer as to what was on it.

Looking at the strange crest once again, Percy had to remark that the first thing that came to mind was that British rose war thing that he studied for a week in school. He only said this because the shape looked just like the rose flag from that fight. He only slightly knew what he was thinking of, because as much as lots of bloodshed can intrigue a child, he still was ADHD and as such couldn't remember anything other than the strange shaped badge.

Of course he knew the badge wasn't the same one, because on further inspection, there were noticeable differences, such as the shape, while on first glance it appeared to be the same and jogged something in Percy's mind, further reflection says that while similar, they are still different.

And that was ignoring the fact that in these four little heart shaped segments, that all fit together like a jigsaw, we're funny looking animals.

He glossed over the top one, as all he could see when he looked at is was that Nazi eagle from World War 2, though he knew they were different styles, it still looked too similar to not see it.

The one on the right, Percy thought looked like a very grumpy old man, wearing a Native American headdress, and holding arrows and a shield.

Then, looking at the one on the left, his best description would have to be a horned snake, as that is all that it looked like.

Lastly, looking at the very bottom picture, he saw a cat, with a ridiculously long tail.

He didn't know what to make of these animal things, so he decided to set it aside in his mind till later, and instead focused on taking out what was inside. What was inside, was a thick letter. Already dreading having to read that, he set it beside his first letter, foolishly hoping whatever magic let him read the first one, would rub off.

He then looked at the last one, before asking a little embarrassed, "Can you read this one as well, mom?"

Sally smiled softly, knowing how he struggled with his dyslexia, though he doesn't yet know why he has it. A quick glance to the first letter cemented the idea that he will know very soon, though, her mind suggested.

"It's the exact same as the first one, honey." She said, a little bemused, but she had seen stranger things in her time, so she wasn't too affected.

"Why don't you look at the seal on the back, I'm sure it will be as equally strange as the first one?" She suggested, knowing that he hated not being able to read brilliantly and wanting to give him something to take his mind off of it, and she had already guessed that, like the first, it would have one as well, if the exact same words on the front were anything to go by.

Percy just nodded his head, and reached for the final letter.

Inspecting this crest, he gladly noticed that each of the animals he spotted all looked normal. Looking at it from the top left, and going clockwise, he noticed a lion, a snake, an eagle, and a badger.

He, like with the first crest, didn't understand why all the animals were together, and what each animal stood for, but he was just glad that this one made a little more sense.

Following the same action with the previous letter, he opened up the seal, and pulled out a similar sized letter to the last.

When he had let this letter register, he decided that since it was in his hands, he would start with this one. He unfolded it, looked at it, before abashedly handing it to his mom.

Quickly scanning through the contents before reading it out loud, Percy saw his moms eyes bulge a little. Knowing that whatever was in the letter must be very strange, as his mom never acted like this for anything out of the ordinary.

Reading out the first letter, Sally said:

"HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Jackson,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, in Scotland (connecting through London). Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins 1 September.

Due to you being a Muggleborn wizard (a wizard born from muggles (people with no magic)), you can expect to receive a visit from a member of staff by no later than 12:00 pm Eastern Time.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress"

Percy also couldn't help but let his eyes fly out of their sockets at hearing those words, just like his mom.

A wizard? Sweet.

This was before he shot his eyes towards their clock, seeing that he had at most 2 hours before the member of staff would get here, what with it being 10:00am now.

He never questioned the validity of wizards existing, because he himself had seen weird things happen in his life time, and he wante-needed an explanation for them.

He noticed that there was only one more letter from this envelope, something which surprised Percy because of how thick the letters package was, before he realised that the paper (if that's even what it is) it was written on was thicker than any other kind of paper that Percy had seen, expect maybe when it was still a tree.

"A wizard, mom? How cool is that?" asked a very excited Percy.

Sally understood his excitement, as she imagined she'd feel the same way if she found out she was one at that age, but having grown up and found out more about the world, she couldn't help but be a little glad that she wasn't one herself, and very worried for Percy.

"What does that one say mom?" asked Percy, his enthusiasm dropping off of him in waves.

Sally sighed a little, before reading the last page.

"HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM
First-year students will require:

sets of plain work robes (black)
plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

- The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
- A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
- Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
- A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
- One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
- Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
- Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
- The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

- 1 wand
- 1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
- 1 set glass or crystal phials
- 1 telescope
- 1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS"

"Spells. A wand. Oh my God, I'm actually a wizard. This is so awesome." Percy let a little of his hyperactive side out, by rushing out his words, though luckily Sally had plenty of training when it comes to deciphering what Percy says.

And Sally did genuinely think it was awesome, as Percy said, yet she still couldn't help but worry about how much trouble and danger he could get himself into.

When the initial shock had worn off, Percy asked her to read out the next letter, the other one with the weird crest.

As she did, she wasn't nearly as surprised to see that this letter was virtually identical to the one from Hogwarts, but the names of the school had changed, and the names of the headmaster, and deputy headmaster.

The only other major difference between the two of them, was that this Ilvermorny schools letter, did not give any mention of a member of staff house call, and that it was in America. Hogwarts being in the UK.

She, and Percy as well, couldn't believe it. Not only was he a wizard, but he's being offered places into two seemingly prestigious schools of magic, without any near begging from Sally's part. This was almost as shocking as finding out he was a wizard, because his record meant that no one wanted him at their school.

Percy was still very hyper, and he quickly rushed to grab the last letter, before finally checking himself, and asked Sally to read it for him.

So she did, or at least tried to. When she picked up the letter and looked at what it said, she found herself not being able to understand it. It was written in Greek.

This confirmed Sally's worst fears that she had for the letter previously, and brought the boarding wizard schools into a new light, one that she now saw as a useful opportunity, as opposed to the previous thoughts of danger.

She quickly moved her eyes from the paper, and flicked them towards Percy, who was, for once, sat still and staring intently at her.

She looked back at the paper, to make sure that it wasn't her mind deceiving her before, but it was still Greek.

Resigned to knowing that it was time Percy learnt the truth about his father, as that was presumably what was in the letter, she handed him the letter, saying that she can't read it, only Percy will be able to.

Percy, more confused than ever before, gingerly took the letter from his mothers hands, and looked down at the page.

Looking down, he was surprised to see that his mom was right, that he could read what was on the page. The words didn't jumble up and he could read it perfectly.

Reading aloud, to follow the same format they had going on, Percy said,

"Dear Percy,

I wish I could do this in person, like I always planned, but unfortunately I'm under scrutiny from my brother, and he is preventing me from being able to come.

Just know, that I am proud, so very proud of you. You have grown up into a very respectable young man.

I only wish that I was able to spend that time with you, instead of that nefarious cretin Gabe. I am truly sorry I left you with him. If I could have been with you, I would've been, but there are rules that even I must follow, upon punishment of death for breaking them. Though there are little work arounds that I can use to help you, which I have been doing whenever I can get away with it.

There are many things at play in this world, things that you don't know about, but it is nearly time that you should. I can't write them here in this letter, because if you're anything like me, you'll be speaking these words out loud to your mother, Sally. She will be able to explain everything to you in due time.

But remember, names have power.

Lastly, I understand that you have received two letters, one from Hogwarts, and one from Ilvermorny.

Under normal circumstances, you would have only received one letter, from Ilvermorny, being an American wizard, but I used my connections to get you a place at Hogwarts.

Not only is Hogwarts the best school of magic that exists in the world, they also need you. I'm not telling you what to do, because Ilvermorny also needs you, and whichever one you choose, the other will still receive your help, just not till later.

THEY WILL BOTH STILL RECEIVE YOUR HELP. Don't make your decisions based off of which you have more loyalty to (as in America, or Britain.)

But I would recommend Hogwarts being the school of Wizarding that you choose to attend, simply because this will be the place where you receive the best of educations (even with what will happen when you go). Nowhere else is on the level of Hogwarts, that still exists today.

This way, you'll have a better education for dealing with the threats posed to both schools.

Please think about this choice carefully. Going to either one of these fine institutes will make you into a very formidable wizard. Perhaps one of the greatest the world has ever seen. So it is a tough choice about which you would prefer to go to, so choose wisely.

Love from your father,
P

P.s I have set up a vault for you in Gringotts. This will hold more than enough money to cover the costs of all your schooling equipment.

P.s And remember, the pen is mightier than the sword."

Once Percy had finished, he just sat their, gawping like a fish.

Father.

It had said father.

His father was also a wizard?

This was a letter from his 'lost at sea' father, who seems to have never been lost at sea, and has in fact watched him grow up somehow.

He faintly heard his mom calling his name, but he was sat in shock. He was vaguely aware of his mother moving into the kitchen to carry on making his birthday cake.

He was only brought out of his stupor when a crisp *knock*, *knock*, *knock* on their door, reverberated around their apartment.

He quickly shook himself out of his daze, before wondering who on earth it could be. Since Gabe had lived here, nobody had any want to come over, or rather any want that overpowered the despise of Gabe.

In all of his time here, he'd never heard anyone at the door, so this was a big development.

He sat up straighter, before looking towards his mom, who he noticed was looking at the kitchen wall where their clock stood.

He too, looked at the clock and quickly read the time. 12:00pm, near enough precisely Percy would say, if he took off the seconds it took for him to realise and then read the time.

His mom was still staring at the clock, which was weird as she was generally very good with numbers and time, before he realised she must be anxious about this meeting.

Something which Sally most definitely was.

She had never been as anxious as this before. She hadn't been able to explain anything to Percy, as he went into shock after reading the letter, something Sally assumed was down to it being from his dad.

His dad. "P" he had signed off as. Names have power, he had reminded them.

Before she could carry on with this train of thought, another crisp *knock*, *knock*, *knock*, sounded throughout the house. This shook Sally out of her own mind, and she headed for the door.

Noticing Percy nervously trailing behind her, peeking around her, eyes fixed on the door.

She reached for the handle of the door, and to say she was surprised by the figure behind the door, would be quite accurate. She certainly wasn't expecting them to look like this.

A/n - I hope you enjoyed the first chapter to my new story, and please leave a review if you see any mistakes (grammatical or otherwise). Please also drop a fav or follow, it tells me there's actually someone who likes the drivel that I write.