Here it is, yay! The much anticipated, critically acclaimed, chapter nine!

This chapter: Ron learns how to grease some wheels.

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The Golden Trio lingered outside in the hallway for a moment before crossing over the threshold into the darkness beyond. As they entered Percy's room, the difference was startling. In order to make Firenze more comfortable, Dumbledore had transfigured an entire class room into a small section of the forbidden forest. It appeared as though he had spent just as much effort to make the son of Poseidon feel welcomed.

"Blimey." Ron whispered. Harry managed an inarticulate grunt in agreement. All Hermione could do was gape.

A quarter the room in the far right had been transfigured into a beach. The stone floor magically morphed into fine white sand that met the salty sea water a dozen feet beyond, complete with two palm trees and a hammock. The water extended out for what seemed like forever, until it met the horizon off in the distance. That whole corner of the room and half of the ceiling were enchanted to look like the actual sky. A crescent moon hung brilliant in the deep purple, surrounded by faint stars, reflected upon the ocean. Waves washed up gently on the shore.

The half-blood laughed exuberantly.

"It's nice, isn't it? Be careful if you go for a swim, though. The water only goes out for about 20 yards before the illusion ends, and it comes up to just past my nose."

Percy turned to take in their expressions with fond amusement. After a while though, he yanked off his boots rolled up his jeans and waded into the water. He sat till for a moment, soaking in the coolness of the ocean with an appreciative sigh. Letting his head fall back he gazed at the stars for an instant before letting his eyes fall closed. Slowly, the strength he always felt in his father's realm seeped into his bones.

Behind him Percy heard a faint shuffling as someone else removed their shoes, then the telltale splash as they entered the water and waded out next to him. He opened his eyes to look over at Harry, who seemed to be enjoying the ocean even more than he was. Though he had rolled up his uniform slacks, the long wizard robes hung down behind him trailing into the water. They swirled through the currents around the boy mysteriously as the waves gently lapped at their knees. Emerald eyes glanced at him through the twilight, mirroring his own secret joy at the sensation.

The other two members of the trio had also removed their shoes and were standing nearby in the sand, still glancing around his room in curiosity. In the corner opposite the beach was a bed, covered in a soft gray blanket and sheets, with no canopy since he needed no privacy in his single room. It was positioned so that as he lay in his bed he could look out over the ocean. In the other two corners were a large oak wardrobe, in front of which lay his bags and trunks, yet to be unpacked; and a fireplace surrounded by a coffee table and two comfy looking chairs. A door between his bad and wardrobe led to a small bathroom.

"As I said, this place is open to the three of you whenever you'd like to stop by. But I asked you here for a different reason. " Percy turned around to face the three of them and gestured towards the fireplace. "Would you mind?"

"Oh, of course not." Hermione murmured when she realized what he wanted. Ron was still gazing around in a daze. The young witch brought out her wand and gestured towards the corner. "Incendio." A moment later flames leapt up, lighting the gloomy room. Harry frowned.

"Why didn't you just do it yourself?"

Percy shrugged and tipped his head at Hermione.

"I could have. But I don't like using your Magic. I don't like the way it feels, something about it rubs me the wrong way. So I'll only resort to spells when there's no other choice."

The three friends blinked in surprise.

"You won't use magic?" Ron sputtered. "How are you going to guard the school?"

Percy grinned.

"I'll manage, Ron. Don't you worry. And as you already know, besides guarding the school, Dumbledore also asked me to bodyguard you, Harry." Harry's face flushed red at that and he dropped his gaze to the water with a grimace.

"The Headmaster," He groaned in frustration. "Don't remind me. I am perfectly capable of walking from my dorm to my classes and back again without being attacked! I don't need anybody else following me around and telling me what to do in case I stub my toe!"

"I know." Percy stated gently, understanding Harry's protest. "But I don't care." He continued in a harder voice. Harry's gaze snapped up to his in shock. For a tense moment they stared each other down.

"It's the reason I'm here, after all. So weather or not you like it, I'm going to be looking out for you." Percy continued sternly. He broke the other wizard's gaze, uncomfortable with the distress and slight betrayal he saw growing there.

"In order to do my job, I'm going to lay down some ground rules, which are all designed to help keep you safe." Ron and Hermione immediately jumped in with protests before he could continue. He glanced over at Harry who was also scowling at him in annoyance. He sighed in exasperation before tipping his head back to the sky and closing his eyes.

"The school has protective wards! I read in Hogwarts A History that-"

"Yeah, mate! So strong that nobody can break in, so Harry should be fine while he's here!"

"Guys, that's not the point! I shouldn't have to put up with being locked away in some tower like a… like a princess while Percy, Dumbledore and the Order take care of everything for me!" Ron and Percy snorted in amusement.

"That's not how it will be, Harry." Hermione murmured quietly. "No matter how hard Dumbledore tries, it has to be you in the end. The prophecy says-"

"I know what the prophecy says!" Harry snarled, rounding on his friend with a grimace. Ron and Hermione fell silent at his outburst, while Percy looked on in sympathy.

"But isn't that… even more of a reason for me to fight? How am I supposed to stop Voldemort when everybody is keeping me away from all the dangerous stuff?" Percy sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Did I say I was going to lock you up?" Percy demanded, glaring over at Harry. The younger wizard started at him startled, before grinning somewhat sheepishly.

"Well, er… no…"

"That's right." Percy continued indignantly. "I'm not here to watch you, or babysit you, or… whatever! I'm here to help you fight! And hopefully, keep you alive in the process." He met Harry's eyes meaningfully, hoping to convey his feelings through a glance.

"You can go wherever you want, and do everything you normally do, I'm not gonna stop you." He said, frankly. "All I ask, is that you take me with you. You might be surprised at how helpful I turn out to be." At his last statement, Percy's voice dropped into a dangerously low growl, and he treated them all to a positively feral grin.

"Which brings me back to my first ground rule: Try not to go out alone."

The golden trio turned to glance at each other before looking back at Percy. Ron shrugged and Harry looked at him reluctantly before nodding slowly.

"Er… Alright, I guess. That one doesn't sound too bad." Percy nodded in appreciation.

"Look, I don't expect you to always stick together, but give it some thought. And when you are alone, be aware of that fact and stay extra careful, okay?" Harry nodded and gave him a grin.

"Okay." The two young men regarded each other with mutual concordance as Percy continued.

"Rule number two: Each one of us is going to have a security phrase with two possible answers, one to use when everything is fine, and one to use in case you are in danger." He stopped for a moment to let them digest his words. Hermione looked surprised.

"Oh, that's a good idea. Why didn't I think of that before?" She mumbled, looking away in thought. Ron raised an eyebrow as Percy continued sternly, while Harry listened silently but still somewhat grudgingly.

"I will challenge you with the security phrase every day, and if it seems like there's something wrong. I expect you to challenge me in return. You will answer promptly and correctly or I will assume you have been compromised by the enemy and drag you immediately up to see Dumbledore. Understood?" The three of them nodded quickly in agreement. Percy stood a little straighter and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Rule number three: Always carry at least one golden drachma on your person." Harry and the others frowned in confusion.

"What do we need those for?" Ron asked skeptically. Percy reached out and grabbed a pouch that had been hanging on his belt. He tossed it over to Harry, who snatched it from the air with a seeker's reflexes.

"Drachmas come in handy for just about anything when dealing with the gods. This will get you a ride on Charon's ferry, let you send a package in the Hermes Express, help you grease the wheels in sticky situations, and most importantly… send an Iris message in an emergency."

"Grease the wheels?" Ron asked cluelessly. Hermione rolled her eyes and gave Percy a disapproving frown. He grinned cheekily in response.

"He means to use the money as a bribe, Ron." The redhead's lips formed a little "o" in comprehension. The Weasley's being a rather poor family, the idea of using money as a tool had never even occurred to him.

"Do all of you know how to send an IM?" The half-blood asked, getting a nod from Ron and Harry.

"We saw Firenze send an IM to Chiron." Harry elaborated. "We'll show Hermione how to do it later."

"Good." Percy nodded. "You can, of course, IM me at anytime in an emergency. When my dog wakes up, she'll be able to shadow travel us instantly to your side, wherever you are. As long as there is shadow, I can get to you, Harry. Even through the strongest wards and charms. That's how I got into Hogwarts in the first place." He paused a moment to contemplate how to phrase his next statement.

"I'll always answer an Iris message from the three of you. If, for whatever reason you can't reach me, you can assume that I am either captured, unconscious or dead… In that case, I'd recommend calling either Dumbledore or Firenze. Those two are trustworthy. But if even they are unavailable, try calling Chiron in New York. He'll come to your aid, though it might take him longer to get here."

Percy took another breath, and looked over at Harry nervously.

"Harry, if it's you, after all is said and done, and you find yourself alone…" He glanced down in frustration. "If you find yourself alone, Harry, and its life or death. Call for my Father." He glanced back into Harry's stunned gaze. "Often the gods wish to intervene, but there are laws. In order to receive their help, you must ask for it, Harry. Call my Father, and if he hears you he may lend his aid."

The silence stretched out after Percy's statement, until the half-blood released a tired sigh and straightened up.

"Rule number four: while I'm here this year, we're going to be doing some weapons training, along with basic hand to hand. You wizards are deadly at a distance. But as soon as I get close, you're practically defenseless. I'm gonna make sure I fix that by the time this year's over." He squinted at the golden trio. "Got it?" All three nodded at him reluctantly.

"All right, those are my rules! That's all I wanted to say." Percy grinned playfully and bounced out of the water, not looking the least bit wet. A few steps beyond the sand he stopped and suddenly turned around.

"Oh yeah, there's one more thing I almost forgot!" He turned to Harry and raised his arm out in his direction. Then he called out in a clear voice, ringing with authority.

"Harry Potter, descendant of Hecate; I confer upon you the Protection of the Sea, now and forever!"

And with that, a tendril of water rose up from the ocean, seemingly on its own. It rose like a snake, gently encircling Harry, never quite close enough to touch, until it reached his face. Harry stared at the wavering tendril of water in amazement, holding himself perfectly still. Slowly, it reached closer to his face, causing the savior to inch his head back and squish his eyes closed. But all he felt was a soft brush against his forehead, right over his curse scar and it was over. Harry opened his eyes to see the snake-like water tendril retreating back into the waves, disappearing as the last of it sunk into the water.

A moment later Ron turned to Hermione with a grin.

"There you go, 'Mione. Proof of divinity."

Hermione scowled.

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After a stroke of inspiration, this chapter got pumped out in less than a day! Spring Break is so nice...

Next time: Epic showdown - O'Leary VS. Peeves, send a delinquent soul to the underworld! (Tickets available for purchase from the Weasley Twins.)