Percy smiled, a small, genuine smile. "Thank you, ma'am."
"But that could also be simply because he wishes to finally gain the teaching position he has actually wanted for all these years," Augusta Longbottom quickly added, her eyes narrowing slightly behind her glasses. "He might just be saying nice things to get out of the dungeons."
"That seems highly unlikely given Severus's nature," Dumbledore put in calmly. "He does not give praise lightly, even when he wants something."
The woman nodded slowly, conceding the point. "Maybe... tell me, Mr. Jackson, have you compiled a book list for the students? A plan for the classes?"
Percy nodded. "Yes, I 'ave. Here is a copy." Percy approached the long table and placed a thick rolled-up scroll before them.
Agatha picked it up and passed it to the man sitting on her far left. He unrolled it, and it kept going, rolling off the table. He looked it over, his eyes widening in surprise. "These are quite impressive, Mr. Jackson. And your plan for the classes seems... very adaptive. If not a little bit ambitious. You want to teach them a lot."
"Potions is easy if you 'ave a good teacher," Percy explained simply.
"The first years seem to 'ave it easy enough," the man noted, running a finger down the list. "But it seems the lessons repeat over every year, getting deeper each time. Why is that?"
"I found that while Professor Snape did a very good job on the practical side of things—the stirring and the brewing—he never really listed out each individual ingredient and their specific uses," Percy explained, his voice steady. "I wish for each of my students to not only understand what they 'ave to do, but why they are doing it. Sure, it will take some more time, but it will result in a complete and proper understanding of the subject. They won't just be following a recipe; they will be making magic."
"That is... a very good answer," Agatha admitted, nodding with respect. She turned to the Headmaster. "Albus... if we were to refuse this boy the position, can I assume you will just go over our heads and give it to him anyway?"
The old man nodded, his eyes twinkling. "Yes, Lady Longbottom, you can safely assume that."
The woman sighed, adjusting her vulture hat. "Well... at least you picked someone who seems halfway competent this time. Does anyone object to Mr. Jackson's placement?"
Only Lucius Malfoy raised his hand, a sneer on his face.
"Then the motion is carried," Agatha declared, ignoring Malfoy completely. She gathered Percy's files into a neat stack and passed them back to the demigod with a rare, thin smile. "Welcome to the staff, Professor Jackson."
Percy felt a genuine tinge of pride at that title. He took the file and nodded respectfully. "Thank you, ma'am."
"Come, Professor Jackson," Dumbledore said, getting up from his seat. "I believe our business here is concluded. I wish you all a very nice day." He smiled politely at the board members before leaving the room, with Percy following close behind him.
The Board of Governors held their monthly meetings inside a large conference room just a few doors down from Dumbledore's own office. Dumbledore and Percy walked the short distance to the stone gargoyle, went up the moving stairs, and entered the Headmaster's office.
The moment they entered the private room, the demigod let out a massive, long sigh and collapsed into a soft armchair like his strings had been cut.
"Finally," Percy groaned, rubbing his face. "I thought that meeting would never end!"
Dumbledore chuckled, moving to sit behind his desk. "Oh, it was not that bad, now was it?"
"No... I suppose it wasn't, really. But the months leading up to this moment were nerve-racking!" Percy complained, leaning his head back. "I did nothing but study! Day and night! I couldn't spend any time to myself, or with Harry. Poor kid looked so lonely every time I saw him."
"Yes..." Dumbledore's smile faded slightly. "I am sure he is not faring too well right now... how is he really?"
Percy sighed, rubbing his tired eyelids. "He still 'as nightmares... bad ones. He sees Fleur getting hit by that rat, Pettigrew, over and over again. And... I try to 'elp him through it, and so does Hecate when she visits, but there are some things that just need time to heal. You can't magic away that kind of guilt."
Dumbledore nodded solemnly. "Yes, I agree. Time does heal all injuries, eventually... and speaking of healing, has there been any change in Ms. Delacour's condition?"
Percy's body stiffened visibly for a moment. A shadow passed over his face before he sighed, a sound full of pain. "No... she is still the same. Sleeping."
"And have you seen her?" Dumbledore asked gently.
Percy nodded. "Once. I snuck into her room at her home, where they are keeping her to rest. Her mother, Apolline, helped me get in, but... her father still hasn't forgiven me. He charmed his entire house against me. I message Gabby and her mother from time to time secretly. They don't hate me... which I guess is a minor miracle."
"They would never hate the man who brought their daughter back to them, Percy. You know that deep down."
"Tell that to Pierre," Percy spat bitterly.
"That man is... a difficult person, yes. But he is a father. He is so afraid of anything that can take his daughters away from him. It is a very human thing to do, to lash out when you are scared," the Headmaster said wisely.
Percy glared at the floor. "I know. I'm human too, you know."
"Forgive me, Percy, it was not my intention to draw attention to your origins," the man said, bowing his head slightly in apology.
"And yet you seem to do it more and more often," Percy observed, his green eyes sharp. "Every time we discuss any difficulties I 'ave, you always claim it is a 'human' problem. You don't need to remind me of my mortality, Headmaster. I am very well aware of it. I feel it every day."
The man nodded, accepting the rebuke. "Of course... now, to lighter topics. Are you excited for your new position?"
Percy sighed, shifting in his chair. "Yes... kind of. I need to get things organized though. Do you think I can 'ave a new Potions classroom?"
"What is wrong with the old one in the dungeons?" Albus asked with a small smile.
"Horrible ventilation, it smells like pickled toad, and it looks like a cave. I am a son of the sea, Professor. I need open air. I need to breathe," Percy explained.
"Hmm. There is an unused classroom near the Hufflepuff common room, on the ground floor. It has large windows and a great view of the Black Lake. Will that suffice?"
Percy nodded, perking up. "That sounds perfect, sir. It'll be great."
"Good. Come over in a week's time with your syllabus ready and planned out for all seven years. I will have your office ready by then, along with the classroom. You can get settled in before the term starts."
Percy nodded. "Good... and one more thing."
"What is that?"
"The Order," Percy looked at the man seriously. "When do I begin?"
"Soon, Percy, soon," Dumbledore promised. "Since you were so busy studying for your exams and dealing with everything else that led up to this moment, I did not wish to disturb you. But now, I see no reason to wait. After you get settled in here, I will bring you to Headquarters."
"Is that where you took Sirius?" Percy asked. The first week of summer break, Dumbledore and McGonagall had come to Hecate's house and taken Sirius away. The dog didn't want to leave at first, but something Dumbledore whispered to him changed his mind quickly.
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, Headquarters is—"
ZOOP!
A violet paper airplane suddenly zoomed through the open window, buzzing like an angry insect, and landed right in Dumbledore's lap. The man picked it up and unfolded it. As he read it, his eyes widened behind his half-moon spectacles.
"Percy," Dumbledore said, his voice losing all its calm. "You need to return to Privet Drive now. Harry is in danger!"
Percy jumped to his feet, Riptide already appearing in his hand. "What happened?!"
"Two Dementors attacked him and his cousin in an alleyway," Dumbledore said quickly, standing up. "He managed to drive them off with a Patronus, but the Ministry has detected it. He now faces immediate expulsion for the use of magic in front of a muggle."
"What?!" Percy roared. "They attack him, and then they blame him for saving his own skin?! That's insane!"
"Go, Percy!" Dumbledore commanded. "Make sure he does not do anything rash until I can sort this out!"