Being in Hufflepuff meant a few things: Cozy common room. Best snacks. And a front-row seat to Percy Jackson’s ongoing war with magic.

You liked Percy. Everyone did. He was brave, loyal, and somehow managed to make everyone laugh — even when he set his robes on fire in Charms. Which happened twice last week.

You weren’t close, though. You were more of a read-in-the-corner, perfect-potions kind of Puff. Quiet. Steady. Not the kind of person who accidentally summoned a bubble storm that flooded the Great Hall during breakfast.

Which is why it surprised you when he flopped into the seat next to you in the library.

“Hi,” he said, out of breath, like he’d run from something. Or someone. “Mind if I hide here?”

You blinked. “Are you… being chased?”

“Depends,” he said. “Do angry Slytherins count?”

Before you could answer, Annabeth Chase strolled into the library, eyes locked on Percy like a predator.

“Jackson!”

“I didn’t mean to hex the bookcase!” he whisper-shouted. “It just exploded a little!”

Annabeth sighed like she’d aged ten years. “You turned my entire study group into raccoons, Percy.”

“You looked like raccoons already,” he muttered.

You tried not to laugh. Failed.

Annabeth’s eyes flicked to you, then narrowed slightly — like she was silently warning you: This one? Really?

But Percy turned to you then, suddenly sheepish.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to drag you into this.”

You shook your head. “I’m used to chaos. I am in Hufflepuff, after all.”

That made him grin. “You’re funny. I like you.”

Your brain short-circuited.

Your brain short-circuited.

Your brain short-circuited.

Annabeth gr0aned in the background. “This is worse than the raccoon thing.”