I know it's been a really long time since I've updated. People just keep following this story like crazy. Thanks so much to all my reviewers, followers and to everyone who favorites this. Its means so much.
Disclaimer: Yeah, don't own it, sorry.
Morning came very quickly, almost too quickly. When the group had finally settled down at a very late hour they had all fallen asleep quickly. Now, Annabeth was pounding on his door and he was resisting the urge to douse her with water.
"I'm up! I'm up!" He called back to her. He threw off his sheets and got dressed as quickly as possible, sticking Riptide in his pocket and quickly putting on his watch before throwing open his door.
A very frustrated Thalia was glaring at Annabeth's back as she moved on to the next door, while Jason was staring at Piper in awe. Leo was totally distracted by whatever he was toying with. Just then Nico and Hazel stumbled out the door to their room, looking livid.
"Time for breakfast!" Annabeth said cheerily, ushering everyone out the door. Nico shot her a death glare, literally.
The group shoved open the doors to the Great Hall. As soon as they entered all of them stopped talking and every single last student and teacher turned to stare at them. Hermione's expression instantly turned sour at the sight of Annabeth. While Ginny perked up considerably at the sight of Percy. The demigods sat down quickly as though no one was watching, gave their offerings and began to talk amongst themselves. They all burst out laughing at a comment Percy made, who grinned back at them.
"Alright, Seaweed brain, that's enough!" Annabeth giggled.
Percy smiled back at her.
"Who do they think they are?" Came Hermione's anguished cry. She hadn't meant to be so loud, but she just couldn't control herself.
"Having trouble not being the smartest person in the room, mudblood?" Draco Malfoy called across the room.
"Well, at least I'm not the biggest arse in the whole room." Hermione replied coolly.
The students held their breath as the demigods watched the exchange with interest.
"I'd much rather be an arse than have filthy blood." Malfoy responded.
Hermione's eyes filled with tears. Just then Harry stood wand at the ready.
"Leave her alone, Malfoy." But it wasn't Harry who spoke.
Everyone turned to look at the boy who'd spoken. To the students he looked like death's angel. Maybe he was. Everyone watch as he lifted his head and glared at the Slytherin, who looked appalled. Draco was a Malfoy, though, and he recovered quickly. He laughed at them.
"You think you're so powerful." He spat. "The only reason you're here is because your parents are sluts."
Nico smiled slowly at him. "My father will have a special place in hell for you, Malfoy."
As Nico said that, Draco's smile faltered. Everyone other person in the room looked on stunned. It was Snape who reacted the quickest of all the teachers.
"I believe it's time to get to class now!" When no one moved he shouted, "Go!"
Students quickly filed out of the room, leaving the demigods alone with non other than the Golden Trio.
"Thank you," Hermione said only looking at Nico.
Nico only nodded his head in response.
"I'll see you guys later." Annabeth said grabbing the timetable Dumbledore had given her and following the other students out of the hall. When the Golden Trio didn't follow she got impatient.
"Well are you three going to show me to class or what?" She called.
They shuffled after her quickly.
"Arrgggg!" Thalia screamed after getting hit by the flash of light. "I can't move!"
The demigods had been training for hours with Dumbledore. Getting hit by all sorts of spells. Theo had started trying to use his power of fire to absorb or extinguish the light before it hit him. He was having no luck. Percy was having the most luck at dodging the spells and then recovering to fight back quickly. Jason was close behind while Piper struggled. Thalia wasn't having quite as much trouble as Piper while Nico and Hazel were sticking to the shadows.
"I think that is enough for today." Dumbledore said finally.
The demigods shuffled down to the Great Hall reluctantly. Beat up and tired they really didn't feel like being stared at for an entire meal. Annabeth was already there when they all collapsed into their chairs.
"How did training go?" She asked Percy softly.
"Fine." Percy said giving his offerings before tucking into his meal.
Annabeth shot him a worried look but didn't press the matter.
"How did classes go today?" Percy asked her.
"They're interesting that's for sure." Annabeth's stared down at her food. "There are all these hushed whispers about war throughout all the classes. Everyone expects there to be one."
"There will be." Percy said lowering his fork from his mouth.
"Do you really think so?" She asked now shoving the food on her plate around.
"Yes." Percy sighed. "Sometimes I wish…"
"Wish what, Percy?" Annabeth asked, concerned.
"It's nothing." He said abruptly standing up and striding out of the hall. The other demigods looked after him confused and then all looked at Annabeth. She just shook her head and sat back in her chair, distressed.
Percy at first didn't know where he was going but soon he found himself standing besides the lake his father had spoken to him about. He waded in a few feet, staring at the surface, trying to make a decision.
"Going somewhere, Jackson?" A cold voice asked.
Percy looked over his shoulder to see a group of Slytherins approaching him, wands drawn.
"Want something, Malfoy?" Was his response.
"I want all you vile creatures gone, that's what I want." Malfoy snarled.
Percy laughed. "I'm afraid I can't help you with that."
"You little…" Before he could finish a wave crashed down on him and his friends. When it was gone, they all lay there, coughing and sputtering.
"You were saying?" Percy asked before diving under the surface.
Son, that was not a smart move. His father's voice surrounded him. He rolled his eyes in response.
You said I could fight him.
You aren't ready yet.
Will I ever really be ready?
Yes, eventually. But not today.
I don't understand any of this, Dad. What about the problems in our own world? Why are we interfering with theirs?
They have made it our problem, unfortunately.
But they haven't done anything to you specifically.
That is true. But as much as we all fight, I have to stick by my brothers.
I don't understand any of this. We could be here for years waiting for war.
War is just below the surface at the moment. It will come any day, everyone there can feel it. I know you can too. They need you, Perseus, most of all. Now go to them.
His father's voice faded as Percy broke to the surface of the water. The Slytherins were gone.
