Important! Percy and Harry WILL become a gay couple further in this story. That's the future pairing. Just to clear any confusion.

Also, I apologize for being late. But I will NEVER abandon the story, so never worry about that. I'll always update eventually.

I want to say thanks to all my readers and reviewers! I'm so excited about the response everyone had to Nico and Harry's brotherly bonding. You guys are amazing, and I couldn't ask for better readers!

This chapter is dedicated to PercyJacksonFan135 who ALWAYS reviews! Thanks for the private messages too! ^-^

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. But please enjoy despite that and despite my horrendously late updates.


Chapter 6:

Harry's POV

I was aware of warmth.

I moaned as I twisted my back and stretched my neck a bit before lying still again.

The warmth was really nice. So was the softness encompassing me.

But a sudden annoyance triggered me to twitch. Something soft and light tickled unceasingly at my neck, and I lifted a lazy hand to swat at it.

My lips fell into a frown as I thought I heard something.

The thought floated away as I focused on the pleasant warmth that bundled around me.

Again the sound came, and I squinted my eyes open drowsily. I vaguely recognized the blurry outline of dark hair and pale skin beside me.

"You awake, Harry?" A voice whispered, and I closed my eyes and burrowed deeper against the warm surface I was on and groaned. A light chuckle came from the blob I had seen before, but I didn't open my eyes again. I merely sighed in contentment.

"Alright," Said the amused voice, "You can sleep for a bit longer, I suppose."

I obliged.


I blinked, waking up to the smell of food. I sat up, the sheets and blanket pooling around my waist, and I eyeballed the tray filled with food on the bedside dresser with interest. I couldn't recall the last time I had slept in late, and I had never had someone bring me breakfast in bed before. The thought that someone had taken the time to bring me breakfast thrilled me, and I silently thanked Nico for the kind surprise. I lifted it carefully and placed it on my lap. There was a stack of french toast drizzled in syrup and cinnamon alongside a dish filled with raspberries and a glass of orange juice. I grabbed the fork and began eating, and oh the French toast was still warm. I devoured the breakfast eagerly, finishing with a smack of my lips at the tang of the juice.

I wondered where Nico was; he presumably hadn't left too long ago because the food had still been warm. As last night's events came flooding back into my mind, my cheeks burned bright red. I hadn't meant to be so vulnerable, but after the nightmare I had filled with blood and death, I had cast all pride to the wind and clung on the Nico as if he should protect me. I had never been so bare before anyone before, but I couldn't say I regretted it. No. I was glad I had taken comfort from Nico because I felt better than ever now. I felt like I wasn't alone.

Granted, I was the only one in the vacant room currently, but I had been speaking metaphorically. Er, thinking metaphorically, I corrected myself with a wry smile as I got up. I redressed in my clothes from yesterday, frowning at the blood stain and gaping rip on the sleeve. I would have to inquire about how I could get new clothes. Wearing Dudley's castoffs were bad enough, but now that it had the tattered sleeve with bloodied edges, I began to be even more embarrassed than before. Before, people could have thought perhaps I had a bizarre sense of style- grunge, I believe it might have been thought. But now it just looked pathetically obvious that these clothes didn't stem from an odd fashion statement but instead fr a lack of decent clothing. I folded the pajamas Nico had lent me and placed them on the dresser. I then balanced the breakfast trays on a crooked elbow bent against my chest while I opened the door, locked it, stepped outside, and shut it.

I remembered my way to the Mess Hall and entered it. It was mostly empty with only a few people scattered here and there at its tables. I returned the tray to the designated area, and turned around to walk out.

"It's the boy who sat with Percy!" A girl whispered loudly, nudging her friend beside her. His eyes widened.

"I wonder why. Maybe they're dating."

"Yeah right!" She scoffed.

"Why else would they sit together? There can't be another quest with Percy."

My face flushed as they looked speculatively at me.

My feet all but ran out of there. I left so quickly that I didn't bother to close the door. I paced by the building, waiting for my face to cool before setting off again.

I wandered aimlessly, but I remembered to stay far, far away from the Aphrodite cabin. I had no desire to have another, er, encounter.

The camp really was beautiful. The way the sun shone done on the glinting metal and green grass pleasantly. The trees looked inviting, and I promised myself I would explore the forest when I had more suitable clothing. I could swear I saw someone wink at me before turning into a flower, and I didn't want to offend any magical creatures that may dwell there. Some creatures are offended by details humans consider unimportant and miniscule. So, albeit reluctantly, I turned from the beautiful forest and walked towards a more populated area of camp.

As I walked, people stared openly. Their mouths moved frantically, but they mostly didn't say anything I could hear. I usually only heard a few scattered words here and there as I admired the techniques of those training. I was really floored by how well they could fight, as if they had a serious reason to and not just for the sake of learning. They were solemnly serious until they would spot me; then they would just stare and begin conversing eagerly with each other. I suppose it was inevitable for me to overhear some of the gossip, but when I did I was furious with it.

"He's staying with Hades's son!" One girl cried out, appalled.

"That's terrible! He's going to turn dark like Nico if he stays there!" A boy protested in such disgust that made my lip curl into a sneer.

"That poor guy." Someone said sadly. "It was nice knowing him. Nothing good will come of staying with the son of Hades."

Despite being livid, I forced myself to merely walk away. I had to remind myself that it wouldn't help Nico if I yelled at them; it would only further isolate Nico because my anger would be seen as having been influenced by Nico's "darkness" already.

I had an important goal to focus on: Find Nico.

Nothing else mattered. Not the babbling idiot gossips, not the staring campers. Nothing.


He turned out to be at the stables. Nico was petting a black pegasus gently, and the majestic creature seemed to snuggle against the hand stroking its mane. His back was to me, but I believed Nico was smiling. The pegasus seemed so utterly enthralled with Nico's soothing fingers, and I knew Nico had been craving positive reactions to his attention and must feel relieved with the kindness and joy the pegasus seemed to be exuding. His isolation induced by the prejudiced campers was heartbreaking, but the purehearted creature could obviously see past what Nico's idiotic peers could not.

Nico was such a devastatingly lonely little boy, and my heart felt heavy knowing that the boy who I had so quickly considered my brother was in pain. He shouldn't have to go through this. It reminded me of the students at Hogwarts, who had viciously gossiped and also isolated me. Poor Nico. I was content just watching him from a distance and knowing that at least he had me now. I would protect him now by giving him the most powerful thing of all- love. Nothing would change that.

A chill swept over me, and I looked away from Nico. I saw a guy training with a sword by himself. He was moving oddly, his blows on an invisible foe kept shifting his legs quite the distance. There was something about him that made me uneasy, and I stepped a bit closer to both him and Nico. Suddenly I could feel the tainted aura around him of wicked magic at play. My spine stiffened in response to the foulness of it, the corrupted ugliness somehow feeling familiar. I inhaled sharply as I recognised it for what it was- Imperio. He came to a lunge and powerfully launched his sword through the air.

At Nico, whose back was turned and could never see it coming.

My first instinct was to Wingardium Leviosa, but I gritted my teeth as I remembered I didn't have my wand. A split second later, my new plan was formed, and perhaps that was why it was a terribly formed one; I hadn't had the time to think it through.

I jumped in front of Nico, emitting an anguished cry of pain as the sword plunged through my back and stuck out of my chest.

Nico turned around, his eyes wide. "Harry!"

I placed a shaking hand on my chest hesitantly. It rested just below the sword, and rivets of blood waterfalled over my fingers.

"-Arry! Harry! Please say something! Harry!"

I realized Nico had been screaming, and a new voice had begun speaking.

"Percy?" I murmured, blood bubbling out of my mouth.

"Yeah." The voice breathed in relief, and I could see him standing to the side of Nico. "You'll be alright. Come on, let's get you ambrosia."

"He can't-" Nico choked on a sob, and I watched as Percy's face fell with his eyes clenched shut as realization hit.

I was only mortal.

"Nico," I whispered, placing my clean hand on his face. His teary eyes and quivering lip broke my heart. "Nico, I want to thank you."

"But I-" He protested.

"No." I said firmly. "Thank you." I wiped away some of his tears, smiling gently. I rubbed my thumb in circles on his cheek soothingly, but his tears didn't stop flowing.

"Nico," Percy began quietly, "Perhaps...You shouldn't have to see...I think you should leave..."

"No!" He roared, latching on to my arm. "No! Harry's not going to die! Tell him Harry! He's lying! Tell him! HARRY!"

I swayed, my eyes struggling to stay open.

"Nico, Nico, shhh." I stroked his hair softly and then revealed to him how I wished we could be each other's family. "You're the best brother I could ever ask for." His wide eyes widened further. And then filled with tears as he saw how pale I had turned. He needed me, and I needed him. But I was leaving him. How could I? He needed me.

"No." He whispered. "No!"

"Percy," I muttered, "Thanks for everything. Please watch over Nico, after I, after..."

He nodded solemnly. "I will."

"Thanks." I breathed.

"Nico," I warned, "Look away."

He detached himself from me hesitantly, and I slid to the ground with his cry of alarm following me, I merely repeated "Look away, Nico. Look away."

My eyes closed before I had the chance to see if he had listened.

"Harry! Harry! Harry! HARRY! "

Blackness became still.


Don't hate me?

Please review. If you cried like me, let me know.

The reason this chapter was so late was that I was ridiculously indecisive about the plot. I had about four versions of this chapter that would drastically alter the plot. But I've deleted those and committed to this one. I hope you all enjoyed it, even if it's terribly sad and late.