Chapter Ten

Percy P.O.V

I stared in amazement at the house. It looked small and comfy and I half-expected their mother, Mrs. Weasley, to be a mother who looked similar to Mrs. Claus.

"Oh, no," Ron murmured. "Here comes Mother."

Mrs. Weasley frowned expectantly. "Well? Go and introduce me to your friends!"

"Um-" Ginny began.

"You. Brought. HALF-BLOODS!" Mrs. Weasley interrupted. "They are our enemy! And. . ." She broke off. "You know what they did?"

Ron nodded. "Hermione told the story. But really, we suspect that someone disliked all Half-Bloods and Wizards."

"You are not making any sense," Mrs. Weasley said. "Who are WE?!"

"Percy, Annabeth, and Nico," Ginny jumped in, introducing each of the demigods.

"They really are nice," Hermione said quickly.

"Who knows? They might dupe us and turn into enemies, calling their savage friends!" Mrs. Weasley spat.

"Gee, thanks for the compliment," I said.

She narrowed her eyes at me. "Don't speak unless spoken to!"

Annabeth gently jabbed me, then spoke. "Listen, we don't trust you guys. You could turn your backs on us. But I'm willing to take that risk. To end the feud once and for all."

"She's a wise girl," Mrs. Weasley murmured. "Well . . . come right in!" She opened the door. "Don't forget to take off your shoes and hang up your coats."

Harry P.O.V

Annabeth seemed uncomfortable and was fidgeting with the sleeve of her denim jacket. However, her boyfriend, Percy, was happily munching on biscuits and sipping tea.

"Well, I would never have expected this!" Molly chortled. She placed a bowl of hot chicken noodle soup, using the ladle to serve everyone a cup.

When I received mine, I forgot that my stomach was hungry. I drank the broth, and could taste warm carrots, chicken, celery, onions, noodles, herbs, and spices.

The boy named Nico seemed to be savoring, too. He had a satisfied grin at the end and I couldn't help but be amused.

"Now, speak." Mrs. Weasley sat on a rocking chair, looking at Annabeth. "Don't leave a detail out, and explain why you're here."

Percy shifted uncomfortably. "It started out as a Truth or Dare Game, but ended as us discussing the war between-"

"Hold on!" Molly held up a hand. "What exactly is Truth or Dare?"

"A game that people play to amuse themselves," Hermione answered automatically. "When a person is picked, they choose truth or dare. Truth is when the person who picks you asks a question and you have to answer it honestly. Dare is when you are given something - an action - and you have to do it."

"I couldn't explain it any better," Annabeth whispered.

"How about we play?" Mrs. Weasley suggested.

I was shocked. Percy winked at Annabeth. Somehow, this might end wrong.