How do I Feel About You, Annabeth?
I was going to put this in the last chapter, but it got way too long. So, enjoy! This was going to be a Percabeth (PercyxAnnabeth), Hanny (HarryxGinny), and Romione (RonxHermione) chapter called 'How do I Feel', but it would have been too long. So I made it into three: How do I Feel About You, Annabeth, How do I Feel About You Ginny, and How do I Feel About you Hermione.
The only reason I repeat almost everything that happens on the beach in Harry's POV because I wanted his interpretation of the events. If you find it annoying, I'm sorry.
Disclaimer: I don't own PJO or HP. Duh.
Percy's POV
After we met the Hogwarts students (what kind of name for a school is that?), I went back to sword fighting practice. Clarisse challenged me, "So Sea Boy, do you think that you can beat a daughter of the god of war?"
"Any day," I told her. We pulled out our weapons. Clarisse produced a shield, so I pressed my watch and my shield appeared. Then Clarisse lunged. I blocked the lung with my shield, and came at her with my sword. She ducked and parried and dodged expertly, and I could tell she had practiced for this moment. She wanted the satisfaction of defeating me, so I just couldn't let that happen. I parried her swings, and dodged the close-calls. I used my shield from time to time, but a good hero knows to not completely rely on their shield.
Then, I got a huge splash of seawater over my head, and Clarisse frowned in anger. I became stronger and defeated her quickly after that. I pointed Riptide at her throat, smiled, and took the sword away from her throat. I turned around and saw Annabeth and one of her sisters, Kristen. I gave them both high-fives.
Just then, Harry and Ron walked over, and Harry asked, "That was pretty cool. How did you get stronger when Annabeth and her cabin mate poured the water over you?"
"Well, let's just say that water is my element. I love the stuff, and I can't go for a long period of time without a swim," I replied vaguely. I wasn't allowed to talk about anything right now. I noticed that he wasn't satisfied with the answer, so I reassured him, "Chiron and Dumbledore will explain everything at dinner."
The bucket of seawater was refreshing, but it wasn't clean; it was saltwater. I decided that I needed a shower. So I ran to my cabin to get showered and changed out of my sweaty clothes.
I wonder where Annabeth is. I wanted to see her. So, as soon as I was dressed, I went to look for her. I checked her cabin, the sword fighting arena, the chariot racing track, and the archery range. When I got to the archery range, I saw Thalia. She might know where Annabeth is. I called over to her, "Thalia, have you seen Wise Girl?!" The three people who were talking with Thalia turned around and I recognized them as Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Thalia responded, "The last time I saw her, she was looking for you, Kelp-Head! Check the beach!" I thanked her and ran to the beach. There she was, beautiful Annabeth. I made sure she heard me approaching as I went to sit next to her in the sand. She was watching the waves, and the wind was blowing her golden hair out of her face. I loved the way the sun danced in it with the wind. But why was I thinking this way? Annabeth is just a friend. Or is she? Are we more than friends? Would I like that idea? I guess I would, but what if she doesn't?
"Hello Seaweed Brain. It was smart of you not to sneak up on me; I had my knife ready to attack you if you did," she joked. She laughed, and I laughed along with her, enjoying the bell-like quality of her laughter. I finally decided that I was obsessed.
"I think our guests don't enjoy the secrecy about this camp. I just saw Hermione, Harry, and Ron talking to Thalia, probably probing her for answers. Hermione seems like you; knows almost everything, and if she doesn't know it, she has to learn it," I told her.
"Is that a compliment?"
"I think so. You two are going to be great friends," I told her. She smiled.
"Yeah, I've been thinking a lot about friendships lately," she started. I looked at her, "I mean, it would be cool to have a pen pal from another country…," I could tell that that's not what she wanted to say.
"Is everything alright Annabeth?" I asked her, my voice full of concern.
"I'm just…so confused. About Luke, Thalia, my dad, my step-mom, my step brothers, and…and you Percy," she said the last part quietly.
"What makes you confused?"
"Why would Luke betray us? How will I get to spend time with Thalia if she's a Hunter? Does my dad really care about me? Will my step-mom go berserk if I show up again? Why are my step brothers so much more important than me sometimes? How…how do I feel…d-do I feel about y-you Percy?" she said the last one quietly this time as well. She turned to face me, tears brimming her eyes. I wrapped my arms around her comfortingly, and she cried into my shoulder. I was happy as her shoulder to cry on, but what she said made me think she wanted me to be more than that. I know I do. She looked up at me.
"What do you mean by 'how you feel about you', meaning me, of course?" I asked her, curious.
"Well…um," her face reddened, "I think I like you more than a friend, but then there's Luke. Do I still like him after all the betrayal? Do I like you more than a friend? It's all very confusing," she whispered.
"Well, if it makes you feel better, I might just like you more than a friend too," I told her confidently.
"When did you decide that?" she asked me.
"When I saw you just now sitting on the beach and didn't sneak up on you, it was official. I had been debating for a while though," I told her.
"Oh. Maybe that might affect my decision," she thought for a moment, "Luke is only a brother to me; I should have realized that a long time ago. He's too old for me; it would be weird."
I smiled at her, and she smiled back. I rubbed her back, since she was still leaning on me. She continued, "But, friendships are the hardest things to understand," I was kind of disappointed at this; I was positive she was referring to me, "Especially with our parents. But, our friendship is the most confusing thing in my head. I think it's more than a like-like. We've been through so much together, and then there's," she said the name with disgust, "Rachel."
"What about Rachel?" I asked, bewildered.
"She obviously likes you Percy. Are you really that stupid?" she asked me.
I pursed my lips, "I don't think I like her that way." I paused for a moment, "Well, you are right; we have been through a lot together. Zeus's master bolt, the Sea of Monsters, me helping with the rescue of you from the weight of the world," she laughed and stroked her grey strand of hair from the incident. She looked up at mine, "And last, and most certainly not least," she blushed, "Your first quest, the labyrinth." She was probably thinking about Mt. St. Helens, "What I'm trying to get at is; I think I like you more than liking you more than a friend. I think, after all we've been through, I'm pretty sure that I lo–," I started. Annabeth held her breath, but we were interrupted.
"Perseus Jackson, you better not finish that sentence!" an angry voice said behind us. Annabeth and I whipped our heads around and saw Athena, "You would refrain from finishing that sentence if you enjoy life!"
"Lady Athena, I–," I started.
"Mother, I would like to hear Percy finish his sentence!" Annabeth told her mother. She matched Athena's glare with the same one, and I was a bit frightened. You don't want to anger a god, "Percy, will you please finish your sentence, and mother, do NOT blow him up!"
"I'm p-pretty sure th-that I l-love you, Annabeth," I told her, still scared. Athena looked about ready to commit murder. I probably looked about ready to crawl under a rock and hide there until Athena left. Then Annabeth did something that made her mother want to kill her too. She turned around in my arms, reached up to my face, and kissed me on the lips. This might sound corny, but as she kissed me, I felt a spark, and my whole body was filled with new energy. I felt like I could hold the sky high above my head for a thousand years, if not a million or billion! Right then I knew; we were made for each other. When she pulled away a minute or so later, she smiled up at my shocked expression. Then she said four little words that made my life purpose seem clear.
"I love you too," she told me as she turned to her mother. I was shocked to see her being restrained be Aphrodite!
"I can't…hold…on…much…longer. She's…too…strong!" Aphrodite shouted. Then my dad appeared and shouted at Athena.
"You are not to harm my son! DO YOU HEAR ME?! We are on the beach, have you noticed? I could easily pull you in, and so could my son! He probably doesn't want to get in trouble though," he turned around to give me a look, and I wasn't sure I knew what it meant. He turned back to Athena, "Now, even though you and I HATE each other, does not mean our children have to, Athena!"
"Poseidon–," Athena started.
"Uncle Poseidon," my father said with amusement. Athena rolled her eyes.
"In your dreams," he gave her a stern look. Since my father is one of the Big Three, he can be intimidating when he wants to. She mumbled, "Uncle Poseidon," and then continued what she was going to say before, "My daughter deserves better! Your son isn't good enough for her!"
"Oh, and I suppose Luke is, mother?" Annabeth said acidly. She knew her mother would say no to that, "Is there anyone good enough for me? Am I too perfect for any boy in your eyes?"
"Annabeth, why are you in love with him?" Athena demanded.
"Because he's brave, heroic, and can be smart occasionally, even if his brain is full of seaweed. He wants to make me happy, and he wants to keep me safe. He sounds perfect to me. And he's pretty hot too," she blushed, and I did too. Aphrodite looked triumphant.
"Get your hands off me you giant cherub! Poseidon, you giant fish, you better remove your hands from my arms this second! " Athena screamed at Aphrodite and my father. They ignored her.
"Mother, we have guests who do not know of our world…yet. Chiron will tell them our secret and Dumbledore will tell us theirs over dinner," Annabeth warned.
"Oh, wise old Dumbledore is here? I thought it was a shame when he was younger that he was gay. He such a brilliant wi- person," she stopped herself, "Is a certain girl by the name of Hermione Granger here?"
"Yeah, why?" asked Annabeth.
"She has the gift of wisdom without being my daughter. It is remarkable, at such a young age to hold such knowledge. She has already guessed you know, and she is correct," Athena said, still struggling against Aphrodite and my father.
"Athena, stop struggling, it does you no good! Prevent war, do not cause it!" my father demanded. She stopped, noticing his words to be true.
"Percy, do you really love a daughter of Athena? I won't stand in the way, but why would you love the daughter of such a horrible person?" my father asked me.
"Annabeth is the most beautiful, smart, brave, self-less, big-hearted person I've ever met," I told him. Annabeth blushed and grinned while Poseidon nodded his head.
"Athena, Aphrodite, you should go home, and do not interfere! You too Aphrodite," he told the goddess of love. She pretended to look offended before she disappeared.
"Goodbye Percy, and make sure you make the right choice on your birthday. We're all counting on you," my father told me before jumping into the sea. Annabeth turned to grin at me.
"Well, Seaweed Brain, it looks as if you and I love each other," she told me.
"Yeah, well Wise Girl, would you please give me the pleasure of being my girlfriend?" I asked her.
"I would love to be your girlfriend, Percy," I think I was filled up with enough happy to last at least the week.
Harry's POV
We talked with Thalia some more, and we both had to talk carefully to make she we didn't give anything away. She asked how we just appeared on Half-Blood Hill, and we couldn't give her an answer. We ignored the question. We asked why the hill was called Half-Blood hill, and she just looked sadly at the pine tree with the golden stuff on it and the dragon on guard. She told us that we would find out soon enough. Just then, the boy I remembered as Grover ran up to Thalia. But he was different; instead of human legs and feet, he had goat legs and feet. He must be a satyr. I thought of that as weird, but whatever, these people are already odd.
"Thalia, Percy's with Annabeth, and I'm getting a strong vibe of love," he told her.
"So?" she asked as she scowled.
"I sense some parental control on their way," Grover hinted.
Her eyes widened, "I have got to see this! If Percy gets blown to smithereens, I want to see!" She is such a good friend. Grover and Thalia ran down to the beach. Why would Percy be blown to smithereens? Annabeth and Percy are Muggles, so their parents are too, right?
"This camp gets stranger with every word these people utter," Hermione stated.
"I do happen to have the invisibility cloak under my jacket…," I mentioned. Ron looked excited.
"Well, I do want answers before dinner, and if we go, we might be able to get some…," Hermione said hesitantly.
"Great! Let's take a different path to the beach and sit on the floor with the cloak over us. It would be like watching a movie!" Ron said. We ran through the woods, finally finding our way to the end of the trees. I threw the cloak over us, and we walked a little slower to the edge of the forest, finally sitting down there.
"–after all we've been through, I'm pretty sure that I lo–," Percy was saying but was interrupted by the woman who just appeared. She looked furious, and she seemed to have a wise aura about her. She did not appear as if she had Apparated, though; it looked different.
"Perseus Jackson, you better not finish that sentence!" she said. I tried my hardest not to laugh at the name. His name is Perseus? Annabeth and Percy whipped their heads around and saw the woman, "You would refrain from finishing that sentence if you enjoy life!" If she killed him, we would be witnesses, so she better not.
"Lady Athena, I–," Percy started. This woman has a title? 'Lady'? Her name's Athena, apparently
"Mother, I would like to hear Percy finish his sentence!" Annabeth told the woman who was apparently her mum. Annabeth matched Athena's glare with the same one. I guess some things are genetic, "Percy, will you please finish your sentence, and mother, do NOT blow him up!" Blow him up?
"I'm p-pretty sure th-that I l-love you, Annabeth," Percy stuttered. Apparently, this woman scared Percy to death. Then Annabeth did something that made Athena look ready for the kill. She kissed Percy! She started to lunge at them, but another, more beautiful woman appeared out of nowhere to restrain her. This lady was so beautiful; I couldn't describe it in words. Ron looked like he was in love. She looked happy that she had tackled Athena. Wait: Athena. Athena's Cabin: Cabin 6. Connection? Aphrodite stared at the kissing pair and smiled an even more triumphant smile. This lady was beautiful, but she was also strange. Why would she look triumphant about these two kissing? She looked right where Hermione was sitting and winked. How would she know we were there? This is scaring me a little.
When the couple broke away, they seemed surprised to see the beautiful one preventing Athena from lunging at them. Annabeth told Percy that she loved him too. The beautiful one said that she couldn't hold on much longer, and then a man appeared. He looked like a seasoned fisherman. It must have been Percy's dad, because he yelled at Athena to 'stay away from his son.'
"You are not to harm my son! DO YOU HEAR ME?! We are on the beach, have you noticed? I could easily pull you in, and so could my son! He probably doesn't want to get in trouble though," he turned around to give Percy a look. Why would Percy have an advantage over Athena if he's on the beach? Why would his father? Percy's father turned back to Athena, "Now, even though you and I HATE each other, does not mean our children have to, Athena!"
"Poseidon–," Athena started. Apparently his name was Poseidon. I wonder if one of the cabins was the Poseidon Cabin. That got me thinking; Athena is Annabeth's mother, and Annabeth's cabin is the one named after her. Maybe that's why she is in the cabin.
"Uncle Poseidon," Percy's father said with amusement. Athena rolled her eyes. How can they be uncle and niece? They look the same age! I guess Poseidon has a brother twice as old as him.
"In your dreams," he gave her a stern look that could scare even the two scariest women I've ever met (*cough* Umbridge *cough* and Athena *cough*). She mumbled, "Uncle Poseidon," and then continued what she was going to say before, "My daughter deserves better! Your son isn't good enough for her!"
"Oh, and I suppose Luke is, mother?" Annabeth said acidly. Isn't Luke the one who they were going to be fighting? "Is there anyone good enough for me? Am I too perfect for any boy in your eyes?"
"Annabeth, why are you in love with him?" Athena demanded.
"Because he's brave, heroic, and can be smart occasionally, even if his brain is full of seaweed. He wants to make me happy, and he wants to keep me safe. He sounds perfect to me. And he's pretty hot too," she blushed, and so did Percy. The beautiful one looked triumphant to the infinite power. I didn't want to hear the mushy stuff; I just wanted to learn some stuff. I looked to the regular entrance to the beach. Grover was grinning and jumping for joy. Thalia was shaking her head with a hand over her mouth. Grover approves; Thalia doesn't.
"Get your hands off me you giant cherub! Poseidon, you giant fish, you better remove your hands from my arms this second!" Athena screamed at the beautiful woman and Percy's father. They ignored her. Those were officially the strangest nicknames I've ever heard someone being called. But then, my school was brought into the conversation.
"Mother, we have guests who do not know of our world…yet. Chiron will tell them our secret and Dumbledore will tell us theirs over dinner," Annabeth warned.
"Oh, wise old Dumbledore is here? I thought it was a shame, when he was younger, that he was gay. He such a brilliant wi- person," she stopped herself before she said wizard. These people don't know that we're wizards, so how would their parents, "Is a certain girl by the name of Hermione Granger here?" Hermione just stared with her mouth hanging open. How did this woman know her name? The 'giant cherub' looked confused but nodded. She knew Hermione was here somehow; even so, Athena didn't notice the nod.
"Yeah, why?" asked Annabeth.
"She has the gift of wisdom without being my daughter. It is remarkable, at such a young age to hold such knowledge. She has already guessed you know, and she is correct," Athena said, still struggling against the beautiful one and Percy's dad. Why would Hermione be this woman's daughter, just because she's smart? Hermione had gone pale for some reason. What was she right about? Whatever it was, it impressed Annabeth; it was obvious just by looking at her face.
"Athena, stop struggling, it does you no good! Prevent war, do not cause it!" Percy's father demanded. She stopped. What's with the war thing? I have a lot of questions!
"Percy, do you really love a daughter of Athena? I won't stand in the way, but why would you love the daughter of such a horrible person?" A daughter of Athena? He's making it sound like there are more…a lot more.
"Annabeth is the most beautiful, smart, brave, self-less, big-hearted person I've ever met," Percy told his father. Ugh, I didn't need the mush. Hermione looked like she wished someone would say that about her. Girls.
"Athena, Aphrodite, you should go home, and do not interfere! You too Aphrodite," he told the beautiful one, who's name is apparently Aphrodite. Aphrodite looked offended at Poseidon's remark, but disappeared nonetheless.
"Goodbye Percy, and make sure you make the right choice on your birthday. We're all counting on you," his father told him. Then he jumped into the water! He didn't come up, which made me worried he drowned. Percy and Annabeth ignored it as a regular occurrence. Odd. What choice on his birthday? Who is 'we're all'? Maybe Percy had a prophecy, just like me. I was 'The Chosen One.' Maybe Percy is one in his own world, this world that confuses me. I motioned for my friends to leave.
"Well, we learned a little bit more. Hermione, why did Aphrodite look at you and wink?" Ron asked. Hermione ignored the question.
I filled in the empty silence, "We did learn more, but not enough to piece together. That was a little too mushy for me; I didn't need to see the snogging," I told no one in particular. We walked back to the archery range through the forest on the edge of the beach.
"Hermione, why did Athena mention you? She said that you guessed about them…and were right!" I told her as soon as we left the forest.
"I only made one guess. This whole camp is centered on Greek mythology. These campers are children of the gods. Those three adults we saw on the beach were Poseidon, the god of the sea and earth, Athena, goddess of wisdom and battle, and Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty," Hermione explained. That was impossible!
"You're full of it! What rubbish!" Ron told her.
"Then why would Athena tell her daughter and Percy that I was right?" she contradicted. I just folded up my cloak and put it underneath my jacket. I left for the Gryffindor Cabin. I left for the two to bicker without me. I hated dealing with their spats.
Aphrodite's POV
One love story in motion, finally! I'm so happy that Percy and Annabeth finally got together. Now, I've got to get Hermione and Ron together, and Harry and Ginny together. I must put all my daughters right on that! I pulled out a drachma and went to our fountain. I made a rainbow with it and threw it in.
"O goddess, please accept my offering," I offered. I hope Iris isn't too busy, "Aphrodite Cabin, Camp Half-Blood." My cabin appeared in the rainbow. I was happy to see that all of my daughters were in there, giving each other makeovers.
"Those look really good girls!" I called out. They all whipped their heads around at the sound of my voice.
"Mother!" they squealed in delight.
"Now, I'm proud of your makeover skills, but I have a job for you. Percy and Annabeth have finally got together, but there are two pairs at that camp that are destined to be together, and they don't know it!" They gasped, "The first pair is Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley; you'll recognize them because Harry has jet-black hair, glasses, and a lightning-shaped scar. Ginny has red hair and freckles. They're both in the Gryffindor Cabin at camp. The second pair is Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Ron is very tall, has red hair, and has freckles. Hermione has very frizzy brunette hair; almost like a bush. Even thought you're good at it, please do not give any of them makeovers; the boys like the girls the way they are, and vise versa," I told them.
Silena stepped forward and said, "We won't let you down mother!" I hope she's right.
"You are to do anything, besides makeovers, to get these couples together. Jealousy, force, bribery, anything your devious loving minds can think of. Now start on your mission!"