Chapter Fifteen

Unsurprisingly, barely anyone stayed at Hogwarts over Christmas. Harry presumed it was because everyone was scared that Hogwarts would be broken into again. Of course, Hogwarts was supposed to be the safest place in the country, but what with the track record, leaving meant you were statistically less likely to be attacked.

Hermione and Ron only stayed because otherwise Harry would be alone, and the Weasley household was already overflowing with guests.

Although Hogwarts castle was hardly any better. Ever since those friends of the professor arrived the castle seemed to have doubled in occupants, despite all the people who went home for Christmas. Harry would meet Leo in the corridors poking a painting, and then thirty second later spot him dangling from a chandelier and screaming.

He couldn't think of a reason how.

But regardless, they had loads of fun.

A snowball fight that Leo started reached almost as epic proportions as the one between Jackson and Professor McGonagall. Especially since the snow turned to water as soon as it hit him. Probably some sort of heating charm. Which worked until Leo was nailed in the head by Nico.

No one really knew what the heck was going on.

But anyway, Harry thought as he sat in front of the fire in the common room. I knew Jackson was weird as soon as I saw him. Why would he associate with anyone different?

—

Percy:

Percy really couldn't be more glad his friends had arrived.

This term had seemed to go agonisingly slowly, and he couldn't believe that he had the rest of the year to teach, especially deprived of Annabeth as he was. He also felt bad for Harry, whom he knew was suspicious of all these goings-on.

He sat in the Great Hall with the rest of his friends, picked at his lunch and listened to the conversation going on around him.

Hazel was saying: "So there's wingardium leviosa-"

"That's the flying spell, right?" Jason said, frowning in studious concentration. "And alohomora opens locks?"

"Right," Hazel said. "But wingardium leviosa is less a flying spell than a hovering charm-"

"And there's some sort of difference between them, yeah, yeah, we get it," Leo said frivolously, inspecting a suit of armour. It came to life and slapped him in the face before falling still again. "Hey!" His hands ignited. "Well, try this on, you metal freak!"

"Protego," Hazel intoned, rubbing her head as Leo kicked and screamed inside the bubble. "Leo, stop vandalising the castle. You're so pent up."

"He slapped me first!" Leo argued. "I'm just returning the favour. It's not my fault that I happen to be able to melt him with my hands."

"Plus I'm ninety percent certain that he's missing Calypso," Piper said.

"Only ninety percent?" Percy asked.

Piper rolled her eyes. "Love is my mom's thing, not mine."

"Yeah, plus Christmas is literally three days away," Hazel said. "She said she'll IM you when she's not busy."

"I hope she's okay."

Will placed a hand on his shoulder. "She is, I'm sure."

Leo snatched a potato off Will's plate.

"Hey!" he protested.

"Shoulda eaten it if you wanted it," Leo shrugged.

Will sighed and gave up on lunch, dumping the rest of his food on the sacrificial flame in the centre of the round table. Nico looked at him worriedly.

"Are you okay?" he asked. "Usually you eat more."

Will smiled slightly and leaned into his boyfriend and smiled when Nico put his arm around him. "I just feel a bit off, is all," he said.

Nico looked at him with concern. "Do you need to lie down for a bit?"

Leo groaned exaggeratedly. "Guys, seriously, if you're gonna start talking about your sex life, I suggest you get a room!"

Nico grinned wickedly and tightened his grip. "Maybe we will..."

Leo almost fell off his chair as the rest of the group laughed (although Percy was pretty sure Jason and Frank were blushing slightly).

Will beamed and sat up. "Yes! Finally you see it my way Nico!"

This time Nico was the one to blush as helpless laughter emanated from every one of his friends.

Surreptitiously, Will clenched his eyes shut and pressed a hand against them, muttering a small prayer. When he opened his eyes, the constant drumming against the inside of his skull was gone and he joined in with the conversation that had started up again.

Hazel creased her brow slightly. She never told anyone she had been practicing legilimency to help with her friend's nightmares, they wouldn't understand anyway.

And she absolutely refused to believe that the overpowering steady beats in Will's mind sounded like a countdown. Absolutely not.

—

Forbidden Forest, Unspecified Time:

"Majesssty, we have returned," something hissed.

"Report?"

"Sergeant Pierce fatally wounded the Lieutenant, Queen Sess."

The queen paused for a second. "But?"

The speaker licked its lips. "But she managed to fry both him and dozens of our legion."

She snarled. "Fine then. We march on the cassstle tonight, before the lieutenant can get medical help. The Death Eatersss have shown us the ward's weaknessesss. Ssso long as we find Harry Potter and finish him, they will aid usss."