Percy
"You lot are so lucky," Ron jabbed an accusatory finger at the demigods while flicking desperately through the stack of flashcards Hermione had prepared for him, "You don't have to sit any exams!"
"Are you nervous, Percy?" Hermione asked without looking up from her textbook.
"What?" he jumped – he'd been having trouble sleeping again and he was exhausted. What Annabeth had told him about Grover's message plagued him; I'm worried about Percy… I'm scared he might die… "Oh, yeah."
It was the day of the Third Task and he was woefully unprepared. For weeks, he'd watched Harry score through hundreds of books for defensive spells, hexes and wayfinding charms but he hadn't thought once to research the kind of things he might face in the maze. Now, with everyone whispering excitedly about the possibility of a champion being gored to death by some hideous beast he was starting to think maybe he should've done his homework. He knew this time he wouldn't have Annabeth, AKA his walking encyclopaedia.
"You'll be fine," said the encyclopaedia, ruffling his hair. He nodded but the gesture did nothing to abate the giant stygian birds clawing around in his stomach.
"What're you going to do in the exam?" Ron asked Harry gloomily. He seemed to have given up on revising and was staring at the cards like one might stare at a gallows, "Read again?"
"S'pose so," Harry said, but just then McGonagall came walking along the Gryffindor table toward them.
"Potter, Jackson, the champions are congregating in chamber off the Hall after breakfast."
"But the Task's not until tonight!" Percy spluttered, spilling scrambled eggs down his front.
"I am aware of that, Mr Jackson," McGonagall said, "The champions' families are invited to watch the final task, this is simply a chance for you to greet them."
She moved away, leaving Percy frowning, puzzled. He doubted his pregnant mother had flown across the Atlantic to watch him compete in a tournament she didn't even know existed. Suddenly, the sick feeling in his stomach doubled; he hadn't spoken to his mum since arriving at Hogwarts. Had Chiron told her about the mission, or was she at home fearing the worst… Again? Had she given birth yet? Maybe he was already a big brother, and didn't know about it...
He caught Harry's eye and felt guilty. At least he had a mother to worry about.
Hermione dragged Ron off to their first exam of the day; History of Magic. Annabeth smirked, "Go on, Seaweed Brain," she said, pushing him toward the door.
Harry trailed after him, looking nervous.
"What's up?" Percy asked, as they walked through the arch.
He swallowed, "I just don't think the Dursleys…"
"Surprise!"
Percy blinked as arms engulfed him eagerly, dragging him into the centre of the room. His friends' faces beamed back at him; Hazel, Jason, Piper and Leo, all laughing and hugging him. Calypso stood off to the side, her smile achingly familiar.
"What are you all doing here?" he couldn't wipe the grin off his face.
"Annabeth invited us," Piper explained.
Leo whooped, "Besides, you think we'd miss the chance to see you get your butt kicked?"
"Frank wanted to come," Hazel said apologetically, "But he couldn't leave the legion. He says hi though."
Fleur's family watched the group disdainfully from the corner, but Percy couldn't care less. He was back with his friends and that was all that mattered. Harry waved at him from across the room where he was talking happily to a ginger-haired woman and man Percy guessed was Ron's family.
"Guys, this is Harry," he introduced them, "Harry, these are my friends from camp."
"Hi," he said awkwardly.
"And you must be Percy!" beamed the ginger-haired woman, "Ron's told me all about you! I'm his mother, by the way."
"I can tell," he answered before thinking but, to his relief, she chuckled.
"So, Percy," Jason said, wrapping an arm around Piper, "Are you gonna show us around or what?"
He grinned, "C'mon then."
In the Great Hall, Annabeth embraced Hazel and Piper happily. Hazel planted a kiss on Nico's cheek before wrapping him an enormous hug. Together, the group wandered into the grounds, swapping stories and making up for lost time.
"How are the camps?" he asked Jason seriously.
He pulled a face, "Okay, I guess. The Romans are staying at Camp Half-Blood; it's easier to pass as a mortal summer camp, but we're having to be careful – no lava on the climbing wall and definitely no Peleus. We're working on ways to bring Hecate back, but I don't know, dude, maybe she's gone."
"Jason, this place…" Percy gestured at the castle around them, "I think we could be safe here. If worst comes to worst and we can't find a way to get the Mist back, then we could bring everyone here."
"But what about the gods? Chiron says if we leave the States they'll fade."
Percy met his eye, "Would that really be such a bad thing?"
Jason didn't answer, but he didn't have to – Percy knew what he was thinking. The gods had been screwing up their lives for seventeen years. Did they really owe it to them to stay in America, even if it meant risking their lives?
"What are you boys talking about?" Piper jumped in, the blue feather in her hair twirling in the breeze, "Nothing too serious, I hope. Come on guys, we're together again! You're supposed to be happy!"
"I am," Percy promised, and he was.
For the most part.
"So, what's this competition?" Hazel asked as they spread themselves out by the lake.
Annabeth explained a little about the Triwizard Tournament; about how Dumbledore had asked them to compete and what Percy had done so far. The group fell silent when they heard about Voldemort's interference in Percy's life.
"Dude," Jason complained, "Why do you have to piss off every powerful being you meet?"
He sighed, "You're telling me."
"Five drachmas Percy wins tonight," Leo rubbed his hands together greedily and Calypso rolled her eyes.
"I'll take that offer," Annabeth shook his hand, "Clearly you didn't see him in the Labyrinth."
"Hey!"
Being with his friends again could only distract him from the Task for so long and as the sky darkened, so did his thoughts. He wished he didn't have to go in alone. If Annabeth were going with him, he wouldn't be worried; she had his back, like he had her's. At this point, he'd settle for Colin Creevey – the annoying third year who followed Harry around – if it meant having some company in the maze.
At dinner, they sat with Harry, Hermione and Ron's family. There were more courses than usual, but Percy barely touched his food. As they finished dessert, the enchanted ceiling faded to a dusky purple and Dumbledore rose to his feet…
"Ladies and gentlemen, in five minutes' time, I will be asking you to make your way to the Quidditch pitch for the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament. Will the champions please follow Mr Bagman down to the stadium now."
Percy got up and across the table, Harry did the same. They caught each other's eye and grimaced as Gryffindor table exploded with applause. His friends all wished him luck and with his heart thumping in his ears, he followed the other champions out of the Great Hall.
"How are you feeling?" he whispered to Harry as they went down the stone steps into the grounds.
"I'm okay," he replied, his expression one of grim determination.
I hope he wins, Percy thought. If any one of them deserved it, it was Harry.
The walked onto the Quidditch pitch, Harry rehearsing spells under his breath. A twenty-foot-high hedge towered over them, the gap in front them like a missing tooth in a particularly menacing smile. The passage beyond it looked dark and creepy.
The sky was a deep, clear blue and the first stars had started to appear when the air was filled with excited voices and the rumbling of feet, and the stands began to fill. Hagrid, Professor Moody, Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick strode across the stadium toward them.
"We are going to be patrolling the outside of the maze," said Professor McGonagall to the champions, "If you get into any difficulty and wish to be rescued, send red sparks into the air and one of us will come and get you. Do you understand?"
Harry and Fleur nodded.
"Uh, Professor?" Percy raised his hand tentatively, "What about me? I don't have a wand."
She raised an eyebrow, "From what I saw at the Second Task, Mr Jackson, we'll all notice if you're in trouble. And God help us all," she added drily.
As the four patrollers walked off in different directions, Bagman pointed his wand at his throat, muttered "Sonorus!" and his magically magnified voice echoed across the stands.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! Harry Potter will enter the maze first as he is leading with eighty-five points," Percy grinned and applauded loudly. After the merchief had told Dumbledore what happened in the lake, both he and Harry had received forty-five points for the Task, "Followed by Miss Fleur Delacour and finally, Percy Jackson on sixty-one points!"
Percy could just make out his friends applauding him enthusiastically from halfway up the stands, their orange and purple t-shirts jumping out from the sea of black. Annabeth shot him a thumbs-up.
"So… on my whistle, Harry!" Bagman said, "Three- two- one-"
He gave a short blast on his whistle and Harry hurried forward into the maze.
Percy uncapped Riptide, the bronze glow washing his face in a warm light. The sky above him turned inky black, a deep chill that didn't belong in summer descending on the Quidditch pitch.
"Miss Delacour," Bagman tooted his whistle and gestured for Fleur to enter.
Watching the shadows engulf Fleur's pale blue figure, Percy felt his spine convulse. He clamped his hands over his ears as a voice hissed inside his head, as real as the stars above him, as deafening as the cheers of the crowd…
"Come to me…"
His knees slammed into the crowd. The stands gasped.
"Is he okay?"
"What happened?"
"Percy!" Annabeth's voice caught his attention. Her face was a beacon of concern across the crowd.
Bagman touched his elbow, "My boy-"
"I'm fine!" he snapped, "Just… tell me when it's time."
Minutes trailed past and then, finally- the whistle screeched, the crowds bellowed his name…
And Percy walked into the maze.
New chapter! Hope you enjoyed. As always, thanks to everyone who favourited/followed the story and for all you reviews. It's half-term here so I'll aim to get the next chapter up by the end of the week but I'm planning for it to be a long one and I want to make sure these final chapters are my best so no promises!
aRTsyisAwesome - glad you think the story has improved! I think this fanfic has really helped me progress with my writing and I hope to continue to get better in the future. I hope you enjoy the story's conclusion. I'm really worried about people's reactions to what I have planned. Have a great week! ;D
aliceO - I'm so glad you're enjoying the story! I try to stay true to the characters and avoid bias while writing and not to bash certain characters too much (which is hard sometimes!). I think your suggestion is a good one but I feel like some aspects could be quite sensitive so I need some time to figure out how I could handle it with causing offence. I might touch on Harry's childhood in the sequel and I agree, I love Harry too! Thanks for your review :D
vapourtrailreads - I love that you're still enjoying the story and that it's making you laugh! Keep reading! ;D
EvilPieceOfSht - shame :p but I'm definitely planning to keep writing. I've already started working on a sequel and I'm thinking about some oneshots too. Hope to hear from you more in the future! :D
Okurdek - we'll see... ;)
Guest - glad you like the story! Keep reading! :)
laaalaaalAAA - I'm so happy you love it! :D
Nega Mewtwo - Thanks for you review! I definitely agree that certain people probably wouldn't be so accepting but I feel like bullying/homophobia is a very sensitive issue for some people and I wouldn't want to upset anyone. However, I'm planning on spending more time on Solangelo in the sequel so maybe I'll look at it then! Have a great week! :)
Have a great week and if you're on half-term, enjoy it! I know I am!
Lileaf, xoxo