Percy POV

"You should never have brought it inside the castle!"

Percy woke up in the dimly-lit Hospital Wing, Annabeth curled up, asleep, at his side. It was still night and he felt sure he couldn't have been sleeping very long. In the bed next to him, Nico was still unconscious while Will and Hazel dozed in armchairs nearby. At the other end of the room, Harry's bed was surrounded by the Weasleys, whispering so as not to wake the patients.

"They'll wake Harry if they don't shut up!"

"That's Minerva McGonagall's voice, isn't it? And the Minister's?"

Percy heard shouting from outside, "When Dumbledore finds out-"

The hospital doors burst open and Percy blinked in the sudden, painful light. Peering over the top of his covers, he saw Fudge striding up the ward, McGonagall and Snape at his heels.

"Where's Dumbledore?" the Minister demanded.

Mrs Weasley flushed angrily, "He's not here! And this is a hospital wing, Minister, I think you'd better-"

But just then, the shadow of Dumbledore appeared at the door, silhouetted in the light from the hallway.

"Minerva?" he said sharply, "I thought I asked you to stand guard over Barty Crouch?"

"There is no need to stand guard over him anymore, headmaster!" she shrieked, her cheeks mottled with angry colour, "The Minister made sure of that!"

"Really, Minerva-"

"Silence, Cornelius!" At Dumbledore's command, the squabbling pair fell quiet, "What is going on?"

Snape stepped forward, his expression unreadable, "When we told Mr Fudge that we had caught the Death Eater responsible for tonight's events, he seemed to feel his personal safety was in question. He insisted on summoning a Dementor from Azkaban to accompany him while questioning the suspect-"

"I told him you would not approve!" Professor McGonagall interrupted furiously, "I told him you would never allow Dementors to set foot within the castle, but-"

"My dear woman!" Fudge roared, "As Minister for Magic, it is my decision whether or not I bring protection with me when interviewing a possibly dangerous-"

But McGonagall's voice drowned Fudge's.

"As soon as that-that thing," she screamed, shuddering at the memory, "entered the room, it swooped down on Crouch and- and-"

Percy felt a chill run down his spine. He'd never met a Dementor, but the pallor of McGonagall's face told him everything he needed to know.

"Needless to say, Crouch did not survive," Snape said, in a low voice.

"He's dead?"

Percy didn't know what compelled him to speak, just that he couldn't hide in the dark any longer. He sat up in his bed, staring round at the adults, watching alarm – and, was it possible, fear? – flicker across their faces.

"Crouch is dead?" he repeated his question.

Fudge coughed uncomfortably, "Regrettably, yes – but by all accounts, he is no loss. He seems to have been responsible for several deaths!"

"But he cannot now give testimony, Cornelius," Dumbledore explained slowly, as though speaking to a child, "He cannot give evidence as to why he killed those people."

"Why he killed them?" blustered the Minister, "Why, he was mad! He seems to believe he was acting on You-Know-Who's instructions the entire time!"

"He was acting on Voldemort's instructions!" Percy said, his fists clenching in his lap. At his side, Annabeth stirred, "I saw him tonight!"

"Don't get me started on tonight," Fudge said angrily, "Clearly, this was some plot of yours' to gain media attention, fearmongering so desperate people would turn to your so-called goddess for help! Calling yourself You-Know-Who's heir-"

"You think I'm proud of that?"

Annabeth rubbed her eyes blearily, "Percy?" she yawned, "What's going on?"

"Cornelius," Dumbledore implored, "I beg of you to see reason. Mr Jackson is telling the truth. As unfortunate as it is, Voldemort is Percy's grandfather and he has been restored to his body. You must-"

"You will not tell me what I must do, Dumbledore!" Fudge exploded, "I am the Minster of Magic, not you!"

"Cornelius-"

"He's not back! He-he can't be!"

Dumbledore seemed to age several years. He sighed deeply, his brow furrowing, "If your determination to shut your eyes will carry you as far as this," he said, "then we have reached a parting of ways. You must act as you see fit, and I… I will act as I see fit."

Dumbledore's voice carried no hint of threat, but Fudge staggered back as though he'd been punched, "Dumbledore, if you're going to work against me-"

"The only one against whom I intend to work," Dumbledore spoke softly, "is Lord Voldemort. If you are against him, then we remain on the same side."

Fudge seemed to have no answer to this. He crammed his bowler hat on his head and stalked out of the room without another word, slamming the door behind him.

The moment he had disappeared, Dumbledore turned to look at Mrs Weasley, "Molly, I trust I can count on you and Arthur?"

"Of course," she replied resolutely, though she was white to the lips. Then, Dumbledore, turned his piercing gaze on Percy.

"And you?" he said, "What will you chose?"

Annabeth pursed her lips but remained silent. The look in her eye said it was Percy's choice, she would support him no matter what, but what did he want? Voldemort – his grandfather – had caused all this damage, but Percy didn't have anything to do with it. He had a responsibility… to Annabeth, to his mum, to the camps. He couldn't handle another world riding on his shoulders, he didn't know how much more weight he could handle before he collapsed – and he couldn't do that to the people he loved.

Athena's words rang through his head, "Your loyalty will be your doom…"

Not this time, he thought.

"Sorry," he said, "I won't fight against you, but I can't fight with you. I'm going home."

Harry's POV

Beware the Heir; Perseus Jackson is Claiming the Mantle of Dark Lord for Himself.

Harry scrunched up the article in his fist. It had been two weeks since the Third Task and Voldemort's return and he was at the Leaving Feast, only half-listening to Ron and Hermione discuss their summer plans. Up and down the table, golden platters, heaped with food, gleamed in the candlelight, but Harry couldn't eat. Voldemort's scarlet gaze burned in his mind and all he could think about was that everything was about to change.

"Hey, Harry!"

Startled, he looked up. Lou Ellen, the Ravenclaw demigod, was standing over him, her dark hair pulled into two braids on either side of her face. There was a familiar glint in her green eyes that Harry couldn't quite place.

"Hey," he replied, hoping he wasn't dripping gravy down his front.

"I just wanted to say thank you," she said, sliding onto the bench next to him, "You know, for helping bring back my mom."

He blinked. Of course – Lou Ellen reminded him of her mother, Hecate.

"Ehm, it's no problem – I mean, she helped me, so-"

She smirked, "Anyway, thanks," and then she kissed him on the cheek before sauntering back over to the Ravenclaw table, throwing him one last, teasing glance over her shoulder.

Harry's cheeks flamed. Ron snickered.

"Don't go getting attached," Hermione reminded him, "They're leaving tomorrow."

His heart sank, his gaze drifting toward the end of the table where Percy sat, laughing with his friends. He knew time was running out to say goodbye – tomorrow, he'd return to Privet Drive and the demigods would go back to America – but how could he put into words what they'd been through?

"Attention, students," Harry's thoughts were interrupted by Professor Dumbledore raising a hand for silence. The Great Hall which, fuelled by rumours and gossip, had been particularly noisy grew quiet, "I would like to begin this evening's festivities with a toast," he raised his goblet, "to friendship, new and old!"

Benches scraped as students scrambled to their feet, echoing in one, low voice, "to friendship!" the cheer was rather more half-hearted than it might've been a few weeks ago, many heads turning to glare in Percy's direction.

"Another year over," Dumbledore continued, once everyone was settled back in their seats, "Tomorrow, our friends will return home but the bonds we have made will last," his gaze drifted from Madame Maxine and Hagrid, to Fleur and her fellow Beauxbatons students, to the demigods gathered at Gryffindor table, "Although I fear – and never have I so wished to be wrong – that they will be tested. The Ministry would rather me not tell you this, but I feel it is my duty to inform you that Lord Voldemort has returned."

Barely-veiled terror gripped the Hall. Harry met Percy's gaze and quickly looked away.

"Of course, there are those who already know this; Harry Potter, Perseus Jackson and Nico di Angelo have faced Voldemort, and all shown immense bravery," Dumbledore raised his cup, "For that, I commend them."

Someone began clapping slowly and the applause swept across the Hall, people frowning and muttering, "Is it true?" "I thought it was just a rumour," "I heard Percy had something to do it…" The demigod in question was staring red-cheeked at the table. Nico was nowhere to be seen.

Through the many, awe-struck faces, Harry caught a glimpse of Malfoy and his goons sitting, stony-faced, at the Slytherin table. Their hands remained resolutely in their laps.

Once the applause had died down, Dumbledore lowered his glass and began again, in a more serious tone, "Indeed, our friends have taught us true courage. Soon, the time will come when he each have to choose between doing what is right and what is easy," maybe it was Harry's imagination, but he seemed to look directly at Percy, "Let us hope that we all make the right choice."

Nico

Nico wandered the halls of Hogwarts, alone. Will and Hazel had offered to skip the Leaving Feast with him, but he needed a moment by himself to think. He'd been released from the hospital wing a few days ago, with newly-mended ribs and a heavy heart. Madame Pomfrey's potions had strengthened him but he knew it would be a while before he could shadow-travel again.

Tomorrow, they were leaving. He wished he could say he was glad, but the truth was his year at Hogwarts was the longest he'd stayed anywhere since Westover Hall. His first home since Bianca. Camp had come close – after meeting Will, he'd been starting to think he could have a place there – but then it was destroyed.

"Nico?"

He started, his hand going for his sword before registering Professor Dumbledore, watching him from the shadows of an archway. He smiled, and, after a moment, Nico smiled back.

"I thought we might talk?" the Headmaster said. Surprised, Nico nodded.

They set off at a leisurely pace down the hall, silence lingering between them. Finally, Dumbledore said, "I've had my suspicions about you for a while, you know."

Nico's throat went dry. He knew exactly what the Headmaster was talking about – it was a question that had been worming it's way into his thoughts recently, tainting his final days at Hogwarts.

Am I wizard?

"There was a girl here in the 1940s," Dumbledore said quietly, "At first, I thought she was a distant relative of yours…"

"Bianca."

Behind his half-moon spectacles, Dumbledore's eyes widened in mild surprise, "Yes, that was her name."

"She was my sister," Nico whispered, ignoring the lump that forced it's way into his throat at the mention of her name.

"I suspected you might have been closer than I initially thought," Dumbledore admitted, "Might I ask how this is possible?"

Nico stopped abruptly. They were by a window overlooking the Great Lake, the mountains a blurred shadow on the horizon. The sunset swam before his eyes and be blinked. Hard. And then he did something he never thought he'd do to someone besides his closest friends… he talked.

Dumbledore was a good listener, waiting with solemn patience as Nico stumbled over the story – his mother's death, the Casino, Westover, Bianca joining the hunt, Bianca going on the quest with Percy and dying… He didn't criticise as Nico relived his journey through the maze with the ghost of Midas on a desperate quest for revenge, or when he explained how he tricked Percy into going to the Underworld. When he spoke about Tartarus, a single tear slid silently down Nico's cheek and the headmaster laid a hand on his shoulder. That was when he stopped.

"Uh – sorry," he muttered, brushing away the tear.

"Nico," Dumbledore seemed to look straight through him, as though he wasn't seeing Hogwarts but another place, in another time… "I too know what it is like to lose a sister. I am truly sorry."

"It was a long time ago," he said brusquely.

"But it still hurts, doesn't it?" the headmaster smiled sadly, "I thought… before you left, I thought I might give you this…"

He handed Nico a framed, black-and-white picture. It was an old school photograph; hundreds of students lined up neatly on what looked like the Quidditch Pitch, all smiling and waving, and there, in the second row, was Bianca. Eleven years old, she was in Gryffindor robes like the ones he was wearing right now, her face shining with happiness.

"Thank you," he whispered hoarsely, and he truly meant it.

Because he was starting to realise that Bianca was with him, not resurrected or as a ghost, but a part of him that he'd never really be without.

Harry

It seemed to Harry that half of Hogwarts had flocked to the lawn to watch the demigods' departure. Cho Chang was in tears as she hugged Chiara and Lou Ellen fiercely on the front steps of the school. Hermione was blushing furiously after Paolo kissed her flamboyantly on both cheeks and Annabeth was looking rather put out as she watched Fleur Delacour embrace Percy, thanking him fervently and not for the first time for saving Gabrielle in the Second Task.

Hazel checked her watch, "Our ride should be here any minute."

"How are you getting back?" Ron asked curiously.

A mysterious smile tugged at Nico's lips, "You'll see," the younger boy looked happier than Harry had ever seen him, standing between his boyfriend and sister.

Percy wandered over and threw an arm around Annabeth's shoulders, huffing, "I can't wait to get back to camp!"

Harry eyed him nervously. He knew it was now or never, this was his last chance to say goodbye and he couldn't just ignore the year of friendship between them, "Can I talk to you?" he asked as casually as he could manage.

"Uh…" Annabeth nodded her encouragement, "Sure."

They walked a little past the crowds, so they were standing in the shadow of the school. In the distance, the first carriages trundled towards Hogsmeade station.

Percy swallowed, "So, what did you want to talk about?"

"I just wanted to apologise for acting weirdly these last few weeks," Harry began, the words thankfully coming easier than he'd expected, "And I hope you know I don't blame you for anything Voldemort's done. You're a great person and… well, I'm glad you're my friend.

For a horrible moment, Harry thought Percy might be offended but then his face finally broke into a huge grin of relief, "Thanks!" he beamed and held up a fist, "So… bros?"

Harry, too, found himself beginning to smile as he bumped Percy's fist, "Bros!"

To his relief, before the moment could get too awkward, the crowd burst into shrieks of astonishment and fear. "Never a quiet moment, huh?" Percy smirked, and together they ran back down the hill to see what was going on.

Barely a foot from where the demigods were standing, the lawn had fractured, cracking wide open to reveal an endless pit beneath the grounds. In the shocked silence that followed, Harry heard a sound he'd never heard at Hogwarts before; the unmistakeable noise of a car engine, resonating from deep beneath their feet.

Percy and Harry fought their way through the crowd toward their friends. "Nico!" Percy was grinning from ear to ear, "You didn't…"

"Didn't what?" Hermione's voice was an octave higher than usual. "Nico, what did you do?"

"Jules-Albert?" Annabeth asked, simply.

"Who's Jules-Albert!? I-"

All of a sudden, the ground spat out a large, yellow school bus and leaning out of the driver's side window, apparently, was Jules-Albert. "Inferius!" Cho screamed, and Nico rolled his eyes.

"Actually, he's a zombie and he's my chauffeur."

The bus was an even stranger sight that the undead to those from wizarding families and the crowd scrambled back as the door flew open. Unperturbed, the demigods began piling in. Percy, Annabeth, Nico and Will lingered back.

"So," Percy said seriously, "I guess this is goodbye…"

As Harry looked round at the people who he'd come to know as friends, he knew only one thing; this wasn't the end, "We'll see eachother again," he said firmly.

Hermione sniffled, "Do you think?"

"Yeah," Harry said, "I do."

"You're probably right," said Percy, "I've got this feeling – I can't explain it – that something's coming. Something big."

Nico's zombie driver beeped the horn. Damien leaned out of the window, "You guys coming or what?"

Hermione threw her arms around each of the demigods in turn, "Bye, guys!"

"See you, Harry," Percy said, clapping him on the back, "Bye, Ron! Bye, Hermione!"

"Keep in touch."

"Bye!"

"See ya."

They clambered inside the bus, the doors creaked shut and the whole vehicle shuddered as the engine started. Harry glimpsed his friends waving from the backseat before the bus jolted forward and disappeared into the shadows of the Forbidden Forest.

The three friends stood together on the hill, watching the light from the sunrise seep slowly across the mountains. There wasn't a cloud in the sky as they ran down the drive, toward the waiting carriages and, in Harry's case, another agonising summer at Privet Drive. Percy was right, something was coming… and he would have to face it when it did.

He was just glad he wouldn't have to face it alone.

The End

I'm sorry the story's a few chapters shorter than I initially said it would be but it worked better this way. The next chapter is an A/N as well as a preview of the sequel (So check it out!). I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the story as a whole! Please review and let me know what you think of anything and everything to do with the story, what you'd like to see in the sequel etc. - I love reading your feedback!

Cooldude98 - I'm glad you're planning on checking out the sequel! As for the structure, I'm planning on following JK's plot with my own twists so yes, the story will follow Percy and co. through OOTP, HBP and DH! Hope to hear more of your great feedback in the future :D

b31nobody - In terms of how the Ministry will handle everything with Percy, it will be similar to how Harry is treated in OOTP (trying to discredit him, cover it up etc.) I'm so happy you liked the chapter! I hope to read more reviews from you in the sequel!

aRTsyisAwesome - Thank you for such a lovely, detailed review! I understand you were hoping for the story to go beyond the end of term - the sequel currently starts several weeks before the start of September so a lot of the loose ends will be tied up at the start of the next story! As always, I loved reading your feedback and I hope to hear more from you in the future! :D

unicorn horn powder - oh, just you wait... ;)

- I'm so happy you liked to chapter! As for the sequel, not all of Percy's friends will be with him but he will be attending Hogwarts with Annabeth, Nico and Will. I hope this is okay for you! :)

xros - Glad you like the story! I don't about "2x" better but I'm always working on improving my writing so hopefully you'll enjoy it even more! :D

sassy973 - so happy you're enjoying the story! Keep reading and letting me know what you think in the future!

Anonymous - I'd really like to thank you for being so supportive of this story! Keep reading (and get some sleep! ;D)

Tokyo Ghoul For Life - hope you enjoyed the end of the story! Stay tuned for the sequel! :)

vapourtrailreads - thank you for always leaving such excited reviews! Your enthusiasm makes me smile! :D

Okurdek - don't really know how to respond to "ohhhh" but I'll take it as a compliment! Thanks for reviewing again - I really love reading all your feedback! :D

dartoso - I won't be continuing this story as it's over, but you should check out the sequel when it's up! Thanks for your review!

Big thanks to everyone who reviewed/followed/favourited! Have a great day/night wherever you are!

Lileaf, xoxo