He didn't know why Dumbledore had sent him out to some castle in Austria. He had quite frankly never been there before. He had heard of Nurmengard Castle before, yes. His great-grandfather had built it for him and his followers.

He seriously is wondering why he is there at all places, he can feel dark magic creeping up his jacket like some kind of spider. "I'm here on Dumbledore's orders." He said and tightened his sweater.

The guard grunted and handed him a tray with food and held his hand out, "Wand." He ordered. Percy cringed and handed it over, his pen felt heavy in his pocket and he felt the appreciation that maj's dismiss no-maj things fast.

"Top cell in the tower." Percy looked over at the steps.

"This is a tall tower."

"Top cell in the tower." The guard grumbled once again, his english was bad.

Sighing, Percy started stepping up the spiraling staircase. His mind was racing about what he could be doing right now. First thing would be spending time with Hermione before summer vacation begins. Or he could be in the library, being forced to study by Hermione. He could be playing magical chess with Ron.

He could even be out on the quidditch pitch with Harry, he liked to hit the bludgers in someone's direction, which really improved his aim. He could even be out with Luna, feeding the giant squid in the lake.

Continuing to let his mind race, Percy finally got on the top of the tower. "A lot of damn steps." He knocked on the door and opened the small hatch. "Dumbledore sent me to get your food and bring it." He said and put it through.

Small boney hands accepted the tray. "Alby sent you?" A quiet voice said. Percy squinted at it, he had played that game before.

"Who're you?"

"Alby didn't tell you?" Blue eyes appeared as he peeked through the hatch. The tower was eerie and cold. The room had some light coming from a single candle. "Guess."

"I'm not playing games," Percy stepped his foot down. "Why would Dumbledore send me to you?"

The voice hummed, "Who are you, that is of such a significance to have Alby sent to me?"

"Perseus."

"Full name boy."

"Perseus Grindelwald." He said and blinked a few times as the prisoner laughed maniacally.

"How many generations have we gone down to you?" Bony fingers reached out of the hatch and taped the edge. "You're awfully powerful, bit weird especially because you're my blood."

Percy felt his heart bottom out, "Wha-" He shook his head, "You're supposed to be dead. Everyone told me that you're dead."

"Look alive, son."

Percy cringed, "I'm not your son."

"You don't like him. How is Ivan?"

He can't believe that he is having a casual conversation with someone who was told to be dead. Nonetheless he is there breathing and joking around. "Granddad's gone dement actually."

"Can't fix it with a simple potion?" The man scoffed.

"We can actually." Percy argued, "We won't."

"Because he called the banners once?" Gellert scoffed and coughed, he coughed loudly as if he was hacking out a lung.

"How'd you know that?" It happened about six years ago.

"I can be very charming."

"Manipulating, you mean?" Percy looked around the prison and the cold walls, "Think you can call Dumbledore 'Alby' and he'll come back running to you?"

"Yes, actually." Gellert said, "I'm assuming you know of my romance with Dumbledore."

Percy scoffed, "Your love letters are weirdly poetic, and somehow laced with manipulative powers." He said sarcastically.

"Watch your tone boy!" The voice snapped and Percy's breath hitched. "You're the one who took ownership of my house?" Light blue eyes checked him out and Percy wanted to hide away. "Powerful." He muttered.

"Why am I here?"

Gellert made him unsettled, the sole light from the candle isn't helping. "Don't you know Alby?"

"No," Percy said and furrowed his eyebrows.

"Ooh he always has something big planned!" Percy's hand flew down to his pen as the prisoner clanged his tray on the ground as he said 'big'. His breath was quickening.

"Is it happening tonight?" He questioned himself. "It can't be." The mercy kill, he was dying for a reason.

"Goodbye son! Visit soon, yeah?" Maniacal laughing sounded through the stone spiraling staircase, the tower echoed the noise and Percy was going down as fast as he could.

He came down the stairs the same way he came up, his head racing and his heart beating out of his chest. Sprinting down the stairs and he missed a step, he landed with a sickening crunch as he dropped down, rolling down the stairs. Eventually he came to a stop, his face cringed and he limped down the rest.

It was awfully painful and he knew by the crack that it wasn't a good break. He finally limped over to the guard and demanded his stuff back, his wand was handed over and so was his bag. "You can't apparate like that." The guard said.

Percy tried to stand up straight but it required him to put weight on his ankle. He winced and rummaged through his small bag. He pulled out a vial and cringed, his only remaining healing potion was one that took half an hour to heal a bone. It was incredibly weak, cast aside by him for a long time.

He threw it back and looked at the dusty couch behind the guard, "Can I?" He nodded at the couch. The guard sneered but nodded. Percy limped over to the back and fell down on the couch.

He continued to rummage through his bag and pulled out a thermos bottle. He unscrewed the cap and threw it back, the nectar tasted like his mother's blue cookies. He couldn't focus on that now, so he screwed the lid back on and pulled out his box with squares.

The guard looked at him, unimpressed.

He ate one square and stood up, his ankle feeling a whole lot better. He ran out of the door and outside of the castle, far from where the anti-apparition runes are carved.

"Was zur Hölle." The guard protecting the front gate muttered as Percy ran past, with a crack of the apparition instead of the ankle Percy disappeared.

—

Hagrid's hut was far closer to the castle and just outside of its anti-apparition wards. He breathed heavily as he ended up in a burning hut. He summoned water from the closest bucket and put it around his face. At least then he'll be able to breath and see through the thick smoke.

He stumbled out of the empty burning hut, his eyes looking around, frantically searching for Hagrid. The Hagrid that so dearly looked out for Hermione, the Hagrid that always praised him for his good work with the Hippogriff, Buckbeak.

Pushing himself out of the door, he saw lights flashing. He recognized Harry's figure but his breath hitched as he saw Snape's, instead of helping Potter like Dumbledore said he would, he was dueling.

"Bombarda Maxima." He casted in front of the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, the explosion threw him back in his direction and it threw Harry's wand away. Percy's clothes were getting signed by the fire and he walked over to Snape, his feet feeling heaving.

"Stay back!" He ordered Harry and stopped controlling his water mask, throwing it over to Hagrid's hut, not that it would be able to do anything to control the fire or stop it. The boy stood back, his chest heaving and tears going down his cheeks.

Percy limped over to Snape and held his wand out, "What are you doing?" He hissed.

Snape looked at him with a scandalized look on his face, "Showing my loyalty." He said. Percy then realized the lengths that Snape goes, how he remains 'loyal' to Voldemort.

Percy tightened his hold on his wand, "Flipendo me." He hissed, knowing that Snape has to show that he wasn't to be trifled with. Percy casted a nonverbal charm that didn't harm at the side of Snape's face.

The man knew what he had to do, a regretful look on his face, "Flipendo!" He jinxed Percy loudly. The blow to his chest made Percy gasp loudly as he was being thrown back, it felt as if he was hit by the but of the sword to knock him out, only thing was that he wasn't knocked out, just disoriented.

He fell by Harry's feet with a loud thud, he looked like a mess. Black soot was everywhere on him, on his shirt and his face. He groaned as he definitely felt like his ribs were fractured. He moaned in pain and looked up at Harry, who was talking with Snape, Percy couldn't hear anything.

Eventually Snape walked away and Percy felt someone pull on his hand, helping him sit up. He still couldn't hear anything and just stared at Harry. "I can't hear you." He said quietly. Harry continued talking, "I can't fucking hear you!" He shouted.

Harry stopped talking and held his wand out, and a light came off of his wand. Percy felt his ankle snap back into place and he winced. The boy helped him up to his feet and Percy once again patted around for his small bag.

Relief spread through his body as he felt it on him, he took it out and pushed a single cube of ambrosia in his mouth. Harry reached out and Percy swatted his hands away, shaking his head.

Harry looked offended and said somethings that Percy still couldn't hear. They reached the castle and they walked between the crowd, Harry pushing anyone aside who was in his way. Percy's ears still bled but at least he heard a single tone and the faint crowd crying.

The godling stopped by the front of the crowd, cradling his ribs. Guilt swelled up inside of him as he saw the lifeless body of Albus Dumbledore in front of him, the faint noise of cracking weather and the skull above them angered it.

The ground shook slowly as he clenched his eyes closed. He could have saved Dumbledore, regardless of what his destiny was. He could have saved Albus Dumbledore. A warm hand reached out for his free one, and his breath even out.

"Hermione." He said, and looked over at the girl. Tears brimmed in her eyes and she looked up at him with a heart-breaking look in her eyes.

"Stop it, Percy." She said quietly but Percy heard her clearly. The shaking died down and he pulled her closer by his free arm.

He kissed the top of her head as he let the tears flow down freely. Everyone was mourning. McGonnagal held her wand up to the sky and Percy followed, letting go of Hermione. Light dimly came off of his wand and soon everyone else followed.

The skull vanished from the sky and everyone mourned. The light only made the skull disappear, no light from behind the clouds appeared. It seems like there is no sun after the storm this time.

—

The funeral was attended by many, from everywhere around the world. After the four stood at the top of the clocktower. Percy's ankle healed and his ribs surrounded by bandages. "I'm leaving." Harry said as he looked over the lakes and forests of Hogwarts. "I'll let you all know where I am."

"You're bloody insane if you think that you're leaving without us." Percy said as he stood up slowly to walk over to Harry and Hermione. Hermione winced at Percy's actions and wrapped an arm around his waist, trying to give him some support.

He squeezed her shoulder and smiled at her before he looked at Harry. "We're coming with you."

"You need us, Harry." Hermione said, "You can't find all of the Horcruxes by yourself."

Ron sighed and stood up as well, "You're a bloody mess when you're without us." He joked and leant against the railing as well.

Percy wrapped his arm around Hermione, he had enough support. "We've got your back, Harry. Always."

Harry frowned and looked over at him. "Why were you inside Hagrid's Hut?"

Hermione and Ron's eyes snapped over to him. Silently questioning the same thing. "I was sent to Austria by Dumbledore," He took in a shark breath, "To visit my actually alive great-grandfather." He admitted.

Hermione gasped, "He's alive?"

Percy winced as he felt his ribs hurt for a moment, "He is." He nodded, "When I realized that Dumbledore sent me to Austria to keep me distracted I got back here as fast as I could." He continued, "I snapped my ankle on the way down from his stupid tower." He frowned, "I couldn't apparate like that so I got into my emergency stash and I nearly drank my max of nec-"

Hermione frowned, worried.

"I got here and my ankle was still weak, when Snape threw me back…It just got worse." He said quietly and looked over at Harry. "Hagrid's Hut was the closest to the castle that I could apparate to."

Harry nodded, "I'm just glad you showed up on time." He said and looked over the railing once again, "I don't know what Snape would have done given the chance he had then."

Guilt kept creeping up on him and he felt a lump in his throat. "Yeah." He said weakly. "What are we going to do now?"

"We prepare ourselves." Hermione said, "As much as we can." She looked nervous, Percy couldn't deny the nervous feeling in his gut as well.

— — —

A month has passed and Percy stayed with the Grangers. Hermione had asked him and he couldn't deny her, especially during these hard times. He wanted to stick to Harry's side but he knew that it wouldn't be appreciated by the boy's aunt's family.

After a week of the initial battle, Percy's wounds healed and the ache in his ribs disappeared. He stayed with Hermione but grew increasingly worried as he saw the newspaper.

He knew Hermione was prolonging it all. "Let them go to my family, they'll take your parents into hiding." He pleaded.

Hermione shook her head, "I can't, it's still too dangerous." She said, "They're muggles, I just have to-" She cut herself off but Percy nodded in understanding.

"Hermione, dear! Percy. Tea is ready!" Her mother called out from the hallway and the two looked at each other. She looked at him, desperation etched across her face.

"We're coming, Miss Granger!"

Her mother laughed, "How many times do I have to tell you, Percy. Call me by my name!" The woman complained playfully and he saw Hermione get choked up. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, he led her down the stairs.

"-this in Australia?" Wendell asked his wife. Their backs were turned to them as they walked through the door. Percy looked at Hermione with slightly wide eyes as she already had her wand out.

He hoped to have some tea with the Grangers. Since it'll be a long time before he'd see them again. But it could be too much for Hermione. Following her, he held his wand out as well, he clenched his jaw and bobbed his throat as he helped Hermione cast the spell.

Slowly but surely, Hermione disappeared from her childhood photos and he felt his hand clamp down over his wallet, where he has all of their photos together. The little girl in their smiling pictures disappeared

Hermione's eyes were brimmed with tears and Percy sheathed his wand and held his hand out for her. Silently, Percy pulled Hermione out of her family home inch by inch. They stepped onto the road and just started walking.

They headed in direction of his house and Harry must be heading towards Sirius' house, around this hour. They had kept quiet about leaving, not wanting to be held back by everyone.

Hermione silently stopped by the bus stop and Percy dropped her hand and pulled her in for a hug. He held her closely and let her cry into his shoulder. "What you've done is tough." He said quietly. "But they will be safe." He whispered.

Hermione nodded into his chest, or she was wiping her tears, he doesn't really know. "We're going to go to my house, and then we'll go to Harry's." He whispered, making the plans for them, since Hermione is preoccupied. "We'll then discuss what we do next with Harry around."

They stepped on the bus and Hermione wiped her tears. She laid her head on Percy's shoulder as he fidgeted with a drachma. He has to let his family know that the Grangers won't be joining them.

His throat bobbed and he took his thermo flask out of his bag. He felt a pull on his gut and the thermo flask filled with hot water. Out of his little breast pocket he pulled out a bag of tea and put it in the flask.

After a second the bus smelled like tea and he made the water cool down to Hermione's favorite tea-drinking-temperature. He handed it over and she faintly smiled. Percy put his drachma away and closed his eyes, leaning back into the seat.

Even if it was a weak or faint smile, it was enough to get Percy through the day.

His dreams shot him back into time. He stood in the study or the war room of Olympus. The very same one that he had discussed his quest with the Goddess of Magic, Hecate. "Perseus." A voice said and his eyes turned to look at a wall, between two torches.

He bowed slightly, "Lady Hecate." He acknowledged.

"Whilst your uncle didn't know the answer, I do." She said, "Tom Riddle has seven horcruxes. Two of which are destroyed. The ring and the diary."

Percy perked up at the information, "What and where are the rest?" testing his luck on the information. The goddess looked mournful as she shook her head and Percy deflated, godly interference was a real bitch. The doors opened and light burst through the opened doors.

He woke up with a deep intake of air. Hermione looked concerned as she took her hands off of his shoulder. "Were you drea-" She started but Percy's eyes were wide open.

"He has seven horcruxes. Two of which are destroyed leaving us with five left to find and destroy." He said in one breath. The bus stopped and Hermione blinked, he looked out and stood up, "This is our stop." He said.

Stepping out of the bus they walked in the direction of his house, "Lady Hecate came to me," he said quietly, squeezing Hermione's hand, "She told me, and that is all she could tell me."

He stepped up to the steps of the door but his eyes widened as the door flew open. Sirius smiled happily as he held Percy's door open for him. In his own house. "Sirius." He said, in confusion and looked around, "I don't have the wrong house." He said slowly.

"Well, death-eaters have gotten more bold." Sirius said and opened the door widely, hurrying Percy and Hermione inside.

"You've gotten bold as well, breaking into my house, Sirius?"

"Well, they ransacked mine." The man grumbled and nodded at his girlfriend, "Besides, she left a key for emergencies. This is an emergency."

Percy blinked and looked over at a sheepish Hermione. "Ronald told me that you can't come to the pick up with us because of some broom flying issue."

Hermione looked at Percy in confusion and he just shrugged. "I can figure something out." He said and looked out the window.

"Are you calling Blackjack?" Hermione asked as she put her stuff aside in the hall.

"Blackjack?" Sirius questioned.

"My pegasus." He said and put his fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly.

"But pegasus are extinct." He said, and squinted at him as if he was pranking him. Percy shook his head.

"Some things are different in Canada." He said, and looked at the clear skies. "He'll be here a few hours before nightfall."

Hermione cringed, "Do you have some donuts for him?"

Blackjack absolutely loves her, even complimenting her accent and everything. The pegasus even called her 'girl boss'.

"Did you make yourself comfortable, Sirius?" Percy asked as he walked into the kitchen, and put the kettle on the fire. "You better not have slept in our room, I don't want it smelling like a wet dog."

Sirius sneered at Percy, "I do not smell like a wet dog!" he complained.

"So Harry isn't coming here?"

Sirius shook his head, "I had let him know immediately."

Percy nodded and pursed his lips, "All right," he then remembered his family. He clenched his jaw and nodded at Hermione, "I'm going to call mom."

Hermione smiled softly, "Send her lots of love." She said and kissed his cheek before hurrying into the kitchen to turn the kitchen fire off. Sirius sent him a look but he ignored it and walked up the stairs.

Into his room he turned the sink on and threw five coins into the mist, "Fleecy do me a solid and connect me to my mom."

"Percy?" His mother looked like she was outside, in the greenroom. She had dirt on her apron.

"Hey ma." He said and gave her a smile, "Things aren't going well here, at all. I think you've seen the news."

His mother nodded.

"I need you to go into hiding for a bit, along with the rest of the family."

"Everyone?"

Percy shrugged and looked conflicted, "I don't know ma, maybe the closest ones to us that could be targeted by Voldemort."

His mother winced at the name and nodded, "I need you and Hermione to stay safe." She said, worrisome. They haven't seen one another in person for over a year now, something that has gotten unbearable but was necessary for their safety and Harry's.

"Of course, ma." He said, "Hermione is sending 'lots of love'." Chuckling he looked over at his mothers expression, "What is it ma?"

"You should hold her close and not let her go." Sally used to tell her son about the time she had spent with his father at the beach in Montauk, how they were so close to each other, and suddenly one day they weren't, one day they weren't together, there was no underwater palace.

Nodding, "It isn't even an option." He said and smiled. "Tell uncle Duval to go into hiding as well, I believe that there are a few pictures of him and Hermione floating around." Somehow a journalist came dressed as a caterer onto their property and took pictures of most.

Mostly of Hermione, who clearly wasn't a Grindelwald.

"Percy?" A voice came from the room and he opened the door of the bathroom, grinning at his mom. His girlfriend walked in with a mug of tea and she handed it over. "Hello Sally!" She said, happy.

He looked up at her smiling face and beamed at his mom. "Hello darling." His mother said and smiled, "How are you?"

The question could split up into quite a few ones, how are you coping? How are you really? How are you managing everything?

"I could be better." She said truthfully and nodded. "My parents won't be joining you, to go into hiding."

Sally looked confused, "Why not?"

"They'll be enjoying their retirement in Australia." Hermione grimaced and Percy reached for her hand, squeezing it in silent support. "I thought it'd be safer for them to not know anything about the wizarding world than just being targeted."

His mom's eyes turned into ones of sympathy, "I could have family in Australia keep an eye on them, check in occasionally."

Hermione's eyes welled up again and she nodded, a slight smile on her face. "I'd appreciate that, Sally. Thank you."

"No problem." His mother said, "I see you like a daughter as they see Percy like their son. Family looks out for one another, Hermione."

Hermione smiled and nodded, "Thank you." She repeated and Percy stood up to hug her.

"Stay safe ma." He said and held his hand out to wave through the image, Sally didn't allow her son to wave through the I.M. before pointing at her gloved ring finger. He blinked and gave his mother a look, "Talk to you later, ma." He said and finally swiped through the Iris Message.

He rubbed her back and kissed her forehead, "Your parents will be safe, Hermione." He said silently.

She nodded and pulled away, pressing a light kiss to Percy's lips. "I love you." She whispered. It was something that they didn't say a lot anymore, but he knew that she did love him.

In all the situations where they said 'love you' felt like a goodbye, not even a see-you-later, just a goodbye. Percy isn't ready for a goodbye.

"I love you too, Hermione." He whispered back and held her close once again. They spent time together up in the attic, making different potions together that could be used for tonight. Sirius was doing his own thing using his house as a safehouse, but that was fine. Rather safe than sorry.

A/N: Casual reminder that this isn't an action fic because I'm ass at writing fight scenes.