Let's Stay in a Sketchy Pub
ANNABETH'S POV
The sign of the pub seemed to get clearer the closer we got. The building was squished between 2 mortal buildings, as if they were built far before the pub was constructed. The walls were wooden washed over with peeling black paint. The sign read 'The Leaky Cauldron' and had a picture of a witch stirring a cauldron of gods know what. I wondered if mortals passing by could see it and if the mist would hide it. I was still in my trance when Percy pushed the door open, the small space inside was exploding with sound. People sat crowded around tables enjoying their dinners. The space had no windows or ventilation. I wonder if I designed it… no. I shook myself firmly and continued examining my surroundings. Behind the bar was an older guy who resembled a gummy-walnut. He was mainly bald with greyish hair off the sides of his head.
"Hullo, I'm Tom the barman would you like a drink?" Tom asked, clearly not noting our age. I felt Percy tense next to me as the smell of beer wafted through the room. Thinking fast I hatched a plan,
"No, we just need somewhere to stay for tonight."
"Ah, you're American?" He said, probably noting my accent, "OK, 1 galleon for tonight, that includes breakfast and dinner." I looked to Percy and asked him with my eyes
What the hell is a galleon? He pats his pocket and fishes out a single drachma.
"Sorry, but we don't have galleons but this is the American equivalent, would you accept this as payment?" It was pretty convincing, and could've fooled anyone, but I spent years with my seaweed brain. His voice was slightly clenched and had an expectant tone. It probably also helped that I spent years studying on how to read voices and facial expression. The bartender looked quizzically at the golden coin; I held my breath.
"Fascinating, of course I would accept this, I assume you haven't converted your money yet? Gringotts Wizarding Bank is at the very end of Diagon Alley, now your room is up 2 flights of stairs on the right of the corridor, walk to the very end." He smiled warmly and bade us goodbye as we climbed to our room.
The space was surprisingly spacious, I assumed some magic would be involved to enlarge the space inside. Two single beds lay side by side with a small nightstand in the middle. The floor was wooden and washed light blue. A large window sat next to the bed on the right, showing us the mortal side of this strange place. Buses, trains, and pedestrians alike whizzed past as Percy open the window, leaning dangerously sticking his head out. His normally messy hair was even more windswept. The
cold London air whipping across his face as it settled into the natural brooding look he got from Poseidon.
Standing next to him, I let the wind blow across my face until I couldn't feel it anymore. The air was damp from the rain a few hours ago. Street lights flickered on and off and for a moment I was lost in thought until I felt Percy's arm wrap around me. Leaning into his touch, I turn around to hug him back, pressing the top of my head into the crook of his neck.
"We should go to bed wise girl." I glanced outside, what time was it? The inky sky told me it was late enough.
"Ok," I said. Letting go of Percy, I stumble to my bed, prepared to plan out the next day, instead exhaustion took over and I was out like a light. Unfortunately for most demigods, sleep meant dreams, bad dreams.
I was under the weight of the sky again, I felt the bone shattering weight on my back, threatening to crush me. Luke's cruel laughter echoed through my head as the splintering hurt of betrayal sent a pang through my heart. Concentrate I told myself firmly. I flickered in and out of consciousness for what seemed like hours, sweat forming all over my body until I got startled by the usually kind voice of my old friend.
"Admit Artemis, you got no hope, your alliance is weak." The goddess glared daggers at Luke before kicking him hard in the chest. Under normal circumstances he probably would've doubled over but he barley winced as he kicked her back making her fly through the air landing in a heap next to me. She had a look of steely determination I've only seen on Percy before as she raised her hands to the cold, thick clouds.
"Let go my child" she said firmly. The last thing I remember before passing out was letting the burden of the sky pass on to Artemis.