Percy Jackson at Hogwarts

Chapter 27: Getting rid of the ghosts of the past

Percy PoV

I knew it. It's a bad idea to go at this ball.

After the announcement of the ball, Anne had come to ask me to be her date. Without thinking too much, I accepted.

She's pretty and nice, now I can see that she's hoping for something else. But I am not ready. I don't want to. I can't. I wouldn't betray Annabeth.

"She told you to go ahead. I know it must be painful, but you have to move on," Nyx said to me in a serious and compassionate voice.

"It's not that simple. I don't want to. I just can't."

"You can't keep it from me. I know this wound has never been closed. Even though you've learned to hide it better over time, you're still in so much pain. And that makes you dangerous."

It's rare that she uses a tone like that when she speaks. Usually in a good mood, it makes me feel strange to see her speak so seriously.

"I just need time."

"No. You are a powerful demigod. So far these memories are temporary enough, but if one memory stronger than another comes up, you can't be reasoned with."

"Why would one memory be stronger? I just have to stop thinking about it."

"Because the memory depends on the event that is happening. Remember Hazel's black holes. The closer it is to a past experience, the deeper it will be. Don't become your own danger, Percy. Turn the page."

"I wish I could. Believe me. But I can't. Every time I see her again. Every time I smell her. She is everywhere! Annabeth is everywhere around me, I can't forget her like that."

"I'm going to have to. You're clinging to ghosts. And you know as well as I do that ghosts are harmful."

"Not necessarily all of them. Look at the ghosts at Hogwarts. They're pretty cool."

"You know what I'm saying."

I'm sighing.
"All right, well... I'm gonna try harder."

And that's how I ended up opening the ball with Anne.

In the days leading up to the dance, Harry and Ron had a hard time finding their dates.

I was surprised that Ron didn't ask Hermione.

It was obvious that he had a crush on her. But he didn't.

"I didn't think about it!" Was his argument.

"Dumb idiot! Said you didn't have the courage instead!" I throw, hitting him on the shoulder gently.

"Nonsense! "
But his ears turn red, and he hits me back to change the subject.

Finally, Hermione went with Krum. Enough to increase the jealousy of some people.

The music starts and we advance on the track.

Several times, I walked on Anne's feet, giving her a smile.

"Not like that, seaweed brain! Put your hand down!"

I raise my head.
"What ?"

But it's not Anne anymore. It is Annabeth who is holding herself in my arms.
She is smiling at me.
"Your hands."

She grabs my hand and places it on her hip, then we start spinning to the rhythm of the song.

"How do you... How..."

I look around me. I'd come back to Westover Hall, a military school where I'd been on a rescue mission a few years before.
It seems so far away.