Intertwined || Percabeth Hogwarts AU

Chapter 4

Third Year

"GET BACK HERE!"

The thunderous roar echoed through the Great Hall turning the heads of every student sitting there. They were momentarily stunned before they erupted in laughter. In place of Percy's long black hair were strands of seaweed, green and dripping onto his face.

Percy was chasing the Stoll twins down the aisle, swerving and dodging the students too slow to move out of the way. The Stolls laughed wildly, staying just out of his grasp. He chased them around the Hufflepuff table and around the Slytherin's while everyone watched, laughing at Percy's misfortune but none harder than Annabeth.

He was about to run past her when he felt himself being tugged back by the hand causing him to fall unceremoniously onto the floor.

The twins turned back and doubled over with laughter. In unison, they yelled, "Better luck next time, Jackson!"

"Wise Girl," he complained, but she's laughing too hard to pay any mind. "They're getting away."

"It's a good look for you, Seaweed Brain," she choked out.

His eyebrows furrowed but a hint of a smile began to form on his face. "What was that?"

"Seaweed Brain," Annabeth said more clearly when she calmed down a little. "I'm calling you Seaweed Brain from here on out."

◆ ◆ ◆

Percy walked into the classroom and glanced around, looking for his curly haired best friend but was surprised when he couldn't. She was normally one of the first ones present, sitting at her desk and reviewing her notes.

He brushed it off and took a seat, placing his bag on an empty desk beside his.

When Annabeth had finally walked into class, Percy greeted her enthusiastically but she responded irritably, making the smile fall off Percy's face.

Professor Demeter droned on and on about witch hunts or something but Percy wasn't paying attention. His focus was on his best friend who had her head pressed down on the table. He had never seen her like this before.

Usually, she was the most attentive person in the class. Percy bit his lip and clenched his fists tight, worried about her. He could tell she was in a lot of pain from the way she was clutching at her stomach.

Her hair covered most of her face but he could see that she had her eyes shut tight. But when he saw the gleam of a tear sliding down her face, he couldn't take it anymore. Percy stood and helped Annabeth up, putting her arm around his shoulder and wrapping his around her waist.

"What are you doing, Seaweed Brain?" She whispered, feeling a shortness of breath.

"Taking you to the hospital wing," he replied, picking up his pace.

"Mr. Jackson, Ms. Chase, where do you think you're going?" Demeter demanded in a shrill voice.

"Sorry Professor," Percy shouted over his shoulder.

"Twenty points from Gryffindor!" he heard her shout but kept moving. Percy knew he would take some heat from his housemates for that but that was inconsequential. All that mattered to him was Annabeth.

"Stop, stop, stop," Annabeth begged. Her tears were now freely flowing down her cheeks. She crumpled down to the floor, bending over slightly and clutching her lower abdomen. "It hurts too much, Percy. I need to stay still for a while."

Percy wrung both of his hands through his hair as he stared down at his best friend. He felt helpless and scared, unable to help her. Her pain seemed to be getting worse.

Annabeth clenched her eyes tight and took deep breaths hoping the sharp pain would quell but to no avail. She wanted to cry and scream and wring her hands around something. But at the same time, she wanted to curl up into a ball and lay motionless on the floor. Then she suddenly had a sudden feeling of weightlessness. Probably because she was no longer on the ground.

Annabeth was forced to place her hands around Percy's neck to remain upright since he had taken the liberty to pick her up with one arm under her legs and the other supporting her back.

"Percy!" She complained, slapping his chest. "I'm not some kind of damsel. Put me down right now!"

"Hey, that hurt," Percy chuckled and kept walking. "We're almost there, relax. You can carry me around tomorrow if it makes you feel better."

Annabeth snorted despite herself, smothering the small smile that threatened to betray her. True to his word, they made it to the hospital wing shortly but Annabeth made Percy put her down before anyone saw them in that position.