Intertwined || Percabeth Hogwarts AU

Chapter 12

"Annabeth! Hello," Sally greeted, pulling her in for a hug. "I haven't seen you in so long."

Annabeth returned her greeting and smiled back at her when she pulled back. Sally was undoubtedly the warmest person she'd ever met. And her words were true. They didn't get to greet each other at King's Cross during the end of their fifth year due to... obvious reasons.

"It's nice to see you again, Athena, Frederick."

Sally extended her hand out to them and her parents shook it. Her father had responded in kind but her mother's greeting was dull and devoid of any friendliness. Annabeth's face fell at her mother's lack of indulgence.

Thankfully, her father spoke up. "So, Percy, excited about your classes?"

"They should be interesting," he replied, evenly.

Annabeth winced and looked down at the ground as the familiar weight of guilt settled at the forefront of her mind. His voice was so painfully neutral. And he hadn't spared her a single glance.

"What is your best subject, Perseus?" Annabeth's head snapped up when she realized it was her mother who asked that question.

Athena was looking over at Percy who stared back at her, unflinching. Annabeth's mouth parted in confusion; this was quite possibly the biggest change in her old best friend. Percy was always frightened by Athena, much to Annabeth's amusement.

"Defence Against the Dark Arts," Percy told her in the same clip tone.

Athena pursed her lips and nodded. "That's... good. Well, I wish you luck this year."

Percy nodded in thanks and walked off with Sally. Sally had observed the tense conversation like a hawk so he'd no doubt be questioned by her. Annabeth was at a loss. Despite all she had said about him last year, it was as if her mother, Athena Chase, was the one intimidated by Percy now.

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Annabeth's parents walked beside each other in silence after they exited the train station.

"So that's his kid, huh?"

Athena had a wary look on her face as she glanced around. "Hush, Frederick."

He scoffed. "Oh, please. You act as if he's the Dark Lord or something."

"No, but he's as good as," she warned. Then she gained a soft look and allowed her weariness to show. "His son looks just like him now."

A pensive look crossed his face when he thought of the man. They had reached the car but neither made a move to enter.

Frederick sighed. "Did you notice Annabeth crying earlier?"

"Of course I did," she replied, tiredly. "She hasn't been the same this summer. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm starting to regret what I did."

Frederick grabbed her hand and squeezed softly. "What we did. The letter... and... us. It shouldn't have happened like that. Did you see the look in his eyes?"

Athena clenched her unoccupied fist tightly. "Yes... the cold anger. He's his father's son, that's for sure."

There was a darkness in Percy Jackson that had begun to surface. Nothing like the sweet, fun loving boy she had seen laughing with her daughter over the years. And if he was anything like him, then...

"We should get back home—"

"Freddy, what if he finds out?" Athena interrupted, panic starting to show. "Do you think we should do something?"

Despite the situation, Frederick took a moment to smile to himself. Athena was usually never one for nicknames so he reveled in every rare occasion it happened.

"He won't. And we can't change what happened all those years ago, hon." He patted her hand reassuringly. "Annie will figure something out. She's your daughter after all."

A small smile graced Athena's lips. "I think she'll have to use your genes this time."