Intertwined || Percabeth Hogwarts AU

Chapter 16

"Would you mind staying behind for a little bit, Percy? I wanted to talk to you about something."

Percy confusedly nodded his assent and watched as his classmates left. Calypso turned and waved at him, smiling brightly. He nodded at her and she left.

"So, how are you?" Harry asked, crossing his arms and giving him a warm smile.

Percy wondered if he did something wrong. "I'm fine... how are you?"

"Good, good. This is a little awkward, isn't it?"

"A little," Percy agreed and they shared a laugh.

"You're really good at dueling, Percy. Much better than me when I was your age," he commended. "And your water spells are some of the strongest I've ever seen. Were you aware of this?"

"Seriously? Oh—I mean, no sir," Percy quickly covered up causing Harry to chuckle. He liked this kid already.

"Yes, seriously," Harry joked, making Percy laugh a little. "I think it would be very beneficial for you if you honed that criteria. You'd become a real menace as an Auror."

Percy rubbed the back of his head and smiled sheepishly at the unexpected praise but thanked him. Coming from the most renowned wizard alive, that was seriously saying something.

"Your abilities aside, that's not the real reason I asked you to stay behind. I noticed that you seemed very, how do I put this? Aggressive, in your last duel with Annabeth," Percy's eyes became downcast at the mention of her name and he pressed his lips tightly together. "I wanted to ask you, is anything the matter? I've never seen you injure someone like that before."

Percy stayed silent for a long time, thinking about how he should respond. "Annabeth and I are not on good terms, to say the least."

"I gathered that much," Harry said. His voice had dropped an octave when he noticed a few students passing by. With a nod of his head, the door to his classroom closed shut.

"Was that wandless magic?" Percy asked, glancing back from the door to the man in front of him.

"Oh, that? Yeah. I'm sure you'll be able to do it soon too," Harry told him, shrugging noncommittally, before adopting a serious look. "Anyway, back on topic. I'm concerned about a repeat of that duel happening, especially unsupervised."

"I would never do that!" Percy all but yelled, a frantic look on his face.

"I'm glad to hear it," Harry said, raising his hands in a placating manner. "But magic is dangerous. It's in your best interest to understand that."

"I would never do that, Professor," Percy repeated, his eyes resolute. "I mean it. I had a lot of pent up anger inside of me because of her and it all just... exploded, I guess."

"Believe me, I understand. I really do," Harry said, crossing his arms and letting out a sigh. "That goes to show you why bottling things up isn't healthy. For you, for your peers, whoever."

"Yeah... I don't even know why I'm telling you all of this, Professor Potter. No offense, of course," Percy exhaled and picked at a loose thread in his robes.

"I'm not a real professor," he laughed. "You can call me Harry when no one else is around. And I dunno, I've been told I'm a good listener. Or at least, that's what my wife tells me."

"Oh, you're married?"

"Yup. Hermione and I'll be celebrating our eleventh anniversary this summer," Harry glanced away and smiled as if recalling a happy memory. "Anyway, you and Annabeth are very similar to my wife and me."

"W-what?" Percy stuttered out, his face adorning a healthy red hue at the prospect. "How?"

Harry chuckled a little. "We used to fight and argue sometimes. Hell, we still do. Some of them were pretty vicious, let me tell you. But at the end of the day, we both know how much we mean to each other," Harry put a hand on Percy's shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile.

"And if Annabeth's anything like my Hermione, then you should know she's probably replaying whatever happened countless times in her head and beating herself up for whatever she did."

Percy looked down at his hands, mulling over what the older man just told him. He was quiet for a while, but the entire time, Harry patiently sat by his side giving him all the time he needed.

"I was really hurt by what she said to me," Percy finally said. "I never expected her of all people to call me a... mudblood."

Percy heard a sharp intake of breath. Harry ran a hand through his hair before releasing a heavy sigh. "I hate that word."

Percy nodded in agreement, a dejected look on his face. "I... I don't know what to think anymore..."

"Percy," the boy in question looked up at his Professor. They held each other's gaze, their green eyes swirling with emotion. "My mum and my wife were muggleborn, and they also faced what you're going through right now. Unfortunately, my mum died when I was really young, but I saw firsthand how prejudiced purebloods were to Hermione, so I can sort of grasp at what you're feeling right now.

"But she didn't let any of that stop her. There are a lot of things I can't tell you about, but what I can say is that she's a fighter. She persevered through all of that; she poured her blood, sweat, and tears into everything she did. And now she's the head of the DMLE."

"Head of the DMLE, wow..." Percy breathed out, impressed.

Harry nodded vigorously, a proud smile on his face. His eyes twinkled as he continued to talk about his wife causing Percy to smile himself. A blind man could see how much Harry loved her.

"She's saved me more times than I count. I wouldn't be standing here today if it weren't for her. She's... she's my hero."

Percy took in Harry's words with a heavy heart. This woman sounded amazing, and if she could accomplish all of this given the same circumstances as him, then there's no reason he should feel like he's deserving of any less. Despite his feelings, a small smile found its way onto his face. Harry and his wife had such a great relationship from the sound of it.

"I won't tell you to forgive Annabeth, Percy. That's completely up to you. I haven't truly forgiven anyone who called Hermione that word either." Harry had a faraway look in his eyes before they narrowed, his anger momentarily visible. "I just wanted to tell you about what Hermione and I've been through."

"Thank you, Profe—Harry," Percy had a genuine smile on his face. He didn't know why but it felt so easy to talk to his man.

"No worries. I hope I was able to provide some insight." Harry got up and made his way over to the door with Percy following a few steps behind.

"For sure."

"And if you ever need any tips on dueling or whatever, drop by or send me an owl." Harry patted his shoulder and smiled down at him. "I'd be happy to help."

"How about we duel right now?" Percy challenged with a smirk on his face.

"You think you're up for it?" Harry shot back, mirroring his student's expression.

Their eyes pulsed with excitement as they stared at each other.