Intertwined || Percabeth Hogwarts AU

Chapter 21

The early morning sunlight filtered in through the windows and gave way to the first rays of the new day. Though, its empyrean beauty was not always appreciated, especially when it disrupts one's slumber.

Annabeth's eyes twitched before her hand came up to shield her eyes, allowing her to open them slightly. She groaned and rolled over to the side but quickly came to her senses when she nearly fell off the bed. She sat bolt upright and glanced around frantically when a soothing voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Easy, dear. You're safe."

Annabeth's head snapped to the source of the voice and she immediately relaxed. "Hello, Madam Hestia. How am I in the infirmary?"

Hestia laughed a little. "Don't you remember?" Annabeth shook her head no, confused. "Percy carried you in here last night after you passed out from using too much magic."

A rosy blush blossomed on her cheeks when it all came back to her. "W-what?"

"Such a sweet boy," Hestia continued. "He stayed here all night even though I repeatedly told him you'd be fine. I had to force him to leave only a few minutes earlier so he wouldn't miss his first class."

Annabeth looked down at her lap at a loss for words. A warmth spread through her body at the thought of Percy looking after her. Her blush returned when she remembered that he stayed here all night. Oh god, I hope I wasn't snoring, she thought, horrified.

"You seem surprised," Hestia noted. "I thought the two of you were best friends."

"We were but..." her eyes became downcast and she could feel her throat close up. "We had a falling out last year. He hates me and it's all my fault."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Annabeth was about to shake her head in the negative when a comforting hand was placed on her shoulder. She looked up and saw Hestia smiling at her, her warm brown eyes filled with kindness.

"I can see this is really affecting you. And it's not good to keep things bottled up for this long. I'm here to help you, I promise," Hestia's compassion was unlike anything else.

Annabeth felt the fight leave her. Her shoulders sagged, and she drew her knees close to her chest. She found herself spilling everything from the moment she and Percy had become friends to the events of the night prior. Hestia had listened patiently, keeping a neutral expression and nodding at all the right times.

When Annabeth finished, Hestia remained silent and observed the girl's expressions. She was miserable. All of this must've been eating at her for the better part of a year.

"Annabeth, I won't lie to you. What you said was wrong," Annabeth's eyes fell to her lap, crestfallen. "I remember you were one of the students who despised blood status and how it demeaned Muggleborns and even Half-bloods sometimes."

If possible, Annabeth became even more disheartened having that fact thrown back at her. Percy had said the same thing. I'm such a hypocrite, she berated herself.

"But..." Hestia continued, smiling softly at her. "It does sound like you're sorry. You are sorry, aren't you?"

Annabeth's head snapped up and she urgently nodded multiple times. "More sorry than anything."

"Good. Percy is kind; he might not seem like it right now—"

Annabeth shook her head, a melancholic smile on her face. "No, he's still very kind. I passed out last night because I overexerted myself attempting the Patronus Charm. He's the one who helped me conjure it when he could've left whenever he wanted to."

"Really?" Hestia wondered, smiling to herself a little.

"Yes," Annabeth smiled at her left hand, opening and closing her fist. Percy was holding her hand last night, she remembered. "He could've left when he saw me but he stayed—he stayed and helped me just like before..."

"It sounds like he's starting to forgive you," Hestia told her. The blonde's head tilted to the side but the protest died on her lips with one look from the matron. "He's starting to let you back in; last night should be an indication of that. Don't give up, Annabeth. He'll come around."

Annabeth fell silent. There was a thoughtful look in her eyes as she digested Hestia's words. Can Percy and I really become friends again? The question sat in her mind like a giant anchor.

"I'm excusing you from classes today. So rest up and no magic, young lady," Hestia ordered, sternly. Annabeth nodded her assent swiftly making the matron smile before she left the room.

A moment later, she came back with a slight spring in her step. "Sorry, I forgot to give you this. Percy left it for you."

Annabeth eagerly took the piece of parchment and thanked her. Hestia smiled at her once more and left. She hesitated slightly before unfolding the parchment and nearly dropped it when she read its contents.

You wanted to know what memory I use for my Patronus? Well...