Intertwined || Percabeth Hogwarts AU

Chapter 52

"...Girl... Wise Girl... Annabeth!"

Annabeth flinched and dropped her book, eyes wide with surprise. "Yes! Sorry, sorry!"

"Welcome back to Earth," Percy chuckled. He picked up her book and handed it to her. "Good book, I take it?"

"Really good," she patted the spot on the bench next to her for him to sit down. When he did, she pressed their shoulders together and showed him the cover. "It's a fantasy novel series about Greek myths and gods and demigods fighting monsters in modern day. But there's a budding romance too! And it's really good."

He smiled at her enthusiasm. "Oh, yeah? Sounds cool."

"Yeah!" She said happily. "You need to read it, Percy. I'm almost done with the third book, but I'll lend you the first two. They're in my dorm."

Percy scratched his head. He wasn't really much of a reader. "Sure, I'll give them a shot."

"This is a spoiler, but can I please tell you about this one scene?" She begged, her eyes practically had stars in them.

He nodded, smiling endearingly. "Of course."

"Okay, so the two main characters, Pearce Johnson and Annabelle Chains, they're best friends, they have to hold up the sky like the titan, Atlas, in the myths. They do it for each other because Annabelle gets kidnapped, and it was just the sweetest thing. Two fourteen year olds! Can you believe that?"

"Wow." His eyebrows rose and he blinked a few times. "That's... that's pretty extreme."

"Mhm, and afterward, a lock of their hair turned gray from the sheer pressure. And it not only shows how strong they are but also how far they'd go for each other."

She was gushing now and Percy found it absolutely adorable.

"These two kids don't even realize how deep their feelings go. I won't spoil anything else for you and I know I'm rambling, but that gray streak — it's... it's symbolic. It's a physical indication of their bond, of how much they've been through together, how much they mean to each other, and how they're tied to each other. I just love their story so much. And I'm not even done!"

That resonated very hard with Percy. Love. These two fictional characters obviously loved each other. But, did he love Annabeth? He had been thinking about that from the moment they shared their first kiss. Probably even before that.

And he was about 107% sure he knew the answer. Approximately, of course.

Shaking his head, Percy took her hand and pulled her up. "Come on."

"Seaweed Brain!" Annabeth complained as she was dragged along. "I was almost done with my book! Where are we even going?"

"You'll see."

After a quick trip to Hogsmeade, they found themselves in the Prefects' bathroom with a bag full of hair supplies from Dervish and Banges. They stared at the instructions on the back of the bottles with confused expressions.

This certainly wasn't in her plans for today. Even if she had no plans. And, shit, what would Sally say when Percy came home with dyed hair?

Annabeth looked up at him and asked for the fourth time, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Completely," Percy answered yet again and placed the bottles in the sink. Reaching up, he cupped her face, his thumbs smoothing over her cheekbones. "I know I didn't hold the sky for you or anything, but I... I really care about you, Annabeth. And I always will."

He was never particularly good with words. But, of course, if she was with him, he felt as though nothing could limit him, so he spoke exactly how he felt. Because she would understand. She always did.

Annabeth's heart fluttered. "Percy," she whispered, her throat closing up a little and her eyes misting. She cradled his wrists and squeezed gently. "I feel the same for you. Always."