The Last War (hopefully)- Book 1 (Percy Jackson/Harry Potter)

Chapter 18

Harry's P.O.V.

Over the course of a few months, we were fast friends with the exchange students. Some abnormal things did seem to occur, but their explanations (well, Annabeth's explanations) were satisfactory... Any doubts I had about them were practically thin air by now. Winter was approaching fast, and that is why we were all bundled up in our sweaters and mufflers when Professor McGonagall made an announcement at breakfast on 6th of December.

"Good morning children, after a teachers meeting, we have decided that we should share our traditions with the exchange students and have a grand welcome for them! Seeing the festive season, we only saw it as fit to throw a Winter Ball. The ball is to be held on the 20th, two days before the Christmas Break. Now, let the classes and preparations commence!" with that, McGonagall dismissed us all and everyone rushed to classes with newfound joy and excitement, followed by chatter about the upcoming ball.

The rest of the day was filled with the same enthusiasm, students buzzing about and starting off the preparations and asking their dates to the ball instead of doing homework or taking a walk in the Gardens in their free time. I was obviously going with Ginny, the ball would also give us some time together which was scarce with this being her NEWTS year. So, in my free time after DADA taught by Remus, I went looking for Ginny to ask her to the ball and perhaps to a date at Three Broomsticks on the coming Saturday

I finally found her near the Great Lake, with her herbology books and stray pieces of parchment scattered about. Her fiery hair practically glowed in the sun and her skin seemed golden like a goddess- her freckles giving her signature quirky touch. There was ink smudged on her right cheekbone and chin, as well as her hands. "Hello Harry." she acknowledged as I got closer. I returned the greeting and sat beside her, wiping the ink off of her cheek and placing a soft kiss there. She smiled and turned to me, one eyebrow raised in question.

"Would you go to the ball with me?... and a date?" I asked, nervous for no reason. She let out a laugh and rolled her eyes, "Of course you idiot." A wide grin broke out on my face as I told her to meet me at Three Broomsticks at 12:00 noon on Saturday and proceeded to stand up and go to my dorm after giving her a peck on the lips. I was so in love, and I knew it- so did Ginny...

Ron's P.O.V.

A Winter Ball! That was bloody amazing!! I made quick work of asking Hermione to be my date- even though it was a given, since she was my girlfriend but still... she of course said yes and hit me on the head for thinking she would turn her boyfriend down. I didn't think that but anyways, no one could win an argument with her so what's the point? I also probably came off as a bit too eager but oh well.

We were currently lounging in the common room in front of the fireplace as Hermione finished her essay on "Ancient Runes from Old Athens" or something that I was pretty sure was due after the Winter Vacation. As for me- I sat with a nice big bag of Bertie Bott's trying to fish out the good flavours (and failing- why did the nasty one always seem more tempting?!)

Percy's P.O.V.

Annabeth stormed into our room with no pretext, threw her book at my head and announced, "Do you have something decent to wear to the ball? Because even though it would be wonderful to show you up- it wouldn't seem as if we are each other's dates but rather competitors."

I dodged the book and slowly got off the bed as Annabeth finished her monologue. I just rolled my eyes- "Well, technically aren't we both?" And added, "We bought the nice robes, didn't we? Or wait, I think we tried them on... DID WE STEAL THEM?!" I was rewarded with another book thrown at my head as I ducked. "Shut up Seaweed Brain, let me look through our luggage..." and with that she turned away from me and walked over to the closet that had all her clothes neatly arranged and organised along with my stuff which was lying on the ground, half in and half out of my suitcase. And with that, I flopped back onto the bed.

Will's P.O.V.

Nico and I had gone exploring, since the mood was too energised for anyone to be constructive in their free time... and that's how we ended having a small picnic in the owlery. We sat on a red and white chequered mat with some breads and treats that we stole from the kitchens (we might not be sons of Hermes but Gods dammit- we're half-bloods) and talked...

Talked about everything and nothing, about the amazing bread, our anxieties regarding the prophecy and what it meant, our doubts about this place, how we had gotten off on the wrong foot with the Stolls once and got pranked continuously for a whole week, if we trusted Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Luna and Neville enough to reveal our backgrounds in the near future...

Which then led to Nico asking, "Hey, about the winter ball... isn't it ironic how you're a son of Apollo and our welcome is taking place with a Christmas ball? That would've been a fun detail to laugh about with someone..." I snickered and commented, "Never thought of that... it's a good thing you'll be there to laugh about it with me during the oh-so-grand event!" As a small smile played on his lips, my boyfriend replied, "You bet I will!" We laughed at his out of character, goofy response and continued munching on the treats as Annabeth's owl sweeped down to steal some buttered baguette.

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