The demigods are now gods. Sweet. But, as the fates are evil and unable to give us a happy ending, there's a whole new problem to deal with. Namely, a flaming Neville Longbottom falling out of the sky and nearly squashing the new goddess of magic.
N...
Speaking to Professor McGonogall, Hogwarts Headmistress, over the phone achieved a few things. One of the most immediate was the booking of one of the carriages on the Hogwarts express ahead of time, and early access to the train so that we could board and make ourselves comfortable in privacy, without having to contend with wizards. The thoughtfulness of her offer stuck out to me as I peeked through the slit in the curtains at the writhing mass of teenage witches and wizards lining the station, kissing parents goodbye and wrangling mischievous pets into pockets and cages.
Even from inside the cabin, the noise was almost overwhelming, and I made a note to myself to make my gratefulness clear to Minerva as soon as I saw her, and offer my services in return, should she need them.
The other four people in the carriage were all napping, exhausted from packing and goodbyes and shadow-travelling across the country. While on the phone with Hogwarts' headmistress, we'd decided that only five of us would go - Jason, Piper, Percy and I, as we were the most experienced and comfortable with battle, and Lou Ellen, for her magical capabilities. Frank and Hazel were holding the fort back home in our absence. Apart from holding court once a week for magical grievances, this mostly consisted of stopping Leo from setting too many buildings on fire.
We'd decided to enter the school undercover, joining the eighth year as transfer students, aware of the high risk that someone within Hogwarts was acting as a mole –there was no other way for the Death Eaters to penetrate Hogwarts' walls,McGonagall had said. Only Minerva and Neville knew our true identities, as not even the teachers were trustworthy when it came to who may be on Chaos's side.
But all of that could wait. For now, it was important for everyone to eat well, sleep well, and enjoy the sights that England, and later Scotland, had to offer. As the last few children hurried their trollies toward the train, I forced my mind blank and my eyes shut, letting the smooth piano coming through my earbuds soothe me to sleep.
.
I awoke sometime later, aware of the hum of the train beneath me before I opened my eyes. The others had come round before me, judging from the soft murmurings from the other side of the cabin. Percy stroked a large, warm hand over my brow as I stirred, and I let myself stay like that, just for a moment, revelling in our closeness as I so rarely had time to do anymore. Then I sat up, eyes still closed, throwing my arms out in a stretch before curling myself into his side, happy to sit ensconced in the warmth emanating from his beautiful body. He wrapped the arm that had been laid on my temple around me, hand coming to rest on my waist.
I tuned back into the conversation just as Piper finished speaking, and was able to catch Percy's response.
'Yeah, the theoretical stuff will be more interesting than anything we studied in school, but it's still theory. Textbooks and blackboards - bleugh.' I whined sleepily at this in protest and he chuckled, his deep laugh resonating through me. 'Sorry to insult your beloved books, Annie, but personally, I'm far more excited about what the practical sessions will bring. From what McGonogall said over the phone, some of the stuff we're gonna get to try is gonna be insane! Broomstick riding? Bird-lion-thingy training? It's gonna be epic!'
'I'm going to have to agree with Perce on this one.' Jason affirmed. 'The magic stuff is definitely going to be special, and I'm looking forward to getting to know a side of the supernatural community we haven't really interacted with yet. I only hope that the excitement of being back in school won't distract us from our actual goal.'
'Oh, give us a bit more credit than that, Jace.' Piper yawned, reaching out to grab his hand in hers and cuddling into his chest. 'We've been doing this long enough now that I'm sure we can stay focused for a few months.'
'Tell that to Percy's ADHD.' I grumbled, and he grinned down at me, then kissed me gently on the forehead.
'I'm beginning to think I'm going to need to find someone while we're here.' Lou Ellen spoke up for the first time, a playful smirk spread across her face. 'If only so that I can stop being the fifth wheel!'
That got a laugh out of all of us, and the conversation drifted. Percy turned to me again, this time to whisper in my ear.
'Did you sleep well, wise girl?'
'Better than I have in a long time,' I confessed,' I think there might be something in the air here, but despite the danger I know we're walking into, I'm not working myself up into a panic like I sometimes do. It's nice.'
'The change of scene, maybe. I wouldn't think too hard about it, you might jinx it. Just let the chill wash over you.' He grinned at me lopsidedly and I hummed, content to gaze out the window at the rolling fields and return to my slumber.
Aaaand I just remembered why I love Percabeth so much. Honestly, this chapter was a love letter to them. They deserve a bit of fluff after everything they've been through, and honestly, I just wanted the chance to write their relationship more.
I'm in a rare moment of focus right now, so I'm going to try to get a decent rhythm going with updates for the near future. Also, anyone particularly interested in beta reading? I could do with a second pair of eyes over my work before I publish.
Let me know what you think!
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