Strange Ties--Percy Jackson/Harry Potter

Chapter Thirty-Three

Percy

The next morning, the Great Hall buzzed with the usual breakfast chatter. The long tables were crowded with students, their voices blending into a lively hum. August plopped down next to him, her bright blue hair as lively as ever. "Beanstalk, you look like you haven't slept in weeks," she teased, nudging him with her elbow. "Rough night?"

Percy shrugged, keeping his voice low. "Yeah, you could say that." He wasn't about to tell August what happened last night, that was not his place.

August raised an eyebrow, sensing the seriousness in Percy's tone. "Everything okay?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Percy hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. He trusted August, but he didn't want to drag her into his mess. "Just some stuff on my mind," he replied vaguely, forcing a small smile. "Nothing I can't handle."

August sighed, "Percy, I've been patient. I have never pressured you into telling me what's wrong with you, I've always given you space and tried to make you feel better but it's clearly not working. You've been so... sorrowful these past few weeks. You know I'm your friend right? You can trust me."

Percy felt a pang of guilt. August had been there for him through a lot, and she deserved more than just vague answers and half-hearted smiles. He knew she was right—he'd been distant, lost in his own thoughts and worries. It wasn't fair to her, but he couldn't tell her everything, not when the truth might put her in danger.

"I know, August," he replied, meeting her gaze. "I appreciate it, I really do. It's just... complicated."

August studied his face, her playful expression softening into one of concern. "How is it complicated?" she asked, her voice low and gentle. "Is this about the murders? Or is it something else?"

Percy looked at August, seeing the genuine concern in her eyes. She was one of the few people at Hogwarts who genuinely cared about him, and he knew that. But the weight of everything that had happened—the murders, the rumors, and now Audrey— was too much to unload on one person. Especially when he didn't have all the answers himself.

August watched him for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, okay, fine..." she sighed. "But you know I'm always here to listen, right? You can't carry the world on your shoulders, Percy. You're tall, but you're not that tall."

Thanks," he said, his smile a bit more genuine this time. "I just need a bit more time," Percy finished, his voice almost a whisper. "It's not that I don't trust you, August. I just..."

August nodded, her expression softening. "I get it, Beanstalk. Just don't shut me out, okay? I'm not going anywhere." She gave him a quick pat on the back and shifted the topic to something lighter, her way of saying she understood without pressing him further. "So, did you see Filch trying to break up the party last night? He was yelling about some student putting dungbombs in his mop bucket. Almost felt bad for him. Almost."

Percy chuckled at the thought. But the mention of the party made his thoughts drift back to Audrey, and the uneasiness returned.

Percy would never wish death on any person, but if the monsters were to attack Malfoy next, he wouldn't exactly be mad about it.

Percy's eyes wandered across the Great Hall as August chatted about Filch's misadventures. He couldn't help but feel distracted, the events of last night replaying in his mind. Malfoy dragging Audrey into the forest, the runes, and the unanswered questions—all of it weighed heavily on him. He knew he couldn't talk about it, at least not here, not with so many ears around.

"Percy," August said, snapping him out of his thoughts. "I was saying that if Filch knew who did it, they'd be in detention for the rest of the year. But anyway, you sure you're okay? You look a bit pale."