Saving Wisdom and Wizards *REWRITE* || PJO x HP

Chapter 15: I May or May Not Be a Death Eater

Percy didn't know when he stopped crying. The lake was bright so it didn't take a genius to figure out that it was the afternoon. Percy's head pounded and his eyes were heavy. They burned from the brightness. Percy didn't remember sleeping... but he didn't remember being awake either.

Percy looked down at his feet to see sea creatures keeping him company. There was a pile of odd rocks, seaweed, and shiny items next to him. Percy gave a sad smile. An ocean funeral. Percy mumbled a 'thank you' to the surrounding animals.

"You are upset," Dave spoke from beside Percy.

The demigod slowly turned his head to see the Giant Squid once again keeping him company. Percy didn't have the energy to respond. Instead, he just nodded.

Then Dave did something Percy didn't expect. He wrapped two tentacles lightly around Percy and stayed there.

"The fish have told me humans do this to console one another. Do you feel consoled?"

Percy cracked a weak smile, feeling oddly comforted by Dave's hug. "I do."

"Wonderful."

With that, Percy controlled the water to push him towards the surface of the lake. He squinted when he reached the top; it was bright. Quiet. Too warm for early October. He swam towards the coast, and slowly walked out onto the small beach.

Percy was dripping wet. Cold. He didn't care. He stood on the strip of sand blankly staring at Hogwarts. He shivered. He was wet and cold and sad and– he didn't even bother using his son of Poseidon powers to dry himself off. He didn't deserve to feel comfortable when Annabeth was dead. She died alone. If possible, Percy felt his chest shatter even further.

Percy took a shaky breath and glanced at his watch. 12:30 pm. Lunch. He missed breakfast and two of his classes, not that it mattered. He wasn't hungry anyways. Percy willed his feet to walk towards Hogwarts.

His feet were heavy. His head was pounding. All Percy could hear was static around him. White noise drowning out concerned teachers and questioning students.

Percy dragged himself towards Hogwarts. He stumbled into the school and without thinking, headed straight for McGonagall's office, leaving a trail of stinking lake water-sludge behind him.

Students whispered in the halls, as most would do upon seeing a soaking wet wizard trudge sadly through the corridors. Percy ignored them.

Percy came to a stop in front of Professor McGonagall's door. His hands were frozen at his sides. He couldn't knock. Percy stood there gazing emptily at the door.

He didn't react when the door opened and he was met with a furious McGonagall. The professor's gaze softened when she saw the state he was in.

"Percy?" Minerva questioned carefully. Percy didn't reply. His mind was blank. It was the only way to keep himself alive. "Percy?" Professor McGonagall said again. She studied the soaking wet demigod. Hesitantly she asked, "Are you alright?"

Percy didn't answer. He couldn't bring himself to answer McGonagall's question.

Carefully, Professor McGonagall guided Percy into her office, and quietly closed the door behind him, casting a silencing charm on the room. She slowly brought him over to the couch, and sat him down.

Percy sat silently on the couch, still as one of Medusa's victims.

McGonagall silently waved her wand and Percy became dry.

"Percy, what happened?" Needless to say Minerva was confused. She thought one of his abilities was staying dry when wet. Not to mention, he missed breakfast and two classes. None of his fellow classmates have heard from him since the night before. McGonagall worried about what could have happened in the past 12 hours.