The True Half-Blood Prince

Chapter 14: Fatal Floor

Sectumsempra, Harry read once again from the book. He shook his head in guilt. What if that spell could have killed Draco? If Percy weren't there, would he have...?

How did he even heal Malfoy? Percy didn't have his wand, yet he could still save Draco and fix the bathroom.

What if Percy really was the author of the potions book and he knew exactly what 'Sectumsempra' meant? That's why he knew what to do to heal Draco, right? No, what if Percy was someone- something else entirely? Harry had a headache.

"I think it's time you've got rid of that book," Hermoine told him as Ginny rubbed his back supportively, "It's very unhealthy for you, Harry. What if it turns you really...?"

Bad, Harry thought up as a conclusion, evil, murderous?

"I didn't think the book would have that kind of spells," Harry admitted, "Really, I swear, I thought that it wouldn't harm Draco that badly. I didn't know-"

"That is exactly why you should get rid of the book, Harry," Ginny said reassuringly, "and I think I know just the right place."

* * *

"Percy!" Annabeth snapped angrily, "You used your powers without your wand?!"

"Harry stole my wand!" Percy said defensively, "He didn't trust us in the first place. He never did. We both had the same strategy- get close to the target, gain their trust, protect. But, instead of the 'protect' part, Harry was just trying to squeeze some information out of us."

"He was suspicious of us," Annabeth stated logically, "Of course he'd want to know what different abilities we had, Percy. That doesn't give you a reason to allow him to be even more curious."

Percy groaned, "Great, now how are we going to fix this? He hasn't spoken to me since the bathroom!"

Realisation snapped through Annabeth's body. She stared at Percy. "He told you about Professor Slughorn's memory."

"So?" Percy asked, "It doesn't mean..."

"Seaweed Brain," Annabeth sighed, "Yes, so we lost our trust with the target-"

"Is that what we're calling him now?" Percy mumbled softly.

"- But you know that something bad is coming. We were sent here to protect Harry and gain his trust for Hecate, yet Harry never could have done that unless we told him the truth..."

Percy bit his lip. He was a bit nervous at what Annabeth was getting to. "You want me to tell Harry that we're demigods?"

"No," Annabeth said, "You're going to tell Harry that you can move water without your wand like the 'special wizard' you are."

After a few moments of silent agreement, Percy nodded his head. But it still wasn't enough.

"If he keeps pushing us away?" he asked.

Annabeth frowned and slowly held Percy's hands in her own.

"Loyalty, Percy," she reminded him, "Your fatal flaw."

Percy looked away from her guiltily because he knew she was right.

"I hate it when I know I've let someone down," he said, "It felt horrible...the look he gave me as if I betrayed him."