Percy Jackson || The Hogwarts Champion

3|| Percy (again)

"I have something to announce." Professor McGonagall's voice rang through the transfiguration room. "THe Yule Ball is approaching-- a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth years and above-- although you may invite a younger student if you wish. Dresses and dress robes will be worn, and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight in the Great Hall. Now then--" she paused and stared around at the class, especially at Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, who had begun to giggle violently. "The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to-- er-- let our hair down."

Now it was several other students to snigger. Professor McGonagall looked like, with her hair pulled in a tight bun, that she had never in her life let her hair down.

"But that does NOT mean," she went on harshly, "that we will be relaxing the standards of behavior we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in every way. Especially our champions."

Everyone now turned to stare at Harry and Percy. Harry didn't make eye contact. Percy stared back, unwavering.

The bell rang. 

"Potter, Jackson," McGonagall called over the scuffle and flurry of activity to leave the classroom. "A word, if you please."

They waited until the rest of the class left. "Now, the champions and their partners--"

"What partners?" Harry blurted suddenly.

"Your dance partners," McGonagall said clearly. "For the Yule Ball."

"Dance partners?" Harry's voice escalated faster than the death scene in Bambi. "I don't dance."

"Oh, yes you do," McGonagall said irritably. "That's what I'm telling you. Traditionally, the champions and their partners open the ball."

"I'm not dancing," Harry said firmly again.

"It is traditional," McGonagall said as firmly. "You are a Hogwarts Champion, and you will do what is expected of you as a representative as a representative of the school." Her voice hardened at the end, and Percy had a sudden flashback to about two minutes ago. "I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in every way. Especially our champions."

"Now, you had better get yourself a partner," McGonagall said. Then she turned to Percy, who was standing next to Harry, rocking on the balls of his feet. "Thank you, Mister Jackson, for being so accepting of this."

Percy just nodded, smiling. McGonagall swept out promptly, after one more warning look at Harry.

Then Percy turned to Harry. "I'M SO DEAD," he whisper/screamed, wringing his hands through his hair. Then he turned and ran, whisper/screaming from the room.

>>>•O•<<<

Percy couldn't stop staring at Annabeth. Her eyes were sparkling in the reflective light of the ice. Ice and snow was everywhere, making her skin nearly glow with perfection. Her silver dress and eyes sparkled with a icy blue tint. Her hair wrapped around her shoulder in a braid glittered with a thousand crystals of snow that fell lightly, but didn't melt and wasn't cold.

She really did look like Elsa.

Annabeth elbowed him slightly as the music began to play. It was so subtle, it could almost pass as accidental.

"Look, Thalia and Nico are dancing," she said, her voice laced with amusement. Percy looked as well, nearly choking on his blue pizza at the sight of their faces. They were clearly muttering things under their breath at each other, probably continuing the 'you're offensive' battle.

The band struck the final tune, and Thalia lifted her heel, stomping down heavily on Nico's toe.

"Technically, they didn't step on each other while they were dancing," Annabeth said.

"Let's hope that doesn't happen to us." Percy stood up and offered his hand to Annabeth as the band struck up another song. "Will you join me, m'lady?"

Annabeth smiled and took his hand. "Gladly. But do what Thalia did and you're dead."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Percy said, grinning. He and Annabeth walked out on the ice-like dance floor as the band began another song. Around them, other couples were doing the same.

"Remember Westover Hall?" Percy murmured to Annabeth.

She smiled. "___ years from now? Let's hope you're a better dancer than then, Seaweed Brain."

Percy smiled back. "That would be a blessing." They swayed to the music, and Percy didn't step on her foot once. Yet.

Then suddenly, someone bumped into them, and Annabeth was pushed against Percy's arms. He leaned down quickly and pecked her cheek. "Looks like I'm not the one falling over this time, am I?"

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Oh, shut up Seaweed Brain."

Then another person pushed past them, as if they were in heavy pursuit of the first person.

"That was Jason," Percy said suddenly, his eyes following them. "And I'm guessing that was Piper."

Annabeth sighed heavily. "He's screwed up again, hasn't he?"

"Yeah." They both stood, looking at the disappearing form of Jason and Piper as the two turned the corner. 

"Should we go after them?" Percy finally asked after a moment of silence.

"Nah. They need to figure it out on their own. And besides, Aphrodite would never allow them to break up. Jiper is her favorite ship."

"Woah, woah, woah." Percy frowned. "Jiper?"

"Yeah, it's their couple name. We're Percabeth. Really, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth looked at her confused boyfriend in exasperation. "It's not that uncommon for a couple to have a ship name. Almost all the campers back at camp whisper it whenever they see us together."

"Yeah, I know that," Percy said distractedly. "But why is Jiper Aphrodite's favorite? Shouldn't it be us? We're the cuter couple!"

Annabeth laughed, a light sound that made Percy's heart go ba-bum. "Okay, one, Piper is her daughter. Of course she's going to be favored out of us. And two, do we really want to be Aphrodite's favorite? I mean, she favored Paris and Helen, and look how they turned out."

"True." Percy smiled down at Annabeth. "Always so wise, girl."

Annabeth let out a small groan. "Oh gods, never do that again."

Percy laughed as the band finished up the song. "You know you love it."

Annabeth gave a noncommital grunt in response.

sorry for being inactive the past few days, I've been realllly busy because I've been at a volleyball camp that goes from 9 AM to 4 PM every day, but it's almost over so hopefully I'll update more!