Percy Jackson || The Hogwarts Champion

5|| guess who... Percy!

"I'm sure she's fine, Percy," Harry said anxiously as the clock struck nine. They had half an hour to the task, and neither Annabeth, nor Ron, nor Hermione had showed up yet. Harry's fingers were clasped tightly around a large clump of gillyweed which Percy had fetched from the bottom of the lake the day before. Harry was holding it so tightly that lake water had long since stopped seeping from the cracks between his fingers, and the gillyweed was now half the size it once was. Percy hoped it still worked. But he was more worried about Annabeth than Harry.

"Then where are they?" Percy wondered.

Harry shrugged helplessly. "They probably came back when we were sleeping, then got up early to get good seats." Even to him, the excuse sounded weak.

"And why exactly would they want good seats?" Percy demanded. "They'll literally be staring at a lake for an hour. What could there possibly be to watch?"

Harry shrugged again. "I dunno, ask Dumbledore."

And as neither Hermione nor Annabeth were with them, neither of them put two and two together.

"Well, we might as well go over now," said Harry after a few more minutes. "Or we're going to be late."

They were still twenty minutes early, so they both sat on the edge of the lake. And waited. And waited. And waited. After what seemed like ages, Bagman walked over to them.

"Alright, Harry? Got a plan?" He said quietly, as to prevent Percy from hearing him. Percy heard anyways, but didn't say anything as Harry nodded, his fingers working the remaining moisture from the gillyweed. Percy was pretty sure it was completely dry now, all the slime having been squeezed out long ago, but it probably still worked. Right?

"Well, all our champions are ready for the second task, which will start on my whistle!" The booming voice of Bagman rang across the lake, loud and clear for the stands. Percy winced. "They have precisely an hour to recover what has been taken from them. On the count of three, then. One... two... three!"

Percy waved his wand around his head, just for show, and jumped into the water. As he pushed himself to the bottom of the lake, everything clicked. Ron and Annabeth missing. They've taken what they'll sorely miss. An hour long to look....

A flicker of rage seeped through Percy. What right did the wizards have to take Annabeth without saying anything? No warning whatsoever? Who knew what could've happened to her?

He pushed the currents on harder. Far behind him, Harry was struggling with a Grindylow, Krum was painfully transforming into a shark, and Fleur was still near the surface, being lifted from her bubble head charm, but Percy swam onwards. He followed his instincts, letting the water push him more than swimming.

In about a minute, he found them. Well, the mermaids at least.

Mer creatures, Percy corrected himself. Or he'd never hear the end of it from Nico.

"Sea spawn," one of them hissed. They certainly did not look any better in a lake than in the ocean. And they clearly did not appreciate Percy being here.

"Uh, hey, guys." Percy tried for a smile. "I'm just going to have to get through you here, so... if you could budge over a little..."

There was a clang of metal on metal, and two tridents stood blocking his path. Percy's patience wore thin. Somewhere beyond them, Annabeth was there, probably tied up and helpless. And these stupid mer creatures were in his way.

"Listen up," he growled. "I'm going to give you three seconds to get out of the way. Or else..." Riptide extended threateningly, the bronze glowing in the murky green darkness.

The mer creatures hissed. "Of course, my lord," the lead one said mockingly. They bowed, opening up a path into a stony underwater structure. Percy swam onwards, completely aware of the hatred boring into his back. He shook his head. What did these people have against Poseidon, anyways?

But all thoughts of lake/sea creature equality was wiped from his mind as he saw them. Annabeth was hovering in the water, tied down by a seaweed rope. Her arms were eagle spread, glossy blonde hair floating like a halo around her. Her eyes were closed, and a small trail of bubbles emerged from her nose. Thank the gods, she was alive. Percy rushed forward and seized the seaweed bindings, tearing them apart and releasing Annabeth. Or at least, that's what would've happened if a) it wasn't so slippery underwater, and b) if the seaweed wasn't doubled over to be extra thick. Feeling stupid, Percy swung Riptide which cut through the bonds like butter. Well, maybe a little more resistance than butter. More like a waffle. A blue waffle. Percy! Percy scolded himself. Annabeth was slowly rising up in the water, the seaweed ropes around her ankle floating around like a leash. Percy grabbed Annabeth around the waist and began to rise slowly, to make sure that no nitrogen bubbles formed in her blood. That would be bad.

They broke the surface, and Annabeth's eyes flew open. She inhaled a deep, wheezing gasp and spluttered lake water from her mouth. Percy met her eyes, and she stopped struggling. Wrapping her arms around him, Annabeth let him push them to the shore, where they were met with a whole lot of cheers and hugs.

"Couldn't be any more subtle, Kelp Head?" Thalia smirked as she hugged him. "It's been five minutes."

Percy grinned. "What can I say? I'm good with this stuff."

"Cheater," Jason coughed under his breath.

"Shoo, now!" Madam Pomfrey bustled over with two thick, fluffy towels in her arms. They were more like blankets than anything. "All good? Safe? No bubbles in your blood?" After the two passed the inspection, she was satisfied. "Dry off, now."

"Can do," Percy said mischievously as she hurried away. They were both instantly dry. Then his smile softened. "I'm glad you're safe, Wise Girl."

Annabeth smirked. "I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself." She leaned closer and kissed him on the lips.

"Eulgh!" Thalia's disgusted tone made them pull apart, laughing. "Get a room, you two!"

Just to make a point, Percy leaned in and kissed Annabeth again. Thalia groaned.

"Oh, be quiet," Piper said from the side. "It's cute."

"Maybe to you," Thalia muttered.

"To everyone but you," Piper shot back.

"Oh, shut up." Everyone laughed, and they turned to the lake to wait for the other three champions.