Percy Jackson and the Heir of Slytherin [Book 2]

7) Late to the Train

I got sick. That wasn't good.

On my birthday, I got sick. Instead of eating cake and going around town with Luke as I had planned, I ended up curled on the couch with a fever of 104.

"C'mon, Perce, you've got to eat something."

I shook my head, shivering even under the heavy blanket I had.

"You won't get better if you don't eat," Luke said, waving a bowl of soup in front of me.

"Not hungry," I mumbled.

Luke sighed and kneeled beside me, "I know you're not hungry, and I know you don't feel well, but you need to eat. I need you to eat."

I opened my eyes and looked up at Luke, "Why?"

"I need you to eat because I love you. If you don't eat, you can't get better. And if you don't get better, I'll be really sad," Luke said, a sad look on his face.

I nodded and sat up, shutting my eyes for a second.

I ate part of the soup before shooting up and stumbling to the bathroom.

I sat in front of the toilet, the soup I just ate coming back up. Luke kneeled behind me, running his hand through my hair and telling me that he was sorry.

Once I was finished, I leaned back into Luke, shivering again. Luke wrapped his arms around me and whispered, "You want to go to your room?"

I nodded and he lifted me up, taking me to my bedroom. I curled under my blanket, shivering still. I started coughing, and couldn't stop. Luke held a hand to my back as I coughed.

I exhausted myself pretty quick after that.

And I ended up being sick for much longer than normal.

It was a bit on and off for awhile, but I was sick most of the time. Luke took his paperwork home with him, staying to take care of me. His partner came to bring his work for him, and she brought me soup once. Luke learned to feed me tiny bits at a time, so it actually stayed inside.

The most distinct part I remember was waking up at some time in the AM, stumbling out of my room. I'd seen Luke for just a moment, scribbling away at papers with a monster proof computer in front of him.

Then I'd hurled in the toilet again. Luke had come straight to my aid, calming me just by being there.

Luke eventually ended up taking me to the doctor when I passed out in the living room.

The doctor had examined me for awhile, asking about my ankle and the scars that littered my arms and legs. Then, he'd had me take my shirt off. Being in the feverish state I was, I didn't care in the slightest about my chest.

But I still had been worried by Luke and the doctor's gasps.

I still have some nasty scars from the night with Quirrell. I'd tried to hide them from Luke, but now he knows. He's seen how bad it was.

I was given some antibiotics and sent home. Slowly, I got better. My fever broke the day before school started.

I'd slept in on September 1. Not a good thing, because I had to get to school. Also, not my fault because Luke had promised to wake me up.

He hadn't even woken himself up.

I was shaken awake by a frantic Luke, watching with wide eyes as he shoved clothes at me. I quickly changed and came back out with my bag. Luke then grabbed my wrist and we started running for Kings Cross.

We would have been a little faster if it weren't for my ankle.

We ran inside and saw the Weasleys. Luke immediately turned to me, hugging me, "Stay safe, have fun, and don't have any big adventures this year, okay? Make sure to keep your grades up and don't get into trouble. I love you, Perce, but I've got to get to work."

I nodded into Luke's chest, "I love you too. Go catch some bad guys for me, okay?"

Luke nodded and smiled at me as he left. I walked over to the Weasleys. Ginny and Mrs. Weasley walked through the barrier and I smiled at two of my best friends. They smiled back and started walking towards the barrier together.

Then they crashed. Ron's trunk landed on the ground with a heavy thud. Harry fell over. Hedwig started screeching very loudly.

I looked up at the clock. We still had time. We should have been able to get through the barrier.

People were staring at my friends, and I didn't know what to do. I sat there, wide-eyed as Harry and Ron talked.

Suddenly, they collected all of their things and motioned for me to follow them.

"Where are we going?" I asked, watching the excited boys.

"The car," Ron and Harry said together.

"You mean the flying one? Don't tell me you're going to fly it to Hogwarts. We should wait for help, maybe send a letter. We should definitely not fly the flying car," I said, stopping in my tracks.

Ron immediately stopped, grabbed me, and sat me on top of his trunk.

"Ronald!"

Ron picked up the pace, knowing I wouldn't jump off. My ankle was bad enough.

I glared at him while Harry snickered from beside us.

First thing Ron did when we got to the car was throw me into the back and lock the doors. He placed all of his and Harry's things into the trunk.

"Y'all are mean," I said, watching Ron start the car and begin to fly.

Everything around us turned invisible and I spoke up again, "This is a bad idea. Let me out."

"No."

I'm posting this chapter super early in the day (practically the night) because I've decided to write a original plot for one of the chapters in my other book. I'm really excited, but I know that I'll probably be asleep when I should post this, so I'll make sure to do it while I'm awake. Also, if you do read the other book and the chapter, know that I actually have nothing against Oklahoma, or its shapeshifters. Also, sorry that Percy threw up a lot in this chapter. I just wanted him to be late to the train, but didn't have any good stuff to put before that. Hope you enjoy.

See you Thursday.