Nexus (The Demigod Wizard) Part 2

The Forbidden Forest

Percy turned to Ron. "I'm sorry, Ron. There's something you need to know." As the wizard's face paled, Percy led him inside.

Ron ran over to his family, horror on his face as he saw his fallen brother. Percy turned away—that was private.

"Why did Voldemort kill him?" Percy asked, his voice cracking. Snape had been a terrible person, but he had always hidden the best of himself. Although the two had disliked each other, it was still a loss.

"He thought—he thought the Elder wand wasn't responding to him. Because Snape killed Dumbledore. So it owed him his allegiance."

That didn't seem quite right. Something was off, but Percy couldn't put his name on it.

"You're alive," Hermione assessed, staring at Percy as if she couldn't believe it. "When you left, I thought..." She cleared her throat. "I thought I wouldn't see you again."

"It takes more than an army of wizards and giants to off me," Percy promised with a snarky grin.

Hermione laughed despite herself and threw her arms around him. Percy held her, revelling in the fact that she was safe. They sat down on the stairs and held each other for a while. Ron joined them at some point, so Percy put his other arm around the tear-faced wizard.

That was how Harry found them a little later.

They heard footsteps and turned to see him walking shakily down the steps. It was silent in the hall as they took him in. His eyes looked haunted. Percy wondered just what he'd seen.

"I worried you'd gone to the Forest," Hermione breathed, jumping up.

"I'm going there now," Harry said, walking past her.

"Are you mental?" Ron demanded. "You can't give yourself up! I just lost...I can't lose another brother."

"Let him go," Percy said quietly.

Ron and Hermione glared at him in shock and anger. "What?!"

Harry stopped walking. He turned around to look at Percy dead in the eyes.

"You knew. All this time...you knew."

Percy's heart hammered. "Yes." It was simple. Agreement. He did not attempt to deny it.

"And you didn't tell me."

"I couldn't." His stomach turned.

"What is it?" Hermione demanded. "What is it that you two know?"

Harry took a deep breath. "There's a reason I can hear them." His voice was filled with pain and finality. "The horcruxes. A part of his soul is inside me. I think I've known for a while, deep down." He turned to Percy. "And I know you have, too."

Tears streaked down Hermione's face as she understood.

Harry had to die.

"I'll go with you," she sobbed.

Harry shook his head. "No. Kill the snake." He turned back to his cousin.

Percy could tell that Harry was putting all of the pieces together.

"The prophecy. Kill the snake and then it's just him, Percy."

Hermione sobbed and hugged Harry, who held her with shaking arms.

It was cruel to ask Harry to die, but Percy knew it was necessary.

Harry let go of the witch. He looked at his friends one last time before he left for the Forbidden Forest.