Demigods at Hogwarts

Chapter Twenty-Three: Percy Jackson

Hi guys! You must have thought I'd died, huh? Well, I'm back from the dead! (No thanks to Nico)

So, I got a few death threats last time, and I finally updated. After a month!

I just wanna say: OMG YOU GUYS ARE CRAZY SIRIUSLY 16.7K READS AND A BEST-I'VE-EVER-READ REVIEW THANK YOU OMG.

Ok, I'm literally crying. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!

So we have a little Dark!Percy here, and a cryptic message.

Also, I have evil plans for Caleo, if any of you ship it.

So, enjoy!

~Percy~

Piper let out a muffled noise which I assume was a cry of protest. One of Calypso's eyebrows went up.

Does Luna even know that this really is the goddess Aphrodite? I thought, but then, stupidly, I said, "Who?"

"She's a witch who all the girls in the entire school hired to help them get ready for the Midnight Ball on Sunday," said Hermione, materializing on the other side of Aphrodite, who gave me a smile I remembered from when I was thirteen. It was definitely the goddess, in the immortal flesh.

"Everyone is required to look their best for the ball," Hermione continued. "Even boys."

I cringed. I had to dress up to go to a dance?

Luna smiled serenely. "The Midnight Ball is a more prestigious event than even the Yule Ball, which is held during the Triwizard Tournament." It took me a second to remember that Luna was a Ravenclaw, the smartest of the Houses. She wasn't completely nuts every second.

"What?" I said, referring to the Yule Ball.

"Never mind," Hermione said, shaking her head. "Oh, and that reminds me," she pointed to Calypso and Will. "Guest quarters. C'mon, I'll show you to your rooms."

Will and Calypso followed her, looking bewildered.

"Why?" I said.

"Percy," Annabeth sighed. "Stop saying one word sentences."

"Um," Jason said. "Aphrodite. Here! Hello!"

"Right," I said. "What are we talking about?"

***

At dinner, we all gathered in the common room. Everyone else was eating, so no one bothered us.

The fire crackled, warming the chilly December air. Even so, we all grabbed blankets. Most people opted to sit close to Leo, not a normal occurrence, but he gave off a blissful heat.

I cuddled with Annabeth. She was shivering, and hugging Piper, who looked traumatized.

Will was pouring a cherry-colored drink for everyone. When I got my glass, I took a sip. It tasted like a melted cherry Jolly Rancher and warmed me to the bone.

I felt the comfortable pressure of Riptide in my back pocket, and twined my fingers with Annabeth's.

"Aphrodite pulled me out of Transfiguration to have a chat." Piper took the silence as an opening. "She said that 99 out of 100 girls paid a Galleon to have her help with make-up, hair, and clothes for the dance. Even a few boys paid up."

Ick," Leo said.

"I think you'd look great in a tux, though" Piper told Jason, who looked ready to gag.

"Who are you and what have you done with my Piper?" he asked.

"Sorry," Piper said, shaking her head. "Mom's poisoning my thoughts."

"The Aphrodite curse," Leo said, from his squashed position between Calypso and Frank. He added, "Dude, get off! You're crushing me into Leo-Pulp!"

"Ok, so we need a plan," said a sickly sweet voice from next to me. I turned, because I was sure that Annabeth had been next to me a few seconds ago.

"Hello again, my pawn," Gaea purred. Her eyes were closed; she looked exactly like my nightmares.

I screamed, yanking Riptide out of my pocket and uncapping it. As the blade erupted, it nicked Gaea on the cheek. I pinned her among the blankets and held my sword to her throat. Annabeth screamed. Wait, Annabeth?!

I leapt off her, sobbing. I just tried to kill Annabeth! Why?

I stumbled away, tears blurring my vision. I tore open the door and smacked a third year away from me.

I charged out onto the grounds, my breath hitching in my chest.

Without thinking, I ran to the lake, empty and frosted over. I smashed a hole in the ice, big enough for my brother to fit through.

I dove in. The water wrapped around me, cold and welcoming. The good thing about crying underwater is that no one can tell.

Perseus. A voice boomed in my head. I uncurled from the ball I had wound myself into.

I took a quick breath. It wasn't awkward to breathe underwater anymore.

A gigantic pale-pink and milky-brown mottled squid was making its way toward me. Perseus, I heard again.

"Dad?" I said.

Armonas is my messenger. I pass my thoughts through him. I can only give you this. He will rise! Her-. The voice shut off.

A voice carried through the water. "Mate, you must be freezing down there! Are you alright?"

I yelped, the sound a sonic boom underwater.

Paddling to the surface, I found Ron's blue eyes staring back at me.

Dam.