Chapter 3
The Jackson-Blofis household was disappointed in the thought of another quest, but they helped with packing while Percy and Annabeth skimmed and studied the books they’d been given by Hecate.
“Do you have to go?” Estelle complained.
“Sorry, Stella, but people need our help,” Annabeth said, gently picking her up from where she’d flopped onto Annabeth’s clothes and setting her to the side.
“What if I need help on my homework?”
“Mom and dad will help you,” Percy answered. “And you can message us. You know Fleecy loves you.”
Estelle launched herself into his suitcase and peered up at him with perfect puppy eyes.
“What if I came with you!”
Percy chuckled and shook his head. “Sorry, Stell-Bell, you have school and so do we. Promise I’ll call when I can and we’ll try to come home for the holidays though.”
Estelle pouted, but nodded. Percy kissed her forehead.
“C’mon, Stell, let’s go bake something together, hm?”
Estelle cheered and dragged Percy out of the room, Annabeth laughing behind him. Too soon, it was time to go, and the Jackson-Blofis’s were hugging them all goodbye– Hazel and Frank of course included in the goodbye party.
“I would be happy to take them home over the holidays,” a woman dressed in a lovely flowy tunic and pants said, black hair tucked up into a loose, messy, not-quite-bun. Actually it was more of a half-pulled-through ponytail that sort of looked like a bun. Her wand hung from a bracelet on her wrist, like a lanyard. She had a heavy boston accent, almond skin, and a round face with thin eyes. Her smile was kind and wrinkled around her eyes slightly.
“Thank you,” Sally said with a smile. They all hugged goodbye one more time before the family drove back to New York.
“Hello!” The woman greeted with a smile. “I’m Headmistress Huang of the Salem Academy in Massachusetts!”
“So, you’re who’s playing as our headmistress while we’re at school?” Frank asked. Headmistress Huang nodded.
“Yep! Now, we’re gonna wanna go soon,” she checked a pocket watch, “it’ll be about eleven pm when we go there. I assume you all know where you’re staying?”
She watched to ensure everyone nodded before nodding herself.
“Excellent. Professor Flitwick– the Hogwarts professor meeting you– will be taking you through Diagon Alley to get your supplies at ten am sharp, okay?”
Everyone nodded once again and she held out a rope.
“We are going to be traveling using what is called a Portkey, a fixed point of teleportation that only goes from one specific location to another at one specific time. Everyone hold on tight to the rope and your luggage, okay?”
The demigods eyed the rope warily but did as bade. The Headmistress gave them all an apologetic smile.
“Oh, and, best prepare yourselves. For most, portkey is an uncomfortable travel method. Don’t be surprised if you need to vomit after.”
Frank stared at her with a milky pale face. “Wait, what-”
“Five seconds to go! Hold tight!” The headmistress said loudly and swiftly.
There was a collective shriek as it felt like the rope wrenched them everywhere and nowhere at all. The world seemed to spin and Percy had to squeeze his eyes shut. His feet suddenly slammed into concrete and he wobbled, eyes snapping open. He reeled at the sudden change in lighting, being met with a dark street. Annabeth stumbled into him, Hazel fell over, and Frank narrowly avoided crushing her.
“Excellent!” Headmistress Huang said from Percy’s left. She was looking at her pocket watch as she held the now limp rope in her white-knuckled grip. Percy felt a bit of vindictive happiness that she herself looked a bit woozy on her feet and her hair was out of place. “Just on time.”
She cleared her throat, tucked away her pocket watch, and tossed the rope over her shoulder as she reached up and untucked the ponytail, before tucking it into its not-bun again.
“Right then, let's get you settled.” She whipped her wand into her hand from the lanyard and casually flicked it. Their luggage righted itself and floated. Percy hauled up Hazel and Frank, the two brushing themselves off. Headmistress Huang walked over to a wooden door and opened it, ushering in the demigods and their luggage.
“‘Ello,” a man from behind the empty bar said. “‘Ow may I ‘elp you?”
“Hello, I’m Headmistress Huang from the Salem Academy of Bright Young Minds, these are my transfers to Hogwarts for the year. Headmaster Dumbledore should have reserved a room…?”
“Ah! Yes!” The man smiled, revealing extremely little teeth. He grabbed four keys from the counter and waddled out from behind the bar. He handed one to each of them in turn. “Jus’ up the stairs, then.”
“Thank you,” Hazel said politely. The man grinned again, before going back to wiping down the bar for the night.
“Okay,” Headmistress Huang said, clapping her hands together with a smile. “I’ll help you four home for the holidays or sooner– just message me– and I’m here for any questions you might have!”
She gave them each their luggage and twisted on her heel. She vanished with a crack, much like how Hecate had.
“Well,” Annabeth muttered. “Might as well try and get some sleep.”
They all exchanged looks. Yeah. like that would be happening. Still, the four marched up the stairs and found their rooms. Annabeth and Percy boarded up in Annabeth’s assigned room across from Hazel. For a long moment, the couple simply laid on their creaky bed, staring at the wooden ceiling, one partially atop the other.
“Can’t believe we have to do this again…” Percy whispered. “I could be home, helping Estelle with her homework, or taking her to the aquarium…”
“I know,” Annabeth sighed. Both of their gray streaks seemed more prominent these days. “But… we have Hazel and Frank with us. We can call in help from outside. And all things considered, aside from some research, it’s decently straightforward. We even have a list. At least we don’t have to puzzle out a prophecy.”
“You’re right.” Percy smiled, planting a kiss on her hair. She smiled back up at him. “What would I do without you, my honey buzz.”
She snorted so suddenly it made her throat raspy, before she broke into giggles. “You and your cheesy nicknames. How’d you even come up with that one?”
“Well, I’ve called you honeybee, busy bee, and buzzy bee. It’s kind of a mashup of those.”
Annabeth laughed, forehead hitting his shoulder gently. Percy chuckled himself at her laughter.
“I love your weird nicknames,” Annabeth mumbled into his shirt. He shifted gently to lie on his side before pulling her into his arms, the blanket bunching under them. She wound her own arms around his waist, the two giggling again as she had to wiggle one of them between Percy’s body and the bed. She looked up at him as they tangled their legs together.
“Never stop calling me them,” she whispered.
“I won’t. Wise Girl,” he whispered back, both afraid to break the peace of the semi-dusty room.
“Seaweed Brain.”
A warm, comfortable kiss was shared briefly before her head tucked under his and they closed their eyes, his hands over her neck and waist and hers between his shoulders and on the small of his back. Protecting each other, no matter what.
“I love you, Annabeth. You’re not getting away from me, never again.”
“As long as we’re together.