"Aren't they about finished yet?" grumbled Ginny impatiently, looking down at Harry and Percy again. Harry had his face in his hands, looking really desperate. "Oh, poor Harry."
"He'll get through it," Annabeth assured her again. "He reminds me of Percy, stubborn as an ox, but they always seem to survive." Ginny smiled for a second, then her face fell again.
"But what if he doesn't?" Annabeth's face darkened. "What?"
"Well, I've thought Percy was dead before," she admitted. "He blew up a volcano and disappeared for a couple weeks. It was bad." Ginny put a hand on Annabeth's shoulder. "But he still came back. Course, I attacked him when he did, but…" Ginny smiled.
"I'm sure he knew you were just worried."
"I don't know, I think I sort of scared him off for a while."
"At least he survived though," Ginny said.
"Enjoy the time you have," Annabeth recommended. "Percy and I didn't get together until after the battle."
"Why not?"
"Well, I kissed him once," Annabeth admitted. "Right before the volcano incident. But like I said, I think I scared him off afterwards."
"Why didn't you go after him then?"
"Listen, Harry's going to do what he thinks is right," Annabeth said. "You're going to have to let him." Ginny frowned.
"What do you…"
"It looks like we should go back now," Annabeth said, looking back down at Percy and Harry.
+0+
Annabeth started stirring faintly. Percy looked away from Harry, back to her.
"Annabeth," he said. "Annabeth, are you there?" Her eyes fluttered open. "Hey."
"Hey," she replied. "Am I back to normal now?" Percy smiled.
"Well, normal…" She sat up, rewarding him with a light punch on the arm.
"Very funny, Seaweed Brain," she grumbled, failing to hid the smile in her eyes.
"I thought so," he replied mischievously. She couldn't help but grin.
"Don't go getting cocky," she teased.
"You know you love it," he replied, leaning down and kissing her softly.
+0+
"Gin?" Harry said, leaning over her. Her eyes snapped open.
"Harry," she said, grinning at him.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Fine," she smiled up at him.
"Good," he replied. "I've been really mumph." Ginny raised her head up to his, stopping him by covering his lips with her own. She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him down onto her. After a few minutes, Harry pulled back. Ginny frowned at him as he pulled her up so she was sitting next to him. Harry jerked his eyes quickly over to where Annabeth and Percy were standing. Immediately she blushed deep red.
Annabeth and Percy walked over, hand in hand. Harry stood, helping Ginny to her feet. The two couples faced each other.
"Nice to meet you," Percy said, holding out a hand to Harry. Harry took it.
"You too," he said, smiling.
"And thanks," Ginny replied, walking forward and hugging Annabeth.
"Remember what I said," Annabeth whispered into her ear. "It was nice meeting you." They broke apart, going back over to Harry and Percy.
"Well, I guess we'll see you if we see you," Harry said. Percy nodded.
"Good luck."
"Thanks." Harry pulled out the parchment. "Grab on Ginny." Ginny grabbed the paper.
"Bye!" all four chorused as Harry tapped the parchment with his wand. It glowed blue, and Harry and Ginny disappeared.
"Well that was interesting," Percy said, turning to Annabeth.
"I certainly didn't expect that today," Annabeth agreed. "Which reminds me, how exactly did I get knocked unconscious?"
"Um…" Percy stuttered. "I might have splashed Thalia while she was getting ready to zap something resulting in her zapping you…" Annabeth frowned. "I'm really sorry."
"Will you help me retaliate against Thalia?" Annabeth said, smiling mischievously.
"Oh, I don't know…" he said. Annabeth laughed, and he put his arm around her. "So what's the plan?"
"I don't know quite yet," she replied. Percy smiled as they both walked over to Blackjack and Mrs. O'Leary.
Boss, get this crazy dog away from me! Percy laughed. "Mrs. O'Leary, heal." Instead she rushed over, licking both of them. Percy pat her head. "See you back at camp girl." Mrs. O'Leary nodded, running off. Annabeth raised an eyebrow at him.
"You'll have more time to think on Blackjack," he said.
"Oh, right," she said. "I'm sure that's what you're thinking." She kissed him again. After a little while, Blackjack neighed indignantly.
Hey, not in front of me! They broke apart, both climbing onto Blackjack's back.
"Sorry," Percy said.
Yeah, sure. No one minds the horse. Annabeth wrapped her arms around Percy's waist.
"I think I'm beginning to see your logic here," she said, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I thought you might," he replied as they took off.
EWWWWWW! Have some pity, horses can't throw up!
+0+
Harry and Ginny appeared on the grounds once more. Ginny inhaled deeply, sighing contentedly.
"Much better," she said, leaning into Harry's chest. Harry smiled down at her.
"It's good to have you back," he replied. She pulled back from his chest so she could look him in the eye.
"So, how many people know I'm missing?"
"Me, Ron, Dumbledore," Harry listed. "Well, Ron probably told Hermione, Merlin knows he can't keep secrets from her."
"Would they know were back yet?" She asked.
"Don't see how they could," Harry replied, liking where this conversation was going. "I'd say they won't miss us for a while." Ginny grinned.
"That's the answer I was looking for," she replied, as he leaned down. She brought her face up to his, wrapping her arms around him as he held her tightly.