With that, Percy Jackson left McGonagall's office, to finally start their quest that'll end the war.

~~~

Percy threw up.

He flopped back onto the ground. He looked at his partly missing arm. He threw up again.

Percy had suffered thousands of different injuries during his time on earth. Loosing a limb? That was new.

"Percy hold still." Hermione coaxed Percy into lying down onto the damp soil.

"'Yeah I'll do that..." Percy went to lie down. "In a minute," Percy said, before abruptly rolling over to his side to throw up again.

"Blimey, mate. That's downright disgusting." Ron commented.

"Ronald!" Hermione scolded.

Percy shot him a glare.

"I think he's sick." Harry said.

"I think," Percy puked, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve, "I think you're right."

"Right well, we can deal with that after I heal your arm."

"There's no arm to heal!"

"Shush. Just don't move. It'll um- it'll be a bit uncomfortable."

"More uncomfortable than loosing an arm?!"

Hermione didn't answer.

Percy's head swam. His vision blurred as he went in and out of consciousness. He heard Hermione whisper a spell before he felt his arm grow. Percy let out a groan.

Then as heroically as he could, Percy passed out.

~~~

"What do you mean he's sick!?" Annabeth shrieked. "Percy doesn't get sick. Unless it's from an injury, in which case he needs water, ambrosia, and nectar- is Percy hurt? Harry Potter you tell me right now or I will-"

"His arm- uh, broke."

"Harry-"

"He's okay!" Harry rushed through the IM. If it was possible, Annabeth was even scarier through a mist rainbow, and the thought that she couldn't hurt him through the Iris Message offered him little comfort. "Hermione fixed it. He's just resting right now. We made a campsite. Completely safe, barrier and everything."

Annabeth sighed and rubbed her temple. "And the locket?"

"Ron's holding onto it right now, while we figure out how to destroy it."

"Okay. That's good. Be careful though, I read horcruxes can influence people with dark thoughts. Keep an eye on Ron."

Harry nodded. "What about you? How's the strategies going?"

Annabeth's face lit up slightly. "They're good. The teachers are gathering students to help train each other and cover grounds. The professors themselves are devising strategies in how to evacuate younger students, and anyone who doesn't want to fight."

"They're students who want to fight?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Yeah, surprisingly. Most sevenths years are in, as well as sixth years. Fifth and below are forbidden from participating, but..."

"But what?"

Annabeth cracked a smile. "They're very convincing. I think McGonagall is gonna have to lower it to forbidding second and first years."

Harry chuckled quietly, not wanting to wake up Percy, Hermione, and Ron, who were currently camping out on the floor of their makeshift tent.

"I should probably go," Annabeth said. "We've got tons of work to do. Keep me updated right?"

"Always."

"Good." With that, Annabeth swiped her hand through the IM, turning around to face the Great Hall packed full of students training.

~~~

Harry sighed, running his hand through his hair. He gingerly touched his scar, wincing when it began to sting. "'Mione." Harry whispered. "'Mione, wake up."

Hermione stirred awake. "Harry? What is it? What's wrong?"

"My scar."

"What about it?" Hermione asked tiredly.

"It hurts. I- I think there's a Death Eater nearby," Harry said, glancing at Percy's unconscious form.

Hermione followed his gaze. "Harry. For the last time, Percy is not a Death Eater."

Harry rolled his eyes. "I know," He whispered back harshly.

Off in the distance, Harry and Hermione could hear branches snapping. Harry quickly got up, while Hermione shook Ron to wake him up.

Harry quietly took out his wand and walked towards the barrier that Hermione set up, trying to get a better look.

Hermione and Ron got up and followed close behind, leaving the unconscious Percy alone.

The trio stood in tense silence.

Two dogs sprang out from behind the trees, causing Harry, Ron, and Hermione to yelp in surprise. Percy began to slowly wake up.

"Its- they're just dogs." Ron commented annoyed.

Hermione began to chuckle quietly as the dogs continued to growl at them.

"Why can't they get to us?" Harry asked. "They're stuck at the border."

Hermione shrugged. "I don't know Harry. Let's just get back to the campsite- and be glad it's not a Death Eater."

Harry carefully touched his scar, sighing.

Hermione and Ron began to walk back towards where they left Percy, only to see his sleeping bag empty.

"Percy?" Ron called out. "Just like him to disappear," he mumbled.

"Where is he?" Hermione said.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked.

"Percy's bag is empty."

Harry smiled. "Good. Means he's finally awake and we can get a move on." Hermione shot Harry a glare.

"Guys." Ron said, turning around to face where the dogs were. "They're gone."

"Yes, we know Ron, you said it yourself, Percy's-"

"No. Not him." Ron responded angrily. "The dogs. They're gone."

Harry and Hermione turned around to see where Ron was pointing. "Ronald, there's no need to be rude-"

"Not dogs. Hellhounds."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione yelled out in surprise at seeing Percy in front of them, covered in gold dust.

Percy laughed. "Sorry to scare you." He walked back towards his sleeping bag and began to roll it up. "Now that I'm not at Hogwarts, monsters can follow my scent. So this quest is gonna become a lot more difficult."

Harry and Hermione stared at him in shock and confusion. Ron glowered.

"Ron you alright?" Percy asked.

"Oh, fine. Just bloody brilliant I am, thanks for asking." Ron said.

"Ron! What on earth has gotten into you?" Hermione asked.

"Wait I know." Harry said, remembering what Annabeth told him. "Ron. Take off the locket."

"Just like you, Harry. To go bossing everyone around. Who made you in charge?" Ron spoke.

Hermione and Percy realized what was going on.

"Ron," Harry started, "Give me the locket... please." He winced at how stupid that sounded.

Ron stared at Percy, before glaring at Harry while he took the locket off and handed it to him.

"Thanks." Harry put the locket on around his neck. "You'll feel better soon."

"I feel fine now." Ron argued.

"Yeah... I'll bet you do."

Percy looked at Harry. "If it's dangerous to have it on, maybe I should hold onto it. Or Hermione."

Harry gave him a look. "I'm pretty sure I can handle an evil necklace, thanks."

"Sure about that?" Percy muttered.

Harry turned around. "What'd you say?"

Percy looked up and stared Harry dead in the eyes."Nothing."

"If you have something to say, Jackson. Say it."

Percy said nothing.

Ron having felt better, stared at the situation with Hermione. "This isn't going to end well."

Harry marched up to Percy with his wand in his hand. "Ever since you came to Hogwarts, things have just gone from bad to worst! You're the last person I trust to hold onto the horcrux."

Percy chuckled darkly. "Oh I get it. So that whole 'Percy's our friend, we can trust him' that was all an act? I'm not surprised. You probably still think I'm a Death Eater, don't you?"

"Wouldn't be the first thing you lied about." Harry accused.

"Guys, stop it!" Hermione yelled.

"You're unbelievable you know that?" Percy yelled. "The only reason I'm here is to make sure you-" Percy poked Harry in the chest, "don't die."

"Yeah? I'll bet. You wanna know what I think Jackson?"

"What?" Percy glowered at Harry.

"Stop!" Hermione began to run towards them.

"I think this whole 'savior' thing is an act!"

"You know what? I've had it!" Percy uncapped Riptide from his pocket. "You think you're so tough?"

Harry held up his wand, but before he could fire any spells, Hermione ran in between him and Percy, pushing them apart. "I said stop it!"

Harry and Percy both breathed heavily.

"Harry. Give me the locket. Now." Hermione ordered. Harry angrily yanked off the necklace and slammed it into Hermione's open hand.

Before she could say anything else, Percy strode away from them and the camp.

"Percy! Where are you going?"

Percy didn't answer. He just continued walking.