24 The Dark wizards return

What Hermione told Percy that morning in her room was not short, nor simple. But at the same time, Ronald Weasley, who lived in a complete separate country, who had received the Daily Prophet moments ago, was having complex emotions he hasn't thought he would feel.

He held the paper with both hands, eyes wide open, and wild thoughts screamed inside his head. After the breakup, Ron thought he bore no more feelings toward Hermione. For the exactly same reason he had agreed to Lavender's suggestion of breaking up with her. Ron still cared about her, of course. The fact that she never got with another guy in these three years stroked his ego a little though he would never admit to that. Harry, believed that Hermione was a grown up woman who could make a decision for herself, but nonetheless she was a broken girl. So how is it possible that when he looks into the picture he sees a woman in love... but not with him anymore? This confused him. He had been finding himself pacing throughout the day Lavender had called him out on this several times he would smile and make a joke and stop only to begin again when he wasn't thinking.

-HERMIONE-

When Percy, watched her wet hair glisson in the room light, he sat waiting across the threshold of her room for her next words to leave her mouth. Hermione watched him back for awhile and there were no other words to explain him other than a giant puppy, or maybe a baby seal. From the fidgeting fingers to his wide and twinkling eyes, she could actually see how nervous Percy was, how much he cared. It helped her gather the rest of the courage to say what she meant to say.

"In conclusion I've decided that I like you. And I like you very very much. In fact, I like you too much to just call it a rare mistake. My time with you so far has been only good and better throughout, and I… would love to try something more with you."

Hermione had been struggling with this decision for weeks going back and forth in her mind, and what really tipped the scales with Percy was the pictures from the Daily Prophet. It had literally been years sine she had felt as much passion for any man, to be honest she was in love with Ron but she never felt a uncontrollable desire for anyone. Not even Ron. This was new and she decided she felt she owed it to herself to see where this was going.

Percy was frozen and staring at her mouth, so Hermione coughed a bit before continuing.

"I know I've haven't told you but it has been so far me since I've had a long-term relationship. But... if you're, I mean, if you could have a bit of faith in me, then I'll try to have faith in myself and in this relationship as well—"

Hermione noticed that she was merely speaking gibberish now, but she could not stop before Percy said anything. Why was he so quiet?

"—so I guess, what I'm just trying to say here is that I'd really really like to—"

Then Percy grabbed her face and pulled her forward, gently yet still swiftly. He kissed her, and Hermione could feel his lips spread into a smile while they kissed. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck. Soon, Percy, grabbing her waist and thigh, hoisted her up, and Hermione held herself up by grabbing Percy's waist with her legs. Then they spun around a bit, having a brief rest from the kiss and giggling, until they reached the bed and fell onto it. Percy fell on his back with Hermione still on him, and the two just easily immersed into more intense kissing and caressing. It, of course, led naturally to the 'adult' things they had been speaking about earlier.

A few Hours later

Percy stared at her wordlessly. Hermione was instantly scared. What if he thought this ridiculous and did not find the relationship worth all the trouble? Perhaps sensing that he was scaring her by his silence, he held up his hand and caressed her cheek.

"But how did she find out you're seeming me? Hermione had just showed Percy the Daily Prophet and gave him a quick explanation about what happened.

Percy turned his head toward her pointedly. His eyes had the look that said Tell me the truth. So, she told him that at one point she was a witch whom became famous after fighting in a magical war and now paparazzi from a newspaper decided to make her already complex life more complicated? "I have to admit, whoever took those photos caught really good moments." Percy said looking at the paper.

"Well, I mean I was definitely falling for you that night, it must have shown in the photos, but wow, whoever took and posted those photos is a huge douchebag. So everybody thinks we've been in this relationship for a while?"

Hermione smiled this started to feel a little less like a big deal now that she told him. She started to get excited about sharing her world with him and learning about his. If she hadn't been so afraid of this relationship and mind blown about the prophecy she would have probably made his ears fall off with all the questions she had.

-Percy-

New Rome had been busy all morning attempting to patch some of the damage that had been done during the attack. Nico hasn't shown up yet and it appears he hasn't come up from the underworlds for a few days. Luckily Talia sent him an Iris message and successfully got through. So now we just need to wait while everything get set in place to move to camp half-blood. Hermione has started asking questions... Endless questions. I didn't really mind though. Her expression were adorable, evidently she showed every different emotion on her face. "She would be a horrible poker player! I laughed when I thought of that." Of course she had to know what I'd been laughing at, when I told her she blushed a deep red and smacked my shoulder in embarrassment.

"ADHD is one of your abilities? Are you joking" Hermione said looking stricken.

"Not just mine" Percy admitted sheepishly. "ADHD allows demigods to react quickly to situations. It's mostly in action when a demigod is fighting, where they can learn their opponents moves and fighting styles, and use them against their opponents. We also quickly pick up small details." Percy concluded.

Hermione's mind rilled from the new information. After a while we were settled on a park bench with Hermione's head laying on my lap. She had her eyes closed when she remembered something and her eyes snapped open. My brows rose at her actions but I waited for her question.

"Were you there in the dream last night!" She said fear edging her voice.

"Yes." I replied my face stern. "I had already relayed my demigod dream to Reana this morning while she was in the shower. We analysed it but it seems we are still missing information." I told her frowning and suddenly I remembered both Harry and Hermione were there. I originally wasn't focused on that fact since I think Hermione was a demigod as well and it isn't uncommon for demigods to share a dream or two. But Harry didn't seem to be one so why was he there, I had been so caught up I neglected that fact.

"Was that... Hecate?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure who the other person was. He doesn't match any Roman or Greek myths I am aware of..." the look on Hermione's face made him stop mid sentence. "You know who he is." He said. it wasn't a question but she nodded anyway.

"Voldermort."

Editor's note:

Ok I guess I should stop calling them Bonus chapters and saying new chapter release. I can't seem to help it I am almost just as exciting to release them as I like to read them. I hope you enjoy because I like where it is all going!