The Switch (pjo/hp)

Chapter 8: The Strength Within

"No, it's fine," Percy said, although it kind of wasn't.

"No, really. I tried to get them to take off the badges," Cedric said. How can 9ne person be so nice?

"Hey, it's really okay," Percy said, remembering what he came to do originally. "Anyway, I came to tell you something. Something about the first task."

"You know what it is?" Cedric asked curiously, urging him on.

"Yes," Percy replied. "It's dragons. I don't know more than that, but it's something to do with dragons."

Cedric stared at him for a second, before saying, "why are you telling me this?"

Percy thought for a second. "Well, all the other Champions know, and I found it unfair you be the only one who didn't."

Cedric gave Percy a warm smile. "Thanks a lot, Harry. I owe you a lot."

Percy momentarily froze, before remembering that he was supposed to be Harry. "Don't mention it." Then he said, "literally. We're not supposed to know, so..."

"Yeah, of course," Cedric nodded. "Thanks again." And he went back to his friends.

Percy finally let out a breath he didn't notice he was holding. That went surprisingly well. Now back to the problem at hand. Even though he knew what he was facing, he had no idea as to how he was going to survive. If he lived through it for two minutes, it would be a miracle.

As he walked back in the direction of the empty class Draco and him were training in, he stumbled upon a man he was hoping he wouldn't see until next Monday.

"Potter," Moody said. "Come with me."

Percy nervously followed the crippled man to his office. Was he in trouble? Did Moody know that Percy figured out what the first task was?

Moody sat on his desk chair, and motioned for Percy to do the same. "Sit. I'm not going to bite you," he said in a probably-by-accident harsh tone. Percy flinched, as he obeyed.

"I know you figured out what the task is," Moody started, and Percy's mind went into a panic. "I won't tell anyone," he assured Percy, but he wasn't really assured. "What you did with Diggory was very nice of you."

"Um - thank you?" Percy reluctantly said.

"As you are underage, the others have an advantage over you. Are you preparing?" He caught Percy by surprise. Was he... helping him?

"Well, kind of," Percy admitted. "It's not going so well."

"What do you excel at?" He sighed inpatiently at Percy's confused expression. "Do you feel any sort of connection with something that might help you?"

Percy thought hard. What was he good at? Nothing, or at least nothing he could remember. A connection, though... he thought back to the feeling he got whenever he was close to water. How it gave him energy and confort when he touched it. But what good would water do him?

"Anything can help, even if you think it can't," Moody urged.

"The water," Percy blurted out, knowing he sounded pretty stupid.

"There we go," Moody exclaimed. "Use that to your advantage. Don't think of your weaknesses, but of your strengths!"

"I don't get how water'll help me," Percy said dully.

"Ah, but it will. You wait and see." This man was starting to creep Percy out even more than he did originally. "You can go now. Think about what I said. Use the strength you have within."

"Um, okay," Percy said half-heartedly, as he practically ran out the room. Well that was a waste of time.

-----

After explaining what had happened with him to Draco, Percy sighed. "How can I use water to my advantage?"

"I don't know, but the guy's a nutcase." Draco warned. "Let's keep training. Maybe you'll be able to finally do the stunning spell."

Percy doubted it.

-----

Draco was hanging out with some of his Slytherin friends, he said he wouod be back soon, so Percy was just wondering the grounds. He sat by the lake, feeling safe beside it. He reached over and put his hand in the water. The same surge of warmth and safty fuelled him - it made him feel more alive.

He took his shoes off, and let his legs dangle into the water. He inhaled softly. This - this was the feeling he had missed for so long.

He let himself get lost in his thoughts. That blonde girl from his dream-vision-thing... he was now sure he knew her. They had been close. But her name... it was there, but at the same time, it wasn't. It was mildly frustrating, but he decided to stay calm.

That sent he loved so much filled his nose, but it was only imaginary. Nico wasn't here. He wouldn't be able to get to him until the end of this, unless... he found a way to communicate with him. Tell him where he was. Then, maybe he would get to see him. The thought lifted his mood a little.

He swung his legs back and forth, slightly splashing water over his clothes, but he didn't care. His clothes didn't even get wet.

Wait, backtrack. His clothes didn't get wet? How?

Perhaps he wasn't crazy. He might actually have a connection to the water, but he couldn't remember it!

If he didn't get wet, and the water boosted him, mentally and physically... then, could he control it?

It was a long shot, and Percy was probably just desperate, but he focused on the water tickling his hands, and only that. Nothing happened, as Percy expected. He tried again, this time harder, and felt a tugging sensation in his stomach. It was probably because he was hungry.

He opened his eyes, only to be met with a floating bubble of water. He looked around, to see if someone cast a spell for some sick joke, but no one was around. He turned his attention back fully on the bubble of water. He willed it to go to the right, and it moved slightly.

"Holy Hera," Percy muttered, in complete shock.

Maybe he did have an advantage.

Word count: 1704

Hey guys! Merry late Christmas to ya'll, I hope you had a nice Christmas!

Anyhow, here's the eighth chapter. I hope you enjoyed this. I might update again today, as I am feeling like shit right now, and have got nothing to do. If I don't update, be sure that I will at least be writing more today (although I should be studying rn- )

If you liked this chapter, please hit that vote button (if you like) it would help me a lot and motivate me. Thanks!

Suggested fanfic: 'I dare you to tame me (a Jercy Au)' by lilly050707.

Have a lovely day! Until the next Chapter!