Voldemort. The name physically sent shivers down Percy's spine. Another power hungry enemy looking to destroy a kid. Not only that, but Harry had returned with the dead body of Percy's fellow house mate Cedric Diggory. Not that Percy knew the kid, but years of mourning the deaths of those who died in combat even if he didn't know them, prepared Percy for this. Well not prepared because no one is prepared for death, but he knew what Harry must be feeling. 

Percy let himself get lost in the joyful energy created by Liv and Valerie celebrating the return of his voice. He silently thanked Aphrodite for giving him a nudge in the direction of healing, even if she did it in an unconventional way. He grinned at his girlfriend and best friend. He was genuinely happy. He then looked back over his shoulder at Harry, Ron, and Hermione. 

Harry watched as Percy walked up to him and stuck his right hand in his pocket like it was a habit. His left hand combed through his hair before falling into the left pocket. Harry wondered why the seventeen year old was over here if he couldn't even speak. And he didn't for the first couple of minutes. 

"Look, I know you don't like me, but I've been where you are. A power hungry guy coming after you and your friends, there's definitely going to be a war. But I was worried about you while you were in the maze. I've been through a lot of stuff, a lot of crazy stuff, but I didn't have to face my enemy one on one in a creepy graveyard right after they killed my friend. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'm glad you're alive." Percy said with a bit of a smile. He didn't stay long enough to see all three of their jaws drop. 

Saying goodbye to Hogwarts wasn't as sad for Percy as it was for Liv, though the memories made tears threaten to fall. He and Liv boarded the Hogwarts Express back to Kings Cross Station in London. On the way, Liv fell asleep curled up in Percy's lap as he watched the world whiz by. In a flash of pink and the smell of rose, Aphrodite appeared. 

"Perseus." She greeted. 

"Lady Aphrodite. Thank you for this." He said jerking his head at Liv. 

"You're welcome young hero. I have a choice for you to make. I could take you back to Olympus where you can tell the council that you are alive and return to your former life, or you can make a life here in England, and I can tell the council myself that you are alive and that if they bother you for anything, things would end badly." Percy weighed his options. 

He looked down at his sleeping girl and smiled. She still had no idea what he was, but could he return to a life of risk and being a pawn for people that willingly threw him under the bus and still keep her? And if she still loved him after learning that part of him, did he want to go back? Knowing everything they put him through and what it took to make himself feel confident again? No, he couldn't. He didn't want to. He missed his mother, but he could always write to her. 

"I think I'll take the latter option. I have a chance to start new, without the weight of being the kid who was put to death for a crime he didn't actually commit but is actually alive. I do hope you'll stay in touch though." He said. The goddess of love and beauty nodded her head and smiled. She was gone the same way she appeared. 

Percy returned to gazing out the window and let the hum of the train lull him to sleep as well. 

The End.