POV Hermione

All I could think as I went off the side was, 'really? I save your friends' lives and in thanks shove me off a bed floating in the air?' What a stupid way to go. Those thoughts were smushed as I watched Frank turn into a large bird right before my eyes and snatch my flailing arm and flew us down to the horror scene that was Percy's bed. My shock was short-lived but the whole way down I was cursing him out, so when he dropped me right beside my potions teacher, he started slightly at my appearance and language, he sneered at me and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at him. Now was not the time to be nasty. I turned to the mediwitch on the other side of the bed.

"Madam Pomfrey, I have something to help. I need to shove these down his throat." Both adults scoffed at me, but Snape's drawl was what drew the line.

"Little girl what do you suspect we have been trying to achieve, for the past half hour." It wasn't a question more like a mock, it was good to know that even in situations such as this he could stand to be a greasy skeezeball to me. Pomfrey however looked just about at her wits end as she sent a quick glare his way and flicked her wand at us so I slid closer to Percy's head and Snape away.

"Please Miss Granger, if they have a special way to stop this, by all means, shove it down his throat." She then flicked her wand at me and my feet were stuck to the ground, I was now moving with the room instead of against it. I made another mental note to ask her for the spell later. Percy's face was right next to me and I crushed the large weird brownie in my hand as Madam Pomfrey held his mouth open, despite him fighting against it. I dumped it in his mouth followed immediately by the liquid gold. Percy's eyes snapped open as I held his mouth closed. His eyes were miles away, I wouldn't have been surprised if he wasn't even aware of where he was. His seagreen eyes found mine and darkened. I grabbed his hand that had come up to grab me with my own keeping his mouth covered with my other one, the wind from Jason was dying down, as were the insane mutterings from Thalia and Leo. But I leaned down closer so he would hear me wherever he was.

"Percy, Stop. I don't know what's going on but I'm trying to help you. It's Ambrosia and Nectar, Will said it would help. You have to stop," He struggled still staring into my eyes, the look he was giving was making every cell in my body try and run for the hills that surrounded the castle. A thought occurred to me, and I thanked my ever hard working brain.

"You need to calm down so you can find Annabeth." That got his attention and he slowed his struggling. I held his nose closed and his eyes widened even more.

"Swallow, you're safe at Hogwarts." He did not respond and just when I thought he was going to pass out from oxygen loss his adams apple bobbed up and down and I heard him swallow the mixture. I let go of his nose and mouth, with a sigh. He snatched up my hand in a desperate grip, the look in his eyes was still unfocused and far away but he spoke clearly.

"Annabeth?" I nodded, I remembered Annabeth had squeezed his hand in her own whenever he got too angry so I did just that. His grip tightened in response, eyes clearing a little.

"After you calm down, okay? You are in control, you're safe." he took a deep shuddering breath and closed his eyes, I was afraid that when he opened them again they would be unfocused or unhinged again. I held my breath hoping for the best.

"I told her we were staying together, that she wasn't getting away from me ever again. I have to find her," his voice was low and strained, I felt sadness crawl up my throat and I prayed to every god I could think of that she and the others were okay. Suddenly the much bigger boy collapsed into my shoulder from his previous sitting position. I struggled with the weight of the much older boy.

"She will understand Percy, Breathe, you're safe." I reassured him, I had grabbed his head of messy hair in an attempt to keep us from falling over. He whispered in my ear,

"I miss you mom." I felt a sob rise in my throat as his body became dead weight, Madam Pomfrey took his weight from me and I noticed that the room was no longer shaking or flying. Jason was still knocked out on his bed but it was no longer moving around the room, the door to the hospital wing swung open with a bang, making everyone in the vicinity jump. Viktor Krum came stumbling in with a weak but very alive Connor Stoll. I ran for the pair,

"Oh Merlin, you're okay!" The younger son of Hermes attempted at a weak smile, his eyes were a little cross eyed and his hair looked like a flock of crows had made his head their takeoff runway.

"I see you were the right girl to help my family, thank you." Will was suddenly at my elbow, snatching the boy out of Viktors hands and began to fuss over him, he tried to shove some Ambrosia in the boy's mouth which he pushed away.

"Woh there, I've had enough. Our girl Hermione nearly choked me out getting it down my throat. Quick learner she is." Will chanced a look at me with an appreciative nod he all but dragged his friend over to Madam Pomfrey. I turned back to Viktor who looked a little flustered.

"Thank you Viktor, you missed the mayhem but that's probably for the best. It was like a cyclone went off here. Did Connor give you any trouble?" he gave me a crooked smile,

"No, no trouble, Hermy-onee. I was glad to help. Besides ve ran into some other friends, they're a little banged up so they need some help getting over here." The two demigod boys standing snapped to attention,

"What did you say?" Krum looked over at Frank who had crossed the distance between us in a few steps, the two boys were of similar build and I realised just how small I was in comparison to the two walking buildings beside me. Krum furrowed his eyebrows at me then at Will,

"You're friends? The 'girls and the small dark boy? They are your friends, yes?" Will let out a surprised gasp before snagging his bulgarian robes, his eyes were bright if a little crazed, Viktor did not seem to notice, or if he did he didn't care.

"Where?" Conner and Harry had mentioned that the four of them had apperated out of Hogwarts, which wasn't possible, my scholarly side wanted to ask questions and make sure they were okay, plus if Annabeth was here I was sure that Percy would really be okay.

"I told them to wait for me to get 'elp, they are over by the staircase." He was looking at me now, the two demigods beside me stiffened and turned to face me. I did not wait for them, and for the second time that day I kissed his cheek in excitement before racing out the open door, followed by Will and Frank, Leo and Viktor calling after us as we ran.

The two boys were running beside me, obviously unsure where to go or I was sure they would have out run me by probably a mile, Will was holding his side though. I skidded around the last corner and fared better in my landing than either Frank or Will who lost their balance together and hit the ground. I almost laughed at the familiar scene considering Harry had done the exact thing not long ago. There were some pretty dirty kids ahead but at the commotion they all turned their heads. Unmistakably the missing demigods, I could have cried, hell I might have as I threw myself at Annabeth and Piper, almost knocking the three of us to the ground. I pulled away just in time to see Frank doting over Hazel who was crying. She had a cut on her forehead and was favoring her left arm. I inspected Annabeth and Piper finding that they both had similar injuries to their friend,

"They thought you were dead!" I cried out; Piper had a nasty bruise taking up a majority of her face and had blood rolling down the dirt on her arm, Annabeth looked worse, her blonde hair was highlighting the fact that she had had a cut somewhere on her head that had now matted her hair to her forehead, her scratches won her arms were more prominent and she had a very obvious limp, Pipers robe was ripped and tied around the other girls leg, but it was soaked through. They grimaced and for the upteenth time in the past half hour I wanted to smack myself, I spun the backpack I still had one around and snatched some ambrosia out of it, breaking off the amount Connor had said. Their eyes widened at the sight

"Where did you get that?" Annabeth's voice was high pitched and her eyes snapped to Will who was not paying attention to her but to inspecting his boyfriend who looked better off than the girls if a little drained looking.

"Connor told me, you guys missed a lot. At one point every single one of you was out of commission except Travis. I haven't seen him, he was with Dumbledore looking for you. Wait here a moment and I'll help you walk." Piper shook her head as if clearing it of the image in front of her as she accepted my offer, taking a bite and melting at the taste, Annabeth followed suit.

"We saw Travis, he and the headmaster found us when we reached Hogsmead looking like this. Travis looked about ready to pass out and promptly did so after exclaiming 'you didn't die, that's good. Hurry back'" Piper informed me as I hurried over to Hazel and offered her a piece, she looked hesitant before Frank thanked me and grabbed it. I offered her a smile that she returned. I turned to go to Will and Nico,

"Will- Will- Stop! I'm fine, the others are much worse, I got off easy." Will apparently did not care for his excuses because as soon as I brought my hand up in offering he snatched it out of my hand before shoving it in his boyfriend's open mouth. Nico's eyes went wide but he chewed the chunk glowering at the son of Apollo. A laugh trickled out of my mouth.

"If I- Ever- and I mean Ever see you do that again, in that state, so help our fathers I will commit a murder, DiAngelo." He stuck his finger right at Nico's face. "That's a promise Nicholas." Nico rolled his eyes, as Will pulled him into another hug. Will suddenly pushed away from the smaller boy with a face of distaste, 

"Why the Hades do you smell like perfume?" Nicos usually pale face flushed and he cleared his throat, obviously ignoring the question and commenting on the misuse of his name.

"That's not even my name, William." Will smacked him before storming over to Annabeth and Piper, Nico looked me up and down then at the godly brownie still in my hand.

"Hermione? Why do you have that?" I shrugged walking back to the more injured demigods.

"I would rather answer and ask all questions when we aren't in a hallway where anyone can hear us. I also think that Annabeth and Piper need to get to the hospital wing as soon as possible for two reasons." I put my arm under Piper's shoulder, she was closer to my height than Annabeth was and Will and Nico had both taken a shoulder to support.

"Two reasons? What could possibly be the- oh gods, the boys!" Piper's face drained of any color that was left, Annabeth went limp as she gripped Wills arm a little tight. He grimaced.

"They're fine! Now, they freaked out a little bit and created a nasty storm, Leo and Thalia are okay now too. Annabeth please stop gripping Wills arm like that, he wasn't looking a hundred percent not ten minutes ago." It was Nicos turn to snap his head at his boyfriend with a look of rage,

"You hypocrite! What the Hades was wrong with you?" Will frowned before shivering.

"I found a new power, I took some of Jason's pain when he tried to pass out on me. Nearly took us both out instead. Thank the gods Travis and Connor kept their heads after you left. Thalia was inconsolable, still kind of is. Leo, Percy and eventually Jason were all knocked out before we left the damn room, took a whole pack of us to get those power houses from wrecking the castle, with Frank being an Iguana/Pug, it wasn't pretty. Trust me though Jason's still got it worse, sorry Pipes. Pomfrey took one look at me and poured a potion down my throat, practically drugged me. I'm going to have a serious talk with the mediwitch. Connor was on the verge of passing out when he snatched Hermione right out of the doorway, she returned not long after while I was getting my bearings back with a backpack full of Ambrosia and Nectar. Connor was not with her but she reassured me that he was safe." Hazel looked at me and then frowned,

"Where did you find that much?" I took a deep breath, we were almost back to the hospital wing.

"Your common room. But try not to kill him for it, he collapsed seconds after asking me, twice. I won't say anything, I swear, but I have many questions. But those can be answered when you all look and smell better." Annabeth snorted beside me as Frank shoved the door open,

"Oh, thank the gods. Thalia and I were just about to pull straws on who had to tell Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb that you were also missing." Leo was beaming from his bed but his eyes were still a little unfocused. Travis and Connor were sleeping in the beds next to him, Jason and Percy were on opposite ends of the room just in case they went off again, neither looked relaxed. Thalia came sprinting over and tackled Nico and Annabeth into a hug that threatened to topple the four of them.

"Shut up Leo, you were just as distraught as I was. Are you okay? Will? Are they okay?" Will nodded as Thalia took Annabeth from him, helping her into the bed next to Percy's. The girl refused to sit until Madam Pomfrey threatened to stick her butt to the bed. She was staring at the twisted and twitching face of her boyfriend with a pained expression. Pomfrey was casting spells mumbling about how much she wished we would just act like normal students with a broken bone from Quidditch. Piper caught sight of her boyfriend at the far end of the room, and let out a gasp.

"Jason, of my gods, why does his chest look like that!" Harry was the one to answer as he walked up to us helping me get the girl to her boyfriend,

"Trelawny tossed him and Percy across the room with the spell bombarda. He's lucky Percy caught the brunt of it, that dudes got skin of steel, it barely dazed him. Spells like that usually accidentally kill people." Piper did not look relieved by his words, especially when I flinched. I almost wished I didn't know what had happened. After setting her on the bed next to his Harry and I pushed it closer to his bed. Once she was close enough she ran her fingers through his hair and even in sleep he leaned into her hand. We turned away from her and for the first time I noticed the three sleeping Slytherins on the floor. McGonagle appeared at my side gazing at them as well with something akin to pride in her eyes,

"They will be alright, they did well with assisting Fillius, we are going to let them sleep a little longer until Severus can escort them to their common room, he is currently on a run for more replenishing solution, your friends lost a lot of blood and energy." I nodded at her words,  looking once more at what I had previously thought of as the trio from hell. Malfoy almost looked peaceful, which was unnerving, like something I wasn't supposed to see. Ron was panting next to Leo's bed, who was talking his ear off. Ron looked good and properly done with whatever they were talking about. Harry and I made our way to save our ginger friend when Frank lightly snatched my robes, I waved Harry on as I walked to his and Hazel's side. Hazel grabbed my hand.

"Hermione, Frank says you saved them," she jerked her chin at the others, "I trust that you've heard, don't tell anyone enough today, but it's important. Being what we are- it's dangerous, just the same as our parents and us are real, so are all of the evils that accompanied it, monsters included, that's what got us four today, people who know become targets to get back at us. Magic works well enough on them, but this is for your own safety as much as it is for us. Twelve is a large number, we attract monsters like you would Americans to McDonalds. So please, just wait before telling anyone, we want you to fully understand" her eyes glazed over her injured friends around the room, "just not right now." I nodded and squeezed her hand,

"Don't worry, you can trust me. I promise." As I went to collect my bestfriends from the claws of Leo - might catch you on fire- Valdez, a hoarse voice called my name, I turned to see Connor beckoning me. I smiled at him walking closer,

"Well if it isn't my favourite secret spiller," he cracked a small smile at my attempt at a joke, before covering his eyes again.

"Oh- don't make me laugh, I've got one hell of a headache, moving at speeds like that are supposed to be done in short bursts of energy not nearing five hours of racing to the point of collapse." his eyes were still crossed and I bit my lip trying not to laugh at the sight.

"That bad huh? Considering the fact I can see like five of you right now and in every one of them you're trying not to laugh, I should probably assume that I don't look ruggedly handsome?" that time I did laugh,

"Your eyes are crossed." he laughed once before groaning again, he spoke in a louder voice, but not a shout, I figured that would probably make his headache worse.

"Will please shut off the sun, It is way too bright." I heard Will scoff before the three windows closest to the brothers slammed closed, he sighed,

"Thanks cousin, I appreciate it." he removed his hands and blinked at me,

"Thanks for trusting me, Connor. I've told them not to kill you until I have my answers." He snorted and growled back at me,

"What did I say about laughing? If you are unable to control your jokes, then you shall just have to come and visit a friend when his head doesn't feel like it's been through a meat grinder?" I smiled at the boy in front of me.

"Well that's what friends do, isn't it. You broke a rule for me legally that makes us bestfriends, ask Harry and Ron they saved me from a Troll." He raised his eyebrow at me.

"Well that's a story I want to hear, maybe later though I think the doc wants me to get some shut eye." When I looked over my shoulder I wasn't sure who he was referring too, both Madam Pomfrey and Will were glaring daggers at us.

"You tell me about you lot and you got a deal there Stoll." he smiled as I stood up. I was obviously very important today, as I hadn't made it five steps from Connors bed, when Annabeth threw a bandage wrap at me to get my attention. Pomfrey spun on her,

"Do not throw my supplies girl or I shall force a dreamless sleep potion down your throat." Annabeth flushed red but offered her an apology. Turning her attention to me when Pomfrey went to inspect Hazel and Pipers injuries. She gave me a once over look, I felt like she was judging me trying to find a flaw or crack that would prove whatever she wanted to know.

"Annabeth could you stop studying me?" I muttered, she blinked once and blushed until it hit her hairline,

"Sorry, I- uhm, Pomfrey told me you were the one to calm down Percy. I wanted to thank you." Now it was my turn to blush scarlet,

"It really wasn't anything, I just held his mouth and nose closed so he would swallow the combination of golden food Will told me too. Speaking of, here." I slipped the backpack off and put it on her bedside table. She ignored the bag as she studied me some more, an like she was draging the words out of my mouth I continued,

"I've also noticed how you squeeze his hand when you're trying to calm him so when he reached out with a far off expression I did that and it worked." I squirmed in her presence before telling her the last thing he said,

"He was upset that he had left you, something about never getting away from him again?" She gasped looking over at the sleeping boy, a single tear falling down her cheek.

"I reassured him that you would understand and he slumped over, the room stopped shaking." I hesitated in telling her about what he said to me, as she leaned as far over her bed that she dared without Madam Pomfrey keeping true to her promise of sticking her to her bed, she brushed her fingers of Percy's and as if he knew it was her, dropped his hand so it would be easier for her to grab, she held his hand and his shoulders relaxed. Watching the scene in front of me the words left my mouth before I ever had a chance to filter them.

"What's up with the hand holding thing?" I could feel my face warm considerably as I cursed myself for the blunt words. The boys had been trying to get me to filter them better because I couldn't hold my tongue in sensitive situations. Annabeths amused face turned towards me still holding her boyfriend's hand, while I stuttered out an apology,

"I- I'm sorry. That was out of line. Harry and Ron have tried to tell me that I haven't got a filter. You don't have to tell me, I'm not sure why I-" Her low giggle stopped me and I felt my face grow hotter.

"It's alright Hermione, I don't mind. He's always calmed down with a squeeze of his hand, when he feels vulnerable. He does it back when someone he cares about is vulnerable or stressed. He may be a seaweed brain half the time but he picks up on stuff like that pretty quickly." She glanced back at him for a moment before turning back to me,

"We hated each other at first, but the more we got into life or death situations with each other, I realized how much I relied on him not leaving me and his constant presence in my life. Neither of us had perfect childhoods, maybe we'll tell you about them sometime, but despite his past he has a huge heart, he would rather watch the world burn than lose someone he cares about. We- we've lost people before because we weren't paying attention to them and he had a rough childhood so he just wants everyone he cares about to be safe and happy, no matter the consequences he has to take to get them there." She was gazing at her boyfriend with a watery smile rubbing her thumb across his knuckles and with every swipe his body would look less tense. With a quick look behind me to make sure Pomfrey wasn't watching I drew my wand,

"Raise your arms, and hold on," Annabeth complied without even looking at me, as I pushed her bed closer to his, vanishing the bedside table between them entirely, so much so that there wasn't even the tiniest of gaps between the beds. When she did look at me as I started to go she softly called out to me,

"He's starting to care about you guys too." She looked over at the door where Harry and Ron were waiting for me with confused faces before turning back to me, "I'm glad Connor told you, he couldn't have picked a better friend to know." I nodded swallowing the lump in my throat as the trust and overwhelming sense of being cared for poured out of her eyes, washing over me,

"Get some sleep, Pomfrey's got words of steel but a heart of gold, she won't move you away if you both are sleeping soundly." and with that I left the wing to join my friends, trying not to cry.