Hey, so this has been in my documents folder for a while. I've got another three chapters worth to add if you like this. I'd appreciate any criticism, though not flames.
Please be aware that this is Athena-centric, and anything I miss out, I miss out for a reason. For instance, Athena is not sporty in this, so as a heads up, don't expect any Quidditch. Similarly, don't expect the Mirror of Erised or the invisibility cloak - at least, not for some time.
Also, this is leading up to Athena/Poseidon, in case anyone asks.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series, or the Percy Jackson and relative book-series'.
Athena felt like she had been shrunk and turned into jelly. The helplessness she felt was damning – why couldn't she move? Trying to open her eyes proved to be a bad decision as bright, bright light encountered her vision. Shutting them, she opened her mouth only for a cry to escape. Her head started pounding suddenly, and she cried out again, only for a warm feeling to encase her, soothing sounds filtering through her ears. Unwillingly, she calmed, but felt her eyes fill with tears as she opened her eyes again. The light was dim, and her vision was upside down.
Why is everything upside down? She knew that babies saw upside down for their first few months, before their brain acclimated to the changes, but she wasn't a baby. Trying to see, she concentrated on the face above her.
It was a woman, she thought at least. Red hair, ginger hair? Auburn, maybe – and green eyes. Bright green eyes. Her hearing became better as the vestiges of sleep faded.
"-shh, you're alright. Daddy was just being silly and using a torch. He was trying to show your stupid Uncle Sirius the veins in your eyes. Did the nasty light wake you, baby?" The woman cooed softly, making Athena's mouth open in surprise.
She was a baby? When was she a baby?
But the Goddess broke herself out of her musings as the woman – her mother? – kept talking.
"-Uncle Remus isn't here to stop them. Poor Remus, having to change every full moon. But I'd trust you with him more than I'd trust you with Sirius." She snorted as Athena assimilated the information. So her uncle was a werewolf? That narrowed down where in the world she was – her mother had a British accent too. Not many werewolves lived in Britain. The thought had her frowning, making her mother tut.
"Now don't you go and frown at me. Just because you liked how he took you up on that stupid flying motorcycle of his doesn't mean it was safe. Good thing he's not the secret keeper – he'd tell anyone and everyone just so they could see you toddling around. Merlin, how that man loves you."
Flying motorcycle.
Secret keeper.
Merlin.
Dammit, I'm in the Wizarding World.
She kept a careful ear out, listening in on conversations, but she didn't have an awful lot of time to. As Athena was now a baby – one named Minerva Poppy Potter, to her consternation – she had the body of a baby, meaning she needed sleep, breast-milk, and even more sleep. Worst of all was the humiliation of a dirty nappy. She hated being so helpless, so damn useless!
Luckily, her tiny brain hadn't compacted from her Godly mind. Though thinking on that brought other issues. She was no Goddess in this form, and only had her magic to help herself – but every time she tried to use it, she would be so drained that it was dangerous. Plus, every time she used it, she was scolded by her carer at the time – and surprisingly, her father, James, was the one to tell her why.
"Minnie, stop! Merlin – you can't use your magic, Minnie, you aren't strong enough! Oh Merlin and Morgana, please don't do that again – I wouldn't be able to cope if I lost you. Your magic grows with your body, and even then you need a wand to manipulate it. Your magical channels are raw, unwalled. Your magic will rage through your pathways, tearing at everything it touches unless you have your wand as a conductor. Please, please don't use it again." By that time he was in tears, pleading with her.
But the words struck a chord within her. Magical channels. Athena could remember, hazily, about her mother telling her about power lines within a god's body. Like James had said, they grew with her body and were raw, unwalled upon her strange birth. She had corrected it over a short period of time, but was only able to because her physique was – literally – godly and she didn't need a conductor.
She needed to build both a tolerance and an incorporative aspect with her magic. She needed to bathe in it, connect to it in a way that just a thought would make it act out her will – and she needed to build the tolerance needed so she wouldn't burn her body up. Athena compared it to demigods and their resistance-building to ambrosia and nectar. She had studied several demigods who had gotten the idea, and drank and ate the same amount every day before building on how much they consumed. The study's had gone well, or at least most had, and more than half the demigods who had experimented had reached drinking three full canisters of nectar and twelve chunks of ambrosia before they stopped, most having suffered from some kind of shock or stroke after the burning sensation became too much.
She listened though, and Lily – her mother – was more than happy that she actually paid attention to her when she read magical theory aloud, but there was still a dark cloud hanging over both her parents' heads. Athena had heard whispers, mentions of a war, of a Dark Lord, but every time one of the men started talking, Lily would either tell them to be quiet or remove her from hearing-range.
Athena had so many goals in mind. First was to grow up. That was a priority. Second was to deceive her parents into believing she was just a normal, if studious and intellectual child. Third was to find out what in the world had happened.
But her plans of staying with the Potter's were scuppered on the thirty-first of October, barely a week later.
She was sitting on the carpet with her mother and father when James' head suddenly jerked up, his eyes widening.
"He's here." Then he was up, pulling them to standing, pushing her into Lily's arms. "Lily, take Minnie and go! It's him!"
Athena didn't know what was happened. Lily though, started running up the stairs as James pushed against the door. They were at the top of the stairs when James looked up at them, his eyes filled with fear.
"Go! Run! I'll hold him off-"
The door exploded inwards, and James was thrown to the ground, dead before he hit the floor. Lily cried out before running into Athena's nursery, putting her in the crib before ramming the door shut, pushing her dresser and toy-chest in front of it before coming back over to her, crouching in front of the bars with tears in her eyes.
"Minnie, you are so loved." She cried, tears leaking down her face as Athena leant forward, putting out her hand in an attempt to comfort her. "Mama loves you. Dada loves you. Minnie, be safe. Be strong."
Then, to Athena's horror, she cut her arm and dipped her finger in her own blood, tracing a lightning bolt on Athena's forehead before she could stop it.
"May your real mother watch over you. I'm sorry Minnie, I'm so sorry." What did she say? What did you say!?
And then the door exploded inwards.
Lily stood, turning and immediately spoke to the cloaked figure.
"Not Minnie! Please, not Minnie!"
The man laughed harshly. "Stand aside girl."
"Not Minnie, please not Minnie!"
"Stand aside!"
"Please, no, not Minnie – I'll do anything!"
The man growled before raising his wand, hissing a curse. A green light shot out and hit Lily, making her drop to the ground. Athena's blood ran cold. She was dead. Looking up at the approaching man, she unsteadily got up, hanging onto the bars of the crib. Act like a baby, act like a baby…
Raising her arms, she struggled to stay up, but the man was intrigued with her.
"I'm supposed to kill you. Every other child fears me." He put his wand in his pocket, before picking her up. The hold was awkward, and stretched the skin under her arms. But she stayed still, before slowly rolling her tongue into words.
"Hug." It hurt to speak, the muscles not used to working. Oh, she'd spoken before, but those had been unformed, awkward, and blunt – a baby learning to speak.
He seemed stunned. "You can speak. How old are you, child?"
She tried to curl her tongue around the words, but it was hard and she ended up blurring the words.
"One yea' oldth." She said, spitting slightly while trying to say 'd'. The man flinched slightly before looking at her in disgust and setting her down again.
"Stupid child. Better off dead." He took out his wand, raising it at her. Athena's eyes widened before the green light came out, only for her forehead to burn. She cried out as a golden field appeared in front of the curse, rebounding it back in an instant. Athena though, was too invested in the pain on her forehead to care right then, instead screaming as the mark burned into her soul, the blood disappearing.
She fell unconscious when the pain hit its height, and when she awoke, it was to the shrieking of a horse-faced woman.
What did Lily mean when she said 'real mother'? Athena thought three years later as she boredly studied a history book. Wrong, wrong- partially right, wrong.
"Minnie?"
Athena glanced up at the primary school teacher. "Yes, Miss Clark?"
Miss Clark, in her opinion, was a kind, if ignorant woman. She had honey-blonde hair, a round face, and was short enough that an average door-handle was two thirds the way up her body. She failed her internal assessment for a teacher, even if she was good with young children. Everyone liked her – even Dudley.
"Why aren't you doing your work? That big book must be so boring." She crouched down, rested her arms on Athena's desk where she sat in the corner, away from the other children.
Athena glanced at the sheet of paper. They were supposed to be doing family trees. Reaching over, she pulled it over, showing the neatly drawn names and pictures of her family – James, Lily, Remus, Sirius and Peter, and Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and Dudley a little off to the side. The drawings were small and simple, but had enough detail that Athena was sure she'd be assigned at least some harder art-work.
Miss Clark took the piece of paper and looked at it, eyes widening before she smiled.
"This is brilliant, Minnie! Who taught you to draw – your Aunt?"
Athena shut the history book. "You're right. This book is inadequate. I already know about the Second World War, I don't need to read Reddington's account of it. His writing is dry, anyway – simply, it should have never been published."
Miss Clark looked at her, astonished. "Minnie, who taught you to speak like that?"
"Myself." She said shortly, before standing and going over to the book-shelf, going back to grab her chair after a second. Standing on it, she grabbed The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton from its place on the top shelf before getting off her chair and taking it back to her place, sitting down comfortably and starting to read.
Athena did so hope she'd be moved up a grade soon.
Once, a very long time ago, when Athena had still been settling in around Olympus after she accidentally killed Pallas, Demeter had tried to teach her how to garden. It was safe to say she was not as good with the soil as she was with books.
But still, she managed to do a better job than Petunia. That woman would kill her roses if she kept cutting away at the stems. Standing beside Vernon as he explained how to mow the grass, Athena wished that somehow, he wouldn't get angry if she used magic to shut him up for just a few seconds. Unfortunately, using her 'freakishness' resulted in a beating like never before. Not even Hera had been that unkind. It was even worse than how Artemis had been beaten into submission by the horror that was their stepmother.
On seeing him finish, she blinked to attention.
"-mow the grass until it's all cut, and if you don't do it in straight lines, no dinner for you!" He said sternly, before stomping back inside. If you don't feed me, I'll just steal Dudley's lunch tomorrow. See how he likes being deprived of his food she thought with slight bitterness. Inwardly, she found it nice to be a child, to actually grow up normally, but this life at Number Four just wasn't…nice. Maybe I would be better off in foster-care. Breathing in, Athena steadied herself before going up to the mower.
Cautiously turning it on, she gripped the handle before moving, stumbling on discovering that it was one that moved on its own – you just guided it. Problems came with turning, as her mass and weight just didn't equate to the mower itself. Her body was only five years of age.
Soon though, she was finished, but didn't get dinner anyway.
Skipping class to visit the library had become habit for Athena after a few years. Primary school just didn't cut it, and having people treat you like a baby all the time was demeaning. The librarian didn't change regularly, so they became acquainted – though, even after three years she didn't know their name.
Two years after the mower incident, she finished reading the last book they had that she was allowed to touch. The librarian made a few calls and it became a weekly thing for the London Universities to send books, and have them returned the next fortnight. Athena devoured the books, even the ones she had read before.
Reading a hand-written account of an expedition to Siberia in the eighteen hundreds though, distracted Athena from realizing someone had approached her from behind before they spoke.
"So young to be reading such advanced material."
She didn't jump, or otherwise show her surprise, before she turned and looked up. The man was old, maybe sixty-five, sixty-seven, and wore a full grey tweed suit with a maroon bow-tie. Under his arm was the box of books due to arrive today, but she didn't move to take them, only shutting the account and placing it calmly on her lap, clasping her hands atop it.
"I've studied particle physics – reading about an expedition is paltry in comparison." She raised her chin slightly, ever proud. But something nagged at her. His hair was white, with a distinct wave to it in the short strands, but there were a few places where it hadn't completely whitened, still a fading auburn. She searched his features, noting the triangular jaw and almond-shaped eyes-
Her eyes widened a single fraction. Lily.
He chuckled, bending slightly so their faces were level. "You look a lot like your father, Lady Athena."
Athena froze.
"My name is Carter Evans, Lily Potter nee Evans' father. You might also know me as the Rune Mage of Yellowstone."
She recognised the name, but it took her a moment to recall it. "The demigod son of Hecate." The realization sparked a new theory – were witches and wizards children of Hecate's demigods? Their legacies?
He nodded, before moving to sit beside her, putting the box of books on the table as she turned slightly.
"Yes. Quite astounding, is it not? I am an old man, yet you – the missing Goddess of Wisdom, sits in front of me in the guise of an eight-year old girl."
She raised her chin further, realizing he knew something she did not. "Missing? I did not know I was missed. Few hold any affection for me on Olympus."
Carter chuckled, before looking at her with twinkling eyes. "True it might be, but none missed the Fates themselves appointing Lady Iris with your duties temporarily. I have a message for you that they charged me to deliver to you when I discovered where you were."
Athena inclined her head slightly, lowering it a touch. "Continue."
He grinned widely. "'Your Vows are torn asunder, your Fate a spinning wheel; complete what has been spoken, become a Saviour still. Defeat the one who Hunts you, bear the one who keens; investigate your mater, trust the one who Dreams.'"
Athena took it in, her mind already tearing it apart and looking at what things may mean. "My gratitude, Carter Evans-"
"That isn't all. The reason I am here originally wasn't to tell you a prophecy, my lady, but because I am taking you from my daughter's custody." His grin turned sour. "That Dursley fellow is the most despicable man I have ever had the displeasure to meet, and I am not losing another grandchild to his influences. I've already done the paperwork back in London – now all you have to do is come with me. You may be Lady Athena, but right now you are still my granddaughter."
Athena felt slightly overwhelmed at his words. Blinking, she went to speak when he raised a hand.
"I know it may seem disrespectful to be addressing you as such, but blood is blood, and Petunia was a disappointment. I'm a University professor, and bluntly I'm willing to bribe you to come by giving you access to the libraries there-"
Athena raised a hand. "Mr Evans, stop." Breathing in, she shut her eyes for a few seconds before opening them. "I thank you for this, accept your bribe, and order you not to worry. I am not insulted by being addressed as granddaughter – in actuality, I am honoured and more than a little refreshed. I have never been called it before, not that I would want to be. Kronos is not someone anyone wants for a grandfather. When do we leave?"
Carter blinked, before smiling, bringing up his hands to fix his bow-tie. "A few hours yet. I have to sort out a few things with people here, and you have to retrieve your things from Petunia's house. You can put them in my car outside. It's the blue Rolls Royce." A smirk came onto his face. "Just had it repainted."
Athena raised an eyebrow. "A Rolls Royce." She said in a tone that prompted him to smile wider.
"Did it up myself! It passed its road-tests with flying colours and it can fly."
Rolling her eyes, she let the side of her lip curve a touch before she stood, flipping through the pages, using her magic to enhance her eyesight so that she might read it all. Humming afterwards, she made her way out of the library with a nod to the librarian.
Thank the Gods. I'm leaving this hellhole finally.
Three years later, an owl appeared in front of her. Athena had been completing the final two sentences of her three hundred and twenty-five page essay for her Ancient History course, which would equate to eighty percent of her grade, using the convenient garden set on the balcony of the flat she shared with her grandfather in central London, overlooking Hyde Park.
Glancing up, she quickly wrote out the final sentence on her laptop before she saved it, turning to the owl. Even while in a mortal body, her darling owls still knew it was her. The snowy owl dipped her head and chirped, making Athena give a soft smile usually reserved for her creatures. Reaching over, untied the letter hanging onto the lady-owl's leg.
"Thank-you, pet." She murmured before stroking her gently, glancing at the seal. Hogwarts. "I apologise for having no convenient refreshments. Stay as long as you wish." She said, distracted before she opened the wax-seal, cracking it open. Quickly, she read the letter and supply list, huffing slightly. "Rude. If I had been a true mortal, this would tell me nothing. No matter- oh, what's this?"
Reaching inside the envelope, she furrowed her brow as she tried to discern the horrible writing on the scrap of paper.
"Minerva Potter. Minnie, I was an old friend of your dad's. I know it's early, and you've never met me, but I'm giving you your birthday present – the owl. Owls are clever creatures, and can be used as messengers in the Wizarding World. If you already have an owl, just set her free. She's a clever bird – she'll understand you. Anyway, happy birthday for next week. R Hagrid, Keeper of the Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts. Hmm, sounds like an interesting man." Athena thought back to the week with her parents, trying to remember if her father ever mentioned a 'Hagrid'. She came up blank, but didn't despair – she would see him at Hogwarts, if his titles were truth.
Glancing at the owl, she hummed. "Andromeda. That's a good name-" the owl clacked her beak, screeching slightly. "Okay, no then. Ariadne? Daphne? Helen- no, Aphrodite would never let it down." But she noticed the way the yet-to-be-named owl cocked her head. "Oh, please do not say you like the name Helen." Silence.
"Hecate?"
"Hettie?"
"Heaven?"
"Hero?"
"Hedwig?"
The owl finally perked up, beating her wings slightly before clacking her beat. Athena hummed.
"Hedwig…it suits you, o lady owl. Wait there." Standing, she pressed a few keys on her laptop before she went inside, going over to the printer. She stood there for a while, waiting for all the pages and putting more and more paper in until she had the bundle. Once Athena had it, she placed it in a specially-made box before wrapping it with brown paper and tying it with string. Bringing it out, she put the box down with an audible thump.
"Your first delivery – get this to the Examiners Office for Ancient History before sundown." She glanced at the setting sun. "Be back before eleven."
Hedwig chirped at the challenge before fluttering onto the package, picking it up with her claws and flying off west. Athena watched her for a few seconds before shutting down her laptop, glancing at the letter strewn on the table.
"Time to face my destiny." The mutter left her mouth, and then her hand swooped down, removing the parchment from the table.
She had some shopping to do.
Ravenclaw was a worthy choice, Athena believed, even if they treated her with suspicion now. She had already acted less immature than those of her 'age', and on top of this fact stood her – on looking back – uninformed decision to not wear her school uniform to the train when Carter transported them there using a floo-fire.
Due to the potions of the Wizarding World, she had been able to force her body to the healthiest it could be, and was at least half a foot taller than the tallest girl in first year, so she looked like a fourteen year-old, at the most. She wore a pair of slimming black leather trousers, a black tank-top that showed all her growing assets, a silver-grey woollen cardigan, a white neckerchief, black Sweet Mary Jane Suede heels and some jewellery in the form of a long silver pendant, three large silver rings, a long snake-like armband under her jumper sleeve, two plain silver wrist-bands, and a final silver serpent anklet. Her hair was up in a high, tight bun that made her resemble both a ballerina and an esteemed member of society. The only make-up – something she detested, but found in small doses was beneficial to her appearance, Aphrodite would be shocked – that she wore was a thin layer of foundation, some black eyeliner and some mascara to accentuate her features.
On the train, she had been thought to be an older year several times by her peers up until she put on her white Oxford shirt, plain black tie and as equally plain Hogwarts robes, with no hint of a House in sight. The system they used regarding the House system was useless except for splitting up students into classes, in Athena's opinion – it was outdated, just like the rest of the Wizarding World. But that was all she wore of the uniform. Nowhere in the rules did it state that she had to wear the monstrosity that was 'first to third year female uniform'.
She may not be the usual rebel among the Gods, but everyone, everyone knew that once she had made up her mind, not much could sway her – and that uniform was terrible. Even Artemis would have a heart-attack.
Now though, lying on her bed in the Ravenclaw dorms a week later, she wondered if she couldn't have toned it down a bit. Athena would never admit out loud that she indeed could have followed Carter's advice, but she was too prideful to take the information he gave. They had expected her to be an instant Gryffindor, naïve, loud, kind, brave and rash – not a tall, stern, prideful Ravenclaw with sporadic Asperger Syndrome.
Yes, Athena could, in fact, diagnose and admit she had a slight inclination towards being Asperger.
Pushing her thoughts to one side though, she pursed her lips before getting up, changing out of her grey flannel pyjamas and into her normal get-up before going over to the window and opening it, summoning a strong wind. Shutting her eyes, she did a swan dive before letting the wind guide her. Twisting in the air, she idly wondered if this was why her father made sure he became King of the Skies – he knew the pleasure of flying, of being a part of the currents in the air, and of just being free.
She hadn't wanted to come to Hogwarts, but her destiny was here. Your Vows are torn asunder, your Fate a spinning wheel; complete what has been spoken, become a Saviour still. Defeat the one who Hunts you, bear the one who keens; investigate your mater, trust the one who Dreams. It was quite simple, apart from the second and third lines of the second stanza. Thinking about the second line of that second stanza scared her, making her shiver as she thought about the third-second line.
Investigate your mater – what was a mater? It wasn't English, she was sure. As she thought about the word more though, she felt something in her shift.
In an instant she gasped, dropping to the grass as she swooped down, gripping the green blades tightly as she tried to force her back. But her mind ran quicker. Why would she wake at the word? It wasn't as if it were Latin-
The single world made her brain spin, before she let out a silent scream as Minerva lodged in her mind, gripping at her consciousness and trying to throw it away. Things were different now though – this wasn't their Godly body, and Minerva couldn't tell. Feeling the first tears of centuries slip down her cheeks at feeling such abject pain, she reached in and mentally shouted.
WAIT! STOP! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND-
The voice that answered back was angry, and uncowed at her words. This is my body, not yours!
Athena gritted her teeth harder. You don't understand, the Fates have placed us in a mortal body-
Mortal?! How? And with that, the pressure stopped as Minerva simply held on, conversing with her calmly. This was only one of the reasons why Athena disliked her other half – she was prone to mood swings that usually doomed their children.
I don't know, but this body can't sustain us both. I can already feel it slipping. And indeed she could. Her heartbeat was increasing and becoming erratic, and her breathing was harder.
Well I want to have a go, Minerva said petulantly. Athena gritted her teeth.
No, you don't know what I do-
Then let's merge.
There was a second of silence, where Athena sucked in a breath, and her heart slowed at the same time. She barely gave her assent before Minerva's consciousness surged forwards, grabbing at Athena's.
For a second it was brutal agony, before their memories blurred and it was if they were never apart. Gasping, she let go of the grass, noticing only then that her pristine nails now had dirt under them. Swallowing, she numbly used wandless magic to clean them before standing, looking around only to freeze at seeing Professor Snape standing there with a cool gaze.
"Miss Potter…why are you outside after curfew?"
Shutting her eyes, she breathed in before regaining her composure. Standing straight, she gave him her own steady gaze.
"Professor Snape, if I may ask – how long have you been there?"
"Long enough to see you touch down." He said, a bite to his words. "How are you able to fly without wings or a broom?"
"Magic." She said before looking up at the sky. "Nice night, isn't it?" She was still slightly in shock – or rather, they were. Minerva and Athena were one, but two, and it was disconcerting for both to be sharing a body. We can refer to ourselves as one, and Athena – but introduce ourselves as Minerva. After all, it is our name, Minerva said silkily, before Athena looked back to Snape, resisting the urge to nod.
"Yes, it is, but unfortunately you will not be viewing it for another fortnight. Detention, eight o'clock, my office. Now get back to your common room."
Athena didn't obey for a second, simply looking at him. He isn't what he seems. He is putting on an act to fool the world, Minerva commented.
But not us.
No, not us.
Then she started to run, jumping up into the air a second later, flying off – she might as well show off her abilities now that he knew.
If there was one thing Athena hated, it was tag-alongs. The only one she'd ever let follow her was Artemis, and it had been thousands of years since her sister had followed her around like a lost puppy.
So when she saved Hermione Granger from the troll alongside Ronald Weasley, who had put her there and asked Athena for help, she absolutely, positively wished to die. Granger believed books to be gospel, and Weasley was an annoying little sod who kept prying into her business and kept trying to corrupt her.
She preferred Granger to that lazy little…thing, but both were unbearable in any case.
Walking in Hogwarts in the evening, about an hour before curfew, Athena pondered her 'destiny'. She hadn't heard of any prophecy yet, but maybe it was to do with this 'Voldemort' character. She had supposedly defeated him as a baby, but honestly, for all her memories she could not recall that night. Maybe her godly powers escaped and destroyed him, but she found it unlikely. Even if she had her powers locked within her, her mortal form would burn.
True. You aren't as stupid as I thought, Minerva spoke, making Athena scowl involuntarily.
"Leave me alone…"
Don't speak aloud. Anyone could be listening.
Athena grudgingly conceded her point, before looking to where she actually was. Frowning at her destination, she spoke aloud.
"I wonder why my feet led me here." In front of her, the third-floor corridor stood, shadow darkening the normal wooden door. Looking around, she saw no-one, not even a portrait, and smirked before going forward, taking out her wand an twirling it.
You shouldn't, Minerva warned, the Headmaster said we'd die if we went in there.
Athena internally scoffed before trailing her wand down the wood, checking for wards. None, except for a locking charm even a first-year could unlock. He wanted someone to go here – reverse-psychology. Don't go there, you go there. It even works on me, who knows about it, see?
Minerva grumbled in their head before she tapped the door, using a non-verbal alohomora.
Inside, there was quiet, except for heavy breathing. Stepping past the door, she shut and locked it before holding up her wand.
"Lumos."
Almost immediately, she froze, seeing what must have been a child of Cerberus in front of her. It woke, eyes blinking. Her mind ran through everything before she realised – music. That was how Orpheus did it, but she was no master musician.
We need to sing, dammit, Minerva cursed, before they readied their voice. Coughing, Athena thought up the lullaby she used once with one of her sons – Jacobi – when he started crying before she gave him to his father.
"Lullaby, I'll sing you, a lullaby…lullaby, the one my mother sang for me…Lying asleep, and counting sheep, I hear, her sing me, softly, to sleep…"The Cerberus' eyes started to droop again as she sang, edging forwards. "Lullaby-lullaby my baby…lullaby-lullaby, my darling…so go, to sleep, for I, am by, your side…" She tapped the trap-door, making it open with a loud creak that made the Cerberus snore before starting to wake again. Hurriedly, she started to sing again, and by the time she had finished, the trap door was wide enough for her to slip through.
Falling, though, was not what she expected. She tried to take control of her fall, but she had already hit a plant that softened the drop.
I told you not to.
"Shut up." She muttered, before looking around, using her still-lit wand only to find the plant trying to ensnare her. She sneered. "Devils Snare – they couldn't have thought of something even more disgusting. Incendio." Her lumos cut out as a burst of flame came out her wand, burning the middle of the pile and forcing the rest to retreat, dropping her – but she got control this time, stopping her from most likely breaking her ankle on the stone floor below.
"I hate being underground." She shivered, relighting her wand before moving on through the tunnel.
What do you think he's hiding?
I don't know, Minerva, but it must not be all that important if he wants first-years investigating.
Minerva mentally laughed. And aren't we supposed to be a first-year?
Athena conceded her point.
Athena really couldn't believe how trivial the last two chambers had been in comparison to the Chessboard. She had easily sent a severing curse at the troll's throat, and in the room before flew up to the right key and opened the door.
But now, playing as the King, both Athena and Minerva working in tandem to defeat the Chess Pieces. It adjusted difficulty regarding intelligence and experience and that was what made Athena grin – she hadn't had such a good opponent in an age.
Eventually – meaning six hours later – she had defeated the white pieces and was tired to the bone.
That was amazing, Minerva said in a dreamy voice, being matched by Athena as, grinning, she went through the doors. On going inside, the doors slammed shut, fire blazing up, making Athena's grin drop as she jumped forward – but not in time so not to get burnt. Crying out slightly in shock, she looked at the fire – purple on the side she'd arrived, and black on the other. She went to the middle of the room, where a table stood with seven differently shaped bottles standing on it in a line.
Stepping forward, she winced at her burn – it had burnt through her jumper to her arm, turning it black. It was charred enough no blood was spilled, but that just made it more painful. Picking up the piece of parchment on the table with her good arm, she read, taking her mind off her unhealing arm.
Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind,
Two of us will help you, whichever you would find,
One among us seven will let you move ahead,
Another will transport the drinker back instead,
Two among our number hold only nettle wine,
Three of us are killers, waiting bidden in line.
Choose, unless you wish to stay here forevermore,
To help you in your choice, we give you these clues four:
First, however slyly the poison tries to hide
You will always find some on nettle wine's left side;
Second, different are those who stand at either end,
But if you would move onward, neither is your friend;
Third, as you see clearly, all are different size,
Neither dwarf nor giant holds death in their insides;
Fourth, the second left and the second on the right
Are twins once you taste them, though different at first sight.
Taking a deep breath, she let out a calmer smile before picking up the smallest bottle and the rounded bottle at the right end of the line. The first would get her through, the second back. Taking the mouthful of potion from the smallest bottle, she went through the black flames apprehensively and opened the door, going into the chamber. To her surprise, it was utterly bereft of everything but a stone pedestal holding the Sorting Hat.
"Hat?"
The Hat awoke, looking up. "Oh, Lady Athena."
"It's Lady Minerva now, too." She said, stepping forward and down the steps towards him. "How are you, and why are you down here?"
"Ahh…well, I am quite lonely down here, and it is for that reason that I am down here. Have you ever heard of the Philosopher's Stone, milady?"
Athena nodded. "Yes."
He chuckled. "Well, lift me up and see my bounty."
Her eyebrows furrowed before she reached over and lifted him, her eyes widened upon seeing the ruby stone. "No…it truly exists?"
The Sorting Hat snorted. "I've been guarding it since your mortal birthday, my dear."
"The thirty-first of July."
"Aye. Now, take it before the meddling old coot comes back. There is a hidden door directly behind me that will lead you to the Charms corridor. Professor Flitwick graciously offered to check the protections every few days, so it leads there. Oh, and if you are worried he will discover the now-deceased troll, do not worry – there is a bypass around that chamber."
Athena nodded, going to reach forward with her charred arm, only for it to painfully remind her of its state. Forcing back a whimper, she grabbed the stone and put the Hat down, switching the stone to her other hand.
"You should go to Madam Pomfrey about that." The Hat advised. "And make up a convincing story too – oh, and hide the stone in your possessions before doing so."
Athena nodded before walking around the pedestal to the back of the room.
"Mint Humbugs of Scrooge's Personal Cupboard."
Athena didn't have time to think of the absurdity of the password before the door appeared. Opening it, she stepped on the stairs only for them to start moving. Staying still, she waited until they stopped – after many ups and downs and twists and turns – before using a reparo on her jumper. It fixed it, hiding her burn, but also chaffed it horribly, making her bite her lip in pain.
We should have been more careful.
Ditto, Athena replied before going out of the door. That language was rather childish… she thought idly. Walking down the corridor, she yawned and took as many passageways as she could to get to Ravenclaw Tower while also avoiding Filch. When she got there, she hid the Stone in her trunk before changing into her pyjamas, recreating the damage to her cardigan on her pyjama-sleeve before making her eyes water.
Sufficiently teary, she went out of the dormitory again and went to the fifth-year girls' dorm, knocking on it and making audible sobs. After a minute, Penelope Clearwater opened the door, and before she could say anything, Athena started to babble.
"I was having a horrible dream and it was horrible and then I felt my arm really hurt and I woke up and it was on fire and it really, really hurts." She made her chin wobble, inwardly simultaneously wincing and applauding her own acting skills.
Penelope looked at her arm and gasped before putting a hand to her mouth. "Oh, honey, what happened?"
Knowing their ego was about to take a hit, Athena and Minerva mentally steeled themselves before bursting into tears.
She spent the next week with her arm wrapped in gauze covering an orange paste, with people asking her questions. After telling Madam Pomfrey what she told Penelope, the healer pronounced it was just some accidental magic either reacting to her fear or making her dream come to life. Madam Pomfrey believed it to be the latter, as no-one's magic would ever purposefully harm their owner, and the burn seemed to be made from magical fire.
Athena and Minerva both agreed that no, she would not be telling anyone she had the stone, and no, she would not go investigating again until she could adequately heal herself.
"It actually works." Athena said in amazement, looking at the lead-turned-gold in horror.
Shit just got real.
Don't swear! If we didn't share one, I'd wash your mouth out! I swear, modern culture is corrupting you – barely five months ago you were a batty, selfish woman with a superiority complex, Minerva!
"Another year gone!" Dumbledore said cheerfully. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were… you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts… Now, as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; in third, Gryffindor, with four hundred and sixty-two points; Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two and Ravenclaw has nine hundred and twenty-two."
A storm of cheering broke out from the Ravenclaw table, and even Athena could not help but smile as people patted her on the back – she was the one to gain them so many house-points through her good marks and extra-credit projects throughout the year.
"Yes, yes, well done, Ravenclaw," said Dumbledore. "However, recent events must be taken into account."
Athena froze, and the room went very still. Almost every Ravenclaw looked to the Headmaster in confusion.
"Ahem," said Dumbledore. "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes…"
WHAT?! The deities mentally screeched.
"First, to Mr Ronald Weasley-"
Athena's gaze whipped to her tag-along, who had been in the Hospital Wing for the last fortnight. He went purple in the face, looking like a radish with a bad sunburn.
"-for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."
Athena paled. No, he didn't, did he? She hadn't believed the rumours.
Gryffindor cheers nearly raised the bewitched ceiling; the stars overhead seemed to quiver. Percy Weasley could be heard telling the other prefects, "My brother, you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!"
Athena stood, fists clenched at his shouting. Oh yes he did.
"Second – to Miss Hermione Granger, for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."
Granger buried her face in her arms; Athena strongly suspected she had burst into tears. Gryffindor's up and down the table were beside themselves — they were a hundred points up, three hundred and sixty away from Ravenclaw's score.
"Third, to Mr Neville Longbottom…" said Dumbledore. The room went deadly quiet. "…for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house one hundred and sixty points."
The din was deafening. Those who could add up while yelling themselves hoarse knew that Gryffindor was only two hundred points away from Ravenclaw's score. They had tied for the house cup. Athena glared at the Headmaster as he raised his hand, making the room gradually fall silent.
"Now finally, I must give these last points to all three students. They risked their lives to save an artefact that would have given its thief immortality and riches beyond measure. For saving the Philosopher's Stone, I give Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom one hundred points each!"
Someone standing outside the Great Hall might well have thought some sort of explosion had taken place, so loud was the noise that erupted from the Gryffindor table.
"Which means," Dumbledore called over the applause from Gryffindor on its lonesome, "we need a little change of decoration." He clapped his hands. In an instant, the blue hangings became scarlet and the bronze became gold; the huge Ravenclaw eagle vanished and a towering Gryffindor lion took its place. Flitwick was shaking Professor McGonagall's hand, with a sad, disgruntled smile.
But everyone else was quiet. Everyone but Gryffindor and a few of the teachers seemed to realise how unfair Dumbledore just was. Athena shouted over the din.
"TAKE BACK THE POINTS! TAKE BACK THE POINTS!" She said in a chant, quickly being joined by the people surrounding her, then the rest of Ravenclaw. Hufflepuff and Slytherin weren't far behind her rallying cry, and even the teachers who had been displeased joined in, with some obvious exceptions.
On noticing their chant, the Gryffindor's started booing, trying to drown them out, but it was three to one – and the noise only stopped when Dumbledore made several firecrackers explode.
"That is enough! Gryffindor has won this year's Inter-House Cup-"
Athena couldn't help it, her pride getting in the way. "I did that stupid obstacle course back before Christmas! Why don't I get points for it?!"
Dumbledore looked at her, frowning. "Miss Potter-"
She took the Philosophers Stone out of her pocket, looking to the three other first-years. "Good job protecting the fake that replaced this thing! I've had it for over half a year!" She turned back to Dumbledore, viciously angry. "And guess what? My game of chess was so complex it took me six bloody hours to complete! It changes to whatever difficulty you are at – and the house points? By Zeus, Dumbledore! You're supposed to be non-biased as Headmaster! You didn't even ward that corridor, dammit I sang a lullaby to get the Cerberus asleep and I have a crap voice."
She breathed in, stopping her rant. Sitting down, she cursed and tightened her grip on the ruby stone.
We're fucked.
Minerva mentally picked her nails before sarcastically speaking, you think?
"Have a lemon drop." He said kindly, making her wrinkle her nose.
"No."
Dumbledore chuckled. "More for me then." He took one, popping it in his mouth as he sat back in his chair. "Miss Potter, do you know why I called you here?"
She gave him a blank look before speaking, words dripping with sarcasm. "No, I didn't."
He sighed before putting his hands over his front, interlocking his aged fingers. "My friend Nicholas Flamel will be arriving momentarily to take the stone from you."
She looked up. "No, it needs to be destroyed."
He went to answer when the fire flared, and a tall man fell out. Athena surveyed him, raising an eyebrow at his white wispy beard and large bald patch yet youthful features. She supposed it was the effect of the stone. He wore an old-fashioned suit coloured a dark brown with golden swirls and a dark golden tie, black dress-shoes on his feet. He looked to Athena and she felt something drilling at her mental shields, but as a Goddess it was barely anything more than a bug despite its strength in mortal terms.
If we were truly mortal, that would have probably killed us, Minerva said quietly. Athena barely restrained a nod, used to being alone enough to physically react to Minerva's words.
"You are the girl?"
She gave a cordial nod. He snorted.
"You don't look like a twelve-year old."
"That's because I'm not." She replied simply, before holding up his stone. He went to grab it, but she held it back. "No. I want your word that it and any other replacements, copies and suchlike will be destroyed in the next decade by you and any others who take the concoction or use it."
He looked at her with an undignified expression. "Now see here-"
"I want your word on the Styx." She interrupted, making him stop still. Minerva crowed, oh let him be a demigod, please! It would be comic gold if he bowed!
"The Styx…that is a very hefty vow, child. I could lose my life."
Athena stood. "My name is Minerva Potter, but those who know me well call me Lady Athena." He turned a little green, giving Minerva a vague enough answer that she cheered. "Do I have your word, alchemist?"
He looked to the floor, nodding before muttering. "Yes, yes, I swear on the Styx."
She smiled, handing the stone back. "Give my regards to Perenelle."
He nodded, going back to the fireplace and disappearing into the floo without another word. Athena gave a smirk before sitting down, looking to Dumbledore.
"I'm my own force of nature, Dumbledore – don't try to control me, because it won't work."
He gave her an appraising look over his half-moon glasses. "Indeed."
There was silence for a time, the two studying each other. Dumbledore eventually spoke again.
"Is there anything else you wish to inform me of?"
She tapped her chair, humming. "Yes." She finally said. "Before I came to Hogwarts I was studying University degrees in various subjects. I took the school-year off and studied, drafted and completed my assignments during the winter-holidays – but despite my intellect, I am not Kronos. I do not have the ability to give myself more time, nor do I have the ability to skim my schedule. By the time I turned fifteen, I expected myself to have at least twelve different doctorates, but at the rate I'm going, that number will cease being a dozen, and will instead be down to five."
Dumbledore made a noise. "I did not know you were studying muggle subjects. If I may, have you any doctorates already?"
She nodded firmly. "I do, but it would not be proper to share them. Until I turn eighteen, I won't be taken seriously in the muggle world."
Dumbledore took another lemon drop before standing, going over to a bookcase. "Miss Potter, I will give you an artefact, if you wish, that will give you more time, but in the future I want exemplary behaviour from you. If one house-point is taken away, one detention given, you are late for class or some other suchlike, I will take it back until you either give a reasonable explanation or make up your wrong." He touched a book on a shelf, pulling it out, making the entire bookcase shimmer before disappearing, showing a safe. Athena, out of generosity, looked away as he unlocked it, only looking back when he sat down again, showing her a golden necklace with a moving hour-glass hanging from it.
"This, 'Lady Athena', is a time-turner."