Reading Consul of the Underworld: The Game Begins

by BonesBoy15

And we're back with the third daughter of the Big Three. Join the Heroes and Gods of Olympus as they read about the latest FemHarry Engineer4Ever has cocked up, learn more about their mysterious host The Seer, and crack jokes in this thrilling installment! Rating may change.

2. Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson or Harry Potter.

Reading Consul of the Underworld: The Game Begins

Year One: World Map Set

"...and if there's ever another mention about the Boo Cap on Olympus, so help me, I will bring that mountain down!" Hades snapped to his snickering brothers and sister. The uproar the first chapter had caused had finally died down and Hades quickly grabbed the novel to set some ground rules, which Zeus allowed mostly because it was just so entertaining. Finally, he could hold something over Hades' head!

The taunts over his 'tantrums' would hopefully end now.

"Sure, fine, just give the book back to the children," Poseidon said.

Hades eyed him warily. "Can we be civilized and continue?"

"Of course." Poseidon nodded.

Hades huffed and looked to the demigods. "Nico, if you would?"

"Sure thing, Dad." Nico grinned, still amused by the last chapter like everyone else. His father's reputation had taken a major blow. The book appeared before him and Nico cleared his throat. "World Map Set."

Alkaid was currently flattening the skirt to her Hogwarts uniform as she checked herself with a body mirror. Brushing some hair behind her ear, she smiled. Everything looked acceptable to the now eleven year old. Pleased, she walked over to her dresser to grab a few items to finish off her outfit.

The first object was a silver pocket watch with a long chain. On the cover, plated in gold and etched in platinum, was a moonflower. She clipped it to her skirt and pocketed it.

She grabbed a dark leather glasses case next and put it inside her cloak pocket. She then snapped her black business card holder that had elegant silver designs on its edges, up from its place on her desk, placing it in her skirt pocket.

As she finished getting dressed, the young demigoddess reflected on why she had chosen to go to Hogwarts. The school was after all a world away from the familiar Underworld she grew up in and the Californian surroundings that she most often visited in the mortal world. That being the case, it would at first glance make much more sense for her to attend at least an American school of magic, if not receive her magical education entirely via tutors from the safety of home.

However, Alkaid had very good reasons for attending Hogwarts. Firstly, a small part of her decision had been motivated by a desire to follow the Potter tradition of attending the school. Whilst she wasn't that close to her mortal parents, they did sacrifice their lives for her and she did feel a need to repay them in some way.

"Best to clear any debt with the dead now than deal with it later," Hades said softly with a nod of approval.

Secondly, and more importantly, was that going to Hogwarts would be a good first step in fulfilling her ambitions. Both the Potter name and her being the so-called Girl-Who-Lived gave her quite a bit of political clout amongst the British Wizards and she wanted to exploit that to flex her political muscles. She'd always wanted to have a go at playing and winning at the game of politics and Wizarding Britain, where she already had a stacked deck, was a perfect place for that.

"...Oh, she's a politician..." Zeus groaned.

"Joy, another Adolf."

"You don't know that, don't judge!" Hades scowled at his brothers' comments.

And to enter into the game of British Wizarding politics, she'd need to attend Hogwarts or she'd forever be seen as an outsider. Plus the fact that she would become an actual Lady in that society once she reached her age of majority and took over the headship of the Potter family was just icing on top of the cake.

With a shake of her head to release herself from her musings, Alkaid proceeded to head to the throne room, but not before grabbing her carry-on satchel. While very well behaved, she was still a demigod with ADHD, so she needed some personal items for when she inevitably grew bored.

At her arrival, Melinoe clad in her usual leather attire, whistled, "Wow, look at you. You really pull off that schoolgirl look."

"I am a schoolgirl." Alkaid deadpanned.

"Ha! Phrasing!"

Whack.

Apollo winced and rubbed his head while Artemis looked at her broken bow.

"It seems I'll have to craft a new bow." Artemis mused to herself.

Hephaestus nodded in approval. Artemis was always a 'do it herself' kind of goddess when it came to her bow. For that, he was grateful.

The goddess shrugged, "Yeah, well, it gives me some ideas. So thanks." The queen of ghosts winked.

Alkaid just wrinkled her nose at that.

Hades walked on in, wearing a similar suit to when they went shopping, but lacked the fedora. He glanced at Alkaid and smiled, "I've never seen you in a uniform before. It makes you look lovely."

Alkaid felt her cheeks heat up a bit and gave her father a soft smile at his compliment.

"Aww…"

Hades covered his face at his mother's coo. "Mother, please..."

"She's bashful, Hades, it's adorable."

The tender moment ended as a wall of roaring emerald flames crackled into existence beside them, causing Alkaid's smile to fade into her usual neutral expression. Checking his wristwatch, Hades began to usher his girls forward. Stepping into the flames first, Hades allowed himself a small smile before his large form melted into the flames, a "thank you" floating behind him. The moment the dark fabric of his suit disappeared Melinoe bounced forward and bid the flames a bubbly thanks as she was whisked away, the ghost of a smile playing at her lips. Eying the flames dubiously, Alkaid held her gazed at the flame uneasily for a moment before sighing. It was more covert to use the Floo, yes, as doing so would make them seem like a normal wizarding family, but there was still something disconcerting about willingly throwing herself into the control of another entity that just didn't sit right with her.

As she stood in front of the wall of flames, Alkaid's lips tightened. Well, there was nothing for it. Stepping into the flames, Alkaid's eyes closed as she gave her destination. As she finished her request, a small whisper tickled at her ear, "Have a safe trip dear." Her lips quirked into what might have been a smile before her body disappeared.

"Thank you, Aunt Hestia."

Hades gave his eldest sister a small smile, which she readily returned.

Poseidon and Zeus frowned. Hestia would keep this from them? They were conflicted on this revelation.

As they arrived, Alkaid witnessed the breath-taking sight of the scarlet metal of the steam engine perched on the tracks, the metal polished and shining in the afternoon sun as hundreds of conversations filled her ears as families shuffled around. Parents chatting with each other, children forgetting their toads, cats or what have you, people loading their luggage onto the train and old friends catching up after the break. A sign hung overhead: Hogwarts Express, embossed proudly in brass next to a clock as a reminder that the train had exactly twenty five minutes left before departure. Glancing around, she could just make out a wrought-iron archway in the distance, upon which the words "Platform 9 ¾" stood out. Next to the family was a skeletal servant, disguised by the Mist to look mortal as he carried Alkaid's trunk.

"Hm, a scarlet train?" Melinoe wondered with a sly look in her eyes, "I wonder what the students do on there." She ever so innocently asked.

"I believe you are trying too hard, daughter."

"Aw come on, Daddy dearest. You laughed, on the inside."

Ares snickered. "I laughed on the outside."

Hades gave a distasteful sniff at that.

Alkaid held a small smile at their banter until she saw her father go stiff. Melinoe also looked a touch worried but quickly scowled as Hades' appearance shifted. His suit turned a shade darker; his tie transformed with the black and platinum bits of the striped tie swapping places; and his white shirt changing colors to become a tombstone gray. Much like before, if you looked at his suit closely, you could see the souls trying to escape from their agony. His hair was also changed, suddenly becoming cropped short even as he grew a small goatee.

Alkaid's features quickly schooled, a cold stern mask settling over them.

"Oh FML." Melinoe audibly muttered.

Hades was no longer Hades, he had changed into his Roman equivalent, Pluto.

"Thankfully, I've never met him." Percy mumbled.

"Be happy for that." Nico returned with a grunt.

Hazel frowned. "He's not that bad."

"Please, if I had to choose who to invite to a party between Hades and Pluto, I'd choose Hades every time." Dionysus snorted.

Hades smirked lightly. "Thank you, Dionysus."

Yes, just as the Greek gods are real, so were their Roman counterparts along with their Roman demigod children. While the Greek demigods resided on the east coast of Long Island, the Roman demigods reside in California, on the west coast.

The two factions had a long bloody history with each other due to the ancient conflict between Greece and Rome. The last major fight between the factions occurred during the Civil War at the Greeks' Camp Half-Blood where New Rome invaded them.

It ended up being a three day battle with the highest body count in demigod history.

"All because of Athena's kids." Ares sighed in dismay. "Wish my kids could cause that kind of chaos..."

"Be silent, Ares!" Athena snapped to her brother. Her cheeks were gold in embarrassment. She did not take pride in being the cause for those casualties...on the Greek side, anyway.

In the aftermath, by decree of the gods, the two factions were separated to the opposite sides of America. And the Mist was used heavily to make them forget about each other so the gods did not have to watch their children slaughter each other or fight their own other aspects for dominance to try to help one side over the other.

It was why each faction were warned not to go to the other side of the country under the pretense that monsters were more frequent there for them.

Alkaid had met Pluto only a handful of times. While he was still the loving father he was as Hades, Pluto was more stern, disciplined (if that was possible), and imposing towards her since she was Greek.

"Do watch your language, daughter." Pluto replied smoothly to Melinoe, his silky tone sending a chill sparking down Alkaid's spine; she suppressed a shiver, Pluto never ceased to intimidate her, despite being more used to him than (likely) any other non-deity alive.

"Father Pluto." Alkaid greeted respectfully as Pluto set his fiery eyes upon her.

"Daughter." He greeted coolly as he looked forward. A woman approached them with a boy Alkaid's age trailing behind her, nervous as could be.

The woman was gorgeous, her smile was so disarming, even Alkaid nearly dropped her mask before her. Her hair was long and dark with ringlets, her skin a healthy olive tone, but her eyes were a rich hazel with a playful touch, like a cat's. Her high cheekbones and hourglass figure made her stunning, causing many men to turn to look at her as women gave her dirty looks. She wore a flowing black dress with a lavender robe and expensive jewelry.

"Anastasia Zabini." Pluto acknowledged curtly.

Alkaid inwardly frowned, trying to recall where she had heard the name before. She knew she had heard it somewhere before.

The woman's smile grew at spotting the House of Hades but took a respectful countenance as she approached, the boy (most likely her son) did the same, "Lord Pluto." She greeted respectfully back with a low bow.

"She wants the D."

"Be silent, Ares." Hades snapped to the amused god.

Aphrodite tittered. "My oh my, Hades. She is beautiful."

"Aphrodite!" Hades scowled. He was not a womanizer; that was Zeus' job! He just got lonely every few centuries.

She looked at Alkaid, the girl seeing the critical glance in her eyes, "And this must be your daughter."

"Indeed," Pluto gestured, "This is my daughter, Alkaid Potter."

Both Zabinis looked surprised, "The Girl-Who-Lived?" The woman gasped, obviously shocked by this development. So much so, that she for a moment forgot herself in the presence of her god.

Alkaid tried not to let her annoyance over such a frivolous title show. Melinoe loved to poke fun at it.

The woman smiled with motherly pride as she brought the nervous boy forward. His eyes were dark and matched his very short hair. He held his mother's high cheek bones and was just as tall as Alkaid, "My Lord, allow me to introduce my son, Blaise."

"Greetings, Lord Pluto." Blaise gulped, his voice only hinting at his unease.

"Alkaid," Pluto said to his demigod, "The Zabinis have been loyal followers of the cult of Pluto since the very founding of Rome. In fact, they are our strongest contacts in Italy for New Rome."

Lady Zabini gave a thankful bow, "Lord Pluto, you honor me and my house with your praise. We have long owed our prosperity to your patronage. It is only right that we serve you and Roma."

Ah, so that's where Alkaid heard the family name before. They were one of the handful of families that she'd learned about that worshipped her Father and who served as his agents. From what she had heard about Anastasia, she had been married seven times, and all of her husbands had died under mysterious circumstances while leaving her mounds of gold.

"...That's just wrong..." Hera scowled. What kind of woman did that to her husband? Granted, Hera had occasionally felt compelled to do the same, but she felt mortals didn't have the same patience that she did.

Hades shrugged Hera's distaste off. "Pluto's mortal followers are weird like that."

"While venturing into the magical world, Lady Zabini will be acting as your benefactor." Pluto explained to his mortal daughter, "If you encounter any issues, be inclined to write or talk with her." He instructed.

"It would be my utmost pleasure." The woman solemnly said as she acknowledged her god's command, "And my son would be more than willing to help as well. Correct, Blaise?" she told her son.

The boy nodded quickly and offered Alkaid an awkward smile. He was clearly eager to make a good impression on both his god and his family.

"Suck up." Zeus scoffed.

"Like you don't love it when it happens?" Hades countered.

"...I plead the fifth."

"That means 'yes'," Poseidon said with a smirk. Zeus scowled at him and his bolt crackled.

"Settle down, boys," Rhea said with a small smile of her own.

Alkaid gave a curt nod in return, but her cold mask dropped a degree so as not to rattle the boy further. She could see in the corner of her eye that Melinoe looked pleased that the boy might relieve himself in his pants at any second.

"Excellent." Pluto said, "I believe I will have my daughter find her compartment now. Good afternoon, Lady Zabini." He nodded.

"Of course, Lord Pluto." The woman said deferentially as she bowed low, accepting her dismissal. The god however didn't even blink at her respectful gesture and instead signaled to the disguised skeletal servant to follow him as he turned away from the witch. Alkaid and Melinoe flanked him as they walked into the train car nearest to them.

As they walked, Pluto reverted to Hades once more. He blinked once, twice, and frowned, while rubbing his temple, "I changed, didn't I?"

"Time does that to all living things," Rhea said. The demigods snickered softly while the Olympians smirked at the Titaness' joke.

"Ya mean turned into a dickish Roman? Yeah." Melinoe nodded, "You did."

Hades just gave her a look at that, but the goddess just shrugged it off.

They found an empty compartment and the servant put Alkaid's trunk in the overhead and placed Rhip on the cushioned bench. Hades waved his hand and the servant disappeared in a shadowy blink.

Hades offered a small smile to Alkaid, "We will see you during the holidays. Do enjoy your time at the school and learn what you can." He gently spoke.

Alkaid offered a bright smile as she hugged him, one he returned, and planted a kiss on his cheek. Freeing herself, she said, "Of course I will."

Melinoe punched her arm playfully, "Good luck. I might just stop by for some fun. I hear there are a lot of ghosts there. Plus, embarrassing you sounds fun." She shrugged.

"Please don't." Alkaid asked her, almost pleadingly.

"I make no promises."

"Be afraid." Artemis warned. "Apollo is an embarrassing twin, but Melinoe is another level altogether."

"Ow. My feelings." Apollo pouted at his twin.

She smirked at him. "Truth hurts, doesn't it?"

"Oh! You did not!"

"She did." Hermes snickered out.

"We best be going." Hades said, and with one final kind look to Alkaid, he disappeared as the shadows grew to engulf him.

"Such a moody softie." The ghost goddess rolled her eyes but followed her father after one last wink to her sister.

Alkaid smiled at her sister's antics and sat down after her family's departure.

She reached into her robe and pulled out her glasses case. Opening it, she unfolded the black rimmed glasses with silver trimming that lay within. Now, Alkaid had perfectly fine eyesight, but these glasses were special. The lens could change any language to look exactly like Ancient Greek. As a Greek demigod, Alkaid's mind was hard-wired for Ancient Greek, making other languages look jumbled in a way not dissimilar to dyslexia. Of course, this was hardly an insurmountable obstacle, with time and effort she could still read things not written in Ancient Greek. But reading most things was a tiring affair. Thus, she had gotten these glasses. She enjoyed reading books without the need to struggle, after all.

"...Percy, I know what I want for Christmas this year." Annabeth smiled at her boyfriend.

Percy blinked and turned to his dad. "Uh...know where a guy can get magic glasses?"

"I believe you're of the age where I should say: Get a job." Poseidon smiled as his brothers snorted in amusement along with the laughing demigods.

Percy, however, did not find it funny at all.

Also because Alkaid adored the sophisticated look they gave her.

Pulling out To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, from her satchel, she began to read as she waited for the train to start. As she did, she reflected on how her visit with the goblins in Diagon Alley ended.

"No doubt someone did something stupid and made me angry." Hades drawled.

"Now then, Mister Aggor, let's get back on track shall we?" Alkaid said after she calmed her father down from his overprotective rage.

"Yes, yes," The goblin said uncertainly. "Err… Where we were? Oh yes, you wanted a few things done, correct?"

"Yes." Alkaid answered smoothly. "As I informed you earlier I would like to withdraw a hundred galleons. Beyond that, I would also like to arrange a full audit of my assets and to receive copies of my latest financial statement to review whilst the audit is ongoing."

Aggor was in a conundrum. He was tempted, sorely tempted, to try to swindle the girl again.

"Ballsy Goblin," Hermes said. Even he wouldn't try to swindle one of Hades' kids. That was just plain stupid, and Hermes was anything but stupid.

But the looming presence of her godly father in the background made him think twice. But if he didn't test her, how would he answer to his superiors in the bank and the elders of his clan? Tradition dictated that the girl needed to be tested.

As if sensing his inability to decide, the girl provided him with a way out. "You also mentioned something of a fee for these services?"

Aggor was smart enough to not look a gift horse in the mouth and jumped at the opportunity the girl offered. "Indeed. The withdrawal is free of course, but the audit and the production of a financial statement are accompanied by an administrative fee of a thousand galleons total. Nine hundred for the audit and a hundred for the statement."

"Is that so? I was under the impression based on your published codes of conduct and internal bylaws that those services were free." The demigod questioned with the pretense of innocence.

"Oh! Burn!" Melinoe commented.

"They are, if you want to wait for a year for your request to be processed. It is why I said the fee was for my services as your accounts manager, the thousand galleons is for me to expedite the process." The bank manager countered smoothly, as he regained his wits. This was just like any other negotiation, just with incalculably higher stakes.

"Try too hard and swindle too much, and Hades will be having Goblin for lunch," Apollo said with a grin.

Hades gave a wry smirk. "That's probably one of the few poems of yours that I greatly enjoy, Apollo."

Apollo beamed and smirked at his twin. "Told ya my poems were good."

Artemis held her retort down. Calling Hades a bad judge was not a good idea. Especially when his daughter was in her care prior to her death.

"Ah! I see, so the fee is to speed up the process?" Alkaid asked rhetorically. "Then if I paid in full, when can I expect delivery of what I requested?"

"A week for the statement and six months for the audit. The statement is easy enough, but consolidating all the details will take time and even more so for a full audit, especially for an account the size of the Potter's." Aggor explained.

"That sounds suspiciously long." Hades said with a growl. "Or is your bank that inefficient."

"Temper, Hades, it is a test, after all." Rhea chided her eldest son.

Hades scowled. He didn't like hearing about his children getting swindled.

"Father." The witch chided, earning her a grunt of acknowledgement from the god.

"My Father is right though. That does seem to be rather a long time for such simple tasks, especially for a thousand galleon fee. How about three days for the statement and three months for the audit?" Alkaid continued, outlining her counter-offer.

"Five days for the statement and four months for the audit." Aggor replied with his own counter-offer.

"For eight hundred galleons total?" Alkaid countered yet again.

"Oh! Little Sis is changing tactics!" Melinoe singsonged.

"That's highway robbery!" Aggor shouted.

"Nah, this is highway robbery." Hermes grinned as he held up a highway sign. "Eh? Eh?"

Apollo snickered. "Nice one."

Athena pinched the bridge of her nose. Her brothers were all idiots...Well, maybe not Hephaestus, but he was the lone exception.

"No need to be so dramatic, good sir." Alkaid scolded. "It's a generous offer."

"Generous? Says who?" The goblin exclaimed, still playing the victim.

"Says me and I'm sure my Father would agree with me. Don't you, Father?" Alkaid said as she nodded towards Hades.

"Indeed it is." Hades confirmed with a smile. "It is most generous."

"You would bring your Father into this?" Aggor questioned. "What about trying to earn our respect on your merits?"

"Point." Nico noted. Using the 'Daddy' card was a bit low.

"My heritage is a factor in your calculation of my merits, is it not? If so, I see no reason to not make use of it." Alkaid answered smoothly. "In moderation of course."

Aggor laughed at that. "Impressive. You won't believe how many fools fail to grasp both those concepts. A person cannot be wholly divorced from their heritage, but relying on it entirely is foolish too. Too often you humans try to either not leverage your heritage or use it too much. It is good that one as young as you, Lady Potter, know the meaning of moderation."

"Lady Potter?" Alkaid asked curiously.

"You're deserved it." The bank manager said with a smile that showcased his many dagger-like teeth. "You'll get your statement and audit on your terms."

Hades smirked. "Well, now there's a bright one if I ever saw it. Odd, I could've sworn someone else was a god of intellect..."

Zeus scowled at his brother. "What are you insinuating, Hades?"

"Me? Insinuate? No, no, Zeus, I'm not smart enough to slip an insult under your nose."

Zeus glared at the amused King of the Underworld.

"Boys, behave. Or else." Rhea's warning was given through a tight frown.

"Yes Mother." The two replied, though Zeus now had a scowl on his face and Hades a small smirk.

Poseidon had a small chuckle under his breath. That was one more for Hades.

"Thank you, Mister Aggor." Alkaid said sincerely. "It was a pleasure doing business with you."

"I assure you, My Lady, the pleasure was mine." The goblin replied as he continued to smile at the young demigoddess.

"Alkaid, the cup." Hades said suddenly just as things seemed to be concluded.

"Spoilers, Uncle H!" Apollo chided the god with a wag of his finger.

Hades gave Apollo a dull glare. "It's been long enough."

"Not everyone has read the book!"

"Not true, Apollo, I finished re-reading the series last week," Rhea said. She tapped her chin. "I'm looking for something new. Suggestions?"

Apollo grinned and held up a book with a small blonde boy atop a red toad. "Manga?"

"Na-Root-oh?" Rhea asked.

"Nar-u-to." Apollo corrected with a grin.

"Lord Apollo, please stop saying that name." The Seer popped in with a frown on his face. He twitched as the gods peered at him. "Um, am I interrupting?"

"Why don't you show us your whole face?" Hermes asked.

The Seer frowned at the god. "And lose my mysterious points? I think not!"

"Mm, he does have a point," Aphrodite said with a giggle.

"Besides, weren't you all reading about the daughter of Hades?" The Seer turned his head pointedly to Nico, or rather the book in his hands. "Is it so boring that you're interested in what's under my hood?"

"No," Rhea said before the Olympians could speak. She sighed. "Apologies, dear host. It was rude of us to intrude on your business."

The Seer held his hands up and waved them gently. "Oh, no, it was no trouble. Please do refrain from mentioning that name, though."

"Naruto Uzumaki."

The Seer turned sharply to Apollo – who grinned like a loon – and his nostrils visibly flared for a brief second. "Yes. That name. Don't use it."

"Why?" Apollo asked.

Artemis groaned. "Please, for the love of Grandmother, don't start that incessant trope."

Apollo pouted at her. "You're no fun." He turned back to The Seer, only to see he had left when everyone looked at Artemis. "Way to go, Arte. You scared him."

"He most likely fled to escape your idiocy."

"Grandma!"

"Settle down." Rhea told the two. She turned to Nico. "Please continue dear."

"Yes, Grandmother." Nico nodded.

"Thank you for the reminder, Father." Alkaid replied honestly as she smiled at her father. In her thrill at a heated negotiation, she had forgotten all about it. "Mister Aggor, I do have one last piece of business to do with you."

"Oh?" The goblin asked curiously. "What is it, My Lady?"

"Voldepants has a Horcrux hidden in your little bank and we want it killed." Melinoe said abruptly before Alkaid could say a word.

"A Horcrux? Of the Dark Lord's? Here?" The goblin questioned incredulously.

"I'm afraid so, Mister Aggor." Alkaid confirmed solemnly. "It's in the vault of Bellatrix Lestrange."

"You are sure of this?" Aggor asked seriously.

"We are positive." Hades answered. "The dead cannot lie to me."

"They tried to. Once." Hades smiled fondly at the memory. "Ah, that was a great day. First day on the job...If only I had known the Hell that awaited me."

Poseidon laughed. "Good one, brother!"

"I wasn't joking."

"...Wordplay?"

Hades glowered at his brother for a moment before he smirked. "Alright, yes. I am witty."

Aggor gulped, but steadied himself. "I see, I'll have it brought to us immediately."

"Save yourself the trouble." Melinoe cut in. "You want it gone? Say so."

"Yes, we are Gringotts most definitely want that abomination gone from our premises." Aggor confidently declared.

"That is good enough, is it not, Father?" Alkaid asked cautiously.

"It is." Hades confirmed as with a wave of a hand he summoned the Horcrux into Aggor's office.

The goblin jumped out of his seat at the sudden appearance of the artifact. "What…"

"Be calm, Mister Aggor." Alkaid soothed. "My father merely needed your permission to summon the Horcrux from your vaults."

"He's just too polite to take it without asking first is all." Melinoe clarified.

"Boo! I'm with the Ghoul, should've stole it." Hermes frowned.

Hades rolled his eyes. "Thievery is not my forte, Hermes."

"...You could ask for a favor."

"Your favors are expensive."

"And you're just cheap!"

"Sister." Alkaid hissed. "You're not helping."

Hades ignored his daughters' bickering and instead leveled a glare at the Horcrux, a gilded cup. Gathering a miniscule fraction of his power in one finger, he fired a beam of shadow at the artifact. The instant the cup was hit, it let out a wail of utter agony before cutting off abruptly as it was vaporized.

"...Man, I wish I could do that." Nico muttered.

Ares grinned at Percy. "I can do that. Anytime I want."

"Not here." Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Zeus, Demeter, Hestia and Rhea frowned at the war god.

Ares scowled. "Tch, man...it's just not fair."

"Is it done?" The shaken goblin asked timidly.

"It is. You can relax now, Mister Aggor." The mortal daughter of Hades comforted.

"Yes, and that concludes our business here today as well." Hades said as he finally rose from the chair that he been lounging in since Alkaid had calmed him down at the start of the meeting. He hadn't even gotten up when he was dealing with the Horcrux having dealt with it entirely without leaving the comfort of his seat.

"Again. I can do that too."

"Ares, shut up. We can all do that." Athena drawled. "We chose not to announce it because doing so would be petty and make us seem weak."

Ares glared at her. "Who are you callin' weak, Owl Head?"

"Ares. Thin ice." Zeus warned.

Ares glared at the smirking Athena. "Stupid daddy's girl..."

Athena glared back at him for the insult. She was not a daddy's girl!

"Yeah, we can finally leave!" Melinoe cheered exaggeratedly.

With a put upon sigh, Alkaid turned to Aggor and politely added, "It looks like we will have to take our leave now."

"Yes, of course." The still rattled goblin managed. "Just give me a moment and I'll see you out."

After taking a few more minutes to calm down, Aggor had escorted her and family out of the bank with all due respect. Handing over a satchel with her withdrawal of the day as she left, even as he bade her farewell using her newly acquired title. A fact that did not go unheeded she noticed by the other goblins in the bank lobby, who all seemed to perk up at the bank manager's words, though the mortals were too far away to hear.

Well, all except the oddly dressed, even by the standards of the magicals, man that had been entering just as they were exiting. He'd been near enough to hear what Aggor had said and did a double-take. He didn't approach though so Alkaid dismissed him. Her father though glared at the man as they passed, which wasn't surprising because his garish robes were decorated with the symbols of the so-called "Deathly Hallows." Powerful artifacts of godly power that the death god, Thanatos,

"The dumbass." Ares jeered.

Hades rubbed his forehead. "If I could fire him, I would."

had given away to a trio of brothers centuries ago and had caused her father an annoyingly large amount of paperwork ever since, first for being divine artifacts left in the hands of mortals and secondly because of all the many unnatural and untimely deaths they caused.

Thankfully that issue was on the way to being resolved as just a few months back her father had sent her to retrieve the "Hallow" known as the Resurrection Stone. A stone that had the power to summon shades of the deceased back onto the mortal plane. Normally her father wouldn't have bothered recovering another god's treasures for them, or sent his daughter on his behalf to do so, no matter how annoying they were.

Fortunately, the recovery of the Resurrection Stone happily coincided with another objective he did care about: Voldemort's Horcruxes. The vile bits of magic that allowed the self-proclaimed "Dark Lord" to defy death. Hades took a very personal interest in those, not only because it was the means by which a mortal was defying his grasp which was affront enough. But more importantly because the accursed mortal had dared defile his daughter by turning her into one. Unwittingly or not, that was an insult the Lord of the Dead would not allow to go unpunished.

"Indeed." Hades glowered and glared at Apollo. He despised the fictional villains who tried to cheat him. It always pissed him off.

So he set out to have them destroyed. Just like the cup he had dealt with at Gringotts and long before that the one in her once upon a time scar.

Though he didn't always have the luxury to deal with the things himself. Sometimes loathe though he was to do so, he had to send Alkaid, one of his most trusted agents, to deal with them. Hence her recovery of the Stone. Though Alkaid couldn't really complain, since she had been allowed to keep the Stone as a reward after it had been cleansed of Voldemort's taint. A fact that she was grateful for since she discovered how great a boon it was to her necromancy. Ever since, she made sure to always carry it on her person.

Alkaid was jarred from her light reading and trip down memory lane as the compartment's door slid open.

It was that boy, Blaise, "Um, hello Miss Potter." he greeted nervously.

"Hello to you as well," she replied curtly.

"D-Do you need anything?" he asked her.

Alkaid hummed in thought. The boy was obviously here to do his duty to serve her as his mother and more importantly as his god, her father, had commanded. She looked at her satchel, she already had some galleons and drachma in her bag for purchasing goods while on the train along with some Go-Gurt as a snack (she loved yogurt). After another hum, she said, "I could use some chocolate." she said, going into her bag for some money, but Blaise halted her.

"I'll go get some." he said quickly and departed with a shut of the door.

Alkaid frowned, she didn't even get to say what kind of chocolate she wanted.

As she returned to her reading, the door opened once more a minute later. Oh my, that boy was certainly fast. Ah, it seemed Alkaid was incorrect in her assumption. She had new visitors.

A girl with long curly brown and forest green eyes poked her head in. She glanced around and smiled at Alkaid, "Hullo! Was wondering if you'd mind some company with me and my friend?" she said in a chipper tone.

"Tracey, don't be rude." Came a colder voice from the now fully open doorway. The speaker was a pretty girl with long strawberry blonde hair (nearly red in shading) that was tied up in a ponytail and sharp icy blue eyes. She was almost as pale as the demigoddess and held herself with excellent posture. She had the high cheekbones and angular jaw typically associated with European aristocrats. Her icy eyes locked onto Alkaid's, "I apologize for her brashness."

"You make me sound like a house pet." The other girl, Tracey, frowned.

"You can be as troubling as one."

"Ow, thanks Daphne."

"...Well, I wonder whose daughter she could be?" Artemis asked.

Apollo frowned at her. "Oh, just because I like to have daughters named after her a lot you assume she's a demigod? Judgmental much?"

Alkaid looked amused at the scene, "I wouldn't mind some company." She said, closing her book and taking her glasses off. "Alkaid Potter." She introduced herself with her hands folded over her lap.

As expected, their eyes zoomed immediately to her forehead.

"Um, I might be wrong here, but last I heard, Alkaid Potter had a lightning bolt scar on her noggin."

Alkaid let out a mock sigh, "I have no idea where that tasteless rumor started. Whoever said that was clearly wrong."

"That's just what we were told growing up." Tracey shrugged as she moved to sit down on the opposite bench along with Daphne, "Well, I'm Tracey Davis. This lovely ray of sunshine is Daphne Greengrass."

Daphne offered her friend an icy glare at that.

Alkaid's lip quirked up, "Charmed to meet the both of you."

"Wait a tic,

"I love that phrase." Leo grinned. "'Wait a tic, this means I'm single again! Oh behave!'"

"Ah, the end of the good Mike Myers Years," Apollo said with a fond sigh.

Hera scowled. She hated that line and those films.

Zeus grinned subtly. He loved the Austin Powers films. They were hilarious.

you don't even have an accent," Tracey pointed out as the train lurched forward and left the station.

Alkaid nodded, "No surprise there, I may have been born British but I live in California with my father."

"America? So lucky!" Tracey bemoaned, "I've always wanted to go there."

"You said father," Daphne pointed out sharply, "Were you adopted?"

Alkaid gave an enigmatic smile, "Yes I was, when I was very young." She wasn't lying. She just wasn't referring to what the girls thought she was, after all James Potter technically did adopt her as a babe, "He takes wonderful care of me."

"In California, there's that place right? Vinewood?" Tracey asked curiously, making Alkaid stifle a giggle while covering her mouth.

"Hollywood."

"Weird, I'd thought everyone knew that?" Leo asked.

Apollo shook his head. "Each country has their own claim to fame, Leo Valdez. It's a misconception."

"Plus, these girls are only eleven." Annabeth added. "Learning about other countries isn't on their minds...though it should be, considering they're five centuries behind the modern world considering their culture."

"More like two or three," Athena said.

She corrected, "And that's where muggles make movies. I've been on a few sets, it's an interesting experience."

"Wow! You have to tell us more." Tracey pressed enthusiastically.

"Perhaps another time." Alkaid deflected. "Right now, I'm more interested in the Houses at Hogwarts. Any you two are interested in? I'm curious about Ravenclaw and Gryffindor myself, mainly the former. The idea of being part of the House of the brave has its appeal but personally I prefer to be seen as wise."

Athena smirked. "I like this girl, Hades."

"Biased." Poseidon coughed. He rubbed his neck. "Sorry, there's a tickle in my throat."

"That's kinda an odd combo. I've never really put too much into which House I'd end up in before, just planned to go with the flow, you know?" Tracey said as she thought about her own preferences. "But if you have to make me choose? Hmm… I guess Ravenclaw? For pretty much what you said."

"Daphne?" Alkaid asked the other girl.

"Slytherin," Daphne said,

"Not mine!" Apollo crowed with a smirk. "No kid of mine would be associated with a snake and I wouldn't touch a Slytherin with a ten foot pole even if they were smoking hot like me! In your face, sis!"

Artemis rolled her eyes.

"Both my parents went there, so I most likely see myself there as well."

"Hm, an interesting take given its negative reputation." Alkaid stated airily.

"I find that rumors are pointless at times. Each house has its negatives. People just feel the need to point at Slytherin's more since they rely on cunning and seek greater things than the average." Daphne responded.

Just then the door opened and Blaise returned laden with an impressive amount of chocolate of at least a half dozen different types.

"Ah, Blaise." Alkaid smiled with a soft clap of her hands, "Welcome back. I see you were triumphant."

"Um, yes." the boy nodded at seeing the other occupants, "I didn't know what you wanted, so I fetched a little of everything."

"Indeed? How wise of you. Oh, where are my manners? Allow me to make some introductions. Daphne, Tracey, this is my companion Blaise Zabini. Blaise, these are Tracey Davis and Daphne Greengrass." The daughter of Hades introduced.

"We've met before." Daphne inclined her head, "Zabini."

"Greengrass." the boy greeted back, "And you must be Davis."

"Got it in one." Tracey nodded, eying the chocolate, "So, quick question. You planning to share that loot?"

Blaise glared at her, "This is for Miss Potter."

"For his Mistress."

"Aphrodite!" Hades scowled at the tittering goddess and the laughing duo that were Apollo and Hermes.

that raised some brows between Daphne and Tracey.

"Now, now, there is no harm in sharing." Alkaid chided.

"Yeah, Apollo." Hermes waggled his finger. "Share."

Apollo glared at him halfheartedly. "I would if you had asked, you thieving brat."

"Easier to ask for forgiveness than it is permission," Hermes said in return with a cheeky smile in place.

"Of course, my lady." Blaise said awkwardly. "Err… What would you girls like?"

"A Chocolate Frog, please." Tracey enthusiastically said.

"One of those Chocolate Eggs, if you don't mind." Daphne ordered. "So what's the relationship between you two?"

"I'll have a Chocolate Skeleton, Blaise." Alkaid said to the boy before turning to Daphne and answering her question. "The Zabinis have, at my father's request, graciously offered to serve as my guardians whilst I am in Britain. They hold him in quite high esteem, hence Blaise's deferential attitude towards me."

"More like he's become her personal assistant," Hazel said.

Nico hummed. "I wonder if I could get a skeleton to do that..."

"Wouldn't be much conversation," Jason said.

Nico rolled his eyes and looked at the book. "You just don't understand the dead like I do."

"Really?" Daphne asked disbelievingly. "Your father must have done something really special for the Zabinis for them to treat you with this much respect."

"He has." Blaise confirmed.

"Oh?" Tracey said as she rejoined the conversation. "Now I'm curious, what did he do?"

"Tracey." Daphne rebuked her friend. "Don't pry. Though if the two of you are willing to tell us…"

"Sorry. Family secret." Blaise replied, to which Alkaid nodded.

"Onto other matters, since we still have a ways to go before we reach the school, why don't we share a little about ourselves? Perhaps our hobbies? I'll start. I have a quite a few myself, such as gymnastics and music, just to name a few.

Apollo grinned. "Flexible and a music fan, huh?"

"Apollo, I will ensure your death if your other goes near her." Hades warned.

"Alright, alright...Window shopping it is. In a few years or so."

Artemis scowled at her twin while Hades' glare became chilling.

What about you three?" Alkaid asked curious about her new friends.

"Well, I like playing chess…" Daphne began as the group of children began to get to know each other.

The group spent the next ten minutes continuing to talk about their interests, when suddenly the door opened and a sniffling boy popped into their cabin asking if they had seen his toad.

"Poor Neville." Leo sighed. It was always the outcasts like the Stud Muffin that got the short end of the stick in the early years.

Alkaid instructed him to ask one of the older kids, perhaps a Ravenclaw, to try a summoning charm. Nodding his head in thanks, the boy promptly left.

As Alkaid listened to some of Tracey's interesting gossip, their compartment received a visit once again. My oh my, she was quite popular today.

Three boys entered, the two bigger boys flanking the smaller one in the middle like bodyguards. The two 'bodyguards' were solid walls of fat and bulk, and looked a tad inbred if their…dim faces were anything to go by. The one in the middle looked like a Ken doll, with loose pale blond hair.

"Probably built like one, too."

"Percy!" Annabeth mock glared at him.

Percy shrugged. "What? He's like the wizard equivalent of Octavian! Gotta get my digs in."

"I support this." Jason nodded.

His expression though, detracted from that statement somewhat, Alkaid didn't remember Ken being so...stuffy.

"Is it true?" he said. "They're saying all down the train that Alkaid Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"

Alkaid frowned, "Demanding answers in such a fashion reflects poorly on one's upbringing." She curtly stated and deflected, her tone as frigid as the north winds, forcing the shorter boy to color. Tracey sniggered as Daphne looked a touch amused. Even Blaise coughed to hide a chuckle.

The boy turned to look at those who had laughed at him, "Greengrass," he greeted, though he looked a bit colder at Tracey, "Davis."

"Malfoy." Daphne greeted in what seemed to be her usual cold manner while Tracey didn't even bother with acknowledging him.

"And Zabini! What are you doing here?" this Malfoy character asked.

"'This Malfoy character'...Meta comment or just a statement?" Apollo wondered aloud.

"A statement, Apollo," Athena said.

"Aw, that's no fun." Apollo frowned.

"Hello to you too, Malfoy." Blaise greeted with a small smile.

Malfoy glared briefly at Blaise for his cheeky reply and instead moved on with his own introductions as if he hadn't heard the boy.

"This is Crabbe and this is Goyle," said the pale boy pointed to his two 'friends', "And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy." He held out his hand.

"Boo!" Apollo threw popcorn at the screen. "You're an insult to Bond fans everywhere!"

Alkaid raised a brow at the James Bond style introduction. It was terrible. Sean Connery did it far better when she had luckily met him at a café one time. She reached out and shook the boy's hand nonetheless, no point alienating him.

"Well, after a proper introduction, I can clearly say; yes, I am Alkaid Potter." She greeted with a small smile and retracted her hand, "Is there something you need?"

"I'm here to offer you some advice. You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." he said this while looking at Tracey.

The brunette bristled at that, "You have something against me, Malfoy?"

Before Malfoy could respond to Tracey, Alkaid cut in. "Now, now, Tracey, Draco. We're all friends here, are we not?"

Both Tracey and Malfoy heard the edge in her voice and understood the underlying message behind the Potter heiress' statement and backed down. Seeing this Alkaid continued, "Good. Now as for your offer, Draco, whilst I'm sure that your insight into the various prominent families of Wizarding Britain is enlightening I'd really like to explore it on my own."

Malfoy seemed to take offense at this as his face flushed and he looked ready to retort harshly.

"He doesn't hear the word 'no' often enough from his parents." Piper noted. She grew up around snobs and a few of her sisters occasionally acted that way.

In contrast, Tracey, and even Daphne, had obvious looks of satisfaction at seeing Malfoy snubbed. Blaise on the other hand, looked a little torn. Alkaid made a mental note to find out why that was even as she moved to defuse the situation. "That is not to say that I won't need your help. As I said, your knowledge will most definitely be enlightening. Thus, I am certain that I'll be have to rely on it often."

Malfoy seemed mollified with that. "I see. If that's the case, then feel free to approach me whenever you feel you need help." Malfoy said with a slimy smile plastered on his face. As if he had won their little game.

"I will." Alkaid confirmed. "Now, if there was nothing else…"

"Ah, right." Malfoy said, that smile still plastered on his face. "I'll take my leave now. Ladies, Zabini, have a good day." With that he gave a mocking bow and walked off, his 'bodyguards' trailing behind him.

Alkaid inwardly smiled. Oh, how adorable. The boy thought he won that little engagement.

Percy frowned. "Didn't he though? I mean, she agreed to ask him for help when she needed it."

"No, Percy." Annabeth shook her head. "She said if. A common mistake is to mentally replace the word 'if' with 'when'."

"In the words of Panic: 'If'...If is good.'" Frank nodded at his words while Hades smirked at the quote.

Truly his character was the best in that film.

Sadly, the little Malfoy had much to learn.

"Miss Potter, was siding with Malfoy wise?" Blaise asked suddenly.

Before Alkaid could reply, Daphne did for her. "Don't be daft, Zabini. Potter did no such thing. She said she would approach if she needed his help, which she does not. Am I correct?"

Alkaid just gave her companions an enigmatic smile. "I'll neither confirm nor deny that. Think of it what you will."

Tracey burst into giggles then, despite that she managed to say, "Oh! Alkaid, you're a riot!"

Alkaid's eyes lit with amusement. "Now then, where were we? Oh yes. Blaise, you were telling us about your adventures in Italy?"

"Ah, Italy..." Aphrodite sighed happily. One of her favorite locations in the world, next to Paris and all of Greece of course.

About an hour later, a voice echoed through the train: "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."

"After it has been looted for anything worth while," Hermes said in a casual manner.

"I believe it." Leo nodded. "Went to Wilderness with a box of crayons from Kindergarten. Never saw those things after day one."

Alkaid cocked her head to the side and said, "Well, it seems that we are almost at our destination. We'd best get ready. Blaise as the only boy, would you mind stepping outside while Tracey and Daphne change into their uniforms?" The intervening hour had been more than enough for Alkaid to become familiar enough with the two girls to call them by their first names, with their consent of course. Though Daphne had yet to return the favour and call her Alkaid, preferring for the moment to call her Potter.

"Of course not, Miss Potter. Just let me grab my stuff. so I can change in the bathroom in the meantime, alright?" The Italian boy suggested.

"That's a great idea." Alkaid conceded. "Tracey, Daphne, since I've already changed I'll step out as well."

"You don't have to." Tracey suggested. "You're a girl, right?"

"Wow, so young-ow!"

"Be quiet, Apollo." Artemis growled after she had smacked her twin's arm.

"That may be true. But it would be plenty awkward for all of us if I just sat there whilst the two of you changed, would it not?" The Potter heiress explained.

"Thank you for the consideration, Potter." Daphne said with a small smile.

"I aim to please." Alkaid replied with a playful smile as she stepped out of the compartment with Blaise following just behind her on his way to the bathroom.

As Alkaid waited outside the compartment, she took the time to evaluate her new friends. Both Tracey and Daphne seemed like nice people, even if Daphne was a little cold. They both come from prominent families though, with good connections in the Wizarding World. Building a friendship with them would be most profitable indeed.

"...Um, what happened to making friends for the sake of friendship?" Percy asked.

Apollo snorted. "What are you, Anzu from Yu-Gi-Oh?"

The daughter of Hades was busy plotting on how to make use of her friends' networks of friends and family to further her own ends when a call from inside the compartment informed her that the other two girls were finished changing. She was just stepping back into the cabin when she caught a look at her friends.

"You two look very cute in the uniform, Tracey, Daphne." Alkaid complemented. "Especially you Daphne, it suits you."

Both girls blushed, though Daphne's was more restrained.

Aphrodite gained a smile.

Hades rolled his eyes. "I'm surrounded by perverts."

"I feel your pain." Artemis sighed.

"That's quite the compliment coming from you, Potter. Seeing as how you make the uniform look a piece of haute couture." Daphne said returning the compliment.

Percy looked at Annabeth. "Was that even English? I mean, English English?"

"It's a French phrase that means custom fitted," Piper said.

"...So it's not English at all?"

"No."

"Then I don't care." Percy shrugged. One language was hard enough.

"Why thank you." Alkaid replied, graciously accepting the complement.

Just then the train slowed to a final stop, even as Blaise finally returned.

"Looks like we've stopped. We must be there." Blaise said stating the obvious.

"Thank you, Captain Obvious!"

"You're welcome, Corporal Douchebag!" Ares returned with a salute.

"Ares! Language!" Hera hissed.

"Which one? English? Greek? Wait, do I have to speak French?"

"No!" Aphrodite looked horrified at the thought. Ares did not speak French well, it was an insult to her second language.

Tracey teased, causing Blaise to flush red.

The child of darkness changed the topic by putting her satchel in her trunk and turned to her friends, "Shall we go?" The others nodded and they headed out of the compartment to join the crowd thronging the corridor.

People pushed their way toward the door and out onto a tiny, dark platform. The cold air danced across Alkaid's cheeks, it was far colder here than in California.

"Yeah, by like, a hundred degrees and then some." Apollo snorted.

Then a lamp came bobbing over the heads of the students, and the demigoddess heard a loud voice: "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!"

A giant of a man with a big hairy face beamed over the sea of heads, "C'mon, follow me - any more firs' years? Mind yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"

Slipping and stumbling, they followed him down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. It was dark on either side of them, but Alkaid could see perfectly. Since her father was the prince of darkness, it was only natural that she had night vision. It was what allowed her to walk down the path with a regalness that was the envy of her fellow first years.

"One poor sod fell down the stairs, hitting his head on each step."

"Ares, shut up." Zeus groaned.

"Granny, Pops is being mean!"

Zeus pinched the bridge of his nose while Athena gave Ares a dry stare.

"Really?"

"What? Apollo does it."

"Ye' all get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," the giant man called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."

There was a loud, "Oooooh!" As they laid their eyes on the castle.

The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great black lake.

"Home of Bob, the giant squid." Percy grinned.

"I don't think we'll see much of Bob in this one, Percy," Poseidon said with a chuckle.

Percy frowned. "Aw, but I liked Bob."

Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, its windows sparkling in the starry sky, was a vast castle with many turrets and towers, the warm dots of lights winking at them from the windows. In Alkaid's opinion, it was small and dull. She just hoped it had indoor plumbing.

"No more'n four to a boat!" the man called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. Alkaid accompanied by Blaise, Daphne and Tracey, entered the first rickety boat they reached. "Everyone in?" shouted their guide, who had a boat to himself.

"Which slowly but surely began to sink under his weight." Ares smirked.

"Dude...magic negates weight. Duh," Hermes said with a roll of his eyes.

"Right then - FORWARD!"

"To battle!"

"No, Ares."

Ares whined in dismay at Zeus' dry retort.

"This story is so boring! The last one had like three fights by now!"

Poseidon smirked while Hades rolled his eyes.

And the fleet of little boats moved off all at once, gliding across the lake, which was as smooth as glass. Everyone was silent, staring up at the castle overhead. It towered over them as they sailed nearer and nearer to the cliff on which it stood.

Alkaid looked at the massive lake with a frown. She wasn't into big bodies of water. A pool? Sure. A lovely bath? Absolutely. But larger than that? It wasn't her cup of tea.

"Never did like tea." Poseidon mumbled.

Hades smirked at him.

"Heads down!" yelled the guide as the first boats reached the cliff; they all bent their heads and the little boats carried them through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. They were carried along a dark tunnel, which seemed to be taking them right underneath the castle, until they reached a kind of underground harbor, where they clambered out onto rocks and pebbles.

Then they hiked up a passageway in the rock after the man's lamp, coming out at last onto smooth, damp grass right in the welcoming shadow of the castle.

They walked up a flight of stone steps and crowded around the huge, oak front door. "Everyone here?" Receiving affirmative nods, the guide raised a gigantic fist and knocked three times on the castle door.

The door swung open at once. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a very stern face that spoke of a no nonsense attitude. Alkaid could respect that, she must've been McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress of the school.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said the tall man.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." She pulled the door wide at that. The entrance hall beyond was decent for a castle of the size Hogwarts was. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches and the ceiling was too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them led to the upper floors. Relatively impressive, but nowhere near the standards of opulence that Alkaid had had the privilege to come across in the past.

They followed Professor McGonagall across the flagged stone floor. Alkaid could hear the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right -the rest of the school was already here - but McGonagall showed the first years into a small, empty chamber off the hall. They crowded in, standing rather closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses.

"Alright, taking all bets, folks, taking all bets!" Hermes grinned as he flipped a notepad out. "What house does Alkaid go to?"

The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room."

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards.

"'Cept for the last one. Those are usually evil." Frank nodded firmly.

"All snakes are evil, Frank Zhang." Apollo crossed his arms. "This is a solemn, godly truth."

"From a biased god." Hermes added.

"Shut up, Herm."

While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours."

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

Her eyes lingered for a moment on some students, "I shall return when we are ready for you," Professor McGonagall said at last. "Please wait quietly." With that she left the chamber.

Alkaid stood in the centre of the room idly chatting with her friends and observing her yearmates.

She took note especially of those from leading Wizarding families. Best to build up a mental map of the various players as early as possible. She memorized those who looked the most nervous, suggestive of a lack of self-confidence which could be exploited. She kept a tally of all the leaders of the various small groups that had formed, those would likely be her rivals in the making.

"And she will crush her enemies in an iron grip, like winter does to the motherland," Hermes said in a Russian accent and a raised fist.

"Hermes, let's try not to be offensive, shall we?" Rhea asked.

Hermes pouted. "Yes, Grandma..."

The daughter of Hades was about to move on to cataloguing the remainder of the first years, the sheep, when she was interrupted by an unexpected sensation. Tilting her head to the side to face the direction that the feeling was coming from, she heard several people scream. About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glancing at the first years.

That was until they sensed their superior within the crowd.

It was like a trainwreck for ghosts, they all collided into each other and turned to Alkaid in disbelief and reverence, confusing many of the students.

"They must not have gotten the memo." Hades sighed. That was embarrassing.

They must not have gotten the memo. Alkaid thought scathingly as she frowned disapprovingly at the ghosts.

"Well, someone seems in tune with his daughter."

"Shut up, Poseidon."

Using her control over the dead she gave off a warning vibe, making the ghosts quickly scurry away like frightened mice. She did not need any ghosts blowing her cover just so they could brown nose her.

"Move along now," said a sharp voice. "The Sorting Ceremony is about to start." Professor McGonagall had returned. Oh, that was fortunate. At least it was a good excuse for why the ghosts suddenly left, much to Alkaid's inward relief.

"Now, form a line," the stern woman told the first years, "and follow me."

Alkaid and friends, with herself at the front of their little group, joined the line between a girl matching her height with red hair (And surprisingly a Boston Red Sox cap)

"Ten bucks, she's a demigod." Ares grinned.

"Not likely," Athena said. "She's from Boston."

"Boo!" Annabeth and Percy jeered.

"That figures." Thalia rolled her eyes.

"Yankees all the way!" Annabeth proclaimed.

"Blue for the win!" Percy added.

Thalia palmed herself in the face. "Read...just-just read..."

and a sandy-haired boy who was just behind Blaise at their rear. Once appropriately lined up, the first years walked out of the chamber, back across the hall, and through a pair of great thick double doors made out of ancient oak into the Great Hall.

Alkaid enjoyed the medieval atmosphere. The Hall was lit by thousands and thousands of candles that were floating in midair over four long tables, where the rest of the students were seated. The tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets, just like home. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. Professor McGonagall led the first years up there, so that they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of older students staring at them like a sea of faces. Dotted here and there among the students, the ghosts shone misty silver. Glancing up, Alkaid saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with artificial stars.

She heard a girl whisper in awe, "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in 'Hogwarts, A History'."

"Gee, I wonder who that was?" Piper asked with a small smirk.

Alkaid returned her gaze to Professor McGonagall, who silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the stool she put an old ratty patched up and tacky looking pointed wizard's hat.

The demigoddess noticed that everyone in the hall was staring at it and decided to focus on it as well. For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then the hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth - and the hat began to sing...quite horribly.

Alkaid just tuned it out, finding the song annoying. The applause of the entire hall a few minutes later gained her attention, signaling it was over. Thank Apollo! The hat bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.

Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment. "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said. "Abbott, Hannah!"

After only a few moments, the hat called out Hufflepuff for the girl and Professor McGonagall proceeded to call out the other names in alphabetical order.

"Branwen, Pyrrha!"

"About time," the Boston girl next to Alkaid said as she strode forward with an air of great confidence.

"Boo!" Annabeth added once more.

Athena hummed in thought. "Pyrrha...is that not the only female survivor of the Bronze Age's name?"

"A name not well known much longer," Zeus said with a nod of agreement. He furrowed his brows. "She is a demigod."

"Boo-yah! Called it! Y'all owe me ten bucks! I want twenty pointers."

"Ares, be silent before I put an arrow in your head." Artemis snapped with a glare.

Ares merely grinned.

She took off her cap and a waist length braided ponytail unraveled. Once the hat was placed on her, it was only a second later that the tacky hat cried out Gryffindor with clear terror.

Students kept being called and placed in house after house. Tracey was put in Slytherin along with Daphne soon after. Malfoy went to that house along with his two large friends too.

There weren't many people left now. Su Li was called up and after a moment she went right to Ravenclaw, looking rather happy. Next came "Moon" "Nott" "Parkinson" then a pair of twin girls, "Patil" and "Patil" then "Perks, Sally-Anne" and then, at last - "Potter, Alkaid!"

Alkaid kept her features schooled for the inevitable. Whispers suddenly broke out like little hissing fires all over the hall.

"Potter, did she say?"

"The Alkaid Potter?"

"No, the other Alkaid Potter. Man, people is dumb," Leo said with a roll of his eyes.

Ignoring the rest of the whispers from the yammering masses, Alkaid walked forward to the stool. She nodded to the female Professor and sat on the stool, hearing people whispering about her lack of a scar. The next second, the hat fell to cover her eyes and she was looking at its black insides.

"Hmm," said a small voice in her ear. "My my, a demigod? And that of Hades? I see, I see, an ambitious type, aren't we?"

Alkaid felt her lips curl upward and thought, Well, greetings to you as well.

"Suck up."

"Silence, Ares."

"And so polite, quite refreshing. Now let's see...you have quite some talent in you. You'd thrive in Ravenclaw, but with so much cunning, Slytherin feels far more your pace."

And whilst that is true, it is also cliche for someone of my heritage. While I feel Slytherin has been unfairly branded as an 'evil' house,

"Snakes are evil!" Apollo argued.

Hermes rolled his eyes. "So not the poster boy for unbiased gods."

"Shut up, Herm."

nevertheless by joining it, I will not be able to initiate my plans.

"And very daring plans they are. But, I can see your point. Still, where to put you? Ravenclaw?"

The people expect me in Gryffindor, I suppose I'll appease them for now.

"Oh no, I'm afraid that wouldn't suit you at all. You are certainly brave, all you demigods are born heroes after all. But bravery is hardly your defining trait, and while I do give some leeway to personal choice, I'm not about to go completely against your natural inclinations to satisfy it."

What then?

"Well, you're quite the scholar are you not? Particularly, when it comes to magic. That being the case, why not go for RAVENCLAW!"

Athena grinned and Hermes scowled.

"Dammit. And I was so looking forward to a few interns."

Annabeth looked at her mother and then snuggled close to Percy. Godly bets were something she did not want to be a part of.

Alkaid heard the hat shout the last word to the whole hall. She took off the hat and walked gracefully toward the Ravenclaw table, casually brushing some hair behind her ear as she did. She had gotten the loudest cheer out of all those called. Many of her new housemates moved to shake her hand as she passed them to take a seat at her new house table, a gesture she graciously accepted.

Alkaid sat down near a lady ghost who looked at her nervously.

"Loved that chick. She was hot."

Artemis gave her twin a dull glare.

The daughter of Hades just gave her a small reassuring smile as she turned to see the High Table properly now. And there, in the center of the High Table, in a large gold throne (How distasteful),

"Hey!" Apollo frowned along with Zeus and Hera.

They happened to like their golden thrones, thank you very much.

sat Albus Dumbledore.

And now there were only four people left to be sorted. "Thomas, Dean,"

Poseidon glowered at the boy whose alternate self asked his daughter out.

Rhea cleared her throat and the god of the sea brooded over the memory.

a dark skinned boy joined the Gryffindor table. "Turpin, Lisa," became a Ravenclaw and then, "Weasley, Ron," who after a minute was sorted into, "Hufflepuff!"

There was a slight pause before the Hufflepuff table began clapping politely, the boy looking on in clear disbelief.

"Huh, Weasley's a Puff? Didn't see that coming," Leo said.

A ginger Prefect near Alkaid by the Gryffindor table looked lost and gobsmacked at Weasley's sorting and didn't seem to regain his equilibrium as the sorting concluded with "Zabini, Blaise," joining Alkaid at Ravenclaw where he promptly sat down next to her. McGonagall rolled up her scroll and took the Sorting Hat away.

Hm, so Blaise was the only one of her new friends in her house? Well, Alkaid was good at meeting new people, so it wouldn't be difficult to gain some in her new house as well. A task only made easier by having her loyal henchman at her side. A thought that caused a mischievous smile to spread across her face as she looked at the Zabini, who in turn forced a weak smile onto his own face as he started to sweat bullets. The daughter of Hades' grin was terrifying.

Turning her attention away from Blaise, Alkaid folded her hands as she waited for the meal to arrive as Albus Dumbledore had gotten to his feet. He was beaming at the students, his arms opened wide,

"And he ripped ass."

"Ares!" Rhea glared at the god and then at every other male that was trying (most failing) not to laugh at Ares' comment.

Poseidon, unfortunately for him, was the first to break. This let out a sea of laughter that came from the others, all laughing at the thought of one Albus Dumbledore, actually breaking wind during a serious moment in the story.

Rhea glared at her middle son, who sent her an apologetic look, but continued to laugh. Oh, he was so in trouble.

Minutes later, once the laughter had died down, Nico continued.

as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there.

The daughter of Hades had only heard about Dumbledore, but now she could get a first person perspective of him.

"Welcome," he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!" He sat back down. Everybody clapped and cheered.

Her first assessment was that the old was both very good at misdirection and being utterly ridiculous.

"Again-Mmf!" Ares started to struggle with a bronze plate that appeared over his mouth.

Hera, her cheeks gold with embarrassment, had had enough and decided to do something about her embarrassing son.

What better way to shut him up than bolt his mouth shut?

Alkaid glanced down and looked pleased to see the food appear. On the table was roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops and lamb chops, sausages, bacon and steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, fries, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, and, for some strange reason, peppermint humbugs. It truly was a feast it seemed. Still, it was too meaty and fatty in her opinion. Since she was a vegetarian,

"Power to the plant people!" Piper cheered.

Thalia shook her head and frowned at Jason. "How could you like someone that won't eat a burger?"

"Thalia..."

"Just asking, is all. It doesn't add up."

Alkaid took the greens and anything that looked scrumptious that wasn't meat. Her gymnastics coach had introduced her to the lifestyle a few years ago and Alkaid had taken to it quite seriously. She saw enough dead things in the Underworld as it was, eating them too was just too much. At least dead plants didn't end up in the Underworld.

Though Melinoe often tried to make her slip up with trickery. Her father on the other hand looked annoyed over her choice since it was something his sister Demeter had invented.

Hades let out a grunt of discontent while Demeter grinned.

"The first niece of mine I may not mind."

"Oh go chew on a wheat stock."

As much as Alkaid loved him, Hades did have a tendency to gripe. Of her immortal family, only her stepmother Persephone wholeheartedly supported her choice.

That said, if the feast was any indication it was going to be a challenge getting all the nutrients she'd need on a purely vegetarian diet here at Hogwarts. Well, she was always up for a challenge. She'd just need to find her way to the kitchens and arrange for some special dishes to be prepared just for her.

People chatted all around the table as Alkaid made small talk with her neighbors. As befitting the house of scholars, the other Ravenclaws were all excited to learn more about magic. All around the table intelligent discussions about the nature of magic were taking place, Alkaid found herself quickly caught up in one such conversation with Blaise and a second year about the merits of the spells covered in the first year. Oh, if this was a sign of the kind of discussions she had to expect from the House of the Corvid then she was thoroughly going to enjoy her time here in school.

When everyone had eaten as much as they could, the remains of the food faded from the plates, leaving them as sparkling clean as before. A moment later the desserts appeared. Blocks of ice cream in every flavor you could think of, apple pies, treacle tarts, chocolate éclairs and jam doughnuts, trifle, strawberries, Jell-O, rice pudding.

"Damn. And they say Americans are overweight." Leo mumbled.

"Language, Leo Valdez. Language." Rhea chided.

Alkaid grabbed a small bowl of chocolate ice cream. As loathe as she was to admit it, she had had a weakness for the cocoa bean since her first Hersey Kiss.

As the topic of discussion around her shifted to the students' families, a topic Alkaid had long since grown bored of discussing, she instead turned to eye the High Table, observing the professors. That Hagrid guy was drinking rather heavily. Professor McGonagall was talking to Headmaster Dumbledore. A guy in a terrible purple turban was talking to a teacher with greasy black hair, a hooked nose, and sallow skin.

Alkaid's eyes narrowed as she looked at them as a tiny smile crossed her lips. Really, he thought he could hide from her? For shame on the pitiful fool.

"I wonder if he knows just how stupid hiding in plain sight is?" Hades asked.

Finally, the desserts too disappeared, and Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The hall fell silent.

"Ahem - just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."

"Shame no one ever listens to the rules," Athena said dryly.

"Some rules were made to be broken." Poseidon argued with a grin.

Dumbledore's twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the ginger haired twins at the Gryffindor table, "I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Next, Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch."

"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

Alkaid blinked her starry green eyes. Well, that was interesting information to be stored and pondered on later.

"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore. Alkaid looked amused at the other teachers' forced smiles. Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words.

"Everyone pick their favorite tune,"

"Ear plugs, anyone?" Apollo asked as he manifested the objects in his hand.

said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"

Once more, Alkaid tuned out the terrible singing. Ugh, honestly, Melinoe's death metal was more appealing then this train wreck.

"Ah, music," Dumbledore said, wiping his eyes as the travesty finally ended, "A magic beyond all we do here!

"Truth!"

Artemis sighed. Her twin had such a huge ego.

And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"

The Ravenclaw first years followed the prefect Penelope Clearwater through the chattering crowds, out of the Great Hall, and up the marble staircase. Alkaid felt annoyance as the Prefect, led them thrice through doorways hidden behind sliding panels and hanging tapestries. Honestly, was there no straight path from point A to point B? They climbed more staircases, the other children yawning and dragging their feet, all the way. Alkaid in contrast remained on full alert due to being something of a night owl. Fortunately so, since it was this alertness that saved Blaise from a nasty fall when in his sleepy state he didn't notice as he stepped on a disappearing step on one of the staircases.

"That would cause problems on going to the bathroom in the middle of the night." Frank winced at the thought.

After a long trek through the castle, the Ravenclaws arrived at a eagle shaped knocked embedded in a otherwise non-descript wall. It was, Clearwater explained, the guardian of the dorms. In order to enter the room, a person must answer a riddle asked by the eagle knocker; if they answer incorrectly, they must wait for someone else who gets it right. For tonight, as something of a special concession and demonstration for the first years, the knocker would be giving a simple and famous riddle and Clearwater would answer it for them.

What has four legs in the morning, two in the evening, and three at night?

Alkaid couldn't help but contain her snickers at the sheer simplicity of the riddle. The Sphinx must be thrashing in Tartarus at how she let that one go.

Annabeth scowled and crossed her arms. A few grumbles about what she'd do to the Sphinx if she ever saw it again made Percy gain a nervous smile.

He really needed to watch what he did in the future and had to really not make Annabeth angry.

"Man," Alkaid spoke up in a clear regal tone before Clearwater could provide the answer.

What was behind the hidden entrance was a wide, circular room with a midnight blue carpet, arched windows hung with blue and bronze silks, and a domed ceiling painted with stars. It was quite the cosy little Common Room in Alkaid's opinion. During the day, the impressive windows must give the Ravenclaw students an excellent view of the school grounds. The room was furnished with tables, chairs, and bookcases; and by the door leading up to the dormitories stood a tall statue of Rowena Ravenclaw made of white marble.

There was a catcall whistle and two of the virgin goddesses glared at Ares, Hephaestus, Hermes and Apollo.

Ares was still bolted shut, so it wasn't him.

Hephaestus...well, he was Hephaestus. He wasn't one for catcalls.

"Wasn't me." Hermes shook his head when Artemis and Athena turned their gazes on him. He held up two fingers. "Swear on my honor as a thief."

Apollo interlaced his fingers behind his head and lounged when their gazes turned to him. "Me either. And unlike the speedster, I don't lie."

Aphrodite had a small giggle. She whistled again and grinned when her fellow goddesses gave her disgusted looks. "What? She's a pretty girl. I don't discriminate."

"Best. Pantheon. Ever." Apollo and Hermes agreed with a high five, both grinning stupidly.

The girls were directed to the girls' dormitory. They entered to find their trunks at the foot of five four-poster beds that were covered in sky blue silk eiderdowns and the sound of the wind whistling around the windows, was very relaxing. The daughter of the Underworld could already picture how soothing it would be to fall asleep to that sound.

After the long night of festivities, the girls were too tired to do anything and so promptly changed into their pajamas and crawled into bed for the night.

Still, not all were ready to go to bed this wondrous night. Alkaid still had some unfinished business to attend to before she could retire for the evening.

"She's going to go deal with Quirrell, I'm sure." Hades drawled.

"Horcrux hunts so soon?" Hestia frowned in disapproval.

Hades shrugged. "Grudge's quickly dealt with. I see no harm in it."

Severus Snape was in a foul mood. Down in the dungeons near the dormitories for the house of Slytherin, in the quarters set aside for its head of house, the head sulked over the latest insult he had received.

Potter.

That barbarous, infantile, pathetic bastard's

"And now I wish I could judge him." Hades scowled.

(May he rot!) child was now here. Oh, Dumbledore told him to treat the girl like he would any student.

By all means he joyously would.

He could just see the arrogance wafting off the girl, it was nauseating.

He rubbed his eyes, he wasn't going to get any sleep like this. He moved over to where he kept a freshly brewed sleeping draught. It wasn't just the standard formula either, it had his own personal adjustments so it wouldn't taste like rot. If he was going to use it as a sleeping aid like he was tonight, then it would jolly well at least taste pleasant.

It took him all but three seconds from the moment the potion touched his lips and went down his throat, to realize something was wrong.

He quickly moved to his drawers of ingredients, pulling open the slot for the bezoar, only to find it empty. Instead of being caught flat footed by this though, he rushed towards his backup antidotes, but found them to be gone as well.

"Oh my," a young female voice tittered, "Look at you, scurrying like a bug."

"...She didn't!" Hestia was horrified.

Hades let a small smirk cross his face. "Well, it was Snape's leak over their location...he knew the weakest link after all."

"Hades, how can you condone this? She's only eleven!" Rhea frowned.

Hades pointed at Zeus. "His star demigod strangled snakes while he was in the crib." He pointed at Hermes. "That one ran away from his crib minutes after birth." He pointed at Apollo. "That one was hardly a few months old when he killed Python. And then the twins both killed the fourteen children..."

"Okay, okay, we get your point." Zeus scowled as his children looked sheepish at their younger adventures.

He turned to see nothing but an empty lounge chair. But then wisps of shadows begun to appear from nowhere, steadily coalescing into a humanoid form before finally curling away to reveal-!

"Potter." Snape spat venomously as his body started to shake and he fell to his knees as his legs gave out. "Wh-What did you-?!"

The girl examined her nails as she disinterestedly replied, "Whilst I do admit I disapprove of the need to use poison, as it is too stereotypically the murder weapon of choice for women, I found it quite appropriate for this occasion." she turned to give him a playful smile, "After all, one needs not add something foreign to a potion to make it deadly. Why, any medicine can be a potent killing agent if the dose is...increased."

"Ohh, that's a good line." Apollo rubbed his chin. "I might use that..."

"You-!" Snape gurgled out as he collapsed to the floor, his body spasming.

"Just imagine it!" Alkaid gleeful clapped her hands once, "You, Severus Snape, renowned Potioneer...meeting your end over the simplest of mistakes." she gave him a mock frown, "Such a shame. Oh well, mortals usually fall due to their hubris.

"Isn't that Athena's problem?" Hermes asked.

Athena subtly scowled at Hermes' comment.

'Tis as common a fate as day becomes night after all."

Snape's dilated eyes widened, that would mean-!

"Yes," Alkaid smiled, as if reading his mind, "Your reputation will be forever tarnished in your death. I pondered how to end you most painfully. You have no family, no loved ones, all you have is your art and reputation. And I have officially destroyed it in one swoop. A coup, no?"

Snape foaming at the mouth was his answer.

"You must be wondering, 'Why is she doing this?' Well, Professor, it is quite simple." Alkaid said heatedly as she glared down at him as if he was trash, "Did you really think you could play both sides for your own self-preservation? You sold out my mother and James. Well, unfortunately for you, all you have managed to earn by doing so is the ire of a higher power, and the accompanying terrible fate. You are truly such a simpleton."

Alkaid could feel his life-force fading, best wrap this up and retire. It was nearly her bed time.

"Get the brat a bottle." Ares mumbled as he rubbed his mouth. He finally got the bolt off of his face.

"Please give my regards to Charon, will you?" she said, all the while flashing the enigmatic smile that she was so quickly becoming famous for throughout the castle. That smile that just exuded her superiority over all around her, that hinted at the deadly secrets that she knew. As the shadows slithered around her, slowly making her disappear, it was that mocking smile that was the last to vanish. As if she was the Cheshire cat.

"Now there's a scary thought," Dionysus said. "A brat with the ability of the Cheshire Cat. Ghastly."

It was this last mocking sight that Severus Snape saw as he faded from the mortal plane.

As he opened his eyes, he was in what seemed to be a lobby filled with ghosts. He looked to see a podium where a tall man with chocolate-colored skin and bleached-blond hair shaved short stood wearing a fancy suit and sunglasses.

"Welcome newly dead," the man drooled in a bored British accent, "Best take a number mate...you'll be here awhile."

On the lapel of his suit was a nametag.

Charon.

"No good lousy money spending bastard..." Hades grumbled.

Percy leaned over to Annabeth and whispered. "Think Charon ever got that raise?"

"I heard that, Percy Jackson. And I didn't forget that you were the one that told him he deserved it!"

Percy winced as Annabeth smirked at him. "Don't think so."

Nico turned the page. "Another O-make, thing."

"Can we not?" Hades asked.

"Read, Nico di Angelo." Zeus ordered with a smirk on his face.

Hades glared at his youngest brother. "There will be a reckoning for this, Zeus."

"I quiver in fear, Hades."

"Boys, behave," Rhea said with a frown to her two sons. She smiled at her grandson. "Continue, Nico."

"The First Horcrux," Nico said.

Hades perked up. "This ought to be interesting. I wonder how it will turn out for Mr. Riddle?"

Alecto, the leader of the Kindly Ones, hid in the darkness of night while perched atop a lamppost in Surrey, England. Her Master's lover had been slain that very night, her child (her Lord's child!) orphaned. Naturally, the god's wrath was unbounded, as a result the Underworld was ten times more dangerous than usual:

"So glad we went on a good day." Percy mumbled. Annabeth nodded in agreement with him.

Hades glowered. "My helm was stolen, it was hardly a 'good' day."

"I'd take that over meeting you after one of your lov-mmf!" Annabeth slapped a hand over her boyfriend's mouth.

"It was a bad day, Lord Hades, you're absolutely right." She nodded in agreement and then glared at Percy while he looked confused.

What did he say?

punishments increased, workers were forced to do quadruple shifts, no one made a peep though in fear the god would lash out, even his wife was on pins and needles in the wake of the god's grief.

It was this grief that had led the Fury to where she was now, waiting for the chance to snatch her Lord's daughter back to the safety of the Underworld.

After the foolish mortals left the child on the doorstep (in chilling Fall mind you)

"In England?! Oh, gods, Rowling is so lucky that her story is so lighthearted compared to reality," Apollo groaned. "The problems that an infant could develop after a minute or two exposure to cold air are highly consequential!"

"These 'wizards' are dumbasses," Artemis said through gritted teeth.

"For once, Artemis, we agree." Hades grunted.

of her Lord's lover's sister, Alecto made her move and snatched the child. Ugh, she felt like one of Zeus' harpies, the kleptos.

Zeus drummed his fingers on the arm of his throne. He wondered if he should be offended by that or not.

Despite her irritation at the deed, she dutifully delivered the child, staying low to avoid drawing attention from the sky but high enough to avoid similar notice from the ocean. The two others of the Big Three could not know of the existence of the child after all. What with her very life being a violation of the Oath between the Three Brothers.

"Indeed."

"Not like it matters," Poseidon said. Zeus glared at Poseidon, who shrugged. "It's not."

Hades looked upon the little girl in his arms and let his first true smile grace his face that trying day. His daughter was safe now. He would let no harm befall her, not so long as he could help it. There was however one thing he needed to do to keep that promise.

He had to remove the Horcrux embedded in that disgusting scar that marred the girl's perfect skin. It was in the shape of a lightning bolt of all things!

"How embarrassing." Hades scowled.

"I think it's charming." Zeus muttered.

"You would.

The very sight of it caused his anger to spike and shadowy wisps to drift off his shoulders. The accursed thing reminded him of Zeus, and made him remember the last time he lost a lover.

But the gurgles and coos of the girl was like a blanket of calm and Hades took a deep breath. He glared at the scar and held a long white finger on it, extracting the soul from it and reduced it to nothingness.

The process was swift but intensely painful for the toddler as evidenced by the piercing scream she let out as her father dealt with the soul fragment. Looking at the ugly scar, he used his godly powers to purge the blemish so his little girl's skin was perfect once more.

"You will be safe, daughter, I promise you." The god said solemnly as he began comforting his hysterical child.

"Father of the year."

"Shut up, Duckie Boy."

It took Hades a good hour to finally calm Alkaid down. But as she finally did and looked up at him with her starry green eyes and clapped her pudgy little hands with a baby smile, showing her tiny teeth growing in… All felt right during that moment for the Lord of the Underworld.

"Aww, what a sweet ending," Rhea said with a happy smile.

"Gag me." Ares grunted.

Nico closed the book. "All right, who's next?"