The Ascension
Chapter I.
Author's Note- My thanks to those who reviewed; they do help to motivate. Anyhow, this next chapter is the last the Wizarding World will see of Harry for quite some time. (He will be in the Tri-Wizard Tourney tho) The next chapter or two may seem a bit rushed, I don't particularly care. I just can't write much about really small children, so he will be growing up pretty fast. At least to the point of him and Percy becoming friends. Harry will be something like his unofficial protector...you know, if say Zeus were to throw a tantrum, they've got someone who can fling lightening bolts right back at him if needed. This will also make Poseidon an ally. In case anyone was curious, the main reason Harry will be so powerful is not to fight against his usual Wizarding foes or even monsters, but to bring balance...aka- Zeus cannot make unilateral decisions that only benefit himself- or dictate whatever he wants just because he's the most powerful with an overinflated ego and sense of entitlement. Thanks.
All the way across the Atlantic Ocean, what appeared to be a blonde-haired youth of around seventeen or eighteen years abruptly shot up from a bed; his crystalline blue eyes wide as he recalled his dream. To many, the golden-skinned young man was of an unparalleled beauty; with a body Adonis himself would be jealous of. His eyes were drawn to his left where a gorgeous young blonde woman was sleeping soundly. He had picked her up at a club the night before.
While this was nothing new to him, he had found her to be especially delectable. The shade of the girl's hair and the hue of her eyes were near to perfect...almost. So close to what...his...had been. Yet as his haunting dream reminded him, nothing and no one could ever truly compare to anything about him...his love. It made him feel pathetic sometimes, that no matter the never-ending number of centuries that passed, he would never stop loving him...he could never stop loving him; it was a simple impossibility. Near on to four millennia, and his heart still belonged to him. For whom in the universe could ever compare to his beautiful Hyakinthos. Him, whose beauty was without compare, and was far more the just his outward appeal. His heart and mind had been as beautiful as the rest of him combined.
He sighed as he walked over to the balcony and looked out to the waning moonlight. He would have to begin his duties again soon.
Hyacinthus used to love the moonlight.
'Ah, the way he would dance under the light of the moon was always so enchanting,' he thought as his eyes became unfocused and he was drawn back in time.
Over 3,000 years ago
It was the middle of the night and he had just come to meet his love. Hyacinthus had asked that he play his harp for him tonight, and he would never dream of denying Hyacinthus anything he asked of him if it was at all in his power to grant.
He had begun to play a song he had written just for his love.
As he plucked each string of his harp, he used his powers for his music to resonate with the feelings in his heart.
Hyacinthus listened to each note, and he could tell he could feel the love he held for him in each note that was played.
By the time he finished, Hyacinthus' emerald green eye's were shining with the emotions he felt towards the god in front of him who showed him just how much he loved him in such a way.
"That was beautiful 'Pol," said his young mortal prince.
"Not as beautiful as you my love. No words or mere notes of music are capable of capturing your grace," he told him truthfully.
His lips were soon descending on his young love in a passionate kiss.
Using his own mortal magic, Hyacinthus waved his hand and charmed his harp to repeat the song he had written for him. He then stood up, grabbing his hand as he walked towards the warm wading pools in that secluded section of the palace gardens. Slowly, tantalizingly slow; he removed his toga and sandals until he was beneath the moonlight in all his naked glory.
"Join me 'Pol?" His love asked him with an impish grin; the moonlight lending his hair an almost silver glow.
He certainly did not need to be asked twice.
"I haven't seen you stare at the moon like this in a very long time, Brother," Artemis, Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt said with a tap to his shoulder; bringing him out of his reminiscence that was both painful and wonderful.
"Hello, Lil Sis," Apollo told his twin sister quietly; rarely had anyone ever seen Apollo thus.
It was an extremely rare occurrence for Artemis to find her brother in anything other than his usual playfully cheerful and upbeat mood.
'Especially after the evening he likely had,' she thought; glancing to the blonde girl asleep in the adjoining bedroom.
No matter how they acted towards the rest of the world, and especially around other people, she loved her twin dearly; faults and all.
As such, Artemis was most likely the only one alive (with the possible exception of Hermes) that would have any idea what could possibly be wrong with Apollo. It had only taken one look into her brother's eyes and she had known what was the matter. Only the thoughts of Hyacinthus could render Apollo into such a state. She knew there were no words that would help him. It was only something he merely endured.
Her Hunters often asked her many times how she tolerated her brother's constant philandering ways, and were often left confused when she rarely, if ever, would utter a word of re-prove on the subject. While she might not approve of how he went about it, she knew he was just trying to fill the void that had been left in his life these past millennia since he lost his mate.
Artemis held on to the small hope that they might somehow find one another again, as to her knowledge, Apollo was the only Greek god that had ever actually found his true mate. She knew the two had been mates even though Hyacinthus had been mortal at the time. According to legend, no god would long last the demise of their true mate. They would begin to fade. The fates had confirmed that Hyacinthus had in fact been her brother's true mate. Considering he had been gone for millennia, and Apollo had only grown stronger, (something only she and their mother knew) the only option left is that the two would someday, somehow, find their way back to one another. She believed this whole heartedly, and she knew her brother held onto a tiny, slim, miniscule amount of hope that he would find him again. She dearly hoped so, and that this time the boy would be immortal as the true mate of a god had to be. In time, even she had grown exceedingly fond of the good-natured boy. He had been the perfect balance to her twin.
So, she did the only thing she thought might help him.
Sitting down, she pulled her twin into a quiet hug.
"You'll find him one day, Little Brother," she whispered quietly.
Lily looked down at her sleeping baby boy and smiled. He would be safe, she knew he would be. She just hoped that if she fell, it did not take too long to come back to herself. She felt her daughter's presence materialize in the room.
"How is the little one?" Hestia asked her mother.
"He's fine. Just sleeping, darling," Lily said.
Quietly, the two deities left the room.
"How are you and the Little One, Mother?" Hestia asked.
Lily closed her eyes as she let out a sigh.
"Tired, my dear," she replied.
"This hiding cannot be easy on any of you," Hestia said quietly.
"No, tis not easy at all. It totally goes against James' nature. Considering what we know of his 'other self' that is hardly surprising. He has never been known as anything approaching patient," Lily said with a quiet chuckle.
"Darling, we must prepare. I hate to even think it, but I fear my time as a mortal is drawing to an end. That upstart 'Dark Lord' is getting closer to finding us. He is so obsessed over this foolish prophecy that I doubt is even legitimate. We know their is a traitor in the Order. I fear we shall be discovered soon." Lily explained.
"Is it really as serious as all that?" Hestia questioned.
"Indeed it is. For a mortal, this Dark Lord is exceptionally powerful. We have fought him off before, but he is more determined now. I don't believe my mortal body can stand against him. I'm scared, Darling. Not for myself or James of course, but the baby..." Lily trailed off; her fear for her child could easily be heard in her voice.
By this point, Hestia herself was beginning to worry. If she could merely find and end that abomination of a mortal that dared to threaten her child and mother, she would do it in a heart beat. Unfortunately, even if she found the disgusting creature there was little to nothing she could do about it. The Ancient Laws prevented her from interfering. Even then, she normally would have been able to get away with it, or would have done it regardless of the repercussions; but this dark lord had become too well known. If it had been nearly any other mortal it could have escaped notice. However, Hestia was not the only deity that had taken an interest in the comings and goings of Voldemort.
"If he does find you, how can we protect the baby?" Hestia asked; getting to the heart of the matter.
"I think I have finally found a way to guarantee his safety. I found an ancient ritual that involved a life to life sacrifice. I've been tweaking it though. I believe I have found a way to trigger Harry's immortal self. I have linked our life forces using the ritual. If I willingly sacrifice myself for our child, I can transfer my powers in this body to the baby by the willing sacrifice using blood magic. The transfer will flood and overflow his senses. Because of Hecate, I am a rather powerful witch, and I have access to a small amount of my divine essence. Harry himself, even at this young age, is already extremely powerful. The human body is incapable of holding the amount of power he would have after receiving my blessing. It would force his body to take on his divine essence in order to absorb and control the power. He would be in divine form for several minutes at the least. Of course, it will turn any mortal in the room into ash," she said; finishing with a somewhat devious grin.
"Well, that is certain to be a shock for this pathetic dark lord," Hestia said; agreeing completely with her mother's plans.
"I must ask something of you, Darling." Lily said.
"I'll help in any way I'm able, Mother. What do you need?" Hestia inquired.
"You know what happens when the mortal shell of a divine entity is killed. Since I was born in this mortal form, it will take longer for my divine self to regain cognizance. Assimilating everything could take up to several years. We left instructions of where our child was to go in our wills, but I have a feeling they will be ignored. The headmaster of Hogwarts has taken an inordinate amount of interest in Harry. I don't trust that old human for a moment. He will try to use and mold my child into a martyr for his so-called 'Greater Good'. I will not allow him to be used. From some of the questions he has asked of me, I have the feeling he will try to send Harry to my mortal sister, Petunia. You remember what I told you about her and her wretched husband. I have no doubt in my mind that she and her oaf of a husband would abuse him. I need you to take him, and hide him." Lily told her daughter.
"I couldn't take him to Olympus. Certainly not until you are returned to us. Zeus will have enough of a fit as it is, and I have no idea how he will react when he discovers he is also the son of his Norse counterpart. Because of our blood, he could well have control over storms approaching Zeus' own. I think we should keep that knowledge from him until the Little One is fully immortal. After that, there is nothing he can do about it. Especially considering he will always have our support, and possibly others as well. Besides, I doubt he would risk Odin's possible wrath...Hmmm. I think I have just the place in mind. Ogygia...What about there? I'm sure Calypso would welcome the company, and no one would find us," Hestia said after thinking it over.
Lily thought it over for several moments.
"Yes, that would be perfect. Calypso could use the company, and he can be hidden from both the divine and wizarding worlds there. Are you sure you're alright with all this though? I know it will put a strain on your own time Dear," Lily asked.
"I dearly hope it does not come to that, but should it come to pass; there is nothing I would rather do. You know how much I love him. He may even get a little friend. Your a grandmother again by the way." Hestia informed her.
"Thank you, Darling. Now, which of my children has recently had another child?" Lily inquired.
"It's my pleasure. Oh, and it's Poseidon. He secretly had another demi-god son around a year ago. His name is Perseus...Percy Jackson. I told you about that new law Zeus passed about the gods having contact with their demi-god children, (which I still say is despicable). Anyway, since he knows Zeus is watching him especially, (considering he's the reason he made the law in the first place). He's asked me to try to keep watch over him. Being my favorite brother and all, I of course agreed. He's an adorable child. He actually resembles our boy a great deal believe it or not." Hestia told her mother.
"I believe you've got the right of it concerning that foolish law. It is going to have repercussions later, I guarantee it. Poseidon must really love him to ask that of you. I hope my new grand-child remains safe. Perhaps the boys can go to Camp together. Now, let me show you what I have planned and where all the baby's paperwork and mortal documents are..." Lily trailed off as the two women left the room and Lily showed Hestia where everything she would need for the baby was to be found.
Three Weeks Later-
Hestia looked around the destroyed room with a devastated expression. She saw her mother's body laying on the ground in front of her son's crib. She knew it could take quite a long time before she would be able to speak to her again. The re-integration process took longer depending on how long they had been in a mortal body. Several feet to the left, she spied a pile of ashes surrounding empty black robes.
'So it all worked,' she thought.
At least something went right, and that disgusting so-called dark lord was done for. She saw Little Harry beginning to stir. The process of absorbing his mother's powers and assuming his divine form would have taken a great deal out of him physically. He was just now waking up.
She walked over to the crib and picked her beloved son up and cradled him in her arms.
Slowly, his emerald green eyes opened wide as he quickly searched for a reassuring face.
Seeing Hestia, he immediately calmed.
Still, it broke Hestia's heart to see the little tears slowly falling from his eyes. Small as he was, he was still uncommonly intelligent. Supernaturally so for a mostly mortal child. He knew his mother had been killed and probably sensed his father had as well.
"Don't worry, Little One. I'm here. No one will ever harm you again." Hestia told him.
She heard noises outside followed by a male voice yelling out, "James!"
"I'll see you soon. I promise. The mortals just can't know," Hestia told him.
She laid him back in his crib and then made herself invisible. She would have to wait until the mortal placed him wherever they thought he would be living until she could take him to the home she had built for them on Calypso's Island. Hecate was going to place a golem there that was life-like enough the mortals would never realize it was not the real boy. At least not until it was time for him to go to Hogwarts.
Hestia watched the scenes play out as first Sirius Black arrived. What happened next however, confused her greatly.
She saw the Headmaster of Hogwarts Albus Dumbledore arrive just as Sirius was going to take Harry to his home. If he had managed it, she would have revealed herself to him, and worked out a custody arrangement as both Lily and James wished for him to be in the child's life.
It was not to be.
The Headmaster waved the famed Elder Wand at Sirius as he hit him with powerful confundus and compulsion charms. Apparently, he wanted Sirius to hunt down Peter Pettigrew and go along with what happened next...whatever that was supposed to mean.
She then saw Dumbledore disappear as the large half-giant Hagrid arrived and ordered Sirius to give him the baby. He would take him to where he was supposed to be.
Unable to fight off the Headmaster's spells, Sirius agreed and handed Harry over along with his flying motorbike.
Hagrid then mounted the bike with the baby and took off into the night.
She knew where they were going now. There was no reason for her to follow them. She simply gathered all the things her mother had asked her to bring and left.
She was at Number Four Privet Drive Little Whinging, Surrey in the blink of an eye.
Still invisible, she settled in for a rather long wait. Though she did detect the magical presence of a witch disguised as a cat nearby.
After several agonizingly long hours of waiting, she saw Dumbledore arrive, and who she learned was a Professor McGonagall was apparently the cat that had been watching the house and surrounding street. They all soon heard the load roar of a motorcycle as Hagrid and baby Harry descended from the air.
She stood there and listened as the Headmaster and his deputy argued about leaving Harry at this house. The witch seemed determined that this was the worst possible choice of residence for Harry to live and grow up in.
She was the only one who saw the old man subtly wave his wand and hit the witch with a strong compulsion charm to follow his will.
She hated people that forced others to do things against their will. This man was as bad as a dark lord in Hestia's eyes. Anything justified the means if it was for his so-called 'Greater Good'.
Eventually the witch's protests ceased as the old man got his way. What she saw next made her blood boil.
They left her little boy on a porch in November with naught but a small blanket and a note! How dare that vile old man do that! That was the height of stupidity in her book. Anything could have happened to him in the cold pre-dawn hours he would have been left outside!
She also noticed that after the others left, the old man lingered.
She saw him wave his wand in complicated patterns while mumbling different spells in Latin. Harry glowed briefly with an angry crimson light as the 'esteemed' Headmaster of Hogwarts and 'Leader of the Light' severely bound his powers.
Well, she would see to that soon enough. Hecate could remove anything that old crackpot had done.
After she was sure there would be no more surprise guests, she reached down and lifted her child into her arms. Hecate would be by soon enough to set up the golem, and no one would be the wiser until he failed to show up to Hogwarts; a place she would try to ensure he never stepped foot in after witnessing the actions of the man that ran the place with her own eyes.
And so it was that with a flash of golden light Hestia and Hyacinthus Jameson Potter disappeared from Number Four Privet Drive for the first...and last time.
The Underworld would freeze over before she ever let her Little One anywhere near those vile excuses for mortals.