So, I'm a little confused as to the ages of the PJ characters, because one site says they were before in the years I posted, but another says they were all born one year eariler. So, as not to confuse myself (or you readers) anymore, I'll just go with the years and dates I have.
On another note, I am not giving up on anything! I understand people's concern given my track record for starting stories and practically leaving them for dead, but I try to go back to those stories and renew them as best I can. It's just... most times, I don't know how to move the plot along any further than I have. If any of you have stories of mine that you like, and ideas for them, please tell me. It could help me churn out another half to a chapter I've left half-written and dusty.
Oh well, on with the show!
Chapter 3: Homes Are Where You Sleep, Harry
Harry slowly woke up to the taste of sweet he had once enjoyed at Mrs. Figg's house in his mouth. Lying on a soft and comfy bed, Harry's eyes fluttered open as his blurred vision saw someone standing over him. Then, something metal was shoved into his mouth before the taste of chocolate cake he had once gotten from Mrs. Figg as well assaulted his taste buds. Harry blinked a few times, hoping his vision would clear up even a little bit. Though he was entirely surprised when it actually did, clearing to perfection as he saw a girl with curly brown hair and loving blue eyes staring down at him. She smiled, in her hands a spoon and a bowl with some manner of food inside of it.
"Wh-Where am I?" Harry asked, his voice coming out as a low mutter and his throat dry.
"You shouldn't try and talk. You were only just poisoned less than an hour ago." the girl said, "You were nearly dead! Though your recovery… it's unreal! Though you still need rest." the girl said with a shake of her head as she spooned out the food, which reminded Harry of a watery porridge, before almost shoving the spoon into his mouth, "There! That should have you up and running in a few minutes."
"Thanks." Harry said, coughing a bit as the curly-haired girl smiled before walking away without another word.
Harry lay back in the soft bed, closing his eyes as he could feel a weight being lifted from him. He could feel his senses clearing, and his breathing become easier. Not thinking, Harry slipped back into sleep without protest.
Then, as if only a few seconds had passed, Harry's eyes flew open when thunder roared above and the ground beneath shook violently. Harry groaned at having his sleep disturbed as he could hear yelling outside of wherever he was. Getting up from the bed, Harry stood to his feet; though nearly fell over as he placed a hand on the bed for support. After the spinning of his head stopped, Harry took a few deep breaths before assuring himself that he could walk. Seeing that he was still in his own clothes, Harry went to the cracked open door, where the yelling, thunder booming, and earth quaking grew stronger and louder.
"He is an abomination!" a stormy voice like thunder boomed, "He is a danger to us and our rule!"
"He is my son, and you shall watch what you say!" another voice, this one stern, cold, and furious all at once shouted back, "He is no more a danger to us than that boy you bore was!"
"I can't believe you broke our vow! You swore it on the River Styx!" the first voice boomed as Harry walked out of the room on unsteady legs.
"I broke nothing!" the second, far colder voice shot back.
"He is of mortal!" the first snapped, lightning illuminating the first glance Harry got of the outside. Blinking away the spots in his vision, Harry moved out of the room, finding himself over looking a green meadow with the smell of strawberries filling the air. Though that paled in comparison to the virtual hurricane in the sky and the tremors which shook the ground as Harry had to grip the doorframe just to stand up right.
"He is my son!" the second shouted venomously, "Nothing more and nothing less! I bore him with Goddess, and they bore him again with mortal."
"So you admit to knowledge of creating that abomina-!"
"Call him that again, and you shall have me to deal with, brother." the second said, his voice even colder than ice as he spoke so calmly that Harry felt the cold chill of death creep upon him. He had no idea how he knew it was of death, but he was too afraid to care.
The first didn't speak again for a long time as the earth stopped shaking. The storm above wherever they were didn't dissipate, though. Harry walked out even further, and saw the source of the two voices.
The first he saw reminded Harry of what it was to look at a storm in motion as it came from over the horizon. It was a man, though he was far from average. The man had long dark grey hair with a perfectly symmetrical grey-and-black goatee. The man's eyes looked as though they were storm clouds themselves, grey while they gleamed with a spark of blue in his anger. His face held a grim but handsome and proud look as he was dressed formally in a blue suit with a white pinstriped overcoat and pants, red tie, and white undershirt.
The second man, however, Harry was glad to see, though in the man's present set of mood, Harry wasn't sure if he'd have the feeling returned. It was his father! The man's dark eyes held a look that were both cold and yet heated with anger.
"… We shall speak of this again, brother." the formal man said, glancing at Harry with distain as Harry gulped. Hades caught the look and turned, his stone cold furious expression softening as he gazed upon his son.
"We shall, my young brother." Hades promised as the other man eye' twitched at the way he was addressed so dismissively, "And please let Apollo know that he is to come and see me here immediately upon your return to Olympus. I have words for him."
"What Apollo did-"
"Was uncalled for." Hades said chillingly, cutting off his brother.
"This boy-"
"I will here no more of this, Zeus." Hades said, turning sharply on heel to glare at his brother, Zeus, who glared right back, "Or shall we speak of your own children?"
"I have no children born of mortal." Zeus said firmly as Hades regarded him icily, "Unlike you."
"He is a God among mortals, and you can see it." Hades said back, just as firmly as the storm above rumbled while lightning coursed.
"I will allow him to live, then… for now, at least." Zeus said, glancing between his brother and the child, "If only to appease you."
"You allow nothing." Hades spat, glaring as shadows began to move wildly, "Do not think yourself above me, brother. I rule just as you do. We are equal, as is Poseidon with us."
"Yes, I know that, as I am reminded every time I meet you." Zeus said through gritted teeth, "Though I think this is hardly the place to, as the mortals would say; to air our dirty laundry."
"On that last, we can agree." Hades said, sneaking a glance back at Harry, "Shall you be staying then, brother?"
"I think so." Zeus said, crossing his arms, "I would not have you punish Apollo unjustly."
"You dare accuse me of being unjust?" Hades demanded furiously as Zeus waved his hand dismissively.
"Peace, brother. I am merely saying that your emotion toward the boy-"
"Would not impair my judgment." Hades said, his fists clenching at his side at the slights Zeus were making, "I have judged mortals and Gods alike for eons! Where others have been lax, I have stood stern. Where you have been have slacked, I have been rigid. I am just about the only one who takes their job seriously!"
"Peace, brother, peace." Zeus said, looking slightly offended at the jab, but also slightly amused that he was always able to get a rise out of his eldest brother, "I'll merely watch on and only speak when I feel something needs to be said."
"Fine." Hades said, grabbing the hem of his black robes as he strolled over to Harry, his robes billowing as the storm above slowly dissolved, "But just know I have plans for today and this camp, some involving a bit of change."
"What do you mean?" Zeus demeaned, "Hades? Hades, answer me!"
But Hades did not, smirking as his back turned to Zeus while he knelt down to his son. Harry looked up at his father, not knowing what to feel. He had been called an abomination by… his uncle? Well, it was just as hurtful as being called a freak or misfit, so it wasn't anything Harry couldn't handle. Though it did make him wonder, for some reason, if all his uncles would be as spiteful of him as Vernon and Zeus were.
"How do you feel, Harry?" Hades asked as Harry blinked, having been lost in thought.
"A little dizzy… sort of like when that snake bit me…" Harry admitted as Hades' face darkened and so did the area. Zeus must have gone off somewhere as the storm was gone, which Harry guessed the man had created.
"Don't worry, it shall pass." Hades said, stroking Harry's hair as he stood, "Come. I have someone for you to meet."
And with that, Hades strolled away, his robes billowing in his wake as Harry stared after him.
"I said to follow, my son." Hades said, not stopping for even a second as Harry stumbled slightly while jogging to catch up.
When they stopped, they stood in front of a large baby-blue house with white trim, which held a hammock on its deck. On said deck was a man with a scruffy beard and thinning hair. He wore a tweed suit and was sat in a wheelchair.
"L-Lord Hades and young charge… H-How might I help you both today?" the man said as he tired to keep the nervousness out of his voice.
"My son here needs a place in your camp, Chiron." Hades said in a business-like tone, getting straight to the point, "He will be a summer-only camper."
"Yes, well that's… g-great!" Chiron said, casting a nervous glance at Harry, who was hiding slightly behind his father, "His name, my Lord?"
"Harry James Potter." Hades answered as Chiron nodded writing it down on a clip board.
"And you said summer only?" Chiron asked for clarity as Hades nodded.
"Yes. During the schooling year, my son shall either be with myself in the Underworld, or at… Olympus with his mothers."
"M-Mothers, my Lord?" Chiron asked, his eyes wide as Hades nodded, beginning to scowl.
"Yes, is that a problem?" Hades asked as Chiron couldn't seem to shake his head quick enough.
"No, not at all Lord Hades!" Chiron said, "I was merely questioning whether he was a half-blood, if his mothers are able to be on Olympus."
"He is a God, but because he was transferred to be birthed by a mortal woman, he is of mortal body." Hades said as Chiron nodded, seeming as though he had dealt with a situation like so before and was recalling what to do.
"Where shall he be assigned, Lord Hades?" Chiron asked, looking as though he were trying to break some news in the least tragic way, "Y-You… You have no cabin here…"
"I know that, centaur!" Hades snapped as both Chiron and Harry shrank back. At not being able to see Harry out of the corner of his eye anymore, Hades turned to see his son hiding behind his robes. At seeing the freighted expression on his son's face, Hades gave a sigh before taking some calming deep breaths, "I know I have no place here, but I will soon, Chiron. I can assure you of that."
"As you wish, Lord Hades." Chiron said as Hades gave a very rare soft look as he ruffled his son's hair absentmindedly. So long since he had the feel of parenthood… So long since his last child had embraced him… So long since he had placed them in that accursed place simply so he could both manipulate the prophecy and keep his promises while also keep them safe from Zeus…
Yes, those children were far better off where they were… At least, until something had distracted all the Gods long enough for Hades to have them sneaked out with a plan…
"Lord Hades, it looks as though your son could use some nectar." Chiron suggested as Hades looked back at his son, seeing the boy clutching at his robes with a pale face. Hurriedly, Hades made the boy drop his robes as he had forgotten about their affect on others.
"My son, you are strong, but not that strong. My robes breathe death and despair. A mortal's touch could but them at life's end. A half-blood would be greatly weakened. You, however, would experience suffering great and terrible if you held them for too long." Hades said as he watched his son wheeze and cough while color returned to his face, "When you are older, however, my shroud will not affect you any longer, but if you wanted to reach that age, then do not come in contact with them for too long. Am I understood?"
"Y-Yes, father." Harry said, breathing deeply as he clutched at his throat. It was like he couldn't breathe as he held his father's robe. His throat had locked-up on him as he saw many deaths… so many deaths… He had heard the cries of those poor lost souls that went on to agony in the Underworld as they milled around the Fields of Asphodel. He had seen terrible things…
"Here young lad, drink this." a strong voice said over Harry as he looked up weakly, seeing Chiron holding out a glass filled with a golden liquid. With his dry throat, Harry happily took the drink, overjoyed to have something that would quench his thirst.
Hades raised a brow at his son's hasty drinking gulps. He hadn't believe his son would be affected so powerfully by the cloak's horrors, but his eyes widened as he remembered that his son had yet to come into any of his powers. The cloak would surely have shown the boy horrors that his fragile eight year-old couldn't deal with. Though he could not swallow his pride. He would not show any weakness while Zeus was lurking about somewhere in the area. If his brother knew that he cared so deeply for his children, Zeus surely wouldn't hesitate to use them as bargaining chips in a hostage situation. His brother was cunning and arrogant, a dangerous combination Hades admitted. Hecate and Persephone would more than gladly watch over their child and protect the boy from the Ruler of the Skies, but Aphrodite…? Hades couldn't be sure if the Goddess of Beauty would not defer to Zeus over her own child.
Harry happily gulped down the sweet tea that he had only tasted at Mrs. Figg's house. Having drunken half of the glass in a matter of seconds, Harry handed it back to Chiron while getting some deep breathes.
"Feeling better, are we?" the man asked as Harry nodded, standing up as to not to look like wimp, as Dudley reminded him every so often.
"Yes, thank you." Harry said politely with a final nod.
"You gave us quite the scare, lad." Chiron began diplomatically; "When Mr. Heartens and Ms. Derricks brought you over the property line you were barely breathing and badly poisoned." a cold shiver went up Harry and Chiron's spines as their shadows began to wobble. Glancing back, they both saw Hades silently seething in rage, his left eye twitching sporadically.
"Umm… Oh, how rude of me, I haven't introduced myself!" Chiron said, trying to quickly change the subject from injury done to the son of the God of the Dead. Chiron quickly wheeled himself forward, and held out a hand, "I am Chiron, the Activities and Camp Director here at the camp."
Harry nodded to him, smiling shyly as Hades rage ceased. Hades took a deep breath to calm himself as he saw his son shaking hands with Chiron. He couldn't stop himself from smiling somewhat as he watched. His son, going to camp, being treated like any other normal Godly child. It was a wonderful sight he had never seen before for himself…
"Hello, I'm Harry Potter." Harry replied, taking the offered hand and shaking it strongly like his Uncle Vernon hounded him to. If there was one thing the demanding relative had wanted of him, it was for Harry to grow up to be normal, boring, and a man among men.
"Please, walk with me Mr. Potter." Chiron said as he turned around and wheel towards the corner of the farmhouse, though looked back nervously as he had forgotten about the cold presence of the Ruler of the Under in the wake of the boy's own warm and welcoming one, "Umm… you are most welcome to accompany us, Lord Hades."
"I think I will. Thank you, Chiron." Hades said as he placed a hand on his son's shoulder while they followed Chiron.
"Wait!" Harry suddenly called out as he looked around, "Where are my things? My luggage-!"
"They are fine, Harry." Hades said, "They are in my cloak. Alecto brought them to me when I arrived outside of camp. They had, apparently, still been in the crushed car done in by… Apollo's snake guardian, Python." Hades said, though sneered out the name of his nephew and the man's snake as he now hated the sun god for causing harm to come to his son.
"Alecto?" Harry echoed in confusion, "You mean Mrs. Dodds?"
"Yes, yes." Hades said quickly as Chiron glanced back, confused as to what they were conversing about.
"Umm… Are Pham and JD okay?" Harry asked in concern before looking up to his father, speaking more quietly, "Is… Alecto okay?"
"They are all fine, I'm sure. Pham was able to keep you alive long enough to get you here because of the nectar that is forever in his chalice, given to him by his father." Chiron said as he smiled back at Harry while Hades nodded.
"Good. They're really good people, and my new friends." Harry said as Hades raised a brow.
"Friends?" Hades echoed incredulously, "You've known them for all of a single day. What friendship-?" Hades, however, stopped what he was saying at seeing the look which overcame Harry's face at the thought that Hades didn't approve of having friends, "I'm sure once you get to know them better, they will be even better friends." Hades quickly amended as Chiron snuck a glance back, smiling at how the normally brooding and angst-ridden God was so endearing toward his young child.
Perhaps Hades wasn't as bad as everyone made him out to be, Chiron thought as he smiled back at the father and son pair.
As they reached the other side of the large house, Harry suck in a gasp of astonishment while Hades merely smiled with a hand still on his son's shoulder. Chiron grinned as he wheeled himself to the side for Harry to get a better look.
A lush valley stretched out in front of them with a large river about a mile away as a lavish field of strawberries occupied a large corner of the grounds. From their vintage point, Harry could see almost all of the camp! The landscape was dotted with several Greek buildings, an open air pavilion, an amphitheater, an arena. Hell, there was even a volleyball court! Harry glanced off, seeing an archery range, and stables surrounded with winged horses. A lake with several canoes flowed into the camp grounds by way of stream. Next to it was a group of buildings, all of them different colors and placed in a way that shaped into an inverted U-shape from where they stood. Harry guessed that those had to be the cabins.
"It's always like that the first time you see it." a woman's voice said from behind them all as Harry turned, seeing a woman who looked like a young maiden in the prime of her youth wearing a faded sundress, "Oh, my boy's going to camp!"
"Huh?" was all Harry could say before the woman had rushed him, engulfing him in a hug that left him breathless with the love coming from it. He had never felt such love before, so innocent and pure, not even from the time that Hades had hugged him. It was like the woman breathed purity, radiated joy, and exhaled a flowery fragrance filled with love.
"Harry, this is your first mother, Persephone. Persephone, you know our boy." Hades said as Chiron's jaw dropped.
"So the rumors were true…" Chiron mutter aloud as Hades snapped his attention to the man, regarding him coldly.
"What rumors?" Hades demanded as Chiron looked guilty.
"Just some rumors I had heard when we had taken the children to Olympus. A few nymphs and some of the lesser Gods were talking. I overheard them, and they were saying that you had created a child to combat some terror in the Great Britain area. At first, I didn't believe them, but now I see…" Chiron said, finishing as his eyes gazed over Harry's happy smiling face while speaking at length to Persephone.
"He is a precious and somewhat… unconventional child." Hades admitted with a rock-soft look at his son before he unleashed a look of cold fury at Chiron, who tried and failed to suppress a shiver, "You will take good care of him, wouldn't you?"
"But of c-course!" Chiron stammered out quickly as Hades nodded, regaining his more look of vague interest in whatever his wife was talking about with their son.
"… and so when you're done here at camp, you'll come home with us to the Underworld." Persephone explained as Hades flinched as well as Harry. Seeing the two react as they did, Persephone blinked innocently in confusion, "Is something wrong you two?"
"Umm…" Hades began lamely, "Not much, dear. Harry here just had a bad experience with my cloak."
"I told you not to wear this blasted thing!" Persephone raged as he took his cloak in her hand, ripping it from him and setting it a flame. When the flames died, the cloak was gone, but Persephone's temper was not as she glared at Hades, who shrank back, "But nooo! You just had to storm up here as the big bad God of the Dead and show people that you weren't messing around! Do you know what this thing does to people? It makes them see the souls within the Underworld and sown into it. It makes them hear their cries of anguish as it kills the person touching it. Harry's a little boy! He's probably been scarred for life!"
"I'm okay. Really." Harry insisted, not wanting his parents to fight after he had only just met them. He didn't want anything disturbing his family from being happy, "I'm a big boy."
"See." Hades insisted quickly, gesturing wildly to Harry, "He's a big boy. I'm sure that when he gets to the Underworld, he won't even remember what he experienced from the cloak."
"So says you…" Persephone muttered, crossing her arms before she looked at Harry. Her entire expression softened as she knelt to her son, stroking his hair, "Are you sure you're okay? You can always go to Olympus with-"
But Harry shook his head furiously at seeing the dark scowl that overtook his father's features. If his dad didn't like Olympus, then Harry wouldn't have a high opinion of it either. Besides, the King of said place had already made it known that he was just like his Uncle Vernon; only tolerating him to appease others.
He wondered what his Aunt Petunia really thought of him, though…
"Mr. Potter, a moment please." Chiron said as he gestured for Harry to stand next to him. Harry did as Chiron pointed to the cabins, "Over there are the twelve cabins of the camp. You shall be guided to the Hermes Cabin until the moment in which Lord Hades, or your mothers… or both, really… Well, until the moment you're claimed, you will be staying with the children of Lord Hermes."
"Why?" Harry asked, turning to his father and one of his mothers, "I thought you already said I was yours."
"That is true, I did." Hades said, nodding, "However, for you to be claimed officially by all rights of we the Gods, sat down by our laws, you must demonstrate abilities which you are to have inherited from me and/or your mothers. Afterward, you can be claimed as my own child or your mothers' should you also show to have their abilities."
"Umm… Okay…" Harry said, not liking all the technical talk about having to prove he was their child. However, having never known his mortal parents before they died, and his Godly ones having come for him, Harry supposed he didn't mind too much.
"Christine, come here for a moment." Chiron called out to a girl who was walking by.
"Hey! You were the girl that fed me earlier!" Harry said, pointing as Hades and Persephone looked on in amusement.
"My Lord, my Lady." the curly brown haired girl, whose name was Christine, said with a quick bow to Hades and his wife, "And what do you mean earlier? That was yesterday, kid."
"Yesterday?" Harry echoed in confusion, "But when I went back to sleep it felt like no time had passed at all. In fact, I still feel sleepy…"
"Well, you did have some seriously bad-" but Christine stopped talking as she saw Hades' eye twitch and Chiron silently pleading for her to shut up, "I'm glad you're okay. Have fun here at camp."
"The reason I called you over, Christine, is to formally introduce you to Mr. Harry Potter here. He is going to be a new camper. With that said, I'd like it if you could get the cabin leaders together and organize a game of Capture the Flag tomorrow."
"Alright, sir." Christine said, bowing to Chiron, then to Hades and Persephone before being off with a small wave to Harry.
"Now then, shall we take a tour of the camp?" Chiron asked as Harry nodded anxiously.
"I think that would be lovely." Persephone said while Hades presented her his arm, which she took and entwined her own to his.
"Now then, Mr. Potter, you'll find that many of the myths and legends you've heard about the Greek Gods are true." Chiron began as Harry nodded.
"I think my parents here are proof of that." Harry joked shyly. Chiron's deep chuckles and the girlish giggles of his mother Persephone made Harry smile as he glanced up to his father, only to see the God smirking at his son's wit.
"Yes, quite right." Chiron agreed, "You see, the pantheon of deities has moved from location to location with western civilization; which is now centered in the United States of America. This camp trains Half-Bloods. Do you know what a Half-blood is, young Mr. Potter?"
"I guess it would mean a kid made from a god and a mortal." Harry said as Hades ruffled his hair.
"That is correct." Chiron said, already enjoying having such an attentive young mind to join the camp. The Athena children would always talk over him, or roll their eyes as they figured things out for themselves. And while Chiron greatly enjoyed training heroes for battle, it was the intelligential side of teaching that he enjoyed far greater. Too bad all the kids wanted to do now-a-days was punch stuff or slice things in half with their swords…
As Chiron began to show Harry around camp, Harry immediately knew that he what his dad had told him was true about being… "different" even at the camp. Especially when one of the campers pointed at him and announced, "That's him! With Chiron and those two people."
Harry found that he could not hide as he wanted to. Hades gave him a stern look and pushed him forward. Harry was made to walk between the open space between Chiron's wheeling chair and his own parents. Harry glanced back to see the major amount of space between him and his Godly parents, who seemed to be moving at a more leisurely pace now that campers, satyrs, and nymphs alike were whispering about him. Harry saw the wide-eyes of campers and satyrs as they looked up from their tending of strawberries fields. Chiron explained to him that strawberries were grown and exported to several New York restaurants, which paid the bills for the camp.
"Nymph magic helps us to grow the berries quickly, but Lord Dionysus sometimes answers our prayers." Chiron said as they moved toward the forest, at which Hades scowled and Persephone looked bubbly, though she seemed to have that look when they were gazing over the strawberries as well, Harry noted.
"The forest here is stocked if you care to try your luck, but go armed for your own protection." Chiron informed Harry asked Harry blinked.
"Stocked with what, Mr. Chiron?" Harry queried as Chiron glanced back at the forest before he grinned at Harry, a twinkle in his eyes. Hades scowl only grew deeper while Persephone giggled.
"You'll find out during Capture the Flag tomorrow, which just so happens to be Friday. Tell me, Mr. Potter, do you have your own sword and shield?" Chiron asked as Harry shook his head in the negative. When he did, Chiron glanced up at Hades, who was about to open his mouth, but at the elbow to the ribs dealt to him by his wife, he wisely shut up, sighed, and shrugged before he shook his head.
"Well then, I'll simply have to check the armory. A boy's size three should fit you just right." Chiron muttered with a nod to his thinking while eyeing Harry's very small and skinny form, "Tell, how old did you say you were?"
"I'm eight, sir." Harry answered as Chiron's eyes widened.
"Oh this is not good!" Chiron declared with a shake of his head, "You're much too small for eight. I'd have thought you are five, or six years-old. You'll have to eat more than you have in the past. Much more. Double helpings."
Harry only lowered his head as he remembered that he had never eaten double anything a day in his life. In fact, he normally only ate whatever was leftover from his own cooking.
"I'll have my mother bless his meals with nourishment for encouraged growth. And I shall as well." Persephone assured as Chiron nodded to her, bowing in his chair.
"Now then, this way we have the cabins as you saw from the Big House." Chiron said, wheeling himself through the uneven grassy grounds as they made their way toward the cabins, which were numbered from one to twelve and arranged in an inverted U-shape near the lake.
Chiron guided Harry and his Godly parents past many of the cabins, naming them and their Godly patron as he did. Top off the list was Zeus, which Hades scowled at and the frown stayed firmly on his face as Chiron went down the list. Though Harry did note that at some names (like Poseidon, Artemis, Dionysus, and Athena) the frown lessened, if only a bit. Though at other names (like Hermes, Ares, and especially at Demeter and Aphrodite) the scowl deepened almost as much as it had at Zeus. Harry had to wonder what his father's family had done to him to make seem so estranged and frigid with them.
"Now, here at Cabin Eleven, Lord Hermes has an Acceptance Policy." Chiron began as Harry looked to him, "It states that any undetermined camper can stay inside of his cabin with his children."
"So…" Harry began, his brows furrowing in thought while the others watched him in interest, "Kids whose parents haven't claimed them, or whose parents doesn't have a cabin at the camp stay in there." Harry said, pointing to the run-down looking cabin. The dull brown paint was either chipping off in one spot or peeling in another on the cabin.
"Yes, that is correct." Chiron said, his brow rose, "Tell me, how did you come to that conclusion? I didn't say much about the policy."
"It's just that, I know who my dad and two of my moms are." Harry began, "Yet, I don't see any cabins to them and you didn't say anything about them having ones. Even though I know who my dad is, I'm still coming here until I'm claimed. That means that those who haven't yet been claimed would come here. Also, because I know there are a lot more than twelve Gods and Goddesses, which would mean that Hermes accepts kids that don't have a cabin, too."
"That is very good deductive thinking, young lad." Chiron said, patting Harry's shoulder, "You have a keen mind, be sure to use it often in the future. Those here aside from Lady Athena's children, sometimes forget that in light of a sharpened sword."
"I will, Mr. Chiron." Harry said, nodding excitedly.
"I've trained heroes for the last 3000 years, so I should know how depressing it is to see the most useful muscle a hero has gone to waste." Chiron said, smiling as he nodded back.
Harry, glancing to the side, he saw a nasty looking boy giving him an equally nasty look from inside the doorway of Cabin Five. He was about to say something when the boy scoffed at him, and walked completely into his cabin, shutting the door. Looking back at his parents, he saw that his father and mother were off to the side, having a quick and shushed conversion in an ancient language Harry didn't readily understand. He caught snippets of it, little words that made no real sense when he put them to thought, but shrugged.
"Dionysus!" a voice roared, thundering and booming as storm clouds began to gather overhead, bringing thunder and lightning with them in abundance.
"Crap!" another voice yelled, before a particularly girlish yelp rang out as well.
"That fool is in trouble once more." Hades sighed as Persephone shook her head.
"What's going on?" Harry asked, scared from the way the skies darkened like they had earlier.
"Your cousin is in trouble." Persephone said as Chiron sighed.
"He's gone after her again in boredom… He never learns…" Chiron said, shaking his head sadly.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, but no one answered him.
No one answered him because a man, who looked as though he threw one hell of a party, raced toward the cabins. Running past them, he stopped suddenly, and then with wide eyes locked on Hades and Persephone, he raced back and practically flung himself at their feet. Harry's eyebrows shot to his hairline as he saw the man.
The guy had a chubby face, a red nose, and curly hair so black that Harry nearly mistook it for purple. His eyes were watery, blue, bloodshot eyes from what looked to be drinking. He wore a tiger-striped Hawaiian shirt and purple running shoes. To Harry, the man looked like he grew up in a rough house, as even Harry could see that the man was no stranger to adult drinks just by looking at him.
"Oh, loving, generous, gracious, and unfailing Uncle!" the man cried, grabbing the hems of Hades' robes, "Please, defend me! Have mercy, and hide a poor soul who knows not what he has done!"
"Good morning to you as well, Dionysus." Hades said calmly, staring down at the God of Wine, "What brings you groveling before me this time? Hmm?"
"I was just so bored, Uncle!" Dionysus cried out, standing as he did, "My dear Ariadne has spurned my affection as of late, and I was growing tired of waiting for her. The reason for that was because we had a fight about my drinking habits. Well, after this last straw I left Olympus to drown my sorrows in a party or two… as well as a few drinks…"
Hades only rolled his eyes while Persephone looked down upon her half-brother with an irate look. She did like infidelity. Not one bit.
"Go on." Hades said, sighing as Dionysus looked hopeful.
"Yes, thank you, Uncle!" Dionysus said, bowing quickly before he jumped back into his tale, "Well, this one party was particularly close to this little camp here, and as you might know I don't do well drinking under the influence. So, I slept in my cabin last night."
"I thought I was sensing you." Hades said, "Zeus' dramatics only helped to confirm my suspicions." Hades finished as Harry looked up, seeing the thunderstorm coming toward them from over the horizon near the forest and strawberry fields.
"Please Uncle, intervene." Dionysus pleaded as Hades only made a gesture for him to continue his tale, "Well, I was still feeling a bit disheartened by my wife's accusations against me and my domain… as well as her rejection of our bed… So, I went to seek out into the forest for some nymphs and satyrs to drink with me and comfort me in my sorrows. That's when I saw… her."
Hades and Persephone both rolled their eyes at the infatuated tone Dionysus took while Harry looked confused as he stood off to the side with Chiron, who sighed and shook his head again.
"She's not like the other nymphs. She's never been like the other nymphs. She was so compassionate and caring toward me and my martial problems. She talked with me, laughed with me, and cheered me up as I drunk happily." Dionysus said as he shook his head free of his blissful remembrance when thunder rumbled overhead, "Then one thing led to another, and before anything could get truly started, my father burst onto the scene saying that he was looking for me. He caught me red-handed and his "favorite nymph" red-faced and panting, and well… You've gotta help me!"
"And why should I, nephew?" Hades asked, raising his brow causally as though the man had been speaking about the weather the entire time.
"I'll do anything!" Dionysus said as Persephone frowned at him.
"I remember you saying that exact same thing when you were begging my husband here to grant Ariadne and your mother Seleme their immortality." Persephone said, her tone like a chilling wind blowing over a field of spring flowers.
"Oh come on, baby sister." Dionysus pleaded as Persephone turned from him.
"Tell me, what would you give me in return for saving you from my baby brother's wrath?" Hades asked, his brow still raised.
"Anything, you name it!" Dionysus said quickly, knowing that he would be toast if he didn't have another God on his side, "I already owe you three favors. Just add this one to the list!"
"You will watch over my son here, Harry." Hades said gesturing to Harry, who blinked as Dionysus appeared at his side, practically bowing, "You will treat him fairly. You will guide him when others cannot. Is this understood?"
"Deal." Dionysus said, shaking Harry's hand as their joined limbs glowed briefly.
"Good, because the only way for you to remain alive is with what I have planned." Hades said, turning back around while seeing his fuming brother stomping toward them as the clouds advanced menacing above him.
"Hades, stand aside!" Zeus thundered as Hades didn't even seem fazed.
"You know, you always were the one with temper problems out of the three of us." Hades commented casually to the irate King of the Gods.
"Move aside, brother, or face my wrath yourself." Zeus said, his eyes flashing as lightning seemed to emanate from them.
Hades narrowed his eyes, raising his head as his younger brother got within his personal space. Hade's cocked his head back coolly, raising it so slightly to look at his brother from down his nose, "I'd like to see that, brother."
"Persephone, move your husband!" Zeus snapped, knowing that when Hades was being stubborn no one but his daughter could sway her husband.
"As much as Dionysus needs a good zapping." Persephone said, "This is none of my business."
"Now calm yourself, brother." Hades said calmly, resting a hand on Zeus' shoulder. Zeus glared, but seemed to take deep breaths to calm himself anyway, "What seems to be the matter?"
"That insolent little upstart was caught red-handed with my claimed nymph!" Zeus shouted, sounding almost like a child Harry's age telling his older brother about some boy liking a girl he himself had a crush on, "I have told the boy that she was off-limits times before this! He doesn't listen! He needs to be-!"
"Punished?" Hades finished as he took his hand from Zeus' shoulder and stood beside his brother as they both gazed at the shaking Dionysus, "Then, by all means, punish him."
Zeus raised his hand, which crackled with electricity. Just as Dionysus let out a whimper, Hades chuckled as he caught his brother's arm.
"Not like that, brother." Hades chided in amusement, "As Lord of the Underworld and judger of the dead, I have learned many things. One of them is that corporal punishment does no good when trying to teach a lesson of this… sensitivity."
"Then what do you suggest, Hades?" Zeus asked in irritation as he just wanted to blow that hopeful look off his stupid son's face.
"A punish of the mind." Hades replied with a wicked grin that sent shivers up everyone's spine, "Beat a boy, he'll cry for a day. Punish him, and he'll groan about it for months."
"Crying is good." Zeus said, raising his hand again, "I like it when disrespectful brats cry."
"You're missing the point, Zeus." Hades said mildly as Zeus sighed and rolled his eyes, "Take away what he loves. Make him truly regret having touched the girl."
"Hmm…" Zeus hummed, thinking it over, "Yes, that does seem cruel and unusual punishment. I like it! I still recall the days when mother took away my lightning bolts for misbehavior. Yes! This will do."
"Then it's settled." Hades said with a clap of his hands, "Dionysus is not allowed a drink for the next 100 years."
"What?" Dionysus cried, actually crying tears as well, "No drinking!"
"Not good enough for you, then?" Zeus said, chuckling darkly as the clouds darkened the sky above, giving the Ruler of the Skies an ominous look, "Fine then. More."
"Wait, no! I didn't mean-!"
But Dionysus' words died in his throat as Zeus began to shimmer with electricity, glowing a sky blue color as he rose a few feet from the ground and hovered in place.
"Dionysus! God of Wine, Vegetation, Theater, and Madness! I, Zeus, King of Olympus, Lord of the Sky, and God of Justice, Hospitality, Honor, and Lightning, hereby declare that you are now placed in charge of Camp Half-Blood for 100 years! In that time, you are never to touch wine! So declare I, Lord Zeus as King of the Gods!" Zeus boomed, destroying windows and making lightning flash in the background as wind raged.
Harry watched on it shock at the power of his uncle. He glanced over to his father, who didn't seem at all impressed as he crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. Looking to his cousin, Dionysus, Harry saw that the man looked almost as though he were debating suicide after Zeus' declaration.
Soon after he was done, Zeus descended back down to the ground as campers, nymphs, and satyrs all looked frightened out of their minds, hiding behind anything they could while the King of Olympus was still around.
"Was that good, brother?" Zeus asked as his eyes stopped glowing a milky white as Hades looked up from inspecting his robes, as though he hadn't been paying attention at all.
"Hmm? Oh yes, perfect, brother. You've still got it." Hades said, before rolling his eyes and muttering, "Yes, you're still and forever shall be a pompous windbag…"
"Ha! Still got it!" Zeus said, pumping a fist into the air, before realizing how silly it seemed to be for him to be acting so goofy in his formal suit. Clearing his throat, Zeus assumed a more dignified stance, "Well, I think that's enough excite for today."
"Umm… Yes, Lord Zeus is right." Chiron said turning to Harry, "Lord Zeus, have you met young Mr. Potter here? I see great things in his future."
Zeus' look of embarrassment faded quickly as he cast a stormy look at Harry, glancing over the boy as though he were a disobedient dog, "Not personally, no. However, Chiron, great things are not always good nor kind."
And with that, Zeus didn't speak anymore as he took Dionysus by the ear, giving Harry one last look, though this one near impassive. Zeus gave a brief nod to Hades and Persephone before sweeping away with Dionysus being dragged along by the ear.
"Yes, well…" Chiron began, clapping his hands, "Oh, look at the time! I have an archery lesson to teach!" Chiron said before whistling to someone.
It was the same girl as before, Christine, who came over and bowed once more to Harry's parents and then waved at him, "You wanted me, Chiron?"
"Yes, could you introduce Mr. Potter here to his temporary cabin mates in Cabin Eleven?"
"Sure thing, Chiron." the girl answered as she smiled at Harry.
"I have… some things to do." Hades said as Persephone giggled, "We'll see you later, son."
"Alright. Bye." Harry said, a little sad to see his parents go, but glad to know that he actually had parents! And they were Gods, none the less!
Christine guided Harry in front of Cabin Eleven, gesturing to it as Harry nearly rolled his eyes. In his opinion, it wouldn't have taken a genius to figure out whose cabin it was with that… thing (Harry didn't know that name of it) hanging over the door. He had only ever since it with one God from pictures in the story books at his school.
"Cabin Eleven, meet Harry Potter." Christine announced as someone looked up, smiling while the others seemed to only hold their breath for some reason.
"Regular or Undetermined?" the person who had been smiling asked as Christine smiled brightly.
"Undetermined!" the girl chirped happily as Harry was having a hard time seeing through all the moving people to get a clear look at the smiling person. The cabin was packed full of campers from wall to wall. There were campers sleeping in sleeping bags on the floor, the cabin was so overflowing.
The campers groaned collectively, but an older boy settled them down.
"Hey, Harry! This is Cabin Eleven, the Hermes Cabin, and I'm your host; Martin Fisher!" the boy, who had been smiling from the back of the cabin, said as he moved forward and excitedly shook Harry's hand.
"He's Martin. He's a bit of a game show junkie." Christine warned as she jabbed her thumb toward the boy, "Watch out for him. He'll comment on everything you do, and every time you fail at something, it'll be like you lost the World Cup."
"Ms. Bates! How good it is to see you again!" Martin said excitedly, holding his hand to his mouth as if he had a microphone, "Tell me, how is your relationship going with Samson? Are you two still on the rocks, or has your ship been swept up by a new wave of love, or maybe it's been swept out to sea and bound to perish."
Christine's cheeks turned pick as she threw a punch at Martin, but he dodged as she growled at him.
"Shut up! We're over, thank you very much!" Christine admitted, "Though we're still friends."
"Ow!" Martin said, clutching his heart, "Mr. Samson Hicks has been friend-zoned, folks! Things are not looking good for the son of Ares!"
"Argh!" Christine roared as she stomped her foot before grabbing Harry by the back of his shirt collar and dragging him away, "Come on, Harry. Let's go."
"Huh?" Harry said in confusion as to why he was being dragged away.
"And now, folks, it seems that the new kid on the block, Mr. Harry Potter, has snagged the Half-Blood Heart-Beaker up all for himself! Will his chances at winning her heart be any better than Samson's, or will Harry-"
But Harry didn't get to hear the rest of the commentary as Christine slammed the door in Martin's face, literally.
The girl dragged Harry all the way to the volleyball court, where she let him go and promptly stomped over to the far side where the tetherball became her victim of stress/anger release. Harry walked over to the older girl, and began to play with her, even though she was double his height.
"Come on, Potter!" Christine laughed, "You gotta do better than that!"
"I'm trying, but you're tall!" Harry whined as Christine laughed at him and his height issues.
"You'll get taller someday. You're still just a kid, so a growth spurt is bound to happen." the curly haired girl said as Harry nodded.
"Umm…" Harry began, but didn't know a right way to put his thoughts into words. Christine must have picked up on it, as she smiled at him while stopping the ball.
"I'm Christine Catron, but some of my sisters call me C.C." Christine said as Harry blinked.
"Sisters?" Harry echoed as she nodded.
"Yeah, I'm a daughter of Aphrodite. There are four of us." Christine said, "We live in Cabin Ten."
"Oh."
"Though I'm sure that's nothing to you, kid." Christine said teasingly, "Words already spread like wildfire."
"Word about what?" Harry asked.
"You killing Apollo's Python! Many campers would kill for that chance, though I think Apollo's kids are a little miffed at you, as well as Ares' own." Christine declared as Harry blinked in confusion.
"Wait, why are Ares' kids mad?" Harry asked as Christine chuckled.
"Ares' boar was killed trying to stop from coming here, too. Though everyone says that was done by another monster trying to eat you." Christine said with a shrug, "But you know kids of a war god; they'll take anything to start a war, or at least a little animosity."
"Yeah… I guess so…" Harry said, looking at his shoes.
"Hey, cheer up!" Christine said brightly, "You did what you had to; what you were meant to. It's what you'll be training for while you're here." she said as Harry sighed. He had hated that damn snake for attacking him and his friends, but the boar… He hadn't thought anything about the boar that Mrs. Dodds had been fighting. In fact, he barely recalled it, and didn't remember seeing it again when Mrs. Dodds had come over to help him.
Had she… Had she killed Ares' boar?
"Though I'm sure Apollo's kids will get over it as they wax poetically about the snake until their dad gets it back. They're really nice, most of them."
"Wait, what do you mean? I killed it. You said so yourself." Harry said, getting really confused.
"Okay, here's the thing. Monsters don't die, Harry. They don't have souls, like you and me. So, you can kill them for a while, maybe even a whole lifetime if you're really lucky, but they'll eventually reform somewhere. It has something to do with them being primal forces, or whatever. I had gotten bored with the lecture, and started doing my nails." Christine said as Harry laughed despite himself. The curly-haired girl smiled at seeing him laugh; glad she had made him happy once more.
From there the pair's conversation turned to traits common among half bloods like Dyslexia and ADHD.
"I don't have those, I think." Harry confessed as Christine looked surprised, but mostly shrugged it off.
"That's okay. Some people don't have one or the other, and some people don't really have them as badly as others. They're like these traits that help keep you alive on the battlefield, or something. Maybe you don't need them, or something."
"Maybe not…" Harry said quietly, marking it down as another thing that would make him different among the campers.
"Come on; let's get you settled into your place with the Fly Boys." Christine said as she took Harry's hand with him looking at her in flushed confusion; both from the comment and the action.
"Fly Boys?" Harry repeated in confusion as Christine rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, ya know. Hermes' winged shoes. Fly Boys… Makes sense, huh?"
"I guess so…" Harry said, a small smirk on his face, "But why are you being so nice to me? We don't really know each other."
"Yeah, I guess not." Christine said as she smiled none the less, "But I don't know. I just feel like… I don't know, there's something special about you. Like we're connected somehow. Ya know?"
"Not really…" Harry admitted, though he smiled up at her, "But I like actually having friends."
"You don't have friends?"
"Not really." Harry admitted, looking to the ground, "I got some new ones who helped me here."
"Well now you've got me, too." Christine said, turning around and touching his nose, "And big sis C.C ain't goin' nowhere."
"Thanks."
"No problem. I have a good feeling about you, Harry. And as long as I've been here, I've learned to trust my feelings." Christine admitted as Harry couldn't stop the bright smile that spread across his face.
And as they walked back to the Hermes cabin, Harry saw that Martin and a pair of twins were waiting with the door wide open ready to greet him. Harry felt a warm feeling spread through the pit of his stomach, and his cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling for so long. It had been such a long time since he had much to smile about. But then, an odd thought occurred to him.
Was this what it felt like? To have a home?
"Glad to see ya back, Harry!" Martin greeted happily with his arms around the twins' shoulders, "Boy do we have big things in store for you!"
And it was with that greeting that Harry knew the answer to his question, especially when he looked back and saw his father and mother Persephone smiling at him from where they were talking to Chiron.
Yeah, he had found himself a home…