Harry Potter, Son of the Shadows
Disclaimer: SEE FIRST CHAPTER
Plot: Response to my 'Twice-Blessed Half-Blood' Challenge: Olympus, Earth, the Underworld; from a world of lies and pain, one shall come forth with the power to rule them all. Enter Harry Potter, determined by Thanatos, Champion of Hecate and son of…wait: is that possible? That God?
Author's Note: Okay, so for those wondering where this one's coming from: it's partially from that dangerous realm of creation known as my imagination and partially from the challenge idea. I know this may seem scary and a little weird, but kindly remember that this is Fan Fiction: also, if you don't like it, don't read it.
Dedication: I'd like to dedicate this story to my loyal readers and reviewers; my recommended reads are Conventus Domus by Lawstudent092 and Prince of Death by The Potters of the Future; two amazing stories by two very creative minds;
Key Pairing: Harry/Thalia
Other Pairings: Luke/Hermione; Others TBC
Normal Speech
'Thought'
'Voice of the Gods'
/Parseltongue/
Review Answers:
SonOfLupa: Actually, some spell Kronos as the way I do and, if you look it up, you'd see that it's the same being mythological-speaking, though I appreciate the reference regardless;
Lordblink: Mine too, but that's what makes the AU possibilities endless;
StormyFireDragon: I think he appeared later in the actual series, Storm: I don't know myself, but I'm going with other Greek Myth forces with the story and the challenge;
Miles Militis of Justicia: I can only try; it's not that I don't like Percy, but darkly-speaking, he's not top of my list of allies for Harry;
Winged Seer Wolf: Maybe once he knows the full story and starts down the path to his destiny;
WhiteElfElder: I think you'll be pleasantly surprised;
Wonderland Princess of Hearts: Yeah, I agree that's a good image, but as I said, where my portrayal is concerned, it's that actor and that image that comes to mind;
T4: Someone who is about to cause a serious rocking of the boat for things in both CHB and Hogwarts – when Harry returns;
ALSO: As you can see from the summary, I've decided to work solely on the AU of Lightning Thief for this one, then follow on for Sea of Monsters before following on a third story that goes through GoF, but don't worry, because the end of Lightning Thief won't mean the end of the story: there'll be a bit more tied to the set-up for Harry's pairing;
The centaur dismissed the camp, though none would ever forget the frightened look on Percy Jackson's face when he'd gone toe-to-toe with the devil himself…
And it had been him who'd blinked first.
Chapter 4: Hades' Offer
"I don't know what happened…I just got so angry hearing him think I was heartless."
"And then you showed yourself for the demigod you are," Remus finished, sitting with Harry in the lounge of the Big House, Chiron, Luke and Clarisse also there with Harry as he talked.
After the game had finished and the three friends of the Shadowborne had managed to calm him down, Harry had taken a moment to go and have a long soak in his cabin before meeting Chiron and Remus in the Big House.
"Anger is not a fault, Harry," Chiron told the young demigod, "But you should exercise caution when you show your emotions, you more than anyone."
Harry put his head in his hands, his skull aching mildly with the feel of his dark power coming back to him; as he sat there, Harry then asked, "Why can't Jackson see it? I mean, people say I have a saving-people thing, but I don't go around being so reckless that I care more for the life of one person compared to the rest of the world."
"You used to," Remus reasoned, earning a laugh from Harry.
"And look where it got me, Moony," he sniggered, "Meeting the wrong end of Moony's fangs and nearly losing my life: if Dad hadn't determined me, I'd have gone onto the next great adventure ignorant of my powers, my future and my true strength."
"You know," Luke suddenly piped up, moving to sit next to Harry as he talked, "This saving-people-thing of yours could be what some demigods call your fatal flaw. All right, we can say that Jackson has it too, but yours is deadlier because you see the bigger picture with your saving-people thing: if you had to choose between saving one to risk many and risking one to save many, you'd take the second option."
"While Percy would be the other way around," added Chiron, his voice calm as he explained, "Every immortal, demigod and Olympic-blooded being has one, Harry: if you learn to control it, then it can be of great use to you. But if you let it consume you…"
He trailed off, but Clarisse was the one to say it, "They don't call it fatal for nothing."
While Harry took the words to heart, he couldn't help but find a smile crossing his face before, to Luke's amazement, the young Shadowborne began to laugh, his expression one of amused disbelief.
"What's so funny?" asked Clarisse.
"I was just thinking," Harry replied, looking up at his two teenage friends as he explained, "When I challenged Jackson about my Father, the way it came out made me sound like a certain blonde I know and loathe: di Immortales, he'd have a field day if he learned this."
"Then perhaps you need to start thinking less like the son of Thanatos and more like the boy and young man I know you are," suggested Remus, his voice calm as he explained, "It's all right to have a rivalry, Harry, but not at the cost of your own sanity. Besides, in case you've forgotten, we still need to find out who your second god-parent, maybe your actual god-parent might be."
"I think I have a clue about that," Harry reasoned, looking up at Remus as he explained, "When I got angry, I felt the same sort of power surge that Jackson received when he was healed by the water: now, while I loathe the thought of the possibility, I have to admit that this narrows down the options to Bolt Boy, Seaweed Brain's old man and Lord Hades."
"You respect Hades and disrespect Zeus and Poseidon?" asked Luke, almost amused and impressed with Harry's reasoning.
"I hate anyone who thinks themselves untouchable and willing to do anything to abandon family," Harry explained, unaware of the glint of interest in Luke's eye as he continued, "As for the God of the Sea, well, if he's anything like Jackson, then Hades help us if I'm his, because it'd cause one Styx of a rift between us."
As he said this, Harry then heard an amused laugh from Remus, "What?"
"Nothing," Remus answered, "Just…you've been here nearly a week now and you're already familiar with the terms of the demi-blooded."
"Huh?" asked Harry.
"Like wizards say Merlin instead of God and other such euphemisms, half-bloods use certain Greek terms and titles to describe their feelings." Here, Remus indicated Harry as he explained, "For example, when you considered Mr Malfoy's reaction to how similar you were being to him, you used the expression di Immortales, which roughly translates into by the Immortals or by God. Then you used Hades to describe the thought of Heaven or Hell help us and finally one Styx of a rift, indicating the passage into the underworld."
Harry was actually surprised, but smiled and, with a rue shrug, he sighed before he added, "Chiron, would you offer my…apologies to Jackson for letting my emotions get the better of me? I'd do it, but I'd probably risk cutting him up before I actually manage to get the words out."
"I'll let him know," Chiron answered, moving towards the door of the Big House where he left the four demigods alone with each other and their thoughts.
After a short while, Luke rose from his seat before he explained, "Well, I'd better be heading back: it's tradition to throw a party after a round of Capture the Flag, but since neither team technically won, this'll be more a comedown from the excitement of today."
"And I could use some additional swordsman's training," added Clarisse, rising herself before she asked, "By the way, Harry: would you mind explaining how you knew how to handle that twin-bladed weapon of yours so well?"
"I can't explain it," Harry answered, drawing Night Shadow from its scabbard as he explained, "But when Father first gave this to me, it was like the knowledge on how to wield it for offensive and defensive purposes just…came to me. Kind of like what happened when he taught me how to mask myself in the shadows."
"Gifts from a God are rarely common," Remus told Harry, rising himself to take care of his own business, "But any that are given should be treated with respect: mind you, given your transformation and your energies, cub, I can guess that Thanatos doesn't want the weaker you to stick around. So he's doing what he can to train you up and make you ready for whatever comes next."
While Harry just nodded in agreement, Remus, Clarisse and Luke left the young Shadowborne to his thoughts, each of them making their way to their respective cabins where they indulged themselves in their own tasks.
Back at the Big House, however, Harry stared into the fireplace next to his seat before he looked up at a cartoon depiction of the Big Twelve, each of them surrounding the apparently-proud-looking figure of Zeus with Poseidon and Hades on either side of him. Looking at the image of the Big Three, Harry felt a shudder pass over his skin before he rose and, standing beneath the picture, he stared deep into the expressions of each god, his eyes lingering on Hades and Poseidon most of all.
"Your eyes are like water," Harry whispered, looking to the image of Poseidon before he switched to Hades, "While yours remind me more of Snape's eyes: dark tunnels and places better left unexplored. From what I see of the others, the eyes are a big clue and yet mine are as green as emeralds, which would indicate Demeter as Goddess of the Earth or, possibly, Dionysus or Hades as god of the fruits and master of gemstones respectively."
"You're not one of mine."
Turning to the source of the voice, Harry's eyes widened as he saw a man with dark hair and oak-brown eyes watching him; he was dressed in surfer-style gear and, as he looked to Harry, the man gave him a soft smile before he asked, "Sorry, did I startle you, Harry?"
"No," Harry answered, looking around before he asked, "You're Dionysus, aren't you?"
"Folks around here call me Mr D," replied the god of wine, "Condemned by Him Upstairs to act as chief counsellor and head of this camp just because he found me going after someone he fancied. And she was a nymph too: where do you think the name came from? Anyway, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"It's an honour to meet you, sir," Harry exclaimed, giving the god a curt bow before he added, "Condemned or not, some of them up there deserve our respect: not all of them, but some."
"Strong will," Mr D sighed, picking up a glass where, to Harry's amazement, he conjured a glassful of fresh orange; handing it to Harry, who thanked him for the drink, Mr D added, "Sorry I can't offer you anything fresher: Big Z's not too fond of me having my Alcokinesis powers cause of that nymph: anyway, nice to see that some around here still honour the old ways."
As Harry took a drink, feeling the fresh chill of the drink flow down his throat, Mr D continued, "The ones I feel don't honour it, I get my revenge in my own way…mainly by screwing up their names. Either because of that or just because I don't like them: take our new boy for instance: you'd think the God of the freaking Seas would be able to help a nephew out, but no. So, Percy Jackson is now going to be Perry Johnson and, where I can, I'll make him my little errand boy. You know: cleaning up the stables, sweeping the battle tower, washing the pots and pans by hand; that sort of stuff."
"So what makes me so different?" asked Harry, smirking at the thought of helping Mr D get under Jackson's skin.
"Aside from you being a Shadowborne, you mean?" asked Dionysus, earning a nod from Harry before he added, "Because you're more special than you think, kid: now, certain forces wouldn't want you knowing about this, but I think you're ready. So, if you head on up to the attic, you'll find out what you need to know for the future."
"Why would I do that?" asked Harry, earning a soft smirk from Mr D.
"Maybe then," explained the chief counsellor, "You'll understand your rage, your powers…and quite possibly, why you were chosen by one like Thanatos."
With confusion in his eyes, Harry left Dionysus to his drink, but not before thanking him for his own.
Son of the Shadows
The attic of the Big House was dusty, stuffy and reminded Harry a little of the cloying feeling provided by Professor Trelawney's classroom;
However, as he walked into the room, noticing a whole array of candles and bric-a-brac scattered around the room, the young Shadowborne also felt a sense of magic cling to him from the room. It was almost like the force in the room was a giant spider and Harry had just been caught in its web, forcing him to move forwards, his steps taking him towards a decrepit-looking being huddled at the front of the room.
As Harry walked forwards, the candles around him began to flicker and flare into life, their gaseous smoke trails moving through the room towards the figure at the head of the room. As Harry looked forwards, he noticed the strange figure's eyes glow with an eerie blue light and, as he looked to the figure, Harry also noticed that she was like a very old woman, her voice withered with age, but nonetheless filled with power.
"I am the spirit of Delphi," the figure told him, her voice edged by power that drew Harry in, "Speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo; approach, seeker and ask what you will."
With a gulp that felt more like he was trying to swallow a block of ice, Harry asked, "I was told…there was something rather special about me?"
"That is correct," replied the Oracle, for the name Delphi had struck a chord with Harry thanks to his Divination textbook: if this was a spirit of that same force, then she could only be an Oracle. "But if you are willing to know the truth, you must be prepared for what you will see and the actions that you will set in motion: are you prepared, Shadow Child?"
Harry swallowed down his fear, his voice almost like a croak as he answered, "Yes."
"Then know your truth," The Oracle told him, her eyes boring into his skull as she explained, "You are blood of one of the three Eldest Gods, but your fate is tied more to the spirit that blesses you and he whom protected you from the darkness twice before. The reason for this protection lies with she whom would risk her very soul and place in Elysium to see you safe, strong and to know that you are loved."
"My Mother…" Harry whispered, earning a slow nod of the head from the Oracle.
"Her power still dwells inside of you," The Oracle continued, "Only when the blessing is known to you will you find that power, but know this, child of shadows: though you are blood of the gods, your fate is born in the three stages of man and divine."
"What do you mean?" asked Harry, his answer coming to him as the Oracle's gaze seemed to pierce his skull and, inside his mind, Harry saw three different places: a darkish, but grand estate of regalia, followed by a castle he knew all too well and, finally, a fiery red river of souls and a three-headed dog.
At the same time, the Oracle named each one, "Olympus…Earth…the Underworld:
From the world of fires and pain, a child shall be born to all three he shall reign.
Three-times blooded he shall be known, but power and fate shall always be his own;
Assisted by the Fallen One and his heart to the Forsaken, his path shall lead him to destinies awakened.
Son of the Shadows
"…where the Lightning Thief dwells, he shall find an ally and an aid; where the fires first claimed him shall his beginnings be made; and when the darkness returns, only then shall he be saved; and the fate of three worlds will be in his hands: to protect or to enslave…and that does mean my future will be saved, not the three worlds, I checked."
Remus and Chiron both looked troubled as Harry took a drink from a glass, his voice feeling slightly hoarse from inhaling the fumes and seeing the three worlds he was, apparently, meant to rule. Around them, the camp enjoyed their post-match party with a large bonfire and sons and daughters from every cabin having fun and socialising.
Across from where Harry was standing with his mentors, Percy caught his eye and gave him a curt nod, but Harry chose to ignore it as he asked, "So what could it mean?"
"It's just a legend," Chiron muttered, but Harry shrugged in response.
"She's the Oracle of Delphi, Chiron," Harry remarked, his voice now edged by sincerity as he told the centaur, "She's not known for being wrong."
"Maybe not," agreed Remus, "And as a son of Apollo, I can sense the truth in her words: if it is a legend, Chiron, then the legend is about to come to pass."
"What legend?" asked Harry, earning a look from both Remus and Chiron before, with a sigh, he answered Harry.
"The legend of Ne…"
A large burst of fire cut off his next words; at the same time, several campers gasped as the bonfire reared up and, from within, several streams of fire were shot out at the trees. As people rushed to put out the fires, there was a final burst and, from within the flames, what looked like a large winged demon rose up, his eyes burning with fire while his power radiated through the camp.
"Hades!" exclaimed Remus, moving to help with the fires while Harry had his gaze fixed on Hades: according to the Oracle, he was blood of one of the three, one of which was Hades. If this was the point, then Harry should have felt some sort of kin-like drawn-in feeling; however, all he felt right now was awe as he saw Hades examine the faces of the half-bloods before him.
Then the awe turned to disbelieving shock as Hades gave the reason for him being here, "Percy Jackson, show yourself!"
'What could he want with Seaweed Brain?' wondered Harry, moving towards the circle of half-bloods who'd surrounded the space where Hades had risen.
Seeing that Percy wasn't making an appearance, Hades threw another burst of flames towards a vegetation area before he told the stunned crowd, "Be a good boy: bring me the Lightning Bolt and I will exchange it for your Mother!"
'He wouldn't…he would,' Harry thought, watching as Percy ran to confront the god.
"My Mother's dead!"
"No," Hades replied, his voice laced with amusement as he explained, "She's alive: she's here in the Underworld with me…bring me the bolt and I will return her to you."
He then proved this to be true as he revealed a burst of the same golden flames that had claimed both the Minotaur and Mrs Jackson, the flames revealing the very-much alive form of the woman.
As Hades crushed the image in his hand, he then turned before he added, "Harry Potter: son of Thanatos, I know you're here and I know you're wanting answers. Come with Percy and you will have all that you need to know."
For a moment, Harry's green eyes met Hades' fiery ones before the Lord of the Underworld smirked as he added, "Bring me the bolt, young Prince of Death, and you will have my thanks and your answers."
"Don't listen to him, Harry," whispered Remus, but Harry moved forwards regardless, now standing next to Percy before he stared up at the being before him.
"What do you know about me?"
"Come to the Underworld," Hades replied, "Bring me what I seek and I shall give you all that you wish to have what you seek."
Then, with a final burst of flames, he was gone, leaving Harry and Percy to exchange glances before the son of Thanatos turned and made his way back to his cabin.
Percy, meanwhile, couldn't ignore the instinct that screamed at him to find Hades and get his Mother back.
In a way, though neither of them realised it, Harry Potter and Percy Jackson had something in common in that one moment:
They both had to get to Hades…
Though only Harry was concerned with finding the Lightning Bolt first.
Chapter 4 and it seems that Harry now has a reason to work with Percy, but can they put their rivalry aside for the sake of the world?
Plus, what did the Oracle's mysterious prophecy mean and what was Chiron about to say about 'Ne?'
Keep Reading to Find Out
Next Chapter: Assistance and gifts for Percy and the gang; plus, on their first stop, Harry discovers a shocking benefit of being Thanatos' son and makes an enemy of one whom he's meant to be working with…
Please Read and Review
AN: Okay, so we have the set-up and, to add fuel to the fire, we have the prophecy: I hope you liked it as I tried to make it sound as cryptic as the one from Sea of Monsters sounded; some may be obvious to figure out, but other parts might just surprise you;
AN 2: For those who kept badgering on about my portrayal of Harry, let me just remind you of one thing: this is FAN FICTION, which means the portrayal is to my creativity's wishes: if I understand it, then that's all that matters;