Pairings: Harry/Draco, Tom/Severus
Disclaimer: Neither Harry Potter nor any Greek Myths belong to me.
Chapter 3 - Hades' Deities
'Hold on! Damn it, Harry, stop bleeding!'
It was dark and cold, or was that just him? He didn't know. His entire body was numb and his mind barely comprehended the hurried speech of his savior. He could hardly see those frantic ebony eyes flicker from his face to a spot lower. He knew he was hurt, but he didn't feel it. His body was too numb.
'Harry, talk to me. Tell me your favorite color.'
'Blue,' he tried to say, but it came out sounding wrong. He couldn't remember how to move his mouth right.
'What position do you play in Quidditch?'
'Seeker,' he tried again, and it nearly worked that time. It still sounded drawn out and misshapen to him.
'Don't close your eyes damn it!'
He fought to keep them open and focused in on those fierce black eyes. The edges of his vision were starting to blacken, but he stayed focused on that gaze for as long as he could. It seemed like an eternity before they softened.
'All right, Harry. It's okay now. You can rest.'
So he did.
After they got a place to stay (McGonagall won so they were in a hotel for the moment,) the three made their way back to the palace. None of the uniformed people gave them a second look, though one gave Snape the oddest expression when he went to ask about Harry's being a successor.
In any case, they were directed through a set of enormous doors to a long hallway. The red carpet was a stark contrast to the white walls and black floor. There were no lights above them, yet there was still plenty of light to see by. They walked in a single file with Harry in the center. No pictures hung on the doors, nor was there any other kinds of ornamentation. At last, the hallway ended in another set of huge double doors. Snape and Harry pushed this set open when it was found that they were too heavy for one man alone.
Beyond was a round room of blue tinted marble streaked with white. Gilded chairs were set in a circle with a round table in the center. Columns made yet another ring along the walls. Runs of shining silver blue glowed on each as well as the walls and table. And there, sitting across the room from the doorway, were Draco Malfoy and Ron Weasley.
"Ron!" Harry cried, running to embrace his friend as the redhead rose as well.
"It's good to see you, Harry!" said Ron happily. "I figured you'd get a one way trip to Elysian Fields, mate!"
"Well, I did, but…"
"Don't tell me you gave it up! Idiot!"
"My thoughts exactly," muttered Draco just loud enough for the other two to hear. The silver haired boy got up and walked to the teachers, nodding his acknowledgement of them. Ron scowled after him.
"He's been a right bastard since he got here," Ron growled as he folded his arms over his chest. "You'd think dying would teach a little humility…"
"What are you doing here anyway, Ron?" asked Harry. The redhead blushed sheepishly.
"Well, you see, there was this woman and…"
"…Should I be hearing this?"
"Oh, shut up!" He went even redder. Harry chuckled but waved him to go on. "Anyway, this woman comes up out of no where and says to me, she says, 'The palace awaits you,' and I can't figure out if she's bonkers or serious and then I got this odd feeling that she was way more than she looked…but then, I wasn't really paying attention that well because she was bloody gorgeous…"
Harry snorted and shook his head softly. "I got stopped by this tall guy in white who sent me down here. Figure Malfoy's got the same story?"
"Phhtt! I bet he pissed off the wrong guy, the sodding b-"
The doors swung open with a crash that caused both to jump. A man stood there, tall and broad with silver armor covering his chest, arms, and legs. A tall helmet sat on his head with winding horns out either side. Under the armor was black cloth that mirrored the loose black robes over everything. A long cap hung behind him, connected by straps at his shoulders. Two piercing blue eyes stared at the assembled group from behind black bangs. His hair was long and fluttered behind him as he stepped more into the room.
At the man's side was a beautiful woman. As he was dark, she was light. Her blonde hair hung in loose ringlets and curls, casting a soft look to her face. Her dress was cream colored with ropes of gold wrapped all about. The cloth was studded with precious stones that matched her golden tiara. Her violet eyes took in the guests, but she had a more affectionate look for them than the dark man.
"Welcome," she said in a voice of honey. She lifted an elegant hand and gestured to the chairs. "Please sit. The other guests will soon arrive and there is much to discuss."
The five quickly did as she asked. Snape ended up with both Harry and Draco at his side. Ron was by the first and MaGonagall the second. After they were seated, the man and woman sat as well across from them.
"I am Persephone," the woman introduced, "This is my husband, Hades, King of the Underworld."
He inclined his head, but said nothing. Harry felt his eyes go wide. He knew those names. Every child gets a basic knowledge of the Greek pantheon as a child and he was no different. These were Gods, or at least representations of gods! He couldn't speak. He felt much like he had in meeting Death. His body was cold and shaky and he felt so very humbled that he didn't know how they could stand to look at him. Persephone's gentle eyes swept to him before she smiled.
"Do not fear, child," she said. "No harm will come to you this day."
As she said this, four others entered quietly. The first was Death, who seemed to make the room brighten by the sheer whiteness of him. Second was a yawning boy in a set of pajamas and a sleep hat. His messy brown curls peaked out just slightly from the cap and his blue eyes were heavy lidded. Third, a boy dressed in violet robes that seemed a twin to the one before came. His curls were longer, hitting his shoulder and framing his face. The last was a figure Harry had hoped never to see. It was the red eyed man from before, smirking as if he held a hidden secret. Harry swallowed thickly as he sat down and seemed to eye him evilly.
"Welcome," Persephone said to the newcomers. Death gave a slight nod and the barest hint of a smile.
"'Morning Perce," yawned the boy in pajamas. The other boy looked at him in reproach before uttering, "Good Eve, my Queen."
The red eyed man said nothing and that only made Harry more uncomfortable. Hades clasped his hands and set his chin upon them.
"Now, then," he said. His voice was deep and dark, but had an odd beauty to it that made it wonderful to listen to. "We are gathered for a most important reason-"
"Get on with it!" cried Pajama boy. Hades gave him a stick glare as the other twin hit him over the head.
"As I was saying," muttered Hades, "Successors have arisen, meaning that it is time for some of us to retire to Elysian Field for the rest of eternity."
"Oh, saints love you," Pajama boy praised with a slight slur as his eyelids threatened to close over the blue eyes. Again, his twin hit him.
"I apologize for him," the boy in purple said with an embarrassed tone towards the visitors. "My brother has the most horrible manners…"
"Oi, don't say that!"
"It's true!"
"Is not! I have wonderful manners. Ain't that right, Perce?"
Persephone gave him an amused grin as his twin grew red in the face.
"Shut-Up-Dream!"
"No, you shut up, Sleep!"
Hades cleared his throat and both fell silent. The King of the Underworld frowned darkly before he set his eyes upon Draco. The silver haired boy didn't react at all, as if a statue.
"Draco Malfoy," Hades said. "Stand and let us see you."
Draco frowned but did as asked, stepping away from his chair to stand before them. As a whole, the twins and Death stood and approached him. Death came first, reaching out to his face. Draco flinched from the touch but allowed it when tried a second time. Death smiled.
"You are not my successor," said Death with a sad smile. He moved aside to let the boy in purple, Sleep, touch his face next. The boy blinked a moment before grabbing the other twin's hand and dragging it where his had been.
"I say, Dream, doesn't that feel familiar?"
Dream blinked blearily before grinning and nodding, the little ball at the tip of his hat bouncing.
"Aye, that's my taint," he giggled. With that, he threw his arms around Draco's waist and hugged him tightly. "Welcome to the family!"
A muscle under Draco's eye twitched violently. "Get off me!"
"Now, that's not nice," pouted Dream. He let go and went back to his chair, sulking. "How is he suppose to weave dreams when he hasn't got a nice personality?"
"We'll worry about that later," Persephone assured the sulking boy. She turned to Harry next. "Now you, Harry Potter."
Harry stood and glanced up at Death. The pale figure stared back, looking older than before. Harry almost missed Sleep's approach but was able to still himself as the cool hand touched his cheek.
"Here's mine!" said Sleep with a smile. Dream gave a half hearted 'hurrah' that ended in a yawn.
Persephone nodded to Ron, who got up blushing. Death touched him but shook his head.
"No, not this one either," he said quietly. Moving like a wraith across the room, he came to stand before the red eyed man. His gray eyes flickered before he nodded. "This one. He is saturated. This is my successor."
In her seat, MaGonagall shifted uneasily as she gazed over the man. She knew him, as sad as those memories were.
Ron blinked and looked over everyone before piping up rather weakly, "What about me?"
Persephone rose and took his face in her hands. She looked him over closely, then nodded.
"You, child, are the Messenger."
"What?"
"Were he not away right now, he would have met you himself. You will be the next to carry messages though the layers of the Underworld, and to our kin above." She smiled softly. "Does this please you?"
At that moment, Ron looked as if anything she said would please him to no end. He nodded with a grin. Persephone went back to her husband's side.
"It is settled. The Successors will start their training tomorrow morn."
A/N: Well, finally wrote another part. I like Dream. He's my favorite...Why is he the sleepy one? Well, Dream was the god that weaved dreams. Sleep is merely the messanger boy who takes them to the right people. So...I made Dream sleepy.
Feedback:
Faint Hate - Figured out who Death's successor is? I wanna know if I made it obvious enough… And I'm glad you like Childish!Harry…I do too ::grin::
Kenny7 - Bad speller? Me too! Thank the gods for Spell Check… Nope, Snape and McGonagall are gonna be around for the long run. Glad you like the story!
lunacup - One of the best? ::blush:: Thanks, hun!
Elebereth - Happy to serve!
riantlykalopsic - I'm original!! Yay!! ::does a dance::
Malfoy vs Potter - Faster updates? Weeeelllll, doubtful. I'm a lazy bastard.
Siren of the Darknessflame - Love the name!! Glad you like the plot.
Ivin Artemis Draconis - Wee! Interesting names rule!! This is not a Snape/Harry fic. I like the pairing as much as the next slash fan, but Snape's more a father figure in this one. It will end up being Draco/Harry after a while.
rosigirl - Glad you like!
Capn-BlackRose - People keep saying it's original… Glad to have hooked ya.
SilverDragon161 - Here's Draco. How'd you like him?
Ah, the public loves me… ::walks off with an inflated head before running into a wall and popping it:: oww….