AN: So, I want to thank everyone for their reviews.

I also know some of you will probably curse me for the lack of brother-sister bonding in this chapter. I promise there will be a lot over the series, but I feel they need to have their road bumps and tension and problems before they can become true siblings.

Percy went through something similar in Sea of Monsters with Tyson, but of course Melinda isn't a cyclops so this will be different.

The next chapter will probably be a bit shorter and then the chapter after it will have quite a bit of Percy-Melinda bonding time. Promise. Also I have updated my website for this story today. So be sure to check it out seeing as it is were I place all photos and character resources for my stories.

Some have mentioned if she was going on the Quest, and while it might seem like she isn't in this chapter, she is. She just doesn't join until later, after she finds out that is. Chiron might want to get some ear plugs, Melinda won't be very happy when she does find out next chapter.

Anyways, enjoy!

The Sea's Daughter: The Lightning Thief.

Chapter 7: Tension, Weddings and Quests.

Melinda hated herself right now.

Percy had connected the dots before he was even hailed Poseidon's son, the way he'd stared into her near identical green eyes had told her that. The tension between them wouldn't break either. The worse of it all was the fact doomsday was closer then ever.

Capture the Flag was on June 16th, the following Wednesday was the Summer Solstice (June 21st).

She wasn't sure what to do, and to add insult to injury she received an invite from Draco Malfoy that same day as she helped Percy move from the Hermes cabin into the Poseidon cabin.

You are invited to the bonding of Draco Achilles Malfoy and Luna Iris Lovegood.

On June 19th, 2006 at Malfoy Manor. Please R.S.V.P by June 16th, 2006.

There was no way for her to R.S.V.P by then and she had no way to fire call them from camp. She wanted, no needed to go though.

Draco and Luna were two of her very best friends and even if she was surprised seeing as they were still young she wanted to support them.

There was still the fact of Percy.

At first she'd thought of taking him with her, but she didn't think Draco would appreciate a plus one without a heads up. There was the fact she would arrive without letting them know.

Seeing as it would take her two days for Helios to R.S.V.P and she already had to get a international Portkey from the New York branch of the American Magical Ministry.

The night before she'd leave she could hardly sleep.

She'd been given a bit of the cold shoulder from her brother who was being treated like a disease by most the campers.

Though she was happy to see Luke still giving Percy lessons in sword fighting – seeing as she had the feeling Percy wouldn't take them from her right now – and that Annabeth still taught him Ancient Greek even if she looked as if she someone had poked her in the eye.

She'd have to leave a day after the day Percy was claimed and she felt like the worse sister in the world. She knew Draco had the worst timing in the world.

"You knew, didn't you"

Melinda was drawn from her thoughts and guilt at her brothers words. She looked over at her brother from her bottom bunk.

"I'm sorry, that I didn't tell you."

"You were the bird, the one I saw a few days before you began teaching at Yancy. And I swear I've seen you before."

Melinda sighed, turning over onto her side.

"Go to sleep Percy, but you're right."

Melinda cursed herself mentally for ending the conversation there and blinked back what she was surprised to find were tears of guilt or regret.

She promised herself as she closed her eyes to sleep that she would make it up to Percy later.

After being an only child for so long she now realized how hard the whole older sibling thing was. After so long of waiting and she was floundering worse then a fish out of water.

xXx

Percy sighed and turned over, thinking about the recent turn of events. Melinda was his sister. His older sister and his father had been involved with another woman before his mother.

He supposed he shouldn't be surprised. Gods were known for having kids in the Myths. He just wasn't sure how he felt about it. Before the game of Capture the Flag under six hours ago he'd been an only child.

He supposed the protectiveness Melinda showed and the pride when he accomplished something made so much more sense now.

He wanted to get to know her, but the fact she'd known who he was and hadn't told him when he'd asked that was the problem he had.

It made him a bit angry that she hadn't told him and now he realized his mother must have known too seeing as Melinda had introduced herself as the daughter of Poseidon.

He was also a bit resentful that Melinda was leaving in the morning for a wedding. He understood that it was for two of her close friends but she was his sister.

Didn't he have a right to get to know her and understand why she'd done what she'd done?

Sighing, Percy turned over in his bed and closed his eyes. That night he had his worst dream yet.

xXx

That morning when Melinda woke up Percy was already up and gone.

Sighing, Melinda placed her head into her hands.

"I am the worst sister, ever," she mumbled.

::Don't say that Mistress,:: Sesha said, slithering up onto the bed and curling up on her pillow. ::You will be a wonderful authoritative figure to the young hatchling.::

Melinda blinked and looked at Sesha confused.

Sesha gave a snake-like sigh.

::How do you say this closer to the English language...oh yes. You shall be a great motherly...no that's not it.:: Sesha shook her head.

::Just don't force it Mistress. All relationships, be it romantic, friendly or sibling had it's bumps. You and the hatchling will be able to get past this with time.::

Melinda chuckled, realizing how hard it might be for a snake to find the right words so that a snake-speaker would understand right.

::Thanks,:: she said. ::When did Percy leave?::

::Hmm...he left for his lessons with the wise girl.::

Melinda nodded, standing and heading for her overnight bag which was under her bed. She spent the next thirty minutes after getting dressed throwing stuff in for two nights.

She knew she couldn't stay in England long, just long enough to see Draco and Luna married.

::Sesha, stay here and keep an eye on Percy,:: Melinda said and Sesha looked up and nodded.

::I shall protect the young hatchling,:: Sesha said, and Melinda smiled.

Sitting on her bed Melinda pulled out a pad of paper and a ballpoint pen.

Percy,

I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye, I didn't think you'd want to hear from me. I also didn't want to interrupt your lessons. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Chiron forbid me from speaking before you were claimed and would you have really believed me?

I'm sorry, and when I get back I want to talk to you about...everything.

I wouldn't leave it I didn't have to attend this wedding, and I'd take you with me if I could. I understand if you don't want to talk to me when I get back but please, give me a chance to explain.

Love...

Melinda stopped, and scribbled over that and signed her name to end the letter instead, thinking it was too soon and might weird Percy out.

Taring the letter from the notebook she walked over to her brothers bed and laid it on it and left the borders so she could Apparate to the New York Magical offices and get a Portkey.

She had no idea that Sesha had been wrong and Grover hadn't come this morning to get Percy for lessons, but instead to bring to the Big House to discuss his first quest.

xXx

Being in England again was...strange to say the least. It was also kind of nice.

The first place she stopped was Grimmauld Place, where she was greeted by Dobby and Kreacher who seemed to be beyond happy to see their Mistress Potter-Black again.

After getting settled and spending quite some time feeling as if she should be back at Camp instead of in England she headed over to Malfoy Manor.

"Oh my Asgard," Luna gasped when she opened the door to find Melinda on the other side.

Luna pulled Melinda into a big hug and when they pulled back Melinda took in any changes with her friend and fellow demigod – despite the fact Luna was Norse instead of Greek.

"So, married. I guess you're staying in this reality after all," Melinda said and Luna chuckled.

"Yeah," Luna said. "I'm so glad you could make it but...you're sort of late. Did the nargles blur your brain perhaps?"

Melinda smiled.

"I've missed that, and I don't think so. I just got the owl last night. It's sort of bad timing but I couldn't miss this. Here I was thinking Dray would be a bachelor forever."

"Ha ha, very funny Mellie," another voice said from inside. "I'm happy you could make it."

Luna ushered Melinda in and the brunette smiled and walked over to the taller blonde and pulled him into a hug.

"How are you cousin?" Melinda asked and Draco smirked.

"Fine, how about you?"

Melinda sighed, her shoulders slumping.

"A mix between great and miserable," Melinda said. "I think I messed up."

Luna and Draco shared a look and escorted her into the living area of the manor. It was more open and fixed up then she remembered from the war.

But Lucius Malfoy was no longer in the picture, when he realized about the divorce after the war Narcissa had won the manner and all the assets because not only was their son the heir but he'd been sent back to Azkaban.

It was almost as if Lucius had been stricken of his family name and funds when he was set back into Azkaban with the other captured Death Eaters.

Unfortunately there were quite a few still on the loose.

"Winky," Luna called once they'd sat down.

A familiar elf appeared, wearing a ivory uniform, the common pillow case style with the Malfoy crest on the breast area.

"Does Mistress Moon need something from Winky?"

"Some hot chocolate with mini-moons would be nice," Luna said and Melinda blinked wondering what she meant by mini-moons.

"Now, tell big brother Dray what ails you?" Draco said, smirking mischievously

"Luna's been letting you watch muggle TV again hasn't she?" Melinda asked, and then shook her head. "And you're only older then by like...a month older then me."

"He knows that," Luna said, laughing lightly. "Now, seriously. What's wrong, I can't imagine what could be miserable about your camp. I know Camp Asgard is rather fun this time of year."

Melinda smiled and a platter of hot chocolate appeared on the coffee table in front of them. Luna instantly reached forward and handed out the pretty cups filled with hot chocolate with little blue and white crescent moon marshmallows.

"Camp is exactly how I imagined it. I made some friends and finally got to meet my half-brother," she began.

"That's great, so what's wrong?" Draco asked.

Melinda took the time to sip her chocolate and then sat the cup back onto the table.

"I made a mess of everything," she said.

Then she went on to explain how she'd gotten a job at Yancy to keep an eye on him, how she'd failed to save his mother from a monster, and the pending doom of the summer solstice deadline in less then a week.

"Then, when he asked me if I knew who his father was I...lied," Melinda said.

Draco choked on his chocolate and sat the cup down.

"I'm sorry, you what?" he asked.

"I lied," she repeated, her face showing just how upset the whole ordeal was making her.

"But you hate being lied too," Draco said. "Why would you lie to him?"

"I didn't really have a choice. Chiron had forbade me from telling him before he was claimed and it was dangerous for him to know. I shouldn't have been so quick to deny knowing who our father is."

Draco sighed and Luna patted Melinda's arm comfortingly.

"It'll be alright Lin, everyone makes mistakes," Luna said. "We're only human. It's in our nature to contract brain fuzz from time to time."

Melinda looked at Luna who stared dreamily back at her. Then she began to laugh.

"Thanks Lu, I needed that," Melinda said. "So, married? I wasn't expecting this for a for more years."

Draco smirked.

"Well, we got impatient," he said.

Luna shook her head.

"Don't listen to him, the nargles are particularly bad with Drac," Luna said, giving him a dreamy yet loving look. "We decided to marry this summer, after my sixth year because if there was one thing the war taught us it was that we don't have forever to wait.

Melinda nodded, a sad haunted look entering her green eyes. Her thoughts going back to everyone that had died. Mainly she thought of Fred and what their life might have been like had he lived.

She smiled after a minute, knowing he would probably have pranked her for getting sad over what could have been instead of looking out for her future.

"So where are you staying?" Draco asked. "We have some spare rooms if you need one."

"Oh, we'd love to have you. It's a great thing you could make it, Astoria sprang her ankle a few days ago and can't be one of my bridesmaids," Luna said, sadly.

"I'm glad I came too, but I stopped at Grimmauld Place first and settled in. I'm sorry if I'm ruining the mood, I just can't shake the feeling I should be at Camp."

The two nodded.

"We understand," Draco said. "Uh...there is something we need to talk to you about."

Luna looked at Draco and nodded after a second. Looking between the two Melinda blinked.

"What, is something wrong with one of the others? Andi, Cissy?" she asked and after swallowing a lump that had formed in her throat she continued. "Teddy?"

Draco and Luna blinked and then shook their heads.

"No, it's to do with my cousin," Draco began. "You remember Cassiopeia."

Melinda grimaced.

"How could I not?" Melinda asked. "She hated me, I can't blame her. If she'd killed my mother I'd hate her too."

Draco sighed.

"Well, we didn't know it at the time but Cassie had a kid."

Melinda's eyes widened.

"Excuse me?"

"Yes, the Ministry found her in the dungeons in a make shift room when they raided LeStrange manor after the war. You had already left for America and Shacklebolt didn't want to disturb you. Besides you her closest relative was..."

"Me," Draco said, taking over for his fiance. "She'll be seven in August, and wasn't treated very well by her mother and grandmother."

"She's a squib then?" Melinda asked, still startled by the revelation.

Draco sighed.

"Not exactly," he said and then continued.

"From what the Aurors could get out of Madam LeStrange before placing her in Azkaban for ten years, plus another ten years of probation for child abuse. Cassie wasn't treated to well either by everyone besides her mother, who wasn't exactly mother of the year, for being a squib. When she was seventeen, I think was what was said, she met this boy and thought if she had a child that was magical she'd be treated better."

Melinda shook her head when she realized where this was going.

"But she didn't have a child who was a witch or wizard."

"No, but she wasn't powerless either. We found out soon after taking her in that she could do magic, it just wasn't like ours."

"She's a demigod?" Melinda asked.

Luna shook her head.

"Legacy, of Hecate. Mother Hecate came to the manor soon after we discovered her abilities and explained that Bellona, that her name, was the daughter of one her sons who'd been seduced by Cassie."

Melinda slumped into the couch, overwhelmed.

"Gods, why didn't she come to me about Bellona?"

"She didn't want to overwhelm you or complicate things. She's aware of the drama over on that side of the pond it appears," Draco said.

"We figured we'd explain face to face when we decided the date for the wedding. When you didn't R.S.V.P we decided to invite you over for your birthday in July to explain but here you are," Luna said, smiling. "We also have a request."

Melinda looked at them and nodded.

"Sure," she said. "Anything."

Draco snorted, shaking his head and Luna grinned.

"Oh goody," Luna cheered and Melinda wondered what she'd just agreed to. "We adopted Bellona, so she's officially Bellona Arista Malfoy. She needs a godmother and seeing as you are a relation of hers we wanted you to be be her godmother."

Melinda stared at them in surprise for a minute and then smiled. Nodding.

"Of course, I'd be honored," she said and Luna basically squealed and pulled her into a hug in excitement.

Melinda laughed and noticed the small figure peaking around the corner with long blonde hair and what looked like blue-green eyes.

She was pretty positive it was either a strange looking house elf or Bellona herself. So she smiled, waving at her quickly before Luna pulled away.

"Bell, honey you can come in now!" Luna called, looking behind her with a knowing smile. "You shouldn't be hovering in the in-between anyways, who knows what the trolls might think."

Melinda blinked and raised an eyebrow at Draco who shrugged.

xXx

Percy sighed as he reread the letter left by his sister – something he still hadn't quite gotten used to – and wondered if he'd been to harsh on her the night before.

She'd said Chiron wouldn't let her tell him in the letter and that she was sorry and wanted to talk when she returned.

The problem was he might not be here, and if something terrible went wrong he might never be back. Going to the underworld wasn't something exactly done everyday unless you were dead.

He didn't want to admit to Chiron or Grover and Annabeth but he was terrified.

He didn't have the same training as them, he'd only been here for around two weeks. And he only had five days, counting today, to find his way to the Underworld and return the Master Bolt to the Empire State Building where Olympus was located.

Five days to stop a war from breaking out and five days to stay alive and get back to be able to talk to Melinda. He did want to talk to her about everything, he was beginning to like the idea of having an older sister.

When he was little he'd always wanted a sister or brother to play with, older or younger it didn't mater to him.

His mother had been unable to give him that though since she'd had to marry Smelly Gabe and Percy was pretty sure an woman would rather shoot themselves then have that mans kid.

Percy jumped as Sesha slithered up his leg with what looked like a mischievous gleam in her golden hued dark eyes. He wished he could talk to her like Melinda could but he was pretty sure he got the message when she coiled around his arm and chest like he'd seen her do on Melinda.

"You're coming with me then, Sesha?" Percy asked and the snake gave him long stare which if she was human he was sure would be asking him if he were stupid or just liked stating the obvious.

He chuckled and petting her scales tentatively.

"Alright," he muttered. "Thanks Melinda."

He whispered the last part and swore if snakes could smirk she would have.

He jumped up, nearly knocking his bag off his bunk as Annabeth and Grover came inside, both with full backpacks as well.

"You ready?" Annabeth asked, giving him a strange look when she saw Sesha wrapped around him.

Grover actually shivered, having never really gotten used to the large serpent who'd look at him in an almost hungry way. Annabeth and Melinda would always tell him he was over reacting.

Percy nodded.

"Yeah," Percy said and was startled when Annabeth darted further into the room where the potions lab was set up on Melinda's side.

She's told him on the first night that it would be best if he asked her before going near it or the book cases. That some of it was pretty deadly, even the books could be bad for his health. He'd made a mental note to never go over there on his own.

"What are you doing?" Grover asked, his eyes as wide as saucers.

"Looking for something that might help us on our quest..." Annabeth said.

Then she smiled and plucked some corked potions off the narrow but tall potion shelf which held completed potions with well organized labels.

"Won't Melinda care?" Percy asked, his eyes nearly as wide.

Annabeth shook her head, placing an assortment of five potions in her pack.

"No, she supplies the Apollo cabin with some of the potions that have to do with healing and even used a few during the capture the flag. I just took the ones I've seen before. A few pepper up potions, a healing salve and two smoke bomb potions."

Percy blinked.

"She can do that?" he asked.

Annabeth nodded.

"Yeah, the Hecate children can do similar things too. Though with more variety and sometimes more powerful results," she said and then headed for the door. "Come on. We don't have time to dilly dally."

Grover and Percy shared a look and shrugged, leaving the Poseidon cabin empty once more.