Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson or Harry Potter.

Consul of the Underworld: The Game Begins

Year Three: Hunting Simulator

Beta: Siegfried01

Lighthearted cheers and polite applause reverberated throughout the Great Hall as The Sorting finally concluded and the Feast, what the many students of Hogwarts were really looking forward to, just begun in earnest as the students, old and new, sat down to tuck into dinner after Dumbledore's customary speech on gruesome death and general misdemeanor.

For Alkaid Potter, daughter of Hades, the festivities were a welcome departure from the stress of her eventful summer. First there had been the mess in Forks and then the near zombie apocalypse in New York. As if that wasn't enough, heading home from that fiasco, she'd been grilled by her Father for days about her interactions with the Egyptian Magician, Amos Kane, and the halfbreed bounty hunter, Mana Tatsumiya. She understood he was worried that she had unwittingly breached the Ancient Laws that kept the various supernatural factions divorced of each other, and would suffer the consequences. But honestly his worry-fueled questioning had soured what was left of an already unpleasant vacation.

It was thus, with enthusiasm, that Alkaid was talking to her friends about their selected electives for this year. The tame normalcy was a welcome change of pace from all the mayhem she'd recently been dealing with.

"I can't wait for Care of Magical Creatures." Anthony smiled, spearing a potato wedge. "All the weird animals in this world and I get to learn about some of them in person, better than reading about them from a book I wager."

"I don't know, with Hagrid in charge, it might be…" Lisa trailed off, trying to find the right word.

"Unsafe? Dangerous?" Padma offered.

"Maybe that's a little too unkind." Luna chimed in to defend the friendly giant of a man.

"But not untrue." Alkaid pointed out. "He may mean no harm, but he has a very skewed sense of what is safe and that makes his lesson risky, if you ask me. The wards created by the enchanted jewelry I handed out on the train won't save you from a rampaging creature, so I'd rather not risk it."

"Well, I still think it'll be interesting." Anthony muttered, though sounding somewhat worried now.

"If you want interesting, than you should have taken Ancient Runes." Lisa offered enthusiastically.

"Aren't you taking that, Miss Potter?" Blaise asked.

"Indeed." Alkaid confirmed. "And I have to agree with Lisa. It is interesting and more importantly: safe."

"What else you taking, Alkaid?" Michael asked curiously.

"Arithmancy." Alkaid announced, only to be met by groans from Anthony and Michael himself.

"And what's wrong with Arithmancy?" Padma asked as she glared at the two boys.

"Well, it's just… math you know. I hate math." Anthony replied. Michael just nodded in agreement.

"Boys!" Padma sniffed in disdain.

"Hey! I happen to like it myself." Blaise said faux affronted.

"Well, Blaise you're the exception then it seems." Lisa smiled.

Blaise just huffed in irritation in reply.

"All jokes aside, I think Ancient Runes and Arithmancy are a great combination for Alkaid." Michael gave his opinion, "I mean we all know she's already experimenting with crafting her own spells and what not, so taking the two electives that are most helpful with that is a good idea."

"Good point, Michael." Alkaid acknowledged. "Though my choice was also largely influenced by the fact I found the other electives frankly not my cup of tea. Runes and Arithmancy were the only two which really struck my fancy."

"Which is as good a reason as any in the end. It's why I chose Arithmancy and Muggle Studies, myself." Blaise admitted.

"So you're taking Arithmancy with Alkaid, Blaise?" Luna asked and the boy nodded.

"And Anthony is taking Care of Magical Creatures. Anyone taking Divination or Muggles Studies?" Jane Rosenberg, one of the new additions to the clique that Alkaid had roped in last year, asked.

"My sister got swooped up into the 'allure' of Divination." Padma sighed, "She's been chattering all summer. I was tempted to mute her if I was allowed to use magic."

"I'm taking Muggle Studies." Lisa added. "After the muggles made a point of showing up in Hogwarts last year and grandstanding the whole time they were here, I wanted to learn more about them."

"Cool." Francis Ismay, another Ravenclaw recruit to the group from last year, joined the conversation with a cheeky smirk on his face. "So aside from Divination, we'll be able to get first hand stories from you guys about how the electives are like? That'll be a great help for when we have to make the choices ourselves, isn't it, Luna, Jane?"

"Why you cheeky little—" Padma begun playfully, only to be interrupted by a slow clap from Alkaid.

"Well played, Francis." The daughter of Hades complimented. Turning to Padma, she added, "Now, now, it's fine after all as their seniors to offer insight on what we experienced. Helping our juniors make more informed decisions is only right, isn't it?"

The other third years in the group all made gestures of agreement.

Alkaid turned her head, eying the Slytherin table. Standing up, the demigod declared, "I'll be right back."

Walking past the tables, the child of Hades saw Daphne and Tracey, a smile spreading across her face. She sat down right next to Daphne, happy at seeing the ring she had gotten her friend being worn on her index finger. The girls were talking to a first year. She was like a little copy of Daphne, but instead of a stoic nature, the first year was far more bubbly; and from the enchanted bracelet she was wearing, the sister that Daphne had mentioned on the train and who she had taken an extra ward anchor for.

"What are you girls talking about?" Alkaid asked with her usual sunny smile.

"Hi Alkaid, haven't seen you in forever." Tracey chuckled.

"Alkaid." Daphne greeted with a pretty smile. She turned her eyes to her right, "This is my younger sister, Astoria Greengrass."

"Nice to meet you, Astoria. And come now, Tracey, we saw each other on the train. Even if, you and Daphne might have sat with Astoria to keep her company." The Potter Heiress chided.

"For all of five minutes." Bruce Schettino, the lone Slytherin addition to the study group from the previous year, added from slightly further down the table where he was sitting with a bunch of his male yearmates. "They just stopped by our compartment to say hi, get those ward thingies you were handing out and disappeared."

Daphne and Tracey both glared at Bruce.

"I'm sorry for that!" Daphne's little sister apologized meekly, offering the demigod a shy smile. "My parents asked them to keep me company and I was too scared-um-wanted to spend time with a few of my friends, so Tracey and Daphne had to accompany me."

Alkaid was going to comfort the girl, but oddly enough was preempted by Bruce.

"Hey, I meant nothing by it. Was just saying, is all. Just because we're a clique doesn't mean we have to be together all the time."

"I'm still sorry." Astoria replied, looking pointedly at the daughter of the underworld. "I know Tracey and Daphne wanted to spend time with you."

Daphne blushed at what her sister said, something Tracey noticed, which in turn caused the Davis to sport a knowing smirk.

"It's fine, Astoria, we still have all year to spend time together." Alkaid assured, "still, I bet you're very eager to learn some magic."

That drew the girl's interest as Astoria smiled brightly, "You're right! I honestly can't wait. Daphne's shown me some stuff in her books of what I'm learning."

"You're really nice, you know that? And wow, Daphne was right. You're really pretty!" The little Greengrass turned to look at her sister and, with her head turned away from Alkaid, smiled mischievously.

"Oh? Daphne talks about me?" Alkaid asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.

"She talks about you all the time you know." Astoria explained before breaking out into a bout of giggles.

Daphne gave her chatty little sister a pointed look and huffed, pouting faintly. "It's not all the time, 'Tory."

"Alkaid is just so pretty, and really smart, it's nice to know someone like her~" the first year sang out.

Daphne's gaze leveled into a glare, "Watch it, or maybe I should share some stories with your dorm mates."

The young strawberry blonde suddenly found her roast very interesting.

Throughout this whole scene of sibling rivalry, Alkaid, Tracey and Bruce just watched on in amusement.

"Siblings." Bruce sighed. Probably from experience, as he himself, Alkaid knew, had younger siblings of his own, thankfully still too young for Hogwarts, and so would know what Daphne was going through.

Alkaid, on the other hand, chuckled. "It reminds me of my sister and I."

"Oho! A mention of your mysterious sister!" Tracey crowed with delight at the daughter of Hades offering up a potentially juicy bit of gossip. "Willing to tell us about her now?"

Alkaid winked, her hallmark smirk creeping in. "Well, you already know she has as much maturity to fill a thimble. She's also a bit of a prankster, the 'funny' one of the family."

"That's all you're gonna tell us?" Bruce asked. "Why the secrecy anyways?"

"How else do I lead you along?" The demigod quipped with a smile.

All her friends, Astoria included, shook their heads at her in frustrated amusement.

"She's just like you said she'd be, Daph. Down to the annoyingly mysterious bit." Astoria added, a tiny pout on her face.

"You get used to it, 'Tory." Daphne replied with a shake of her head. "It's worth it. Trust me."

They continued to chat over what they might be learning this year, along with praying that Professor Lupin would be a good DADA professor, until Dumbledore announced that it was time for bed.

Alkaid was walking back to join up with the other Ravenclaws as they made their way back to their dorms as the Feast ended when she saw Pyrrha. The other demigod was headed up to Gryffindor Tower with the rest of her house but the two would almost cross paths. Apparently noticing this too, the daughter of Ares had stopped and after a moment of indecision made a slight detour to head over to speak to the Potter.

Alkaid's heart clenched as a dose of Elpis' magic filled her.

The child of the underworld could only pray that Pyrrha had gotten over what had happened the previous year.

Alkaid's tiny bit of hope dimmed at the gruff look Pyrrha wore and sunk completely when the other girl curtly said, "I didn't tell anyone." With those brief words, the redheaded daughter of war walked back to her group.

Alkaid's face fell at that. That was it? Pyrrha had approached her just to say that? Did she think that Alkaid didn't trust her to keep her word? Did she think she was so low?

Her hurt look drew curious glances both friendly and not. Not wanting to appear weak or to worry her friends, the starry eyed girl quickly schooled her features.

Gathering every ounce of her poise she could muster, to at least in some way offset the earlier lapse in her mask, Alkaid gracefully walked off to bed.

Blaise's POV

Yet another Slug Club. How boring. The Zabini thought while scanning the room of people chattering about, trying to trump each other with their showboating.

Even as Blaise went through the motions of networking, he was primarily focused on his reflections of how things were changing due to his young mistress, Miss Potter.

The past two years have certainly been interesting. All those dangerous people dealt with, right here in Hogwarts. Snape, Lockhart. She obviously takes her role as a demigod hero very seriously. Pettigrew too I'd venture, if Miss Potter's reactions to that were any indication. She honestly deserves a medal for all the scum she's helped Wizarding Britain take care of. Especially after the Monster of Slytherin mess. Too bad the muggles took credit for that one. Accomplishing all that, whilst still slowly building herself up as a political force, even if only here within Hogwarts? Truly impressive. I'm proud to serve someone like her.

Looking around the room where today's Club event, a party akin but on a smaller scale to the one the Club held back in his first year, was held, Blaise noted that Pyrrha's crimson hair wasn't among the other students bobbing about, which was honestly a good thing.

Thank Pluto that the cur didn't show up. If she did? Then hang impressions, I'd give her a piece of my mind! I don't know what happened between them, but I know for a fact that before whatever it was, Miss Potter was nothing but kind to her and has continued to be even in the face of cold rejection. To spit on Miss Potter's kindness like that? Utterly unacceptable. Blaise thought, forcing himself not to scowl.

Feeling like he was losing his cool, Blaise desperately scanned the party for a distraction. After a moment, he saw the youngest Weasley sticking close to Lovegood (who dragged her along) and the rest of the new batch of first years his Lady handpicked. He did note that Greengrass' younger sister was the center of the group. Apples fell closely, or so it seemed.

That's quite the pick of the first years, right there. I haven't bothered to research them all, but from what Lisa and Anthony have dug up, the lot are all plenty connected. Miss Potter really can do wonders, can't she?

Blaise's admiration of his friend and patron was interrupted though when he noticed Crabbe and Goyle heading his way. Minus Malfoy. Damn. That means their fathers sent them as envoys. I'm really not in the mood for this. But for Miss Potter, I'll have to eat the spell.

"Zabini." Goyle, the dimwitted duos' spokesman, greeted. Crabbe just nodded.

"Crabbe. Goyle." Blaise returned as amiably he could.

"Our fathers have a message for you and Potter."

"Go on."

"There's a law coming up in the Wizengamot." Goyle began, the look of concentration on his face suggested he was reciting this little spiel word for word from memory. Most likely his father wrote it down for him and sent it to him in a letter. He's too dumb to come up with this on the fly. "The one about changing the inheritance laws?"

"I know which laws you're talking about, Goyle." Even if you got them wrong. It's about changes in the upcoming budget regarding the inheritance taxes, not the laws per se. "Your father, and Crabbe's, want our help squashing them?"

"Yes." Crabbe chimed in as he nodded like one of those bobble head dolls the Muggle Studies Professor had shown the class the other day.

Goyle's own nod was thankfully more restrained. "We know Potter can't vote yet. But her godfather can. And rumors say they are close."

Blaise nodded in understanding. They wanted to get Miss Potter to influence Lord Black to vote against the changes. "I'll pass the message along."

"Thanks." Goyle said with a sigh of relief. "Our jobs are done, now we can leave these complicated things to the big shots."

Blaise just gave the other boy a polite smile. Idiot. Telling me something me like that. You're so inept that you don't even know when to shut up.

"Well, if there's nothing else, I'll see you two later." Giving the two fools a polite nod goodbye, Blaise walked away as quickly as the polite company of the party allowed.

Argh! It's a pain dealing with these dark buffons. The majority of them don't know what they're doing. Too used to thinking with their wands, in my opinion. Sometimes I wish I hadn't asked Miss Potter for permission to help her with this. Or just waited for her to handle it herself, like she said she would eventually get around to. But I knew she didn't like dealing with them, more so than I do. It's why she put off networking with them to the last, even though they're so very influential. To save her the annoyance of dealing with these people she hates, I volunteered to step in. Maybe she manipulated me into choosing to do so, she's certainly capable of that, but even if so, doing this for her is the least I can do.

After all, taking on the master's unpleasant burdens is the duty of a loyal servant.

Alkaid was currently working on an Arithmancy project in the library. Working alongside her on this group project was Hermione. Their Professor, Vector, had assigned them the task to decode a levitation charm into a mathematical formula.

Feeling the strain from almost an hour of concentrating on her work, Hermione let out a breath and stretched. Her eyes were so strained from looking at all the numbers the project required that they were all starting to blend together. She needed a break.

Reviewing her work, she concluded that she was nearly halfway done with her part of the project. Curious, she took a glance at Alkaid.

Her jaw nearly unhinged as she noticed that her friend was at least 3/4's done.

But, Alkaid was acting strange.

The pretty girl was mumbling rapidly, almost speaking gibberish. Her eyes were also scanning the paper in quickfire fashion and her writing hand was a few milliseconds behind, writing at a incredible speed.

Worried, Hermione reached over and shook Alkaid's shoulder, "Are you okay?" she asked aloud. Was she on drugs or something?

Alkaid paused, turning her face to meet Hermione's. For a brief instant, Alkaid's eyes were staring at her like she was calculating a response, before the other girl blinked and her eyes regained that calm quality that they usually had once more.

"Yes, why?"

"You were acting weird. Like someone on drugs. You...you're not on drugs, are you?" the muggleborn bluntly stated her initial thoughts with worry.

"What?!" Alkaid yelled, flabbergasted. Thankfully her sound nullifying spell was around them, "I most certainly am not doing drugs, Hermione. Honestly, I'm thirteen years old!"

Hermione raised a skeptical brow, "You were mumbling to yourself and it looked like you were on an acid trip with how fast your eyes were moving."

"How do you even—"

"My parents gave me the drug talk over the summer. And there's the telly." The bushy-haired girl replied simply.

Inhaling a breath, Alkaid calmly explained. "I'm merely using a Thought Acceleration spell. It helps speed up my thought process. I learned it over the summer."

At Hermione's disbelieving look, Alkaid frowned.

"Fine, I'll show you."

She held her hand out towards Hermione and said some words in a language that the muggleborn didn't recognize. It was a second later that Hermione's mind was literally blown. She looked down at her own part of the project and could already see what she was missing and how to structure it better with a few tweaks here and there.

With a snap of Alkaid's fingers, Hermione lost the euphoric feeling and turned to her friend.

"T-That's amazing." The mortal exclaimed in awe and gleefully demanded, "You must teach me that spell. Please, Alkaid, it's fantastic!"

Alkaid had a pensive look on her face, like she was considering the merits of passing on such wondrous knowledge. What was there to consider? This wonderful spell must be shared!

If only Hermione could read Alkaid's thoughts. This is a bad idea. She's only had the spell used on her once and she's already so enraptured by it. If I teach it to her… She'll almost certainly become addicted. But… after what happened last year…

"Alright." the daughter of Hades yielded, but soon adopted a stern look, "But I have to warn you. It can be quite addictive, so you have to use it sparingly."

Brushing off the warning, Hermione merely answered, "I'll be careful. Now, how do I do it?"

Alkaid taught Hermione the spell, the muggleborn picking it up quickly. As she did, she dreamed of all the wondrous ways she'd make use of the spell, completely forgetting Alkaid's warning about it.

Within the Forbidden Forest a massive creature moved through the dense woodland with supernatural ease and speed. The creature moved so fast that any observers would only have been able to catch a glimpse of what looked like a monstrously large stag. There were however no observers. All had fled before the presence of the being.

Reaching the edge of the Hogwarts wards, the being did not even slow. Instead it became enshrouded in a brown aura for a moment and slipped through the ancient castle's wards with nary a ripple.

It sped across the open ground of the school's lawn in a single sprint, so quickly no mortal eye could have seen anything. Once inside the castle, it leaped through the corridors with a graceful prance, slowing its pace once it reached the first floor girls bathroom.

Its already shadowy form dissolved into vapor, seeping through the stones and oozed downward into the large underground space below. There, in the partially flooded tunnel filled with the ghastly remains of the Monster of Slytherin's victims, the vapor coalesced back into a stag-like form that sped down the tunnel.

It slowed down to a trot as it entered the Chamber of Secrets.

Like it had before, the being shapeshifted once more, it's forelimbs morphing into arms as it stood on its hind legs like a man, one who had antlers on his head. It stood in the shadows though, so the details of its form continued to remain hidden.

"Mortals today, not even a challenge." It's gruff voice scoffed as it scanned the room, "Now, for the ones who stole my prize from me… my new prey…" The being paused with a noisy inhale that sounded like leaves rustling in a wind. "Hmm… This scent… A demigod? No, two were here." A smile stretched itself on the hidden figure's face, visible from the shine of its teeth. "I wonder where they are now…"

It reached down, a palm rubbing the cold stone, nails digging into it as if it was dirt. With a sniff of it, the being grinned, "Let's see if you hide as well as you kill."

With a hiss from the being, a small ram-horned serpent peeled off from its skin and came to life. It flicked its tongue at its master, who held the stone to its servant.

"Find them and observe." The being instructed, "I must familiarise myself with my new hunting ground."

The horned serpent bowed its head and slithered away.

The being stood, its shadow engulfing the remains of Slytherin's monster, and chuckled.

"The hunt begins."

On a fine Saturday morning, Alkaid was startled from her sleep when she felt a strange weight settle on her chest. Startled by this, and fearing the worse, she quickly sat up in her bed, her Grimoire already shooting into her open hand. She however found no mysterious attacker, instead she found that the weight had come from a sealed envelope that had been placed on her chest.

Curious but cautious, the daughter of Hades carefully surveyed her dorm for who could have delivered the envelope. When her search, aided by a few spells, found nothing, she heaved a sigh of relief before frowning at the envelope.

Turning her attention to the letter, she cast several diagnostic charms at it. For a moment, the many runes inscribed glowed back and reshaped themselves into a single rune, a single message, as they resonated with her magic. Alkaid would have recoiled at this, but she recognised those runes. She had just learned about them in Ancient Runes.

It was the Celtic rune, Wunjo. A rune that signified peace and harmony.

The sender was trying to tell her it meant no harm. This, coupled with her spells coming back clear for any malicious magic or hidden traps, had the daughter of the underworld relieved.

Still cautious, she gingerly turned the envelope around to see a wax seal stamped with the image of a stag standing upright amid a dense woodland and three cranes flying overhead. Vaguely, Alkaid recalled that these symbols were associated with some powerful god, but for the life of her the identity slipped her mind.

Still wary for any traps that she may have missed, she carefully broke the seal and waited for a moment. When nothing happened, she relaxed just a bit more and moved to just as warily remove the letter within and begin reading it.

Greetings Little Godling,

Congratulations on slaying the mighty child of Nidhogg. The wyrm the fool wizards called the Monster of Slytherin. You have accomplished a great feat in doing so.

However your deed has also deprived me of my prey. One of such fine quality that I can find no ready replacement.

I will, however, not be denied my sport. As such, I have selected you to be a just replacement due to your conquest of the beast.

If you accept my challenge then come to the Chamber tomorrow at noon. I will await you there.

Rest assured. No permanent harm shall come to you. For this you have my word as a Lord of the Hunt.

I hope to see you tomorrow.

As Alkaid read the letter she couldn't help but feel incredulous.

"Who honestly still writes challenge letters in this day and age?"

She stood up and dropped the letter in her trunk, to show her father over the holidays. Let him deal with the crazy gods.

She had better things to do on a Saturday morning then answer the calls of honor and such nonsense.

Like sleeping in.

A week after receiving her strange challenge, the daughter of Hades found herself sitting in an empty classroom with Daphne for company. They had just both returned from their first Hogsmeade trip early. Alkaid had found the wizarding village boring, so after having some butterbeer with her clique, she had invited Daphne to walk back with her and to spend some time with her back in the castle. This was not an uncommon occurrence, Alkaid often spent time alone with the members of her clique, so as to build up her rapport with them. Usually these meetings were in public places, to avoid any accusations of impropriety.

But today was different. Today, what the two girls were up to required discretion and so they'd chosen an empty classroom for its added privacy. Adding on a healthy dose of wards to make sure of it.

The two girls were plotting.

"I still don't see why this is important." Daphne voiced as the duo settled down into a pair of comfortable wingback chairs that Alkaid had transfigured from the rickety wooden ones previously in the room.

"It isn't. Not on it's own merits." Alkaid explained simply as she twirled a lock of her hair. "But as a practise for later in life? This is a priceless opportunity. Don't you agree?"

"I suppose." Daphne returned uncertainly as she crossed one of her legs. "So you want us to rig the selection of the Ravenclaw female prefect next year as practise for politicking in the future?"

"Yes." The Potter heiress said with a firm nod.

The elder Greengrass daughter just shook her head in an equal share of amazement and amusement. Only Alkaid could come up with something like this.

"So I've sounded out Flitwick about who he thinks are good choices, like you asked me to." Daphne began. "And according to him, it's only between Chang and Bobbin. He's leaning towards Chang though. I have to ask, why couldn't you ask him yourself?"

"Because it would look suspicious if I were to ask him." Alkaid answered, before adopting a thoughtful expression. "We're closer to Bobbin."

"Agreed. But Chang is heavily in the lead for the job. Not only is Flitwick favoring her, she's more popular too." Daphne added with a frown.

"That being the case the only way is to get Chang to tell Flitwick outright that she doesn't want the job."

"Any chance of that happening?"

"Not likely." Alkaid said exasperatedly as she threw herself back into her chair.

Daphne adopted a thoughtful look, one that Alkaid couldn't help but find cute, "Well, there might be one way."

The child of Hades leaned forward in interest, "Do tell, Daphne."

Stapling her digits on her knees and squirming in her seat, the Greengrass heiress hesitantly suggested, "Chang does have something we can use as leverage. She apparently has a 'thing' for you."

"I know. But you're not suggesting, I hope, what I think you're suggesting." Alkaid said incredulously.

Daphne had a reluctant look now, her lips pursed. "It's the best plan. Chang has few vices."

"I don't like it."

"Neither do I. I don't like the idea of that girl getting so close—" Daphne paused, blushing deeply at what she had let slip.

Alkaid felt her own cheeks heat up and coughed into her hand. "Still, it's our best angle as you've said."

The strawberry blonde just nodded, not trusting her own voice.

"I promise to keep things light." Alkaid commented softly, "You don't have to worry about me."

Daphne just nodded once more.

The next day Alkaid caught up to Cho chang as the girl returned to the Ravenclaw common room.

"Miss Chang," Alkaid greeted as she sidled up to Chang, coming to a stop just that little bit closer than was normal. "I would like a word with you."

The Chinese girl blushed but didn't step back as was proper, and replied, "Of course, Alkaid. Oh, and just call me Cho."

This girl certainly is forward. The daughter of Hades thought to herself. Using my first name without asking my permission beforehand.

"In private?" Alkaid asked with just a hint of suggestiveness.

Cho's blush brightened and smiled prettily, an unknown emotion clouding her eyes. "Sure. My dorm should be empty right now."

"That's perfect." Alkaid said as coyly as her formidable acting skills allowed.

The pair scaled the steps and entered the fourth years' dormitory, all the while still just a tad too close than would be considered proper. To the casual observers, of which there were many, the two were either discussing business, due to Alkaid's reputation, likely something possibly sensitive. The perverts amongst the lot though couldn't help but think the two were perhaps up to something naughty.

Taking a seat on the chair by her bed, Chang gestured Alkaid towards her bed.

Asking me to sit on her bed when there are chairs at her roommate's desks? How suggestive. Alkaid mused, amusement in her eyes, as she nevertheless complied.

Taking a quick scan of Chang's area, she caught sight of the older girl's DADA homework on her desk and smiled. "Professor Lupin is proving to be far more competent than our previous professors, isn't he?" She made sure not to mention Lockhart, as it might stir something subconsciously in Chang and ruin the atmosphere.

Chang nodded, brushing some hair behind her ear, "Yeah, I can definitely say I'm actually learning something useful this year thanks to Professor Lupin. Not that the Headmaster wasn't a bad professor for the second semester last year, but he's kind of...archaic."

"Well, his fashion sense proves that." Alkaid giggled, getting one from Chang as well who readily agreed.

Smirking mischievously, Chang coyly asked, "So besides comparing what we think about Professor Lupin, what did you want to talk about?"

Is that a hopeful gleam in her eye? Ignoring that observation and what it might mean, the daughter of Hades pressed on teasingly. "Can't I just want to talk to one of my beautiful and helpful seniors?"

"You think I'm—?" Chang began before she quickly cut herself off.

"Um…I mean, well you have had to have something you wanted to talk about, don't you." The Chinese girl caught herself.

"Well…It's about my friend Melinda." Alkaid said in an offhand tone, even as she deliberately slid closer on the bed to where Chang was seated.

"What about Bobbin?" Chang asked as she leaned forward in her chair to close the distance with Alkaid.

Interesting. She calls people she likes by their first name, and those she doesn't like by their family name? Alkaid noted. A tell like that would be useful in the future. For now though, I have to focus on the task at hand.

"She's gunning for Prefect. Just like you, isn't she?" Alkaid asked distractedly as she locked eyes with Chang, who was fiddling with her hands.

"Yes." Chang confirmed shakily as she grabbed a stack of homework from her desk.

Trying to occupy your straying hands? Alkaid thought with amusement.

"You think she could win?" Alkaid asked as she scooted to the edge of the bed and leaned forward, making a show of trying to see what had gotten Cho's attention. "I mean with all her connections from her family business and all. That's got to help her. "

A frozen Chang just stared at the daughter of Hades, now so very close. To her credit, she managed to stutter out a response, "Huh? I mean, how would that help her?"

Alkaid looked up from her pretense of looking at the homework in Chang's hands and looked the older girl straight in the eyes, causing the Chinese girl to take a gulp.

"If nothing else, she can offer a good word for any future job applications with the company, couldn't she?" Alkaid said in a distracted whisper.

"Oh yeah…" Chang trailed off as she seemingly got lost in Alkaid's starry eyes.

For a long moment, the two just stayed that way, their gazes locked. In her mind, Alkaid was getting anxious, Now, how to get out of this one?

Thankfully, Tyche seemed to be on her side this day as just as Chang seemed ready to lean forward and possibly initiate a kiss, the door to the dorm opened.

At that, the two girls leapt apart and awkwardly adjusted their seats.

Feeling genuinely awkward over the situation, though not for the same reasons as Chang, Alkaid turned to see her savior. It was Marietta Edgecombe, another Fourth Year Ravenclaw and Chang's best friend.

Taking the opportunity for what it was, Alkaid quickly faced Chang. "Um. We'll talk more about this another time?"

"Yeah. Sure. See you later, Alkaid." Chang replied, slightly dazed.

"Yes. Later. Bye, Cho." Alkaid said as she hurried out of the dorm, giving Edgecombe a nod in greeting as she passed.

As she exited through the door she heard Edgecombe begin asking Chang in a teasing voice what had happened.

Good. This should start the rumors we want. Alkaid thought to herself smugly. Just wish I didn't have to the one to do the deed.

With a frustrated sigh, Daphne sank into her conjured chair across from a pensive Alkaid. It was a week since their last meeting, and the two were meeting to discuss whether their little ploy with Chang had worked out.

"If I hear one more rumor about you and Chang…I will not be held liable for what I'll do." Daphne griped with a stern look.

"Thanks for your concern, Daphne." Alkaid quipped. "Still, at least we're getting what we aimed for. Though Chang has been…closer than before." The demigod stated, sighing as she rubbed her temples gently. "It was nervous enough to even just string her along, now I have to dance on my toes with her."

"She's acting like you two are really dating?" Daphne asked with a dark gleam in her eyes.

"It's not that bad." Alkaid replied quickly. "She's somewhat...clingy? I guess that's the word."

"Clingy?" Daphne said curiously. "And since when do you use words like that?"

"I'm stressed. Pardon me if I'm not elegant 24/7." Alkaid said irritably as she crossed her arms.

"Well, look on the bright side. Like you said, we've accomplished what we wanted. The rumors now paint Chang as something of a cross between a cradle robber and a golddigger. Plus she seems to be warming up to Bobbin, too. If things keep going this way, between her bad reputation and her new friendship with Bobbin, we might just get what we want." Daphne said, a small frown on her face.

"Not might, Daphne, will." Alkid corrected. "And are you okay? You seem upset lately."

The Greengrass heiress scowled, "I'm just getting annoyed by these rumors. That's all. I know they're what we wanted, but I can't stand them. I mean it gets under the nerves of all our friends but it just riles me up."

"You and I both know they're rubbish. The others too."

"Doesn't stop things from being difficult, especially since we can't tell the others the truth." the blue eyed girl huffed.

"We could—" Alkaid began, but was cut off by Daphne.

"And let one of them with looser lips spill the beans?"

With a reluctant sigh, Alkaid nodded as she leaned back in her chair.

"Let's just get on with the day." Daphne breathed out as she stood up. "We do have some homework to finish, right?"

"I believe so." Alkaid stood up as well and they moved to leave the room.

As they did so, Daphne's eyes picked up a glow and turned to see a letter on the floor. It was covered with runes. She picked it up and flipped it around, and eyed the unfamiliar wax seal, "Who left this here?"

Alkaid's eyes widened a bit at the sight of the letter and reached for it, "I believe that's mine." she said, her soft hand brushing against Daphne's own to take the paper. Daphne blushed lightly at the contact, though her friend seemed too concerned with the letter to have even noticed it.

The Potter heiress looked at the letter and frowned, stuffing it into her pocket, "It's nothing, just an annoyance." she said at seeing Daphne's curious gaze.

"If you say so, Alkaid." Daphne said taking her friend at her word. If she wanted to share, she would. If not, Daphne would respect it.

Alkaid had just finishing settling back into her room after returning home for the winter holidays. She was sitting at her desk staring at four envelopes emblazoned with a host of celtic runes. These were the letters of challenge that the horned god - that her research said was the Celtic Forest, Fertility and Hunting god, Cernunnos - had sent her.

"I've put this off long enough." The daughter of Hades said to herself as she hesitantly picked up the letters and got up. "It's time to tell Father."

I don't like the idea of getting Father involved, but I have no choice if the Celt is being so persistent. Alkaid thought with a frown and exited her room and headed for the Throne Room.

"Father, what are you doing?" Alkaid asked dryly, looking bemused at the scene before her as she entered her father's audience chamber.

Her Father was looking rather relaxed despite the Holiday rush, he must've been on his break. Something that was lent credence by the man-sized gothic styled vice, complete with a hapless soul of the damned within that he was toying with.

"Just going through one of my vices, sweetie." Hades said as he cranked the vice by a half turn, earning a whimper of pain from its victim, "Ah, sweet music." Hades said with a sip of his beverage.

"Honestly, Father, we need to get you a better hobby." Alkaid signed.

"This has been my hobby ever since I got this job, young lady." Hades said, pointing a finger at her, "What else should I be doing? Drinking, smoking, wagging my tongue at some mortal women? I have dignity thank you very much."

True, he wasn't Zeus or Poseidon after all.

"That's true." Alkaid said with a nod.

"Now daughter, I'm sure you are not here simply to speak with me. Though you could once in awhile. Is there something the matter?" Hades asked knowingly.

"You know me too well, Father." Alkaid said with an indulgent smile. "I do have a bit of a problem that I need to address with you."

"It better not be about the internet connection again, I swear I'll torture Kevin if it's not working." The Lord of the Underworld commented irritably.

Alkaid groaned, "Please don't torture our best I.T. minion."

"...I make no promises."

The child of the underworld released a sigh, that was the best she could get. Turning to the matter at hand, "Father, I've been receiving these…challenges. From the Celtic god, Cernunnos."

Hades stiffened at that. "What? Let me see these challenges."

Alkaid dutifully handed them over.

"Hmm… This is troublesome. I can't do anything to him if this is all he's done so far. Not while he's acting within the magical world…" Hades mused thoughtfully as he finished examining the letters. Looking up, he eyed his daughter seriously. "I'll handle this, Alkaid. For now, just continue to ignore him."

"Will that be enough? What if he grows impatient?" Alkaid asked worriedly, gods were fickle beings after all.

Hades frowned, his black eyes growing intense. "We can only hope that he doesn't. At least not before I can find some way to get him to back down."

"Thank you, Father." Alkaid said with a grateful bow.

"Think nothing of it, sweetie." Hades replied as he dismissed her with a wave. "Now go enjoy your break, and don't worry about this. I'll handle it."

Alkaid nodded and left. She was confident her Father would solve her problem with the Horned God. She had absolute faith in him. Even if she could hear him muttering to himself as she departed, coming up with ideas and dismissing them just as quickly.

"...And that's why I came to you, for a second opinion." Alkaid finished asking Hecate about the Cernunnos situation, who she had met up with as the goddess was leaving after having spent a day with Persephone. "It's not like I think Father won't be able to help me but I didn't understand why he's so concerned and he's been so busy lately…. Well I couldn't bring myself to disturb him, not after already dropping this bombshell on him. And—"

"Calm down, Alkaid." The goddess of magic interrupted kindly. "Why are you so flustered?"

Alkaid gave a frustrated sigh, but answered, "It's because no one wants to explain anything to me! Not Persephone, not even Melinoe. I even tried asking Maka. But they all just give me worried looks and tell me to follow Father's advice."

"It is good advice." Hecate offered.

"I know. But why is everyone so worried?" Alkaid whined, which was the first time the goddess had heard her do so. "No one wants to explain that either!"

"Why do you think they're worried, then?" Hecate inquired back, folding her hands in her lap.

"They think the Celt wants to carry me off or something, don't they?" The daughter of the underworld concluded dryly.

"If that were the case, the advice would be much easier. There were many ways to get a god off your trail back in the day. You'd have three options: one: spread your legs for him, two: run away as fast as you possibly can, or three: turn into a plant or animal forever more." The goddess said bluntly.

Alkaid paled at that.

"Dear, relax, I was just being humorous. Though that doesn't make the advice any less true." the magic goddess admitted.

Alkaid just gave the goddess an unimpressed look, which was blithely ignored.

"But unfortunately this situation is more problematic than that." Hecate signed, twirling her finger in the air, runic symbols following her digit, "If the Celt wanted you as a lover, your father could simply approach him for terms. An arranged marriage or term of concubinage of some sort. But what he wants is a challenge, a spar. Something that he doesn't technically need to ask for. Challenging demigods, is after all par for the course. This means your Father has no means to object."

"But he's from another pantheon! Isn't that grounds enough?" Alkaid argued with a frown.

"Normally, yes. However, not within the magical world." The goddess of magic revealed.

"Why?" The daughter of Hades inquired, confusion clear written on her face.

"You know that I am the goddess of crossroads, both figuratively for choices to be made, and literally for physical crossroads. Correct?"

The young sorceress nodded.

"That gives me special insight into the magical world, the biggest supernatural crossroad in the world." Hecate explained as the runic symbols in the air began moving of their own accord.

"The wizarding world is a crossroads?" Alkaid hissed in shock.

"The magical world, including but not limited to the wizarding world, is a crossroad; a neutral ground and meeting place between the various supernatural factions of this world." Hecate elaborated as the runic symbols formed lines and crossed over each other. "Within it, the fact that Cernunnos is a Celt and you're a Greek mean nothing."

"So essentially the 'No Mingle' rule is nonexistent there?" Alkaid asked, her brows knitted together as she tried to process this fact.

"Correct." The goddess of magic affirmed with a decisive nod.

"So basically I've no options?" Alkaid asked sadly.

"Not unless your Father can figure something out." Hecate confirmed.

"I'm dead." Alkaid lamented.

Hecate just patted her on the back awkwardly. "At least you'll just be coming home after you die."

Alkaid just gave the goddess an exasperated look in reply.

0 Padma Patil's POV 0

Padma smiled as she took her seat at the table for the latest meeting of the Slug Club, which this time took the form of a sit-down dinner party. She always enjoyed attending these meetings. They offered the opportunity to make friends with people she never would have otherwise, sometimes even famous people, and learn things from these new friends she never would elsewhere. She was very grateful for Alkaid for bringing her along to these.

Looking around the commandeered classroom as she made herself comfortable, she noticed that her friends in the study group were sitting spread out all over the room. Good to see the others, even the second years, are feeling confident enough to be independent and not clump together.

Though the first years were an obvious exception. They were sitting together and flanked by their chaperones, Lisa and Justin. Which is only natural, this is still pretty new for them. Nice of Lisa and Justin to volunteer to chaperone the firsties too.

Though considering they keepvolunteering, maybe something's up between them. Padma couldn't fight her smile at that. After all, I don't think anyone is buying their excuse that they just liked spending time with children.

Padma let her mind wander a bit as she scanned the crowd. Most had already settled down and were starting up conversations with their neighbors, a few were like her taking a measure of the other guests, and a handful were just taking their seats. Among the latter was her friend and leader, Alkaid, who was just now finished making sure everyone in the group were doing well.

Looks like she grew another inch over the winter break. Padma let out a sigh at that. Like she needed to be anymore perfect. A brilliant mind. An all round beauty with a figure to die for and an imposing regal build. Wish I could be more like that.

Not that I'm ugly or anything. Padma thought with a shake of her head. A action which caused her to spot Anthony sitting a few seats to her right. Seeing the boy brought a smile to her face, He's really starting to grow quite handsome, not that he wasn't handsome before of course. I mean, that dimpled smile with his short blond hair? He was alway cute, but…

Padma could feel a furious blush blossoming on her face, a fact the more eagle-eyed of the guests had no doubt spotted, and desperately sought a distraction before she could embarrass herself more. Thankfully, she spotted some snacks being passed around. They were likely something to tide the guests over before the main courses were served. Taking them for the opportunity that they were, the Indian girl zeroed in on them.

They were a useful distraction.

Using the guise of choosing a snack to try, Padma quickly recomposed herself. As if getting caught staring dreamily at my crush at a party isn't enough. If I did something else, I would die of shame… Ok, a bit over the top there, Padma.

Padma couldn't help but giggle at her own behavior. A action that her friends noticed, earning smiles of amusement from them in return.

The thought of friends brought up a sore point. The fact that not all of their friends were here. The lack of a certain redhead made Padma wonder what had happened with Pyrrha. Ever since the end of last year, she's barely been spending time with us, and only ever does when Alkaid wasn't present. She eyed Alkaid seated down the table, merrily chatting with Daphne. The two giggling every so often. Merlin, those two are so obvious, practically everyone in the Study Group knows they're going to get together. When are they just going to do so?

Just then the first course of the dinner magically appeared on her plate. In response, Professor Slughorn stood up and said a few words, Padma wasn't paying enough attention to tell what he said though. Her mind was elsewhere.

I hope they get together within the next week. That way I'll win the jackpot in the House Betting Pool. Padma thought idly. And isn't the fact we have a betting pool a novel thing. If Alkaid's influence hadn't helped clean out the house, with all the bullying, we wouldn't have trusted each other enough to have a house wide pool.

"...Now, I'm sure you've heard more than enough of my voice for the night." Professor Slughorn said to a few laughs. After they had died down, he gave permission for the meal to begin, "Let's dig in."

I can think about my galleons later. It's time to eat. With that in mind, Padma started eating her meal.

Alkaid sucked a breath in through her nose in frustration, "Blaise, really, I think this is a bad idea." The demigod claimed as her loyal servant literally dragged her through the castle.

"Well, bad idea or not. I and the others think you and Branwen need to stop dancing around each other and lay out your cards. I don't know what she did, but it's been almost a whole year and we're starting to get worried." The Zabini heir told her.

Alkaid wanted to say that it wasn't really Pyrrha's fault. But knew it was a bad idea. As much as she sympathised with Pyrrha's reaction. She knew Blaise wouldn't. He would just see it as Pyrrha being selfish and stupid. Which Alkaid admitted, if she wasn't feeling guilty for pushing her fellow demigoddess away with her lies, she probably would too.

As they crossed the corridor, they saw a familiar head of red hair. Pyrrha had spotted them too apparently as she turned to glare at them.

A sneer crossed Pyrrha's face and she said, "Dammit, Granger played me. She said we were studying with the Puffs." She balled her fists tightly and cursed under her breath. "Should've seen it was a set up."

"Listen, Branwen—" Blaise started but Pyrrha cut him off.

"I don't want to listen to some minion. And definitely not some liar." The daughter of Ares sneered as she turned to stalk off, jabbing a finger at Alkaid as she passed.

Alkaid didn't react outwardly, but did inwardly flinch at the accusation.

Blaise scowled. "Okay, I know you can be somewhat pigheaded, but everyone in the group is worried about you two. The least you can do is talk this out."

"I talk better with a blade in my hand."

"This is just ridiculous. I know you're a daughter of the war god, but surely that shouldn't make you unreasonable." The boy frowned at Pyrrha.

Maybe if she was a child of Mars, Blaise. Children of Ares are more...temperamental. Alkaid thought.

Pyrrha's reddish brown eyes turned dangerous, "Don't talk like you know me, just because you know about the gods, punk."

Before things turned bloody, Alkaid stepped between them. There was an upset child of Ares involved here so violence was almost a certainty, if she didn't act fast.

"Let's all calm down." she said smoothly, magic lacing her voice.

Thank the gods that I picked up Magical Persuasion from Amos. Alkaid mused as Pyrrha and Blaise both calmed down due to her magic's effects.

Releasing a grunt, Pyrrha opened her mouth to say something but paused as her eyes widened at something behind the two Ravenclaws.

Alkaid's demigod sense tingled as she turned around just in time to see a immense stag literally bulldoze over her. Caught completely by surprise, the blow sent the child of Hades into a wall and knocked her unconscious.

"Ooh." Alkaid groaned and rolled over to her side. She blurrily blinked open her eyes and reached up to rub her head, "Ow, did I just get hit by a wild Stantler?" she asked with confusion.

Looking around, a green glow caught her eye and she looked at the wall before her. It was a message, no a challenge, addressed to her.

Alkaid Potter,

My patience is at an end. I've tried to politely invite you to accept my challenge multiple times and you're ignored all of them.

No more.

You'll accept my challenge NOW! Or else your little friends will face my wrath.

Come face me in the Room of Requirement.

With another look around, she noticed that both Blaise and Pyrrha were gone.

Alkaid surmised her thoughts out loud.

"Shit."

"Ugh, did I get hit by a Semi?" Pyrrha groaned as she opened her eyes. As her blurry vision focused, she was face to face with the head of a stag.

She acted accordingly.

"Holy hell!"

"Ah, good, you're awake." the stag spoke in a gruff but cultured voice.

Pyrrha looked around, seeing that she was in some kind of room filled with junk as far as her eyes could see. She was tied to a wall by some kind of vines and next to her was Zabini, still out cold.

Looking at the freaky talking stag again, she got a better look at him.

Only his head was that of a stag. He was also sporting a beard and was a fifty pointer. The freaky dude was ten feet tall with a bulky upper body that looked like it was a carved wooden sculpture. It was covered in green rune-like symbols that she'd seen some of her friends study for class. He was bare of any sort of clothes except for some kind of animal skin kilt (probably deerskin?) and some kinda girly coin purse made of the same kind of animal skin as his kilt that was strapped across his chest.

"The fuck are you?" Pyrrha ever so eloquently asked.

"Hmph, you Greeks have a mouth on you, I'll give you that." The deer dude said as his massive hand grabbed her cheeks and squeezed her face. She grunted as he scoffed, "I'll forgive your disrespect this once, but if you speak to me like that again, I'll make sure you can wear your tongue as a necklace."

Pyrrha just nodded as best she could. He released her head and the girl shook her head, "So, uh, who are you...sir?"

The deer dude thumped a fist to his chest, "I am the horned god, Cernunnos, lord of the hunt and Celtic god of the wild, fertility and the underworld."

The wild? The Satyrs always rambled about that, "Like Pan?"

That was probably a dumb thing to say as the god's deer eyes dilated and did a really good job making a stag look like a predator while baring his chompers.

"Never speak of that filthy coward's name ever again." The god said, spittle foaming from his deer lips like he had rabies. "He is worse than the humans, he Faded! Deliberately! He lost the will to fight for Nature!"

"Why blame Faunus?" Zabini groaned out. Seemed he was awake. "Isn't humanity the 'greatest' monster in the world or something?"

"Finally chose to speak up, boy? Done feigning sleep?" Cernunnos said mockingly to Zabini. "As for your argument, humans at least were ignorant of what they were doing for ages. And once they discovered the error of their ways, some have begun taking action to correct their abuses. Faunus? He has done nothing!"

"Gods can only do so much, right? Sometimes mortals need to set things in motion. You of course guide us, but don't we have to do the work?"

The god threw his head back, releasing a weird laugh, "Kehihihihi!" He then looked Zabini right in the eye. "Well, it seems one of the sheep knows how mortals and gods truly interact."

Zabini shrugged as best as he could. "It's just something my mother taught me."

The Celtic god nodded. "Smart. Now we just wait for my prey, Alkaid Potter, to arrive."

Pyrrha snarled, "This is all about Potter?!"

The stag sniffed, "Of course, she stole my prey, the Wyrm, so I challenged her as she has proved herself as something else worthy to hunt."

"I fought it too!" Pyrrha glowered, she helped!

The deer dude raised his deer brow, "I know there were two godlings there, you and Potter, but I also know she killed it while saving you after the Wyrm left you helpless."

The daughter of Ares gritted her teeth at that.

She still couldn't bear telling Chiron about the fight with the monster. It was too humiliating.

That fairy creep must've told this dude.

The Celtic god growled at Pyrrha. "Morgan told me nothing! I worked out what happened from examining the scene myself. Do not doubt my abilities as a tracker again."

Pyrrha just grunted, "Yeah. Yeah." Looking around to distract herself from the god's anger, and failing to find anything, she flippantly asked, "So what now? We just wait for Potter to come and fight you?"

A kick to the gut made the air escape her lungs and left her hacking for air.

And maybe cracked a rib or two.

"Again you speak poorly to me, let me tell you 'war' child. You think your divine parentage allows you to speak to me with such disrespect? Know that even your father treats me with respect. I, after all, could kill your sire if I wished to." the horned god snarled.

"And I'm sure you could, sir." Zabini brown-nosed, "You're Big Three class after all."

"Kehihihihi!" The god broke into his weird laugh again. "You truly are a wonderful—"

The god was interrupted by the sound of a door creaking open and then slamming shut soon after, which drew the attention of all three of them.

The god chuckled, his prey had arrived.

"Welcome to my hunting grounds, Alkaid Potter!" He volume of his voice intensified as if he was using a megaphone, making it echo throughout the vast room of junk.

"It's very...artistic." Potter's voice called back.

Where they were tied up, suddenly elevated, rising closer and closer to the ceiling allowing them to see that the room was filled with an immense collection of junk shaped into a maze. Potter was standing right at the beginning of it.

"Name your challenge, Green Man." Potter declared confidently.

"Kehihihihi, my challenge is simple." The god said, pointing to Potter, "You will run this maze and reach your friends."

"And you?"

The stag head broke out into that feral smile, "I'll be hunting you. In much the same way that your Minotaur beast chased those children through its winding cage. Only in this case, there'll just be you and I." the god paused, "But I am a sporting god, so I'll be fair and give you a head start. I need my fun after all."

Potter said nothing for a moment and asked, "And if I lose?"

"Oh, I'll let you all go." The Celtic god said merrily, "But not before I have some fun with you three." He turned to leer at Zabini, who threw on his Poker face.

Was he a robot or something?

Personally, Pyrrha felt like shitting a brick.

She wasn't into animals!

Potter frowned and nodded, "I accept."

Well, we're boned. Pyrrha hung her head. Potter wasn't exactly the most athletic demigod she knew.

Cernunnos leapt off the platform and landed next to Potter, towering over her.

"Well, run little rabbit." He jeered.

A wall of darkness appeared in front of the daughter of Hades and she ran towards it. When she ran into it, she bounced back as if she'd run into a solid wall. Something she obviously wasn't expecting, since it left the normally confident demigod looking confused.

Cernunnos snorted, throwing his head back with a laugh. "Ha! You thought you could do this easily? I too walk the realm of shadows, child. There will be no traversing the corridors of darkness in this contest."

Potter tossed her cloak to the ground and summoned one of her magic platforms. She jumped on and started to ride it like a hoverboard right into the maze.

The god chuckled and crossed his arms and watched Potter disappear into the maze.

"Do try not to go over the walls, child of the dead, I'll shoot you down!"

Potter didn't answer, and instead just surfed through the maze.

The god's body started to shift as the humanoid portions of his body transformed to take on the same deer-like appearance of his head. He bolted into the maze, zipping through the junk and followed after Potter. It was like watching some freaky version of Pac-Man.

Potter kept bumping into dead ends and Pyrrha felt anxiety fill her.

After her fifth dead end, Potter apparently lost her cool, because instead of backtracking like she had the last few times, she instead fired a blast of magic at it. The blast tore a hole into the wall of junk but even before she could get through, there was a bellow from the god and suddenly the hole was plugged by a towering hedge. To make matters worse, a monstrous hybrid of a dog and plant leapt from said hedge right at Potter.

Potter let out a startled cry and evaded the beast with an aerial maneuver. She held out her hand and fired black energy from her hand and took out the monster's head.

Which only grew back.

"Oh shit," Pyrrha murmured and looked at Zabini, who was still cool as a cucumber.

The monster charged at Potter again, but seemed to trip on some kind of burnt crowny thing, giving Potter the chance to flee to the right.

The monster however was unfazed and quickly got up to resume the chase but promptly walked right into a fire trap that Potter just set up. The burning creature cried out in pain and vines burst from its body, latching onto Potter.

As the ends of the vines burned away, they seemed to have a mind of their own as they coiled around Potter, knocking her off her platform.

"Let me go!" Potter shouted, panic in her voice. "I will not be Cheryl Williams!"

Shadows lashed out from her body and sliced up the plants, freeing the child of Hades.

For some reason, Cernunnos laughed at the name.

Potter leapt onto a magic platform again and was starting to near the end of the maze.

"Just a bit more, come on." The child of Ares chanted under her breath.

Things were looking good until Alkaid was unexpectedly hit by a bolt of green energy and was sent flying to the ground with a thud.

Shadows built up into the shape of a portal in front of Potter and Cernunnos walked out of it, once more in his humanoid form, a bow in hand.

"Cheater," Potter coughed out as she got to her knees.

"You cheated once, so I get one chance to do the same."

"Oh that's playground logic!" Pyrrha called out.

"He's a god." Zabini informed her bluntly, "He kind of makes the rules."

"Still bullshit." Pyrrha mumbled, even if the mortal was right.

"Well, that was fun." Cernunnos smiled and pulled his bow, aiming it at Potter. "Surrender." Green energy swirled around the bow before coalescing into an arrow.

"Kick his ass, 'Kaidy!" Pyrrha shouted at the top of her lungs.

Alkaid's eyes just narrowed, her whole posture screaming defiance. Suddenly, there was a crackle of green mana around her and she surged forward like a rocket.

She shoved the god out of her way and raced to the end of the maze. Green mana trailing behind her like the exhaust from a missile.

She made it to the foot of the platform where she and Zabini were held captive and jumped, soaring to the top.

The daughter of Hades landed next to both her and Zabini and touched them.

"I win!" The panting Alkaid declared loudly.

"Kehihihihi," Cernunnos' laughter enveloped the whole room.

Alkaid tensed.

"Yes, yes you did," the god said, appearing out of nowhere right next to Alkaid, "And in doing so, left me dumbfounded but delighted."

Wiping away his laughter induced tears, the god snapped his fingers and the restraining vines let her and Zabini go. Pyrrha rubbed her wrists and frowned at the god.

"Where did that burst of speed come from?" the Celtic god asked Alkaid who relaxed at seeing them freed. Pyrrha wanted to know too honestly.

Alkaid smiled tiredly, "I just used my mana to launch myself like a rocket, while reinforcing my body so the force didn't kill me."

"What's this technique called?" the god pressed, his curiosity clear.

The child of Hades paused and tapped her chin, "What should I call it? Hm, how about Mana Burst? Yes! That sounds good."

"Wait," Pyrrha interrupted, holding up her hands, "You just thought up that move on the spot?"

"Of course." Alkaid explained as if that was completely obvious and everyone was stupid to not know that.

Pyrrha's jaw went slack as Cernunnos let out another laugh.

"As expected of Miss Potter." Zabini said with a smile.

"Impressive. Most Impressive." Cernunnos praised, clapping his massive hands. "I know now what to give you as a reward for your victory young Alkaid."

"There is no need for any reward, Lord Cernunnos." Alkaid said humbly.

"Nonsense. You've greatly entertained me this day and as such deserve something in return." The Celtic god reached into his coin purse and pulled out a scroll. "Considering your Evil Dead reference earlier, I felt this is fitting. It's an enchantment to give a weapon a energy aura that will act like a chainsaw."

"In homage to Ash Williams?" Alkaid asked, an amused smile on his face as she accepted the scroll.

"Indeed." Cernunnos said, with his own amused smile. "With this any weapon can become like his mighty chainsaw."

The two broke into laughter at this. Pyrrha just turned to Zabini with a questioning look but just got a helpless shrug in return. He was clueless too.

"As entertaining as today has been," the god began as he finished laughing. "I must take my leave. My allies in MI5 are cross enough with me spending so much time here as is."

At this he gave Alkaid an accusing look.

"I apologize Lord Cernunnos. If I had known you were—" Alkaid began, only to be cut off by the god.

"Save it, child of the dead. You're already repaid that debt and more with today's performance."

Turning the god waved goodbye to the three teens, and then in a blink of an eye turned into a stag and pranced away, leaving the demigoddesses and mortal in the junk room.

Pyrrha stuffed her hands in her pockets and turned to Alkaid. "So, uh, thanks...for saving me and stuff."

Alkaid flashed her a pretty smile, though her eyes were curiously blank. "It was my fault to begin with. I'm truly sorry you had to experience that."

"Meh," the redhead shrugged, "I can take some pain." Pyrrha turned around, "I gotta go do some homework, gods knows Granger's going to be pressing me for what happened here. Gotta think up a story right?"

That and grab some nectar for her cracked ribs.

It kinda hurt to walk. But she was a tough girl, she could manage.

"I suppose so." Alkaid hummed. "What should the story be?"

"I dragged the two of you here to talk out your differences, so you can at least be civil to each other now?" Zabini suggested.

Both she and Alkaid just give him blank looks.

"That actually sounds good." Alkaid said hesitantly, looking at Pyrrha for her response to the suggestion.

The daughter of Ares merely nodded, and walked off.

When she was at the door, she threw a "See ya, Alkaid" over her shoulder.

The end of the year was upon them once again. The end of the year feast was over in a flash, Ravenclaw had won the House Cup, not that Alkaid cared about that much. Not when there were so many other things to think about and prepare for. The immediate future was after all filled with some very interesting events.

Like the Quidditch World Cup. Which was exactly what Alkaid, Blaise, Justin, Anthony, Padma, Susan and Padma were discussing in their shared cabin on the train ride home. The rest of the study group had been forced by the constraints of the compartment's size and a desire to spend time with other friends to seek companionship elsewhere.

"I'll be sure to get us a box with a good view for the Cup." Alkaid assured her clique, I'll have to have Rhip send a letter to Sirius. We'll need a chaperone or two. Perhaps Blaise can ask his mother. Of course I'll rope Sirius in as well. Getting him to mingle with some important people will be a boon later on. I just hope he won't rope in Lupin in turn.

"I'm sure you'll get one, Miss Potter." Blaise encouraged. "If Lord Black doesn't indulge you, then I'm sure the Minister would."

True, she was a national hero after all. Where was the fun in that if she didn't exploit that once in awhile? Plus, the Cup would be a great opportunity to debut onto the major leagues of British wizarding politics, wouldn't it? All the important people there…I must get some kind of special access.

"I'll probably only be able to go if you do get those tickets, Alkaid." Anthony cut into Alkaid's musings gloomily, even as he sent the daughter of Hades a pleading look. "My parents aren't going to be willing to sport the cash to pay for them. Not when they're so expensive."

"Why? It's not like they can't afford them." Justin exclaimed, gaining him reproachful looks from everyone. "Oh! Did I say something stupid again. Sorry, Anthony."

"It's ok, rich boy." Anthony teased back, fully understanding that Justin's privileged upbringing sometimes meant he didn't immediately get when he was being condescending. "It's not that my parents can't afford it, it's that they don't want to spend so much on me attending what they think is, and I quote, "a frivolous sporting event"."

"They really called it that? You've asked them about it already?" Padma asked in a rush. She was still suffering the effects of a prank from her sister that caused her to speak unnaturally quickly. The group had offered to try and remove its effects for her, or failing that escort her to the infirmary to get her speech fixed, but she'd refused. After all, she'd explained it was her just desserts for talking her twin's ears off the other day. When asked what could cause her to act so out of character of her quiet nature, she'd just blushed and looked at Anthony out of the corner of her eye, which was answer enough for most of them.

"No. But that's what they always say when I say I want to go see a game of football." Anthony explained. "So I'm sure it's what they'll say about the Quidditch World Cup, too."

"Well, no worries, Anthony. I'll get the tickets." Alkaid replied soothingly. "Your parents can't complain if a wealthy friend sponsors your trip, can they? Not when it's also a good chance to build rapport with said rich friend."

Everyone laughed at that.

"Is everything about politics for you, Alkaid?" Susan teased.

"No." Alkaid said with a mischievous smile on her face. "Just most of the time."

This earned another round of laughter from the friends.

"Well, you won't have to sport tickets for Hannah and I, Alkaid. Auntie's going." Susan smiled softly, "She secured some tickets since she's running the security for the Cup. So Hannah and I will definitely see you there."

"Justin?" Alkaid asked, turning to the muggleborn.

"You get the tickets and I'll pay you back?" The rich boy suggested. "I wouldn't know enough about the Cup to not get conned."

"Leave it to me." Alkaid affirmed. "Now for the rest—"

"Leave that to me, Miss Potter. I'll check with everyone and send you a letter with who needs tickets by the end of the week." Blaise offered.

"Thank you, Blaise." The daughter of Hades nodded in gratitude. Blaise was such a helpful servant.

"Enough talk about tickets. Let's talk about the Cup itself. I'm betting on Ireland." Susan declared.

"Agreed. We all know that Ireland is so going to win after all." Hannah smirked as she backed up her best friend, only for Blaise to scoff at her declaration.

"Please, Bulgaria has Krum as Seeker, he's going to sweep the Cup." the Zabini heir claimed sternly.

"Well, Krum ain't that great." Hannah claimed, uncertainty in her voice.

"Youngest Seeker to go national? Merlin, he's still in school, isn't he?" Padma chimed in, a dreamy look on her face. A look which brought a frown to Anthony's face.

"Yeah, he's good. But the rest of the Bulgarian team are a bunch of milk drinkers compared to the other teams." Hannah huffed in defense of her favourite team.

"Where's Tracey? She's such a Quidditch nut, it's amazing that she's missing out on this chat!" Justin asked.

"I think she's with Daphne and Astoria," Padma informed, "The poor dear was so tired out after her first Farewell Feast."

0 Daphne POV 0

Daphne idly brushed her napping sister's hair as she stared out the window, eyeing the scenery as it rapidly passed by. Not that she absorbed anything she was seeing. The Greengrass heiress' thoughts were far too busy to even care for them.

And they were all centered around a certain Alkaid Potter.

They'd grown even closer over this year, something that delighted Daphne a great deal. Then came the stupid plot with Chang, the trollop.

Just thinking about it stirred anger in Daphne that she never felt before. Her stomach felt tight, her fists always tightened, and she even ground her teeth together.

Her friend could do far better then Chang after all.

Alkaid was so pretty and just had a personality that drew you in. She could have anyone! Not some lowlife like Chang.

After all she had drawn her in, didn't she?

Daphne paused at this, Wait...I…

Her face heated up as she came to a startling realization. Urgh! How could I have been this dense?

How jealous she got over Chang, how she felt just being near Alkaid, all their little moments. All these things could only mean one thing:

I like Alkaid Potter.

It was like a supernova going off in Daphne's head as she realized this. All of a sudden, her feelings this past year made so much sense. At the same time though, the realization raised a whole set of new questions.

So I like girls? There wasn't anything wrong about that, the wizarding world wasn't wholly against that, they were in fact pretty liberal about it when compared to the muggles. Just as long as bloodlines were continued, no one batted an eyelid at homosexual couples.

But this is Alkaid Potter!

The Girl-Who-Lived. A magical prodigy. A regal beauty. Master politician in the making.

Her friend, now crush, literally stood on an unattainable pedestal.

How does Daphne Greengrass even compare to that?

So lost in her thoughts, Daphne didn't even realize that they had arrived at Platform 9 3/4's.

"-phne, Daphne!" Tracey's voice rang in her ear, jarring the strawberry blonde girl. She turned her icy blue eyes to the mirthful looking green eyes of her best friend.

"You spacing out again?"

Daphne frowned. "I don't space out."

"Yes, you do."

The eldest Greengrass just sent a betrayed look towards her little sister, who seemed to have woken up and promptly decided to tease her.

"Well, look who's up."

Astoria gave her a tiny smile, "I've been up for a while, but it was just too comfy to move."

Daphne rolled her eyes, "Great, now I'm a human pillow."

"Come on, let's say goodbye to everyone you two. We won't see them until the Cup." Tracey said, going for her trunk in the overhead.

That stirred something in Daphne, she was going to have to deal with all these feelings now. There was no way she could put it off. Not when she was not going to see Alkaid for months?

"Yeah, let's go." Daphne agreed, a sense of urgency in her voice.

Tracey raised a brow at her in curiosity, but Daphne didn't care.

They walked out of the train, passing some of their friends as they did so, saying their goodbyes and well wishes for the summer, and promises to write to each other.

There! Daphne saw Alkaid, talking to some pale older girl in gothic attire. Perhaps her mysterious sister?

It didn't matter. Not now. Not when she was on a mission.

The heiress looked at her friend and sister, and said to them, "I'll be right back."

Who cared that Alkaid was such an unattainable person? So what if Daphne wasn't 'on par' with such a perfect person?

But the girl did know one thing, why should she give up on the chance to be with such a wonderful person?

She was Daphne Greengrass after all, and she got what she damn well wanted!

Now she just had to stake her claim.

"I don't want to go to some Green Day concert, Melinoe." Alkaid sighed to her sister.

"You never come to concerts with me." The ghost goddess whined, "We need to get you out more, Maka is bad enough. We seriously don't need another shut-in in the family. Besides, you're as pale as a ghost! You could use some Apollo tanning."

Alkaid merely raised her eyebrow, "Says the ghost goddess."

Melinoe touched her curvy hips clad as they were in a pair of sinfully suggestive tight jeans and a midriff revealing top, "I make this look good."

"Yes, well, you know I'm more reserv-Oh, Daphne!" Alkaid smiled at her advancing friend.

"Alkaid." The blonde smiled warmly.

"Leaving now?" The daughter of Hades asked curiously.

"I am, though I have to do one thing before I go."

"Oh?"

Daphne took a step forward and suddenly Alkaid felt a warm sensation on her pale cheek.

Daphne pulled back, her flushed face. Smiling prettily as she stepped back.

"See you at the Cup."

With that, Daphne turned around and speed-walked away, leaving a rather dumbfounded Alkaid.

Melinoe cosied up to her sister and nudged her side with her elbow, "Damn, you got game lil' sis. I'm so proud of you."

Alkaid said nothing and just blushed bright red.

Omake: Cut Strings

Ginny Weasley found herself compelled, controlled like a puppet, to carry out To-her Master's will. She couldn't resist as she opened a hidden entrance into Hogwarts Castle's sanitary system just off Gryffindor Tower. She didn't so much as make a sound or flinch as she was made to walk through pipes half full with the filth that was the castle's waste.

Throughout all this all she could do was cry. But only silently in the depths of her own mind. Her body was no longer her own and her tears could no longer flow at her command.

Hurry! The vile- beautiful voice of her Master deman-called to her in her mind. With it came images of a giant wyrm, the Monster of Slytherin, that her enslav-willing body had helped release. It was fighting someone. Was that Alkaid Potter!? That was goo-terrible!

Ginny felt her body break into a run. She felt her clothes catch on bits and pieces of pipe and tear. She felt herself get cut up as she run heedless of the sharp edges in the filth or poking out of the pipes. But she could do nothing, she was powerle-had to rescue her Master!

Faster! Her Master's voice urged desperately. This time the images that accompanied this were enough to send fea- jubilation through her mind. The monstrous wyrm was pinned! And about to be cru- NO! Master! Have to get there quickly!

Protect me! Her Mas-the vile monster, screamed into her mind as it was engulfed by the breath of the wyrm. NOOOOOOO! Tom's voice screamed in her mind as he/it/the abomination died.

Even as her mind was torn apart by sympathetic agony as her enslaver died, as she faded to the point of near death, young Ginny Weasley could not help the surge of jubilation and triumph that surged through her.

As her vision faded to black, the only daughter of the Weasley clan smiled.

If I live through this, my hero, I'll follow you to the Gates of Hell…

As Ginny finally faded into unconsciousness, a burst of fire appeared behind her.

Thanks to the amazing team of Nameless and Sieg as always!

So, we've shown some other POVs this chapter, showing the impact of Alkaid and her actions outside her POV. We thought it might be a bit refreshing to see Alkaid's influence on Hogwarts and her friends.

Nameless: One thing I want to cover is Lupin. Namely how little he appears in this chapter. Well, there is a good reason for that. Basically, he's so insignificant to Alkaid he barely gets a mention. Want to know why? Well, it'll all be explained next chap.

So on another front, Cho's got a thing for Al, a little subconscious hero worship for the lass that saved her life and the other thing. As for Al sort of using Cho for her own means, well, that's politics. At least she didn't take full advantage of her crush on the Girl-Who-Lived. She ain't that cruel, ya know.

Nameless: This actually ties into our omake, believe it or not. You see, Ginny's reasons for her loyalty to Alkaid are very similar to Chang's reasons for her attraction to the daughter of Hades. Namely that they were both saved by Alkaid from terrible situations. We thought this parallel was interesting enough, alongside the other reasons, to warrant an omake. This plus the other reasons, which I'll spell out shortly, are why we departed from the usual theme of using the omakes to flesh out Alkaid's past. In this case, we chose to do a Ginny omake to close the plotholes about what Ginny was doing when Alkaid and Pyrrha fought the wyrm and how she survived the end of 2nd Year. It also serves to show why she's in Alkaid's study group all of a sudden, beyond just the Luna dragging her in angle.

Lastly, Cernunnos, the celtic green man himself. Yeah, we busted out a big gun, the dude is one tough as nails being. Underworld god, hunt god, wild god, he's a bruiser. And the perfect character to use for showing the Parthenon mix in this fic since he ties in with the Faes. So, continuity!

And for dear Pyrrha, yeah, all I can honestly say is overarching character development. She's still a bit pissed at Alkaid? Sure. She is getting better? Yeah. Is she still jerky? Have you met Cabin Five?

Nameless: She's quite the jerk now, but that's the point. Gotta start her development from somewhere.

And now the climax of this chapter, the fluff! Daphne has got some moxie right? Daphne and Alkaid have shown the signs for a few chapters now. If you've been paying attention to how Al describes Daphne, their interactions, and chemistry, they fit so well and are without a doubt cute. Praise them, make fanart of your new OTP.

I, E4E di Britannia, command you!

Sieg: Don't do it...you're only encouraging the man-child.

Now shoo, I have plot bunnies to plot. But be sure to review, no flames, and peace off.

I command it!