(Things are going to get hectic. This is the 10th Chapter! WOO! I just want to let you guys know that I read ALL your reviews and am thankful for the support. Let's dive in.)
"What do you mean I can't go?" Harry slammed his fist down on Chiron's desk, "I have to go!"
"I'm sorry Harry." Chiron placed a hand on his shoulder, "But Dionysus and I already spoke about it. It was decided that Amber, Bianca, Celia, Phoebe, Thalia and Zoë would go."
Harry shook Chiron's hand off of him, "You don't get it."
"I understand how you feel, but you must~"
"No, you don't understand!" Harry kicked a chair to the side, "You don't understand anything!" He stormed out of the office, down the stairs and out of the Big House.
"Someone's angry." Thalia peered into the room.
Chiron sighed, "How long have you been there?"
"Eh, long enough to hear everything." Thalia walked into the room, her arm in a sling, "Part of me wanted to stick my leg out and trip him; as payback for what happened in the woods."
"Thank Zeus you didn't." Chiron left out a heavy breath, "You're in fit shape to leave tomorrow?"
"Of course." Thalia removed the bandages, "This is just a pathos getup. The Aphrodite kids offered to clean my cabin for me, which I gladly accepted."
"Thalia, Thalia, Thalia." Chiron shook his head, "When it comes to acting, you're just like your Father."
Thalia's smiled disappeared, "Don't mention him around me. Ever." She walked out of the room.
"My, my." Chiron said to himself, "No matter their personalities, be it Theseus, Heracles or Thalia, there's always one things the children of Zeus seem to agree on."
Harry stormed into the Athena Cabin, "Annabeth!"
"Whoa." One kid whistled as he walked down the hall.
"Annabeth!" Harry called her again.
"ANNABETH!" This shout came from a guy next to him, looking down the hall.
He had the same blonde hair as Annabeth, except it was tied back into a man bun. His gray eyes weren't the Athena-like storm type. They were actually so light, Harry almost mistook them for silver.
"What?" A door opened and she stepped out into the hall, "I told you guys I'm~"
Harry cleared his throat, "You said we could talk?"
"Y-Yeah, hold on a sec. Let me just get my sweater." Annabeth went back into her room.
Harry looked down at his feet, holding his hands behind his back. A minute later, Annabeth's door swung open and she jogged over to him.
"Okay, let's go."
Harry kicked the sand around him, raising a cloud of dust.
"So that's why you want to go so bad." Annabeth crossed her arms.
"Yeah." Harry nodded. He had just finished telling Annabeth about his dream.
"If you ask me, I think Chiron's pretty dumb for not letting you go." She told him.
Harry sat down, not caring if his pants got dusty, "Well, that makes two of us. Doesn't matter what I think though. The fact still remains, I can't go."
"I'm sorry." Annabeth put her hands on her hips, "Last time I checked, you made it clear that you're not a demigod."
"Yeah, and?" Harry looked at her.
"And," Annabeth stood up, "That means what he says technically doesn't apply to you."
Harry jumped up on his feet, "You're a genius Annabeth! A real smartie!"
She beamed with pride, "Thanks. I get it from my Mom."
Harry started walking, "Let's see, I'm going to need a weapon. I have a feeling my wand won't be too helpful against monsters."
"Right." Annabeth caught up to him, "That's why I'm taking you to meet a very good friend of mine. He's a son of Hephaestus."
"Son of Hephaestus?" Harry questioned, "The builder?"
"The forger." Annabeth corrected him, holding out her hand to pull him along, "Come on now, let's go."
Hesitant, Harry looked at her hand, "But I thought you and Percy were~"
"This isn't like that!" Annabeth cut him off, her face turning tomato red, "It's a reflex. Whenever I'm with someone who needs help, I just feel like holding their hand. Sorry, never mind."
"No, no." Harry shook his head, "It's okay. I'd actually like to hold your hand...if you don't mind." He couldn't meet her eyes.
She grabbed his left hand and held it firmly, "See? Nothing romantic about it. Just two friends walking."
"Right." Harry shook himself, 'Just two friends walking.'
"Make it quick Annabeth." The armored male figure said, "I need to put all of my focus into this."
"Fine, but first," Annabeth pushed Harry forward gently, "I'd like you to meet someone."
The guy clicked his tongue and turned around, shutting off his blowtorch and removing his wielding goggles at the same time, "I already know him. You're name's Harry right?"
Harry nodded, finding himself at a loss for words. The guy's height was a dangerously intimidating trait, along with his scowl that seemed to have been his first and only expression since birth.
Sighing, the guy held out a hand, "My name's Beckendorf. Charles Beckendorf. But everyone calls me Charlie."
Harry shook it, "Charlie, I know this is kind of sudden, but do you think you could make me a weapon?"
Charles stroked his chin, thinking, "It is sudden but nothing I can't handle. What do you need? A sword? A spear?"
Harry grinned, "Actually..." Harry motioned for him to come closer and whispered in his ear.
Charles eyes widened, but soon returned to their normal look and Harry pulled back, done with his request.
"Well?" Annabeth put her hands on her hips, "What does he want?"
"Can't tell you." Charles pulled his goggles back on.
"What?!" Annabeth looked at Harry, "Why not?"
"It was an agreement between gentlemen." Harry rubbed his eyes, "Charlie, you think you can have it ready by tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow? Pffft," Charles turned on his blowtorch, "I'll have it done by tonight."
(Quick A/N, I just want to apologize to those who don't like the cutting of scenes. I promise it happens less as the chapter progresses. Okay, back to the story.)
Annabeth was visibly annoyed during the walk to the Big House and Harry could see why.
'How rude of me to not tell her.' He shook his head, 'Sorry Annabeth, but I don't want you to laugh at my weapon.'
"Well, good night." Annabeth said as the Big House came into their view.
Harry didn't bother asking her to continue, "Yeah, good night."
He continued towards the Big House and glanced over his shoulder. Annabeth must have been really pissed because she wasn't in sight anymore.
'Well, that makes this easier for me.' Harry thought to himself.
Instead of crossing the small bridge to the Big House, he turned and crossed the bridge to the Arena. Even though the sun was basically under the horizon and light was fading fast, Harry could make out a male figure hacking at a straw Dummy.
"I think it's been defeated." Harry called out as he entered the Arena.
The figure stood up straight and Harry groaned internally. It was Sherman, the same guy who had called him a twerp.
"What are you doing here?" He spat bitterly.
"Came here to practice." Harry tilted his head, "Why else?"
Sherman faced Harry, "I could use a sparring partner."
"No thanks." Harry put his hands up, "You're all too eager to maim me."
"Seriously," Sherman persisted, "Dummies aren't alive. They won't move and try to dodge or counter. It could help us both."
Harry thought for a moment, "Oh, alright. But try not to severely injure me."
"No promises." Sherman smirked, tightening his grip around his sword.
Harry got out his wand and took a fighting stance.
"Ready?" Sherman called out.
"Ready." Harry nodded, clamping his hand wand.
"GO!" Sherman yelled, running at him like a hungry tiger.
Harry jumped back, "Experlliarmus!"
Sherman's sword flew out of his hand, causing him to stop in his tracks, "What the~"
Harry seized the opportunity, using a conjuration, "Incarcerous!"
Rope slid around Sherman, wrapping him tightly from head to toe.
"What in Zeus's name are you?" Sherman asked him, falling forward.
Harry caught him before he could hit the ground, "I'm a wizard."
Finally deciding to hit the hay, Harry slipped into the Big House, up the stairs and walked into the room Percy had first shown him to.
How long had he been at the camp? Two days? Three? And yet it felt like a year, his dream about Hermione turning it into an eternity.
Just the thought of the dream made Harry dread going to sleep. But he managed to. Within 2 minutes of laying down, staring at the ceiling, he dozed off.
Immediately, his scenery changed. It was the same cave-like area he had first seen Hermione in. Only this time, there were two new occupants.
"Artemis!" Harry recognized her, just barely.
She looked worn down and tired, like she hadn't slept in years.
"Well?" A deep voice said, "Will you take the burden from the girl?"
The owner of the voice had dark brown hair that was slicked-back, grey stone-like eyes, light brown skin and a very muscular build. He was tall with a brutal face, huge shoulders and hands that could hold his head easily.
Hermione came into view and Harry sucked in a sharp breath; She was pale, all traces of life in her barely visible.
"Gods..." Harry croaked, "What are they doing to you Hermione?"
Artemis pursed her lips and kneeled next to her, "Don't worry. I'll take it from here."
Slowly, Artemis took the weight of the ceiling Hermione had been holding. As soon as she was out, Hermione collapsed on the ground.
"She's served her purpose." The muscular man lifted Hermione up by her head, "Dispose of her, Luke."
"Luke?" Harry said to himself, "So he's the one I'm after."
"Don't you dare." A snake-like voice interrupted Harry's thoughts, "She will serve as bait for the one I'm after."
The person's face was covered by a mask and a hood was pulled on top of his head.
"Well Atlas?" Artemis spoke, "Do you plan to have me hold this forever?"
Atlas chuckled, "How little you know, my young goddess. Even now, your darling attendants begin their quest to find you. They will play directly into my hands. If you'll excuse me, we have a long journey. I will personally greet your Hunters and make sure their quest is...challenging."
Artemis could do nothing but hiss at him.
"What do we do with her?" Luke jerked his thumb at Hermione.
"Don't do anything, you bastards." Harry clenched his fists tightly.
"I will take care of her." The snake voice answered, "Go on with your silly war."
"You said you would help us." Luke gritted his teeth.
"Indeed. Here." There was a loud cracking sound and a tall woman stepped into view.
She had long, thick shiny hair, thin lips, long eyelashes and a defined jawline.
"You called, my Lord?" She kneeled to the dark-robed figure.
"Yes I did. Bellatrix, escort these two men and help them with whatever they need. Do not hesitate to dirty your hands.
Bellatrix smirked, "Of course not, my Lord."
Atlas' left eye twitched, "Someone's watching us."
The woman held up her wand, casting a spell, "Homenum Revelio!"
"I don't see anything." Luke looked around.
"I could've sworn..." Atlas trailed off.
"Silly boys." Bellatrix chuckled menacingly, "He's right there. But not for long. Avada Kedavra!"
Harry woke with a start, sitting up in bed and placing a hand over his heart.
'I'm still alive.' He told himself, 'It was just a dream.'
He looked around the room. If anything, the dream revamped his desire to go on the quest. Hermione needed him more than ever.
With that in mind, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and headed for the shower.
"You're here early." Charles snapped the fingertips of his gloves.
Harry rubbed his eyes, "Is it ready?"
Charles grinned, lifting the weapon out of cold water, "Heck yeah it is! I present to you, a celestial bronze bullet-shooting shotgun." Charlie handed Harry the 19" weapon.
"Whoa." Harry said, almost dropping the weapon, "Heavier than I expected."
"It's good though, right?" Charles asked, still grinning.
"Yeah." Harry gripped the all-black shotgun, "It's perfect. And the other one?"
"Oh, that one I'm not so sure about." Charles grabbed a smaller weapon out of the water, "I wasn't sure what color you preferred, so I just had them both painted black."
Harry took the 9 millimeter pistol from his hand, "It's perfect."
"Also," Charles reached under his metal desk, "I finished earlier than I planned to, so I took it upon myself to make you these." He held out two holsters.
Harry's eyes widened, "Charlie, you didn't have to."
"I know, but I wanted to." Charles shrugged, "Besides, what's the point of being a son of Hephaestus if you don't forge things?"
"Thanks man." Harry smiled, "You don't know how much this means to me."
Charles patted him on the back, "I heard you wanted to go on this quest. I'm not the type to pry into other people's business, but I want to know, what's so important that you'd be willing to break the rules?"
"A friend of mine is in trouble and I'm sure this quest will lead me to her. Knowing that she could be seriously hurt...I can't just sit here and hope everything goes well."
"Okay." Charles put his hands up, "That's good enough for me."
Harry nodded one last time and turned around, walking out of the armory with his new weapons. The pistol holster was looped around his belt and the shotgun holster was strapped to his leg.
Taking out his wand, Harry tapped each weapon and watched as they blended in with his black jeans.
'All that's left is to leave the camp. But first, I have to figure out where they'll be going. And to do that, I'll need his help.'
(It took two weeks to make this as perfect as possible. Leave a review if you're liking the story so far! Also, the end is almost upon us...)