Special, special thank you to Negato Angelo! The 1,000th Follower!
The elegant chandelier that had once illuminated the foyer of Greengrass Manor lay in shambles upon the marble floor. Shattered glass and twisted metal lay in complex patterns, large cracks in the floor beneath them giving the illusion of flies caught in a spider's web. The candles on the walls flickered as the breeze coming in through the doorless entrance teased the weak flames. The shadows in the hall danced vindictively, their presence haunting. The portraits and priceless works of art that had once been Daniel Greengrass' pride and joy were nothing more than broken blocks and splintered wood.
Blood dripped down the main staircase, staining the stark white marble a dark crimson. The banisters were cracked and twisted as though made of clay rather than hard steel and stone. Above the staircase, another chandelier swung in the wind gushing in through the large gash in the wall beside it, the summer storm brewing in the distance threatening to destroy even this last piece of remaining elegance.
"What am I to do with you?"
The bundle of robes and blood whimpered and twitched, one eye shut involuntarily and the other gazing up with unabashed hate.
"I have told you time and time again that our differences would only end badly for you. This time you have gone too far."
"Daniel," Alison Greengrass said, placing a hand on Daniel's wand arm. "Daniel, she is beaten. The Aurors are on their way now."
"And what if Daphne or Tracey had been here? She could have killed them."
"Where are your children?" Guinevere asked, grinning despite her lip being split and blood pouring from her nose and ears. "I do dearly miss my nieces."
Alison snarled and backhanded her, sending her crashing to the floor in a whimpered gasp of pain. Her husband blinked in surprise, having rarely ever seen his wife react violently. Alison wiped the blood off on her dress, the expensive fabric already scorched and ruined. Guinevere had arrived with fire in her blood and evil in her heart, firing curse after curse without warning as she crashed through the front door of Greengrass Manor. Had Alison and Daniel been in the parlor rather than in the back office going over business plans, they would have been killed immediately.
"This doesn't make any sense," Daniel said, wiping sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. He frowned at the blood he found on his hand when he pulled away. "If I am killed, the business is put in a hold until the goblins can find a replacement. I made sure that it does not go to Daphne or Astoria. I didn't want Guinevere going after them either. Guinevere is no fool she would not try to kill me."
"Perhaps the Dark Lord ordered her to," Alison suggested. Daniel hummed.
"Perhaps."
"Lord Greengrass!"
Daniel and Alison turned away from Guinevere to find three aurors marching up towards them. All three were unfamiliar to him, but of course, he only knew the older aurors such as Mad-Eye and Shacklebolt. Daniel stepped away from Guinevere and walked down the crumbling staircase to greet the aurors.
"Gentlemen," Daniel said. "I am glad you could make it so quickly."
"There was an attack?" asked the auror in charge. Daniel snorted and looked around at the destruction around them.
"Does all of this constitute an attack in your opinion, officer?"
The auror bristled. "It is part of the line of questioning. I do not make the rules, sir."
"Yes," Daniel said, nodding. "There was an attack. My sister, Guinevere Greengrass, came with the intention of murdering my wife and I in order to take control of the family business."
"Was anyone else involved?" the auror asked. Daniel shook his head.
"No, just my sister."
"Where is your sister now?"
Daniel pointed up at where Alison still stood, her wand pointed at the figure on the ground. The auror nodded and motioned for his associates to follow him when all three gasped in pain and collapsed to the ground. Daniel pulled his wand out but was hit with a powerful spell that sent him flying backwards onto the stairs. He cried out when his spine hit the marble, the snap of bone breaking resounding through the hall.
"Did you truly think I would come alone, brother?" came a voice from the doorway. Daniel opened his eyes weakly. Guinevere Greengrass smirked at him, one hand on her hip tauntingly while the other twirled her wand. She wore a thick black robe-the same robes worn by all of the Dark Lord's elite.
Alison gasped in shock and turned to look down at the figure beneath her. The beaten Guinevere grinned up at her as her face began to morph until it was no longer Guinevere looking up at her but rather a short, stocky man with the face akin to a rat. He lashed out, kicking away Alison's wand, before casting his own stunner to knock her out cold. Daniel whimpered, unable to speak.
"You were right of course," Guinevere said, stepping into the hall, looking around at the destruction. She whistled. "I never knew the little guy had it in him." She looked back at Daniel. "You were right. I do not want to kill you. You are the head of the Noble House of Greengrass, killing you would strip me of any claim to the Greengrass fortune. No, I am not here to kill you."
Daniel whimpered again.
"What was that dear brother?" she asked, walking up to him until she was able to sit down on the steps beside him, leaning onto her side to look at him. "Have I hurt your back? I cannot imagine what it must be like to lose control of all your function. Such a shame that. You'll never be able to hold your grandchildren...assuming you ever have grandchildren."
Guinevere inhaled deeply, moving to lay on her back. "The Dark Lord needs the Greengrass money, Daniel. You knew this day would come. It will be better for you, and your family, if you give in and give me access."
"Never," Daniel managed. "Never."
Guinevere nodded. "I thought you might say that." She stood up and motioned to the man at the top of the stairs. "Come, Wormtail. We are leaving. Bring my sister-in-law."
Daniel's eyes widened in fear.
"If I cannot have the family money," Guinevere said. "Then I will have to take your wife. I wonder how long she will last with all of the others. Rebastian has been particularly eager to meet her." Thunder cracked loudly overhead and the wind blew through the hall. Guinevere pulled her robe over herself. "Wormtail!"
The fat man pulled Alison's limp body down the stairs, grinning at Daniel as he passed. Daniel fought desperately to move and kill the man that dared touch his wife, but his body wouldn't respond. Tears formed in his eyes and his throat burned.
"When you decide to hand over the family money, you may have Alison back," Guinevere said. "A good day to you brother. I will send a letter to St. Mungo's to come and pick up your body to get you help. I'm not completely heartless. Of course, by the time they arrive it will be too late to fix your spine."
"I will kill you," Daniel forced himself to say.
"No..." Guinevere shook her head. "I do not think you will. Come, Wormtail."
They turned towards the door just as a crack of lightning illuminated a figure in the doorway. Guinevere narrowed her eyes and pulled out her wand. Wormtail followed her lead, dropping Alison to the floor. Guinevere leaned forward to try and see who it was, but the darkness outside made it impossible to tell. Suddenly, two bright green eyes opened, shining brilliantly in the darkness.
"The last time I was here," the figure said, "I figured it would be good to set up some alarms. Good thing I do things the muggle way. Otherwise your little spell disabler stuff would have seriously messed things up."
"Who are you?" Wormtail growled. The figure strode into the hall and Daniel sighed with relief. It was a boy, Guinevere chuckled. He wore a bright orange shirt and strange muggle pants in a variety of shades of green and brown in an odd pattern. He almost looked like Potter, but he was older with an odd haircut and a short beard.
"I would suggest you go back home," Guinevere said, fingering her wand. "Before you get yourself seriously hurt."
The boy shrugged. "If you think you can hurt me, I would love to see you try."
Guinevere snarled and flicked her wand. "Bombarda!"
The spell flew through the air, crackling as though gaining power. The boy dodged it and reached out with his hand. Guinevere grinned when she noticed the boy had no wand. The grin faded as water rushed out with tremendous force, knocking her and Wormtail off their feet. Daniel closed his eyes painfully, afraid of what was happening, but in doing so lost all consciousness.
««‡»»
When Daniel opened his eyes, he was in a tent illuminated by several muggle lights.
"Put them down there," ordered a young man with dark skin and an orange shirt. Daniel glanced up as he felt his body placed on what he could only assume was a cot. He looked up and his eyes widened. Standing above him was Percy Jackson, wearing a similar orange shirt. Percy's eyes were watching him with concern, but the boy smiled slightly when he noticed Daniel was awake.
"This is Austin Lake, Lord Greengrass," Percy said. "He's one of our best healers and is a son of Apollo."
Daniel could only nod as Austin moved over and began examining him. Austin turned to the others in the room.
"You all need to leave now. You can see him when I finish here."
Percy nodded and escorted Daphne out of the room though she struggled to try and look over Percy's shoulder at her father, worry clear in her eyes. When they stepped outside of the medic tent, they were greeted by their friends.
"How are they?" Tracey asked, concerned.
"Austin is working on them right now," Percy said. "It's a good thing we got there when we did. I can't imagine what would have happened if we had gotten there late."
A girl with dark hair and green eyes walked over and gave Daphne a side hug. "They'll be okay, Daphne. I've got some potions brewing back in my cabin that I'll give to Austin once he's finished stabilizing your parents."
"Thank you, Lou Ellen," Daphne said with a smile. Lou Ellen Blackstone had only gotten to know the group from Britain in the past few months, but they had all quickly became fast friends. Even Mrs. Weasley and her typical distrust for new people-particularly young women-could not help but enjoy Lou Ellen's company. Lou Ellen was a demigod and the only child of Hecate to have denounced Kronos and side with Olympus. Percy had been wary of her for a little while before she had sworn on the Styx that she was on his side and would help stop her mother's mad attempt to rule the world. The twins had taken a liking to her immediately especially when they learned of the pranks she had pulled in the camp which of course put everyone on edge. Lou Ellen and Gred and Forge together could be a dangerous mix.
"How exactly did you know they were in trouble?" asked Sirius, standing beside the Weasley parents.
"I had my dad set up a little alarm system on their front door when he went to visit a while back," Percy said. "It made the conch in my room go off."
"So that's what that was," Ginny said. "Hermione, Astoria, and I woke up hearing that, but we had no idea what it was until we heard Daphne shouting for Lou Ellen."
"Thank you for the portkey," Daphne said, looking at Lou Ellen. "We could never have made it in time without it."
Lou Ellen stuck her hand out, and Daphne put a strange, metallic cylinder in her hand. "No problemo. Glad it worked."
"What do you mean, 'glad it worked'?" asked Hermione.
Lou Ellen shrugged. "I've never used it before. It might have worked; it might not have. Glad it did though."
Everyone eyed the object and the girl warily, unsure how to respond. Percy just rolled his eyes and looked up at the sun that was just rising behind the Big House.
"Let's all go back to our rooms and get ready for the day," he said. "Meet in the Pavilion in an hour?"
They all agreed and went back to their rooms, the Weasley twins however heading off with Lou Ellen to discuss whatever new prank they were planning. Tracey gave Daphne a quick hug, whispering how glad she was that Alison and Daniel were safe, before taking Harry's hand and heading into the Big House. Daphne turned to Percy.
"How about a walk to the beach?"
Percy smiled and nodded. They walked silently, enjoying the cool summer breeze rolling off of the coast and basking in the early morning warmth of the sun. The gravel path crunched beneath their feet. Walks to the beach had become normal for them both over the past several weeks of summer. It was now nearing the end of August and the next year at Hogwarts was right around the corner, but with Voldemort back after the incident in the graveyard, no one was sure what to expect. Evenings were spent in the Big House reading copies of the Daily Prophet, which took the poor owls carrying them much longer to deliver, and listening to the muggle radio for anything out of the ordinary in Britain. So far nothing. It created a great deal of stress on the witches and wizards as every day they feared they would hear of some massive attack. Percy and Daphne's walks helped them relax and push away the stress of what was happening overseas. It wasn't a cure, but it helped enough.
"So your birthday is in a few days," Daphne said as they arrived at the beach. Percy turned to her and grinned.
"And what did you get me?"
"I have to get you something?"
"That's kinda the rule."
Daphne pursed her lips, but amusement danced in her eyes. "Since when?"
"Since...ever?" Percy shrugged. "It's just one of those things everyone knows."
"Well you'll just have to wait and see," she said, patting his arm.
Percy rolled his eyes. "Just please don't do what Tracey did to Harry."
Daphne busted out in a laugh. On Harry's birthday at the end of July, Tracey had woken him up with a howler that shouted rather than sang happy birthday to him. The howler had woken up the entire camp who then all proceeded to sing happy birthday in a multitude of keys and tempos making the poor, introverted kid practically die of embarrassment. Tracey had felt bad but made up for it by snogging Harry senseless much to Mrs. Weasley's chagrin.
"Are you saying you do not want me to snog you?" Daphne asked, still laughing.
"You know what I meant," Percy said, poking her side. "If you send me a howler, I'll dump you in the ocean."
Daphne gasped. "You wouldn't."
"I would," he nodded seriously. "A price to be paid, but I will pay it willingly."
"You're cruel, Jackson."
"All's fair in love and war, Greengrass," he said before they both smiled. "We should head back. I'm starving."
It was Daphne's turn to roll her eyes. "Honestly, when are you ever not hungry?"
"Umm," Percy thought about it for a moment. "When I'm sleeping?"
"I've heard your stomach growl in your sleep, Percy."
Percy blushed. "I dream about pancakes sometimes, sue me."
She laughed and took his hand in hers as they turned away from the beach and headed towards the dining pavilion for breakfast. Summer had gone by too quickly for Daphne. Spending each day with her friends and her sister, shooting arrows at the archery range, riding the pegasi, and tending to the strawberry fields, had been the best summer of Daphne's life. To be able to spend it with someone like Percy by her side made it even better. The thought that they would be separated by houses back at Hogwarts made her uneasy. She had grown accustomed to sharing his room, waking up next to him and narrowly avoiding his drool as he slept. She and Percy shared a special bond-one that did not require them to be physically intimate. Not that it hadn't been a temptation for either of them, but it was unspoken between them that they weren't ready.
"We need to start figuring out what to do now that Aunt Guinevere is after my parents," Daphne said as they got to the pavilion. "Greengrass Manor isn't safe anymore, but I doubt my parents will abandon it."
"We'll figure something out," Percy said. "Even if we dispatch a group of demigods to keep guard, we'll make sure your parents are safe. If nothing else, their finances and your family money cannot fall into Voldemort's hands."
The rest of the group had already sat down and were starting to eat breakfast when they stepped into the line for food. After they had gotten their plates of eggs, pancakes, and sausage and had made their offerings to Poseidon, Daphne and Percy squeezed in between Astoria and Ginny who both growled playfully as they were forcefully moved aside to make room for the couple.
"We need to arrange a meeting this afternoon to discuss the attack on Greengrass Manor," Percy said between bites.
"I'll floo Dumbledore and let him know what happened," Sirius said. "I'm not sure if the old man knows yet."
Percy nodded, though he was fairly certain Dumbledore already knew. Dumbledore-Thanatos, really-was being coerced by Hecate afterall.
"Do we know yet who sent those dementors after me?" Harry asked. When Sirius had arrived earlier in the summer, he had brought the bad news that someone had released two dementors from Azkaban and sent them towards Privet Drive. Thankfully, Harry hadn't been there, but his cousin Dudley had been kissed. As much as Harry had disliked his family, he only felt grief to hear his cousin had suffered such a fate. It had taken a week of long talks for Percy to convince Harry that he wasn't to blame. Well, Percy wasn't sure if it was the long talks or having the little minx named Tracey in the same bed that had cheered Harry up. Percy liked to think it was both.
"Not yet," Sirius shook his head.
"I still cannot believe that someone would send dementors after a child," Mrs. Weasley shook her head sadly.
"Hades sent furies after a couple of kids a while ago," Clarisse said, leaning over from her spot at the Ares table. "That's why Thalia became a tree."
Mrs. Weasley shook her head. "This world...I do not know how I would live knowing my children were being forced to fight monsters."
There was an uneasy silence as Ginny's face burned red. Percy still had not gotten the full story, but from what he knew, Ginny and Harry had encountered a horrible monster in Ginny's first year. A basilisk, Hermione had said without going much further. Ginny glared at her mother, but Mrs. Weasley did not notice. Mr. Weasley did, however, and shot his daughter an apologetic smile. Ginny's glare lessened and she turned back to her plate. Percy poked her in the side gently to let her know she wasn't alone. She poked him back a moment later. They ate the rest of their breakfast, chatting about anything and everything. Ron and Harry had renewed their friendship after the strain of their fourth year, and Percy was glad to see his little brother doing better. Hermione and Tracey were discussing with Astoria everything Astoria needed to know for the upcoming school year with Ginny occasionally pitching in though she spoke mostly in hushed tones with her twin brothers.
"Alright everyone," Percy said, standing up. "Breakfast is over. Go back to your cabins and get ready for inspection."
Ever since he had gotten back, Percy had slipped back into his natural leadership position. His new friends had all thought that there would be pushback from Clarisse or any of the other campers that had led in his place, but they were all surprised when they stepped back and willingly let Percy take charge. Daphne thought back to the first time night she had spent with Percy. Clarisse had told her that Percy was their leader. Not 'a' leader. 'Their' leader. The entire camp looked up to him, even the new campers that had not been around the previous summer. That Percy did not let it all go to his head impressed Daphne. It was one of the things she loved about Percy. Even if the boy still did not know she loved him.
"Will we be training in the arena?" Ginny asked. They had all been training all summer with Percy in combat, and they liked to think that they were relatively skilled with swords now. Lou Ellen had also been teaching them combat magic. Even Sirius who had been an auror before being wrongfully thrown in Azkaban could barely land a simple stunner on the child of Hecate.
"Yes," Lou Ellen said, getting up from her spot at the Hecate table where she sat alone. "Since you guys don't have a cabin to clean, you'll be coming with me to the arena."
"She's just going to humiliate us again," Tracey murmured, rolling her eyes. A moment later she yelped, jumping up from the and rubbing her bum. "What in Merlin's name was that?"
Lou Ellen smirked. "Stinging hex. Now get your lazy asses out to the arena."
Sirius barked a laugh as the kids all jumped and ran in the direction of the arena before Lou Ellen moved to stand in front of him, arms crossed across her chest. Sirius blinked. "Wait, you want me to go too?"
"You are all going," she said, looking at him and then at then at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
Mrs. Weasley coughed. "Me? My dear, I am not as young as I once was."
"War is coming," Percy said, stepping in. "If you want to protect your family, you need to practice. You can't just rely on instinct at the last minute."
The Weasley matriarch took a breath, clearly thinking it all through, before she nodded and placed a hand on her husband's. "Alright. We'll go and train with the children."
"Excellent," Lou Ellen grinned. "I need to go give Austin the potions for Daphne's parents and then I'll go to the arena." She looked at Sirius. "I want all of you practicing Expelliarmus by the time I arrive. If not, then we will be practicing banishment curses."
"Those are dark spells," Mrs. Weasley's eyes went wide.
Percy sighed. The poor woman saw the world in only shades of white and black. "Molly, this is all about survival. If you are too worried about a spell being 'dark,' then you will not make it through the war. I'm sorry, but it's the truth."
"We won't be using the unforgivables," Lou Ellen said, patting Percy's arm to say she had it. "Those three curses can distort the soul. But other spells...if you want to fight dark magic, you need to know what it is you're fighting against. Think of this as combat magic and nothing else."
Mrs. Weasley took a deep breath before nodding and said, "I do not like this. I may not understand it. But, I'll be damned if I do nothing but sit around while my family prepares for this war."
Percy, Sirius, and Lou Ellen grinned and even Arthur Weasley smiled fondly at his wife. She was a stubborn woman, that much was certain. But her stubbornness came from her devotion to her family, and that trumped all else. The three adults stood up and made their way towards the arena, Percy and Lou Ellen watching them for a few moments before they took off in the direction of the cabins.
"They still don't know yet?" Lou Ellen asked.
"No not yet."
Lou Ellen scoffed. "Idiot, you were supposed to tell them like a month ago. You need to tell them soon. Especially Harry."
"I know, I know," Percy said. "I'll tell them tonight at the meeting. Will you be joining us at Hogwarts?"
"Nah," she shook her head. "What could they teach me? I literally have all the information I need on magic in my cabin, and I don't exactly struggle with any of it. Perks of being the daughter of Hecate."
"According to the gods, Voldemort is just as strong as you," Percy warned.
"Perhaps," she shrugged. "We'll see."
They stopped in front of her cabin. Percy nodded at her. "Get the potions to Austin."
"Whatever, Jackson, you know I got this."
Percy rolled his eyes and left her as she went inside and headed over to his cabin.
««‡»»
"Dad?"
Daniel Greengrass opened his eyes, blinking to avoid being blinded by the bright light dangling above him.
"Daniel?"
Daniel turned and his heart nearly burst with joy and relief as his eyes landed on the three most important people in his life. His family.
"Alison," he whispered. "Girls."
"Thank Merlin you're alright," Alison whispered, moving to sit on the bed beside her husband, resting a hand on his cheek. Daniel leaned into her touch.
"Where are we? Last I remember was being carried? What happened to Guinevere?"
"A few members of the Order went to the Manor a few hours ago, but she was missing," Alison said. "What matters now is that you are safe. We are safe."
Daniel looked at his girls. "We're at the camp?"
"You're in the medical tent," Daphne nodded. "Austin is a son of Apollo. He's been healing you as much as he could, and there's a daughter of Hecate here that made potions for you."
"Hecate," Daniel murmured. "Didn't Percy mention that she's the one supporting the Dark Lord?"
"Lou Ellen swore on the Styx that she is on our side," Astoria said, moving to sit on Daniel's other side. "She's really great. She and Percy have been training us all summer."
Daniel nodded and took a deep breath before looking up at his wife. "Alison...tell me what's wrong with me?"
Alison shook her head and smiled. "If it weren't for Austin, you would be completely paralyzed from the neck down. You broke your spine in multiple places. Austin and Lou Ellen saved you, but you're going to have to remain in bed for a good few weeks."
"What day is it?"
"It's August 15," Daphne said. "We have a little less than a month before school starts again. You should be out of bed by then."
Daniel nodded. "And Percy? Where is he? I want to thank him."
Daphne smiled. "I'll go find him." She walked over to Daniel and leaned down, kissing his cheek gently. "I'm so happy you're awake, dad."
"Me too," Daniel smiled back. He looked at Astoria and Alison. "I'm so glad we're all together again."
Astoria and Alison both grinned and laid down on the bed beside him, and the three Greengrasses cuddled contently as Daphne slipped out of the medical ward to find Percy. She found Tracey and asked if she had seen Percy, but she only shook her head. No one else had seen him either, so Daphne figured he was either at the beach or in their cabin. As she approached the cabin, she smiled as she heard the muffled voice of her boyfriend from inside.
"...Ellen sent you a portkey, did you get it?" Percy asked. Daphne stood in the doorway, leaning on the frame.
"I got it, Percy," came Dumbledore's voice through the rainbow mist in front of Percy. "I will collect the Order and bring them just outside the camp's borders."
"Two hours," Percy said, his voice firm, and Daphne could only smile. Percy was a natural leader, and his confidence was infectious.
Dumbledore hummed in agreement. "Two hours."
Percy slashed through the mist with an open hand before taking a breath and looking over at Daphne who kept smiling. "How long have you been standing there?"
"Just a minute," Daphne said, moving from the door to hug him. "Dad's awake. He wants to thank you."
"He's awake?" Percy asked, smiling and kissing the top of Daphne's head. "That's awesome! Is he all better?"
"Austin said he has to stay in bed for a few weeks, but then he should be good as new."
Percy nodded. "That's really great. I'm really happy for you and Astoria."
"Come on," she said, pulling away from him and taking his hand in hers. She led him out of the cabin, holding his hand tightly. She was excited. Her father was alive and healthy, and her family was all together again.
««‡»»
It was not the cold that woke Lucius Malfoy but the sound of the wind coursing through the halls of his manor. He sat up suddenly, clutching the sheets of the bed to his chest and took deep, calming breaths. His heart pounded violently and it amazed him that Narcissa remained asleep beside him. Sweat dripped down his forehead and beaded on the tip of his nose. He wiped it away with the bed sheet and swung his feet out. Lucius picked up his wand and with a flick of his wrist, ignited the small candle on the nightstand. Lucius got up from the bed and slipped into his evening gown and house shoes. Narcissa stirred but simply twisted away from the candlelight and remained asleep. Lucius stepped across the room towards the large oak doors and opened them with hardly a creak.
The hall was illuminated by several sconches on the walls and a single chandelier hanging directly above the entrance to the master bedroom. The wind bellowed down from the right side of the hall. From the guest quarters where several members of the Dark Lord's inner circle resided. The Dark Lord himself did not sleep. Instead, he remained nearly at all times within the dungeon tinkering with the multitude of dark items and books Lucius had at his disposal. Lucius frowned into the wind and stepped towards the source.
"Father?"
Lucius turned around just as Draco poked his head out from his room just down the left of the master bedroom. "It is alright, Draco. Return to your room."
"What is going on?" Draco asked.
"Nothing. It is probably just the house elves cleaning at night again."
Draco frowned but nodded and returned to his room. Draco was still oblivious to what was occurring within their own manor. Lucius did not want Draco exposed to the Death Eaters. Not while he was so young. Not yet. In a year perhaps. But not while he was only fifteen. Not even Lucius had been exposed to the Dark Arts so young. Narcissa had, of course, due to being a Black. It was Narcissa herself that demanded Draco be kept in the dark about the Death Eaters. And the Dark Lord. And...Lucius shivered. And the goddess Hecate.
Ever since the end of the Triwizard Tournament, the Dark Lord had been insufferable in his demands. He wanted Death Eaters tailing Percy Jackson, the American that had won the tournament, at all times. No one understood why. Unless the boy truly was a demigod as he had claimed after the second task. But surely the boy was simply an egotistical brat. That was what Lucius had assumed until only a week ago. A week ago, the Dark Lord had called a meeting to make final preparations for their attack on Azkaban prison to release the Death Eaters that had not been so lucky to escape after the fall of their master so long ago. As soon as the meeting had ended though, the dining hall of Malfoy Manor fell into darkness. Lucius had never been so terrified in his life. The fire in the hearth had blazed to life, roaring with green flames. It wasn't the floo, Lucius had never seen a floo fire burn hot nor crackle with such intensity. Then a woman had emerged from the flames.
One of the lowly Death Eaters had pulled their wand out on the woman and fired a spell. Lucius wasn't sure if the man had done it out of instinct or pure fear, but he had to admit that he had the urge to fight the woman himself. The woman, though, did not seem to care whatsoever that the man had fired the killing curse at her. She waved her hand and the spell reversed its trajectory and struck the man in the chest. Lucius and the others had gasped in shock and fear, and he expected his master to rise up to attack when instead, the Dark Lord had knelt down to her.
"Lady Hecate," the Dark Lord had said. Hecate, the Greek goddess of magic and witchcraft. Lucius knew of the myths of course. It had been part of his upbringing as a pureblood. But they were myths and nothing more. Except that now, they were more. They were much more. The myths were real. The Greek gods existed. Demigods existed. Percy Jackson had been telling the truth.
"Where is the boy, Potter?" Hecate had asked.
"He is not at Privet Drive," the Dark Lord said. "One of our spies within the Ministry sent dementors to his home, but he was not there."
Lucius had never heard such a scream from any living being in his entire life. The Dark Lord had convulsed in such pain that Lucius and the others could feel it as well. The room had flickered in light and darkness as if the candles were reigniting themselves over and over again. A violent wind had torn through the room, knocking everyone back as the goddess cackled with unapologetic joy at the sight of their master screaming in pain. And just as soon as the wind had come, it left and the goddess stopped her laughing and allowed the Dark Lord to stand.
Harry Potter was not in England at all, it seemed. According to the goddess, the Potter brat had fled to America with Percy Jackson to some secret location that not even the goddess could penetrate. "Potter must be killed by the end of his fifth year," the goddess had said. "If he still lives..." She had left the threat open ended, but they had all seen the strength she possessed. Lucius had shivered and in that moment, he had realized that Narcissa had been right. Draco could not be part of this life. Not yet. It had been different when they had only the Dark Lord to follow. He had promised them wealth and power in a new world where the muggles and mudbloods would revere them. But now...now the Greek gods had returned to the world, and he had to protect Draco. No matter the cost.
"Lucius. You should not be awake."
"Nor should you, Guinevere," Lucius said, eyeing the woman that stood in a doorway off to the side. Lucius had not even realized he had followed the wind into the guest quarters. "You should still be resting."
Guinevere held up her shoulder that had been injured in her failed attempt to capture Lady Greengrass and take hold of her brother's wealth. "Snape's potions have helped tremendously. I am fine."
Lucius stared at her as the wind picked up once more. They both turned towards it.
"She has returned," Guinevere said. There was a hint of fear and possibly admiration in her voice. "What do you think of the goddess Hecate, Lucius?"
"I think..." Lucius wet his lips. "I think that we need to follow the Dark Lord's commands. Even if they come from her."
"Always the survivor."
"Always."
"And Draco? Narcissa?"
Lucius turned to Guinevere and scrutinized her. "The time for Draco to join the Dark Lord is coming. But not yet. He has much to learn."
"The time will come for Draco to take the mark," Guinevere said. "I would suggest that you do nothing to prevent it. For your sake, and for his."
Lucius looked at her for a moment. "I must return to my bed before Narcissa awakes and wonders where I have gone."
"Of course," Guinevere nodded though she smirked at him. "Have a...pleasant evening, Lucius."
As he lay in bed the rest of the night, Lucius did not move. He stared up at the ceiling. Fear gripped his heart and for the first time in his life, Lucius felt unsure of himself. He felt unsure of his decisions. He was unsure of the Dark Lord. Times were changing, and Lucius knew he needed to be on the winning side. For the sake of his family, he needed to choose the winning side. But whose side was that? Percy Jackson, the demigod, and the so-called Boy-Who-Lived? Or Lord Voldemort and the psychotic Greek goddess Hecate?
««‡»»
"Order! Order! We must have order!" Chiron shouted, stomping his hoof into the ground.
"You have got to be joking! We can fight!" Harry shouted.
"Absolutely not!" Moody growled back. "You are children you have no way of knowing how to conduct yourselves in battle. You will get yourself killed, or you'll get someone else killed!"
"That is absolute rubbish," said one of the Weasley twins. "We've been training all summer to fight. That's why we came here!"
Kingsley Shacklebolt scoffed. "'Training.' You are children. How have you been training? Running around some path? Doing some muggle exercises? You are naive, boy. You are talking about defending Azkaban prison. If the dementors don't chill you to the bone you will have to confront the Dark Lord himself. How do you expect to be able to do such a thing? Have you been training to fight him? Have you?"
"Enough!" Chiron roared, slamming the butt of his spear into the ground. The Big House shook from the force of the impact and everyone turned to face the centaur. "I agreed to host this meeting here out of respect to Percy and Harry. But I will not allow such arguing in this building. The Order are here under our permission. I can easily cast you out, and believe me, you do not want Peleus to come and escort you out."
"Chiron is correct," Dumbledore said, stepping forward and speaking up for the first time since the meeting had started. "We are guests here in this camp. Let us not start hostilities."
"Dumbledore, you of all people must agree with us," Shacklebolt said. "This is Azkaban prison we are talking about. To send children there to defend it...do you truly want that on your conscience? I know I don't!"
"We are not children!" Harry shouted. "We are practically adults!"
"Listen to yourself," said Hestia Jones. "You are whining and complaining. Demanding, even. That is not how an 'adult' speaks. We all know what you have done, Mr. Potter, but that does nothing to change the fact that you are only fifteen and have little experience in battles like this."
"Maybe not," Harry said. "But that doesn't mean anything. My age means nothing. Ask Percy. He was in battles when he was eleven."
Everyone turned to Percy who sat in the Poseidon chair off to the side. Percy, who had been sipping on a can of coke, choked as everyone turned to him. "I'm sorry, what? I wasn't really paying attention."
Daphne and Tracey rolled their eyes, and Daphne smacked Percy on the back of the head. Percy winced.
Moody growled and turned to Dumbledore. "Are you seriously considering allowing these idiot children to join a fight against the Dark Lord?"
"Woah, woah, woah," Percy said, standing up. "'Allow'? Who do you think you are, pal, to talk about me like that."
"Who do you think you are to stand up like that?" Moody said, facing Percy. Everyone took a step away from the two. "You want to know how I got these scars? From real fighting. Look at your smooth, baby skin. You've never so much as gotten a paper cut in your life before, have you boy?"
Percy blinked. "Baby skin. Baby skin? Did you...did you seriously just call my skin baby skin?"
"It's smooth like a baby's ass," Moody said, stepping forward. "A real fighter is marked by the scars of battle. You are still a child, boy. I know you fought in the tournament. I've read the papers. But that was nothing. You are nothing. Sit down if you know what's good for you."
"Sit down, huh?" Percy said, stepping forward. "And who's going to make me? You? I'm surprised you even have the strength to lift your flask up to your lips, old man."
Moody glared at Percy, his eyes narrowing and those that were behind Percy flinched at the sight. An angry Mad-Eye was enough to strike fear into the heart of even the most hardened Death Eater. But Percy did not flinch. Rather, Percy turned his own glare on the short man, staring down into his eyes with such fierce determination and strength that the air seemingly grew cold and Mad-Eye flinched. Percy grinned and patted Mad-Eye on the cheek.
"Good boy. Now sit down, old man, and let the real adults talk."
The room stared at him in shock. No one ever spoke to Mad-Eye that way. Certainly not a teenager. Everyone stumbled back, expecting the two men to start hurling spells at one another when Mad-Eye began laughing.
"Ahaha! You have balls, boy! Big brass ones!"
Percy grinned and held his hand out which Mad-Eye shook earnestly.
"I recognize the look of a fighter, boy," Moody said. "You are a warrior without a doubt. But a warrior does not hide his scars. Why use glamour charms?"
"I don't use glamour charms."
"You've been in battle before, have you not?"
Percy nodded.
"Then where are your scars?" asked Hestia Jones.
"I don't have any," Percy said.
Shacklebolt scoffed. "You expect us to believe that you not only fought in a battle before, but you escaped without so much as a scar?"
"You can believe whatever you want to believe," Percy said. "But I don't have any scars."
"No scars means no proof," said Mundungus Fletcher, stepping forward and shoving people out of the way. He held his wand out at Percy. "I don't believe anything you've ever said, Jackson. There's no such thing as a demigod. You've never fought in a battle before. You're nothing but a liar and a scoundrel."
The Order blinked at the irony that Fletcher was accusing someone else of being a scoundrel.
"And I'm supposed to just prove it all to you?" Percy asked. "Was holding a dragon's jaw open not good enough for you? Or having the merpeople bow to me? Or saving both Harry and I during the final task?"
"You're good at magic and potions, then," Fletcher said. "But all this bloody nonsense about being a demigod? That's all it is. Bloody nonsense."
A few of the other Order members who had not interacted much with Percy murmured in agreement. It seemed that the Daily Prophet's slanderous opinion columns were doing their job in turning the public on Percy and Harry.
"I have been here all summer," said Sirius, stepping up to Fletcher. "I have seen these kids train all summer long. I've seen things that I never thought possible. The Greek gods are real. Demigods are real."
Fletcher scoffed. "They've fooled you too, Black? I thought your family was skilled in mind magic, but I guess you really are the black sheep of your family."
"Look," said Daniel Greengrass. He tried to stand up from his seat, but Daphne held him back down firmly. Daniel frowned but nodded and simply looked up. "Percy Jackson saved my life. I have met Lord Poseidon myself. So has Alison. The Gods are real. If we keep fighting about this then the Dark Lord will continue to gain power. He already has Hecate on his side."
Percy nodded. "All this arguing about the myths being real is stupid. Are you seriously going to keep arguing about this?"
Fletcher glared at him. "If you could prove it to us, then I wouldn't be arguing. But we deserve the right to know. I am not going to support any side that is made up of nothing but lies and deceit." Once again, the irony of his words was not lost on the room.
"And how could I prove it to you?" Percy asked.
"How about a pensieve?" asked Shacklebolt. "I am inclined to believe you, Mr. Jackson. And you too, Dumbledore. But this is a lot to accept. Greek gods? I need to see for myself."
"What's a pensieve?" Percy asked, looking at Dumbledore and then at Harry and his friends.
"A pensieve is a magical object that allows our memories to be viewed by multiple people."
Percy frowned. "So...what? You just view my memories? How?"
"Let me retrieve my pensieve," Dumbledore said. "I will explain how it all works when I return."
"How long will it take?" asked Shacklebolt. "We do not have all night. It is almost three a.m. back home."
"I will be back in just a moment." Dumbledore winked at Percy before leaving the Big House. No one except for Percy, Chiron, and the other few demigods that were in the room noticed the flash of light coming from outside as Thanatos flashed away to Hogwarts. An awkward silence descended on the room.
"So..." Ron said after a while. "Does anyone want to play chess?"
Ginny nodded and the two of them began playing chess. The Order members began mumbling to themselves, a few discussing the likelihood of Percy telling the truth while a few continued to discuss the plan to defend Azkaban.
"Are you sure about this?" Chiron asked Percy.
"You don't have to show your memories if you don't want to," Clarisse said from the other side. She shivered. "I wonder if they inject some sort of needle into your brain to get them out."
"It's not painful," Daphne said with a smile before putting a hand on Percy's shoulder. "But I agree with them. You don't have to show your memories if you don't want to."
"I know," Percy nodded. "But all this arguing about the myths being real is just stupid. If me proving that they're real will put an end to the rumors, then I'm all for it."
"And why not just swear on the Styx?" Clarisse asked.
"Because that oath means nothing to mortals," Percy said. "They won't know what it means or the significance of it."
"And what about a magical oath?" asked Daphne.
"I can't make one since I don't have any magic," Percy said. "I can say the words sure, but nothing happens. I made one to Ginny a long time ago but it was just like saying a regular sentence."
Daphne nodded, having wondered for some time if Percy could make a magical oath or not.
"I'm back," Dumbledore said, stepping into the room. He carried with him a large goblet type object and set it into the middle of the room. Percy leaned forward and frowned. It was filled with a crystal clear liquid that seemed to contain strange, dancing images.
"Okay, how does this work?" Percy asked.
"Just think of the memory you wish us to see," Dumbledore said. "I will put the tip of my wand to your temple and extract the memory which I will then place into the liquid. To view it, we will all put our wands into the liquid and enter the memory, so to speak."
"Does extracting the memory hurt?" Clarisse asked.
Dumbledore shook his head. "It might tickle a little, but it does not hurt."
Clarisse frowned, disappointed. Percy rolled his eyes at her before thinking for a moment. What memory did he want to show? Certainly not the final battle for Manhattan. He didn't think he had it in him to try and relive that memory. He thought for a moment before he came up with one. "Okay, I have one."
"Excellent," Dumbledore said. He placed his wand up to Percy's temple and held it there for a moment. "Think about the memory. Good." When Dumbledore pulled his wand away, a wisp of silver came with it. It looked like a thick spider-web to Percy. Dumbledore walked over to the Pensieve and placed the web-like memory into the water. The runes on the magical object glowed and then Dumbledore grinned. "Excellent. Now, everyone that wishes to view the memory, please step forward."
Everyone in the room stepped forward. Percy rolled his eyes. The demigods, though remained in their seats. Dumbledore nodded at them all. "On the count of three, place your wand into the Pensieve and we will be dropped into the memory. On three...One...Two...Three."
Everyone, including Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Tracey, and Daphne, placed their wands into the Pensieve. The demigods and Chiron gasped in shock as suddenly everyone was pulled into the strange object. Clarisse stepped towards it and tapped it. Nothing happened.
"Why is magic so fucking weird?"
A/N: So...uh...you all forgive me for taking forever to finish this chapter right? I'm truly sorry. I had a lot of writer's block with this chapter. I wrote it and rewrote it maybe five times and let me tell you, depression can be a real kick to the groin. But...I am so grateful to each and everyone of you that has been reading and following this story. 1000+ followers? You guys are crazy.
Anyways, please let me know what you guys think of the story so far! I thought this would be the last chapter of the summer before 5th year, but next chapter will have the last few scenes of summer and then we will actually begin 5th year in chapter 27 so look forward to that. In other news, my upcoming Percy Jackson fanfic has a new beta so that story is really starting to take shape. Once I have five chapters finished I will start to upload it.
Before I end this Author's Note, I want to take a moment to shout out a few people. One, I promised her I wouldn't so here I am doing it, shout out to SaltyAshley who I have officially dubbed my new little, annoying sister. Also, two of my IRL friends are also writers here on Fanfic . net, and I have finally finished reading their stories and I really enjoyed them! So go give Ensis96 and Ardoa88 some love! Ensis96 is writing a Next-Gen HP story entitled Death's True Hollows, and Ardoa88 is writing a PJO/TKC crossover fic entitled When Worlds Collide. I enjoyed both of them a lot, so go take a look!
And that's the end of my A/N. Thank you everyone who has favorited, followed, and reviewed. I love you all. Until next time! (whenever that is ...)
**This chapter (as well as pretty much all the previous chapters) is un-beta'd. All mistakes are entirely my own.**