Prince of Death
By: The Potters of the Future
Beta Reader: Winged Seer Wolf
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Reviews
exiagon
I would be more worried about the Wizarding World after Hagrid gave away the information than Hagrid's feelings.
kits-hold-their-tears
Two children of the Big Three this should be fun.
Laesk
There will be a lot more Harry in this chapter.
Kiskaduna
You know originally her father was going to be a minor god but it was said by a few people and I took that as a good idea. Yeah he is.
Pleasant sea nights
Shame on you . I know Nico will be younger than Harry but I can't remember how old Bianca is. I'll have to read the book again before I write it. I think she'll still join the hunters but I'm not sure if she'll die or not. He'll use his Hades' powers for sure.
ThomasNealy
So Harry would be immortal. I reckon Harry will just destroy the stone.
Penny is wise
I float between tolerating and disliking Dumbledore. This is one of my stories where Dumbledore isn't so good.
Beezlebubbles
I'd hardly count wizards as plain. I know they really spoilt that. I think it's only with Harry he's soft. I think the wand/sword is cool too. Yeah James was. Harry uses his death aura quite often. They start avoiding him. You have a disturbing mind. Everyone has insecurities. And no wonder Cat is insecure considering that her father won't claim her. I think it's because they want to get close to the Boy Who Lived so they can get through the aura plus Harry can control it better than when he was a child. He's not friends with Ron. Ron just hasn't got that yet.
Anonymous
I doubt that Harry's going to use the same power as he did in the books and considering he's no longer a Horcrux he won't get the headache. Good point I'll remember that. Good thing Harry's there. Harry acts like Harry. Probably. Hooch was an idiot. Severus was a Dark Wizard and a Death Eater. Only Dumbledore to worry about it. He would be a very strange character to have. Harry is one hell of a swordsman. Well it is explained later. I considered Deimos the God of Terror as a parent of Cat. Glad you liked the Hallows story I worked hard on it. Definitely. Well we already know that Hagrid isn't exactly a son of Athena.
shugokage
Well I have read up about him beforehand. Apparently he was bullied because of his nervous attitude so he got interested in Dark Arts some time in school to make himself feel strong. I prefer evil characters who have a reason to be evil.
JennLD
I like Percy Jackson but Harry Potter's way better. I like writing about Hades. Yeah I like Cat.
Call0013
I can't see the furies as taking care of a dragon.
Kimera225
Quirrell and Voldemort are so doomed. Quirrell doesn't even know what he's up against and Voldemort believes that Harry is an ignorant child. Won't Voldemort get a nasty shock? Well I think Bella will be redeemed eventually in this story. I think the three of them can look after themselves. I like James and Remus too. Remus will most likely not appear for another year. You think Sirius will adopt Harry and Cat?
Valentine Alexandrea Sparrow
Sorry to say you'll be disappointed.
Bibliophile
Yeah. Not much of a relationship. Dumbledore is a git.
Janelly Slytherin
No it means dragon I looked it up on a sight that I use to translate Merlin spells. No Norbert and Harry won't have anything to do with each other. I have considered Harry and Flamel meeting before Flamel's elixir runs out. I wonder if Harry will be able to save Bianca.
serinityselena
Well no offence to Hagrid but he isn't the brightest button in the drawer. That it will be.
mudbloodpotter05
Haven't I already said Cat's mother is Bella.
milamber83
All demigods have dyslexia and ADHD.
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Chapter 37
Exams and Putting the Pieces Together
The months passed and the news came out about the gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid having a baby dragon as a pet. Dumbledore had the dragon sent to a dragon reserve in Romania. Harry had heard Malfoy laughing at how the "half breed" had been blubbering over the dragon.
Harry had to admit he had gotten very angry at this well all of his friends did even though they didn't know Hagrid calling someone a half breed was a terrible thing to say especially when all wizards and witches were only part human. Actually the more powerful the wizard the less human blood they'd have.
Neville had gone pink and stuttered a bit but was too frightened to do anything more. Hermione had glared at him and cold him a pompous, prejudiced git who wouldn't see the real world if it danced in front of him wearing the pink robes that Dumbledore had worn on Valentine's Day.
Fred and George had experimented some of their joke products on him. It was quite a sight to see the Slytherin Prince be turned fuchsia from head to toe for a week singing Muggle love songs. Draco Malfoy had been furious at the twins and had predictably complained to his father. He had become the laughing stock of the school in hours. The Slytherins didn't actively laugh but they looked slightly constipated in attempt not to.
Eve had done her customary thing when she had annoyed someone and turned him into an animal – a light, purple, (taking a leaf from the twins' book) rabbit. Only Eve was able to turn him back which an irate Minerva McGonagall forced her to do so under threat of expulsion although Harry was sure he detected a hint of pride from the Transfiguration Mistress' part. However, she still got a month worth's of detention.
Harry and Cat had hexed the blonde boy so that he was singing limericks for a week and highland dancing until Flitwick cancelled the spell. Only Harry managed to escape detention because of his powers. Something Eve and Cat were glaring murderously at him.
That detention had brought out some very worrying results. It turned out that Voldemort was hunting unicorns. The demigods' dreams were getting worse and worse. Harry felt sure that things were going to come to fruition soon. Cat and Eve had the same feelings about Voldemort and the Philosopher's Stone.
Over the Easter Break they began preparing for their exams upon Hermione's insistence though they often snuck out of the library thanks to Fred and George. This really annoyed Hermione. The demigods were happy with practicing spells and potions and Hermione was happy with books. Together they got pretty could revision done.
Cat and Eve had chosen their subjects over the holidays too. Cat naturally chose Care of Magical Creatures. Cat had always been an outdoors person. Fred and George told them that Professor Kettleburn was a cool teacher and it was a fun course although a little dangerous.
Harry personally would hate to choose Care of Magical Creatures but that was mainly because of the fact that all animals that weren't involved with death hated him with a vengeance because he was a son of Hades. That really irked him. Harry couldn't control his father or his powers but animals (and sometimes people) acted like he was Kronos.
For a second choice Cat had chosen Ancient Runes which was understandable as a large part of the course was in Ancient Greek so Cat had a head start. This oddly enough was exactly what Fred and George had taken. Apparently runes were more effective than spells which wore out quicker when the source of the spell disappeared so useful for some of their pranks.
Eve chose Ancient Runes for the same reason as Cat and also Divination. The twins warned her that Professor Trelawney was a crackpot and an utter fake. Harry personally felt that he'd leave the prophecies to children of Apollo and the Oracle. But Eve said it was powerful magic that few people had. Harry wondered if all True Seers were actually chosen by Apollo or his descendents. That would explain why it seemed to be passed down the generations. But apparently Eve's father had a grandfather who had been a seer so who knows maybe Eve could do it.
Then exam week came something that Harry and Cat were dreading whilst Hermione was anticipating. The twins couldn't care less about their exams which infuriated Hermione to no end who had taken the (unwanted) role as their personal study advisor. Eve was worried about theory but knew she could ace practical without any work on her part much to the jealously of Hermione.
Harry found the anti-cheating quills and enchantments to be vaguely insulting. Fred and George admitted that they tried to get past them every year which ended up with them facing expulsion, a Howler from their parents, losing a hundred points each (no wonder Gryffindor hadn't won the House Cup in the last two years with those two around although they hadn't won it for six years before Fred and George Weasley had entered Hogwarts).
Eve happily told Harry that breaking through the anti cheating enchantments was a piece of cake with an easy grin on her face. Harry was forced to remind the second year witch that she was a Daughter of Hectate and as such could break through most magical wards except that done by her mother or a sibling.
Not that there were any currently in Camp Half Blood but considering Hectate, despite how powerful her children and even descendents (most descendents of gods and goddesses had very little power unless it was mixed with the blood of other gods and demigods) were, was still counted as a minor Goddess so not many of her children were located.
The first exam was Potions. In the morning there was the practical aspect of Potions where they had to brew Forgetfulness Potion which would be a whole world easier if they had been able to use wands to ward against the fumes. Not for the first time he'd wished that he had Eve's ability at wandless magic, which for most wizards wasn't possible until the came of age (fifteen for him but seventeen for most others). But he thought he'd done at least fairly in it. The theory exam in the afternoon was harder for him as written work always had been for demigods.
On the Tuesday they had Herbology. The morning they spent in Greenhouse 1 working on mildly dangerous plants that seemed to want you to fail. Then there was time for a quick shower and an even quicker lunch before they were to go to one of the larger classrooms to take their theory exam.
Wednesday morning dawned bright and early a beautiful day. Harry wished that he didn't have an hour long Charms theory exam because it was a fine day for archery. Alas, Harry had to struggle through the Charms Theory which he couldn't read even if he understood the principles involved in Charms.
The afternoon was even warmer the sun coming in through the large castle windows even if the thick, medieval stones kept out most of the heat. The exam was pretty easy considering Harry had Hermione as a friend and had revised with two second and two third years. They had to make a pineapple dance across Flitwick's desk. The more complicated the dance routine the higher the score. Harry felt quietly confident with his Pineapple Waltz.
On Thursday morning Harry was woke early by the sound of ravens outside his bedroom window. Then at nine in the morning (which was way too early to think) it was Transfiguration theory which left Harry in an even worse mood.
Most of the school avoided him as he was sending off waves of death and fear. Only Eve and Cat tolerated his foul mood. Hermione tried but he knew she was feeling the fear too strongly to be too close to him that day.
The afternoon though cheered him up somewhat as they had Transfiguration Practical which Harry was at least able to do well although he was still tired from the five o'clock start.
All the first years had to turn a mouse into a snuff box. Harry didn't see the point in such a useless spell, never had. Why would they ever need to transform a mouse into a snuff box? Now if it had been a mouse into a sword or shield that would be cool. It would be useful too if you ended up in a fight where you had lost your sword.
Harry was still able to do it well even if McGonagall was a bit creeped out by the pearl skulls decorating the obsidian box. Hermione also easily able to get it was more conventional than Harry's silver with coloured flowers decorating it. Neville on the other hand found the spell far harder than his friends (Transfiguration wasn't his favourite subject). His snuff box was the right shape but covered in dark grey fur with fine whiskers that quivered whenever anyone came near it.
That night they had Astronomy where Harry was easily able to identify everything on his star map. That was an advantage of having grown up with a centaur as a tutor and growing up around the stories surrounding the stars creation. He finished early and had a whispered conversation with Professor Sinistra about the various constellations.
The second last exam was Defence which took up all Friday morning. It was only Theory and Harry was convinced he was going to fail because of that alone. But he struggled through it whilst keeping an eye on what Quirrell was up to. The man seemed to be nervous but Harry was sure that whatever he was planning was going to come soon.
Their last exam was on Friday afternoon and was the only Friday afternoon that First Years had work on although some of the older years did have lessons at that time depending on their course schedules. Harry felt that as much as Binns taught history well to the First Year Gryffindors it was still an awful exam where Harry's ADHD played up again and Harry had a nasty feeling that something was very wrong.
After their exam was finally finished Harry, Neville and Hermione met up with Cat and Eve who had just come out of Potions Theory and were complaining about it. As well as Fred and George who had just finished Charms Practical grinning worse than what was normal for the pranksters.
'Remind me never to let them go near cheering charms again,' whispered Eve.
'Eve you couldn't?' asked Hermione pointedly.
'I think I'd better,' Eve nodded.
'Preferably before they blow up the school,' Cat added with a laugh.
Eve nodded and the twins cooled down so that they were no longer grinning like to escapees from Bedlam but more casually. They continued to chat about the exams as they headed down to the Great Hall passing the door off to where Morty was growling happily about his lamb mince.
The first thing that Harry noticed when he walked under the enchanted ceiling that had so obviously been designed by a daughter of Athena was that the manipulative old Headmaster was missing from his place in the middle of the teacher's table. Harry frowned wondering what Dumbledore was up to now.
He then looked over towards Quirrell who was just as annoying as Dumbledore most of the time. Harry doubted that most people would call someone sharing souls with Voldemort merely annoying but what did he care. Harry James Potter, Son of Hades, was certainly not most people!
Quirrell as always was acting like a fearful little whimp that had gained him unfavourable attention from fellow Gryffindor seventh year and daughter of Ares, Wanda Barker. She had cursed snowballs to follow him around at Christmas. Harry had warned her repeatedly that he was dangerous and he'd had dreams connecting him to Voldemort.
However, Wanda being a daughter of Ares who liked to challenge anyone and anything that could move this didn't deter her. If anything it encouraged her annoying Harry to no end. Harry had a feeling that the Ares' cabin wouldn't be talking to him in the summer as he had got onto their witch's bad side.
Harry voiced some of his thoughts to his friends wondering if anyone but his fellow demigods would take him seriously considering the Weasleys and Dumbledore were far too close for comfort and Hermione had an obscene respect for authority. Neville he wasn't sure about; the Longbottom heir was difficult person to understand.
'Where do you reckon Dumbledore is?' asked Harry trying not to sound too worried about what Dumbledore was up to.
Harry had learnt a lot about the Wizarding World in the last few months of being reintroduced to the world he was half born into. But out of it all, one of the most vital pieces of information was that Albus Dumbledore was always up to one thing or another, whether it was installing a dangerous, desirable object into Hogwarts with the soul purpose of luring Voldemort here with a school full of children who could be only so easily killed or turning a blind eye to Voldemort's presence.
And Quirnius Quirrell was no better than the Headmaster. Harry somehow doubted either man would admit to their likenesses. Although Harry knew that Quirrell was the body and not the brains behind the Harry's first year at Hogwarts. Harry wondered how much Quirrell was responsible and how much he was forced to do his master's – Harry thought with a sneer – bidding.
Harry was sure that the latest scheme of Dumbledore's this year would involve Voldemort and by that same thought Quirrell. The two men were practically one in the same after all. That's all Dumbledore care about defeating Voldemort no matter who got in the way (their always were sacrifices in war).
And if it involved Voldemort then Harry would become part of it as well since Dumbledore seemed to think that it was Harry's job to deal with Voldemort. Why Harry couldn't phantom.
Harry had played a lot of chess during his childhood trips to the Underworld. Underworld chess was way more fun than Muggle chess and even Wizarding Chess. Harry and his father would use various armies from history as their pieces (most of which had never existed at the same time on earth).
He knew enough to see two chess masters' at work. However, never before in his life had Harry felt like he was nothing more than a pawn – quite something when you were subject to the whims of the gods – in two brilliant and terrible and lethal chess masters' deadly game but that was exactly how Harry felt now and he hated it more than anything.
Albus Dumbledore and the monster who was once a man now known as Lord Voldemort – the black and white kings – of their own pieces who thought of themselves as allies when in fact they were just pawns. Neither of the kings could care less what happened to their pawns that they felt they had to sacrifice for their cause to continue on. This would continue until one of the kings finally Check mated the other or they came to a stale mate.
Harry shook himself out of these depressing thoughts as Hermione spoke, 'he's the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot,' Hermione said in affect breaking Harry out of his thoughts about Harry sized pawns, chess, Voldemort and Dumbledore. 'Could there be a session?' she wondered allowed.
It was much to Harry's surprise Neville who answered in the negative with a shake of his fair head, 'no there isn't otherwise Professor Snape would have left to as the last of the Prince line through his mother.'
Harry once again looked up to the teacher's table but this time not for the missing Albus Dumbledore. Severus Snape was indeed sitting their looking sour and unapproachable as always taking turns at scowling over towards Dumbledore's empty seat and glowering at Quirrell which Harry felt was playing with fire somewhat. But underneath the formidable exterior that Snape always extruded Harry could see that Severus Snape's black orbs reflected fear as well as anger.
'The Minister, Cornelius Fudge, is a bit of an idiot-'Fred began.
'A bit,' snorted Neville, 'according to Gran he couldn't get more incompetent.'
'And Fudge always owls Dumbledore for advice,' Fred said.
'Mum told us,' George added.
'How does she know?' asked Harry suspiciously.
Fred and George shared a grin, 'dad,' they said together.
But Neville had snorted again for some reason. Gods this boy surprised Harry sometimes, 'according to Gran,' he repeated, 'Dumbledore always gives his opinion whether it is requested or not. He's bought off just as many people as Lucius Malfoy.'
Hermione frowned at this not willing to believe that the Headmaster of such a prestigious school such as Hogwarts where people from the other side of the world came to learn was corrupt. She had always been taught that people in high up positions such as Dumbledore knew best whilst they were just children even if there were a few heirs to seats and three demigods.
Hermione decided to tell the others that as well, 'well I'm sure whatever it is that has taken Headmaster Dumbledore away from Hogwarts its for our own good. He's the Headmaster,' she said as though that settled it.
At this Harry frowned at her not liking the reverence in her tone, 'but what gives Dumbledore the right to decided what's best for us?' Harry demanded hotly.
'He's our teacher. It's his job,' Hermione replied.
Harry nodded as though that proved a point that Hermione couldn't understand, 'exactly he's a teacher and he's got a hell of a lot Political power both nationally and internationally.'
'That proves he is trusted world wide,' Hermione argued.
'A lot of our politicians are corrupt,' Fred said more quietly than Harry had ever heard him.
'That annoys Gran to no end,' Neville agreed. 'She holds the Longbottom seat from Granddad's line on both the Wizengamot and the International Confederation and the German Neumann from where she descends on the International Confederation.'
'Well maybe he's trying to help,' Hermione tried desperately holding onto her belief systems.
'My point about Dumbledore,' Harry said trying to complete his original line of thought, 'was that doesn't Dumbledore have mixed interest being a teacher as well as a politician. How easy is it for him to indoctrinate his own political beliefs onto the generations of students he has taught!' there was a ringing silence at the end of his sentence but Harry continued pushing on with his thoughts that he could freely speak without Dumbledore hanging around like a bad cold. 'As a teacher Dumbledore should be encouraging open mindedness rather than enforcing the House Bias. Not all Slytherins are evil.'
'Yeah,' agreed Cat.
'We have a friend in Slytherin,' Eve added.
'Oi Alan!' Harry shouted.
The tall, bulky fifth year Slytherin looked up from his dinner. When Alan Miller saw who it was who was calling he came towards the group of younger Gryffindors. Harry's fellow Gryffindor and the son of Hephaestus' Slytherin Housemates looked up expectantly waiting for a fight.
'Hey, Alan,' Harry grinned.
'Hey what's up Harry?' asked Alan.
'Oh,' Hermione said as she heard another American accent.
'Well I was just telling my friends here,' Harry gestured to the Weasley twins, Hermione and Neville. 'That not all Slytherin's are prejudiced scumbags.'
'Of course not my mother's a Muggle-Born and I think she's the most wonderful person in the world. My best friend is a Half-Blood and I don't know my father,' Alan said. 'There are some who are gits but it's not all of us.'
'But you hate Gryffindor's,' Fred said.
'And you hate us,' retorted Alan angrily. 'It doesn't help with Dumbledore favouring you in everything and treating us like the incarnation of evil. That's why a lot of Slytherin's end up becoming dark because they are so angry with their lot. Professor Snape tries to balance it out and treats us like we are rather than what people perceive Slytherin's to be!'
There was another pregnant silence as the die hard Gryffindor's took this in. Harry knew that they still wanted to see Gryffindor's as good and Slytherin's as bad but it wasn't that simple. Harry could see that meeting Alan who was a decent Slytherin was really altering their perception on the world which was bound to be hard.
'Look can I get back to dinner. You lot may have finished your exams I've still another got another week left,' Alan smiled.
Harry watched as the son of Hephaestus walked back to a small, black haired boy in second hand Slytherin robes. The two began talking animatedly with a lot of looks over towards where Harry was sitting. Harry turned back to his friends. Harry knew that he'd put the cat among the pigeons after meeting Alan.
'So you see Dumbledore is in effect alienating one group of people because he fears them it's like what happened in Germany all over again,' Harry said angrily.
George frowned at Harry's final statement obviously conflicted with what Harry was saying, 'Dumbledore's hardly a dictator.'
Harry was quiet for a moment, thinking about George had said, 'no,' Harry agreed resignedly. 'But he is implanting his own beliefs onto us.'
'School should be out learning to think for one's self,' Hermione said primly not realising she was adding another point to Harry's argument.
'Is that what you are doing?' asked Eve quietly. 'How much of what you know comes directly from Dumbledore?'
'Muggleborn's have it worst because they have no one else to teach them about magical traditions,' Cat said.
Hermione frowned at this, 'but he's the headmaster.'
'He's also human,' Harry said softly, 'meaning he is far from infallible.'
'Doesn't mean he's indoctrinating the masses,' argued Hermione hotly.
Harry finally sighed, shaking his head at the Muggleborn girl who was so in love with figures in power. He realised that convincing Hermione wasn't going to be easy but she'd come to believe in the gods when she had been an atheist so hopefully over time. It was not going to take on meal time so Harry returned to dinner.
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That night after the fifth and seventh years (especially Percy Weasley) who like Alan still had exams over the next week had ushered the rowdy post exam younger years out of the Common Room and to bed. Harry fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow. Harry was not at all surprised considering his feelings over Quirrell when his sleeping mind was instantly hit by a nightmare of the demigod variety.
Quirrell was walking down the third floor corridor where all three of Morty's heads were growling and slavering at the servant of Lord Voldemort. Harry could feel their anger at the sense of evil and wish to do as their prince had requested of them. Harry was rather touched by that.
Then Quirrell delved into the pockets of his slate grey robes and withdrew his alder wand. He said a word in Latin that Harry somehow understood as orchestra. The fact that he understood it was odd considering it was Ancient Greek he was attuned to. Harry attributed it to the fact he was having a demigod dream.
Quirrell waved the greyish-brown wand around and the whole corridor was suddenly full of the sound of a world class orchestra playing some classic that Apollo would know but Harry had never heard. In another instant the massive form of Morty, son of Cerberus, slumped forwards like his strings had been pulled.
Quirrell annoyed Harry by completely ignoring the massive form of the sleeping dog as music continued around them. Quirrell walked to where the trapdoor that Morty had been guarding two seconds ago. Wordlessly Quirrell waved his wand so that the trapdoor popped open like a Jack-In-The-Box.
Then he jumped.
Harry's Avada Kevdavra green eyes suddenly flew open the image of Quirrell getting passed Morty still in his mind's eye. Harry knew that it was happening. Voldemort was going to steal the so called Philosopher's Stone and use it to return to full powers and wreak havoc across the world.
Harry practically jumped out of his bed landing on the balls of his feet. Harry began pulling on casual clothes. He was about to rush out without alerting anyone where he was going when Cat and Eve had entered obviously having seen the same as him. To Harry's surprise they had Hermione who was the only one out of the four of them in pyjamas as well as bunny slippers.
'You had the dream too?' Harry whispered to his fellow demigods not wanting to wake his dorm mates up.
Harry didn't care for Ron much and didn't really know Seamus and Dean. He liked Neville a lot but Harry was well aware that he lacked the courage and confidence that would be required to fight Voldemort. He felt the same way towards Hermione but she had the knowledge where the demigods had the training.
Eve had extraordinary magic that no ordinary descendent of Hectate who had retained enough magic to be counted as a witch or wizard could barely even imagine never mind dream about possessing.
Harry had complete control over all those who had passed on something that many Dark Wizards hoped to obtain illegally but could never match the true power of that of a child of Hades.
Hermione Granger although nowhere near as magically powerful or physically trained as her demigod friends was the brightest witch in first year which was why of course Eve and Cat had brought her along with them when they had the dream about Quirrell.
And there was Cat who was one of the best warriors at camp. She was at the very least on par with Luke and had beaten him on a few occasions. If there was any monster to fight then between her and Harry it would be dead before it could so much as growl at them.
Voldemort would soon be learning exactly why you didn't mess with demigods!
'Get the cloak,' ordered Eve in a whisper.
Harry did as the daughter of Hectate ordered. Harry quickly dived under his bed pulling out his trunk and rifling through smelly socks and scrunched up t-shirts. He reappeared with the cloak of Hades in his right hand. Harry followed the girls down to the Common Room wondering when and if he would ever see the dormitory again.
The four of them stood in the dying light of the fire. Hermione looked confused at the demigods. She pulled her lavender dressing gown close around her. Harry wondered if Cat and Eve had told her what was happening. He looked at them in their light fitting sports clothes – they weren't allowed to bring their armour as it would look strange for wizards who relied on fallible protection spells – with their swords that no demigod would be caught without fit into their leather belts. Hermione had right to look intimidated.
'What's going on?' asked Hermione. 'Cat said something about a dream.'
'We had demigod dreams,' Harry explained. 'Quirrell's got passed Morty.'
'So we're following him,' Cat said eyes glittering dangerously, 'let's show him why you don't mess with demigods.'
'Why can't we just tell a teacher?' Hermione asked desperately.
There was a silence amongst the demigods. Harry could tell that like him Eve and Cat were completely thrown by Hermione's suggestion. Demigods weren't used to relying on many people when they were in trouble (which was a lot) so the idea had never occurred to any of them.
'Professor Snape,' Harry said suddenly.
'Okay we'll use the cloak Harry you can go by the shadows right?' Hermione sounded nervous.
'Easy,' Harry smiled, 'come on let's go.'
The three girls flung the cloak that had descended from Hades to Ignotous Peverell and all the way down to James Potter then to James Potter's heir and stepson over their heads apparently vanishing from the Common Room.
Harry then drew the shadows that were ever present in the darkened Common Room to him. He built them up thick around his person so that he practically disappeared from view only if you saw a shadow that moved out of its own accord would you realise there was someone there. It now looked like the Common Room was deserted.
The four invisible friends made their way down to the dungeons. The only problem was that they had no idea how to get into his chambers. The Head of Slytherin House was hardly going to give four Gryffindor's his password.
'I could Shadow Travel,' Harry suggested.
'Go,' hissed Eve.
Harry nodded forgetting that they couldn't see any details about him as he was standing in the shadows. Harry let the shadows around his person drop revealing him standing there. Then he ran in the direction of the old, stone, castle wall but leapt into a shadow before he could end up with concussion.
He came out of the other side with a very surprised Severus Snape standing with a large glass of some sort of amber liquid that Harry guessed was alcoholic in his hand and wearing surprisingly blue pyjamas. Harry would have expected him to be in Slytherin green, delicate silver or black pyjamas like Harry's.
'What are you doing here?' Severus asked once he had recovered from his shock so a second later (he had been both spy and Death Eater) not bothering to ask the son of Hades how he had got in here (it was kind of obvious).
'Quirrell's got passed Morty,' Harry said grimly.
'When?' asked Snape sharply.
'Half an hour, ago, thereabouts,' Harry said grimly.
'Dumbledore's gone,' Snape added.
'Doubt he'd help,' muttered Harry darkly.
Snape nodded in agreement, 'so we're on our own.'
'I've brought Cat, Eve and Hermione,' Harry added.
'Children,' scoffed Snape.
'Cat's one of the best warriors at camp, Eve's a daughter of Hectate so has more magic than Dumbledore and Voldemort together and Hermione's the brightest witch in our year,' Harry said glaring at the Potions' Master and letting a lot more slip than he had meant to.
Snape kept his shock about the two second year girls to himself although it made a lot of sense. All three of them were ADHD and dyslexic. Were all demigods? It seemed likely. Severus went through the other students who he knew were the same. A lot of them were Gryffindors which made sense if they were heroes.
There was another second year Gryffindor named Summers who had a lot of skill in Herbology according to Pomona who wanted to take the girl on as an apprentice when she completed her OWLs. Severus knew that the boy wasn't keen on Potions. Could he be a demigod?
Then there was two fourth year Gryffindors. Fray who was very knowledgeable on Love Potions and had the rest of the boys (both Gryffindor and Slytherin) drooling at her. O'Reilley who was capable at whatever she put her mind to. She was a very bright girl Severus had always found.
Another two Gryffindor fifth years and a Slytherin fifth year were also the same. If Button got the grades in her OWLs she was going into a two year apprenticeship with Pomona. His housemate Edwards had a brilliant mind and could do whatever he wanted. His own student, Alan, was a very inventive Potioneer that Severus could see going far in that field.
Only two ADHD and dyslexic children had managed to score an Outstanding in their OWLs. Fine had a brilliant mind for most things including Potions and was a credit to Ravenclaw House.
Snape looked at the young demigod standing before him wondering if there was any way to convince Lily's son and his friends to leave it to him. Severus, however, saw the hard look in Lily's eyes and the stubborn set of Harry's chin. That look did not come from the Lord of the Dead. No that was all Lily.
Severus nodded resignedly; I'm not going to be able to convince any of you not to come, am I?' Severus asked hopefully.
'Not on you life,' Harry said cheerfully.
'I swear you're too cheerful for a child of the underworld,' Severus shook his head.
Harry scowled, 'you sound like my dad.'
Severus didn't know what to say to this comment so instead said, 'I would feel more reassured if Miss Granger were to remain behind. Intelligent she undoubtedly is trained for combat she is not.'
Harry agreed with that, 'we'll keep her out of the fight.'
Snape sighed, 'that might not be possible,' he warned the boy.
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Albus Dumbledore had been monitoring Quirrell's activities for a while. Albus was well aware that Tom had all the information he needed to get the Stone. Tom was just waiting for the right moment to take the Stone. So Albus had given Tom the chance to do so.
It wasn't hard to convince the population of Hogwarts that he wasn't present at Hogwarts. All he had to do was falsely inform Minerva that he was going to the Ministry who in turn told the rest of the staff (including Quirrell). Albus knew that weaker men would have felt guilty for manipulating a friend like that but it was for the Greater Good Albus knew. Harry had to be ready.
Albus was sure that Harry now had all the information now. He had kept an eye on what library books he and his friends were looking at. And he knew that the boy had been to the third floor on Halloween when Severus had got hurt. So all he had to do was wait for the tracking charm on the Invisibility Cloak to come in use as it did about midnight.
Then to Albus upmost astonishment they did not head to the Third Floor as Albus had planned them to. Instead they headed down towards the dungeons, in particular, Severus' quarters. Albus frowned at this. This wasn't right. Albus had been sure that the two hated each other even if James wasn't Harry's father.
Albus stood up and disillusioned himself. Albus then slipped invisible down towards the dungeons. He arrived at the dungeons just as Severus prowled out apparently alone. However, Albus knew that the Invisibility Cloak covering Harry and whichever of his friends Harry had brought was there.
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Harry and Snape had exited the Hogwarts' Potions' Master's Chambers with Harry once again under the cover of the shadows. Doon as he had left he noticed a fourth invisible soul that had joined since he had Shadow Travelled to Snape. Harry moved closer to Snape.
'Dumbledore's standing by the suit of armour,; Harry murmured so only Snape could here him.
Severus didn't show any outward thought of hearing Harry as he didn't want to alert to Dumbledore to the fact the headmaster was present. He wasn't all together surprised that the old coot was interfering. He couldn't let his little weapon cheat on the deadly "test" could he now.
Albus frowned as he realised that Severus was going to help Harry. That wouldn't work at all so Albus did the only thing he could in a time such as this. He dropped the spell and appeared right in front of his spy.
'Albus,' Severus said not outwardly reading but inwardly seething knowing that he was trying to split them up. 'I see you have returned. Now may I continue on my rounds?' bit out Severus acting his usual snarky self.
'I am sorry, my boy, but I have things to discuss with you in my office,' Albus said.
'Albus can't you see I'm busy,' Severus snapped annoyed,
'Oh but surely it can wait,' Albus' eyes turned steely, 'I insist you accompany me to my office.'
Severus inwardly sighed knowing that Dumbledore would manipulate him until it was impossible for him to do anything but come to the Headmaster's Office to "talk" thus separating him from the students. Severus was a proud man and would go as if this was his own choice.
'Of course, Albus,' Severus said coolly.
'Excellent,' Albus beamed.
Harry watched as the Headmaster dragged Professor Snape off for a "chat". Harry was no fool he knew what that was about. For whatever reason in the Headmaster's head he wanted Harry to face Voldemort alone.
'Why did he do that?' asked Hermione shocked her voice floating in the middle of nowhere.
'He wants us to face Voldemort alone,' Harry said darkly.
'You mean he wants you to face You Know Who alone,' corrected Cat.
'But why?' asked Hermione again clearly upset and now willing to begin to believe that Dumbledore was a manipulative old codger.
'I wish I knew,' muttered Harry.
'So what now?' asked Hermione clearly not wanting to face off Lord Voldemort without adult help. 'Do we wait for him?'
'Not enough time,' said Harry decisively. 'We go on alone.'
Hermione didn't look happy about it but the demigods left her with no choice but to go along with them. Harry wondered if they'd be able to keep her out of the battle and how she would cope mentally with the chaos going on. They continued on to the Third Floor without adult supervision.
As they got closer Harry began to fear that they wouldn't get there in time. Harry encouraged them to hurry so by the time they had reached the stairs Harry, Cat and Eve along with Hermione were running towards the 3rd floor corridor to stop Voldemort. They used Harry's Invisibility Cloak while Harry used the Shadows to transport himself to the 3rd floor.
'Are you ready for this?' asked Harry revealing himself outside the third floor door.
'Yeah,' Cat and Eve said while Hermione nodded as Cat and Eve pulled out their weapons.
Harry opened the door to the third floor corridor and saw that Morty was asleep and the enchanted music that was playing in the hallway. Quirrell had obviously been in too much of a hurry to even bother to finite the spell after he had got passed Morty or he wanted a way out when he was done.
'Get up now,' Harry ordered as Eve cancelled the spell.
'Prince the Evil One got passed,' the third head said sounding sleepy.
'Oh Prince we failed you,' moaned the second head sleepily.
'It's not your fault,' Harry said softly.
'Yes it is,' argued back the third head.
'No it is not,' Harry said sharply.
'Are you sure?' asked the third head as usual worrying.
'Tell him to let us passed,' Eve whispered sounding intimidated.
'Let us passed,' Harry said authoritatively.
'But he'll hurt you, prince,' the third head said sounding scared.
'Just let me and my friends past you,' Harry said sharply.
'I don't like it,' the third head protested but was forced to move aside by Harry's power and his fellow heads will.
Morty allowed the preteens to open the trapdoor, by him sliding back and sitting on his haunches and avidly watching the preteens. Cat, Eve, and Hermione jumped into the hole that the trapdoor covered and soon after Harry gave the Cerberus a look that told the hound that they would be having a serious conversation after Harry stopped Voldemort. Harry then jumped into the hole and towards the unexpected trials that awaited him and his friends…
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Sorry it's been so long I've been on holiday for a week.
We did a cliff-hanger because as this is the longest chapter we have collaborated on, we decided to put all the action into the next chapter to save our fingers from the dreaded typer's block. Mostly this was a filler chapter and we hope that you will not yell and scream at us for having put our FIRST cliff-hanger in the story. Also please do not expect this to be the norm for future chapters. The length will usually be between 8 and 10 pages, but depends on what the Potters of the Future decides to do – Winged Seer Wolf
What will Harry and his friends face?
Will Hermione cope with her trials?
Will Voldemort reveal that he knows of Harry's parentage?
Will Voldemort find that the son of Hades isn't as ignorant as he hoped?
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Chapter 38: Trials of a Hero
Harry, Eve, Cat and Hermione navigate their way across the obstacles set up by the teachers.
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Please continue to read and review as it lets me have more ideas for future chapters.
- The Potters of the Future and her Winged Seer Wolf
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