Harry Potter and the Champion of Olympus

Disclaimer/Plot/Challenge Information/Author's Note: SEE FIRST CHAPTER

Dedication: I'd like to dedicate this story to Gabriel Herrol for coming up with such an interesting idea: my recommended reads are Harry Potter, Squatter by Enterprise1701-d, Hadrian Potter: The Lightning Thief and Hadrian Potter: The Sea of Monsters by dhairyasood748, Sun of the Archer Book I, Sun of the Archer Book II and Sun of the Archer Book III by digisovereign, Saviour of Magic by Colt01, Child of All by Venquine1990, Prince of Death, Return of the Speaker's Heir and Remembrance of the Grim Wolf by The Potters of the Future and Half Blood Harry Potter by Loki Palmer

Key Pairing: Harry/Thalia

Other Pairings: To be determined

Normal Speech

'Thoughts'

'Godspeech'

/Parseltongue/

Review Answers:

So, no responses for this chapter.

Instead, a HUGE thank you to all who encouraged me to keep up the good work and, with their help – emotionally-speaking – I found inspiration again, so now, we have the next exciting instalment to this story;

That being said, with everything Harry had received on his birthday, not to mention the boosts Percy and Thalia received in becoming Magical Demigods, the trio felt like they had more than enough to get to work.

Hopefully, by the end of it, Harry would not only be able to breathe freely, having finally put the horrors of his human parents' deaths behind him, but he would also be able to focus on living his life, if only through discovering the other side of being the Champion of Olympus.

Chapter 17: That's What I Go To School For

Eventually, with a little help from the Mist protections on their door, the trio were treated to the signal that announced their arrival at Hogwarts.

By the time the train rolled into the station, Harry, Percy and Thalia had all changed into their robes, with Harry making sure his possessions were stored safely in his trunk, or on his person.

With Godric's Sword disguised on his ring finger, Sagittarius taking on the form of a bow-and-arrow-shaped charm he wore around his neck, and even Helios content to nestle down in tattoo form around his master's left arm, the young warrior felt a little better than he might have felt had he decided to leave his things on Olympus. For added protection, he'd also stored Skywalker in a holster that was concealed beneath his robes, but within reach for Harry, while his wand was in its holster on his right arm. As for the key that Hermes had given him, as well as Demeter's seeds, Harry had stored them in his trunk, while his new foxy friend – which he'd decided to name Vulcan, in honour of the God of the Forge who'd given him to Harry in the first place – was back on Olympus, as Harry had tried, and succeeded, to get it to understand how dangerous it would be to have such a powerful, beautiful beast at Hogwarts. Last but not least, his gift from Poseidon was secured in a box at the bottom of his trunk, where Harry had promised himself he would wait to unleash the full fury of the water within him, at least, he would wait until after he'd gotten a hold on his other divine abilities.

Thalia and Percy, meanwhile, only had their own wands and their divine abilities to defend them, but Harry had a sneaking suspicion that his cousin and his intended were still prepared for anything.

Or, rather, he hoped they would be.

As the train slowed to a grinding halt, Thalia looked to Harry with an amused glimmer in her eyes as she mused, "Look at you, Harry; you've got more hidden options than a Swiss Army Knife. Do you really expect so much trouble at school?"

"No, but it never hurts to be prepared," said Harry, brushing a lock of his hair away from his eyes as he added, "Besides, I had to bring Sagittarius, just so I could keep up my archery training and practice a little gift of mine."

"What gift?"

"One that the Huntress gave to me," answered Harry, earning surprised, but also curious looks from the other two, the sight of which made Harry smile as he tapped his nose before he added, "You'll see, soon enough; for now, come on. We should be going, if we don't want to get trampled by the crowd."

As the other two followed him, Harry felt the anxieties of his first day at a new school slowly well up inside of him.

In a bid to squash those unnerving feelings down, Harry reinforced his Occlumency shields – courtesy of Athena's blessing – before, remembering his own words about being prepared and keeping up his training, he also ran a finger along the small, Z-shaped scar on one side of his face. Even now, it served as a reminder of what happened if Harry lowered his guard, while, at the same time, it reminded Harry of how much different he was, all thanks to his adoptive Father, his divine Mother and the blessings and aid from the other Olympians.

"Firs' years! This way, please! Come on now, firs' years, don' be shy!"

"Is that…a giant?" asked Thalia, a note of shock in her voice as they turned to the source of a loud voice, which seemed to come from the one whom Harry guessed was their guide to Hogwarts.

"He certainly looks like one," agreed Harry, reaching behind as he gently gripped the hilt of Skywalker, just in case Thalia's alarm proved to be for a good reason, namely the fact that giants, like most monsters of divine origin, saw Demigods like them – even ones like Harry – as little more than an enemy, prey or something that they had to hunt.

In this instance, however, Harry was a little surprised, but also relieved when, as the giant man seemed to notice them, he didn't give off a dangerous or predatory air; instead, to Thalia's surprise, Percy's amusement and Harry's relief, the large man gave them a friendly smile before he actually bowed his head to them.

"And…relax…I guess," muttered Harry, letting go of Skywalker's hilt as he followed the giant, and the rest of the confused first-years, along the platform, around a narrow pathway and down towards the edge of a large black-looking lake.

Seeing the lake, Harry couldn't help, but laugh as he turned to Percy, "Do you think they'll let us swim across, Percy?"

"No more than four to a boat!"

"That'd be a no," answered Percy, though he sounded as disappointed as Harry looked, even as the three demigods climbed into a boat; seconds later, the three of them were joined by a young girl with auburn-coloured hair and dark-grey eyes, which made Harry think of the same dark-grey colouring of Zeus' stormcloud-like gaze.

As he looked to Thalia, who also seemed to have noticed this, Harry shrugged before he looked back to the girl, "Hi."

"Oh…hello," replied the girl, offering a friendly hand to the other three; as they shook her hand, deciding being friendly was a good start, Harry heard the girl go on. "I hope you don't mind me riding with you."

"Not at all," said Harry, shaking the girl's hand firmly before he added, "My name's Harry; this is Percy and that's Thalia."

"Fay," answered the girl, earning curt nods from the other three, while the girl smiled softly as she added, "And thanks; I was a bit nervous about coming here…you know, because of the rumours of…him?"

Suddenly, Thalia had to grab Harry's hand in a show of support as he tensed up, while Percy sighed softly, earning a curious look from Fay as she asked, "Is…is he okay? If I said something wrong, I'm sorry."

"It's not you," admitted Percy, linking his hands together as he explained, "Harry's just a bit sensitive when it comes to…well…I'm guessing you were talking about that dark wizard who was defeated ten years ago, right?"

"That's right," said Fay, tucking a strand of her dark hair behind one ear as she explained, "You see…um…I probably shouldn't say this, having just met you and all, but…"

"If you don't want to say it, you don't have to, Fay," said Harry, patting Thalia's hand in a silent gesture of thanks, before he smiled thinly as he added, "We all have our demons when it comes to that psycho. Still, it's nice to meet someone so…I don't know…is open the right word for you?"

"I prefer sincere, but thanks," said Fay, smiling in response before she frowned as she looked from Harry to Percy and back again; after only a moment, she cleared her throat as she asked, "Say, did you two know you have similar eye colours? But you don't look like twins."

"Cousins, actually, but thanks," said Percy, earning an ah from Fay, before Percy, deciding to try and divert the course of their conversation with their new friend away from dangerous waters – puns fully intended – asked, "So, Fay, what are you looking forwards to learning at school?"

"Well, actually, Potions seems like a fun subject," admitted Fay, earning a curious look from the others, while Harry smiled again, even as Fay added, "But I'm also keenly interested in botany, so I guess Herbology's something I'm looking forwards to. How about you three?"

"I can't wait to learn how to fly," admitted Thalia, earning a scoff from Harry as even he could have guessed that would be her thing, being the Daughter of Zeus.

"I'm looking forwards to Charms, myself," said Percy, earning a surprised look from Fay, before Percy added, "Especially any charm work that might use the elemental forces of nature."

"That's…cool," said Fay, though not before she looked to Harry as she asked, "How about you, Harry?"

"Defence Against the Dark Arts," said Harry, though, when he did so, both Percy and Thalia couldn't help but share a worried look with one another as Harry explained, "I know it's not quite as intense as, say, Duelling or learning about battle strategy, but it'll be interesting to know about the kinds of magic that can both defend and attack my enemies."

"Wow, you really do have demons, don't you?"

"You have no idea," said Percy, earning another curious look from Fay, though not before their boat docked on the other side, earning a small smile from Percy as he added, "Well, Fay; good luck with your classes."

"Yeah…you too…"

Champion of Olympus

"The Sorting Ceremony will begin shortly."

After their newest guide, Professor McGonagall, left the new first-years to tidy themselves up a bit, Percy and Thalia couldn't help but look to Harry, who seemed content to lean against the nearest wall, arms folded and eyes closed as he waited for the return of their professor.

After a moment's pause, Percy cleared his throat as he asked, "Harry? Are…are you sure you're feeling okay? I think you kind of intimidated that Fay girl back there when you talked about what you hoped from Defence Against the Dark Arts."

"Blame the Warlord," muttered Harry, heaving a sigh of relaxed contentment before he opened his eyes and looked up at his friends with a solemn expression on his face, "Before we left with the Speedster, he pulled me aside and had a little chat about my learning the ways of war from these wizards! Apparently, his son, the Lion King of this school, was quite a headstrong warrior himself and, seeing as how he gave me something of his as a gift, the Warlord told me that I had to live up to that reputation; otherwise, no matter what Thalia's Dad, mine or anyone else said, he'd have me running drills all summer long…with him as my opponent!"

"And that made you act pretty damn scary, if not a little cold, to that girl?" asked Thalia.

"Look, I'm sorry about that," replied Harry, looking to Thalia with a small smile as he told her, "But, as you two know, where…he is concerned, I…I can't let anything stop me from achieving my quest…"

"Our quest!" insisted Thalia, earning a firm nod from Percy, while Harry shrugged.

"What I mean, T, is that, if I'm going to fulfil the Rich One and the Reaper's request and fulfil the quest, I…I need to stay focused and…well, it's like she said; we all have our demons where that monster is concerned…"

"You more than anyone else," agreed Percy, earning a hum from Harry, before Percy sighed as he moved to stand next to Harry, leaning against the wall like he was doing, before the Son of Poseidon continued. "All right, Harry; we get that. I mean, learning all about Aunt Lily and you, I kind of felt like I had to be a part of your world too, and I'm glad I am. And, like Thalia, I do understand what defeating Riddle and sending him down to the Rich One's realm where he belongs means to you, but…well, I'm no Son of the Warlord, but…do you have to let doing that rob you of your bright spark, as well as your soul? Because, if so, then you might as well be a damn robot, not a kid and not a wizard."

"Percy's right," agreed Thalia, standing on Harry's other side, though she merely placed a hand on his shoulder as she leaned against him while she explained, "We're in this together, Harry; you, me and Percy. We're here to stand with you, help you face this destiny and fulfil your quest, but, and I'm saying this as both your soulmate and your friend, but…if you'd rather close yourself off to friends, as well as us, then I think I'd just as soon as ask the Love Queen to break our bond, because, even before knowing about it, I always thought I was friends with Harry James Potter, not some ice-cold, zombie wannabe who may as well be a lost soul in my Uncle's inferno vortex!"

For a brief moment, Harry seemed to digest Thalia's words, but, while he did, Thalia reached down and took his hand in hers as she explained, "You want to be one of the best fighters in the school? Fine, be that, but don't let Riddle take anything else from you, okay? Let me, Percy and any friends we make help you with this; let us remind you what it's like to be…well…human, and not whatever he is. After all, Percy's family and me? I'm going to be family one day and, if we are family, we look out for one another."

A lone tear trickled down Harry's cheek as he heard the determination in his intended's words, while, as he looked to her, Harry saw one or two of the first-years staring at them in bewilderment and even surprise.

Seeing the surprise on many of their faces, Harry used his gift of Legilimency to lightly brush against their thoughts.

When he did so, he scoffed in amused disbelief as he muttered, "I think they heard you use my full name, T…not that I'm saying you're wrong, though, but…still…thanks; now they all know their so-called saviour is here at Hogwarts."

Fortunately, Professor McGonagall chose this time to return, announcing that it was time for the Sorting Ceremony to begin.

"Saved by the bell, so to speak," muttered Percy, earning a shrug from Harry as the three of them took spots at the back of the group, following many of their peers into the Great Hall.

Of course, compared to the wonder, beauty and glamour of Olympus, Harry didn't really think that Great Hall was anything to write home about.

Not that he said it aloud, mind you.

Champion of Olympus

"Thalia Grace?"

"Here we go," said Thalia, earning supportive smiles from her friends as she walked towards the Sorting Hat.

As she did so, however, Harry's eyes narrowed when he saw one of the Hogwarts' staff members looking surprised, if not a little relieved at what they were seeing.

In the centre of the High Table, a face Harry recognised as Albus Dumbledore – thanks to his textbooks – watched Thalia approach the hat before, once she was sat beneath it, the blue-eyed man looked past Thalia to Harry and Percy. For a brief moment, what looked like disbelief crossed the old man's face as he saw Harry standing there before, to the Champion's curiosity, Dumbledore gave him a friendly smile before he nodded once.

Deciding to return the nod, if only out of respect, Harry was then surprised to feel a light probe brush against his mind; throwing up his defences before he could do anything else, Harry's eyes widened briefly when a soft, male voice whispered in his mind.

'Don't be afraid, Harry; I mean you and your friends no harm. I simply wished to say how relieved I am to see you looking so healthy.'

Meeting the old man's eyes, Harry gulped before, returning fire, he asked, 'Headmaster Dumbledore?'

'Indeed,' replied Dumbledore's voice, its presence barely even affecting Harry's shields; instead, it was almost like whatever power the old man had wanted to use was friendly, benevolent and simply for communication's sake.

All facts Dumbledore proved true as he added, 'Once you have settled in, could you, Mr Jackson and Miss Grace come to my office tomorrow morning? I promise you that all will be revealed there and, on the River Styx, I vow that I mean none of you any harm, nor any ill intent!'

The fact that Dumbledore had just sworn a Stygian Oath was surprising enough – though the rumble of thunder that accompanied it was just as surprising; at least, it surprised the students.

Before Harry could make any sort of response, let alone begin to guess which God or Goddess this man had to be the offspring of, if he knew about Stygian Oaths, he was pulled back to the present when the Sorting Hat made its choice for Thalia's Sorting.

"EMRYS!"

So, the adventure continues and, yikes, talk about revelations coming in their droves: Harry has been reminded he's not alone in the quest he must now face, Dumbledore seems aware of Harry's true calling – and GOOD, before anyone asks – and, also…what?

What's Emrys?

Shouldn't that be Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff?

Keep Reading to Find Out

Next Chapter: Four Founders, but five Houses? How's that possible? Harry, Percy and Thalia find out…and that's not all they learn;

Please Read and Review

AN: Portrayals

Albus Dumbledore: Jude Law

Fay – aka Fay Dunbar: Crystal Reed