"Harry Potter and the Brethren of Ares"

Chapter 13: Of Legends Forgotten

Hagrid shifted uncomfortably in the slightly small chair he had been presented with when summoned to Dumbledore's office. The laugh lines that were permanently etched into his face framed a rare worried frown. He sipped at his cup of tea, worried that the delicate china cup would shatter in his large hands.

The large man jumped when the door of the office swung open. Fawkes, the scarlet and gold phoenix, swirled into the room with a burst of song. Hagrid smiled as his feathered friend came to rest on his knee. Fawkes let out a trilling note, before making himself comfortable.

The office door was almost immediately reopened after it came to rest in its frame. A man stepped inside, and the man radiated such power that it was palpable in the very atmosphere. Long white hair twined down his back and rested on his front. Hagrid was shocked to see his mentor limping towards his seat, the usually piercing sapphire eyes tired and wary.

Albus Dumbledore sat down heavily at his desk and turned to face the uncomfortable looking game keeper with a frown playing around his mouth. Hagrid shifted in his seat, unhappy with the close scrutiny.

"Well, Hagrid, you wanted to see me?"

Hagrid nodded. Grateful that he no longer had to be polite, he clanked the tea cup on Dumbledore's desk and stood. The large man paced as best he could in the small room.

"It's 'Arry. 'e broke down today a bit. 'pparently, 'e got inta a bit've a row wit young Malfoy. 'e knocked on me door, an' I tuk one loo' at 'is face an' let 'im in. 'is three bestus friends- Ron, 'Mione, and Ginny- 'ere righ' behin' 'im. 'e paced, and th'n jus' starte' talkin' 'bout 'ow it wasn' 'is fault. Right state, 'e was."

(Translation, as this is a bit rough: "It's Harry. He broke down a bit today. Apparently, he got into a bit of a row with young Malfoy. He knocked on my door, and I took one look at his face and let him in. His three best friends- Ron, Hermione, and Ginny- were right behind him. He paced, and then just started talking about how it wasn't his fault. Right state, he was.")

Albus nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm."

Hagrid looked shocked. "'Hmm'?!?!"

Albus nodded again. "Yes, Hagrid. Hmm indeed."

***

On the next cool Saturday morning, Professor Remus J. Lupin stood at the entrance to his small Hogsmeade flat, sipping at a Butterbeer he had taken outside on his venture. He tossed his shoulder length brown-grey hair away from his face, eyes softly glowing through the visible exhaustion that hung like curtains over his coffee-colored irises. Never a stick of a man, Remus had always jokingly prided himself on the large amount of muscle he had accumulated over his years of running as the wolf. His simple ebony robes that Sirius had gotten him for the last Christmas he was alive fluttered around him in a wind that was barely there. That day, however, Remus was not worried about his looks. His mind was an overdrive, swirling with worry for the young man walking towards him.

Remus had to pause for a moment, as the resemblance between his departed best friend and the haunted man standing before him was striking and somewhat painful. Quickly, however, the piercing emerald eyes that glared out from beneath the mess of black hair reminded the teacher that the blood of Lily and James ran through the man's veins.

Remus smiled softly. "Hello, Harry."

Harry nodded back stiffly. "Professor Lupin."

Remus flinched, as if physically struck. "Remus, Harry. Now, let's go inside and get a bit warmer- there's something I'd like to show you."

Remus walked up the stairs next to his unofficial godson, wishing that he could be the father the boy never had.

***

Harry sipped at the tea Remus had provided for him, impatiently waiting for his teacher to inform him of why he had been called there. He was surprised, however, when the doorbell rang. He listened as Lupin opened the door, and as a jumble of over-excited voices carried into the kitchen.

A moment later, Remus entered the room, looking flustered. "Harry, I'm going to have to leave you alone for a moment. Please, help yourself to the books in the library- its right down the hall. Percy will check on you in a half-hour. Thanks!"

Harry watched calmly as his teacher scurried out of the room, flinching when the door slammed. He stood, and walked mutely down the hallway, deciding that checking out the books wouldn't hurt. He entered the surprisingly tiny room, taking in and mentally taking note of the cramped bookshelves and small window that allowed some light to stream in. The knowledge in the room was almost palpable in the very atmosphere, the dust that older editions inevitably summoned, the sometimes brutal honesty of texts and diaries, and, most of all, the scent of failed concoctions, of potions taken from the pages of the books and spilled in frustration or anger.

Harry tried an exercise Hermione had told him in order to find a book to read for pleasure. He placed a light hand on the spine of the first book of the shelf in the middle of the far-right bookcase, and moved along the row, brushing his fingers nonchalantly over the spellotaped spines and cracked pages. He came to rest about three quarters of the way down the row, and gently removed the aging book from the row. Judging by the dog-eared pages and heavily taped spine, Harry guessed that the book had been read and replaced many a time.

Settling down on the floor with his back to the bookcase, Harry expected the plain red cover. In slightly peeling black letters, "Greek Mythology" was spelled clearly. Flipping the book open to the table of contents, Harry checked the chapters and decided to inspect the section on the god of war, which was only appropriate- after all, he was the center of a bloody conflict himself.

Harry flipped to the section, and began to read.

"Ares, god of war, was seen as shameful by his father, Zeus, and the other gods on Mount Olympus. Ares cared for little, longing to fight. His lover was Aphrodite, though she was married to his brother, but is unclear as to whether he actually cared for her. Whenever he heard the sound of clashing armies, mortal or heavenly, he would immediately rush into the fray. He cared not who won, as long as much blood was shed. Occasionally, he would become hurt, but, as the gods were, unable to die. Because of this, he would sit with his injuries, and wail, moan, and whimper like a spoiled infant. This was the reason that Zeus was ashamed of him."

Harry chuckled slightly. "Stating the obvious isn't it," he murmured, before turning the page.

"Ares' minions of sorts were Pain, Panic, Famine, and Oblivion. His constant companion, however, was Eris, god of strife. Eris always carried a shiny golden apple. For pleasure, she would throw the apple among friends, breaking friendships, or among royalty, causing wars. Though beautiful, the golden apple was the Apple of Discord."

Harry stopped reading, stupefied. He gaped at the page for a moment, before moving to begin reading again.

"Evidence has been found that, as Ares is the weakest and most corruptible of the gods, ambitious humans could summon him and Eris to help the human achieve his means, or even torture his enemies. The group of people needed to summon the god is known as the Brethren of Ares. However, scientists have dismissed this as nothing more than a myth, as the god himself has been dismissed."

Harry rested his chin on his hand, rolling over the information in his mind. Ares was a legend, a myth, not an actual god. Hermione had spoken of alternate realities and powerful "god-like" beings once, but he could not summon the information to mind, as he had been worried for the quidditch match at the time. He flipped through the pages of the book, but the short entry about Ares was over. It fit, but, it was a myth!

Harry turned to the section on Aphrodite, hoping that the information on Ares' lover would be helpful. Before he could begin reading, however, the front door was slammed, and footsteps were hurrying toward the Library.

Harry looked up to see Percy standing at the door to the Library, and he quickly stood to face the slightly out-of-breath Weasley. Harry took in Percy's slightly tousled appearance, from the wedding band on his left hand to his cock-eyed glasses.

"Perce, what's happening?"

Percy's eyes were trained on the book in Harry's arms.

"What's that you're reading, Harry?"

Figuring that Percy was trying to deflect him from asking about the Order, Harry rolled his eyes. "Seriously, Percy, I need to know this stuff. I have to kill Lord Moldy-Mort, remember?"

"Harry, is that Greek Mythology?"

Harry frowned, and realized that Percy was looking quite panicked. The man's eyes were glazed over slightly, and he was breathing heavily.

"Yes...Percy, are you-"

"PLEASE SAY YOU DIDN'T READ ABOUT ARES!"

Harry gave a small nod, a hand on his wand. He turned, and put the book down, very aware of Percy's actions. "Look, Percy-"

He moved so he was facing Percy again, and froze.

Percy's wand was pointing directly at his scar.

"I'm sorry, Harry, it's for your own good. OBLIVIATE!"

Harry slipped into bliss as his mind went blank.

***

Author's Note: I FINISHED!!! Thank you to Apinda for yelling at me for taking forever. Y'all, go read her "Prophecy and Pensieve!"

Thank yous:

Apinda- Thanks for everything AMI!

wavy avey- No, not slash, I just thought it seemed a little like it.

PhoenixPadfoot89- Thank you...I felt bad for being mean to poor Harry...

Samantha- Harry/Ginny or Harry/Padma? I know, but I'm not telling! You'll find out in the sequel!

BDiddy- Gracias.

Black Rose9- Hi, new reviewer! Like your penname ^^; thank you so much for reading!

Facade1- Mmmmmmm...Rebellious Harry! Bish rebellious Harry! Bish singing rebellious Harry! It's a wonderful world...

BlueTiger94 or Nicole- Thank you!!!

Slycat-blaze1- Sirius is always on a guilt trip!

Love you all!!!!

~Merusa