Through the Ages
by Silver Moonserpent
Prophecy, Birth, and Homecoming
She glowered at him, her brows crossed. "You killed him." she snapped.
"Do be more specific, dear Athena, I have killed many. Of whom do you speak now?"
The goddess, wisest of all, threw a heavy, golden goblet towards him. "You have slain Achilles of Phtia!" she screeched.
Apollo gave a fox-like grin. "Nay, fair one, you have mistaken me for a Trojan prince with a stolen lover."
"You aided him." she quietly accused, looking down to earth at his fallen body.
"Well, I suppose I did do that much."
It was true, what Athena had said; Apollo had guided Paris' arrow to the only weak spot of Achilles, his heel. When he was but a babe, Achilles' mother Thetis dipped him into the River Styx by his heel, making all his body strong and immortal… except the part by which she held him.
Athena—having favored Achilles for his tactics and. of course, his beauty—was angered that Apollo had done this irrevocable deed. She threw yet another goblet at his head, which he ducked away from, grinning like mad.
"You loved him, didn't you?" he provoked, "Well, I think you'll find the romance one-sided."
"You pig! Have you no remorse!"
Apollo shook his head. Athena glared before looking away once more.
"Fine! For now, fair Briseis and I will mourn for the warrior, shed our tears and the like…But, in the centuries to come, there shall be another. One who will love and be loved and who will be like a god. Stronger and more beautiful than Apollo, with the aim of Artemis, the magic of Aradia, the wisdom of Athena, the sword of Ares and the love of all the gods on Mount Olympus!" she promised.
He shook his head and turned to leave.
"Even yours," she whispered after him, "youthful Apollo."
…
Ginny smiled as she entered her brother's home. It had been so long, too long, since she had seen Ron or Harry. They were off on a mission for Dumbledore. They were to forge an alliance with the witches and wizards in Greece blessed by Hecate.
"'Mione?" she called, smiling still, "You here? I haven't missed Ronnie and Har, have I?"
Her questions were met with a painful scream from the kitchen.
"Aaah!" Hermione's pained voice came to her ears, "Ginny!"
The redhead's eyes went wide and she quickly scrambled to her sister-in-law.
. end chapter .