The Tiger s Legacy

by Del1ons

After the death of a son of Apollo by Artemis and her hunters, a fierce fight breaks out between the two. Until Apollo claims that Artemis does not know what it means to be a parent and what it is like to lose a child. Zeus punish Artemis with a life cycle as mortals without access to their memories and divine powers to learn humility.

12. Chapter 10: Hunters Heir emermges

Hey guys,
yes I'm still alive :) I hope you all had a good start into the new year and have survived the turn of the year and the following months well. I would like to apologize to you that it has taken so long. I had the last month and a half two exam phases at the university and that also unfortunately went along with the necessary learning for it and has left me little free time. Since I now have free time again I could dedicate myself to this project again.
I hope you like it and without further ado:

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Chapter 10: Hunters Heir Emerges

Everything will be all right in the end. If it doesn't work out, it's not the end. - Oscar Wilde

31 July 1999, Glasgow, Montana, USA

A black SUV drove slowly and haltingly down a road towards the city exit. Four people were sitting in it, all of whom looked very exhausted. The driver, a tall, fat man with a big purple face. He had thick dark hair, a bushy black moustache, barely a neck and mean little eyes drumming his fingers furiously on the steering wheel. Next to him sat a woman with a slim, blonde hair with almost twice as much neck as usual. Her horse- like face looked disapprovingly at the line of cars in front of her and the rearview mirror and sight behind her. In the back seat were two primary school-aged children. One was extremely fat, at least four times the size of the other boy. He looked almost completely like the driver except for his blond hair, which he had inherited from the woman. He complained loudly about the heat in the car and screamed for a milkshake.

The second child, however, was completely different from the rest of the family. Not only was he silent during the journey and turned his tired eyes with wonder as best he could on everything they passed, but he bore no resemblance to the rest of the family in appearance. The thin, almost emaciated boy of 7 with raven-black hair and emerald-green eyes peering out from behind broken glasses could still hardly believe his luck. He was taken along for the first time by his relatives when they went on an outing. A real trip even. His aunt and uncle used to drop him off at an old neighbour's house, Ms. Figg, down the road, while they took his cousin Dudley on all sorts of great trips to the cinema, amusement parks, circuses, zoos and holidays by the sea. Each time the little boy was left behind and dumped at Ms. Figg's like an unwanted piece of luggage. Ms. Figg was an old lady who had a downright unhealthy relationship with cats. Her whole house smelled of cats and their droppings and there were at least 12 cats living there. However, the old lady was extremely kind to him and he learned his name through her. Harry. That was one of his most beautiful moments. She let him do things with her that he would never have been allowed to do with the Dursleys, like watch television or eat more than the leftovers. She talked to him in a friendly and caring tone, very different from Uncle Vernon, who mostly just shouted at him and punished him with the belt almost daily. Aunt Petunia was not one bit better either, she also shouted at him exclusively and made him do all the chores around the house.

Life with his relatives was a nightmare, and if Mr. Helsing, his religious teacher, was to be believed in his tales of hell, this was hell. It started the year before last on his birthday, he didn't get a huge cake or a mountain of presents like his cousin Dudley, instead he got more shouting than usual and the announcement that from now on he would have to earn his living in the house of his hard-working relatives. If he broke something or was not quick enough with the chores, he was punished and received no supper. At school he was shunned by the other children for fear of being seen with him. Being seen with him meant pain. Pain from his cousin Dudley and his friends who terrorised everyone in the playground at St Grogory's Primary School and spread the worst rumours about him. Even at school he had to be submissive to Dudley and his grades and play dumb to avoid getting into trouble. Every night he dreamt of how his wish to explore the world and see more than just the park of Little Whinging came true and what he would do then.

And today, on his birthday of all days, it seemed like a dream come true. He hoped and prayed that his second great wish, someone who understood and accepted him, a family, would come true.

While he looked at the completely foreign landscape, he still couldn't believe it and couldn't stop thinking about it: Yesterday, he was informed by his relatives that he was coming to America with them. Uncle Vernon, or the Walrus as the boy secretly called him, had informed the family that he would be sent to the USA on behalf of his company Grunnings to negotiate a lucrative deal. Whatever that meant.

But the green-eyed one didn't dare ask, because the first and foremost rule in the Dursley house was "Stop asking questions". Breaking this rule meant even more housework and a few juicy slaps from his uncle and being locked in his room for a day. Whereby the word room was perhaps too broad and too much of a word. The cupboard under the stairs with all its spiders was really not what you could call a room. It only contained an old mattress, already worn out by Dudley, his blanket, and a small lamp.

He was jolted out of his thoughts when painful nudging of his cousin's ribs brought him back to reality. After the long flight, the three Dursleys and he had finally arrived at the hotel. Uncle Vernon parked the rented car in the car park and got out. Before he knew it he was knocked off the back seat and lying on the tarmac of the car park. He picked himself up and followed his relatives, albeit reluctantly. He had often thought about running away from this hellhole, but fear of his uncle and the fact that he didn't know where to go had always held him back. Ms. Figg, as nice as she always was, had sent him back to the Dursleys every time he was with her. She said each time that there was no other way and that one day he would understand. The sadness in her eyes was only a bittersweet comfort and if Harry was honest, it didn't help him either and he could care less about.

He looked in the direction of the nearby edge of the forest right by the car park. But here in this place surrounded by woods, thousands of miles from Privet Drive, the temptation was great. No one would send him back to the Dursleys here.

Checking into the hotel went without much incident, apart from Dudley's feigned tantrum, who did not want to accept that he would have to share a room with the freak. After some coaxing from Aunt Petunia and the promise that he would get a new games console, Dudley agreed. During this time, Uncle Vernon threatened his nephew with the harshest punishments he could imagine if the slightest thing went wrong on this trip. That evening in the hotel restaurant, his uncle would meet his business partner and negotiate his deal. The only consolation for the 7-year-old was the fact that he was lucky enough to get a full meal. A small birthday meal, after all.

Before the planned meal, Uncle Vernon took him aside again

"Boy, if even the smallest thing goes wrong, then...don't you dare ruin this business, you will sit at the table, partake of the meal and keep your mouth shut and not utter a sound.You speak only when spoken to. As soon as your plate is empty, you will goto your room. Do you understand?!"

The boy nodded violently full of fear

"Yes Uncle Vernon."

"Good, then repeat your instructions"

"I take part in the meal and am quiet all the time. I only talk when asked. As soon as I am done eating, I go to my room".

"Good and woe if not…"

And with a last threatening look, he set off for the restaurant. The boy looked and trembled fearfully after his uncle, hoping fervently that nothing would happen.

---

Bam

"What did I tell you, boy?! Don't do anything stupid! You messed this up for meI 'll read you the riot act, you freak!" roared his mad uncle. And raised his belt again to strike. Harry's glasses lay broken on the floor, his vision blurred into a fuzzy jumble of colours. He didn't know exactly where they had fallen when his uncle had swung to strike. But, before he could form another thought, the belt banged again.

Harry cried out in pain.

The dinner had gone anything but smoothly. At first it looked as if Uncle Vernon would manage to get his deal. Mr. and Mrs. Rotary were extremely enthusiastic about the presentation of his uncle and his company.

Harry had eaten his plate with his schnitzel as quickly as he could to get as far away from his uncle as possible. As he was excusing himself from the table, Mr. Rotary approached him.

"Where are you going in such a hurry, young man? Don't you know it's rude to get up from the table when the others haven't finished?"

Cautiously Harry raised his head and in a fear filled voice he had replied that he had been told to do so by his uncle and that he should be quiet during the meal. Mr. Rotary had looked at him for a moment and then nodded and said that if that was the case, he didn't want to ask any more questions. He now looked suspiciously at the much too large clothes of the much too thin boy, who had not even looked at him during the entire meal.

But his previously relaxed features had clearly hardened. The narrow sad smile he gave the boy was in stark contrast to the blazing fire of anger in his eyes.

Harry hadn't hesitated another second and had practically fled the restaurant and run to his room. He knew he had done something wrong and he had been afraid of what was about to happen.

"You dirty freak, you're to blame...something like you shouldn't even exist, and you won't when I'm done with you"

Uncle Vernon swung for the third time and was about to swing again when something strange happened.

Harry had raised his arms protectively around his head, he was already bleeding there and everything hurt. And yet, after his uncle's second blow, he felt something inside him finally break, like a chain that had been stretched too tightly and finally snaped. He cried out in pain and fear and suddenly the coming blow stopped. An invisible force seemed to emerge from him and press itself violently against his uncle.

Vernon was thrown back and against the wall and remained lying.

A lace scream escaped from Aunt Petunia, as she had been standing next to Uncle Vernon and been watching his punishment. Now she bent anxiously over her husband.

Dudley, who had also been watching the spectacle at close range, stormed towards him. His fists were clenched and ready to strike. The freak had hurt his father and scared his mother. He lashed out but missed his target, which ducked away at the last moment.

Without thinking about it, Harry ran off. Past Dudley, past his aunt and uncle to the door. He opened it and slipped out, Dudley's roar following him. There were already several roommates in the hallway, all looking worried. He was only partially aware of the several shocked cries, someone was trying to grab him.

"Boy,what happened?"

But the word "boy" only made him panic even more, he tore himself away and kept running as fast as his short legs would allow him.

"Stop…"

"Stop right there…"

"Hold the boy."

were heard

But Harry paid no attention to them, in his panic he only wanted to get away. They would put him back with his uncle and he would avoid that at all costs, this thought drove him on and gave him undreamt-of strength.

Outside it had already become dark and the moon and stars had risen. A cloudless, warm night. But he could not admire the beauty of the evening. Someone grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around.

"Calm down, everything will be fine..."

While Harry heard the words, he completely ignored them. With a last effort, he pushed away the arm holding him back and ran off into the darkness towards the forest.

He ran on and on for several minutes until he came to a clearing and could go no further. His head hurt terribly, and black spots danced before his eyes. He was swaying. The world was spinning. He had to hold on. He staggered to a nearby tree. He grabbed his head, his hand touched something wet. Blood. His blood. His vision blurred, stars danced before his eyes. He closed his eyes for moment to gather the strength to walk forward.

A crackling sound broke through the otherwise silent clearing. His blurred gaze flickered towards the source of the sound. But there was nothing to be seen. But then, very slowly, something large appeared. Something golden. A horned creature stepped into the clearing. Its horns were gold and sparkled in the darkness under the stars. It appeared to be a stag, but it was larger than any stag Harry had seen in photographs. The animal lifted its huge head and its enormous nostrils sucked in the warm night air. Harry held his breath, not wanting to be discovered and then eaten by the huge creature. A snort escaped the creature, and it turned its head towards the shadows of the trees under which the little boy was standing. Then very slowly it moved. Took a step into his movement. The bronze hooves sparkled in the starlight.

Harry went rigid with fear, having just escaped from these monsters only to be eaten by this creature. But then something strange happened. A voice sounded in his head, not threatening or frightening, but the voice of a woman who seemed sweet and concerned.

"My prince, what has happend? Where are those who did this?"

But this only seemed to frighten the little boy even more and he said together and curled up into a ball.

Harry was panic-stricken, where was the voice coming from, for only he and this huge creature were in the clearing and what did it want, why was someone calling him Prince? Questions that overwhelmed and terrified him at the same time.

But there was one thing Harry was sure would never change: he couldn't trust adults, his time in preschool had already shown that. Every time he had gone to them for help, his worries had been taken seriously but it had never helped, the opposite had usually happened. He had always received worse punishments in the privet path than before.

"My prince, don't be afraid, I won't hurt you."

Finally, out of sheer desperate fear, Harry raised his head and choked out in a strangled voice.

"Who are you? Where are you? What do you want from me?"

"Calm down, young kits, I promise not to hurt you. As for who I am, I am the golden hind and I stand before you in the clearing. I will and I will help you."

At these words Harry now became a little calmer, he had stopped crouching and sat up and was looking at the golden hind out of wide eyes. He realised at the same moment that he could see her clearly and sharply, even though his glasses were gone. It confused the boy even more and panic rose in him again, but still: even if he could not explain it to himself, his gut feeling told him that he could trust this golden hind. But he was still in terrible pain, which made it difficult for him to think. His head still hurt terribly and his chest burned like fire. But questions were still buzzing around in his head, the whole situation was not familiar to him.

"How is it that I can hear you?"

She snorted and out of reflex he pulled his head in and raised his hands protectively over his head.

"Sorry, I'll be quiet."

"Calm down, young prince. You haven't upset me. You are someone very special. You are the prince of the wilderness and wild. The first and probably the only one. That's why you can talk to me. Now speak, what is your name and what has happened to you?! I see your wounds; I can smell your blood. Where are the ones who did this?!"

"I...my...name is Harry and...My...my...my aunt and uncle-I...I...have been here with them. Uncle Ver...Vernon was trying to negotiate something with someone. That...didn't work out and I was accused...as usual...I...got the punishment…S….they always sa….say that a frrrrreaak like me is to blame for everything"

"My prince, you are not a freak. You are the heir of the great Huntress. You are truly special. What these mortals have done...Ohh...the wild will take its revenge...!" the woman's voice was consumed with rage. But she broke off, realising she was frightening the boy.

"Can you walk, my prince? I will take you to the great Huntress and her followers."

It took her protégé a moment to reply, the darkness in his field of vision had increased greatly during the conversation and the stars were dancing more than ever.

"I think so, but I see dots in front of my eyes all the time and everything is spinning…"

The doe eyed him for a moment, then hesitantly lay down in the grass of the clearing.

"Get on my back, young Harry. I will carry you to safety. Do not be afraid."

With unsteady and clumsy steps, the boy approached the huge animal. Careful not to hurt the animal, he first climbed its flank and then inched his way along its back to its neck. Once there, he clutched the sides of the neck as the great animal rose and strode deeper into the forest.

The evening air from the wind on his face did him good. His chest didn't hurt quite as much as it had a few minutes ago and the surrounding night sounds in the forest had a very calming effect. It felt comforting and homely. The events of the last few hours were only now really becoming clear to him. He, Harry was sitting on a huge hind with golden horns that could talk and had even called him Prince. But it also brought up the terrible memories of the day, the beatings the screams of his relatives and the unimaginable fear he had had. But in the end he was free, he was away from the Dursleys, he would never have to do the laundry or cook again. He alone determined what happened. And as he played these thoughts over and over in his head, he noticed how the landscape changed. The dense scrubland and undergrowth had given way to a grassy steppe. When he tried to look at the ground, he noticed how it passed him by at breakneck speed.

"Ms...Ms.Doe... where…where are we going?"

"As I said, I'll take you to people who will help you...they hunt all over the country and are very well known for their arts. I don't usually go there, but you need help..."

The doe was torn, on the one hand she didn't want to be hunted down and caught by the Hunters again, on the other hand the young prince of the Huntress on her back desperately needed help and it was his unconscious call that had attracted her and gods knows what else. She preferred not to imagine how many monsters and enemies of the great Huntress were now on their way...She would take the danger to help him, all the wild animals that were subject to the Huntress had received the same order: If they ever found him, it was their duty to help the Prince and bring him to her, perhaps she would not be hunted now that she had done the Huntress such a great favour.

They had now almost crossed the prairies and it was approaching midnight when she saw the flickering glow of fire in the distance.

"My prince, we are almost there...hold on a little longer..."

But the boy no longer answered, he had fallen into the dark blackness of unconsciousness. Panic-stricken, the creature picked up her pace, she would not fail now. Still, she was careful not to let the little boy fall off her back as she charged.

A few minutes later, they reached the shining border of the fire and the associated tents and resting. The hunting wolves lifted their heads and sniffed. A single howl from the leader wolf resounded through the otherwise silent night. The four young girls who had been sitting around the fire jumped up. In their hands they held silver bows. They raised them, ready to shoot. The hinds now advanced very slowly, none of their movements too hurried or too hasty. The tallest of the four girls with strong muscular builds of about 16 years now spoke.

"Sisters, it is the hind. Lower your weapons. She would only come to us if it was important, she knows we would hunt her otherwise."

But now they noticed the small and bloodied head of a 7-year-old boy leaning against the animal's neck.

"Is that…Oh my Gods….Amy quick, go and get My'Lady whatever it takes...tell her it's important and it can't wait until tomorrow,this has waited long enough!"Abruptly the girl's tone changed, a mixture of panic, fear, relief, anger and a myriad of other emotions

"Understood Pheobe. But watch out for the boy...they can't be trusted!"

And with these words, the smallest of them charged off. The doe had settled down on all fours between them and allowed the remaining three huntresses to get a better look at the boy on her back.

Raven-black, wildly tousled hair and a scar like lightning on his forehead. A head wound on the right temple from which dried blood hung. The imprint of a belt buckle was clearly visible. The boy's body looked extremely small and fragile, yet the three remained at a distance and alert. He seemed to be unconscious, but with boys you never know, and you can't be too careful. A few moments later they heard rapid and hurried footsteps approaching from the centre of the camp behind them. Amy and her mistress had returned. But Zoë was also with them. Their mistress now looked from them to the hind and on to the little boy.

A scream sent them all flying. Her mistress rushed forward, all her dignity and poise forgotten. She was not in her form of a 12 year old as usual, but a woman in her late 20s and early 30s. The scream also seemed to have an effect on the boy. He groaned and raised his head. With a visibly transfigured look, he choked out a "Mama...?

A shudder ran through the rest of those present. Could it be? Was this possible? They had already been searching for him for so long, without success

With tears in her eyes, her mistress now nodded.

"Yes baby, Mama. Shhhh Mummy is here everything will be fine..."

And with a tenderness that the huntresses rarely saw, she gently lifted the boy from the hind's back. And stroked her flank.

"I owe you something golden hind, you have brought me something...something I never thought possible. Go now for the no one from my retinue will hunt you. Your wish shall come true."

She turned to the four Hunters as if they were frozen in place.

"Daughters, you have done me a great service.I...I...don't know how to thank you,this is Hadrian James, your brother."

Tears ran unrestrained from her silver eyes. How long she had searched for him, always fading and without success. But somehow he had found his way home to his family. Thank the fates.

Zoë, who had been watching silently during the whole time, broke free from her rigidity and spoke to Pheobe

"Pheobe, come on, it looks like Atalanta's services are needed, we'll go get her" But in truth, she didn't know how to deal with the situation, it was all too surreal for her. With a wave to Pheobe, the two of them set out to wake the main healer of the hunt but found that she was already awake and stepping curiously out of her tent.

"Atalanta come, your healing skills are needed at the front by the fire…"

"Which one of you is hurt? What happened?" asked the blue-eyed worried

"None of us, Artemis son...he...he came to us….looks pretty bad…Come quick"

"Ohh gods...how...what...who…" she broke off unable to form a clear thought and rushed inside the tent to get ambrosia and nectar to the fire

"Zoë, how are you? I can see that something is bothering you. Speak. You used to confide in me." Pheobe asked While casting a long look at her lieutenant, best friend and second mother figure

"Pheobe, I don't know...there in front...he...he's really real…mean I've known for 27 years that it would happen but to see him here and now and everything…I don't know how to deal with it? Ever since Artemis came back 6 years ago, she's been looking for him every free minute….I know it really happened, that he was really conceived…but how do I…"

"Shhhh, hey, everything will be fine Mitéra, we are with you. You're going to be a great mum...you've managed to raise us, Amira, Amy, the newbies… you did this so many times this is nothing different…I, no we believe in you...And don't worry, he'll love you just like the rest of us do,you'll see…."

"He won't change the fact of how you and Lady Artemis get on,Zoë...now come" Atalanta, who appeared beside the two of them, fully packed, said

"Zoë, pull yourself together,yeshewasconceived,but you know very well that neither mother nor you are to blame,not even the boy who is the father is to blame…Didn't you say he would allow you to even blood-adopt him so that Hadrian would have a proper family to support?! Surely that shows that it is important to this boy too that you are in Hadrian's life…Come now.Look after your son Mitéra."

and with these words and a wink, Atalanta made her way past the two and towards the edge of the camp. The other two followed her.

"My'Lady, Zoë and Pheobe have already informed me. How canI help?"

"Atalanta, thank the fates you are here. Hadrian has a pretty bad headwound and he says his chest is burning like fire...please help him...please help your brother."

"Don't worry, mother, I'm already on it."

"Okay baby brother. I am Atalanta, the healer here with us. May I have a look at your wounds?"

Hadrian raised his head. His green eyes examined the newcomer. An older girl with blond hair and blue eyes that looked at him anxiously and critically. He nodded shyly and then spoke hesitantly and anxiously.

"Hello Ms. Atalanta." Then he looked at his mummy questioningly and anxiously. But he did not dare to ask. But Artemis understood him instinctively and gently lifted him into her lap. She enjoyed his smell, which she had missed for so long. Although she had her daughters, her son would always remain very special to her.

"Shhhh, honey. Don't worry Atalanta won't hurt you she's one of your sisters. No one here means you any harm."

Amy, who had been standing on the sidelines, looked at her mistress' face in pure horror. No matter whether he was My'Lady's son or not. A Boy remained a boy. But then her gaze lingered on the small figure. Although all of them in the hunt did not have much to do with boys and contact was kept to a minimum during the camp visits, even she could see that her mistress's son was too small and emaciated. His shy and scared behavior reminded her of her own, when she was first brought into the Hunt. In the meantime, Atalanta had taken out a sponge and wetted it with water. She carefully began to dab the child's temple. Her face was drawn with a concentrated expression, fully focused on the task of caring for her patient.

Harry was getting restless, the pain in his forehead had eased a little and now the words of the previous conversation were really seeping in. Although he knew that questions were forbidden. Uncle Vernon had drilled it into him more than once, his curiosity was piqued. The pretty lady had said she was his mummy...but that couldn't be...his mummy was dead. A car accident, Aunt Petunia had told him when he had asked about the scar. Was Aunt Petunia lying? If this was really his mummy why had she left him with the Dursleys and not taken him with her? And where was his daddy?

"Excuseme, Ms..." He now turned to his "mummy". She said that she was but Aunt Petunia said...

"Who are you? How can they be my mummy, my mummy and daddy are dead? And why do you call me Hadrian? My name is Harry"

The hearts of those present broke at the sight of the little injured boy and the way he asked this simple yet essential question. Even Amy, who was still more than sceptical about the boy, looked at him with a comparatively softer gaze. There was something disarming about his behaviour.

"Harry, my name is Artemis. I am your mother. In my previous life I was Lily Potter. Honey, your name is Hadrian James Potter, Harry is just a nickname your father and cousin made up. I promise you, I'll explain everything when your sister is finished."

"Okay...M...Mu...Mummy"

Atalanta had finished cleaning the wound on her protégé's head. The wound looked worse than it was. In fact, strangely enough, it had already begun to heal. Satisfied with her work, she nodded to her mistress and wrung out the now bloody rag. She bent down and took out a small bottle wrapped in wicker and poured a honey-gold liquid into a small cup and held it out to the little boy.

"Drink this little brother. It will make you better in no time. It tastes good too, I promise."

Hesitantly, Harry took hold of the cup and smelled it carefully. Funnily enough, it smelled like the pledge cakes he always prepared for the Dursleys at the weekend. His eyes fell on Zoë, who nodded encouragingly at him.

"Drink it, it will help you. It is nectar. You don't have to be afraid. It's all for you."

Then very slowly he put the cup to his lips and drank. It tasted as good as it smelled and Harry felt as if he had been immersed in a hot bath. He also noticed that the headache was gradually fading and the pain in his chest was easing. When he had finished his drink and set the cup down, a completely carefree smile graced his face for the first time.

"Hadrian, my name is Zoë…" the black-haired woman introduced herself.

"Can you tell me, Artemis and your sisters what happened to you. How did you get those wounds?"

Harry flinched. These girls were so nice to him and his mummy held him in her arms for the first time. He felt safe and wanted to protect them from Uncle Vernon. Vernon would only hurt them otherwise.

"Hadrian,...brother...what's going on?"

"I...I...don't...want...you...to...get...hurt...because...of...me...a...a...freak…like…like me...doesn't deserve a fa...family..."

Sitting on Artemis' lap, Harry could not see her murderous expression, but he felt her hands tighten around him in a flash. He gulped, he obviously said something wrong.

"Hadrian, you're not a freak. Who said that? Who dares call you a freak?" Zoë's expression was a mirror image of Artemis'. Hands clenched into fists and trembling with anger, she took a step forward. An unwise and hasty decision, as it turned out.

Harry tensed, jerked his arms up protectively and the only thing he produced was: "Please Uncle Vernon, please I'll be good. No more trouble, please don't hurt me...!"

He began to sway back and forth while the same scenes played over and over again in his mind.

"Aunt Petunia, please...stop...it's burning...I'll do better, but please make it stop…"

The reaction was instantaneous.

"Shhhh...everything will be fine. Mummy is here. Harry everything will be okay. Uncle Vernon can't hurt you anymore...Shhhh, everything is okay...Aunt Petunia is not here...Mummy and your sisters are watching over you…"

Gently, Artemis cradled her 7-year-old son in her arms. She had realised at first glance that her son had not been treated well, wherever he had been, but that her own mortal sister and husband dared to beat her baby and Gods knows what else...But now she had a more important task...revenge would come later...her son had priority. Harry gradually calmed down and clung to his mother's hunting jacket, his head pressed against her chest. That way he didn't see the sheer rage of his sisters who all had the same thing in mind...revenge...revenge on the one who had assaulted their brother/son.

Even Amy, who had still been extremely suspicious and thought it was an act, now understood that there had been a clear case of abuse and although the victim was a boy, he was the son of her mistress. She saw in the boy a mirror of what she herself had once experienced. She would make them pay for causing her mistress so much suffering. She hoped that she would be chosen to hunt down and catch the culprits. Oh the things she would do to people...

Atalanta's face was filled with pure horror; as a healer, she now feared the worst of the worst. Carefully and very gently, she approached her little brother again. She did not want to frighten him in any way

"Little brother, would you mind if I took a look at your chest and back, I want to know if everything has healed well…Please take off your shirt for a moment"

Pheobe and Cassandra, standing next to Zoë and holding her by the shoulder with one hand, clenched their fists with the other, praying that they would not see more horror and that their brother was otherwise unharmed. Because even though they had known him for less than an hour, he had already grown on them and brought back old memories of happier days and of their brother. And now to see their little brother like this made them furious.

Zoë was beside herself, how dare someone do something to her son. Even though she was still unsure and wrestled with herself how to act and it was still difficult for her to accept the fact that her Artemis had fathered a child...And yet...Hades...She would act mercilessly against those who dared to harm her son Even with her niece Delphini it was already difficult for her...But to see Harry like this...But for now what mattered was that Harry was safe and that they cared for him. Now that they knew who was responsible for the suffering...

"Harry... "as she had done hundreds of times with the newly rescued girls, she got down on her knees to speak to him at eye level and in as gentle a tone as possible she continued "I know this isn't easy for you to talk about, but I promise you with everything I hold dear, nothing will happen to you. Nothing will happen to us...I promise you that...but I ask you to show us your back and chest so that Atalanta can take care of you, that's really important to me."

Harry looked at the black-haired girl out of teary green eyes, eyes that often reminded young woman of her own mother. He nodded silently and then released himself from his mother's embrace, rose and pulled his T-shirt over his head and off.

Artemis sucked in a hissing breath. There were scars all over her baby boy's back. Criss-crossed all over his back. Some seemed young, ulcerated and sore, but with Atalanta's skill or her brother's skill perhaps still healable others seemed older in origin. She could just make out the fine white lines, they would accompany her son for all eternity. A glance at Atalanta and the others, however, told her that these marks on their backs did not seem to be the only ones. Their faces had now turned cheese-white and, in Amy's case, even green. Before she could react, Zoë crawled up on bees to her little one and enclosed him in a gentle embrace. Hadrian, however, seemed to think that this was his fault, for he kept murmuring

"I'm sorry."

But Zoë gently shook him out of his guilt.

"No,my little one...we're sorry we didn't find you sooner...for six years now we've been looking for you...every spare minute we've had we've been looking for you...I'm sorry."

Her tears rolled down her cheeks onto the boy's back. But she was not to be the only one to pull the boy into her arms. The rest had now approached as well and it had turned into a mass hug. Quick-witted, Atalanta pulled out a small bowl with a green paste.

"Here, little brother, this should help with the burns and the scars. Then you'll be as good as new..." but anyone who knew anything about healing knew exactly that she only wanted to encourage the boy and some evidence of his time with these disgusting mortals would still remain.

Zoë, who was crouching next to her, also gently applied the paste and after a good two minutes the little boy's chest was doctored. Gently but firmly, Apollo's daughter turned her patient around to face his back. With her back turned, Harry could not see her face, which was both horrified and contorted with anger and anguish. The procedure was repeated and within a few minutes the areas on her back were smeared with ointment. Atalanta reached for the gauze bandages that were ready.

"I know this is going to hurt now Harry, but there is no other way. Can you be a strong and big boy for us and bear the pain while I put a bandage on you?"

Amy looked at her sister in absolute horror, the way she talked to the boy made her really uncomfortable. She may had sworn to give her mistress' son a chance, but that the others around her would accept him so quickly. It was like some curse or disease which was spreading from the boy…But she could also feel that the little one was a little growing on her. Still, she would need to talk to her mistress and Zoë. She had to put her thoughts and feelings in order.

Harry nodded silently. He wanted to show his mother and his new sisters that he was brave. He also noticed that the wounds didn't hurt as much either and it was now only half as bad as usual. His new sister couldn't be any worse than Uncle Vernon. He tried to be brave, a slight groan escaping him anyway. But before he knew it, the procedure was complete. He looked down at himself, his entire upper body was wrapped in bandages. He still couldn't really believe it all.

"Thank you very much, Ms…Atalanta. It is much better already"

"Sure; no problem little bro, and thats big sister to you, you're my little brother. But my face is up here and not on the floor."

Hesitantly he looked into her eyes, in them he could only see warmth and a hint of pride and joy, not a hint of disgust or anything like that.

"Thankyou...thank you...thank you again...bi...sis...big sis"

A chorus of "Ahhhs" escaped from most those present, they found the situation simply too heart-warming. Harry had his eyes on the floor again, the whole thing was too alien for him, a freak like him was not meant to be loved.

"Now Hadrian..." began Artemis in a very sweet voice

"Where are you from exactly? Your sisters, Zoë and I are all quite curious about what happened to you. Can you tell us? We'd like to talk to your uncle and aunt, who have taken you in soooo warmly."

Hadrian's previously relaxed body visibly tensed. These people had all been so kind to him. His new big sisters had helped him and his mum had taken him in her arms...He didn't want Uncle Vernon or Aunt Petunia to hurt them. But one look at his "mother's" face told him that he didn't need to make any excuses at all. He continued to look at the faces of his new sisters and Ms. Zoë, which showed the same hardened features.

Hesitantly he began to tell

"I'm here with Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon and Dudley. Uncle Vernon had some business here, so they all came along. We even flew in a plane, over a big sea. That took forever, then we drove another hour in a car to a hospel...no hotel. There we un...unpacked...and...and...then there was dinner and this deal...deal Uncle Vernon wanted to...negotiate. I...I...was supposed to get up...from the table...as soon as I could...Mr. Rotary then asked why...why I...I...got up. I said,...that I...was...told...to...a let...me...go...Un...Uncle…Ver…Vernon...he...was...then...pissed...off...and...said...it...was...all...my...fault...and...punished...me...a...and...Aunt…Petunia…and…Dudley…have...have...been...watching...I...I...h...had...then...done...something...freaky...and...ran...into...the...woods...and...there...was...Ms. Deer...and...she...then...helped...me."

At the end of the story, his whole body shook and he let the tears he had suppressed for so long run free and lowered his head. It was too much for him. But suddenly he felt arms wrap around him. His sisters, his Mummy and Ms Zoë had wrapped their arms around him and pulled him into a group hug. It was so strange but it felt really really good.

"Shhhh...Nothing can happen to you here...You are safe here…"

"Harry, where can we find your uncle…it's high time me and your sisters had a word with them?"

But Harry had another panic attack. He had to protect them, Uncle Vernon couldn't be allowed to hurt them too. No matter what the cost. They had all been so good to him...

"Please...Please...don't...he'll hurt you...euch...even...I don't want...that...and then he'll hurt me"

"No Hadrian, he will not hurt us...And certainly not you...nor your sisters...nor your mother. I would never let that happen. I promise." Zoë spoke in a determined voice.

"She's right Harry, you're our little brother now, family, we look out for each other. No one is going to hurt you. We'll make sure of that." Cassandra now also interfered

After several minutes, Harry had calmed down again. This was really not how he had imagined his birthday. But his wish, his big wish, for someone who was there for him, who liked him the way he was, had come true.

"We...we...we were in a hotel...at...the...edge...ofthe...forest.I...I...don't...know…what it's called…The...the…the place we were in was called Glasgow. That's all I remember."

"Okay, Harry, everything will be fine. We'll manage the rest. I think I know which hotel you mean. I will go with your sisters to visit my mortal sister. But don't worry, nothing will happen to us. Zoë will look after you. You go and get some well-deserved rest for being such a good and brave boy. "

She gave Zoë a long and meaningful look, who at first wanted to protest, but then changed her mind and nodded. His mother now turned to the others.

"Pheobe, Cassandra, Amy, go and wake Dina. We are going hunting. Let's see what the mortal which used to be my sister..."she uttered the word with such contempt that those present winced, "...has to say."

Zoë meanwhile led Harry into the largest tent of the camp, which was in the middle. She lifted the canvas and gently but firmly guided the boy inside. He looked around full of curiosity and fear. Everything was strange to him and although he did not have the impression that everyone here wanted to harm him, he could not help but be suspicious. Too often the adults had made empty promises and wanted to free him from the Dursleys, only nothing had ever happened until now. Inside the tent stood a large, beautifully carved wooden bed, several tables on which lay such various objects. A chest of drawers stood against the right wall of the tent. Everything was made of a silver wood that seemed to sparkle. The floor of the tent was covered with countless skins of different animals. Zoë led him to the bed, where he sat down. He looked at her questioningly.

"Hadrian, I'm sure you still have questions, while my...Artemis, your mother is away talking to your uncle about his behavior, I'll try to answer all your questions, but please understand that you do need to rest to heal and I might cut some answers short. But no need to worry my little moon you will get all the answers. I promise."

His head was buzzing again. The thousands of questions that he had repressed and held back until now were now coming to the fore more than ever, he didn't know where to start and it was difficult for him to think clearly. At the same time, he realised how tired he actually was and how the events of the day had taken their toll. Shyly, he nodded and looked at Zoë out of his green eyes.

"How can it be that Mummy is still alive? And where is Daddy? Did Aunt Petunia lie to me?"

"Hadrian, your mother is Artemis a goddess, among some other titles she is the goddess of the moon and the hunt. A goddess is immortal. She cannot die just like that. And you my little moon are her son, a demigod, her firstborn. Something truly special. A demigod is half human, like your father was, and half god, like your mother is…There's no easy way to say this but,...I'm sorry Hadrian, but your father...he's not here...but take comfort, he's...he's in a paradise place called Elysium.The place where all heroes go when their time is up. Only your mother still walks among the stars and the sun...but she...she is… she is not alone…"

But Hadrian interrupted them, even more questions had now arisen than before

"What is the Elysium? What does it look like? Can I…can I visit my daddy? And what do you mean she's not alone?"

"No Hadrian, you cannot visit the Elysium...It...is...es in the underworld. The place where all mortals go after they die. There are...there are your sisters...sisters who have gone...before you. Your father...he...so he's not alone there, your grandparents and your younger s...I…I promised him I'd look after you now and raise you...and make sure you got there much later, if at all"

"What do you mean? My sisters who went before me? What promise?!"

"Hadrian...please I know you have endless questions and I'll try to answer them all, but you have to give me the chance to answer them too!"Zoë's stern look made him flinch, then she continued again in a soft voice.

"Your mother...Artemis...she is... how do I say this…she is...not alone here in the world...I am always by her side...just as your father used to be…You were taught that only women and men can love each other?...That is not quite true...Your mother and I...we love each other very much…and for more than 200 years we have been side by side. But for a time,your mother was punished by her father for something...your grandfather you see gave your mother the choice of giving up the hunt, that is, your sisters for along time,or being banished for a mortal life and then left your mother to decide...That...that…that decission was one of the most difficult choices your mother ever had to make...She eventually chose banishment...She was born into the body of a mortal...Lily Jenifer Evans...she grew up...with your aunt,but unlike her she had a special gift…a gift that your father also possessed...butI'll get to him later...she possessed magic…soon before the summer holidays after her 11th birthday, your mother received a letter for the school where she later met your father. She learned magic there and the joys and sorrows of a mortal life...But,Hadrian, all was not always merry and good…bad people went about doing bad things...they fought with each other...your mother and father...they wanted to protect the other people…protect those who could not defend them selves…just as your mother is protecting you now...at some point she found out she was pregnant with you…"

Here Zoë interrupted herself, visibly agitated, and Harry, who didn't know any better, wrapped his skinny arms around her stomach and buried his face in them. He couldn't explain it, but he sensed Zoë was going to play a big part for him. Zoë's breath caught, she felt tears running down her face. Hadrian, no, her future son was trying to comfort her, a gesture she hadn't expected so soon. From her niece of course, she didn't know Zoë other than Aunt Zoë, but from him. it warmed her heart and gave her hope.

"What happened then?" Harry then asked in a small voice, he knew he shouldn't ask too many questions, Zoë had answered them all so far but she was clearly finding it difficult.

"Your mother was overjoyed...Your father...he was bursting with pride...I'm sorry Hadrian, but I can't tell you much about him...I only met him once...you…you'll have to ask your mother about him. But he was an honorable man and I don't use this term very lightly. Anyways your farther did everything he could to protect you, your mother and…But in the end they were betrayed by someone who they thought a friend…that boy…he told the leader of the bad people where you lived…and then…then he came for you…Your father…in an act of total selflessness tried to buy you and your mother time to flee…but…I met him later in the underworld and despite my initial hate for him and what he did with my…with your mother, I couldn't…he gave everything up, just so that you and your mother would be happy. And to this day I do find him a man rather than the boy, who I fought he was…"

"Okay...then...But…But I...I don't...know how to believe that Mummy is still around, and her and Daddy were good people…Aunt Petunia always said that...,that my Mummy and Daddy were good-for-nothingsand worthless alcoholics. That Mummy was supposed to have been a who...whore, whatever that is...and Daddy a junkie. What's a junkie and whore?"

Anger spread through Zoë. How could this mortal claim that Artemis, her Artemis was a whore...and the boy...even if she wasn't too fond of the fact…calling the boy a junkie was repugnant...James Potter had been many things in his life, but certainly not a junkie. Perhaps if she had known him better, she might have even been friends him. In a quick prayer to Artemis, she told of her son's presentation. Mortals should get what was coming to them...

Harry looked at Zoë's face and whimpered had he said something wrong that had upset Ms Zoë? But then another question came to his mind: Why was his mummy being punished to begin with? Had she done something bad? And what did Ms. Zoë mean by side by side like his daddy used to…and her Artemis…? A crazy thought popped into his head - Did his Mummy love Ms. Zoë? But that was evil, Uncle Vernon said, that…but his Uncle was always evil to him and had already lied to him, did he lied again? Was it okay for Ms. Zoë to love his Mommy and did this mean that… Ms. Zoë was his mummy too?

"Ms.Zoë?!" he asked hesitantly

"Yes my moonbeam?"

"Why was Mummy banished? Did she do something bad?And what do you mean, side by side like Daddy used to? Does that mean you love my mummy? Are you my mummy too?"

These simple questions triggered a torrent of emotions in Zoë. Her heart was at once heavy with gloomy memories and tearful goodbyes and time without her Artemis, and yet her heart swelled to unimagined size with joy. Her son had called her his mummy. Tears flowed again. But this time they were tears of joy, she just couldn't help it.

"Yes Hadrian, I am your second mother, even if I did not give you life, I promised your father when I met him." And she pulled him into a tight hug, which he returned without hesitation. When they both broke away from each other, Zoë continued.

"Do you remember that I told you that your Mother is a goodness? Do you know the Greek and Roman sagas and stories?"

Harry nodded in kindergarten and at school they had told these stories a time or two. He had liked the stories about Artemis and Apollo best. Now to find out that they really existed was amazing. But then he remembered one thing and his stomach tightened, in the stories Ms. Pennforth had always told, Artemis was an eternal virgin and had no children. How could he now be her son?

"Ms…M…Mama, but how can that be, Artemis doesn't have children only her maids? How can I...I then…?"

At the word mama, a beaming smile spread across the half-titan's face, she still couldn't believe it, her son called her mama. But the fact that he trusted and accepted her so quickly worried her immensely. How badly had he been treated to trust a stranger so quickly?

"You remember me saying that your mother was banished because she had gone too far in punishing a bad person, don't you? That person was your uncle Apollo's son, your mother's twin brother son.This son had been watching us while we bathed and other things that we disliked very much. You must know, all your sisters have sworn an oath to stay away from boys forever. We felt threatened by him and the things he said and overreacted. The punishment was then meted out by your grandfather...But their banishment had produced something no one expected...something extraordinary…you. You are the only child Artemis has. That is why you exist"

Harry was close to tears, he didn't understand everything, but it was still clear to him that he wasn't supposed to be there. He now knew where he was and yet he didn't know how to behave, his "sisters", his mother's maids had accepted him, helped him, but was he even welcome here? Boys, Mummy had just explained to him, were not supposed to be here how was he allowed to stay with Mummy and Mummy then? A

much more terrible thought gripped him-would they send him away?

"Hey starbeam what's wrong?"

"It...it...is...am I...am I allowed to be here? I'm...I'm.I'm a boy,aren't I? Will you send me away mum?"

"No Hadrian,we are not sending you away.The hunt is your family,you belong to us, your sisters know that too. You are right, some of them are still suspicious of you, but give them time to get to know you and I´m quite sure that they will like you."

"Family…do you really think so?"

"Yes, I am quite sure of that. But now it's time for you to sleep. It has just been a long and tiring day for you…I want to see you healthy as soon as possible and sleep is one of the best medicines there is. Your mother and I will tell you more tomorrow and explain everything. You will also meet your other sisters."

And with these words she ended the conversation and helped her son take off his shoes. She put him in the big bed and tucked him in. And for the first time in his life, Harry fell asleep with a genuine and peaceful smile. Zoë got up and blew a kiss on his forehead, where this impulse came from she didn't know, but it felt right.

"Sleep well, little moon"

And with these words she left the tent, only to find herself facing the other members of the hunt, who all eyed her with different expressions on their faces.

---

Artemis and her four Hunters had wasted no time in the meantime. She knew exactly that she could rely on her wife and would explain everything as best she could to their common son. Dina had appeared ready to leave with the others after a few minutes. A sneaky smile adorned her face. She bowed to her and spoke

"My'Lad…Mother, th eothers already said we were hunting an insidious abnormality of a boy and that I had been chosen for it.They also said that your son has fled from these monsters and has now returned to you…You know my concerns and fears, but I want to give him a chance to show that he is different from the rest of his gender. But I might need time for that to come to terms with this…I still struggle when we go to Camp Halfblood because of the deeds of that vile piece of…"

Before Artemis could speak, however, Amy interjected.

"I was, and still am, like my sister, sceptical about your son, but we cannot let this monster run free. Who knows what this pig will do to an innocent virgin?! It is better if we rid the world of such a plague! And I believe in time we might accept your son not because of your wish but because he may become our…little brother…"

Artemis cleared his throat

"Amy, Dina, thank you for your honest and open words. I know I am asking a lot of you when I ask you to accept my son…As I said, you are absolutely right. Part of our family has been wronged. Now it's up to us to judge and to execute justice. Before we begin girls, while we interrogate these beasts I will call another member of the Olympian Council as a witness, I don't want to be separated from you again right now just because we were overzealous with our actions.We will now leave for the hotel where these beasts of mortals have their quarters, let us leave quickly!"

A chorus of "Yes My'Lady/Yes Mother" rang out and the five ran in the direction from which the hind had come. Within half an hour they reached the building they had targeted. They found no one in the car park and everything else was quiet, quietly so as not to wake anyone they crept inside the hotel. They blinded the mortal at the reception with a clever use of the mist by Pheobe.

When they reached the Dursleys' room they could hear muffled shouting. Words like "freak","worthless","goodbye forever"and "bothering us,hard-working normal people" reached their ears.

"Okay girls, close your eyes, I will call my brother as a witness. Let him judge if we go too far or not, so much and some more I owe him."

Under a blinding golden light, the god of the sun appeared. However, it looked as if he had just emerged from a nightclub. He smelled of alcohol and cigarettes, and in his hand, he held a glass that was undoubtedly filled with a cocktail. His face, however, showed the usual relaxed attitude they had always known from him. He nodded at them

"Little sister, ladies, what can this awesome God help you with?"

"Brother, tonight my son turned up at our camp bleeding with a head wound and several wounds on his body…He has come to me…He has been in the care of these vile excuses of mortals all this time.They are now to be judged. I want you there as a witness because your nephew exists only because I have gone too far. I don't want to make that mistake ever again…Second because you have watched over my girls in my absence."

Apollo's playful attitude changed abruptly. The god, who had just been easy-going and joking, was a changed man. He snapped his fingers and the smell and drink disappeared. His face and posture showed his serious and thoughtful expression, as the Hunters had known him for the past three decades. After a moment of silence, he spoke

"Sister, I understand your urge for justice only too well and I am glad that you finally realise that you acted overzealously. I am also happy about this good news, finally I can meet my nephew and be the coolest and most awesome uncle by spoiling him all over. Allright, I'llbe your witness, your story, judging by the faces of your Hunters plus the fact that there are five of you here, tells me that, much, much more has happened."

Though Artemis rolled her eyes as Apollo commented on the cool uncle and the spoiling of her son, inwardly she was deeply grateful that her brother had agreed to witness the judgement on the mortals. She also noticed that he was no longer as cold towards her as he had been six years ago when she had returned.

"Allright, let's go, that should keep the other mortals off our backs."And she snapped her fingers

Pheobe, standing next to the door, kicked it in unceremoniously and the six entered. Inside they were stared at by the three Dursleys.

Petunia had opened her mouth in shock and turned white as a sheet, because the woman who had entered with the young girls looked so incredibly similar to her always oh-so-perfect sister. But she could not find her tongue. A small traitorous part of her still mourned her murdered little sister and held on to the beautiful memories of her childhood was terrified by the sight. Regret like poison flooded her mind and made any other thoughts impossible.

Vernon, on the other hand, turned brick red, his day had now become even worse. First the dirty deal by the freak, then the arrest by the police because of the freak and now more freaks harassing him, his wife and their perfect son. The only good thing was that he could now take out his frustration and anger on them.

Dudley stared at the girls, not knowing what these strange, silver wearing brats wanted from him and his family. The day had visibly gone badly for him, first the freak had ruined dinner, embarrassed his father, then his father had been arrested and had to buy himself out of jail and to make matters even more worse he had missed his favourite TV show as a result. The two groups looked at each other for a moment until it burst out of Vernon:

"Who the fuck are you?! What are you doing here?! Who gives you the right to come into my room?!"

"Be still mortal. You are in the present tense of a goddess and a god. You will speak when addressed! You will address them as Lord Apollo or Lady Artemis and not otherwise."

"You freaks, you dare to threaten me. Who gives you the right to make demands here? And what is this absolute bloody nonsense about gods, there is only one god and he would want nothing to do with freaks like you. "

"Mortal, shut your mouth. You pollute the air with your breath. You are nothing like an insect boy, an insect I am going to crush. I am Artemis, goddess of the hunt, the moon and archery. Beside me stands my brother Apollo, god of the sun, healing and archery. We are here to judge your actions."

Before Vernon was able to voice his displeasure and hate against the newcomers, he was beaten to it by one of the silver parker wearing girls.

"I must say sisters, this mortal here is a true abnormality. I can hardly believe that this boy hasspent 6 years of his life with these animals and as always,boys are despicable creatures. And these abnormalities should be eliminated," Dina said to Amy, who in turn nodded in disgust and agreement.

"Aye sister, this mortal here is responsible for the wounds on our little brother, that much is certain. No wonder why Hadrian was so frightened when he came to us with all those injuries. We can only hope that Atalanta's healing skills will be enough to make some of the scars disappear." Pheobe now also spoke up.

Vernon again decided to voice his obvious hate against the freaks and his soon to be dead freak of a nephew,

"What did that fucking freak tell you?! If I catch him:! And what is all this nonsense about big sisters!? Where have you been to relieve us of this burden of abnormality!"

Apollo, who had been standing silently next to his sister, looked at Vernon Dursley for a long time. His expression showed no emotion, but inside he was furious. The mortal's way of talking about his only nephew...Sure he was still not over what had happened to his son, but could he understand his sister's reaction...She had felt threatened and acted and she was by now ready to admit her mistake, which in his eyes spoke for her having learned her lesson. The fact that she wanted him there as a witness and impartial judge before the verdict also told him that she had really improved. With a snap of his fingers, he silenced the mortals, for the woman's giraffe and the son's pig had also started shouting and it had become too much for him.

"Silence. All of you. You mortals have wronged a child of the gods and now you will be judged for it. I, Apollo, will be the impartial judge. Don't even try to lie to me, I'll know at once. We'll start with you, Vernon Herschel Dursley. You will have the opportunity to explain your actions and, should they exist, to confess your crimes and then be judged. Speak quickly, my patience and time is short! Why did you abuse Hadrian James Potter?!"

Vernon Dursley was seething with rage. How dare these invading freaks threaten him, an honourable and normal man?! And what was all this drivel about gods, there was only one God. And this God would thank Vernon on his knees, he had freed the world from a plague. He would show these freaks who they were messing with:

"This freak has it coming to him. He is a true abnormality and a disease that must be eliminated. Just like his maledict fucking freaks of bloodyparents.They wouldn't have it any other way ift hey got involved with this wizardscum. I only did what any normal person would do to protect my family. I'm sure this freak could have been cured by being more hands on…"

But that was as far as he would get, for another snap of his fingers and he fell silent. He looked at the intruders with a mixture of fear and disgust. He was about to charge in and give them a good beating when he realised he couldn't move.

"Silence. You pollute again the air with your words, Boy. Dearest sister, tell me why my son deserves to be treated like this Petunia, I would have taken care of Dudley if you had died and raised him like my own son. Is it still jealousy that drives you to these cruelties?! Yes, you heard me right, before my mortal shell was destroyed, I was Lily, your little sister. Speak up, what do you have to say for yourself?!"

"That...that...that...that...That's impossible, Dum...Dumble...Dumbledore's letter said that you and that Potter were blown up by that lunatic...and then to tell us with a bloody letter what we had to do...to just leave the boy on our doorstep...Not even asking if we wanted him...We tried to give him away...took him to an orphanage...But then he reappeared with another letter saying it was our duty...we never wanted him...I certainly didn't…"

"Why did you treat him like that Tunia?! I never wanted all the attention from ou…your father and mother and you know it! If you had treated him well, I would have done you and Vernon a great favour, rewarded you even,but like this...it's barbaric how you treated him...You will be judged now either way for your actions...only the memories of the days before Hogwarts hold back my anger...But now I know who else must pay for his actions, Dumbledore is just as guilty as you Petunia..."

"I...I...I..."

"Why did you fail to intervene when your son hit mine? Why didn't you intervene when Vernon hit him with the belt? Why did you hit him with the frying pan, let him burn himself on the hot grease? Why did you let him do all the housework? Why did you call his father a good-for-nothing, alcoholic, junkie? Why?! His father his a man, a real one unlike this fat, disgusting, vile boy you married out of pure against my mortal self."

Tears streamed down Artemis cheeks, but she wasn't the only one. After long time of hate and suppressed grief about her sister and her deaf, Petunia Evans Dursley cried. She cried as the world she thought to know came crashing down on her and the construct of hate towards her dead sister and her nephew broke.

"I...I...I'msorry...yes I was jealous and couldn't handle being the one left behind...I was jealous of the happiness you experienced...I grieved when I read the letter and vowed to myself...vowed never to want anything to do with this world again...I was angry at the old geezer and took it out on...on Harry...I needed someone to take my anger out on...anger that those freaks stole my sister from me...it was wrong...but I see that now...no matter...what...happens...please spare my son...I am to blame for his actions...and not him...he...he only did...did what we said…"

Petunia burst into tears again, she had always known that it had been wrong to treat her nephew like that, yet she had not been able to do otherwise. Although it had only come with time...At first she had treated them both equally...but with the release of the first sign of magic it had happened…she no longer knew what it was, but she had changed her behaviour from one day to the next. The bitter jealousy from her own childhood had crept out again. In the presence of a goddess who had once been her little sister, she had broken out of that rut. Vernon had always told her she was doing the right thing, but deep inside she had had doubts...doubts, too, about whether Vernon was the right man...All the admonishing words of her mother and father came up again…her nephew couldn't help what he was, her parents had taught her so. She should have accepted him and should have tried to be the Aunt that he should have deserved. Her Parents who would be ashamed of the way she had treated her nephew...

Artemis and her group were silent. They had expected begging and pleading, but not a mother's admission of guilt for her son. It reminded Artemis very much of her last moments as Lily Potter, when she sacrificed herself to be able to work the ancient magic and protect her son. How was she supposed to act now? Before her banishment she would have simply ignored this and turned the mortals into Jackalopes, but now after her experience she wasn't sure. She looked to Dudley. Her former mortal nephew, who was crying and shaking, holding onto his mother like a lifeline, could she and would she forfeit his life in good conscience? Vernon's life was forfeit, that much was certain, but could the young boy still mend his ways without the influence of that pig of a father? She did not know the exact answer to these questions. Apollo also seemed very thoughtful, but her daughters were too eager to hunt down these abnormalities to help her with this decision. Would she also throw them a boy of seven who had merely listened to his parents and tried to imitate his father?

"Brother,…" she spoke to him telepathically.

"…do you think the boy could improve if he grew up without his...his father's influence? What do you see in his future?"

"I'm not sure Artemis, but I think there's a chance he could mend his ways. That fat disgusting thing would never do such a thing, that's for sure...His mother on the other hand, I believe her, this...this man has brought out the worst side of her that she could have possessed...She is sorry for her actions..."

"Do you think they deserve a second chance without that vile pig...despite what they have done and that they would use it?"

"I think it's within the realm of possibility yes...their future is muddled and at a crossroads...that much I can see...Artemis, you would really give them a second chance?"

"I don't know and yet, I stand before her like the beast that stole Alyssa from me and destroyed Hadrian's childhood and his father's life...In the past, I would have simply turned her and then hunted her down...But now...The boy would deserve to be judged for his punishments,he is now no different than the offsprings of that arrogant idiot Heracles in the camps...But now…now I wonder if…"

"If I may make a suggestion to you: We need not argue about the father, I want him dead like you...no...even more than you...My son was killed by you then and yet his death brought new life...And this new life is very important to me...I have seen his memories big sister...I want him to suffer...For the mother and the son I propose this to you: They shall forget him and only remember him again when they have become better mortals. They shall live here in America and start all over again so that we can watch them and should they relapse...well then we will punish them as we did the father…"

"It is a fair sentence, even if I feel it is too lenient for the boy...he is as responsible for the suffering of my son as that fat pig there...But still…I now wonder what would have happened if I had taken the boy in and then returned to myself…Ever since this mortal life nothing is simple as it was…"

"The fact that you are having your first doubts about your usual punishment and are hesitating to judge at all shows me that you really have changed. For the better. I like this sister much better. I think it might ease your decision, I do think it is hard enough for the young one, he will lose his identity and forget his current idol, will hate his father who supposedly ran away from him, but once mother and son have really and truly changed, they will both be confronted with their memories and they will remember what they did. He will likely hate his father even more and himself for what he has done and who he has been…"

"I...thank you for your honest words, Apollo. I don't know what to say…but you too have changed a little in our time apart, while you are still not fully grown up, you can be if the situation calls for it. And I really like this side of my little brother. All right then…I will take your advice."

"Sure little sister, that's what I'm here for".

Artemis rolled her eyes, but finally nodded. She had made her decision.

"Petunia Jane Dursley and Dudley Vernon Dursley for your offences of mistreating Hadrian James, the firstborn of Artemis you have been found guilty. Yet you Petunia show true and sincere remorse and do not deny your actions and wish to take upon yourself the sins of your son, therefore your punishment will be as follows. YouwillforgetthemanyouknowasVernonHerschelDursleyandstartanewlifehere in America and get a second chance. When you have really and truly changed and become better mortals, your memories will return, and you will know again what you have done. Should you or your son Petunia return to your tendencies, the same punishment will be meted out as for Vernon Herschel Dursley.

Vernon Herschel Dursley you have been found guilty of your offences of mistreating Hadrian James, the first born of Artemis. Unlike your wife, you feel no remorse and therefore you will face the full force of Olympian justice. Your punishment will be:

You will be turned into a wild animal that you are and hunted to death. This is my judgement, may Hades take mercy of your souls."

And before any of the three could voice any thoughts about it or protest, Artemis snapped her fingers and Vernon Dursley's place was taken by an overweight Jackalope, looking around in fear. Dudley screamed. He had just seen his father, his role model, turned into an animal by one of those freaks. But he fell silent when his eyes fell on the woman who had snapped. He whimpered softly to himself. His mother gripped his hand tightly, she too looked fearful but there was also a bit of acceptance and relieve in her blue eyes.

"Vernon you have 10 minutes, then my Hunters and I will blow you away...If I were you I would start running..." no sooner had she spoken these words than the overweight creature hobbled out the open door and away

Now, before Artemis could devote herself to punishing Petunia and Dudley, the latter found her speech again, she bowed her head to the ground and spoke:

"Thank you Lily...Lady Artemis...I...we did not deserve this mercy and I know that...I will not fail you...I am sorry...I am sorry I have not been a better sister and I am sorry I have not been a better aunt..."

"I will watch you...and I will know if you are better. But you will not soon remember this conversation, your names and your identity. As soon as you awake, your second and last chance begins. Goodbye Petunia."And another snap of the fingers later, they both fell unconscious to the floor and remained lying there. The Dursley family would now be no more. In their place would come another family, the Evans family. Single mother and son. The father had run away after the news of the pregnancy, abandoning them both. The family came from a small village here in Montana.

The Hunters had silently watched their mistress' verdict, to say they were astonished at how things had turned out would have been an understatement. Amy and Dina in particular were surprised by the punishment for the woman and the boy, yet their mistress/mother would have her reasons. And who were they to question the actions of the gods. A glance at Lord Apollo, however, told them that their mother was acting within the framework of punishment agreed with Lord Apollo and that Lord Apollo was pleased if not surprised with the turn of events, for he looked positively surprised. But they did not want to dwell on it any longer, it had been judged. They could now devote themselves fully to the task of hunting down this overweight jackalope and bringing him to justice. Pheobe and Cassandra felt the same way, but both could see from their mistress, their second mother, that this decision had been extremely difficult for her. There was no question in their minds that Artemis had sought Apollo's advice before making a decision. To spare the boy and the mother...they began to realise how much the exile had changed their mother, but it was still a harsh judgement to forget one's own existence...

"Come now daughters, there is an animal out there that wants to be hunted. Brother you are more than welcome to join this hunt"

"Are you sure, sister? I don't want to come between you and your prey. This seems to be a personal matter. Even if I confess that I would love to put an arrow into this abnormality."

"That I am Apollo. You were there when I judged, now you shall be there when I execute the sentence. And I am more than indebted to you for all you have done for us tonight and in the past. Your words I will not soon forget and honour."

"Mother. The ten minutes are up. What are we waiting for here, it's time to show this scum what it means toincur your wrath. I have now heard this monster speak. When he was first brought to our camp I thought your son was like any other boy, faking something to get his way, but now after all the events of this night that view has changed. Although that I will need time to accept him and adapt my behavior towards him I have come to the conclusion that your son deserves a fair judgement. I will try him by his own actions, notbyhisgender…"Spoke Dina, throughout the interrogation she had gone over all the facts again in her head and had also remembered the promise she had made to Zoë at the time. She was a Hunter, she would keep her word.

"Aye sister, I agree with you completely. Lord Apollo this monster has been judged by you and My`Lady and now you should be there too." Amy also agreed

"Come on sisters, let's go" Cassandra prompted and so they set off, the hunt had begun.

---

Zoë was confronted by a mass of faces whose expressions ranged from worried, curious, but also amused.

"Okay. what's going on here?" she asked suspiciously and worried

"Is it true? Is everything you said in the tent true Zoë?" asked Megan and Layla, they were usually the loudest when it came to asking questions.

Zoë stiffened. Gods could this day get any more complicated than it already was. She sighed and right now Artemis was not here to calm the girls down and provide the necessary clarity.

"Let's talk by the fire so we don't wake him up, he's gone through Hades and back to be here. There I shall answer all your questions.

The remaining Hunters made their way to the fire at the edge of the camp. They were tense but also somehow relieved. Now many things they had learned over the last three decades made much more sense. Zoë for her part was visibly nervous, apart from Atalanta none of the elders were here and could speak out for her. What if the Hunters didn't accept her, how would they behave in the future? Would they still stay in the hunt? Would they tell anyone else and threaten the existence of the place she called for so lang a home?

"Okay girls, here we are. I will try to answer all your questions."

"Is it true Zoë, is it true what you said in the tent? Don't try to avoid the question."

A moment of silence fell. Tensely, the Hunters eyed their lieutenant. The latter took a moment to answer, closing her eyes and taking another deep breath.

"Yes Daphne, everything I said in the tent is true. I..."

She was interrupted by a torrent of shouts like "Ha, that's what I'm saying..."and "Give me your drachmas sister" She had expected everything, but certainly not that. The whole spectacle took on a momentum of its own as the daughter of Atlas sat there, unable to get out of her stupor. Her mouth opened and closed on its own accord try to form words. Finally, she could stand it no longer and exploded.

"What the Hades is going on? Megan, Layla you will explain yourselves. NOW"

But it was Atalanta who answered mockingly:

"Zoë, what you see here is the work of your resourceful and clever daughters. You must know, although we three elders have always kept mum and never said a word about the conversation back then. My clever sisters have made some discoveries of their own and thought about that on their own…"

She was then interrupted by Megan, who was holding a large stack of golden coins.

"You know, Mom, we... Daphne and myself have suspected for some time that there was something different between you and My'Lady than just a lieutenant and a goddess. We really became aware of it when Mother was sent into exile and we had only you andour eldest sisters. You often hid it from us, but we heard you cry many times. But you never said anything... Well, we wouldn't be the Hunters of Artemis if we weren't particularly attentive, do we sisters? Then, when we were secretly discussing it, the prophecy came back to us...well the prophecy spoke of mothers, plural, not singular…"

Zoë's breathing was coming in jerks now, had Artemis and she been so easy to figure out? And what did they think of her now? Her face must have reflected their worries because it was Chloe who continued.

"Zoë, or I should say Mum, we have spoken to everyone. Each of us was greeted by you at some point, you were the one who gave us a new home and a new family and helped us overcome our fears in the first days, weeks and months. At times, even before the revelation of this frankly poorly kept secret,we thought of you as amother. For everyone, it is ultimately just a confirmation of what has gone before. But we warn you mom, if you hurt or harm our mitéra in any way, you will have to deal with all of us." A resounding and heart-warming laugh filled the silence after this declaration. The group wheeled around and recognised the missing members of the hunt, their mistress and an extremely perplexed Apollo

"Daughters we are back, I think it is really sweet of you to protect me, but you don't have to worry. Zoë and I have been a team for so long that nothing and no one can separate us."

She turned from the group directly to Zoë

"How much have you told him so far, darling?"

"I answered his questions as best I could. I explained to him how you survived and what happened to his father..."

The Hunters tensed up, the boy's father was still a sore subject for them. Although they knew that neither their mistress nor the boy could help it, their mistress had no memories, the fact remained that this boy had shared the bed with their mistress, a virgin goddess, and had fathered a child.

"I think he understood to some extent, but to be sure, I would suggest that you sit down with him again tomorrow and tell him everything. He has accepted and put up with almost everything, but it will certainly have been the overwhelm and shock.He is afraid that we will all send him away and not want him because he is a man. He has let that slip...We should all show him that he of all people is welcome here. At the slightest kind of affection, he trusts blindly, so his life will have been more than Hades and back."

"mitéra,Mom..." began Atalanta hesitantly

"How do you plan to raise him here? It is against the ancient laws for a godly parent to bring up his child. Do you want to go against the laws?"

The other Hunters looked up with interest, Apollo waited eagerly for his sister's answer, for he too had already noticed this logical error. His sister, however, smiled mischievously.

"Atalanta, you bring up something I've been thinking about for the last six years, but the solution was found by someone else. However, to get back to your question and answer it, I have to go back a bit into my recent past...During my timeas a mortal, I was amember of agroupof rule-breakers andpranksters during my school days. We broke or rather reinterpreted the rules a time or two...As for the solution of our problem, We will simply do the same here. The Person who laid the groundwork for that was Hadrian´s father. Hadrian's father has come up with his last great and probably his most ingenious coup as his final act, and this one makes it happen. It´s properly one of the greatest coup on Olympus as well.You are absolutely right, the ancient laws forbid me to raise my son myself, but nowhere is it written that he cannot be raised in the divine domain of the divine parent. By bloodadoption Zoë is absolutely within her rights to raise Hadrian here, provided I allow it, for then it is her son too. You may now see where my thoughts are leading?"

Apollo for his part was flabbergasted, this interpretation of the old laws was absolutely legitimate and would allow the hunt to raise his nephew. Even without breaking any law at all. A thoroughly ingenious manoeuvre and come to think that it was a mortal who found a way around the ancient laws. But this mortal was special, he was not an ordinary one. He was the one who was held in high regards by his sister. And he was a prankster to the boot. How he would have loved to play pranks with this mortal for once, oh how much chaos and mischief he, Hermes and the mortal could have caused...

The Hunters at least seemed satisfied with the answer, but both the goddess, the god and the lieutenant could read in their faces that some were still sceptical about the son of Artemis. For the last time this evening Artemis at least tried to convince them to give her son a chance to prove himself, the rest, she knew, would come on its own. She cleared her throat and the murmuring died down instantly.

"It means a lot to me that you all accept us. I can't tell you how relieved I am to know that this family will stay the way it is without losing any of you because of it.It was one of Zoë´s and mine biggest fears and also the reason we kept it a secret from you for so long. I am sorry that I did not trust you for so long. But now to know that you are not planning to leave your family, your home because of us is a true gift and gives me strength for the task that now lies ahead of us."

She took another deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment.

"I know that some of you are still at least sceptical at a minimum about him and don't trust him, but I ask you all to at least give him the chance to prove that he is not scum but will become a man. And I know I am repeating myself as I have done so many times this evening, but I thank you for being so open with our son so far and not judging him for his gender so far. He will need your help, the help of his older sisters to support him and show him how a true man should behave so that he does not become what you now fear.I know I am asking a lot of you and for many it will not be an easy thing, but I believe we can grow from this. Together we can overcome any obstacle."

Loud cheers sounded from the fire, but they were not as enthusiastic as they had been during other speeches by their mistress. They would need time to get used to the newest part of their family, but they were determined to try and master it like any other venture.

---

That was chapter 10.
Once again I apologize that it took more than 3 months. Still I hope you liked it.
Was it good or bad? leave me your opinion in the reviews and/or write me a private message.
See you next time

Cheers