Sooooooooooo. I'm so so so so sorry for the late update. I skipped a week didn't I. Well, I got sort of lazy and school is so so hard with all my tough courses and well, I was also having a Writer's Block and doing research on wait for it….Ectoplasm!

Disclaimer: Ectoplasm is an actual substance in Harry Potter and not some made up Biology word.

Disclaimer: Some lines from the actual book is used. So beware dear readers, it takes me usually two hours to make things rhyme.

Disclaimer: This isn't a disclaimer. Happy reading!

Katzztar-Authors make demigods laugh at names, I think, for comedic effect. To point out the weirdness of some names out there. Like how parents name kids People or Rock or I don't know. And weirdness doesn't mean bad, it just means unique. And plus, it is in Leo's nature and Percy's to laugh and crack jokes even in dire situations

NakedFury-I get it. Not all my stories are for everyone. But thanks for helping me with my review goal. : )

Guest-No, I want more of that too. (Evil laugh) No, but yeah, it does make for a more interesting story. And thanks for the review. Happy Holidays!

tomahawkESP-Well, there is actually some speculation Dumbledore is gay, sooo… But BOB! He must come back! : )

Percybeth101-Wow, that was quick answers to the trivia questions. Good job!

unicorngirl1234-Yeah I think that's about right.

RangerOfOlympus-Thank you thank you thank you thank you so much for getting back to my review! I thought about your points and they do make sense. But some characters, I figured, would still use 'I am' or 'you are' for you know, ancient sort of feel. I might actually make a whole separate chapter explaining Draco and Neville's business with the demigods and that sort of stuff. Thanks for the help!

Hilo-Well, I didn't choose Percy because I wanted a sort of fresh look at this overused crossover. Percy is mostly the one chosen, and it would be good for his ego(and his sanity) to not be chosen. Well, that's what I think anway.

Chapter 15-Ectoplasm(Weird name right?)

Annabeth

I sat at the edge of my bed that I share with Percy. It was a wooden bed with dark red sheets and plump white pillows. A beam of light from a dark red lamp shone from a wooden desk underneath a window covered in dark red curtains (starting to see a pattern?).
I slowly cradled the Golden Egg from the First Task before. My hands rubbed against its shiny smooth golden surface with intricate designs embedded. A lamp shined a beam of light down towards the egg, making it sparkle in the sunlight. I could barely see my own hands in front of me without the sliver of light.
I slowly twisted the egg clockwise. I heard gears grind against each other in a technical harmony. With one last twist of the hand, the top of the golden egg fell backwards on the ground, disconnected from the rest of the egg.

Suddenly something wispy that almost looked like fog came smoking out. It formed some weird shape of an oval trying to break free from itself. The mist tried forming into other things besides the oval but something was stopping it. The shape withered when it came closer to the lamp light. Not only that but there was some screeching sound that harassed my ears tremendously.
Then, the mist withdrew from itself and went spiraling back into the Golden Egg. With a snap, the top of the egg came flying back on top, clicking into place with the gears set in place.

I gasped and whispered, "What if…"

I got up and turned the lamp off, leaving only complete darkness. I could barely see my own hands much less the egg as I clambered over and patted the ground to find the egg. One of her hands bumped into something large and metallic and I quickly gathered the egg from the ground.

I twisted the cap once more and waited for the hissing of the gears to subside. Finally the strange white mist came out and it formed a young woman with flowing white hair that reached to the bottom of her waist. The woman had beautiful pale eyes that matched with her deathly pale dress robe that reached to the ankle.

The woman put a hand on her chest as she bellowed in a melodic voice, "

Come seek us where our voices sound,

We cannot sing above the hellish ground,

And while you're searching, ponder this;

We've taken what you'll sorely miss,

An hour long you'll have to look,

And recover what we took,

But past an hour — the prospect's black,

Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.

The ghost woman bowed with a smile and disappeared back into mist as she went inside the egg once more. I quickly turned on the lamp and started writing down what she sang.

A knock on the door signaled Percy and the others were tired of waiting for me. He whined, "Annabeth, can you hurry up please? I'm staaaaarrvvviiiiing!"

I gathered my notes and books into a small book bag and walked towards the door. I smiled, "Wait up Seaweed Brain." I pulled open the door and followed him to breakfast.

-LINE BREAK-

Harry

I looked guiltily at Annabeth and Percy while I ate my breakfast. Sure, it has been a month since the accident and the Second Task was coming up but I still felt guilty for hurting them. However, the incident was eye-opening. Hermione found something but she didn't have the will to tell us as she just shook her head sadly and went on her way when we asked what was the cause of Annabeth's breakdown.

Ron shook me and with his mouth full of pudding he said, "Fy are yo so gum Hurry?"
I raised an eyebrow, "I'm not glum."

Ron swallowed his food in a gulp, "Oh. Well have you taken a look at the Golden Egg yet?"
I shook my head. Truth was, I was scared of the next task. I didn't want to be the Champion (well maybe I did for a little bit but not now). But someone had entered me in. Someone out there was trying to kill me. I never voiced these thoughts to Ron or Hermione or the others in fear they would just mock my paranoia.

A voice asked, "Hey Harry I have something to show you." I turned around to see Cedric Diggory with his book bag bulging from something yellow or maybe golden. Hermione and Ron stopped eating and watched silently. I nodded and followed Cedric out of the Great Hall.

I admit I am still a bit disappointed that Cedric got to dance with Cho on Christmas Day and the Yule Ball. But I was too shy and too late.

Anyway Cedric stopped nearby a portrait of a dragon. We watched as people bustled towards the Great Hall. As soon as most people left the hallway, Cedric whispered, "Have you cracked the egg yet?"

"No, not yet."

"Well. Open the egg in a dark room. You want to do it with no light at all. I suggest you go into the dungeons. It is the best to open it without bothering others in your common room. Hear, I have a password to a closet nearby the dungeons. It is relatviely not used that much by Filch or Snape. So you should be safe. And plus there is plenty of room to open the egg."

I gasped in shock. Cedric was helping me. "Wow, thanks Cedric."

"No problem. It is only right as you warned me about the dragons. Okay the password is Bludging Balloon. Good luck Harry!"

-LINE BREAK IN MEMORY OF BOB-

"Where were you Harry?!" Hermione shrieked. I trudged into the Common Room with my Golden Egg and the song on a piece of parchment. Ron ran up to me and tried to drag me somewhere. I motioned for them to follow me towards the dorm room. I checked inside. Good it's empty.

I quickly closed the door as soon as Hermione and Ron entered the room.
"Okay I opened the egg and a woman ghost came out and sang this song." I handed Hermione the parchment and she mouthed the words as she read.

"What does this mean? I mean a ghost saying you have an hour to find something that you love. This is probably the Second Task. But hellish ground? Like hell? I did some research after learning about the Greek gods. And Hades' Underworld is referred to like hell. So, you're going to the Underworld?!"

"Probably not." We turned to see Annabeth leaning against the door frame with her egg tucked underneath her arm.
"I opened the egg and I came to the same conclusion. But the thing is, it is extremely dangerous going into the underworld. The Tournament judges probably won't send wizards into there."

Hermione nodded, "Yeah. I heard that only a few heroes ever made it alive going in and out of the Underworld. But all those heroes had tragic deaths in the end."

"Well Percy and I have done this like at least twice. I would be fine, but not the wizards. It is probably some sort of simulator or recreation of it."

Hermione asked, "Well then what is the point of the task if we don't use magic?"

"I think you will need magic in order to get into the simulator or what not. Maybe.. Can you guys transfigure into a ghost or something?"
Hermione shook her head.

"Um but there is a substance that ghosts leave behind that is sort of like a trial but it is extremely dangerous to humans."

I asked, "What?"

"Ectoplasm. We learned it in Second Year. You should have known better Harry."

"Sorry." I mumbled.
Annabeth sighed, "Anything else?"

Hermione continued, "There is the Ecto Spell. You say Ectomatic. The spell would conjure blobs of ectoplasm, launching them in an arc to splash down on the ground. Conjured ectoplasm could be cleaned up by the Skurge Scouring Charm."

Annabeth whispered, "Interesting. Maybe you need to conjure ectoplasm or bring it in order to get towards the lost stuff."

Ron asked, "So we need to get ectonoism?"

"Ectoplasm, Ron." sighed Hermione, "But yes. We need ectoplasm. Perhaps we could get it from Peeves."

"Why can't we use the spell?" I asked.

"Because, the spell requires training and lots of hard work. It could possibly take us months to learn it. But we only have weeks till the next task. Today is February 19. The task is February 24. We only have limited time."

Annabeth nodded, "I can get some of the demigods to help. Especially Nico and Will. They will be great help."

Hermione nodded, "Let's meet up in the Common Room tonight at 9."

-LINE BREAK IN MEMORY OF BECKENDORF-

Nico

I whined, "Whhhhyyyy Annnnabbbbbetttth?"

"Because I need your help! And plus our mission is to help Harry. This will help Harry."

Will also pointed out, "And you're the only one to help. Don't worry, your doctor will help you along the way."

I blushed, "Fiiine."

I followed Annabeth and the Golden Trio down towards a dark hallway, only lit up by their wands (Lumos!) and our weapons. I took out my Stygian Iron blade that glowed a deathly light that made shadows dance along the walls.

A ghost with armfuls of gum came cackling towards us. Hermione yelled, "Peeves! Come back!" The ghost looked back in confusion but continued on his way.

I lodged my sword into the ground and watched as a crack in the ground followed Peeves. I muttered something inaudible, an incantation. The ghost stopped and if it was possible he looked paler than before. He seemed to be drawn towards the sword but he looked alarmed and tried to glide away to no avail.

I commanded with a deadly whisper, "Peeves come here or I'll send you to Downstairs."

He came gliding in while shivering in fear. Hermione asked but looked in fear at me, "Do you know where to find ectoplasm?"

He cackled, "Ectoplasm? Why do you mortals want to find that?

Harry answered, "For the second task."
'Well I can get you some if you do something for me." Annabeth whispered towards me, "Can you make him just show us?"

I shook my head. Beads of sweat ran down my face. I started to loosen my grip on the sword. Will looked at me in concern and nodded, "Deal."

I collapsed on the ground into Will's awaiting hands. Annabeth took my sword and helped me up. I leaned on the both of them, watching Peeves glide. My vision went in and out and I just saw a blurry heap of people. Will whispered, "Only a bit more."
Ron poked me in the head and I snapped, "What was that for?"
"Just making sure you're alive." quivered Ron. Peeves gave us the gum and said, "If you plug all the knobs with gum in this hallway, I will get you some ectoplasm."
Peeves cackled and disappeared into thin air. Hermione, Ron, and Harry quickly hurried with the task.

Will set me down on the ground and placed his hands on my head, feeling my temperature. "You have a slight fever. Hear, drink a bit."

He placed a bottle towards my lips and I allowed a sliver of the liquid down my throat. It tasted like an old Italian dish my mom used to make.

Suddenly the Golden Trio ran towards us, panting. Harry said in between breaths, "It's...done Peeves...hurry up."
Peeves showed up again soon later and a weird green substance came out of his...buttocks. The substance slid inside two jars and was shut with a lid by a ghostly hand.

"Be glad He was here. Otherwise I wouldn't hold up my end of the deal." Peeves cackled once more and swooped down the hallway, laughing his guts out.
Annabeth fingered the container gently, peering inside to see the glowing sticky green thing that looked solid but liquid, like jello. I mumbled, "So I had to do all that to get ghost poop?"
Will laughed, "Yep. Now let's get you home."
"Oh then. I want to go to camp. It is so much better than this gloomy place. No ghosts or ghost poop."

Annabeth chuckled, "You know what he meant."

Wow. So, the beginning of a different task then the one from the book. I hope you liked it. I was a bit rushed in order to get my thoughts on a page. I'm so so sorry for the wait. Like I said before, I had a bit of a Writer's Block. Plus, I was researching Ectoplasm and stuff.
So : )-hope4all

Trivia:

How did Nico's mom die?
Why did Narcissa let Harry live in the forest in the Deathly Hallows? (In case you don't remember, after Voldemort 'killed' Harry.)