Enjoy!
Chapter 6
"You do know that we're in New York, right?" asked Harriet, slightly concerned for her colleague's wellbeing, as the pair of them walked out onto the road. "And it takes approximately 6 hours and bit to get to LA, right?"
Although she could apparate there, she wasn't going to go alone into an unknown territory and she would much rather prefer Dodds to accompany her, even if she does have a habit of fangirling over her. And who knows how Dodds could be affected by her method of transport?
Dodds smirked at her and threw what suspiciously seemed to be golden coin onto the road. "Stêthi 'Ô hárma diabolês"
She stared at Dodds, unable to comprehend what she just said. She had a hunch it was greek.
"I am summoning the world's fastest transport, Miss Potter," declared Dodds, after picking up the vibe that Harriet did not understand her at all. "We will get to LA in half an hour and do not worry at all. We will be back here in time."
Harriet raised an eyebrow sceptically but nodded, deciding to take a galleon on Dodds' judgement. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up and Harriet felt something tingling in the air.
Something's coming.
Her hand instinctively went towards the inside of her trench coat before she realised that she didn't bring her wand with her. Though she was centuries old, wandless magic didn't come easily to her and there were boundaries to that range of magic, that even she couldn't break. Her wand was simply her insurance, and she would've bought it with her had she anticipated herself going to the bloody Underworld.
Soon, a taxi cab formed straight out of a dark grey smog. Inside were three ladies, all with wrinkly grey skin and, quite frankly, ridiculous outfits.
Harriet turned an eye to Dodds.
"It's the best we've got," grumbled Dodds, feeling the Mistress of Death's eye on her. "And it's our only option."
A lady in a horrendously hot-pink tracksuit yelled out blindly, "Chariot of the Damned at your service! And give me the eye Tempest!"
Harriet was slightly confused for a moment before the realisation that the three ladies only had an eye between them came upon her. She turned around to Dodds, who simply decided to walk past her into the cab before Harriet said anything.
Bloody hell
Though she had the chance of not going at all and the choice of apparating to the location, Harriet was thirsty to find out more about the mythical world her great-grandson was from and she was also reluctant to apparate and besides, it would be fun to rile up Dodds.
She walked into the cab and immediately concluded that she would most definitely be apparating back from LA.
When she reached for her seat belt, she found black chains and she momentarily contemplated between safety and comfort. Seeing Dodds not wear her seat belt, made her go for comfort. She can't die, so it was completely fine. Yes, it was fine.
It was fine until the cab went off for what seemed like a million miles per hour.
"Are these people even licensed to drive safely?" muttered Harriet, darkly.
"No, I don't think they are," replied Dodds tensely after a moment. "It's my second-time riding on this. The first time it was with children."
Those poor children.
After composing herself, she held onto the black chains, figuring they were most likely to be the only thing in the goddamn taxi to be sturdy.
"Who's that,?" asked the lady with a single tooth.
"It's no one for you to know Wasp," answered Dodds sharply, "Just go to the studios."
She then turned to Harriet and introduced the three drivers. "Meet Tempest, Anger and Wasp."
"A pleasure to meet you, "gritted out Harriet. "An absolute bloody pleasure."
"You're not around here are ya?" asked one of the ladies, whom Harriet could not identify. "That's definitely British."
Another lady in a neon green tracksuit interjected, "It's been like 200 years since we were last in England, hasn't it Tempest?"
Then Dodds interjected, "I think you should focus on the road Tempest."
"Why?"
"Cos you're the only one with the eye!" cried out her sisters.
"Oh Merlin," sighed out Harriet, rolling her eyes.
"I am never riding on that monstrosity ever again," said Harriet to Dodds, who said nothing in return.
The pair were standing in front of a studio named 'DOA'. Though it seemed normal to the mortal eye, Harriet felt her senses going haywire.
"Who would've thought the entrance would've been a recording studio?" remarked Harriet idly.
"DOA means Dead On Arrival," explained Dodds.
"How delightfully welcoming."
The Underworld was most definitely an interesting place. It was somehow beautifully terrifying. The place itself gave her the shivers and Harriet grimaced as she thought about having to work in the Underworld. She was currently on a boat towards Hades' Palace with Dodds, whose actual name was Alecto, and Charon, a god who delivers souls.
"So, how's life rowing dead people to their destinations?" asked Harriet casually. Frankly, she was quite tired of the silence and wanted some form of entertainment. "Is it amusing or dreadfully boring?"
"It's dreadful, honestly, like, he never pays me the wage that I want," Charon answered in a sullen tone, though a tinge of delight could be detected. "I'm the only one here campaigning for the right stuff and he never takes notice of me. And this is like the 21st century."
"Oh, stop complaining Charon, he gave you a raise last century," huffed Alecto, who had enough of her college's whining.
"You do know a century is a long time," pointed out Harriet bemusedly.
Alecto then turned her eyes on Harriet. "We're immortal and we've been living for thousands of years. A century is like a second."
"Well, I've only lived a few centuries."
"You are quite young then," mused Charon. "But you look like an old lady."
Harriet scowled at him. "That isn't something you say to a lady. And please, I've only just adjusted to the life of an immortal. "
That was a blatant lie and Harriet knew her companions would be idiots not to realise it. She simply just grown used to the life of an aged woman. And she very much liked it, thank you very much. Though there was a time when she had the appearance of a 20-year-old, enjoying every liberating moment of life. She'd be lying if she said that the very same 20-year-old, would've loved her future self to be old.
In defence of her appearance, she offhandedly remarked, "And besides, I look wiser."
Alecto snorted.
Harriet proceeded on watching the journey towards the gates of the Underworld. She saw the famed Cerberus growling towards the nearing passengers. A memory of meeting a three-headed dog passed her mind faintly as she walked towards the gates, which soon opened.
"Look there," said Alecto, eyes narrowing, gesturing her head towards a field of darkness and fire and malevolence. The Field of Punishments, Harriet soon realised as she observed men and women with contortions of pain, visible for everyone to see.
"How lovely," she observed. Harriet then noticed, in the distance, a Greek-styled palace in the colours of black and bronze. "I assume that is Hades' Palace then."
Alecto nodded in confirmation but before she could say anything Harriet apparated over there with a pop. The palace was large and was guarded by soldiers.
Alecto met Harriet at the entrance with a scowl marring her face. "Please don't tell me that we could've just avoided hours we spent with those people."
Harriet gave her a smug smirk, which Alecto ignored.
With a snap of her fingers, Alecto opened the entrance to the Palace.
Harriet was quite admittedly awed by the bejewelled halls. Rubies, emeralds and pretty much all kinds of rare stones and metals adorned the hallways.
Alecto said with a smirk, "Lord Hades is the god of metals and so the control over metals. The palace is greater than the one on Mount Olympus."
"I see," said Harriet nonchalantly. "What are the chances that it's the exact design as the one on Olympus."
According to the myths, the oldest brother was quite displeased about not being allowed on Mount Olympus.
Alecto said nothing.
Harriet's cackle could be heard miles away.
Harriet was vaguely reminded of Snape when she first saw Hades. The similarity laid within the black hair and onyx eyes, but it was ruined by the fact that Hades did not possess the greasy hair her mentor did.
"You are Harriet Potter," said Hades up on the throne made of bones. "Welcome to the Underworld."
"Yes, it's an absolute joy to be here," said Harriet, looking around the room. But she wasn't in the mood for any chitchat when the realisation that she had lessons the day after became known to her. Of course, there was a potion that she could take but she would have to make it. And she couldn't exactly be bothered to find frogs' eyes in the middle of the night. "Let's just get straight to the point: what do you want?"
Hades bristled slightly and spoke, "I'll ignore the insolence you've just graced me with and I will explain."
"You forgot that I'm immortal, Hades," pointed out Harriet, folding her arms. "Unable to die."
"There are worse things than death Miss Potter and I am sure we are both aware of that," said Hades gravelly. "And it's Lord Hades."
"Oh, I don't think so," snorted Harriet, folding her arms under her chest. "But do tell me, what does exactly happen to a god when he's been chopped into pieces? I believe they go to Tartarus, do they not? "
Hades gave an unwilling nod.
"Now isn't that a fate for a god?" said Harriet lightly with bemusement glittering in her eyes. "Shame, that wouldn't happen to me."
Hades then gave a slight cough. "Yes, but having to grow out new body parts does seem to be a tiring process, Miss Potter."
Amusement vanished from her face. Her title as 'Mistress of Death' didn't really bring any perks at all apart from a magical boost and immortality and the ability to summon souls, something she wasn't fond of. The fact that she couldn't die, meant that her enemies had to figure out other ways to ruin her, namely decapitating her. It once did happen to her but she managed to 'regenerate' to quote one of her godchildren. It wasn't that pleasant to grow out a new arm: it was painful as hell. And then there was that one time when she spent a decade as a bodiless head. Thankfully an alien weirdly enough managed to find her body.
"Well, then what do you want?" drawled out Harriet, jutting her lower lip out.
"Decades ago, the underworld gods sensed a powerful being enter our world. It similarly happened centuries ago but that time everyone knew about it. But this time it was only us who knew. From this, I concluded that it must have been an immortal being that has some sort of connection to Death, therefore my domain, "explained Hades, "I sent out my subordinates to find out about this being, who was you, but we failed because of your magic that sent our magic, that Hecate uses, into haywire."
"Can you please just get to the point?"
Hades grumbled, displeased at the insolence, but complied with her request nonetheless. "You have duties to perform, duties that are long due in."
"And what makes you think I will do these duties?" asked Harriet with narrowed eyes full of displeasure. "I don't even belong here!"
Hades nodded. "No, of course, you don't. You're an anomaly."
Seriously? A normal person would have said something along the lines of 'No, you belong with us' or some sentimental nonsense.
"Thank you," beamed Harriet with a smile too sharp.
"But you are still an immortal being, who holds the title of 'Mistress of Death'. Wherever you come from, you must have meant a great deal there or at least worshipped."
Unwillingly, Harriet had to agree with him. The Wizardingkind surprisingly didn't call for her head when it was known that she was immortal. Quite the contrary actually. They instead offered her sacrifices and purebloods called back in traditions that were long lost during the time of the Druids. Thankfully, the mania settled down when vampires, werewolves, faeries, veelas, mermen and many other creatures, who could perform the slightest drop of magic, were integrated into Wizarding society. But there was still that occasional offering that she got every year for Samhain.
"So, what?" argued Harriet. "Why do I have duties?"
"Because you're an unknown and no one likes anything they don't expect," revealed Hades with a tremor of annoyance in his voice, annoyed that she still didn't comprehend. "You should be grateful that it was us who found you."
"Why?"
"The others would've called for your death," said Hades. "They don't like things they have no idea of. Especially Zeus with his paranoia. "
Oh, just great.
"But then what do you plan to do with me?"
"We all planned to introduce you as a new godling from the underworld," announced Hades.
"And who's we?" asked Harriet with a raised eyebrow.
"That's us, darling," a feminine voice answered.
Harriet turned around and saw a red-headed woman walk in with a golden-eyed man. She exhaled as she took a closer at the woman.
Mum?
No. It wasn't her mum. For a moment, she thought her mother walked in because of the exact ruby shade of the hair.
"I'm Hecate, the goddess of magic," greeted the woman pleasantly with excitement barely concealed. "And this is, my good friend Thanatos the grumpy-"
"I believe I can introduce myself, Hecate," said Thanatos, cutting off Hecate. He looked at Harriet coolly, observing her. "Thanatos, god of peaceful death."
"A pleasure to meet you both," replied Harriet with a tight smile. There were now three gods in a room with her, two of them unknown to her and one whom she considered to be part of the Olympians. "I'm Harriet Potter."
"Harriet isn't a good name," muttered Hecate, unaware that she looked slightly insane. "Nope, it shan't do well. And you look-"
"Excuse me," interrupted Harriet in outrage. Her name was wonderful, and she would never change it. (Though she did slightly resent her parents for giving her a name like Harriet in primary school.)
"Don't mind her at all," offered Thanatos calmly. "She's just a bit loose in the head."
"Can we please get back into business?" interjected Hades with irritation. "I have work to do, and I don't have much time."
"Of course, Lord Hades," said Thanatos immediately.
"Right," began Hades, who then looked at Harriet, "Our plan was to introduce you as the child of a fling between Thanatos and Hecate, who decided to hide their child in the Underworld for protecting for whatever reasons there may be. This is so that you get some sort of leverage over normal immortals because of your duties."
"Hold your horses, there are other immortals like me?" said Harriet, eyes wild. "And why am I the child of those two."
"No of course not. I'm talking about people who have been turned immortal."
Harriet's mood deflated.
"And Hecate and Thanatos are simply chosen because of what your abilities can be contributed to, "explained Hades, "Your magic comes from Hecate, and your necromantic abilities come from Thanatos. They are also more sympathetic to you."
"You mean loyal to you," pointed out Harriet moodily.
Hades cocked his head, considering her input. "Well that too as well."
"But beware this is simply just a cover," added in Thanatos. "You do not have to act-"
"Mushy lovey?" offered Hecate.
"Informal with us," continued Thanatos, blanking Hecate. "However, you will have to help us with our workload as we take our duties gravely even if we do not like it."
"If you meet the other gods, they all take it lighter than us, but here? We can't do that," explained Hecate.
"This is the Underworld and we have to take matters seriously here. We can't play with souls. Or else…" said Thanatos.
"Shit hits the fan," ended off Hecate.
Harriet frowned. So, she's either has to take on some duties or it's death by gods. But she could still hide. Though perhaps not when her great-grandson is a demigod. Clearly, the other gods and goddess, aren't even aware that she has descendants with one being a demigod. Taking on some duties, could perhaps even bring in some sort of benefit for Percy.
"Aren't there other pantheons?" asked Harriet. "I'm pretty sure there are others. But why haven't they come for me? The Underworld side of them?"
The three immortal beings all looked at each other before Hades said, "Oh we all agreed unanimously that it would be us who would go to you as we have a larger influence on mortals."
Hecate, picking up on Harriet's confusion then said, "It wasn't just us who noticed your arrival, darling. All the other pantheons all noticed and had wanted to contact you as well."
"Right," Harriet said promptly. "Do I not meet them as well? Or am I going to be only seeing you people all my life?"
"Well, there are Annual Deathly conferences that some gods and goddesses attend, provided that they are not the counterparts of each other," answered Thanatos.
"But none of us really go cos it's lame," added Hecate. "And it's only the underworld that does this cos death is a universal thing and like yeah."
"And no, you will not be going off into other pantheons until you're more stable," answered Hades. "But you have the choice of going to that meeting for promoting unity."
"Wonderful! Diplomatic missions amongst immortal beings," Harriet exclaimed with an undertone of sarcasm. She then placed her gaze on Hades. "What happens now?"
"Well, I've heard that you have a job from Alecto so I guess we sort of have to adjust until you reach the end of your fake mortal life," mused Hades. "But I guess, for now, you can just help Thanatos as he is your fake father."
Harriet turned to Thanatos expectantly, waiting for him to expand on his duties. But when it was obvious he wasn't going to, Harriet sighed and asked, "So what is it that you do Thanatos?"
"I reap souls."
Harriet clapped her hands and exclaimed, "Oh like that cartoon!"
The one that Percy watches all the time! Those people who run around and pointing their swords everywhere in black clothes.
"Like Bleach?" she offered. When she realised no one got it, she kept her mouth silent. Although Harriet outwardly showed displeasure for her great-grandson obsession with anime, she actually quite enjoyed them and once spent a whole night having a marathon.
"Moving on, with the use of my scythe and abilities I send rogue souls to the underworld to be judged. I also make sure no one defies their death date. Most souls do get there without my assistance, but there's a few to my dismay that do not follow rules," explained Thanatos. He looked at Harriet pointedly. "A couple of decades ago, some souls vanished from the Underworld yet a few hours later they came back. I assume that's your doing."
"You are correct," said Harriet with shock easily heard in her voice. "I wasn't aware that would have been noticed."
It was true. She just wanted to see her old friends for one last time. Though her intuition warned her that she would be noticed, she ignored it; she had done it in her previous world so what could go wrong?
Hecate then scoffed.
"Darling, this is the Underworld. We know everything going on."
AN-Just to make things clear, Harriet is the Mistress of Death, who doesn't have complete control over death. Yes, she is immortal. Yes, she is powerful than an average witch. But no, she does not have complete control over Death. She is not above Hades nor is she below. He's a god bound by the laws in the Greek Pantheon whereas Harriet is an immortal who does not have any rules governing her.
Furthermore, it also depends on how you define the title of 'Mistress of Death'. Harriet doesn't have complete control of Death nor can she summon him. She is just an immortal being. A young one in comparison to the Gods and Goddesses who have been around for thousands of years. Hades doesn't outrank Harriet at all. He is one who's barely worshipped but if you take into account all the counterparts of him in the other pantheons, it differs. According to JK Rowling, the true master of death is the one who accepts death is inevitable and that there are other things far worse and that the title of Master of Death doesn't entail immortality. Although I used a mixture of that in my other story, for this one I decided not to purely because I wanted Harriet to be immortal for the sake of the story. But what I'm thinking is that there has to be a price with immortality and I decided it would be duty, which is quite important for the Greeks gods and goddesses, no important for all gods and goddesses regardless of their pantheon.
So hopefully that clears things up.
I apologise for the delay of this chapter but to make it up, this chapter is 3279 words long! That's my longest so far.
But moving on, next chapter should be out in a couple of weeks.
Remember to review and feel free to suggest anything and please do point out any mistakes.