Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Percy Jackson.

Chapter 5

"No."

"But, Helena..."

"No."

"It will be fun. Just think about..."

"No."

"Just for a five minutes?"

"No."

Annabeth watched the exchange with amusement, shaking her head at her friends' antics. It was like observing a sparring match, with Stolls as clear losers. They have yet to beat Helena, whether it was with swords or words.

Annabeth had learned to respect the girl in the past year. Anyone who can match the Stolls in pranking and bantering department was a force to be reckoned with.

"Helena, please, just...", Connor was practically begging now, his voice gaining a pleading quality, his eyes wide and bright. Travis was not any better, with his hands clasped behind his back and what was supposed to be an endearing expression on his face.

Annabeth didn't believe it for a second.

And neither did Helena, judging by her answers.

"I'm not wearing that...monstrosity on my birthday", Helena said, her tone vicious and her eyes blazing. She was waving her hands, gesturing madly, so Annabeth knew that the brothers were in no danger of being attacked by her favourite dagger. As long as she is talking or yelling, it's all right. But when she goes quiet...

"It's not a monstrosity!" Travis exclaimed indignantly, losing what little he had of patience. "It's just a party hat!"

"It's pink!" Helena shouted, as if that was enough reason to offend that particular object. Annabeth nodded internally, completely agreeing with her friend. No one should wear something in that hideous shade of pink.

"I know, I'm not stupid!" Travis shouted, completely ignoring Helena's angry mutterings of 'could've fooled me'. "But it's your birthday, we're having a party, so you must wear a party hat!"

"No", she said adamantly, crossing her arms at her chest and shaking her head for emphasis. She looked as stubborn as one could get without actually stomping a foot like a child.

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Ye-"

"Enough!" Annabeth interrupted, knowing from experience that the three of them could go on like that for hours if left alone. "Travis, Connor, Helena doesn't have to wear the hat if she doesn't want to. Frankly, no one should have to wear something so...girly", she said, trying to come with a description that won't offend the brothers. She didn't want to find her bed full of a whipping cream again. Once was more than enough, thank you very much! "And Helena, stop being stubborn so we can actually go to your birthday party, the one that the whole Camp prepared just for you."

The three of them looked down, suddenly appearing sheepish.

Annabeth wasn't fooled. She had known them for almost a year, after all.

She decided to let it go, since she had already got them to shut up anyway. She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in irritation, hoping that Chiron could watch out for them for the rest of the day. Gods knew that it was his turn anyway.

"Let's just go", she said, admitting the defeat. She wasn't looking forward to what was coming. Oh, she had no doubt that the party will be amazing, since Chiron and Mr D are experts on planning. She had attended a few parties at the Camp already and she had a great fun. But what worried her were the consequences.

See, there will be cake at the party. With sugar. In a camp full of the ADHD kids that are all very proficient with weapons.

It was a receipt for disaster.

Annabeth had learned it a hard way some months ago. It wasn't pretty. She still shuddered at the thought of Stolls on a sugar rush with an access to the shaving cream and a string. (It was dubbed as The Incident by the campers and was never discussed, not even in the privacy of the cabins. Even Chiron and Mr D were included in this.) Helena and she had came to an agreement that day to do everything in their power to not let the brothers even close to something sweet. Or at least lock them in the closet in case of that happening again.

Annabeth couldn't help but notice the Stolls' wider than usual maniacal grins, and exchanged a worried look with Helena.

They were going to have a lot of work today.


Helena collapsed on her bed, exhausted.

The party was finally over and most of the demigods were safely closed in their cabins, coming down from the sugar rush. The Stolls had been locked in a closet in the Big House for the past three hours. Helena was immensely proud of Annabeth and herself for managing to do that without anyone, mainly Chiron, noticing. They had left them some food (nothing sweet) and water and left them until they were normal (or as normal ad the two can get) again.

Now, thanks to her hectic day, she could fall asleep easily, helped with the quiet sounds of her cabin mates' breathing and soft snoring. In the past year she had came to associate it with peace and comfort.

She realized that she was dreaming when she found herself in a familiar landscape. It was a small, cosy library, with wood paneled walls and massive bookcases filled with books. There was a small fireplace with crackling flames and two comfortable looking armchairs in front of it. One was already taken by a tall, winged man with striking golden eyes.

Her father.

He had visited her in her dreams at least once a month since she came to the Camp. They always met in the same room, in front of the same fireplace, and Helena loved it. It was just like she imagined a family would be when she was younger, but it only lasted for a few hours until she wakes.

She approached the seat, smiling at the god. He reciprocated the expression, surprising her little. He was never one for any clear displays of affection.

"Father", she greeted, settling herself on the armchair.

"Daughter", Thanatos greeted back, nodding to her. "I wanted to wish you a happy birthday."

Helena grinned, delighted that he remembered. She didn't actually think that anyone would, even the party at the Camp was unexpected.

"Thank you", she breathed, knowing that he would understand why that was so important to her. He was, after all, the only one who knew with certainty what she had been through with her relatives. Oh, she knew that Chiron and Annabeth suspected something-she would be surprised if they didn't-but she had never said anything to confirm it. She didn't want it widely known, she didn't need their sad looks or looks of pity. She absolutely hated pity.

"I have a gift for you", her father said, causing her grin to almost split her face. "I had heard that you started training with new weapons", he looked at her questioningly and she nodded. She had previously trained with a dagger so as to learn how to use the one he gave her, but it didn't feel right. Annabeth always managed to beat her because she had problems with fighting in such a close range. She liked to be at least an arms' length from her enemy so she had started training with a twin swords, using the fact that she was an ambidextrous to her advantage. So far, she was doing well, better than with a dagger.

"I thought, maybe you would like these", he continued, motioning with his hand at a small table that wasn't there before. She breathed an amazed sigh when she saw two beautiful long swords with bronze blades gleaming in the firelight. She took them carefully, examining the engravings of interwoven flowers, thorny vines and runes she had never seen. She cautiously twirled the swords and was delighted at the sight of simple double-edged Celestial bronze blades that gave of a faint light. The swords were perfectly balanced and looked absolutely deadly.

"They are beautiful", she whispered reverently, looking at her father gratefully. He had a small smile at his face, obviously happy that she liked them so much. "What do these runes mean?"

"They stand for strength, courage, sharpness and protection. They will keep your swords in perfect condition. There is also a few runes that make sure that you can transform them in the jewelry so that you can be protected wherever you go", he explained, showing her the rune. "You just need to press the right one and..." he trailed off, letting her to see it herself. He pressed the runes and the swords morphed into beautiful bronze bracelets, with delicate interwoven strands of metal similar to the pattern on the blades.

"Beautiful", Helena repeated, looking at them in amazement. She had seen some weapons in the Camp with similar features, but they were rare and she was excited to have two of her own. "How do I turn them into swords again?"

"You just flick your wrists and think about it. You should try it now."

She nodded, putting the bracelets on her hands and flicking her wrists. In the next moment, there were two swords in her hands. She twirled them happily, satisfied with their balance and weight. They were truly perfect for her.

When they were once again in the form of the bracelets, she settled in the armchair again, grinning at her father. He smiled back and relaxed in his seat, flexing his wings in clear satisfaction.

"So, tell me what had happened since my last visit."

And she did. They talked for hours, mostly her describing the Camp, Stolls and Annabeth, but her father also shared some stories about her mother from her school days.

She woke up with a smile on her face and two bronze bracelets on her nightstand.