DISCLAIMER: I HERE BY CLAIM THAT I DO NOT OWN THE HEROES OF OLYMPUS, PERCY JACKSON, AND HARRY POTTER BOOKS. ONLY A FEW CHOSEN CHARACTERS BELONG TO ME.
Just like I promised: Enjoy!
Lou-Ellen hated demigod dreams. They never occurred often to her, but when they did, she would wake up in cold sweat with her heart racing. It had been years since she'd had her last one, so when she had her dream that night, it came as a surprise.
Strangely enough, Lou-Ellen was in Victoria's Secret. A lady was rummaging through shelves and cases. She was picking up clothes, looking and them, and then shaking her head in denial, muttering; "No, too puffy...no, that won't work either."
The lady turned her head around, and Lou-Ellen gasped. This just wasn't any lady...she was..gorgeous. Her hair was chocolate brown, her skin native-american dark, and her eyes kept changing color. From magenta, to aqua blue, to light gray, and so on. In other words, she looked like an older version of Piper. Well, expect for the make-up, that is.
Lou-Ellen immediate recognized her as Aphrodite. She wasn't sure why, but she'd never really expected to see that goddess in particular.
"Oh, hello! About time you showed up, too." Aphrodite said, smiling at her in a dazzaling manner.
Lou-Ellen opened her mouth to speak, but couldn't find any words. "I- Uh,"
"I suppose you're wondering why you're here, aren't you?" Aphrodite said, shoving aside another beach suit.
Still unable to speak, Lou nodded her head.
Aphrodite smiled. "Well, see, Demeter owes your mother a favor, and Poesidon owes her a favor, while Briares is still in debt of Poseidon, and Ares owes him one, and he owes Hebe, who also owes Hypnos, who in turn-"
Lou-Ellen decided she'd rather interupt than wait for decades before Aphrodite was over. "Um, Lady Aphrodite? I get it. But why does my mother need...something from me?" Again. Lou-Ellen thought bitterly. Ever since Hecate had used Nico to her advantage, Lou-Ellen had resented her.
"Oh, actually," Aphrodite said, seeming to inspect a new swim-suit. "she wants me to help you, and not the other way around. Of course, she didn't tell me directly, although I would have done it anyway."
Lou-Ellen frowned. Why would her mother want to give her something? If Hecate was trying to bribe her out of her anger, then she was darn wrong.
"What exactly does mother want to give me?" Lou-Ellen asked, choosing her words carefully.
Aphrodite smiled at her softly. "Oh, she wants be to sort our your problems, Lou-Ellen. She says you are having emotional difficulties. But I see your heart is in the right place."
Lou-Ellen felt her face reddening. "What- what does she mean emotional problems? I-I'm fine. I-"
Aphrodite sighed in exasperation. "Why do people always think I'm going to mess with their love-life when I show up? Of course, I've done it the few first thousand times, but this is another matter! I'm the goddess of love, darling. And not necessarily romantic love." She turned her head to Lou-Ellen. "I'm here about love, yes, but don't worry. I'm still trying to decide who you'll be with."
That didn't calm the redness that flushed her face. "Then-then why are you-I mean,-"
Aphrodite frowned at another suit. "Oh, they don't make beach-wear like they used to!" she complained. "But anyway," she said. "I'm here to help you. You have a difficult path ahead of you, Lou-Ellen. And honestly, you'll need a lot of friends to get through it. And of course, a lot of love, too. That goes without saying."
"I have nothing to do love," Lou-Ellen said firmly, her cheeks burning.
Aphrodite laughed at her expression. "Oh, of course you do, dear. You love more than you expect you do, Lou-Ellen."
Lou-Ellen folded her arms in defiance. "Give me a few examples, then." She realized what she had said as soon as it came out, and flushed a deeper shade of red that was due to embarrassment.
"Well, for starters, Nico Di Angelo." Aphrodite said, throwing aside more clothes. "You don't love him?"
Lou-Ellen's hands unfolded. "Well, of course I do. Like a brother, I mean. That's why I'm trying to help him. And Mera, too."
Aphrodite nodded her head in approval. "And you love Alabaster?"
Lou-Ellen nodded. She loved her half-brother, and there was no point denying it. He'd sacrificed a lot for them, so why wouldn't she love him?
"You have a lot of love to share, Lou-Ellen." Aphrodite said wisely. She finally seemed to find the perfect swim-suit and tucked it into a plastic bag, looking pleased with herself.
"Oh, Piper will love these! A perfect gift for a sweet-sixteen. Anyway," she turned to Lou-Ellen, and smiled again, showing her perfect pearly-white teeth.
"I'm going to advice you Lou-Ellen; when the time comes to make a decision, don't be afraid to love. Let your heart lead you to the right direction, and don't be scared." She stood up happily, her Victoria's Secret bag in hand.
Lou-Ellen was lost for words. She didn't know what to think of this visit, nor did she know what to feel. Sensing her discomfort, Aphrodite set down her bad and made her way to the flabbergasted daughter of Hecate.
She put a hand on her shoulder. "You are capable of great things, Lou-Ellen." Then she put her perfectly manicured hand on Lou-Ellen's forehead.
"Your heart will lead you to the right place, Lou-Ellen. Know this. And when you are in need of my help, remember this; Love conquers all, no matter how much people would like to deny that. " Lou-Ellen felt a warm sensation fill her body.
Aphrodite took her hand away, but the sensation didn't fade. Aphrodite's sincere expression melted into one of happiness.
"Ooh, Piper will love these!" she said again, picking the bag up. "All my children, the girls, mind, simply adore this place. And they have good taste!"
Lou wondered if she should tell Aphrodite exactly how Piper would feel about that gift, but shut her mouth up immediately. She didn't want to interfere in family matters. And besides, the expression on Piper's face would be priceless.
"Bye!" Aphrodite said, waving her hand. The store, along with Lou-Ellen's dream, faded into the darkness.
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"Hey, Annabeth!" Malcom called. Annabeth tore her eyes away from the Lares and looking at her half-brother inquiringly.
"Annabeth, haven't you noticed something?" Annabeth raised her eyebrows again.
"Noticed what, exactly, Malcom?"
Malcom panted, "The Lares. We know a soul's escaping death or something, but why are they so worked up about it? I mean to say, remember when you guys had the physcian's cure? Why weren't they that way, too, when Leo came back?"
Annabeth frowned in concentration. She hadn't exactly thought about that. It was all the more true, but all the more confusing. No matter; there wasn't anything that would stump a daughter of Athena.
"I'm not sure," Annabeth said, scrunching her face. "It must be different...Where'd that thought come from, anyway?"
Malcom shook his head, looking slightly amused. "A Lar, his name was Vitellius I believe, was like the other Lares,"
"So?" Annabeth said. "Isn't that why we're trying to find out what they're so secretive about?" she inquired.
Malcom shook his head. "Well, of course! But he looked kind of..well, disgusted. I asked him why, and he went all defensive. But with some flattery and praise," Malcom smirked slyly, and Annabeth rolled her eyes at him, although good naturally.
"I got him to mutter how unfair it was and all. Said it shouldn't be allowed. Kind of weird, don't you think," he said, raising his eyebrows in question. "The other Lares started throwing looks at him, and he shut up and floated away."
Annabeth thought about the information Malcom had just handed her. She frowned, trying to come to a conclusion with. So apparently, the Lares were mad about someone being able to escape death. That was obvious. But why hadn't they acted this way with Leo? What was different about this situation, and the question that had been nagging Annabeth most, who was going to escape death? There was a reason none of them wanted to spread the news.
The only people who knew about that as far as Annabeth could tell were Reyna, Malcom, Frank, Piper, Hazel, Percy, and she. They'd decided not to spread it out until they could dig deeper into the matter. The extra information might just cause demigods to panic, or get suspicious, which was the last thing anyone needed.
"I'm not sure, Malcom," Annabeth said, frowning. She hated not knowing things. "Tell Reyna and Frank. They might be able to speak the Lares further on this, being Praetors and all, though I do doubt they'll cooperate."
Malcom nodded, understanding Annabeth's logic, and ran off to tell Reyna.
As she watched her half-brother run away, Annabeth thought about all the missing pieces of the puzzle- piece that would form their future.
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Vanessa bit her lip, feeling extremely down. "You must really hate me, don't you?" she told Damien, who was sitting beside her (probably against his will).
The teenager didn't move. He gave no indication of having heard her. He just sat there, staring into the emptiness.
"I'm really, really, sorry." she muttered, staring into nothingness as well. Not that he acknowledge what she said, but she felt better that way. At least then, she could pretend that he was mulling over her apology and trying to figure out what he thought of her.
"Not that it matters," she said. "I know it doesn't. I know saying sorry won't bring you back, and I don't it won't take me back in time to stop myself but-but, I'm really sorry. I hope someday you'll believe me." she looked at him, hopefully. Damien didn't respond.
She sighed, feeling tears sting her eyes. Of course, when they were done with her, and after she died, he'd probably hate her. But she would have liked him to know, just for her sake, that she didn't meant it.
Vanessa was used to people looking at her in different ways. She'd been an international student of sorts. Se almost never stayed for one year at a school. From Cairo's Ancient Magical School, to Berlin's High German Academy for the Magically gifted, to Beauxbatons, to- well, here. But this was new experience. And Damien was, too.
She had never felt that way about anyone else before, and she hated herself for that. It was just a reminder that even her feelings could get her and all those she loved in trouble.
"Hello," a voice said from behind her. A girl with bush brown hair placed herself next to her.
Vanessa looked up. "Hi," she said, choosing her words carefully.
She looked at Damien, who didn't respond. "Are you alright?" she asked softly, the way a sister might ask her sibling.
"I- yes, why wouldn't I be?" she asked defensively. She didn't want to grow closer to anyone ever again, for she might just hurt someone else. Great. Now they knew what she thought...
"Hey," Vanessa said despite herself, recognizing the girl. "You're Nico's friend, aren't you? I always see you with him and your friends at meals."
Hermione raised her eyebrows, then nodded. "Yes, I am." she said firmly. "Although he's acting too stupidly, really. And well, don't tell him I'm told you, but he's a little anti-social." she rolled her eyes, and Vanessa managed a smile.
The girl sighed. "I'm Hermione Granger, by the way." she held out her hand, and reluctantly, Vanessa shook it.
"What are you so anxious about?" Vanessa said, then mentally kicked herself for it.
Hermione huffed. "Well, talking about Nico, you won't believe what he did!"
Vanessa looked up, confused. "What did he do?"
Hermione looked a little taken aback by the fact that Vanessa didn't know. "The whole school's talking about it!" Hermione said.
Vanessa smiled a little, feeling sad. "Well, sorry about not knowing. I was kind of stuck in my own world the last few days." Or, like, the entire school term.
Hermione smirked. She looked at Damien, the frowned, as if remembering something. She then pursed her lips and turned to Vanessa.
"He well, sort of rebelled over Umbridge."
"What?"
Hermione shook her head in dismay. "Exactly what I thought. From what Harry and George told me, he was so angry that the lights and shadows started flickering. Interesting bit of accidental magic, don't you think? Anyway, he told her that the Ministry would just see how stupid they were when V-Voldemort came back, and told her we ought to stand together and all." Hermione sighed.
"Of course, that was very sensible, but I wouldn't say it to her face, really. He would be expelled. In fact, he even defied her and refused to serve detention and his punishments."
Vanessa pursed her lips. "That's very...Gryffindor of him."
Hermione nodded sincerely. "Fred and George, two of my friends, practically adore him now. Ron thinks he's gone of the rocker, and Harry- well, I'm not sure what he thinks."
Vanessa nodded absentmindedly. She wished she could defy those who controlled her now- but she couldn't, and it just made her feel worse ten-fold. Her eyes started pricking again.
"Hey," Hermione said, putting a hand on her shoulder. Oddly, Hermione didn't seem to find Damien's trance strange.
"Briana, if you need anything, then I'm always there, you know?" she stood up, dusted herself, and smiled at her tightly.
The next thing Hermione said almost gave Vanessa a heart attack.
She turned to walk away, but before she did, her smile turned into one of recognition and determination. "Madam Pince almost killed me for trying to return your book, by the way. But I managed to do it anyway-" she looked at her again, amber eyes seeming to hold a secret she was glad to know, and walked away.
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Surprisingly,Nico had heard nothing of Umbridge for the next two days. When he'd see her in the hallways, she'd throw him a piercing look that clearly said 'You wait and see what I'll do to you when I can' but nothing else, really. And as for Defense Against the Dark Arts classes? He missed them. Simple. Nico being a so-called-student at Hogwarts didn't mean he had to listen to her. However, what did surprise him ever more were the reactions to what he did.
The Weasley twins seemed to have new found respect for him. After Fred'd found out, they had sort of announced it out to the Common Room as if he had won the lottery. (Clapping and all included, and stares of astonishment from the other Gryffindors)
"We're planning on dropping out of here," Fred Weasley had whispered to him one day.
"We're scheming a lot of pranks!" George had added enthusiastically. "We could totally use some fresh minds, eh, Di Angelo?" he wiggled his eyebrows at him expectantly.
On the other hand, Ron Weasley would look at him like he was mentally challenged, shake his head, and whisper something to the closest person. Hermione Granger looked at him after she had heard about the incident, slapped his behind his head and said; "You're an idiot, Nico."
The Slytherins, however, seemed to hate him even more than they did before, but never went close to him. Not that he was complaining. In fact, for the first time since Nico came to Hogwarts, he felt pleased with himself.
So he sat there, totally enjoying how he was breaking the rules again, at the Astronomy Tower, after curfew. No one bothered him. If any Professor caught him (excluding Umbridge) they'd probably ignore him. Truth be told, he'd run into Flitwick accidentally the day before, and he actually winked at Nico and gave him the thumbs-up.
There was no doubt about it, everyone at Hogwarts (excluding a few) hated that pink-clothed toad-faced hair-stylist insulting, beauty-abusing excuse of a teacher. She was almost a bad as Dr. Thorn, and he was a manticore.
It's a beautiful night, isn't it? Hecate said, scaring Nico half out of his wits.
'Um, yeah." he said aloud, accidentally.
Mhmm, Hecate said.
That was quite the rash behavior you did, by the way. I can't say I'm not glad you did it though.
Nico didn't know what to say, so he just said,
Thanks, I guess. Wizards really are idiots, sometimes.
I can't argue about that one, Hecate admitted. But they need our help, and us theirs. Nico, I've glimpsed the future. It's one of chaos and death for both of us, if Tom reigns control.
Nico frowned.
Well, if it really is the future, then what's the point of it all? Of the deaths and the agony, Why do we even try?
Nico, of course, didn't mean to sound pessimistic or anything. He was just saying what he thought made sense. And he was angry. Very. All his life, the Olympians had toyed with him and his friends. They tossed them around to do their errands, and when they did, and they had to pay the ultimate price, and they were the ones that had to mourn and suffer, the gods would be like; 'Okay, ride's over. Good Job on not dying!'
Hecate paused. Nico wondered if she was still snooping around his thoughts, or if she had stopped when he'd asked her to.
The future is not set in stone, Nico. You make it. It depends on your choice,s and the things you do.
Nico was skeptical. But, what about the prophecies?
Nico could sense Hecate mentally sighing. Prophecies can end in multiple ways, Nico. Do you really think the Fates sew your lives precisely? No, Nico, they don't . There will be several things the future can turn out to be, and we should hope for the best. What determines your future is ; you. The choice you make, and so. I'm sure many demigods already know this, but keep blaming the Fates anyway for the relief of having someone to complain about.
Nico mulled that over. The information was kind of calming, but also stressing at the same time.
I still don't get it, Nico said. If there are many paths to take in life, don't the Fates decide which one we'd take?
Another pause.
Nico, let me give you an example. Your cousin, Thalia Grace. If she hadn't joined the Hunters of Artemis, there would have been a good chance she would have been the child of the prophecy. But she chose to join Artemis, and Percy had to complete the prophecy. I'm trying to show you Nico, that you can make that choice; the choice that will alternate the end. Otherwise, what's the use of life, really? What would your time in the world mean if it was all written down; what would define you if you didn't get a choice- a chance to influence your life?
This time, it was Nico who was silent. Truth be told, he had been thinking along those lines for years. He wondered how his opinion had changed about the life after he'd heard this.
I...well, that's good to know. (Notice the understatement there?)
He could almost sense Hecate smiling triumphantly. Yes, well, it's good to tell, too. I hope that helps you later on.
Hecate? Nico asked suddenly, remembering a question he'd wanted to ask her. He felt much better after their short conversation about life, though.
Was it your, well, blessing that lets me sense emotions? And why? Is it normal?
No response. Hecate's job was done, and Nico hated how she would always leave when he needed her answers most...
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It was Mera's last day of stalking that miserable traitor, Tskia. And honestly, she was nervous. She just had the undying impression that something strange would happen. But she was too distracted by the thoughts of Nico and how he was safe now.
Her target talking to three men in black cloaks- wait, not men...Pallismera would have gasped, had she not been undercover. She gaped, still completely camouflaged by the shadows. That...traitor. She never knew he'd stood low to that level. Talking to dementors. Creatures of Tartarus itself. She would never know why her father had assigned her to this quest.
Dementors were not, to say in the least, civil, but Tskia seemed to have no problem talking with them.
Pallismera closed in...Why in Hades Tskia was talking to two dementors outside Azkaban, she had no idea. But she knew it was for no good. The past month, she had learnt that he was working with that Moldycords (a name she had embraced since Tskia had taken to calling him Tom Riddle) guy, and he was talking about some pretty dark stuff.
As she got closer, Tskia, she could hear he wasn't actually talking in words; but in chatter.
Shadow-speak, she thought. She couldn't help but feel a pang of betrayal, but forced it to the back of her mind. She didn't know him anymore; not since he' gone to the dark side.
The dementors wasted no time in floating away after Tskia had finished talking to them. The only things she caught was; Prophecy, Ministry, and Soon. She felt her heart wrench at the words, but forced herself to focus. She watched at Tskia smugly leaned against the prison's walls as the dementors floated off. A smile spread across Tskia's face; his fiery hair flickered.
In a quarter of a second, the shadows ejected Pallismera out, much to her shock; it was as if they were rejecting her. The darkness faded, and she fell onto the ground at Tskia's feet. Shocked, he seemed to have frozen.
"Petrificus Totalus," and she was frozen in that position. Tskia lowered his face to hers, smirking as he did so.
"Hello, Mera." he said, with something like extreme amusement shining in his eyes. "Long time no see, darling."
Is it odd that I hate a character I created? Hm, guess not. Well, if you've guessed, Mera and Tskia go way back, even thought Thanatos pretends not to know. I'm so evil...Darn. What do you guys think? Poor Nico...Prophecy, quest, Lares, Vanessa, Monster, and his relative's disappearance? Actually, poor me, once I think about it. I'll have extreme trouble making Nico juggle all of these together. P.S, you guys must have known who the blessed one is by now, eh? I wonder how Piper will react to her mom's gift...hmmmm?