Wonders of a PBJ

The storm raged on late into the night, and only lessened slightly in its intensity in the waking hours of the morning. Lightening struck upon the lake, the electricity from its strike worming on the surface until the bolts reached the land. Not a soul walked the drenched grass, and not one creature stirred from within the forest. The emptiness of it all would have brought down even the highest of spirits.

Harry stared out of the window of the astronomy tower, a look of determination within his eyes. His arms were folded onto his chest and back rigid. After leaving Ron in the Gryffindor common room, he set his sights on somewhere less occupied. The entire night he had watched the storm from the tower. He did not fear the lightening. The only thing he wanted to do was think. He hadn't slept either, and the dark circles under his eyes was an obvious indication of that.

How could Ron had done that? Harm a child? It didn't make any sense. He thought he knew his friends, if friends were what they were. His real friends would have been understanding of the Olympians and their customs. They would have become friends with them like they did with Durmstang and Beauxbaton. They wouldn't have plotted revenge on a little girl. Granted what Rafaella did was cruel, she was only trying to protect the one that had bestowed magic onto her, Artemis. He could see why she would do that. If someone insulted his mother, father, or Sirius, they would have hell to pay. His eyes darkened slightly as another lightening bolt sailed down onto the Earth. He wondered if Demeter, Goddess of Agriculture, and Poseidon, God of the Sea, would've thought of Zeus hailing lightening bolts on their land and sea.

'Maybe they agree,' he thought to himself before pushing off the wall. Luckily it was the weekend so he would be able to just sleep in all day if he wanted to. That is if he felt like it. He was more awake and aware than he had ever been at his time at Hogwarts.

He picked at his shirt, Gabi's blood still staining the white material. He hadn't thought of finding some clothes to wear before leaving Ron in the tower. In fact he wasn't thinking at all. He just knew he had to leave, and that was what he did. His memory held snippets of people running around, and Razmir going crazy while the students tried to calm him down. Then he remembered Snape coming to the rescue and stunning him. Everyone was in such shock almost all their knowledge of defense had escaped them.

Harry decided it was time to leave the dreary tower. His left hand trailed the stones of the castle as he descended the stairs down to the main floor. Every wrinkle, bump, and crack was felt by his fingers. Something so simple had so many complications good and bad. It made him think about life. There really wasn't anything as simple as stone or brick. Possibly grass. Then it came to him that nothing was just simple. Not one thing. He didn't know why he was thinking of that, but he didn't care. The Gods weren't simple. Magic wasn't simple. Life wasn't simple. And as if those thoughts couldn't be more complex, more came into his mind.

He stopped dead on the last step before entering the main level of the castle. Dumbledore made everything sound so simple. Find the Horcruxes and destroy them. There was so much more to that. Then there was Ron and Hermione. Get revenge and feel no remorse. He wondered if anyone else he knew felt the same way as those two. His fist clenched in a ball. Train to be a killer and then murder Lord Voldemort. The man did kill his parents and thousands of other people, maybe even more. Just the Voldemort he had been seeing in his dreams lately was a totally different man. He consoled his followers, and listened to them. He hadn't seen the man do a single Crucio in months. Nothing added up. He was supposed to be a killer. He was supposed to be trying to rule the wizarding world. Only now his sights were set on something else, finding someone. Whoever than person was, he seemed important. So it wasn't simple at all. He couldn't just train to be a killer, a murderer. He had to know Voldemort's reasons. That way he could at least justify the reason he did it. He knew not to do it out of revenge. His parents would have never wanted that. Plus revenge was never a good thing to drive oneself on.

Harry sighed, descending the last step and walking towards the direction of Gryffindor House. He could see the storm reigning over the sky. No. Nothing wasn't just simple. Only he let those thoughts snuggle themselves in the back of his mind. He passed up some classmates, all of them whispering. Of course they'd be whispering. Every damn year he had to listen to the gossip that surrounded him. He was so close to just screaming in someone's face to just leave him alone. Rumor didn't help is overall goal in life. To be normal. That's all he really wanted. But no he was the Boy-Who-Fucking-Lived. He could do not a thing about it.

"PBJ for your thoughts?" a voice asked that made Harry nearly jump out of his skin. He turned around, seeing Zane sitting on the floor with half of a PBJ in his extended hand. He was wearing a pair of sweat and blue t-shirt. One of his headphones that was connected to his iPod was dangling near the floor, but it didn't seem to bother him. Harry noticed that there was almost a pair of sweats and green t-shirt folded neatly next to him. Zane glanced down, smiling a little. "A girl named Luna said I'd might needs these. Kinda weird, but I took her advice." He glanced at Harry's outfit. "I'm guessing when she said him, she meant you."

"Luna said that?" asked Harry. The other boy nodded. "I guess I'll have to thank her." He bent over to left the clothes, but Zane stopped him. He waved his free hand and Harry's uniform now was folded where the sweats and tee were. He looked down to see he was wearing the outfit. "How did you…"

Zane shrugged. "Magic," he said. He then gave the PBJ in his hand a shake. "Here. It'll help."

Harry looked at the sandwich, taking the offer and sitting down next to him. He hesitantly look a bit, chewing is slowly. It tasted really good. The truth was that he had never eaten a PBJ before. He had always made them for Dudley, but never was able to partake in such a treat. The way the peanut butter and grape jelly blended together made his tongue tingle and it did help. He felt much more relaxed.

"I've never had one of these before," he confessed to Zane.

The other boy stared at him as if he had grown a second head. "Are you serious?"

Harry nodded before taking another bite.

Zane stared down at his sandwich and then looking back at Harry. "You need to get out more then, Mr. Potter," he said in a professor-like voice. "I may have to take five points for not knowing the pleasure of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich."

A chuckle escaped Harry's lips, and he shook his head.

"Even you know this point system is stupid," said Zane with serious look.

Harry thought about it before nodding. "You're right, but it's more of a house rivalry thing."

"I can tell," Zane sighed. He then turned off his iPod that was currently blasting, "I Don't Care," by Fall Out Boy, and pulled out his remaining headphone. He cleared his throat, catching Harry's attention. The emerald eyed teen watched Zane with a clueless eye. "Thank you," he said softly. "You have no idea how important it what when you found Gabi. When all of this is sorted out we will be forever grateful." Harry was about to cut in, but Zane put up his hand. "I know you don't want the attention, I could tell the first time I met you. We all understand that. The only thing we would want to do is honor you with something. Nothing big, just something." A crash of thunder echoed through the castle, and Zane closed his eyes. "Whatever is going on, it is not good."

"What do you mean?"

Zane met his eyes. "Weasley was dragged from his bed along with Granger by Professor McGonagall a few minutes after you left." There was another crash. "They haven't reappeared in the castle which means they're still within Dumbledore's office with Headmaster Drennon."

Harry ate the last of his sandwich. "It is all real, isn't it?" he asked even though he already knew the answer. "The Gods and such?"

Zane smiled. "Indeed it is," he answered while relaxing against the wall. "But of course you knew that."

He nodded. "Yea, I did."

They sat there for a long while, enjoying the rumble of thunder that rippled through the castle. Every so often they'd be passed up by some students, some waving while others were whispering. Harry inwardly groaned, leaning his head back against the wall.

***

On the other side of the castle, in the dungeons to be exact, Rafaella sat in the Slytherin common room with a sugar quill in her mouth. She was on one of the chair surrounding the fireplace, cross legged. Every once in a while she would see Slytherins getting up and going about their Saturday. She didn't pay much attention to them, she was busy plotting. So many things were going through her head. She just couldn't pin point which direction to go.

She heard footsteps coming down the boy's dormitory, and spun around in her seat. Goyle was standing there, wearing a light weight looking black shirt with a nice pair of pants.

'Has anyone ever heard of just lounging?' thought Rafaella. Ever since she had been placed in the house she had never seen the Slytherin's in a pair of sweats or pj pants outside of their dormitory. Unless it was at night, but in the morning, on a Saturday at that, they wore dress pants. It boggled her mind.

"Oh Gregory," sang Rafaella with a sweet smile on her face. The man in question stopped dead on his way out.

"Yes?"

Rafaella motioned him over, taking the quill out of her mouth. She watched as he slowly made his way to the couch, sitting down. "I have a question."

Goyle's eyes scanned the area. They were alone. "Ok."

"Since you are usually quiet, I have predicted that you are observant, correct?"

He hesitated. "Yeah."

A smile graced her lips. "What can you tell me of Weasley and Granger?" As he told her, the wheels in her head continued to turn. All she needed to do was to get ready to pounce.

***

Dustin stared at the parchment for a long while. His eyes were raking over the paper. Most people in the library strayed away from him, and he was glad about that. Nothing made sense. His trance had led him to a battle beyond proportion. Wizards and witches alike were battling it out. Bloodshed was everywhere, and even creatures were fighting alongside black cloaked figures with masks on them. He tapped his foot on the stone floor, writing down as much as he could remember on the notebook beside the piece of parchment that held a new fate.

He stopped writing, wiping his face with his hands. His hair was untamed and stuck out in all directions. There was a few veins visible under his skin, and he prayed that Larila wouldn't see them. He was having enough trouble as it was controlling his Seer abilities and he didn't need her breathing down his neck. Larila was a kind, caring, woman, but sometimes she was too caring. Plus she was a stern woman. No one crossed her. There was even a joke that she would've been a nice incarnate of Hades on her bad days.

"Hello," said a dreamy voice.

Dustin immediately covered his book and parchment before snapping his head up to see a blonde hair girl with silver gray eyes. She was wearing a blue sweater and jeans with big flower earrings. She didn't look intimidating, but she didn't look innocent either. By her aura, he could see that despite the rambunctious atmosphere around her, she was rather calm. Too calm.

"I'm on of Harry's friends," she said. "My name's Luna."

"Hi," responded Dustin in a hoarse voice. He cleared his throat, speaking clearly. "I'm Dustin."

She nodded, staring at him for a long while. They didn't say anything to one another, and Dustin felt as if he had seen that stare before. "Do you always keep your visions so secret?"

Dustin suppressed the urge to widen his eyes. "Excuse me?"

"Your visions," she repeated with wider eyes.

Dustin looked every which way to make sure no one was watching before leaning towards Luna. "How do you-"

"I'm also a Seer," she said with an honest gaze. "The same vision you had last night was the one I had this morning." She took on of the books in her hands, placing it in front of him. It had a blue covering on it along with one leather buckle. "Go ahead. Open it."

He met her eyes, an understanding between them. She sat down, and Dustin took his piece of parchment. He slipped it over to Luna who took it in her hands. With a thoughtful scrunch of her eyebrows she read it while biting her lip. Dustin left her to her thoughts as he opened her book of past visions. A silent alliance was made, one that only they knew of.

***

Mentor Nico was a very patient man, but had a furious temper when meddled with. He was currently walked through the many corridors of Hogwarts, his eyes scanning every tight corner like a hawk. He was observant too, and usually talk privately with people without doing about three searches of the room before giving information to whomever he was talking to at the time. It was rather quiet for a Saturday, except for the storm. Maybe the students were finally starting to fear the Olympians as they should have. They were not students to be dealt with lightly.

He wasn't on a stroll though. In his left hand were letters to give to the students from their parents. Since America was so far away, the letters weren't daily, but weekly. Also behind him floated various presents, that were check for curses, from parent to student. He spotted an Hephaestus, Danny. He was a tall boy with mocha skin and dreadlocks. Danny was very good with his hands, a natural craftsman. Even if there were no metals to make something out of, it seemed he had settled for wood instead. He had a knife in his hand was a carving a tiny statue. Nico had spotted him sitting on the ground with his tongue poking out of his mouth and some Hogwarts students watching in fascination. Some of the only he had seen in the hallways.

It took Danny a while to look up, but when he did he smile. "Mentor Nico, how are you this day?"

"Could be better given the circumstances of last night," he answered honestly. That was something about Olympians. They were honest with one another and the people they trusted, most of the time. Some things were just best left under wraps.

"Mentor Nico," said another tall boy with a tad bit of buck teeth and a lanky figure. "My name's Neville. I wanted to apologize on behalf of Gryffindor for my housemate's actions." He looked down at his palms, and Nico smiled softly. He placed his palm on the boy's head.

"Well, Neville, you're very courageous. I thank you." He gave him a smile, and turned to his student. He handed him a letter and a box settled on the ground next to him. "Chocolates from you mom," he said in a hushed tone.

Danny's eyes widened. "Sweet."

Mentor Nico smiled before leaving the students. He delivered a few more letters and packages to students that he passed up. What some of them didn't know was that when he was checking for curses he was taking some bites of out some of the sweets that were sent. He couldn't help it. Some of the moms and dads just cooked too good of food. One of the students had Quesadilla's that had a fresh and heating charm on it. Instead of the ten that were in there, there were four left. Call him a fatty, he didn't care. He called it a healthy appetite.

As he continued through the castle, he passed up Rafaella who was being followed by, if he remembered correctly, Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini. Both boys were lugging books and a box behind her while she was leafing through the Daily Prophet. She stopped when she saw him, and smiled before bowing. "Mentor Nico."

"Miss. Rafaella," he smiled before handing her two envelopes.

She stared at them, puzzled. "Two? Mom only sends one."

"It's your dad's child support. Since you turned seventeen in June the funds are being given to you now. Didn't your mom tell you that?"

"I guess not," she said as she put the letters in the messenger bag she had over her shoulder.

Nico gazed at the two boys behind her. "Why so many things? And why are you carrying them? Use a spell." He waved his hand and the books and box levitated. He looked at his students, waiting the answer of the first question.

Rafaella only smiled. "I suggest you act like you're angry when the shit hits the fan," was all she said before walking passed her mentor. The two followed, snickering.

She was getting revenge, he knew that for a fact. He shook his head with a smile. Artemis' children were one of the most fierce protectors of children next to Hestia. They were the greatest parents no matter how their parents treated them. They didn't believe in abuse of one's own kin, and they were nurturers to the innocent. As he passed Razmir who was in deep conversation with Professor Snape, who both nodded at the sight of him, he almost felt sorry for the two Gryffindors. Almost. Everyone knew that Rafaella was ruthless when there was a good reason to be. And harming an incarnate, on who was only five, was good enough reason for everyone to back her up.

He was about to round the corner, when the voice of Headmaster Drennon spoke through the link to every teacher and student of Olympians Academy. "They received two weeks detention of their crime. No expulsion, no suspension. Meet me at three o'clock in the dungeons. It's safest to meet there."

Nico had a feeling that it was war, and knew that Razmir would be having a lot of fun with it.

***

When Harry got the note from Headmaster Drennon that his presence was requested, he had not hesitation to oblige the request. He was led down to the dungeons by Zane and the other girl in Artemis' house, Annabelle. They were silent as they walked down into the dark place. He felt like he was being escorted by Aurors instead of students. Their posture was stiff, and it wasn't the Zane he had seen only a few hours prior to the sentence that had gotten around school. Only two weeks detention? That was almost unheard of for something so dangerous that had been done.

Two people seemed to appear out of the shadows and he recognized Severus Snape and Mentor Nico. The flanked his backside and he wondered why the hell Snape was there. Snape hated him for all he knew. Of course he did defend in somewhat in potions. He was beyond confused.

They stopped in front of a door, knocking twice. It opened to reveal Natalie with red rimmed eyes from crying. She stepped aside. "Come in," she said in a hoarse voice. She looked so torn that Harry gave her shoulder a small squeeze before entering.

The room was dark, with torches of green fire along with walls. There was table where Headmaster Drennon sat along with Razmir, Larila, Chance, Madame Promfery (to Harry's surprise), a brunette woman whom he saw training the students in wandless spells, and Natalie who joined them. Nico and Snape took the remaining seat that face the students older students of the Olympians and some of the Hogwarts students. He saw Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Crabbe, Goyle, Luna, and Neville. He walked over to their standing figures, distancing himself from the Slytherins. He didn't know what to think anymore. He was so confused, and to him it wasn't funny.

"Good," smiled Drennon. "Now that everyone is here that deserves to be here, and is trusted, I would like to start this brief meeting off." He stood from his seat, a fierce look in his eyes. "Now as all of you know the two guilty of the crime against my daughter have been given two weeks detention for their crimes. It would have been a week if it wasn't for threatening Headmaster Dumbledore with more storms and wraths from the other gods." Harry gazed around the room. He saw the trio he had grown quiet fond of standing in the back. Zane was whispering something to them, and they both nodded before turning their attention to the man who was speaking. Harry did was well. "Two weeks detention doesn't seem like the punishment they deserve." He rolled his knuckles on the table in front of him, thinking. "The detention will be served with Professor Snape and he had promised that the two will have the worst two weeks of their lives."

"About time," muttered Malfoy. Harry glanced over at the blonde, actually agreeing with him for once. The blonde in question looked at him, and gave him a nod. Harry returned it. He really didn't know what that meant, but it felt right in some way.

"So I have simple request from all of you," he glanced over at the Hogwarts students and Harry squirmed under his stare. "Make their lives a living hell. Make allies within this school, and bring the two down, along with any others that poses a threat, as discreetly as you can." The Olympians bowed with smiles on their faces. "We do not want all the blame to be cornered on us and they will not be able to punish you without evidence. So try not to leave anything of value behind." He sat down, straightening in his chair. "As for the Hogwarts students here," he looked over at them with a smile. "You eight have been invited here because you have seemed to be the only ones that are understanding of our customs. We thank you for this and we would like to extend the offer of you training with us." Harry's hearted fluttered in excitement. "It will be intense at first, but you will get the hang of it. That is if you want to join us."

All of them nodded enthusiastically.

"Razmir, I believe you have something to say."

The man in question stood, looking a little less pissed off than before. "I have scheduled shifts for students to watch over little Gabi when Natalie will not be around. I also have three students shadowing the headmaster because we do not know how far these students will go to harm us." He gazed at all of them with his eerie eyes. "I also advise that you are weary of the teachers here. I don't want to see any of you alone in the corridors. Traveling in group would be best. Three or four so that no one is suspicious. Use what I have taught you these past years to your advantage."

"Yes sir," said the Olympians in unison with a bow as he sat down.

"You are all dismissed," sighed Drennon. He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. Harry heard him say to Natalie. "We better get back up there. Just in case Gabi has anymore nightmares."

"Yes we should. My poor baby," sighed the woman.

Harry grouped up with Neville and Luna, starting to walk out of the classroom when a tap on Harry's shoulder stopped him. He turned around, seeing the Slytherin's staring at them with nervous looks. In the middle was Draco, and even he had an anxious look about him. "Po-Harry," he said with a nervous voice. He cleared his throat. "I wanted to start new with you given the circumstances, and such." He had s stiff posture, and Pansy gripped his shoulder for support. "When you denied my friendship first year I was rather angry so I took it out on you. I was an arrogant git, still am, but I still want to be your friend. It is fine if we aren't. It's just…" he trailed off.

Harry gave him a calculating look before extending his hand. At least he knew that Slytherin's didn't attack children. "I'm Harry Potter, and, even though I may not trust you as of now, I'll give this friendship a chance." Draco took his hand, and Harry shook it hard. "Just don't make me regret it."

The blonde nodded. "I'm Draco Malfoy, pleasure."

"Your last name is Pleasure?" asked one of the Olympians.

"No," scoffed Draco. "It's Malfoy. I just said pleasure as in it was a pleasure meeting him."

"Oh," the student said before leaving. Some of his friends laughed as they left.

"I'm not going to trust you completely, with your father being a Death Eater and all." Harry didn't let that knowledge escape him.

Draco sighed, hurt on his face. "I figured." They started to walk out into the hallway with the others in tow. "But you can trust me more than Weasel and Granger. In my opinion they weren't friends to you."

Harry had a feeling that he spoke nothing but the truth.

***

Dustin sat on his bed, the piece of parchment in his hands. He had to show Larila as much as he didn't want to. This would trace an entirely new path for the wizarding world, and he didn't know if it was good or bad. All he knew what was it would favor his side. He scribble on another piece of parchment the prophecy, taking his black owl's leg from it's perch on his headboard. "You know who to give this to," he whispered softly before opening the window wandlessly and letting her fly out. He looked down at the parchment, reading:

Bloodshed and vengeance approaches, and the dawn of a new era will come forth.

The serpent tongues shall rise as one, and the false fate between them has shattered.

Allies and enemies will switch, and a newfound leader will rise with his lover.

His vengeance will know no bounds. His wrath will show no mercy.

With his power the ones who have wronged him will see justice.

With his power, he will vanquish the Phoenix who has shackled him with kindness.

He sighed, putting the parchment in his pocket before standing up. He walked to the end of his bed where his trunk was, and pulled out a leather bound book. "So it begins," he whispered to himself before placing the book of Harry's bed. He spelled it so that only Harry could read the true contents of the book. Anyone else would think it was about Herbology.

"So it begins," he whispered again as a crack of thunder echoed through the castle. Dustin left the dormitory, wondering how he was going to tell Larila about the knew fate.

Sorry for the delay! I'm on prom committee and had two sweet sixteens to go to this weekend. Review!

Thanks and Spanks,

Reebs