Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series or the Percy Jackson series. I am not making any money off of this, this is merely a fanfiction.
Chapter 6
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, hope you enjoy chapter 6...sorry if it's a bit short.
Morning came, and with it, another day of lessons. I clanced over at Nico, who was face down on his bed, and gave him a nudge with my foot.
"What..." He jumped up, and brandished his stygian ice dagger. I raised my hands.
"Whoa..It's time for breakfest. Ready for your first day of class, Professor Di Angelo?" Nico smirked.
"After you, Professor Jackson." Groaning, I stretched, and dressed in jeans, and a hoodie. It was getting cold these days-fall was dying into winter. Together, we disended thtough the tower, amid mutterings and pointed fingers.
"You know, arriving here is shadow travel, in front of all those people-really not subtle." I told Nico, automatically converting to Ancient Greek. Nico shrugged.
"I just wanted to show off. Frighten some mortals..."
'How's everyone doing at home?" I wondered.
"It's great...Your mom was really worried for a while, and your step dad too. Thalia wanted to go looking for you, but Artemis didn't let her. Annabeth...well. She's throwing herself into her work. She's crazy about this new pantheon she get's to build in Olympus Central." I grinned. Yep that was my Annabeth.
"Jeez, you know how much class I'll be missing...My entire first semseter, I really can't afford to be kicked out of this one." I complained. Nico grinned.
"The joys of education. Maybe when all this is over I'll take night classes." He himself had dropped out after chancing upon the demi-god world. When we finally got down to the Great Hall, Nico stared up in awe at the large ceiling and glistening chandeliers.
"Whoa!" I nodded.
"These people are extravagent." We climbed up to the staff table, the rest of the teachers looking warily at us. Sitting down next to Sprout, I casually picked up my spoon and stared ahead, just as Dumbledore stood up.
"Attention, students of Hogwarts! As ou may have noticed, we have another...addition to our staff. Please welcome, Mr. Di Angelo, who will be assisting Professor Jackson in his Physical Development Course." The students clapped warily, a few eyeing Nico hungrily. I looked over at my cousin, and saw his mouth pull into a tight line. He was used to bullies at his old school, just as I had been.
"Mr. Di Angelo. Might I inquire your age?" Sprout looked at Nico questioningly.
"Oh. I'm turing eighty seven this december." I had to say I was proud with the way Nico's mouth never twitched. I had taught him well. Sprout started, and stared, before going back to her breakfeast porridge, I turned to Nico and grinned. He raised an eye brow in return. True, he looked like your average 13 year old kid, but he was in fact, born in the 1930s.
Suddenly, there was a commotion in the great hall, as all of the ghosts of Hogwarts swooped in. Amid gasps and protests, the spirits races to the staff table, and crowded around Nico. I glaed at him as I rescued my porridge.
"Oh, my honourable highness..I have been stuck in this form for five hundred years! Perhapes, it would be okay, if I could decend into your father's realm with your favour?" One cried.
"Yes, yes, my lord. My brother is in Asphodel..He seeks a chance to become a spirit like me...Perhapes you can look into his case?" Another shouted.
"Sire! You must banish this ghost Peeves! He is a danger to us all here, and deserves to be sent to the depths of Tartarus!" A third cried.
"Oh really?" Someone called out, "Didn't you bribe Minos to get out?" The ghost who had just spoken winced, and queitly back off.
"My king! I have lost my memory in Lethe...Help me reclaim it!" I turned and saw Nico turn red, with pent up frustration.
"LOOK!" He shouted. "Your cases will be reviewed as you submit them! Now, I am rather busy now, so be gone! Or I'll tell my father..." He trailed of suggestively. The ghosts fled quickly, leaving an astonished hall of children and adults alike.
"Well." I said. "I guess work is hard done there." Nico nodded.
"There's so much paper work. Files and cases. Even the dead want their rights, but you have to wait forever for your case to be reviewed." I patted him on the back. Sprout turned to Nico, her face a light with wonder.
"Why?" Nico shrugged.
"Who knows."
Harry was sullen that evening as he stepped into the Great Hall for dinner. He was distracted the whole day by the news about their new professor, and curiostiy, for his younger cousin. He was determined to find out who and, more importantly, what, they were. Ron and Hermione were supportive, but hesitant. And the fact that Voldemort was lurking around the corner...
The plupped himself down on the bench, and waited for his friends to do the same. Ron had gotten back from Herbology, while Hermione was in the library.
"Harry! Ron! I think I've found something on the Professors." They both knew who she was talking about.
"Let's see!" He said, and in his excitment, put his spoon down. She was holding a library book, thick, and hardcovered, the pages yellow. A Study of Greek Culture Through the Ages. Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Do you remember that term, that Nico mentioned, last night? Olympus?" Harry nodded.
"It's a mountain somewhere, isn't it?" He asked. Hermione nodded.
"In Greece. Supposedly, it's the place where their ancient gods and goddesses live."
'" What do you mean by that?" He asked. "They don't look very Greek." Hermione rolled her eyes.
"No, of course not. But, seriously, what if there's more to magic then wizardry." The two boys stared.
"What are you talking about, Hermione?" She leaned forward, excited.
"If wizards and magic exist, then why can't g-" They were interrupted by a yell from the staff table. Looking up, they saw that Dumbledore had collapsed in his seat, his face red, and puffy. Some of the first years started screaming, as McGonagall, next to him followed suit. Everyone dropped their spoons, but none of the students had been poisoned.
"Quick! Get Madame Pomfrey!"
I looked over as Dumbledore sagged in his seat. His face had a bloated look to it. Strange, yet familiar looking. Nico and I sat back, as the school nurse, and other assorted teachers rushed forward.
"But the headmaster is imune to poison!" The nurse had cried out. I had no trouble believing that. I looked at the headmasters unresponsive face...It was familiar..Then I realized. I had seen the exact same symptons when my stepfather, Paul had bitten a piece of my stash of Ambrosia. I grabbed Nico's arm.
"Nico. Look. He's burning up." Nico stared.
"Is he?" I nodded.
"He's consumed some nectar. I know, because, last year, Paul accidently had some..he has the same symptons,now." Nico gaped.
"He doesn't die?" I shook my head.
"Not yet. But he needs to be treated by a demi-god. Do you think we can get one of Apollo cabin down here?" I asked. Nico shrugged.
"Go! IM the camp." I handed him a golden Drachma, while I stepped towards the teachers, who were still bustling around the prone body of their headmaster and deputy headmistress. Some of the children had started screaming, and I ran towards the group.
"He's not poisoned!" I shout, and immediately, the group turned towards me. Lupin scratched his head.
"How?" He asked. I grabbed the goblet of Pumpkin juice near his hand, and took a sniff. The sweet smell of my mother's blue chocolate chip coolies floated towards me. Lupin stepped forward.
"They just took one sip, and collapsed." He informed me, and I sighed in relief. He wasn't about to burn up soon, but they needed help. I held the goblet in my hand.
"This is Nectar." The teachers stared questioningly at me. "It's the stuff the gods and goddesses drink. We demi-gods take it when injured, we can't take too much. Mortals, on the other hand...You burn up if you eat too much of it." There was a moment of silence among the teachers. And then,
"What!' That came from the half giant, I looked down at the students, thankfully, no one had heard my explaination. "You'll be sayin' that this is the food o the gods?" I nod.
"But-but that's proposterous!" The tiny Flitwick declared. I raised an eyebrow. These were the members of the knew about my heritage...They knew the gods were real. I winced as a stroke of lightning flashed acros the gloomy sky.
"Sorry," I muttered, raised the goblet to my lips, and took a long sip. True, I wan't injured, but I was pretty tired. With the Nectar in me, I felt more refreshed. I wiped a trail of Nectar that had leaked out of my mouth and grinned at my staring colleagues.
"So?" Pommfrey gasped. "But-but-" I smiled.
"Part god, remember? Don't worry, your headmaster and deputy headmistress will be okay. Nico's calling for medical assistance." Lupin nodded. With the two others gone, he had pretty much taken the lead.
'"Well, now that's settlesd, we need to find out why some one is doing this." He looked to Snape.
"The dark Lord hasn't trusted me in a while." He said, shrugging.
"Well, it's pretty obvious there's going to be an attack," I said. "The enemy has taken out your strongest people. Which means, they'll probably start laying siege..." Sprout gasped, while Lupin nodded.
"Very well. At least we have everyone safe, here in the hall." Snape stepped forward.
"What about the Slytherins." He sneered. Lupin looked blankly at him.
"What about them?" Snape rolled his eyes.
"They support the dark lord. When he arrives, they'll be sure to turn on us. Perhapes we should send them out to the dungeons, or, better yet-use them as hostages."
"NO!" I looked up, shocked. Lupin pounded his fist on the table. "They're children! This is war. We have to protect them." He looked down at the Griffindor table, at Harry. The rest of the teachers nodded. "Very well." Lupin stepped up to the podium.
"Attention students!" His quiet voice barely reached the edge of the hall, as all of the children quieted down, eager for some comforting words and reassurances. "As you can see, our Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress has been...rendered...ill by extermal influences." I grimanced. Rendered ill. "We fear that Hogwarts may have been infiltrated, and I ask that you keep calm in your seats until we give you futher instruction." He turned back to the teachers.
"Now. Professor Sprout, will you do a head count of all the children? Filius, I need you to inspect and fortify the wards around the castle. Severus..." Here he paused, unsure of whether his former enemy would listen to him or not.
"I will do a sweep of the castle." He said stiffly and got up, striding towards the door. Lupin turned to me.
"Percy, no offense, but much of this is wizards work." I nodded. "However, if we are breached...Will you and bring this to Harry, Ron, and Hermione?" He asked, handing me an oddly wrapped package. I nodded, and walked towards the Griffindor table, where was Nico? I wondered. He should have been back by now...
"Here, Potter." I said, handing him the package. "Professor Lupin wants me to give you this." He stood, and uncertainly took the package. I turned to go.
"Sir?' I turned in suprise. Since when had Potter caled my sir?
"Yes?" I asked.
"What's wrong with Professor Dumbledore?" He asked. I hesitated.
"You heard Lupin?" I said. He glared at me.
"Yeah, but how come nothing happened to you when you took a sip of his pumpkin juice?" He demanded. I groaned inwardly. I hadn't meant for anyone to see that!
"That was Dumbledore's pumpkin juice? Oh! Who knows, maybe I'll fall over sometime soon?" I hadn't meant it to come out sounding sarcastic. Harry narrowed his eyes.
"You have something to do with this, don't you?" He asked. Ron nodded. I rambled on
"Besides, it might not have been his drink that was poisoned...maybe his bread? It's hard to tell-" We were intterupted as a shout came from tiny professor flitwick.
"The wards have fallen!" Immediatly, the hall was thrust into pandemonium, as I sprinted away up to the staff table. Lupin was there, beside Flictwick.
"What happened?' He damanded.
"The wards, they've been torn through. They're coming." He declared.
"Calm yourself!" Lupin shouted, and turned to the teachers.
"Hostilies are here. Perpare yourself." The I looked at the rest of their faces, as I was propelled back into the battle for Olympus. Hopefully, a wizards war was less messy. We waited, tensly, as the seconds ticked by.
Suddenly, the door to the hall banged open, and I recognized Flich, the caretaker, stumble in.
"T-The Dark Lord is here!" He croaked, before falling to the floor. A puddle of blood spreading out from beneath him. Immediately, the younger kids started screaming. I saw Pomfrey rushing down to help, accompanied by Sprout, they escorted the kids behind the staff table. Everyone else just stared. The inevitable had come.
BOOM! With a resounding crash, the doors of the great hall banged open, and I felt my stomach twisted as I recognized the figure at the front of the army, leading his loyal minions forward. Tom. He was dress in flowing black robes, his handsome face twisted in a sadistic grin. He looked charming, and handsome, as if he was there for a dinner date, and not the bloody genocide he was about to commit.
Behind him, were rows upons rows of death eaters, their gleaming silver masks taking on an evil, cruel air. Their wands held high, they entered the hall, stopping infront of the four tables. Everyone was slient, and tearing my eyes off of Tom, I looked down at Harry. His hands were white, gripping the edges of the table, glaring, his eyes filled with hatred. Tom smiled.
"Well. Let me just say..It's great to be back at Hogwarts." And with that, he raised his wand, and fired a sickly green curse at Lupin, catching him in the chest. He went down with a thunk. And then the screaming started. Grinning, he raised his wand again, and his minions followed suit, jets of green, and red striking towards the head table. I was definetly hit one or twice, but five minutes later, all the teachers, except me were down, while we had only managed to bring down three death eaters.
I couldn't tell if my colleagues were dead or not, but from the hopeful looking rise of their chest, it looked promising. Tom looked straight at me, and flicked a finger. Immediatly, some of the group broke off jumping at me, and I realized that they weren't wearing the flowing black robes. No, instead, they bounded, slithered, and hopped forward. Monsters.
I drew Riptide in one hand, a shiny steel dagger in the other. Stepping forward, I called out,
"Students of Hogwarts, defend yourselves!"
"Students of Hogwarts, defend yourselves!" Jackson had yelled, and immediatly, the houses jumped into action. Harry leaped up, and pointed his wand straight at Voldemort, shouting, "Stupefy." The man stepped gracefully out of the way, only to have the curse cut down one of his lesser followers. At his lead, everyone around Harry exploded into action. Everyone, third year and above, were firing curses, if haphazardly. Jets of light whizzed around, rendering it utter pandemonium.
Harry turned to find Ron and Hermione at his side, shouting curses and hexes. Looking down the table, he saw that Ginny was doing the same. The rest of Griffindor as well, in fact. Hufflepuff was lead by one of the seventh years, and Ravenclaw as well, in defence of their wounded head of house. Slytherin on the other hand, had crawled under the table, waiting the war out. Harry gritted his teach.
Those cowards! He shout another curse, disarming a near by death eater, who was about to attack Luna. He ran forward, into the fray. To tell the truth, he was rather suprised. Voldemort would have usually sought him out, already.
"ENOUGH!" Everyone stopped at the commanding voice. Turning, Harry saw Vodemort standing at the staff podium, the tables of food cleared away. Behind him, he saw the teachers, rendered uncoucious and unmoved by ropes. Harry sighed in relief, whatever they had been hit with, they were still alive. Except...Lupin! He gasped, and felt tears coming to his eyes.
"Students of Hogwarts! I have your Headmaster, and the rest of your staff. Should you resist, they shall be excecuted promptly." He sneered at them. Looking around, he saw that man of the students were already down, nursing an injury. The rest of them were disarmed, or unconcious.
"Drop your wands!" Harry looked at Ron, and Hermione, then at the rest of the Griffindors. He nodded, and as one, they let their wands slip out of their hands. Voldemort cackled.
"Good, I knew you would see sense. Now then. I would like to welcome up a certain person to share in my victory." Harry tensed, waiting for his name to be called out. Instead, however, he herd Voldemort say,
"Mr. Perseus Jackson! Please, come up." Harry turned sharply, to see the younger boy being dragged by his arms up the podium. His legs hung limply, at a distorted angle, and there was a ferocious slash across his cheek. He was carried by...creatures. A woman with the body of a snake, and a few dog like creature trailing behind. In front of him walked another boy, with musculer arms, a hammer threaded at his belt. Together, the procession made it's way up the step to the podium, and the snake woman threw Jackson on the ground in front of Voldemort.
He landed with a heavy thunk, and a whine of pain escaped his lips. Placing his hands in front of him, Jackson tried standing up, but to no avail. He gave up, twisting to look at the musculer kid with a hammer.
"Jake! Why now?" He complained. Jake smiled.
"This is power, something I could never have back at camp!" Jackson groaned, and turned to Voldemort.
"Something you wanted?" He asked cheekily. Voldemort frowned, and raised his wand. Glaring at the boy.
"Stop!" Harry called, sure that he was about to cast the killing curse. No matter how much he disliked or distrusted Jackson...Voldemort looked down at his, unconcerned.
"Leave him alone, Voldemort! It's me you want!" Beside him, he heard Hermione burst into silent tears, as Ron wrapped an arm around her. Jackson lifted his head up, and glare at Harry. When he spoke, his voice was filled with pain.
"Stay out of this, Potter! This is family business!" Harry gaped.
"What did you just say?" He demanded. The entire hall was silent, waiting.
"Yes.. But, Mr. Jackson is right..." Voldemort purred, gliding towards the edge of the podium, "Didn't you're mother teach you it's impolite to get involved with family affairs? Oh wait. I remember now." He slapped his head. "I killed her before she got the chance!" He smiled wickedly. Harry clenched his hands into fists, feeling the traces of blood leak into his palm.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have something to bring up with my dear brother."
The entire hall was deathly quiet. And then, a thunk was heard, as Neville fainted on the spot. The rest of the students were pale and nervous. Their fun loving squib teacher was...Voldemort's brother! Ron choked...
"That's disgusting!" Looking like he was about to puke. Hermione was ashen white, her hands shaking. Harry just stared. His brother was here the whole time! His parent's murderer's brother! What sort of person was Percy Jackson? Related to the murdering bastard! How dare he come to Hogwarts!
"You might wonder, how is this possible, as I am decades older then my brother...Well, the answer is simple. Our father is immortal." Voldemort beamed, and crouched down next to Jackson, pulling the boy's head up. "Can't you see the family resemblance?" Another thunk, was heard, as Colin Creevy suffered the same fate as Neville, and slowly the thought settled into the school.
Professor Jackson was related to Voldemort. He was his very own brother. But of course, the questionn was, how does a eighty year old man have a sixteen year old boy for a brother? And who was this immortal father.
"Tachnically, we're half brothers.." Jackson croaked. Harry glared at him. Half or not, the boy was still related to his parents murders...and then cominng here and acting like his friend...Voldemort frowned.
"Unfortunatly, the noble blood of Slytherin does not flow in his veins. His mother was a mere muggle." Everyone let out a sigh of relief. No one wanted another crazy, inbred heir of Slytherin walking around.
"However, our father was of a most ancient lineage. Most noble and ancient, that is. Some of you may have heard of the ancient greek gods and goddesses. Beside him, Harry heard Hermione gasp. "Well, they are still alive today. And these immortals are still having children with muggles, the result, is as you can see, people like us. Demi-gods, who inheirit some of the godly powers and prowess." He getured at Jackson, and then at the muscular kid. "Of course, the monsters in the myths are real, too." He pointed at the snake woman and the dogs.
"You see, an entire world of Greek magic and myths exist in this world. Your proof is right here, in front of you! My brother and I are the only mortal children of Poseidon, God of the Seas, Stormbringer, and Earthshaker, one of the three major Gods of Olympus. We stand before you, a demi-god in our own right! And I say, in the name of my father, I will make this world pure!"
Everyone was stunned by this annoucment. A god? Harry thought. It was hard to believe, but it explained the mysterious powers Percy had, and the reason he and Voldemort were siblings. Even now, as he looked at the pair, he could see the resmblances. Pale skin, smooth black hair, angular face, and high cheekbones. His gut twisted. How could Voldemort be the son of a god?
"That's not true! Father disowned you! He stripped you of your powers! You can''t use Father as an excuse for what you're doing in the wizarding world-" Jackson shouted, defient. Harry started. He hadn't expected Jackson to say somethinng like that...Voldemort looked down at his younger brother, and casually flicked his wand at the quaking figure.
Jackson's mouth snaped shut. Voldemort turned towards Harry.
"So you see Potter, together, we will rule the world, and purge it of it's weakness. Now, as for you..." He raised his wand just as Harry raised his own. He met Voldemort's eyes, red against green.
"Prepare to die!" Voldemort snarled.
"Harry!" Hermione sobbed.
"Avada Kedavra!"
"Expelliarmus!"
The jets of light shot towards each other, and collided with a bang, a eruption of golden light forming at the center. Harry felt it sapping his strength, as he fought to control the brilliant yellow light. What was happening? Seconds passed as he stayed in the same spot, locked in battle. Suddenly, he felt a pair of arms around his waist, and a sudden, freezing sensation, as he was pulled backwards, breaking the jet of gold light, which erupted in a shower of sparks, as the world erupted in a shower of glass, a huge wave crashing over the entire great hall.
Twisting, he met a pair of choclate brown eyes, and he saw the floor rush up to meet him...Only to find himself sinking through.
I grunted in pain as I tried to lift myself up, but my broken legs protested. They were undoubtedly broken. I turned to watch as Tom pointed his wand at Harry, snarling.
"Die Potter!" I whistled mentally. My brother had a serious thing against Potter. The boy had a determined look on his face, as he in turn raised his own wand. I wanted to scream out, jump out, tell the stupid boy to run away! But I couldn't do anything. Immediately, I was brought back to the time I first saw Luke get out of the coffin with his horrible, golden eyes. I had to do something. Nico!
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as twin jets of light shot towards on another, the after image of gold burned into my skin. I relaxed, and reached out feeling the familiar pulse of waves crashing against a distant shore, the vibrant water, calling out to me. Yes. The lake. Opening my eyes, I glanced at Potter, or, more specifically, his shadow, as it grew larger, and larger, illuminated by the gold light of the twin wands. I waited as it quickly took shape, stretching into a boy...
CRASH! The glass of the great hall exploded, as the pressure of the water forced it in. A wave swept in, crashed over the entire hall, drenching everyone in blissful coolness. The golden light that connected the two foes was snapped, causing it to erupt in a shower of golden sparks. The death eaters and children alike howled as the water pushed them against one another, as they fought to hold on to something-anything.
Finally, the water drained away, and order was restored..with only one exception, Potter, Granger and Weasley were no where in sight. I was lying in the only dry spot in the entire hall, and as my brother turned his furious gaze at me, I was washed away, once again, into a blissful darkness.
"Where?" Harry croaked, opening his eyes to a bright cheery clearing that appeared to be deep in the forest. Looking around, his eyes fell on the immobile forms of Hermione, and Ron.
"Camp Half Blood, Long Island, New York." A voice replied behind him. Whirling around, he faced the Di Angelo boy, standing, still, head cocked, as if listening.
"What happened back there?" He wondered. The boy smiled faintly. "How did we get here?"
"You were dueling Voldemort-you had to get away..so I brought you guys here." Harry nodded, not sure if he could trust this kid.
"And here, is?" He asked, wand hidden in his sleeve. He would wait until Ron and Hermione were concious, and then, together- The rustling of leaves inturrupted his thoughts. He turned, around again, just as ten warriors stepped out of the foliage, dressed in full Greek battle armour, the bronze plates glowing in the sun. Their helments covered the faces, but from the shape, Harry could tell that one was female. They held an assortment of gleaming bronze sword,s and bows, and it looked like they could use them.
"Son of Hades!" The girl growled, and turning, Harry saw Nico grit his teeth.
"I have to talk to Chiron..." He said, softely, a warning.
"Who are these?" A gentler, tone called out. A golden haired boy, holding a bow.
"Like I said, I have to talk to Chiron first." The girl raised her sword.
"Not until we have some answers, besides, Chiron is busy." Harry wondered who this enigmatic 'Chiron' was.
"Hermione..." Ron mumbled as he slowly lifted his head. Harry saw Nico raise an eyebrow.
"What?" He asked when he opened his eyes to their company. Harry shook his head, as Hermione herself lifted her head. She gasped as she saw where they were.
"What's going on here?" A deep bass tone reverberatedd through the trees, and all of them swivled around as the torso of a man emerged, middle aged, with salt and pepper hair, and glasses. He wore a tweed suit that ended at his waist, his body smoothes grafted to a huge, white stallion.
Nico bowed a little, when he saw the man.
"Chiron." The centuar smiled.
"Ah...Nico. Your here. And who is this?" He stepped closer to Percy, who quickly scrambled up. He had a bad feeling about this horse, he had no idea why. Chiron stopped, and seemed to sniff the air. An alarmed looked passed over his face and he snarled.
"You!"
End of Chapter 6
Please Read and Review..
Preview for Chapter 7:
I grinned as I took in their astonded expressions.
"Ya, your friend Potter is out hunting for a way to destory my brother. But, if they are going to attack from outside, then it's up to us to weaken the resolve from within."