The silence in the room was deafening. Almost as if the name itself struck fear in their hearts.
Dumbledore stroked his beard "After all this. I feel like I need a drink, Mr Jackson. When we return to Hogwarts for the new term, could you Fill me in on the situation in full?" Percy nodded seriously. "Of course headmaster. We need to be prepared for the worst after all. This is the greatest threat anyone in this room has ever encountered."
The Order of the Pheonix disbanded and Tracey could feel the confused looks of her classmates on her. All she wanted to do was curl up into a little ball and hide away. She didn't even want to see Harry. What if he wanted to break up with her? What if he didn't want anything to do with her anymore? What if-She was cut off from her thoughts of dread when Harry himself grabbed her wrist firmly? Staring into her soul with his Emerald Green Eyes.
His voice was coarse but he managed to ask "Why didn't you tell me?" She turned away "Because I was afraid, Our lives…there dangerous. It used to be rare for most demigods to live past 18…I didn't want to put that on you."
He gently turned her around to face him and cusped her hands in his own "I've told you about my background before though?" She looked down "Look I get if you want to break up, but I couldn't tell you...You wouldn't have understood. Remember that night when we shared the same dream? Where we get chased through multiple dreams? That was you encountering my world…You were so confused. How could we tell you?"
"So this Tartarus is the one we've kept facing off against?" Tracey nodded "He's the primordial embodiment of evil. When the Monster that we demigods slay die…they go to reform in his blisters. Regrowing in agony before pulling themselves from the literal depths of hell back into our world to try and kill my friends and family."
Harry grasped onto her "Well He's not taking me from you- Nor you from Me. We're in this together now. Just tell me about this kind of stuff next time. We're a team now. Kay?" Tracey felt her eyes start to water and she enveloped him in a hug "Thank you"
The pair separated and Tracey sighed as she looked at her watch "Of you're still up to staying at mines for the week…we need to start grabbing our stuff." Harry smiled lightly "Let's go then." As they left they watched Ron and Hermione hounded the remaining demigods for the full truth.
New Year's Day ~ Camp Half-Blood
Leo twisted the screwdriver in his hand tightening the the screw before making his finger a mini blowtorch and sealing the work into place. Work on the Argo 2.9 was progressing smoothly and he thought that on his current schedule, they should be able to set sail for Britain by the end of March.
His Younger brothers and Sisters were helping him with the build while Sally Tola, the head counsellor of the Athena cabin screamed instructions at them. Telling them what to do. He was glad this new generation of campers was just as headstrong as his friends and he was. Deciding to take a break, the young Mechanic sat on the edge of the boat, looking out over the long island beach. He could easily get lost in his thoughts sitting like this.
From behind him there was a light cough and Leo snapped around to find Calypso standing there with a mug of coffee in her hands "Thought you could do with a caffeine boost" He smiled and thanked his Best friend and the two sat on the edge of the ship. Calypso resting her head on Leo's shoulder "I can't believe we're all setting off for war again."
Leo could only nod, He wasn't really surprised. He had always been worried that a new threat would rear its head one day, Whether it be more Roman emperors, Nyx or the Pit. He always felt like the Titan War was never really the end. And He was right.
He was just about to tell everyone to call it a day and get some sleep when he felt Calypso go rigid. It was then that a Cold breeze shot up his back and he slowly turned around. A Body of pure darkness began to form and Leo slowly stood up, pulling out his celestial bronze Stable gun. He lit his other hand on fire and moved it forward to illuminate the being. It had no real form, nothing that made it look human but Leo knew who it was as he heard the sound of a sword being pulled from its leather casing by Calyspo.
He spoke proudly to the being "Tartarus I presume. What do you want" The Darkness seemed to raise its head "Son of Hephestus, Daughter of Atlas. Give up your efforts. Fighting is useless, pledge yourself to me and you might live."
Leo chuckled "You're kidding right? Y'know how many times I've heard "Join us and I might not kill you? Too many times. We both know you would just kill us straight away. So buzz off. We're never joining you. We've faced your wife and you think we're scared of you."
The Shadow form looked confused but vanished. Leo let out a long breath and said "We need to get this thing going as soon as possible. Looking around he said to his siblings "No sleep tonight. We need this ship done ASAP." He then turned to face the former titan and asked her "Want to help for old time's sake?"
The immortal goddess smiled "Let's get to work."
6th January ~ Davies Household - Scotland
Harry had just gotten comfortable snuggled up against Tracey by her mum's fireplace when he felt his scar twitch. A twitch that he hadn't felt since his surgery nearly a month prior. Despite making Tracey promise him that there would be no more secrets between them, he didn't want to wake her up and worry her.
Moving his hand up to his forehead, he rubbed it slightly and felt a damp substance on it, bring it down to his eyes he looked at it concerned. Blood. Why was his scar bleeding and sore all of a sudden? It had almost finished healing. He applied some pressure to it using his fingers and the bleeding seemed to come to a stop. He would tell her about it on the train ride back to school in the morning.
It only took a few minutes for Harry to fall asleep.
The first thing Harry noticed when he fell asleep was that he was falling quickly, very, very quickly. His eyes wide he fumbled for his wand and yelled "Accio Firebolt!" despite it being a dream his broom crashed against his hand and he flipped himself onto it and attempted to slow his descent as much as possible.
Just before he would have gone splat against the ground, he came to a steady stop. His chest smacked against the wood of the broom. He groaned but looked up and noticed that he was in a washed-out version of Kingscross station. It was like an oil painting and black and white drawing at the same. He recognised the place from what Tracey had told him, however. It was the dreamscape.
HE stood up and looked around the station. It was a lot more… intact than it had been the last time he visited. When he had visited it before he hadn't even had the time to look around because of that Pit dude who chased after him and Tracey.
He walked around the room watching as people seemingly went about their days as if he wasn't there. It was freaky and that was saying something. Finding a bench that was clear from people he sat down and tried to think about what Tracey had told him about the place. Apparently, you could find dreams to go into. If he had to make a guess that's how the train behaved in this scape.
Just as he was bout to stand up a humanoid being floated down to him. Harry immediately wanted to divert his gaze but the being said "Trying to avoid my young Mr Black. Have to say that's quite rude. I could put you into an eternal sleep if you keep it up." Harry glanced at him and said, "Can I help you sir?"
The Being laughed making the entire dreamscape shake "Sir, now that is a new one. Now, now Mr Black. I know your girlfriend. That Daughter of Neptune has been teaching you of the gods. You know who I am"
Harry racked his brain for the name of the immortal being before it finally came to him "Lord Hypnos. Thos God and Personification of Sleep."
The man chuckled gleefully before changing into a long black toga "Oh very good. That's right Mr Black. I am both what all mortals Crave and strife off. I am Hypnos."
Tracey had been telling him that the Gods were full of themselves and dramatic…he didn't think she was meaning like this. A bit more nervous now that he was standing before an actual God, said "What am I here for Lord Hypnos."
The God chuckled "I just wanted to see your reaction to meeting a God. It's very rare Wizards learn of us gods and get to meet us. And as for what your here for…well Just, wait for your friends and you will find out." The God vanished and Harry was just as confused as before.
Tracey sighed as she, Daphne, Draco and Neville left the most recent dream they had of Camp Jupiter fighting a horde of undead demigods. An exhausted look on all of their faces as they the train they had been on. And unfortunately, Tracey, knows that they weren't done because they would have woken up by now if they had.
They walked into the main area of the dreamscape only to find Harry chilling on the bench, as they approached him, he looked up and smiled "Hey guy's. So the god here is pretty weird isn't he."
The four of them just blinked "You're actually in the dreamscape?" Harry nodded "Yeah, fell asleep after Tracey fell asleep on top of me. So…what have you guys been dreaming about?" they looked between themselves and all just said in a mumbled unison "Demigod issues" Tracey hadn't gone in-depth about demigod dreams but she had told Harry enough about them to make him Whince.
He stood up and wrapped an arm around Tracey and then Neville and said "Well then. Should we face the next dream together?" They all looked at him and Draco asked confused "Harry, what is with this confidence?"
Harry chuckled "Well, You guys may have Demigod dreams but I suffered for 5 years of bad dreams about Riddle. So…sorta used to them. And it's better to tackle them together than alone right?" They all had to agree with them there.
As they were about to head towards the dream train terminal to see where they would have to go next they heard screaming from above them before two teenagers with long ginger hair crashed against Harry and Tracey while a third teenager with brown bushy hair crashed against Neville and Daphne.
Everyone involved started to groan and Harry could only grunt "Ouuuuch. Ron what in the name of Morgana was that."
His red-headed friend groaned from on top of him "I don't know. Maybe you should try crashing to the ground first before asking that question." Harry let out a loud gasp and said "I have" Before rolling Ron off him.
Giving his hand out to Ginny, he helped the youngest member of the group up. A Tracey-shaped bruise on her right shoulder. She groaned so Harry grabbed his wand and quickly cast "Espiky, There we go, That should help." Before putting his wand away and helping his girlfriend up from the ground by grabbing her back and putting her back onto her feet before tapping her nose.
Once the entire group had managed to sort themselves out they started to make their way through the train station with Harry explaining to Hermione and Ron what the dreamscape was.
Eventually, they came across a train that had all of their names on one long list which made them laugh. They quickly realised that dreams were not meant to have this many people in them all at once.
They entered the train but instead of taking off like the trains normally do the floor collapsed beneath them. The seven of them fell for a long time before they crashed against an old creaky floor. Ron who crashed against a particularly desolate and broken part of the floor yelped in pain as wound splinters cut into his knee.
Daphne who had been next to him crawled over to him and helped him pull them out before quickly curing his wounds. The dream was still forming, most likely adapting to having so many people so everyone was able to get their footing. In front of the group, a large throne began to form and both Harry and Draco froze on the spot as they recognised the thrown. It was larger than when they had last seen it but the skulls that made up the throne were very recognisable. Harry without turning to face his friend said nervously "Draco…is that what I think it is?"
Draco just mumbled which told Harry everything he needed to know. Then Ginny squeaked "Guys…that snake." Their heads snapped to where Ginny was pointing "That's Riddle's snake" She continued.
That's when Draco finally spoke up again "Nagini…" The Snake slithered up the throne as Voldemort faded into existence. His deathly white skin almost blended into the skull, only being seen due to the contrast between his skin and robes. His Snake like nose slits. His long boney fingers were wrapped around two skulls on what the group could only guess to be the armrests of the throne. Suddenly in the middle of the group, several people in dark cloaks formed including none other than Lucius Malfoy who formed right next to Draco.
Harry could hear everyone breathing hitched as the dream finally began. Voldemort seemed to be glaring at the Death Eaters in front of him. His red eyes pierced their souls before calmly asking "My faithful friends. Did you complete your mission?"
None of the Death Eaters answered which angered the Dark Lord. He approached Lucius, wrapping his long boney fingers around the man's face "Answer me, Lucius. Did you succeed?"
The man nodded "M'lord…Yes, we did succeed. But there were complications. We got into a fight with the Order. They captured two of our own. And the two other allies they had with them slaughtered our monster forces. The two girls in silver seemed efficient in killing them."
Voldemort growled and let go of Lucius' face "I am disappointed in you old friend. But I assume you at least managed to kill some of them?" Lucius looked away "Not exactly my lord…We managed to get Nagani to bite the blood traitor Arthur Weasley but the order whisked him away to St Mungo's immediately. We Did however manage to severely maim the captain of the Aurors, Captain Sandra Bullock."
Voldemort hissed, his fork-like tongue coming out for a few seconds before he sat back on his throne "Well at least you didn't completely fail me. Especially after everything that has happened to you this past fortnight. Now what does the prophecy say."
Lucius reached into his robes and pulled out a glowing blue orb filled with a brilliant light that seemed to illuminate the falling-apart room. The familiar voice of Sybll Trelawney came out in a greenish-blue mist
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."
Tracey and the demigod looked at each other and giggled with Daphne whispering to Treacey "That's the most BS Prophecy I've ever heard."
Harry turned to face the others and asked: "That was a prophecy?" The demigods shrugged their shoulders "Apparently but none like we've ever heard. Maybe we should get you in front of Rachel. She might be able to give you a proper one." before they could say anything else another being entered the room. Clocked in darkness but you could hear the growl coming from Draco.
The Body was scorched, with muscles, organs and other parts of the inside of the body being visible every other second as the darkness covering them vanished. The Being pulled down his cloak and Draco growled out "Octavian"
The Man spoke preciously "Voldemort. Your forces are failing. Tell me why I shouldn't just destroy you right now for failing me" He shot forwards in an instant. A Hand around Voldemort's throat. The Dark Wizard choked from the pressure. "Our partnership will be-" Voldemort had to stop to cough "-Successful, I'm…I am preparing my side of the forces for the final battle"
Octavian started choking harder before turning around and staring right at Tracey "Hmm it seems like we have a dreamscape intruder…Isn't that right Daughter of Neptune…and Is that the young wizard who dared by arrogant in front of me? How's your arm? And oh look the son of Apollo as well. I can feel your wrath boy." Letting go of Voldemort as he spoke. Gliding over to them. The 8 of them were frozen in fear.
"Look at you all. Scared out of your mind. To think the daughter of Atlas has put her faith in you and your mentors. We shall meet again soon, Mortals." Before letting out a powerful backhand that managed to catch all of them. Sending them flying against the wall.
Tracey was flown up into the air with a large amount of force, hitting the ceiling from the force of the backhand. He gasped as the air was forced from her. She had just been forced into the air in reality by someone in a dream. She was very quickly joined by Harry who crashed against her before they fell back onto the couch. The two of them still groaning in pain when her mom rushed down the stairs a couple of minutes later with a concerned look on her face.
It was only after the commotion that her mum made that she noticed the red blood on his fingers along with the bloody mark of his lightning bolt scar.
Later that day~ Hogwarts Express
Tracey sighed as she leaned against her boyfriend, staring out of the train and watching everything go by. It was a weird experience arriving back at Hogwarts via the train after not leaving Hogwarts on it. But the train ride for the time in the 5 years she had been a student was finally relaxing.
The Compartment was fairly quiet too as Hermione, Ron, Draco and Susan had all left to perform Prefect duties. Neville was passed out asleep. Ginny was tucked away in the corner of the compartment reading a book. Daphne had decided to spend some time with her sister Astoria and brother Keith. Harry on the other hand was just relaxing with his feet up. Reading a book written about the Second Titan War. She wanted to bring up his scar from earlier in the day but couldn't find the right words to use, plus she didn't want to worry his friends."
She wanted to fall asleep on him and nearly did when suddenly there was a knock on the door before it got torn open revealing none other than Crabble and Goyle with Pansy Pakrision stuck between the two of them. "Well if it isn't the Blood Traitor's compartment," She said as the door was forced open before she could say anymore Tracey leapt forwards and punched her in the face. Breaking her nose and sending her tumbling to her arse.
Glaring at the other Slytherin. Tracey said proudly "Go back to bed Pansy. You don't hold a candle to any of us." The girl and her two goons crept off. Tracey couldn't be bothered with them today. Once she was sure they were gone she settled back onto Harry and dozed off looking at the scenery.
2 Weeks Later ~ Hogwarts
Ron had fallen into a routine since he returned to Hogwarts. He would wake up slightly late for breakfast, stuff food in his mouth then attend classes. But instead of just lying around, he started to pay attention to what his Professors were saying. Paying attention to every spell and Charm that they taught, For the first time in his 5 years at Hogwarts, He felt like studying.
After his classes, he would spend some time with Hannah doing some homework in the library before joining his Gryffindor friends for a game of chess or something in the evening although that had dwindled in the last couple of days as Harry spent more time with Tracey. Ron was actually really enjoying life having forged his own path away from Harry but still remaining friends with him.
But none of that changed his excitement for the class they were about to have. Defence against the Dark Arts was about to become weapons training. Since Professor Jackson had mentioned it at the start of the year he had been gradually getting more excited for the class and it was finally here.
It was a cold January day but he wasn't going to let that get to him, even if he had goosebumps and shivers going up his spine. Listening into the rest of his year's conversation he heard they were talking about demigods. It had been the only thing the school at been talking about since coming back when Professor Jackson revealed them to the school, bar the students who were demigods this time.
Eventually, the rest of his friends came down including Hannah who walked over to him shivering "What are they getting us to do this outside….do they not understand….. it's freezing….in winter….in Scotland." Ron laughed and passed her his jumper "You just have to have a Weasley Christmas to deal with the cold. That's all."
Draco smiled as he saw Weasley pass his jumper over to his girlfriend and wished he could do that to Keith but Keith was busy doing some research that that point in time on the Horcruxs. A Special mission alongside Nico Di Angelo and Hazel Lasveuq which he definitely wasn't jealous about.
They waited outside without a teacher for about 5 minutes until a women's voice finally called out "Sorry about the wait everyone." Draco turned and noticed that Annabeth Chase was the one leading the class. Wearing an Orange teacher under a leather torso guard and a pair of Jeans with leather leg padding. She got to the front of the class and said "Right hello class, some of you might know me. I'm Annabeth Chase-Jackson, Wife of your Professor Jackson. I will be taking the class today as my Husband has for the first time in the 15 years I've known him. Managed to get Food Poisoning."
Everyone laughed and she said, "So the plan today is for you all to learn how to safely use a sword." She pulled out her drakkon bone sword from its sheath. "Now, this is a drakkon Bone sword which was crafted from the bones of a monster called a Drakkon which is basically a very, very dangerous dragon. Now The swords you will be using today are made of Celestial bronze and Imperial Gold. But as you can tell these blades are extremely sharp so great care must be taken when using them. For your and everyone's safety. When picking a sword you must pick one that feels balanced in your hands."
Draco nodded, of course, he, Tracey and Daphne had years of training in combat with various weapons and Neville was managing to get around his Dagger training very well.
They ended up spending about half of the class making sure everyone knew how to safely hold and wield a sword before they even started going through having balanced swords. It was driving Draco crazy he just wanted to use Blind and Burn. Finally, at the very end of the lesson Professor Jackson yelled out, "Alright, everyone pair up. We're going to do some light parrying. One person attacks using the swing we taught while the other uses their blade…to block- What is that" She turned on her heels. Her eyebrows furrowed as several dark shadows appeared on the ground around them.
The older demigod bounced forwards and said "Students get back. You're not prepared to fight a monster yet." From the shadows, Hellhounds formed all snarling and biting at the large group of students. Annabeth studied the number, she wasn't going to be able to take them all on, especially not while pregnant. "Mr Black, Miss Greengrass, Miss Davies. Could I ask for your help?"
Draco grinned as he readied Blind and said "Of course Professor. It's an honour." His two friends got their weapons out and took the hellhounds behind the students on. Draco watched as Annabeth made the first move, darting forwards at incredible speeds. Slashing through the first Hellhound before her before flicking her long flowing blond hair out of the way of her face.
Deciding to join in on the fun Draco darted towards the first Hellhound he could see and slid downwards, sliding on the mud before slashing Blind up against the hellhound's stomach. Covering him in monster dust. He leapt to his feet and jumped on top of a much larger hellhound and stabbed the sword right into the collarbone of the Hound. The Beast cried out before turning to dust.
Near him, he could see Annabeth take out a further two hellhounds in one attack, a streak of gold dust following behind her. He could only whistle as he saw the legendary Annabeth Chase in action. Even while pregnant she was still one of the greatest fighters and strategists out there.
Just as it seemed like they were getting through the final hell hounds, several more shadows appeared but one major one shot from the ground "Well, well, well. If it isn't Draco Black. Son of Apollo." Draco started growling. "Octavian…or the Pit I'm guessing."
The Being chuckled "You would be correct, young demigod. It's amazing how every generation of demigods get more pathetic." Draco pulled out Burn and said "You want to see Pathetic Octavian?! Look in a mirror. You are a disgrace to Apollo." Before charging at Octavian's rotting corpse.
He attempted to bring Burn down on Octavina first from above which was blocked by the being before Octavina turned and delivered a powerful sidekick to Draco's rib forcing Draco back, his feet sliding against the mud. Regaining his footing, Draco shot forwards again, holding both blades behind him before diagonally cutting across with both blades at the time. Octavian managed to block Blind before catching Blind in his free hand. "Is this the best you've got little hero?"
Applying more pressure on the sword that Octavian had caught, Draco managed to push his sword into his hand just enough to cut into his hand. Draco jumped back and yelled "Solar Flare" Clashing his two swords together with force, creating a blind flash that made Octavian yell out." Using the very brief distraction Draco rushed forwards and stabbed Octavian in the stomach. The Bade shot through all the sin and organs.
Octavian grinned as he opened his eyes "Impressive demigod. But Still not good enough" He grabbed Draco's head and headbutted him knocking him to the ground. While Draco got his bearings back. Octavian pulled Blind and Burn out of his stomach "Impressive handiwork. Looks like the work of Hephaestus himself." He then pulled his sword up into the air and plunged it into Draco's stomach. It took a few seconds for agonising pain to hit Draco but when it did he screamed out in pain. Octavian twisted his sword and the pain got even worse. Draco couldn't even cry he was in so much pain. He could feel the blood rushing out from his stomach. From somewhere in the background he could hear Daphne and Tracey scream his name. No, he couldn't let them face Octavian. This was his fight as a child of Apollo against one of the two disgraces of Apollo. For a brief few seconds, the pain vanished. He grabbed the sword blade on both sides and started to lift it.
As he pulled it out he felt more agonising pain as the air hit the open hole in his stomach. He gritted his teeth, and Octavian gasped "How?!" Draco kept lifting the sword, his vision blurry, his arms in agonising pain and losing strength with every second he struggled against his fate. Octavian stepped back, letting go of his grip on his sword. Draco's breathing got heavier as he started to stand up, the sword still in his stomach. Getting to his feet was easier said than done but he managed to get into a somewhat standing position before too long. He reached for the handle of the sword and grabbed hold of it. Pulling the rest of the sword out with a quick thrust away from him. His breathing hitched as the sword came out.
Resting it by his side, he assumes he stares at Octavian and said "Is…that…the best….you can….do" Raising the sword to his opponent uneasily." Octavian smirked "For now little demigod…for now." Shadows engulfed him before he vanished. Draco went to chuckle only for blood to rush up his throat and spit out of his mouth "Oh that isn't good. Is it father?" He dropped the sword to wipe away the blood when he saw his blood-soaked hand… which was the last thing Draco Black saw before he fell to the ground.