Chapter 19
Thanatos stood in the shadows, watching the dark-haired woman walk down the street. Part of him hated what he was about to do, but this was the only way he could keep his friends safe.
Argante and Harry were the closest thing he had to a family since his sons had died. They'd been kind to him. They'd taken him into their home and been there for him as he finally dealt with the loss of his family. He would not allow Zeus or any of his offspring to harm them. Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the street.
"Athena," he called.
The woman turned towards him, her grey eyes widening.
"Thanatos," she said carefully. "Why are you here?"
"To talk, for now."
"Talk?" Athena's eyes narrowed. "About what?"
"About your father's attempt to kill me for starters."
Athena took a step back. "It was Ares who tried to kill you, not me."
"Under Zeus's orders, let's not forget that."
"My father must've had his reasons."
"According to Ares I would interfere with Zeus's plans."
Athena waved a dismissive hand. "Ares was always mad. I wouldn't put too much stock in what he has to say. Is there something you wanted from me? I am a busy woman and I have places to be."
"Carrying out more assassinations for Daddy?"
Athena stiffened slightly. If He hadn't been watching for it, Thanatos would've missed it.
"Excuse me?"
"I know you killed your brother."
Athena shrugged. "We never really got along. It was only a matter of time before one of us killed the other."
"We both know you killed him on Zeus's orders."
"And if I did? What is that to you?"
"Ares was sent to kill me. He didn't. You killed Ares. How do I know you won't try and kill me."
Athena shrugged. "What reason would I have to do that? Honestly Thanatos, paranoia is not a good look for you."
"Are you gonna harm Harry or Argante?"
"So long as they do not interfere in my father's plans, I see no reason to harm them."
Thanatos sighed. "Your father broke the world. Harry died to fix it. This world still bares the scars of the broken curse. Don't you care that million died because Zeus wanted power?"
Athena shrugged. "Millions die every year. At least those deaths served a purpose."
"What happened to you? You were one of the more compassionate gods. You had your flaws, but I never thought you'd go along with something like this."
"People change, even immortals. I've watched everything since we lost power. There have been two world wars this century alone, not to mention smaller wars. Can you say this world is better off without gods? The age of so-called science has brought on nothing but a disregard for human life on a scale we have rarely seen. There are no consequences for actions anymore. There must be judgment."
"Humans have free will. They choose their own fate. It is not up to us to choose their path for them. Besides, isn't it a bit hypocritical for you to whine about the loss of life when you killed millions on a failed curse?"
"We are going to have to agree to disagree. Look, you stay out of my way, and I won't harm your little friends. Is that fair?"
Thanatos took a step forward. "I won't let you harm them." Quick as a snake, he reached out and touched her forehead.
Athena smirked. "What was that?"
Thanatos stared at her. "I'm sorry," he said sadly. "I wish things could've ended differently, but I won't lose another family."
Athena stumbled. "What did you…" She stared down at her hands. Wrinkles and liver spots spread across her tanned skin. With a gesture, she conjured a mirror. She stared at her reflection in horror.
She was aging decades with each passing second. Her dark hair had turned snow white. Her grey eyes were now covered in cataracts and her skin was sagging and covered in wrinkles.
"Please," she said her voice high and quavering.
"You are far less than you used to be. I remember a time that wouldn't have worked," Thanatos said sadly.
"We are all less than we were," Athena whispered. "It appears that even the deathless gods must now fear death."
"You were always going to face death someday," Thanatos said. "Isn't that why you hated me?"
"I don't want to die," Athena said sounding lost.
"No one ever does. Fair well Athena, May you find peace in the next life."
As he turned away, the Greek goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts crumbled to dust. Thanatos looked up at the sky as Thunder rumbled.
"That was for Ares," he said quietly. In a swirl of shadow, he vanished.
**ACC**
The morning after their first defense class, the trio walked into their history of magic class. As they entered, Siofra looked up and smiled at her students.
Harry noticed she had circles under her eyes as if she'd been crying, but her voice was cheerful as she called out the roll. When she was done, she cleared her throat.
"I've looked at the notes of my predecessor," she said. "They were… boring to say the least. Now then, history is a lot like life. Some of it is very exciting, but there are parts that nothing can make interesting. So, we'll do the best we can. For starters, we're gonna talk about the Arthurian legends."
Hermione raised her hand. "According to Hogwarts a history, Merlin trained the founders."
Siofra snorted. "Merlin helped build the castle, but he was too busy being a perve to train anyone." She glanced at Harry. "No offense."
"The last time I saw him he was trying to sleep with a dragon, so none taken."
"So, did Arthur really sleep with Morgan Le Fay?"
"That is false, but there was confusion that explains the mistake."
"What do you mean?" Terry boot asked.
"You know that Merlin glamoured Uther to look like Duke Gorlois so he could seduce Lady Igraine?"
The class nodded. "That always kind of bothered me," Lily said. "I mean that's just gross."
Siofra nodded. "It is. It's definitely not acceptable by todays standards, but the sixth century was a brutal time."
"So, Arthur was born from that lie," Luna said.
"Correct," Siofra said. "What no one knew was that Igraine was fae. Her daughter, Morgan was born from an earlier relationship with Arawn, lord of the wild hunt. After Arawn's death in battle, Igraine married Duke Gorlois and bore Morgaus."
"So, what happened to Morgan when Uther seduced Igraine?"
"Igraine was heartbroken when she found out what happened to her husband. She knew she wasn't long for this world, so she sent Morgan to be raised by her half-sister Vivienne on Avalon."
"She died giving birth to Arthur," Harry said.
Siofra turned to look at him. "Pardon?"
"Igraine died giving birth to Arthur. Merlin regretted what he helped do, so he took Arthur and made sure he was raised not knowing of his heritage."
"That part of the story is true," Siofra said. "I forgot your mother was raised by Morgan. Have you met her?"
Harry shook his head. "Morgan doesn't leave Avalon these days and I haven't gone there."
"So, what happened with Arthur," Michael Corner asked impatiently.
"Morgan grew very powerful. Vivienne trained her and by all accounts was a second mother to her. Morgan couldn't forget what had been done to her mother and Gorlois. She found Morgaus, glamoured her to look like Guinevere, and the rest is history."
"So, Arthur did sleep with his sister?"
"Unknowingly. Morgaus was a lot angrier than Morgan. She would do literally anything to have her revenge including committing incest. Morgan loved her mother and Gorlois. Gorlois was the only father she'd known. While she was angry, she wouldn't defile herself for revenge."
"Mum said those were her exact words," Harry said. "After Arthur was mortally wounded, Morgan took him to Avalon. Not long after that, Merlin's wife died, and Morgan took in my Mum."
"Why would she take in the daughter of the person that had caused her father's death," Terry asked.
Siofra glanced at Harry before responding. "Revenge can only take you so far. It doesn't make you feel better. After Cliodhna died, Merlin was in no fit state to raise Argante. Morgan may have felt a kinship with the child based on her own past."
Siofra looked at her watch. "It's time for you all to go to your next class. I hope this gives you an idea of what our History class will be like. Please, feel free to ask questions. We will discuss all the history I will teach you. I want your opinions on all of it, so pay attention. Class dismissed."
**ACC**
As they walked down the hall, Lily turned to Harry.
"You never said Morgan was raised by her half-sister. I thought she went into a convent."
Harry shook his head. "Avalon is an unusual place. Most fae worship Danu as their mother and goddess, but Vivienne converted to Christianity a few centuries back. Morgan eventually converted as well and that's how my Mum was raised. Avalon isn't popular, but it's a powerful independent nation, so no one messes with Morgan."
"What happened to Vivienne?"
"She died about a hundred years back. An Unseelie assassin killed her when she was visiting Auberon. Caused quite a stir so I'm told."
"So, what are you gonna do?"
"Do? What do you mean?"
"Well, are you gonna go visit Morgan or anything?"
Harry shrugged. "She hasn't come to see me. Besides, I've never been to Avalon, so I couldn't get there even if I wanted to."
The three continued chatting as they made their way down the hall. History had been exciting, and they looked forward to what Siofra would be teaching them.
**ACC**
Argante looked up as she sensed a presence right outside her cottage. Standing up, she made her way to the window and looked out. She saw nothing but the sunshine shining on the freshly cut green grass.
Still, the hair on the back of her neck stood on end and her skin prickled with goosebumps. Whoever was here, they meant her harm. With a thought, ice wrapped around her from head to toe, forming an impenetrable armor. She focused, slowing her breathing and extending her senses.
There was someone there, but they were cloaking them self. She couldn't tell what they were, let alone who, but their power beat on the air like the wings of some predatory bird. She looked around her cottage.
She had no weapons here. She'd always relied on her magic to defend herself. Right now, that felt like one of the dumbest decisions she'd ever made. She slowly walked over to the door. Reaching for the handle, she hesitated.
Going outside when someone was snooping around her house was horror movie stupid, but if she stayed inside, she would have less room to defend herself if someone broke in. With a flick of her hand, all the windows in her cottage sprang open. Walking over to the kitchen window, she conjured a spear of ice.
"Whose there?" she called. "I can sense you. You've been working your way closer for the passed five minutes. Show yourself."
There was no response.
"I can't see you, but I can sense your general location. Show yourself so we can talk. There is no need for this to turn violent."
Still no response. A soft breeze blew in through the open window bringing with it the smell of cut grass and roses. Argante strained her senses, trying to hear or see anything.
A slight creaking sound was her only warning. Throwing herself away from the window, she was just in time to avoid an arrow that stabbed into the wall where her head had been.
Argante stared at the arrow. The shaft was pure gold, but she could feel the icy cold of iron from where she stood. Whoever this was, they were trying to kil not injure her. Another arrow struck the side of the house with a loud thud.
Strengthening her armor, she flicked her hand. A whip of water shot in the direction of the arrow. There was a curse and a grunt of pain. A figure fell to the ground, clutching their arm.
Argante closed her hand into a fist, using the whip of water to drag the figure into the light. She recognized the golden hair and glowing blue eyes.
"Apollo," she said calmly. "Why are you here?"
Apollo twisted, slipping out of the whip of water, leaving a layer of skin behind. Blood dripped from his arm and stained the grass beneath him.
"I was sent by my father," he said reaching for another arrow. "This isn't personal, but you and your son represent a threat to his plans. Artemis will take care of him tonight, so he'll be joining you soon."
A soft breeze blew Apollo's hair back from his face. Argante appeared a few feet away, her reddish gold hair flowing in the wind.
"I'll see you dead before you or your sister harm a hair of Harry's head."
Apollo drew the string of his bow back. "You can try, but you'll die. After all, you are mortal, and I am a god."
As he released the arrow, Argante flicked her fingers. A gust of wind sent the arrow spinning away from her. "You were never a fighter. You were a great archer, I'll give you that, but you never really trained for combat."
Apollo conjured a ball of golden fire. "Why train for battle when you cannot die?" He threw the ball of fire.
Argante conjured a shield of air, but the impact still knocked her off her feet. She landed on her back with a grunt. The icy armor cracked from the impact before fading. Blinking the spots out of her vision, she saw Apollo pointing another arrow at her.
"You put up a good fight for a mortal, but you never really stood a chance.
Argante rolled as the arrow struck the ground where she'd been lying. She'd allowed herself to get over-confident when she'd seen who it was, and it could cost her everything.
She would have to think more strategically if she was going to survive. Hurriedly, she wrapped herself in a concealing glamour. She stood as quietly as possible and waited.
Apollo looked around. She felt his power surge as he reached out with his senses. She poured as much power as she could into the glamour, hoping it would hide her long enough.
"Argante," Apollo said his tone chiding. "Come out. This is beneath you. Die with a bit of dignity."
Argante frowned at his words. Apollo had never been this cold or bloodthirsty. True, he hadn't exactly been the kindest of gods, but none of the Olympians were. Had the desire for power truly corrupted him so much that he'd developed a taste for killing?
Apollo took a step forward, his bow still drawn back. "Argante," he called.
Argante held her breath. Just a little closer and she could strike.
Apollo took another step. "I know you haven't gone. I can still sense you." He fired a golden arrow that just missed Argante's ear.
Cursing silently, Argante moved as quietly as possible. A ball of fire scorched the ground where she'd been standing.
She moved closer. She would only get one shot at this. Concentrating, Argante formed a blade of hardened air at the tips of her fingers. It was fortunate Greek gods could be harmed by mundane weapons. It was also fortunate that her mother had been a Celtic goddess. Hopefully, that would be enough to defeat Apollo.
Apollo spun and fired another arrow that nicked Argante's cheek. She clenched her teeth to keep from crying out in pain. She was three feet away. It would have to be enough. Letting out the breath she was holding, she leapt into the air and swung her arm down with all her strength.
The blade of hardened air entered the top of Apollo's head and exited his crotch, slicing him in half vertically. The two halves stood upright for several seconds before falling to the ground with wet smacks. Argante dropped her glamour and approached Apollo's bisected body.
The god of the sun blinked up at her, his severed halves still somehow working in unison. "Well played," he gurgled. "You won this round, but my sister won't be so easy."
His eyes closed. His severed halves twitched a few times and went still.
Argante wiped sweat from her forehead. Clasping her hands together, she drew them apart, her forehead creased with the strain. Sweat ran down her face and she let out a tortured groan as the earth underneath Apollo split open.
Apollo's body dropped into the hole and Argante allowed the ground to come back together. She frowned as she stared at the upturned earth where the body had lain. She wasn't good at earth magic, but it would have to do. She needed to get to Hogwarts.
In a swirl of wind, Argante vanished.
**ACC**
Harry exited charms and stretched as he looked at his watch. It was dinner time, and he couldn't wait. Today had been long and tiring. He looked forward to a good meal.
Lily and Luna joined him, and the trio started walking to the Great hall. As they passed a window, Harry looked at the sun going down over the lake.
Luna leaned closer to Harry after erecting a privacy charm. "This year is gonna be way different."
"Yeah, but we still have a diary to deal with."
"We don't have to do anything," Lily said. "I vote we let Professor Stephenson and Snape handle it. At least until it is proven they can't. There's no sense in looking for trouble."
"Still," Harry said. "It's a diary. After what happened last time, I'm kind of scared not to go stick a basilisk fang in it just on general principle."
"Dumbledore said the chamber wasn't open while he's been here. How do we know it's even here?"
"Why wouldn't it be?" Harry asked frowning at Luna.
"Well, we've already established that things are different. We don't think Ron exists, Lily was born twenty years later than she was before, and James married someone that didn't even exist before. For all we know, Slytherin may not have even left a monster or it could be a different monster in the chamber."
"Time travel makes my brain hurt," Harry grumbled as he rubbed his forehead.
Luna giggled. "At least we have a good defense professor this time."
Harry snorted. "To be fair, he couldn't be worse than Lockhart."
"He could be like Umbridge."
"Hmm," Harry looked up at the ceiling. "I can't decide which one is worse."
"Umbridge," Luna said firmly. "Lockhart was just an arrogant berk. Umbridge tortured people."
"I'll have to give you that one. She…" Harry stopped as pain shot through his chest.
"What?" he looked down at the silver arrow sticking out of his chest. "Not again," he croaked.
"Harry!" Lily and Luna shrieked as Harry crumpled to the floor.
Before they could do anything, the two girls vanished in a flash of light.
**ACC**
Zeus was back on the mountain overlooking Greece. His jaw was clenched, and his eyes blazed with rage.
How dare they? How dare they murder his children? In one day, he'd lost two of the three people supporting him. Fortunately, Artemis was a hunter. He had no doubt she would succeed where Apollo had failed. He forced himself to calm.
Athena and Apollo may be gone, but he still had Artemis. He smiled grimly. He would need a queen to rebuild the Olympians. True the goddess had taken an oath of virginity, but he was Zeus. She could break that oath for her father and king.
"I think it's time they knew what loss felt like," Zeus growled. "I always wanted to visit the place where King Arthur was laid to rest."
In a flash of lightning, Zeus vanished.
**ACC**
Voldemort looked around the overgrown grounds where he stood. In the distance, he could see a run-down manor. Where was he? Was this the afterlife?
Hearing a rustling sound beside him, he turned to see an old woman looking around confusedly.
"Hello," he said approaching her. "Can you tell me where this is?"
The woman turned; her blue eyes narrowed. "Tom," she hissed.
Voldemort blinked. "Matilda?"