A/N: Okay, so here's a plot that's been going through my head lately so I guess we'll see where it goes.
Some more Summery info: Story starts right before PoA and during TLO, and goes through some of the events of PoA and HoO but is mainly focused during the GoF and post BoO. I hope you all enjoy.
Chapter 1: A Goddess, Wizard, and a Demigod Walk into a Room, What could go Wrong?
Cedric Diggory fell onto his bed with a wide smile plastered on his face from the letter he had received from Professor Sprout, confirming that he had been approved to be the next Captain of the Hufflepuff quidditch team. The letter was included with his Hogwarts letter containing the list of supplies he needed to purchase from Diagon Ally.
He knew that he deserved to be the Hufflepuff captain, he was the best Seeker at Hogwarts, though Harry Potter was quickly catching up to him; but he still had a year of experience on the other kid. It did bother Cedric slightly when thinking about the Gryffindor Seeker, how he had managed to make his House team as a First year, Cedric remembered how he barely managed to make the training squad his First year, never less the actual team.
But none of that mattered because right now, he was the captain of his House's quidditch team and nothing could ruin this moment for him. Cedric tossed a treat to the owl that had delivered the letters, before sending it off through his bedroom window. Cedric took a moment to stare out at the darkening sky. Thunder rumbled in the distance after a bolt of lightning strafed the sky.
Cedric flopped back onto his bed and glanced over to the bronze medal hanging on his dresser. Though he knew he should just be happy to have the medal he was still upset it was not gold.
He could barely make out the emblem of the 'Under Seventeen Quidditch Tournament'. Oliver Wood still has not spoken to him since he let the American Seeker beat him to the snitch in the Semifinals. It was also the first time England had gotten beat by the U.S. team in a tournament. Cedric will forever remember how the dark-haired girl, Blackstone, just magically zipped passed him and snatched the snitch right out in front of him.
Cedric spent another minute or so laying on his bed before deciding he should tell his father about getting to be captain. Though Amos had been pretty much telling everyone who would listen that "his son was the best Seeker at Hogwarts and was the next team captain" since the end of the year, but even with their loss to the Americans last year, Cedric was happy that he had the proof to show what his father had been boasting.
Climbing off his bed, Cedric made way towards the door in his room when he bumped into someone at the door.
At first, he thought it was his father, but it was not him.
"Ahh!" Cedric screamed at the appearance of the dare he say, a beautiful woman standing in his doorframe. She wore an elegant white toga with gold highlights, her blond hair resting along her shoulders.
"Who are you?" Cedric asked pulling out his wand and standing up slowly. "Did you hurt my father, where is he?"
The woman inhaled deeply before waving her hand and making Cedric's wand disappear. "Please, your oaf of a father wouldn't notice a Hellhound if it bit him in the-"
"Who are you?" Cedric interrupted.
The woman glared at him, "Don't interrupt me." She threatened.
"Who are you, and where is my wand?" Cedric asked, his tone getting angrier.
"Cedric, I need your help." The woman finally said. Her tone quieter than before, almost solemn.
She walked past Cedric and towards his window. "There's a storm coming, and it will destroy everything in its path. Your family needs your help." The woman ominously said. Her attention still towards the dark stormy sky.
Cedric heard footsteps walking down the hallway towards his room, most likely his father.
"Ced, is there someone in…your…" Amos stood in the doorframe, a shocked look on his face. "Room." He finished walking slowly towards the woman at the window. "What in the name of Merlin are you doing here?" Amos asked, venom seeping into his voice.
"Amos, it's been a while." The woman said turning to meet Amos's glare. Cedric stood in between the two, afraid that he would start a war if he moved.
"Dad, who is she?" Cedric asked, frustrated with the lack of answers he was receiving.
Amos inhaled deeply before audibly sighing. "Cedric, meet your mother, the great Aphrodite. Goddess of love and leaving babies on their father's doorsteps with only a letter attached and showing up almost sixteen years later." Amos said, not breaking eye contact from 'Aphrodite'.
"Hold up; first off mother? My mother died eight years ago. Second off, Aphrodite like the-"
"I am the goddess." She interrupted.
Cedric scoffed at the remark. "Right, and I'm Hercules." He said sarcastically.
"Don't mock me boy." The woman ordered walking closer to Cedric, she even started to grow in size to tower over the sixteen-year-old. Her head just missing the ceiling.
Amos whipped out his wand and pointed it at the self-proclaimed goddess. "Back away from my son!" Amos ordered. Aphrodite glanced at him and then back to Cedric, who was visibly shaking from fear.
A look of realization crossed Aphrodite's face and she shrunk back down to the height she had been. "I'm sorry Cedric, I-I don't know what came over me." She admitted.
Once Aphrodite backed away Cedric turned to his father. "Why did you say that she's my mother? Mum died when I was eight." Cedric asked.
Amos looked down to his feet. "Meredith for all intense and purposes was your mother, we started dating-"
"When we were still together." Aphrodite laughed cutting Amos off. "Cedric, your father cheated on me with the same woman he would later marry."
Cedric was too confused to say anything. "Oh that is rich coming from the woman who was married, to her own brother while we were seeing each other, while also having an affair with her other brother, and probably at least five other 'mortal' men and probably some women. So please do not turn this just on me!" Amos shouted.
"For Merlin's sake! You're actually Aphrodite? I, I can't deal with this right now." Cedric said pacing around the room unable to fully comprehend the discussion taking place. And ignoring the squabble between his father and Aphrodite.
"Aphrodite, why are you in my house, talking to a son that you clearly never wanted to have any type of relationship with?" Amos asked.
Even though Cedric was still trying to process the fact that the woman who he thought to be his mother for the past sixteen years was in fact his stepmother, the comment still stung. 'Why didn't she want to be a part of my life?' Cedric thought to himself.
"We all wish we could have done things differently, but the sad reality is I am an Olympian, and I have my responsibilities as the goddess of love. And that means that I can't have an actual relationship with not just Cedric, but all my mortal children. There isn't a day that goes by where I wish I could keep them safe on Olympus but that's not how the world works. You knew that when we had our…thing." Aphrodite shot back.
The room remained silent for a dreadful minute before Cedric finally spoke up. "Then why are you here now?"
Aphrodite looked out the window once again just as a lightning bolt arced across the sky and the rumble of thunder following it. "Because the fate of the world is at stake. My grandfather, your great grandfather, the Titan Kronos is on his way to destroy Mount Olympus, and it's up to the demigod children of the gods to defend it from his forces." Aphrodite explained.
"If I remember the myth correctly; didn't Zeus cut Kronos up into a bunch of little pieces and throw him into Tartarus?" Cedric asked, raking his brain for the myths that Professor Binns had mentioned over the years.
"He's arisen, and the gods would intervene, but we're engaging the god Typhon who's on his way to also destroy Olympus. Our forces are scattered across the map. The demigods need you and your…unique powers." Aphrodite explained.
Cedric did not know what to say. Mostly, his mind was racing trying to decipher if what Aphrodite was saying was true or not. But Amos answered for him.
"Absolutely not, even if I would let him do something as dangerous as fighting…" Amos threw his arms up at a loss "A war? He wouldn't legally be able too, he's underage, he still has the Trace on him. He'll be expelled from Hogwarts and exiled from the magical community."
Cedric let out a quiet sigh of relief that his father answered for him.
"He won't be Traced in the US, the MACUSA is out of commission because of the Titan's. They placed a powerful sleeping spell across New York, only monsters, gods, and demigods aren't affected." Aphrodite countered. "Amos, billions could die if Kronos destroys Olympus, and those that remain will be his slaves." Aphrodite pressed.
Another loud crash of thunder shook the house and the wind started to pick up. Aphrodite glanced out of the window nervously. "Cedric, I need an answer; Zeus is finally noticing my disappearance from the front. Please. Your brothers and sisters need you."
"No, Cedric will not be participating in your family squabbles. I will not permit it!" Amos shouted.
Cedric's eyes quickly glanced between his 'mother' and father. "They're our family squabbles, not just mine." Aphrodite stated.
Amos started shaking his hands angrily and he looked like he wanted to attack the goddess.
"I'll do it." Cedric whispered. But neither one heard his hushed tone, "I'll do it!" He said louder.
They both turned to face the boy. "You will?" They both asked.
Cedric nervously glanced at his father and Aphrodite. "If the fate of the world is at stake, then I've got to help." Cedric softly said.
"Ced, what she's asking you to do isn't face some creatures from the Forbidden Forest, or even a basilisk. Hell, you wrote to me at least a dozen times last term about how much the damn thing freaked you out. There will be monsters out there that make the basilisk look like a house pet. You are not prepared!" Amos forcefully yelled.
Cedric shook his head at his father, mentally rolling his eyes. "Dad, I've got to do this." Cedric said to his father, placing his hands-on Amos's shoulders. Amos's head tilted down slightly at his words. He was deep in thought, probably trying to figure out what to say to him.
"Cedric, I know that in reality, I can't stop you, not with her in my way; but you have no idea what's in store for you across the Atlantic. Please. Do not go, I've already lost your mother, I don't think I can survive losing you." Amos muttered bringing his son into a hug.
Cedric nodded at his father, "I won't do anything reckless, just help where I can." Cedric promised, though he knew he could not guarantee that promise, and he knew his father knew that as well.
A bright flash of light caught Cedric's eyes as a large thunderclap shook the house.
"We need to get going, Zeus is getting angrier by the second." Aphrodite said while nervously glancing out the window.
Cedric let go of his father and walked over to Aphrodite. She snapped her fingers and Cedric's wand reappeared in her hand. "Here's this and…" She snapped her other hand and a bronze three-foot sword appeared. "In case something happens to your wand or if you come across something that your spells won't work on." She said and handed the blade to Cedric. It was sheathed in leather and bronze with a small silver heart at the top end of the sheath. The words 'Love Conquers All' was written in ancient Greek vertically etched in the bronze. 'Wait, is that Greek?' Cedric thought to himself before Aphrodite dragged him out of his stupor.
"Its name is Widow's Love, forged in the fires at the heart of Olympus by Hephaestus himself."
Cedric accepted the sword and grabbed the charmed muggle drawstring bag hanging on his bedpost and gently placed the blade inside of it.
Aphrodite held her arm out for Cedric to take it. Cedric gave his father one last knowing look before grabbing onto her arm.
"Close your eyes." Aphrodite commanded.
Cedric did as he was told and closed his eyes as a weird feeling of immense power swept through him. Bright yellow and orange light pierced through his closed eyes. He struggled to keep them shut until the light and the feeling went away. Cedric opened his eyes to see that he was standing in the middle of a darkened street where storm clouds had covered the city. The darkness making the large quiet city even more ominous.
"Majority of the fighting is taking place on the other side of the island." Aphrodite explained. She pointed south, "The demigods are based in the Plaza Hotel not too far from the Empire State Building." Aphrodite explained. "Also, Mount Olympus is located above the Empire State Building." Aphrodite added.
Cedric let out a quiet snort, "Naturally."
"Good luck my son." Aphrodite said. Cedric closed his eyes just as she teleported away.
Cedric stared out at the spot where she had just disappeared from, amazed at the power she commanded. "Okay Ced, time to go find some demigods." He said to himself as he started running down the street littered with sleeping muggles.
Cedric drew his wand as he ran, "Point Me Plaza Hotel." Cedric commanded and his wand turned into a compass, pointing down the street he was already traveling.
Cedric ran another three blocks before a loud roar caught his attention. He turned to see a giant black dog come barreling down towards him. It stopped about halfway down the street, holding position while several monstrous snake-like creatures flanked the monstrous hound, each carrying bronze weapons. A lone human walked in front of them, he wore bronze armor and carried a sword and a large circular shield. Almost like a modern version of a Spartan. He was bulky, his brown hair clean cut, almost militaristic, he held his helm in the hand which carried his shield.
"Demigod, surrender yourself to Lord Kronos, and live to fight another day." He commanded, some of the snake creatures looked a little disheartened at the guy's request, but that could just be their RBF, Cedric was not exactly sure what to make of the snake species other than the fact that it reinforced his dislike towards snakes.
Cedric inhaled deeply, internally cursing himself to agreeing to this. Gripping his wand tighter he pointed it towards a parked car on the side of the street. "Waddiwasi!" He shouted and flung the car at the assembled monsters.
The 'human' ducked just as it struck the large dog. He quickly placed his helm on as he looked taken aback by Cedric's attack.
"Bombarda Maxima!" Cedric shouted and launched the exploding charm at the car, causing it to explode into a cloud of red and yellow fire and black smoke.
Cedric used a shield charm to protect himself from the debris. Once the cloud of smoke lifted Cedric started to back up once he saw the giant dog still on its feet, but a large portion of it looked to be badly damaged from the explosion. The snake like creatures were gone, but gold dust started to line the street, standing out from the white-gray ash and thick black smoke from the burning rubber.
Cedric looked back at the dog, which was literally licking its wounds and continued to lie on the ground, small whimpers escaping from it.
A portion of the destroyed vehicle started to move, and the armored guy used his shield to push the debris off himself.
"That was a nice trick, but you're going to have to do better than that!" The Spartan kid shouted.
"Stupefy!" Cedric shouted and a red bolt of light raced towards the armored guy. He quickly raised his bronze shield and the spell rebounded from it.
"Evanisco!" A female voice shouted from behind Cedric and the armored guy's shield dissolved away.
Cedric turned around to see two people running towards Cedric. One male, the other female. The female held a wand while the guy wore similar armor to the 'Spartan', and he carried a bow with a sword sheathed at his side.
"Who are you?" The girl asked skeptically once they joined in line with Cedric.
"Uh, Cedric." He nervously said, keeping an eye on his target, who was looking around, fazed by the disintegration of his shield.
"Lou Ellen, daughter of Hecate." She introduced; her piercing green eyes made brighter by the contrast of her midnight dark hair. Cedric could have sworn the girl looked familiar, but he was too preoccupied to try and figure out who she reminded him of.
The boy shifted nervously on his feet as he knocked his bow and aimed it, "Malcolm, son of Athena." He introduced, not taking his eyes off his target.
"Lou Ellen, your mother joined the winning side, come and see reason!" The armored guy yelled over the whining of the giant dog behind him.
Lou Ellen rolled her eyes, "That's a little hypocritical coming from you Calvin. Since Ares is on our side." She retorted.
"Screw this." Malcolm muttered and released his arrow at 'Calvin'. Calvin side stepped and watched the arrow impale itself into the monstrous hound. The dog gave a soft whine before exploding into brilliant golden dust.
"I guess that works too." Malcolm muttered before knocking another arrow.
"You're going to pay for that brain-child!" Calvin shouted and quickly charged the trio.
Malcolm released another arrow, but it bounced harmlessly off Calvin's chest plate.
"Stupefy!" Both Cedric and Lou Ellen yelled. Cedric's spell missed the charging son of Ares, while Lou Ellen's bounced harmlessly off his armor.
"His armor must be enchanted!" Lou Ellen yelled while the three split apart just as Calvin shoulder charged into Cedric.
He fell to the ground and casted a shield charm deflecting a sword swing.
Cedric rolled out of the way as Calvin brought his sword down again, impaling into the asphalt where he had just been.
Cedric casted several silent hexes hoping one would get passed Calvin's enchanted armor. All of which were harmlessly deflected from the bronze armor.
Malcolm quickly charged the bigger teen, using his sword to lock with Calvin, who used his bigger physique to push Malcolm down to the ground.
"Bombarda." Cedric said and casted the small explosion at Calvin's feet, knocking him off balance.
Cedric quickly ran over to Malcolm and helped him to his feet.
The other boy smiled up at Cedric as he got to his feet, his helm had fallen off, revealing his blond hair, and the dirt and blood that was mixed in with it.
"Thanks." He said before quickly turning back to where the action was.
Calvin quickly got to his feet. "Okay new guy, neat trick." He muttered, annoyance seeping into his voice. Calvin lunged at Malcolm and Cedric, using the pommel of his sword to punch Malcolm knocking him back and went to swing the blade of his weapon at Cedric, but Lou Ellen pushed Cedric aside.
"Then try this on for size!" Lou Ellen commanded, "Avada Kedarva!" She shouted and a bright green blast flew into Calvin knocking him to the ground, the life quickly evaporating from his body.
Cedric stood shocked and horrified at the sight before him. "What did you just do?" He finally asked staring at Calvin's lifeless body.
Lou Ellen looked at Cedric confused. "I… ended the threat and saved your British ass?" She asked, clearly not sure at Cedric's shock and confusion.
"That's illegal. That's an unforgivable curse. You can be sent straight to Azkaban. You-"
Lou Ellen held up her hand, "Hold up pretty boy. It's illegal in Europe, MACUSA has 'Stand your Ground' laws in place. Completely legal to defend yourself with lethal force if necessary. It was a law passed during the eighties." She said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "And you're welcome. This is war Cedric, you either kill, or be killed."
Cedric turned to Malcolm who quickly held up his hands in defense. "Don't drag me into your sibling rivalry." Malcolm quickly said.
Lou Ellen stared daggers at Cedric, "There is no way that you're a son of Hecate."
"That's probably because I'm not. My mum's… apparently Aphrodite." Cedric replied.
Lou Ellen snorted. "Explains a lot, pretty boy." Lou Ellen mocked.
Cedric's face turned red at the nickname, "Stop calling me that."
"Not a-"
"Malcolm!" A new voice yelled. The trio turned around to see a short blond kid sprinting towards the three. He looked to be about twelve years old, his leather armor clearly too big for him as it hung loosely against his body. He shrugged his shoulders to adjust the awkward material.
"Andy, what's wrong?" Malcolm asked the boy.
"It's Annabeth, she's been shot by a poison arrow, they took her back to the hotel. But it's not looking good. Percy looks like he's about to flood the island because he's so pissed." Andy explained, but Malcolm started running full force towards the Plaza Hotel.
Lou Ellen and Cedric quickly chased after Malcolm, with Andy trying to keep up.
"Annabeth's his half-sister, and pretty much our lead defensive strategist. If she die-if something happens to her… Then I don't know what we are going to do." Lou Ellen explained as the two quickly caught up with Malcolm.
Cedric looked over to the son of Athena, clearly distraught about the news of his sister. "I'm sure she's going to be okay." Cedric said as they continued to run down the quiet streets of New York.
Malcolm didn't reply but shot him a glance that read 'thanks'.
They kept running, but after another a minute or so Malcolm finally spoke. "You know, I've already lost one sister today, she was thirteen, Hellhound got her pretty good, she died in our makeshift infirmary. I know this is war and stuff, but, we're just kids. Hell, even Percy, who's supposed to be our leader literally just turned sixteen, today!" Malcolm ranted. Cedric did not really understand the names he was throwing around, but he understood the sentiment. "And we're supposed to fight an immortal Titan and his army of Titans, gods, demigods, and monsters?" Malcolm yelled.
"Hey, we're doing this because we're the only ones who can. If not us, who?" Lou Ellen asked, running up to Malcolm's left side.
Malcolm did not respond to her but glanced up to see the Plaza Hotel come into view.
The four quickly made their way into the fancy hotel. Dozens of teens crowded the lobby, all looking war torn and, in some cases, defeated. Andy stood back by the main entrance while the three quickly went up the stairs. A pretty girl with black hair nearly ran into them as she quickly ran down the stairs.
"Silena, where are you going?" Malcolm asked as he turned after the girl while walking up the stairs backwards.
"To get Clarisse to help!" She yelled back, not stopping.
"Silena Beauregard, your half-sister, and the head of the Aphrodite Cabin." Lou Ellen explained.
"Cabin?" Cedric asked confused.
Lou Ellen sighed, "Explain later." She whispered.
The three finally found the right floor and barged into a hotel room where a blonde girl was lying on a bed, her forehead covered in sweat and her skin deathly pale. A tanned, dark haired teen sat by her side, he too looked distraught, but unlike all the other kids Cedric saw on his way into the room, he did not have a scratch on himself.
"Annabeth." Malcolm whispered running over to sit by his sister.
"They're trying to track down Will Solace from the Apollo cabin." The dark-haired teen said to Malcolm.
"Good, Will's…if anyone can help her…" He said, taking Annabeth's hand into his own.
The dark-haired teen left Annabeth's side and walked over to Cedric and Lou Ellen. "Lou Ellen, how's our northern flank?" He asked the witch.
"We ran into Calvin, son of Ares… We, erm, took care of him." Lou Ellen said. Cedric snorted at the remark, which drew the other teen's attention to him.
"I don't think we've met, I'm Percy, Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon if you haven't heard." He introduced, extending his hand to Cedric.
"Cedric Diggory." Cedric said shaking his hand. "Oh, and son of Aphrodite." He quickly tacked on.
"He's also a wizard." Lou Ellen added injecting herself back into the conversation.
Cedric sent her a sideways glare.
She shrugged her shoulders in response.
"Come again?" Percy asked.
"He can do magic, he's a wizard, like me." Lou Ellen explained.
"But I thought he was a son of Aphrodite, not Hecate." Percy said, scratching the back of his head, clearly confused.
Lou Ellen shook her head, "I'm both a witch, and a daughter of the goddess of magic. My dad is a wizard, I got the magical part of my life from him and got the godly part from my mother." Lou Ellen explained.
Percy still looked confused, not that Cedric was not confused either. "We can figure this out later, but first we have a bigger problem on our hands." Percy said, turning to make sure Malcolm and Annabeth could hear him.
Annabeth tried to sit up a little, but Malcolm kept her down. "Nope, you stay still." He ordered.
"Kronos has enough firepower to completely decimate all of New York, we can't hold out without the Ares cabin, or better yet, the gods. We need-"
Percy was interrupted by a satyr barging into the room.
"Grover? What's wrong?" Percy asked the winded satyr who was struggling to catch his breath.
"Percy, Thalia's outside, she said a Titan wants to meet with you." Grover told the son of Poseidon.
Percy nodded at Grover, "Great, let's see what they want now." Percy muttered and followed him out the door.
"So, what now?" Malcolm asked standing up from the Annabeth's bedside after she had fallen asleep.
"Now, we prepare for war." Lou Ellen said glancing at Annabeth's sleeping form.
"Stupefy!" Cedric shouted and a jet of red light shot from his wand into a monster, rendering it unconscious. He quickly approached the snake-like creature and stabbed it with his sword, turning the monster to golden dust.
Cedric was surrounded by destruction as the demigods, along with a strange group of centaurs and the so-called 'Hunters of Artemis' attempted to beat back Kronos's army.
Lou Ellen pushed passed Cedric, "Bombarda Maxima!" She shouted and fired at a parked bus, making it explode, catching all the monsters either in the blast, or on fire.
"Gods, I really hope there weren't any mortals on that bus." She nervously stated before firing a nonverbal spell at another monster.
"I think I heard one of the centaurs say they cleared the street of all the muggles." Cedric replied before firing a curse at a cyclops. "Not that you really care about a human's life." Cedric muttered.
Lou Ellen rolled her eyes at the snark remark. "Oh come on, you really need to get over that." She complained while quickly yelling, "Expelliarmus!" And disarmed an axe from a monster.
Cedric quickly followed up with the Duro curse, turning the monster to stone.
"Reducto." Lou Ellen said and reduced the stoned monster to dust. "Not bad pretty boy." She said, patting the dust off her shirt.
Cedric glared at her. "Don't. Call me that." He ordered.
"You don't need to get so triggered, come on, we need to buy Percy as much time as possible." Lou Ellen ordered, and Cedric followed her across the hellish battlefield.
They fired off curses and used their bronze weapons to clear the path in front of them of monsters.
Cedric looked over and saw Malcolm attempting to fend off three dog like monsters, Telekhines if Cedric remembered from the quick crash course Malcolm had given him an hour earlier. Cedric grabbed Lou Ellen by her shoulder, "I'm going to go help Malcolm." He said to her.
She nodded, "Go on, I'll help Will and the other Apollo kids over there." She said and the two-split going off in opposite directions.
Malcolm deflected a blow from a spear by one of the telekhines with his shield and used his sword to stab it in the chest. He quickly pivoted to block an oncoming strike by the second one.
"Petrificus Totalus!" Cedric shouted and bound the third monster who attempted to stab Malcolm in the back. Malcolm quickly turned around to block the strike after destroying the other monster but lowered his weapon once he saw the monster locked in place and unable to move.
Malcolm quickly sliced the telekhine in the chest, disintegrating it before turning to Cedric. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it." Cedric replied, flashing him a quick smile. Malcolm laughed slightly before dodging an arrow. Cedric pivoted and quickly fired a non-verbal spell back at the place where the arrow came from, hitting the monster and knocking it to the ground.
"Nice shot." Malcolm said and pulled Cedric back just as a large bronze Warhammer smashed down where he had been standing. A cyclops held onto the large weapon and went in for another strike, but Malcolm leaped into the air and stabbed the monster in the eye, reducing it to dust.
Malcolm fell to the ground on one knee, coughing from all the monster particles swirling around him.
"That, was disgusting." He laughed before another coughing attack came over him.
Cedric pointed his wand at the bronze hammer and transfigured it into a water goblet. "Agumenti." He quickly said and filled the cup up with water before handing it the son of Athena.
He looked at the cup surprised before hesitantly taking it from Cedric's hand. He quickly downed the water, "Thanks."
Cedric nodded before a large rumble shook the ground.
"Great, what now? We can't handle another drakon." Malcolm asked looking around the battlefield nervously.
The harsh shaking caught the attention of everyone around the block, as both demigods and monsters halted fighting and looked south where a large wall of storm clouds approached the island. The wind started to kick up exponentially, so much so that it nearly pushed Malcolm into Cedric.
"Merlin, what is that?" Cedric asked shielding his eyes from a bright flash of lightning.
"It's Typhon, god of monsters. If the gods can't stop him before he reaches Olympus…"
"He'll destroy everything." Cedric said finishing Malcolm's thought.
He nodded his head. Another loud crack of thunder shook the sky as a bolt of lightning struck the wall of clouds.
Kronos's forces re-engaged the demigods moments later.
Cedric looked around for Lou Ellen, hoping to try something to at least slow down the large god heading for the city.
Cedric glanced over to see her firing off several spells at a group of harpies. She was using a large chunk of concrete as cover from arrows which were fired at her and a blonde kid with a bow who took cover with her.
"Lacarnum Inflamarae" Cedric yelled and a firebolt struck another Cyclops while he ran towards the daughter of Hecate.
Cedric nearly ran into the girl as he slid behind the concrete wall.
"What?" Lou Ellen asked before standing up and quickly firing off another spell. She knelt back down and looked over at Cedric.
"Typhon, what if we tried some repello charms, it could buy the gods some time." Cedric suggested shrugging his shoulders.
Lou Ellen looked like she wanted to disagree with him, but she glanced over to the battle between the gods. "Ah, what the Hades, we're dead either way, right?" She laughed and blasted a monster that managed to get behind the concrete barrier.
"Hopefully, we'll live through his." Cedric laughed.
Lou Ellen quickly ran down the block and took cover behind a building, Cedric followed her quickly and stood up against the wall with her.
"Ready?" She asked pointing her wand towards Typhon.
Cedric nodded his head and started chanting the protection charms. "Protego Totalum, Repello Inimcium."
Lou Ellen also chanted the same incantations and small strains of magic left their wands and started to form a translucent barrier as close to the gods as they could get the spell to go. They kept repeating the charms, attempting to make the barrier as large as possible.
"Cedric, I don't think this is going to work." Lou Ellen quickly said in between spells.
"Just keep at it." Cedric replied.
Lou Ellen fired another spell but quickly turned and pushed Cedric against the brick wall of the building behind them. Cedric nearly fell over in surprise, "What the Hell?" Cedric yelled.
"Stupefy!" Lou Ellen shouted and fired the red bolt of magic at a flying monster racing towards them. The creature fell at their feet. Cedric quickly stabbed it with his sword before looking up at Lou Ellen.
"You're welcome." She stated before turning back to look at their barrier.
"Let's see if that'll buy us any time." Cedric said.
Lou Ellen snorted, "Your what, going into your fifth year at Hogwarts? I'm surprised you know any of those protection charms."
"I will have you know, Gilderoy Lockhart was my Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, and…he could only teach us the protection charm." Cedric laughed. "Even though he was a complete fraud, he knew his charms."
Lou Ellen raised her eyebrows at the remark. "Right."
"And aren't we like the same age? So why do you think you can play the high and mighty card?" Cedric asked, ignoring the complete fact that a gigantic monster was approaching the city.
"Can we argue about this later. We have bigger issues at the moment!" Lou Ellen yelled over the gusts of wind that started to pick up.
"Right. Of course." Cedric replied. 'Not like you weren't the one to start this argument.' Cedric thought to himself sarcastically.
The two watched the gods try to hold Typhon before he could cross the river, but the gigantic monster kept continuing on before reaching the barrier. The wall of clouds halted right before entering the river.
The two demigods slowly turned to look at each other with their mouths open.
"There's no way." Lou Ellen whispered.
"That can't be because us…Can it?" Cedric asked watching as Typhon stood just outside of the magical barrier.
"I don't think it is because of us." Lou Ellen muttered.
A large splash shook them out of their stupor and dozens of chains and anchors shot from the river and grappled onto the father of the monsters.
"Well, I guess Poseidon did decide to show up." Lou Ellen muttered. "Come on, I think the gods got it from here."
The magical barrier the two had produced quickly started to fade, shreds of the magical energy falling like wet paper.
"Well I guess it wouldn't have held at all." Cedric muttered and slowly started to follow the witch back to the main battle, but not before shooting one final glance at the battle between the gods. Cedric looked over to see his mother flying on the back of a flaming chariot, most likely riding with Ares, she held a staff which shot a wave of pink energy at Typhon. Cedric gave her a small wave; which he knew she couldn't have seen but still made him feel better.
Cedric waited in the lobby of the Empire State Building with Malcolm for Annabeth and the others to return from Mount Olympus. Cedric twirled his wand in between his fingers aimlessly, unable to keep still from the lack of activity.
"What do you think they're talking about?" Malcolm asked Cedric, noticing how he was struggling to keep still.
Cedric shrugged, "Honestly, I can't even comprehend speaking to a god or gods. Like, what are you supposed to say to them?" Cedric laughed.
"At least Aphrodite appeared to you directly." Malcolm muttered.
Cedric pushed himself off the wall he was leaning against and gave Malcolm a perplexed look.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Cedric asked.
Malcolm bit his lower lip, thinking of his words carefully. "It's just, I've never met Athena, at least not directly. The only time she's ever attempted to communicate with me was via messenger owl" Malcolm quietly said.
Cedric looked over to Malcolm, his mouth ajar slightly but not surprised by the goddess's lack of attempt to actually communicate with him.
Cedric took in a deep breath before replying to the son of Athena. "Part of me wonders, if this whole Kronos thing hadn't happened, if she would have ever bothered to contact me in the first place. She only found me that way she could use me." Cedric said, looking down at the floor.
"A huge part of me wonders if she should have ever contacted me in the first place, because up until today, I knew who my mother was, and it wasn't some Greek goddess." Cedric said giving a pity laugh at his own statement.
"I wasn't trying to make you feel bad or anything, and you're right. I also wonder, like all the time…If my life would have been better suited being the preacher's kid. Not having to worry about fighting monsters and doing quests for a bunch of lazy gods." Malcolm started his tone getting angrier as he continued. "I-I don't know anymore. Sometimes, I just want to throw in the towel."
Cedric placed a reassuring hand on Malcolm's shoulder. "We got through this. You got through this. And hopefully the world will take a break for a second and just let us live our lives." Cedric laughed, full well knowing that he was never this lucky.
First, he had to deal with surviving the Chamber of Secrets opening up and a basilisk let loose on Hogwarts. Then just a couple of months later Siris Black escaped from Azkaban and was threatening not just magical Britain, but muggle Britain as well, and now he just survived a literal war between the Greek gods and Titans.
Malcolm nodded his head in appreciation from Cedric's words. Though Cedric was not sure if it was genuine or not because he didn't even fully accept the fact that the universe would give them a break. Especially for the kids that went to Camp Half-Blood. From the stories he picked up from Lou Ellen and Malcolm, the demigods at Camp Half-Blood had been through a lot, more so than what was supposedly typical for a demigod in the past few years.
The elevator at the other end of the lobby dinged and several people walked out of it, led by Percy. Chiron, a centaur galloped over to where Cedric was standing and extended his hand out. "My name is Chiron, I help train the demigods at Camp Half-Blood. I wanted to thank you for joining the battle, young child of Aphrodite." Chiron introduced politely. Malcolm excused himself to meet up with Annabeth leaving Cedric alone with the Centaur.
"Of course, I was glad that I could help." Cedric replied grasping Chiron's hand and shaking it back. "I'm Cedric Diggory by the way."
"Yes, your mother wished for me to invite you to stay at camp…If you so wish. She wanted you to have the opportunity to have proper combat training." Chiron explained but held up his hand as soon as he saw Cedric about to protest.
"It won't interfere with your studies at Hogwarts. Most campers tend to only stay during the summer holidays. And by no-means am I questioning your learning at Hogwarts. Albus and I have a history. I would trust him to teach any of my students." Chiron said.
Cedric nodded his head, "I'll consider it Mr. Chiron."
Chiron allowed a small laugh to escape, "Chiron is just fine, but either way you decide, you will always be welcomed at Camp Half-Blood." Chiron gave one final nod before trotting off through the main entrance.
"Hey, you coming back to camp with us?" Malcolm asked, surprising Cedric from his sudden appearance, Malcolm walked back to where he had been standing before Chiron showed up.
Cedric shrugged his shoulders. "I was just planning to go back home, I know my father's probably freaking out because I've been gone so long as it is."
"Well, you could come back to camp and use our landline to check in with him." Malcolm suggested but it only brought a confused look from Cedric.
"What's a landline?"
Malcolm tilted his head and stared at Cedric perplexed.
"You know, like a home-phone, the opposite of a cellphone…" Malcolm said trying to figure out if Cedric was joking with him or not.
"I'm assuming these are muggle contraptions?" Cedric asked.
Malcolm nervously laughed unsure what to say, "Yeah…?"
"So, this is Camp Half-Blood." Cedric observed glancing around the valley. Dozens of campers and other mythical creatures were scattered across the camp, some playing volleyball, shooting at the archery range, or even climbing up a large lava wall.
Most of the campers had returned directly after the battle, already looking to get back into the swing of their routine.
"It's not much, but its home." Malcolm replied.
Cedric quickly turned to give the son of Athena a perplexed look. "Not much?" Cedric asked laughing a little.
"I'm sure that it doesn't compare to a gigantic magical castle or anything." Malcolm said trying to hide his sarcasm.
Cedric glared at the son of Athena before bursting out laughing. "I like it, this feels more…Independent. Don't get me wrong, Hogwarts is my second home and I'll die before I let anyone take it away from me. But Camp Half-Blood just gives me the impression that your trusted to be yourself. No overbearing professors giving you ridiculous homework assignments about things you will never use in the real world, meanwhile, I feel like you actually learn things that can help you in life here." Cedric mused, looking over to the cabins that were arranged into the classic Greek Omega symbol 'Ω'.
"I think that's how its supposed to be, during the rest of the year you're at school learning BS, and during the summer you go to camp to learn actual life skills." Malcolm laughed.
Cedric cracked a smile. "I think you might have a point."
"Don't I always?" Malcolm sarcastically asked, brushing his shoulder up against Cedric's slightly before starting to head down the trail towards the cabins. "Well, since you've decided to stay for a while, I guess I better show you the Aphrodite cabin."
Cedric nodded as Malcolm led him towards the row of twelve cabins arranged in the Omega symbol. Each cabin was unique to each god. Most, Cedric could wager who belonged to who. Especially the Ares cabin. It looked like they were prepping for World War III.
Malcolm led Cedric to a cabin with a blue roof and checkered walls, and a pink door to cap it off. "I'm assuming this is the Aphrodite cabin." Cedric said disparagingly.
"What tipped you off, the pink door?" Malcolm asked, the sarcasm dripping from his voice as he laughed at Cedric's expense. "Drew Tanaka is the Head of the Aphrodite cabin…good luck." Malcolm said, giving Cedric one last pat on the back before walking off in the opposite direction.
Cedric slowly walked up to the obnoxiously pink door before inhaling deeply and reaching for the door handle. Cedric hesitantly opened the door and was met by about half-dozen teens staring at Cedric.
"Well, who do we have here?" A pretty girl with dark hair and over done make-up asked, approaching Cedric.
"Your Cedric, right?" A boy wearing the signature 'Camp Half-Blood' T-shirt, his hair gelled to perfection, asked. But his tone was shy, almost hesitant to speak.
Cedric nodded at the boy before turning back to the girl, "I'm assuming you're Drew?"
The girl smiled at him, "Ooh, and he's British."
"And your brother, be gross somewhere else." The boy replied.
Drew shot him a deadly glare, making him wince.
The girl, in a way, started to remind Cedric of Draco Malfoy, her attitude just screamed attention seeking airhead.
"I'm Cedric Diggory."
The boy approached Cedric before holding out his hand to shake, "I'm Mitchell, and this is Lacy, Bella, Gabriella, Diane, and Darcy." Mitchell said pointing to the other girls in the room. Each of the girls gave a wave at Cedric.
Drew pushed Mitchell aside, "Now that Silena bit the dust…" Everyone in the cabin looked towards the ground at the mention of the late daughter of Aphrodite. She gave her life to try to stop the Drakon that had attacked them in Manhattan. But Drew continued, "We're going to start doing things a little differently, isn't that right?" She asked, but it was more of an order.
"Isn't that right?" She asked again when no one responded to her.
Cedric suddenly felt the urgency to speak, it was as if Drew's voice was commanding him to speak. Cedric would think that she was commanding him with the Imperius curse if it were not for the fact that she did not have a wand in her hand.
"Yes." Everyone said at once.
"Okay good. Ladies, we have archery practice, we'll let the boys get settled." She said and proceeded out the door with several of the girls, Cedric's sisters, following her, most muttering curses and some even threats towards their cabin leader as they walked past Cedric.
Once the final girl exited Mitchell released a deep breath. "Gods she's awful." Mitchell muttered falling down onto his bed.
"Why do you put up with her, it seemed pretty clear that none of the girls are thrilled with her being Head Consular?" Cedric asked the dark-haired boy.
"It's not that simple, we couldn't get rid of her if we wanted, she wouldn't allow it." Mitchell said.
Cedric gave him a confused look. "What do you mean?"
"Drew has the ability to use Charmspeak. Basically, it influences you to do what she says." Mitchell explained.
"That sounds…"
"Abusive?" Mitchell threw in.
Cedric nodded his head.
"How long are you staying? The summer season is pretty much over, most of camp is leaving next week since school is starting up." Mitchell asked, clearing a bunk for Cedric to put his things.
"That's about when I'm leaving, I have to make sure I have time to get my school supplies and stuff." Cedric said throwing the bag Chiron had given him with clothes and toiletries in the drawer underneath his bed. "Honestly, I only agreed to stay at all because Malcolm said I should." Cedric laughed.
"Oh." Mitchell said, his tone pitching upwards at the 'revelation'.
"It's not like that." Cedric quickly said knowing what Mitchell was alluding too.
"Is it? So, you and Malcolm aren't a thing?" Mitchell asked quickly falling onto Cedric's bunk, forcing him to look directly at Mitchell.
"No, of course not. We just met. I mean he's a really cool guy. And I doubt he's into-"
"Stop. If you want another child of Aphrodite's professional opinion. He's definitely into…playing for the same team if you catch my drift." Mitchell whispered, wiggling his eyebrows.
Cedric was confused at what Mitchell was trying to get at. "What team?"
Mitchell laughed for about ten seconds and then struggled to catch his breath, "Wait, you're not joking?"
"Of course not, what are you talking about?"
"What century are you from? Okay, doesn't matter." Mitchell quickly said sitting up. "Malcolm's definitely into you if he's been hanging out with you this much and asked you to stay. Trust me." Mitchell said.
Cedric gave him a questioning look. Not sure if he should take his half-brother's word.
"How would you know?" Cedric asked defensively.
Mitchell started laughing. "I am the son of the love goddess; And we may or may not have had a make-out session or two over the summer." Mitchell laughed getting off the bed.
Cedric quickly shook his head, "Wait what?"
"What? We got shit faced in Cabin Eleven. Fun fact, if you ever need anything that's not exactly on the Dinning Pavilion's menu, ask the Stoll brothers, they can smuggle in anything." Mitchell whispered into Cedric's ear before heading to the door. "If you don't need anything else, I'm going to go pretend to be an archer for the next hour. Come join us once you're settled." Mitchell said opening the door.
"Oh, and one more thing. He's definitely a good guy, and don't fuck it up, because Annabeth will fuck you up, and not in the fun way. Comprede hermano?" Mitchell warned, ending by butchering the Spanish language.
Cedric gave him a thumbs up, shaking his head at the warning.
"Merlin, what have I gotten myself into?" Cedric asked himself before faceplanting onto his bed, not wanting to go join his cabinmates at the range.
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed, Please Fav/Follow/Review
May the Force be with you because there can be no peace when there is no justice.