My immortal Dads! ch.18

I do not own anything; ooc; not betaed;

Harry walked the halls with Thalia, Nico, and Percy looking for Cedric. The voices of the other students granted on Harry's nerves. He suppressed a sneer as a group of giggling girls passed by. His head pounded. His eyes pulsed. He ran a hand through his hair thinking of the first tasks coming up. His shoulders tighten. He needed to find Cedric to ask if he wanted to train with him; the sooner they could start training the better.

"Maybe he's in the library," Nico suggested from behind him.

"We've already looked in the library," Harry growled as he pulled at his hair. The library reminded him that he had homework to do. He needed to find Hermione as well.

"Hey, just because you had a ruff nights sleep doesn't mean you can take it out on us," Thalia barked at him. Harry slump his shoulders.

"I know," He groaned using both hands to pull at his hair. "I know. I just have a lot on my plate, and I don't know how to handle it."

"Well," Nico's fingertips brushed Harry's arm. "You've fought dementors, basilisk, and Voldemort without knowing how to handle them, and you did pretty good."

"That doesn't make me feel any better," Harry grumbled.

"Just stop pulling at your hair before you go bald." Percy suggested as he walked around Harry toward a group of Hufflepuffs.

"Do you guys know where Cedric is?" Percy asked them while Harry glared at his back.

"He's at the Quidditch pitch." A Hufflepuff with strawberry blond hair said.

"Okay," Percy said. He nodded at them. "Thank you."

"Why didn't I think of that?" Harry asked as Percy walked back to them.

"You were too busy freaking out," Percy said as he led the way to the Quidditch pitch.

The crisp air stun their cheeks as they walked over the uneven ground towards the Quidditch pitch. The brown grass bowed down to the gray sky. It smelled like rain.

Only one broom flew in the sky. Harry stared at Cedric. With every smooth loop and turn he did, Harry's want to fly grew. His palms itched for smooth wood under them, his ears ached to be clogged by the wind, and for one moment his weary mind could rest as the world unfolded beneath him. Harry clenched his fist. He had no time. Harry trudged down to the pitch.

"Cedric!" Percy yelled up.

Harry flinched and rubbed his ear. "He can't hear you. He's flying too high and too fast."

"So what are we going to do?" Thalia asked.

"I can try to shadow travel onto the broom and tell him to land," Nico offered.

"Have you ever shadow traveled onto a moving target?" Percy asked.

"No, but–," Nico said.

Harry blocked them out as his eyes followed Cedric's every movement. That lucky bastard could fly without a care in the world. He probably didn't even need Harry's help, so why should he offer? What has Cedric done for him lately? Harry's stomach coiled like a Basilisk. He raised his arm with his wand in hand. Red sparks shot out and almost hit Cedric.

"Hey," Cedric yelled as he wheeled around.

"Sorry," Harry called as he lowered his wand. His cheeks burned. Why had he done that? "I needed to get your attention."

Cedric landed a few feet in front of Harry. He walked over as he ran his hand through his brown hair; his gray eyes squinted at Harry.

"Yeah, okay, just yell or something next time," Cedric said as he ran his hand over his wind whipped face.

"Sure," Harry nodded though he knew that the fliers had trouble hearing anything beside the wind. Hermione complained enough time about her soar throat from trying to get his attention.

"So what do you want?" Cedric asked as he shouldered his broom.

"I'm offering to have you train and prepare with me for the dragons," Harry said as he folded his hands behind his back and stood with his feet shoulder width apart. He's seen Zeus, Hades, and even Poseidon do this more than once. It seemed to make them more persuasive and authoritative, so he decided to give it a shot.

"Dragons?" Cedric squinted at Harry. "What are you talking about?"

"The first task, it's dragons," Harry told Cedric.

"Dragons," Cedric said slowly. "And how do you know that?"

"I have a guy on the inside," Harry said with a smile. He always wanted to say that.

Harry heard someone snort behind him. He glanced over his should. Percy gave him a smile with a raised eyebrow. Harry's cheeks burned as he turned around and ignored him.

"Okay," Cedric said. "Lets say you're right. What's the plan?"

"We've already got a list of spells to help with the dragons," Harry said as he nodded towards the demigods. "Do you want to come train with us?"

Cedric sighed. He squinted at the others.

"Yeah, okay," he said as he shifted his weight from foot to foot. "Not like I have anything better to do or have a plane for dragons, so what are we going to do?"

"We're going back to the Olympian's room to start practicing." Harry pointed his thumb over his shoulder at the castle.

"Okay," Cedric said as he moved past Harry. "Just let me put my broom in my dormitory."

Harry wondered which floor the Hufflepuff common room was. He knew the Slytherin common room was in the dungeons, and the Gryffindoor common room was on the seventh floor, but he had yet to discover the other two common rooms.

"How close are we to your common room?" Harry asked Cedric as they descended to the lower floors.

"Not far," Cedric said. "It's on the same floor as the kitchens."

"The kitchens? Why is it by the kitchens?" Percy asked.

"I don't know," Cedric shrugged. "Easier access to midnight snacks?"

They walked down a long corridor with only one painting at the end.

"Is that it?" Nico asked as he pointed at the fruit bowl painting.

"No," Cedric said. "That's the entrance to the kitchens."

"How do you get in?" Percy asked.

"Tickle the pear," Cedric said as he walked over to a bunch of barrels half way down the hall.

"Tickle the pear?" Percy whispered as he traded looks with Thalia.

"Come on Seaweed Brain," she said as she grabbed his wrist and dragged him past Harry after Cedric.

"Don't call me that!" Percy said.

"I'll call you whatever I want," Thalia shot back.

"I don't have to take this from you, Sparky," Percy said.

"Sparky?" Nico snorted. "You need to work on your insults Seaweed Brain."

"Shut it, Dorkvader," Percy snapped as Thalia giggled.

"What does that even mean?" Nico asked.

"What are you doing?" Harry asked Cedric. He had decided to ignore the arguing demigods; it happened all the time.

The demigods stopped arguing to look at the crouching wizard. Cedric glanced up at them before he stood up and scratched the back of his head.

"Um, can you guys turn around?" Cedric asked. "The password is kind of secret."

"Won't we just hear him?" Nico asked as they did as Cedric requested.

"Can you cover your ears as well?" Cedric asked.

"Sure," Harry said.

"Way to go Death Breath," Thalia said. "You just had to remind him."

"Actually, I was going to ask you, but he interrupted," Cedric said. "Now can you cover your ears?

The did as Cedric wanted as Nico grumbled about how stupid it is the have different houses.

"If you think splitting up students in separate houses is stupid, imagine trying to fit all the students in one dorm," Cedric said

"That's not what I meant," Nico said. "Why don't they just have all the common rooms open to all students, and get ride of the houses?"

"It's probably easier to watch over students when they're in more manageable groups. Each teacher watches over a certain set of students, instead of trying to keep track of every single one at all times; they mostly have to look out for their own," Cedric said.

Harry placed his hands over his ears, but shifted them so he could still hear. A muffled knocking pattern echoed in the small cavern his hands made. Harry clamped his hands over his ears, hard, when he heard Cedric making his way towards them. A finger tapped his shoulder; he turned around and lowered his hands. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Thalia doing the same thing.

Harry followed Cedric to the middle barrel. Cedric slide the lid to the side on top of one of the other barrels. He raised an eyebrow when Cedric lifted a leg and climbed into the the middle barrel, and disappeared. Harry hurried over with a frown on his face; his stomach twisted when he saw only darkness.

"What happened?" Percy asked as he leaned over the open barrel.

"The barrel ate him," Nico said as he pulled Percy back eyeballing the barrel.

"Barrels can't eat people," Thalia scoffed. She crossed her arms.

"After all we've seen, I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the idea," Percy said.

Harry agreed, "I wouldn't either."

Before Harry could suggest throwing something down there, the lid of the barrel slid over the opening. Harry's heart jumped into his throat. His fingers fumbled and slid over the smooth, wooden, lid as he tried to pry it off. Harry backed off with a low curse when the lid refused to budge.

"We have to get it open," Harry said. He took out his wand as his mind ran over all the spells that may be of use.

He pointed his wand at the top of the barrel; the cutting curse on the tip of his tongue when Cedric's head popped out of the barrel that lay on its side. He crawled his way out, got to his feet, and dusted himself off. He looked at Harry and the others with furrowed eyebrows.

"What are you guys doing?" He asked.

"We–," Harry stopped. He put his wand away. "We thought the barrel–Um, we thought that you were in trouble."

Cedric gave a slow shake of his head. "No, I've never been in trouble going into my common room before."

Harry blushed and looked away from Cedric. It did sound ridiculous when he put it like that; however, Harry learned the hard way to always be cautious for his sake and the sake of others.

"Would you like to see it?" Cedric offered, he gestured towards the barrels.

Harry looked at the barrels. He's only been in the Gryffindor and Slytherin common rooms. Each common room had similarities, but they were also fundamentally different. He studied the barrel. Just the entrance seemed tantalizing, and who knew how many people got this chance. He nodded.

Cedric smiled before he knelt next to the middle barrel. He knocked out the same pattern from before then he said.

"I allow Harry Potter, Thalia Grace, Percy Jackson, and Nico Di Angelo into the Hufflepuff commons as long as they are true."

"What does it mean by true?" Nico asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"It means that as long as you don't do something that makes me feel as if you betrayed me then you'll be allowed in," Cedric said. "The barrel has a spell that lets it read the students health and emotions then if something's wrong, there's another spell to help fix it. So if I came back to the barrel upset that you betrayed me, the barrel would pick up on it and seal itself against you until I give you permission to enter again."

The barrel's lid scraped off of its body. Harry peered down the hole. He swallowed. Green eyes scanned the darkness for movement. Monsters hid in the dark, and he hated the unknown. He needed to be on guard.

"This better not be a trick, Cedric," Harry warned as he glared at the barrel.

"Do you honestly think I'd trick you?" Cedric asked.

Harry glanced at Cedric before he looked back at the barrel. No. Cedric seemed too honest to trick anyone. Harry stepped closer to the barrel. He gripped the sides with white knuckles. He looked around for a way to get into the barrel without falling in head first. He blinked and sighed through his nose when he spotted a brick right by his left foot; he used that brick to climb up. He swung his leg over the lip of the barrel; his pants strained against his irregular movement. He leaned forward to grab the other side of the barrel as he pulled his other leg up and in. His feet disappeared into the cool darkness. Earthy air wafted up to his nose. He balanced on the edge of the barrel. He looked at Thalia, Nico, and Percy. As his butt turned numb, he pushed off the lip of the barrel with a final prayer that his usual talent to find trouble would stay dormant.

The fall ended with a painful bounce as he bottom hit smooth wood. He fell backwards as he slid down. His fingers squished and stuttered against the wooden slide, but his attempt to fight gravity failed. Small mushrooms that glowed littered the sides and ceiling along side twisted roots and small flowers that gave off a scent that relaxed Harry. Harry laughed and whooped; his stomach flipped with every turn. All too soon the ride ended. He yelped when he landed on a giant feathered cushion. Harry, drunk off of joy, struggled to get off of the cushion. He giggled as he looked around while the sound of irritated demigods met his ears.

Like the Gryffindor common room the Hufflepuff common room had tables for studying and plush, dark yellow, arm chairs for relaxing along with couches in front of a fenced off fireplace where a fire crackled. Hand knitted blankets laid on the back of the couches and some of the chairs. Plush pillows littered the ground along with soft blankets. Roots poked out of the dirt walls, held together with magic Harry figured, and the ceiling. Potted plants hung from the ceiling and sat all around the room

He saw some students napping on the floor, and others walking around barefoot or in slippers. Other students took care of potted plants. Some just sat in the chairs or on couches and talked or ate from one of the many trays of food with a wide arrangement of snacks from sweets to vegetables on them. It seemed that the Hufflepuff common room resided under Hogwarts like the Slytherin common room; however, the Hufflepuffs embraced nature and a homey feel while the Slytherins kept aloof with stone and glass.

"What do you think?" Cedric asked from behind Harry.

Harry turned to Cedric.

"It's awesome," Percy said. "It'd be better if it was surrounded by water, and if the plants were ones that lived underwater."

"Then you'd like the Slytherin common room," Harry said. "It's right under the lake and it has a giant window to look out into it."

"Well, there are some water plants in the bathrooms," Cedric said as he scratched his head. "They glow so if you need to go to the bathroom at night you don't stub your toe, and they sing if you sing."

"Really?" Percy asked wide eyed. "Can we see them?"

"Do any of these plants do anything?" Nico asked as he poked at a small flower. He seemed paler than normal, but as he sniffed the flower–color returned to his cheeks.

"Well, the plants around here release a scent that help keep the students calm," Cedric said. "If you every want to have some just ask Madam Sprout."

"There's mushrooms in the entrance," Cedric said. He pointed at the slide they had just tumbled out of. "They glow in the dark, and light up the tunnel."

Harry followed Cedric to the boys dormitory.

They thumped their way up the stairs to the boys dormitory. The dormitory looked like the Gryffindor's except it came in Hufflepuff colors and had plants all around. Cedric stopped next to the bed nearest the door. Cedric gestured for the demigods and Harry to gather around his bedside table. On his bedside table a potted plant, it looked like a closed Lily, snored.

"This is the Dormines Herba meaning Sleeping Plant," Cedric said as he pointed at the closed, light green, flower. "When night comes the flower will open and it will breath out a smell that relaxes the mind and body helping us get to sleep. All Huffelpuffs have this."

Cedric pointed at the base of the plant. A dark green, almost black, moss grew all around the plant. Small white flowers dotted the moss like stars in the sky. "See this moss. It glows at night so that we have a light if we need to get up, and these small white flowers growing in the moss help promote good dreams by releasing their pollen when they sense distress in their immediate area. It's called Bene Moss."

"What if someone's allergic to it?" Nico asked as he peered at the plant.

Harry made a mental note to get some for himself and the demigods as he noticed the dark rings under Nico's eyes.

"Well," Cedric said. "I've never heard of anyone being sick from these plants. I suppose they'd have to avoid it, and find a different item to help them sleep."

"Are there any other plants?" Harry asked.

"Well, not really," Cedric shifted. "There are some to help with arousal."

"A-arousal?" Harry stuttered. His face turned red.

"Yeah," Cedric shrugged. "There are ones to help calm arousal if someone needs it. Madam Sprout left books beside all our beds as first years explaining how our bodies are going to change, safe sex, and every week we have a group, or private if someone has a personal question, talk with Professor Sprout."

"Safe sex?" Harry asked. "I didn't know wizards had a way to prevent pregnancies."

"Of course," Cedric looked at Harry with furrowed eyebrows. "Weren't you taught about safe sex?"

Harry flushed. "One video before I came to Hogwarts, and even that was pretty vague."

"What's a video?" Cedric asked.

"It's kind of like the moving pictures," Harry said as he avoided Cedric's eyes. "Except they don't hang on walls, and they are used for entertainment and learning."

"Oh," Cedric said. "Well, you can have my book if you want it. I can get another copy from Madam Sprout. I'm surprised that Professor McGonagall didn't talk to you about it yet. I thought all Head of Houses talked about safe sex, and other topics they deem necessary."

He dug out a worn book from his trunk and handed it to Harry. It had a plane cream colored front with a black title that said: The Magical Human Body.

Harry opened it to look at the index.

Chapter One: No, You're Not a Werewolf, but You are Changing.

Section 1-1: How Your Body is Changing.

Section 1-2: Hygiene (For the Love of Merlin Take a Bath.)

Section 1-3: Strange Urges and How to Deal with them. (No Shame Route.)

Chapter Two: Safe Sex

Section 1-1: What is Sex?

Section 1-2: Safe Sex with the Use of Muggle Counter Contraceptives.

Section 1-3: Magical Means to Stop Pregnancies

Chapter Three: I'm Pregnant, and You're the Father

Section 1-1: So Your Pregnant. You're Body is No Longer Yours, And Here Are Your Options.

Section 1-2: So You Got Someone Pregnant: Here's How to Take Responsibility

Section 1-3: How the Birthing Process Will Go.

Section 1-4: After Birth Options.

"Every Friday and Saturday the Huffelpuffs gather together to talk to Madam Sprout about what we learned or if we have any questions." Cedric tapped the cover of the book. "The good thing about this book is it tells of all the different scenarios. Like safe sex between two girls and two guys along with safe sex between a guy and a girl, and it talks about if a guy gets pregnant."

"Men can get pregnant?" Nico's eyes bulged.

"They have to take a potion and go to Saint Mungo's Hospital for observation while their body changes to be able to carry the child, but yeah," Cedric said.

Nico and Percy shared disturbed looks while Thalia laughed.

"Thank you," Harry said as he tucked his new book under his arm.

"You guys should come and join us at some point," Cedric said. "It'd be informative."

"We'll think about it," Harry said.

Percy coughed into his hand. "Unlikely."

"Can we go and practice now?" Harry asked. He pointed his thumb towards the door.

"Sure," Cedric said.

Harry led the way out of the dormitory ready to practice the spells that would help him survive the first task.

#

Harry growled as Cedric put his wand away.

"Don't worry you'll get it," Cedric said as he exited the Olympian's common room.

Harry scowled after Cedric. He had been saying the spell for twenty minutes, and Cedric had gotten it on his first try. He only stayed to help Harry, not that it did any good.

"Dormitabit." Harry twisted his wrist for the hundredth time in under a hour.

A white light shot out of his wand hitting Hermes in the chest. Hermes's blue eyes rolled into the back of his head as he fell backwards; a snore ripped its way out of his mouth. He landed on a giant purple pillow. It swallowed him whole.

Harry lowered his wand and stepped out of his stance with a smile. He had just needed to put more power into it, unlike Cedric, who got it on his first try.

Apollo, covered in drawn on dicks and the words 'I'm stupid', rushed forward pulling a marker out of his pocket. He fell to his knees, uncapped the marker, and drew a dick on the, equally covered, face of his unconscious brother. Harry, Nico, and Percy muffled their laughter with their hands.

"What is it with guys and drawing male privates?" Thalia curled her lip as she turned away.

"It's fun, and it's payback," Apollo said. "Wake him up, please."

He summoned a hand held mirror. He bounced in place, eyes glued to his sleeping half-brother.

"Rennervate." Harry pointed his wand at Hermes.

Hermes groaned, his eyelids fluttered, his head rolled as consciousness returned. He lifted his upper body off of the pillow. He gave Harry a thumbs up as the others giggled behind him.

"Nice job," Hermes said as he struggled to stand. "You packed enough of a punch into that one to make my legs fall asleep."

Hermes turned to the bouncing sun god. He sighed, and waved his hand in an upward motion.

"Alright, lets see the damage," he sighed.

He took the mirror and laughed. "Okay, got me back on that one."

Harry nodded. "Let's practice the Spissamentum spell."

"What about Cedric?" Percy asked.

"Cedric can figure some things out, himself," Nico said. "Besides, they're suppose to be competing."

Percy glared at Nico. He turned to Harry. Sea green eyes bore into emerald.

Harry nodded. "I'll offer to teach him the spell. Later."

"Okay." Percy sighed as he walked past Harry. "I'll go get dad."

The demigods and gods tensed; their eyes darted from Percy's back to the unconcerned Harry. When Harry made no mention of what Percy said, they relaxed. Harry sat on the couch with Thalia and Nico watching the two gods hit each other with the giant pillows.

Percy and Poseidon returned. The elder god smiled at Harry; warmth flooded Harry's stomach at the sight. He couldn't remember the last time someone smiled at him like that.

"Thanks for helping," Harry said to Poseidon.

"No problem, Harry," Poseidon said. "What do you need Percy and me to do?"

"I need you to cause a lot of water to burst out of the pipes," Harry said as he fingered his wand.

"That might be easier if we go to the bathroom," Percy said.

"Okay." Harry nodded.

He followed Poseidon and Percy to the bathroom. White tiles gleamed under torch light. Showers lined the wall with one bathtub at the end of the room. Sinks sat opposite of the showers, and a wooden door led to the bathroom stalls.

"Ready, Harry?" Poseidon turned towards Harry.

Harry licked his lips. "Yeah."

The floor under his feet rumbled before the showers and sinks exploded. Water soaked Harry. Harry sputtered and gasped as water filled his nose and mouth. He raised his wand.

"Sp-Spiss–Spissamentum," Harry said as he spat out some water.

The torrent of water stopped as the sinks and showers were plugged up by an invisible force.

"Great job." Poseidon clapped.

The water that flooded the room disappeared. Harry's clothes dried.

"Yeah, but how is that suppose to help?" Percy asked.

"I can block the dragon fire," Harry said. "Plug the dragon's mouth."

"Won't that hurt the dragon?" Percy asked.

"Maybe." Harry shrugged. "I'm not too sure. I don't think so because the dragon's are built to withstand their own fires. At least, I think they are. If nothing else, it will serve as a distraction."

"What else do you need to practice?" Percy asked.

"Um," Harry pulled out a crinkled paper from the inside of his cloak.

He squinted at the blotted words. "Reverlabis Infirmitate, Fumus Evanescunt, and Protegendum."

"Perhaps, you should wait for Cedric before continuing on," Poseidon said. "It wouldn't be fair to him if you continued without him."

"Fine," Harry said as he crossed his arms. "I'll wait for tomorrow then."

"Well then"–Harry backed up at the look in Poseidon's eyes–"why don't we practice a bit more." Poseidon said as he unleashed a small tsunami on Harry.

#

Except the next day, when Harry tracked down Cedric, he refused to practice with him.

"Look, it's nothing against you," Cedric said. "It's everyone else."

"Meaning?" Harry asked.

"Last night, I was with some friends," Cedric said, pulling Harry to the side of the slightly busy hall. "They asked me where I had been, and I told them: 'preparing for the challenges with you.' They started slandering you. They think you're just copying me or I'm trying to protect you."

"So even though we're just trying to survive and help each other, I'm still the bad guy?" Harry said.

"Yeah." Cedric winced. "Look, we just can't help each other anymore, not without looking suspicious."

"I guess," Harry said. "I mean it's possible that the other judges will claim we're cheating by helping each other."

"And we are suppose to be competing," Cedric said.

"Well, then," Harry swallowed, "best of luck to you."

#

"Change of plans." Harry stormed into the Olympian's common room.

He stopped short, staring at the scene in front of him. "Um, what's going on?"

Ares stood up from the armchair by the fire. His golden armor gleamed in the morning light and creaked with every step. He walked over to Harry, who backed away as he pulled his wand out.

"Come on, punk," Ares said. "We're going outside to practice."

"Practice what?" Harry asked.

He followed the silent Greek God. He kept a considerable distance between them.

"Will you tell me, now?" Harry asked, once they stopped at the side of the Great Lake.

Ares turned to Harry, and tossed him a short and bronze item. Harry caught it instinctively. It was a wand holster as light as Harry's invisibility cloak that slipped on instead of being strapped on. Harry slipped the cool metal over his hand and onto his forearm. He put his wand in the small circular tube that would hold it safe. He tested it with the a twitch of his wrist; his wand slid into his hand, easily.

"Now toss your wand to the ground," Ares said.

"What?" Harry squinted at Ares.

"Act as if someone has disarmed you," Ares said.

Harry frowned at Ares, but did as he was asked. As soon as his wand left his hand, his wand holster changed. It turned into a fingerless glove. A knife slid out over the back of Harry's hand. Harry flexed his hand; despite, the knife, he could move his hand and fingers as if he wore nothing at all.

"If you ever lose your wand in a battle, that will come in handy," Ares said. He adjusted his wrap around sunglasses. "Hephestus is still working on your armor, but he finished that piece in time for you to practice."

"Practice?" Harry asked.

"Of course," Ares said, drawing his own knife. "Now I'm gonna start off with the best stance for agility."

"Why agility?" Harry asked.

"With a build like yours, speed is your best bet," Ares said. "Now, copy my stance."

Harry grumbled, but he did what Ares ordered.

Ares circled around Harry. He grabbed Harry's arms and yanked them into the correct position. He shoved Harry's feet into the right position. For hours he had Harry practice the stance, breaking out of it and then falling back into it.

"How much longer do we have to do this?" Harry panted.

"Until it's as natural to you as breathing, punk," Ares said. "We'll meet up every morning."

"Even the mornings I have–"

"Even the mornings you have class," Ares said. "I hope you like the sunrise, kid. You're going to be seeing it a lot from now on. Now hit the showers, you look like Poseidon just slammed dunked you into the ocean."

Harry groaned before he picked up his wand. He walked up to the main door of Hogwarts.

"Hey, punk," Ares called.

Harry sighed as he turned. "What?"

"Think fast." Ares tossed a rock at Harry.

Harry jerked to the left. The rock hit the wall before it bounced across the floor. Harry looked at where the rock hit. A chunk of the wall was missing.

"Nice reflexes," Ares said as Harry turned towards him. He smirked. "We'll sharpen them next time."

Harry stared at Ares with an incredulous look. His chest heaved as he looked between the cracked wall and the Greek God of War.

"Well?" Ares barked. "What are you waiting for? Get out of here!"–He waved his hand towards Harry in a shooing motion–"I don't need Hera coming after me because you missed a meal!"

Harry jogged up to the castle. He decided to rest for the remainder of the day. He went to bed early that night, but was awoken by Clarisse.

"Get up," Clarisse said, shaking him. "Dad wants you up and ready for training."

Harry groaned before rolling out of bed. He got dressed and stumbled outside where the sun remained hidden by the night sky.

"Good to see you up." Ares smirked.

Harry resisted the urge to flip Ares the bird. Angering the Greek God of War, who was trying to help him, would not be in his favor.

"Alright," Ares said, clapping his hands together. He rubbed them. "Let's see that stance."

Harry slumped into the stance. Ares circled around him with a critical eye.

"Wrong," Ares said. He punched Harry in the side.

Harry fell to the ground. His side throbbed.

"What was that for?" Harry demanded as he scrambled to his feet. He cradled his lower ribs.

"I told you we would be sharpening your reflexes," Ares shot back. "Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Now get in position."

Harry eyed Ares as he did what he was told. This time as Ares circled him, he kept an eye or ear on him.

"Wrong," Ares said.

Harry listened to the movement of air as Ares's fist flew towards him. He dodged out of the way.

Ares grinned at Harry. "Good! Good. Get back into position so I can tell you what you were doing wrong."

Harry grinned back. He fell into position. Ares's warm, scarred, hands pulled and pushed Harry's limbs in the right position. Harry's blood buzzed as Ares circled him. A movement from his right side made him dodge to the left. He rolled on the ground and got up into the stance amid Ares's laughter.

Harry stared at the laughing War God. He turned to look at the direction the movement had come from. Clarisse stabbed at the air, and then spun on her heel to stab at the other side. She seemed oblivious to the panic she had caused Harry.

"Oh, oops." Harry scratched the back of his head.

"Don't worry about it." Ares slapped Harry on the back.

Harry stumbled forward.

"It's good to be jumpy in a fight," Ares said. "Just be sure of your movements, and know your surroundings. Now get into the stance."

Harry did as Ares ordered. He tensed as Ares circled him.

"Wrong," Ares said.

Harry moved as fast as he could, but he still got hit. He tumbled to the ground. He groaned as he accepted Ares's help up.

"Try to roll with the punch if you can't dodge," Clarisse yelled.

"What?" Harry turned towards Clarisse, but she ignored him.

"You heard the girl," Ares said. "Get into position."

This time Harry was ready for the punch, but instead of dodging he gave Clarisse's advice a chance. Ares's knuckles touched his head, and Harry went limp. He let the punch carry him into a roll. He stumbled to his feet.

"Good!" Ares said.

Harry grinned at Ares then his eyesight went black.

#

"Dad! Did you have to hit him so hard?"

"I thought he would dodge! Besides, I didn't hit him that hard."

"You hit him hard enough to knock him out."

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

Harry groaned as Ares's and Clarisse's voices vibrated around him. His head throbbed in time with his heartbeat.

"There you are," Ares said.

A big pair of warm hands pulled him up. A smaller pair, cold from the morning air, patted his cheeks.

"Come on, Harry," Clarisse said. "Open your eyes."

Harry forced his eyelids open. His eyes rolled from Clarisse, the back of his head, to Ares.

"I think we need to take him to the infirmary," Clarisse said.

"What are you talking about? He's fine," Ares said. Water shined on his face. Harry didn't think they've been practicing long enough to make Ares sweat. "Right? Harry?"

"I'm fine," Harry slurred.

Ares's face fell. "Yeah, we better get him to the infirmary."

Harry passed out as Ares picked him up.

#

"Training! You call this training? What is wrong with you?"

"He needed to learn how to dodge."

"He needed to–He's Harry fucking Potter! He knows how to dodge! He's been doing it his whole life!"

"Hermione? Did you just swear?" Harry muttered. He forced his eyes open to see Hermione's ecstatic face.

"Harry, your up!" Her eyes brightened.

Harry sat up. He fumbled with his glasses before putting them on.

"Yeah." Harry blinked at her. "Did you just swear?"

Hermione's cheeks turned into mini-roses–bright, red, ones. "Well, I–I was mad."

"She's been chewing out Ares for the last couple of minutes," Travis said from next to his brother on another bed. He bounced in place. "It was awesome."

"Hermione?" Harry peered at her. "You do know you just cussed at a Greek God, right?"

Hermione sputtered. She smacked Harry on the arm. "Well, obviously, you're feeling better."

"Sorry," Harry said. "Anyway, I need your help, Hermione."

"With what?"

"The first task," Harry said. "It's dragons. The Olympians have been a big help so far, but I need your help as well. One of the spells we've narrowed down to use against the dragons is the Fumus Evanescunt"

"I've never heard of that spell before," Hermione said. Her curls swayed as she shook her head.

"It helps dissipate the smoke," Annabeth said. "And don't forget the Aerem spell which pushes out clean air, it could be helpful."

"I've heard of that spell," Hermione said. "And of course I'll help, when can we start?"

"Harry's practicing dodging with Ares in the morning, he practices Spissamentum with Poseidon and Jackson in the afternoon," Athena said.

"Actually, he's got that down," Poseidon said.

"Fine," Athena said. "He'll be practicing the spell Protegendum against Will and Apollo, and does his homework at night."

"Got my whole schedule planned out, huh?" Harry said with a smile.

"Yes," Athena said.

Harry shook his head before he turned to Hermione. "Look, I only want you to help if you can get away from Weasley without getting hurt."

"Don't worry." Hermione gave Harry a savage smile. "Ronald will not be a problem."

Harry shivered as Hermione flounced out of the infirmary.

"I like her," Ares said.

"Please, don't," Harry said.

The demigods laughed or made grossed out expressions.

"What?" Ares said. "She's got fight in her."

"Yes, but in my experience when a Greek God says they like someone they usually have sex with them, so please, don't." Harry said.

Ares opened his mouth, but was cut off by Madam Pomfrey.

"Out, out," Madam Pomfrey shooed the Olympians. "Mr. Potter needs rest."

After everyone left, she returned to Harry's bedside to check on him.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

"Fine," Harry said. "Can I go?"

"No." She said. "That brute of a man carried you in here while you did a remarkable impression of a rag-doll. You had a concussion, and I want to keep you here for observations. You can leave in the morning."

"Alright," Harry said. He learned over the years not to fight with Madam Pomfrey.

He fell asleep.

#

The next day Harry woke up to Clarisse shaking him, again. Clarisse pressed her finger to her lips.

She leaned close to his ear. "Come on. Dad and Hermione are waiting for us."

"Hermione?" Harry got up and dressed.

"She decided to use the time you spend learning how to dodge properly to practice the smoke spell," Clarisse said.

"Oh, come on." Harry groaned as he rubbed his face, his glasses pressed against his forehead as he pushed them out the way. The last thing he needed with Ares punching him is smoke in his face.

"It could come in handy," Clarisse said. "You could need to dodge inside of the dragon smoke before you're able to dissipate it."

"I guess you're right," Harry sighed. He toed on his shoes, and followed Clarisse out to the front lawn.

"Alright, kid," Ares said. "I know learning that spell is important to you, but I want you to dodge inside the smoke before dissipating it. It could be a handy skill someday."

"Told you," Clarisse said as she stabbed at the air with her spear.

Harry mocked her as Ares ordered him into position. He dodged and perfected his stance for several minutes while Hermione practice the Fumi spell. Puffs of smoke came from the tip of her wand. Harry coughed when he inhaled some of the smoke. He fell when Ares punched him in the shoulder.

"What was that for?" Harry coughed as he held onto his shoulder.

"Now that you've got the stance down you need to get used to dodging when you can't breathe." Ares's cracked his knuckles.

"Um, excuse me, Mr. Ares," Hermione said. "Once I have this spell down I would like Harry to master the Fumus Evanscunt spell and the Aerem spell."

Harry sighed as he fell against the grass. He gave thanks for Hermione.

"Then you can continue with your dodging practice while he tries to preform those spells," Hermione said. "I was thinking, that once he has mastered all of the spells, we can up his training. We can have some of the other Olympians attack him while I create smoke."

Harry stared wide eyed at the sky. He took back his thanks.

"You think that would work?" Ares rubbed his chin.

"Oh, yes," Hermione said. "Harry works great under pressure."

"Alright, then," Ares clapped his hands and turned towards Hogwarts's main doors. "I'll go tell Hephaestus to whip us up something to spew dragon fire at him."

"Do we really need that?" Harry asked as he sat up. "I, mean, he's making me armor. Isn't that enough on his plate?"

Ares snorted. "Please, this will be a piece of cake."

Harry groaned as he flopped back onto the ground.

"You're doomed," Clarisse said as Hermione went back to practicing her spell.

#

Once Hermione mastered her spell, she took over morning practice. Harry stood across from her. Nearby Clarisse and Ares practiced fighting.

"Fumi," Hermione shouted.

Black smoke erupted from her wand.

Harry coughed and gagged as the smoke burned his throat. Tears streamed down his face. He crouched down in hopes of getting some fresh air.

"Fumus evanescut," Harry croaked.

His wand sucked in some smoke.

"Fumus Evanescut," Harry coughed out.

His wand drunk in some more smoke, but still the tainted air swirled around him.

Harry collapsed to the ground coughing. He wanted this smoke gone. The wind picked up and swirled around him. Clean air pushed the smoke back towards Hermione, whose concentration broke as she coughed.

She banished the smoke before running over to Harry. "Maybe it's not a good idea to practice this outside."

"Yeah, maybe." Harry swallowed his throat raw from the smoke.

"Everything okay over here?" Ares asked as he jogged over with Clarisse.

"Yeah," Hermione said. "I think we should try in a classroom or someplace elsewhere. The wind blew away the smoke."

"Maybe," Harry coughed. "We can start with a tiny bit of smoke and work our way up."

"Oh," Hermione smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, that sound's good."

So that's what they did, and after a mishap with Professor McGonagall–the portraits saw the smoke pouring out from under a closed door and rushed for the nearest teacher–they were given a private room to practice with a spell on the door to keep the smoke in. After a few weeks Harry could get rid of any of the smoke Hermione made. She squealed and hugged him when he succeeded; Harry hugged her back. It felt like before he found out Ron had betrayed him, like he could count on her.

"Okay, next we need to work on Aerem," Hermione said.

"Let's get started then." Harry raised his wand. He would do this in record time.

Hermione let out a bit of smoke pointing at the ceiling. Harry pointed at the same spot.

"Aerem," he said.

The smoke moved around an invisible ball of clean air.

"Great," Hermione said. "Let's do it a few more times, and then we'll move from there."

#

From there the only other spells to learn was Revelabis Infirmitate and Protegendum. In the morning Ares showed up in full armor, and Harry practiced Revelabis Infirmitate until he could see the glow of blue in any weak point in Ares's armor. Then came the hard part. Ares decided it was the perfect time for Harry to learn how to wield his new knife. To say Ares was unimpressed by Harry's first response is an understatement.

"The pointy end goes into the other guy," Harry had said.

Clarisse snorted behind him. "You're in for it now."

And he was. Ares worked him like a dog, to the point Harry would fall asleep in class, luckily, the demigods and Hermione covered for him each time this happened. They'd wake him up, or if the professor would let him sleep, Hermione would take notes for him to look over. During break Harry worked with Apollo and Will to master the Protegendum spell. McGonagall despised the fact that the Greek god and demigod had been shooting arrows are her student and made it known. She demanded Harry find a different way to practice that spell. So the demigods threw rocks at him while he said the spell. He mastered it in record time, but not before getting a few bumps and bruises.

Finally, the big day was here. The big training day. Harry would be combining all that he learned in one giant battle.

He stood in the middle of the cleared out common room of the Olympians. He bounced in place as Hermione got out her wand. Ares and Clarisse got into battle position. Poseidon and Percy raised the water from the small pool Hermione had transfigured for them. The other demigods rolled rocks around in their hands. The machine that spewed dragon fire hummed in the corner.

"I'm putting some finishing touches on your suit," Hephaestus said.

"Won't the armor make it harder for Harry to move around in?" Hermione asked.

Hephaestus gave her an insulted look. "Mind your business girl! As if I hadn't thought of that!"

Hermione turned red. "It was a reasonable question!"

"Have I mentioned that I like this girl?" Ares said.

"Yes," Harry groaned. "Can we please get on with this?"

"You asked for it." Ares cracked his knuckles. "Hermione! Smoke."

Hermione huffed, but did as Ares demanded. Black smoke poured out of her wand. It flooded the room. The demigods coughed, but thanks to their parents quick thinking they soon were able to breath and see within the smoke.

Harry shot out the Aerem spell. Fresh air blasted the smoke around him away. He summoned a shield to deflect the rocks thrown. Water and fire shot at him. He twisted one way and then the other as he shouted out the Spissamentum spell successfully blocking the mini-geysers, and the dragon fire. He jumped back as Ares charged him and dunked under Clarisse's swipe.

"Revelabis Infirmitate," he shouted, pointing first at Clarisse and then Ares.

Small chinks in their armor glowed a light blue. The most noticeable weakness was the eyes. Harry had no doubt that they did this on purpose to train him to aim for the eyes.

"Dormitabit," Harry shouted.

A white light shot first a Clarisse, who dodged, and then to Ares. Ares passed out at the light hit.

Harry ran as fast away from Clarisse as he could. He cleared the air once more before shooting off the Dormitabit spell again. Clarisse too fell asleep. Once the rest of the demigods ran out of rocks, Harry used his wand to suck in the rest of the smoke.

"I think you're ready," Zeus said, his chest puffed out.

Harry's cheeks reddened as everyone cheered. It's nice to have people believe in him.

–

Review.

You guys have no idea how hard this chapter was to write.

I'm happy to say that the first chapter of the rewrite is up. It's called The Prodigal Son. Anyway, please give feedback on things I could improve on, and what you thought about this chapter.

Also should I put small parts of Harry reading that book? I have some ideas but I'm not sure. If I do should I change the rating to M since it will be talking about sex but only in a medical or informational way not a smut way.