"Half Blood Harry Potter"

By Loki Palmer

Author's Note: Harry Potter and all related characters belong to J.K. Rowling. Percy Jackson and all related demigods belong to Rick Riordan.

I would like to wish all my fans a Happy New Year 2015! As a New Year's present, and thanks to popular demand, I decided to turn Chapter 4 of my Madhouse Kitchen into its own story. I hope you like it!

Chapter 1

The Dementors were coming. Harry could feel them.

"No … I can't lose Sirius … Expecto Patronum!"

A shield materialized over him and Sirius, but the Dementors broke it down and attacked him. He saw a small white orb come out of Sirius's mouth, and tears fell out of his eyes as he realized his godfather was about to die.

"Help us …"

An ear splitting scream of pain rent the sky as an eagle made of light swept across the Lake. The light shining from it killed the Dementors where they stood – the source of the scream – and the small orb went back into Sirius's mouth.

Harry looked up, and, before he fainted, he saw three figures across the Lake …

~HALF BLOOD HARRY POTTER~

Through Dumbledore's instructions, he and Hermione went back three hours using her Time-Turner, saved Buckbeak from execution, avoided a lycanthropic Remus on the rampage, and waited by the Lake for the Dementors to come.

"Hermione … before I passed out over at the Lake, I saw three figures. Two of those must have been us … but the third one …"

"Well, Harry, who do you think the third one was?"

"I know this might sound crazy, Hermione …"

"Try me. I have been with you for three years of crazy, after all."

"I think it was my Dad."

"But Harry, your Dad is …"

"Dead?" said a third voice. "Oh, my dear Miss Granger, I am far from dead."

The both of them spun around and saw a tall, bearded man with a pair of eyes blue as the morning sky, yet his aura spoke of a dangerous anger, one that Hermione had seen Harry express the last winter …

~FLASHBACK~

"Harry, what's wrong?"

"Sirius Black was their friend … and he betrayed them … HE WAS THEIR FRIEND!"

Thunder roared across the sky at Harry's outburst.

"I hope he finds me, because when he does, I'll be ready. When he does, I'm going to kill him!"

~END FLASHBACK~

"Now, Miss Granger, you were saying?"

Hermione was speechless for a few moments before she could form another coherent thought. "My apologies, sir, and with that, I will amend my original statement. We thought you were dead, and yet, here you are with us, alive." She stopped in thought. "That sounds illogical, doesn't it? There is no known magic that can call back the dead."

The stranger smiled. "True, Hermione … if I may call you that …"

"You may, sir."

"Thank you. It is not in the arts of Hecate to call the dead back to life. That would be in the domain of my brother Hades."

Hermione's eyes widened as her brain caught up with the information. "Ye gods! That narrows down your identity to none other than Zeus!" Her knees buckled and she would have fallen, had Harry not caught her.

Zeus's smile remained on his face, for indeed it was he. "Don't be afraid, Hermione; you are in no danger from Me. I am thankful to you for keeping My son safe, as I'm sure your Mother is thankful to him for keeping you safe."

"My mother, you say, Lord Zeus? I remember my father, but my Mother … I never knew her …"

"Dad, I think she must be in shock."

"Hermione … trust Me when I say your Mother loves you and cares for you. Being a parent is a hard job, but if We, the gods and goddesses of Olympus, spend too much time with Our children – and We have many, I assure you – it becomes difficult to look after Our other responsibilities."

The three of them saw the image of an owl appearing over Hermione's head. "Ah, it looks like She has claimed you."

"Okay, Dad … would that make her my niece?"

"Through your divine ancestry, Son, yes, it would … but it doesn't count as far as demigod dating is concerned. You may date people from other Cabins, but not from your own Cabin."

There were blushes on the couple's cheeks. "Thank the gods," they said.

"Why do you ask, Son? Are you dating Hermione already?"

"Dad!"

Zeus chortled. "You aren't dating her? Oy, color me surprised! A female saves your tuchas as many times as she has, and you two aren't dancing the horizontal mambo? Doing a little dance, making a little love? Making the beast with two backs? Inserting sword into sheath? Giggity giggity giggity? I've got a million of these, Son …"

Harry and Hermione's collective blush deepened. "We bet …"

"It will happen in good time, I'm sure. Ah, Sirius has arrived at the other side of the Black Lake, and so have you. Are you ready for this, Son?"

Harry ran forward to the Lake, looked back at Zeus and Hermione smiling at him, and said, "ΠΡΟΣΔΟΚΩ ΣΩΤΗΡΑ!"

The solar radiance of the eagle Patronus burned the Dementors on contact. None escaped.

~HALF BLOOD HARRY POTTER~

As they flew on Buckbeak with an eagle by their side, Harry started to laugh.

"What's so funny all of a sudden, Harry?"

"As crazy as it sounds, I was the one who sent that Patronus, and my Dad's alive! I thought my Dad sent the Patronus, but it was me! Does that make any sense, Hermione?"

"Harry, I think I've resigned myself to admitting that Logic and Normality take a hike where you are concerned, and I've accepted that! I do have one confession, though –"

"What's that, Hermione?"

"Don't take this the wrong way, but I hate fly-ING!" She finished the last statement in a scream as they flew down to the tower where Sirius was sitting.

Sirius looked up. "Harry! Hermione! What are you two doing here?"

"Busting you out of here and saving your life," said Hermione. "Stand back … BOMBARDA!"

The lock flew open, and Sirius leaped on top of Buckbeak and flew down with them into the courtyard, laughing about the hilarity of the situation.

"I cannot thank the both of you enough for saving my life," he said when they landed. "Harry, it is a shame that I spent so little time with you as a godfather should. I apologize."

"You are safe, Sirius, and that's what matters."

"You look so much like your Father, you know that?"

"He has his Mother's eyes, Padfoot," said Zeus behind him.

"Wait a minute … that voice sounds familiar …" he spun around. "James?"

"James Potter was a mortal shell I created for myself, Sirius, but enough talk now … you have to hightail it out of here."

"Where shall I go? Will I see Harry again?"

"I am certain that you will see him again, and sooner than you think. As to where, Camp Half-Blood out in New York will shelter you. Don't worry, I Myself will guide you and Buckbeak there."

"Hey, if you have Zeus, the Lord of the Sky on your side," said Harry, "what could go wrong?"

Sirius looked in shock at Zeus. "Wow ..."

Zeus chuckled as he ruffled Harry's hair. "You mischievous little scamp … I am so proud of you. Now, before dawn tomorrow, make your way to the Astronomy Tower with your trunks and school materials. I have arranged a lift for the both of you and Remus."

Sirius leaped onto Buckbeak. "Hermione, you are, without a doubt, the brightest witch of your age. Out of curiosity, are you two dating yet?"

"I asked them already, and no, they are not," said Zeus. "At least, they aren't dating at the moment."

"Lord Zeus, with all due respect, I don't know whether that news should relieve me or shock me as Harry's godfather. I am afraid I suspect the latter."

"It will come, Sirius, I'm sure of it. Should I ask Hermes to start making bets on the two of them?" They laughed at the couple's blushes. "Now, hurry back to the Hospital Wing. We will see each other again soon."

With that, Sirius, Buckbeak, and Zeus in an eagle form flew off into the night sky.

Harry and Hermione ran to the Hospital Wing and ran into Dumbledore coming out.

"Professor Dumbledore, we did it!"

"Did what, Harry?" he said with a wink. "Good night, you two!"

They ran into the Hospital Wing, where they saw their former selves vanish.

"Where did you two come from?" said Ron. "First I saw you there, and now you're over there! What's happening?"

"Ron, don't be ridiculous!" said Hermione.

"Yeah, Ron, how can two people be in two places at the same time?"

They laughed, not because they thought Ron was stupid (which he was), but the whole situation would come out so illogical that if they explained it, who would believe them?

~HALF BLOOD HARRY POTTER~

Up at the Astronomy Tower, Harry, Hermione, and a recovered Remus Lupin waited as they witnessed the dawn. With its arrival, the Sun chariot alighted on the Tower and its driver, a teen with a bright smile and shades stepped out of it.

"What's up? Dad asked Me to give you all a lift out to Camp Half-Blood. Let Me just read out the names here … Harry Potter?"

"Present."

"Hermione Granger?"

"Present."

"Remus Lupin?"

"Present."

"Excellent … everyone is here. Allow Me to get your trunks, then you can hop on and we will be going." While he brought their trunks onboard, he saw Hermione's look of worry. "Don't be afraid, Hermione. I have been driving this chariot since long before any of you were born, so I know what I'm doing. Would a different design help?"

"I think so, Lord Apollo. I just … have some problems with heights, that's all."

Apollo clicked his keys and the Sun chariot transformed into a small luxury airplane. "Not bad, eh? Hop on, now."

They got onto the Sun airplane. "This is your captain speaking. My name is Phoebus Apollo, son of Zeus, and I will be taking the three of you on a flight out to Camp Half-Blood in New York. Please make sure you have fastened your seat belts and your tray tables are in the upright position. Hermione, if you should feel the need to panic, my suggestion is that you should hold onto Harry for dear life. Giggity."

Remus laughed at the blushing couple. "You know what, Harry? Lord Apollo sounds like he could have fit into the Marauders just fine."

Apollo looked back at him and beamed. "You know what's funny, Remus? I'm father to two of the Marauders …"

Before Remus could say anything more, (like "You're joking!"), he saw the glow of a miniature Sun above his head. "Who's the other one?"

"Who else do you think?"

~HALF BLOOD HARRY POTTER~

While waiting at the entrance of Camp Half-Blood, Sirius Black saw the same glow of a miniature Sun above his head.

"That's odd," he said to himself. "If I remember my Greek pantheon aright, I would have guessed myself a son of Hermes. Ah, well, it has to be the sunny disposition I carry … pun intended."

~HALF BLOOD HARRY POTTER~

"Before we leave the shores of Merry England, I thought we would send a little farewell to your hateful Muggle relatives, Harry. They deserve a piece of the Underworld before they arrive there, in particular that fat walrus you call Uncle Vernon."

Harry grinned like a shark smelling fresh blood. "Lord Apollo, what did You have in mind?"

"Remus, My son, there is a quiver of solar arrows and a bow for you. Have fun while we pause our flight."

Remus grabbed the quiver and notched an arrow. "Harry, Hermione … would you like to make some additions?"

Hermione added on her patented bluebell flames, and Harry added on an electrical charge. Remus aimed for the gas tank …

BOOM! The loud explosion of Vernon's car made the houses of Privet Drive jump. Of course, it caused Vernon to come out.

"WHAT IN BLAZES HAPPENED TO MY CAR?!"

Another couple solar arrows blew off both of his legs at the kneecaps, and a third ended the possibility of his having any more kids. This assumed that he would live, but a fourth solar arrow went straight through his eye into his brain, sending his soul to the Underworld.

"Note to self," said Harry. "Solar arrows plus electricity equals major damage."

Apollo cranked up Metallica's "No Remorse" as they flew away …

~HALF BLOOD HARRY POTTER~

Up high on Mount Olympus, the other gods were enjoying the show.

"Dad," said Ares, "did you see how Remus just took down Vernon Dursley like he was nothing? Let's not forget that explosion! This death is going onto my list of favorite mortal deaths I've seen – so much blood and gore, wow!"

"Of course you would love the blood and gore, Ares," said Athena. "My Daughter is not someone you cross without the severest retribution. Along with Harry, they make for a formidable team."

"I must wonder," said Zeus, "does Vernon have two drachmas for the Ferryman?"

"Nope, Dad," said Hermes, "he doesn't."

"Alas, what a pity." His quiet chuckle grew into a riotous laugh that spread among the gods present as they realized Vernon's problem. Even though Vernon had made a lot of money working as a manager for the drill company Grunnings, he could not take any of that money with him into the Underworld, and even if he could have taken any of it, it would not suffice for the Ferryman.

~HALF BLOOD HARRY POTTER~

"Here we are at your destination," said Apollo. "Harry, your Father left some armor, a sword and a shield for you, and Hermione, your Mother has left the same. It should come in handy when it's time for Capture the Flag or any quest that comes your way."

"Thanks, brother Apollo," said Harry.

Apollo tousled Harry's hair. "You're welcome, little bro. Hermione? Keep a close eye on him … no telling what trouble will accompany him, even here."

"With all due respect, Lord Apollo, I have been with him for three years of trouble at Hogwarts. How much worse could the trouble be?"

"You've heard of the bloody Trojan War, right?"

"The same as told in Homer's Illiad?"

Apollo nodded. "There is another war on the horizon, one that will promise to make the Trojan War look like a water balloon fight in comparison. Someone has stolen Father's Master Lightning Bolt, and He has decreed that unless it is returned to Him by the Summer Solstice, war will break out between the gods. Even the Camp would split according to its Cabins. Sorry for dumping all this information on you, but you need to know. A demigod must have stolen the Bolt during the Winter Solstice: that much we know, for ancient laws forbid the gods from handling each other's symbols of power. Which demigod did so, we do not know, though Father does have his suspicions."

"Who's the prime suspect, brother?"

"Father suspects Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, as the Lightning Thief."

"If Father and Uncle Poseidon may forgive my pun – not that I'm coming to Jackson's defense, because I don't know anything about his innocence or guilt in the matter – something smells fishy about that accusation."

"That's a good point, Harry," said Hermione. "Where's the proof that Jackson is the thief?"

Apollo smiled. "Spoken like a true Daughter of Athena! For the record, I agree with Athena that there should be evidence pointing to Percy as the Lightning Thief, but when Father gets in a mood …" he shivered. "Even if the other gods were to join against Him, He could beat them all. It is terrible to face Him when he's in a tempestuous mood, no pun intended."

"So we find out who the Lightning Thief is, get the Master Bolt back to Dad by the Summer Solstice, and restore peace to the halls of Olympus."

"That is the gist of it, yes."

Harry buried his head in his hands. "Oy, gevalt!"

"Wait just a moment!" said Hermione. "Shouldn't there be records on Olympus that say who has entered its hallowed halls?"

Apollo laughed as he lifted Hermione and spun her around. "Oh, dear Hermione, I could kiss you for that – though I'm afraid I will leave the kissing to Harry, lest I arouse his jealousy –"

"No kidding there, brother. I understand your celebratory mood, but, please put her down."

"– It's a brilliant idea, though, Hermione! It's so brilliant, I wish I thought of it! Even if this proves Percy's innocence, there remains the matter of returning Father's Bolt by the Summer Solstice, as well as discovering the identity of the Lightning Thief."

"I said it before and I'll say it again. Oy, gevalt!"

~HALF BLOOD HARRY POTTER~

"HEROES!" said Chiron the centaur. "This is Percy Jackson, and he's going to need a team."

"We will take him," said a sandy-haired youth. "Luke Castellan, son of Hermes and Head Camp Counsellor; not in that order. Welcome to the Blue Team, my friend. Say, Chiron, do we have some extra armor for him? Kid's a goner."

Percy gulped.

"I'm messing with you, Percy. Lighten up and you'll live longer."

Chiron saw four new arrivals. "Welcome to Camp Half-Blood. My name is Chiron. Would our newcomers like to introduce themselves?"

"Sirius Black, son of Apollo."

"Remus Lupin, son of Apollo."

"Hermione Granger, daughter of Athena."

"Harry Potter. If it's all the same to my fellow demigods at the Camp, I'm not revealing my godly heritage at the present time."

"That will be fine, Harry. Let's see … you will go with the Red Team, which includes Apollo's Cabin, Ares's Cabin, and Athena's Cabin."

A blonde girl came up to them. "Welcome to Athena's Cabin, sis. Annabeth Chase. Do either of you have any experience with a sword?"

"I do," said Harry, "but the last time I used one, a sixty foot Basilisk tried to kill me. If a phoenix didn't help me out, I would have died."

Annabeth's eyes widened. "Θεοι αθανατοι, εξηντα ποδια?" (Immortal gods, sixty feet?)

They nodded.

She shrugged. "Monsters come with the territory of being a demigod, I'm afraid. Thank the gods you are still alive. After we finish Capture the Flag, Hermione, could you tell me about all the monsters you two have faced?"

"I would love that, Annabeth. Harry looks quite dashing in his armor, doesn't he?"

"Indeed. Whoever his Olympian parent is, he or she must give him high favor. I don't know if you two are dating yet, but, Harry, here's a wise word of advice: when you do start dating her, don't break her heart. If you break her heart, Mum and the rest of the Athena Cabin will make the rest of your life miserable, is that clear?"

"Crystal clear, Annabeth."

"I'm glad to hear it. How long have you known each other?"

"Three years."

Annabeth turned to Hermione. "No pressure, sis, but something tells me that before the day is over, the rest of us will know who his Olympian parent is, and if you haven't claimed him as your own boyfriend, there will be a line of females who will want a piece of him." Taking note of the lightning bolt scar on Harry's head, she leaned into him and said into his ear:

"As handsome as you are – even I won't deny it – don't let your hubris make you cocky … Bolt Head ..."

She winked at him, as if to show that she meant nothing malicious by the nickname. Hermione giggled at his blush.

"Now, who's ready to kick some γλουτους?"

~HALF BLOOD HARRY POTTER~

Percy came to the river and saw the Red Flag. He walked along to grab it, when Annabeth appeared in front of him.

"Did you think it would be that easy, Percy? My mother is the Goddess of Wisdom and Battle Strategy. I never lose."

"I never win," said Percy. "Maybe we're both wrong."

This started a fierce battle between the two. Percy tried his best to defend himself.

"Chiron, they're going to kill each other!" said Grover, a satyr and Percy's best friend.

"No, Grover, wait! This is the best part ..."

Percy ended up on the ground with cuts to his face and his arm.

"Stand up and fight, hero!"

The jeers he heard faded into the background as a voice said, "Percy, come into the water. It will heal you and give you strength."

Holding his hand in the water, his wounds healed, much to Annabeth's amazement. He knocked down a number of the Ares kids, including Clarisse LaRue – breaking her spear in the process – fought Annabeth a second time, swiping her sword away, and then looked around for any more challengers.

"Good fighting, Percy," said Harry, "but as the saying goes –"

"–You must have an ace in the hole," said Hermione.

"Are you up for a challenge, Seaweed Brain?"

Even the additional strength and speed he had gained from the water was not enough for Percy to take down Harry and Hermione working together. Harry's sword produced thunder as it met his sword, Riptide. Neither side could gain any advantage over the other, so he turned a back flip into the river.

"So, Percy … are you feeling you have the advantage on your home turf? Think again ..." With a quick prayer to Poseidon in his mind – "Uncle Poseidon, please don't hate me for this," – Harry inserted his lightning charged sword into the river, stunning him.

When he opened his eyes, he saw two swords above him.

"Do you yield, Percy Jackson?"

"Yes, I yield."

Harry reached down and helped him up. "Good match, Percy; good match."

"Where did you two learn to fight like that?"

Harry shook his head. "I don't know, but it seems our divine parents want us to be ready for whatever comes our way. Wait just a minute … why is everybody looking so afraid?"

"Um, Harry? You might want to look up."

Harry looked up, and above him was the image of a lightning bolt. He then looked at Hermione, who was beaming at him. A wave of water behind her knocked her into him in such a way that they found themselves kissing each other.

Much to the amazement of the witnesses, an eagle and an owl appeared accompanied by a dove that flew above them. A golden light shone from the dove, encircling the birds and the two kissing humans in the river.

"In all the years I have been at this Camp," said Chiron, tears of joy flowing into his beard, "I have never witnessed such a beautiful blessing like this."

When the couple separated, a loud cheer broke out among the campers.

"Chiron, can you tell us what happened there?"

"I think your Father, Harry, and your Mother, Hermione, can explain it better than I could, since I have never seen the like before out here. I believe they are waiting for you in the Zeus Cabin."

~HALF BLOOD HARRY POTTER~

Sure enough, a smiling Zeus and Athena were waiting for them in the Zeus Cabin.

"Harry … Hermione … Our congratulations to the both of you."

"Dad … what happened out there?"

"Lady Aphrodite decided that you deserved some happiness in your life, Harry … and so, with Our blessings, of course, She has blessed you both in the bonds of marriage."

"MARRIAGE?! Good gods, Dad, Olympus doesn't do anything halfway, am I right, or am I right?"

"Is there some kind of problem?" said Athena, her stormy gray eyes blazing. "I hope you don't object to Our blessing, or so help Me, I will make your life a misery ..."

"Lady Athena, forgive my outburst. I'm just … shocked. Sure, I was planning to go through dating, engagement, then marriage, but just leaping into this in such a way … it's a lot to process, but I do not object to Your blessing. Hermione is beautiful, she's smart … she's saved my tuchas countless times ..."

Athena's eyes calmed. "You have saved her as well, Harry, for which I am most grateful to let you marry her. Sure, you may be reckless at times, but your heart is in the right place. Her intelligence is the perfect balance to you, even you realize that."

"As for you, Hermione," said Zeus, "that brilliant idea you gave through Apollo has healed whatever rift existed between Me and Poseidon since the time when I found My Master Bolt was missing. I checked the records of those who have been to Olympus during the Winter Solstice, and Percy Jackson was not on them, so he can rest easy, knowing that My threat towards him has disappeared."

"My thanks, Lord Zeus," she said with a curtsy.

"You may call Me Dad, Hermione."

"As you may call Me Mom, Harry. I know I may not be a replacement for Lily Potter, but as a member of your family, I would like to be there for you as much as I can."

"I hope Lord Poseidon was not mad about me stunning Percy," said Harry.

"Are you kidding, Harry? We were roaring with laughter about it, and even more so when He brought that wave to knock Hermione into you, in order to, in His words, 'give those demigod lovebirds just the right push.' He is thankful beyond measure to you … to the both of you."

Athena cleared Her throat. "As far as this mortal custom of dating is concerned, who says you had to skip it to get here? Sure, you two may have known each other for three years, but Harry, you can still take her out on dates, even after marriage."

"Dad, there remains the matter of the Master Bolt. If Percy didn't steal it, who did?"

"That is what you two will have to find out for yourselves. There were many demigods around during the Winter Solstice, and it would not be proper to smack them all like an irate schoolmaster."

Athena ruffled Harry's hair. "Stay strong, Harry. We commend your courage … but try not to do anything stupid ..."

When the two gods disappeared, Harry looked at Hermione. "That last bit sounds like something you would say ..."

She giggled as they kissed again.

~HALF BLOOD HARRY POTTER~

"Make way for Percy Jackson, the Son of Poseidon, Harry Potter, son of Zeus, and Hermione Potter, Daughter of Athena!" said Grover as he led the three of them to the campfire.

"Hey, Percy?" said a girl. "Listen, some of us were going to have a little party down by the river. Would you like to come join us?"

Percy grinned. "Sounds fun."

Grover joined the grin. "Yeah, ladies, sounds fun."

Annabeth came on the scene. "Beat it, nymphs!"

As they scattered, Grover ran after them. "Yo, ladies! I'm still available for this party!"

"So, Annabeth, would you care to tell me what the tension is between my Dad and your Mom?"

"While They do respect each other, Percy, They have not been fans of each other, ever since the time They competed to become the patron of Athens. Poseidon gave them a spring, but it was salt water. Athena gave them an olive tree, so Athens chose Her as its patron. They have not liked each other ever since."

"What about you? What do you feel about me?"

"I will admit, I do have strong feelings about you, but I don't know if they're positive or negative yet."

"When you find out, please let me know."

"I'm sure you will be the first to know … apart from Bolt Head and Hermione. Speaking of Hermione, she owes us a story about Bolt Head."

Harry groaned, much to Percy's amusement. Before Hermione could open her mouth, though, a tall, fiery being with wings came out of the campfire.

"Percy Jackson? Percy Jackson, are you here? Come out here and be a good boy … come out, come out, wherever you are … give Me the Lightning Bolt and I will exchange it for your mother."

Percy glared. "My mother's dead!"

"No, Percy, she's not dead; she's with Me in the Underworld. Is Harry Potter here?"

"It's a fine evening tonight, isn't it, Uncle? Feeling so cramped in the Underworld that You had to come up and terrify the rest of us, didn't You?"

"Let Me start this off by giving you my deepest apologies for what My Son did to you all those years ago, Harry. I have kept My eyes on you ever since. By the way, I wish to offer My congratulations on your marriage."

"Thank you, Uncle. So … Voldemort is Your son?"

"Yes … surprised?"

Harry shook his head. "Nope. It would explain the aura of fear he could generate in people, and I've met him twice ..."

"... And you have beaten him twice. When someone like him tries to cheat Death, it throws everything else into chaos. He was so capable, Harry, but he has killed so many innocent lives, your Mother included, that the other Gods asked Me what I could do. I said, 'None other but the King of the Gods struck Voldemort with a lightning bolt and You're asking what I could do? I am surprised that Voldemort is still alive.' "

"Are you proposing an alliance, Uncle?"

"Yes, I am. With My help, you can rid your existence of Voldemort so you can have some measure of peace. I get his soul to torment in the Underworld for all eternity, and in return, who knows? You may get a longer lifespan out of this deal. No pressure, nephew. Come down to the Underworld with Percy and We will talk some more. By the way, be careful. I prefer that you arrive in the Underworld in one piece." With that, Hades left in a burst of flame.

"Chiron," said Percy, "He has my mother."

"If you don't have the Bolt, Percy, how could you bring it to Him? He will kill both you and your Mother. We need to convince Zeus of your innocence."

"He realizes you are innocent," said Harry. "Hermione came up with the idea to check the records that stated who had come into Olympus's hallowed halls, and the Gods did not find Percy's name there."

"That's a big relief, but what are we to do about my mother? I can't leave her there!"

"Try to think of the bigger picture, Percy. If Dad doesn't get His Lightning Bolt back by the Summer Solstice, war will break out, remember?"

~HALF BLOOD HARRY POTTER~

Later that night, Harry and Hermione saw Percy walking out of his cabin.

"So, where do you think you're going this time of night?"

"I'm going to get my mom back. Why do you ask?"

"If you think we're going to let you go to the Underworld all on your own, you must have kelp for brains or something," said Harry.

"Hey, you are interested because of that alliance He mentioned, am I right, Harry?"

"In part, yes … but it is hard to survive on your own. You need your friends with you."

"Harry's right," said Annabeth, a little winded from running. "You need all the help you can get. Besides, I have done nothing but stay here and train for the last four years, and I'm getting restless."

"ADHD will do that to a person," said Percy. "Grover explained it to me as an expression of our battle reflexes."

"Well, it's good to know you can pay attention. As your protector, regulations state I have to go with you," said Grover.

"Junior protector," said Percy.

"Oh, come on … was that necessary?"

Harry and Hermione looked at Annabeth for an explanation. "It's a sad story, but the last mission Grover did before his mission with Percy was unsuccessful."

Grover bleated; something about remembering that unfortunate mission rankled his fur.

"So, getting into the Underworld will be one matter, but how will we get out?" said Hermione.

Annabeth smiled. "I think I know someone who can help."

~HALF BLOOD HARRY POTTER~

They found Luke in his room playing a video game.

"Ah … I was wondering when you would get here. Everybody does, at some point or another, when they start becoming bored of the sword fighting, Capture the Flag, yadda, yadda, yadda. How may I help you?"

"As you know, Luke, our mission leads to the Underworld," said Annabeth. "We were hoping you would know how to get there and get out, seeing as that is one of your Father's missions."

Luke snorted. "My Father? He's a jerk, and I've never met Him."

"How can you say He's a jerk when you've never met Him?" said Hermione.

"The Gods are supposed to love Their children – us – right? What kind of parent refuses to show up for his or her child? I have seen too much to disbelieve in the Gods, so while I do believe in Their existence, They have to be jerks. How about you ask your Daddy dearest about your sister Thalia, Harry? He didn't send down a lightning bolt to save us when we arrived at Camp – Annabeth, Thalia, Grover, and me – oh, no! Thalia volunteered to cover for us, but the Cyclopes injured her, and so your Dad turned her into a tree to protect the Camp. So she has remained for these four years, deprived of all human companionship and interaction ..."

Annabeth cleared her throat. "I miss Thalia as well, Luke, but can we get back on track here?"

"Oh … right. I did sneak into my Dad's house once, and I got a pair of these."

He handed them a shoe box, and within were a pair of Nikes with wings on them.

"Those might come in handy for Percy, if he ever needs them. My Dad has a million pairs of these, so He won't ever miss them. Also, Percy, you will need a shield, so, for that, you can have my favorite."

The shield in question had an initial form of an armband that went along the arm from hand to elbow. Percy found the button, pressed it, and the armband expanded into a shield.

Harry smelled a faint scent of ozone centered around the shield, and his eyes narrowed at Luke. Luke paid it no attention, as he said, "As to the question of how to get out of the Underworld, here's a map leading to Persephone's Pearls. As you pick up each Pearl, the map will show you the location of the next one. I wish all of you a happy hunt, and … by the way, if you see my Dad?"

"What?"

"Kick His rear for me."

"Go ahead," said Harry to Hermione, "I will catch up." When the others had left the tent, Luke looked back to him.

"Is there something else that you would like to add, Harry?"

Harry grabbed him by the lapel of his shirt and lifted him up. "You think you are a sneaky one, don't you, Luke? I don't know if the intention of this mission is to see us dead, or not –"

Luke let out a nervous laugh. "Dead? What kind of Son would I be for the God of the Travelers if my advice led to your death?"

"A poor one, no doubt … though if I do find out that you were the Lightning Thief, you will find yourself in a world of pain such as you have never felt before."

Luke smirked. "Is that a threat, Harry?"

Harry slammed him on the ground, withdrew his sword, and brought it close to his face, electricity crackling.

"No … that's a promise!"

Having said his piece, he sped out of the tent after his comrades, while Luke lay there on the ground, trembling in fear …

Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed the start to this fanfic. Read and review!

Smiles and laughter,

Loki Palmer

P.S., [a little linguistic note]:

The spell "Προσδοκω Σωτηρα" is the Greek equivalent of "Expecto Patronum." The word "expecto" is found in the Nicene Creed ("expecto resurrectionem mortuorum" – I await the resurrection of the dead) and "patronum" is the accusative case (direct object form) of "patronus" … which is seen in the Catholic Dies Irae prayer referring to a patron or defender ("Quem patronum rogaturus" – What patron/defender to ask [for help]), as in a defense lawyer in a courtroom. Therefore, "Expecto Patronum" means, "I await a defender," or, for that matter, "I await a Savior." The word Σωτηρα is the accusative case of Σωτηρ, meaning Savior.