ANNABETH P.O.V

Before all of this, before I'd become a heroine, before I met Percy Jackson and went on my first quest which in turn became a string of quests that culminated in saving the world not once, but twice, I was a little girl. A little girl that had dreams and fears. Now standing in front of a large Victorian Manor the little girls fears were beginning to surface.

Dark magic rolled of the manor like waves crashing on the shore. And in the midst of that darkness I could sense a beacon of light trying to break free. Percy and Thalia. A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of them trapped inside that house. Taking slow cautious steps I willed my legs forward toward the obsidian doors that would lead me defeat or victory.

"Nico leave." It wasn't so much a request but rather an order. He stared at me dumbfounded unsure of how to reply. "I'll be fine" I continued. And for some inexplicable reason I knew that I would. Still no response. Sighing I turned around to face the boy I had doubted over the years. He looked terrible. Worse than he looked when he appeared at Hogwarts. He was pale and thin with dark purple circles shadowing his eyes. He looked sickly and weak and I could ill afford to appear weak in front of Voldemort. He would eat Nico alive. "Nico" I tried again my patience wearing thin and my voice taking on a sharper edge. His eyes snapped up to meet mine and I could see the submission within them. I didn't know what Nico witnessed when I went through my transformation but it instilled the fear of the gods within him. He nodded mutely turning around and walking away from me. "Bring them home Annabeth" were his last words before he disappeared into the shadows.

Standing in front of the imposing doors the courage I had built up began seeping away until there was only a cold numb feeling left inside me. Taking a deep breath and praying to the gods I pushed open the doors and walked into the black, dreary manor.

A pop had me whirling around reaching for my dagger that wasn't there. Mentally cursing I briefly wondered where my dagger was before realizing that I must have lost it along the way. In front of me stood a short, rat like man who seemed to have a golden hand. He had his wand pointed at and I wondered how long it would take me to disarm him. It would be fairly easy and he won't be expecting it. "The Dark Lord awaits you" he sneered and I swear if rats could talk they would sound like him.

Bringing my hands up to show him I was unarmed the rat man then proceeded to lead me through a darkened corridor and into a large dining room. My first impression of the room was one of awe. The room was beautifully furnished with portraits lining the walls giving it an old powerful feel. This Manor belonged to a pureblood family. But as they say first impression can often be wrong and under the beauty and splendor of the Manor was something more sinister and malicious. That something was seated at the head of the table. Voldemort. He looked relaxed and at ease completely unaware of the discomfort of the other occupants in the room. Perhaps he was aware and simply did not care. Clad in black robes Voldemort looked like your stereotypical villain. Intimidating and powerful. Yet behind that façade- for it is a façade- he looked scared. Of what he was scared of only time would tell.

Scanning the table there was only one other seat available, the one directly across from the Dark Lord. "You know," I began a hint of amusement colouring my voice as I walked towards the available seat, "you're a lot less than what I expected you to be." Several wands were drawn and trained upon me but my eyes were focused on the man opposite me. He threw his head back and laughed. A laugh that raised goosebumps on my arms. He waved away the concern of his followers before addressing me. "Annabeth Chase daughter of Athena" he drawled out. "Tom Riddle son of Ares" I replied in an equally condescending tone. We stared at each other for a long time each sizing up the other. Of course I knew that I would never be able to defeat him, nor did I want to. My job was to find the feather, free my camp from his enslavement and destroy the godly blood in him. Killing him was Harry Potter's job. "What do you want little girl?" he sneered at me clearly not amused by my previous statement. "Well to start of why don't you let the prisoners in dungeon go" I said glaring at him. Again that maniacal laugh left his lips. "Why would I want to do that?" "Because if you do I will kill Albus Dumbledore for you."

Darquesse16