Chapter Text
Capture the flag was happening in five minutes and Harry could only think about how ridiculous he looked wearing the helmet with fuzzy blue stuff on top of it.
“Do I have to wear this?” Harry asked Tom and Ron.
“Yes,” both boys said in unison.
“Don’t think much about it,” Fred said while he walked past with his twin George and their half-brother Lee Jordan.
“But I look stupid,” Harry complained.
“Good thing you don’t have a mirror then,” George said with a smirk.
Harry sighed and looked at Ron. He had his helmet tucked under his arm and his bow and arrows behind him. He flashed a bright smile when they made eye contact.
“Do we have a captain?” Harry asked his friends.
“Hermione,” Tom said. “She’s the head councilor in her cabin and quite possibly the strongest camper here.”
“You’re not?” Harry asked, surprised.
Tom chuckled. “No. Hermione has led our team to three straight wins. She knows what she’s doing.”
“She was there when Ginny and her goons chased after me.”
“Goons?” Ron asked.
“Uh, those two And the girls.” Harry pointed to the two boys standing behind Ginny who was talking to Pansy. The other girl that was there was named Millicent. She was amongst the unclaimed which contributed to her sadness.
“Oh, that’s Crabbe and Goyal,” Ron said. “Ginny’s half-brothers.”
“That makes sense,” Harry muttered. “So… why is Hermione stalking me?”
“Hermione isn’t stalking you,” said Tom who was amused at the idea. “She’s seeing if you’re the one she’s been waiting for.”
“Waiting for what?”
“A quest Chiron’s been promising her for years. One day, a demigod would arrive who was fated to go on this quest that even Chiron couldn’t prevent. I’m confident she thinks it's you.”
“I’m not special.”
“I beg to differ.”
Harry blushed a deep red and looked away to avoid embarrassment.
And then the conch shell blared through the woods.
“Heroes!” Chiron announced. “It’s time. The game begins. The first team to retrieve the opposing flag and return it across the river shall be the victor! I trust the rules will be respected!”
“Alright.” Hermiones’ voice had Harry turning on his heels to face her. She had the same uniform, same ugly helmet, but she had a cap with an otter stitched on hooked to her belt. What’d she need that for? Was she bothered by the freaking sun? “We have twenty minutes before it’s game on.” She looked at Tom. “You know what you’re doing?”
“Always,” he replied confidently.
“I don’t,” Harry muttered under his breath. He knew Hermione heard but chose to ignore it.
“We’re winning, okay?” She looked between Ron and Tom. Harry felt a pang of irritation that she wasn’t looking at him. “I’ll see you guys on the other side.”
Both boys gave a firm nod and walked away with their assigned groups. Harry went to follow Tom, But Hermione lightly grabbed his arm.
“Not you, Sparky. You’re with me.”
“Sparky–?” Harry frowned. And then it clicked in. “Oh. Because of my lightning scar. Ha! Clever. Very funny,” he said sarcastically.
“Thank you.” She smirked. “Come on. I need to show you your position.”
Harry bit his tongue to refrain from arguing or complaining. Maybe he could injure himself to get out of this game. Or maybe run and hide behind a bush? Both options seemed plausible but he had a feeling Hermione would still make him play with a broken arm or drag him out of the bushes. So, Harry followed.
They walked in silence. Hermione being used to the armor walked easily but Harry felt like he had a force pulling him down with each step. He eventually fell behind, but surprisingly, Hermione didn’t seem to mind. She occasionally glanced behind her to make sure Harry was still there. And he was.
“You know,” Harry started. “I can’t tell if you hate me. Tom says you don’t and so does Ron, but I think you do.” He waited for Hermione to deny it, but she didn’t. “Could you set your hatred aside for today? I need my dad to notice me and not in a bad way. I can’t get embarrassed. Mainly for him but also because I want to save the rest of my pride.”
Hermione stopped and turned around, her expression completely blank. “I don’t hate you,” she said and Harry was surprised that he could tell she wasn’t lying. “And you need to stop hating yourself.”
“Wha–”
The conch shell boomed from a distance.
“Game on.” She unclasped her hat and put it on.
Harrys’ eyes went wide. “What the-?” He poked his finger forward and hit, what he believed to be Hermione’s forehead. “You’re still there!?”
“Gift from my mom,” Hermione said while taking it off. “Nice isn’t it?” Harry remained stunned in silence. “You’ll do great.”
“Do what great!?”
She smiled. “See you, Harry.” And then she disappeared. Literally.
Harry groaned. Now what?
Harry aimlessly roamed the forest. He kicked rocks and swatted bugs. He picked flowers and put them in his hair in memory of his mom. She used to put daisies and lilies in her and Harry’s hair every time they went to the park. Harry would leave them in until they fell out; sometimes it’d be seconds but other times it’d be hours. This time, it stayed in for only a few minutes.
He twisted his ring and let his sword expand in his hand so he could swing it and practice with an invisible partner. He got bored and eventually parked himself on the ground with his shield cast away— his helmet long gone (he “accidentally” left it under some bushes)— and started picking at the grass.
It’s not long till Harry hears footsteps crunching on leaves and snapping twigs. He sat up, picked up his shield, and gripped his sword tighter.
He rolled his eyes at the sight of Pansy and her posse.
“Flag’s not here,” Harry said.
“Yeah, but revenge is more fun,” Ginny smiled sweetly and hit her spear on the ground for what Harry thought was a dramatic effect, but it was to have the top crackle with sparks.
“I didn’t even do anything to you!”
“You messed with my friends, Harry,” she said. “It’s payback time.”
Beside her, Pansy twirled her sword which was pink at the handle, and smirked. Millicent had her spatha and was flexing her fingers around the handle.
Crabbe and Goyal, who (along with Ginny), didn’t have shields, stood behind the two girls in the same fighting stance, clearly waiting for orders.
“Oh, you mean about the incident at the mess hall?” Harry nodded solemnly. “I accept your apology. You don’t have to—“
“You talk a lot for someone new,” Ginny grumbled. “I don’t like that.”
“Do you even like anything?” Harry countered.
“I like a lot of things. Can I show you?”
Of course, that wasn’t a real question. It was just Ginny’s way of starting the fight. She approached Harry without hesitation and swung her spear so hard that it rattled Harry’s shield when it made contact.
Harry stumbled with each attempt of hers to injure. The others circled and watched as Harry was electrocuted straight in the chest and fell backward. But the strike of shock wasn’t what had Harry falling on his butt but instead the force he was surprised Ginny had.
He was surprised Ginny was taking the lead when Pansy was the one who hated Harry. He figured with Ginny being an Ares kid, her need to be in charge during fights was overpowering.
He hated having his butt kicked by Ginny. Not because she was a girl. But because she was two years younger he knew she’d brag to the entire camp for embarrassing him.
“Ow!” Harry complained before rushing to his feet. “No maiming is like the one rule!”
“I’m not going to kill you,” Ginny said with an attitude. “I’m just playing the game.”
Another strike, but this time from Pansy. Harry was able to block her attack but from his right side, Goyal slashed his arm with his sword.
Harry gasped, his eyes widening as he felt blood slide down his arm and stain his Camp Half-Blood shirt. He was so screwed. Crabbe attacked and Harry was barely able to block. Ginny’s spear hit Harry’s chest directly again but he stayed standing.
“Admit you’re a fraud,” Pansy demanded from beside him.
Harry’s eyes scanned the group that was prepared to beat Harry up. So, of course, Harry ran. He heard all of them follow and he just knew he was running to save even more embarrassment.
He dodged trees and jumped over bushes but in reality, he had no idea where he was going. He found himself near the water but on a mini cliff where, if he fell, he wouldn’t die but it’d hurt more than a slash in the arm. Well, maybe.
Pansy swung her sword and Harry blocked the attack but it was only a distraction for Millicent to knick his leg. He fell on one knee and rolled to the side quickly but awkwardly.
There was a block for each attack. He managed to knock Crabbe off the cliff; Goyal was not happy because he became more aggressive now that his half-brother was huffing and puffing on the rocks on the beach. But, with sudden strength and agility, Harry was able to get Goyal, Millicent, and Pansy. Harry had ripped Pansy’s sword out of her hand and tossed it off the cliff. He heard Crabbe shout ‘Hey’ and if Harry wasn’t fighting to stay upright against Ginny, he would have cackled. Goyal seemed to be too stunned at being defeated to continue, which Harry was grateful for.
Ginny thrusted her spear forward and Harry caught it in between the straps of his shield.
A sudden feeling of strength coursed through Harry and he yanked her and she staggered forward. She tried pulling her spear out but Harry had turned so harshly that he threw Ginny to the side and her spear snapped in half. She rolled on the floor a lot more gracefully than Harry had and she sat on her knees.
The other half of her spear was in her hands and she stared down, clearly mourning her broken weapon. She let out the most gut-wrenching scream. Harry felt it deep in his core and he truly felt bad.
She threw it aside and began approaching him with fire in her eyes, clearly prepared to fight without it. But then the conshell played through the woods and below the cliff and running on the beach was Tom with the flag and the rest of their team celebrating.
Ginny glared at Harry. “You’ll pay,” she whispered harshly.
She helped Millicent to her feet and they stormed down the cliff to the others.
Harry let out a heavy breath and dropped his shield. He looked down at his half of Ginny’s spear and he guessed her dad Ares had given it to her. He walked towards the edge of the cliff and saw Ron waving at him before giving him a thumbs up.
Harry smiled and returned the thumbs up.
“Not bad, Harry.”
A familiar voice had Harry turning around, completely stunned at the realization. “Were you there the whole time?!”
Hermione appeared by taking off her hat. She wore a gentle smile and her eyes were bouncing around all his wounds. “That was excellent.”
“Why didn’t you help me—?”
“Did you really need my help?” she asked, clearly trying to prove a point.
Harry huffed. “It would’ve been nice!”
“Look, Harry…” Hermione approached him, her expression softening. She stopped right in front of him but before she went to speak she froze and looked behind Harry with a puzzled expression. Harry turned to follow her train of sight but there wasn’t anything interesting happening besides the celebration.
And then the next thing Harry knew, he was shoved off the mini cliff.
“AH!” Harry put his hands in front of him to brace for impact but he never hit the rocks. His face, along with his entire body, was hovering over the ground. “What…” he gasped.
He looked around and saw the entire camp staring at him with wide eyes. Somehow, he was able to move himself so he was standing- no floating upright. A cold breeze in the hot sun felt like it was circling him. He could feel some of his hair move from the wind that was not there before.
He looked down and slowly and gently he was somehow set on the ground. He spun around and looked up at Hermione who had a wide smirk on her face.
“I- what just happened?” he shouted up at her.
“Look up!” she shouted back.
“I am!”
“Look up even more, Harry!”
Harry frowned and practically threw his head back to stare up. His eyes widened when he saw a lightning bolt hovering above him. He stumbled back but it seemed to follow him.
“What is that!?”
“It’s your dad, Harry!” Ron came running up to him. He didn’t look surprised but it was clear he was worried. “He’s claimed you!”
“All hail Harry Potter!” Chiron came trotting through the crowd. “Son of Zeus, Lord of the Sky, King of the Gods!”
“What!?”
The next day, Harry found himself in the Big House with Chiron and Mr. D. He wished Ron or Buck was with him, maybe even Tom, but they were forced to stay away. Harry had slept in Cabin 1 and it had been awful. He had to bring a sleeping bag from Cabin 11 and place it in the very corner where he curled into himself and forced himself to sleep through the night, even with the nightmares of the same cloaked man who was convinced he could help Harry. It was getting annoying for him. It truly was.
Now, Harry stood in front of Chiron and Mr. D and he was completely stunned with the information he was just told.
Chiron moved around the table and stood beside Mr. D who had his arms crossed and glasses off, giving off the clear annoyance of Harry’s lack of words.
“A war?” Harry finally repeated. “Is it about to break out? Because someone stole Posiden’s trident?”
“The symbol of his power, Harry,” Chiron replied patiently. “And he believes you stole it.”
“I stole it?!” he exclaimed. “I just found out I was a demigod like last week! Why does he think-”
“Because you are a forbidden child!” Mr. D snapped.
Harry paused. “A what?”
“Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades have made an oath that has been broken,” Chiron explained. “They swore to never bear children after World War Ⅱ. But, as you can see, it was ignored… You are alone among your brethren. You are the only demigod who is the child of Zeus.”
“Oh…” Harry frowned. He didn’t like that. How was he still an outlier amongst demigods? How was he still different? “And now you want me to go on a quest to find Poseidon’s trident?”
“Your father needs you, Harry,” Chiron continued. “You are our only hope to stop this ridiculous war that is coming.” He took a step forward. “Will you accept the quest?”
Harry kept his expression blank. He needed more information. He couldn’t agree without knowing anything. But also— was he even going to say yes?
“Do you know who actually stole it?” Harry asked. “That would, um, be helpful to know before I go and agree.”
“There is one brother among the three who hates the most… Zeus and Poseidon have had disagreements, but they have kept quiet with each other for centuries. Until now. The brother who resides in the Underworld stirred up this feud, and it needs to be stopped.”
“Hades,” Harry said, his eyes going wide. He noticed the look Chiron and Mr. D exchanged, and it quickly clicked for Harry. “I would have to go to the Underworld, wouldn’t I?”
“Yes,” Chiron agreed.
Oh gods. Harry had been surprised before. Once his mom got him a red bike for his birthday. Another time, he got a C- on a history test when he thought he’d get an F. But this was a whole other level. He felt his heart drop down to his stomach and then come back up to pound against his chest like a boombox on full volume.
“No,” Harry choked out. “Absolutely not.”
“You have been claimed by Zeus!” Chiron’s voice had never been more defiant. “This is his will!”
“Zeus has never been there for me. And now he wants me to do him a favor? How is that fair?”
“You are his son!” Mr. D shouted. “How can you not see that since you are a forbidden child, when you bring Poseidon’s trident back to him, it’ll be the perfect peace offering!”
“And if I say no?”
“You’d be a fool.”
Okay. Hermione having a hat that makes her invisible is just completely unfair. She was standing near the front door, clasping her hat onto her jeans.
“You have to go, Harry,” she said.
“It’s suicide,” he snapped.
“It’s what comes with being a demigod.”
“I don’t—“ Harry stopped himself from saying something stupid. He shook his head, trying to think of anything that would make him feel better, but all he could think of was he’d be able to distract himself from thinking of his mom.
Before he opened his mouth to ask more questions, Ron and Buck came running in.
“Are you going on the quest?” Buck rushed out.
“How do you know—“
“Being claimed by Zeus now isn’t a coincidence,” Buck explained. “Have you gone to the oracle?”
“I still haven’t agreed,” Harry replied awkwardly.
“Harry, you have to go,” Ron said gently. “I know it’s probably a lot, but it’s needed…”
Harry sighed and took off his glasses to rub his eyes. This was stressful. Very stressful. He looked at Ron and even though he was blurry, Harry could tell he had faith in him.
“Okay,” Harry muttered and put his glasses back on. He looked at Chiron and suppressed any noise of annoyance. “I accept the quest.”
“You’ll have to seek the counsel of the Oracle.”
“And where is that?”
“Hi?” Harry squeaked
A shriveled old female was sitting on a chair with beads for necklaces and a skirt that had soot all over it. She looked ancient and her eyes were completely white. Harry felt like she was suffering even though she wasn’t moving. He wondered what happened to her.
“Um, hello?” Harry said louder.
The lady twitched and slowly sat up. Harry wanted to run out and tell someone else to listen to this lady who was now exerting green mist from her mouth.
I am the spirit of Delphi, speaker of the prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty Python.
Oh great. Why do things keep talking in Harry’s brain?
Approach, seeker, and ask.
Harry swallowed the lump in his throat and stepped forward. “What is my destiny?”
And then the worst thing happened. The green mist swirled and formed Snivellus and his group of friends who were ugly and unmannered. The one named Mulciber glared at Harry from his seat. His brooding scowl made Harry furious. He’s always wanted to deck him. And everyone else who was playing poker at the old table.
You shall go west, and face the god who has turned.
The other named Avery said You shall find what was stolen, and see it safely returned.
Well, that sounded good, right? Harry would succeed.
You shall be betrayed by one who calls you a friend, said the third guy that Harry didn’t know the name of.
And you shall fail to save what matters most, in the end, Snape finished before the mist disappeared completely.
That wasn’t promising. That wasn’t reassuring at all. This just made Harry even more stressed. And he couldn’t back down now.
With a heavy sigh, Harry went back downstairs where Ron, Buck, and surprisingly Hermione were waiting with Chiron and Mr. D. His two friends looked anxious; Buck was chewing a Sprite can (something Harry had gotten used to seeing now) and Ron was picking at his fingernails which was also common for him. Hermione was calm and collected. She was the only one standing and the only one who was attentive when Harry walked in.
“What did the oracle say?” Hermione asked and approached him. Ron and Buck jumped out of their seats and did the same.
“She said I would retrieve what was stolen and then go west and face a god who has turned.”
“Is that all?” Chiron pressed.
“Yes,” Harry answered quickly. He didn’t want anyone to know he’d fail. He didn’t want to pre-disappoint more people because– and maybe this was selfish– because he wouldn’t be able to bear the embarrassment. “That’s all.”
“Now you must choose who you want to accompany you on this quest,” Chiron said with a grin.
“Ron,” Harry said easily. He looked over at his friend whose eyes went wide. It was clear the Son of Apollo didn’t believe he was going to be asked. “If– If he wants to.”
“Do I want to? Of course, I do!” Ron exclaimed. He high-fived his friend. “That means I have to pack! Okay, I’ll be in my cabin!” Ron rushed off, muttering to himself about what to bring.
Harry couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Now you need another,” Chiron added.
Harry looked at Buck who immediately shook his head. “I’m sorry, Harry, but I’ve been tasked to do something on my own by The Council.”
“That’s okay,” Harry assured with a smile. But that meant he had to pick someone else. He took a quick glance at Hermione who had her arms crossed and a stern look. He recalled what Tom had told him about how Hermione had been waiting for a quest for years. Maybe this was the one for her.
“Okay,” Harry sighed. “You’re smart.”
“I’m more than smart.”
“Alright, Brainiac, we don’t want your head to implode,” Harry teased, which was uncommon for him to do with Hermione.
“At least I have stuff up there, Sparky,” Hermione smirked and walked out of the Big House to– probably– pack.
Harry gasped, but he was more amused and stunned than hurt at the cheeky remark Hermione shot back.
This quest was going to be filled with insults banter and disagreements.
This should be lovely.
While walking to Cabin 1, Buckbeak stopped him. “There was more to the Prophecy, wasn’t there?”
Harry’s eyes went wide. “How did you–”
“I can feel the secrecy, Harry.” He offered a comforting smile. “What did it say?”
Harry sighed and rubbed his eyes underneath his glasses. “It said I’d be betrayed by one who calls me friend… I figured if I brought Ron and you, the Prophecy wouldn’t come true. But now that Hermione is coming instead of you… she’s going to betray me, isn’t she?”
“Hmmm, I don’t know, Harry. Prophecies are really tricky. And Hermione, she’s… really different.”
“What do you mean?”
“Her intentions are always good, but she sometimes lacks sympathy. Look, don’t tell anyone I told you this, but before she came to camp, Hermione had never really received sympathy from her stepmom. Sympathy or any belief of her nightmares. And her dad just sort of let her be that way to Hermione. It’s sad, but now Hermione thinks people should just get over things easily.”
“Oh.” Harry wasn’t sure what to say. He couldn’t imagine not having comfort from a parent. Lily had always been there for Harry. When he’d get a cold or get into an argument with Snape. Even when Harry needed to be picked up from school because he got into another fight, she was always there. But now she wasn’t…
“Just, don’t hate Hermione for being blunt and maybe emotionless. She doesn’t know how else to react.”
Harry nodded and said his goodbyes to Buck before he set off on his way to pack.