Chapter 13
The tranquil night was abruptly shattered by a deafening explosion. The ship rocked violently, and the teens scrambled to their feet, their hearts racing with panic.
Draco, Hermione, Theo, and the others were thrown off balance as a massive wave rose from the ocean, surging towards them with unstoppable force. For a brief moment, everything seemed to blur together—a chaotic mix of water, wind, and noise.
Amidst the turmoil, they caught a glimpse of Perseus on the deck. His face was set in a calm, almost amused expression. With a crisp military salute, he stood perfectly composed as the enormous wave crashed against the boat, sending torrents of water cascading over the sides. The next moment, the boat was engulfed, and Perseus disappeared from sight.
When the waters finally receded and the chaos died down, the group found themselves marooned on a small, rugged island. The remnants of their boat were scattered along the shore, and Perseus was nowhere to be seen. The sky above them was an unsettling shade, not quite of this world—a swirling mix of deep blues, purples, and starry patterns that seemed more celestial than earthly.
Theo staggered to his feet, his eyes wide with disbelief. “What just happened?”
Draco, still shaking off the disorientation, surveyed their surroundings. “We’re on an island. Where’s Perseus?”
Hermione, who had been trying to make sense of the situation, looked around at the strange, otherworldly sky. “This doesn’t look like any normal island. The sky… it’s too unusual.”
Luna, ever perceptive, took a deep breath and closed her eyes, sensing the natural energy of their new environment. “The island feels… different. It’s almost as if it’s not entirely part of our world.”
Matthew, who had managed to avoid the worst of the chaos, looked around with a mixture of curiosity and frustration. “Great. Just great. We’re stranded, and our captain vanishes like he’s made of smoke.”
Theo, still recovering from the shock, muttered under his breath, “This is just perfect. The moon was full, and now we’re stuck here with no way to get back.”
Hermione, trying to keep calm, started to assess their situation. “We need to figure out what to do next. Find fresh water, shelter, and—”
Before she could finish, a strange sound echoed through the trees—a low, rhythmic hum that seemed to vibrate through the very ground beneath them.
Draco, alert and focused, glanced at Hermione. “What’s that sound?”
Luna, her senses finely tuned to the world around her, frowned slightly. “It’s coming from the heart of the island. We should be cautious.”
As they began to explore the island, the celestial sky above them cast an eerie glow over their path. The island was dense with thick, tangled foliage, and strange, glowing plants that pulsed with an otherworldly light. It was clear that this place was unlike any they had encountered before.
Theo, trying to shake off his lingering panic, took a deep breath and tried to focus. “Let’s find out what’s going on. Maybe we can figure out where Perseus went or how to get out of here.”
Hermione nodded, her practical side taking charge. “Agreed. We need to stick together and stay alert. This place might have its own set of rules.”
With a shared resolve, the group set off into the heart of the island, determined to uncover its mysteries and find a way back to their world. As they ventured deeper, the celestial sky continued to watch over them, an ever-present reminder of the strange, uncharted territory they now found themselves in.
The group stumbled through the dense foliage, their senses overwhelmed by the strange flora and the eerie celestial sky. As they ventured deeper into the island, the rhythmic hum they had heard earlier grew louder, guiding them toward an imposing structure partially hidden by the encroaching vegetation.
Emerging into a clearing, they found a massive stone gate, adorned with intricate carvings. The symbols etched into the gate were foreign but unmistakable in their complexity.
Luna stepped forward, her eyes narrowing at the symbols. “It’s an inscription. I can almost read it, but it’s not in any language I recognize.”
Hermione examined the carvings closely, her brow furrowing in concentration. “It’s Greek, but not modern. It looks ancient.”
The group gathered around, trying to decipher the symbols when a soft, ethereal voice broke the silence. “The inscription you see reads: ‘Φαρμακοποιός, Μάγος, Δαμαστής, Βρυκόλακας, Μάντις’.”
The voice seemed to come from nowhere, and they turned to find the source. From the shadows emerged a figure—a woman draped in pure white and slightly green Greek attire. Her dark brown hair was styled in an elegant crown-like arrangement, and her presence exuded an otherworldly grace.
The woman’s eyes sparkled with a knowing glint as she addressed them. “I am a servant of Hecate.”
She paused, her gaze shifting between them with a serene smile. “Potion Master, Mage, Tamer, Vampire, Oracle. That is what the gate’s engravings signify. Each represents a challenge that lies ahead.”
Before they could respond or ask questions, the woman began to fade, her form dissolving into the mist. “I wish you luck, champions,” she said, her voice lingering in the air as she disappeared entirely.
Draco, Hermione, Theo, and the others stood in stunned silence, processing the cryptic message and the sudden departure of the mysterious woman.
“What does she mean by ‘challenges’?” Draco wondered aloud, his gaze fixed on the gate.
Hermione’s mind raced through the implications. “We need to be prepared for trials related to each of those roles. It’s likely that the challenges will test us in ways that align with these titles.”
Theo, who had been trying to regain his composure, looked at the gate with a mix of apprehension and determination. “So we’re facing trials related to potions, magic, taming, vampires, and oracles? This is going to be... interesting.”
Luna, who had been quietly observing, nodded thoughtfully. “We should approach this systematically. Each of these roles might correspond to different parts of the island or different aspects of our journey.”
Matthew, who had remained mostly silent, finally spoke up, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern. “We don’t know what ‘it’ is, but whatever it is, it’s starting. We need to stay alert.”
Hermione glanced around, her practical side taking over. “We need to figure out how to tackle each challenge. The inscription and the woman’s words suggest that each title will be significant. Let’s find a way to unlock the gate and see what lies beyond.”
As they prepared to face the unknown, the gate loomed before them, a silent sentinel to the trials that awaited. The celestial sky above seemed to pulse with anticipation, and the group braced themselves for whatever came next.
With renewed determination, they set about deciphering the gate’s mechanism, their minds focused on the challenges that lay ahead and the enigmatic woman’s final, cryptic message.
As they stood before the gate, the ground beneath them trembled violently, sending a shockwave of unease through the group. Instinctively, they braced themselves, eyes darting around for the source of the disturbance. But the tremor wasn't the most alarming thing.
Each of them felt a sudden, searing pain on their right hand—except for Matthew, who felt it on his left. They looked down in unison, their eyes widening in disbelief.
Hermione gasped as a symbol burned itself into the skin of her right hand: Φαρμακοποιός—Potion Master.
Draco winced as a different mark appeared: Δαμαστής—Tamer.
Matthew clutched his left hand as the symbol for Μάγος—Mage—flared into existence.
Theodore felt a cold shiver as Βρυκόλακας—Vampire—etched itself onto his hand.
And Luna—calm as ever—watched as Μάντις—Oracle—appeared on her right hand, glowing softly.
Before they could fully process what had happened, a chorus of voices—ethereal and resonant—filled the air, their words echoing in Greek but somehow understood by all.
"Champions marked by fate's cruel hand,
You stand where earth and sky collide.
Potion's brew and taming's call,
Magic's weave and vampiric thrall.
The Oracle shall see the path,
But darkness follows, fear the wrath.
Five must face the trials set,
Or face the end—by fate's cruel debt."
As the voices faded, the symbols on their hands pulsed with a strange energy, binding them to their roles. The prophecy's weight settled over them like a heavy shroud, its meaning ominous and unclear.
Hermione clenched her fist, trying to steady her breathing as the mark on her hand cooled. “Potion Master… Why me?”
Draco’s eyes narrowed as he inspected his mark. “Tamer? What does that even mean in this context?”
The ground stilled beneath them, leaving an uneasy silence in its wake. The marks on their hands glowed faintly, a reminder of the prophecy that had bound them to this mysterious island.
With no answers in sight and only the prophecy’s cryptic warning to guide them, the group exchanged worried glances.
“What now?” Draco finally asked, breaking the silence.
Hermione looked back at the gate, her resolve hardening. “We go forward. We find out what these marks mean and what this island wants from us.”
Blaise Zabini woke up to a world that felt oddly... quieter.
He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but something was off. As he strolled through the corridors of Hogwarts, the usual hum of activity seemed subdued. The morning routine was the same, but there was a sense of something missing, like an important thread had been pulled from the fabric of the school.
His first clue came at breakfast.
Blaise was never one to engage in pointless chatter, but he did enjoy observing. And today, the Slytherin table was abuzz with whispered conversations, furtive glances, and a lot of head-scratching. No Draco, no Theodore, no Matthew. The absence of his housemates—particularly Draco—was glaring. Even Pansy, who was usually glued to Draco’s side, seemed out of sorts, her eyes scanning the Great Hall as if expecting him to appear any moment.
Blaise calmly sipped his tea, feigning indifference. But the gears in his mind were turning. Draco Malfoy was many things—arrogant, sharp-tongued, always the center of attention—but absent without notice? That was unusual. And when was the last time anyone saw Luna Lovegood and Hermione Granger together? Or apart, for that matter?
He casually leaned over to Pansy. “Where’s Draco?”
Pansy frowned, her usual pout replaced with genuine concern. “He didn’t show up for breakfast. I thought he was just being moody, but now I’m not so sure.”
Blaise nodded, his expression giving nothing away. “Interesting.”
The day went on, and Blaise’s unease grew. Whispers in the corridors, rumors flying about what could have happened. Some said the group had been seen leaving Hogwarts the night before, others claimed they’d been called on some secret mission by the Ministry. And then there were the wild theories—abductions, cursed artifacts, and even elopement (though that one was met with derisive laughter).
By lunchtime, Blaise was tired of the speculation. He had no time for baseless rumors, but the fact remained—Draco and the others were gone, and no one seemed to know why. Not even the teachers, who were suspiciously tight-lipped about the whole affair.
Potions class provided a welcome distraction, but even Slughorn seemed out of sorts, his usual jovial demeanor dampened by what Blaise could only assume was concern. He overheard McGonagall speaking in hushed tones to Flitwick, something about “protocols” and “keeping an eye out,” but they clammed up the moment students passed by.
By dinner, the atmosphere in the Great Hall was charged. The absence of key students hadn’t gone unnoticed by the broader student body, and the anxiety was palpable. Blaise could see it in the furrowed brows, the nervous glances, and the way conversations trailed off whenever someone new entered the room.
The final straw came when an owl arrived during dinner, dropping a letter in front of Blaise. The wax seal was unremarkable, but the contents of the letter were anything but.
[Keep them safe. You know who to trust.]
It wasn’t signed, but Blaise knew who it was from.
Blaise folded the letter neatly, placing it in his pocket. The unease he’d felt all day crystallized into something more concrete—determination. Whatever was happening, Draco and the others were in the thick of it, and it was serious enough that they couldn’t turn to the usual channels for help.
He stood up from the table, his movements calm and deliberate. Without a word to anyone, he left the Great Hall, his mind already working on the next steps.
Blaise Zabini didn’t like mysteries, but he was damn good at solving them. And right now, it looked like he had a mystery on his hands.
As he walked through the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, the silence felt heavier than ever. Something was happening—something big—and Blaise was determined to find out what it was.
Because if Draco, Theodore, and the others were involved, then so was he.
The whirlwind came out of nowhere, spinning so fast and violently that they didn’t have time to react. One second, they were standing together, confused about the strange marks on their hands; the next, everything was a blur of wind, light, and darkness. The force of it knocked the breath from their lungs, and before they could fully grasp what was happening, blackness swallowed them.
When they woke up, they weren’t where they expected to be.
Draco was the first to groan awake, followed by Hermione, who blinked rapidly as she sat up. Theodore and Matthew were next, rubbing their heads, and finally, Luna, still calm even as the others scrambled to their feet.
"Where... where are we?" Hermione muttered, rubbing her eyes as she adjusted to the scene around them.
They stood on the platform of a train station, but not just any train station—King’s Cross.
It was eerily familiar, except for the fact that everything seemed... brighter, sharper. The usual blur of crowds bustled around them, but something was different. They could see things they hadn’t noticed before. Among the humans, there were strange, grotesque creatures walking alongside them, completely unnoticed.
“Monsters,” whispered Luna, her eyes wide and glittering with fascination.
Matthew’s head snapped around to see the grotesque forms—some of them half-animal, some with scales, horns, claws. And the worst part? Some of them were staring right at them.
"They can see us," Theodore muttered, eyes dark as he backed up a step.
Draco's heart raced, the cold realization settling in. "What the hell is happening? Did we... lose time?"
Luna, the ever-perceptive one, whispered, "We’ve been gone for a month."
The thought made Hermione’s stomach lurch. "But how...?"
The monsters lurking among the people started moving towards them. First, slowly. Then, faster.
"They’re coming for us!" Matthew shouted, and without thinking, they turned and ran.
But they weren’t fast enough. The screeches and howls behind them were growing louder by the second.
"We don't have our wands!" Hermione cried out in frustration, glancing back as one of the larger creatures, a serpent-like monster, gained on them.
"Keep moving!" Draco ordered. He wanted to curse or punch something but running was all they could do right now.
As they barreled down the street, dodging between oblivious people, something sparked in Draco’s mind. His hand, the one with the glowing mark, started to burn, and instinctively, he gripped it.
And then he felt it—Exodus.
The Tamer mark glowed with an intensity that made his entire arm thrum with power. From above, a familiar roar cut through the air. The sky above them darkened as the massive form of Draco’s dragon, Exodus, descended with a mighty flap of its wings, blocking their path.
The monsters hesitated, snarling and retreating a step. But Exodus roared again, baring his sharp teeth and flaring his wings, ready to defend Draco and the group.
"Get them!" Draco commanded, the Tamer mark on his hand burning hotter as the dragon lunged forward, talons and teeth slashing through the nearest monster.
The battle was fierce, but Exodus was stronger, faster, and much more vicious than anything the monsters could throw at him. With every attack, the dragon tore through the advancing creatures, leaving nothing but ashes and dust in his wake.
Draco's heart pounded in his chest, but as Exodus pushed the monsters back, a sense of control—of connection—washed over him. He wasn’t just running anymore. He was fighting, and winning.
"Let's go," Draco called out to the others, his voice steady now. "Stay close to Exodus."
Once they had put enough distance between themselves and the chaos at King’s Cross, Exodus began to shrink, his massive form gradually reducing in size until he was no bigger than a house cat. His scales, still gleaming, shimmered faintly as the Tamer mark on Draco’s hand stopped glowing. The dragon let out a satisfied huff, settling onto Draco’s shoulder like it had never been anything more than a pet.
The group gathered around, panting and catching their breath, adrenaline still coursing through their veins.
“What the hell just happened?” Theodore was the first to break the silence, eyes wide as he looked at the mark still faintly glowing on his own hand. “We’ve been marked... by something.”
Luna, ever calm, tilted her head. “Champions. We’re supposed to be champions. That woman—Hecate’s servant—said something about it.”
Matthew, looking perplexed, glanced at the faint mage symbol glowing on his own hand. “Right, but what does that even mean? Champions of what? And how did we lose an entire month?”
Hermione crossed her arms, trying to calm her racing mind, but the flood of questions only made her more anxious. “We need answers, but first... food.”
The problem with food, however, hit them as soon as they approached a café on the corner. As they stepped inside, the cozy atmosphere and smell of pastries would normally have been a comfort. But when they reached the counter, another realization dawned on them.
“We’re broke,” Matthew muttered, patting his pockets with a look of defeat.
Draco sighed, and even though he didn’t want to admit it, the reality was clear—none of them had a single coin on them after all that time. They glanced awkwardly at one another, wondering how to solve this new, mundane problem.
Then, out of nowhere, Exodus gave a quiet growl and nudged Draco’s hand. The small dragon wiggled and turned its head, revealing a space-dimensional bag tied securely around its body. It shimmered faintly with magical energy, making it clear this wasn’t just an ordinary bag.
“Wait... what?” Draco blinked in disbelief.
Exodus, the dragon who had just moments ago been in the midst of a fierce battle, was now casually presenting them with their belongings.
“Are you telling me my dragon has been carrying a magical bag this whole time?” Draco asked, raising an eyebrow.
Exodus gave a small, satisfied snort.
The group was stunned, but grateful, as Draco reached into the bag and pulled out their belongings—wallets, magical artifacts, even some snacks they had packed before the trip.
“Okay, I’m not questioning it,” Matthew said, grabbing his things with a grin. “This dragon is officially my favorite.”
Draco, on the other hand, shot Exodus an amused look. “I guess you’re more useful than I thought.”
While the others sorted through their belongings, Hermione stood quietly off to the side, watching the scene unfold. It was convenient, a little too convenient. Exodus having a space-dimensional bag with everything they needed just felt... suspicious.
Hermione didn’t say anything aloud, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone, somewhere, was still pulling strings. Maybe Perseus was still out there, guiding them in his own mysterious way. But after everything they had seen, she wasn’t sure what to believe anymore.
As they settled into their booth, the atmosphere buzzed with the normal chatter of café-goers, but a tense energy hung in the air as the group discussed their next moves.
“Alright, we need to figure out what happened while we were gone,” Hermione started, her voice steady despite the uncertainty swirling inside her. “Maybe we can find someone who knows what’s changed.”
“Like what?” Matthew asked, leaning back with a grin. “Are we supposed to just wander around and hope for the best?”
“Or we could—” Draco began, but suddenly, a sharp voice interrupted him.
“Have you seen Perseus Jackson?”
The group turned to see a blonde woman with storm-grey eyes standing before them, arms crossed and an expression that radiated fury. Luna’s eyes widened in recognition. This had to be the woman for whom the ship Annie was named.
Matthew raised an eyebrow, half-smirking, but his expression faltered when the waitress approached their table with a glass of water, her movements jerky and unnatural.
“Uh, are you alright?” Draco asked, watching as she blinked rapidly, her eyes glazed over as if someone else were controlling her.
Before anyone could respond, she lunged at them, attempting to grab Matthew’s arm.
“Get back!” Theo shouted, pulling Matthew away just in time.
The blonde woman narrowed her gaze at Matthew, and Hermione felt a shiver run down her spine. Why was she looking at him like that? She turned to Draco, who seemed to tense up next to her.
“What’s going on?” Hermione whispered.
Draco’s eyes were fixed on Matthew, who was now looking confused and a little intimidated. “His mark glowed,” he muttered under his breath, but kept his voice low enough so the others wouldn’t hear.
“Not good,” Hermione said, anxiety creeping in.
Suddenly, the woman stepped forward, her expression fierce but focused. “We need to get out of here,” she said urgently. “This isn’t safe.”
Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed Matthew’s wrist and began leading them toward the door. The group exchanged bewildered looks, but they followed, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
As they stepped outside, the storm-grey eyes of the woman bore into Matthew’s with a strange intensity. “If you know anything about where Perseus is, now’s the time to tell me.”
Matthew hesitated, his earlier bravado fading. “I... I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The woman’s expression softened slightly but remained serious. “He’s in danger. Whatever you’ve been through is connected to him, and we need to find him before it’s too late.”
Luna, ever intuitive, spoke up. “Are you Annabeth?”
The blonde woman nodded, her demeanor shifting slightly. “Yes. And you all are his friends. I need your help.”
As they stood outside the café, the reality of their situation sank in. They were no longer just wandering teens; they were part of something much bigger than themselves, and whatever it was, it was pulling them deeper into a world of danger and uncertainty.
“Okay,” Hermione said, taking a deep breath. “What do we need to do?”