Harry Hates Ares
“We should sneak around the dead people and behind the panel. I can see a path that leads to Hades’ Castle,” Harry suggested. They all nodded in agreement and followed him through the crowds and around the judges.
It wasn’t a long walk but Harry was so exhausted from the previous few days that it felt like a thousand miles.
The courtyard was filled with statues that they all recognised as Medusa’s work and various fruits, including a pomegranate tree that Grover kept trying to trot over to. Luckily, Annabeth saw this coming and gripped his arm to stop him.
There were large skeletal guards standing outside the front doors but Hades must be expecting them because none of the guards made to stop them when they pushed open the large black doors engraved with various scenes of brutal deaths.
It was cold. That was what Harry first registered when walking inside. It felt like an icebox and reminded him of the time Aunt Petunia had made him sleep outside during mid november for dropping an expensive china cup but a thousand times worse.
When they reached the throne room it was to see a large imposing figure sitting atop a pitch black throne, next to him was a beautiful woman on a wooden throne with flowers weaved in between the branches. Hades and Persephone.
“You are brave to come here, Son of Poseidon,” the oily voice of Hades echoed throughout the hall. He was talking to Percy but his eyes kept lingering on Harry who was silent and still, not an ounce of fear towards the god. “And you…what was it Ares told us he said, my dear?”
Persephone smiled softly. “No one important. Though I find that hard to believe considering the performance in the waterpark.”
Harry remained where he was.
Hades chuckled. “The boy isn’t afraid. It is peculiar considering the fear radiating from the other three, yet here he stands, unafraid of what is to come.” He seemed amused. “Harry Potter. Thanatos has spoken fondly of you, he tells us that you are the only soul that has ever been willing to embrace death with a smile on your face, I wonder if this is true?”
Harry’s face was blank of any emotion but his eyes glowed silver. “I am unafraid of anything and anyone. I am prey to no one and nothing,” His eyes returned to their original bright killing curse green. “Death is no enemy, only another journey.”
Persephone and Hades looked down at him with a look of approval.
Hades leaned back. “You have a long journey ahead of you, Harry Potter. The tragedy that runs through your life saddens me. You are a formidable mortal.”
Harry could see the beginnings of tears in Persephone's eyes. “I don’t need your pity. I’m just here to accompany the others.”
At his words Hades' attention returned to the other three demigods who had been eyeing Harry with confusion and surprise. “Yes. The satyr, the child of wisdom, and…the thief.”
Percy’s face reddened. “I am not the lightning thief. I didn’t steal anything from the gods.”
Hades’ black eyes flared. “If you have stolen nothing then open that pack of yours,” he ordered.
Percy felt dread crawl up his spine as he opened the bag, and sure enough, there inside of the bag was Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt.
“A thief and a liar,” Hades looked smug.
“But- I didn’t…This wasn’t-”
“Now return my property!” The Lord of Death ordered, banging his fist on his throne.
“Your property…I don’t underst-”
“Idiot boy! My helm! Return it.”
Harry’s eyes flickered between the two and he swore. “That absolute dic-”
Everyone turned to look at Harry who was glowing silver in his fury. “Ares!” He snarled. “Ares gave us that pack, which means he had someone steal the bolt and deliberately gave it to us to frame us for his crime.”
“It matters not who stole it. I am demanding my helm!” Hades looked unaffected by the revelation.
Harry stepped forward. “Lord Hades. We can go get your helm if you let us go back to the mortal world.”
Hades thought about this for a moment before responding.
“I will allow this. However, my furies will be watching and if you do not uphold your end of the bargain they will drag you back down,” He threatened. The four of them nodded.
Percy frowned. “Wait what about my mu-”
“If you return my helm I will return your mother,” Hades replied, snapping his fingers.
They all disappeared from the throne room and reappeared on a nearby beach.