AN: I know E4E is redoing Andi's first book. I will NOT be redoing the Reading.

Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson or Harry Potter.

Reading Consul of the Underworld: The Game Begins

The Gods of Olympus, Rhea, the Seven Heroes, Nico di Angelo and Thalia of the Hunters looked up as the Seer appeared before them in a flash of light.

The Seer gave an apologetic smile and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "It took a moment to find an appropriate universe to look at, but I found one."

"A moment, we were left hanging here for five hours!" Leo complained. He grunted when Piper elbowed him in the ribs.

"Be polite!"

"I'm with Leo Valdez," Zeus grumbled. Hera rolled her eyes and Rhea shook her head.

The mother of the original six smiled at the Seer. "Thank you. Are you sure you don't want to stay?"

Aphrodite suddenly burst into titters and The Seer felt dread overcome him as Rhea's three sons looked at him, the youngest clenched his hand tightly around the bronze tube that was at his side.

"Er, no thank you, Lady Rhea. I must be off. Things to watch, events to observe...Ta-ta!" The Seer left with the book as it floated in front of the Demigods.

"Such a busy body. He should relax with a good book." Rhea mused. She looked at her grandson and smiled. "Would you read first, Percy?"

"Yeah sure." Percy shrugged as the book hovered over to him and he cracked open the page. "Prologue: Press Start...What a weird chapter title."

Ray of Light by Madonna echoed over the polished wood floors and mirrors of the gymnasium as a gymnastic class for girls roughly between the ages of ten to eleven watched as one of their own performed on the uneven bars.

The five foot three girl had jet black hair that was tied in a bun as she spun and leapt to the taller bar, spinning around once and with an excited gleam in her almond shaped black flecked but largely luminous emerald green eyes as she switched hands to swing in the other direction.

"So, in other words, she's a daughter of Hades. Got the eyes, hair and skin." Nico drawled. He grunted when Hazel ruffled his hair.

"Look at it this way, Nico. You have another sister now." She smiled.

"Whoopee."

Hazel frowned. "You could try to sound less annoyed by that."

"...I'll think about it." Nico mumbled.

Her simple black leotard contrasted with her flawless alabaster skin as a light sheen of sweat covered her visible skin and she twisted once more on the beam, dismounting with a spin mid-air, landing on her feet and with her arms above her head in a perfect landing.

The other girls in the class clapped eagerly as the female coach lifted her wrist to check her watch and blew her whistle, "Okay, girls, that's all for today. Go and get cleaned up. Your parents should be here soon." She said and got some groans in return, though the girls started to head to the locker room nonetheless, "Potter, a word." The coach added.

"Ooh, someone's in trouble." A girl snickered as another shushed her and they rushed to the locker room.

"A troublemaker? Of Hades'? Poppycock and hogwash!" Poseidon scoffed.

Hades let out a dry laugh. "You are a riot, brother. When do you plan to tour the country?"

"Boys, settle down. We haven't even finished the first chapter." Rhea frowned at her two sons.

The girl that had previously impressed her class with her performance, Potter, walked over to speak with the coach as requested. Along the way she undid her bun, and with a shake of her head, her waist length hair fell free, "Yes, ma'am?" She asked politely.

The brunette woman sighed, "Listen, Alkaid, have you given thought about that thing we discussed last week?"

Alkaid withheld an exasperated sigh, "Ma'am, I appreciate your faith in me, but I'm truly not interested in competitions." She humbly declined.

"Alkaid, you're wasting your talent!" the coach said in a hushed whisper. Seriously, out of all these little prissy rich girls, Alkaid was the only one with a lick of talent.

"Rich girl?" Nico frowned.

Hades arched a brow. "I wonder if this one is gifted with gems...I sincerely hope not."

Hazel nodded in agreement. "Me too."

"My apologies."

"Just," the coach rubbed her face with one hand, "Just humor me and say you'll think on it some more?"

"I promise I'll think on it some more, Coach Cassidy." Alkaid replied consolingly as she gave her a small smile.

Apollo coughed into a fist. "Liar!"

"You should have an expert take a look at that." Artemis drawled.

"...Okay, ow. I'm gonna need some aloe for that one..." Apollo mumbled.

"Good, now I don't have to cry myself to sleep tonight."

"If that's all, ma'am?"

The coach pointed at the other end of the gymnasium, "Dismissed, Alkaid."

"...Since when do girl coaches act like drill sergeants?" Ares asked. He frowned. "And how come I never met one like that?!"

"Excuse me?" Aphrodite asked with a frown.

"What? I'm not gonna deny havin' a fling. How do you think Zhang over there came out?" Ares asked with a raised brow.

Frank started to turn green. "Read, Percy. Please."

"You got it."

Alkaid nodded and left with a spring in her step as her feet padded the smooth wood flooring as she headed to the locker room, picking up her towel, her purple gymnastics jacket, and a handful of other small stuff she'd had with her in the gym along the way. It was only a matter of a few minutes to towel off, she could shower at home in a few minutes so there was no reason to do so now, and get changed before she collected her duffle bag from her locker and got ready to leave.

"Goodbye, ma'am." Alkaid nodded to the coach as she passed her.

"Bye, Alkaid." The coach returned, before muttering to herself in a voice that Alkaid barely heard, "Geez, she should really talk more like a kid."

Dressed in a pair of pants that matched her jacket and a pair of conformable sneakers, Alkaid exited the training facility.

As the sun of California blanketed her, an owl swept by, dropping a letter as it passed that floated down before her. She snatched it in midair.

"They really need to learn subtlety."

"Hogwarts? Subtle? Ha!" Piper snorted.

The young gymnast sighed before she walked into an alley between two buildings directly across the street from her gym. She flipped the letter around, a pleased smile crossing her lips as she saw the crest in the wax seal. It was exactly what she had been waiting for, "It's about time." she said as the shadows of the alley came alive and surrounded her. Unperturbed, she walked through them and disappeared.

Exiting the shadows, Alkaid entered the underworld.

"...Excuse me?" Zeus asked.

The Greek Underworld.

"Do not be smart with me, Percy Jackson!" Zeus snapped while Poseidon laughed.

"That's what it says!" Percy defended himself. The page appeared on the screen and Percy pointed at it. "See!? 'The Greek Underworld'. I wasn't being smart!"

"I doubt that he's capable of it," Athena mumbled.

"Athena..." Rhea warned.

"Yes, Grandmother. Sorry, Grandmother."

Spoiler alert: The beings, you may think them myths, known as the Greek Gods, well, they're real.

"We'll smite you in your sleep," Hermes said cheerfully.

"...How do you say that with a straight face?" Athena asked.

Hermes snorted. "Unlike you, Athena, I have different ways of dealing with my enemies."

"...That's terrifying." Leo shivered.

In fact, they pretty much still help to make sure the world functions as it should. They were tied to the concepts that underpinned Western Civilization, their embodiments in fact. So it was those Gods which kept all things associated with the West going, which in today's world was pretty much everything. So you hate or love something about the West? Well, now you know who to blame or thank. Spoiler over.

"Worst. Spoiler. Ever." Apollo drawled.

As for why a young girl lived in the underworld while not being dead? Well, she was a demigod. You could surely figure out how that happened, yes? Anyway, she wasn't some run of the mill demigod, not a child of the Olympians or that of a minor god or goddess, nope, Alkaid Medea Potter was different.

She was the daughter of the Rich One, the Silent One, the Hospitable One, the Prince of Darkness,

"Dracula?" Leo asked.

Hades glared at Apollo. "When you asked for rights to the name, I thought it was a Greek novelization!"

"Should've read the fine, fine print, Uncle H." Apollo grinned at the irate god.

the Lord of the Underworld, and the eldest brother of the Big Three: Hades.

It's okay, take a moment. That shocker might take a bit to take in.

"I did NOT see that coming," Leo said in shock.

"Your over the top sarcasm needs work," Apollo said. He held out a card. "I give lessons..."

"Need help with the Valdezinator?" Leo asked.

"Well a favor for a favor...This damn thing is like a car more than it is an instrument..." Apollo mumbled as he looked at his Valdezinator.

Artemis groaned. "Oh why me?"

It was this heritage that allowed Alkaid to nonchalantly stroll through the desolate landscape of the Underworld all the way up to the Palace of Hades. Where others would have been terrified by the Furies circling the parapets, high in the gloom, mere wraiths against the other deep shadows. Or petrified by the sight of just the glittering black outer walls of the fortress, and the two-story-tall bronze gates with all the imagery of death that adorned both. Alkaid did not give any of it even a second glance as she walked through the gateway that had groaned open at her advance. It was her home after all.

Up close, the scenes of death engraved on the gates could be seen in better detail. Some were from modern times - an atomic bomb exploding over a city, a trench filled with gas mask-wearing soldiers, a line of African famine victims waiting with empty bowls - but all of them looked as if they'd been etched into the bronze thousands of years ago. Possibly prophetic inscriptions of what mortals could and would do. Other people might have stopped to stare, but Alkaid had seen it so many times, it no longer held her interest whatsoever and she passed them without even a glance.

Striding past the gates, she started to cross the courtyard that contained the garden of Persephone, her stepmother. Multicolored mushrooms, poisonous shrubs, and weird luminous plants grew strong and high without sunlight. Precious jewels made up for the lack of flowers, piles of rubies as big as a fist, clumps of raw diamonds. Standing here and there like frozen party guests were garden statues - petrified children, satyrs, and centaurs - all smiling grotesquely. Her father had some deal with Medusa or something.

"To be fair, she's good at what she does." Hades noted when Athena gave him a glare.

Alkaid honestly wished Persephone would find something…less tacky for the courtyard.

Not that she would ever tell her that again. Doing so once was enough thank you very much. The daughter of Hades' relationship with her stepmother could be pretty strained at times and a fight over Persephone's garden - and make no mistake, it would become a fight - wouldn't help it any.

Not that the relationship was that bad, really. She was Hades' illegitimate daughter after all, and as such, a slight against Persephone. So of course, the goddess wouldn't exactly welcome her with open arms.

"I feel her pain..." Hera sighed.

Demeter shook her head. "Honestly, what do we do with our brothers, Hestia?"

"We could give them chastity belts," Rhea suggested with a smirk. Hestia laughed.

"Mother!" the three cried out in embarrassment and slight fear.

Hera tapped her chin in thought.

Now contrary to what the legends and what her aunt Demeter says when she blows the marriage between Hades and Persephone out of proportion, the rulers of the Underworld were deeply in love. Which was why Persephone took her father's infidelity and his siring of herself as such an insult.

So it was natural that when Alkaid was brought to the Underworld as a babe by Hades,

"You did what?!" Zeus scowled at his brother.

Hades smirked. "My kingdom. My rules. If you decided to come visit from time to time, maybe I'd hold your 'Ancient Laws' to a higher standard."

Poseidon stroked his beard. "That's...pretty shrewd, Hades."

"Thank you. Let's also not forget what happened to my last lover." Hades glared at Zeus.

"I...You..." Zeus shut his mouth and sat back on his throne with a scowl plastered on his face.

Persephone was not pleased with his decision to raise her himself. But the goddess couldn't exactly take it out on a child either. That said, while she had been growing up, the goddess had shown her dislike of Alkaid on many an occasion.

However, if there was one way to characterize the relationship between her divine parents it was forgiving and accepting. They always forgave each other and accepted what the other had done, no matter how gravely upset the action had made them feel. Persephone forgave Hades for kidnapping her and tricking her into marrying him. Hades forgave Persephone's infidelity with Adonis. Hades accepted his wife's frankly freaky tastes in decoration. I mean seriously? Medusa's victims as garden gnomes? Persephone in turn accepted that Hades wanted to raise his demigod children. So it was that eventually the relationship between stepmother and stepdaughter had turned into begrudging acceptance and even a degree of genuine warmth and affection as the demigod had gotten older.

"Jealous." Nico grunted.

In the center of the garden was an orchard of pomegranate trees, their orange blooms neon bright in the dark. As the scent of the trees wafted in the air, Alkaid walked right past it. As a child of Hades, she was immune to the tempting fruit of the Underworld.

She proceeded up the steps of the palace, between black columns, through a black marble portico, and into the residential portion of the palace. The entry hall had a polished bronze floor, which seemed to boil in the reflected torchlight. There was no ceiling, just the cavern roof far above. Thankfully they never had weather worries from a certain immature Sky Lord.

"Immature!?"

"Zeus..." Rhea warned.

"Mother, he's making me sound like a child!" Zeus returned with a scowl.

"Well..."

"Mother!"

Every side doorway was guarded by a skeleton in military gear. Some wore Greek armor, some British redcoat uniforms, and some camouflage gear with tattered American flags on their shoulders. They carried spears or muskets or M-16s. None of them bothered Alkaid and they even bowed their heads as she passed them as she made her way to the big set of doors at the opposite end of the hall.

Two U.S. Marine skeletons guarded the doors. They stood like sentries, rocket-propelled grenade launchers held across their chests.

"...You really don't like visitors, do you?" Hermes asked.

"I hate junk mail, too." Hades glared at the god.

"...I'll look into it."

Alkaid just gave them a single glance and they parted, bowing their heads as she walked in.

The child of the Underworld entered the circular throne room occupied by two thrones. The larger one was of black onyx and was shaped to look like it was constructed from skulls. It belonged to her father, who sat there waiting to receive her whilst working on some paperwork. Next to it was an empty smaller throne shaped like a black flower, gilded with gold. It belonged to Persephone, the goddess of springtime. Since it was summer, her stepmother was off with Demeter, probably getting nagged at as that's what the wife of Hades complained the most about in regards to her visits to the surface.

"I do not nag!" Demeter said with a frown.

Hades smirked.

"I'm sure you don't sister," Hera said swiftly. "Read, Percy Jackson."

Alkaid looked at the god who ruled the entire realm within which she now resided. He was in his human size form, not that silly ten foot tall one that gods seemed to love wearing, and appeared about six foot two instead. He was dressed in black silk robes and wore a wreath-like crown of black flames, his famed Helm of Darkness in disguise (or his Boo Cap, as Alkaid affectionately called it while younger).

"Hey, she uses the same name we do." Poseidon smirked.

"How?" Hades asked softly, horror written on his face.

His skin was albino white, paler than even her skin tone, and he had the same jet-black hair she had that reached his shoulders. He had a lithe and graceful build that just radiated danger and so much power that it was almost ar-

"Hello father." Alkaid politely greeted as she walked up to him, even as she desperately and discretely squashed the traitorous line of thinking that her mind had taken. The god was grumbling as he went over some papers, signing them with a fountain pen made of solid gold.

The rich god turned away from his work, his intense black eyes settling upon his daughter.

"How was your lesson?" Hades asked, placing his pen down on the table he was working from.

"Using a TV tray again, Hades?" Zeus asked.

"Unlike the empty sky, the Underworld has a lot of things to deal with."

"The Sky is not empty dammit!"

"Zeus, language. Hades, stop antagonizing him." Hestia chided her brothers.

He received a wonderful smile.

"It left me feeling somewhat sore, but it was still enjoyable. Coach Cassidy still insists that I should join a competition though." She informed her father.

"It would be best not too." Hades stated firmly, "It would hardly be fair for the mortals if a demigod entered a competition."

Alkaid nodded in understanding, "I know. Besides, gymnastics is just a hobby, nothing more."

Hades gave a small smile at her understanding. It was strange for a god to actually raise their child, which was why it never happened. There was even an Ancient Law that actively forbade it. Bah to it! Maria, Marie, Lily, he was zero to three for his past lovers. As for his children? Hazel was dead, despite her heroic sacrifice in Alaska.

"Noble indeed," Hades said to his Roman daughter's sacrifice. Hazel beamed at the open affection, even if it was subtle.

As for Bianca and Nico? Yes, he was luckier in regards to them. However, even then they were partial victories only what with them stuck in the Lotus. He was so sick and tired of failing both his children and his lovers. It was why as soon as he felt Lily enter the Underworld, he had sent Alecto to retrieve Alkaid so he could raise her personally.

Where she would be safe.

Zeus had no authority here, so the bolt-farter

"If anyone calls me that, I'll show you just how dangerous my bolt can be!" Zeus snarled at the laughing gods.

could choke on his beard for all Hades cared. If he had a child that just so happened to be in the Underworld, well, nothing could be done about it, Hades thought in smug satisfaction. Yes, he may have broken the Oath, but he was pushed into it in the first place just because his children lost WWII. He wanted no part of it to begin with! At least he had some self-control unlike his younger brothers.

"...He has a point," Hermes said under his breath. "Shouldn't have bet he'd break before Poseidon...Rookie Mistake..."

"What was that?" Poseidon asked.

"Nothing!"

Poseidon gave Hermes a look of warning before he looked back at his son.

Plus, he had no fear of the so-called Great Prophecy. If it spoke of one of his children, so be it! He'd raise his children right and they'd make the right choice when the time came. Which was another reason why he'd broken the Ancient Laws to raise Alkaid. If she was the child the Prophecy spoke of, and he had doubts, then he couldn't risk her being raised by mortals. Not if the fate of all might rest on her shoulders.

Furthermore, he wanted some recognition. Name one hero in legends sired by himself? You can't name any? How many from Zeus and Poseidon? You've lost count? Numbers don't lie. The prince of darkness bet Zeus at least had three or something children out there right this moment and Poseidon perhaps had one.

"...Damn, you're good." Poseidon mumbled.

Hades snorted. "I'm surprised Amphitrite didn't suspect anything once Zeus had his children."

"...Yeah..." Poseidon shifted uneasily.

The question was, who broke the Oath first…it mattered little to the god of wealth right now. If Alkaid was the one of the Great Prophecy, all the better for him. If it was one of his brothers' children, then let them bicker over the issue.

Despite that, Hades was not going to take any risks. If the burden fell to his precious daughter, than by the Fates, she'd be ready. It was with this in mind that he'd done everything in his power to prepare her. He'd used his authority over the dead to get her the best tutors in every subject she'd ever need. Academics, combat, strategy, magic? She'd had the greatest minds and warriors that had ever lived as her instructors. And even when they were still living, he had sent his Furies to hire them. No one refused, not after a little persuasion. After all, mortals were predictably greedy. For those who couldn't be bought? Well, a little demonstration by his torturers was more than enough.

"Hades!" Rhea frowned at her son.

"I was zero for three. Thankfully, two have brought my name from the slums with their actions," Hades praised his children.

Though that did mean he had to use the Mist afterwards to make sure the Olympians never learned about Alkaid. Thankfully, Hecate was a member of his court and Persephone's longtime friend.

Speaking of Hecate, when Alkaid showed signs of magic, his friend looked interested and asked to see her potential. Hecate and Alkaid spent a single day together and later on, the goddess of the Mist only told him one thing: He truly had scary children. After that, she would drop by occasionally, she was quite the recluse,

"Ever since she lost her boytoy Helios," Aphrodite sighed. "Understandable, really. Even if he was a party pooper sometimes, he sure was worth watching."

"Best. Wingman. Ever." Apollo grinned.

"Dude!" Hermes frowned.

"I stand by my claim!"

and visit with his Alkaid and give her pointers. He had been tempted to ask her to take his daughter on as an apprentice, but he knew that was too much. Who knew what Alkaid would have to pay for such a privilege? Besides it was not like he lacked the magic goddess's apprentices amongst the dead who he could command to teach Alkaid instead.

Her aptitude for magic was also reflected in other aspects of her training. She was fairly intelligent for her age and showed talent with strategy. She regularly met with Athena's pet project, Odysseus. If not him, she would often be found talking to Plato, Socrates, Paine, Locke, and even Franklin with nothing but curiosity.

Though she very enthusiastically talked to J.R.R. Tolkien as well.

"Who?" Leo asked.

"Hobbit and Lord of the Rings." Annabeth answered.

"Ohh...I thought that was Peter Jackson."

Annabeth groaned and rubbed her head. She hated dyslexia.

That was not to say that Alkaid only focused on her training. Hades would not be that harsh a taskmaster to his precious little girl. He had allowed her plenty of hobbies on the side, her gymnastics just being one of them. She was also quite an accomplished poet and musician (the violin and piano were her favorite). In general, any 'ladylike' pursuit that she could have thought up over the years she'd have had at least spent some time exploring and excelling at. Which was perhaps why she was affectionately called "The Little Lady" by his subjects.

"So prim and proper. Bor-ing." Poseidon huffed. He smirked. "Much like Hades."

"Oh, go moan to your whales."

"Father?" Alkaid's voice broke Hades from his musings.

"Yes?"

She pulled out a letter from her duffle bag with a rather interesting wax seal, "My Hogwarts letter arrived earlier, Father."

Hades took the letter and scanned it for but a moment, "It is nearly night in London by now. We will sort out your supplies tomorrow morning." The god affirmed.

Alkaid looked a touched surprise, "You're coming with me? I would have thought you would just have Alecto escort me."

Hades offered a small smile, "Well, there are things a father and daughter should do together." He soon gave a theatrical sigh, "Still, where does the time go? I swear, just a moment ago I was bouncing you on my knee

"Spoiling your daughter."

"Shut up, Duckie Boy."

Zeus chuckled as Poseidon flushed.

and now you're off to magical school."

Alkaid's pale cheeks dusted pink, "Father," she gave a small pout of protest. She wasn't a child anymore, she was nearly eleven!

Hades chuckled, "Clean up, dinner is within the hour. Now off you go, I have work to complete."

"You always have work to complete." Alkaid said smartly with a smirk as she spun on the balls of her heels and left.

Hades just rolled his eyes at her cheek, but found the dig mildly humorous. It wasn't exactly untrue after all.

"Woe is me." Hades sighed.

"And I'm the child?" Zeus asked with a smirk.

"Well, I don't throw fits."

Alkaid looked at the slate grey walls of her father's palace and glanced over her room. There were a few posters on the walls, classic jazz players, an Animated Carmen Sandiego, Doctor Who, and Xena: Warrior Princess.

"Two of those things are awesome," Thalia said. She began to hum the theme to a certain animated show with the titular female lead being named after a famous US city.

"Ooo-wee-ooo, wee-ooo-ooo," Apollo sang another theme softly with a grin on his face and a fez on his head.

"Why do you have a fez?" Artemis asked.

"Because fezzes are cool." Apollo replied smartly.

In one corner of the room there was a small library made out of two bookshelves, filled with accurate ancient Greek history, magical tomes, and her collection of novels. Her personal tastes tended towards mystery (Sherlock Holmes was her all-time favorite)

"A good series," Athena said with a nod.

but she read small bits of other genres too for conversational sake. In the opposing corner was a mahogany work desk where she studied most of the time. Her bed was huge, it was king size and occupied the entire middle of the room. It had dark silk sheets, so soft that when she slept on them she often imagined it was like sleeping on a cloud. On a table was a large T.V., it was flanked by a Sega Genesis, a Super Nintendo, a PlayStation, and a Nintendo 64, with dozens of games stacked neatly beside the consoles ready to play.

"Wait, hold up! She's got a N64?!" Leo asked with a pout. "Tch, man, that stuff was the best...Camp's only got a dreamcast..."

Yes, she was a gamer. It was an excellent stress reliever after a hard day's work. Plus they gave her plenty of ideas on how to use her magic and powers.

"So, she steals them?" Athena asked.

"She's inspired by them," Apollo said. "Inspired, not stolen."

The whole right side of her room was flanked by antique closets topped off with a beautiful Victorian-era vanity and mirror combo in the corner. They were filled with expensive clothes, mostly modern, with a few flares from other eras as well. Though don't ask her about the poodle skirt, she was going through a Grease phase and that was all she was going to say about it.

Was she a bit spoiled? Perhaps. But if you had the richest father in the world, it was bound to happen.

"I feel gipped." Nico muttered.

"Hidden in a timeless casino." Hades noted.

"...Point taken."

"Riches aren't the most important thing in the world, Nico," Hazel said as she looked at Frank. She smiled at him and he smiled back.

Nico rolled his eyes. "Gag me you guys are sappy."

Her survey of her room complete, she zeroed in on the one thing out of place. Her bed, and more specifically the uninvited occupant laying on it.

The perpetrator was female, looking to be around her late teens. She had very pale skin, like Hades, but with an almost bluish tint. Her hair was jet black with streaks of bright white going down it in vertical line to the ends. She was only a few inches taller than Alkaid. The most striking thing about the trespasser though were her eyes which had sclera that were void black and pupils that shined like rich gold. She was wearing tight black leather pants, a chain belt, and a black long sleeve shirt with a Super Mario Boo on the chest area, and leather boots on Alkaid's nice sheets.

"She's got style...even if she's not my favorite goddess." Thalia begrudgingly noted.

"...Wait, she can hide all that ugly?"

"Nico!" Hades frowned at his son.

Nico shrugged. "Just sayin' it like it is."

"He's learned to love The Truth." Apollo grinned.

This was her immortal sister, the goddess of ghosts, Melinoe. In her more friendly mortal form.

"Must you wear your boots on my bed?" Alkaid asked with pursed lips.

The goddess shrugged as she continued mashing buttons on a Nintendo 64 control, playing GoldenEye 007. "Not really caring. Besides, you can clean it with magic." She said and whooped, "Yes! New high score." She grinned viciously and matched it with the current high score, "Third place again?!" she groaned, dumping the controller.

Alkaid smirked, a hand on her hip, "Better luck next time."

"Ah, Now that was a fun game. The tournament we had on Olympus was legendary. Shame Apollo and Artemis broke the N64 because of their eight week tie." Hermes noted.

"I could've won..." Apollo huffed. He glared at his sister. "Camper..."

"It's called letting the game come to you, Apollo." Artemis smirked.

Melinoe threw her a dirty look, "Shut it, Gamer Girl."

Just like living with her father and stepmother, living with Melinoe was an…experience as well.

Like with Persephone, Alkaid's relationship with her half-sister had started off pretty rough. Melinoe was insanely jealous of Alkaid at first. When the demigod showed up their father started doting on her immensely, something the ghost goddess could not recall him ever doing to her. Add to that the fact that all her ever distant mother seemed to talk about once her sister showed up was Alkaid. Sure, that was mainly to argue with her father over her, but that was still more attention than either had paid to her in centuries.

The rulers of the Underworld had been so repulsed, especially her mother, by Melinoe's ghost-like appearance that they had always tried to stay away from her. Though to be fair, it was mostly just her mother and her father following her lead. Hell, she could even understand why her mother, the springtime goddess, who be uneasy about having a goddess of the undead as her daughter. Not that understanding the reasons made the neglect itself any better.

Ironically enough, it was Alkaid's arrival that changed things for the better between Melinoe and their parents. You see, one of Persephone's most common protests against the demigod was that Hades was spoiling her whilst neglecting their daughter and that he should be spending more time with Melinoe. So to put words to action, the queen of the dead had for the first time started to really spend time with her daughter. And as always her father followed suit. So for the first time in ages, Melinoe had what she wanted: her parents' love.

"Aww, that's sweet." Rhea smiled. She then frowned. "You both don't neglect her, do you?"

"Erm, uh, well...Poseidon has his own daughter he neglects!" Hades quickly added.

"Oh thanks a lot." Poseidon scowled. He glared at Zeus. "Dearest 'father' Zeus has his princesses whom he spoils...His sons however..."

"Shut up, Poseidon."

Coming to that realization, the minor goddess had come to love the one who had brought her this treasure: her little sister. So what if she was mortal? Or illegitimate? The girl, just by being there in the Underworld, had given Melinoe the one thing she ever wanted. For that her sister had the goddess of ghosts' loyalty and love. Not that she would outright say it. Psh, she was still a big sister. Thus, it was in her job description to mess with her little sister. Oh, the fun she had over the years so far!

"Man, if she hadn't had been a bi...er, so rude, then we could've bonded over something." Thalia hastily corrected herself as Rhea and Hestia kept their gazes on her.

"You keep playing. I'm sure you'll beat my score. Eventually." Alkaid smirked and moved over to grab a blue box with a large blue turtle on the cover that had cannons coming out of its shell, "I'll just play this."

Melinoe looked curious, "That's that Japanese one, right? Poke-Your-Eyes?"

"Pokémon." Alkaid affirmed, "Blue to be exact.

"Best version."

"Oh gods, Percy." Annabeth palmed her face.

And it's not supposed to come out in the States until after September." the demigod beamed.

"Look out 1998, game of the year has arrived. Whoo." Melinoe rolled her eyes.

"The reviews were fantastic."

"It becomes a huge hit." Leo grinned.

Alkaid argued as she got her GameBoy Color and put the blue cartridge in.

"Whatever, Spoiled Princess." The ghost goddess said as she picked up the controller again to play.

"I'm just an innocent gamer." Alkaid winked and frowned at her GameBoy, "Only a boy? That's lame." she pouted.

"Well it's made by Japanese. They are a bunch of male chauvinists." Melinoe replied.

"So true." Apollo nodded.

"So what are you doing here?" Alkaid asked curiously after a moment of companionable silence fell over the sisters. "Besides playing my games, I mean?"

"Mom wanted me to go see grandma." Melinoe replied, in a disgusted tone. "But nature? So not my thing! Mom's got nerves of steel dealing with the Grain Brain herself for so long."

"Oho? A daddy's girl I see." Alkaid teased as she picked Squirtle as her starter.

"The best one." Annabeth muttered.

"I heard that." Piper smirked at her friend, who flushed brightly. Piper glanced at Jason. "I prefer Yellow, then I can have a Pikachu."

"Wasn't Andi Pikachu?" Leo asked.

"A good gift for her," Apollo grinned. "Will was a fan."

"More of a Charmander guy," Frank said, which made his father's Greek aspect grin widely.

"Puh-lease. Venusaur all the way." Demeter huffed. Bulbasaur was adorable and then it blossomed into a wonderful powerhouse.

"And you wonder why Ares swept through your team?" Hades asked dryly.

"I bet that upset stepmother."

Melinoe barked out a laugh, sounding like nails on a chalkboard, "Says you! You are so much a daddy's girl, you'd compare to Artemis and Athena."

"Seriously though, I hope stepmother didn't get too upset." Alkaid asked genuinely concerned.

Melinoe gave her a deadpanned expression, "You know she's used to it. It's just like how I refused to side with how she used to treat you."

"Hopefully, she is not going to take anywhere as long to calm down over this then." Alkaid said hopefully. "I do believe she was angry with you for years over that."

"Only a couple. A blink of an eye for us." Melinoe replied confidently. "Besides, it wasn't like she ignored me even when she was angry. Being ignored was the worst." The minor goddess finished sadly.

"Sister…" Alkaid begun, only to be interrupted by her sister.

"Change of subject!" The goddess suddenly shouted. "Heard you're going shopping tomorrow for your Hoggy-Farts

"Classic." Hermes snickered.

stuff and Dad is going with."

"Hogwarts. And yes we are." Alkaid corrected and confirmed.

"Well, I'm coming too then." The undead immortal demanded. "Still, leaving for so long?" Melinoe drawled out with a mocking smile, "Gonna be homesick?"

Alkaid rolled her eyes, "Now, now, it's okay to admit you'll miss me. Though perhaps you'll be happy with me gone since I won't be trouncing you in games."

Melinoe just gave her a dirty look for a moment before softening and spoke in a comforting voice to her sister. "I know you're a little nervous about leaving home like this. But don't worry about a thing, ok? I'll have James give me the low-down on what's what so I can help you with things whenever you need it, and I'll even tell him to make sure you're prepared for anything the magicals can throw at you."

"You do remember I've gotten training on what to expect from my mortal stepfather already, don't you?" Alkaid reminded her sister.

"That must've been interesting." Athena noted.

"Yeah, and you're still nervous." Melinoe keenly pointed out. "I can sense it."

Alkaid couldn't meet her eyes at that.

"So a little refresher with James later tonight, how about it?" The older sister suggested.

"Don't you need him for one of your pranks?" Alkaid tried to deflect weakly.

"Not when my little sister needs him more." The minor goddess said with certainty. "So yes or no?"

"Oh alright. Not that I need it." Alkaid answered trying to sound like the whole thing was a waste of time but failing to hide her gratitude. Taking a deep breath, the demigoddess recomposed herself and quirked her lip as she changed the subject, "Still, I believe it's time for dinner soon. I have to go clean up." she said, saving her new game and turning it off. "Meet you in the dining hall?" she asked while getting up.

The goddess snorted, "Sorry, but I've got other plans tonight. And ideas of getting lucky."

"Zombie sex? Gross..." Leo gagged.

The rest of the demigods shared his sentiments if their green faces were anything to go by.

She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, "I'll see you in the morning."

The demigoddess just wrinkled her nose at that.

"Must you be so crass?"

Melinoe melted into the shadows, "What can I say? I like to live it up. James will be waiting outside your door when you get back from dinner." She said, departing from the Underworld.

Alkaid just sighed, "Funny coming from the goddess of ghosts."

It was early in the morning as Alkaid flattened the white buttoned blouse of her ensemble. She was in a pair of black capris, with a matching pair of Mary Janes.

She was waiting in the throne room with Melinoe, who was wearing a Death to Barbie shirt, that was printed with an image of a noose around a Barbie's neck,

"Wow, she and Thalia really do have a lot in common." Percy muttered.

"What is that supposed to mean, Jackson?" Thalia asked with narrowed eyes.

"Nothing, Thalia." Percy rolled his eyes and continued to read.

and her usual leather attire while sporting a burnt gold leather jacket.

"Ugh, he always takes so long." The ghost goddess complained as they waited for their father.

"You know he rarely gets to go out," Alkaid told her softly, "He never gets to wear anything but his soul woven clothes at times. So of course he is going to preen when he gets the chance. "

"Stop looking at me like that! Like you've never dressed nicely when you went out..." Hades grumbled at his amused brothers.

"That doesn't mean he should act like a chick." Melinoe deadpanned.

"Who acts like a chick?" a smooth voice asked from behind them, getting the girls to tense for a moment.

Alkaid shook her head. Honestly, her father could still get the drop on her even with her guard up. She turned to view the god and offered a very approving hum. He was in a black silk Italian suit with a red shirt and black tie. He wore two rings, a silver skull one,

"Mine now." Nico looked at his ring with a small smirk.

and a opal one (his wedding ring from Persephone). Topping it off was a black fedora with a red band that covered his hair. He was looking rather dapper.

"Very Rat Pack, Father," the demigoddess stated. They did love their jazz music. Though Melinoe would insist death metal was better.

Melinoe just rolled her eyes, "Oh yeah, he loooves his Italian." She said in a teasing manner.

"And last I checked, you liked your goth." Hades sniped back.

The minor goddess shrugged, "What can I say? I like the way they squirm."

"…Moving on," Hades quickly redirected,

"Shall we depart?"

With a pair of nods, the Underworld dwellers were enveloped by the shadows.

It was seconds later that the shadows in a dark alley writhed and the three appeared in Diagon Alley, the residential and shopping hub of magical Britain. Hades and Melinoe were perfectly fine, but Alkaid was busy smoothing out her hair from the mess that the sheer speed of shadow traveling had left it.

"What a horrid side effect!" Aphrodite grimaced. "Piper, you are forbidden from ever shadow travelling!"

Piper shook her head. "Mom...You can't be serious."

"Forbidden!"

Nico snorted. "That won't be much of a problem."

"Good!" Aphrodite nodded firmly while Nico rolled his eyes. She totally missed what he meant by that.

"A problem, my dear?" Hades asked, his lips quirking upward just a bit.

"While I do appreciate the mobility and functions of Shadow Traveling, Father. I detest the after effects."

"Oh yeah, to mortals it feels like your face is peeling off from the speed of it." Melinoe nodded, her arms folded behind her head.

Alkaid gave an irked look at the grinning smile her immortal sister had. Must she honestly take pleasure in the suffering of others? Oh wait...

"Enough banter, children. Let's proceed." Hades said, stepping out into the bustling street where booths and hawkers were selling merchandise in between the more established shops. There were people everywhere, pouring in and out of the shops and browsing the myriad wares of the street side stalls.

"Wow," Melinoe whistled, "How Aphrodite hasn't flipped her shit over this place, I'll never know." She said while watching mortals walk around in what she assumed were bath robes. Long, flowing bath robes that made neon look dim.

"...I need to have a word with my other! How could she let that happen!?" Aphrodite raged.

"Must've slipped your foam filled mind."

"Silence, Prude!"

"Ladies, enough!" Hera snapped, which made the two go quiet. She sighed. "Honestly..."

"I suppose we'll start with the bank, Gringotts." Hades said, a bony finger pointing to the distant snow-white multistoried marble building.

"That's Gringotts? It looks like a temple." Melinoe mocked.

"Well, it is a bank." Alkaid replied as the party moved off towards their destination. "Are they not said to be temples to money?"

"I detest the little cretins that run it, but I will say they do well enough." Hades claimed, having met the greedy creatures on some occasions.

"Oh, who runs it?" The older of Hades' daughters asked.

"Goblins." Alkaid answered. "Didn't you ask James to fill you in?"

"Nope. Didn't need to." Melinoe singsonged. "You're the one that needs to know all that stuff about the magicals. Not me."

"Just remember they are all business and are always looking for a way to swindle you." the god of wealth told his children.

"What?" Melinoe snorted, "You think they'd try to rip off a god?"

"Oh. They've tried. It didn't end well the last time." Hades hummed, "I believe I collapsed one of their banks in the past for their audacity."

"Honestly, the nerve." Hades huffed.

Hermes hummed. "I don't know if I'd be offended or more interested in them..."

"You can be interested after you swindled them out of their money," Athena said dryly.

Hermes beamed. "That's brilliant!"

"Don't swell her head up," Poseidon said to Hermes. He ignored the glare Athena sent his way.

He paused then, his attention drawn by a transaction taking place at a booth they were just passing. A young woman was in the midst of paying for her purchase of a jeweled brooch. Hades stared at the tableau for a moment, seemingly considering his options, and with a quick glance to his daughters made up his mind and stepped forward.

"Young lady, I do believe you are about to make a mistake." He offered kindly to the young shopper.

"Sir?" The young woman startled. She flustered a bit at his handsome features.

"Hey! Who are you? Don't try to ruin my sale." The stall owner shouted after a moment of surprise.

Ignoring the man, Hades turned to the woman and explained himself. "The brooch you were about to buy is greatly overpriced."

"Not it's not!" The stall owner protested loudly, only to be ignored.

"It is?" The lady said uncertainly.

"Indeed. Whilst the brooch itself is made of silver, the jewels it's decorated with are fakes. Merely semi-precious stones similar in appearance to real gemstones. Taking that into account you're paying at least twice what most would consider a reasonable price for the piece."

"You're lying!" The merchant accused.

"Am I?" Hades said, acknowledging the man at last. "If you're sure of that, how about sending the piece for an appraisal by a reputed jeweler for a second opinion?"

"On second thought," The cheat backtracked, a nervous sweat breaking out over his face. "Here, lady, have it for half-price."

"Only half-price? After you've just tried to cheat her? Surely a further discount as a form of compensation is prudent, hmm?" Hades interjected airily.

"Fine! So, lady, you want the thing or not?" The dishonest retailer hissed out.

"Yes, I do." The young woman who had been stunned speechless for most of Hades' intervention said as she gathered her wits. "But after what the kind sir just said I think I would like to renegotiate the price. Don't you agree?"

The hawker looked ready to tell her to shove off but a glance at the grim faced Hades and the small crowd which had gathered to watch the scene and he conceded with a miserable nod.

"You are a cruel bastard," Zeus said with a smirk.

"All for a pretty face." Poseidon chuckled.

Hades rolled his eyes. "Ha. Ha. Ha. Like neither of you had never done the same. 'No, those pearls are actually found in the lake here.' 'Please, your electrician is overcharging you...'"

"I am not an electrician!" Zeus protested.

"No?" Hades smirked. "Then how do you power Olympus? A mountain full of hamsters on wheels?"

Zeus had no retort for that.

Satisfied, Hades strolled over to his daughters with a smile. The sound of the woman's heartfelt "Thank you, Sir!" resounding behind him to which he gave an almost absentminded nod.

Melinoe rolled her eyes at the display and asked, "Seriously? Did we have to see you flirting?"

"I haven't a clue of what you are talking about." Hades smirked.

"Father, you are just terrible." Alkaid jokingly said, a hand over her mouth to try and block a giggle.

Hades placed a hand over his lapel, "I was merely doing my good deed of the day. Karma and all that tripe."

"And not because she's got a nice rump?" the minor goddess piped up, eying the woman who was enthusiastically negotiating with the stall owner.

Hades just shrugged, "Perhaps.

"Persephone will love to hear about this."

Hades glared at the smirking Demeter.

Now, to see the little cretins."

They headed down the Alley and walked up a set of white stairs leading up to a set of burnished bronze doors. The doors were flanked on each side by a goblin in a uniform of scarlet and gold. It led into a small entrance hall and another set of doors, these were made of silver. Engraved on the silver doors were the words:

Enter, stranger, but take heed

Of what awaits the sin of greed

For those who take, but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn.

So if you seek beneath our floors

A treasure that was never yours,

Thief, you have been warned, beware

Of finding more than treasure there.

"Hm, interesting sales pitch." Alkaid commented as she eyed the interior of the building.

Hades gave a disgusted snort, "Please, a child of Hermes could empty this place out with ease. A child of mine even more so." he looked to Alkaid, "That's not a suggestion mind you."

"Aww...Dibs!" Hermes grinned. He rubbed his chin. "Think Lee could do it?"

"Shut up," Apollo said with a pout.

"I have no interest in petty theft, Father." Alkaid frowned, dismissive of the very thought, "I would rather meet my monetary needs through more...efficient means."

Hades smiled at that, but it soon twisted into a frown as a goblin walked up them. He could see the avarice coming off in waves from the creature.

"Bet it's orange."

Percy frowned at the sun god. "Why not blue?"

Apollo grinned. "Because, Percy Jackson, Blue is the color of hope, and Orange is the color of avarice."

"Green is willpower." Annabeth chuckled. "Yellow is fear."

"Pink is love." Piper said with a smile to Jason.

"Red is rage." Frank hummed. "And Indigo is compassion."

"Black is death and White is life." Nico drawled. He shrugged at the looks he got. "Will explained the Emotional Spectrum to me."

"Good boy." Apollo grinned.

"Welcome to Gringotts," The employee greeted. The Goblin was a good size shorter than Alkaid. He had a pale sly face with a long nose and ears, a trimmed beard of wispy white and very long fingers and feet.

Alkaid gave a small smile and said, "I am Alkaid Potter. I am here for my vault. I need to secure money for my first year at Hogwarts."

The goblin's eyes flashed for a moment and then darted to her forehead. Seeing not even a blemish, his lips curled into a near sneer. "Please, all know that Alkaid Potter has a lightning bolt scar on her forehead. Do you know how many of you pretenders we have gotten over the years?"

Alkaid frowned at the very notion she was lying about her identity, but soldiered on, "I assure you, I am Alkaid Medea Potter. Is there no means to prove this?"

The goblin looked skeptical but after a moment shrugged. "If you want to waste your money then yes there is, impostor. I can prepare a simple blood ritual to check if you are who you are, but it'll cost you…"

"Yes, do that please." Alkaid said as she offered up a small nugget of gold. "Will this be sufficient payment for the test?"

The goblin greedily took it. He eyed it for a moment and his beady eyes widened, "Twenty four carats…" he muttered in astonishment.

"The test?" Hades demanded impatiently.

"Right." The goblin said distractedly as he drew a enchanted red gem from a pocket and tossed it, not even polite enough to hand it over, to Alkaid. "Just hold the thing until it changes color. Blue you're who you say you are. Black and you're lying. It'll test your blood in comparison to the samples that our clients gave us and which we have on file. If you're Potter, it should match the one your father sent us shortly after you were born when he set up your finances."

Confidently, Alkaid grasped the gem firmly and waited the few short moments as the gem turned blue.

The goblin however was shocked by this development. "What? How?"

Melinoe smirked at the goblin's shock. "Not so arrogant now, eh?"

"What a sadist." Ares grunted. "That's just wrong."

Athena palmed her face. "You stupid hypocrite..."

Hades too looked like he wanted to add his own commentary on the goblin's comeuppance but was preempted by the arrival of a second better dressed goblin.

"Griphook, return to your post. I will handle it from here." The new arrival ordered the first goblin.

"Yes sir!" The now named Griphook responded promptly and was about to follow his orders when Alkaid's voice stopped him.

"Mister Griphook?" The demigod of Hades asked. At his nod, she continued, "Your blood stone?"

Embarrassed, the junior goblin retrieved his gem and practically fled the scene.

"Like a dog with his tail between his legs." Melinoe commented mockingly, a crooked grin on her face. Hades nodded his head in agreement.

"Ahem. Yes. Ladies and gentleman, now that the entertainment has had dealt with, perhaps we could adjourn to my office to discuss your business for today?" The remaining goblin said respectfully.

Hades sneered. This goblin hid it better, but it was just as if not more hopelessly greedy as that Griphook creature. Before he could say as much though, Alkaid replied, "Most certainly. Lead the way."

"Oh, blocked at asserting yourself by your own daughter. That's gotta hurt." Poseidon winced.

"Says the one that threatened his son for sitting on his throne."

Poseidon looked at Percy, who quickly continued to read.

They walked to one of the side offices. The office was well furnished in the Victorian style. The goblin took a seat behind his desk, the nameplate read: Senior Manager Aggor.

"So Miss Potter, how may Gringotts help you today?" The aforementioned Aggor began.

"I have several orders of business actually. Firstly, I'd like to withdraw a hundred galleons for my shopping for Hogwarts supplies today and spending money for the rest of the year. Secondly, I would like to arrange a full audit of my assets. Lastly, I would like copies of my latest financial statement to review whilst the audit is ongoing."

"That is a well educated girl you got there, Hades." Hermes muttered. He rubbed his chin. "Think she'd like an internship?"

Hades pursed his lips. "She cannot work your hours."

"I know, just a few hours a week," Hermes said with a grin.

Hades shrugged. "Fair enough."

Now he could get a nap in at least once a day.

Aggor blinked in surprise. He had not expected an eleven year old to demand such things. But how could he gain from this? As a goblin he couldn't just give these things to her, not when she had not proven herself. Hmm… Yes, that could work.

The present members of the family of Hades could all see the goblin scheming some way to profit off Alkaid. They all responded differently though. Hades felt his temper rising. Melinoe was amused. Alkaid, knowing what was coming, felt excited at the prospect of a challenge.

"All that you have requested are easy enough to fulfill Miss Potter. However, there is a matter of a fee…" The goblin trailed off suggestively.

"A fee?" Alkaid pretended to be shocked. "What kind of fee?"

"Why my fee as your accounts manager of course!" Aggor announced as if he was a master showman. "You didn't think my services were…"

The goblin was interrupted mid spectacle as the shadows ominously lengthened to encompass the whole room in the shade and a palpable aura of fear began to smother it. Hades and his daughters were nonplussed. The goblin though began to panic at the unexpected display of power even as the god smoothly rose from his seat and calmly stepped between his daughter and the goblin, all while continuing to release slightly the reins on his power.

"Now listen here, goblin. I will not have you cheat my daughter." Hades said menacingly, his black eyes wisping like hellfire. He was underground now and so within his domain, he could feel it, and that meant he no longer had to fear discovery and interference by the Olympians.

"Bunch of crybabies..." Hades mumbled. He ignored the glares and scowls sent his way.

"Not all of us," Poseidon said with a frown.

Rhea cleared her throat and looked at her middle son. "Need I remind you of the 'Wailing' incident?"

Poseidon flushed lightly and looked at his son. "Er, um, continue, Percy."

"Father!" Alkaid exclaimed in shock at Hades' display.

"Oh! Daddy's being overprotective!" Melinoe singsonged, earning herself an exasperated glare from her father to which she smirked in reply.

"Goblin. I am Hades, Lord of the Dead. Master of the Underworld. And Alkaid is my daughter. Who you have just tried to defraud. That is not an offense I'm willing to tolerate." Hades said ominously. Aggor begun to hyperventilate as the god's power overwhelmed him. "Now your punishment shall be…"

"Father, restrain yourself." Alkaid said as she placed a hand on his arm. "He is merely testing me as his culture behooves him to do to all new clients."

"That's no reason…" Hades tried to refute, only to be interrupted by his daughter.

"It is all the reason, Father!" Alkaid said raising her voice a little to signal her growing exasperation at her father's overprotectiveness. "If you scare him into submission, how will he learn to respect me on my own merits?"

"Alkaid's got a point there, father." Melinoe said seriously, which was rare.

"All of my grandchildren have problems being serious," Rhea said with a sigh. She laughed at the sour looks sent her way. "Oh, I love you all for it!"

"Fine." Hades said as he finally reined in his power. The breathless goblin gulping in lungful's of air as it desperately tried to regain its equilibrium after having been on the receiving end of a god's ire. Hades turned to the petrified goblin and issued a final warning, "Remember goblin, whose daughter you're dealing with here."

Still too terrified by Hades' display of power to speak, the goblin only nodded.

"I guess that's going to be the best I can get." Alkaid surmised with a sigh and a shake of her head. "Now then, Mister Aggor, let's get back on track shall we?"

After their misadventure at Gringotts, the family next went to get Alkaid's robes for school. Whilst Alkaid got fitted, Melinoe purchased a few accessories that fit her style. Even Hades found a nice tie clip.

"I bet it had a skull on it." Zeus grunted.

Hades rolled his eyes. "As if you never bought something because it had one of your birds on it or a lightning bolt."

"Name one time!"

Hades smirked at the offended king. "Grateful Dead's Steal Your Face in Nineteen-Seventy-Six. And, while we're on the subject, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Nineteen-ninety-nine. Two prime examples...you were second in line for both."

Apollo beamed. "I knew you loved my domains!"

"Be silent, Apollo!" Zeus hissed while Poseidon roared in laughter.

Alkaid wished to purchase her wand next, but Hades told her that he already had an deceased wand maker creating a few dozen for her to try back in the Underworld.

Next was of course her book supplies. Alkaid made note to buy a few books on magical traditions and modern magical norms. Who knew what her deceased instructors had left out? Best be safe rather than sorry. She didn't want to appear ignorant after all.

"Bookworm." Thalia snickered.

Annabeth gave her a glare. "There's nothing wrong with that!"

"I know, Annie."

Melinoe who was never much of a reader, ditched them in favor of checking out the joke shop. Hades looked perturbed at this since he had been on the receiving end of his immortal daughter's mischief for centuries.

Next it was time to get an owl for her mailing needs. Alkaid had debated on getting a screech owl, since it was sacred to her father, thanks to what had happened to his old custodian, Ascalaphus. The poor Daimon had been transformed into one by Demeter who couldn't get back at Hades, so had instead targeted his orchardist in retribution for tricking her daughter into eating the Underworld pomegranate seeds. Her father had honored his employee's sacrifice by making his new form sacred to himself.

As she was looking through the owls though, another avian caught Alkaid's eye.

It was completely black including its bill, legs and feet and the plumage had a purplish-blue gloss. The base of the feathers on the upper neck were white, but you really had to look to see it.

It's call was a guttural croak mixed with the sound of a frog-call.

"Like what you see, Missus?" the store's retailer asked.

Alkaid nodded, stroking the bird's beak, "Yes I do."

"That's a fan-tailed raven.

Apollo scowled. "Too close to a crow for my taste..."

"Get over yourself." Artemis rolled her eyes.

Real fast bird. We normally have owls do mail runs, but other birds work too with the right trainin'." He pointed to the bird, "Best part, these little guys can parrot voices with proper trainin'."

"I'll take it." Alkaid said eagerly. Ravens had always been associated with death. So the demigod found it to be a fitting companion for one such as herself.

The retailer smiled, "Follow me to the register Missus if ya kindly."

Alkaid purchased the raven and decided to name him after his species name, Rhipidurus. Or just Rhip for short.

"Rhip?" Melinoe asked, eyeing the bird as they exited the store. "He looks more like a Fester."

"Addams Family?" Alkaid asked dryly.

"Best show ever." Melinoe huffed.

"Debatable," Apollo said with a pained look on his face. He sighed. "There's so many good ones..."

"And ten times as many bad."

"Shut up, Athena."

"Well, now that you have a bird," Hades gave a distasteful look, "I believe our business is done. Shall we leave?"

Just as Alkaid was about to answer, the animal store suddenly let out shouts and screams as the animals went nuts, and began fleeing the store before stampeding down Diagon Alley. The magicals were screaming and moving out of the way, as the escaped flyers flew overhead and pooped like bombers, while others scurried under their feet.

It was straight up madness.

Hades and Alkaid turned in unison to look at the innocent face Melinoe was wearing.

"What?"

The god and demigod just sighed in stereo.

"Okay, that's classic." Hermes snickered.

Leo wiped a tear from his eye. "I gotta find a way to-"

"No!" Piper sternly refuted his plan.

"Aww..."

Percy turned the page. "Oh, there's something else...An Oh-make. What's an oh-make?"

"Omake!?" Apollo perked up. "I love Omakes! They're so funny!"

"What are they?" Annabeth asked.

"It's a popular trope from anime, an extra segment that usually results in the funniest of outcomes," Apollo explained with a grin. "Read! Read!"

"Alright, relax...Omake: The Boo Cap." Percy blinked.

Poseidon and Zeus slowly started to grin.

Hades clapped a hand over his eyes. "Oh no."

"Peekaboo!" A voice sounded from the nursery. Followed by peals of childish laughter.

Persephone, the goddess of spring and queen of the Underworld, just gave an annoyed sigh. Her husband was playing with that bastard daughter of his again!

"I know that feeling." Hera sighed.

"Hera, quiet." Zeus mumbled. "Read on, Percy Jackson."

"Boo Cap! Boo Cap!" A toddler's voice echoed loudly down the corridor.

"No..." Hades' eyes were wide in horror.

Zeus and Poseidon grinned widely.

"Best. Blackmail. Ever." They agreed.

Demeter was already in stitches.

Boo Cap? What on Earth was that? Curious despite herself, Persephone went to investigate.

Reaching the nursery, she walked in on an utterly amusing scene. There her usually reserved and fear inspiring husband was kneeling down to be at a level with his toddler daughter playing Peekaboo. That alone would be a sight that would have been shocking enough to most people to give them heart attacks, but Persephone had seen it many times already. The girl loved the game and pestered Hades to play it with her often, and being the doting father (despite how much she wished he wasn't. Or at least not to his bastard.) he was, her husband indulged her. What really amused the minor goddess though was what he was using to entertain his little girl.

"Aw, that's so sweet, Hades." Rhea smiled at her eldest son.

"Mother!" Hades protested with a grimace as his brothers started to chuckle.

The Helm of Darkness. He was using it to appear and disappear in front of the toddler, as he played Peekaboo with her.

His mighty tool of fear and panic, his very symbol of power, used as a child's plaything.

It was both horrifying yet hilarious.

The best part? The girl was calling the Helm "Boo Cap"! Persephone couldn't help it, when she realized that she burst into uncontrollable laughter.

The other Olympians soon joined in.

Nico and Hazel were already holding their sides.

Hades was hiding his face. He would never live this down.

She laughed even harder when she saw her husband's embarrassed expression at being discovered. Even as she laughed though a thought crossed her mind that would change everything in her household for years to come:

Hmm… If this is the entertainment the girl brings, maybe she isn't so bad after all.

"I must show this to Persephone-!"

"YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING!" Hades shouted at his sister.

"Boo cap!" Zeus laughed out. "Priceless!"

"Oh, I might have played with duckies, but the Boo Cap certainly takes the cake," Poseidon said between his own bellows.

"How come we never played peekaboo?" Nico asked with a grin on his face.

"Nico di Angelo!" Hades snapped at his son with embarrassed fury on his face.

AN: So begins the new reading.

Followers of Engineer4Ever and my readers alike: I WILL NOT REDO THE READING OF EVER TWISTING WINDS! E4E has told me that I do not have to if I do not wish to. Don't like it? Oh well. I liked the original, it was fun, but it's E4E's choice to redo it.

Other than that, you know what I want ya to do

REVIEW!