Disclaimer: Unfortunately I don't own Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, or any of the characters.

Hermione was a lonely child on the verge of becoming a lonely teen.

Too absorbed in books, her teachers would whisper behind her back even as they patted her head and smiled at her in pride as she asked question after question. Hermione would never know how anyone could look at this world, at all the knowledge hidden inside books and not wish to find out everything written inside those pages.

It shouldn't have mattered, that she had no friends. Her parents loved her; her books gave her comfort so why was it never enough?

It was only when Hariel grabbes her hand, fingers warm and sure, as they ran from the troll that Hermione thought oh, so this is why. Suddenly there was Hariel smiling at her as they woke up each morning, Ron waiting for them in the common room and it was wonderful.

Now her books were no longer a way to escape her lonely world. Now it was more important to Hermione to check on her friends, to make sure that Hariel ate enough and wore enough warm clothes because apparently not all guardians found this to be equally important.

Because now Hariel was Hermione's first and admittedly best friend. In all the years following, regardless of the near-death adventures they had every year, the dark lord following their footsteps like a particularly obsessed puppy and even having to erase her parent's memories and sent them on another continent – it had never made her waver in her friendship for a second.

Hermione wouldn't start now. Not even as she looks inside those greengreennotgreen eyes as they seem to dissect her, peering at her innermost thought with a nonchalance that more than told her everything that… being thought about her.

Those eyes are distant, lips carefully twisted into a warm smile and Hermione wants to runrunrun and never look back.

Instead she shakes the offered hand with as much confidence as she can muster. Admittedly, it is a pathetically small amount. Still, the smile eases into something more sincere – human – and Hermione watches as the being draws her most precious friend against his side, the eyes focused only on Hariel, hungry and wanting and ever so careful, and understands the warning.

Ever so fond, Hermione looks at her best friend that brought home a being a thousand times worse and a thousand times better than the Dark Lord and smiles.

It is so very much like Hariel, after all.

''Welcome back.''

Sitting in the dining room, Sei at her side as she sips her hastily prepared tea, Hariel is at a loss. She feels slightly awkward where before only existed an understanding borne of living and surviving challenge after challenge together.

''I'm sorry.'' She suddenly blurts out, darting a quick look at her best friends, Sei's hand warm as his thumb moves comforting circles against her palm. It gives her strength. ''For not answering your letters for so long, and not contacting you and…'' She pauses, uncertain. ''For being an atrocious friend.''

It is Ron who answers, smile a mixture of wryness and something distinctly sad yet understanding. ''We understand, Hariel. You needed to get out, needed space and that's fine. None of us are angry, really. Just glad to have you back, even if only briefly.''

Hariel opens her mouth as if to protest, but doesn't have a chance to actually speak.

''Don't bother denying it. We know that this is no longer the place where you will be happiest.'' Hermione chuckles softly, eyes crinkling at the corners, smile warmer than any fire. Hariel loves her for it, desperately. This woman who has steadfastly stayed by her side through life and death.

''Thank you. Both of you. I will never have better friends than you two.'' Those words are the truth, Hariel knows. Their bonds are precious, irreplaceable treasures that she would hoard for the rest of her life.

''What are you planning on doing now?'' Ron questions softly and Hariel is yet again struck by how much he has grown from the jealous gangly teenager he used to be.

Thinking to all the information she has received in the last minutes, she smiles. It is a small sharp thing, blooming slowly as it grows into something almost terrifying.

Hariel misses the way sea green watch her heatedly, a thousand thoughts budding into a blooming flower inside the god's mind.

Poseidon wants to kiss those lips, hide those smile – gentle and terrifying alike – so that only he would witness them. He wants to mark her creamy skin until everyone would know who this nymph like woman belonged to. He wants to chain her to his side until her eyes contain nothing but him.

He wants to accompany her as she freely lives her life.

It is her voice that rouse him from his conflicting thoughts, tone wicked and slightly mischievous.

''I think… that I haven't taken good enough care of my vault lately, don't you agree?''

Poseidon chuckles, moving his head to deliberately whisper against the shell of Hariel's ear.

''A fantastic idea. But it is late now, and such things are better left for the morning. Besides… we still have some unfinished business, don't we?''

Hariel flushes a bright red, eyes flickering with a brief pang of want.

Seeing this, Poseidon smiles a shark-like smile, but his eyes are warm. Holding a thousand unsaid words. Overflowing with unfamiliar feelings.

He would protect this treasure of his heart, and if anyone wanted to interfere...

Well, Poseidon always delights in causing more work for his brother.

A/N I'm alive? Sorry for such a long delay. This story isn't abandoned, I just haven't had the time or interest to write a lot lately. But I read your comments, and then spontaneously decided to update. So thank you! Hope you guys like this chapter. Next one... will be fun... and then come the Goblins... fun times ahead...

C'ya soon,

AriesOrion