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

Consul of the Underworld: The Game Begins

Prologue: Press Start

Beta: Siegfried01

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 one 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. 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.

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.

"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.

"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."

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 California sun 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." 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.

The Greek Underworld.

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

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

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

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. 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.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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). 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. 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 to." 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. 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 and a death sentence looming over them thanks to Zeus if they ever left. 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 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.

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.

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. 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, 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.

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.

"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 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.

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.

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) 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.

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.

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.

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 lines 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.

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."

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

Just like living with her father and stepmother, living with Melinoe was a…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, would 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.

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!

"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. 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." 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 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. "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 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.

"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 breathe, 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." 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, 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. "

"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, 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.

"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 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 Al 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."

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.

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. 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."

"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.

"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?"

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 been 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."

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."

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, flames wisping out of his black eyes. 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.

"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.

"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. 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. 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.

Its 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. 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.

"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.

Omake: The Boo Cap

"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!

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

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.

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. 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.

It's here, it's here! It is finally here! My daughter of Hades fic! Yay! XD

Now, to start, Andi represents Zeus' childishness. Rhode represents Poseidon's moody teenager side. Alkaid represents Hades' more adult attitude. Thus, you have finally met all three of my Heroines.

I'm trying to give off a Game of Thrones feel. Now, I've never really watched it, but I have played the Telltale games. Alkaid shows that noble vibe to her, she was raised as a princess after all. While she comes off as a talented child, know that she is not perfect. You'll see why as the story marches on.

Nameless: We've deliberately put limits on her to make her a more balanced character. Limits that by PJO standards are fairly original, at least we think so. We're looking forward to seeing if you agree. As for the politics and her personality, well we'll try our best. We're trying to aim for her being something of an emulation of the modern interpretation of a classical lady of status. Not the historically accurate version, but the one pop culture envisions. Why? Because that's *minor spoiler* what Alkaid aspires to be *spoiler end* and she is working on pop culture impressions. It's not like a preteen/teenage girl is gonna go do detailed research on the type of woman she wants to grow up to be, after all. Even the savants like Alkaid can be argued to be. Though they probably should.

Sieg: The political stuff is going to be a little small-scale for now though, so no massive upheavals of the Wizengamot. Yet. Oh yes, Rhip. Puns, yay!

Also, I just want to make a note about Alkaid's eyes. They have those black flickers to be associated with stars since she is named after a star, the third brightest in Ursa Major and the Big Dipper and one of the brightest stars in the night sky. So, you know, tie-ins with the character and her name and stuff, Rick loves doing that kinda thing. I thought I would give it a shot.

I also named her Alkaid because I love the Dot Hack G.U. character XP She's so sassy and tsundere. And add the fact that my Alkaid is also a gamer girl, I thought it would be amusing.

Good news! Rhode, my MC from my Unrelenting Frozen Seas series, has her own wiki page on Percy Jackson fanfiction wiki! So I ask those who are good with wikis and enjoy that story to go and help EternalKnight219 (the wonderful individual who started the page) and Nerdman3000 with it if you wish. It would really mean a lot guys!

percyjacksonfanfiction wikia "Rhode Evans (The Unrelenting Frozen Seas)".

One more thing! If the great drawing people who enjoy these fics (my HP/PJO crossovers) are up to it, I'd be amazed to see some fanart. Andi, Rhode, Alkaid, idk, I just think it would be awesome. I could use the image covers. So there is my little challenge for you people!

Please review, no flames of black hellfire, and peace off!