Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sirius Black's heart hammered in his chest as he and his younger brother, Regulus, raced through the darkened streets. The oppressive weight of their mother's tyranny seemed to echo in every shadow, driving them onward with a desperate urgency.

"Sirius, are you sure about this?" Regulus gasped, his breath coming in ragged bursts.

Sirius glanced back, his expression grim. "We can't stay there, Reg. It's not safe."

They had been planning this escape for weeks, gathering what little they could carry and stealing away in the dead of night. Their mother, Walburga Black, was a dangerous woman with a bad temper. Sirius couldn't bear to spend another day under her suffocating gaze. Especially now that strange things started to happen more often, and she blamed it on them. They had managed to evade their mother's clutches, but the dangers of the outside world loomed ominously.
Turning a corner, they stumbled upon a creature unlike any they had seen—a monstrous being with the head of a bull and the body of a man, its eyes glowing with a sinister light.

Sirius froze in terror, his mind reeling at the sight of the creature. What manner of beast was this?

"Run!" Regulus exclaimed, his voice trembling with fear, as he dragged Sirius back the way they had come.

But their escape was thwarted as the minotaur charged towards them with thunderous steps, its massive form casting a shadow over the dimly lit streets.

Just as despair threatened to overwhelm them, a voice broke the silence.

"James look over there"

"Hey! Leave them alone!"

Sirius looked up to see a figure emerging from the shadows—a tall, dark-haired boy holding a bow. His eyes blazed with determination as he notched an arrow and took aim at the approaching creature.
Beside him stood another boy—a round-faced youth with a quiver of arrows at his side, his expression a mix of fear and determination.

"Peter, cover me!" The boy apparently named James ordered, his voice unwavering as he stepped forward to confront the monstrous creature.

With a swift motion, James drew his bow and fired a shot at the minotaur, the arrow soaring through the air with deadly accuracy. The beast roared in pain as the arrow struck true, but it continued its relentless charge, undeterred by the attack.

Sirius watched in awe as James moved with the skill and precision of a seasoned warrior. It was as if he were born to wield the bow, his aim true and his resolve unyielding in the face of danger. As the battle raged on, Sirius felt a surge of gratitude towards the stranger who had come to their aid in their moment of need.

"I have to help him," Sirius said, his voice filled with urgency as he moved to join the fray.

"No, Sirius!" Regulus grabbed his arm, his grip surprisingly strong. Sirius tried to resist, but in the meantime he was almost frozen watching the scene in front of him.

The boy named Peter, armed with his own bow, sent a flurry of arrows toward the minotaur, aiming for its legs to slow it down. One of his arrows hit the beast's knee, causing it to stumble and roar in frustration.
James seized the opportunity, his eyes narrowing as he drew another arrow and aimed for the beasts shoulder. The arrow flew true, embedding itself in the creature's flesh and causing it to stagger.

"Keep it distracted, Peter!" James shouted.

Peter nodded, his expression grim as he continued to fire arrow after arrow at the beast, each shot calculated to keep it off balance.
The creature, now bleeding from multiple wounds, swiped its massive hand at James, who nimbly dodged the attack and fired another arrow into the creature's side. The beast bellowed in pain, its strength waning as it struggled to remain upright.

"We're almost there," James muttered, his voice filled with determination as he notched another arrow and took aim at his head.

The creature roared one final time before collapsing to the ground, unconscious but still alive.

James lowered his bow, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he turned to face Sirius and Regulus. "Are you two alright?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Sirius nodded, his heart still pounding with adrenaline. "Yeah, thanks to you. That was... incredible."

James offered a weary smile, his eyes glinting with a mixture of relief and determination. "Just doing what I can.''
Peter gave a nervous but friendly wave, his bow still in hand. "Hi. Glad we found you when we did."

"What was that?" Regulus asked rightly. His brother had always been more reserved when it came to meeting strangers.

''That was a minotaur. And we have to hurry, he probably didn't come alone." James replied.

This answer was honestly no use to Sirius or Regulus. And it didn't go unnoticed by James because he decided to introduce himself.

James extended a hand, his expression earnest. "James Potter, son of Apollo. And this is Peter Pettigrew, a satyr."

Son of Apollo? Satyr? And indeed when Sirius took a good look at the boy he saw two hooves where his shoes should have been. This would have been a shock to him had he not been attacked by a bull walking upright not even a minute ago.
Sirius had received some lessons about Greek mythology at school. He never expected to meet these creatures in real life.

Sirius shook James's hand, feeling a sense of gratitude and kinship toward the boy who had saved their lives. "Sirius Black. And this is my brother, Regulus."

"We need to get you to safety," James said, his tone serious. "You're in danger out here. There's a place—Camp Half-Blood—where you can be protected and trained."

Regulus eyed them warily. "Why should we trust you?"

"Because," James said earnestly, "we know what's happening to you. And we know how to help."

Sirius exchanged a hesitant glance with Regulus, weighing their options. The truth was, they had nowhere else to turn.
Sirius and Regulus exchanged a glance, their minds reeling from the night's events. But as they looked at James and Peter, they felt a glimmer of hope—a sense that maybe, just maybe, they had found the allies they needed to navigate this strange and dangerous new world.

Chapter Text

As they followed James and Peter through the darkened streets, Sirius couldn't shake the feeling of unease gnawing at his insides. They were leaving everything they knew behind, venturing into a world of uncertainty and danger. But as they approached the outskirts of town, a strange sense of anticipation began to replace his fear.

The journey to Camp Half-Blood was unlike anything Sirius and Regulus had ever experienced. James and Peter led them through dense forests and winding trails, their senses on high alert for any sign of danger. Peter apparently had the power to smell monsters and he guided them past all the monsters. As soon as he smelled a monster they went the other way, which unfortunately meant that the journey took a long time.

Along the way, they shared stories of their own journeys about epic battles that left Sirius both awed and apprehensive.

During the journey, neither Sirius nor Regulus asked any questions. They were so overwhelmed that all they could do was listen.

During the evening James and Peter set up camp. Their sleeping places on the ground were very uncomfortable, and yet Sirius had never felt as comfortable at home as he did now.

The next morning, after a breakfast consisting of a few broken crackers and an apple, they set off again.

As they walked, Sirius couldn't help but notice the subtle differences between himself and his companions. James moved with the grace and confidence of someone who had been trained for battle from a young age, while Peter's skittish demeanor hinted at a lifetime of hiding in the shadows. Regulus, on the other hand, seemed to radiate an aura of quiet determination, his eyes fixed on the path ahead.

"What's it like at the camp?" Regulus asked suddenly, breaking the tense silence that had settled over them after James had announced that they had almost arrived at Camp Half Blood.

James glanced back, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It's... different. But in a good way. You'll see."

Sirius and Regulus followed James through the forest, The path was winding and narrow. Peter had gone ahead, mentioning something about alerting the others.
As they walked, Sirius tried to process everything that had happened. He glanced at James, who was now walking beside him with a relaxed demeanor, as if battling mythical creatures had been just another day for him.

"So, what exactly is Camp Half-Blood?" Sirius asked, curiosity and apprehension in his voice.

James smiled. "It's a safe haven for demigods—children of the Greek gods. We train here, learn to control our powers, and prepare for whatever threats come our way."

"Demigods?" Regulus repeated, his voice skeptical. "You mean like... half-gods?"

"Exactly," James confirmed. "Most of us are the children of Olympian gods and mortal parents. It's a lot to take in, I know."

As they emerged from the trees, Sirius and Regulus saw a sprawling camp nestled in a valley. It was unlike anything they had ever seen—rows of cabins, archery ranges, climbing walls, and a shimmering lake. The air was filled with the sound of laughter and activity, a stark contrast to the oppressive silence of their former home.
James led them towards the largest building in the center of the camp, a grand structure with columns and ivy-covered walls. "This is the Big House. Chiron should be inside."

Sirius felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as they entered. The interior was cozy, filled with ancient relics and modern comforts. A centaur with a kind, wise expression looked up from a book as they approached. Again, Sirius should have been surprised but after his encounter with the minotaur and a Satyr he wasn't really surprised anymore.

"Chiron," James said respectfully, "these are the new arrivals. Sirius and Regulus Black."

Chiron smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of curiosity and recognition. "Welcome, Sirius and Regulus. I've been expecting you."

"You have?" Regulus asked, his suspicion evident.

"Indeed," Chiron replied. "I monitor the activity of demigods, and your presence has not gone unnoticed. It's unusual for two brothers to arrive together."

Sirius stepped forward. "So, what exactly is going on? Why are we here?"

Chiron nodded thoughtfully. "You are here because you are demigods—children of gods and mortals. This camp is a sanctuary, a place where you can learn about your heritage and how to protect yourselves from the dangers that come with it."

Sirius's mind raced with possibilities. "Do we know who our godly parent is?"

Chiron shook his head. "Not yet. The identity of your godly parent will be revealed in time. Until then, you'll train and prepare, just like the others."

Regulus remained silent, his expression guarded. Sirius could tell his brother was struggling to accept this new reality, but Sirius himself felt a strange sense of excitement. For the first time, he felt like he was part of something bigger, something extraordinary.

Chiron seemed to sense their mixed emotions. "I understand this is a lot to take in. But you are among friends here. We will help you every step of the way."

At that moment, a girl with vibrant red hair and bright green eyes entered the room. She exuded confidence and intelligence.

"Lily," Chiron said with a smile, "would you please show our new arrivals around the camp?"

"Of course," Lily replied, her eyes scanning Sirius and Regulus with curiosity. "Welcome to Camp Half-Blood. I'm Lily Evans, daughter of Athena. Follow me, and I'll give you the grand tour."

As they stepped outside, Sirius couldn't help but feel a growing sense of excitement. He glanced at Regulus, who seemed more reserved but was clearly intrigued.

"Don't worry," Lily said, noticing their expressions. "You'll get used to it. And you'll find that being a demigod has its perks."

She led them through the camp, pointing out various landmarks and introducing them to other campers along the way. They met Marlene McKinnon, a cheerful girl with a mischievous glint in her eye, who was a daughter of Dionysus. Her best friend, Mary Macdonald, was a strikingly beautiful girl who radiated warmth and kindness, a daughter of Aphrodite. And then there was Dorcas Meadowes, a fierce and athletic girl who, despite being a daughter of Ares, welcomed them with a friendly smile.

Sirius found himself fascinated by the diversity of the camp and the camaraderie among the campers. Regulus, though quieter, seemed to be absorbing everything with a keen eye.
As they walked, Lily explained the various activities and training programs. "We have archery, sword fighting and much more. You'll be assigned to a cabin based on your godly parent, but until you're claimed, you'll stay in the Hermes cabin with the unclaimed demigods."

"And how long does it usually take to get claimed?" Sirius asked.

"It varies," Lily replied. "Some are claimed almost immediately, while others take longer. But don't worry, it will happen when the time is right."

By the time the tour ended, Sirius felt a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. There was so much to take in, so much to learn.
As they headed back to the Big House, Lily paused and looked at them with a serious expression. "Remember, you're not alone here. We're all in this together. And we'll do whatever it takes to keep each other safe."

Sirius exchanged a wary glance with Regulus, although he had just been mostly cheerful, his mind was racing with questions and doubts. What if they didn't belong here, after all? What if their mother was right, and they were nothing more than freaks and outcasts?

But as he looked around at the welcoming faces, Sirius couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope stirring deep within him. Maybe, just maybe, this was where they were meant to be all along.
Sirius felt a sense of determination welling up inside him. He glanced at Regulus, who gave a small, hesitant smile.

"Thanks, Lily," Sirius finally said. "We're ready to learn."

Lily smiled, her eyes sparkling with encouragement. "Good. Welcome to Camp Half-Blood."

Chapter Text

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over Camp Half-Blood, Sirius and Regulus found themselves following James toward the dining pavilion. The cool evening air was filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter from other campers.

"We'll get you settled at the Hermes table for now." James said.

As they approached the large, open-air pavilion, Sirius marveled at the sight. Long tables were arranged in a U-shape, each one adorned with banners representing different gods. The pavilion overlooked the sparkling lake, its surface shimmering in the fading light.

"Welcome to dinner," James said, gesturing to the bustling scene. "First, we offer a portion of our meal to the gods. It's a sign of respect and gratitude."

Sirius watched as campers lined up at a central hearth, each one offering a bit of their food into the flames. James explained the process as they joined the line.

"Just take a piece of your food and throw it into the fire," he said. "You can say a few words if you want, or just think about your godly parent."

When it was Sirius's turn, he took a deep breath, selecting a slice of bread from his plate. He stepped up to the hearth, the flames flickering warmly. "To my godly parent, whoever you are," he murmured, tossing the bread into the fire. The flames flared briefly, a soft golden glow indicating the offering was accepted. It felt strange to make a sacrifice to a parent he had never met, but he secretly hoped that his godly parent would be better than his mortal mother.

Regulus stepped up next, but Sirius noticed his brother hesitated, his grip on the piece of fruit in his hand tightening. After a moment, Regulus threw the fruit into the fire, his expression tense and uncertain. The flames flickered again, accepting his offering.

They made their way to the Hermes table, where James introduced them to the head of the cabin. "Sirius, Regulus, this is Frank Longbottom. He’s in charge of the Hermes cabin."

Frank, a friendly-looking boy with an easy smile, nodded in greeting. "Welcome to the Hermes cabin," he said. "We'll make sure you're comfortable."

As they sat down, Sirius noticed a boy across the table who immediately caught his attention. He had sandy-brown hair, a serious expression, and an air of quiet strength about him. Sirius found himself drawn to this mysterious figure. James saw him looking.

James leaned in and whispered, "That's Remus Lupin. He's been here a while, but you'll get to know everyone soon enough."

Dinner was lively, with campers sharing stories of the day's training and activities. Sirius tried to keep up, his mind buzzing with new information. He learned that James was the head of the Apollo cabin, Lily the head of Athena, Kingsley Shacklebolt led the Hephaestus cabin, Marlene McKinnon led the Dionysus cabin, Mary Macdonald was in charge of Aphrodite, Dorcas Meadowes led the Ares cabin, and Alice Fortescue was the head of the Demeter cabin.

"Being the head of a cabin means you're responsible for your cabinmates," James explained. "You lead by example, help with training, and make sure everyone is safe."

As they ate, Sirius noticed James glancing across the pavilion at Lily. Every so often, Lily would catch his eye and roll hers. At one point, James leaned over to Sirius.

"Watch this," James whispered, a mischievous glint in his eye.

He stood up and made his way to the Athena table and Sirius could only watch as James delivered the cheesiest line ever. "Hey, Lily," he said, leaning casually against the table. "Do you have a map? Because I just got lost in your eyes."

Lily didn't even bother to respond, but there was a playful smile tugging at her lips.

Marlene, who was sitting nearby, laughed. "Careful, Potter. You might want to save some of that charm for the monsters."

James laughed, unfazed. "Don't worry, McKinnon. I've got plenty."

Marlene leaned over with a grin. "How are the new ones doing?" she asked cheerfully.

"We're good, thanks," Sirius replied, his enthusiasm growing. "It's a lot to take in, but I am exited."

Marlene's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Great! Tomorrow, I'll give you a proper tour of the cabins and the rest of the camp. How does that sound?"

"That sounds amazing," Sirius said eagerly. Even Regulus, who had been more reserved, nodded in agreement.

As dinner continued, Sirius couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy about the way the tables were divided. It seemed strange to him that the campers couldn't all sit together, that they were separated by their godly parentage. He voiced his thoughts to James.

"Isn't it odd that we have to sit apart like this?" Sirius asked, glancing around at the different tables.

James shrugged. "It's tradition. Each cabin eats together to build camaraderie and loyalty. But don't worry, once you're claimed, you'll see that the bonds between campers go beyond just the dinner table."

Sirius nodded, trying to take it all in. He was grateful that James had sat with them tonight, he felt very comfortable with James. Regulus next to him was busy talking to one of the Hermes boys named Barty Crouch. They seemed to get along well and that made Sirius happy. Due to their situation at home, Regulus had become increasingly introverted in the last 2 years.

After dinner, they made their way to the Hermes cabin. Sirius was taken aback by how crowded it was. Campers were sprawled on bunks and the floor, chatting and laughing. The cabin buzzed with energy, but Sirius felt a sense of belonging amid the chaos.

As Sirius looked around, he spotted Remus again, this time engaged in a quiet conversation with another camper. Sirius wanted to introduce himself, but the exhaustion from the day's events was catching up with him.

"Looks like you're beat," Frank said with a chuckle. "Get some rest. Tomorrow's another big day."

Sirius nodded, barely able to keep his eyes open. He found an empty spot on the floor and they were lucky, Regulus was able to sleep right next to him. Even though Regulus was less enthusiastic about everything during the day, he could still see a satisfied and happy look in his eyes. Although Regulus may not have expressed it out loud, he was also starting to feel more at home.

Chapter Text

As the first light of dawn filtered through the windows of the Hermes cabin, Sirius awoke to the sounds of camp stirring to life. He glanced around, finding himself surrounded by the slumbering forms of other demigods. Regulus was still asleep next to him, a peaceful expression on his face that Sirius hadn't seen in years.

After a quick wash-up, the brothers headed to the dining pavilion for breakfast. The morning air was crisp and refreshing, and the pavilion buzzed with activity. As they sat down with their trays, James joined them, his cheerful mood as infectious as ever.

"Morning, Black brothers!" James greeted, his eyes twinkling. "Ready for another day?"

"Definitely," Sirius replied, digging into his meal. "What's on the agenda?"

"After breakfast, Marlene's giving you that tour she promised," James said. "She and Mary should be here any minute."

Sure enough, moments later, Marlene McKinnon bounded over, a bright smile on her face. Mary Macdonald followed, her presence radiating warmth and kindness.
"Morning, boys!" Marlene said enthusiastically. "Ready for the grand tour?"

"Absolutely," Sirius replied, his excitement palpable. Regulus nodded, less expressive but clearly interested.

After breakfast, Marlene and Mary led them through the camp, starting with the cabins. Sirius and Regulus had seen them in passing the day before, but now they took a closer look. Each cabin was distinct, reflecting the personality and domain of its respective god.

"This is the Athena cabin," Marlene said, pointing to the stately structure adorned with owls and olive branches. "It's where Lily and the other children of Athena stay. They value wisdom and strategy."

"The Hephaestus cabin is next," Mary added, indicating a robust, metal-clad building. "Kingsley and his siblings are incredibly skilled at crafting and inventing."

As they continued, Marlene explained the absence of certain cabins. "Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades cabins are usually unoccupied," she said. "The Big Three agreed not to have many children after World War II because their offspring are too powerful and can cause too much trouble."

"And the cabins of Hera and Artemis?" Regulus asked.

"Hera doesn't have demigod children," Mary explained. "She's the goddess of marriage and stays faithful to Zeus. Artemis is a maiden goddess, so her hunters live here, but they don't stay in a cabin. They're always on the move."

As they walked, they spotted Dorcas Meadowes carrying a bundle of weapons towards the arena. Marlene called out to her, and Dorcas approached with a smile.

"Hey, Marlene, Mary," Dorcas greeted, her eyes lighting up as she saw them.

As they talked, Sirius picked up on the affectionate glances between Marlene and Dorcas. Mary, noticing his curiosity, whispered with a grin, "They're together. It's pretty great to see my best friends so happy."

Continuing the tour, they walked past the arena, where Remus Lupin was talking with Lily. Marlene led them over, and Lily introduced them.

"Sirius, Regulus, this is Remus," Lily said. "

Sirius stepped closer, taking in Remus's appearance for the first time up close. Remus had sandy-brown hair, and his eyes were a striking shade of amber, filled with a depth of emotion and intelligence. There was a quiet strength in his posture, a calmness that contrasted with the intensity of the camp around them. His features were sharp yet gentle. But what caught Sirius's attention most were the scars. Thin, silvery lines crisscrossed Remus's face and arms.
Despite the scars, or perhaps because of them, Remus was overwhelmingly beautiful. His presence was captivating, a blend of strength and grace that left Sirius momentarily speechless. There was something almost ethereal about him.

"Nice to meet you," Sirius said, shaking Remus's hand.

"Likewise," Remus replied, his expression warm.

As they talked, Sirius learned that Remus was still unclaimed, even after ten years at the camp. He felt a pang of sympathy. "Do you know anything about your parents?" he asked.

Remus shook his head again. "No idea. Chiron and the camp have been my family."

Sirius was taken aback. "How old were you when you came here?"

"Three," Remus replied.

His short answers indicated that he did not feel like saying more. He had probably told this story many times Sirius thought. Yet Sirius couldn't keep his mouth shut.

"Three?" Sirius repeated, astonished.

"It's almost unheard of.’’ Marlene interjected. ‘’No one really knows why Remus was brought here at such a young age. It's one of the camp's mysteries."

As they continued their tour, Sirius couldn't shake the thought of Remus not knowing his parents. He glanced at Regulus, wondering how his brother was processing all this.

Eventually, they reached the beach and everyone except Sirius and Regulus went back to their own things. The gentle lapping of waves against the shore provided a soothing backdrop as Sirius and Regulus took a moment to talk.

"This place is amazing," Sirius said, gazing out at the water. "But it's not all perfect, is it?"

Regulus shook his head. "No, it's not. There are a lot of challenges here. And thinking about what Remus said... what if our godly parent doesn't care about us either?"

Sirius sighed. "I know. But, Regulus, we have each other. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."

Regulus nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Yeah, together."

As they sat in the sand, watching the waves, Sirius felt a mix of emotions. The camp was full of amazing opportunities, but he couldn't help but wonder about their godly parent, hoping they would be better than their mortal mother.

Chapter Text

Sirius bolted upright, his chest heaving, his skin slick with sweat. The remnants of a vivid dream clung to his consciousness: two gods locked in a fierce battle, their anger and power palpable. One god accused the other of breaking their agreement. With an unimaginable force, he attacked the other, who fought back valiantly but eventually succumbed. The victorious god chained the other and declared he needed to learn from his mistakes for a number of years. As the scene faded, Sirius woke, the final words echoing in his mind.

Beside him, Regulus was staring at him with wide eyes. Before Sirius could speak, Frank Longbottom approached, concern etched on his face.
"You okay, Sirius? Looked like you had a pretty rough nightmare," Frank said, his voice gentle.

Sirius nodded, trying to steady his breathing. "Yeah, I... I dreamed about two men fighting. One chained the other up in the end. It felt so real."

Frank gave a knowing nod. "Nightmares like that are common for demigods. Sometimes they're more than just dreams."

Sirius looked at Regulus, intending to discuss the dream further, but his brother was nowhere to be seen. With a sigh, he got ready for the day, still shaken by the dream's intensity.

After preparing himself, Sirius ran into James, who greeted him with his usual enthusiasm. "Morning! Ready for training? Introductory stuff is done, and it's time to gear up for Capture the Flag."

"Capture the Flag?" Sirius echoed, intrigued.

"Yeah, it's coming up in a few days. We make two teams and both compete to capture the other's flag. I'll explain more about it later. Our cabins—Apollo, Hermes, Demeter, and Aphrodite—are up against the rest. Athena and Ares make a deadly combo, so it'll be a tough match. But we'll manage," James explained, a competitive gleam in his eyes. "I really want to beat Lily."

After a hearty breakfast, they headed to the arena. As they approached, they saw Remus and Frank sparring. Although Frank was a skilled fighter with his sharp reflexes, Sirius found himself captivated by Remus. The way Remus wielded his sword with effortless grace and precision was mesmerizing.

"Remus is the best swordsman here, aside from maybe Dorcas," James commented, noticing Sirius's gaze. "But Dorcas prefers an axe and trust me, you don't want to see her angry with that thing."

Somewhere further along, a Demeter child used a plant that had magically emerged from the ground to trip someone from Ares. Sirius looked with admiration and a little jealousy.

"Do all demigods have like special abilities from their parents?" Sirius asked.

"Some do," James replied. "Lily, for example, can see a few steps ahead in a fight—a rare gift even for Athena's kids. And I can heal people a bit, thanks to my dad."

Sirius hoped he might have some powers too, though he had never noticed anything particularly unusual about himself.
Once the sparring session ended, it was time for Sirius to train. Regulus had reappeared, accompanied by Barty Crouch Jr. The group gathered, ready to test their skills.

James, Frank, and Remus guided them through various weapons. Sirius and Regulus struggled initially with most weapons until they picked up small daggers. To everyone's surprise, they were both remarkably proficient with them. Sirius sparred with Frank, unable to win but steadily improving throughout the day.

Meanwhile, Regulus was quieter than usual, an uncharacteristic silence that worried Sirius. Regulus sparred with Barty and even took a turn with Remus. Watching his brother fight alongside Remus made Sirius feel a twinge of jealousy, which kind of vanished when he saw how effortlessly Remus defeated Regulus.

James showed off his archery skills, trying to catch Lily's attention with little success. Despite his impressive aim, Lily seemed more focused on her own training.

By the end of the day, Sirius was exhausted. After dinner, he went straight to bed, finding Regulus already there but still awake. Sirius sat on his bed, curiosity and concern gnawing at him.

"Regulus, what's going on? You were off all day."

Regulus hesitated before speaking, his voice barely above a whisper. "I had the exact same dream, Sirius. Two gods, the fight, everything."

Sirius's heart raced. "The same dream? What do you think it means?"

"I don't know," Regulus replied, his eyes troubled. "But it can't be a coincidence."

Chapter Text

As the days at camp passed in a blur of training and camaraderie, Sirius found himself increasingly consumed by the relentless weight of the recurring dream. Despite his efforts to push it aside, it clung to him like a shadow, growing more vivid and unsettling with each passing night.

Training sessions became a welcome distraction, a temporary respite from the turmoil of his thoughts. Sirius threw himself into every challenge with determination, pushing his body to its limits in pursuit of mastery over weapons and combat techniques. But it was the obstacle courses that truly ignited his passion, where agility and cunning proved to be his greatest assets.

Regulus had forged a close friendship with Barty and Evans. Sirius watched with a mixture of pride and envy, grateful that his brother had found companionship amidst the chaos of camp life.

The sun dipped below the horizon as the teams gathered for Capture the Flag. Sirius and his team, consisting of the children of Apollo, Hermes, Demeter, and Aphrodite, stood in a semicircle while James outlined their tactics.

Just as they were about to set off, a figure emerged from the shadows, causing Sirius to do a double-take. It was a man he had never seen before, there was something about the twinkle in his eye and the sardonic twist of his lips that hinted at mischief.

"Ah, good to see you all," the man said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he surveyed the assembled campers. "I trust you haven't burned the place down in my absence?"

Sirius exchanged a puzzled look with Regulus, unsure of who this newcomer was and what he was doing here. The man seemed to radiate an aura of authority, but there was also a sense of playfulness about him that was disarming. And maybe Sirius was making it up, but tt seemed like Mr. D kept a special eye on him.

"Who's that?" Sirius whispered to Regulus, keeping his voice low so as not to attract attention.

Regulus shrugged, equally baffled. "No idea. But he doesn't seem like your average camp counselor."

As the man sauntered over to the group, Sirius couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settle in the pit of his stomach. There was something about the way he carried himself, with an air of casual indifference, that set him apart from the other camp staff.

Mr.D..? The name echoed in Sirius's mind, stirring something long dormant. And then it clicked. Mr. D was Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry.
A flood of realization washed over Sirius, followed by a wave of disbelief. He had heard stories from James about when he first encountered a god, but to encounter one in the flesh was beyond anything he had imagined.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the chatter, drawing everyone's attention. It was Chiron who had approached Mr. D with a mixture of deference and caution.

"Ah, Mr. D, I see you've returned," Chiron said, his tone respectful but tinged with wariness. "I trust your absence was... enlightening?"

Mr. D chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down Sirius's spine. "Oh, indeed it was, dear Chiron. But fear not, I'm back to grace you all with my charming presence once more."

Chiron and Mr. D had a conversation that seemed to consist of both politeness and thinly veiled sarcasm, and slowly they walked back to the big house.

After Chiron and Mr. D were gone, James told him that Dionysus was punished by Zeus and therefore had to be a counselor at camp. Normally demigods meet him right away, but this time Mr. D been absent.

Sirius couldn't shake the feeling that their encounter with Mr. D had been more than just a chance meeting.

"Okay, listen up," began James, his tone confident and authoritative. "We're playing against Athena and Ares, which means we need to be both smart and strong. Hephaistos and Dionysus are no joke either. Here's the plan..."

James pointed to a rough map of the campgrounds. "We'll split into three groups. Group one, led by me, we will fight the other team and be a distraction. Group two, led by Remus and Mary, will defend our flag. Group three, led by Frank, will go search for the flag and distract most of the enemy troops. Remember, we have to stay alert at all times. Athena's kids are strategic, and Ares' kids are aggressive. They won't show any mercy."

Sirius listened attentively as James continued. He felt a wave of admiration for James' natural leadership. James had a way of inspiring and motivating people, something Sirius himself wanted to learn.

He turned to Sirius and Regulus, his eyes sharp with determination. “Sirius, Regulus, you’re both new here, you’ll be with Frank and Alice. Use the cover of the trees to get close to their flag without being seen. I’ll be leading the main force to draw their attention.”

‘’This way you can learn from the best'' Frank said with an unserious smile on his face.

"Well, aren't they lucky?" The voice belonged to a girl standing a few feet away, her bright eyes twinkling with mischief. She had short, wavy hair the color of chestnuts, and her freckled face was adorned with a mischievous grin. This must be Alice, Sirius realized, recalling the brief glimpse he had caught of her earlier.

Alice took a step closer, her gaze flickering between Sirius and Regulus. "Looks like you two have landed yourselves a top-notch mentor. Just try not to embarrass him too much, okay?"

Her tone was playful, but there was a warmth to her words that put Sirius at ease. It was clear that Alice had a knack for lightening the mood.

Sirius couldn't help but return her smile. "We'll do our best," he replied, his confidence boosted by Alice's easygoing attitude. Regulus also gave a small smile despite his nervousness.

With the tactics clearly discussed, the team made their way to their starting positions. Sirius felt the adrenaline pumping through his veins. This would be a true test of his skills. As Sirius moved towards the forest edge with Frank and Alice, he felt a thrill of anticipation. This was their chance to prove themselves.

They moved silently through the trees, each step calculated and deliberate. The forest was dense, the canopy overhead casting dappled shadows on the ground. Sirius’s senses were heightened, every rustle of leaves and snap of a twig making him hyper-aware of his surroundings. Through the dense foliage, he caught glimpses of movement, the occasional flash of color indicating the presence of their rivals. He spotted James and the rest of their team figthing with some Athena and Dionysus kids.

But his attention was quickly drawn to another scene unfolding nearby. Instead of guarding their flag as planned, Remus was engaged in a fierce duel with Dorcas, one of the strongest demigods at camp. Sirius at that moment, that he should never make Dorcas angry.

The clash between Dorcas and Remus was a spectacle of skill and determination. Dorcas, known for her prowess with an axe, swung her weapon with brutal precision, aiming to overpower her opponent. Remus, however, was no ordinary combatant. With a sword in hand, he moved with an agility and grace that belied his strength, parrying Dorcas's strikes with calculated ease.
But Dorcas was relentless, pressing the attack with unbridled ferocity. With each swing of her axe, she aimed to break through Remus's defenses, her determination driving her forward. Yet, Remus proved to be an elusive target, his movements fluid and precise as he danced around her strikes.
As the battle raged on, it became clear that neither combatant would yield easily. And as they continued to battle amidst the chaos of the field, it was evident that neither would relent until one stood victorious.

Sirius watched with a knot of anxiety forming in his stomach, realizing that their defense was compromised.

"Something's not right," Sirius muttered to his team, his voice urgent. "Remus should be guarding our flag, but it looks like he's tied up in a fight. We need to find their flag fast, our defense is partially down."

Chapter Text

“Okay, stay low,” Frank whispered. “We’re almost at the clearing.”

As they approached the edge of the forest, Sirius peered through the underbrush. He could see the enemy flag, a bright splash of color against the green of the clearing. Athena and Ares kids were stationed around it, their eyes scanning the perimeter.

“Alright, here’s the plan,” Frank murmured. “I’ll create a distraction on the left. Sirius, you and Alice circle around to the right. When I give the signal, make a dash for the flag. Regulus you stay here in case we get attacked from behind.”

Sirius nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. “Got it. Let’s do this.”

Frank slipped away, moving stealthily through the trees. A few moments later, a loud crash echoed through the forest, followed by a chorus of startled shouts. The guards around the flag turned towards the noise, their attention diverted.

“Now,” Sirius hissed, and he and Alice darted forward, staying low and moving swiftly. They reached the edge of the clearing and paused, waiting for the perfect moment.

Just as the guards started moving towards Frank’s distraction, Sirius and Alice sprinted towards the flag. They were almost there when a figure stepped out from behind a tree, blocking their path. It was one of Regulus's new friends called Evan Rosier from the Ares cabin, his eyes blazing with determination.

“Not so fast,” he growled, drawing his sword.

Sirius’s heart raced, but he didn’t hesitate. He drew his own weapon, a small dagger that felt perfectly balanced in his hand. He lunged at the boy, their blades clashing with a metallic ring. Alice moved to flank Evan, her own dagger flashing in the sunlight.

The fight was intense, but Sirius felt a strange energy building within him, a pressure that seemed to swell with each passing moment. He could see the determination in Alice’s eyes, and he matched it with his own. Together, they fought with a synchrony that felt almost supernatural.

Suddenly, the ground beneath them began to tremble. Sirius glanced around, confused, as vines started to sprout from the earth, wrapping around the legs of the Ares kid. Evan struggled, but the vines held him fast, their grip unyielding.

Sirius exchanged a shocked look with Alice. He could feel the energy coursing through him, a connection to the earth and the plants around him. The realization hit him like a lightning bolt: it was not Alice as daughter of Demeter doing this… it was his power, the gift from his godly parent.

He didn’t have time to ponder it further. “Go, Alice! Get the flag!”

Alice nodded and dashed forward, snatching the flag from its stand. She turned and raced back towards the forest, Sirius hot on her heels. They didn’t stop until they were deep in the cover of the trees, the enemy camp far behind them. There they met Regulus and Frank who had apparently gotten into a fight with Kingsley Shackebolt and two other Hephaestus children. Although they had won, both Frank and Regulus were slightly injured.

“We did it,” Alice panted, holding up the flag triumphantly.

Sirius grinned, but his mind was racing. He could feel the power still thrumming within him, a reminder of the revelation that awaited him. They moved quickly back to their own territory, where James and the others were waiting.

As they emerged from the forest, the air seemed to crackle with anticipation. James stepped forward, his eyes wide with excitement. “Did you get it?”

Alice held up the flag, and a cheer went up from their team. But the celebration was short-lived. A bright light enveloped Sirius, and he felt a surge of energy unlike anything he had ever experienced. A shimmering light appeared above Sirius's head, drawing his attention. At first, he couldn't quite make out what it was, but as he watched in awe, the image became clearer.

It was a hologram, a shimmering projection of a grapevine wreathed in ivy, the symbol of Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry. Sirius's heart skipped a beat as he realized what was happening. He was being claimed by his divine parent.

“Sirius Black, son of Dionysus, god of wine and revelry.”

The light intensified, and Sirius could feel the power of his divine parentage coursing through him. The realization was overwhelming.

As the holograms shimmered above his head, the crowd erupted into cheers. "All hail Sirius, son of Dionysus!" voices cried out.

Sirius looked at Regulus to see if he had also been claimed by their father.

But then, just as Regulus was beginning to falter, a sudden burst of energy filled the air. A dark shadow appeared above his head, casting an ominous glow over the battlefield. It was a hologram, but unlike any Sirius had ever seen before.

It was the helm of darkness, the symbol of Hades, the god of the Underworld. Sirius's heart skipped a beat as he realized what was happening. Dionysus was not Regulus, his father.

For a moment, he stood there in awe, the realization sinking in. He was a son of Hades, a demigod with powers beyond mortal comprehension.

The ground beneath Regulus’s feet trembled, and shadows seemed to swirl around him. He looked at Sirius, their eyes meeting across the clearing. Gasps and whispers spread through the crowd as Regulus was claimed by Hades.

He wasn't Regulus's full brother, only his half-brother. The realization hit him hard, causing a deep ache in his chest. He glanced at Regulus, whose expression mirrored his own pain and confusion.

As the light faded, the camp was silent, the weight of the moment sinking in. The Black brothers, once thought to be full siblings, were now revealed as half-brothers, each with a different divine father. And not only that... Regulus was a son of the big three.

Chapter Text

The walk to the Big House felt like an eternity. The trees and fields that surrounded them now seemed strange and distant. They arrived at the door, knocked cautiously, and were ushered inside.

Inside, they saw Chiron, who greeted them with a somber expression, and Mr. D., lounging in a chair. So this was his father? Sirius expected him to say something to him. But instead of acknowledgment or any form of emotion, Mr. D. merely looked at them with a bored expression.

“Ah, the Black brothers,” Mr. D. said sarcastically. “Or should I say, half-brothers?”

Chiron sighed deeply and gave them a sympathetic look. “Sirius, Regulus, please sit down. We have much to discuss.”

Sirius felt the rage simmering inside him but kept it in check as he took a seat. Regulus did the same, though he was clearly tense.

Chiron began to speak. “Regulus, the fact that you are the son of Hades is... complicated. As you may know, the Big Three—Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades—swore an oath not to have any more children after World War II. Breaking this oath can have serious consequences.”

Sirius looked at his brother, whose face had turned pale. Chiron’s words were a heavy blow. “Does this mean Regulus is in danger?” he asked, worried.

Chiron nodded slowly. “There is a chance that Zeus and Poseidon will not be pleased with this discovery. We must be cautious. For now, however, there is nothing we can do. We must wait and see how the situation unfolds.”

Mr. D. took a sip of his diet coke and made a flippant remark. “Oh, don’t worry, boy. Maybe they’ll just send you to the Underworld for an eternal vacation.”

Sirius felt his anger flare up again. The air felt heavier, and he had to force himself to stay calm. His father’s indifference was unbearable.

After the conversation, Sirius and Regulus walked back to the Hermes Cabin in silence. Frank was waiting for them at the door. “You can move into your own cabins now,” he said with a kind smile. “But if you want, you can stay here for another night. It’s late, and everyone is tired from Capture the Flag.”

Sirius nodded gratefully. “We’ll stay here for one more night,” he decided, though he knew he would hardly sleep.

Inside the cabin, Sirius tried to talk to Regulus about everything, but his brother wasn’t in the mood. Regulus crawled silently into his bed, and Sirius felt alone with his thoughts.
It didn't matter that he and Regulus weren't full brothers. They had been through so much together. Still, Sirius felt like something had changed between them.

Maybe somewhere inside Sirius should have known they were different. Where Sirius was extremely extroverted, Regulus was introverted.
When Regulus had a problem he kept quiet about his feelings, while Sirius always felt like he had to talk to someone about it.
Still, Sirius always felt like he and Regulus thought the same about most things. Although they were very different in personality, they always had an unspoken sense of understanding towards each other.

Something had changed between them... and Sirius didn't like it.

Sirius sighed and felt lonely. He crawled into his bed, but sleep eluded him. His thoughts spun in circles, filled with the events of the day. The claiming by his father, the revelation of Regulus’ parentage, and Mr. D.’s cold indifference kept him awake.

—---------------------

The next morning, the camp buzzed with activity, but Sirius and Regulus moved through it like ghosts. Regulus still didn’t want to talk to Sirius. Sirius and Regulus had grown closer and closer ever since running away from their mother, but Regulus now felt further away than ever.

They silently packed their things, which was done in no time, because they had left all their possessions at home, and headed towards their new cabins.
The Dionysus Cabin, covered in grapevines and ivy, felt foreign to Sirius, while the Hades Cabin, dark and imposing, seemed even more alien to Regulus.

Sirius tried to distract himself with training and chores, but the nagging thoughts wouldn't leave him alone. He realized he needed to talk to someone.
His first thought was to go to James, but he was still busy healing the wounded from last night with the other Apollo children.

Then he remembered that he had not seen Remus since his battle with Dorcas. Even though he had only spoken to Remus a few times, he felt a deep connection with the boy. He decided that he wanted to visit Remus, but when he thought about it he realized that he hadn't seen Remus in the Hermes cabin last night either.

When he asked one of the campers, he was told that both Remus and Dorcas were in the infirmary due to their injuries from last night.

He decided to visit the infirmary and see how Remus and Dorcas were doing.

The infirmary was a quiet place, a stark contrast to the bustling camp outside. Remus lay on one of the beds, bandaged but looking relatively well. Dorcas was in the bed next to him, her axe leaning against the wall.

“Hey,” Sirius said softly, approaching Remus.

Remus looked up and smiled weakly. “Hey, Sirius. How are you holding up?”

Sirius shrugged. “Could be better. How about you?”

“I’ve had worse,” Remus replied with a grin. “Dorcas packs a punch, though.”

Sirius chuckled, feeling some of the tension ease. “Yeah, I saw. You two were pretty intense out there.”

Dorcas, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. “We’re both fine. Just a few cuts and bruises. Nothing we can’t handle.’’

‘’So who won?’’ Sirius decided to ask. Dorcas and Remus both didn't seem like the types to give up their victory, so there had to be a winner.

Remus laughed at his question. ‘’Dorcas of course. It is simply not possible for Dorcas to lose.’’

"You held your own for a long time, maybe one day you'll win." Dorcas said with a satisfied smile.

"Yes, as if you would let that happen." Remus joked back.

Sirius spent some time chatting with them, their light-hearted banter providing a welcome distraction.

As the day turned to evening, Sirius returned to his new cabin. The loneliness hit him harder than ever. He missed the camaraderie of the Hermes Cabin, the easy companionship. Here, surrounded by the symbols of Dionysus, he felt like an outsider.

One thing was clear: life at Camp Half-Blood would never be the same for the Black brothers.

Chapter Text

Sirius woke up to a soft nudge on his shoulder. He blinked his eyes open and found Marlene McKinnon standing beside his bed. Her smile was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the feelings of turmoil and confusion that had plagued him since yesterday.

"Morning, Sirius," Marlene greeted him cheerfully. "How are you holding up?"

Sirius stretched and sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "I've been better," he admitted. "This whole thing with Mr. D... it’s a lot to take in."

Marlene nodded sympathetically. "I figured. I thought I'd come by and see how you're doing. Want to talk about it?"

Sirius hesitated, but something about Marlene's presence made him feel at ease. "It's just... he doesn't seem to care at all. It's like I'm just another camper to him, not his son. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that."

Marlene listened patiently, her expression softening. "Mr. D isn't the easiest parent, that's for sure. But he's not the worst either. He has his moments. If you put in the effort, he can be proud of you. It just takes time."

Sirius sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and relief. "I hope you're right. I don't want to feel like an outsider here."

"You're not an outsider," Marlene reassured him. "Come on, let me show you around the Dionysus Cabin. It might help you feel more at home."

Sirius got out of bed and followed Marlene outside. This time Sirius actually took the time to take a good look around. The cabin's exterior was a lilac color, covered in green grape vines that gave it a wild, untamed look. Mounted above the door was a stuffed leopard head, its eyes seeming to follow them as they approached.

Marlene pointed out the various features of the cabin as they walked. "The outside is pretty unique, right? The grapevines are always growing, and the leopard head is a nod to our dad’s wild side. Inside, we have a stage in the northwest corner for our weekly plays."

"In the basement, we have a winery," Marlene continued, "but it's strictly off-limits to anyone under twenty-one. Over there," she pointed to the northwest corner, "is the kitchen with a fridge full of non-alcoholic drinks for the younger members. We also have a pretty nice selection of snacks."

Sirius couldn’t help but smile. The cabin was far more inviting than he had initially thought. "It's... really nice," he admitted.

Marlene grinned. "I knew you'd like it. Now, let me tell you a bit about what it means to be a child of Dionysus."

She led him to one of the picnic tables and they sat down. "Being a child of Dionysus comes with some unique abilities. We can be incredibly persuasive, thanks to our dad being the God of Theater.’’
Sirius listened intently as she continued. "We also have a bit of immunity to alcohol and can sometimes get addicted to certain drinks. We’re usually the life of the party, and we have a natural weapon skill, as our dad’s symbol is the thyrsus."

Marlene leaned in closer, her eyes twinkling. "Some of us can even turn water into wine, though that's rare, and some of us also have control over plants and vegetation, which can come in handy. Also, we can sometimes control joy and devotion, and we're usually at the center of any celebration. ‘’

Sirius was fascinated. "That’s incredible. I had no idea we had so many abilities."

"Yep, and there's even more," Marlene added. "It’s a lot to take in, but you’ll get the hang of it."

Sirius felt a sense of excitement building within him. Despite the challenges, there was something exhilarating about discovering his true heritage. "So, how do I get on Mr. D's good side?" he asked.

Marlene's eyes lit up. "I have an idea….. Mr. D loves a good party. If you can throw an amazing celebration, you might just earn his respect."

The way she said it made Sirius think she had been thinking about this for a while.

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "A party, huh? I think I can manage that." He had never thrown a party before, but the idea was music to his ears.

Marlene laughed. "I knew you'd be up for it. Let's get started."

They spent the rest of the morning planning the party. Marlene and Sirius decided to ask the Apollo children to help with the music. They approached James, who was still busy in the infirmary but excited about the idea. He promised to rally his siblings for an epic performance.

Next, they needed to arrange for food and drinks. Marlene knew exactly where to go. They visited the Demeter Cabin, where Alice and her siblings agreed to help prepare a feast. Alice, always efficient, had a list of dishes ready in no time.

"For decorations," Marlene said, "we need someone with an eye for beauty. Mary would probably love to do it."
Mary was thrilled to help. She began planning the decorations, envisioning a theme that would combine the wildness of Dionysus with the elegance of a grand celebration. Sirius was impressed by her creativity.

As the preparations continued, Sirius found himself feeling more at ease. The camp buzzed with excitement as word of the party spread. Everyone pitched in, and the sense of community lifted Sirius' spirits.

The evening of the party arrived, and the Dionysus Cabin was transformed. The stage was set for performances, the tables were laden with delicious food, and the decorations were breathtaking. Grape vines intertwined with flowers, and twinkling lights cast a magical glow over the entire area.

Sirius stood at the entrance, greeting guests as they arrived. He felt a surge of pride and happiness. This was his chance to prove himself, to show that he belonged.

The party was a hit from the start. The Apollo children played lively music, and everyone danced and laughed. Sirius moved through the crowd, chatting and laughing, feeling more alive than he had in days.

Marlene's true nature as a party animal also emerged. She spent much of the evening dancing with Dorcas, who had completely recovered with the help of James.

At one point, he spotted Remus by the drinks table. Sirius hesitated, then decided to talk to him. He approached with a playful grin. "Hey, Remus. Enjoying the party?"

Remus looked up and smiled. "Yeah, it's great. You did an amazing job, Sirius."

Sirius felt a flutter of nerves. "Thanks. I couldn't have done it without Marlene and everyone else."

They talked for a while and Sirius felt a connection growing between them. Sirius started to like this boy more and more…

Meanwhile, James made another attempt at flirting with Lily. He approached Lily, who was chatting with some friends. "Hey, Lily," James said, trying to sound casual. "Care for a dance?"

Lily rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "James Potter, you never give up, do you?"

"Not when it comes to you," James replied with a wink.

Lily laughed and shook her head. "Alright, one dance. But don’t get any ideas!"

James grinned triumphantly and led her to the dance floor. Sirius didn't have to be a child of Aphrodite to see that these two were made for each other.

As the night went on, Sirius found himself at the center of the festivities. He laughed, danced, and enjoyed every moment. For the first time, he felt like he truly belonged in the Dionysus Cabin.

There was never really anything to throw a party about at his old home. Sure, his mother threw parties every now and then, but these were fancy parties without any real fun. Sirius had never experienced anything like this before, and he felt extremely happy.

But as the party began to wind down, Sirius spotted Regulus standing alone by the edge of the clearing. He made his way over, feeling a pang of guilt. "Regulus, hey. How are you doing?"

Regulus looked up, his expression hard to read. "I'm fine," he said tersely.

Sirius frowned. "I thought the party would be a good distraction, something to lift our spirits."

Regulus shook his head, his eyes flashing with anger. "A distraction? Sirius, we just found out we're not full brothers, that our whole lives have been a lie. And you're throwing a party to get closer to your new father?"

Sirius had no idea how Regulus even knew the idea behind this party. But Regulus often noticed things that others might have missed.

Sirius felt a surge of frustration. "I just wanted to make the best of it, Reg. We're stuck here, and… I thought maybe I could earn Mr. D’s respect."

Regulus’ voice rose. "Well, it feels like you’re forgetting about me, you didn’t even ask if I was ok with all of this. You’re so focused on impressing Mr. D that you don’t see how much this hurts."

‘’I didn’t ask you because you have been ignoring me for the past two days!’’ Sirius said angry."I'm trying to find a way to deal with this, Regulus. We can't change who our parents are. This doesn’t change anything about us!"

"Maybe not," Regulus snapped, "but we don't have to pretend everything's okay either."

Sirius felt a mixture of anger and sorrow as Regulus stormed off into the night.
Sirius stood there, feeling the weight of their argument. The party had been a success, but it had also driven a wedge between him and his brother.

Chapter Text

A few days had passed, and Regulus and Sirius still hadn’t spoken since their argument.

Regulus spent most of his time in his cabin, avoiding the camp's bustling activities. When he did venture outside, he was often accompanied by his friends Barty and Evan.

Sirius had learned a bit more about them through stories. Barty was a quiet boy with a sharp intellect and an enigmatic presence. Evan, on the other hand, was a charming talker with a dark edge, fiercely loyal to his friends, with eyes that always held a hint of mystery.

Unfortunately, Sirius began to notice that most campers were avoiding Regulus. He was a child of Hades, and although the camp had become more united after the party, this apparently did not apply to a son of the underworld.

Sirius, however, felt truly accepted in the camp after the party. He was no longer the new kid but a full-fledged member of the community. He relished the warmth and camaraderie he had found and noticed that he was becoming more himself.

Since being claimed by Dionysus, he felt a new energy within him. He had become more extroverted and boisterous, as if his real personality was only just emerging.

He and James had become inseparable and the close-knit group consisting of James, Lily, Remus, Mary, and Marlene had grown even closer since Sirius joined.

After the party, Mr. D had indeed recognized him more as his son. Although he still wasn’t anything like a real dad, it was better than before.

Chiron had decided not to punish Marlene and Sirius for not getting prior approval for the party, since it had been such a success. The party had instilled a much-needed sense of unity within the camp.

Today, Sirius had arranged to explore the forest with Remus. The forest was normally dangerous territory, but Remus knew it like the back of his hand, having been at the camp for so long. Sirius had been looking forward to it for days, eager for Remus's company.

As they ventured into the forest, talking and laughing, they made their way through the dense underbrush. "So, what's your favorite spot in the camp?" Sirius asked, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

Remus smiled. "The old oak by the lake. It's peaceful there, a perfect place to think and read."

Sirius nodded. "I haven't spent much time by the lake, to be honest, only on my first day." Sirius thought carefully about his next question. "If you prefer not to answer, that's fine too, but I'm bursting with curiosity. How did you get those scars? They look pretty intense."

Remus chuckled. "A few are thanks to Dorcas. The rest are souvenirs from missions and training."

Sirius looked at Remus with admiration. Sirius had been told by James earlier that some demigods were sometimes allowed to go on missions. "You've been on missions? That’s amazing." "What were they about?"

Remus shrugged modestly. "Two times, and they were small missions. The first one was a reconnaissance mission, gathering information about a suspected monster lair. The second was more of an escort mission, ensuring a group of new campers arrived safely."

Sirius's eyes sparkled with interest. "That's amazing. Do you think I'll ever go on a mission?"

Remus smiled. "I'm sure you will. Most demigods go on a mission at least once."

Sirius laughed. "I hope so. Going on a mission seems awsome. Anyway let's talk more about you. What do you like to do when you're not on missions or training?"

Remus's expression softened. "I enjoy reading, as you probably guessed. And I love stargazing. The sky here is just so clear at night."

"My favorite star is Sirius." Remus said with a wink.

Even though Remus meant it sarcastically, Sirius still felt himself turn bright red.

He quickly pulled himself together.

"Stargazing, huh? We should do that together sometime. I used to do that a lot back home. I used to absolutely love it."

Sirius didn't miss his old home at all, but looking at the stars with his mother was one of the few good memories he had of her. His mother loved stargazing so much that she named him after the brightest star in the sky.

"So, what is the rest of your family like?" Remus asked.

This question took him aback for a moment. Sirius hadn't mentioned his complicated home situation to anyone yet, and he was hoping he didn't have to. Remus apparently noticed this.

"You don't have to answer. Sometimes there are things you would rather not tell."

Sirius hesitated for a moment. "Things are just complicated."

"Family can be tough. But we're all here for you, Sirius. You’re part of our family now."

Sirius's heart swelled at Remus's words. He looked at Remus, his face illuminated by the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees, and felt an unfamiliar warmth spread through him. He wasn't quite sure what it meant, but he knew he wanted to spend more time with Remus, to learn everything there was to know about him.

"Do you remember anything about your family before all of this?"

Remus took a moment before answering. "Well, I was only three, so I don't remember much. But the feeling, a certain warmth. I can't describe it….

I want to be angry at my parents for abandoning me, but that feeling... I can't imagine that they left me for no reason."
Sirius could tell that talking about it made Remus a little sad. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you upset."

"Talking about it actually helps. Sometimes I fear that I will lose my last memory of my parents. Talking about it helps me remember….”

Suddenly, a faint voice reached their ears. It was a girl's voice, soft and distant. Both Sirius and Remus immediately looked in the direction the voice came from.

A girl stood in the shadow of the forest. Her long, blond locks framed a pale face, her eyes terrifyingly intense. She stared absently into the distance as she muttered to herself.

Remus furrowed his brow. "I've not seen her before. She's not from camp. Do you know her?"

Sirius shook his head and stepped closer. "Hey, are you okay? What's your name?"

The girl didn't answer; she kept muttering to herself.

A chill ran down Sirius's spine. He looked at Remus, who seemed as puzzled as he felt. "Who are you?" Sirius asked again, this time more urgently.

The girl again didn't answer. Instead, she muttered, "I'm looking for Sirius Black. I have a prophecy"

Chapter Text

Sirius and Remus carefully guided the mysterious girl through the forest, her distant gaze making it clear she was not entirely present. She muttered under her breath, words that neither Sirius nor Remus could fully catch. The path back to Chiron felt unusually long as they navigated the dense trees, both lost in thoughts about the strange girl and the prophecy she seemed to carry.

As they finally emerged from the forest and approached the main camp area, Sirius glanced at Remus. "Do you think she'll be okay?"

Remus nodded, though his eyes were filled with concern. "Chiron will know what to do."

They made their way to the Big House, where they found Chiron in his usual place, going over some scrolls. The centaur looked up, his wise eyes immediately noting the girl's strange demeanor.

"Chiron," Sirius called out, his voice steady but urgent. "We found her in the forest. She seems... different. She was looking for me."

Chiron's brows furrowed as he approached them. He knelt down to the girl's level and spoke gently, "What is your name, child?"

The girl looked up at Chiron, her eyes finally focusing for a brief moment. "Pandora Rosier," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I have a prophecy."

Chiron's eyes widened slightly, and he glanced at Sirius and Remus. "Sirius, you said she was looking for you?"

Sirius nodded.

Chiron stood up, his expression grave. "Let's hear the prophecy, Pandora."

Pandora's eyes glazed over again, and she spoke in a voice that seemed to come from somewhere far away, filled with an ancient weight:

"In the shadows of the sky, where a Titan lies,
Bound by the Lord who rules the skies,

A child of wine must break the chains,
To prevent a disaster that could end all reigns.

Three demigods must stand by his side,
Through trials and terrors, where secrets reside.

A past revealed, a truth untold,
To save the present, brave the cold."

As the last words of the prophecy echoed in the room, Pandora's eyes rolled back, and she collapsed into Chiron's arms. He gently laid her down on a nearby couch and covered her with a blanket.

Sirius stood frozen, the weight of the prophecy settling heavily on his shoulders. Remus placed a comforting hand on his back, his eyes meeting Sirius’s with a mix of reassurance and concern.

Chiron's voice broke through Sirius's thoughts. "We need to gather the cabin leaders. This prophecy is significant, and we must act quickly."

The campfire crackled as the cabin leaders gathered around. Everyone looked to Chiron, who stood tall despite the tension in the air.

"We have just heard a prophecy from a girl called Pandora Rosier," Chiron began. "It speaks of a Titan bound by the Lord of the Sky, and the necessity of a child of Dionysus to free him. This prophecy involves Sirius directly, and it indicates the formation of a quest team."

"A Titan?" Lily repeated, her voice filled with disbelief. "But Titans aren't supposed to be... They're ancient history."

Chiron's expression was grave as he nodded. "Indeed, Lily. Titans have not walked the earth for millennia.’’

"This girl's last name is Rosier?" Dorcas asked her voice filled with concern. "Is there any chance she knows Evan?"

''We don't know yet, Pandora fainted after speaking the prophecy. We will ask Evan right after this meeting if he knows her.’’ Chiron said with a somewhat somber look.

"Do we know which Titan it speaks of?" Mary asked.

Chiron shook his head. "Not yet, but we must research and prepare. The prophecy also mentions three demigods who must accompany Sirius. if he chooses to go’’

Sirius felt a surge of determination. "I'll do it. I'll lead the quest.”

James immediately spoke up. "I'll go with you, Sirius."

Chiron looked at James. ''I admire your courage, but you know as well as I do that that choice is not yours to make.’’

James looked disappointed, but clearly understood Chiron.

‘’We will need to prepare thoroughly. Lily since you are the head of the Athena cabin, I want you to lead the research team to find out more about this Titan and the prophecy. Sirius, you must prepare yourself mentally and physically for the trials ahead. and you must choose 3 demigods to accompany you."

As the meeting dispersed, Sirius found himself alone by the lake, staring at the reflection of the stars. The weight of the prophecy and the impending quest pressed on him, but he felt a strange sense of clarity.

Remus joined him, silent for a moment before speaking. "You okay?"

Oh god he looked even more beautiful in the moonlight..

Sirius nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. "I think so. It's a lot , but I feel ready somehow." He paused for a moment "And I want you to come with me, Remus."

Remus's gaze was steady. "We'll face it together, Sirius. Whatever comes, we'll handle it."

Chapter Text

The next morning Sirius sat at the edge of his bed, staring at the ceiling of his cabin. This night the dream had not returned, Sirius knew it had something to do with the prophecy, the weight of the prophecy still hung heavily in his mind, and he knew he had to make some tough decisions. He took a deep breath and headed out to find James.

He found James in the common area, chatting animatedly with Lily and Marlene.

The moment he saw Sirius, James excused himself and walked over. "Hey, mate. You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind."

Sirius nodded, motioning for James to follow him outside. They walked towards the lake, the cool morning air helping to clear Sirius’s thoughts.

"James, I need to ask you something important," Sirius began, his voice serious.

James raised an eyebrow, curiosity evident in his eyes. "What’s up?"

"I want you to come with me on this quest," Sirius said, looking straight into James's eyes. "I trust you, and I know we can do this together."

James's face lit up with a mix of pride and determination. "Of course, Sirius. You didn’t even have to ask. We’ll get through this, no matter what."

Sirius felt a wave of relief wash over him. With James by his side, he felt more confident about the challenges ahead.

"Thanks, James. Also, I’ve already asked Remus to come along. I thought it would be a good idea since he’s been on missions before."

James nodded approvingly. "That’s a smart choice. Remus is experienced, and he knows how to handle himself out there. But remember, this quest is going to be different. It’s much more serious than any mission we’ve faced before."

Sirius smirked. "So you’re saying we need to be 'Siriusly' prepared?"

James groaned, shaking his head with a laugh. "Oh, come on. Even in the face of danger, you’ve got jokes. Classic Sirius."

"As if you're any better." Sirius joked back

They both chuckled, the tension easing slightly. "But seriously," Sirius continued, his tone more earnest, "we need to check on Pandora. She might have more information about the prophecy and why it involves us specifically."

The two made their way to the infirmary where Pandora was resting. As they entered, they saw Evan sitting by her bedside. He looked up as they approached, his expression a mix of concern and relief.

"Evan, how’s she doing?" Sirius asked, keeping his voice low.

Evan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "She’s doing better. She’s resting now, but the prophecy took a lot out of her. This won't be the last time she makes a prophecy, but Chiron says it's going to be easier as time goes on." He paused, glancing at Pandora. "Pandora is my sister."

Sirius and James exchanged surprised looks. "'Sister?" James echoed. "But she’s not a demigod, right?"

‘’Well, technically she is my half-sister, but that actually means the same thing.’’ Evan said without doubt.

Sirius felt the same way about Regulus, but apparently Regulus didn't feel the same way, even after the prophecy they hadn't spoken yet.

Evan continued. "She has true sight, and apparently she has the gift of delivering prophecies. Of course I didn't know this, otherwise I would have taken her to Camp-Half Blood sooner. We haven't seen each other in 2 years, damn it." Evan said with an angry look in his eyes.

Sirius felt a mixture of sympathy and concern.

‘’What will happen to her now, she can't go back? She'll attract all the monsters in a 6 mile radius." James asked.

‘’She’s going to be the new Oracle of Delphi, Pandora has chosen to take her place." Evan said to James.

James saw that Sirius had no idea what Evan was talking about and explained ''The previous oracle of Delphi made all the prophecies before a demigod was allowed on a mission. She got lost a few weeks ago and no one has found her yet.”

"Someone has gone missing and you haven't been able to find that person, aren't you incredibly worried?" Sirius said with surprise.

James and Evan both laughed.

''The previous oracle wasn't really a person. She was a mummy who lived in the attic of the big house. Evans explained. "So no, we don't really worry."

Pandora stirred then, her eyes fluttering open. She looked around the room, her gaze settling on Sirius. "You’re here," she said softly, her voice still weak.

Sirius stepped closer, his expression gentle. "Yeah, we’re here. How are you feeling?"

Pandora managed a small smile. "Better, I think. The prophecy took a lot out of me, but I’m okay."

Sirius nodded, glancing at Evan before turning back to Pandora. "We’re going to figure this out. The prophecy, the Titan… everything. We’ll make sure you’re safe."

Pandora’s eyes softened. "Thank you, Sirius. And I'm sorry, I didn't mean to drag you into this."

''Oh no Pandora, this is not your fault. You can't do anything about it.’’ Sirius said.

Even though Evan wasn't known as the nicest guy, he clearly liked how well Sirius interacted with his sister.

Evan stood up, his protective instincts evident. "Just make sure you’re prepared. This quest won’t be easy."

James clapped Sirius on the back. "We’ll be ready. We’ll gather the best team and face whatever comes our way."

They left Evan and Pandora together. Although Pandora’s life would change forever, being in her brother's company was clearly worth all the trouble.

Back at the cabins, Sirius and James gathered their close-knit group: Lily, Remus, Mary, and Marlene. They explained what they had learned about Pandora. Although they hadn't had time to ask Pandora if she knew more, their visit had still been worth it.

Lily’s eyes widened as she processed the information. "So, we need to find out more about this Titan and the prophecy. I'll ask Pandora if she knows more when she's better. In the meantime I will continue with my research’’

Remus nodded, his eyes meeting Sirius’s with determination.
"And we’ll be ready to support you, Sirius. Whatever happens, we’re in this together."

Sirius felt a surge of gratitude towards his friends. They were more than just comrades; they were family. And together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As they dispersed to begin their preparations, Sirius found himself alone by the lake once more. He needed to choose one more person to join the quest. His mind raced with possibilities.

Regulus, his brother, who he hadn't spoken to since their argument. Could this be a way to mend their relationship and prove their bond?

Marlene, whose fierce determination and combat skills made her a formidable ally. She was always ready for a fight, and her loyalty was unwavering.

Lily, whose wisdom and strategic mind could be invaluable. Her leadership skills and intelligence would be a great asset on the quest.

Mary, whose surprising battle strategies and excellent company made her an unexpected but valuable choice. Her ability to think on her feet could turn the tide in critical moments.

As Sirius stared at the reflection of the stars in the lake, he knew he had some difficult choices to make. But one thing was clear: with his friends by his side, he felt ready to face whatever challenges awaited them.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Sirius got ready to go to breakfast, but as soon as he stepped out of the door, he saw Regulus approaching him.

"Hey, Sirius," began Regulus, somewhat awkwardly. "How are you?"

Sirius looked up and smiled weakly. "It's going alright, Reg."

Their argument had bothered Sirius immensely the past few days. Regulus nodded, his face more serious than usual. "I talked to Evan about the whole Pandora situation… it made me realize that it really doesn't matter whether we're full brothers or half-brothers."

Sirius felt a warm glow in his chest. "Thanks, Reg."

"So... how are you going to approach this mission? Who are you going to bring?" Regulus asked curiously.

"No idea yet. Lily is currently doing research; I'm going to help her this afternoon, but I get the feeling she would rather do it alone," Sirius said with a smile. "James and Remus are coming along for the quest, but I still need to choose one more person..."

Before he could say more, Lily approached them with a determined look on her face. "Sirius, Pandora is allowed to leave the infirmary, and I asked her if she knew anything more about the prophecy. Unfortunately, she doesn’t."

Sirius sighed. "Alright, so we’re still in the dark about that."

Lily’s eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and concern. "That is not all, I found something about the Titan. I think the prophecy might be about Prometheus. In the most famous story of Prometheus he is chained by Zeus, and this sounds an awful lot like the prophecy we have now received."

They quickly gathered the group—Lily, Marlene, Mary, Remus, James, and now Regulus—to discuss what Lily had discovered.

Lily began, "Prometheus is a Titan who, out of love for humanity, stole fire from the Olympian gods and gave it to humans. He taught them how to use metal and brought them science and art. Prometheus is depicted as a teacher and inventor, who taught humans mutual respect and how to think ahead." Lily paused for a moment and then continued. "Zeus punished Prometheus and humanity for the theft of the forbidden fire from the gods. He was chained to a pillar in the Caucasus Mountains, and every day the eagle Ethon would come to pick out and eat his liver. At night, the liver would grow back so the torment could begin anew."

Sirius thought this was disgusting, but after all the strange Greek stories James and Marlene had told him over the past few days, he wasn't really surprised.

The group listened intently as Lily continued, "This Titan was spared initially when most of the other Titans were eradicated by Zeus. However, he later disappeared because people stopped thinking about him. It’s likely that this Titan has come back to life."

"Well, how did he come back to life?" Mary asked with a concerned look.

"That's something I would like to know, but I haven't been able to find anything about it yet. This has never happened before, and this it certainly not a good sign," Lily replied.

"Why do you think it is Prometheus? The fact that he was previously captured by Zeus does not mean that this happened to him again. I mean, you would think he would have learned his lesson," Marlene said more sarcastically than seriously.

"The reason I believe the Titan in the prophecy is Prometheus is that history tends to repeat itself. Also, it’s no coincidence that a girl named Pandora delivered this prophecy," Lily said and she looked around to see if anyone already understood where she was going.

Remus spoke suddenly. "Oh yes... of course Pandora. Why didn't I realize this before?"

The others clearly didn't understand where he was going, so Remus continued speaking.

"The punishment for humanity accepting the fire was also harsh and unmitigated. Zeus commanded Hephaestus to form a woman from water and earth, named Pandora. Then all the gods bestowed upon her good gifts. Hermes gave her speech and planted shameless thoughts and a deceitful nature in her being. This gave her a quality that no other mortal had, curiosity. Epimetheus, despite his brother Prometheus's warning not to accept any gifts from the gods, took her in."

James, Mary, and Marlene now understood what story he was talking about. Sirius and Regulus did not, so Remus continued with his explanation.

"Zeus also presented the couple with a kind of jar, in which all misfortunes were locked up. If the jar remained closed, they could escape and hurt anyone. But Pandora was curious and wanted to open the jar, but Epimetheus tried to stop her. One day Pandora could not contain her curiosity and opened the jar, thus releasing all the disasters, diseases, and sorrows that were spreading over the earth."

"Well, that's depressing," Sirius said.

"We have to find out where exactly he was captured, it is likely that he is recaptured in the Caucasus Mountains." Lily said.

"But that's in Europe and Asia!" Regulus said in disbelief.

"That's right," Lily said. "But not in our case. Locations like this have moved to America, just as Mount Olympus is now above New York. Where would the Caucasus Mountains of America be?"

"A past revealed, a truth untold, To save the present, brave the cold," Mary repeated from the prophecy. "The most obvious seems to me to be the Rocky Mountains; they are in a pretty cold climate."
"Of course!" Lily said. "That makes so much sense."

It was during moments like these that Sirius remembered that your godly parent didn't say everything about you. Children of Aphrodite were often seen as superficial and not always as the smartest people, but Mary once again proved otherwise.

Sirius nodded, feeling the weight of their task more than ever. "So the Rocky Mountains it is. We need to be ready for anything. We have to stop whatever's coming and free Prometheus."

As the meeting dispersed, Sirius felt a strong urge to reconnect with his brother. They had only spoken briefly that morning, and Sirius wanted to make up for lost time. Together, they walked to the arena, where Remus and Marlene were practicing their fighting skills.

"I'm really happy we aren't fighting anymore, Reg," Sirius said, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "It's been rough. I missed talking to you."

Regulus looked at him, his expression softening. "Yeah, me too. It's been strange not having you around."

"Have you had a kind of good time at camp these past few days?" Sirius asked, hoping to hear something positive.

"Yeah, I've been great, never better," Regulus said sarcastically.

"Come on, we need to talk to each other about this stuff. This is the only way we can help each other."

Regulus sighed, his shoulders slumping a bit. "Honestly, it's been a struggle. Since I found out about Hades, everything has changed. Chiron told me that Zeus and Hades are quite angry with each other. And I am the reason for that… What if something happens?’’

Regulus paused for a second, then he continued.

‘’And worst of all... Hades hasn't even contacted me yet. I know I should have expected this and I shouldn't want to see my absent father, but still.’’

Sirius frowned, feeling an enormous pang of sympathy. He knew Regulus was having a hard time, but he didn't realize how difficult this must have been for him. Regulus wasn't much of a talker when it came to his feelings, and Sirius was taken aback by his brother's openness.

But Regulus wasn’t even done. ‘’Also… I see the other campers looking at me, avoiding me. It’s like they think I'm going to turn on them any second."

Sirius was silent for a moment, thinking about what he wanted to say to his younger brother.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to share my depression with you," Regulus said jokingly, but Sirius knew that deep down he kind of meant it.

"Regulus, I'm so, so sorry. I knew you were dealing with a lot. I should have been there for you and not let that stupid argument come between us. You need someone to talk to."

"It's ok, I've not been completely alone," Regulus said. "Evan and Barty have been great, and Dorcas is also super nice to me. They've accepted me, and we’ve stuck together."

Sirius felt a warmth spread through him at his brother's words. "It's not ok, but I'm glad to hear that you have made some good friends. You deserve good friends."

They stayed there, talking and watching the others practice. As they talked, Sirius's eyes kept drifting to Remus. James had once told him that whenever Remus was deep in thought or needed to process something, he could always be found in the arena. His years of living in the bustling camp had taught him to find his peace in a fight.

Sirius could understand that feeling. While he still preferred to talk about his feelings, he also found a certain kind of peace during fights. It seemed to be in the DNA of every demigod, a shared heritage of finding solace in the heat of battle.

Later that afternoon, Lily, James, and Mary also came to the arena. Apparently, Lily had promised James to practice together too. Every time James tried to make a flirty comment, Lily tried to look irritated instead of flattered, but Sirius found that she was more often unsuccessful than successful.

It felt good to share this moment, surrounded by the sounds of clashing weapons and the shouts of encouragement from their friends.

That night, despite the concerning information about his mission, Sirius found himself falling asleep easily. His brother’s forgiveness and the end of their fight made him feel lighter than he had in days. As he drifted off, he held onto that feeling of peace, knowing that no matter what lay ahead, he and Regulus were on the same side once more.

Chapter Text

This day would be Sirius' last 'normal' day at camp. Now that they knew more about the titan, it was almost time to leave. James had promised to have one more fantastic day.

Sirius had spent most of the morning at the arena with Regulus, who was starting to enjoy the fights more and more. That afternoon, Sirius and the rest of the group decided to go canoeing. Sirius had invited Regulus, but Regulus had declined the offer. He said he wanted to spend some time alone. However, Sirius thought this had more to do with Regulus not really feeling comfortable in the water. He had never been the best swimmer.

Still, the sun was shining brightly, and the sky was a clear blue – the perfect weather for a day on the water.

"This is going to be great!" James exclaimed as they carried their canoes to the water.

"Yeah, and try not to tip the canoe this time, Potter," Marlene said.

"No promises!" James laughed.

Sirius and Mary shared a canoe, Lily and Remus paired up, and James and Marlene were together. As soon as they were on the water, Sirius felt the tension of the past days slip away. The rhythmic sound of the paddles in the water and the gentle rocking of the canoe were soothing.

"Mary, do you think we can get through this without any incidents?" Sirius asked with a grin.

"I give it five minutes before James does something silly and he and Marlene both fall into the water," Mary replied dryly.

Sure enough, within five minutes, James managed to drop a paddle, causing their canoe to wobble slightly. "Sorry, sorry!" he called out as he tried to retrieve the paddle.

"James, you're absolutely hopeless," Mary laughed.

"I know, but you all love me anyway," James said with a broad smile.

"That's debatable," Marlene said while splashing a bit of water at him.

They reached a small cove where they decided to take a break. As they sat on the shore, Sirius noticed how relaxed everyone was. The tension of their mission seemed far away, and they simply enjoyed the moment.

The rest of the afternoon was filled with laughter, teasing, and the kind of carefree fun that had become rare in their lives as demigods. They cherished the simple joys of being together, knowing these moments were precious.

As they paddled back toward the center of the lake, James started singing an old campfire song, and soon everyone joined in. Their voices echoed over the water, blending with the sounds of nature around them. It felt like a scene from a perfect summer day.

After a while, James ended their relaxing paddling. “The first one to reach that island wins!”

"Oh, you're on!" Lily shouted, and they all started paddling furiously.

The race was filled with laughter and playful banter. Lily and Remus found themselves neck and neck with James and Marlene. Just as they neared the shore, James decided to give his team an edge by splashing water at Lily and Remus.

"Hey, no fair!" Remus protested, laughing as he tried to dodge the water.

"All's fair in canoe races!" James retorted, paddling even harder.

In the end, it was a close finish, but James' team narrowly won. They all collapsed on the shore, breathless and laughing.

"Okay, okay, you win," Lily conceded, still smiling. "But next time we do a rematch."

"Deal," James said, offering a hand to help Lily up. She thought for a second, but grabbed his hand anyway.

They took a moment to rest on the shore, enjoying the gentle breeze and the sound of the water lapping at their feet. "You know, we should do this more often," Mary said, stretching out on the beach.

"I agree," Marlene said. "It's nice to just have fun and not worry about monsters or prophecies for a change."

Sirius looked around at his friends, feeling a deep sense of contentment.

"Hey, before we go, how about a quick swim?" James suggested.

"Why not?" Marlene said, already starting to strip down to her swimsuit.

They all quickly followed and jumped into the cool, refreshing water. They splashed around, played games, and even had an impromptu diving contest. The water was the perfect antidote to the summer heat, and they relished every moment.

At one point, Sirius and Remus found themselves sitting, side by side, watching their friends. "You know, for a bunch of demigods, we have pretty awesome friends," Sirius said.

"Couldn't agree more," Remus replied, glancing sideways at Sirius.

Eventually, they reluctantly left the water and dried off, knowing it was time to head back. As they paddled back to the camp, the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the lake. It was a breathtaking sight, and they paddled slowly, taking it all in.

When they finally reached the shore, they found Regulus waiting for them at the edge of the lake. His brother smiled at him, and Sirius felt that warm glow of connection again.
"How was the canoeing?" Regulus asked.

"Fantastic," Sirius replied. "You missed out, little brother."

"Maybe next time," Regulus said, his smile widening.

"How was your day, Reg?" Sirius asked, curious.

Regulus nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "It was good. Spent the day with Dorcas, Pandora, Barty, and Evan. Barty taught us this cool card game, and we played the whole afternoon."

"Sounds like you had fun, I am glad." Sirius said, genuinely pleased for his brother.

They laughed and joked all the way back to the cabins. The sky grew darker, and the first stars began to appear. He knew tough times lay ahead, but as long as he had his friends and his brother by his side, he could face anything.

Chapter Text

Sirius woke up the next morning with a renewed sense of purpose. Yesterday had been great, but today it was time to focus on his quest again. He had gathered most of the information he needed about the mission, and he had a solid team forming around him. However, the decision of who to take as the final member still loomed over him.

As he got dressed and headed out to breakfast, he was greeted by Dorcas, who appeared more serious than usual.

"Dorcas," Sirius said with a nod. "Good morning."

"Sirius, can we talk for a moment? It's important," Dorcas replied, her voice tinged with urgency.

"Of course," Sirius said, leading her away from the busy dining area to a quieter spot near the cabins. "What's on your mind?"

Dorcas took a deep breath, clearly struggling with what she was about to say. "I know you need to choose one more person for the quest, and I have a request….. Please, don't ask Marlene to go."

Sirius's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Marlene? Why not? She's one of the best fighters we have."

Dorcas nodded, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination. "I know she is, but... a year ago, Marlene went on her first mission. She barely made it back alive. It was... it was the hardest thing I've ever had to watch. If something happens to her again, I don't think I could handle it."

Sirius felt a pang of sympathy for Dorcas. He knew how close she and Marlene were. "Ok…I understand, but Marlene won't be happy if she finds out I left her behind for this reason."

Dorcas's eyes pleaded with him. "I know. That's why I'm asking you not to tell her. She would be furious if she knew I asked this of you. But please, Sirius, for my sake... don't let her go."

Sirius took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright, Dorcas. I promise I won't ask her."

Dorcas's shoulders sagged in relief. "Thank you, Sirius. It means a lot."

As they walked back to the dining area, Sirius's mind was already turning to who else he could ask.

After breakfast, he wandered around the camp, thinking about the team. He found himself drawn to the library, where he knew Lily often spent her time.

He found Lily surrounded by maps and books, her brow furrowed in concentration as she pored over the materials. She had been researching tirelessly, trying to uncover more about the prophecy and the Titan they were about to face.

Sirius watched her for a moment, admiring her dedication and intelligence. She was deeply engrossed in her work, making notes and cross-referencing information. It was clear she was determined to leave no stone unturned.

"Lily," Sirius began, breaking the silence. "I've been thinking about the last person for our quest. I want you to come with us."

Lily looked up, surprise flickering in her eyes. "Me? Are you sure?"

"Absolutely," Sirius said with conviction. "You're smart, you're a great fighter, and you've done all the research. You deserve to be part of this."

Before Lily could respond, Regulus, who had been nearby, stood up abruptly and stormed out of the library. Sirius felt a knot form in his stomach and quickly excused himself, following his brother outside.

"Regulus!" Sirius called after him. "Wait!"

Regulus stopped and turned, his face a mask of anger and betrayal. "What do you want, Sirius?"

Regulus's eyes darkened, and the ground beneath him began to tremble. Shadows stretched and twisted around him, forming eerie, spectral shapes that flickered with a cold, ghostly light.

"Why did you just walk away like that?" Sirius asked, trying to keep his voice calm, he had never seen such powers from Regulus before.

Regulus's eyes flashed with hurt. "I thought I was coming with you on this quest. We were supposed to stick together, no matter what. And now you're just leaving me behind?!"

Sirius took a step closer, his own frustration bubbling to the surface. "Regulus, I don’t want to put you in danger. With your problems with Zeus, it’s too risky. Plus, you're still too young. I'm sorry if I made you feel like I was going to go with you, but I can't...."

"I'm not a child, Sirius!" Regulus shouted, his voice echoing across the camp and the ground trembled again. "I can handle myself. You just don’t trust me."

"It's not about trust," Sirius said, his voice rising. "It's about keeping you safe. I can’t lose you, Reg."

Regulus's face twisted with anger. "You don't get to decide what's best for me. I thought we were past this, but clearly, you still see me as a burden."

"That's not true," Sirius said, feeling desperation claw at him. "I just want to protect you."

Regulus' anger turned into pain, the ground recovered and Regulus' eyes returned to normal.

Regulus shook his head, tears forming in his eyes. "You’re pushing me away, Sirius. Just like you always used to do, I thought it would be different here, but I was clearly wrong."

Sirius knew exactly what he was talking about. In the past, Sirius had left him alone with his mother once when the relationship between Sirius and his mother was at its worst point. He was still young at the time and didn't know what else to do. However, he had always regretted this. His mother had taken out her anger towards Sirius on his younger brother and he had never forgiven himself for it.

Before Sirius could say anything more, Regulus turned and walked away, his shoulders stiff with anger and hurt. Sirius stood there, watching him go, a heavy sense of dread settling in his chest. This argument felt different, more final. Something had snapped between them, and Sirius wasn’t sure if it could ever be mended.

As the day wore on, Sirius tried to focus on preparing for the quest, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Regulus. The pain in his brother’s eyes haunted him, and he wondered if he had made the right decision. He knew he had to protect Regulus, but at what cost?

That evening, as he sat by the lake, staring at the reflection of the moon on the water, Sirius felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see James, his eyes filled with understanding.
James had apparently heard about his fight with Regulus.

"You did what you thought was best, Sirius," James said gently. "Regulus will come around. He just needs time."

"I hope you're right," Sirius replied, his voice heavy with doubt. "I can't help but feel like I've lost him."

James sat down beside him, their shoulders touching. "You haven't lost him. You're brothers. That bond is stronger than any argument."

Sirius nodded, but the weight of the day’s events still pressed heavily on his heart. As he stared out at the lake, he made a silent promise to himself: no matter what happened, he would find a way to make things right with Regulus. But for now, he had a mission to focus on, and he needed to be ready for whatever lay ahead.

Chapter Text

Today was the day to say goodbye to some wonderful people he had met. Sirius knew the dangers that were ahead of him, and to be honest he didn't know if he would ever return here. Even though he had not stayed camp very long, it felt like home. The thought of never returning hurt him deeply.

He took a deep breath, letting the cool air fill his lungs and clear his mind.

As he made his way to the dining hall, he was intercepted by Kingsley Shacklebolt. The tall, imposing figure of Kingsley stood out even among the many demigods in the camp. Sirius had seen him around often, always a steady presence, but they had never formally met.

"Sirius," Kingsley called out, his deep voice resonating with authority.

"Kingsley," Sirius replied, walking over to him. "What's up?"

Kingsley gestured for Sirius to follow him towards the forge, a place where the Hephaestus campers spent much of their time crafting and repairing weapons.

"James told me about your mission," Kingsley began as they walked. "He asked us to make something special for you."

Sirius felt gratitude towards his friend. James was always looking out for him, even in ways he hadn't expected.
As they entered the forge, Sirius was struck by the heat and the smell of molten metal. The rhythmic clanging of hammers against anvils filled the air, creating a symphony of creation.

Kingsley led him to a workbench where a dagger lay gleaming. It was a masterpiece, with a purple-red gem set in the hilt and detailed vine patterns curling around it. The craftsmanship was impeccable, and Sirius could feel the power and care that had gone into making the weapon.

"It's magnificent," Sirius said, picking up the dagger and feeling its weight. It was perfectly balanced, an extension of his own hand. "Thank you, Kingsley."

"Name it," Kingsley suggested, his eyes twinkling with approval.

Sirius thought for a moment, considering the intricate details of the dagger. The vines reminded him of the stories of Dionysus and the life force that flowed through nature.

"Αμπέλια," he said finally, the Greek word for 'vines.'

"A good name," Kingsley nodded. "May it serve you well."

He had a brief but significant interaction with Kingsley, and it added to his confidence for the journey ahead. Now, he needed to day goodbye to some people.

He made his way to check on Pandora. When he arrived, he found her sitting with Barty and Evan. They were chatting animatedly, their faces a mix of concern and determination. Dorcas and Regulus also belonged to this group, but neither were there. Sirius knew from Dorcas that she was with Marlene, but Regulus had no idea where he was.

He received fairly angry looks from Barty and Evan, it probably had something to do with his argument with Regulus, Sirius thought.

“Hey how are you doing Pandora?” Sirius asked.

Pandora however looked up and smiled warmly. "I'm doing better, Sirius. Thanks for checking on me."

Sirius nodded, relieved to see her in good spirits. "I'm glad to hear that. We'll be leaving soon, but I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I appreciate that," Pandora said. "Good luck out there. We'll be rooting for you."

As Sirius left, his thoughts turned to Regulus. He had kind of hoped to find his brother there, but perhaps it was for the best. Their last conversation had ended pretty badly, and Sirius wasn't sure if they were ready to talk yet.

Next, Sirius sought out Marlene and Dorcas to say his goodbyes. He found them near the training grounds, where they were sparring with a few other campers. Marlene spotted him first and lowered her weapon, a puzzled look on her face.

"Sirius, what's going on?" she asked, walking over to him.

"I came to say goodbye," Sirius said. "We're leaving soon."

"What?" Leaving your half-sister behind?" Marlene teased "Well, someone has to stay and keep things in order, right?"

Sirius and Dorcas shared a meaningful glance. They both knew the real reason Marlene wasn't going, but they kept it between them.

"Take care, Marlene," Sirius said, hugging her.

Marlene looked at him for a long moment, then nodded. "Alright. But don't think this means you get to leave me out next time."

They shared a brief hug, and Sirius turned to Dorcas. She gave him a small, knowing smile.

"Take care of your friends Sirius," Dorcas said softly.

"I will," Sirius promised.

As Sirius walked away, he felt a mix of relief and guilt. He knew he had made the right decision, but it didn't make it any easier.

He then found Mary sitting by the strawberry fields, her usual spot when she wanted some quiet time. Sirius approached her, feeling a sense of trust and comfort in her presence.

"Hey, Mary," he said, sitting down beside her.

"Hey, Sirius," she replied, looking out at the Satyr’s chasing each other through the strawberry fields. "Ready for the big day?"

"Yeah," he said, taking a deep breath. " Its scary, not going to lie. Over the past few days just kept going, but I am only now beginning to realize what lies ahead.’’

Sirius hesitated for a moment, then decided to tell her the truth. "I didn't take Marlene with us because Dorcas asked me not to. She was really worried after what happened last year, and she couldn't bear the thought of something happening to Marlene again."

Mary's expression softened with understanding. "That makes sense, Sirius. I think you made the right call."

''What if something happens to James, Lily or Remus? Then it's my fault.'' Sirius looked straight into Mary's eyes. ''I asked them to come with me''

''That's not how it works, Sirius. They themselves agreed. They all have enough experience to know what is coming. You can't hold yourself accountable. This is simply what it means to be a demigod.’’

Sirius knew she was right, but he still didn't feel that way inside. So he just changed the subject.

"I just hope Marlene doesn't find out why I didn’t ask her," Sirius said with a wry smile. "She'd be furious."

Mary chuckled, but there was a hint of seriousness in her voice. "Yeah, let's keep that between us. But you did the right thing, Sirius. And I'm glad I get to stay here with Marlene."

Sirius felt a weight lift off his shoulders. "Thanks, Mary. I appreciate it."

As the day wore on, the camp buzzed with activity. Everyone was busy with their own tasks, preparing for the mission or maintaining the camp. The sense of community and support was palpable, and it filled Sirius with a sense of pride.

Sirius approached Frank and Alice, who were sitting together by the edge of the lake. They looked up as he approached, their faces lighting up with recognition.

"Hey, Sirius," Frank greeted warmly. "Ready for the mission?"
Sirius nodded. "Yeah, it's time to go," he replied. "Take care of yourselves while we're gone."

Alice smiled, her gaze filled with understanding. "You too, Sirius. Stay safe out there."

They exchanged a few more words of encouragement before Sirius left to pack his bag.

Later that day, Chiron called Sirius, Remus, Lily, and James together for a final meeting. They gathered in the main cabin, where Chiron waited with a warm smile. Dionysus was also there that made the moment even more significant to Sirius.

"You have a difficult task ahead," Chiron began, his eyes full of wisdom and kindness. "But I believe in you. Go, and come back safe."

Dionysus stepped forward, his usual aloof demeanor replaced by a rare look of pride. "Do well, Sirius. Remember your training and trust your instincts."

Sirius nodded, feeling a surge of emotion. His father's words meant more to him than he would ever admit. "I will."

The meeting ended with a sense of solemnity and purpose. As they stepped outside, the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the camp. The Apollo campers were setting up for a campfire, their voices filling the air with song and laughter.

Sirius, James, Lily, and Remus joined the gathering, sitting together as the flames danced in the night. The songs and stories brought a sense of camaraderie and warmth, a reminder of why they were fighting and what they were protecting.

The next morning, he was awakened early by James, Lily, and Remus. They stood at the foot of his bed, their faces a mix of determination and excitement.

"It's time," James said, his voice steady.

Sirius sat up, feeling the weight of the moment. "Yeah, it's time."

They gathered their gear and made their way to the camp's edge, where Chiron and a few others were waiting to see them off. The morning air was cool and filled with the promise of a new adventure.

Sirius took one last look at the camp, a place that had become home to him. He felt a surge of gratitude for everything and everyone that had prepared him for this moment. Then, with a deep breath, he turned to his friends.

"Let's do this," he said, his voice filled with resolve.

Together, they set off, stepping into the unknown with courage and determination. The journey ahead would be challenging, but they were ready to face whatever came their way.

Chapter Text

The sun had just begun to rise, casting a golden hue across the landscape as Sirius, James, Lily, and Remus set off on their mission. The camp was already behind them, and the sense of excitement and anticipation hung thick in the air. They walked in comfortable silence at first, each lost in their thoughts, but soon enough, conversation began to flow naturally.

James, ever the planner, had taken the lead in packing their provisions. He had thought of everything, from food and water to warm clothing, weapons and money. As they walked, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of golden drachmas.

"Hey, Sirius," James called, catching Sirius's attention. "I brought these along. Drachmas. Useful for all sorts of things."

Sirius eyed the coins curiously. "Like what?"

"Well," James began, "they're not just currency. You can use them to summon the messenger gods, pay for magical services, and even as a fare for crossing the River Styx if it comes to that. They're incredibly handy."

As James finished explaining the versatility of the drachmas, Sirius nodded thoughtfully, impressed by the information. But as he turned to resume walking, his gaze inadvertently lingered on Remus for a moment longer than intended.

Remus, noticing Sirius's prolonged stare, arched an eyebrow teasingly. "Planning to paint my portrait, Sirius? I didn't realize I had such captivating features."

Sirius chuckled, caught off guard by Remus's playful comment. "Oh, you know me, Remus. Just trying to immortalize your timeless allure," Sirius quipped back, a playful glint in his eye.

James smirked and leaned in closer to Sirius, lowering his voice so only he could hear. "Staring huh?…Got a bit of a crush?"

Sirius's eyes widened, and he stumbled over a rock on the path. "He's my friend James. It's nothing like that, we are just playing."

James chuckled, giving Sirius a playful nudge. "Sure, mate. Whatever you say."

Sirius tried to laugh it off, but his mind was racing. Did he have a crush on Remus? He replayed the last few days in his head. The way he always felt better when Remus was around, how his heart seemed to beat faster when Remus smiled at him or made a sarcastic comment. No, it couldn't be. They were just friends. Besides Remus would never feel the same way about him.

Lily, who had been studying a map while they walked, looked up and smiled. "I’ve mapped out our route to the Rocky Mountains. It’s a bit of a hike, but with the provisions we've got, we should be able to make it in a little more than a week."

"Why can't we just take a plane?" Sirius asked a bit annoyed, he never liked hiking, "Wouldn't that be much faster?"

''Zeus controls the sky, it wouldn't be safe to enter his territory, we don't know why he trapped Prometheus.’’ Lily said.

After walking for a while, Sirius started to feel very warm. Didn't the prophecy say something about the cold?

Sirius glanced at the clear blue sky, feeling the warmth of the sun on his face. "It’s hard to believe we need warm clothes right now."

Lily nodded, her expression serious. "The weather can change quickly, especially with the gods involved. They love to throw surprises our way."

James laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised if we walked into a snowstorm in the middle of July. Classic gods' behavior."

Sirius chuckled along with him, the camaraderie easing the tension of their journey. Even Lily joined in with a light-hearted comment about Zeus’s penchant for dramatic weather.

Remus, however, remained unusually quiet. He walked a few paces behind, his brow furrowed in concentration. Sirius noticed and fell back to walk beside him.

"Everything okay, Remus?" Sirius asked, concern etched on his face.

Remus nodded but didn't meet his eyes. "I've just got this strange feeling, like we're being watched."

James and Lily, hearing this, immediately fell silent and grew alert. Their easy banter was replaced by the focused readiness that came with being seasoned demigods. They exchanged glances, their senses on high alert.

"Do you think it's another demigod or something else?" Lily asked, her voice low and tense.

Remus shook his head. "I'm not sure. It’s just a feeling, but it’s a strong feeling."

As they continued, their eyes scanned the surrounding woods and fields, looking for any sign of an intruder.
Suddenly, a rustling noise came from the bushes to their right. They froze, weapons ready, as a figure stepped out from the shadows.

"Peter?" James exclaimed, lowering his weapon slightly.
It was Peter, the Satyr who had guided Sirius to the camp on his first day. The relief was palpable, but Sirius felt a pang of guilt for not thinking about the Satyr since he had arrived at the camp.

"Hey, Peter!" James greeted warmly, walking over to his friend. "What are you doing here?"

Peter grinned, his goat legs moving nimbly over the uneven ground. "I’ve been on a mission of my own and just got back. I saw you guys leaving camp and decided to follow. Wanted to see what you were up to."

Remus and Lily relaxed, glad to see their old friend. Peter had always been kind and helpful, and his presence was reassuring.

"We're on a quest," Lily explained. "But only three demigods are allowed to go with Sirius, so I am afraid you have to go back. Unfortunately you can’t come with us."

James interjected quickly, "The prophecy specifically mentioned demigods, not Satyrs. So technically, Peter can come with us."

Peter's eyes lit up with excitement. "I'd love to help! I’ve been out on my own for a while, and it would be great to have some company. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve too. Satyrs are more than just good looks and charm, you know."

Sirius immediately remembered how effortlessly funny the boy had been during their first trip.

Remus turned to Sirius, his expression serious. "It’s your call, Sirius. You're the leader of this quest."

The weight of the words hit Sirius hard. He hadn't fully realized that he was expected to lead, thinking his more experienced friends would naturally take the helm. He looked at James, Lily, and Remus, all waiting for his decision, and then at Peter, who was eager to join them.

"Alright, Peter," Sirius said finally. "You can come with us. The more the merrier, right?"

Chapter Text

With Peter now part of their group, the atmosphere was even more lively. The camaraderie among Peter, James, Remus, and Sirius was palpable, and their constant banter and jokes kept their spirits high. Lily pretended to be indifferent to their humor, but secretly, she enjoyed it just as much as they did.

They had been traveling for two days without encountering many monsters. Peter’s ability to smell the monsters before they got too close had proven invaluable, allowing them to avoid most confrontations. The journey, however, was taking its toll on Sirius. He hadn’t anticipated so much walking, and while the others seemed unfazed by the physical exertion, Sirius was struggling to keep up.

Sleeping on the cold ground was another challenge for Sirius. At home, he had at least had a bed, and even the thin mattresses in the cabins at camp were better than the unforgiving earth and his own jacket as a makeshift pillow. The weather had also taken a turn for the worse, just as Lily had predicted, growing colder as they pressed on. Despite the hardships, Sirius kept his spirits up by engaging in the group's playful banter, which made the journey more bearable. Though he missed the comfort of the camp, he didn't feel lonely with his friends around.

One morning, Sirius was jolted awake by Remus, who had woken up in a panic. For a few seconds, Remus thrashed around, his eyes wild with fear. As he took in his surroundings, he gradually calmed down, but Sirius could see that something was deeply troubling him. Lily, James, and Peter were still asleep, undisturbed by Remus's outburst.

"Everything okay, Remus?" Sirius asked quietly, concern etched on his face.

Remus nodded, but his eyes didn't meet Sirius's. "Just a bad dream, that's all," he muttered.

Sirius could tell that Remus didn't want to talk about it, so he didn't press further. He couldn’t help but notice how shaken Remus was, and it unsettled him. Remus didn't scare easily, so whatever he had dreamed about must have been truly terrifying.

After a sparse breakfast, James approached Sirius. "We're running low on supplies. We need to find a store today and restock," he said, glancing at their dwindling provisions.

"Agreed," Sirius replied, already feeling the gnawing hunger in his stomach.

As they resumed their journey, Lily navigated with her map while Sirius and James shared jokes to lighten the mood. Peter walked alongside Remus, recounting tales from his recent mission. Sirius overheard something about floating cows, which made him chuckle.

Suddenly, a sense of foreboding washed over Sirius. Before he could voice his concerns, they were ambushed. Out of nowhere, a flock of monstrous, oversized birds descended upon them, their razor-sharp beaks glinting menacingly in the dim light.

"Stymphalian birds!" Peter shouted, his voice tinged with fear.

The group sprang into action, their training kicking in instinctively. James notched an arrow in his bow and fired at the nearest bird, hitting it squarely in the chest. The creature screeched and fell, but more took its place. Lily, with her knife drawn, dodged and weaved gracefully, her foresight guiding her through the chaos. Remus brandished his sword, slicing through the air with deadly precision, his movements a blur of practiced skill.

Sirius felt a surge of adrenaline as he pulled out his knife. He slashed at one of the birds, but it merely grazed its wing. Another bird lunged at him, and in a panic, he reached for the power he had not used since discovering it. Focusing on the creature, he felt a surge of energy. Vines sprouted from the ground, wrapping around the bird and pulling it down.

The others noticed his display of power, but there was no time to comment. Peter, though not a big fighter, managed to shoot a few arrows, keeping some of the birds at bay. The situation, however, was quickly spiraling out of control.

Sirius felt the strain of his abilities. The vines responded to his will but maintaining their grip was draining. The birds were relentless, their numbers overwhelming. He looked around and saw his friends fighting valiantly, but even Remus was starting to show signs of fatigue.

Lily, using her gift, managed to evade most attacks, but her physical strength was limited. She relied on quick, precise strikes, but the birds were persistent. James, with his bow, was a flurry of motion, his arrows finding their marks with unerring accuracy. Yet, the sheer volume of the attacking birds made it impossible to keep them all at bay.

Peter, despite his lack of combat prowess, was doing his best to contribute. He fired his small bow, picking off birds that came too close, but he was clearly out of his element. His usual cheerfulness was replaced with a determined focus, his goat legs moving nimbly to avoid the onslaught.

Sirius continued to struggle with the vines, trying to ensnare as many birds as he could. Each time he captured one, another would break free. The power was there, but his control was shaky at best. He could feel his energy waning, the effort taking its toll.

Remus fought with a fierce intensity, his sword a blur as he cut down bird after bird. His movements were fluid, almost dance-like, but Sirius could see the exhaustion creeping in. Remus's eyes darted to Sirius briefly, a look of concern passing between them.

"Sirius, focus!" Remus called out, slicing through another bird. "We need to hold them off!"

Sirius nodded, gritting his teeth as he redoubled his efforts. The ground around him seemed to pulse with life, the vines responding to his will. He managed to trap several more birds, their screeches filling the air as they struggled against the bindings.

Just when it seemed they might gain the upper hand, a particularly large bird swooped down, claws extended, aiming straight for Sirius. He barely had time to react, raising his knife in a desperate attempt to defend himself. The bird's claws raked across his arm, pain flaring as he stumbled back.

James, seeing his friend in danger, fired an arrow that struck the bird in the eye. It shrieked and fell, but the damage was done. Sirius clutched his bleeding arm, trying to stay upright as the battle raged around him.

"We can't keep this up!" Lily shouted, her voice strained. "We need a plan!"

Peter, panting and out of breath, looked around frantically. "There's too many of them!"

Remus, sweat dripping from his brow, nodded in agreement. "We need to regroup. Do you think you can use those vines to create a barrier?"

Sirius, struggling to catch his breath, nodded. "I'll try."

He concentrated, feeling the power surge through him once more. The ground trembled as thick vines erupted, forming a protective wall around them. The birds screeched in frustration, unable to breach the barrier immediately.

The group huddled together, taking a moment to catch their breath. Sirius's arm throbbed painfully, but he pushed the discomfort aside, focusing on maintaining the barrier.

"This won't hold them for long," he said, his voice strained. "We need to come up with a plan."

Remus nodded, glancing at his friends. "Alright, we need to figure out how to drive these things off or take them down."

Chapter Text

The Stymphalian birds were relentless, battering against the vine barrier Sirius had conjured. Their screeches filled the air, creating an almost deafening cacophony. The group had a brief moment to catch their breath, but they knew the respite would be short-lived.

"We need to drive them off," James said, determination in his eyes. "Can you hold the barrier a bit longer?"

"I'll try," Sirius replied, his voice strained. The effort of maintaining the vines was exhausting him rapidly, but he focused, willing them to stay strong.

James turned to Lily. "Do you see any weak points in their formation? Anything we can exploit?"

Lily closed her eyes for a moment, so she could think better. "The leader. The largest one. If we take it down, the others might retreat."

James nodded. "Alright. Lily, Remus, and I will go after the leader. Peter, stay with Sirius and help defend the barrier so I've anything goes wrong we can take cover."

With a plan in place, James, Lily, and Remus prepared to face the largest bird. James drew his bow, aiming carefully. Lily moved with swift precision, her knife ready. Remus brandished his sword, his eyes locked on their target.

"Now!" James shouted.

They sprang into action. James fired a volley of arrows, aiming for the bird’s vulnerable spots. Lily darted forward, slashing at the bird's legs. Remus used his strength and speed to strike at its wings, trying to immobilize it.

Meanwhile, Peter did his best to fend off the smaller birds that managed to get through the barrier. He shot arrows with surprising accuracy, each shot buying them precious moments. Sirius, struggling to maintain the vines, felt his energy waning. He gritted his teeth, determined not to let his friends down.

The battle was fierce. The leader bird, a monstrous creature with gleaming feathers, fought back with vicious attacks. It clawed at Remus, who narrowly avoided a lethal strike. James's arrows struck true, but the bird was resilient, screeching in pain and fury.

Lily's foresight allowed her to dodge the bird's attacks with uncanny precision, but she was tiring. Each movement required intense concentration and physical effort. She glanced at James and Remus, seeing the strain on their faces.

"Keep at it!" James encouraged, notching another arrow.

Finally, in a coordinated effort, James fired an arrow that struck the bird in the eye just as Lily and Remus delivered simultaneous strikes to its wings and legs. The leader bird let out a final, ear-piercing screech before collapsing. The other birds hesitated, their coordination faltering.

"They're retreating!" Peter shouted in relief as the remaining birds began to scatter.

The group watched as the flock dispersed, disappearing into the sky. Sirius let out a shaky breath, releasing the vines. He stumbled, his legs barely holding him up.

"Good job, everyone," James said, panting. He rushed to Sirius's side, his face full of concern. "Sirius, you’re hurt. Let me heal that."

Sirius nodded weakly, clutching his bleeding arm. James placed his hands over the wound, concentrating. Sirius felt a warmth spread from James's hands, the pain in his arm gradually easing. It was a strange sensation, a mix of tingling and soothing heat. The wound closed, leaving only a faint scar.

"Thank you," Sirius said, feeling the last of his strength ebb away. He could see the exhaustion in James's eyes, knowing the healing had cost him dearly.

James managed a tired smile. "Just rest for a bit."

Lily approached, handing out small pieces of golden food. "Eat this. It's Ambrosia. It will help you recover."

Sirius took a piece, eyeing it curiously. "What is it?"

"It's the food of the gods," Lily explained. "It heals wounds and restores energy, but don’t eat too much, or it can be harmful."

Sirius nodded, taking a bite. The ambrosia tasted like grape juice and pizza at the same time, and somehow still tasted good. A warmth spread through his body, easing his fatigue and pain. He noticed Lily looked equally drained. "You alright, Lily?"

She nodded. "Just used a lot of energy. I'll be fine."

Remus and Peter, who hadn't used any powers, seemed in better shape. Remus glanced around, assessing their surroundings. "We’ll keep watch, make sure those birds don't return, while you three rest."

Lily and James didn’t need much convincing. They settled down and quickly fell asleep, their exhaustion evident.

Sirius, however, found sleep elusive even though he was very tired. The adrenaline from the battle still coursed through his veins. He was grateful he hadn’t brought Regulus along. This quest was far more dangerous than he had imagined.

He glanced at Peter, who was rummaging nearby. Peter looked up, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I think I saw some berries nearby. I'll go check."

As Peter wandered off, Remus sat down next to Sirius. "You did great, you know. Your powers are impressive."

Sirius felt a swell of pride. "Thanks. Using them feels surprisingly natural, even though I haven’t trained much."

Remus nodded. "Gifts like yours often come naturally. Training helps, but talent plays a big part, and you've clearly got that."

Sirius felt his cheeks turning red, luckily a moment later, Peter returned, holding a handful of berries.

"Found these," Peter said cheerfully. "They're safe to eat."

They shared the berries, the simple act of eating together bringing a sense of normalcy after the chaos. They talked and laughed, Peter's stories providing a much-needed distraction. Eventually, fatigue caught up with all of them, and they drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Sirius was jolted awake by Remus's thrashing. Remus's eyes were wild with fear, his breaths coming in short, panicked gasps. Sirius's heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of concern and something else he couldn't quite name. Without thinking, he reached out, placing a hand on Remus's shoulder.

"Remus, it's okay. It's just a dream," Sirius said softly, trying to soothe him.

Remus's eyes darted around, still filled with fear. When they finally locked onto Sirius's, the wildness in them began to subside. He took several deep breaths, his body gradually relaxing.

"Are you alright?" Sirius asked, his voice gentle but laced with worry.

Remus nodded slowly, though his expression remained troubled. "Yeah, just another dream."

Sirius could see the lingering fear in Remus's eyes. It stirred something deep within him, an intense need to protect and comfort his friend. He pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the immediate concern. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Remus shook his head, his gaze dropping to the ground.

Sirius nodded. He made a mental note to keep an eye on Remus. The journey ahead was bound to be tough, and they needed everyone at their best. But more than that, Sirius couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to help Remus through whatever was haunting him.

They would face whatever came next together, and Sirius would do everything in his power to ensure they all made it through.

Chapter Text

They packed all their stuff, which wasn’t much, and continued their journey. This time without breakfast, they had no food left.

The sun was high in the sky when the group stumbled upon a small shop along the road. The sign reading "Provisions and Trinkets" caught their attention. They needed new supplies, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.

"Finally, a bit of civilization," James said, pushing the door open.

Inside, the smell of fresh bread and spices filled their noses. The shop was filled with rows of colorful products and household items. Sirius, Lily, Remus, and Peter followed James inside, their eyes scanning the shelves.

''I was starting to think that I would never see real food again'' Peter said.

The group walked through the brightly lit aisles of the supermarket, surrounded by neatly stacked products. For Remus, it was a rare experience; he had spent most of his years at Camp Half-Blood and only visited a store once a year to buy clothes. He lagged behind a bit, fascinated by the variety of items.

James held up a shiny CD player and turned to Remus with a grin. "Hey, Remus, think we need this for our mission?"

Remus looked puzzled at the device. "What is that?"

Lily and Sirius burst into laughter, while Peter tried hard not to chuckle. "You're kidding, right?" asked Sirius, still laughing. "You don't know what a CD player is?"

Remus shrugged and smiled. “Hey, cut me some slack. I only leave camp like once a year to buy clothes, I never go into a store.”

Lily, still giggling, took the CD player from James. "a CD player is for playing music"

James grinned, an idea forming in his head. "Imagine this, Remus: We could play epic battle music during our fights with monsters. You know, add a dramatic soundtrack to our lives."

"Yes, we definitely need that." Remus said sarcastically.

Under James's protest, Lily put the CD player back and the group went looking for things they actually needed.

While they were looking around, Sirius walked up to Remus. ''Believe me, when we get back to camp I'll get you a CD player and we'll spend days listening to all of the best songs.’’ He looked at Remus "And you can't stop until you’ve heard all of my favorite songs."

"Okay, I'll hold you to that," Remus said, laughing.

"What are you two sneaks whispering about?" James shouted just loud enough for Lily and Peter to hear.

Oh if James hadn't been his best friend he might have punched him.To be fair he could still do that, or would that be too mean? Luckily Sirius didn't have to decide because Remus already made a comment to James.

"Debating whether we should get you a map to navigate your own common sense."

James seemed perplexed, Lily, on the other hand, seemed to be really thinking about the idea.

Sirius chuckled, and continued shopping. He looked at the various items in the store. His gaze fell on Peter’s goat legs, which were in plain view. He looked at the cashier but she didn't look surprised or shocked at all. He frowned. "How do people not notice your legs, Peter?"

"Oh because of the Mist.''Peter answered.

Sirius blinked in surprise. "The Mist? What is that?"

Lily raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious? You've never wondered how mortals don't see all the magical stuff?"

''He is always Sirius'' James said. Lily and Sirius both ignored him, but Peter let out a little chuckle.

Sirius shrugged, feeling a bit sheepish. "I guess I just never thought about it."

James laughed. "Well, better late than never. The Mist is what keeps the mortal world from noticing the weird stuff we deal with."

Remus nodded. "It's kind of like a magical filter. Mortals see what they expect to see."

Sirius shook his head in amazement. "Wow, I can't believe I never knew that."

Peter chuckled. "You learn something new every day, huh?"

As they continued to browse the shelves, James picked up a pack of cookies and smiled. "My mom used to buy these for me all the time when I was younger."

Sirius looked curiously at the cookies. "What is your mom like?''

James set the pack of cookies back and sighed softly, a smile on his face. "My mom, Euphemia Potter, is the best mom ever. Or is that not cool to say?....Anyway she always made sure I had the best cookies, and she’s just an amazing woman."

"How often do you see her?" Sirius asked.

James stared into the distance for a moment, thinking. "Not as often as I'd like. But I see her at least once a year during a four-week vacation in the winter. She lives in California now, so I go there to spend the winter with her."

"That sounds wonderful," said Sirius.

"Yeah it is, you know years ago she was a famous musician. That’s why Apollo fell in love with her," James explained.

After some more laughter and chatting, they filled their baskets with supplies. They bought some real food and some extras like chocolate and the cookies James had spotted. With their baskets full, they checked out at the register, where the cashier smiled warmly at them.

As they exited the shop, the group was in high spirits, joking and laughing. They found a shaded spot under a large tree and decided to rest for a moment.

"Let’s try some of those cookies," Sirius suggested, opening the pack James had chosen. He handed them out, and they each took a bite.

"These are amazing!" Lily exclaimed. "Your mom has great taste, James."

James smiled proudly. "Yeah, she does.''

They ate and talked, the relaxed atmosphere allowing them to bond even more. Peter told stories about his adventures at camp, making everyone laugh with his animated expressions and dramatic reenactments.

After their little picnic, they packed up their things and continued on their journey. The sun slowly dipped below the horizon, and the sky began to paint itself with shades of orange and pink. They found a sheltered spot in a small clearing in the woods, where they made a campfire.

"Here, finally a decent meal," said Remus as he sliced a piece of bread.

"This is heaven," Sirius said with a mouthful of food.

‘’It is just food.’’Lily laughed.

Sirius grinned. "Well, after everything we’ve been through, a good meal is definitely something to appreciate."

As they sat around the campfire the group grew quited. He glanced at James, who was poking at the fire with a stick.

"Do you ever miss home?" Sirius asked, breaking the silence.

James turned his head and looked. "Sometimes. But I know this is where I need to be. With you guys. We’re a family too, in our own way."

Sirius nodded, feeling a warmth in his chest. "Yeah, we are."

They fell into a comfortable silence, the sounds of the night surrounding them. After a while Peter, James and Remus fell asleep.

Lily and Sirius sat by the crackling campfire, the night around them quiet and still. Leaving the two of them alone with their thoughts. Sirius stared into the dancing flames.

Lily broke the silence. "I've been thinking about the prophecy," she said, her voice soft but serious. "The part that goes, 'A child of wine must break the chains, to prevent a disaster that could end all reigns, speaks for itself.'" Lily paused for a second.
"And 'Three demigods must stand by his side, through trials and terrors, where secrets reside.' That's us. We know that part too."

‘’Yeah it's pretty direct, aren't prophecies supposed to be vague?’’ Sirius asked.

Lily leaned forward, her eyes intense. "That's exactly what's bothering me, there is only one part that confuses me: 'A past revealed, a truth untold, To save the present, brave the cold.'"

Sirius frowned. "I thought I knew everything about my past. I mean, my history is no secret among us. We know about my father, and my complicated relationship with Regulus. What more could there be?"

Lily's voice was gentle. "We need to consider everything. Have you ever felt like there was something missing? Something you never fully understood about your family or your past?"

Sirius thought for a moment. "There were always secrets in my family, things left unspoken. But I never thought much about them."

"Maybe those secrets are what we need to uncover," Lily suggested.

Sirius sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I feel like I'm already carrying so much. More hidden truths? What could they be?"

Lily placed a comforting hand on his arm. "We'll figure it out together.''

He looked at her, gratitude in his eyes. "Thanks, Lily.''

A playful glint appeared in Sirius's eyes. "You know, speaking of secrets, I've noticed the way you look at James."

Lily's cheeks flushed, and she quickly denied it. "What? No way! I mean, James? Please, he's so... well .. James."

Sirius chuckled, raising an eyebrow. "Right, but come on, admit it, he's not all bad."

Lily rolled her eyes, trying to hide a smile. "Sure, if you like someone who's always messing up his hair and trying too hard to be cool."

They both laughed, the tension easing from the conversation. Lily shook her head, still smiling. "You're impossible, Sirius.’’

Chapter Text

"Morning, everyone," James greeted, "Breakfast is almost ready."

Sirius had had a good night, apart from Remus waking up again that morning from his dream. This time Lily had noticed too.

"Smells amazing," Lily said, sitting down and rubbing her eyes. "Thanks, James."

Peter plopped down beside her, his goat legs folded awkwardly but comfortably. "I could get used to this. Real food two days in a row!"

They all laughed. The food was simple but satisfying. The morning passed smoothly. They broke camp, packed their belongings, and set off along the forest path.

As noon approached, they found a small clearing by a stream and decided to take a break. Though the weather had gotten colder in the last few days, the fresh cold water was still a relief. Walking at a fast pace for hours on end still made you pretty warm.

In this serene setting, the peace was shattered by the sudden appearance of a shimmering light. Sirius, who had been leaning against a tree, jumped to his feet as the light coalesced into the form of Mary.

"Mary?" Sirius said, astonished. "What is this?"

"It's an Iris message," Mary explained quickly. "Sirius, I have urgent news. Regulus, Barty, Evan, Pandora, and Dorcas have gone to the Underworld to find Hades."

Sirius's heart dropped. "What? Why would they do that?"

"Regulus wants Hades to contact him. He's desperate because Hades hasn't made any effort to reach out to him," Mary said, her voice trembling. "Barty and Evan insisted on going with him, Pandora didn't want to be separated from Evan, and when Dorcas heard about it, she decided to go too, to protect them."

Sirius felt an immense amount of fear and guilt, but Mary wasn't done with the bad news.

Mary's image flickered. "I wanted to go with them, but by the time I found out, they were already hours ahead. And now... Marlene has gone after them. She didn't want Dorcas to travel to the Underworld without her. But she's alone, Sirius. She left hours after the others." By the time Mary was done talking, she was crying.

''This is bad'' Remus said.

"Chiron says it is not wise to send a group after them, "Mary's image was almost completely faded. "Please if you guys get the chance, save Marlene, save everyone."

Sirius clenched his fists, panic rising in his chest.

"The Underworld is dangerous, and Hades is not someone you just visit, they are in trouble." Lily said.

Sirius felt a wave of guilt. "This is my fault. If I hadn't fought with Regulus, he wouldn't be doing this."

"Sirius, it's not your fault," James said gently. "Regulus made his own choice."

"Should we go after them?" Peter asked, his face pale.

James shook his head, trying to stay calm. "We can't abandon our mission. But we need to find a way to help them."

Sirius sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I just... I need to find a way to help him."

"I hate to say it, but I am afraid there is nothing we can do at the moment," Lily said, her expression regretful. "The gateway to the Underworld is in Hollywood, and that is on the other side of the country. Even if we went there right now, we wouldn't be there fast enough."

"We can't just do nothing!" Sirius said angrily. He wasn't angry at Lily but just at the situation, but he immediately regretted his outburst as Lily looked a bit hurt.

"I'm not saying we can't do anything... it's just that if we don't finish this quest, even worse things will happen," Lily repeated part of the prophecy. ''A child of wine must break the chains, To prevent a disaster that could end all reigns. We need to finish this quest.’’

"Lily is right, Sirius. Bad things happen if a demigod doesn't finish their quest," Remus said. "Especially this quest."

"Great," Sirius muttered. "Just great."

James placed a hand on Sirius's shoulder. "We'll find a way to help them, Sirius. Right now, we have to focus on our mission. It’s the best way we can help them in the long run."

Sirius finally calmed down a bit. He realized that stopping their quest was no use as well. And Hades was Regulus' father, surely he would keep him safe.... right?

"If they reach Hades, do you think he’ll even acknowledge Reg?" Sirius asked.

James sighed. "It's unlikely…. Some godly parents are better than others, but most of them don’t care much. Even the generally better parents don't always care.

Sirius looked at James, worried. "Do you know anything about Hades as a father?"

James shook his head. "Not really, but the fact that he's never reached out to Regulus suggests he's not very involved."

Dammit...what would Reg do if his father still wouldn't acknowledge him even when it's right in front of him? Definitely something stupid, Sirius had to find a way to help Reg before he could get himself in trouble.

Ultimately, the group decided to continue their mission; in fact, they had little choice. The group hoped that they would accidentally bump into the others so they could help them. But to be honest, the chances were extremely slim, the others were going to the otherside of the country.
They also agreed to reach out again in a few days to Mary, so they could stay tuned for any news about the others.

As they continued their journey that afternoon, the mood was noticeably tenser. The information Mary had shared weighed heavily on all of them. They walked in relative silence, each lost in their thoughts. Sirius couldn't help but replay the message in his mind, wondering how they could save his brother and the others.

By late afternoon, they reached the edge of the forest and found themselves on a dusty road leading to the next town. The sight of civilization was a small comfort, but the looming worry about Regulus and the others was hard to shake.

They entered the town as dusk settled in, the streets lit by the warm glow of lanterns. The town had a quaint charm, with cobblestone streets and small shops lining the main road. The sight of a bustling inn lifted their spirits slightly, and they decided to rest there for the night.

Inside, the inn was cozy and welcoming. They secured a room and gathered around a table in the common area, where a hearty meal was being served. The smell of roasted meat and fresh bread was inviting, and they eagerly dug in.

As they ate, the conversation drifted back to their friends in the Underworld. "Do you think Marlene will catch up with them?" Peter asked.

"I hope so," Remus replied. "She's tough, but traveling alone in the Underworld is incredibly dangerous."

"Why did they have to go there?" Lily wondered aloud. "There must be another way to reach Hades."

"Regulus is desperate," Sirius said quietly. "I should have been there for him."

James reached across the table, giving Sirius's arm a reassuring squeeze. "We’ll get through this, Sirius. We always do."

They finished their meal in a more somber mood. As they settled into their room for the night, Sirius found it hard to sleep. The faces of Regulus, Barty, Evan, Pandora, Dorcas, and Marlene swam in his mind, and he couldn't shake the feeling of dread.

He lay awake, staring at the ceiling, listening to the quiet breathing of his friends.

In the darkness, he whispered a silent prayer to any god that might be listening, hoping against hope that they would be granted a way to save their friends. With that, he finally drifted into a restless sleep.

Chapter Text

The next morning dawned with a sense of urgency hanging in the air. After a restless night, Sirius, Remus, Peter, Lily, and James gathered their things and prepared to continue their journey. The town they had stayed in was still sleeping, the streets quiet and peaceful under the early morning light.

"Ready to go?" James asked, trying to inject some enthusiasm into the group.

They nodded, though the weight of Mary's message still hung over them. They moved through the streets, the cobblestones echoing under their feet, and soon found themselves back on the dusty road leading away from the town.

They had only been walking for an hour or so when they noticed the air around them growing colder. The forest, which had been full of life, seemed to grow eerily quiet. Sirius felt a shiver run down his spine, and he instinctively tightened his grip on his dagger.

"Something's not right," Lily murmured, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

Before anyone could respond, the ground beneath them trembled. The group froze, and then, with a deafening roar, a horde of monsters burst from the trees. They were creatures of nightmare – strange, humanoid creatures with donkey legs, wearing ragged, mismatched armor.

''What even are those?'' Sirius yelled.

''Those are stratiotes, also known as the donkey-legged soldiers, fearsome and relentless.'' Lily yelled back at him.

The stratiotes were a terrifying sight, their bodies a grotesque amalgamation of humanoid and insectoid features. Each one stood over six feet tall, with long, spindly limbs ending in razor-sharp claws. Their legs, reminiscent of grasshoppers, allowed them to leap great distances, making them formidable in both close and ranged combat. Their exoskeletons were covered in thick, greenish scales that glinted in the light, almost like armor. Glowing, compound eyes scanned their surroundings with unnerving precision. They communicated through eerie, clicking noises, coordinating their attacks with chilling efficiency. Despite their monstrous appearance, they moved with a disturbing grace, making them even more dangerous.

Sirius's heart pounded as he raised his dagger, ready to fight. "Stay together!" he shouted, but the chaos of the attack quickly made that impossible.

James was the first to react. He summoned his celestial bronze bow, arrows appearing as if from thin air. His first shot was precise, hitting a stratiote square in the chest and disintegrating it into a puff of smoke. "Keep moving!" he shouted, loosing another arrow.

Lily moved with calculated precision. Her strategy was flawless as she wielded her dagger with deadly accuracy. She parried a stratiote’s attack and countered with a swift thrust that took it down. "Watch your flanks!" she called out, her voice steady despite the chaos.

Peter used his natural agility and his small bow to shoot arrows at the monsters. He danced around the battlefield, avoiding blows with nimble leaps and bounds. "Over here, ugly!" he taunted, drawing some of the monsters away from his friends.

Sirius watched in horror as one of the stratiotes approached, its mandibles clicking menacingly. The creature's long, segmented legs carried it forward in a series of rapid, unsettling hops. Its torso was vaguely human but covered in chitinous plates that shimmered with a sickly green hue. Each stratiote wielded a pair of serrated blades, grown naturally from their forearms, dripping with a corrosive substance. As they moved, their bodies emitted a low, humming noise, a constant reminder of their unnatural origins.

Sirius, channeling the power of his father Dionysus, summoned vines and roots from the ground. The plants wrapped around the legs of the stratiotes, tripping them up and slowing their advance. He conjured a wave of intoxicating energy that made several monsters stagger, their coordination faltering. "Take that!" he yelled, feeling a rush of exhilaration.

Remus, wielding his celestial bronze sword, was a sight to behold. His movements were fluid and powerful, a combination of natural skill and relentless training. At one point, he leaped into the air, flipping over a stratiote, and landed a perfect strike on its back, sending the creature sprawling.

Sirius was struck by how effortlessly Remus moved, a perfect blend of strength and agility. "That was incredible!" Sirius shouted, impressed.

Remus looked over at him, a rare blush creeping up his cheeks even in the heat of battle. "Thanks, Sirius!"

But there was no time for further praise. The monsters kept coming, and in the confusion, the group was separated. Sirius, Remus, and Peter found themselves cut off from Lily and James, the sea of monsters pushing them apart.

"James! Lily!" Sirius yelled, but his voice was drowned out by the roars and screams around them.

"We need to find them!" Peter shouted, his goat legs giving him an awkward but effective agility as he dodged a swipe from a stratiote.

Sirius nodded, using his gift to create a barrier of vines that held back a group of stratiotes. "Remus, can you see them?"

Remus, his eyes scanning the chaos, shook his head. "No, but we can't stay here. We need to regroup."

The battle raged on, and the separation became more pronounced. Sirius finally spotted James and Lily who were fighting valiantly, but the sheer number of enemies was overwhelming. Lily's strategic mind was evident as she directed James to cover their retreat, her dagger flashing in the dim light. "We need to fall back, find the others!" she shouted.

James, firing arrow after arrow, nodded. "On it!" he replied, but as he turned to follow Lily, a group of stratiotes cut them off, forcing them in the opposite direction from Sirius, Remus, and Peter.

"James! Lily!" Sirius yelled again, desperation in his voice. He blasted a stratiote with a burst of divine energy, sending it flying. "We have to get to them!"

Sirius slashed at the stratiotes with his dagger, his movements swift and precise. Vines sprouted from the ground at his command, entangling the monsters and pulling them down. His breath came in ragged gasps, but he didn't let up. "Stay back!" he shouted, his voice fierce. One of the creatures lunged at him, but Sirius sidestepped and drove his dagger into its side, causing it to disintegrate into dust. The battle was relentless, and Sirius's arms ached, but he fought on, determined to protect his friends.

"We can't fight all of them at once," Remus said, slashing through another monster. "We need a plan."

Peter played a quick tune on his pipes, creating a momentary distraction. "There! That cave!" he pointed to a small opening in the hillside. "We can regroup there!"

Sirius, Remus, and Peter fought their way towards the cave, every step a struggle. Sirius used his powers to summon walls of vines to keep the monsters at bay, but the effort was draining. Sweat poured down his face, and he felt his strength waning.

Remus and Peter fought side by side, an unexpected but effective team. Remus's sword flashed in the light, moving with incredible speed and precision and Peter used his small bow to provide crucial support. He shot arrows with great accuracy, targeting the monsters' weak spots and distracting them just long enough for Remus to deliver the finishing blow. Despite the chaos, Remus noticed Peter's bravery and focus. "Great shot, Peter!" he called out, slicing through another enemy. Peter grinned, his confidence boosted by Remus's praise.

Finally, they stumbled upon the small cave, its entrance partially hidden by thick vines. Sirius, Remus, and Peter scrambled inside, panting and exhausted. The monsters, for now, seemed to lose interest, milling around outside but not approaching the cave.

"We can't stay here forever," Peter said, trying to catch his breath. ''They can smell us.''

"We need to rest," Remus replied, wiping sweat from his brow. "We're no good to anyone if we're dead on our feet."

Sirius nodded in agreement. "We need to find Lily and James, but we have to be smart about it."

Sirius leaned against the cool stone of the cave, his mind racing. They were safe for the moment, but the danger was far from over.
He looked outside and to his surprise he saw some of the monsters retreating.

"Why do you think the monsters are backing off?" he asked, peering out at the restless horde.

Remus looked as well and shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe they're waiting for reinforcements.’’

Sirius sighed, "We have to find a way to signal Lily and James. They could be in serious trouble."

The three of them huddled together, trying to come up with a plan. The monsters outside seemed to be growing more agitated, their roars and snarls echoing through the forest, though they didn't come inside. Sirius knew they couldn't stay hidden forever. They needed to reunite with their friends.

With a determined look, Sirius said. "We'll rest for a bit, but then we need to move. We can't let those monsters keep us from our mission."

Chapter Text

Sirius, Remus, and Peter sat in the cave, their breaths slowly recovering from the battle. The monsters outside were still present but not attacking. They waited, creating a foreboding tension in the air.

A part of the Stratiotes had left, but a few were still waiting near the cave entrance, their glowing compound eyes scanning the area with unnerving precision. They stood guard, their razor-sharp claws gleaming in the dim light, ready for anything that might come their way.

"Why are they waiting?" Peter asked, his voice soft and worried.
"No idea," Sirius replied, peering out of the cave. His eyes strained to see through the dim light. “Maybe they’re looking for something... or someone.”

Suddenly a voice, composed yet cryptic, spoke: “A past revealed, a truth untold, to save the present, brave the cold.”

Sirius immediately recognized a part of the prophecy. His mind raced, trying to piece together what this meant.

The voice continued, “Don’t you want to know your past, Remus? Follow us.....”

They were all quiet for a moment, processing what had just happened.

The eerie silence was suddenly broken by a male voice calling out: "REMUS!"

“Don’t harm my son!” The voice was laden with panic and desperation.

Sirius and Peter turned in shock to Remus, who had gone deathly pale. It was clear he recognized the voice. His hands trembled, and he seemed unable to speak.

"Remus," Sirius began anyway, his tone urgent. "We need to think about this. It could be a trap, there asking us to follow a bunch of monsters."

"But the prophecy... it said 'a past revealed, a truth untold.' This could be the only way to learn about my past, about my family. I've been searching for answers my entire life," Remus said.

That made sense to Sirius, that part of the prophecy hadn't been about him.. but about his friend.

Peter said, “We still have to find Lily and James. They’re counting on us."

Sirius sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Remus, think about it. These monsters, they've been hunting us, trying to kill us. What if they're using this to lure you out?"

"Of course I've thought about that, but this feels real... this is real," Remus said.

Peter tried to mediate. "We understand, Remus. But if it's a trap, walking into it could mean the end for all of us. Lily and James need us. We need to be smart about this."

Remus, still visibly shaken, struggled to find his voice. "That voice... it's my father's voice," he finally managed to say, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and hope. "I've heard it in my dreams recently. I couldn't place it then, but now... I'm certain."

Peter's brow furrowed in confusion and concern. "Your father? Remus, are you sure? It could be someone trying to deceive you."

Remus shook his head, his expression resolute. "No, I know it’s him. The dreams... he was warning me, trying to tell me something important. I can't ignore this."

Remus looked at his friends, his eyes pleading. "I know the risks, but I can't let this chance slip away. If there's a possibility that my father is out there, trying to communicate with me, I have to follow it. I have to know the truth."

Sirius, seeing the determination in Remus's eyes, knew there was little he could say to dissuade him. "Alright, but we need to be prepared. We can't just walk into this blindly."

Peter nodded in agreement. "If we're going to do this, we need to be cautious. We need to stay together and be ready for anything."

Remus's resolve hardened. "Thank you. I promise, I won't let this jeopardize our mission. But I need to do this. I need to know."

Sirius placed a hand on Remus's shoulder. "We're with you, Remus.''

''If something feels even slightly off, we will run the other way,'' Remus promised.

With the decision made, they cautiously left the cave, following the monsters at a safe distance. The Stratiotes seemed to have a clear purpose, moving in a coordinated manner through the dense foliage. The sound of eerie, clicking noises filled the air, sending chills down their spines.

As they kept going, the forest grew denser, the trees taller and more imposing. Every step seemed to lead them further away from safety. The further they went, the more doubt Sirius felt. He kept glancing at Remus, who appeared both determined and terrified.

"Remus, are you sure about this?" Sirius asked, his voice low. "We can still turn back."

Remus nodded firmly. "I just have to know, Sirius.''

They arrived at a tiny village, not much more than a scattering of six houses and a small wooden church. The few monsters that had brought them there, were slowly leaving. Sirius was surprised; he had really thought they were going to be attacked, but apparently not.

“Why are the monsters leaving?” Remus asked, his voice trembling with tension.

''No idea, but we need to stay focused; they might come back,'' Sirius said.

''I'll smell them if they do,'' Peter said. ''They won't have the element of surprise.''

''Great…. But why didn't you smell them before?'' Sirius asked, and he noticed it came out a bit harsh, which wasn't his intention.

''I can only smell monsters I have seen before,'' Peter explained. ''Luckily, I have met a lot of monsters in my lifetime, but these were new for me.''

Remus, who had been quietly looking around the small town, finally spoke. ''Let's explore this place; there must be something here.''

The houses in the village were old and somewhat dilapidated, with peeling paint and sagging roofs, but they were clearly cared for with love. The gardens were a tangle of overgrown plants and wildflowers, giving the whole place a rustic charm that was both quaint and inviting.

Sirius took in the scene with wide eyes. He was used to grand mansions, with their immaculate lawns and pristine facades. The Black family estate, for all its grandeur, had never felt like a home. It was cold, imposing, and stifling. This place, however, was different. Despite its humble appearance, it exuded warmth and a sense of belonging.

Sirius felt a pang of envy. He had always longed for a place like this, a true home filled with warmth and love. He wandered over to one of the houses, admiring the way ivy climbed the walls, weaving in and out of the cracks in the brick. Each house had its own unique touch: a swing on a porch, colorful curtains fluttering in the windows, or a wind chime tinkling in the breeze.

Sirius noticed an elderly woman tending to her garden, pulling weeds and humming a soft tune. She looked up and smiled warmly at the group, waving a dirt-streaked hand in greeting. Her face was wrinkled with age, but her eyes sparkled with kindness.

The wooden church, though small, stood proudly at the center of the village. Its white paint was faded, and the bell tower leaned slightly to one side, but it had a cozy, welcoming feel. The villagers had clearly put their hearts into maintaining it. Fresh flowers adorned the windowsills, and a handmade wreath hung on the door, adding a touch of color and life to the old building.

As they looked around, Remus finally spoke. “This place... it feels familiar, like a memory just out of reach.”

As the trio made their way towards the small wooden church, they found themselves walking through an old cemetery. Ancient tombstones jutted out at odd angles, moss-covered and weather-worn. The names of the departed were barely legible, etched by time and the elements. Wildflowers grew sporadically, adding a touch of color to the otherwise somber scene.

Sirius paused to look around, his eyes widening in wonder. "This place... it's beautiful," he said softly.

Peter nodded, his gaze sweeping over the tombstones.

Remus, who was walking a few paces behind them, pointed towards a large patch of flowers with a quiet gesture. "Have you ever seen roses like these?" he asked, his voice subdued.

Sirius followed his gaze and was struck by the sight. The roses were in full bloom, their petals vibrant shades of pink, white, and red. He had never seen such beautiful flowers clustered together. The colors were so vivid, they almost seemed to glow with an inner light.

"Wow," Sirius murmured, stepping closer to the roses. "They look almost magical."

Peter found himself drawn to them as well. "They're incredible. I wonder how they managed to grow so perfectly here."

Sirius looked at the roses thoughtfully. "These roses are unlike anything I've ever seen."

Peter shrugged. "Maybe someone just really knows how to take care of their garden."

Sirius laughed softly but remained thoughtful.

They walked around for a while. The wildflowers and roses, thriving among the ancient gravestones, gave the place an otherworldly charm.

Peter suddenly called out to them, his voice uncertain. “I found something.”

Sirius and Remus rushed over.

Peter stood before a gravestone engraved with the name Lyall Lupin.

Remus stared at his father’s name. The shock was immense, and the emotion that overwhelmed him was almost tangible.

Chapter Text

The group stood in silence, staring at the gravestone. Sirius felt a profound sadness for Remus. How must it feel to finally find your mortal parent, only to discover he had been gone for years?
Remus knelt down, his fingers tracing the letters of his father's name. Tears filled his eyes, but he held them back, trying to maintain his composure. Sirius wanted to comfort him, but no words seemed adequate.

A soft voice broke the silence. "Did you know him?"

They turned to see an elderly woman standing nearby, her expression kind and inquisitive. It was the same woman who had laughed at them earlier. She had a gentle presence, and her eyes sparkled with warmth.

Remus stood up slowly, wiping his eyes. "We... we know of him," he said cautiously. "He was a distant relative…... I managed to trace my lineage back to him and found out he lived and was buried here, but I don't know much about him."

The woman nodded, her face filled with a mix of sympathy and curiosity. "Happy to see Lyall finally has a visitor.'' She paused for a second and looked at the three of them. ‘’ Lyall never has visitors, not even from his beloved wife after he passed. Would you like to come to my house for some tea? I can tell you a bit more about him."

Sirius stared at the name on the gravestone, his thoughts drifting. If this really was Remus's father, and he had a present wife, then who was his mother?

The group exchanged glances. They needed answers, and this might be their only chance to learn more about Remus' father. "We'd appreciate that," Remus said finally.

The woman introduced herself as Edith and she led them to her home, a quaint little cottage with a charmingly old-fashioned interior. The air was filled with the scent of fresh-baked bread and herbs. Sirius found himself feeling unexpectedly at ease. His own grandmother's house had always been cold and unwelcoming, but this place was bursting with warmth and love.

After a few minutes, the woman brought them steaming cups of tea. Remus had offered to help, but she had kindly declined. "You boys look like you have had a long journey," she said. "You need to rest."
Once they were settled, Edith began her story. “Lyall and his wife, Hope, moved here many years ago. They were a beautiful couple. When you saw the two together, you could immediately tell that they were madly in love. After a while, Hope became pregnant, and then their son was born, they were the picture of happiness. This small village became even closer because of them; They organized parties and gatherings in their beautiful house. They always invited the whole village…. It was a good time.''

She paused, sipping her tea. The room was silent, all eyes on her. "...but then, one day, Lyall died. It was so sudden.

‘’How did he die?’’ Remus asked, his tone steady, but the sadness was clearly audible.

‘’Struck by lightning." Edith said, her expression unreadable.

Sirius could see the realization dawn on Remus' face, but they couldn’t discuss it with the woman present. They exchanged knowing looks. They understood the significance of a lightning strike—it was a clear sign of Zeus's involvement.

She continued her story, oblivious to their silent exchange. "After Lyall's death, Hope and her son disappeared. No one knows why, but we all speculated that the grief was too much for her. Anyway, she never returned."

Edith looked at them with a sad smile. "Their house is still there, just a bit away from the village. It’s a beautiful place, even now. Would you like to see it?"
Peter, Sirius, and Remus nodded eagerly.

Edith led them through the village, past the quaint cottages and into a wooded area. The path was lined with wildflowers, and birdsong filled the air. It was a peaceful walk, yet the anticipation made their steps quicken.

Finally, they arrived at a clearing. Before them stood a large, beautiful house. It was slightly overgrown but still held an air of grandeur. The architecture was elegant, with large white columns reminiscent of an ancient Greek temple. The house was surrounded by the same beautiful roses they had seen at the graveyard, and vines with pink blossoms climbed up the walls, adding to its timeless beauty.
It was the same size as the grand homes Sirius was accustomed to, but this one felt like a true home, not just cold walls with a roof.
The group stopped at the edge of the clearing, taking in the sight. The house seemed almost frozen in time, a relic of a happier past.

Remus stared at it, his emotions swirling. Sirius watched his friend's face, seeing the mix of sorrow and longing.

Edith cleared her throat gently, drawing their attention back to her. "It must be overwhelming for you, finding out all this," she said softly. ''......your parents were lovely people.''

''...How did you know?'' Remus asked suspiciously.

''Well, you don't have to be a rocket scientist for that, my love. My story affected you way too much for you to be a distant family member, also you are the right age… and you look exactly like them.''
' 'Sorry for lying, it is just...'' Remus began.

''No need to explain yourself, you have been through enough,'' Edith said. "Lyall and Hope were such a vibrant part of our little community, even if they only stayed here for four years. They brought so much joy to everyone around them. I wished you could have experienced the same." She gave a soft smile to Remus.

She gestured towards the house, her eyes misting with nostalgia. "I remember the first time they invited me over for tea. It was like stepping into a different world. The house was always filled with laughter, music, and the delicious smell of Hope's cooking. She was an excellent cook, you know. And Lyall, he was always so kind, always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. He helped me so often with chores around the house."

Sirius watched as Remus listened intently, his heart clearly aching with each word.

"What happened to the house after they left? It still looks like someone lives here." Remus asked quietly.

Edith sighed. "It fell into disrepair for a while. No one had the heart to move in or even visit after they left. But recently, some people from the village have been trying to keep it up, planting flowers and keeping the vines in check. It still holds a special place in our hearts."

As they stood there, Edith continued to share memories. "Hope had the most beautiful garden. She loved roses, you mom and dad spent countless hours tending to those flowers together. Even now, those roses thrive, as if their love still nurtures them."

Remus was silent, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. The realization that his parents had been here, had lived and loved in this very place, was almost too much to process. Sirius could see the mix of sorrow and longing in his friend's eyes.

Edith watched them with a gentle smile. ''Shall we go inside?"

Chapter Text

Sirius followed Edith through the grand wooden doors, and he was immediately struck by the beauty and warmth of the interior. The entry hall was spacious, with a majestic staircase elegantly leading to the upper floors. The walls were adorned with old, yet beautifully preserved paintings, and the air was rich with the scent of lavender and roses. Soft light filtered through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the polished wooden floor.

"This house is incredible," Peter whispered, his eyes wide with amazement as he took in the grandeur of the space.

"It truly is," Sirius agreed, his gaze sweeping over the intricate woodwork and the elegant decor.

Remus remained silent, taking in every detail with a look of quiet reverence. He seemed almost dazed, like he was walking through a dream. Edith led them through the house, sharing memories as she went.

"This was the living room," she said, opening a pair of double doors. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and large windows that let in streams of sunlight. There were comfortable-looking sofas and armchairs, and a large fireplace that must have been a gathering spot during colder months. "Hope often hosted gatherings here. The room was always filled with laughter and music. Lyall loved playing the piano," she added, pointing to a grand piano in the corner.

Sirius could almost hear the echoes of the past, the music and the laughter that once filled the room. He glanced at Remus, who was gently touching the piano keys, lost in thought. Remus' expression was a mixture of wonder and melancholy, as if he was trying to grasp memories just out of reach.

Edith then led them to the dining room. It was elegant, with a long table that could easily seat a dozen people. "They had the most wonderful dinners here," she recalled, her voice filled with nostalgia. "Hope was an excellent cook and loved hosting guests. She made everyone feel so welcome."

They continued to the kitchen, a warm and inviting space filled with copper pots and pans hanging from the ceiling. The countertops were cluttered with old-fashioned kitchen tools and recipe books, giving the room a lived-in feel. "Hope spent a lot of time here. She loved to cook and bake. I remember the smell of fresh bread and pastries always lingering in the air," Edith said with a nostalgic smile.
The tour continued through more rooms, each more beautiful than the last. The library was filled with books from floor to ceiling, with a cozy reading nook by the window that overlooked the garden. The study was filled with Lyall's old papers and artifacts, a testament to his work and interests. Edith's stories painted a vivid picture of a life full of love, joy, and passion.

Finally, they reached the upper floors. The bedrooms were just as beautiful, with large windows offering stunning views of the surrounding countryside. "This was your room," Edith said, opening a door to a small, cozy room filled with toys and books. The room was bright, with sunlight streaming through the windows and casting a warm glow on the wooden floor. "You were such a sweet child, always curious and eager to learn."

Remus stepped into the room, touching the toys and books that had once been his. He looked deeply moved, his expression a mix of sorrow and longing. He picked up a small, worn-out teddy bear from his childhood bed, holding it gently as if it were a precious relic.

Edith turned to them with a warm smile. "Feel free to explore the house further. I'll go prepare some food for us. You're welcome to stay overnight."

"Thank you, Edith," Sirius said, grateful for her kindness. He felt a deep respect for the woman who had taken such good care of Remus' home and memories.

"Yes, thank you," Remus echoed, his voice thick with emotion. "We appreciate everything you're doing."

Edith nodded and left them to explore the house further. The boys wandered through the house, taking in every detail. They ended up in the library, marveling at the collection of books. The room was filled with the scent of aged paper and leather, and Sirius could almost hear the whispers of the many stories contained within the shelves.

“This place is incredible,” Peter said, running his fingers along the spines of the books. Dust rose in small clouds, illuminated by the dim light filtering in from the narrow, grimy windows.

Sirius nodded in agreement, his gaze sweeping over the towering bookshelves that seemed to stretch on forever, each filled to the brim with worn, leather-bound volumes. "It's amazing," he murmured, his voice low with awe.

Remus, standing a few feet ahead, was about to respond when something caught his attention. His head tilted slightly, and his eyes narrowed. "Do you see that?" he asked, his voice a hushed whisper as he moved closer to one of the shelves.

Sirius’s curiosity ignited. "Where?" he asked, stepping forward, his boots echoing on the stone floor. Peter shuffled behind them, a mixture of excitement and nervousness on his face.

Sirius’s brows knitted together as he followed Remus’s gaze. At first, he saw nothing but the dimly lit shelves, the shadows playing tricks with the faint light seeping in from a nearby window. But then he caught it—a faint, almost imperceptible glimmer from behind a row of ancient books. The light was soft, like the glow of a candle seen through a fog, and it flickered as if beckoning them closer.

The glow seemed to dance, a subtle pulse that sent shivers down his spine. The air around it felt different—charged, almost humming with some hidden magic. He could sense it, the way the tiny hairs on his arms stood on end, and his mind raced with possibilities.

Remus, as if drawn by the same unseen force, reached out and gently pulled a thick, dusty tome from the shelf. The light became clearer, more defined, and Sirius felt a jolt of excitement as he realized what was happening. The entire bookshelf, with a deep, resonant rumble, began to move.

A low rumble vibrated through the room, and the entire bookshelf began to shift. Sirius's heart skipped a beat, a grin spreading across his face. "Bloody brilliant," he whispered. The hidden door swung open with a soft creak, revealing a small, dimly lit compartment.

Inside, sitting on a pedestal of dark wood, was a beautifully decorated box, softly glowing with an ethereal light that seemed to pulse like a heartbeat. It was covered in intricate carvings of mythical creatures, each detail catching the light in a mesmerizing dance.

Peter leaned in, his breath hitching. "What is that?" he whispered, his eyes wide with wonder, his earlier nervousness now replaced by pure fascination.

Sirius’s pulse quickened. “Open it,” he said, unable to contain his excitement. His voice came out more urgent than he intended, but the air seemed to buzz with anticipation.

Remus glanced at him, his amber eyes reflecting the soft glow. He seemed hesitant for a moment, as if weighing the consequences of whatever might happen next. But then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he reached for the lid. It opened with a soft click, the hinges creaking like an old whisper.

Inside the box, nestled in a bed of dark velvet, was a single piece of parchment, folded and yellowed with age. Sirius leaned closer, the musty scent of old paper filling his nose. The air felt heavy, charged with some ancient magic that sent shivers down his spine.

Remus carefully lifted the parchment out, his hands trembling ever so slightly. His eyes flicked to Sirius and Peter, and then, with a steadying breath, he began to unfold it. The parchment crackled softly, and for a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath, waiting.

As Remus started to read aloud, his voice barely above a whisper, Sirius couldn’t help but feel a thrill of anticipation run through him.

"My dearest Remus,
If you are reading this, you have found your father's and my home. It pains me to think that you may not even remember me. There are some things you should know before you judge me for what I did.
I loved your father so much, more than words can express, and I loved you with all my heart. You brought a joy into our lives that I had never known before.
I tried to protect you and your father, but I couldn't. The danger was too great, and I had to leave to keep you safe. It's a pain I will always carry, knowing that I couldn't be there for you, to watch you grow, to comfort you when you were scared.
Always remember that you are loved, more than you can imagine.
Remember you are and always have been loved.
With all my love,
Hope’’

As Remus finished reading, the room filled with a warm, soft light. Before Sirius could react, the light intensified, enveloping Remus completely. A soft, melodious voice filled the room. "My beloved son, Remus Lupin. You are the child of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. You are claimed, and with this, I grant you my blessing."

The light faded, and Remus stood there, glowing with a pink aura that made him look almost ethereal. His features seemed to subtly shift, becoming more refined, more beautiful. His skin glowed, his hair seemed to shimmer, and his eyes sparkled with an inner light.

Sirius and Peter stood speechless, staring at Remus in awe.

"Remus, you're…," Sirius finally said, his voice barely more than a whisper. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. It was like Remus had been transformed into a living embodiment of beauty itself.

"Aphrodite's Blessing," Remus whispered, recognizing what was happening. " When she claims her children, they receive a blessing that makes them look… well different."

Sirius nodded slowly, trying to comprehend what had just happened. On one hand, this explained so much about Remus. His innate kindness, his effortless charm, the way people were drawn to him—it all fit perfectly with the idea of him being a child of the goddess of love.

But not everything fit. Remus never liked talking about his feelings, a trait that seemed at odds with what one might expect from a child of Aphrodite. He was always private about his emotions, keeping them locked away rather than sharing openly. And while Remus was certainly attractive, he never sought to be the center of attention. He was modest, almost shy at times, preferring quiet support over the spotlight. Children of Aphrodite were known to have high social abilities and awareness, which did align with Remus's knack for understanding people and their emotions. But things like a natural inclination towards fashion and beauty design—those didn't seem to match Remus at all. Remus was practical, down-to-earth. His talents lay in his empathy and his quiet strength, not in superficial charms or stylistic flair.

Sirius felt a strange mixture of confusion and clarity.

It all made sense now, that Sirius felt drawn to Remus though. It had to be the Aphrodite blood, the aura of love and beauty that pulled people in. It wasn't a crush. No, it couldn't be. It was simply the effect of being around someone so innately connected to love itself. Sirius clung to that explanation, feeling almost relieved. This had to be the reason for his confusing emotions. It wasn't a real crush; it was just Remus's heritage.

Remus shook his head, still trying to process everything. "This is ridiculous. This whole thing is ridiculous. I mean, Aphrodite? "Really?" His voice tinged with frustration.

Remus sighed, rubbing his temples. " Why did she stay with me for so long? Gods aren't supposed to do that."

Sirius's mind was racing with the same questions. "Maybe she had a reason, something worth breaking the rules for."

The group walked in silence back to Edith's house, each lost in their own thoughts. Sirius noticed that Remus was lagging behind a bit, his gaze fixed on the ground.

"It's a lot to take, isn't it?" Sirius said softly.

Remus nodded, his eyes briefly meeting Sirius' before returning to the ground. "Yeah, it is," he mumbled.

‘’Wanna talk about it?’’ Sirius asked even though he knew the answer.

Remus shrugged. "It just feels... strange that's all. All those years of not knowing... and now I know?’’

Sirius didn’t try to push him to talk. He just placed a reassuring hand on Remus' shoulder. ‘’We just need to figure out the whole story. I am sure it will all make sense then."

‘’I hope so.’’ Remus said, his gaze turning to the ground again. Sirius stared at Remus, hardly able to believe the transformation that had just taken place.

His tanned skin now seemed to radiate an inner light, enhancing his natural warmth. His brown, curly hair shimmered as it caught the light, falling around his face in soft waves. His eyes, usually a warm amber, now sparkled with an inner light that was both captivating and profound.
Despite the transformation, there was still an air of modesty about him, as if he was unaware of just how striking he had become.

‘’At least you look great.’’ Sirius said in a joking tone, trying to lighten the mood.

Remus let out a chuckle but didn't say anything at first.
“Don't worry," Remus said, after a while. "I won't look like this forever. The blessing goes away after a while."

Sirius could see from Remus's body language that he was a bit uncomfortable with his new appearance. It was subtle, but Sirius now knew Remus well enough now to pick up on it.

A small part of him felt a strange longing for this new Remus. Yet he realized he preferred the Remus he had always known. The real Remus, with his quiet strength and unassuming presence, was what truly mattered. That was the Remus he liked, the Remus who made him feel comfortable and at ease.

"Good," Sirius said, trying to mask his own emotions with a grin. "Because I'm not sure I can handle you stealing all the attention."

Remus smirked. "Don't worry, Sirius. You'll always be the star of the show."

Chapter Text

They reached Edith's house and found her tending to her garden. She looked up as they approached and smiled warmly. "Ah, there you are. Come inside, boys."

Inside the cozy house, Edith poured tea for them, and they all sat down. The atmosphere was calm but filled with unspoken questions. Remus' new look didn't seem to get noticed by Edith, probably the mist hiding it Sirius thought.

As they settled back into Edith's cozy living room, the air was thick with unspoken questions. Edith, sensing their unease, broke the silence with a gentle smile. "I guess you know now."

The group exchanged confused glances. "Know what?" Peter asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

"About Aphrodite," Edith said softly.

Sirius, Peter, and Remus all stared at her in surprise. "Wait, you know about the gods?" Sirius asked, astonished.

Edith chuckled lightly. "I know more than you might think. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, but Remus had to be claimed first. I needed to be sure."

‘’How do you know, are you a demigod as well?’’ Peter asked with a bit of fear in his voice.

Edith shook her head. ‘’I am just an ordinary lady, or at least I was. Aphrodite gifted me with true sight and the ability to sense demigods so I'd know when you arrived."

Remus blinked, processing her words. "Aphrodite wanted you to know if we had arrived?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

The Aphrodite blessing still made Remus look extraordinary. But it wasn’t his Remus. His Remus had an inner beauty that didn’t need any divine enhancement.
Edith nodded. "Yes, she isn’t allowed to contact you. So she asked me."

"Why isn't she allowed to contact me?" Remus asked, clearly uncomfortable. "If she loved me so much, surely she'd find a way. I mean, she’s an Olympian god!"

Edith sighed, her expression turning somber. "There are powers stronger than Aphrodite in this world, Remus. Though she isn’t allowed to seek contact with you directly, she found a way through me. Let me explain what happened."

The room fell silent as Edith began her tale. "Hope, as I prefer to call her, was deeply in love with Lyall. It wasn’t just any love; it was true, deep love. And for the goddess of love, that means a lot. A god needs to fulfill their duties, otherwise the world will turn into complete chaos. These duties take time, time that Hope wanted to spend with her family. Hope and Lyall decided to live here, in the middle of nowhere, to hide from Zeus, so they could spend every minute of every day together.’’

“Why did they have to hide from Zeus?” Sirius asked, it was in moments like these that he was reminded that he had not been part of this world for very long. He still needed to learn a lot.
‘’Zeus ensures the other gods fulfill their duties. If he finds out a god isn’t doing their part, he can get pretty mad." Peter quickly explained.

Edith waited a few seconds and then continued. “Hope thought she could hide from Zeus, at least long enough for you to grow up. She was a goddess after all, certainly she could hold off Zeus for long enough.'

Remus listened intently while Edith continued. "For four years, it went well, but then one day, Zeus found them. When he arrived, he was furious. In his rage, he killed Lyall immediately.’’ She looked sadly at Remus. "He didn't deserve it, like I said he was a good man."

Sirius felt a chill run down his spine as Edith continued. "Zeus killed Lyall with a snap of his fingers. Hope was terrified. She knew she couldn’t fight Zeus, so she fled as fast as she could. She brought you to Camp Half-Blood and then returned to Mount Olympus. Somehow, Zeus didn’t punish her any further, or at least I don’t know if he did. Though she was forbidden by Zeus to ever contact you. But she didn’t accept that easily. That’s when she turned to me for help, and now here we are.’’

Sirius saw how Remus absorbed this information, his face a mixture of sorrow and understanding.

Sirius thought about Zeus's cruelty, his anger boiling. Killing Lyall was a horrific punishment. But he couldn't help but think more about Hope's actions. It was clear she loved her family deeply, but Sirius couldn’t help but see a certain naivety in her decision to hide from Zeus. Gods had responsibilities and constraints, and trying to live a mortal life in defiance of those constraints seemed almost selfish. Did she really think she could keep hiding from Zeus?

Sirius understood her desire to be with her family, but was it a kind of egoism to believe she could evade Zeus’s wrath indefinitely? It was as if she had believed her love for Lyall and Remus could shield them from the consequences of her actions.

The thought made Sirius’s anger toward Zeus burn hotter. It was unfair that a god could dictate such terms, punish love so ruthlessly. Yet, he also felt a complicated mix of emotions toward Hope. He admired her love and dedication, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that her actions had put Lyall and Remus in even greater danger.

‘’I wish things had gone differently, I truly do.’’ Edith said after a long moment of silence. "Lyall was the love of her life and she lost him. For a god, that kind of pain is eternal.’’

Edith paused, looking at Remus with soft eyes. "I just wanted to remind you that both Hope and Lyall cared deeply for you, Remus.’’

Remus turned his head to look at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and gratitude.

Edith nodded, her expression sympathetic. "I'm here if you need to talk more about it. Hope trusted me to take care of you, to make sure you knew the truth when the time was right."

Sirius, his anger toward Zeus still burned hot. It seemed so unfair, so senseless, to punish someone for love. He thought about Hope fleeing with Remus, trying to protect him. It was clear that she had done everything she could within the constraints placed upon her.

Edith had made up some beds for them, and as they settled in, Sirius watched Remus. Remus had been given so much information in such a short time. Sirius could tell that he was struggling to process it all. The revelation about his mother and the brutal truth about his father's death—it was a lot to handle.

Remus turned slightly, catching Sirius's eye. "You okay?" Remus asked quietly.

Sirius forced a small smile. "Seriously, you’re asking me if I am ok? Its you we are worried about."

Remus nodded slowly. "I'll be okay…. thanks for being here, Sirius."

"Always," Sirius replied, meaning it with every fiber of his being.

They lay in silence for a while longer, each lost in their own thoughts. Eventually, exhaustion overtook Sirius, and he drifted off to sleep.

The next morning the three woke up feeling pretty good for the circumstances. Remus' appearance was still different, but it was already becoming less. Sirius was somewhat grateful for this. Edith’s house was bathed in the early morning light when she entered the room where the boys were gathered.

“Remus, Sirius, Peter,” she said, her voice trembling slightly, “there are two demigods nearby. I don't know what they are doing here. It is quite a coincidence that the day after you arrive, two more demigods show up.”

“Do you think it’s…?” Peter began, but Remus cut him off, his voice filled with sudden hope.

“Lily and James,” he said. “It must be them.’’

They explained to Edith that they had lost two of their friends the day before during a run-in with some monsters. Thinking back to the monsters brought up a question in Sirius. "Actually, did you send the monsters to lead us here?"

Edith seemed confused. "Why would i send monster after you? And even if i wanted to, i don't have the power to do such a thing.’’

Peter took over from Sirius. ''Wait if you didn't send them...then who did?

‘’And why?’’ Remus added.

This was something to worry about later, for now the most important thing was that James and Lily were safe. Sirius felt a rush of adrenaline. The possibility of reuniting with their friends lifted his spirits. “We will talk about it later, let’s go find James and Lily,” he said, moving quickly to the door.

They stepped outside, the crisp morning air filling their lungs, and made their way towards the edge of the town. As they approached, two familiar figures came into view.

“It is them!” Remus exclaimed, breaking into a run.

Lily and James were standing together, looking slightly disheveled but unharmed. When they saw their friends, relief washed over their faces.

“Sirius! Remus! Peter!” James called out, waving energetically.

As they drew closer Lily and James immediately noticed Remus’s changed appearance.

‘’What the freak happened to you?’’ James asked, with a confused and awed look in his eyes.

“Oh, you know, just a quick trip to the beauty salon. Thought I’d try something new.” Remus smirked, a hint of his usual sarcasm returning.

“Remus, you’ve been claimed,” Lily said, her voice a mix of awe and curiosity.

James looked puzzled, his eyes darting between Lily and Remus, then finally the realization hit him. “ohhh… "

Lily’s eyes softened as she took in Remus’s new aura. “Aphrodite,” she said quietly. “Actually somewhat makes sense now that I think about it.”

Remus nodded, the weight of the truth still heavy on his shoulders. “Yeah, it’s… a long story.’’

Sirius clapped Remus on the back. “We’ll explain everything. But first, let’s get back to Edith’s. We need to regroup and figure out our next move.”

‘’Edith?’’ Lily and James asked at the same time.

“You'll see, just follow us.” Peter said.

The group made their way back to Edith’s house, where she greeted Lily and James warmly. They quickly filled Edith in on their identities, and she offered them food and a place to rest. After a while it was time to say goodbye to the woman who had taken care of them so well.

“Thank you, Edith,” Remus finally said. “Without you, I would have never known this.”

Edith smiled, her eyes full of empathy. “I’m glad I could help. Know that you are always welcome here, Remus. Take care of eachother.”

After gathering some provisions and saying their goodbyes, the group set off down the road. As they walked, Remus began to recount the events of the previous day, explaining his heritage and the tragic story of his father. Lily and James listened intently, their faces showing a mix of shock and sympathy.

When Remus finished, Lily put a hand on his arm. “I’m so sorry, Remus.”

James nodded in agreement. “Yeah, mate, that is a lot. I wish there was something I could do to help.”

Remus managed a small smile. “ It's fine, thanks..”

They walked in silence for a while, each lost in their thoughts, until James broke the silence. “Well, our adventure wasn’t quite as dramatic, but we had our moments.”

Lily laughed. “Oh, definitely. I liked the centaur te most, what about you James?”

Sirius felt like something had changed between James and Lily since he last saw them. The way they communicated with each other was different...different in a good way, but still different.

James groaned. “How could I forget? After we got separated from you guys, we ended up in this forest. Out of nowhere, this centaur appears and starts talking in riddles. He wouldn’t let us pass until we solved them.”

Peter looked intrigued. “Did you solve them?”

James shrugged. “Eventually. It took a while, and let’s just say my riddle-solving skills aren’t exactly top-notch.”

Lily grinned. “It was more like I solved them while James tried to convince the centaur to just let us go. But in the end, we made it through.”

''You should have seen her, she was amazing. I doubt Athena herself could have done any better!" James said with pride and admiration.

Lily blushed slightly. “I just did what I had to do.’’

Oh...Lily really had feelings for James. Sirius had always known that those two were made for each other, but seeing Lily like this made Sirius sure.
He decided it was better not to tell James, at least not for now. If James knew that Lily had feelings for him, he’d probably spontaneously explode, and Sirius still needed James for the quest.

‘’Well you did it great, Evans’’ James said.

Lily brushed it off. ‘’Anyway we managed to escape and kept moving. We’ve been trying to find you guys ever since.”

Sirius felt a surge of relief. Having Lily and James back with them made everything feel more manageable. They were a team again.
As they continued their journey, Sirius couldn’t help but think about everything that had happened. His anger towards Zeus still simmered beneath the surface, he could only imagine the hatred Remus must feel towards this god. But he knew they had to keep moving forward. Remus was quieter than usual, but no one tried to get him to talk., he needed some time to try to proces everything.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden hue over the landscape, the group found a secluded spot to rest for the night. They set up a small camp, the flickering light of the campfire creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere. The simple meal they prepared consisted of bread, cheese, and some dried meats Edith had given them. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to satisfy their hunger and bring a sense of normalcy after the tumultuous events of the past days.

While they were resting Sirius, Remus, and Peter further discussed how they exactly found out about Remus’s past with Lily.
"We've been led to Remus' past by monsters," Sirius explained. "But Edith didn't seem to know anything about it."

Lily frowned in thought. "That means someone else wanted Remus to uncover his past. Someone who isn't Aphrodite.’’

"But who could it be?" Peter asked, his voice trembling from the cold and the tension.

‘’I don’t know, but the fact that this person used monsters suggests they're not a benevolent force. ’We need to be careful. There are forces at play that we don't yet understand.’’

As the evening wore on and the fire burned lower, Sirius and Remus found themselves sitting a little apart from the others, the crackling of the flames providing a gentle background noise. The glow of the campfire highlighted the contours of Remus’s face, which had returned to its familiar, comforting features now that Aphrodite’s blessing had faded. There was a newfound confidence in his demeanor since being claimed by Aphrodite, a subtle change that Sirius found intriguing.

There was a moment of comfortable silence between them before Sirius spoke again. “I have to admit, I’m kind of glad the blessing faded. You looked amazing, don’t get me wrong, but… I like you as you are. The real you.”

Oh my god, why did he say that out loud?

Remus looked at Sirius, a soft expression on his face and Sirius could have sworn he was blushing a little. Or did he imagine that? Surely he did.

‘’Thank you, Sirius. To be honest, I feel more comfortable this way. By the way, thank you and Pete for trusting me the other day. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Sirius felt like he might have melted.

My gosh, would Sirius always feel this way when he was with Remus from now on? Why did he have to be a son of Aphrodite? And why did he have such a soft spot for him, he didn't feel this way when he was with Mary, who was also a child of Aphrodite, so what made Remus different?

‘’No problem Remus, we're a team.’’