Chapter Text
Maybe Harry should have seen this coming but for the life of him, the boy couldn’t be prepared for the human kingdoms.
What started off as a normal morning quickly turned into something greater, as he was given his first message to mankind. Now he had visited the sweeping brooks of Nymphs, the corralling herds of centaurs and even witnessed a giant’s hunt with his own eyes, but Zeus had never trusted Harry with the humans before.
Not without reason of course. Harry would never call himself a human synthesiser, as he knew all too well Zeus’s caution with these creatures. What they could do, what they’re capable of, it wasn’t something Harry could predict. But even still, the young deity couldn’t ignore the delighted fluttering of his heart as he kneeled before the Head God, his back bent in a gentle bow as he listened to Zeus’s message with earnest attention.
“I expect the message to be delivered swiftly, Harilaos. No detours must be taken.” Zeus’s words were accompanied with a thundering rumble, as if the heavens itself would shake if he ever raised his voice.
Harry dipped his head, acknowledging the instructions. His back ached from the bent position but he was able to ignore it his with ease. “Of Course, Zeus.” He answered. Always quick and polite, as the gods would not have anything lesser.
The use of his god name no longer brought him discomfort like it once had, when he had barely won his way into the role. The title was fairly simple, as god names go. Harilaos, and nothing more, for he has not earned himself any epithet yet. It was the only claim his parents was able to leave on him, once arriving in Olympus. Harry had learnt hard and fast not to call anyone by their casual name unless invited.
As Zeus finished, Harry stood up and kept his eyes on the opulent marble that made up the hall’s grounds. He did not dare to risk a glance at Zeus’s eyes. He knew the proper procedures, and despite his youth Sirius made sure Harry knew how to address the greater gods. Eye contact with the King god was not something a measly messenger could afford.
But before Harry could excuse himself Zeus stopped him with a wave of his hand. “And Harry?” Harry’s head snapped up in surprise at his common name. His eyes immediately locked onto the periwinkle blue of Zeus’s and Harry froze as if shocked. He felt his heart jump before he hurriedly forced himself to look away. Dread and panic curled in his chest like lumbering beasts, making him tense his posture and his breath halt.
Harry waited for the reprimand but what only came was a soft, grandfatherly chuckle.
“Call me Dumbledore, Harry, when there’s no need for such formalities,” Zeus said instead. The king of the gods sounded almost warm. Harry felt himself relax a little, his shoulders slumping as he tried to give Zeu- Dumbledore a hesitant smile.
“Yes, Dumbledore,” Harry said breathlessly. His heart still beat furiously against his rib cage and he knew that if Remus saw his slip up he’d surly have a heart attack. Or two, or three. He risked another glance at the god’s eyes and was met with a warm smile from Dumbledore himself.
Harry couldn’t stop his smile from turning into a beaming grin. Relief flooded him alongside a healthy amount of disbelief. He was okay, he didn’t offend the head god and he wasn’t going to lose his title. For all the time he’s spent here, all his struggles with politeness and formality Harry was finally getting somewhere. He felt like he could finally breathe, if only for a bit.
Finally, Dumbledore excused him and without a second word, Harry walked out of the grand hall with a forced calm. He could feel the whispers of other deities around him as he left, but despite their eyes on him, the whispers of ‘how dare he’ and 'disgraceful youths’, Harry couldn’t stamp down the giddiness in his gut.
For once, the whispering and scrutiny didn’t bother him at all.
Soon Harry stepped out beyond the open columns, for there were no real doors in Olympus. He stretched out his bird-like wings from his back, their transparent, golden hue looked sun touched against the clouds. With a single glance back, he seamlessly took flight with a snap of his delicate wings.
Gliding down from Olympus, Harry set out for the longest flight he had ever taken. The chilling winds coursed through his hair and ruffled his robes. It was unnaturally strong at this time of year. Harry wondered if Zephyr the West Wind was making his job difficult on purpose. The young deity wouldn’t put it passed that old bag of wind to try.
Breathing in the old mountain air, Harry allowed himself to glide for a while. He flew over the village of Olympia, the small stone dwellings giving way to vast meadows, and leftover snow as Demeter blessed the land with spring once again.
He took another deep breath and felt the cool biting air enter his lungs, filling his insides with cold. it was not for the first time that he was thankful for his fire-like wings. They kept him warm up in the air, a brilliant golden-orange light that guided him through many nights. Not that he would freeze, not really at least. Where the other gods may have been a bit miffed at the temperature, Harry found the chill a soothing contrast to the warmth on his back.
Harry flapped his wings once and started to descend, curling them inwards and allowing gravity to take him down. The wind rushed up to meet him and he felt a pleasant burst of adrenaline well up in his gut as he enjoyed the free fall.
He glided until he was upside down and relaxed his body. With the earth above him and the sky below his feet, he let out a “Whoop!” as he plunge sharply towards the ground. Harry laughed at the tickling sensation in his stomach.
Throughout the ten years he had been alive, flying was something he would never get tired of.
Harry’s hands dipped into his small woven satchel to brush against Zeus’s message, a thick scroll of papyrus that instantly appeared as he left Olympus grounds. Reassured that he had the message tucked in safely, with a great beat of his wings Harry levelled out into a smooth flight. Steadfast in his target.
Over hills, rivers and valleys. Over the sleepy heads of sheep and the ever-grazing cattle. Over towns and small villages, over temples and the greatest heights of humanity caved in stone, Harry flew. The flickering lights of Athens greeting him as they greeted the evening sun.
‘This was going to be great.’ Harry thought to himself, feeling a bubbling childish excitement in his gut.
_________ ༻❁༺ _________
‘This isn’t great. This is anything but great!’ Harry thought with panic as he dodged and weaved through a furious rain of arrows. There were humans dressed in their funny looking armour shooting at him and Harry cursed as he batted an arrow away with his wings. The stick quickly burst into flames and Harry wasted no time in fleeing across the palace courtyards.
More shouting joined the panic as humans in shiny metal congregated around palace grounds. Some with bows and arrows, others with pointy spears and silver swords. Harry felt like a bird in a trap, a very large trap with some very loud, graceless hunters.
Harry let out a hiss as an arrow almost scrapped his nose, his wings suddenly snapping out to launch him into the sky. Up in the air, Harry sharply inhaled and let out a “STOP”. His shout startled some guards below and Harry took that chance to dive again, weaving between the men to land on the other side of the cobblestone courtyard.
Harry had to land to catch his breath, his wings fanning out to their full length and height in an effort to warn the humans off. This time the guards didn’t try to rush him. Most of their attention was on the boy’s large wings instead of Harry himself.
Harry felt his chest rise and fall as he took in the guards and their spears and sharp pointy weapons. Their postures was tense as the two groups regarded each other.
“Stop!” A voice interrupted the silence. It has a shrill and out of breath quality to it as if the owner had just run a mile. “Stop this at once! Guards stand down.” A thin frail-looking man made his way out of the crowd of guards, his hands held out as if to stop any more arrows from firing.
Harry watched the man with wary eyes, his wings tensing in case he needed to take flight. The man was short but still towered over Harry’s small frame.
The small man dropped his hands to hold his knees and he struggled to catch his breath. “Oh dear, oh dear, I shouldn’t have ran.” He said in between deep breaths. Some guards lowered their weapons but most still stayed as they were. Harry was starting to feel a bit awkward, unsure what to do.
The man took one final breath and stood up straight. “Have you all lost your minds?” He demanded the guards before sharply turning towards Harry. Harry held back a flinch at the sharp movement, and the man’s eyes regarded his wings with an almost look of awe.
The man gave Harry a weak smile before dipping his head in a low, respectful bow. The same type of bow Harry would give to the greater gods. In a breathy voice, the man spoke. “Welcome to our humble home of Athens, Oh Great One. Thank you for blessing us with your visit.” The words were reverent and almost seemed to curl around Harry like a lazy wisp of smoke.
Herry felt an uncomfortable shiver go down his spine and the young deity suddenly felt very wrong-footed.
“Err, thanks,” Harry said lamely.
Harry’s curt reply didn’t seem to bother the man as he straightened up again and Harry caught a look of amazement before the man glanced back at the ground. Harry instantly recognised the man’s actions, as Harry did the exact same thing this morning. He felt a plunging in his gut.
‘Is that what I looked like when bowing to Zeus?’ Harry thought with a bit of dread.
“Please please, forgive the actions of our guards. They didn’t know of your true magnificence” The man insisted and Harry didn’t even know where to begin with that. “I am Iasonas, the Royal Physician. The Great King Thomas would love to welcome you inside, you are welcome here anytime.” The man reassured.
Most of the guards behind him had dropped their weapons by now, but to Harry’s discomfort, they didn’t leave. Harry could practically feel the eyes of the humans take in his wings, his satchel and the almost silk-like quality of Harry’s robes.
“Oh ah, yes. Hello, Iasonas” Harry spoke at first before clearing his throat and trying again. “I carry a message on behalf of Zeus, the Ruler of All,” Harry spoke with an even voice. He was here on behalf of Olympus dammit, he needed to act the part. Even if it made him uneasy.
It wasn’t long before Harry was swept inside the palace doors with the man Iasonas walking a step behind. Harry felt that it was a bit silly for Iasonas to walk behind him when Harry himself had no idea where he was going. But he didn’t question it.
Different cultures had their own formalities after all, and even as a young messenger, Harry has had met his fair share of customs.
It’s just that no other creatures has ever done, well. This.
The man gazed at Harry as if Harry had just created the sun and stars themselves, and Harry didn’t know how to feel. It was as if a stone had settled in his stomach, cold and uncomfortable.
Harry steeled himself for the great unknown. ‘Breath’ He thought to himself. ‘Be polite and take things in stride’ he recounted the hurried lessons Remus tried to instal into his head.
But as they strolled down the long, limestone halls of the palace Harry kept catching humans of all sorts staring at him. Some hid away while others openly gaped at him, at his fire-like wings and silken robes. Harry felt a bit like a bird on display, a very dangerous bird hopped up on narcotics as humans scurried out of his way.
The humans acted as if he’d strike them down where they stood, and Harry struggled to not fiddle with the edges of his robes in discomfort.
Harry glanced down at the floor, tuning out the Iasonas' frantic speaking behind him. The inside of the palace was beautiful, truthfully. Filled with gilded ornaments, marble and carved limestone designs. Every wall was decorated with a painting and vases depicting the god’s greatness. Harry stared at one which roughly looked like Athena, if Athena ever smiled that is.
It wasn’t long before Harry was ‘lead’ (as if Iasonas was leading anything) into a grand throne room. The throne room was decked out in dark oaks, limestone and gold accents. A long dining table that went almost collum to collum took Harry by surprise, but what surprised him even more was the mountains of food and rich smelling wine laid on top.
It was a feast fit for, well, a King.
Iasonas stopped by the door frame and bowed again. He gestured to the long table with a flourish of his hands and said in an almost self-important way “My liege the Great King Thomas, and the Queen and the Prince awaits you.”
Harry glanced at Iasonas one last time, bothered by the way the man flinched back, and then walked into the room.
Sitting on a gaunt chair that could have passed as the throne itself, was a man in a white flowing tunic. He adored a golden headpiece, a diadem if Harry had to guess and wore and a vibrant purple cloak with golden accents over his tunic.
‘He must be King Thomas’. Harry thought.
Besides him in much the same style was a woman, the Queen? Her smile looked soft and motherly while her light hazel eyes regarded Harry with polite interest. The couple looked every bit like royalty, but what really caught Harry’s attention was the boy next to them.
A boy, a human boy. Someone that looked his age.
The boy had curly brown hair that almost looked gold in the firelight, and he stared right back at Harry with honeyed hazel eyes that resembled the Queen’s.
Harry suddenly felt better about this whole situation. He’s never met anyone his age before. The gods in Olympus were all centuries old, and his uncle Sirius and the nymphs that he grew up with were well past adolescence.
Almost eagerly, Harry folded his wings neatly behind his back and walked over to the long table filled with food. He could see roasted boar, pastries of all kinds and all sorts of sweetmeats and wine.
“Messenger, it is my great pleasure to welcome you into our halls.” The King stood up in a flurry, his dark curled hair and beaming smile all but exuded a great pride. His arms spread themselves wide as if he was showing off his entire castle at once.
“Please, Great Messenger. Enjoy the feast. Eat and allow us to humbly celebrate you.” The King dipped his head and the boy, the prince stood up and pulled out a chair for Harry. Harry took that as his cue to sit down.
Just as Harry was about to say something the King cut him off. “We have gathered our country’s greatest cooks and dishes to serve you. I know may not be much compared to what you usually eat, but please enjoy what Athens has to offer.” Harry’s mouth snapped shut, and he looked at the King for a second, wondering what Hary was meant to be doing.
The King’s pale blue eyes unnerved Harry for a bit with their intense focus on his shoulder, but Harry nodded anyways and spoke for the first time since coming into the hall. “Yes, I thank you for the feast.” He replied, trying his best to pick out the right words. How in the cere was he supposed to act? Harry couldn’t help but feel like they were expecting something of him and he struggled to think of something to add. “The food looks delicious, I’m sure it’s Athen’s best,” Harry said politely.
That seemed like it was the right thing to do, as the King almost seemed to puff up with pride as did the boy next to him, who sent Harry an awestruck grin.
The Queen, seeing her chance cooed and asked. “Dear Messenger, forgive me for my insolence but you seem quite young. Of course, you are still great and powerful, but may I inquire if you are near my son’s age?” Her voice was almost melodic, a soft chime as if she was speaking to her own child.
Harry nodded, unused to her roundabout way of speaking. “Uh, it’s only been ten summers since my birth.” He admitted, realising how he never got to know her name. “May I ask for your name?”
The Queen smiled brilliantly, her eyes lit with pride. She looked at him almost reverently and Harry was reminded of all the looks he got from the man Iasonas who escorted him. She certainly didn’t look him in the eyes, much like Iasonas.
He was really starting to get tired of this.
Worship is something familiar to Harry. It is something in everyone’s eyes when they spoke of Zeus, of Hera and all the important gods. It was never directed at Harry himself and he had been happy with that. Being treated as any more or any less rubbed him the wrong way. Now these people couldn't even look at him, as if they were having a conversation with a wild animal and not Harry.
Privately, though he knew it was custom, Harry wondered if the greater gods ever felt irritated when Harry didn't meet their eyes. Although even if he had wanted to, he would have been reprimanded instantly for daring. The young deity knew where he stood in life, and that was important if he wanted to stay in Olympus.
If he wanted to see his parents.
So now that there was something akin to worship directed at Harry, he didn’t know how to act. The sensation rose the hairs on the back of his neck, and Harry couldn’t help an uncomfortable shiver go down his spine.
“I am Queen Helene Kleos Riddle, and this here is my admirable husband, King Thomas Riddle of Athens.” The queen paused to put a hand on her son’s shoulder, who twitched as if he wanted to roll her hand away. “And here is my dear son Basileus Ariston Riddle, who is only a summer younger than you.”
Harry shook himself out of his musings and gave them his best smile. Regardless of the discomfort, he felt a breath of fresh air enter him as he shared a look with Basileus. There was a boy his age! Harry couldn’t get over the novelty of it, and he wondered if perhaps the prince would like to be friends.
Suddenly remembering himself, Harry pulled out his scroll and all three human’s eyes instantly snapped to it. The King looked at it with a hungry greed, while the Queen and Basileus’s gaze stayed on the scroll as if enthralled. Harry felt his skin start to prickle a bit more.
“I carry a message from Zeus, the Son of Kronos himself” Harry stated to King Thomas. “I was to give it directly to the ruler of Athens.”
Queen Helene and Prince Basileus instantly perked up but King Thomas spoke before they could say anything. “Yes, of course, I will be most humbled to receive the message in private after the feast.” He smiled warmly at Harry, but the smile was a lot sharper than Harry had seen before.
Harry glanced at the Queen and by the furrow between her brows and her tense smile, it was obvious she didn’t like that. Basileus looked just about ready to protest, the younger boy’s face turned a shade of red and Harry braced himself for an outburst.
But the outburst never came, and the feast continued on with a strained silence. Basileus looked at Harry like he was expecting something out of him and Harry couldn’t help with think of the man again, the one who lead him inside the palace.
‘Well.’ Harry thought to himself. ‘This is starting to get really awkward’. He should probably say something but he was coming up empty.
“Err, so how did you know to get this feast ready?” Harry asked, picking up a slice of roasted boar and looking at it in interest. He’s never really had human prepared food before. The gods didn’t need it, not that they didn't indulge themselves when the humans gave sacrifices. He’d yet to get any himself.
“Your generous visit surprised us, we were merely getting ready for supper and once we heard of your arrival, we ordered the best food in the land to be served.” Queen Helene spoke smoothly, breaking out of her tension to gently dab at her lips with a luxurious looking cloth.
Harry thought of the inane scuffle he had with the guards, and wondered how they managed to get the best foods of Athens prepared so quickly. Perhaps humans were just that efficient?
Finally, Basileus himself spoke and Harry turned to him in interest, wondering what a human boy his age would ask. “Dear Great Messenger, tell me about Olympus!” He asked eagerly and Harry was taken aback for a bit. Well, he wasn’t expecting that.
“Oh uh, it’s full of clouds and golden sheep.” Harry paused to think. “There’s a lot of marble and gold everywhere.” Harry gave a weak description. He’s never been asked what Olympus looked like. Normally he’d give the message and leave. Sometimes, the creatures would hold a feast with many guests. The entertainment would be provided and then he’d be on his way home.
If there were any words exchanged it would involve the message. Occasionally, he would be invited to sit down at their communal halls and he would simply listen to them talk and tell stories. It wasn’t much, but he found that he enjoyed those visits the most.
Rarely, if ever would they ask something from Harry himself. Harry felt a happy little spark inside him as he pondered the novelty of being asked a question.
“Are there waterfalls of wine and thousands of beautiful women there too?” Basileus asked eagerly and Harry sputtered for a second. He couldn’t see the practicalities of having a wine waterfall, though maybe Dionysis would enjoy that. The pretty women comment threw Harry for a loop as well, and he wondered why Olympus would ever have random women lying around.
...and that’s another thing Dionysis would enjoy.
Harry promptly stopped that thought before it could lead anywhere else.
“I don’t think we have a wine waterfall, nor random beautiful women” Harry replied earnestly and Basileus’s shoulders instantly slouched in disappointment.
“Oh,” Basileus said.
Harry frowned a little. He didn’t know why Basileus would be disappointed. He doesn’t know much about human boys but Harry remembered Sirius telling him that wine and women were things only grown-ups had to worry about.
It might just be a human thing Harry decided, before adding on. “But Olympus is not a place anyone can get into, you need to be invited in by the Gods, you see. So if there was women, they’d also have to be divine.” He began before Basileus cut him off.
“So you must be super important then!” the boy exclaimed, looking up at Harry’s tucked wings and then back at Harry’s satchel. Harry blinked and nodded. “I guess?” he said unsurely.
He wasn’t that important, but he didn’t know if he was supposed to reveal that. It felt as if since coming here, Harry was put up on a pedestal and expected to act one way and or another. But how he was supposed to act when it kept slipping through his fingers? Was he supposed to be professional? Was he supposed to tell tales of grandeur and glory?
From the look in Basileus’ eyes, Harry felt as if he was holding the boy’s entire world in his palm, and one wrong move could crush that.
Harry didn’t really like that feeling.
The King suddenly broke out into a loud laugh and spilled a bit of wine. The tips of his ears were a bright red and Harry wondered how many drinks he’s had. Harry himself had never drunk wine, but he’s seen enough centaur parties to recognise it.
The King suddenly jolted in his seat and then he glared weakly at Queen Helene, who calmly sipped from her own goblet. Harry wondered whether the Queen kicked him or stomped on his foot.
King Thomas turned back to Harry, a glazed wonderment in his eyes as he stared at Harry’s golden wispy wings. “Of course he’s important, my son” His words had a slight slur to them, but he still held himself with the regality of a King. “Why I’m sure the Messenger must be a son of Zeus himself! He’d never send anyone lesser to deliver a message to Athens.” He spat the last parts of his sentence, then tipped his goblet back and drank.
Some of the wine dribbled down his chin and the King let out a raspy breath. “Even the Gods have their places, why some of the smaller ones aren’t even worth mentioning.” He let out a bitter sneer. “Bedding disgusting creatures and creating halflings, isn’t that right my dear?” He laughed at the Queen, raising his goblet to her as if sharing an inside joke. The Queen smiled back tightly.
Harry’s smile froze on his face. He felt his stomach plummet as if he just started a dive midair and for some reason, he stopped breathing for a second. His insides felt like they were twisting themselves up, and his mind focused on the hateful disdain that dripped from the word ‘lesser’.
The words repeated in his head, and Harry felt himself still.
The sentence instantly left his mouth before Harry could stop them. “There is nothing wrong with lesser.” He said blankly. Feeling oddly empty.
The King shrugged his shoulders while Basileus let out a shrill laugh. It was a loud, crackling laugh. Not like the barking delightful laugh Sirius had, nor like the rumbling laughs of the gods. It was a laugh that broke through the air, a mocking thing that pushed out other noises with its sharp edges.
Harry watched silently as Basileus’ face turned red from his crackling, his clumsy hands hitting the table and uncaring of what he knocked over. The King, as tipsy as he was let out his own booming laughter, and the sound seemed to echo across the throne room and bounce back at them. As if the walls themselves were laughing.
Harry felt a small part in him, the part that was so excited to meet humans earlier grow a bit cold.
Then the Queen harshly set down her goblet with a loud bang, interrupted the laughing session of her husband and son. “I think” She begun. “That my dear husband has had a bit too much to drink.”
She dipped her head elegantly at Harry and gave him a polite smile. “Please forgive us for keeping you for so long. It has gotten quite late, why don’t you stay the night, Messenger, and give King Thomas the scroll in the morning?” She nodded her head at a guard that was posted by the back wall. “Daimen over there will take you to your quarters for tonight. It has been prepared with our utmost care”
And with that, the conversation was over.
Harry looked down at his plate in front of him, the food had already lost its appeal. He then looked over to Queen Helene’s tense politeness, Basileus quiet wheezing as he struggled to regain his breath and finally, King Thomas’s red face and ears. Despite King Thomas’s classically handsome appearance Harry couldn’t help but see the echoes of a badly drunken Satyr. Messy, with a breath that stunk of alcohol and vomit.
Harry finally to began to pay attention to the feeling inside him, something he hadn’t noticed building in the background. It was akin to a slow crescendo, emotions that got stronger and stronger as the night went on. From the chaos of his landing, to the uncomfortable staring, to the slow but steady realisation that even the King himself was not so grand after all.
It was disappointment.
Harry felt disappointed.
A familiar weight dropped on Harry’s shoulders like an old friend, except Harry didn’t really have friends. The one friend he could have had was Basileus, and Harry just about ruined any chances of that friendship happening.
It felt like years had gone by in the span of one day. His delight at meeting humans for the first time this morning now tasted like ash in his mouth.
Getting up from his seat, Harry spared a glance at the food and idly wondered who would finish it. Hopefully, the guards got it. He did give them a fright earlier.
As he turned around to the guard who dipped his head at him with the same nauseating awe, all Harry could feel was the bars of expectations clamp down on him harder. Harry wondered if, perhaps, the humans would feel as disappointed as he was now, if they knew him better?
He turned back to Queen Helene to say something before another realisation struck him.
Messenger. They had been calling him messenger this entire time. They had never asked for Harry’s name.
Harry felt something almost bitter clog in his gut and settle there, like a stone. It was the same with every other place he visited, but never had it stung like this. Some creatures didn’t care for names, while others had many. Names to humans, however, was something tied to their identity and everything they were, as Sirius had once explained.
To Harry, they were Queen Helene, King Thomas and Prince Basileus. To them, he was just the Messenger. A job title, not a creature with his own thoughts and name.
Harry’s words died in his mouth, and Harry felt pretty stupid just standing there. It was almost petty, Harry’s hurt. It was such a small thing that they probably didn’t even notice. Probably thought it was respectful even, but Harry couldn’t bring himself to stamp down his feelings and pretend it wasn't there.
It was just like the whispers on Olympus. He was the Messenger and nothing more.
Idly, he wondered how they would react, if only they knew how little he held. If they knew how tightly he had to cling onto his role.
Without a proper goodbye to the Queen, or the Prince nor King, Harry followed the guard out the door and into the halls. What once looked impressive to Harry now looked dull. High walls, carved limestone and the best Athens had to offer.
He looked at the guard who did not dare look back, and with pettiness Harry decided he was not going to remember his name.
He let out a sigh, feeling exhaustion seep into his bones. It wasn’t even the guard’s fault, Harry shouldn’t be taking it out on him.
It wasn’t really anyone’s fault, truthfully.
Reaching out a hand to brush against the palace walls, Harry tried to find a slimmer of his excitement from earlier.
It was stone, just stone. Cold, unfeeling and the same as any other rock or pebble Harry has ever touched. He looked around at the vases, seeing the small minute cracks in them that came from their smelting. He paused for a bit, trailing a particularly gruesome crack that the artist must have tried to cover with blank paint.
It felt like there was a metaphor there somewhere, but Harry felt too deflated to ponder it.
Harry and the guard walked in stinted silence. Harry, not in the mood to talk and the guard seemed perfectly content to just stare at Harry’s glowing wings. Harry resisted the urge to fold his wings up into a tight mess on his back.
The ambience of the palace wrapped them in an oppressive blanket. Other than the soft scuttling of feet and servants going about their business, there wasn’t anything to distract Harry from his thoughts.
As they walked deeper into the castle a sudden shouting broke Harry’s trance and he heard the clanging of something metal bouncing across the floor. It came from further down the halls and the guard Harry was walking with tensed up.
The guard cursed something under his breath, and he looked at Harry with a strained grimace. It was clear the guard didn’t want Harry to see whatever it was and Harry’s attention was instantly caught.
When people wanted to hide things from him, from a messenger of Olympus itself, it was often for a good reason.
Without another word Harry’s wings snapped out and he instantly took flight, lifting himself high above the guard. His heart pounding. All Harry heard was a startled shout from the man, Damen or Daikon or something before Harry was gliding his way through the halls towards the commotion.
Guards and palace servants quickly got out of his way, fear and shock in their eyes as Harry covered ground much faster than any human could. He skidded into a landing at the edge of a hallway just in time to see a small figure bust its way out of a room. The figure shouted at something in the room and scrambled to their feet as something metallic and round was lodged in their direction. It made another clanging sound as it missed and hit the wall.
Harry’s heart leapt in his chest as his eyes instantly locked onto the dark-haired, furrowed browed and furious pale blue eyes of a young boy. In his hands, he grasped what looked like a metal dinner plate and there was a small cut on the side of his brow, the blood seeping down a sharp contrast to his pale skin.
It was another kid his age.
There was another kid Harry’s age. A different kid who he could talk to and maybe make friends with!
But that thought was slammed back instantly as Harry sharply remind himself of what happened earlier. Another kid didn’t mean anything, not if the best Athens had to offer was Basileus.
But still, Harry couldn’t help but be curious.
Was this what the guard didn’t want him to see? Harry frowned, confused, and wondered if human children were something the humans hide. Harry eyed the fresh cut on the boy. The bleeding had stopped, leaving a trail down the boy’s face and Harry couldn’t help but feel like there was something wrong with this situation.
Basileus was proudly presented to Harry with no injuries or cuts, but Basileus was also the prince. Did that make a difference? Was it normal to throw things at human children?
The guard leading Harry finally caught up, and his shout caused the human boy to turn to Harry. Harry’s eyes instantly locked with the boy’s, who lit up with surprise and Harry braced himself for the weight of expectations to drop on him again.
However, the boy only stared at him. And stared, and stared some more. Harry noted that the boy never broke eye contact, never dropped his eyes to the floor like Harry was something they could not bear to look at. The boy shamelessly stared into Harry’s eyes and Harry started right back, feeling like he was being seen for the first time since coming here.
“Who are you?” The Boy blurted out. No, demanded. As if it was his god-given right to know. Harry opened his mouth to answer but before he could say anything the guard interrupted.
“He is the Messenger, you ought to show some respect.” The guard grumbled, taking a stand in front of Harry as if the boy was some rabid animal. Harry felt himself bristle, a pin prickle of annoyance directed at the guard.
The other boy did not look any happier than Harry, as he levelled the guard with a cold piercing glare. “That doesn’t answer anything. I know he’s the messenger, but I asked him for who he was, not what he is.” He hissed and the guard barely suppressed a flinch as if burnt from the hiss.
And Harry…
Harry looked at the boy, truly looked at him with something akin to surprise. Or perhaps a cousin of it, but far more pleasant. He felt like Olympus’s largest fool, feeling so relived for something so small, even as his heart lightened. And when he breathed in, his chest didn’t feel as tight anymore.
His shoulders did not feel as heavy.
It was just a name. Such a stupid, small thing, but after all that’s happened today Harry couldn’t help but feel his heart ache with a breathtaking exhilaration.
“Harry” The words slipped out of his mouth before he could think. “I am Harileos, but my name is Harry.”
The boy took his eyes off the guard to stare at Harry again and to Harry’s quiet delight he still didn’t drop his eyes to the floor. “Harry.” The boy said his name as if testing it out for the first time and Harry couldn’t deny the slight thrill he got, hearing his name from someone other than Dumbledore or Sirius.
Someone his age, who could even become a friend.
“And who are you?” Harry asked. The guard instantly tried to nudge Harry away with an outstretched arm, but he didn’t dare to touch Harry. Harry flared his wings at him and the guard scrambled to backed off as if the wings could burn him alive.
Footsteps were coming from the doors the boy had burst out from, but before they could reach him the boy gave Harry a once over as if to see if Harry was worthy or not. The boy’s tense expression broke out into a sharp grin, one full of honest childish pride that stuck Harry as something familiar.
“I am Tom Marvolo Riddle, and I am the first Prince of Athens.” He declared firmly to the horror of the guard. Tom’s chin was raised and his haughty tone left no room for argument. Even despite his attitude, Harry instantly felt himself smiling back, a small happy one that spoke of relief.
The footsteps finally reached Tom and a wrinkled hand snapped out to grab Tom roughly. It was a servant woman by the looks of it who harshly tugged Tom backwards. Tom sneered at the woman but let it happen with a resigned air to him.
The women bowed lowly to Harry and said in a severe voice “Please forgive me, Messenger, don’t listen to this child. He often tells lies.”
But looking at the boy and his brilliant, pale blue eyes, Harry didn’t think he was lying at all.
But that begs the question. Why hide him away while Tom’s family greeted him by the palace throne? Why wasn’t he introduced with the other prince?
Harry glanced over to the horrified guard, who still could only look at his feet.
Looking down at his satchel Herry reminded himself that there was still a message to deliver.
‘Sorry, Dumbledore.’ He sent the thought out silently. It looked like he might be taking a detour after all.’