NOW

Chapter Nineteen

Madam Pomfrey's tries to get Percy to leave her alone with Thalia were useless. He didn't leave her side for a second and neither did Artemis. The two gods watched the witch carefully when she healed the cuts on her body and inspected the once fatal now self-closing wound on her stomach.

"Whatever spell that was you used, it was very strong.", said the witch still looking at the girl in the bed beside her. She had hexed her new clothes and cleaned her blood off of Percy's coat. The witched turned to look at Percy. "Are you sure you are alright, son? I could still get you a strengthen potion.", she offered but Percy denied like the last times she had asked.

"Madam Pomfrey, if you could leave us alone for a minute?" Professor Dumbledore had followed them into the Hospital Wing but stayed silent the whole time. The medic witch didn't look too happy she had to leave and Dumbledore reassured her they would get her if everything changed with the state of the girl.

The steps of the leaving witch hallowed through the room with its high ceilings and old walls. The headmaster stepped to Thalia's side and looked down at her. Percy saw the greek goddess beside him tense and watch the wizard carefully. He send her a quick glance to make sure she wouldn't do anything rash. Of course she didn't. Lady Artemis was many things, but she defiantly wasn't stupid. She was calculated and strategic, even Percy could still learn from her.

"Hogwarts of course will welcome this young lady into our heart until she feels better, but I will need some answers." The old wizard sat down in the chair next to the bed and looked up to the two greeks. "And I am not sure to what questions yet."

This was the part Percy dreaded. He wouldn't lie at the professor, but how much truth could he share? Artemis turned to him and waited for him to say something. It was at his hands what would happen now.

"Let's start easy. Who is she?" The headmaster folded his hands on his lap.

"Thalia Grace, my cousin. From my father's side of the family.", answered Percy and crossed his arm over his chest.

"You said you didn't have much contact with your father."

"Let's just say our family is very complicated.", answered Lady Artemis instead of Percy. "It's distant and definitely not build on love. But it gives opportunities to find the people most loyal to you. The people that will fight for your life." She didn't look at Percy once, her eyes fixed on the man infant of her.

"And you are?" Dumbledore's eyes were clear and he was completely calm while asking.

"Artemis. Her sister." That was the moment Aria flew inside, a panicked Nico following her.

"Perce! What happened?" He was wearing a black shirt and black jeans like always, not at all caring about the snow outside. His raven hair hung messy into his dark eyes. He gave a short nod at Artemis before pointing all his attention to his cousin.

"Nico." It was a greeting as well as a warning. Mortals present, watch your words. "She was attacked by something, I have never seen a poison quite like it." His eyes had wandered to the unconscious hunter infant of him before finding the wizards eyes once more. "And this is my other cousin, Nico diAngelo." Nico ripped his eyes from Thalia just for a second to inspect the elderly man.

"Albus Dumbledore, I presume.", said Nico with a harsh voice without looking up.

"Have me met?" He still hadn't lost his temper and Percy gave him high credit for it, considering the whole situation. Percy wasn't surprised Nico knew the man. Death was universal, it doesn't matter if you are a halfblood, wizard or mortal, as soon as you die, you are all the same. And his cousin was a man of Death.