chapter 10

He knew, on some level, that he should have been suspicious when Eris had given him the thing, then even more so when Hermoine's letters mentioned that Voldemort had disappeared, but this brought a whole new meaning to ' GOD DAMNED '.

Harry could only feel pity, empathy and grudging amusement as he watched Voldemort be stuffed into a dress and bonnet for a tea party with the toddlers and young demigods of the creche.

Harry winced as the Dark Lord reached for him pleadingly, red eyes broken with the horror of his existance.

But the gorgon still turned away. Voldemort thoroughly deserved his punishment.

The rainbow sparkle unicorn kitten whimpered is distress as his useless butterfly wings were crammed into the dolls dress, watching as the Boy Who Lived walked away with utter despair.

(space)

It was rather quiet at the beach house since it was the off season, and the waves breaking was rather pleasant as white noise.

Harry and Hades were having a quiet night playing board games and drinking aged alchohol, occasional conversation starting up, then dying, but the long silences were comfortable.

He honestly didn't know why Hades had initiated these get togethers, but it was pleasant.

They were usually on Sunday nights. Sometimes Triton would join in, twice now Eros had popped in (and wasn't that a surprise), and last week Thanatos and Hypnos had followed Hades in for a few hours. The less said about when that Norse God, Loki, joined them last month the better.

But tonight it was just them, absently moving stone peices over a chess board.

It said a lot about Harry's life that this was the only quiet time he got these days.

And perhaps, given the occasional slip of the tongue, he reminded Hades of Poseidon from before Zeus introduced them to ambition.

Not that Hades really had any real ambition.

Which, all things considered, was probably why Harry got along so well with him.

There was also a deep sadness there, a gaping hole where his family had once been but had torn their way out and abandoned him to the darkness of the underground.

Harry honestly didn't know why Hades wasn't regarded as the God Of Sorrow or Grief since he wore the emotions around him like a cloak.

The God was confusing at times, but Harry was able to tentatively call Hades friend.

'Tentatively' because, despite the mistake nearly everyone fell into, Gods are not people.

Gods are Gods.

(space)

None of them knew what to make of the little creature one of the children had presented their parent with that morning.

Surperficially, it looked like a fluffy, cream coloured rabbit. If one didn't take into account the little antlers, the antennia and the large, black, almost insect like eyes. (1)

If Harry didn't know better, he'd call the little creature a jackalope. Or rather, a fantasy artist's impression of a jackalope since they actually did exist as a magical animal in the other world, only as jackrabbits with prong horns.

This little thing was about the size and tempermant of a guinea pig, right down to the little squeals.

Harry turn slightly towards the daughter of Demeter beside him as she and her siblings goggled at the little critter.

"Do you suppose you could get together a group of people to go over everywhere and check for any other surprises? Like increasing boundries, new animals and new plants?"

Lilac turned and gave him a manic grin.

"You bet your hot ass I will!"Harry found that comment a little worrying and resolved to wear longer shirts and looser pants in future.

(space)

The first thing the new 'Enviromental Research Group' found was about a half hour later.

Specifically, it was some kind of unicorn stallion with the pregnant mares.

Vashti quickly decided he was very pretty and was all over the newcomer.

As the protective father, Harry gave the new eqinoid the stink eye.

He was about the size of the Thoroughbreds with a traditional unicorn/lion tail, with a pale blue/grey base coat. His legs, face and rump were striped black like a zebra and his roached mane and feathering down the backs of his shanks had additional bright blue and pink stripes. The traditional spiral horn and normal horse hooves were of a material similar to gold, only harder.

Again, the unicorn was like an artist's impression of an 'exotic unicorn'.

Then a group of the Researchers ran up with a fat grey cat, noteworthy only because of the turquoise stripes, huge, disportionate turquoise eyes…

… And a bloody Cheshire grin from ear to ear.

Then the bloody thing began to float while turning transparent.

That was the point Harry went 'Nope!' and retreated to his workshop, leaving a cackling Brona in charge of the Group.

(space)

Hips was honestly minding his own business when the God approached him.

He was just practicing his trick shot archery in an empty clearing in Flordia while waiting to be called by Xion to shift the next shipment of livestock when someone applauded just outside his peripherary.

Turning, there was what appeared to be a young man with bright golden blonde hair, bright sky blue eyes, golden skin and, to paraphrase that song by G.R.L, his face was a work of art with a smile that could light up New York City after dark.

The black and silver skinned Gate Guardian had the sinking suspiscion he was dead in the sights of Apollo at this point.

"You're pretty good at that. It's not often that I come across someone with such pinpoint aim these days." Given the quirk of the lips and intonation, there was probably an innuendo in there Hips was missing due to inexperience. "May I have your name, Handsome Stranger?"

Yep. That was definately a come-on.

He tried to be polite but distant, basing his manners after how he'd seen Father address the Gods and Goddesses who sometimes came to Home.

"My siblings call me 'Hips'."

And he was to never, ever give out his full name to an unknown or enemy being since names had power.

"And… you are?"The look he got from the Being was probably supposed to be lascivious, but it just made Hips uncomfortable.

"I am Apollo, God of Archery and the Arts, specifically music and rhetoric." Presumably the lazy tone and droopy eyes were supposed to be attractive, but Hips just didn't see it. "I could give you some pointers if you want… Hips."

Hips breifly considered bolting, but he would probably insult the Olympian. He wasn't interested in getting smited so that was a no.

"Forcing unwanted attentions again, are you, Apollo?" The new voice brought to mind the phase 'Sex and Cyanide Candy'.

Eros was so beautiful it was difficult to look him in the face, but what Hips mid could regist was that his hair was the colour of old gold and tied back in a low tail, his eyes were constantly shifting pools of colour and his teeth were very white and sharp.

He was standing with legs planted, arms folded and shimmering white wings, while folded, held high, looking very unamused by what was going on in front of him.

"Eros." The God acknowledged the Primordial stiffly, almost hostile.

"You're prescence here is unwanted. Begone." When the Olympian looked like he was going to stand his ground, Eros gave a cruel smile. "Or would you prefer to go on another crosscountry marathon chasing another pretty face? Perhap they will be turned into an pine tree this time."

Apollo hissed, teeth bared in a distinctly nonhuman manner, and disappeared.

Eros stared into space for a moment before snorting disparagingly.

"Nosy little shit." Those eyes of shifting colours turned to Hips. "It would be best if I hung around for a while so he doesn't come back. Would you like some pointers with that." He nodded to the bow loosely clasped in Hips' hands.

Hips took a moment to look at the weapon blankly before looking up. "If you're offering, I see no reason not to take you up on it."

Eros did one of those chin jerks he'd seen other people, mostly me, do. "Show me your stance then."

There were small inconsistancies all through his stance, his aim, how he held the bow and when he released an arrow, but Hips was complimented on his free shooting, given how many small things were slightly off.

It was as Hips was beginning to move onto moving targets (a small, solid yellow light that would change colour when hit), that he inquired about something that was niggling at him.

"I know this might come off as rude or ungrateful," He released an arrow and it hit the darting light. "But why did you intervene?"

The Primordial hummed. "Your father watches over and protects my children because I cannot. It has become something of an unofficial law that when my mortal children are found, the Camps and their Seekers look the other way. Harrier didn't hesitate to take them in. The least I can do is do the same for his children."Hips nodded in understanding and lapsed into companionable silence.

The first time he'd met Eros had been when the Being brought his three year old son to the Moon Gate to be passed on to Asher. The bruised little boy clearly adored his father and was adored in return.

Eros wasn't just the God of Romance and Sex, after all. Romantic love was just a very small part of what made up the vast concept of Love.