"What is going on here?" he demanded, his voice thundering. Harry shrunk back, not liking people yelling.
"Yes, Father, what is going on here?" Melinoe asked, in a churlish teenaged-girl kind of way.
"Fat-" Harry said, breaking himself off. He looked from Hades to Melinoe, then back to Hades.
"Mister Hades?" Harry asked, his voice tiny and thin. "It's not true, is it? You're not the father who's abandoned Miss Melinoe and banished her to a cave, right? Like the Dursleys did to me?"
Hades, who believed Harry to be in danger from his daughter, and had come to his rescue, hadn't expected the question at all. For a moment, he looked guilty.
It was all the answer needed. "Even after you knew what the Dursleys did to me, you still did the same," Harry whispered, sounding as if someone had just broken his heart. Hades opened his mouth to refute things, but found himself without words.
"I am so very disappointed," Harry whispered. Hades gasped; for a moment, it was his beloved eldest sister who had her arms crossed and giving him her patented Hestia Look of Disappointment. He'd seen it before, when Hestia had first found out about Melinoe. To have that same look leveled at him from a mortal boy threw him.
Harry didn't wait for a reply. Instead, he turned and reached out to grab Melinoe's hand. Coincidentally, it was her withered right hand, the side any mortal instinctively shied away from.
"Hestia saved me," he told her. "So now I'm paying it forward. Come, Miss Melinoe. You can come live with me until you get your life back together. Days, weeks, months, doesn't matter."
Melinoe was a goddess. A minor goddess, but still one with significant power and ability. She could have chosen any haunted house in the mortal realm to be her home, had she wished to do so.
So why hadn't she? Suddenly, she realized that she had been stuck there of her own choice – because her parents had dumped her there, because it was all she had ever known… and in the end, because she wanted their approval. Or maybe… maybe the fact that her father was a major god, his banishment held sway over her even when she didn't realize it.
She looked at her father, who still looked like he had been hit with a brick in a sock, and gave him a vengeful smile. At that moment, the Minor Goddess Melinoe became an teenaged girl, angry at her father, and knowing exactly how to get back at him.
"Thank you, Harry," she said, turning to the demigod with a smile that she hoped looked grateful. It wasn't like she had a lot of experience with human interaction, after all. "My friends call me Mel," she added.
Not that she had a lot of those. Or any of those. But, she always imagined friends, and that they would could her like that. What harm could it do, anyway?
Harry nodded and pulled her to the nearest torch. The Goddess of Ghosts followed with a grin. It was time to get some payback on her father, she reckoned. "I'll pull us through the fire, Mel," Harry said, managing to use her nickname in time. "It's a boon I got from Hestia."
Melinoe nodded cheerfully, the fire turned green, and they vanished, leaving behind a Lord of the Underworld who was wondering when things got so out of control, and why he felt so incredibly guilty all of a sudden.
They arrived in Helios' temple, to the sensation of the half-faded deity's curious presence.
"Hi Helios," Harry said to the empty air, suddenly realizing that his straightforward plan had a snag in it. He didn't own the temple, after all. "This is Melinoe. She has a bit of a problem, and I'd like to help her. Would it be alright if she stayed for a bit?"
Helios' presence felt questioning. Melinoe, Goddess of Ghosts, realized for the first time how unsettling it was to be faced with a presence one couldn't see or easily interact with.
"Her mom and dad treated her like the Dursleys treated me," Harry answered the unspoken question.
Helios' presence warmed up, feeling welcoming. "Thank you, Lord Helios," Melinoe said politely.
The presence patted her on the back in a kindly manner, then dissipated.
"I'm glad Helios said yes," Harry told her. "Let me show you the guest sleeping area, and you can get settled in. We can go shopping for stuff if you need anything, like clothes or something." He remembered clearly how Hestia had needed to help him there, too.
Melinoe gave him a mischievous smile, and shifted from her half-alive-half-dead body to a 17-year-old girl, wearing a long black dress, black lipstick, and a stud shaped like a skull in her left nostril. "Thankfully, as a goddess, I can still conjure things like clothes," she teased.
Harry smiled, happy to see her smiling. "This way," he said, motioning for the staircase. "You know, you don't have to change the way you look," he added as they started walking.
Melinoe laughed. "With how much problems my real appearance has brought me, I'm going to change it whenever I can," she replied. "Besides, don't you think I'm pretty?" the goddess added, carefully angling her tone to make it sound like she was about to burst into tears at a moment's notice.
"You're pretty whichever way you look," Harry replied honestly. He actually liked her regular appearance, and meant just that – not realizing that Melinoe, not used to positive reinforcement of any kind – took it a completely different way.
"You're sweet," she said, suddenly rather shy, completely unused to any kind of positive or friendly interaction, let alone with mortals.
"This is the guest sleeping area," Harry said, as they emerged on the top floor. It was the same one Annabeth and Silena had used during their sleepover, so he knew it was comfortable.
"Thanks," Melinoe said, offering him a smile.
"I'll leave you to get settled in," Harry said, remembering the rollercoaster ride when he had been the one in her position. "I'll get started on some dinner for us." He hesitated for a moment, then gave her a very brief hug.
The Goddess of Ghosts, stunned and surprised, froze as he hugged her. "Come down when you feel like it," he added when he released her.
He scampered down, eager to settle his own thoughts. Helping Melinoe definitely was the right thing to do, he knew, but the whole thing had opened some painful wounds and caused him to remembered some painful memories.
He let his hands do their own thing in the kitchen, not really paying attention to what he was making, while he thought. As his hands pulled random items from shelves, cupboards, and the fridge, he continued to think about the Dursleys and just how much he owed Hestia.
He wondered about her, too. He hoped she'd be pleased that he was doing his part to help other people. At the same time, he'd mouthed off to Hades, so that part might not be to her liking.
It was just that the whole thing hit so close to home, and he really was disappointed in the Lord of the Underworld.
"Oh?" Hestia's voice asked as she entered the cooking area. "I thought I felt you travel with a companion?"
Harry looked up, and smiled widely. He threw his hands under the faucet to clean them, then hurried over to give his all-time favorite goddess a big hug. "Hi Hestia," he said.
"Hello Harry," she laughed softly as she hugged him back. "I thought I felt you travel with another?" she asked her question again.
Harry shuffled awkwardly.
"Harry? What happened?" the Goddess of the Home asked, suddenly worried.
"Well, it's like this," the young demigod said, rattling off his experiences in the Underworld. It was just a jumble of thoughts and sensations, as he hadn't had time to process everything and get his thoughts in order.
Hestia nodded patiently as he spoke, offering the appropriate commentary as he went. Her eyes seemed to narrow when he reached the part where Hades had to leave due to an emergency, and leaving him with Alecto, but Harry pushed on regardless. He wanted the entire story told, needed to get some kind of validation for his actions.
Hestia seemed really happy for him when he told her about meeting his father's spirit, and spending a few hours at the arena with him, bonding in the age-old way – over a sports game.
When he started describing meeting Medea, Hestia went quiet, especially when he came to the part where Alecto took Medea away and told him to 'go explore'. That part seemed to really not sit well with the Goddess of the Hearth.
And then he got to last part. He practically forced the entire story out in one breath.
Hestia was quiet when he finished, obviously thinking. He worried about that, it wasn't often that Hestia had to think before speaking.
"I see," she finally said. She offered him a smile, which somewhat settled his nerves, but didn't manage to take away the underlying worry that he messed up. "I am very proud of you for standing up for others," she added, which caused him a breath of relief. "I wish you hadn't confronted Hades the way you have, but that is water under the bridge now."
"Oh," Harry said, taking the perceived rebuke and running with it.
"You did well to help someone in need," Hestia repeated, seeing him shrink in on himself. "I spoke up in my niece's defense more than once, but unfortunately there is only so much I can do. Gods are not allowed in other gods' domains without invitation, and my speaking up for Melinoe usually triggered an argument."
Harry nodded obediently, that made sense.
Hestia stood up and hugged him. He clutched at her, the hug meaning more than any words that could be said. She wasn't mad at him or disappointed in him.
"Oh, Hestia," he said, when they broke the hug. He smiled cheerfully. "I told you something would happen on my visit to the underworld. That's just how my luck goes."
Hestia snorted a laugh. "An 'I told you so'?" she asked with amusement. "It's been a while since I was on the receiving end of one of those."
Harry just smiled at her.
"Harry, did I hear you talking to some-" Melinoe cut herself off when she entered the cooking area. "Oh, hi, Aunt Hestia."
"Melinoe," Hestia said in greeting and went to greet her niece. "You're looking young," she teased.
The Goddess of Ghosts smiled faintly. "Thought I'd fit in better this way," she replied.
"Harry, I'm going to have a little chat with my beloved niece, please keep cooking," Hestia said as she took said beloved niece by one elbow and started to guide her out of the kitchen.
Harry looked at where the two deities had vanished, wondering what was going on.
Meanwhile his hands kept cooking.
"Aunt Hes-" Melinoe protested as Hestia guided her. "What-"
The Goddess of the Home finally stopped when she reached the worship area, facing the huge statue of Helios.
"I am well aware of your stance on mortals," Hestia said, without preface. "Please know that Harry is very dear to me. It would upset me tremendously should something happen to him because of his kindness."
Melinoe shuffled awkwardly under the heavy gaze of her aunt, despite the fact that Hestia was in her preferred nine-year-old form and the younger goddess towered above her.
"Most mortals, yes," Melinoe said. "That's to say, they're not all useless lumps, only good for a scare-" she broke off when Hestia coughed.
The Goddess of Ghosts broke off and restarted. "Yes, I don't like most mortals," she said. "But I do spend time in the mortal word every now and then, when I can get away with it without dear old dad knowing. But now…" she trailed off. "Aunt Hestia, the kid took one look and stood up for me. Nobody ever stood up for me. Too afraid of my Father, I suppose."
"I tried to," Hestia said. "Unfortunately, your father is quite stubborn."
"I know, and I appreciate it, really," Melinoe replied. "And your visits. They meant a lot. I just mean that… I told the kid about the cave and my parents, because his ghosts remind me of myself, and immediately, he came to my defense. He turned on my father, even – and nobody does that lightly. The kid told him, without hesitation, that he was incredibly disappointed in him. Next thing I know, he's dragging me here, and I don't feel the compulsion to return to my cave anymore."
"Demigods can go anywhere and challenge anyone," Hestia said. "Still, I want a promise from you that no harm will befall Harry because of you."
"I promise," Melinoe answered. "The kid has nothing to fear from me."
Hestia eyed her niece for a few moments. "Very well, I will hold you to your promise. Let's return before Harry mounts a rescue mission. Besides, I can smell that the food is almost ready."
Melinoe grinned. "Is the kid a decent cook?"
"He has the makings of a great one," Hestia answered straight away.
"Nice," the Goddess of Ghosts said. "Good food and out of the cave, life's looking up."
Hestia laughed softly. "You should hear some of the other hair-raising adventures Harry has been on. If I weren't a goddess, he'd have turned me gray."
Melinoe giggled. "Imagining you with gray hair is hilarious," she said as they entered the kitchen. Harry looked up from where he was stirring a pot.
"Is Hestia telling tales about me?" he asked. "I hope she's telling the good ones, at least."
"Perhaps I should, even if it is only to warn my poor niece what she is getting herself into," Hestia teased.
"Now I definitely have to hear this," Melinoe said as she slid into a chair. "That smells great, by the way."
Harry beamed at her, as he always did when someone complimented his cooking. "Just a few more minutes and it's ready. Hestia, will you stay for dinner?"
The Goddess of the Home graced him with a smile. "It will give me a chance to tell tales of you," she replied, still teasing. "But afterward, I'll go and have a chat with my oldest brother."
"Oh," Harry said, good mood instantly gone. He stirred the pot silently for a few moments, then looked back at her. "Will you tell him I'm sorry?"
Both goddesses looked at him. Hestia didn't look all that surprised. Melinoe looked… betrayed.
"He's probably really mad," Harry said, seeing the look of the Goddess of Ghosts. "And I didn't want to offend him, not really. I'm just really disappointed in him. He knew what happened to me with the Dursleys, but he did the same things himself, to you. I'm not sorry I helped you, but I am sorry I made him really mad." He stopped rambling and went back to his pot, to try and ease his thoughts. "I really rather liked him, he's seriously cool, but I'm disappointed in him, that's all," he said, still stirring.
"Father knows how to carry a grudge," Melinoe said. "He's famed for it, we all are. I doubt he'll forgive you that easily."
Harry's shoulders dropped. "Melinoe," Hestia admonished gently. She turned to Harry. "I'll have a chat with my brother, Harry. We'll see what happens."
"Thanks, Hestia," he said, shyly.
0000
The next morning, as usual, Harry got up with the sun. It did that mysterious winking-not-winking thing before he did his exercises.
He interrupted himself halfway through when he noticed he had an audience.
Melinoe was dressed in a form-fitting black corset with deep purple highlights, as well as loads of black velvet and lace. Her jet-black hair had developed purple highlights, to match the tone of her corset. She still had that small skull-shaped stud in her left nostril, but it seemed to have developed tiny purple gems in its eye-sockets.
At the same time, Nemmy had sprawled in her arms, with the Goddess of Ghosts petting him in a scene that was eerily reminiscent of a certain bond villain from a certain villainous crime syndicate.
Both goddess and cat were watching him.
"What?" Harry asked.
"Nice form," Melinoe complimented him. "Very graceful. And you have a seriously cool cat."
Nemmy nodded. Yes, he was. It was nice of the new servant to recognize his superiority.
Harry grinned. "Yes, he is," he said, unknowingly mirroring the feline's thoughts. "I don't get why everyone's so scared of him."
Nemmy looked offended. He was very sca- oh, yeah, scratch right there… Right there, yes. Good servant. What were they talking about again?
"Maybe because he's the biggest damn lion out there, impervious to damage and with teeth and claws that can cut through anything?" Melinoe joked.
Harry snickered. "I'd better feed him before he thinks you're breakfast," he said.
"You're not going to continue your exercise?" the goddess asked, surprised, as she turned to follow.
"I prefer working out without an audience," Harry replied with a grin.
"You're going to have to get used to it, then," she commented with an audible smirk.
Harry shrugged. Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn't.
After breakfast, he withdrew to the living area to do some studying, when Melinoe sat herself down on a separate couch, Nemmy ensconced on her lap, staring at him as he tried to do so.
Harry, who wasn't at all used to having company over on a permanent basis, looked up from where he was trying – in vain – to concentrate.
"I'm bored," Melinoe announced, continuing to stare at him.
"I have plenty of books," Harry offered.
The Goddess of Ghosts looked at him as if he were insane. "What else do you do for fun around here?" she asked.
"Well, I usually study before lunch. Then, after lunch, I either go to the market to buy groceries, or I have an appointment with various people who teach me," Harry explained. "In case I'm free, sometimes I go and visit Camp Half-Blood, or I go camping, or something. Otherwise, I work on making sure I keep up with my studies or Athena will be disappointed in me. Then it's time for dinner, and after dinner, I try and relax with a good movie or TV show, before going to bed," Harry explained.
Melinoe sighed. "Sheesh, you're no fun," she complained.
"I am lots of fun!" Harry protested.
The Goddess of Ghosts snickered. "You live like an ascetic monk. All work, no play."
Harry crossed his arms and glared at her. "I have to make sure I keep up on my studies and my other work," he said mulishly. "And I try to have fun as much as I can. Hence the huge-screen TV."
"Too bad it's not night," Melinoe replied thoughtfully, staring out at the sun in the sky.
"Why is that?" He asked, wondering at the change in conversation.
"I'm only allowed to haunt at night," she answered with an audible pout. "Stupid rules keeping me from having fun."
"Well that's stupid," Harry announced with all the black-and-white authority of a ten-year-old boy.
"Them's the rules," Melinoe grunted. "I can go out during the day but there is always this draw to go back to my cave-" she stopped herself. "But I'm out of my cave now. I wonder if I could go and bug people during the daytime now."
Harry grinned. "Loads of mortals pay good money to be scared in haunted houses and the like. Imagine how much they'd pay for an actual haunted house, haunted by the actual Goddess of Ghosts. They don't even need to know you're behind it."
Melinoe's grin grew predatory. "And I could scare the so-called ghost hunters into an early grave!"
Harry shifted so he was sitting right next to her. Slowly, he took her hand. "You wouldn't really hurt people, would you, Mel?" he asked, sorrowfully.
The goddess actually found herself lowering her head before she realized that she was supposed to be the goddess and he was the mortal. "Sheesh, Harry, you really made me feel bad. You definitely have the Hestia Voice down. And I guess I wouldn't."
Harry grinned. "I've learned from the best."
"You're lucky I'm predisposed to you, or I'd haunt you with your worst nightmares," she threatened playfully as she stood up.
"Bad Mel," he scolded, just as playfully, waggling his finger.
She laughed out loud as she turned to leave the room. It felt good to laugh. "I'm going to find the so-called most-haunted house in the world, and then haunt it for real," she said as she left, still giggling. "Oh, the fun I'll have."
Harry laughed as well. It was good to see Melinoe is a better mood, and he was happy he'd been able to get her to do something she enjoyed doing. He turned back to his book.
It would give him time to catch up on his reading.
She missed lunch, which didn't upset Harry. She was obviously out having a great time, and lunch usually wasn't a big deal anyway. He spent the afternoon doing his usual work, studying, cleaning the temple, playing with Nemmy.
He was contemplating what to make for dinner, and whether or not he should plan to include enough for Melinoe, when said Goddess of Ghost burst in as if she owned the place.
"The hilarity!" she said, laughing.
"Have fun?" Harry asked, glad to know she was back so he knew to include her in his dinner plans.
"Loads!" Melinoe replied, flowing down into a chair in a motion that no mortal could ever hope to duplicate. "You're right, mortals love being haunted! The place already had some minor stuff going on, just a few latent emotional residues clinging to stuff – doors opening by themselves, psychic imprints of previous residents holding books, that sort of thing. When I started haunting the place for real, I swear that the owner was this close to dropping on his knees and thanking me for it."
Harry laughed. "That certainly sounds like some of the people I heard about," he answered.
"Well, after he was scared shitless, I mean," Melinoe went on. "He definitely needed a change of pants after I was done. But afterward, I heard him muttering about how the place was going to be a goldmine."
Harry continued to laugh. "So is the place still haunted without you?" he asked.
Melinoe shrugged. "I left a few ghosts behind. They're good at many things, but original thinking usually isn't one of them, so I'll need to go back every month or so to keep things fresh, so to speak. Can't have the mortals go complacent."
"Definitely," Harry agreed with a chuckle. "Spaghetti good for you?" he asked. "I feel like something quick and easy tonight."
The Goddess of Ghosts waved. "I'll eat whatever you're cooking. I haven't been disappointed yet."
The young demigod grinned at his guest. "You haven't been here long."
"Meh," Melinoe said. "It's still true." She shifted so she sat straighter. "Wanna go with me tonight? After dark, I can haunt cemeteries. Those are always fun."
"Sure, why not?" Harry asked, then thought of something. "It's always night somewhere – doesn't that mean you should be out haunting cemeteries all over the world?"
Melinoe looked uncomfortable. "Too far out of my center," she admitted. "I'm just a minor goddess, my power wanes the further away I am from my center. Major gods can go further, depending on their domain. Like Lord Poseidon, he has the oceans; or Lord Hermes, who is the messenger."
Harry nodded as he started making some bolognese sauce. "You're Mister Hades' daughter, doesn't that make Mister Poseidon your uncle, and Hermes your cousin?" he asked.
"Technically, yes," Melinoe accepted. "But I wouldn't dare call them that without their agreement. They're major gods, I'm just a minor goddess. I'm really not in the same category as them and they probably wouldn't want me to assume things above my station."
Harry frowned; he didn't like the sound of that. Family was family, in his opinion. Still, he wouldn't want to assume things on behalf of Poseidon. The Lord of the Seas had been kind to him, but he'd seen the god only a few times so he didn't really know him that well.
He'd ask Hermes about it the next time he saw him, though.
Deciding on putting that off for the next time he saw Hermes, Harry focused back on his food. "Sorry, I didn't want to make you uncomfortable," he admitted to Melinoe as he stirred his sauce.
"It is what it is," she replied fatalistically. "Minor gods and goddesses are beneath the notice of the major gods, until they need us to do something, of course. Then they remember we exist."
Harry really didn't like the sound of that. It sounded like the kind of thing that Zeus would pull.
"That's not very nice of them," he answered diplomatically, stirring his sauce a bit harder than was normally accepted.
"You have that same look you had when you confronted my father," Melinoe teased. "Are you about to go storm in?"
Harry pouted at her, causing her to laugh at him. With a playful huff, he turned back to his sauce.
"I am glad to see you two are still getting along," Hestia said as she walked into the kitchen.
"Hestia!" Harry said, dropping his wooden spoon and turned to give his favorite goddess a great big hug. "Are you staying for dinner?"
"Hello, Aunt Hestia," Melinoe said with a wave.
"Hello, Melinoe," Hestia replied with a smile, before turning to Harry. "I suppose I could, yes," she agreed.
"Great!" he cheered as he released her, and went to add more ingredients to his sauce, so he would have enough for four; he had to ensure Helios had his portion as well, after all.
While Harry cooked, Hestia sat down at the kitchen table, facing her niece. "How were things today?" she asked.
"Harry had some good ideas," Melinoe said with a wide grin. "Now that I'm not forced back into my cave, I went out and had a look around the mortal world. Usually, I'm forced back after an hour or two or so, but now I was able to stay out as long as I liked."
Hestia nodded gently. "Hades only allowed you out after dark, I believe," she said.
Melinoe grunted affirmatively. "Thankfully, I can haunt as much as I want now."
"Melinoe," Hestia said, disappointedly. "It isn't nice to harm mortals."
"I didn't hurt anybody!" the Goddess of Ghosts protested shrilly. "Like I said, Harry had some good ideas."
"Oh?" Hestia asked, suddenly interested. "And what ideas did Harry have?"
Said Harry pretended not to notice the conversation, and salted the water he was preparing to use to boil the spaghetti.
"He said there are plenty of mortals willing to pay good money to be scared silly," Melinoe said. "And he's right! I found the so-called 'most haunted' place in the world, and haunted it for real. The manager running the place said it would be a gold mine. All his visitors screamed – and laughed after they left."
"Good," Hestia decided. "I'm glad to hear you found a wholesome activity with your domain."
Melinoe laughed. "You should've seen their faces! Plenty of them didn't believe in 'haunted mansions', but they sure believed after I was done with them! Harry's right, lots of mortals are willing to pay good money to be scared."
Harry grinned, and threw the spaghetti into the boiling water, making sure to keep an eye on the time.
"He does tend to think out of the box," the Goddess of Home and Hearth said proudly. He focused on dinner, but could feel her eyes on his back.
"I'm only worried about my father," Melinoe said, suddenly sounding a lot less enthusiastic.
Hestia gave her an amused smile. "I'm sure Hades will cope," she teased lightheartedly.
Harry fought down a chuckle and dumped the pasta into a colander, letting it leak out for a few moments before putting the spaghetti in with the sauce. Lightly tossing, he ensured that the sauce evenly covered the pasta before letting it simmer for just a few moments more.
"I meant for Harry," the Goddess of Ghosts said in a whisper, as if trying to ensure Harry didn't hear. Unfortunately, he was right there so he heard perfectly fine.
The demigod's heart sank. He didn't want to be on Hades' bad side. He was just disappointed in the god, that's all.
"I had a chat with him," Hestia said. "He was more surprised than angry so I think things will work out," she added optimistically.
"Dinner's ready!" Harry announced, dividing the spaghetti between four plates and making sure he served his guests first, before taking Helios' portion to the altar.
Dinner was easy and relaxed. As if by unspoken agreement, none of them broached the subject of Hades and kept conversation to lighter topics. The two goddesses, being ageless, had a lot of history from which to pull humorous memories.
After they finished eating, and Harry made to clean up, Hestia waved her hand. Immediately, the dishes were clean and back in their cupboards.
"I'm so jealous," Harry said with a grin.
"I'm sure that, if you continue your lessons in magic the way you have been, that you will be able to do similar things," Hestia answered with a kind smile.
They retreated to the living area with cups of after-meal coffee, and were set to resume their conversation of "historic figures completely different from what popular history made them out to be", when someone knocked on the front door.
A note of warning went through Helios' presence, which set Harry on edge. Wondering who could be at the door at this time of day, someone who could have Helios issue a warning no less, the demigod hurried to the front door and pulled it open.
Immediately, he recognized the evening visitor, despite the figure having dressed in form-concealing robes and with a hood thrown up.
"Hi, Mister H," Harry answered politely, despite his stomach sinking to the floor and his nerves forcing his muscles to tense.
"Demigod," Hades replied coolly, as if in greeting. A moment later, he added, "I need to speak with my daughter."
Harry swallowed. If he had been in Melinoe's place, and Hestia had pulled the door open to Uncle Vernon, he was sure she would give the man a piece of her mind rather than let him in.
He wasn't Hestia, and he wasn't in a position to give Hades a piece of his mind, but at the same time he wasn't going to throw Melinoe under the bus.
"What for, Mister H?" Harry asked, trying to match this tone to the tone Hades was using.
The hood of the cloak rode up a fair bit, revealing the God of the Underworld's face. Two glowing eyes burned at him. "Just do as I say."
Harry wished he wasn't here right now. "I'll ask her if she wants to see you," he said, turning and making to close the door.
"You will ask her!?" Hades boomed, looking flat-footed, as if the very statement made no sense.
Harry nodded. "I wouldn't want to see my relatives either, so I'll ask her," he answered and half-way closed the door.
Hades' hand lashed out and kept it open. "I should-" he started angrily.
"You should what, Hades?" Hestia asked, suddenly standing behind her favorite mortal.
"It's alright, Harry, I'll speak with Father," Melinoe added, appearing as if by magic. She put a hand on his shoulder and gently pushed him aside and let the door fall open. "Thank you for trying to shield me."
"Now, you were saying about doing something to poor Harry, Hades?" Hestia asked undeterred, her arms crossed and her face showing that she was clearly not pleased.
"The boy has a scandalous lack of respect," Hades said.
"As host, it is his duty to protect those that take shelter within the walls of his home," Hestia declared.
Realizing that he was stepping perilously close to insulting her domain, Hades grumbled under his breath.
"I am very proud of him, he tries to live by my teachings and by the examples I have set," Hestia replied, as if she understood him. "Now, you wished to speak with my beloved niece?"
Melinoe shot Hestia a grateful smile, obviously happy that she wasn't going to have to face her father by herself.
"Melinoe," Hades said, still not over the threshold of the temple and therefore out in the open. "Can I come in?" he asked, turning to Hestia once more.
The Goddess of the Home turned to Harry, who looked surprised at the action. "Harry? It is your home," she said, gently.
The young demigod looked at Melinoe, who look nervous, Hestia, who looked like she was both upset and determined not to let it show, and Hades, who looked angry, upset, and… a tad hopeful?
He nodded. "Sure," he said. "Please come in, Mister H."
Hades took two steps in, but halted when Hestia stopped him. "Hades?" she asked. "Did you forget something?"
The Lord of the Underworld stared at her for a moment, then sighed. Of course; he forgot his manners. "Thank you," he stated in Harry's direction, sounding like he was saying it because he had to, not because he wanted to.
"Shall we go inside?" Harry offered, motioning to the living area. "There is still some hot coffee."
Hades stared at him for a few moments. "Hospitality again," he muttered to himself. "Thank you," he replied out loud, this time sounding as if he did mean it.
Hestia gave the god a wide smile.
Harry showed them to the living area, and he felt curiously out of place among the three gods. He loved Hestia, and Melinoe was fun, but Hades looked like he'd rather swallow glass than be there. Nemmy, being a cat, made himself scarce. No way was he going to hang around with three gods!
"Melinoe," Hades said, looking awkward. It looked like he wanted to say more, but words stuck in his throat.
"Father," the Goddess of Ghosts said, when it become clear that Hades wasn't going to speak.
"This isn't easy," the Lord of the Underworld admitted. He obviously wanted to stand up and pace, but remained seated nonetheless. "This isn't the first time someone pointed out your living conditions," he finally said, glancing at Hestia.
"Aunt Hestia told me," Melinoe replied carefully, not knowing where this was going. She was still a minor goddess, and if her father were to leverage his power against her, there was nothing she could do about it.
"This is, however, the first time that someone actually was able to take you away," Hades said, this time glancing at Harry. The young demigod shifted uneasily, Hades' glance didn't reveal the god's inner thoughts.
"Demigods can go anywhere and challenge anyone," Hestia said with a smile. "Harry wasn't bound by godly laws and therefore, he could just free Melinoe."
Hades nodded grudgingly. "This isn't easy," he repeated his earlier statement, still look awkward as he looked back at his daughter, before averting his gaze. "When you were born… the surprise was… unpleasant," he revealed.
Melinoe shrunk in on herself, and Harry frowned at Hades as he got up and sat down next to her. He grabbed her hand, and whispered, "remember, you're awesome and cool."
The Goddess of Ghosts gave him a tiny smile.
"The initial reaction of both myself and your mother," Hades went on, obviously uncomfortable and looking like he dreaded the rest of the conversation. "It was wrong."
Hestia smiled widely, obviously proud that Hades was able to admit his mistake. Harry, on the other hand, smiled at Melinoe in support as the Goddess of Ghosts looked like she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"It was compounded by the fact that it was easier to just not admit the mistake," Hades went on. "Admitting a mistake is never easy and as long as things stayed as they were, we didn't need to think about it."
Melinoe's shoulders sagged, and she looked away. Harry squeezed her hand. "Remember, cool and awesome," he told her.
"It wasn't until a brazen young demigod charged in, confronted me, and simply spirited you away…" the Lord of the Underworld said, trailing off. "Your mother and I had some… uncomfortable… conversations in the past day. And while Hestia gives great advice, she made perfectly clear on which side she was. Which isn't an easy thing to bear, considering her usual pendant for remaining neutral in arguments."
Melinoe remained silent, not really sure where this was going. She did, however, manage an appreciative smile at Hestia, who smiled back in her usual kind and supportive manner.
"Melinoe," Hades finally said in the sudden silence. "Your mother and I have prepared a room for you in my palace. I… we… hope… that one day, you will feel comfortable enough with us to make use of it."
The Goddess of Ghosts looked pale, completely unsure of what to make of the situation.
Harry himself was ambiguous as well. If Uncle Vernon had showed up, offered him a room, admitted to making a mistake, and offering a do-over, he wouldn't know what to do, either. Deciding on giving Melinoe some time to think, he tried to buy her some time.
"Mister H?" he asked.
The Lord of the Underworld settled his gaze upon the young demigod.
"I just wanted you to know," Harry said, looking away, suddenly realizing how hard things like this were. His respect for Hades went up, it obviously took a lot of courage to apologize up front. He looked back at Hades, forcing himself to do so. "You're still one of my favorite gods. I was just disappointed, that's all."
Hades stared at Harry, not saying anything. The young demigod fidgeted nervously, unsure of what reaction he was going to receive.
"Hades," Hestia admonished gently after a few long moments of silence.
"It is a rare individual who dares talk to me the way you did," Hades said, coolly. "And even fewer who would dare leave me outside their door. You have nerve, demigod. A lot of it."
"Hades," Hestia admonished again.
"Not this time, Hestia," Hades said. "Disrespect was shown."
Harry shivered. "I didn't mean it like that, Mister H. You're great. But Melinoe's cave reminded me of my cupboard, and I couldn't just leave her like that. Like I said, I was just disappointed in you, that's all."
"And you persist," Hades replied. "I am a god. Mortals do not get to be disappointed."
"Hades," Hestia said as a warning. Her favorite mortal was attempting to apologize. She wasn't going to stand for him being bullied as he did so!
Harry looked away nervously. "I know you're kind and all that, because you take care of everyone who died," he said, half-quiet. "I was surprised about Mel and disappointed about her cave and stuff."
Hades stood up, threateningly.
Hestia, suddenly, was out her chair. For the first time, Harry saw her at her full godly height. Her eyes glowed with bluish-white flames, and her chestnut colored hair danced on an invisible wind. "Hades, sit!" she spoke.
Hades sat, looking even paler than usual all of a sudden.
The next moment, Hestia coughed, and looked like a nine-year-old mortal girl once more. She sat down, obviously embarrassed over her outburst.
Melinoe looked pale, was shaking, and a bead of sweat rolled down her cheek as she stared with wide-open eyes at her aunt.
Harry, on the other hand, was smiling widely and managed to catch Melinoe's eyes.
That was awesome! He mouthed at the Goddess of ghosts. Said Goddess of Ghosts didn't reply, and shifted her eyes back to Hestia, staring at her aunt like most mortals stared at a hooded cobra.
"Harry is trying to apologize," Hestia finally said, ignoring the by-play of her niece and her favorite mortal. "He is not being malicious, or disrespectful. In fact, he is being far more respectful that most in his position would be."
Hades grumped.
"Wouldn't it be nice if you accepted his apology?" Hestia asked, kindly. "I know for a fact that you enjoyed showing the Underworld to him. Imagine showing him the parts you didn't get to show last time."
Hades muttered silently, sullenly looking away.
"I'm sure that Harry will restrain himself from freeing any more people," Hestia answered, answering his silently muttered statement. "Unless you have any other daughters locked away in caves that I don't know about."
The Lord of the Underworld glared at Hestia, as if he couldn't believe she said something like that. "Do you?" Hestia asked.
"No," Hades muttered semi-out-loud. "No daughters locked in caves." he glared at Harry, who, he was pleased to note, flinched slightly at the look. "Very well, I will accept you meant no disrespect."
"Thanks, Mister H!" he chirped, smiling widely.
"For this once. Should you ever consider pulling a similar stunt, I will curse you severely," Hades warned.
"Hades," Hestia said, disappointedly.
"No problem, Mister H!" Harry said, pleased as could be that Hades accepted his apology.
The Lord of the Underworld gave a sharp nod, then turned to look at his daughter once more.
"Melinoe?" he asked.
"I would… like to try again, Father," the goddess said, hesitantly. "Maybe we would could meet some time?"
Hades looked disappointed, realizing that she wasn't going to simply come back with him, but nodded. "I would like that," he said.