N I N E
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Precisely a quarter of an hour later, the Hogwarts Express began its long, strenuous journey towards its destination.

Whilst Percy managed to find a way to occupy himself, Harry found it impossible to do so. His thoughts were alive, and spiralling out of control.

Deciding he needed to clear his mind, he excused himself and exited the carriage, finding sanctuary in walking the corridors of the train. The consistent sideways glanced thrown his way were unavoidable and would probably follow him wherever he went, so he chose to ignore them.

About halfway down the train, he heard shouting. Curious, and looking for any possible excuse to distract himself, he headed towards where it appeared to be coming from.

"-punk, I don't care who your father is, but unless you fix my robes, you'll be meeting mine!" The voice was definitely female and most certainly not one he had heard before.

His eyes widened as a second person spoke. This was definitely a voice he knew.

"Oh yeah? And what's your father going to do? Turn me into a slug for making you look like a fool, I suppose?"

Harry stopped just outside the compartment, its doors wide open. His mouth opened in surprise as he lay eyes on a bulky, well built girl in robes five sizes too small, with her wand pointed at none other than Draco Malfoy.

The girl would have been threatening, even with her shrunken robes, if it were not for the fact that she was pointing her wand the wrong way.

The two of them, were so preoccupied in their argument that they didn't appeared to notice him, nor the crowd they had started to attract, some of which had probably followed Harry.

"Listen here you worthless runt," the girl bellowed. "You change them back or I will wipe the world of your measly existence-"

Malfoy scoffed. "I'd like to see you try, you buffoon-"

The girl hissed and before Harry could comprehend what was happening, she lunged forwards and had Malfoy in a headlock in two seconds flat.

"Change them back!" she demanded. "Or I will break every puny bone in your body and you better pray that the gods are watching your back!"

"Hey!" Harry shouted, finally stepping forwards. "Let go of him," he addressed the girl. "He's not worth it."

The girl looked up to face him, with a flicker of surprise, mirrored in both her and Malfoy's features. It was gone almost as soon as it had appeared and the girl's face had taken on an even more angered expression.

"This imbecile-"

"Malfoy," Harry interrupted. "Fix her robes."

"Why should I?" he sneered, struggling to maintain his smug demeanour. For a second Harry thought he sensed Malfoy's fear. Was Malfoy afraid of him?

"You're not in the best position to be arguing," Harry said as calmly as he could.

"Neither are you," Malfoy retorted. "If it weren't for the Ministry being afraid of you blasting them to bits, they'd have you sent straight to Aszkaban. They know you killed that woman. Rita Skeeter?" He smirked.

Harry paled. The students surrounding him began to whisper.

"Fix her robes," he repeated, sending a stone cold glare in Malfoy's direction. He trembled.

"Fine," he said, through gritted teeth.

Harry looked back to Clarisse and she scowled, releasing her grip on the blonde boy, letting him hit the floor with a thump. He scrambled up and stood poised, ready for defence. The girl raised an eyebrow and looked at him expectantly.

Malfoy swallowed and gazed at the onlookers. He turned back to the girl and straightened his back. "I can't believe you fell for that!" he exclaimed, making a dash for an exit.

Harry stepped forwards and blocked his way. "Turn her robes back."

"You think that because you conquered the Dark Lord, you're all that?"

The girl whipped her head up at that and frowned, like this was news to her. Her eyes trailed, to the barely visible scar on Harry's forehead. She quickly looked away and faced Malfoy again. "You heard him! Fix my robes, you swine!"

Malloy snarled but nevertheless pulled out his wand. He mumbled something under his breath and slowly, the girls robes began to grow.

"Thankyou," Harry said, giving Malfoy a curt nod.

He made an awkward noise before pushing past him and vanishing into the crowd of students.

"Nothing to see here!" the girl shouted at the onlookers. "Go back to your carriages, peasants!"

Murmuring, the students slowly broke off, disappearing into their respected compartments. Harry watched as they disappeared.

"You've got guts, kid," the girl said. "But I didn't need your help. I had it under control."

Fuelled with adrenaline, Harry spun around. "It sure looked like it," he spat.

The girl seethed, and Harry could almost imagine her foaming at the mouth, but she managed to recompose herself. "You're the punk who killed old Voldypants, right?" She let out an awkward laugh. "You sure don't look the part."

What was that supposed to mean?

The girl continued, obliviously. "That runt, Malfoy? You two seem like good friends."

This time it was Harry's turn to scowl. Something about this girl was infuriating him.

"I'm joking, geez." She eyed him with interest, before holding out her hand.

"I'm Clarisse."

"Harry," he said, shaking her hand. The skin was tough and weathered, covered in scratches and bruises, much like that of a miner. She had a firm grip, as if she could squeeze his hand into dust if she so wished. After a tense few seconds, she let go.

"Nice to meet you," Harry said politely, although to be frank, the girl scared him.

Clarisse snorted. "We'll see about that."

⋙⋘

"Oi, love birds, wake up!"

Percy mumbled something incoherent and buried his face into Annabeth's shoulder. "Five more minutes..."

Clarisse made a sound of disgust as she watched the drool trailing from the corner of his mouth, soaking Annabeth's robes.

"Get up," she scolded.

"Okay, love you too..."

Letting out a growl of frustration, she pulled a knife from her robes and with immense accuracy, sent it hurtling towards Percy. In a swift movement, he was sitting up straight with the blade of the dagger gripped in his fingertips. He gave her a look of mock horror. "Wow Clarisse, day one and you're trying to kill me already?"

"How about you take your sarcasm and shove it up-"

"Clarisse," Annabeth said, opening her eyes. "Stop picking fights."

She scowled. "I'm not the one picking fights here! Where were you when that creepy boy attacked me before, and shrunk my robes?"

Percy snickered. He highly doubted anyone had attacked Clarisse. It was probably the other way round. "Sure, whatever you say," he muttered.

Clarisse frowned, and glared at them both, all cuddled up together. She did not, under any circumstances, want to be the third wheel of this quest, and at the moment she felt like she was. Suddenly, her problems were of little to no importance.

"You know, I ran into that kid, Harry Potter?"

Annabeth straightened up. "Harry Potter? You met him?"

A sinister smile spread across Clarisse's face. "Oh, so now you're interested?"

"I guess, you'd also like me to tell you about the other things I've found out," she hissed.

Percy sighed and rustled his hair. "Just spit it out."

"You know what? I don't think I will."

"What do you want?" Annabeth asked, dejectedly.

Clarisse smiled, another one of her eery ones, causing Percy to shiver. The uncanny resemblance to Ares was showing all the more so than usual. "I guess you'll both just have to wait and find out." She folded her arms and gave them a once over. She huffed. "But I guess since I'm such a nice, kind, caring person-"

"You're not nice, kind, caring or a person," Percy pointed out.

Clarisse shot him a glare, and Annabeth nudged him. "I mean, err, yes, you're such a nice-"

"Save it, punk. I'm going to tell you anyway, out of my own self interest."

Percy exhaled. Why on earth did he pick Clarisse of all people to join him on his quest? The last time he and Clarisse were on a quest together it ended disastrously. He was practically begging for a repeat of that.

"You remember that useless Roman prophet, Octagon...Octopus whatever-"

"Octavian?"

"Yes, well, you'll never believe who I ran into."

Percy's eyes widened. "You're kidding me?"

"No," she shook her head. "Not him, but someone who looked very similar."

"Pale skin, blonde hair..." Annabeth began. Clarisse nodded.

"Why do I get the feeling I'm missing something here?" Percy asked.

"Because you are," Clarisse answered, exchanging a look with Annabeth.

Annabeth rubbed her eyes, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. "Remember how Rachel went missing?"

"How could I forget?" he muttered, bitterly.

"Well, Chiron had Clarisse and I search her cave for any clues as to where she could have gone. He thought it might have something to do with the quest, more importantly the wizards."

"You think the wizards took her?"

Annabeth shook her head. "I don't know, but Percy, Rachel wasn't the first to go missing."

"What do you mean?"

"There are others who've just disappeared. Terrace from Hecate, Clovis of Hypnos-"

"Chris Rodriguez," Clarisse interrupted.

Percy opened his mouth in surprise.

"Don't," she hissed.

He nodded, finally understanding why Clarisse had been acting even grumpier than usual.

"There's more," Annabeth said, "at least a dozen."

"What does this have to do with Rachel and the Octavian look alike?"

"When we were in her cave, we found drawings. They were everywhere. Sketches of people. One of them was of a boy with pale skin and hair."

"You think he's here?"

"I saw him with my own eyes," Clarisse grunted. "Scrawny thing, pure evil."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"The other drawings-" She took a deep breath. "Were of people who've gone missing, recently. Most of them had disappeared after Rachel."

"You think someone is going to take that boy?"

"Malfoy, I think his name was," Clarisse supplied. "And honestly, I don't really care. Serves him right."

Annabeth shrugged. "I'm not sure, but it's not his picture I'm really worried about. There were more drawings, much more." She paused. "Percy, your picture was there. So was mine, and Clarisse's. Harry Potter was there too, and a few other unfamiliar faces."

"Who else?" Percy asked.

Annabeth hesitated. "Leo's."

Silence.

"What?"

"She said, 'Leo's'" Clarisse repeated.

"I heard her!" he snapped.

Clarisse shrugged nonchalantly, and went back to polishing her knife. Briefly, he wondered what had happened to her electric spear, but quickly shook the thought away. That wasn't important right now.

"Percy, we think Leo is alive," Annabeth addressed him as he shifted uncomfortably on his seat.

"Correction: you think."

Annabeth ignored Clarisse. "What I'm trying to say, is that I think Leo disappeared or was taken, just like the rest. Maybe that's why Nico and Hazel couldn't tell if he was alive or not."

"Or is going to be taken," Percy whispered.

"What?"

"He must have survived the blast somehow, and gone who knows where. Why wouldn't he come back, and tell us he's fine? I think, he needs us to believe he's dead."

Clarisse looked up, tucking her knife back into the folds of her robes. "Why would he want everyone to think he's dead?" she pondered. "Hmm, maybe, he decided he needed to ditch you so he faked his death in order for you to forget about him. I know I would do the same if I had the chance."

"Leo must have known someone was after him, so he went into hiding," Annabeth realised. "He's alive, Percy," she whispered.

"I know," he replied. "But where is he?"

⋙⋘

It was at half past six that the train arrived at Hogwarts. With incredible difficulty, Harry managed to sneak off, unnoticed.

He silently thanked his invisibility cloak for its help as he made his way out.

"First years! First years!"

The familiar, booming voice of Rubeus Hagrid echoed through the air. Harry couldn't help but to smile. He tugged off his cloak and folded it neatly, before placing it in his suitcase.

"There yer are 'arry!" Hagrid called, pushing through the crowd of students, who in turn, threw curious glances his way.

"Hagrid!" he exclaimed, as the half giant crushed him in a hug.

"Bin too long, didn' think yer be comin' back, Harry!" he bellowed, releasing him.

"I came," Harry laughed, sounding somewhat strained. Hagrid gave him a big smile, then cast a glance behind him. "Listen, Harry, come to me cabin, 'morrow, I'll talk to yer then, don' want to be drawin' too much attention to yerself, now do yer? Best be the first to the castle, if yer want to stay unnoticed," he laughed, as if the idea of Harry going by unnoticed was ridiculous.

He waved goodbye, and slipped back into the crowd, searching for Ron and Hermione.

"Harry...." the dreamy voice of Luna Lovegood drifted through the air.

"Hey Luna, have you seen Ron and Hermione?"

She gave him a dazed smile, her blonde hair still giving off a glossy sheen even in the dark. "They're waiting for you, over there." She pointed her finger. "I'll show you."

He followed her as she began to weave in and out of the crowd of wizards.

"Uh, Luna? The carriages are that way," he pointed out.

"What makes you think we're taking the carriages? Did you forget that we're seventh years?"

"What?"

She laughed and grabbed his arm. "Come on, Harry." At lightning speed she took off at a run, dragging him behind her. "Luna!" he protested. "Slow down!"

They skidded to a stop in front of a group of seventh years. "Sorry," she apologised. "It's just so good to be back."

But Harry was no longer paying attention to her. In front of him, stood a cluster of tall magnificent beasts. Long, elegant wings extended from their backs, and they each had a beautifully combed mane of hair.

"Pegasi," he breathed.

"They're rather nice, aren't they?" Luna agreed, stroking the side of a midnight black pegasus. It's coat shone brightly in the moonlight.

"What are they doing here?" he asked.

"How else did you think we were getting to the castle?" Hermione interrupted, as she and Ron came to stand by him.

"I thought we were taking the carriages?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Haven't you read anything out of Hogwarts: A History?" He shook his head. "First years travel by boat. Second, third, fourth, fifth and six years go by carriage, and seventh years take the pegasi."

He frowned. "Is there a reason for that?"

"Does it matter?" Ron asked. "We get to ride pegasi."

"Attention, students," a loud voice bellowed. "All luggage, carry on, of all sorts must be placed to the side. It will be returned to your rooms after dinner."

A tall, skinny man with pointed ears, dark red hair, and a top hat was floating in the air, bursting out instructions.

"Two per pegasus, please," he shouted out as the students began to form a line. Harry followed his group and joined the end of the line.

"Wait, we're flying?" Ron said, nervously as he watched two girls mount a chestnut coloured pegasus. Harry didn't recognise either of them.

"What did you expect?" Hermione retorted. "We're not going to be just sitting on them for pure entertainment."

Ron gulped. "At least they're not invisible this time," he muttered, closing his eyes.

"How many are there?" Harry asked.

"Heaps. Hagrid breeds them, didn't you know?"

"Not everyone's read Hogwarts: A History," he grumbled, taking a few steps forward in the line. He watched the chestnut pegasus take off into the air, the two girls on its back letting out cries of joy.

"Where are they going?" Harry asked Hermione since she seemed to have all the answers.

"The Astronomy tower," she answered. "We dismount there, and they give us a speech of sorts about this being our final year."

"Wow, McGonagall sure wasted no time in getting everything back to normal," Ron said.

Hermione glared at him. "It's our turn, Ron, hurry up and quit complaining."

"You'll be fine," Harry reassured him. He gave Ron a push, and watched as he and Hermione made their way towards a glowing white stallion.

"Hey Harry, I didn't see you on the train?" Neville said, approaching from behind.

Harry had to resist the urge to gawk. Neville looked different, and not just appearance wise. He has grown a few inches and looked more mature. His eyes seemed to hold newfound knowledge. Somehow he looked wiser.

"Oh, I was at the back," Harry responded, still trying to get over how different Neville looked.

"Next!" the voice of the floating man called.

"Do you mind if Neville and I go ahead of you?" Luna asked him.

"Go ahead," he smiled at the pair. They stepped forwards and waved goodbye to Harry. It was only then that he realised he was alone and partnerless. He looked around, hoping to find somebody he knew, not just someone who knew him. A few people were shooting him yearning looks.

"Next!"

"You're my partner, got it?" He swivelled to find Clarisse standing beside him.

"Actually, I- uh have a partner," he said. While he wouldn't admit it aloud, he was afraid that Clarisse would push him off the pegasus.

As if sensing his thoughts, Clarisse spoke. "I'm not going to push you off, I'm your friend."

Harry still felt uneasy. He'd seen what Clarisse did to Draco, and he didn't remember agreeing to be her friend.

You're the boy who lived. Are you seriously afraid of getting pushed off a pegasus?

Just as he was about to say yes, Clarisse opened her mouth again.

"Look, punk, you'd be doing me a favour." She motioned towards a boy and a girl, their features clouded by the darkness. "I don't feel like third-wheeling, and it's obvious neither of them are going to partner with me. You're the only other person I know at this stupid school."

"Next!" came the irritated voice of the skinny man.

"Alright," Harry agreed. Clarisse looked relieved.

"Thanks, Potter," she lightly hit him on the back.

"Uh, yeh sure."

Clarisse moved past him and made her way towards one of the pegasi. The two of them awkwardly mounted and the pegasus took off into the air.

"I swear that black pegasus looked like Blackjack," Clarisse muttered under her breath. Harry pretended not to hear.

⋙⋘

Yay! An update!

So, they know Leo is alive, but you are probably like a thousand times more confused then they are about what's going on.

Everything will be revealed in due time.... *evil cackling*

This chapter is dedicated to chicken_n_chillli in the hopes that she will update her story if she reads this message.
If you're interested in reading a story about cool stuff that I can't be bothered explaining, go read her story 'cold'.

Once again, don't forget to vote/comment! Your feedback means more to me than you think.