Hecate's Realm

The Arrival

AN: Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed this story. Even if I might not respond to all of them, know that I have read and appreciated every single one.

This has been beta'd by the amazing xx ShamiksXa xx, so go check her out.

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"We can't be, something must've happened," she responded. Hazel was going to say more, when the train dropped another 20 degrees. A figure in a tattered black cloak passed by the door and peered inside, almost seeming to be looking for something. Once its head turned towards Hazel, the figure continued on its way, floating, to be precise. Her face was pale and still, her fingers digging into her palm.

"Hazel?"

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"Hazel, what were those?" Frank asked, turning his girlfriend away from where the hooded thing just a moment ago, so they were facing each other eye-to-eye.

She finally met Frank's gaze. "W-what? Oh, um, they're called dementors. Thing is, I haven't seen them since Nico brought me back .. .which was ages ago." Frank could tell she was uncomfortable and didn't want to speak of the situation any longer, but he needed to know what they did and why it had such an effect on Hazel.

"So those things came from the Fields?"

She nodded. "They take out your soul with their kiss. My father, er, the Greek version of him anyways, created them to help keep people in line down there. Hecate had said that they guard a wizard prison in the middle of some ocean, so I can't imagine why they'd be on this train. And personally, I don't want to know."

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Frank and Hazel were wandering once they got off the train, trying to find someone that could help them before they had found a giant of a man calling for first years. Frank would've taken out his bow and shot the yelling man with perfected accuracy unhesitantly if Hazel hadn't rested her hand on his arm, holding him back. He raised an eyebrow in reply.

"Frank, he's not a monster, Hecate warned me about him. That's Hagrid, a half-giant who works at the school."

"A half-giant." he echoed. "Who is friendly and works for the school. And you're sure that he's harmless?"

"Positive. And apparently, he's the gamekeeper."

He huffed and brought his arms down, but both demigods silently vowed to keep an eye on Hagrid no matter how reassuring Hecate had seemed. The half-giant in question made eye contact with the Romans and smiled as he walked towards them.

"Ah, there y'are. Dumbledore tol' me yer be 'ere. Right this way, then." He led the two to a large group of first years, most of them looking very terrified because of Hagrid. "Now, you're gonna haf'ta cross the lake in these boats along with the rest of the firs' years."

Hazel's eyes widened. "Isn't there some other way to get to Hogwarts?"

"Sorry, i's tradition. Don' worry, everythin's perfectly safe." He gruffed. His eyes twinkled in the night, reflecting the water.

"Safety is not my concern," she muttered.

With a lot of convincing, mostly from Frank, they got on the boat. Hazel was more than reluctant as she had immense fear of the water. She could easily get sick and throw up in a matter of seconds.

The boat was shared with two tiny first years, who were curiously looking into the water. Hazel was holding onto Frank's hand in a deathly grip, extremely tense and nervous for the whole ride. Frank had noticed that she was cutting off her blood circulation, but knew better and decided not to mention it. After all, he was sure that he would prefer a purple hand then no hand at all.

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Soon enough, the two were ushered into the Great Hall behind a large group of first years. Professor McGonagall had told them that they'd need to be sorted into their Houses while they stayed at Hogwarts.

They watched the first years get sorted with mild interest, although they might've cared more if they knew what House they'd be in, so they would know when to feel excited or disappointed. After what seemed like an endless sea of students and a rather odd speech from the Headmaster about why two Americans would be a part of at Hogwarts, it was their turn to get sorted.

"Levesque, Hazel." McGonagall's voice rang through the Great Hall, everybody quiet and curious as to where the Americans would go. She walked up to the Sorting Hat and tried to stay calm as it was placed on her head. It was so big on her, it covered her eyes once the professor had let go of it.

She was up there for less than a minute before the hat declared "Hufflepuff!" and she bounced away nervously. The Hufflepuff house had applauded loudly, which was expected, as they always clapped louder than the other houses, even when a student was sorted into a different house. The hat was taken of by McGonagall, then she smiled as she walked to the welcoming table donned with yellow and black.

"Zhang, Frank." Frank walked up to the stool stony and looked straight ahead as the hat was put on him. When he heard the unfamiliar voice, he would've freaked out if Hazel hadn't warned him about the Sorting Hat on the train ride to Hogwarts.

"Ah, another one. You're the first to come in a pair," the Sorting Hat said as soon as it had sat on his head.

"First what, demigods?" Frank asked getting curious.

"You're smarter than I would've thought." The hat chuckled. Before that moment, Frank didn't know that hats were capable of doing that.

'Hey, I'm plenty smart. Look, can you please just sort me? People are staring and-" he was cut off by the Sorting Hat who chose to speak.

"Gryffindor!" it bellowed, causing quite an applause. He felt a bit relieved that he could get out of the spotlight as he walked over to the table covered in burgundy and gold.

He had almost sat in a different seat when he spotted a familiar face who was observing him incredulously. He made his way down the table and sat himself down next to the boy.

"Seamus?"

"Hello, Praetor."