The sun was already dipping low when Harry guided the car away from Montauk Beach. Teddy sat in the backseat, squeezed happily between Percy and Sally, humming to himself and occasionally tugging on Percy's sleeve as though to make sure his new friend was really there.
"Percy's come with us!" Teddy said, his little voice bursting with joy. "I have someone play monsters with!"
Percy grinned, his sea-green eyes sparkling. "I'll show you how to splash water so it follows people around," he said. "It'll drive them crazy."
Harry glanced at the rearview mirror and chuckled. "No teaching him trouble," he warned lightly, though his heart was warm seeing Teddy so full of excitement.
Aphrodite leaned casually against the passenger seat window, her golden hair catching the fading light. "Children bonding is beautiful," she murmured, though her eyes slid toward Harry with a mischievous glint.
Harry ignored her tone and turned to Sally. "Do you need to stop at your house to get anything?"
Sally sighed, her hand tightening around her purse strap. "Most of what we need—clothes, school things—are at the apartment. Gabe… he doesn't care about those things. But…" She hesitated, her voice dipping. "He'll never agree to a divorce. Not out of kindness, anyway. He likes the control."
Harry's jaw tightened. "I understand. But let me be clear—you don't have to worry about him. Men like Gabe only have as much power as you let them. I can make sure he gives you that divorce."
Sally blinked at him, startled. "Harry, I don't want to cause you more trouble. You've already done so much—"
"You're not causing me trouble," Harry interrupted gently. "You're protecting Percy, and that's what matters. Until you're on your feet, you and your son can stay with us. We've got plenty of room."
Her eyes grew misty, and she pressed a hand to her lips. "Thank you. You don't know what this means to me."
Percy, oblivious to the gravity of the moment, leaned toward Teddy. "Wait till you see how fast I can swim. Maybe we can sneak into the pool and have races!"
"Race! Race!" Teddy cheered, clapping his hands.
The mood lifted, laughter filling the car as Harry turned onto a quieter road that would take them toward New Jersey.
Hours later, as the car rolled to a stop in front of the wrought-iron gates of the Black Mansion, Percy leaned forward, his mouth falling open.
"Whoa," he breathed, eyes wide. The gates loomed tall and ornate, carved with ancient runes that shimmered faintly in the night air. "This is where you live?"
Teddy puffed up proudly in his seat. "Yup! This is my house!"
Harry smirked as he stepped out and pressed his hand to the ward stone. The gates swung open with a low groan, revealing the long, lantern-lit driveway beyond.
Sally's jaw dropped as the mansion came into view. The sprawling stone manor sat majestically against the night sky, its tall windows glowing warmly.
Percy craned his neck as they drove closer. "It's bigger than any castle I've seen in books," he whispered. "Do you have, like… ghosts in there?"
Teddy giggled. "Not ghosts! But lots of magical things! And Aunt Andi cooks the best food!"
Harry parked the car and stepped out, helping Sally with her bag while Percy practically bounced out, craning his head at everything.
"Welcome," Harry said with a small smile, gesturing toward the front doors. "To your new home."
And as Percy took his first step past the threshold, the wards shimmered softly in approval, recognizing not just a guest, but someone who would soon belong.
The guest rooms had been prepared for emergency guests, and Percy couldn't stop grinning when he opened the door to his new bedroom.
"Whoa," he whispered, spinning in a slow circle. The room was huge, with polished oak floors, clean linen sheets that smelled faintly of lavender, and a wide window that let in fresh morning air. "This is bigger than our whole apartment!"
Sally smiled, smoothing her hand across the soft quilt. "It's very kind of Harry to give us all this." She looked at her son. "But don't forget to say thank you properly."
"I will," Percy promised, already bouncing onto the bed and sinking into the mattress. "This is amazing!"
They'd eaten dinner on the road the night before, so both mother and son were exhausted enough to fall asleep almost instantly.
The next morning, when Sally and Percy came down to the dining room, the table was already set. A spread of eggs, sausages, toast, and fruit gleamed invitingly.
Andromeda stood there with a warm smile. "Good morning, Sally, Percy. I hope you slept well."
Sally blinked in surprise. She had never met Andromeda before but had heard Harry mention her often. "We slept wonderfully. And—" she looked at the food in awe "—you didn't have to prepare so much."
"Nonsense," Andromeda said firmly. "Cooking is a joy, and besides, I've had some help lately." She winked. "Hestia drops by often to share recipes. Between the two of us, Teddy's always well-fed."
Percy had already plopped into a chair, his plate piled high. "This is so good!" he mumbled between mouthfuls. "Best breakfast ever."
Sally shook her head fondly. "Slow down, Percy. You'll choke."
After breakfast, Harry sat across from them with a thoughtful expression. "Percy, you'll need some time to settle in. Do you want to take a few days off school?"
Percy hesitated, looking guilty. "Yeah… maybe. My old school isn't really close by anyway. And honestly, I never liked it. No friends, just… trouble."
Harry leaned forward, his green eyes steady. "Then we'll change that. There's a school near here, closer to the mansion. I'll speak with them. It'll be a fresh start for you."
Percy's whole face lit up. "Really? That would be awesome!"
Sally squeezed her son's hand, relief softening her features. "Thank you, Harry. I've worried for years about Percy's schooling. A new environment might be the best thing for him."
Later that day, Harry drove Sally into town, leaving Percy with Teddy and Andromeda. The prosecutor's office stood in a sharp, clean-lined building. Sally gripped her bag tightly as they entered, her nerves plain.
Harry placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You're not alone in this. We'll file the proper papers. Gabe won't be able to hold you like this anymore."
Sally exhaled slowly, her eyes bright with gratitude. "I don't know how I can ever repay you."
Harry shook his head. "Don't repay me. Just make sure Percy gets the life he deserves."
Sally smiled faintly, the first genuine smile Harry had seen since Montauk. "With your help, I think he just might."
Harry stood in front of Gabe Ugliano's shabby apartment door, his knuckles tapping firmly against the peeling wood. A few muffled voices and the clinking of glasses drifted from inside. The door swung open, and there he was—Gabe, reeking of cheap cigars and beer, his shirt stained, a few men behind him laughing over cards at the table.
At first Gabe squinted at him, confusion plain on his pudgy face. Then recognition hit him like a hammer. His eyes widened, and his expression twisted with fury.
"You!" Gabe barked. "Where is my wife and that brat? You think you can steal them away from me? And you—" he jabbed a thick finger at Harry's chest, "—you're the one who sent that notice for divorce, aren't you? Well, I ain't signing nothing. Sally is my wife. You hear me? Mine!"
Harry didn't flinch. He just smiled faintly, eyes cool and steady. "Confundo."
The effect was immediate. Gabe's expression went slack, the anger draining out of his face, replaced with an oddly vacant compliance. He blinked a few times, like a puppet waiting for strings.
"Come along," Harry said softly.
And without protest, Gabe followed Harry out of the apartment, past his drinking buddies who hardly noticed, too absorbed in their game. Down the stairwell, out into the dim lot where Harry's car waited, the big man shuffled obediently.
A short drive later, Harry pulled up outside the small office where Sally sat nervously with the prosecutor. She looked up as the car door opened, her eyes widening when Gabe stepped out.
"Harry—how—?" she stammered.
Harry offered her a reassuring look. "Just trust me."
Inside, Gabe sat heavily at the desk. The prosecutor slid the papers across, explaining the details, but Gabe didn't argue, didn't shout. He simply scrawled his signature wherever he was told, eyes glazed, voice absent.
The silence in the room was thick, broken only by the scratch of the pen. Then it was done—the marriage dissolved with a few strokes of ink. The prosecutor gathered the documents with brisk efficiency, nodded, and excused himself.
Sally stared at the papers in her hand, then at Harry. "That's it? Just like that?"
Harry shrugged lightly. "That's it."
"But Gabe… he didn't fight, didn't scream. He just—" she shook her head, astonished. "Harry, how did you convince him? He would never give me this."
Harry's smile was faint, edged with something unreadable. "I have my ways."
Sally's eyes softened with relief, gratitude flickering through the weariness etched on her face. She whispered, "Thank you."
Harry only nodded, already steering her toward the door, leaving Gabe behind, still slumped at the desk with that vacant look in his eyes.
After Gabe was out of their lives, Sally seemed lighter—as though a great invisible weight had finally slipped off her shoulders. She smiled more, laughed more, and when she cooked in the Black Mansion's kitchen, there was a new energy in her movements.
Aphrodite, leaning against the counter with her usual grace, gave Sally an appraising look as she sampled a spoonful of stew. "Mmm… not bad at all. You're above average already. With Hestia's hand guiding you, you might even rival some divine chefs I know."
Hestia chuckled softly, stirring a pot of sauce nearby. "She's learning quickly. Andromeda has been teaching her as well. This household might just become the culinary heart of Olympus if we keep this up."
Sally flushed at the praise, shaking her head. "I'm nowhere near that good. I'm just… glad people are enjoying it."
"Enjoying it?" Aphrodite teased. "Darling, Harry actually smiled when he tasted your pie. Do you know how rare that is? That man eats like a soldier most of the time, barely notices flavors."
Sally laughed, covering her face with one hand, but she was clearly pleased.
One by one, she met the goddesses who had become a constant presence in Harry's world. Artemis arrived first, silver glow still clinging to her hair after her hunt. She gave Sally a respectful nod, though her attention quickly drifted to Percy, who stood awkwardly at her side.
Athena followed another day, bringing books for Teddy, and she too studied Sally with quiet curiosity before offering a polite handshake. "I see you've managed well despite… circumstances," she said, her eyes sharp but not unkind.
Sally smiled nervously. "I do what I can."
It was Hera's reaction, though, that unsettled the room. The Queen of Olympus stepped into the mansion, regal and proud as ever. Her eyes swept across the family gathered at the table—Andromeda, Teddy bouncing happily in his chair, Percy leaning over his plate.
The moment her gaze landed on Percy, something flickered. Recognition. Displeasure. Her lips pressed into a thin line. She knew—of course she knew. Poseidon's son stood right before her.
But Hera said nothing. She only scowled faintly and took her seat, the silence heavy around her. It was clear to everyone that she was not pleased about Percy and Sally living under Harry's roof.
Andromeda caught Harry's eye across the table. He gave the tiniest shake of his head. Don't push her. Not now.
Teddy, oblivious to the tension, was having the time of his life. With Percy around, every day felt like an adventure.
"Come on, Percy!" Teddy shouted, his little legs pumping as he dragged Percy toward the swimming pool. "Swim, swim!"
Percy grinned, tossing his shirt aside and diving cleanly into the water. Teddy clapped his hands and jumped in with float charms Harry had placed for safety. Laughter echoed across the courtyard as Percy ducked under, then resurfaced with a triumphant splash.
Sally stood at the edge, arms crossed, shaking her head with mock sternness. "Percy, not too rough with him!"
"Relax, Mom!" Percy called back, grinning as Teddy clung to his shoulders. "He's tougher than he looks!"
Harry watched from the veranda, arms folded, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
But behind that smile, he held one thought close: Percy can't know yet. The less he knows of what he is, the longer he'll be safe.
Because that was how it always worked in this world—the more a demigod knew, the more the monsters would find them.
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