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Chapter 36: Adopted by the Hearth

  As Luna, Harry, and Daphepped through the thick line of trees, they found themselves entering a clearing that buzzed with life and energy. Snow-covered s were arranged in a horseshoe shape around a tral bonfire, which crackled with a warmth that felt almost ented, especially as it radiated through out the camp ing in the chill of winter.

  Chirohe way with his steady gait, stopping just short of the main cluster of campers. “Wele to Camp Half-Blood,” he announced, his voice carrying through the crisp winter air. “A sanctuary for demigods and a pce of training for those who carry the blood of the gods.”

  A few of the campers—some wearing armor, others carrying a-looking ons—eyed the trio with a mixture of suspi and intrigue. One particurly curious camper, a young girl with bright e hair and a quiver slung over her shoulder, whispered to her friend, “Are they, like, super old demigods or something?”

  “Well, im surprised that she feel e.” Luna states

  Chiron cleared his throat, direg the trio’s attention ba. “Now, you three will find that Camp Half-Blood has its ow of rules and traditions,” he said, his voice firm but kind. “Here, the campers train uhe prote of the camp’s boundary spells, which keep out monsters and other threats. However,”—he eyed Luna, Harry, and Daphh a wry smile—“guests from other realms are… less on.”

  Chiron was in the middle of his safety briefing, expining the boundaries and protes of the camp, wheiced Luna wasn’t standing beside Harry and Daphne anymore. He blinked in mild surprise, his gaze shifting over to the campfire area where Luna was making a beelioward a young camper, her expression lit up with excitement.

  Before anyone could react, Luna threw her arms around the unsuspeg girl, practically tag her in a bear hug. The girl staggered, her wide-eyed surprise turning into plete shock as she stared at Luna in surprise.

  “Hestia!” Luna cheers

  “Artimis!?” Hestia shouts back getting the name wrong

  Luna pulled back, grinning. "Not quite, but close enough!" she ughed. "Hestia, it’s me, Luna!"

  Hestia blinked, her initial shock melting into a smile. “Luna! I… wow, it’s been ages! What in the world are you doing here? I thought you were stu the moon?”

  Luna smiles at her favorite greek god.

  Luna smiled warmly at Hestia, clearly overjoyed to see her. "Oh, that whole ‘stu the moon’ thing? Yeah, that was... plicated. But I found my way back, and now I’m here! Had a few adventures along the way."

  Hestia chuckled, pulling her into an. "Typical Luna, always finding a way to surprise everyo’s so good to see you oh again—especially here of all pces, I mean most of us had assumed the worst after we all felt that massive fight and theia went silent a Millennia ago.

  “Yeah, Tia does that sometimes.” Luna states getting up off of Hestia dusting herself off after all of the demigods stare at the pair of likely goddesses in shock. As the warmth of the campfire danced across the clearing, Chiron’s gaze sharpened with sudden reition, a flicker of crity crossing his face as he looked at Luna. The pieces fell into pce—the regal bearing, her otherworldly presence, and the powerful aura that was unmistakably lunar.

  “By the stars…” he murmured, astonished. “You’re that Luna—the Princess of the Moon.”

  Luna nodded with a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling. “That’s one of my titles, yes. Seems word of me reached even these nds.” Her tone was warm but had a slight touischief, as though she enjoyed keeping the crowd in suspense.

  Chiron’s shock softened into respect, though his brow furrowed slightly as he turned his attention to Harry and Daphne. He regarded them with a puzzled expression, as if trying to make sense of their e to a being as legendary as Luna.

  “And you two…” he began slowly, his gaze shiftiween Harry and Daphne. “Are you also beings of great power or…?”

  Harry cleared his throat, gng at Daphne. “Oh, I wouldn’t say great power. I’m just… Harry,” he replied, giving a modest shrug. “But, uh, I suppose some people think of me as, you know, ‘The Boy Who Lived.’”

  Chiron blihe reition dawning further. “The Boy Who—ah. So, you’re that Harry.” His eyes shifted over to Daphne, his curiosity clearly deepening. “And you, Miss?”

  Daphne gave a polite nod, stepping forward with a small, posed smile. “I’m Daphne Greengrass. Perhaps less famous thaher of these two, but no less intrigued by this camp.”

  “Don’t lie, Crocell!” Luna suddenly shouted, causing every head to turn.

  Chiron’s eyes widened, uanding igniting in his gaze. “Crocell... one of the seventy-two demons of Solomon?” He looked back at Daphh a mix of caution and intrigue. “A rather rare heritage, even here. But you’re far from the Underworld now—here, you’re simply Daphne.”

  Daphne smirked, a slight but respectful nod. “Exactly. I think we could use a break from the Underworld anyway.”

  Harry, trying to break the tension, raised a hand with a wry grin. “And I’m just Harry. Here to keep an eye owo and maybe survive a winter camping trip in one piece.”

  Hestia walked over to Harry, her footsteps soft yet purposeful. As she neared him, he looked up, a polite smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

  "You’re a long way from home," she said gently, her voice rich with empathy. Harry’s gaze met hers, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. But it was quickly repced by an almost imperceptible look of disfort, as if he were unsure what to make of her.

  “Yeah,” he replied simply, not quite knowing where to go with the versation.

  Hestia smiled warmly. “I feel it,” she murmured, her voice soft, “that longing in your heart. Just treat Luna well alright?”

  “Of course, I love her.” Harry states

  Suddenly Hestia’s sidgle appeared above Harry, as she cimed him. IE he was just adopted by a goddess.

  “Good, good, I expect great things from you.” Hestia states before suddenly hugging him.

  “From now on,” Hestia spoke, her voice warm and full of motherly authority, “you are my child, Harry. You will always have a pce by my hearth, a safe home to return to.” She pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, her eyes radiating a motherly affe. “And as long as I am here, you will never be alone.”

  Harry stood there, feeling the weight of her words settle into his heart. His mouth was dry, his mind a blur. Adopted by a goddess. Harry looked to Luna who was standing at the side of the fire pit a smile on her face.

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