Chapter Text

19th August, 2019

Dear Diary,

I don't know where I am. I don't have any energy at the moment to travel back to safety or fight back of my captors. I am writing in this diary because I've used all my remaining energy in connecting this diary with my personal diary with is hidden somewhere in the Hogwarts. The text in it will only appear to a person who does not share the same ideologies as my captors, so only someone who is against Tom Riddle would be able to use this diary. If you are reading this, please be quick and give it to Headmaster Dumbledore, I don't think I am going to be staying here for much long.

I think they intent to take me to some place where I won't be able to use my abilities even once I recover. For now I am in some dungeon like place, not like one at the Hogwarts, but like one in a movie with a psycho killer. It's big enough to fit more than 10 people, but I really am not hoping for a companion here. I don't know my exact location unfortunately, and I try to hear the conversation from outside but I am not able to hear anything. It's almost as if they have deserted the place and forgot they are keeping me captive.

I don't think anyone has anyone thinks I am going to be able to escape, probably because I am too weak to even move a muscle. They most likely don't expect me to have a way to communicate with others, and mostly they are right. I am having difficulties producing a Patronus and there is no way to make a rainbow here. So they just decided to leave me here.

Whoever is reading this, please find me quickly. Use a tracker spell or something, but please be quick. I don't know how long they'll keep me here before eventually deciding to kill me.

Signing off,

Nico Di Angelo

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CHAPTER ONE

21st August, 2019

Percy Jackson believed he would finally get a chance at a normal life after the war against Gaea. Clearly the Fates had other plans.

He was currently working at a marine biologist and was engaged to his long-time girlfriend, Annabeth Chase, who was an aspiring architect.

During the summer, the two engaged couple decided to head to Camp Halfblood and pay his friends and cousins a visit. So you can imagine his shock to not find his young cousin, Nico in the camp during the summer year.

Percy knew his cousin had been given a quest to go and teach at a school in Hecate's pet world by his father to fulfil Hecate wishes as well to defeat someone who has apparently outraged the God of Underworld. But he also knew that Nico would be back for the summer. So it was a surprise to not find the twenty year old demigod by his boyfriend's side.

Will Solace, Nico's boyfriend and a pre-med student, had also decided to visit the camp to meet his boyfriend and had shown his concerns. According to Will, it's became impossible for anyone to contact the son of Hades.

Percy wasn't worried necessarily. Nico is one of the most powerful demigods he knew of. He knew that the son of Hades could take care of himself.

That was of course, until the God of the Underworld himself decided to show up in the camp.

Hades wasn't a regular at the camp. Gods asides from Dionysus, Hestia and Apollo rarely ever showed up at the camp. But Hades was even more unlikely than any other Olympian to show up at the camp. But there he was, standing in the middle of the dinning pavilion in all his seven foot glory.

Hades had apparently decided to low down the imitation of his usual look by looking shorter than ten feet and changing his clothing choices from his dark robes that had souls trying to escape to a black shirt and black trousers with a black blazer. His oily dark hair were tied in a ponytail and he looked as serious as ever.

Percy thought his uncle's choice of clothing was a bit too much for the hot weather, but perhaps the Gods don't have to worry about weather as much as them.

They all got up and bowed down to the God. Percy remembered the first time he had met the God and the imitation he had felt just by being in his presence. Today, it seemed like the God didn't want to induce fear upon everyone. So it's personal huh?

"Rise." Hades spoke then looked straight into Percy's eyes. "Perseus, follow me."

Percy didn't knew what he had done now to offend the God, but decided if he had managed to live this long, then whatever it is probably doesn't matter much.

"Lord Hades?" Chiron looked confused at the arrival of the God but he still bowed to be respectful. Good, at least I am not the only one who's confused. Mr. D looked over curiously at his uncle, who rolled his eyes at his nephew.

"Hello Chiron. Nephew, I am sure a few pleasantries wouldn't hurt." Hades commented but Mr. D just shrug, at which Hades sighed, probably wondering why most of his nephews didn't have an ounce of respect in themselves.

Of course, Percy wasn't one of them. Well at least that's what Percy thinks.

"Chiron, I am afraid I have a quest for young Perseus over here." Hades commented.

Percy was about to open his mouth for protest. Percy and Hades' relationship has certainly improved since his eldest uncle got himself a seat in the Olympus. Now as long as Percy didn't cause any paperwork for the God, the two were on respectful terms. And Percy could understand, paperwork was awful.

So when the said god held his hand in a gesture of silence, Percy reluctantly obeyed. "I am aware that you have done more than enough for Olympus and know that if you do not wish to agree to this, you can deny."

The God took a deep breath, which wasn't something he needed to do being a God, and continued, "As you know, last year my son went to Hecate's pet world to aid them in fulfilling a prophecy and hence killing a man named Tom Riddle who has tried to cheat death itself."

Hades' eyes glowed with dangerous flames, and Percy was sure that this Tom Riddle guy was going to get a punishment much worse than that Sisyphus guy. Maybe even worse than the worst imaginable punishment Percy could imagine. He was somewhat glad to not be this Tom Riddle.

"I had been keeping track of him during the entire quest." Admitted the eldest big three brother. "But in the recent few days, I am unable to contact him. It's almost as if he has disappeared off the world."

"Wait- you aren't able to contact him too?" asked Percy, filled with shock. "But- yo- you are a God!"

"You are well aware that us Gods have some restrictions." Hades stated. "Some of those restrictions exist in the form of place or things we can't see. I have consulted Hecate; she can't find him either. Neither can Apollo."

The idea of Apollo not being able to find Nico was much more concerning. He is supposed to the God who can see everything. He being the driver of the Sun Chariot, meant that during the day he could see almost anything. Not to mention his prophecy powers. If he couldn't find Nico then where could he be?

"I am afraid that we're in need of demigod help and I can't think of a better demigod for the task." Hades ended his speech before adding. "If you agree to the quest that is."

Percy could see in his flaming hot eyes some amount of concern for his that he seemed to be trying to hide. But he didn't need to know of Hades love for Nico, Percy himself loved the younger demigod like a little brother. Specially since Bianca's death, Percy had taken it upon himself to look after him. Of course, Nico was now an adult. But that didn't matter, Percy would always look at him like a younger brother. The idea of Gods being unable to find him worried him enough to know that there was no way he would disagree.

"I agree to the quest, uncle." 

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PAST

25th August, 2018

Nico Di Angelo usually never got any sort of messages from his father.

No emails or texts or even letter. Nope, none. If his father ever needed him, he would just magically summon him. Perks of being a God, you can straight off make your kid appear in front of yourself.

Sometimes, Nico didn't mind it. At least he got to speak to his father unlike most of the camp. Other times, he wished his father would at least inform him. Once he was having a make out with his boyfriend, Will, when his dad summoned him to the throne room. Let's just say it was an awkward day for the father son.

Today, luckily, his father decided a better time to summon him. Nico was just sitting by the canoe lake all alone since Will was busy helping those who were injured during the Capture the Flag. Normally Nico didn't mind helping his boyfriend and rest of the Apollo kids in the infirmary, but today he was feeling off. Like something was about to happen.

And just as he was thinking that, he found shadows emerge towards him and before he knew it, he was standing in front of his father.

"Father." Nico bowed respectfully at his father. Hades used his hands to gesture him to stand up and he obliged.

"My son," Hades started. "I afraid I have a quest for you."

Nico wasn't surprised at that. His father was more caring towards him now, and certainly the most present godly parent you can have. But that didn't mean Nico didn't do quests for his father just because his father cared.

"You are aware of Hecate's pet world. Those witches and wizards." Hades spoke. It didn't seem like a question but more like statement. And a correct statement at that. Nico had spent plenty of time in Underworld to have met many witches and wizard.

"There is a prophecy regarding the death of a wizard named Tom Riddle." Hades told him; his tone filled with distaste just upon hearing the name. Nico knew of Tom Riddle of course. It has been long since anyone has make the King of Underworld as angry as him. The last person was probably Sisyphus. Either way, Nico knew that Thanatos and his father both had a deep hatred for this wizard.

Hades regained his composure and said, "According to the prophecy, a young boy by the name of Harry Potter is the key to killing Riddle. But I am not sure if he would be capable to defeat her on his own. You know Riddle's attempts to cheat death is an insult to us. And he has angered Hecate by killing her followers mercilessly. Hence, we wish for you to go and aid and protect Harry Potter and his friends. Hecate will explain you the rest."

Just then a woman walked in the throne room of Hades. She was tall, though of course not as tall as the ten foot tall Hades. Her long raven hair flowed in the air like she was in a shampoo commercial. Her face was deadly pale with vibrant green eyes that stared straight through your soul, if you have one. She wore a sleeveless dress and was accompanied by her black Labrador and polecat.

Nico bowed to her in respect and Hecate got him to stand up quickly.

"Nico, I am going to bless you now with the powers of an above average wizard and all the required knowledge you'll need to not look like an outsider. When you go to Hogwarts, you will be teaching the students Combat Training, which is a new subject for them. The main staff will know of your identity but you can't tell anyone else about your demigod status unless you absolutely have to and don't have any other choice." Hecate told him. "Are you ready?"

Nico wasn't sure if anyone could ever be ready for something like this, so he nodded. Suddenly Nico felt some sort of warm tingling in him for a few seconds. He didn't felt any different. What knowledge or power he has gained, he had no idea. Maybe the goddess' spell didn't work. He didn't voice his thought aloud; he had no interests in angering the goddess. He would still like to live, thank you very much.

Then Hecate took out a black coloured twig and gave it to him. Nico stared at the piece of wood blankly. Is he supposed to play fetch with Cerberus now?

"This is your wand." Hecate informed him as if to clear his confusion. "It's made of Pinewood, dipped in the river Styx which makes it more powerful than a regular wand, with Thestral hair for core."

Nico almost found himself disappointed at the sight of his wand. He had imagined it would be more graceful looking than this piece of coloured wood that seemed to have a few engravings on it. At least it was black and matched with his aesthetic.

"You'll be leaving for Hogwarts two days later. Take that as time to say goodbye to your friends and family. You can visit them during summer and Christmas breaks, but other than that you'll have to stay at Hogwarts." Hecate told him. "I have everything you'll need placed in your cabin."

Nico nodded and before he knew it, he found himself back in his own cabin. On there was an old fashioned trunk with his name written in a fancy cursive writing.

Inside he found a note wrapped on a key with a skull design on it. It wrote "Use this key at the Gringotts." Rest consisted of a book filled with weird clothing that looked like it came from the Victorian era, a quill (and by that he mean literally a quill from 1749 or something), parchment, ink for the quill and some other things that most likely belonged to pre world war era. Even Nico wasn't as old as the things he found in that trunk.

He glared at the old trunk before deciding to get out of his cabin that he had recently decorated because it was just too ugly. Who ever thought this design was a good idea for his cabin?

He walked out and soon enough he was met up with the handsome face of his boyfriend. Will Solace stood in front of him and glared at him, "Where have you been?! I've been looking for you everywhere!"

Nico nervously rubbed his neck and answered, "Dad called me. He has a quest for me."

Will eyes softened upon hearing that. "Oh. So when and where are leaving? How long is it?"

"I'll be leaving in two days for Scotland." Nico replied. He was nervous to know how his boyfriend would react to the next answer. "And possibly for years."

"WHAT?!"

Chapter Text

CHAPTER TWO

21st August, 2019

The moment Percy got out of the Big House, he was instantly met up with a curious Annabeth and a Will who immediately assumed the worse and believed that Percy must have gotten at least one of the two gods present mad and ended up cursed or injured.

Percy was not impressed at Will's lack of faith on him. He didn't anger every single God! It's just Ares. And Zeus. And Hera. And Hades before the second Titan's War. And temporarily Hermes, though he doesn't count since Hermes was just grieving back then. And most of Titans. And maybe some other Gods he doesn't remember.

But common! He has great relationship with his dad and Hestia and Apollo. He has a good relationship with Aphrodite, though that's mainly because she took huge interests in his love life. Hermes likes him enough. His relations with Artemis are as good as they can get when you are a man that's not Apollo. He has alright relations with Hephaestus and Hades, and considering that those Gods are pretty antisocial. And Mr. D was always being Mr. D, who cares.

So yeah, maybe he did anger some Gods, but not all!

"You got a quest?" Annabeth asked snapping him out of the rant he had in his mind.

"Yeah." Nodded Percy. Then he looked at Will and wondered how he could tell him that his boyfriend was missing to the point even the Gods couldn't find him. "You know how Nico went to that quest last year to protect some Hairy Pottery?"

"Harry Potter." Annabeth corrected him.

"Yeah, close enough I guess. Well it turns out that during the last week something weird happened and all of a sudden none of the Gods can locate him." Percy spoke very carefully looking at Will who's smile turned into a concerned frown. "I am supposed to take his place as the Combat Professor thing. And I can bring two people along."

"Well obviously I am going with you." Annabeth stated. "There's no way I am leaving you to go to that death magic school."

"And you are not asking anyone else to join. I am coming." Will told him. "I don't even care what you say. I am going to go and find that stupid death boy who has no regard for his own safety. He must have gotten himself in some dangerous situation."

Percy knew there was no way to argue with either one of them. His fiancé would happily judo flip him if he objected, and no one said no to Will. It was the rules of Camp Halfblood. No one says no to Will unless they want to stay in the infirmary for even longer than required the next time they get injured.

But at the same time, he knew those two would be the ones he'd pick. Annabeth because how could he survive without his wise girl? And Will because he knew that no one asides from maybe Hazel cared about Nico as much as him. He remembered how he had been when Annabeth was held captive by Luke and his crew and how he had felt when they didn't let him go save her. And they weren't even dating back then. He wouldn't do the same thing to Will; he knew what it was like.

And so the questers were decided and ready for their quest.

Percy was overly excited about getting a magic wand. I mean common! A magic wand! He might be an adult but who hasn't ever dreamt of being a magic person and trying on broom or turning all the annoying people into crows.

But when he got the wand, all he said was, "This is a twig."

Annabeth elbowed him sharply because she didn't wanted him to anger the Goddess of Magic.

"It's not just a regular piece of wood, Perseus Jackson." Hecate replied with an eye roll. Her hair were flowing like she had a blow-dryer right in front her, and that was kind of distracting Percy. "It's capable of many things. Yours is made with Laurel wood and for core it has White River Monster spine."

"Annabeth Chase, your wand is made of Beech wood and Owl feature for its core." Hecate continued. "Will Solace, your wand is made of Hawthorn wood and Hyacinth for core. Now I am going to give you three my blessing and after that you can practice magic. Also, since you have dyslexia, if you say the word "scatter" in Greek in presence of one of the wizarding kind, written English will appear as Greek to you and if you write in Greek, it will appear as English to them."

Then Percy started to feel a small tingle in his body. Like a warm French fry was trying to tickle him. The thought of French fry made him want to go to McDonalds and get some French fries. The thought of McDonalds reminded him of the time Nico summoned the dead with happy meals when they were younger, and then the reminder of Nico made him feel sad.

After that Hecate disappeared leaving them with ancient trunks that had their names written in a fancy cursive, though to Percy reading it was a headache. It had honestly came to a point that his mind doesn't even try to read the text anymore.

"When are we leaving again?" asked Percy. Being ADHD, he didn't do well with dates. Being Percy, he didn't remember about them.

"Oh, on Sunday. Apparently we'll be meeting with the school's headmaster, who's someone called Dumbledore."

"Dumb-li-bore? What sort of name even is that?" asked Percy confused.

Annabeth rolled her eyes fondly, "Dumbledore. Not Dumb-li-bore."

"That's still a weird name." Percy argued. "We're going to a school called Pig-pimples and their headmaster's name is Dumb-li-bore. What sort of place did we sent Nico to? With names like that, I feel like Nico's probably in a mental asylum for having a normal name."

Annabeth rolled her eyes with a smile and Will chuckled at the comment, even though he was still clearly worried about his boyfriend.

"Just get their names correct in front of them, seaweed brain." Annabeth commented. "I don't think they'll appreciate you ruining their names."

Personally, Percy thought that with names like that their names were already ruined, but hey who's he to judge. 

Chapter Text

PAST

27th August, 2018

After being disappointed by the wand, Nico hadn't expected much from the Wizarding World.

That is until he found himself in the place called Diagon Alley. It was almost as if he had used a time machine and walked right into past when people believed that Sun revolved around the Earth instead of the other way around. He wondered who gave this place the name Diagon Alley, which sounds way too similar to the word diagonally.

He had read the Greek instructions Hecate had given him and went straight to Gringotts to get himself some wizarding currency.

The moment he enters Gringotts, he was met up with the strange faces of Goblins that worked there.

"Good morning," Nico greeted quietly. "I'd like to take some money from my safe."

"Do you have the key?" asked the head goblin person whatever his name was.

Nico took out a skull key from his jeans pocket and handed it over.

The moment the goblin took the key his eyes widened, "Son of Hades?"

All of a sudden everyone was bowing to the demigod, who sighed and had them get up. Anyone else that was visiting looked at the 20 year old boy with confusion and curiosity.

"Griphook, show Lord Nico his way to the vault."

Travelling to the vault was fun for Nico. They were underground, his father's realm. And the rattling cart was fun. Like an off brand rollercoaster, but fun.

His vault, which is technically his father's vault, had more security than any vault. Even the than the Flamel one, the husband and wife that had one annoyed his father way too much.

"I can't enter the vault, Sir. Only those with godly blood can assess to this vault, rest will get disintegrated into dust." Griphook explained to him. Nico nodded and entered the vault and immediate he had to cover his eyes from all the bling.

To be clear, Hades was not the flashiest of Gods. No, that would probably be Zeus or Apollo. He wasn't the flashiest sibling either. That would probably follow in the order: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Hades and finally Hestia.

But that didn't mean when you walk into that vault it wasn't completely filled with every sort of treasure you can imagine. Nico rolled his eyes at the pile of riches, "Such a show-off."

He grabbed some galleons as the wizards called their money, and headed out to Leaky Cauldron where he was to meet this Professor Dumbledore. Now he didn't exactly knew anything about this Dumbledor person asides from the fact he had a weird name.

He entered the pub that made him feel like he had just entered a pub from one those fantasy shows with medieval setting.

"What would you like, young sir?" the bartender asked.

"Nico," corrected Nico. Nico didn't have the biggest appetite, but he had travelled to a completely different continent and then went straight to the bank that mortals without magic would find horrifyingly old fashioned. He was ridiculously thirty. "What would you recommend?"

"Ooh, an American?" asked the bartender. He didn't wait for Nico to confirm his statement, instead giving his own suggestion. "Butterbeer is always wonderful."

"Then I'll have something of that." Nico replied.

The bartender smiled and soon came up with drink that looked similar to beer, but smelled much different. Nico hadn't drank beer considering in America twenty one is the legal age for drinking, and also because he found beer disgusting. He was more of a wine person. (Don't ask when he had it, and don't mention to Will that he had tasted wine.)

"So what got you to leave America for here?" The bartended asked. Nico did not like talking to people, so he hoped he'd find a way to dodge the question answer session someway. Fortunately, he did find a way. Unfortunately, that way would result in him having to talk more anyways.

"Ah, Mr. Di Angelo I assume?" an old man came to him. He wore the most ridiculous robes Nico had ever seen. And he had seen Apollo when the said God had decided to visit them at the camp and held a medieval fashion contest where he had worn the most ridiculous set of yellow coloured robes he had ever seen.

The old man's colourful set of shiny robes supressed those yellow robes by a long margin.

His hair and beard were long and silver, which made him resemble Santa Claus except they were even longer than that of Santa Claus. His eyes were bright blue, somewhat in between that of his late cousin Jason and his boyfriend Will's eyes; but they held the mischievous glint of a Hermes kid. Nico wondered if this man used to be a prankster in his early years.

"Yes, headmaster Dumbledore if I am correct?" asked Nico, making his assumptions. He knew that was the only person who was supposed to know him. The man smiled brightly, figuratively. Not literally, Dumbledore was no son of Apollo from the looks of it.

"You don't mind me getting myself a butterbeer as well, do you?" asked Dumbledore his eyes twinkling. Nico shrugged, pointed at his full glass of the magic beverage. "Tom, can I have some butterbeer while I talk to Mr. Di Angelo?"

Tom, the bartender smiled, "Of course!"

While Dumbledore waited for the his butterbeer to arrive, Nico took a sip of it and his eyes widened. Of course the drink was no match for ambrosia or nectar or Sally Jackson's cooking. But it was absolutely delicious, like butterscotch flavoured cream soda. It was amazing.

Dumbledore noticed Nico's reaction to the drink and chuckled lightly. "Yes, it is quite wonderful, isn't it?"

Nico nodded, enjoying his drink a bit too much. He thought of how his lovely boyfriend would absolutely hate how sugary this drink was, and drank more happily at the thought.

"Mr. Di Angelo-"

"Just call me Nico." Nico interrupted. "You are older than me, it feels weird being called that. And I rarely find people older than me anyways."

Nico doubted Dumbledore knew of his complicated age, and from the raised eyebrows of the wizard, it was confirmed. Good, at least he still had some of his secrets.

"Never mind. So let's start this, eh?" Nico asked. Dumbledore smiled and the two old men started their conversations about his demigod quest and Hogwarts classes.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER THREE

25th August, 2019

Percy Jackson was having the time of his life in the wizarding world.

The wizards dressed up in ancient style and their lifestyle was pretty old fashioned. They looked and worked in ways that would be outdated and weird, which meant he would get to live the weird wizard life. He saw brooms and owls and cats and frogs for some reason and people in robes that he hoped he wouldn't have to wear all the time. It was fun.

The ride to Gringotts was scary. The Goblins seem to look at demigods as Royalty or something, which he assumed made some sort of sense. But then they had to go on to that stupid cart roller-coaster thing, and he couldn't help but be terrified for his life. Not as much as when he flew on the plane that one time during his first quest petrified his very "loving" uncle would blast him off the sky. Hades didn't really care if you are underground as long as you are not in the Underworld. But still, Percy just couldn't help but fear his uncle might be in a bad mood today.

It sucks being related to Gods sometimes.

His vault had been massive. Everywhere was filled with gold and drachmas and galleons and sickle and weapons and armour for some weird reason, golden sculptures or paintings of fishes. Percy literally found a golden blue whale, a painting of a sea turtles and a giant jellyfish sculpture.

Those were weird but Percy decided to not question his father's taste. Gods had weird tastes, its best not to question them.

Percy grabbed money and placed much he could in his bag. What? There was so much there and who would even use it? His dad? As if the Sea God would ever need money from here. And he doubted that any of his future half siblings would come here. Even if they did, there would still be at least a couple trillion thousand dollar worth of money here. Probably more.

So yeah, he grabbed a lot of the golden and silver and bronze currency and got out of his dad's vault to find both Annabeth and Will waiting for him. Annabeth was reading a book on architecture written in Greek and Will was reading a book on medical stuff. Percy just realised he was stuck with people who were both bookworms.

Now he was missing Grover.

"Guys, I am back." Percy announced as he reached his friends.

"Finally," exclaimed Annabeth. "What took you so long?"

"There was so many weird fish statues there. It was like a fish museum, but only gold and silver allowed." Percy explained, then added the next part with pink cheeks. "It was kind of fascinating. Weird but fascinating."

Annabeth and Will looked at each other.

"A fish museum?" Annabeth asked. "Sounds like your dad."

"Yeah, my dad had lots of music instruments and archery kit in there." Will commented. "I guess the gods like keeping something related to their domains in there."

"Or they're just obsessed." Shrugged Annabeth.

"You say that as of you didn't find some sort of book or something in your vault." Percy stated raising his brow at his girlfriend.

Annabeth flushed, "Okay, so maybe there was a huge statue of a golden book with her symbol on it."

Percy grinned at her, "I wonder what Mr. D's vault would have. Golden wine? Diet coke in a gold can?"

Will chuckled, "Knowing him, it's possible."

The three cracked up at that, before deciding that they'll have to leave and meet the Professor Dumplingdoor or whatever his name was. Percy couldn't keep track of it, it had too many alphabets. Why can't it be an easy name like Charles?

"Where were we supposed to meet that Dumb-something-door guy?" asked Percy.

Annabeth rolled her eyes, "It's Dumbledore. You need to remember his name once you meet him, Seaweed Brain. And we're meeting him at his pub called Leaky Cauldron."

"Leaky Cauldron?" asked Percy. "Are we going to drink from a cauldron? Is that a wizardy thing?"

Annabeth did not have the answer to that.

"Well, I hope they have something that's healthy." Will said hopefully. Percy hoped the opposite of his friend's wish. He knew Will tried to avoid unhealthy food because it had trans fat and other stuff that is not good for you that Percy couldn't be bothered to remember. Pizza was worth it according to him.

They entered the Leaky Cauldron, which was an old fashion pub. Percy suddenly remembered the Disney movie Beauty and The Beast, and the though that the pub looked somewhat similar to pub where the song Gaston sang took place. You know the song that also called Gaston, because you can't really get more obnoxious than someone who sings a song about how great he is and is literally titled his name.

Leaky Cauldron looked like its more realistic adaptation.

When they entered, they were reached out by the bartender. "Hello sirs and madam. What would you like."

"Um, what can we get here?" asked Annabeth.

"Ooh, Americans! Last year I met one. Was a new professor at Hogwarts, I believe." He spoke in his British accent. "I think he's been missing for a while now."

"He's our friend." Annabeth told him. "Do you have any guesses where he could be right now?"

The bartender shrugged, "I don't know. Plenty of incidents have been happening lately. Just recently they found a witch dead. The ministry thinks it was a suicide but who know."

Percy stole glances with his companions. That did not sound nice, what did Nico get himself into?

"Oh, I am sure your friend is fine." The bartender reassured him. "He looked like a tough fella."

Nico might have grown some inches in the last few years of his adolescence and gained some muscles, and had gone through some things Percy wouldn't wish on his worst enemy; but he wasn't sure all those factors really reassured him after the man literally mentioned murder might be taking place in the wizarding community.

"Well, what would you like? Butterbeer, fire whiskey, pumpkin juice?" the bartender asked as if he hadn't just talked about a potential murder victim. Percy hoped not all wizards were like this.

"I'd suggest a butterbeer, if that means anything." Said a voice behind them. They turned around to find an old man with hair and beard that could rival Santa Claus. He wore purple robes with glittering stars on them that would probably cause Aphrodite to start crying. His blue eyes held the mischief Percy had seen in many Hermes kids before.

Percy couldn't help but blurt out, "Gandalf?"

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PAST

27th August, 2018

Nico found Dumbledore to be too cheerful for his taste. Nico could only stand one person's cheeriness and that person was his boyfriend Will, who was too far away from him right now.

He didn't interrupt the old wizard as he was being given a tour of the castle for school by Dumbledore. The idea of a medieval castle for a school seemed excessive to Nico, even though it was truly beautiful.

After the Quidditch field, the place where a wizard safety hazard sport that Dumbledore had to explain him about is played (although who was he to judge when he's a demigod), they headed to a clearing where there were targets for arrows and knife throwing practices and a cabin shed for storing all the weapons. It was outdoors which is good because you never know when a witch or a wizard would decide to accidently shoot the ceiling with an explosive arrow and blow up the whole school.

He could remember once a Hermes kid had shot the Demeter Cabin with one (no one knows if it was an accident as she had claimed, or whether it was purposeful) and exploded the cabin. Luckily no one was nearby the cabin as activities were going on at the time or Will would have had a heart attack.

"This is where you'll be taking the classes, Nico." Dumbledore told him. "Now let's go to your chambers."

They climbed the stairs and Nico couldn't help but wish there had been an elevator in this ancient castle for school. The castle was too big and had way too many floor. Not to mention the stairs were so annoying Nico want to burn them just because of how frustrating it got every time the stairs decided it would be a good idea to change positions. His younger self would have done it.

Curse being patient, it's exhausting.

They finally reached his room which was near the Gryffindor dorms and as such nearby the Gryffindor head's office and quarters. It felt weird calling them quarter. Even during the 1930-40s they called rooms room. Calling them quarters or chambers was kind of posh, but then again; they were in a fucking castle.

His room, sorry "quarters" were somehow up to his likings. The walls were grey, not the excessively too much black and dark like his cabin was, but still not too light for him. He still need to keep his aesthetic; he's never giving that up.

There was a comfortable red couch, a kitchen which didn't really make any sense to him since this was a school where everyone ate magic food. What was he supposed to do there?

Asides from that there was a cupboard to store his clothing in his bedroom which was separated from the living room, with walls of same colour as of the living room. There was a comfortable bed with red duvets and fluffed up pillows, so at least they gave you a nice bed. Nico was starting to worry they would make him sleep on a rock looking at how ancient everything else looked.

"These are your chambers, Nico." Dumbledore told him kindly. "Would you like to rest or is it okay if we go meet the staff? Everyone should be in Minerva's office right next door."

For a second, Nico's brain travelled to the roman goddess Minerva coming to this school to see him, then realised there must be mortals with the name Minerva.

He nodded, "I'll meet them now, it's fine."

They walked over to a very graceful office with red and golden decoration. There were four teachers present in the room.

The first person he noticed was one of the people in the middle. It was a tall, rather severe-looking, seventy-year-old woman. She had black hair which were tied in a tight bun with wrinkles on her face that indicated she usually had a stern face. She was wearing emerald green robes, which were much better looking that Dumbledore's and made Nico almost sigh in relief that not all wizards wore impractically bright clothes.

Next to her was a thin man with sallow skin, a large, hooked nose and yellow, uneven teeth. He had shoulder-length, greasy black hair and penetrating eyes that looked like they were too observant. He was wearing black robes that made him look like an emo bat. Nico wasn't sure how someone could look like an emo bat, but somehow his man did.

He looked a bit similar to Nico, although perhaps more unhygienic (Nico would never let his amazing hair become like that) and less handsome than him, and which a much more normal and better fashion sense.

On the other side was a short woman with short, grey, wavy hair. She usually wore a patched and battered hat and her clothes were covered in dirt and earth, her fingernails filthy with dirt. She looked like she worked in a garden and would probably have made Demeter very happy.

The last person was a short little man, even shorter than when Nico had been 10, with brown hair and wore a tiny little tux. Nico was glad that he has finally found someone who's even shorter than when was before he finally hit his growth spurt. He still wasn't the tallest person in his friend circle, but at least he was now taller than Leo instead of being the same height as him.

"Professors, meet our new professor." Dumbledore introduced him which made him feel a little shy at all the attention. He was too used to being in shadows, even if he had gotten more social then he once was, he still couldn't help but feel a little shy at the sudden attention. "Nico Di Angelo, as you all must have remembered from our previous conversation. Nico, these all are aware of your situation."

The tall woman in green robes walked forward, "Hello Mr. Di Angelo. I am Minerva McGonagall, the deputy headmistress of Hogwarts. I am the head of Gryffindor house, which is Harry Potter's house. This is Severus Snape, head of Slytherin house, Filius Flitwick, head of Ravenclaw house and Pomona Sprout, head of Hufflepuff house."

Nico wanted to laugh at the names of the houses, they all sounded ridiculous. Hufflepuff? Did they huff and puff?

But no matter what, he decided that making jokes about their school might be offensive and decided to just listen to the strict lady. Because this was at least better than helping his dad with paperwork or helping him punish Charon by making sure the daimon couldn't have access to his beloved Italian suits when Hades would ground him from wearing them when Charon would end up getting the god too angry. Seriously, the paperwork of the Underworld and Charon's obsession with Italian suits was absolutely awful.

Listening to witches and wizards talk about things that shouldn't make sense was definitely better than paperwork and Charon.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER FOUR

25th August, 2019

Harry Potter's hearing had well somewhat well.

He was not expelled, thank god for that. He couldn't imagine being expelled from Hogwarts, which was the only home he knew of. There was no way he was going to go back to the Dursley after being expelled, he just wouldn't be able to face the embarrassment.

"I don't think he'll be able to, Ron," Mrs. Weasley was saying while setting a huge plate of roast chicken down in front of Harry. "He's really very busy at the moment."

"HE GOT OFF, HE GOT OFF, HE GOT OFF —" the chants of Fred, George and Ginny continued, which ended up annoying Mrs. Weasley too much.

"SHUT UP!" roared Mrs. Weasley.

Just then Dumbledore apparated in the Grimmauld Place with three people, two boys one girl Harry didn't knew. They were all relatively young, probably in their young twenties.

Both the boys were around the same height, although the dark haired one was clearly the elder one. He had a Mediterranean complexion, with dishevelled black hair much like Harry's but styled in a way that made it look so much cooler than Harry's mop of hair, as if he had walked out of the beach and decided he didn't need to fix his hair. The man had bright sea green eyes and handsome features for which Harry would almost go bi for. However he also looked like an imitating person, just like his missing combat professor, Professor Di Angelo had that imitating presence around him that made him look dangerous but at the same time not evil. Yet somehow his presence felt different than that of Nico Di Angelo.

The second boy was a much more friendly personality. He had curly messy blonde hair and a summer tan like he goes to beaches a lot to surf. He was handsome too, with his prominent facial features and surfer like physique. He had a sunnier presence, making him seem like someone who looked like he was much more approachable than his two friends. But somewhere in the sky blue eyes of the man, he would sense that he was troubled because of something. Worried for someone or something, but what is probably going to remain a mystery.

The last member of the group was a beautiful girl the same age as the dark haired man. She looked like a California girl from aunt Petunia's television shows; with curly blonde hair and tanned skin. The thing that ruined the view was her eyes, which were stormy grey and looked like they were planning something all the time. She was taller than him, which was a little embarrassing to think of. She was also quick fit, like the two boys, and imitating in a way that Harry really didn't want to ever mess with her. Somehow he knew that she could easily defeat him and all of his friends easily, even after the classes from Professor Di Angelo last year.

Maybe Professor Di Angelo would be a better match for her.

"Dumbledore, you are here! Perfect timing. Lunch is ready." Exclaimed Mrs. Weasley. "And who are these three?"

"Molly, this is Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase and Will Solace. These three are Mr. Di Angelo's replacement until we can find where he is for the time being." Dumbledore told them.

All the Weasley's tensed up at the name Percy, and Harry just wished this Percy was different that the studious and ambitious Percy that had abandoned his family for reputation.

Harry frowned, "You still haven't been able to find him?"

Dumbledore sighed, "Unfortunately, we're not able to track him. But these three will be helping us find him."

Harry felt guilt trip in him. He hadn't seen the professor since leaving the school premise, but he had a feeling that whatever had happened was somehow his fault. He just hoped that the young professor was not in danger.

"Find him? Are you aurors?" asked Ron confused, then pointed at Will. "He looks too young to be one."

"I am a healer." Will replied, surprising the group with his American accent.

"American again?" asked Ron, at which Percy raised his brow.

"Is there a problem with that?" asked Percy. "To come and try find your professor and my cousin?"

"Professor Di Angelo is your cousin?" asked Hermione, analysing the man. Harry honestly could see some resemblance. Not that there was much, just that their hair was similar and both of them had an imitating aura. And both were really fit. Did they go to the same gym or something?

"Yes, Mr. Jackson is rather close to Mr. Di Angelo. And your new professors are also highly skilled." Dumbledore told them. Somehow Harry was able to believe it. "But since they don't have any place to stay, I was hoping that it wouldn't be a problem with them staying here. And they know of the Order, so there's no need to keep secrets from them."

"Well of course not." Mrs. Weasley smiled at the three new professors. "Join us dears, you all must be hungry."

Percy Jackson grinned and Annabeth smiled at the Weasley mother, "Thank you Mrs.-"

"Weasley. Molly Weasley dears." She replied smiling. "This is Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. And the red haired ones are my children, that's Fred and George-"

"I am Fred!" one of the redheaded twins exclaimed. "He's George."

Molly rolled her eyes, "Ignore them, they like to confuse everyone."

"They'd get along great with the Stoll's." Will whispered to his friends, and Harry wondered who they were. He wasn't sure if them getting along great would be good for everyone else's heath.

"Well then there's Ron and that's Ginny." Mrs. Weasley said. Ron waved and Ginny shot and cheerful grin.

"Cool." Percy commented cheerfully, "Can I get some food?"

And Harry knew it just then, that this guy was a lot better than Percy Weasley.

Chapter Text

1st September, 2018

The sound of smash rang through Nico Di Angelo's room as he threw the frustrating alarm into the walls of his Hogwarts chambers before he went back to sleep.

Ten minutes passed before realisation hit him that he wasn't in his cabin right now but instead in the magic school for Hecate's followers and today the students he's have to teach and protect were coming over today.

Normally Nico avoided sleeping in evening, but today he had been pestered by his lovely boyfriend to come visit him, and Nico had shadow travelled and even though he wasn't nearly as tired he used to get long ago, he still felt tired. He decided it was better to sleep in the evening for an hour than sleep in front of the entire school.

He shot up and ran straight into the door in hurry. Standing up while rubbing his forehead, he headed for a quick shower and wore a black t-shirt with a skeleton hand making a peace sign that Will had bought for him, a black leather jacket and distressed black jeans. He could have worn wizardy clothes, but they did not match his aesthetic.

Unless he decided to dress like a bat the way Snape does. And Nico did not think that would ever make a fashion statement. Also bat clothes were a Snape thing, and Nico would never steal someone else's look. He was original, not a copycat.

He hurried off to the Great Hall as they called it. It looked a lot like Olympus, but not nearly as pretty. Which was expected since it was difficult for any place to look even remotely as gorgeous as the palace of the Gods.

"Now I would like you all to greet Professor Di Angelo, who will be teaching all of you a new compulsory subject of combat training." Dumbledore said this just as Nico strolled in the room, all eyes on him.

He could notice some girls and boys ogling at him and felt a mix of smug and shy. He wasn't sure how you could that sort of emotion but then again he wasn't the emotions expert. Even though he was a nineteen year old right, he still had no idea about how these stupid emotions work.

He walked over the staff table and waved at the students before he sat down next to an empty seat. They all politely applauded, though the swooning teenagers were more enthuastic. He believed that there must be another teacher that would be joining them soon enough. At least there was someone even more late than him.

"He has travelled all the way from America to teach you all." Dumbledore informed the students. "And I will expect all of you to give your best in this new subject."

The elder wizard gave a longer speech, which was so long and boring and weird that Nico decided to ignore it. That is until he finally summoned some food for them to eat and Nico started to grab some food.

He took small portions of all the food that looked like he would like and started eating. Will's caring and sometimes annoying pestering over eating had finally worked. A little, but at least Nico didn't go without three small meals a day. It's progress.

The teacher next to me, Charity Burbage who was the muggle studies professor, would make small talks with me. I noticed that three kids were looking at my direction. I did not know who they were or why they were looking at my way, but I got the feeling the feeling they were suspecting something. And I wasn't sure I liked that. I just hope that this wouldn't mean I am going to have three teenagers sneaking around spying at me.

There was no way I am going to deal with three spying idiot teens. As if my cousins weren't enough.

I threw an occasional glare at the ghosts present in the castle, as a warning to not blow up my cover. I may not be able to kill then, and they might be here because of Hecate's permission, but if they do something stupid I am going to get them to get them to the underworld and give them rooms next to Sisyphus.

Then Dumbledore spoke something, "So! Now that we are all fed and watered, I must once more ask for your attention, while I give out a few notices. Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me to tell you that the list of objects forbidden inside the castle has this year been extended to include Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees, and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs. The full list comprises some four hundred and thirty-seven items, I believe, and can be viewed in Mr. Filch's office, if anybody would like to check it."

Dumbledore's mouth twitched into a smile, "As ever, I would like to remind you all that the forest on the grounds is out-of-bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year. It is also my painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year."

There were loud mummers of protest from the appalled student. Dumbledore went on, "This is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy- but I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely. I have great pleasure in announcing that this year at Hogwarts-"

But at that moment, there was a deafening rumble of thunder and the doors of the Great Hall banged open.

A man stood in the doorway, leaning upon a long staff, shrouded in a black traveling cloak. Every head in the Great Hall swivelled toward the stranger, suddenly brightly illuminated by a fork of lightning that flashed across the ceiling. He lowered his hood, shook out a long mane of grizzled, dark grey hair, then began to walk up toward the teachers' table.

A dull clunk echoed through the Hall on his every other step. He reached the end of the top table, turned right, and limped heavily toward Dumbledore. Another flash of lightning crossed the ceiling. There were a few gasps and mummers across the room.

The man looked like his face had been carved roughly out of wood, which was a weird but accurate way to describe his looks. His face was covered with more scars than anyone Nico had ever met. And that was saying a lot. As a demigod, he had seen many people with terrible scars, but this guys clearly took the trophy. Nico couldn't help but wonder what he had gone through to have so many scars. He was sure his boyfriend would have a heart attack if he saw him.

And somehow, his scars weren't even his most shocking feature. No, it were his eyes. One of his eyes was small, dark, and beady; a normal human eye. The other was large, round as a coin, and a vivid, electric blue. The eye moved on its own without any blinking, as if scanning the room.

The stranger reached Dumbledore. He stretched out a hand that was as badly scarred as his face, and Dumbledore shook it, muttering words Nico didn't bother trying to hear. He seemed to be making some inquiry of the stranger, who shook his head unsmilingly and replied in an undertone. Dumbledore nodded and gestured the man to the empty seat between Nico and Snape.

The stranger sat down next to Nico at whom he looked at suspiciously as if trying to figure out all of his secrets, shook his mane of dark grey hair out of his face, pulled a plate of sausages toward him, raised it to what was left of his nose, and sniffed it. He then took a small knife out of his pocket, speared a sausage on the end of it, and began to eat. His normal eye was fixed upon the sausages, but the blue eye was still darting restlessly around in its socket, taking in the Hall and the students.

"May I introduce our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher?" said Dumbledore brightly into the silence. "Professor Moody."

Nico had gotten an applause, but with this guy everyone except Dumbledore and Hagrid were transfixed with his appearance. Which he couldn't really blame them for, this guy looks scary cool. Not that he ever wants to look like him, but he knows that the ten year old him would be jumping up and down at how cool this man looked.

Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"As I was saying," he said, smiling at the sea of students before him, all of whom were still gazing transfixed at Mad-Eye Moody, "we are to have the honour of hosting a very exciting event over the coming months, an event that has not been held for over a century. It is my very great pleasure to inform you that the Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year."

"You're JOKING!" a stocky ginger boy exclaimed loudly.

The tension that had filled the Hall ever since Moody's arrival suddenly broke. Nearly everyone laughed, and Dumbledore chuckled appreciatively.

"I am not joking, Mr. Weasley," he said, "though now that you mention it, I did hear an excellent one over the summer about a troll, a hag, and a leprechaun who all go into a bar..."

Thankfully, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat loudly. Nico was sure it was going to a dad joke, and he had heard enough of them from his own father, Paul when he visited the Jackson family and Chiron at the camp. He did not need to hear another one.

"Er- but maybe this is not the time... no..." said Dumbledore, "where was I? Ah yes, the Triwizard Tournament .. well, some of you will not know what this tournament involves, so I hope those who do know will forgive me for giving a short explanation, and allow their attention to wander freely."

Nico did not know of this tournament, so there was nothing for him to forgive Dumbledore for.

"The Triwizard Tournament was first established some seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between the three largest European schools of wizardry: Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. A champion was selected to represent each school, and the three champions competed in three magical tasks. The schools took it in turns to host the tournament once every five years, and it was generally agreed to be a most excellent way of establishing ties between young witches and wizards of different nationalities- until, that is, the death toll mounted so high that the tournament was discontinued."

There were excited whispering around the students and Nico decided one thing. Wizards are nuts.

Chapter Text

23rd September, 2019

Dear Diary,

I have been locked up at this place for at least four days now. I know this because every morning they wake me up to give me some breakfast. That's the only meal I get in a day. I think they only give me some food and water to keep me alive, they want something from me. I don't know what at the moment. I am pretty sure the crazy woman that gives me the food (more like throws it at me) enjoys waking me every day. She's kind of a sadistic, I am honestly surprised she hadn't tried hurting me yet.

The room I've been shifted to is completely filled with light at all times, which makes it hard to shadow travel since there is no shadow for me to travel through. I have trouble sleeping. It's probably because of the excessive light and the loud sounds of tortured people outside. I don't know who they've been torturing, but from the sounds of it they are brutal. I doubt that what they're doing would be anything compared to what me and my friends have been through, but even then I am still afraid of what they might do.

So far, everyday some dude with a stupid mask and platinum long blonde hair would come and ask me some question. Everyday I would ignore him. They haven't hurt me yet, but I am not sure how long this treatment would remain. He told me that if I don't answer then the "Dark Lord" would target my loved ones. That it would be better to open up. I didn't listen to his advice, but in my mind I made a list of all the people I care about.

There's Hazel, my half-sister. She could easily handle a bunch of stupid wizards. So could Percy, Annabeth, Reyna, Frank, Leo, Piper, Coach Hedge and mostly the entire camp. My boyfriend, Will isn't the best fighter in the camp. He's more of a healer and sometimes a candlestick. But even then he is the best combat healer I know. He would only need one tiny whistle to win against these wizards. My father is a God, I couldn't even be bothered about him getting hurt. He would just need to flick his wrist and all of them would be skeletons fighting for him instead.

Still, I woke up everyday with nightmares of Will being tortured by them while he had to stay seated, unable to do anything. I knew those weren't demigod dreams, just nightmares caused by me overthinking. I can't help it, when you are locked in a prison cell all alone with nothing but a magical diary and a pen, all you can do is overthink.

For now, all the questions they've asked me have been variations of "How did I appear in the graveyard" "What are you?" and "How did you survive the killing curse?" I am trying my best to not give anything to them but I can't help but feel that they're suspicious about something. Or at least the no-nose-man is. I know they're losing their patience and they're going to start using torture at some point of point.

If anyone is reading this, please help. Call the aurors, call Dumbledore, call my friends. But do something.

Signing off,

Nico Di Angelo

Chapter Text

CHAPTER FIVE

26th August, 2019

Percy liked the people he was living with in the Grimmauld Place

Mrs Weasley who had insisted on being called Molly by them reminded him of his own mother. The two women were very different woman, but at the same time held the same sort of motherly aura that Percy adored.

Sirius was the fun one, and despite the fact that Percy could notice that he was somewhat emotionally unstable, something he had witnesses in many demigods after the two wars and events that followed Apollo's trials. And the best part about him? He could turn into a dog! How freaking awesome is that?

Remus was more like the cool but responsible one. His friends got along really well with him, since as the two put it, they were the ones that had to keep their annoying boyfriends out of trouble and make sure they don't die. And somehow they found this relatable with him. Go figure.

Fred and George were like the ginger version of Travis and Conner. So naturally, Percy loved them. And they told him all the ways they had annoyed Nico last school year, which was a huge plus. They were amazing at making prank stuff, which make it seem like Hermes and Hephaestus would love the two of them.

Ginny was cool too, and as Annabeth would call her, she was a "Badass-in-making" and Percy agreed with her one hundred percent. If his girlfriend, who's the biggest badass he knew of, though she was a badass-in-making, she was indeed a badass-in-making. He was pretty sure Annabeth had secretly taught Ginny some moves, which wasn't the most responsible thing to do but who cares. As long as Molly doesn't find out.

Harry, Ron and Hermione were also easy to get along with, even though they had no idea when to stop questioning. Once Hermione asked a bit too many questions about Nico and Will almost ended up crying at the mention of his missing boyfriend (and Ron has the emotional range of a teaspoon).

Percy found Hermione to be a very annoyingly book smart person. The sort of person that only believed in proven facts and didn't have much creativity. She believed anything a book said unless proved otherwise, which was kind of annoying. But other than that, she was cool. She asked them constant questions about Nico and combat training and what we thought might have happened to him. Percy had made her stay away from Will and made Annabeth answer her curiosity.

Harry and Ron were more like him. Ron and he both shared a very similar appetite, much to Hermione's dismay and Annabeth's amusement. Ron wasn't the brightest in the room when it came to studies, which Percy could relate to, but he had the spirit which made it so much better.

They found out that Ron was a genius in chess and Annabeth challenged him in a match. Which went on for hours, before turning into best of 5s. In the end it was 3-Annabeth and 2-Ron. Which was highly impressive, Percy had never seen anyone beat Annabeth in a game of chess.

Harry was easiest to understand for Percy. They weren't just similar in the way they looked, but He knew what it was like to have the burden of saving the world was like. Sure, Harry didn't have to go through what he did. But he was still just a fifteen year old kid, no matter what. And trauma is trauma, it wasn't something to be compared. Something that might have been a huge deal for someone can be small for another. Even if Harry's experience might not have been as dangerous or fatal as Percy's, but they would still have been dangerous nevertheless.

He understood the amount of pressure Harry would have had when the ministry of magic itself went against him. To read in newspapers that he was a liar and wanted attention. To walk out and have everyone staring at him. Percy had through similar things; he knew what it was like. He knew the young wizard wouldn't want to talked to about this. So he asked him to spear.

"I want to see how much Nico had taught you guys before we head to school." Percy told them. "Harry, would you like to show me? Annabeth can see with Hermione and Will can see with Ron. Even though"

"Oh- I don't know. Professor Di Angelo taught us really well but I wasn't really the best student." Harry told him nervously.

"I am never going to be used to you all calling him Professor Di Angelo." Percy couldn't help but snort and was joined by Will and Annabeth.

"Harry you were amazing at Combat!" exclaimed Hermione, completely ignoring their teachers. "Even Professor Di Angelo said so!"

"Yeah mate, you were amazing." Ron agreed to the bushy haired witch.

"Harry, I am not asking you to fight like Nico." Percy assured the young wizard. "I don't expect that from you. He's one of the best swordsmen I know of. And that is after many years of I just want to know how much he had been able to prepare you all."

"That didn't stop him from going missing." Muttered Harry bitterly. Percy sighed, hoping Will hadn't heard that comment.

"Come on now, do you kids have some weapon with you?" asked Percy, looking at the three teenagers. The three nodded.

"Well then go get them, it's time to practice." Percy told them.

"Can we-"

"-also practice-"

"-while the younglings-"

"-practice with the newbie professors?" The Weasley twins asked.

"Absolutely not!" Moly replied. "Harry, Ron and Hermione are only allowed to practice because the your new professors are keeping an eye on them."

"Actually Molly," Annabeth interrupted. "I think it's a good idea for them to practice. Not practicing skills like these make a person sloppy at the skill."

"We wouldn't want that to happen-"

"-oh no, it would be a shame-"

"-if we forgot such a-"

"-hard skill to master,"

"-right mum?"

Molly sighed, shooting a slight glare at her twin children.

"Do no worry about them Molly." Annabeth assured her. "We'll keep an key on them. No one's dying, got it."

"That's setting the bar real low." Will commented.

"They're like taller younger Stoll's. I doubt anyone can keep them in check." Annabeth shrugged at her friend.

"Why thank you Annabeth-"

"-we're delighted to hear-"

"-that you think so highly of us-"

"-we'll try our best to not disappoint-"

"-although disappointment isn't really our skill."

Let's just say Molly Weasley was not impressed at her sons' behaviour.

Chapter Text

PAST

Harry’s day was going okay so far.

Truth be told, his potions class had gone as horrible as it could possibly go. But that was normal, his potions professor, Professor Snape hated his guts for some reason and the feeling were mutual. Transfiguration went well, so did charms. Devination went how it usually goes, with a lots of predicting who’s going to die (5 galleons for anyone who guessed it was Harry Potter) and stuff. Now it was the turn for Combat Training, their last and most anticipated class for all the classes.

Harry’s year had the first class with him, so he had no idea what to expect from that class. He was just hoping Professor Di Angelo would turn out to be like how Professor Lupin had been, instead of how Snape or Lockhart had been. If that happens it would be a disaster.

The professor had decided to take him class in a clearing near the forbidden forest. Harry was mesmerised at how this place had actually turned out to look like a battle arena from fantasy movies that he’d seen Dudley see once.

They all had came in outfits you’d usually wear in gyms or just at home when you didn’t actually do any workout but still had them. So everyone there was in t-shirts, yoga pants and sweatpants. They had this class with the Ravenclaws, and he realised that the only reason he could still distinguish the students from which house they we’re only because he was too well aware of his housemates.

Those ties really did make a lot of difference.

Professor Di Angelo walked in a black t-shirt and sweatpants, which was the sort of outfit you usually never saw any of your professors in. He didn’t really look like a professor to Harry. He was too young, he could just easily mix in with the seventh years.

“Good morning everyone,” he greeted us, although I couldn’t really detect any enthusiasm in him. “In today’s class I am just going to introduce myself and my subject to all of you.”

Okay, Harry thought, so we’re going to know why this subject was being taught by him.

“I am Nico Di Angelo; and I am pretty sure that you all know I am from America. That’s all you need to know about me.” He spoke.

Harry expected at least a little bit more about the professor when had said he was going to introduce himself to them.

“Now assuming that this is the first time most of you would be looking at these that were not toys, decorative items or relics at some museum; I don’t really expect any of you to know much about them.”

The comment about museums made Harry think. Was Professor Di Angelo a half blood or a Muggleborn? Did wizards have museums in America? Did wizards have museums at all?

“In this class we are going to learnt how defend yourselves without the help of magic.” He told us. “This year we’re going to learn hand to hand combat as well as sword fighting.”

A hand went up from a person that Harry recognized as the Ravenclaw student Julian Stellans.

“Yes?” professor Di Angelo asked.

“Sir, why do we need learn ways to defend us without magic?” asked Stellans. “I mean, if we can use magic then what’s the point?”

“Mr. Stellans, right?” Professor Di Angelo asked and the dark eyed boy nodded. “Do you believe that if you ever in need to defend yourselves, which I hope doesn’t happen but one may never know of future, that you will find yourselves with your wand at all times and in a place without any muggles around?”

Stellans shook his head thoughtfully.

“That’s right. You can’t always expect that danger will find you only when you are in place where you can perform magic and have material to even perform magic. Magic is something that can only be used in certain situations, but not in all.” He told us. “That is why it is important to know how to defend yourselves in every situation.”

“Um professor, we aren’t really going to have swords or an archery kit with us all the time.” Hermione pointed out.

“I am aware of that, Ms. Granger.” He replied. “No, that is precisely the reason I want you all to know how to use almost every weapon I can teach you to use as well how to fight without one. Remember, when you are in a fight, every single thing around you is a weapon. Whether that thing is sword, a knife or a chair.”

Hermione was listening to every single word he was saying intently, as if she was going to note his speech word by word when she gets the chance.

“Are there anymore questions?” he asked. Harry thought that the professor didn’t really look enthusiastic about teaching them. He guessed that the professor wasn’t a big fan of talking too much and wondered why he’d take this job if that was the case.

There was a dead silence, which the professor took as a signal for no further questions.

“Alright then. First of all, we’re going to start with some warmups. Alright everyone, time for laps!” everyone groaned at the sound of that, including Harry. The professor rolled his eyes, “Oh no need for groaning. I assure you; this class is going to very harsh. If anything this is probably going to be the easiest class of the session. And probably a very good thing too, with the way food is served in Hogwarts, physical exercise is absolutely necessary. It’s surprising how not everyone here isn’t suffering from obesity.”

Harry wanted to defend everyone at his school, but at the same time he could see that the professor was correct. So grudgingly, he decided to not argue.

For some reason, a moment of surprise came into the professor’s face which turned to him muttering something under his breath. Harry wasn’t sure, but he thought that might have been, “Looks like Will’s influence is finally taking effect.”

It would have been something else, and Harry had no clue what that was even supposed to even mean. It certainly wasn’t going to affect him.

“Anyways now we’re going to run.” The young professor told them. “If anyone had any medical problems, you know some injuries or if any female isn’t able to do it at the moment, they may stand out right now.”

Let’s just say that when the professor had told them that his classes were going to be brutal, he wasn’t lying. After running, he made them do push ups and pulls ups and sits ups and crunches and squats other things that Harry didn’t know the name of. And apparently that was just the first half of the class.

“Bloody hell that was painful.” Ron exclaimed after the class. “I don’t think I can walk.”

“Well that’s because we haven’t done much exercise. Our body will eventually get used to it.” Hermione told him.

“I don’t think that cool off workout really worked.” Ron complained.

“Yes it did, and the professor was indeed correct.” Hermione said. “We’ve been eating way too much and don’t even do anything physical. It would be good for us.”

“You are just saying that because you have a crush on him.” Ron pointed out.

Hermione blushed furiously, “That’s not true!”

“Yes it is.” Replied Ron. “Almost everyone does.”

“He is good looking.” Harry shrugged. “And way better than Lockhart. At least he knows what he’s doing.”

“Anyone is better than Lockhart.” Replied Ron. “And he’s probably closer to our ages, so at least he won’t be creepy.”

“You were talking about me having a crush on him and now you two are the ones talking about how attractive he is.” Hermione commented raising her brow. Both the boys shrugged.

“Hey guys?” Ron looked at his two best friends. “Do you guys think if we keep taking him classes we’d get as shredded as him?”

Chapter Text

CHAPTER SIX

Harry was much more prepared for a good sword fight when his new professor, Percy, has told them that he would like to see their abilities.

Professor Di Angelo had been a very good sword fighter and whoever he used to pick to help him in demonstrating a good match would usually end up being so tired and sore that the moment they’d enter their dorms that person would just pass out on his bed.

He respected the former professor, no doubt. The guy was tough and skilled and actually knew what he was teaching. He wasn’t really the most approachable looking person, but he did make his lessons interesting even if at the end of the class they would just be so tired they could barely even move.

And the fact that they got to beat someone up and be praised for it was just a bonus. Harry and Ron had taken a lot of fun beating annoying Slytherins. Even Malfoy wasn’t able to hate the class, probably because he wanted to show off how brilliant of a wizard is to Professor Di Angelo because he is apparently the only living descendant left from an important wizarding family.

Of course, the only thing Malfoy succeeded in was getting his nose broken too many times and get a scar on his eyebrow because he ended up annoying Neville too much that even the most nervous of Gryffindors got enough courage to defeat him. (Harry and Ron are always going cherish that memory until their deaths.)

Not that Harry could care. Professor Di Angelo was cool towards everyone. He didn’t like to discriminate anyone for their blood status and house. He treated everyone equally, unlike a particular head of Slytherin house. And he had helped him and Cedric learn tricks that might be helpful during the Triwizard Tournament.

Harry assumed that there was no way the new professor could get any better than their first Combat professor.

That was a big mistake.

Percy Jackson was a brilliant swordsman. And not to forget, his sword was incredibly cool. It was usually in a pen form, but then he took off its cap and voila. It was a gorgeous sword.

And Percy Jackson was as magical as his sword in a fight. Like, the dude’s moves so good, there was no way Harry even stood a chance. He was as good as Professor Di Angelo, even better maybe.

But even when Harry lost, Percy just smiled at him and said, “Good spar, Harry. I see that Nico did a good job before he...”

Percy stopped himself from continuing his sentence, but Harry knew what he was about to say. The professor was missing and no one knew where he could possibly be. He just hoped that wherever he was, it was away from Voldemort.

For a second, he felt guilty. Here was this Percy whose cousin was missing that he clearly cared for very much, who was still trying to help him while he was just moping around like a moody teenager.

Well, he is a teenager so its not like it is entirely his fault.

 Its just that things have started going too bad for him. All those fake rumours about him on the newspaper, the tension of the trial and being expelled for something that wasn’t even his fault, Voldemort’s return, and Professor Di Angelo’s disappearance.

It was just a bit too much him.

Sparing with Percy has certainly helped him release some of his feelings, even though he losing badly. He didn’t see why the new professor was even praising him, he had been terrible. It was nothing in comparison to what his professors could do.

“Penny for your thoughts?” asked Percy as he sat down next to him. He knew that he’ll have to get used to calling him Professor Jackson, but the guy was so friendly despite how intimating he looked, calling him something so formal seemed weird.

“I can’t say I’ve ever heard a pure blood wizard say penny.” Harry told the older boy. He wasn’t trying to be sassy, but apparently he just couldn’t help it.

“Well, sickle then I suppose.” Percy corrected himself even though he held a small smirk. “And what makes you think I am pureblood?”

Harry blinked. “Well, Malfoy said that professor Di Angelo was from an important family. And you say you are his cousin. So I just assumed….”

“Well I am not one.” Replied Percy with a grin. “I am a half blood. My mom is one hundred percent muggle. It’s my father that was a wizard.”

The “was” in the sentence stuck in Harry’s brain. “Is he dead?” he asked, admittedly with no sensitivity whatsoever. He hadn’t meant for it to come out as emotionless.

“No, he’s just… distance.” Replied Percy. “He cares for me, but he’s really busy most of the time. I don’t think I even got to meet him until I was twelve. If I did, I can’t really remember.”

Harry thought about that. His father was alive, but the guy barely ever got to see him. His own father was dead. James Potter had died trying to fight a duel that he couldn’t win. He had faced Voldemort without a wand in order to give his mother and him time to escape when he was just one. He would never get to meet him, at least not until he himself dies. And Percy barely even knew his father.

What was even the difference between their fathers asides from one being dead and other being alive if neither of them knew their own fathers well enough?

“You know, I can see all the screws in your head rotating right now.” Percy told him. “Don’t think too much. I know that you are worried about all the things that have been happening. But just relax, alright? You are just a kid, let the adults handle whatever things have been happening, alright?”

Harry didn’t see his point. Sure, he was still a kid, at least considering the age Percy would be in. But just because he was a kid didn’t mean he shouldn’t be doing something. Adults have never realised their points until it was too late. Why should they handle all the problems when most don’t even realise what it is?

Before Harry could argue, Percy started speaking, “I know that you’ve been through a lot. And that adults have denied listening to you even when you were right. And after all the times they’ve failed you, you have every right to be angry and wary. Gods, what they’re doing right now on its own should be enough. I understand where you are coming from, I myself have been there at one point. But I want you to know that if you ever need any help or advice, I am always available.”

Harry blinked. He wanted to argue, there was no way he could understand what he was going through. He was Harry Potter, the boy who lived. He didn’t understand the pressure of that. And yet, somewhere in the eyes of the older man he could see all the suffering he had went through to get here. He didn’t know what he had went through, but he knew that he was speaking the truth.

He understood his thoughts. His fears and insecurities. His anger and rage. He understood it.

He didn’t know why he found himself to trust him. After Professor Moody turning out to be Barty Crouch Jr. he found trusting people difficult. But his man, something about him was just so genuine and compassionate, he knew that he was speaking the truth. And perhaps that’s enough.

Chapter Text

PAST

Okay, so maybe Nico had been a little harsh on the little wizards.

But it was not his faults that he had grown up learning how to fight and use his powers by a manipulative ghost, fought three wars, helped a God in mortal form who was also his boyfriend’s dad, went through literal hell twice (because the solo book hasn’t arrived yet but we know he did it) once alone and second time with his boyfriend, lived off on pomegranate seeds in a stupid jar, been harshly outed by Cupid or Eros (whatever you may call him), lost his mother at the hand of his uncle, been trapped in a magical casino where time didn’t work like normal, lost his sister at the age of ten and had to become a soldier at the age of eleven. Not in the same order.

He had gone through so much, people at both of the camps had gone through so much, he kind of forgot the limits of normal people. Besides, these skills are going to end up helping them in the end. There was a reason that Hecate and his dad had wanted him on this quest, and it wouldn’t have been just so that they could acquire a skill.

No, a war was coming. The witches and wizards might not know, but it was going to happen. He could tell. The gods didn’t do these sort of things just for fun.

Well, maybe sometimes they did. But not his dad. Hades wasn’t the type of God that gave quests for no absolute reason. That was more of Hera’s thing. Hades was more serious, and while he did make Nico go on quests from time to time, but that was more because he had claimed the title of Ghost King at the age of eleven. And still managed to do a better job than Minos.

Ha! Fuck you Minos.

Anyways, he knew that all this training was going to help these kids survive the coming war. The idea of them fighting a war did hurt them though. He had been forced to grow up because of wars. He had turned from a fighter to a soldier in such a short period of time. He had held a sword before he even became a teenager. Percy, Annabeth, Thalia, Reyna, everyone at the camps.

He did not want this to happen to these children. Every time he looked at young children with their siblings, it reminded him of his time spent with Bianca and Hazel. His two sisters, two of the people he loved the most. Two people who hadn’t even got a chance to meet each other. The idea of these children that reminded him of his sisters in a war hurt him.

Because in a war there were always causalities. And he didn’t want any of these children to go through even a small glimpse of the loss he had to go through.

He was snapped out his thoughts when an Iris message popped in front of his and on the other side of the IM was the handsome blonde man who Nico called his boyfriend.

“Will!” he exclaimed. He was expecting his boyfriend to call him sooner to be honest.

“Hey Angel, how are you adjusting?” Will asked with his usual smile that made Nico’s heart flutter no matter how long they have been dating.

“Eh, you know I am not exactly the best person to be teaching children.” He replied casually.

“You teach sword fighting at the camp, nothing different than teaching it at a magic school.” Replied an optimistic Will.

Nico couldn’t help but roll his eyes, “Yeah, but that’s different Will. People at the camp are always doing some activity. Kids here haven’t moved a single muscle since they’ve joined the school. And I was kind of harsh with the lesson, they probably hate me.”

“Hey, I highly doubt that would be the case.” Will tried to reassure me, which only works when I am not in the mood to argue. “Besides, how can anyone hate someone as amazing as you?”

Despite my best efforts, I felt heat rise in my cheeks. “Stop it, you only think that because we’re dating.”

He rolled his eyes, “I say that because you actually are amazing. And you look beautiful when you blush.”

“I hate you.” I mumbled with an annoying blush that just wouldn’t leave.

“No you don’t.” Will practically sang. “But it’s sad how you don't know you're beautiful. If only you saw what I can see.”

I raised my brow at him, “Did you serious just quote One Direction?”

“I like One Direction!” he defended himself.

I couldn’t help but smile at how adorable he looked at that, “I know, Sunshine.”

He just grinned at me, and I knew that if I didn’t interfere I would have to listen to him sing What Makes You Beautiful; which would end up in the rest of the Apollo cabin joining him.

Its not that I don’t like the song (if you tell anyone I said I am going to kill you and make sure you get dad’s personal attention in the Fields of Punishment) or that I don’t love how wonderful Will’s voice is. Its just that I know if he starts then the entire Apollo cabin would sing all of the One Direction songs for hours until the Ares cabin gets too annoyed and I don’t want Will to get injured.

The healers being the injured one is not good, believe me.

Also, I prefer Will in one piece. My cousins and sister are enough danger to his life. (I love them, Hazel more than others, but they can get a bit too protective and I can’t really be too scary to Frank. The guy is too nice I just start feeling bad. And I don’t really feel protective towards Percy. He’s annoying.)

“Don’t you dare.” I warned him. “I am not there to defend you idiots from the Ares cabin, don’t forget what happened last time. I don’t want an injured boyfriend. Or sibling-in-laws as your siblings would rather call me.”

He shot me a smile, “Still, you are amazing angel. And I mean it. So don’t you go around doubting your self-worth.”

“Says you.” I rolled my eyes.

Will has a tendency to doubt his importance because he is a considerably weaker fighter in comparison to most people at the camp. Which is extremely ridiculous. Most of the campers would be dead if it weren’t for his healing abilities.

“I guess we both need to work on our self esteem then, huh?” he asked with that stupidly gorgeous grin of his. “Make sure not to overwork too much.”

“Same goes for you.” I told him.

“Yeah, well-”

Before my boyfriend could continue his sentence, some blasted person knocked on my door.

I shot him an apologetic look, “Sorry sunshine, I guess I’ll have to leave.”

“No problem angel. Call me when you are free.” He just replied with his usual cheeriness, even though neither of us really wanted to say goodbyes.

I slashed my hand through the IM and called out, “Come in.”

Inside came a student. Oh well, I guess its time for being the teacher.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER SEVEN

It was the first day of Percy’s job as a professor as Hogwarts.

It was a weird thing for him to think that he, Percy Jackson, who had been kicked out from more than six school. The kid who has dyslexia and ADHD and was every teacher’s nightmare. That Percy Jackson, a teacher?

Which fool approved of this?

He decided not to think too much about it, but it still got into his head a lot. Teachers used to hate him, and now he is a teacher.

A flashback came of all of his teachers. All those teachers that claimed him to be devil child. Teachers that didn’t understood that he was dyslexic and had ADHD, they just believed that he was never going to be able to do anything. A hopeless case.

I promised to myself never to be one of those teachers. I will be like Paul, a kind teacher that actually understood the struggle of a student like him not just because he was his stepson. He told himself that he’d never make a child feel low, like I had once been through.

At the table I sat between Will and Annabeth. I knew most of the staff, since some of them knew of our demigod status. But I didn’t recognise one person.

It was a short woman who looked kind of like a pale toad. She had a broad, flabby face, a wide, slack mouth, and little neck. Her eyes were bulging and pouchy, and in her mousy brown hair she often wore a black velvet bow. She was wearing so much pink Percy wanted to wash his eyes with acid.

Percy didn’t knew anyone could ever wear so much pink. He didn’t know so much pink even existed in this world.

He had a feeling he wasn’t going to like this woman.

Thankfully, the doors from the entrance hall opened and I didn’t have to think too much about the Toad Woman from Barbie World.

A long line of scared-looking first years entered, led by Professor McGonagall, who was carrying a stool on which sat an ancient wizard’s hat, heavily patched and darned with a wide rip near the frayed brim. The buzz of talk in the Great Hall faded away. The first years lined up in front of the staff table facing the rest of the students, and Professor McGonagall placed the stool carefully in front of them, then stood back.

The whole school waited with bated breath. Percy had no idea what for, but he decided he’ll have to do that as well. Which sucks when you are ADHD.

Then the rip near the hat’s brim opened wide like a mouth and the Sorting Hat burst into song; much to the demigod’s surprise.

Like yeah sure, three of them have been through a lot and have seen a lot of weird things, but a singing hat was not one of those things.

The song on its own was strange in a sense. Percy could tell that both Annabeth and Will were trying to figure out what the last warning could mean. Both were the children of gods whose domains included some parts of intellectual, Athena being the goddess of wisdom and Apollo being the god of logic and knowledge. And poetry and music too, so it was probably more interesting for Will, even though he specialized more towards the healing and light aspects.

Professor McGonagall then started to call out the first years and their sorting began. Percy watched the sorting with fascination. It was interesting to see how the singing hat would call out the names of the houses and the children would go into them. Some took long while others had names announced the moment it touched their heads.

Percy was sure that Annabeth was trying to figure out the mechanics of this hat very much. It was kind of like how Leo had been with Athena Parthenos, trying to figure out how it worked. Even though we all know magic exists.

Finally, Dumbledore rose to his feet. “To our newcomers,” said Dumbledore in a ringing voice, his arms stretched wide and a beaming smile on his lips, “welcome! To our old hands — welcome back! There is a time for speech making, but this is not it. Tuck in!”

There was an appreciative laugh and an outbreak of applause as Dumbledore sat down neatly and threw his long beard over his shoulder so as to keep it out of the way of his plate — for food had appeared out of nowhere, so that the five long tables were groaning under joints and pies and dishes of vegetables, bread, sauces, and flagons of pumpkin juice.

Cool, thought Percy. Magic food? He could get used to that.

Everyone started eating the magic food, and Percy will have to say this. Magic food’s good.

Well not as good as him mom’s since nothing could really taste better than his mom’s cooking but it was still delicious. It wasn’t blue though, unfortunately.

Well not everything can be perfect about a magic school for people who get in danger.

“Well, now that we are all digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments of your attention for the usual start-of-term notices,” said Dumbledore. “First years ought to know that the forest in the grounds is out of bounds to students — and a few of our older students ought to know by now too.”

Percy noticed that at the Gryffindor table the Weasley twins, Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged smirks. He couldn’t help but feel like these particular Gryffindors have certainly broken that particular rule.

He liked them a bit more after that.

“Mr. Filch, the caretaker, has asked me, for what he tells me is the four hundred and sixty-second time, to remind you all that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes, nor are a number of other things, all of which can be checked on the extensive list now fastened to Mr. Filch’s office door.

“We have had two changes in staffing this year. We are very pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

Dumbledore continued, “Tryouts for the House Quidditch teams will take place on the —”

He broke off, looking inquiringly at Professor Umbridge. As she was not much taller standing than sitting, there was a moment when nobody understood why Dumbledore had stopped talking, but then Professor Umbridge said, “Hem, hem,” and it became clear that she had got to her feet and was intending to make a speech.

Dumbledore only looked taken aback for a moment, then he sat back down smartly and looked alertly at Professor Umbridge as though he desired nothing better than to listen to her talk. Other members of staff that were not new here were not as adept at hiding their surprise.

Professor Sprout’s eyebrows had disappeared into her flyaway hair, and Professor McGonagall’s mouth was thinner than Percy believed could be possible. Professor Flitwick was frowning like he wanted to charm the woman into a toad (not that bad of a thing really. It would be her real form. She’s be the queen of evil toads) and Professor Snape was just glaring at the pink abomination.

Apparently no new teacher had ever interrupted Dumbledore before (which does makes sense. Interrupting people is disrespectful and should only be done for annoying people like a particular king and queen of gods).

Many of the students were smirking; this woman obviously did not know how things were done at Hogwarts.

“Thank you, Headmaster,” Professor Umbridge simpered, “for those kind words of welcome.”

Her voice was high-pitched, breathy, and little-girlish. Percy had to try and not wince at how irritating her voice sounded. She gave another little throat-clearing cough (“Hem, hem”) and continued: “Well, it is lovely to be back at Hogwarts, I must say!” She smiled, revealing very pointed teeth. “And to see such happy little faces looking back at me!”

No one looked happy. Not one single person.

Maybe it was her stupid voice that made it seem like a British Cruella De Vil got ate too much sugar and got it stuck in her mouth. (I hope she chokes on it)

Maybe it was the fact that she had just disrespectfully interrupted the headmaster.

Maybe it was that she was addressing everyone like they were five year old toddlers that needed to be spoken in a slow sweet voice.

Or maybe it was just the fact that she reeked of evil and malevolent and all things bad.

Whatever it was, no one was happy to hear from her. And that includes me.

Professor Umbridge cleared her throat again (“Hem, hem”), but when she continued, some of the breathiness had vanished from her voice. She sounded much more business-like and now her words had a dull learned-by-heart sound to them.

Not the good business type either.

“The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by careful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the Wiz[1]arding community must be passed down through the generations lest we lose them forever. The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished, and polished by those who have been called to the noble profession of teaching.”

Professor Umbridge paused here and made a little bow to the staff member, at which none of them bowed back.

Why didn’t he? Because he’d rather study maths from Mrs. Dodds again. Respecting this woman? Big pass.

Professor McGonagall’s dark eyebrows had contracted so that she looked positively hawklike, so like Hawkeye? No, just him?

She exchange a significant glance with Professor Sprout as Umbridge gave another little “Hem, hem” and went on with her speech. Clearly both of them were a little concerned about this pink feral animal being loose in the school.

“Every headmaster and headmistress of Hogwarts has brought something new to the weighty task of governing this historic school, and that is as it should be, for without progress there will be stagnation and decay. There again, progress for progress’s sake must be discouraged, for our tried and tested traditions often require no tinkering. A balance, then, between old and new, between permanence and change, between tradition and innovation…”

Percy’s ADHD brain decided that listening further to that horrible woman’s speech was worthless and instead he started to read Annabeth’s written speech as she copied the woman’s words to figure out her ulterior motive. He would have wondered how a dyslexic person like her had written that much had he not known about the dyslexic-free quills.

Sure, they were dyslexic free, but quills? Seriously? Even Nico didn’t used to use quills in his times, and he was like at least a thousand years old.

 Slowly the students started to not listen completely to the boring speech about blah and blah. Good for them, listening to people like them is disgusting and having to do that is just sad.

Professor Umbridge did not seem to notice the restlessness of her audience. Percy could tell that there could be lion loose in the school chasing everyone and she would have still continued with her stupid speech.

All of the teacher, besides me that is, were listening to the words of her speech very attentively.

“…because some changes will be for the better, while others will come, in the fullness of time, to be recognized as errors of judgment. Meanwhile, some old habits will be retained, and rightly so, whereas others, outmoded and outworn, must be abandoned. Let us move forward, then, into a new era of openness, effectiveness, and account-ability, intent on preserving what ought to be preserved, perfecting what needs to be perfected, and pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited.”

She finally sat down. Thank the gods. Said Percy, then realised he probably shouldn’t be thanking most of them because most of them don’t even care. So instead he decided to think Thank dad, aunt Hestia and the archer twins.

Dumbledore clapped and the rest of the staff followed his example. A few students joined in, but most had been taken unawares by the end of the speech, not having listened to more than a few words of it, and before they could start applauding properly, Dumbledore had stood up again.

Percy had tried not to do a very sarcastic slow clap, but clearly he failed. Annabeth had to give him a look for him to stop it.

Not his fault, he thought. That woman is a disgrace to mankind.

Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge, that was most illuminating,” he said, bowing to her. “Now- as I was saying, Quidditch try-outs will be held…”

Now Percy may not be the best person to contradict since he didn’t even know what that word meant until last month when he was listening to an audiobook on the new phones Leo had provided that were monster proof and had come across it.

But calling that speech illuminating was strangely accurate in ways he did not want to think.

At least this means that there was no he would be the worst teacher.

Chapter Text

PAST

Nico was highly amused by these wizards.

He watched at underaged wizards talked excitedly about the Triwizard Competition as if it wasn’t a deadly competition.

If he was told that he could participate in a competition which had a huge chance of getting him killed, he would have stayed far away from the registration form. He already got into enough life threatening situations without trying, there was no way he’d volunteer to get in one.

These wizards didn’t seem to agree with his thoughts. Nico had to accept that these people had a death wish or were just plain stupid, because no one with a brain or will to live would participate in a death game like this.

The Ares’ cabin might, but then again, they are not exactly the brightest now are they? (Don’t tell Clarisse or Sherman he said that.)

It was after class hours for him when he was just reading his book, which he could now because the wizards had a spell that turned words into any language you understood. It was great, now he could read a book that was printed in English as to him it would appear in Greek for him. Now he could read all the amazing books that weren’t available in Greek or Latin or Italian without wanting to rip his head apart.

He wasn’t really seeing what was in front of him at the moment, even if he was in the entrance hall which was filled with students and it would probably be better if he was looking where he was going if he didn’t want to bump into students. That would have been common sense.

The thing is, he didn’t care.

His focus was broken from the book when he heard a commotion.

“OH NO YOU DON’T, LADDIE!”

Nico recognised that voice to be that of Professor Moody’s, who was the defence against the dark arts teacher. After that, there was absolute silence, so much so that you could drop a feather and still be able to listen to its voice.

He didn’t know what happened after that, the DADA professor seemed to speak to Harry Potter and scream at people for some reason.

And for some reason there was a ferret present.

Before he could reach them, Professor McGonagall approached them first.

“Professor Moody!” she spoke with shock.

“Hello, Professor McGonagall,” said Moody calmly, bouncing the ferret still higher.

Nico did not understand why the man was abusing the poor creature, but he approached them and asked, “What is happening?”

“That’s what I am trying to figure out Nico. What- what are you doing Moody?” said Professor McGonagall, her eyes following the bouncing ferret’s progress through the air.

“Teaching,” said Moody.

“Teach — Moody, is that a student?” shrieked Professor McGonagall, the books spilling out of her arms.

  Nico just stared at the teacher in shock. He looked at him, then at the ferret, then at the teacher again. Was turning your students into ferret legal?

“Yep,” said Moody.

“No!” cried Professor McGonagall, running down the stairs and pulling out her wand; a moment later, with a loud snapping noise, a Slytherin that I recognized from my sessions, Draco Malfoy had reappeared, lying in a heap on the floor with his sleek blond hair all over his now brilliantly pink face. He got to his feet, wincing.

“Moody, we never use Transfiguration as a punishment!” said Professor McGonagall weakly. “Surely Professor Dumbledore told you that?”

Thank the gods, thought Nico. He couldn’t even think of doing that to anyone for punishment. Its highly embarrassing. He’s know that, he’s been turned into many plants by his stepmother who thought that was a completely normal way of grounding people.

“He might’ve mentioned it, yeah,” said Moody, scratching his chin unconcernedly, “but I thought a good sharp shock-”

“We give detentions, Moody! Or speak to the offender’s Head of House!” “I’ll do that, then,” said Moody, staring at Malfoy with great dislike.

Malfoy, whose pale eyes were still watering with pain and humiliation, looked malevolently up at Moody and muttered something in which the words “my father” were distinguishable.

Nico wasn’t a huge fan of this Slytherin. He had seen the boy bully many children, some even younger than him, just because of their house or blood purity shit. But turning into a ferret in front of so many people would have been so embarrassing, he felt pity for the poor boy.

“Oh yeah?” said Moody quietly, limping forward a few steps, the dull clunk of his wooden leg echoing around the hall. “Well, I know your father of old, boy.... You tell him Moody’s keeping a close eye on his son... you tell him that from me.... Now, your Head of House will be Snape, will it?”

“Yes,” said Malfoy resentfully.

“Another old friend,” growled Moody. “I’ve been looking forward to a chat with old Snape… Come on, you….”

And he seized Malfoy’s upper arm and marched him off toward the dungeons.

Professor McGonagall stared anxiously after them for a few moments, then waved her wand at her fallen books, causing them to soar up into the air and back into her arms.

“You alright Professor Di Angelo?” asked Professor McGonagall.

Nico then realised that his mouth was wide open from the shock that a teacher would turn a child into a ferret. He was thanking every god in his mind that mortals didn’t have magic. Teachers from his time would have happily turned students into animals and plans.

“Uh yeah.” Replied Nico. “I just never saw a teacher do something like that I guess?”

She nodded, and although she didn’t have that much of expression on her face he could tell that she was concerned.

I decided after that I am just going to go and sit in my room and think about how wizards are highly weird and contemplate my life choices.

Why did I accept this quest?

Oh that right, because I didn’t have a choice. Yeah that makes sense.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER EIGHT

Will Solace hated being clueless about his boyfriend’s situation.

Now its not that he wasn’t aware of all things his extremely brave and cunning boyfriend has gone through. Really, if anyone could get out of the troubles a magical world like this could provide, Nico Di Angelo was definitely the one.

Still, that did not help him feel better. While he had full trust on his lovely boyfriend’s abilities, he did not know what these wizards could come up with. And while Nico can most likely find a way to get out of most situations, it didn’t mean he should get in these sort of situations in the first place. Especially considering all the things he has already been through.

The welcoming ceremony had just finished and Will was still troubled by the Umbridge woman. He did not trust her at all. She was part of something terrible. And she is most likely going to turn out terrible as well.

He didn’t think she had something to do with Nico’s disappearance but she was definitely not going to be a sweet dream.

He was right now in his room, the one that Nico had used while his stay here. It probably wasn’t a good idea for him to have picked this room of all places, but he just couldn’t help it. He wanted to near the place where his beautiful boyfriend had stayed.

He was wearing one of Nico’s tee-shirts. Well, they were actually his, but Nico had stolen it because he liked it so much that now it had pretty much became Nico’s. It smelled like him too, like the smell of earth after a nice drizzle. It made Will feel more closer to Nico and he hoped that it would help him sleep better. These last few weeks he had been too restless and concerned to be able to properly sleep.

Just before he was about to go to sleep, an IM appeared. Confused who could be contacting at this hour, he tossed the coin.

On the IM, the face of his father appeared. Apollo had decided to be in his usual form instead of the Lester one. He sat in a golden room, most likely his palace. His blonde hair were tied in a manbun and he was wearing a casual white shirt and jeans with his sunglasses on his face.

If you ever saw this form of Apollo and Will together, you would probably think Apollo was Will’s brother. You’d think there’s not much difference in their age, maybe a year or two. They could even pass for twins. Which is a very weird thing considering he is Will’s father, but gods don’t really age with time. They look however they want.

Now Will was confused. His father did speak to him on a regular basis. He would drop in on his and his siblings’ dreams once every week and catch up on how their lives were going. But he had never used IMs before. This was entirely new.

“Dad?” he asked confused.

Apollo shot him a bright smile, “Hey Will, how are you doing?”

“Tired? I mean its night here.” Will replied.

Apollo looked sheepish at that, “Yeah, I am aware. Its just that you are in Europe and I get a little weaker there, so I had appear to you from Olympus after the I completed a round on the chariot.”

“Is there something important you wanted to talk about?” Will asked him. “You usually appear in dreams for your daily visits.”

Apollo nodded, “Yes. It’s about your quest at the Hogwarts. I will try to help wherever I can, but there is something you need to know. You, Percy and Annabeth need to visit the Minister of Magic.”

Will raised my brow at that. Now he knew who and what that was. They were in charge of the Magic community, kind of like a president. But why would they need to meet him?

“The Minister of Magic is supposed to be aware of the existence of demigods. It’s one of the secrets they are told, being responsible for Hecate’s world.” Apollo explained as if he could read Will’s mind. Knowing the God, he probably could. “Being children of Gods, you three would be considered to be superior to him, and as such would have some authority over him.”

“And how is that supposed to help us?” He asked his father.

“The ministry is going to getting more corrupt and blind as time goes.” Apollo told him. “That pink disastrous woman at that school? She’s going to try to take control of the school, and if she does then it wouldn’t end up pretty. It would be better if you establish your authority to her. It would reduce some amount of trouble you three might find yourselves in. And trust me, a lot of trouble awaits you.”

“Well that sounds fantastic.” Spoke Will with an eye roll. Of course a lot of trouble awaits them. That line literally summed up the lives of any demigod.

“But,” his father continued. “I do have a small gift for you. I know I am late for birthday gifts, but this might help you on this quest. And possibly others.”

Will wanted to tell him that he didn’t really need to give him a gift. His boyfriend had been missing on his birthday and he hadn’t really celebrated it. His siblings had all given gifts and the Aphrodite, Hecate and Iris cabin had made him a cake that day. His siblings had done a sing along and the Hermes cabin had played many jokes that day. The Ares cabin had tried their best to not injure anyone that day. Everyone had tried to cheer him up, but he was too worried about his boyfriend to really feel happy as everyone sang happy birthday to him and make him eat chocolate cake.

It didn’t really seemed special to him when the person that mattered the most wasn’t present.

And besides, it wasn’t even like Apollo had forgotten his birthday. His father had actually visited him in his dreams, disappearing all the nightmares about his boyfriend being in all types of potential troubles.

But before he could say anything to his father, the mist disappeared and on his beg he found a gold bracelet. It was relatively simple when you look at his father’s extremely fashionable style, just a nice golden chair with a sun design in the middle. It didn’t really look like something that would catch many people’s attention.

Well it might, but it had a modern look to it that made it look like something not too special. A normal jewellery, that’s it. It was gold and Will knew that it was as pure gold as it is possible to get to make a bracelet, since his father only took the best. But other than that, there didn’t seem to anything special about it. How was it supposed to help in a quest.

A magic item? Probably.

He couldn’t help but wonder what it might be, but there was something more important for him to do than wonder what this bracelet might do. He wore the bracelet and went off to Percy and Annabeth’s room.

Chapter Text

PAST

A few days later, it was the day for the arrival that evening of the people from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, and all the students were highly excited about it.

Nico personally couldn’t care less about it. He was not happy that this school was inviting children into participating in a deadly competition. They never ended nicely.

Everyone was assembled in nice clean cloaks that would have seemed a bit overkill if you didn’t know that they were wizards and not some cosplayers.

He himself had to dress up in a robe, which was weird but at least it was black. It was different than that of Snape’s, in a way that his was more stylish sense because there was no way he would ever be caught looking that greasy.

He might not be an Aphrodite kid, but he liked to look presentable and not like he had taken a bath in spoiled olive oil.

The Beauxbatons had arrived to the school in complete grace, the students dressed up in the most perfect silks there ever were with no cloaks to protect them from the cold of Scotland. Their headmistress was a tall broad woman, most likely one who’s at least slightly related to the giants.

But it was the Durmstrang’s headmaster that made him alert. Something was just suspiciously wrong about that man, he didn’t know why but he just knew it.

“Dumbledore!” the man had called heartily as he walked up the slope. “How are you, my dear fellow, how are you?”

“Blooming, thank you, Professor Karkaroff,” Dumbledore replied.

Karkaroff had a fruity, unctuous voice; when he stepped into the light pouring from the front doors of the castle they saw that he was tall and thin like Dumbledore, but his white hair was short, and his goatee (finishing in a small curl) did not entirely hide his rather weak chin. When he reached Dumbledore, he shook hands with both of his own.

“Dear old Hogwarts,” he said, looking up at the castle and smiling; his teeth were rather yellow, and Harry noticed that his smile did not extend to his eyes, which remained cold and shrewd. “How good it is to be here, how good… Viktor, come along, into the warmth… you don’t mind, Dumbledore? Viktor has a slight head cold…”

Nico did not like how the Karkaroff was making one of his students stand out as if he wanted to put the kid in spotlight. And from the looks of it, the kid was a famous personality since there were mummers of his name.

“The tournament will be officially opened at the end of the feast,” said Dumbledore. “I now invite you all to eat, drink, and make yourselves at home!”

Some other people, Crouch and Bagman, had arrived afterwards because they had some sort of involvement in organizing the magic death Olympics. He couldn’t remember the details properly, he was too busy zoning out.

Not the best idea, but it was getting ridiculously boring to hear about the deadly tournament.

After he had been as exhausted as possible from all the suspicion he could get from the dinner, he had fallen asleep. To be fair, today had been a most informative day than most. And he got to eat something other than the boring British food which was a plus.

Sure it wasn’t anything Italian, but at least it was mashed potatoes again. He didn’t mind mashed potatoes per say, but how anyone eats the same type of food everyday he’d never understand.

The next day was Saturday which meant that there would be no classes, thank the gods.

Its not that he hated the students, he just wanted some alone time. Spending so much time teaching kids and researching about this Tom Riddle meant that he got less time to spend with his boyfriend and other friends.

He had seen most of the students from all houses and schools wake up earlier than usual Saturdays in order to put their name in the goblet of fire, where people who wanted to participate placed their names. He had been in that room for a while hiding in the shadows to see the students make fun of themselves. He saw many turn physically old with lovely beards that could rival Dumbledore’s.

But after a while he had returned back to his office and began his research. So far he had found that Tom Riddle- better known as Voldemort- was presumably killed when the curse on baby Harry Potter bounced off to him.

That wasn’t exactly true, the idiot with an even more idiotic name (because honestly what was he even thinking calling himself something as stupid as that) had made the very wise choice of creating not one, not two, but seven horcruxes.

Sometimes people really made him question what was wrong with humanity. Really, seven horcruxes? Why even stop there? Just continue to make more until there is no soul left to spilt.

Idiot wizard.

“Um, professor?” he heard a voice and then he turned to find two Gryffindors standing at the door. “May we come in?”

“Yes, of course.” Replied Nico calmly, closing the book that covered the events of the first wizarding war. “How may I help you kids?”

He recognized the two of them. One of them was Neville Longbottom, a fourth year Gryffindor and Ginny, a third year Gryffindor who was also supposedly the only girl born in a house of a bazillion brothers.

The poor parents. How they managed to raise so many kids, Nico will never understand. Here he couldn’t even take care of himself.

“Professor, Neville here was facing some issues with the recent move you taught us.” Ginny replied calmly. “Can you help him out?”

“Sure, I’ll arrange a remedial if you are having any problems.” Nico replied calmly. “You could have just told me about that yourself, Mr. Longbottom.”

“R-Ri-Right sir. I’ll keep that in mind next time.” Neville replied, slightly stuttering.

“Very well, you need something, Ms. Weasley?” asked Nico.

“No sir. Just a suggestion to visit the infirmary, there are many interesting cases in there at the moment.” Replied Ginny smirking to herself.

Nico raised a brow at her and replied in a sarcastic voice, “Dully noted, Ms. Weasley. Now if there is nothing important, I’ll ask you to excuse me. I have some important work to do at the moment.”

“Alright sir. Common Nev.” Finally the two Gryffindor left the office.

Thank god. Now he can sneak into the infirmary to get a look at which idiots decided to try participating in the deathly Olympics.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER NINE

Percy hated dreams. He loved sleeping, but hated dreams.

Well he didn’t mind the weird dreams like the ones where he would be singing Bad Romance with Grover but with the body of a Pegasus at a mall. No, those were just weird.

He hated the demigod dreams, even though he knew that they were supposed to be helpful.

But tonight the demigod dream had been less of a dream and more of an unexpected visit from his father.

“Dad?” he asked the moment he noticed him. In this dream, Percy found himself somewhere underwater. If he had been an ocean, he would have known the exact location but since this was a dream he had no idea.

Poseidon, the mighty god of the seas, who also happened to be his father, was in his usual form of a middle-aged man in a Hawaiian shirt ready to go fishing.

His father hated fishing or seafood, considering no one would like killing and eating their friends. Even before knowing of his parentage, Percy had disliked seafood. For some reason, he felt an aversion to it, and only understood why after finding out that he is literally the son of the sea god.

“Hello Percy,” his father greeted him with his warm smile. The god looked almost exactly like his son, to the point it was scary. If Percy got some wrinkles and grew a beard and his hair, he would look like Poseidon’s twin. “I hope you are doing well.”

“Well I am in the middle of a really weird quest and my friend has gone MIA,” Percy replied. It was unnecessary but he couldn’t help it. As much as he was trying to hide it, he was worried about Nico. And he was worried about Will because the younger boy was so worried for his boyfriend that he took care of everyone but himself. “So yeah you can probably guess. It’s going splendid.”

Most of the gods would have hated his tone, but his father just shook his head, “I suppose that was the wrong this to ask.”

“Why are you here dad?” Percy asked him. “Not that mind, seeing you in my dreams is certainly better than nightmares but if you wanted to see me you could have just showed up.”

“I would have loved to do that son,” Poseidon said softly. “But you know I can’t. However, there is something that might help you regarding this quest.”

“You know something regarding this quest?” now Poseidon had all of the attention an ADHD Percy Jackson could give.

“Not much I am afraid,” admitted Poseidon. “Your quest is something my brother Hades, Hecate, or even Apollo are more involved in. However it still affects the rest us gods, and so each one of you are getting some piece of information by us to complete it. Zeus himself has permitted this.”

Percy’s eyes shot up at that, “Zeus actually agreed to help us? That’s surprising. I thought he hated me and the cabin 13 kids.”

“No, he only hates you.” Replied Poseidon playfully. “He is neutral with Niccolo and Hazel.”

“Nico’s actual name is Niccolo?” Percy asked, because he has priorities.

Poseidon didn’t respond to that, instead he said, “You have to find your friends diary Percy.”

“My friends diary?” Percy repeated. “Wait are we talking about Nico? Nico has a diary?”

“It’s a magical diary, my brother had gifted it before sending him to Hecate’s world in case of danger.” Poseidon explained patiently. “It’s connected to the actual diary, so whatever Nicolo writes will be written on that diary as well. However he had hidden it before his disappearance, and you need to find it.”

“How do we know he still has it though?” Percy asked. “What if someone took it from it and wrote lies to mislead us. Or what if he didn’t carry it there in the first place?”

“Your friend has his diary, Percy. That I can assure you,” replied Poseidon. “It is magic, it can be easily hidden and only a demigod of the big three can write in it. And if it wasn’t with him then Hades would have known.”

Well at least there’s that.

“So we have to find a diary?” Percy nodded. “What does it even look like?”

“I am afraid I don’t know the answer to that question.” Poseidon replied. “However you do.”

“Um no I don’t.” Percy replied bluntly because no he absolutely did not.

Poseidon only smiled at his son, “You think you don’t, but I can assure you the moment you see it you will know.”

Percy had absolutely no idea what that meant. Because yes, he was a demigod and he went through pretty weird things and many times he deal with those weird things with his instincts.

But he has to find a diary with no picture whatsoever for reference, and he has to use instincts to recognise it.

Recognise a stupid diary with instincts.

At least he could say that he has done weirder things.

Chapter Text

PAST

Nico watched as everyone was gathered to watch which poor child would be chosen for the three school death games.

The Halloween feast seemed to take much longer than usual. Like everyone else in the Hall, judging by the constantly craning necks, the impatient expressions on every face, the fidgeting, and the standing up to see whether Dumbledore had finished eating yet, Nico simply wanted the plates to clear, and to hear who had been selected as the unlucky champions.

He did not actually have much interest in the tournament, putting children in danger for no reason was certainly not his idea of fun. He was not a god.

Still, it was an important feast, and Nico had dressed up well.

At long last, the golden plates returned to their original spotless state; there was a sharp upswing in the level of noise within the Hall, which died away almost instantly as Dumbledore got to his feet. On either side of him, Professor Karkaroff and Madame Maxime looked as tense and expectant as anyone. Ludo Bagman was beaming and winking at various students. Mr. Crouch, however, looked quite uninterested, almost bored.

“Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision,” said Dumbledore. “I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions’ names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber” — he indicated the door behind the staff table — “where they will be receiving their first instructions.”

He took out his wand and gave a great sweeping wave with it; at once, all the candles except those inside the carved pumpkins were extinguished, plunging them into a state of semidarkness. The Goblet of Fire now shone more brightly than anything in the whole Hall, the sparkling bright, bluey-whiteness of the flames almost painful on the eyes. Everyone watched, waiting.... A few people kept checking their watches....

The flames inside the goblet turned suddenly red again. Sparks began to fly from it. Next moment, a tongue of flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment fluttered out of it — the whole room gasped.

Has anyone ever told you the wizards a whole new breed of dramatic? No? Well Nico is here and he is telling you that.

Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment and held it at arm’s length, so that he could read it by the light of the flames, which had turned back to blue-white. “The champion for Durmstrang,” he read, in a strong, clear voice, “will be Viktor Krum.”

“No surprises there!” yelled a Weasley, Ron Nico guessed, as a storm of applause and cheering swept the Hall. He watched Viktor Krum rise from the Slytherin table and slouch up toward Dumbledore; he turned right, walked along the staff table, and disappeared through the door into the next chamber.

“Bravo, Viktor!” boomed Karkaroff, so loudly that everyone could hear him, even over all the applause. “Knew you had it in you!”

Nico almost pitied the young man.

The clapping and chatting died down. Now everyone’s attention was focused again on the goblet, which, seconds later, turned red once more. A second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames. “The champion for Beauxbatons,” said Dumbledore, “is Fleur Delacour!”

A blonde girl who so seemed to be rather beautiful got gracefully to her feet, shook back her sheet of silvery blonde hair, and swept up between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables.

When Fleur Delacour too had vanished into the side chamber, silence fell again, but this time it was a silence so stiff with excitement you could almost taste it. The Hogwarts champion next . . . And the Goblet of Fire turned red once more; sparks showered out of it; the tongue of flame shot high into the air, and from its tip Dumbledore pulled the third piece of parchment. “The Hogwarts champion,” he called, “is Cedric Diggory!”

The room filled with applause. Every single Hufflepuff had jumped to his or her feet, screaming and stamping, as Cedric made his way past them, grinning broadly, and headed off toward the chamber behind the teachers’ table. Indeed, the applause for Cedric went on so long that it was some time before Dumbledore could make himself heard again.

“Excellent!” Dumbledore called happily as at last the tumult died down. “Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real —”

But Dumbledore suddenly stopped speaking, and it was apparent to everybody what had distracted him. The fire in the goblet had just turned red again. Sparks were flying out of it. A long flame shot suddenly into the air and borne upon it was another piece of parchment.

Automatically, it seemed, Dumbledore reached out a long hand and seized the parchment. He held it out and stared at the name written upon it. There was a long pause, during which Dumbledore stared at the slip in his hands, and everyone in the room stared at Dumbledore.

And then Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out — “Harry Potter.”

Nico’s eyes shot up at that announcement. What. The. Fuck.

Weren’t there only supposed to be three champions? Then why is Harry also a part of it? He does not even meet the qualifications.

Nico looked at Harry, and the boy looked genuinely stunned. He just stayed on his table frozen with eyes wide open as if he could not believe what he just heard.

There was no applause. A buzzing, as though of angry bees, was starting to fill the Hall; some students were standing up to get a better look at Harry. Up at the top table, Professor McGonagall had got to her feet and swept past Ludo Bagman and Professor Karkaroff to whisper urgently to Professor Dumbledore, who bent his ear toward her, frowning slightly.

Nico did not even realise when he had stood up.

At the top table, Professor Dumbledore had straightened up, nodding to Professor McGonagall.

“Harry Potter!” he called again. “Harry! Up here if you please!”

Harry looked like he wanted to yell, “I am not here. Leave me alone”

Nico felt that sentiment on a spiritual level.

Harry nervously walked off to the headmaster, but he wasn’t Nico’s focus of attention anymore. No, he was more focused on the adults present in the room who could be possible for this.

This seemed more suspicious then most people seemed to realise. They were too angry at Harry to realise this, but Nico could immediately feel something off.

Something was wrong.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER TEN

As a child, Annabeth Chase has always wanted to make her mother proud.

Trying with her father and stepmother had seemed useless then. Frederick never had time for her, and her stepmother, Janet had seemed to hate her at the time. Life had seemed too unfair to her at the age of seven.

Now that she was grown, she had learnt to appreciate them.

Now that she was grown, she had also learnt to accept that her mother was not the role model she had believer her to be.

And she might as well suppose that she isn’t even her daughter now. Not when she was disowned.

Whatever, she did not care.

Except she did.

Maybe the talk with her mother had affected her more than she had hoped.

It had been late at night, just as Annabeth was about to go to sleep after her novel, when her mother had decided to make an entrance.

Athena had been in her usual form. Beautiful but intimidating, her mother looked at her with those terrifyingly focused grey eyes that looked too like her own.

“Annabeth,” she spoke, her voice authoritative. Annabeth knew that her mother did not really want to sound that way, but she just had that sort of voice that demanded respect.

“Mother,” greeted Annabeth with no emotion. It was unlike how she used to be earlier at every encounter with her mother and Athena clearly noticed that from the slight hurt expression that she had for a second.

Once Athena regained her posture, she spoke to her, “I have some information for you regarding your mission.”

Annabeth now looked at her with the focus that she didn’t possess earlier, “You are here to give me information? Why? Aren’t you supposed to not help us?”

“This quest is too important. Lord Zeus himself has ordered us to give you something to help.” Athena told her daughter.

“I see.” Annabeth nodded. She felt stupid that even for a second she had believed that her mother actually wanted to help her.

Why would Athena care for Annabeth? Sure, she was the one that reached the Athena Parthenos. That just meant that she had completed her purpose. Athena is a goddess, she has many other kids, and she will have many others even when she is no longer breathing. Why should she care if one mortal daughter is hurt by her actions?

“Your friend was looking for someone before his disappearance.” Athena told her. “A person who is the key to ending this quest.”

“Nico was looking for someone?” asked Annabeth. “Who? Who was he looking for?”

“I cannot tell you the person’s actual name,” Athena informed her. “You must figure that out yourself. But he also goes by R.A.B.”

“R.A.B.?” questioned Annabeth to herself. There really wasn’t anyone else to speak to, her mother had disappeared just after giving the information. No attempts at trying to have a normal conversation, no. She just left like that.

She did not notice the appearance of Yankees baseball cap on her study table.

The entire night she found it hard to sleep.

She needed to know who this R.A.B. was. And she wanted to know it quickly. The next morning she was met up with her friends, and surprisingly, they all had information to share.

“Okay, I am going to go first because I know for a fact that I am going to forget about it if we wait any longer.” Percy announced, and Annabeth could not help but roll her eyes fondly at her boyfriend. “So basically uncle Hades gifted Nico with a magic two way diary thing which might have some clues in figuring out where he might be at the moment.”

“A magic diary?” asked Will confused. “Nico didn’t tell me about that.”

“He was probably told to keep it a secret.” Annabeth reasoned. “But that only means we don’t know where it is.”

“I only know that I am supposed to be able to sense it if it’s anywhere nearby.” Percy told them. “I think that it is in the castle though. Why else would they have us all here?”

“That’s likely, but we can’t ignore the slight possibility of it being somewhere else.” Annabeth nodded along.

“What did your mother tell you, Annabeth?” asked Will, now the two boys looking at her direction.

“Apparently Nico was looking for someone.” She replied. “Someone who goes by R.A.B. and is for some reason essential to finding Nico and ending this supposed magic quest.”

“R.A.B.?” asked Percy. “Do not tell me someone named their child alphabets. They cannot possibly be that bad.”

Annabeth hit Percy at that comment. “It’s that person’s initials, idiot. R.A.B stands for something.”

“What does they stand for though?” asked Will.

“I don’t know.” Replied Annabeth with a bitter voice. “She didn’t tell me.”

“Well dad didn’t tell me where the diary would be either.” Percy spoke, in an attempt to cheer her up. “Our parents are just terrible at helping us.”

It was stupid how it still worked.

“Well my dad just told me that we should approach the Ministry of Magic and establish our dominance because us being demigods makes us superior to them I guess.” Will told them. “But he did gift me a cool bracelet.”

He showed them the golden bracelet, which shined brightly as the sunlight poured on it, blinding the other two demigods.

“Oh sorry,” Will apologized. “I was not aware it would do that.”

“It’s fine Will.” Annabeth told him. “It would be helpful in blinding some enemies.”

Chapter Text

25TH AUGUST, 2019

Dear Diary,

I don’t know why, but I don’t understand why these people have been so cooperative this far. I know that these people are what wizards would call death eaters. I had suspected it, of course; but I had my reasons for not being sure who could be responsible for this kidnapping. But just a few hours ago, a deranged woman had entered and bragged about her boss, although I suppose they call him master since they enjoy being slaves to a man they should consider inferior.

Wizards and witches are confusing and somehow dumber than the dead body of their victims, don’t ask me. Or maybe it’s just the British. And I had though Americans were bad.

Anyways, I don’t know how this works. I can’t tell you where I am, so perhaps if you are Hazel, Percy or Thalia reading this (No one else can find this book) I need you to do this instead. Find Regulus Black. He is Sirius Black’s brother, which you would have most likely already met if you are reading this. R. A. B. is his initials, Regulus Arcturus Black. I have not been able to find the exact location, but I do know that it is near an orphanage called “Wool’s Orphanage”. You will find his body submerged in the waters of a cave protected by some very strong magic. He will be your key to defeating this Voldemort guy.

But if it is Percy or Thalia that is reading this, please don’t run straight into this cave. I believe that this place is filled with some terrible dark magic. I don’t know what it is, but you need to go prepared. I know that isn’t your style, but don’t you dare rush in. Me being in danger is enough, we don’t need two demigods that are vulnerable at once.

The same advice would go to Hazel, but I know that you are more level headed than those two idiots. Either way, whatever you do, be quick. I don’t know what these people are planning, but I am smelling some sort of trouble. I don’t know how long it will take before they decide that patience won’t work on me.

We don’t have time. Be quick.

Signing off,

Nico Di Angelo

Chapter Text

PAST

You know things are not going to end well if they mess up before they even began.

Harry’s name appearing as the fourth champion meant was not something other schools seemed to like. Even the Hogwarts students seem to despise the poor boy for it.

“What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?” asked Madame Maxime imperiously.

“I’d rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore,” said Professor Karkaroff. He was wearing a steely smile, and his blue eyes were like chips of ice. “Two Hogwarts champions? I don’t remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions — or have I not read the rules carefully enough?”

He then gave a short and nasty laugh.

Nico was not liking this man a tall.

“C’est impossible,” said Madame Maxime, whose enormous hand with its many superb opals was resting upon Fleur’s shoulder. “’Ogwarts cannot ’ave two champions. It is most injust.”

“We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore,” said Karkaroff, his steely smile still in place, though his eyes were colder than ever. “Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools.”

That was complete bullshit in Nico’s opinion. This man only cared for fame, does he have other people to show off?

“It’s no one’s fault but Potter’s, Karkaroff,” said Snape softly. His black eyes were alight with malice. “Don’t go blaming Dumbledore for Potter’s determination to break rules. He has been crossing lines ever since he arrived here-”

Nico did not understand how he can despise someone more than this Karkaroff, but Snape was too good at this game. He knew just the words to say that can make anyone hate him. Nico did not understand how this man who clearly needed a new wardrobe and a shipment of shampoo just blame a child who obviously did not want to be a part of this in the first place.

“Thank you, Severus,” said Dumbledore firmly, and Snape went quiet, though his eyes still glinted malevolently through his curtain of greasy black hair.

Nico truly enjoyed seeing the man who is aging terribly be silenced by Dumbledore. At least the old man is good for something.

Professor Dumbledore was now looking down at Harry, who looked right back at him, trying to discern the expression of the eyes behind the half-moon spectacles.

“Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?” he asked calmly.

Nico did not understand how he manages to be so calm in a situation like this, but it scares him. He did not know if he should completely trust Dumbledore, even if he was here to help him out.

“No,” said Harry. He was very aware of everybody watching him closely. Snape made a soft noise of impatient disbelief in the shadows. That asshole.

“Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?” said Professor Dumbledore, ignoring Snape.

“No,” said Harry vehemently.

“Ah, but of course ’e is lying!” cried Madame Maxime. Snape was now shaking his head, his lip curling.

He understood Madame Maxime’s outrage, but Snape was seriously pissing Nico off.

“He could not have crossed the Age Line,” said Professor McGonagall sharply.

“I am sure we are all agreed on that —”

“Dumbly-dorr must ’ave made a mistake wiz ze line,” said Madame Maxime, shrugging.

“It is possible, of course,” said Dumbledore politely

“Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake!” said Professor McGonagall angrily. “Really, what nonsense! Harry could not have crossed the line himself, and as Professor Dumbledore believes that he did not persuade an older student to do it for him, I’m sure that should be good enough for everybody else!”

Nico’s respect for Professor McGonagall only keeps increasing every single time she speaks. This woman is a legend, and he cannot help but admire her despite the short time he has been here. At least some witch has common sense.

She shot a very angry look at Professor Snape, which are just extra points to her. Nico wants to open a Snape Hate Club with the way he acts.

“Mr. Crouch . . . Mr. Bagman,” said Karkaroff, his voice unctuous once more, “you are our — er — objective judges. Surely you will agree that this is most irregular?”

Bagman wiped his round, boyish face with his handkerchief and looked at Mr. Crouch, who was standing outside the circle of the firelight, his face half hidden in shadow. He looked slightly eerie, the half darkness making him look much older, giving him an almost skull-like appearance. When he spoke, however, it was in his usual curt voice.

“We must follow the rules, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament.”

“Well, Barty knows the rule book back to front,” said Bagman, beaming and turning back to Karkaroff and Madame Maxime, as though the matter was now closed.

“I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my stu[1]dents,” said Karkaroff. He had dropped his unctuous tone and his smile now. His face wore a very ugly look indeed. “You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has two champions. It’s only fair, Dumbledore.”

What the fuck is wrong with this man? This tournament is nothing but cheap Hunger Games with magic. Why would you want to risk children’s life intentionally?

Oh right, because these people are stupid, sorry I forgot.

“But Karkaroff, it doesn’t work like that,” said Bagman. “The Goblet of Fire’s just gone out- it won’t reignite until the start of the next tournament-”

“-in which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing!” exploded Karkaroff. “After all our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!”

Bitch please, I have never heard bigger liars and I had to listen to Will scare younger kids into going to bed.

“Empty threat, Karkaroff,” growled a voice from near the door. “You can’t leave your champion now. He’s got to compete. They’ve all got to compete. Binding magical contract, like Dumbledore said. Convenient, eh?”

Moody had just entered the room. He limped toward the fire, and with every right step he took, there was a loud clunk.

“Convenient?” said Karkaroff. “I’m afraid I don’t understand you, Moody.”

I don’t either, but I love people getting roasted, so I am just going to sit back and enjoy this show.

“Don’t you?” said Moody quietly. “It’s very simple, Karkaroff. Someone put Potter’s name in that goblet knowing he’d have to compete if it came out.”

That is interesting theory, but he seems a bit too confident in it. Seems suspicious, but I will allow it for now.

“Evidently, someone ’oo wished to give ’Ogwarts two bites at ze apple!” said Madame Maxime.

“I quite agree, Madame Maxime,” said Karkaroff, bowing to her.

“Oh my god,” thought Nico. “Why can’t he just shut up?”

“I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards —”

“If anyone’s got reason to complain, it’s Potter,” growled Moody, “but... funny thing... I don’t hear him saying a word....”

Finally someone with common sense! The poor boy’s life is probably in danger and this is their main concern? Who made them responsible for children?

“Why should ’e complain?” burst out Fleur Delacour, stamping her foot. “’E ’as ze chance to compete, ’asn’t ’e? We ’ave all been ’oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honor for our schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money — zis is a chance many would die for!”

“Maybe someone’s hoping Potter is going to die for it,” said Moody, with the merest trace of a growl.

Thank you! Nico was feeling like he would go crazy from the way these people think.

An extremely tense silence followed these words. Ludo Bagman, who was looking very anxious indeed, bounced nervously up and down on his feet and said, “Moody, old man . . . what a thing to say!”

Yeah Moody, what a right thing to say. Cannot believe you would say that.

“We all know Professor Moody considers the morning wasted if he hasn’t discovered six plots to murder him before lunchtime,” said Karkaroff loudly. “Apparently he is now teaching his students to fear assassination too. An odd quality in a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dumbledore, but no doubt you had your reasons.

God these people are stupid, thought Nico.

“Imagining things, am I?” growled Moody.

“Seeing things, eh? It was a skilled witch or wizard who put the boy’s name in that goblet....”

“Ah, what evidence is zere of zat?” said Madame Maxime, throwing up her huge hands.

“Because they hoodwinked a very powerful magical object!” said Moody. “It would have needed an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm to bamboozle that goblet into forgetting that only three schools compete in the tournament.... I’m guessing they submitted Potter’s name under a fourth school, to make sure he was the only one in his category....”

Nico tried very hard not to frown. As much as he was finding Moody’s theory reasonable, he seemed to have worked out everything a bit too well in such a short time.

It was suspicious. Why does Moody seem to know what happened so well?

“You seem to have given this a great deal of thought, Moody,” said Karkaroff coldly, “and a very ingenious theory it is — though of course, I heard you recently got it into your head that one of your birthday presents contained a cunningly disguised basilisk egg, and smashed it to pieces before realizing it was a carriage clock. So you’ll understand if we don’t take you entirely seriously....”

Nico had not know that listening to people can decrease your intelligence, but Karkaroff seemed to very earnest at proving it.

“There are those who’ll turn innocent occasions to their advantage,” Moody retorted in a menacing voice. “It’s my job to think the way Dark wizards do, Karkaroff — as you ought to remember.....”

“Alastor!” said Dumbledore warningly.

Moody fell silent, though still surveying Karkaroff with satisfaction — Karkaroff’s face was burning. Nico had no idea what was going on, but he was too invested now. He wonders what Karkaroff’s secret is.

“How this situation arose, we do not know,” said Dumbledore, speaking to everyone gathered in the room. “It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Cedric and Harry have been chosen to compete in the Tournament. This, therefore, they will do....”

“Ah, but Dumbly-dorr —”

“My dear Madame Maxime, if you have an alternative, I would be delighted to hear it.”

Dumbledore waited, but Madame Maxime did not speak, she merely glared. She wasn’t the only one either. Snape looked furious much to Nico’s delight; Karkaroff livid which only made Nico happier; Bagman, however, looked rather excited, which was alright because he did not understand how this man worked.

“Well, shall we crack on, then?” Dumbledore said, rubbing his hands together and smiling around the room. “Got to give our champions their instructions, haven’t we? Barty, want to do the honours?”

Mr. Crouch seemed to come out of a deep reverie.

“Yes,” he said, “instructions. Yes... the first task...”

After that Nico decided to look at the participants and make sure they would be alright. Someone in this place had to, considering how these adults seem more concerned with using these children like a dolphin at some stupid show where lame people sit and watch those poor animals do tricks to entertain them.

Nico will make sure to his best ability that these kids will be best prepared when the tournament starts. He will make sure there will be no casualties. Because someone has to.

Chapter Text

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Percy will admit that when he thought he would be meeting with the Minister of Magic, his expectations had been low. Authority figures have never really impressed Percy, even during his childhood.

That being said, goddamn even his low expectations were too high for the man they met. Cornelius Fudge, like his name suggest, looked like the sort of grandpa who ate fudge and corn related dishes with no concerns for his health. He is short, like shorter than deadly death siblings (yes that's what he calls Nico and Hazel when they aren't around) and his face was all haughty and annoying.

He is the classic stereotype of an old rich man, really. Short, fat, and dressed up in an awful pinstripe suit with a stupid hat. He does not understand the craze around pinstripe suits. They’re usually so stuffy and stiff, why would anyone willingly choose them? 

As you can tell, Percy did not like him. The man had been super annoying until they told him that they were demigods undercover and as such will not be treated badly by the ugly toad whose existence is an insult to all other nice toads.

After that Fudge was all sweet and fake, trying his best to impress them. Did he really believe that they would be that easy to manipulate? Who does he think he is talking to right now, even his sister Estelle wouldn’t fall for that.

“Would you three like something to eat? Drink? Anything?” asked British magic Trump.

“We would like you to remove Umbrigde from Hogwarts.” Percy replied. “That woman clearly should be nowhere near children, especially as their teacher.”

“Now now Mr. Jackson, I think you might have misjudged Madam Umbrigde. She’s a talented and dedicated witch, I can’t think of a better role model than her for the students to look up to.” Fudge defended the barbie-toad. “Surely there has been a misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding like refusing to teach practical classes in defense against dark arts, a subject that is meant to be more practical in nature?” asked Annabeth with a raised brow. “She has refused to teach anything but theory to students, how are these children supposed to defensive magic without practising it?”

“Ah, a few months prior there had been an incident at Hogwarts because of which we have reason to believe that students from Hogwarts might be trying to start a rebellion against the government. These are just safety protocols.” British Trump replied, sounding like he believed that his reasoning was entirely believable.

“So your suspicions are enough reason to neglect students from their rights of receiving a proper education? And what exactly is your justified reasoning to disturb their learning?” asked Will, looking at him unimpressed. “Doesn’t Hogwarts accept students not only from Britain, but also from neighbouring countries like Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, and such? Do these countries have any say on the lack of knowledge you are providing their students? Are they okay with that?” 

“Well, Beauxbatons also accepts students from Netherlands and Belgium. Hogwarts mostly accepts British, Scottish, Welsh and Irish students. And we don't really see any reason to disturb them regarding this, it’s just a minor matter.” Fudge responded, and Percy wanted to hit him a tornado.

“Minor matter? You have refused around a thousand children the right to receive proper education. How are your aurors, hit wizards, curse breakers, and even healers or magizoologist to work is they don’t even know school stuff?” asked Percy. “You are raising your students to die, minister. We can’t allow it.”

“Now that is a bit of an exaggeration-”

“No it is not. The students of your country remain incable to defend themselves. A child who is clearly traumatised informed you that a previous terrorist is back to life, and instead of conducting proper investigation to disprove his statements, you decided to ignore it and turned everyone against him and made sure if a future threat does somehow appear, the future generation would remain incapable to defend their lives.” Annabeth said, and Percy was internally cheering on his girl. “When we came here, we didn’t come to advise you, we came to tell you that Madam Umbridge is unfit and should be removed from Hogwarts within this week. The next defense professor will be interviewed within our vicinity, and you will remember to follow proper procedures if you want to change something. Are we clear, minister?”

The un-oranged Trump looked at Annabeth, terrified as he nodded. Percy smirked at his expression. Good, he should be terrified after trying to ruin the future of an entire generation of students.

The three demigods stood up, and just before leaving, Percy turned to him and spoke, “Also just to let you know, we will be investigating the entire volde-who situation, considering you refuse to do so. Make sure we don’t get interrupted.”