Nico di Angelo was rudely awakened by a very loud noise. It sounded like an over-enthusiastic feather duster attacking the cabin door. Or a bird.
He cursed and got out of bed. He yanked the door open and a large owl flapped into the room, squawking at him. It dropped something on his head. Nico wildy felt his hair, and realized that it was only a letter.
The owl hooted at him and finally flew away.
Nico picked up the envelope and examined it warily. It was probably a prank envelope made by the Stoll brothers. But why the owl?
He peered towards the Athena cabin. Everything seemed to be quiet. Besides, he couldn't imagine Annabeth or any of her siblings encouraging a prank on Nico. Then he craned his neck to look at the Hermes cabin next door. Everything seemed quiet, but then again, you could never tell with the Stoll brothers.
He read the envelope.
"Mr. N. di Angelo
The lowest bunk
Cabin 13
Camp Half-Blood"
Nico snorted and tossed the letter into the fireplace. If it had actually been a letter from someone outside camp, then they couldn't possibly have known where he slept. And if it was from someone within camp, it was definitely a prank.
Even then, he couldn't help but feel a little unsettled as he watched the letter smoke and curl with green flames.
"Go away." Nico mumbled irritatedly.
The owl had re-appeared every night that week. And every night, it had dropped a letter and left. Nico hadn't told anyone, because he didn't want to let anyone know that the prank was getting to him.
He opened the door and the owl dropped the letter and flew away. Better than leaving it on the doorstep for everyone to see.
Not even bothering to read it this time, Nico tossed it once more into the fire and got back into bed.
He woke up in the morning all set for archery practice (which he was horrible at), and found half a dozen letters spread out decoratively at the foot of his bed.
For a moment all he could do was stare; then he kicked all of them into a corner and went to breakfast.
"Morning, Nico." Annabeth smiled at him as he passed her table.
"Hi." He nodded briefly, pausing to bump fists with Percy.
He sat at his table all alone and rubbed his eyes. Percy shot him a quizzical look from across the table. Nico yawned pointedly and Percy grinned.
As Nico bit into his sandwich, he realized that it tasted a bit odd. Carefully lifting up one of the slices he peered inside.
Two letters looked back at him.
He pushed his chair back and stood up. Everyone fell quiet.
"I… uh, bathroom." He muttered, tossing the sandwich as an offering to the gods as he left.
Nico stormed into his cabin and picked up one of the letters on the floor. He ripped open the envelope and saw three rolls of parchment inside. He opened the first one.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc, Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. di Angelo,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
Nico had to read the letter thrice more to convince himself that he wasn't hallucinating. Then he read the second letter, which was written in a loopy scrawl.
Dear Mr .di Angelo,
Do forgive me for this late letter. Normally, we send it to all eleven year olds to be accepted as first years. However, you are of course thirteen, and therefore too old to enrol as a first year. This confusion was solely due to your time spent in the Lotus Hotel and Casino, where we lost track of you. But due to your position as a demigod, your powers will surpass those of a first and second year's, possibly even a third year's. So it is my pleasure to inform you that you will be accepted at our school as a third year. The teachers are aware of this and they will gladly provide youwith extra help should you need it.
I look forward to seeing you in September.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore."
Nico re-read the letter. This was such...
"Nico?" Annabeth poked her head in. "Nico, what's wrong?"
She walked into the room and read the letter in Nico's hand.
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?" she frowned "What's all that about?"
"Do you think it's real?" he asked.
"Probably a prank." She said dismissively.
Then Nico told her everything.
Her jaw dropped. "Oh, Styx. That doesn't sound like a prank."
He glared at the letter. "I know. But this is just..." he struggled to find a strong enough word.
"We should see Chiron." Annabeth decided.