The court of Zeus was in turmoil. The revelation of an entire race of magical mortals shocked and disturbed them. The fact that they even existed catapulted Hecate into a position of much higher power in the eyes of the gods, and the fact that she had kept them hidden angered many in the council. Ares argued that they should wipe out the lot of them, while Athena preached caution, as they didn't know how powerful they were. Dionysus, Artemis, Apollo and Poseidon were in favor of Ares's proposal, while Hades, Demeter, Hephaestus and Aphrodite Were in favor of Athena's proposal. Zeus couldn't decide either way, so the gods just kept arguing until, finally, the gods reached a compromise, also proposed by Athena, to send an undercover representative to infiltrate their society. The only arguing point was which demigod should be sent.

"I vote that we send my daughter, Annabeth. She would fit in well, being highly intelligent, and she has a cap that would make her invisible. She is the best choice." Said Athena.

"She's too old, we need a young demigod of sufficient power to infiltrate their society. Hecate tells us that they come of age at seventeen." Said Hermes.

They all thought for a moment.

Then Hades stood.

"May I make a suggestion?" When no one interrupted, he continued. "My own son, Nico, started this quest. He is only 15, and extremely powerful for his age. Would he not be the perfect choice?"

The council of gods made noises of grudging agreement.

Hades turned to Zeus. "Brother, may we assign this quest to Nico?"

Zeus paused for a moment, thinking, then gave in. "I suppose he is the best choice. Very well."

Zeus rose. "All in favor?" The gods all raised their hands. "Alright, then."

Nico was waiting in the throne room of Hades' palace. He'd cleaned up a bit, but for the most part his clothes were still ragged. He was anxiously awaiting Hades return from the meeting with the council.

Suddenly, Hades appeared in a burst of shadow on his throne. Nico kneeled before him.

Hades began to speak. "Nico, I have a quest for you, a very interesting quest."

Nico looked up. "My lord?"

"The council found your discovery of mortals with magical powers very… disturbing. They need someone to infiltrate their society." Hades leaned closer. "This is your task, Nico. There is a school they have to teach magicians. You will attend this school and learn about their society, and if they are a threat to the gods you are to put down their leaders and inform the gods."

Nico had turned, if possible, paler. "Father… why does it have to be me? I'm not exactly the, um, well, social type. I don't think that I can really infiltrate a society."

Hades expression turned harsh. "I don't care what you think. You will do this. If your sister were still alive I'd send her. She would've done much better."

Nico flinched, but through clenched teeth he said, "Yes, father." Nico stood.

Suddenly, Hecate appeared beside him, making Nico jump with alarm.

"Hello there!" Hecate said to Nico. She wore a traditional white Greek style dress, and her brown hair flowed down to her waist full of magical bracelets and beads.

"Wow," She said, "You are really cute." She pinched Nico's cheek. "Still," she continued, "You're clothes won't exactly encourage friendship with the kinds of people you'll want to befriend." Nico looked very uncomfortable.

Hades stood from his throne. "Hecate, if you will." He said, giving Hecate an impatient look.

"Oh, of course." Hecate exclaimed. Then she turned to Nico. She drew back her hand, and before Nico could even move, smacked him in the face, hard enough to send Nico to the floor.

"What was that for?" Nico said, massaging his face.

Hecate frowned. "I just gave you magical powers stronger than almost all wizards."

Hades and Nico looked at her questioningly.

"How did you think I'd do it? Wave my magic wand?" Hecate waved her hand and a magic wand appeared. "Oh." Hecate said. "I guess I could've done it that way. Never mind. Anyways," Hecate continued, "Here's a wand for you." She reached into a satchel she had on her belt and pulled out a wand.

Hecate handed Nico the wand. It was made of wood from the trees of Asphodel, reinforced with stygian iron, and etched with beautiful swirling patterns covering the length in gold and silver, altogether beautiful and deadly.

Nico held it and studied it with fascination. As his hand touched the handle, gold and silver sparks shot out of the end of it.

Hecate looked over his shoulder. "A unique wand, you know. I used my own hair for its power base." She eyed him sternly. "Don't you lose that, now. Thanatos, who kept my secret quite faithfully, once gave away a wand with one of his hairs in it to an idiot wizard, and now it's been wreaking havoc for a couple of centuries. God hair wands are very powerful things."

Hecate turned to Hades. "Before I go, I just want to thank you for keeping my secret for all these years. I really do appreciate it." She gave him a warm smile.

Hades looked uncomfortable. "You're, um, welcome." His expression turned annoyed. "Still, you do owe me a lot for that 'Voldemort' incident. I only finished the paperwork on that yesterday."

Hecate smiled nervously. "Hades… about that."

Hades glared at Hecate with disbelief. "No. You wouldn't do this to me." Hecate wouldn't meet his eyes. Hades frown of disbelief slowly became one of outrage. "You told me he had turned into a shade, that it was impossible for him to return!"

Hecate shifted nervously. "Well… I may have been a teensy bit wrong about that. He appears to be back, and he has an army again."

Hades looked like he was about to explode. With words laced with rage, he said, "Those… numbskull mortals… who believe… they can eat death… are going on another rampage? Do you know how many years that paperwork will set me back?"

The room was silent.

"I think I'll just leave now." Hecate said. "Here are the other things you'll need." Hecate motioned and a large polished black trunk with gold inlay appeared. "Bye!" She gave Nico a quick (and for him awkward) hug and disappeared with a pop.

After a few moments, Hades slumped back into his throne and sulked. Nico glared at him.

"You knew about these people before I found them, and you didn't tell me?" Nico asked accusingly.

"That doesn't matter now." Hades replied, and then summoned up a map of London. "Just get going. Shadow travel to this location at 9:45 and Thanatos will meet up with you there and brief you on your cover story." Hades gaze locked with Nico's. "Don't fail me, son."

Later that evening, Dumbledore was in his study, trying to think of other possible horcrux locations, when there was a knock on his window.

Standing up from his desk, Dumbledore went over to his window to find a very large eagle sitting on the sill with a scroll tied to its leg. Perplexed, he opened up the window.

The eagle hopped in and thrust out its leg. Dumbledore, becoming very curious, reached over and retrieved the note. When he opened it up, it read like this:

Dear headmaster Dumbledore,

I am Chiron, activities master and teacher at the academy of Olympus in New York, USA. We know that you've never heard of us before, the same is true of us. We're sending one of our students to your school to observe your magical techniques, an exchange student of sorts. His name is Nico di Angelo. With your permission, we would have him stay for one year, and bring our two schools closer together.

Sincerely,

Chiron

Dumbledore sat back in wonder. How odd, it seemed, that there was another wizarding school, in America of all places. Dumbledore considered the possibilities.

If there wasn't actually another school, it could be just a student prank, or a death eater's attempt to infiltrate Hogwarts. Still, both of those were unlikely. Snape had already told him Voldemort's plan to assassinate him, and the only people who could dream up a prank like this would be Fred and George, and he doubted that they would be unwise enough to try and prank him.

Dumbledore gave a mental shrug. If an American showed up on the Hogwarts Express, there was no harm in him staying.

The Eagle still held out his arm expectantly, so Dumbledore sent a reply back agreeing to their terms.

As he watched the eagle fly off, Dumbledore decided it was going to be an interesting year.