Reyna: So, I realized I've been boring in these A/N's so…
Nico: You just torched Tartarus.
Reyna: Oh, yeah… well, someone's going to be pissed.
?: Reyna, what the fuck did you do?!
Reyna: Aww, shit! BTW, Dattebayo Luna and Ginny: Nico may be gay, but this is not going to be a romance fic. If I change my mind and want to pair him up with someone later, I will take your request into consideration. However, I had no intention of pairing him up with Insanity or Knowledge, if that was what you thought. She's just there to help the plotline (the curse) and basically make his life hell. If people want it, then what the hell, I'll write it in.
Shadow Mime: I'm glad you like it! I hope the rest of the story will be to your liking as well.
On with the story!
"Welcome back, students, to another wonderful year at Hogwarts." Dumbledore proceeded with his opening speech. Nico proceeded to ignore him. An old hat sitting on a stool ripped open its brim and started singing. Unimpressed, Nico started playing with his skull ring, well, until, "We are accepting a new transfer student from America this year. I encourage you all to welcome him with open arms. We will be Sorting him before the first-years. Don't show prejudice no matter what house he is in. Hogwarts is a school, not a war-zone" several students laughed, albeit a bit nervously." Please welcome Nico Di Angelo, from America."
Nico was lead up to the stool with the tattered, dirty hat on it. The woman lifted up the hat, and he sat down on the stool. She lowered it down on his head, and it fell over his eyes.
Hmm… you're a demigod, eh? Yet you have the blessing of Hecate. How rare. A voice sounded in his head. Now, I'm not going to go into your memories. Did that to one of you quite a while ago. Any other kid going through that would need therapy. Demigods have extraordinarily strong minds. Except, of course, children of Hades. That or they go through much more than the others
Somehow I get the feeling that you know exactly who my godly parent is. Nico thought back. The hat smirked mentally. Of course I do, son of Hades. I'm the Sorting Hat after all.
Just sort me, hat. Nico thought impatiently.
Ok, let's see… Not Hufflepuff, definitely not. You're smart, but not into academics, so not Ravenclaw. Gryffindor or Slytherin… Well, you're brave, but not recklessly so, which means…
"SLYTHERIN!"
The crimson and gold table showed their disapproval. The son of Hades was rather glad he didn't go to that house. The colors were way too bright for him, and they seemed like the type of people to yell your ears out when they meant to talk. He was also glad that he was sorted into the same house Blaise was in. A few allies would be nice, especially powerful ones. He sat himself beside Blaise and black-haired girl. Nico zoned out, waiting for the rest of the Sorting to be over.
"Are you okay, Nico? You zoned out." A girl's voice sounded beside him. He turned. "Yeah, thanks…" He trailed off, realizing who sat beside him. Her eyes both showed, and were a normal size, though the shocking Caribbean blue was still there, along with the insane glint. Her smile was more mischievous, and her hair was better kept, but the aura she exuded was the same. "How do you know my name?" He choked out, and then turned red. That was pathetic, Nico. You know how she knows your name. She's been stalking you from inside your dreams. Of course she would know your name.
"Oh, Nico, it's Lilith! We're basically cousins, don't you remember? I haven't seen you in so long!" She gushed, her smile widening. Blaise' eyebrows rose slightly. "You're related to the Hellsingtons? Lucky. People would kill to be related to them." Insanity, or Lilith, giggled." Oh, yes. Nico's father is from my family's line, the oldest of his siblings. However, both the Hellsingtons and the Di Angelos are primarily pureblood matriarchal, so Nico got his mother's last name. If he had a sister, though, he would have lost his position as heir."She tactfully forgot to mention he did have a sister once, of which Nico was relieved. Blaise gave him a look, as if recalculating him. "You realize, mate, that Draco may be a huge prat, and act like he's at the top of Slytherin – or pureblood – social order, but the Malfoy line is still second to the Hellsingtons, and tied with the Di Angelos in terms of money and magical power. Of course, they have the most politically, because Lady Hecate and Lady Nyx don't really care about all that." Nico nodded wearily.
"So, where's your other half?" Better to see how many adversaries he was dealing with. Lilith rolled her eyes."Adrienne is in Ravenclaw, obviously. She excels in theory. You should know that, Nikki" Blaise snorted into his pumpkin juice, while Nico scowled. He finished up his breaded chicken (it reminded him of McDonald's) and baked potato (with bacon, melted cheese, and green onion… I'm hungry now). Desserts appeared, and while the son of Hades enjoyed sweets, he just took a chocolate éclair. Dining with Insanity burning holes through him, and Knowledge at the next table over was a little more than disconcerting.
Nico climbed up the cold, stone stairs to the Slytherin fourth-year boys' dormitory, lead by Blaise and Draco. They bid him goodnight, and changed into their night clothes, climbing into bed and pulling the curtains around. Nico turned to his own bed. She was already sitting there, casting a notice- me-not spell and a Muffliato.
"Why are you here? I thought immortals could not interfere with mortal quests. Isn't it against the ancient laws?" He got a Cheshire cat smile in return. "That's true, but this isn't a proper quest. It has no prophecy. The Fates may know that this would come, but they never tell their secrets. The rules state I am allowed to follow the trail of my prey, no matter where they are, who they are. I strike randomly, and always on those with weak minds. If I feel like a challenge I go for strong ones and wear them down. Yet, the children of Hades will always have me at their side, simply because it is their curse. I will ruin them no matter what. You are no exception, Di Angelo." Her voice hissed softly, whispery and lilting. He growled.
"Get out. I need sleep and I can't have any with you here." The goddess obliged, leaving Nico with an empty bed, smooth and unwrinkled, like she had never been there. He changed, climbed in, and joined his year-mates in the ethereal world of dreams.
Reyna: Review, Favorite, Follow! I love you all, so here's a virtual commemorative cupcake for: Reyna might actually finish a story, and not go back and edit it because she doesn't like the plotline anymore, then fail, then cry her eyes out because she is a complete and utter failure!
Ron: Why am I doing this again? *hands out cupcakes.
Reyna: Because I'm paying you and you're poor. Now, get on with it, slave.
?: Reyna?!
Reyna: Bye! *runs*
