Harry

Harry woke suddenly. He looked around into the inky blackness. His eyes slowly adjusted to the shapes of four students digging through trunks and whispering to each other. They were the exchange students.

Harry tried not to move or draw attention to himself. He, truth be told, was afraid of them. They gave him weird vibes, like they knew things that no one should. They always stole glances behind them, afraid of what could be following.

Eventually the four left. Harry crawled out of his bed and put his glasses on. He grabbed his wand and slipped the invisibility cloak over himself. He crept down the stairs and saw all the exchange students conversing in front of the fire.

"Follow me," said Annabeth. "I know the route, don't get lost, and don't get caught."

The others nodded. They followed Annabeth out of the common room, Harry trailed them cautiously. He tried to see what they had in their hands. It looked like they were holding sticks of some sort, but they kept shifting and changing, like they couldn't decide what they were.

The students descended into the dungeon. Harry was tempted to leave now and let them do whatever they were doing without him, but curiously won and he continued. They walked into a long corridor and Annabeth reached around on the wall. Her hand grasped a small metal ring.

She pulled it and the wall swung open like a door. A long staircase descended even deeper into the earth. Annabeth entered first, lighting her wand. Distorted shadows were cast onto the walls and she climbed down the stone steps.

Everyone closely followed, Jason brought up the rear with another glowing wand. Harry threaded lightly on the ancient stairs. They dove deeper and deeper under the school until Harry began to tire.

Suddenly a corridor opened up in front of them. Annabeth and Jason shone their lights over the space. It was grand and creepy.

The entire room was made of dark stones, thirteen altars were placed around the room. In the centre was a pit that had a dwindling flame burning in it. Harry wondered how long it had been going.

As the exchange students came closer to the fire it expanded and rose several feet in the air. It morphed many colours, from a blood red, to a stark white. It then settled into a pleasant fire that cast light throughout the room.

Harry wandered around the room inspecting the altars. The first one he came upon was dark and deathly. It was black and had a small green fire burning in its centre. A metal three headed dog, kind of like Fluffy, guarded the altar from behind. Harry moved on quickly.

The one that really caught his eye was a golden altar was a sun on it. A lyre and a bow were side by side, and a chariot was poised above them. Harry pulled himself away and stood by the fire.

Suddenly darkness amplified near him. Then a pale boy was standing beside him. Harry jumped about five feet. The dark boy had hair falling in his scowling face. Harry wanted to fire every spell he knew at this demon boy.

Hazel ran over and hugged the dark stranger. He smiled a little. Harry had always thought of Hazel as sweet, but now his views were shifting. Apparating didn't work at Hogwarts, whatever dark magic this boy was weaving, was nothing new to the exchange students.

"Do you feel okay?" Hazel asked scanning the boy.

"I'm okay," he said. "I stayed at a hotel not far from here, I only had to travel a short distance."

The others gathered around them and they shared some news. The students told some things about school, Harry started to zone out when he heard his name.

"Harry's friend's been kidnapped," said Piper. "Do you know anything about it?"

"No," said the dark boy. "I haven't run into any trouble. I'll tell you if I see anything. Have you guys had any trouble?"

"Yeah," sighed Percy. "Train ride was the worst. We sat with this creepy girl and she attacked us. But Annabeth thought quickly and I was able to send her away."

Percy leaned over and placed a kiss on his girlfriend's head. Harry scrambled back. They got rid of a girl?!

"So how long will you be staying, Nico?" Asked Hazel.

"Not long," Nico replied. "I've got to get back before Saturday and report. Chiron wanted to IM, but I wanted to check up on you guys."

"You have feelings?!" Asked Leo. A few people laughed.

"I was more worried about my sister." Hazel gave him a quick hug.

"We should go back to the dorm, make sure no one's getting suspicious," said Piper.

Harry climbed the stairs and quietly as he could. Once he reached the corridor he ran full out. He was not getting caught. The exchange students were scary, really scary. They knew a freaky demon boy, Hazel was his sister. They had a creepy room in the dungeon, and they got rid of a student!

Once Harry reached the dorm he couldn't see the exchange students trailing him. He entered the common room and saw them all standing there saying good nights to each other. Demon boy was with them, looking tired.

Harry sneaked past them and climbed into bed. He placed his cloak in his trunk and dropped his glasses and wand on his nightstand. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep. It was a fitful night with dark thoughts and nightmares.

Sunlight streamed into the dorm room as a golden morning dawned. Harry rolled out of bed and slipped his glasses on his face. The room came into focus and he walked to his trunk. He grabbed his uniform and was dressed before anyone else was awake.

Harry stumbled down the stairs into the common room, several students were lounging and chatting with each other. Harry spotted Annabeth studying by the fire. He sat in a chair at the back of the room and watched her closely.

After fifteen minutes Jason joined her. They practiced some charms, making items levitate and move around them. Harry noticed that the exchange students weren't skilled at magic, they only did simple spells. Although Percy and Annabeth did do well in potions, he couldn't count them out completely.

"What are you doing?"

Harry jumped and saw Ron beside him.

"Don't sneak up on me!" Scolded Harry.

"I didn't," said Ron. "Are you watching the exchange students?"

"Yeah, I'll tell you about it when Ginny and Hermione wake up."

After a few minutes the girls joined them and they walked towards the Great Hall. Harry changed their route and lead them towards the dungeons. He stopped in front of the wall where the hidden door was.

"You want to tell us why we're here," said Ginny.

"I followed the exchange students last night," explained Harry. "They came down here and Annabeth opened a secret passage. Down there was a huge room with altars and a crazy fire pit. Then, some demon boy appeared out of nowhere, it wasn't apparition, that doesn't work in the castle. I think they're up to something."

"Well then, where's this passage?" asked Hermione.

Harry reached around until he found the ring. He pulled on it and nothing happened. He yanked on it again but to no avail. He gestured for the others to try it. No one else was able to get the door open.

"It was probably just a dream," said Hermione. "I for one like the exchange students."

"What if I find evidence," said Harry. "Then would you believe me?"

"If you can find solid evidence the exchange students are evil, I will believe you."

Harry considered it a challenge. Every move they made would be under the watchful eyes of Harry Potter. He followed the others out of the dungeons up to breakfast. The exchange students sat near them, Harry glared at them, only Frank seemed to notice. He looked away quickly, tapping Hazel. She looked up and Harry looked away.

Harry still couldn't believe her brother was the dark demon boy. She was so bright and energetic, so called Nico, was dark and radiated death. Harry finished his toast quickly and left the Great Hall.

The Gryffindors had divination with the Ravenclaws. Trelawney was sitting in the strong scented room glaring into a crystal ball. The exchange students sat in the back, whispering furiously. Harry sat as close as he could to them.

"Do you think she's like Rachel?" Asked Percy.

"She can't be," said Annabeth. "Rachel is unique."

Trelawney began speaking. "I sense death in the room."

"Death is strong here," she repeated. "One of you brings endless death!"

Harry couldn't help but think it was one of the exchange students, Trelawney had never predicted accurately though. Maybe she was just giving her annual death sentence, Harry had been the subject of them before.

"You!" She pointed at Hazel. "Death welcomes you like a friend. You bring death to those you love!"

An uneasy silence came upon the room. Trelawney shook her head and smiled pleasantly, like she had never said anything.

"Now we will be using crystal balls…" Trelawney drawled on, Harry lost focus.

Hazel was a friend of death, the demon boy was her brother. Maybe she was an embodiment of death? Either way, Hazel carried death with her. All Harry had to do was make her slip up, or any of them for that matter. Their disguise was wearing thin.