Hi all thanks to all who reviewed, bit of a filler chap here but i finally know where I want this story to go and i really need the trio to see this side of Nico so review it up!
The library was empty and quiet, that was preferable, while Hermione seemed impressed about my knowledge she also seemed very suspicious and kept throwing in sideways question about my past. "Where did you say you graduated from?"
"I didn't, it was a Greek school, now the translation for this is,"
"Did they teach you umbrakinesis at that school, because it is a forbidden art here,"
I stopped writing out runes I would have to be very careful about how I approached this, if I answered yes she would dig and try to find out what in the Hades kind of school taught stuff like that, if I answered no she would demand to know where I learned, I could always not answer at all but that would be suspicious. "Ya, um thats hereditary, could you not bring it up because believe it or not its actually pretty frowned upon in the States too," i let it drop but I could see the wheels in her mind turning.
There was a loud screeching followed by a maniacal laugh and I looked up to come face to face with a glowing ethereal jester. "What are- wait you not a ghost, a poltergeist!" I smiled at the strange fellow. 'I love poltergeists, and you are?" I asked the strange little man.
"Just little Peevsie, sire I wanted to meet the little princie, or maybe Kingy, but i'm not a ghost so you aren't my King," he laughed at what must have been his own cleverness.
"Pipe down Peeves," i ordered and he closed his mouth instantly,
"Are you here on a collection sir?" Peeves asked crossing his legs in the air, " I met your sister when she was here but the ghosts stayed away from her though, have to say sire she is much prettier than you," I barked out a laugh picturing Hazel dealing with this strange little man and could see her patient golden eyes filled with laughter. I felt a twinge in my heart maybe, it would have been better if I hadn't come back after the Giant war, kept my promise and took off somewhere I speculated.
"No, i'm not on collection, Hazel doesn't do collections it would be a bit hypocritical, why? Know anyone who could use collecting?" I asked rubbing at my jaw.
"Headless Nicky," he said an almost sad smile on his face. I nodded and thanked him with a tilt of my head. He bowed low before taking off probably to terrorize some poor kid.
He took off and I caught Hermione's look, it was like she had seen flying pigs or something of the like when she managed to get her thoughts in order I spoke before she had a chance to, "no, i'm not going to explain any of that to you so don't bother," she frowned in response a crinkling of her eyebrows more than anything.
"I thought you said you didn't like ghosts," Hermione commented while I followed her to what must have been defence class.
"Peeves isn't actually a ghost," i explained," he is a poltergeist, a spirit of chaos,they are usually completely immature and loads of fun to have around".
"Oh? I actually didn't know that, so is he bound to the school?" Hermione asked in that curious way that was so like the children of Athena.
"Ya, so he's pretty loyal to whoever is in charge," I rubbed the back of my neck this was far more social contact than I was used to and it was making me slightly uncomfortable. Luckily for me we were at the classroom she went in while I stood at the back of the classroom getting a very bad vibe. The class went about as well as to be expected ending in a really annoying detention for Potter while I kept quiet. Supper had no appeal to me today, so while the three of them did that I finished scoping out the rest of the school, shadow travelling was handy at times like these. Harry apparently thought that I would absolutely love to listen to him complain the entire way to his detention, not so much.
While he was in there I decided to check something else off of my to do list, Mr. de Mimsy-Porpington," I said aloud in the abandoned hallway alcove a hallway or two down from Harry's detention. A quivering specter appeared in front of me and I smiled warmly there were a few ways to deal with ghosts kindness was one of them.
"Hello Nick," I said sitting on the floor against a stone wall.
"Hello Sir, I must ask are you here to collect me? Will I be going to the Fields of Punishment?" I could see him quivering but i gestured for him to take a seat across from me.
"Why don't you tell me your story it will put things back into perspective for you," Nicholas looked surprised at that.
His story took longer than expected he told me how he was a wizard who was in Gryffindor the house for the brave and about how once he was trying to fix some royal woman's teeth and messed up the spell which would eventually lead to his execution with a dull axe, rather painful sounding that, at which point he was too cowardly to face death and wandered Hogwarts as a spirit instead, a rather poor way to spend eternity he amended. When his story was complete it had been at least a couple of hours.
"Listen Nick, it is time for you to make a choice, actually it's far past time but that is neither here nor there, you need to decide now because this is the last chance you have, I will not force you to go as somehow I don't think Dumbledore would like that but it is my firm belief that you should move on.
Sir Nicholas chewed on his lip for a moment indecision clear in his eyes, "But-but what if I am sent to the Fields?"
"Then that is what you deserve in life and there is nothing you can do to change that, but you have helped countless children here even in your afterlife so I highly doubt you will go to the field, he may be cruel but he isn't unjust. Besides you are a Gryffindor man! Do not let your fear stop you from a big adventure." I placed my hand on his arm while I may have despised physical contact to a ghost who hadn't experienced touch in centuries it could be nothing but comforting. "Your wife and daughter are waiting for you in Elysium, they have been waiting a very long time," I said quietly I wasn't above pulling on heart strings to get what I wanted besides it was true.
"My dear Lucy, what she must think of her Papa, alright Ghost King I will go," he wiped the ghostly tears from his face holding back a sob.I stood smoothing down my hoodie and pulling myself to my full height forcing the air of professionalism.
"Kneel Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington," I said with the authority that only being a Son of hell itself could bestow, "you have escaped the hands of death and now I have come to collect, your soul is mine for reaping, finally have peace," I placed my hand on the Ghost's forehead and felt the sting of death in my gut shooting though my heart. He grinned before fading leaving nothing behind. I smiled as I felt his soul arrive in the Underworld 1 down 99 to go.
"What is it that you think you are doing Mr. di Angelo?," I turned fast whipping around to see a very shaken Harry and Dumbledore standing.
"So sorry, headmaster it looks as if you will have to find a new slave for Gryffindor", I snarled at the man.
"What did you do to Nearly Headless Nick?" Harry cried until Dumbledore raised his hand.
"Be respectful," I growled at the nickname, "and I did him a kindness, so stop being so damn snappy".
"He called you Ghost King," Harry replied swallowing he looked scared but was being braver in the presence of Dumbledore
"He did," I actually mentally banging my head against the wall, I doubted I would be able to keep things a secret much longer Dad would be unimpressed. "C'mon, you have classes tomorrow and i'm tired so lets get back to the common room". Harry glanced back at Dumbledore as if he wasn't sure leaving with me was a safe idea but he just smiled that annoying little smile of his.
"You said you did Near- Sir Nicholas a kindness?" Harry asked once we were out that particular corridor.
"Ya, I did, ghosts are unnatural, they are spirits that should have moved on but didn't or couldn't part of my, instinctual magic allows me to release them from their chains".
"How, I have never heard of any magic like that, and you were so nice to him, Hermione said you were the same with Peeves, we don't know anything about you Nico di Angelo," he said with a small glare that was mostly frustration.
"It is better this way, believe me this way you won't get involved, i know this is kinda a big thing to ask but can you please keep what you saw to your self people might take it the wrong way," I stopped looking at him in the eyes.
"Ya that is a lot to ask, we know nothing about you, why would I do you favours, you tell me what you are then we will talk," he crossed his arms. I had to give the kid credit he was doing a good job at not shaking.
"What I am?" I played dumb.
"You obviously aren't a wizard, no wand", he glared.
"Ah, so Hermione figure that one out? Fine," he looked slightly hopeful, "tell your friends, maybe Hermione can figure out what I am for you too,"I started walking again and he followed shortly after silent as he puzzled out what I had said.
Before too long after getting back to the dormitory the air wavered slightly in front of me and Percy's very angry face appeared. "Dammit Nico! You can't just disappear like that Annabeth and I were worried sick," I rolled my eyes immediately going on the defensive.
"You aren't my dad Percy you can't tell me what I can and can't do!"
"Is she gone?" Percy whispered and I looked through the Iris message to see Annabeth's disappearing figure through a door probably so Percy could yell at me in private. I nodded my confirmation and he grinned, "Sorry about that man, sorry 'bout everything, Wise Girl think i'm too easy on you, she thinks you need structure, I tried to tell her you and structure don't mix well but..." I waved him off i kinda missed my stupid cousin but not as much that he was forgiven. "Seriously Nico, I didn't mean to pressure you into anything like that," he actually did look sorry much to my chagrin and those gods damned puppy dog eyes.
"Whatever Percy i'm over it," I said pulling on my camp t-shirt as a pajama top. the others were fast asleep and I doubted even Percy's yelling would wake them.
"So, I saw Jason today, he says you're mad at him and won't return and of his IMs he looks pretty miserable wanna tell me what happened?" I lay down on top of the bed covers and closed my eyes, maybe if I faked sleep he would go away.
"Nothing Perce just me, I can't really control my emotions too well, I may or may not have punched him."
"You been sleeping Nico?" I struggled not to tense my body, it was the same question every time.
"How did you deal with it Perce? The nightmares, of Tartarus?" I felt bad for bringing it up because he flinched and went pale.
"Annabeth helped a lot, we talked about it, and it got easier the nightmares eventually stopped," he replied shortly. Of course it was that easy, everything was that easy for him. "You know Nico I think it would really help you to talk about it, maybe you could tell me, or Hazel, or Jason what happened to you down there," he said the very real concern in his voice irritated me.
"I'm fine Percy, just had a long day, plus I'm still on mission so you can't just IM me whenever you like okay?" I snapped letting my hair out of it's ponytail.
"Okay Nico", he looked down something in his eyes, "please, if you ever need anything, even if you just wanna talk give me a call okay, be safe". With that I swiped my hand through the Iris message and prepared myself for a very long night of nightmares
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