IMORTANT A/N: Readers, mainly Harry Potter fans, DO NOT take the personification of Harry in this chapter as a trait of his character. He is NOT Malfoyish in this story, but under an influence of somebody I cannot tell you about without spoiling the story. Believe me, more things will be explained later, but from now on please read the chapters carefully. There will be loads of hints here and there that will be quite important later in the story. Without them, you won't understand the ending. Anyhow, all I ask of you is to bear with Harry's personality two more chapters and then... things will take a very interesting twist.

ENJOY!

Chapter 10

Arguments and Evil Plots

'Death Eater!'

Harry was overcome with such rage that fiery sparks were shooting out of his wand onto the ground. He was so furious! At least, he thought he was. He felt much adrenaline, but when Nico moved his eyes towards him, he realised he felt agitated because of FEAR.

Harry and Ron had seen the signal Hermione had sent from the Forbidden Forest and at first planned to go straight to Dumbledore. Harry thought better of it though, suspecting that Nico di Angelo had had something to do with this. In that case, thought he, I need to get to the Forest as soon as possible. His suspicions were correct. Harry had arrived at the clearing Nico was in just in time to see him thrust his sword into the ground, say some sort of incantation and see the odd people in the clearing begin to lose their life-force. Fast. Harry had wanted to do something, tell Nico to stop, but the dark aura radiating from the kid made him unable to talk. Such a relief it was for him when Nico had suddenly stopped. Everyone, including him, Ron, Percy and Hermione seemed to have been brought out of a great shock. That was when Harry had wielded his wand.

There was no doubt now. He was sure Nico was a Death Eater. He had used Dark Arts, done something to Hermione, who was on the ground, weakened, and he had almost killed the now unconscious group of people! But then another thought had crossed his mind momentarily, as Nico looked at him. He, Nico, had pale skin, so pale, and black hair, as well as dark eyes which now possessed an odd glint. He looked very much like the man he had seen in the Chamber of Secrets two years ago; he could surely be related to him. It could even be possible that he is Voldemort's so– No, thought Harry, impossible. He is a Death Eater, nothing more.

But Nico didn't seem to agree with him. In fact, in an instant, all emotions disappeared from the kid's face. There was no slight smile on his lips, no confusion expressed, no anger – just a perfect poker face and with that Nico said,

'You really are thick, aren't you? I told you, I am no Death Eater. Who would want to eat THANATOS?'

'Don't you lie!' shouted Harry. 'You used Dark Arts!'

'And?' asked Nico, but did not wait for an answer. 'Look, I don't want to discuss my powers right now. These people,' he motioned to the unconscious men, 'were cursed. Now the curse is lifted. Help me get the to the Hospital Wing.'

Gesturing to Percy, he moved to the men on the ground, but Harry yelled, 'Expelliarmus!' however Nico's sword only jerked in his grasp. Unknown to Harry, spells had a very weak effect on demigods or their weapons. Especially, if those weapons were made from Stygian Iron.

'What the Hades are you doing?' Nico was annoyed now.

'You're not getting close to those people,' stated Harry. 'Don't think I hadn't seen what you did several minutes ago.'

Nico cringed.

'It was an accident–'

There he stopped. Harry noticed a mix of sadness and confusion settling on Nico's face and if circumstances were different he would feel sorry for the kid. Now though he did not care.

'The only accident I see is the fact that you're not in Azkaban!' yelled Harry.

'Harry, please stop,' said Hermione weakly. Ron immediately rushed to her, helping her up. 'It wasn't...'

'And what the hell are you doing,' questioned Harry, 'wandering around with a Death Eater?'

'How many times do I have to drill it into your stupid wizard head?' Nico's voice was rising. 'I. Am. Not. A. Death. Eater. I would go to Tartarus a thousand times over than serve that scum – Tom Riddle!'

That only convinced Harry of his second theory. Who but Voldemort's relative (except Dumbledore, of course) would dare use his given name? Or it would have to be a very powerful, very close Death Eater.

If Harry's consciousness would have been split in two and the normal logical side of his mind would consider things from a Hermione-like point of view, he would have probably realised that Nico was indeed not a Death Eater, nor was he a relative of Voldemort's. In fact, if Harry wasn't angered about the wizarding world thinking he was a lunatic and if he had calmed down just for a bit, he and Nico would have probably become great friends. Also, he would have noticed in his mind and stranger present; something was influencing him to think this way, something, or someone was playing with his mind... Unfortunately, Harry could not see this and continued to hold on to his very negative opinions of Nico. In short, he continued to see things in a very illogical, very un-Hermione-ish point of view.

'You use Dark Arts! You almost kill twelve innocent people! Monsters seem to follow you wherever you go! Ghosts fear you, shadows obey you and have you forgotten the Sorting, eh?' Harry knew it was enough and he was quite tired of shouting but something (that something mentioned before) kept him going. 'And after all that you say you aren't a Death Eater or at least the child of one? Who is it in your family who serves Voldemort? Your father? Your mother? I bet it's both! I bet your whole family is evil–'

'SHUT UP!'

Either Nico's voice was too loud, or it was his powers, but the earth literally shook as if Poseidon himself set foot on it with a foul mood. Nico's eyes were rimmed with red and he was shaking. Black flames appeared around his fists and seemed quite dangerous. As did Nico overall, at that moment.

'Don't bring my family into this, Potter,' Nico said quietly, but very threateningly. Percy was immediately reminded of Hades when he was angry. Hoping to avoid disastrous results Percy said,

'Nico, calm down...' However, Nico wasn't listening.

'I don't care what the wizarding world thinks of my powers!' shouted Nico. 'I have them, I don't use them to kill anyone, I am learning to control them. You yourself, if you haven't noticed, have a part of Riddle's powers inside of you!' Harry tensed at this, wondering how Nico knew. 'Nobody blames you for that, do they, so don't accuse me of merely my parentage! You don't know anything about me, Potter, so mind your own business and stop butting into mine!'

By now the whole clearing was filled with a dark mist and shadows began to move into different shapes, looking as if they would strike any moment. Harry didn't notice this though. However, Ron and Hermione did, along with Percy.

'Harry, maybe he's right,' said Ron uncertainly.

What a coward, though Harry and addressed Nico again,

'Tell me who you are and I'll have no more suspicions. Or are you scared you'd have to admit yourself being Voldemort's ally?'

'IDIOT!' shouted Nico.

Obeying his emotions and not common sense, the shadows lashed out towards Harry, but then, out of nowhere, an arrow flew in front of the swarm of darkness. The shadows immediately turned to the left towards the bigger threat who turned out to be a group of Chirons. Nico almost face-palmed, cursing his ADHD. Not a group of Chirons, he corrected himself, a group of centaurs. Still angry, but quite distracted Nico watched as the centaurs walked into the clearing and stood in front of Nico, saying,

'Please, son of Pluto, keep calm. There has been enough darkness in the Forest this night.'

'These odd dreams di Angelo has are helping helping our plan greatly, aren't they?' asked Voldemort, walking through a wide corridor, holding the Orb of Hecate tightly in his hand.

'Yes,' said a cold voice, 'and so far, things are going perfectly.

'This was not my original plan,' said Voldemort. 'I had meant to keep my return secret from the wizarding world for some time.'

'It is still secret, but soon, very soon you will take over those pathetic wizards.'

Indeed, it has thought Voldemort looking at his surroundings, feeling thrilled. He was in Azkaban, in which dozens of dead wizards (criminals who had refused to serve him when he had ruined the prison) were thrown across the floor. Walls, were crashed and the Death Eaters Voldemort has freed from Azkaban were wandering around with eyes full of awe and terror, while the rest of Voldemort's servants were taking care of the dead bodies. Voldemort could still hardly believe all this has been done by a small crystal ball with a pulsing purple light in its centre. The Orb of Hecate was truly formidable.

'Now, Riddle, when are you planning to attack the Ministry and get the prophecy?'

'Harry Potter is the least of my worries right now,' said Voldemort. 'Percy Jackson, however...' Voldemort thought for several blissful minutes about the new plan he had in his mind concerning the demigod. Since he had found out about the Greek gods being real and the prophecies of the wizarding world being often incorrect, his obsession with Harry Potter's death had disappeared. He would kill him of course, just for fun, but later. After the Rising, that is. 'Anyhow, didn't you say not to start the Rising too soon? Di Angelo has to get stronger first'

The figure smirked.

'Oh, he will, and then he shall join me. Especially with these nightmares he has been having. And if you use your connection with Potter to...'

The figure halted.

'What is it?' questioned Voldemort.

'I feel a presence...'

The figure raised its hand and blasted a wall on its side with dark energy. A girl was revealed lying on the ground because of the explosion. She was trembling and her eyes widened when she had seen the two people standing in front of her. Voldemort wasted no time, using Hecate's Orb. The girl couldn't move out of the attack coming out of the Orb and was thrown back hard into a wall. Seeing she was not dead, merely unconscious, Voldemort shot another deadly attack, but right before it was about to finish the girl off... she vanished.

Voldemort swore loudly.

'Calm down, Tom, the witch hadn't heard much,' said the figure. 'It is with a god's help that she had disappeared, but let her go back to Hogwarts. She will not interfere with the plan.'

Voldemort didn't seem quite sure, but said no more.

'And anyway,' the figure added, 'it would do good for Nico to know something about my plan...'

With that Voldemort's ally disappeared.

'Why did the centaurs treat him so... nicely?' asked Ron as he and Harry carried one of the twelve warriors towards the castle. Percy, Hermione and the centaurs were carrying the rest, while Nico had been left at the clearing to talk to centaurs who wanted to tell him something very important.

'I don't know,' said Harry, feeling strange. The anger he had had in the clearing had gone away and he was beginning to think that Nico was telling the truth. That he wasn't a Death Eater. However, as soon as he would finish the thought a new wave of fury and hate towards Nico would take over his mind and he would never notice that that hate and anger wasn't his own...

Glancing at Hermione to distract himself, Harry noticed she seemed to be very deep in thought. She would glance behind from time to time as if hoping to see Percy and Nico following. Then, Hermione addressed a centaur, 'Excuse me, do you know why the other centaurs wanted to talk to Nico and Percy?'

'Jupiter isn't bright this night,' answered one centaur.

'What does that mean?' asked Hermione although, looking at her, Harry had a feeling she already knew the answer and was just seeking confirmation.

'We are not allowed to tell you.'

'Who the hell are they?' questioned Harry. 'Why is it you treat them as if they're your friends?'

'For they are.'

'But didn't you see what Nico did? He almost killed...'

'Patience, young wizard, and do not be hasty. Do not let prejudice get the better of you. You shall find out about them soon enough,' the centaurs replied.

'I want to find out now,' Harry insisted.

'Patience, young wizard,' said the centaurs. 'Pluto and Neptune can't always stay hidden.'

Only Hermione's eyes widened in a shocking realisation.

After recounting to the centaurs exactly what had happened in the Forest, including the strange drakon-like monster and the attack of the warriors, Nico waited in silence for what the centaurs would say. Although he was interested in what they might tell him, he was afraid they would see him as a monster. A very dangerous death-like monster and admittedly Nico would agree with them.

Managing to keep a facade of indifference Nico was thinking about all that's happened. He was still quite shaky from what he had done (or almost done) to the odd warriors and in addition to feeling very guilty and scared about that his "conversation" with Harry wouldn't go out of his mind.

The wizard was silent as the centaurs had stopped Nico's shadow attack and surprisingly Harry did not say a word to Nico as the centaurs had told him to carry the odd people to the castle. All the time though Nico could see Harry glaring at him as if he was Voldemort himself. That made Nico angry. What has he done? He did not kill the men, did he? He could have continued draining the people's life-force but he didn't! What was Harry blaming him for? Why couldn't he see that Nico wasn't a Death Eater? At that moment, Nico wished very much to tell Harry why exactly he was at Hogwarts. But if was Chiron's and Dumbledore's orders to keep his identity secret for a while. So Nico, like Harry remained silent, although something about the look Harry had left with worried Nico. He shrugged it off. Harry couldn't possibly pose any danger to him.

Instead, Nico regarded Percy. He too was very silent and Nico was worried he had lost his best friend. Because of his powers he was never accepted at camp. His only friends were Percy, Thalia, Annabeth and the children of Hecate or Thanatos. The others avoided him like the plague; even Ares's kids never bullied him and Nico could feel that even they, children of the god of war, were afraid of him.

All in all, Percy was the only true friend he had and Nico didn't want him to start ignoring him like the others. Nico cancelled out the possibility of Percy ever fearing him, especially with the Achilles curse, but now he was not so sure. His father always said Nico would match Percy in battle when he was older and more experienced. However, Nico wasn't sure he wanted that. What was the point of being powerful if you had no friends?

'Are you troubled, son of Pluto?' one of the centaurs asked him. If Nico remembered correctly his name was Ronan.

'A little,' said Nico. Somehow he felt he couldn't tell lies to these creatures.

'A dark shadow is looming over the world, demigods,' said another centaur, Firenze, gravely. 'You both and the wizarding world are in danger.'

'What is this danger?' asked Percy. 'Voldemort?'

'He is only part of the evil that is present right now. You-Know-Who is your concern, Percy Jackson. Yours, however,' Roran addressed Nico, 'is a far greater force than He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.'

'Who is it?' asked Nico, 'and what does he want?'

'It is not certain,' said Firenze. 'All we have knowledge of is that your enemy, son of Pluto, will want to use your powers for a great evil.'

'What evil?'

'We cannot say more. But keep in mind the history of the ancients.'

'What?' asked Nico. 'What history?'

'There are many myths and legends in the world,' said Firenze. 'Much of them are true... We must now leave son of Pluto, son of Neptune. Remember our words. Even you bearer of an ancient curse,' said the centaur to Percy, 'may die on this quest.'

With that, the centaurs vanished in the trees.

'Today is a grave day for us all,' said Dumbledore to the students seated in the Great Hall. 'We are all aware of the recent mass breakout from Azkaban and that many criminals, most of them Death Eaters, are now free in the wizarding world. The Ministry still denies that Voldemort' – everybody flinched – 'is involved, but I urge you all to be careful and expect the unexpected. You may think Voldemort has not returned, but really, what force in the wizarding world is strong enough to ruin Azkaban in less than an hour? Just something for you to think about...

'Now off you go to bed!'

After Dumbledore had finished, Harry turned to Neville, who was tugging at his sleeve, with an annoyed expression on his face, 'What?' asked he.

'Have you seen Luna recently?' Neville seemed very concerned.

'Who?'

'Luna. Luna Lovegood. We sat in the carriage with her remember?' said Neville.

'Oh...' said Harry, distracted. 'No, no I haven't seen her.'

With that Harry stood up and went out of the Great Hall. It has been two days since he and Ron had found Nico, Percy and Hermione in the Forbidden Forest and Harry had many much more important things on his mind than Luna Lovegood. Like the people they had brought to the Hospital Wing from the Forest... They had awoken yesterday but didn't seem to remember anything out of the ordinary. Most of them swore they were in a shop a moment ago, but that certainly could not be the case. Dumbledore had questioned them, but couldn't extract anything from them except that they were all from Scandinavia.

After that, Dumbledore had the people's memory removed and sent them back to their homes; they could not tell him anything useful. Useful to Nico and Percy, that is, or, Harry thought, now just Percy. He had not seen Nico since the kid's brief conversation with Dumbledore in the Hospital Wing. Where was he? What was he doing? What if he was contacting a Death Eater this very moment?.. Harry still firmly believed Nico was no ordinary wizard. Hermione disagreed with him though. He remembered the fight they had had yesterday...

'You do realise you're friends with a Death Eater, right?' asked Harry, making his words sound more like a statement.

'Nico is not a Death...' Hermione protested.

'Didn't you see, no didn't you see,' Harry prevented Hermione from interrupting, 'what he did to those people? That was Dark Arts!'

'Yes, I know,' said Hermione.

'And you still defend him?'

'You don't understand. It's not his choice, he was born with such powers...' Hermione wanted so badly to explain what she had found out after long hours of reading in the library, but she couldn't tell Harry. She couldn't break her promise to Percy and Nico.

'So you found out something about them?' questioned Ron.

'Yes, but you'll find out later...'

'Tell us now! We're your friends, not them!' shouted Harry.

'You're all my friends, all right?' said Hermione.

'No. Either you're with us or you're with them,' said Harry, leaving Hermione speechless.

'Harry, I...'

'Choose.'

Harry was in such an indescribably foul mood when Hermione, after staying still a few moments, turned away and said, 'I choose Percy and Nico. Believe me, it's for your own good, Harry.'

Traitor, thought Harry, ascending to the Gryffindor tower. Then, though, he chose not to go the short way there, but picked a long way through a series of corridors and moving stares. Had he not made such a decision, maybe, the future weeks would have been a better time, but, as Harry had been assured many times, he was a super-strong magnet for trouble. It was his destiny of a sort.

So, after going through a dark corridor he heard a scream coming from behind. He turned, but didn't spot anyone. Another bad decision he made was to cease moving. He waited patiently for any sign of anything being wrong and soon, from the darkness, emerged Malfoy, his wand alight, along with Crabbe and Goyle who seemed to have been... beaten up?

'Oh, it's you, Potter,' said Malfoy. 'What are you doing wandering the castle when you're supposed to be in bed?'

'I could ask you the same question,' said Harry.

Malfoy scowled and said, 'None of your business. I'm sure your buddy di Angelo will tell you soon enough.'

'What do you mean?' asked Harry. 'You've seen Nico?'

'Seen? Yes, I've seen him! And for that the slimy git threatens me with a bloody sword! The disrespectful mongrel! But just you wait, I'll teach him a lesson...'

'Nico threatened you?' questioned Harry, frowning.

Malfoy stared at him.

'I thought you'd be happy, Potter,' said Malfoy. 'But yes. I was following him, but really I don't see why he has to try to kill me.'

Harry noticed a hint of fear in Malfoy's voice and on another occasion he would have been very amused, but now, he just wanted desperately to prove to everyone, especially Dumbledore, that Nico was an enemy. When Harry had come to Dumbledore's office and voiced his suspicions, all he had gotten was a reassurance that Dumbledore trusted Nico and a stone door slamming shut in front of his face.

'But that's all right,' continued Malfoy. 'In a few days I'll get my revenge. I'll get revenge and everybody will find out where that scumbag came from...'

'In a few days?' asked Harry. 'You're planning something?'

To any Hogwarts student the scene would look most odd. Two students were conversing. One of them was a Slytherin, the other a Gryffindor. One of them was Harry Potter, the other Draco Malfoy. And they weren't arguing? Yes, Harry would think back after this, something is definitely wrong with that.

But right now, all Harry cared about was finding out who Nico was.

'You won't stop me, Potter,' said Malfoy.

'I'm not planning to,' said Harry. 'I want to find out where the hell Nico is from and if he's a Death Eater or the son of... of... a Death Eater,' Harry finished lamely, though he had wanted to say something else.

Malfoy considered Harry for a moment.

'He does look like the kind, doesn't he?' asked Malfoy. 'Reminds me of the people my father hangs out... I mean, used to hang out with,' Malfoy said quickly. After sighing he continued, 'Look, Potter. If you tell this to anyone I'll deny it, but for my plan to work I need someone smart, not the bungling idiots standing behind me. I have an idea that could benefit both of us: I'll get revenge for that di Angelo kid threatening me and you'll probably – no, definitely – find out who the kid is, where he had come from and all the others things you so want to know. Let's make an alliance, but just for a few days. After, we'll go back to hating each other. Do we have an agreement?'

Malfoy offered his hand for Harry to shake, but the wizard eyed it warily. Did he really want this? Be an ally with Malfoy? Malfoy, who he had hated for four years? Malfoy who was a Slytherin? Malfoy, who had done so many bad things to him that he grew tired of remembering all of them?

But then, Nico was a bigger problem. He was either a Death Eater, or the son of one, or even the son of Voldemort (Harry grew accustomed to the theory shortly after it had appeared), but no matter what he was he was most likely the enemy. Dark Arts were not permitted at Hogwarts, yet still Dumbledore keeps the kid here! Is the Headmaster blind? Can't he see that Nico is evil? thought Harry, sighing. In his eyes, finding out more about Nico di Angelo was more important than losing his reputation as the number one Slytherin hater in the history of Hogwarts, second only to Gryffindor himself. So, still not thinking clearly with his own mind, Harry shook Malfoy's hand and the latter quickly told him about his quite mean (evil, even) plan.

Somewhere far in a large secluded manor, Voldemort smirked contentedly; Harry Potter was easier manipulated than he had thought. In a few days, thought the Dark Lord, my plan will be fully set in motion.

A/N: Next chapter is... well, if I told you the title, I would spoil everything so you'll have to wait. All I can tell you is that it will be SOLELY in Nico's point of view. And that's right: I'm REALLY thrilled to be writing it.