Rising from Shadowed Ashes
GreenCrystal19
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Heroes of Olympus; they belong to respective authors; J.K. Rowling and Rick Riordan. Cover art by Viktoria Ridzel (Viria/viria13/vika) as usual. Her art is amazing; she is now the official portrait artist.
Author's Notes: Sorry if I had Nico overreact a little. He was tired, and as I said, he thought Harry was evil. EDIT: I decided to have aAa more concrete reason; some magic was influencing him a bit. Edited chapter one quite a bit. So.
For anyone wondering why Nico cares about Octavian, in Blood of Olympus he initially felt guilty because he thought Will Solace (and others) would think he was a horrible person; he didn't feel particularly guilty about Octavian's death itself.
Also: The demigods do not HATE Nico; he has just convinced himself that they have. In the actual books, he overcame this opinion at the end of Heroes of Olympus, but in this, he has yet to realize that he could have friends if he tried. Sorry if he is being WAY too stubborn. Even when he does realize that the other demigods don't hate him, he won't be able to leave just yet because...well, you'll see why.
Chapter 2: Nico's Free-Time is Stolen
Nico's PoV
When Nico woke, it was to see a long, narrow stick hovering over his face. His immediate reaction: Did I shadow-travel into a tree again? Then the memory of what had happened caught up to him. Nico hastily jumped to his feet, almost tripping as he did, and twisted his ring. The Stygian iron sword stabbed the air, ready to slice whatever threatened Nico into shadowy oblivion. "Back off," Nico snarled.
His captor flicked his wand, and Nico's sword flew out of his hand and clattered against the wall opposite Nico. "I wouldn't try anything," the man standing before Nico said. He was old, with long, silvery hair and a matching beard. Half-moon glasses sat on his crooked nose; his eyes were blue (like Will's—DON'T THINK ABOUT WILL—) and sparkled with a lively light.
Nico caught his breath, almost choking. He-he disarmed me! Just like that! Nico's shock turned to anger. No one messes with the son of Hades. Or else. The shadows around Nico darkened, and the air in the room became colder; Nico could see his breath smoking. Nico took in his surroundings: he'd jumped off of a white bed; and he stood in what looked like a hotel room: an oak dresser sat under a mirror; and an oak cabinet stood in the corner; the walls were painted white, and a unlit fireplace sat in one corner. The bearded man stood between Nico and the door.
Nico glared at the man. "Give me back my sword," Nico said, his voice shaking with an odd combination of rage and fear.
The man shook his head "I'm afraid I can't do that," he said. "You see, people who attack the Boy Who Lived need to be investigated."
Nico's eyes darkened. "I warned you." The shadows in the room condensed even more, and sharpened into jagged spears. They then flew at the man, molding into ropes in midair. However, the wizard (he must have been a wizard) waved his stick—or wand, Nico remembered—and made the shadows disappear. Nico snapped his fingers, intending to summon some skeleton warriors, but all that appeared was an old chicken bone.
Nico suddenly felt exhausted; after surviving Tartarus, being kept in a bronze jar, and bringing the Athena Parthenos halfway across the world, even a small amount of Underworld or shadow magic drained him. Nico was in no shape to fight off an average monster, let alone a skilled wizard.
Nico sighed. He might as well play along. "What do you want?"
The man smiled. "A few things, actually. My apologies for not introducing myself; my name is Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. Could you please tell me yours?"
Nico gave "Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore" a wary look. "Names have power," he responded. "Why should I tell you mine?"
Dumbledore smiled. "That is true, in some cases," he said. "But I will need to call you something."
Nico gritted his teeth. Why should I listen to this guy? he thought angrily. No one gets to order me around. "Call me nothing," Nico growled. "Please, just leave me alone. I don't care about this 'Boy Who Lived.'"
Dumbledore's expression became serious. "Young man, you have attacked a very important wizard—and whether this was...intentional or not, you used an unusual sword: a Dark artifact. You then performed umbrakinesis and necromancy, both of which are against Wizarding law. We need answers, and the Minister himself is traveling here to see you. If you want to avoid any more trouble, you'll answer our questions—startimg with your name, please." Dumbledore said all this calmly yet firmly, in a tone that would not be disobeyed.
Nico decided he'd better get all of this over with. "My name is Nico di Angelo, and I really need to go do something, so please just give me my sword and go away."
Dumbledore smiled and offered his hand, like Nico was a friend having coffee at Starbucks, not a son of Hades who'd just accidentally tried to kill some wizard guy. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. di Angelo. Could you tell me how you arrived in Diagon Alley?"
Nico ignored the offered handshake, and his expression became guarded. How much should I say? he thought. Dumbledore's gaze made him uncomfortable; Nico felt like he was being X-rayed. His fears were confirmed. "Nico," Dumbledore said. "You must be honest. We have ways to get answers by force."
Nico eyed the wizard warily. "How, exactly?" he asked.
Dumbledore held up a small village of clear liquid. "Veritaserum," he said. "Just three drops can make someone reveal their deepest secrets."
Nico's heart flipped. Their deepest secrets. Nico was not going to be forced to tell someone that again. "Alright. I got to Diagon Alley by accident. Using my powers."
Dumbledore knit his eyebrows, looking concerned. "Ah. I see. I notice that you use a sword...are you not a wizard?"
Nico narrowed his eyes. Wizards do not know of demigods for a reason, he thought. They're even more dangerous than the Romans could've been. Nico decided to tell part of the truth: "I have magical abilities, but they're...different from yours. I don't need a wand, for starters."
Dumbledore nodded then checked a strange watch that had the planets and other things rather than numbers. "I see. The Minister should be arriving just about-"
"ALBUS!" A portly man wearing a lime green bowler hat strode into the room. He saw Nico, before turning his gaze back on Dumbledore. "Is this the boy who attacked Harry?"
Dumbledore nodded. "He is capable of umbrakinesis and necromancy, Cornelius. Nico, this is the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. Cornelius, this is Nico di Angelo."
Fudge's face reddened. "Umbrakinesis? Necromancy? This is the one who attacked Harry?! He should be put on trial and taken to Azkaban immediately!"
Nico stiffened. "No one takes me prisoner," he said, dark eyes flaming, the hint of a threat in his voice. I can't be trapped again. It would be like the time with the giants, and Tartarus. I can't.
Fudge narrowed his eyes, though he looked nervous. "Albus?"
Dumbledore looked thoughtful. Turning to Nico, he said: "I will offer you a choice. Either attend my school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, or go on trial, and quite likely get sentenced to Azkaban."
Nico seethed internally. Why should he go to some magic school, when he'd already learned all the skills he needed? Dumbledore nodded, as though reading Nico's thoughts. "Nico...if you run, the Ministry can and will track you down. We can easily restrict your powers, and you will be sentenced to Azkaban, I'm afraid."
Nico sighed. "I'll attend the school. But don't expect me to wear a hat and wave a wand just to make you happy!"
Fudge glared at Nico. "You expect me to allow you to bring Dark wizards near Harry? In a school?"
"Says the one stationing the Azkaban guards at Hogwarts," Dumbledore replied calmly, before looking at Nico intently. "If you attend my school, you must do your best to follow the rules and behave in class. And you may not harm Harry Potter. Do you understand?"
Nico nodded. "I understand," he said. But he didn't promise. Not on the River Styx. "Now, can I please have my sword back?"
The next day, Nico was given a bag full of some money, books, and other supplies. The bag had been on his bedside table when he'd woken up; Nico had rifled through it and had even found some of it interesting.
Afterwards, Nico headed downstairs, fingering his silver skull ring, which the wizards had (reluctantly) given him back. School. Nico didn't think that was a good idea. Besides, he liked his free-time. He did not like having his free-time stolen. Against his will. When would he send Iris-messenges, or even visit camp? Or get take-out from the McDonald's drive-thru? School definitely wasn't meant for the son of Hades.
As Nico descended the staircase and walked into the main room of the Leaky Cauldron (which was apparently the place where be was staying, a wizarding bar/hotel combo) he almost choked. There he was: Harry Evil Potter. Nico barely managed to keep his powers in control; he could feel himself itching to release all the shadows and make them tie Harry up and toss him into a convenient storage area. Nico winced at the thought; he sounded like the gods or the giants, tossing monsters (and sometimes sons of Hades) into Tartarus and forgetting about them. If Nico ever became a god, the first thing he'd do would be to make some serious improvements to Tartarus' living conditions. Maybe monsters wouldn't feel so murderous then.
Harry looked up and saw Nico; a myriad of expressions flickered across his face: extreme fear, then extreme anger, then pity, then curiosity, before he settled on a look of polite (ish) wariness.
Nico glared right back at him, sending out the message I may not be trying to kill you now, but I certainly don't like you, famous Potter. Harry's expression changed to that of annoyed disgust. Nico's gave swept over his friends: the redhead, Ron Weasley, if be remembered correctly, and Hermione Granger, the bushy-haired girl.
Nico sat in a shadowy corner, as far away from the trio as possible. But the moment he sat, Nico could feel himself dissolving; he reluctantly moved closer to the trio, into a lighter area. Turning into smoke was not on Nico's agenda for the day. Learning more about wizards was, and so was breakfast. Nico was actually hungry, for once. A waiter came over; Nico ordered an appetizer of "buttered toast, with biscuits," whatever that was. He ordered water on the side.
While he waited for the food, Nico watched the trio, who sat near the center of the room. He knew they were talking about him; they were painstakingly obvious, shooting glances at him. Finally, one of them—the girl, Hermione—stood and walked over to Nico's table. "Would you like to sit with us?"
Nico shook his head. "No, thank-you."
Hermione blinked. "Are you sure?"
Nico sighed. He knew they wouldn't leave him alone; besides, he didn't want them talking about him. "Alright." F
He followed Hermione back to their table, wondering why he'd decided to sit with them. At least I may be able to learn something about Harry, Nico thought to himself. As he walked closer, the evil inside Harry seemed to grow stronger, as though the snake had realized that some food had come close enough for it to strike at. Nico plunked himself down in a chair at the far end of the table and proceeded to stare at his hands, fidgeting with his ring but not activating it.
No one spoke.
After a few minutes, Nico's food arrived. Hesitantly, Nico took a bite of toast. Still, no one said anything. Nico had finished off half of his biscuits before Hermione awkwardly said, "We, um, didn't get your name...?"
"Nico di Angelo." Nico took a sip of water and pushed his plate away; two biscuits and a bite of toast was all he could handle for now. Maybe he'd eat more when Harry wasn't practically breathing down his neck.
Nico stared at his ring since more. No one said anything else. Nico sighed and then said, "I suppose you're all waiting for me to apologize about the ice cream incident."
No one spoke.
"Alright. I apologize for the ice cream incident."
Harry and Ron glared at him; Hermione looked concerned. Nico had gone back to his food and was down to his last biscuit when Hermione said, "Do you...er...want to talk about anything?"
Nico shrugged.
"Have you heard of Hogwarts before?"
"No." Why were these wizards so inquisitive?
Silence again. This was getting awkward.
After single-handedly bringing the biscuit population to extinction, Nico got up. "Well...bye, then. I need to go do some...um...stuff."
"Er...bye," Hermione said. The other two just started at him. His day kept getting better and better.
The trio watched as Nico proceeded back upstairs, twisting his ring around. Nico already hated it here; but he couldn't leave. Not until he'd attended that school and proved his innocence. Which would be hard, seeing as Nico hadn't really been innocent since he was ten.
The wizards hadn't told him much; just that Harry was known as the "Big Who Lived" and was famous; as well as the names of his two friends. Reaching his room, Nico flopped on his bed and stared at the ceiling. Suddenly, a voice from the corner said, "Nico!"
Nico sat straight up and looked over. "Will?!"
Will scowled. "I told you not to do any more underworld magic! I can sense that you've been shadow-traveling!"
"I, um..."
Will sighed. "Where are you?"
"London."
"WHAT?!"
"Diagon Alley. Wizards go shopping for school supplies here before they attend Hogwarts, a school in Scotland."
"Wizards? Nico, why do you always get yourself into the weirdest situations?"
Nico glared at Will. "Why do you care? Why do any of you care? No one at Camp Half-Blood ever liked me!"
Will blinked, looking like he'd been slapped. "That's not true!"
"Yeah, right. Maybe they would have...if things had turned out differently. But they didn't turn out differently. I won't fit in. I wouldn't be happy."
Will rolled his eyes. "I've told you already: that's not true, Deathboy."
"Don't call me Deathboy!"
"Whatever. The moment you can make another jump across the Atlantic—which, doctor's orders, is in AT LEAST two weeks—come back to camp and get your head on straight! When was anyone hated you?"
Nico glared at Will. "I can name at least ten times."
"Do it."
Nico was silent.
"See?"
"I hate you."
"Whatever."
"Also..." Nico began. "I...can't come back."
"What do you mean, can't come back?" Will asked.
"I...have to attend a wizarding school...for a year."
Will was silent. Then, "NICO! Chiron is going to kill me!"
Nico raised an eyebrow. So you DIDN'T just call me for fun. "What does this have to do with him?"
Will blinked. "Chiron was concerned, so I volunteered to check on you with an IM!"
"Chiron was concerned."
"Yes!"
"Because I could be a dangerous demigod up to no good, who may get into trouble."
"Well...partly."
"I swear by the gods—" Nico lost his temper and broke the connection, slicing his hand though the mist. "Stupid Apollo kid," he muttered. "Won't leave me alone."
Downstairs, Harry wouldn't leave Nico alone, either.
Harry's PoV
"There is something seriously weird about him!" Harry said, pacing back and forth.
"I think it's just—" Hermione started.
"He tried to kill me!"
"I agree with Harry!" Ron said. "I mean, he's obviously a Dark wizard of some sort, and Dark wizards almost always are in league with..." He trailed off.
Hermione blinked. "I suppose...he did seem like he's hiding something. But...he doesn't seem like someone who'd work with You-Know-Who."
Harry stopped pacing. "I'm going to find out what he's up to," he said. The little sneak is probably planning to kill me right now! He's probably upstairs plotting murderous plans and eating McDonald's chicken nuggets!
"I don't think that's a good idea," Hermione said.
"It's a great idea, mate!" Ron said cheerfully. "Use your cloak!"
He seemed to just relish the idea of some extra excitement.
Harry nodded. "Alright."
Nico's PoV
Nico was flopped on his bed again, thinking about his conversation with Will. WHY did I snap at him?! Nico thought. Now he'll NEVER like me. Why do I CARE whether he likes me?! He's so annoying! I hate my life! Nico glared the ceiling some more. The ceiling did not respond.
"Nico?"
Nico leapt to his feet again. "Hazel?!"
Nico blinked twice to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. But sure enough, a misty image of Nico's half-sister stood in the same spot Will's Iris-message had. Hazel sighed. "Good. You're okay. Will told me about what happened."
Nico sighed. "I swear if he tells anyone else I'll-"
Hazel sighed. "Nico, it's fine. You shouldn't be using your dark, shadowy death powers anyways. Besides, I...I may be able to help."
Nico looked up from the floor, feeling like a eager ten-year-old again. "Really? How, Hazel?"
"First of all: gather information. What do you know so far?"
Nico snorted. "First thing: Harry needs to go. Second thing: Dumbledore is way too nosy. Third thing: Hogwarts sounds like the stupidest school I've ever heard of."
Hazel blinked. "Harry? Dumbledore? Will told me about Hogwarts and Diagon Alley, but he didn't mention those names."
Nico waved his hand dismissively. "Couple of wizards I met." Nico lowered his voice. "Although with Harry, I can sense something evil. Something dangerous."
Hazel's eyes widened. "You don't think he'll try to...?"
Nico nodded. "I do, actually," he said. "There will be death; I know that."
Hazel looked horrified. "Nico—whatever you do—"
Nico smiled, although the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Hazel...I'll be fine. I just need to do what needs to be done, and leave."
Hazel nodded. "Nico..." her voice became soft. "You'll always have a place at the demigod camps. Will was right."
Nico smiled sadly. "I wish." Then: "Bye." He swiped his hand through the mist. Why can't Hazel and Will see the truth? I'll never be happy there.
Harry's PoV
Harry slipped under his invisibility cloak and crept towards Nico's room before pressing his ear to the door.
"—told me about what happened," an unfamiliar female voice said.
Harry heard Nico sigh. "I swear if he tells any one I'll—"
The girl responded. "Nico, it's fine. You shouldn't be using your dark, shadowy death powers anyways. Besides, I...I may be able to help."
"Really? How, Hazel?" Nico sounded eager. Too eager in Harry's opinion. The new person is probably telling him all my weaknesses, Harry thought.
"First of all: gather information. What do you know so far?" the girl said. Yup. Harry was right.
Nico snorted. "First thing: Harry needs to go. Second thing: Dumbledore is way too nosey. Third thing: Hogwarts sounds like the stupidest school I've ever heard of."
Harry needs to go. Harry was right. Nico seemed to want to get rid of Harry. Naturally, Harry decided to keep listening. The girl—Hazel-responded. "Harry? Dumbledore? Will told me about Hogwarts and Diagon Alley, but he didn't mention those names."
Nico sounded dismissive, which was odd... "Couple of wizards I met." Nico and Hazel's voices got quieter for a moment; no matter how hard Harry listened, he couldn't decipher what they were saying.
"-I do, actually," Nico said his voice loud enough to hear now. "There will be death; I know that."
Hazel sounded worried. "Nico—whatever you do—"
Nico cut her off. "Hazel...I'll be fine. I just need to do what needs to be done, and leave."
"Nico..." Hazel's voice became soft again.
Nico sounded a bit sad, even bitter, when he responded. "I wish." A pause, then: "Bye."
Harry heard footsteps heading towards the door; he quickly scrambled away and ran back downstairs. He had to tell Hermione and Ron what had happened!
"Ron! Hermione!"
They jumped to their feet and ran over. "What did you hear, mate?" Ron asked.
"Nico migghttt be planning to kill me," Harry said in a low voice.
"What?" Hermione said.
"I heard him say 'Harry needs to go' and 'there will be death,'" Harry continued. "He was talking to a girl named Hazel, and she mentioned someone named Will. But that means Nico was talking to two people...surely he must be a spy, or someone working for Voldemort, or something dangerous," Harry said.
"Harry, you need to tell Dumbledore!" Hermione said.
"No!" Ron said. "You need to find Nico right now and punch his lights out! Or hex him! Maybe that leg-locking curse-"
"Excuse me?"
Harry didn't want to. He really didn't want to. But be turned around. Nico stood right behind him, arms crossed, looking rather furious.
Nico's PoV
Nico was annoyed at both Will and Hazel. So he got up and headed back downstairs. Maybe he could burn off some of his energy by taking a walk around Diagon Alley. Or maybe he could "gather information." As he headed downstairs, he heard Ron, Hermione, and Harry talking.
"Harry, you need to tell Dumbledore!" Hermione was saying.
"No!" Ron said. "You need to find Nico right now and punch his lights out! Or hex him! Maybe that leg-locking curse-"
"Excuse me?" Nico asked. He crossed his arms, wondering whether he should unsheath his sword. Harry turned around. Nico raised an eyebrow.
"I don't appreciate being punched, hexed, or cursed, thank you very much," he said coldly.
Remembering the other part of their conversation, Nico added: "And what do you need to tell Dumbledore?"
Harry glared at Nico, whipping his wand out. "If that was any of your business, Nico-"
Nico had a sudden suspicion. The air around him grew chilly; Nico could tell from the trio's expressions that he must have looked pretty scary. "Have you been...eavesdropping?"
Nico could tell from their silence that had. Harry's evil aura got stronger. Nico himself could barely keep his aura in check; he could already see little tendrils of darkness spreading alone the floor. Nico gave Harry, Ron, and Hermione his best death glare. In a low voice, he said: "I'll let you off the hook this time. But please, don't ever listen to my conversations again. And don't you dare tell Dumbledore anything about me—the sooner I leave this place, the better."
With that, Nico turned and stalked outside. They had listened to his conversation. With Hazel and possibly Will. From what Harry had said, they'd probably heard Nico saying that there would be death. However, it was true; Nico could sense a high probability of death around this wizarding world. Nico did not need any more death in his life, thank you very much. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt (or the zombie chauffeur, anyways).
Not really thinking, Nico tapped one of the bricks on the wall in front of him-the one that opened Diagon Alley-and began walking down the street. There were quite a few wizards and witches milling about, but not as many as when Nico had first seen the alley. Absentmindedly, Nico let his feet lead him wherever they wanted; thinking about what had just happened. What do they know? Do they know about...about THAT secret? No. I didn't say anything about it. But do they know about the camps? What if they DO tell Dumbledore? DO THEY KNOW I'M A DEMIGOD? What if-Nico was broken out of his thoughts by a voice saying, "There you are, Nico di Angelo. I've been expecting you."
He was in Ollivander's wand shop. Why did I go in here? Am I...could I be a wizard?
Author's Notes: Well folks, that ends of what I am sure is my LONGEST EVER CHAPTER-around 4000 words!-I hope you enjoyed! I'll update soon with wands, and after that, dementors and Boggarts! Yay!
If you have any feedback or suggestions, please review.
Edit: Somebody said Nico was calmer in canon. I agree. I made him less crazy with the sword and stuff. And Ron ain't that stupid, LOL. I made him sound like he actually knew how stuff works, LOL.
