A.N:

Guest: Fluffy isn't really Cerberus, just one of his descendants. I just thought that Nico would have a way with dogs, since he spends a lot of time with Mrs. O'Leary and Cerberus. Kind of like how Annabeth could train Cerberus because she knew a bit about training dogs. Also, I'm glad that you liked the chapter!

LillyE.R: Thank you! I'm glad you like it so far. Also, I'll try to update as soon as I can, but I've got big tests coming up so... yeah. Still, I hope you like this chapter!

TRICK OR TREAT? WAIT, WERE'S THE TREAT?

A month of research, homework and arguments flew by. Theodore had finally remembered to ask Nico to hang out, to which he had replied oh so eloquently, "I-uh- who me? Are you sure you're talking to me?"

Nico still preferred to be left alone for the most part, but didn't object when they (read: Theodore) dragged him to participate in 'The Queer Quintet's Quirky Get-together'.

Every time Nico heard him say that...that result of a failed attempt to think of a catchy group name, he would blush in embarrassment. Why? Artemis wasn't sure. Maybe he was embarrassed to be associated with such an odd attempt at alliteration. Artemis definitely was.

Of course, Artemis made sure to say it as much as he could. As much as it pained him to say such an obnoxious sounding phrase, it was definitely worth it to see Nico squirm.

The two of them were on... better terms now. But that didn't mean that they stopped trying to drive each other up the wall.

Soon enough it was Halloween, and the entire school was buzzing with excitement, except two certain 11-year old boys.

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"I don't see why everyone is so excited." Artemis huffed, "It's merely a holiday in honor of pumpkins and skeletons. It makes no logical sense."

Nico scowled, "That's the problem! No Fowl, not the lack of logic. It's been 2 months, get used to it. What I meant was, the fact that it's supposed to celebrate spooky stuff! It's nothing but an insult to skeletons and ghosts, who are just trying to mind their own business. Do you know how annoying it is when mortals see a ghost on Halloween and film it to post online? Honestly! It's an absolute outrage."

By now, everyone at the table had turned to look at him.

"I thought you would like this holiday." Grumbled Theodore. "You're pale and creepy, so are skeletons. You'd think that you would get along fine."

"Oh we do." Nico said before he could stop himself.

'We do? Really di Angelo? Good going' chided a voice in his head that sounded suspiciously like his dad. Could gods invade your head? Maybe his dad was really in his head!

'Dad?' he asked hesitantly, 'you in there?'

Of course, no one replied. He tried to ignore the vague feeling of disappointment. He had probably just imagined it. Why would he even want his dad in his head? They were supposed to be mad at each other!

"NICO!"

Nico jumped, startled out of his thoughts which had been interrupted by none other than... Fowl.(Who else could it be?)

"What is it Fowl?" he snapped.

"You were staring off into space once again. We were asking you if you had heard the rumor about Dumbledore hiring dancing skeletons?"

Nico bristled, "Dancing skeletons? How exactly do people make skeletons dance?"

"Magic di Angelo. It's been two months, get used to it."

Nico felt like shredding up the table, "Making innocent skeletons dance against their will? Does this school have no regard for non-human rights? Mini-Cerberus deserves better!" he declared dramatically, storming out of the hall. He had planned to storm out of the hall like Professor Snape with his robes bellowing, hopefully making the teachers aware of the fact that he did not approve of them keeping a baby hellhound cooped up in a corridor.

Of course he spoiled his dramatic exit by tripping over someone's backpack. He could almost feel Professor Snape's eyes bearing into him in disappointment for messing up one of his standard dramatic exits.

"Whose backpack is this?" he demanded.

A shaky hand rose from the Gryffindor table. Nico rolled his eyes. Of course it was Longbottom, it always was.

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Despite how much he hated their motives, Nico had to admit, Hogwarts knew how to throw a Halloween party. There were sweets of all kinds and thankfully, plenty of junk food too. Nico heaved a sigh of relief. It had been two months since he had last had a Happy meal. Of course, Hogwarts Pizza was nowhere near as good as McDonalds cheeseburgers, but it was close.

Of course, Nico should have known that the universe wouldn't let him relish the junk food. Barely 15 minutes later, Professor Quirrell ran in, dramatically declared that there was a troll in the dungeons, and promptly fainted.

Nico made a mental note to ask that guy for acting advice later, he really knew how to make an entrance.

In less than a minutes they entire hall was in disarray, with teachers frantically trying to herd students into their common rooms. Nico rolled his eyes, these kids wouldn't have survived a minute as a demigod. Nico joined the line of Slytherins heading out of the hall. All of a sudden, he bumped into Artemis, who was standing stock still.

"There's a troll in the dungeon."

Blaise rolled his eyes, "We know that genius! Get a grip!"

"There is a troll in the dungeons! Our common room is in the dungeons!"

Nico cursed himself under his breath, how could he have forgotten?

The prefects seemed to be panicking, their head of house had gone to find the troll, and all the other houses were leaving.

Deciding that there was only one this to do, Nico creeped out of the line, unaware that 3 other people were doing the same thing.

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Nico had no idea that there was anyone else out of line until he bumped into the said person near the girls bathroom.

"Fowl? What are you doing here?" he hissed.

"Following you so that you don't get yourself killed."

"I can take care of myself! Why did you follow me?"

Fowl huffed, "I didn't mean to follow you. I was trying to locate the whereabouts of the troll myself and hopefully secure it before it destroyed the common room. However, you seemed to know where it was, so I followed you instead."

Before Nico could reply two more people darted towards the bathroom. Nico sighed, all he wanted to do was kill a troll in peace. Was that too much to ask?

Apparently the two other idiots who had got it into their heads to follow the troll were Harry and Weasley.

"Harry? What are you doing here?" he asked, ignoring Ron who muttered something about being there too.

"Hermione! Bathroom! Our fault! Troll! Apologize maybe?" Harry panted, trying to catch his breath.

Nico shook his head, "I didn't understand a word you just said, but it sounded bad and also troll-related. So let's- "

A high pitch scream burst forth from inside the bathroom, successfully interrupting him.

"Hermione!" yelled Harry and Ron and ran inside.

Artemis looked confused, "Hermione?"

He shrugged, "Hermione."

By the time he and Fowl joined the fight, Harry and Ron were already doing... Something. The 'something' involved Harry sticking his wand up the troll's nose and Ron, well, Ron was calling the troll every insulting name he could think of, even ones that weren't remotely relevant like 'Quidditch Hater!' . Nico shook his head, however unorthodox their methods were, they were definitely keeping the troll busy.

He spoke too soon.

The troll shook Harry off and sent him flying. Of course the troll would decide to target the demigod instead.

Nico had no idea what to do, he had been planning on whipping out his sword and finishing the troll off nice and easy. Unfortunately, he couldn't do that with so many witnesses. Before he could think of a concrete plan, the troll lunged at him, forcing him to dive out of the way.

The good news was, he was okay.

The bad news was that his ring had slipped off.

He prayed to all the gods he could think of that the troll would ignore the shiny object on the ground. He could almost imagine the Olympians sitting on their thrones arguing about whether or not they should give him a bit of good luck. Apparently, Zeus' side of the argument had won, because the troll picked up the ring and started to inspect it.

'Please don't twist the ring! Please don't twist the ring!' he begged silently.

Of course, it twisted the ring, revealing his Stygian Iron sword, which the troll dropped with a grunt.

Deciding that it wasn't worth it to keep his cover if his cover got them all killed, Nico grabbed his sword and started to distract the monster, hoping the others would get the hint.

Apparently they did, because a few moments later a giant club fell on the troll's head, knocking it out cold.

"We're alive? We're alive!" exclaimed Harry and started to do a strange little jig around the bathroom.

"A perfectly performed levitation charm bears sweet results, don't you think?" asked Artemis, looking even more smug than usual.

"Yeah ,Yeah Fowl, we get it." He answered, relieved that no one had asked him about the sword yet.

"How did you sneak that sword in di Angelo?"

He groaned, he was just jinxing himself now. "It's a... family heirloom." He said, twisting the ring counter-clockwise and slipping it back on. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone else."

Artemis opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, another voice beat him to it.

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"

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