Nico POV
To my dismay, a week later it's January 28th my eighty eightieth birthday (or twelfth, depends how you look at it.)
I had no plans whatsoever of telling anyone. Just like everything thing else, my birthday's not the same without my sister.
"Happy birthday." Hermione greets walking into class.
I freeze. "How did you-"
"Your family tree in a book on Italian pureblood families had your birthday." She answers as though it is the most obvious thing in the world.
I turn to see Will and Kat staring at me. "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US?!" Will yells.
"Uh…."
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! YOU SMELL LIKE A MOKEY! AND YOU LOOK LIKE ONE TOO!" Kat sings.
The magic raised stare at her in confusion.
"What in Hades name?" I question.
"How old are you turning?" Hannah Abbott asks.
"Eighty." I joke.
My friends and the golden trio supress laughs.
"Twelve. What did you think?" I correct.
"We need to buy presents." Will tells me. "And a cake." He adds, thoughtfully.
"NO!" I argue. "I hate birthdays, please just ignore it. We didn't celebrate yours because you didn't want to." I remind her.
"That wasn't actually my birthday, this is yours." Kat tells me, slinging her arm over my shoulder. "Do you prefer pink or blue balloons?"
"NO BALLOONS!" I shriek "And nothing pink." I add, wrinkling my nose in disgust.
"Please be quiet, you may celebrate Di Angelo's birthday after class." McGonagall tells us.
After class Kat and Will immediately pull me over to the kitchens.
"Hey Twinkle." Kat greets, smiling warmly at the house elf.
"Hello mistress!" a tiny creature with large bat like ears and large eyes replies cheerfully.
"Can you please do me a favour and bake Nico here a birthday cake." Kat pleads.
"OF COURSE!" Twinkle agrees instantly. "What flavour and how many stories?"
"It's not…" I begin before seeing how eager the elf looks. "Only one, chocolate." I answer before adding. "And would it be possible for the cake to be blue?"
The elf nods eagerly. "But of course master!"
I give her a small smile before turning back to Will and Kat. "There, I've celebrated. Can we forget it's my birthday now?"
"OF COURSE NOT!" Will declares. "I know you hate people, so party's out…" he says thoughtfully.
A huge grin appears on Kat's face. "I'll be right back, birthday boy."
Before I could blink Kat was gone.
"That was weird. Anyway this just means I get you all to myself." Will says, making me blush.
Half an hour later Kat appears, with a sneaky smile. "Follow after me for your birthday surprise, Nicky.
"Birthday surprise? What birthday surprise?" I ask, long since given up on correcting her.
She just smirks and signals for me to follow her. "And bring your money. You too, sunshine." She adds to us.
Kat leads up down an abandoned corridor on the third floor, stopping when we reach a statue of a one eyed witch, where two identical red heads are waiting.
"Greetings young Puffins!" The left twin exclaims.
The statue moves aside to reveal a skinny entrance into a hidden passage.
"Kat, where are we going?" Will asks.
"Just wait and see, fellow mallowpuffs. All I'll say is that the Weasely twins are not only freakishly identical, but geniuses." Kat says, giving a twins a grin before disappearing, alongside the twins.
I roll my eyes and follow after her, falling down a stone slide.
After ten minutes of walking down the abandoned passageway, which I spent interrogating the Weasely twins (to no avail) we reached a trapdoor.
One of the twins opened the trapdoor, poking his head through. "It's clear. Let's go, Georgey."
We follow the twins through the door to a dusty old cellar. "Where are we?" Will asks.
One of the twins grins. "Honeydukes cellar of course!"
What the Zeus Is a Honeydukes?
"It's the sweet shop in the neibouring town." Kat explains, grinning.
"Are we allowed to be here?" Will asks.
The twins snort. "What fun would that be?"
"We have been as kind as you offer our services in aiding young troublemakers, and you dare to ask about rules? The travesty!" the right twin declares, acting mortally wounded.
I grin, making them all back away. "Well let's get to it then." I say, before climbing up the stairs to the sweet shop.
The Honeydukes shop is more spectacular than anything I had seen before. I don't have as big a sweet tooth as a use to, but shelf after shelf of spectacular sweets is enough to make any kid's mouth water.
"Wow." Will breathes.
"Fred, George. What have we said about sneaking out of school? And are you corrupting these poor children? Am Asian woman who appears to be about her mid-twenties chastises.
"MATILDA!" The twins exclaim. "We have no idea what you're talking about." One of the twins adds with a wink.
She crosses her arms and glares.
"Well, get shopping before I get tempted to call McGonagall." She tells them, before walking behind the counter muttering something that sounds like. "How do those idiots even get here?"
I study the shelf after shelf of sweets, buying several different candies I had never heard of and plenty of chocolates. The others seem to have even less restraint than I do.
We spend the rest of the afternoon being led by the Weasley twins around town, buying things at almost every store and surprisingly enough, actually enjoying my birthday.
Kat POV
The day of my first game I could not stop shaking with excitement, eager to see the smug look on Malfoys face destroyed when I win.
Once I had changed into my Quidditch gear I join Diggory on the pitch.
"Remember a fair game, the Slytherin's are known for cheating but we must not stoop to their level, and safety if more important than winning." Cedric tells us. "We don't want any of you breaking your arms because you want to catch a snitch."
I smirk, and follow them to the pitch.
Draco glares at me. "Such a shame you're not petrified yet, mudblood."
The other players move to attack, but I signal for them to stay. "Please, even as a statue I'm a better seeker than you, ferret face." I hiss. "You couldn't catch a snitch if it flew up right next to your face, oh wait that's already happened."
"BREAK IT UP!" Madam Hooch yells. "I want a fair game, you hear?"
We nod, before mounting our brooms.
"Hufflepuff verses Slytherin, the first game with the new Hufflepuff player the gorgeous Katerina Williams." Lee Jordon announces.
The game begins, with our chasers catching and throwing the ball at an incredible speed, managing to overtake Slytherin.
I notice the Malfoys are once again in the stands. Draco's father sneer increasing every time we score, but Narcissa's gaze never left me and Malfoy.
"Such a shame they allow mudbloods like yourself to join the team. Really it just ruins the game for everyone else." Malfoy continues, apparently not knowing what shut up means.
I search the field, attempting to ignore Draco. I am not missing that snitch.
A bludger flies toward me, but I maneuverer my broom to knock it toward Draco, who barely dodges it.
"Opps." I shrug innocently.
Draco returns to yelling at me and calling me the scum of society, which I ignore.
I look over to the bleachers to see Nico reading. He is a dead man. Next to him is Alex, who I had invited to the game. I notice she has her phone out and is moving it as if she is playing doodle jump. They're both dead.
After another ten minutes I notice a small gold dot flying behind Will.
Excellent.
I glance at Draco, who showing off on his broom.
I take off toward the snitch, finally catching Draco's attention.
He zooms after me, knocking into me in attempt to knock me off
"Rude." I mutter, knocking into him
A bludger knocks straight into me, knocking me from my broom so that I am barely holding on by my fingertips.
The crowd goes silence.
I swing over and grab onto him broom, before propelling myself in front of him.
"Hey Ferret face. Thanks for the ride." I say, grinning at the gobsmacked Draco.
I attempt to take hold of the broom, pushing it toward the snitch.
Draco attemps to take control of the broom by throwing me off.
"GET OFF MY BROOM, YOU FILTHY MUDBLOOD!"
The audience has forgotten the rest of the game, all watching me and Draco.
I zoom toward the snitch, as we both reach out to grab it.
I seize the golden ball in my hand, grinning at the audience.
Half of the crowd brust into cheers, while the other booes.
"SHE WASN'T EVEN ON HER BROOM!"
"SLYTHERIN BROOM, SO WE WIN!"
I turn to grin at the paling Malfoy. "Mind giving me a lift?"
He moves to push me off the broom, but one of the chasers flies up next to me in time for me to grab onto his.
"How rude." I chuckle, pulling myself onto his broom.
"Nice catch." he chuckles, flying me to the ground.
The rest of our team run over, all cheering me on. "GREAT CATCH!"
"We haven't beat Slytherin in over ten years." Diggory breathes, looking dazed.
"You're welcome." I grin, looking over at Draco being yelled at by Fitch.
"But you could have gotten hurt." Cedric tells me.
"I know, I know, but it's Quidditch." I shrug. Cedric really is a nice guy.
"Next time try to avoid jumping through the sky onto Slytherin's brooms."
"No promises." I tell him before running over to Alex and Nico.
"What did you think of the game?' Oh wait neither of you were paying attention!" I glare.
"I saw the part where you almost died…" Alex argues weakly. "Speaking of which, you're an idiot."
I grin at her, before turning to yell at Nico.
On my way back to the commonroom for the party, I see two pale blonde heads whispering in a corner.
Why are the Malfoys still here?
"Why have the attacks stopped?" One of the voice I assume to be Narcissa hisses.
"I'm not sure, but do not worry. The chamber is open, all will go according to plan, this is just a small mishap."
So the Malfoys do know something…
"What of the school? Do they suspect anything?" Narcissa whispers.
"They believe Potter is behind it." He hisses, seeming amused by the idea.
"Good. I do not want any trouble because of this ridiculous idea of yours." Narcissa snorts.
"It's not ridiculous! My plan will work, and maybe a few mudbloods will die." He shrugs, not seeming bothered.
I grit my teeth. How could life mean so little to them?
"What was that noise?" Narcissa whispers.
Oh crap.
I run as quietly as I can back to the common-room, noticing Nico running from the dormitory where I assume Will is.
"Why are you avoiding your boyfriend?" I demand, attempting to ignore the conversation I just heard.
His expression turns panicked. "Huh?" he squeaks.
"Will!" I exclaim. "Why aren't you talking to him?"
"I-I'm not-"
I glare at him, before grabbing hold of his robes and pushing him into dormitory, where as I expected Will is sitting on his bed.
Will (POV)
"I'LL LET YOU OUT WHEN YOU KISS AND MAKE UP!" Kat yells, locking the door.
"Where the hell have you been?!" I shout.
"i-I uh."
"Why did you end the iris message? Why can't you ask Bianca? And why in hades name have you been avoiding me!?" I ramble.
"It's complicated." He whispers awkwardly.
"Start from the beginning." I tell him.
"Uh when I disappeared for a week, the barriers between life and death were weak, so weak that someone could sneak through if they knew how." He whispers.
My mind was spinning. "Wait- did you…"
"No." He answers, shaking his head. "I tried to, but Bianca wasn't in Elysium she had chosen to be reborn without telling me."
"I'm so sorry Nico."
He looks so broken, avoiding eye contact, obviously trying to force back tears. I want to hug him.
I try to take his shaking hand in mine, but he pulls away.
Someone strikes me. "Wait, where do you keep going if not to visit her?"
He looks at me, clearly panicked. "What did you find out over the holidays?"
I'm taken aback by the sudden question. "Don't try to change the topic."
"It's relevant. Annabeth IM'd me that a boy named Jason is there. What do you know about him?'
"Um, he's the son of Jupiter… didn't anyone tell you about the Romans?"
He looks relieved. "I've known for a while. Since I disappeared."
Nico knew? What about Percy? Thought they were friends, why would he keep where he is a secret?
"I don't know where Percy is." He answers my silent question.
"But-"
"Just be quiet. Please don't judge me for what I'm about to tell you, but I did bring someone back from the dead."
My heart breaks at the look on his face, like he expects me to hit him any second.
I stare at him. "Who?"
"My sister, a daughter of Pluto." He answers, looking guilty. "I don't regret it. Hazel deserves to live." I freeze. So he's been visiting this Hazel? And he's known about the Romans this whole time.
I remember my brothers Lee and Michael, I would give anything to have them back.
"I don't judge you." I tell him, putting a hand on his arm, which is like ice against my hand.
Nico (POV)
I may vomit.
I look around the great hall to see the walls covered with pink hearts and other horrifically pink decorations. It looks like Aphrodite vomited on the walls.
"I have never been so disgusted." I declare.
"It's kind of cute." Will says.
We give him disgusted looks, before noticing the disgustingly pink Lockhart up front.
"Happy Valentine's Day!" Lockhart shouts. "And may I thank the forty-six people who have so far sent me cards! Yes, I have taken the liberty of arranging this little surprise for you all - and it doesn't end here!"
Kat pulls a pink paper airplane out of her bag and flies it toward his head.
"67!" He declares grinning, before reading the note and paling. "Uh never mind."
I give her a curious look which she shrugs off.
Lockhart claps his hands and through the doors to the entrance hall marched a dozen surly-looking dwarfs, wearing golden wings and carrying harps.
Oh Gods.
"My friendly, card-carrying cupids!" Lockhart beams. "They will be roving around the school today delivering your valentines! And the fun doesn't stop here! I'm sure my colleagues will want to enter into the spirit of the occasion! Why not ask Professor Snape to show you how to whip up a Love Potion! And while you're at it, Professor Flitwick knows more about Entrancing Enchantments than any wizard I've ever met, the sly old dog!"
Professor Flitwick buries his face in his hands. Snape gives us death glares to say the first person to ask him for a Love Potion would be force-fed poison.
Kat grins at me. "This is going to be the best valentines ever."
During Defence Lockhart spent the entire lesson reading out his favourite love poems to himself.
Halfway through the class a surly elf storms inside, glaring at Malfoy. "I have a signing valentine for Mr Malfoy."
Draco pales, looking pleadingly at Pansy as if to ask if it were here, which she shakes her head.
Kat grins at me.
Draco attempts to run out of the class, but is held back by Lockhart.
"Don't you want to hear your lovely song?" He asks cheerfully.
The elf coughs a little before starting to sing.
Look inside
Look inside your tiny mind
Now look a bit harder
'Cause we're so uninspired, so sick and tired of all the hatred you harbour.
So you say
It's not okay to be gay
Well I think you're just evil
You're just some racist who can't tie my laces
Your point of view is medieval
Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
'Cause we hate what you do
And we hate your whole crew
So please don't stay in touch
Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
'Cause your words don't translate and it's getting quite late
So please don't stay in touch
Do you get
Do you get a little kick out of being slow-minded?
You want to be like your father
Its approval you're after
Well that's not how you find it.
Do you
Do you really enjoy living a life that's so hateful?
Cause there's a hole where your soul should be
You're losing control of it and it's really distasteful
Do you
Do you really enjoy living a life that's so hateful?
'Cause there's a hole where your soul should be
You're losing control of it and it's really distasteful
Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
'Cause we hate what you do
And we hate your whole crew
So please don't stay in touch
Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
'Cause your words don't translate and it's getting quite late
So please don't stay in touch
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you,
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you,
Fuck you
You say, you think we need to go to war
Well you're already in one,
'Cause its people like you
That need to get slew
No one wants your opinion
Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
'Cause we hate what you do
And we hate your whole crew
So please don't stay in touch
Fuck you
Fuck you very, very much
'Cause your words don't translate and it's getting quite late
So please don't stay in touch
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you
The class was divided into shocked silence and fits of laughter. I was the later.
"WILLIAMS!" Malfoy screams.
"Didn't you like my valentine?" she asks innocently.
"That's enough." Lockhart blushes, seeming embarrassed his idea was used so rudely.
They trade glares before sitting back down.
A few minutes later another elf arrived, handing Will a pink card, which Will reads and blushes.
My gut twists. Someone likes Will? Of course they do, he's gorgeous, much better looking than the other boys around here, not to mention he's a great guy…
I blush and force myself to read my book, ignoring Kat's teasing.
Over the rest of the day I thankfully didn't get any valentines, Kat on the other hand seemed to get one every lesson, most of which signing which she happily joined in with, not seeming at all embarrassed.