A/N: Here's that next chapter! Also, please note I actually write these chapters without dividing them up into chapters, so that's why some of it might begin or end a little weird. I'll try to get the next chapter up in approx. two weeks.
Nico scanned the High Table. The odd aura seemed the strongest around, Snape, he heard his classmates say. He looked to the left of Professor Snape and saw a man in a purple turban. Nico frowned. The man's eyes barely passed over Nico's eyes, and he felt the slightest of flickers in the man's aura. The man, Professor Quirrell, seemed to feel something was off as well. He suddenly sat stock still, and almost a feral look flashed across his face.
It was all gone, however, when Professor Dumbledore stood up and said, "The forest on the grounds is forbidden to all students."
Nico rubbed his right arm absently, and then winced as it sent sharp pain up his arm.
"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you that no magic shall be used in the corridors."
How do students practice magic then? Nico thought. Do they practice in their dorms and classes only?
"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing should contact Madam Hooch."
"And finally, the third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
Nico heard Harry laugh, then sobered as no one else laughed. The others turned to converse within themselves, but Nico's mind was whirring. What could possibly be in the third floor corridor? The Philosopher's Stone, obviously. Nico honestly doubted that whatever was guarding the stone could bring him a painful death. After all, what was dangerous enough to protect the stone, and yet be tamed enough to allow some passage by Professor Dumbledore himself?
"And now, bedtime. Off you trot!" Dumbledore dismissed.
Everyone rose and followed their house heads. Nico followed in the back of the group, hoping for a chance to sneak away. The Gryffindors clustered around their common room door, and Nico, noting the password as "Seeker", trailed away from the group. He avoided the other students and slipped toward the third floor corridor. As he was about to unlock the door with a swish of his sword, a ghost suddenly popped in from the walls. Specifically, Nearly Headless Nick.
"My lord, I do not think that would be wise" the ghost said politely.
"I can face whatever's in there," Nico said. "And I prefer if you didn't call me that."
"Apologies. I should report you to Professor Dumbledore, you know," Nick mused.
Nico glared at the ghost, but the ghost held his ground. Magical ghosts were certainly different, Nico thought. It was probably because of their time outside any real authority. His glare softened at the ghost's bravery.
"And why aren't you doing that right now?" Nico asked innocently.
"That's a good question," the ghost commented. "Why do you wish to get in there?"
Nico pondered whether he should lie or not. The truth seemed to be the best option since it wouldn't really do any harm to let the Gryffindor ghost know.
"The Philosopher's Stone is in it, and I need to get it so I can destroy it," he said simply.
Nick frowned. Nico's patience was beginning to thin, as time was wasted in the pointless conversation. The ghost seemed to sense it, as Nearly Headless Nick suddenly disappeared back into the walls. Nico let out a puff of air and brought his Stygian Iron sword down on the lock. The lock easily broke, and Nico slid inside, only to be greeted by a three headed dog.
Nico's eyes grew big in surprise. The dog snarled, but quickly stopped. He sniffed Nico and tentatively bumped Nico with it's middle head, as if smelling the Underworld on him. Nico reached out and patted the dog, who smiled and rubbed its head against Nico.
"Whoa, whoa, I'm not as big as you," Nico smiled.
Nico continued to scratch the dog fondly as he scanned the room. There! He spotted a small, wooden trapdoor right behind the dog. Nico edged toward the trapdoor and the dog whined in protest.
"Don't worry, I'll come back," soothed the demigod.
He opened up the trapdoor and jumped in. Big mistake. Instantly vines wrapped itself over Nico's limbs. The room was full of the nasty vines, and Nico could barely move. The vines were thick and rough and had the resemblance of rope. He felt a vine curling around his neck and tightening. His air supply was viciously cut off, and he choked on his remaining air supply. His vision started to darken- Darkness! Shadows! Idiot! He berated himself.
He willed himself into the shadows, mentally thanking the gods that the room was so dark. The darkness swallowed him up, and he felt the familiar tight, squeezing of space that indicated shadow traveling. Within seconds he was out of the plant's grasp on onto the cold, stone floor. Nico curled in on himself as he gasped for breath. His hands clenched and unclenched, and he trembled like a leaf. His breaths came out shuttered and painful. The son of Hades coughed. Breathing returning to normal, he stood up shakily and rubbed his neck with his fingers, inspecting for any severe damages. There was a small indent on his neck, but other than that, he was fine. He ignored the scratchy, roughness of his throat and looked around the room.
The room was barren and dimly lit. It was small, and had a single mirror in the middle. It was oddly warm and comforting. Nico looked into the mirror and saw himself. His robes were slightly ripped from the vines, and his face was dark and gloomy. The son of Hades looked away. Instead, he examined the rest of the room, looking for the stone. His senses told him that the stone was in the room, but he couldn't see where it could be. The mirror was the only clue, so Nico observed the mirror. Words were inscribed in the frame of the mirror, and he looked closer. Nico frowned. He squinted at the words. The words looked nothing like gibberish, and his dyslexia wasn't helping.
"Rised...start...hero...toy...tube," Nico mumbled.
He shook his head. There was no way the words spelled that. Nico growled and glanced back into the mirror. His expression had annoyance written all over, and it suddenly reminded Nico of Hades. Nico paused. If he couldn't find the Philosopher's Stone, no doubt Hades wouldn't even look at him again, casting him aside once more and berating Nico about how much better Bianca could've done it. His fists clenched. He needed to find the stone. He needed to find the stone. Where was the-
His reflection moved. The Nico in the reflection held a blood red stone in his hand. Smirking slightly, the reflection slipped the stone into his pocket. There was a sudden weight in his own pocket, and instantly Nico knew it was the stone. A slight smile spread across his face. Although he was tired, Nico felt like he could run a mile. The shadows around the room began to darken and swirl. Nico easily walked into them and walked out into the Underworld, and promptly collapsed.
Edit: Okay, because I got a few reviews wondering if this was the end, I am just going to answer here and not there. This is not the end! There will be more than 5 chapters. It'll probably go over 10 if I really work at it. Come on guys, after that dramatic entrance, Nico can't just leave Hogwarts. Plus, there's some odd mysteries he hasn't found the answer to yet! It'd be a little cruel to just end it here.