Nico woke up the next morning, and glanced around his surroundings. Four-poster bed, dark red curtains around him, silky sheets, and mahogany wood for the furniture. Where the Hades was he? Then the events of the previous night caught up to his sleep-encrusted brain. He was at Hogwarts, in the dorm for the fifth year Gryffindors. He was a Gryffindor. A Gryffindor, with Ginny, Neville, and the rest of the Weasleys. A Gryffindor with more options for friends, and since he didn't make them very easily, that was important. Besides, maybe he could help out in the planning of some pranks with Fred and George. He had to make sure his hands stayed clean, but not so clean that the twins decided to kill him.

Nico showered and was dressed just as the others were getting up, and sat around, waiting for someone else to be ready, so that he didn't get lost going to breakfast. Neville finished first, and Nico followed him out, glad to escape Harry, who seemed to be in a bad mood that morning.

He and Neville quickly made their way down to the Great Hall, Neville getting them through without getting lost. They took a seat next to Fred and George, who tried to talk them into trying out their new joke line. They wisely declined the offer, knowing that a bad prank could have disastrous consequences. Professor McGonagall came around with their schedules, and Neville groaned when he saw his. Nico looked at his own, and saw why. They had History of Magic, double Potions, Ancient Runes and double Defense Against the Dark Arts.

History of Magic was said to be the most boring subject in all of Hogwarts. They had a good teacher at Salem, who made everything interesting. He was a little like Chiron, and everyone liked him. Potions was a bit boring at times, but occasionally a person would blow up a cauldron or two, and everyone would laugh, even the one that blew up the cauldron. And America was a much more violent place than England, so naturally their Defense lessons were a bit harsh. But by the way this Umbridge woman was last night, things were going to be far more different than they were in America, or judging by the reactions of the other students, previous years as well. Nico leaned back and sighed. It seemed as though this was going to be a very long year. Hopefully the curse on the position would act the way Ginny and Draco said it would, and they would be soon rid of the woman.

Neville and Nico quickly finished their breakfast and hurried on up to History of Magic. Nico found that the other demigods spoke the truth, that his class could put you to sleep in ten minutes or less. Nico immediately took out a quill and set it to "Quick-Quotes" mode, ensuring that he would get the notes he needed, while allowing him to ignore the lesson and attempt to have a mental conversation with Draco.

Ugh, History is as boring as the Fields of Asphodel.

I'll say. And I've been suffering it for four years now. You got it lucky bro. I'll see you next period though, McGonagall is watching me.

Sure thing. See ya!

Nico broke the connection and considered taking Fred and George up on their offer, just to get out of this period. Of course, that could be dangerous to his health, and he didn't have any way of contacting the twins, so unless he wanted to let off some Son of Hades mumbo jumbo, he was stuck there. And even then, the wretched ghost might keep the class going. Oh why couldn't this guy just realize that he was dead and pass on already?

When the period ended, many students grabbed their bags and ran out of the room, anxious to leave, though slowed down while in the halls. If the rumors on Snape were true, and Nico was willing to bet his life that they were, the next two periods were going to be hell.

Once in the dungeons, Nico and Neville grabbed a station together, and waited for the teacher to enter.

"Settle down," said Snape coldly, shutting the door behind him. There was no real need to call class to order; the moment the class heard the door close, quiet had fallen and all fidgeting stopped. Nico suddenly knew that the others hadn't exaggerated. If anything, they toned it down. He could have easily passed for Nico's dad, with the hair, black robes, and overall effect he had on others.

Snape quickly explained about the O.W.L.s, which Nico tuned out. In America, they had their major tests a year earlier, so Nico had already been through it once, he didn't need a second time. Of course, he would still have to take the tests, but with a few minor adjustments, the tests were all the same, seeing as they were made by the International Federation or something of the sort. He would barely have to study for this year, but it would be necessary to brush up on a few things. And they said that America was lazy. But maybe they were just talking about their muggle counterparts. Magical America had a much better academic record.

Snape explained the potion that they were going to create the potion that day. The Draught of Peace, a complex potion that Nico remembered brewing at the end of his third year. Gods, how behind were these people? Neville mumbled something about faking bad potions, and Nico realized how much effort he had put into his pretense. Nico nodded to Neville, and promised to take control most of the time, so Neville didn't have to worry about being caught.

Soon, it was almost done, and while Nico and Neville's potions wasn't perfect, it was usable, though not nearly as efficient as the potion Snape described. If anything it needed to be concentrated a bit more, but that could be done easily, or the dosage raised. Professor Snape walked around, judging the potions. Hermione Granger's was perfect, though Harry's was given a zero, yet those worse were given a fair chance. Nico felt a bristle of anger at how unfair Snape was. Honestly, a man like that should not be a teacher. His dad could probably do a better job, and he was a bit of a homicidal maniac.

Ancient Runes with Hermione was interesting, he had taken the class in Salem, but it wasn't quite the same. Salem left a bit to be desired, and wasn't quite clear all of the time. Professor Babbling however, was not like her name stated and was clear and concise. Either way, the class flew by quickly, leaving Hermione and Nico chatting happily about the runes when they left class to go to Defense, dreading the two periods that they would have to spend with the woman.

When they entered the classroom, they fell silent, and Hermione left to sit with Ron and Harry, Nico sitting next to Neville. Professor Umbridge was sitting at her desk, looking like a toad with a fly on its head, the fly being a black bow nestled snugly in place.

"Well, good afternoon!" she said when the class had settled down. The class responded in a mumble, not very eager. "Well, that won't do. Please answer 'Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge!"

They chanted the reply, and started to take out their wands when they were told to put them away, and take out their quills instead. This was bound to be a boring lesson. She took out her own wand, a rather short one, and tapped the board, words appearing on it.

Defense Against the Dark Arts

A Return to Basic Principles

Umbridge continued on about the fragmented education they had received, and that the Ministry was taking a more direct approach in their education, a safer one, that was all theory. Nico was about to go crazy. All that reading and no spells! Honestly, his ADHD was going to drive him nuts! So, he raised his hand, and saw that he was not the only one, Hermione being the second. After a few more minutes, Umbridge finally called on him.

"Dear, is there something in the text that you don't understand?"

"Yes, actually, where is the practical application in all this?"

Umbridge cocked her head a little, confused. "What do you mean?"

"The book and the course standards, it's all theory. Where are we going to learn the practical application in all of this? We do have a section in our exams for the practical. If we don't practice, how can you expect us to pass?"

"Well, Mr. -?"

"di Angelo."

"Yes, Mr. di Angelo, if you understand the theory, the practical should come easy enough."

"First, theory and practical applications of a subject are two different things. Second, you realize that we are eventually going to need to learn to defend ourselves, right? Honestly, the theory isn't going to be enough."

"Why, who would want to hurt little children like yourselves?"

Nico let out a bark of laugher, grinning at the professor. "Lady, are you high?"

"Excuse me?" Umbridge shouted, indignant.

"You know, sniffing potions, doing drugs, under the influence? Or are you just naturally stupid? Because the world is not a pretty place filled with rainbows and ponies. It's hard, and it's rough. People attack and are thrown to desperate measures for the littlest things, and there are bound to be psychos out there that are just waiting to recruit for the next dark lord coming around. And we're fifth years, not five years old. We aren't little children, and it wouldn't matter if we were. I know people that have been fighting for their lives since before they were eligible for Hogwarts. I don't know too much about England, but I do know that when a dark lord does come along, it's at the worst time possible. So I think it's safe to say that some crazy person is going to look through people that supported the last dark lord, Voldieshorts or something like that, and get them on his side. We all know that there are death eaters out there that escaped Azkaban because they weren't high up enough, or they went underground, and they are prime candidates, along with their kids and such. So I think that it is a very good idea that we take practicals seriously and actually learn something. Because if any of us die because of some weirdo roaming the streets, waiting for the perfect moment to break out, then it's on your head, and our blood on your hands." Nico finished from his speech, the teacher flabbergasted, along with most of the class. Well, there went his chances of blending in.

Umbridge recovered, and a wide, sarcastic smile crept onto her face. "Well Mr. di Angelo, I think it's time you learned some manners. Detention with me for a week. Writing lines. My office, five o'clock, tomorrow evening. Now, without further interruptions, continue with the lesson, and read the first chapter of your books, NOW!" the class complied without haste, scanning over the pages quickly, praying that the class would end soon. Nico pretended to read, but didn't really bother, partly because of his dyslexia, partly because of what had been done. When Umbridge had said that he was going to be writing lines, there seemed to be more to it. And she seemed the type to bring in a cursed quill to keep students in lin