Finale: Nearing the End
Nico couldn't believe his eyes- even as pure pain shot through his veins, he couldn't take it in- one thing he did not expect, was Sirius' death. He had seemed so...so alive. With so much more to live for- he wasn't even claimed free of charges, yet! They didn't even clear him...And if they did, what use would it be? None at all, with him dead.
Nico struggled not to cry out- he fell to his knees, and someone caught him from behind...he could just make out the rough hands of Alastor Moody, but nothing else and he was forced to shut his eyes tight as if that might keep away the pain.
"Let me go!" Nico moaned. "Need - to save - Sirius-"
"You can't save him!" Alastor growled in a nearly sympathetic tone. Nico hated it- Sirius didn't need Alastor's sympathy, he didn't need it either. What Sirius needed was to be saved!
"Listen, di Angelo- that veil literally filters your soul from your body. Once you step through it, you're gone for good."
"I'm the son of Hades!" he said hoarsely, so only Alastor could hear.
"But you have a soul!" Moody barked back. "And you're not loosing it. There's still a war to fight. There's still a battle win! Don't throw your life away."
Nico couldn't as much as fight back, he was in that much pain. The several cuts on his body tinged painfully, maintaining the previous wounds-on-concentrated-citric acid sensation. But he was not going to loose this round- not after so many lives, not after so many deaths. What had Moody just said? Nico's brain tried to comprehend something besides the agony...The veil filters the soul from the body, ripping them apart in a certain manner of speaking...But what if the object entering the veil didn't have a soul? What if they were only bodies, lifeless, soulless, reanimation of corpses? Whom did Nico know who was a necromancer, again?
He didn't know how much it took- but in the end, he managed to channel his anguish, push it in with the determination and desperation- he was already on the floor as it was, with Alastor holding his hands back in an awkward position-
He felt the ground beneath his feet crack open as new reanimated corpses surged out- he thought he felt Alastor let him go in shock, but he wasn't sure of anything at that point- the pain subsided for a second- he saw no less than half a dozen skeleton warriors climbed out- Nico mentally ordered them to retrieve Sirius Black- he lifted his eyes a little to see what was happening. The six skeletons were approaching the veil in a quick march, but once the first one was a couple inches away - a wave of power found itself out of the veil, tearing the reanimated joints and bones apart, scattering them across the room. Nico's last thought was how much he hated the Department of Mysteries as he drifted into unconsciousness.
-O-
Nico opened his eyes, only to shut them back again. He was feeling so, so, worn out. Urgh. He hated hospitals- he could tell he was in one, or at least in a medical wing, from the familiar smell of potions and antiseptics. And the blinding light and the glimpse of white wall he caught. He wondered where he was...With Will, again? But no, that wasn't possible- he hadn't helped Will in the Infirmary since last Christmas when the Ares and Apollo kids...Oh.
And suddenly, he became all too aware of where he was, and what was happening. The realization jolted him out of his dizziness and he sat up-right in bed- his body protested as sharp hiss escaped his lips. Madame Pomfrey was at his side n a moment, clucking her tongue and looking disapproving and alarmed.
"Now!" she said, looking aghast. "You lie down right back, Mr. Angelo! Going that long bearing bleeding cuts without proper treatment! I would have thought you'd know better." She ended with a huff and pushed Nico back down. He didn't give up.
"But-"
"Mr. Angelo- yes, I know it's the proper term, I can speak fluent Italian and calling you Mr 'Of Angels' hardly seems appropriate, but that's beside the point- you will lie down now, and I am having none of your heroic nonsense. Mr Lupin, Mrs Ginevra Weasley, Mrs Granger, Mrs Lovegood, and Mr Longbottom are all awaiting you outside, and so help me, I will not let either of them in until you've taken your proper doses of Blood Replenshing potion." She snapped her fingers furiously like a command, and for a second, Nico thought something dramatic would happen until he simply saw a small brunette unlocking the door of Madam Pomfrey's office and coming out with a vial of a strangely golden potion.
She handed it to Madam Pomfrey, who nodded appreciatively. Briana then moved to the bed opposite to Nico's- she pulled the drapes aside. A white-skinned, deathly pale Damien Taylor was lying. His skin tone was so light it might have been transparent, and his limbs were rigid and stiff.
Briana's eyes immediately filled with tears as she propped herself beside her boyfriend and started expertly pouring the contents of a potion she was holding into his open mouth. She sniffed, and kept trying to flatten his hair, whispering something that suspiciously sounded like 'I'm sorry, I'm so, so, sorry...'
"Yes, dear, that's quite enough." Madam Pomfrey said, while simultaneously urging Nico to drink with a challenging look. "It was only a minor memory charm, he'll remember you when he wakes. I'm sure Fillius will find out who did it." Briana nodded, still looking miserable, and walked into Madam Pomfrey's office without another word. Nico would have been worried, really, but his mind was racing, images were running through it- images Nico didn't want to believe.
He looked at Madam Pomfrey with stony eyes, the Blood Replenishing potion raised, but not close to his lips.
"Sirius...is he...?" Nico whispered, his eyes not leaving the nurse, who had her hands on her hips. At Sirius' mention, her hands dropped to her sides, and she sighed, a frown gracing her face. Nico even thought he saw her eyes shining a little- they were definitely wet.
"We can talk about this later- getting yourself an anemia shan't help things, Nico."
In favor of seeing Remus Lupin and the rest, Nico quickly gulped down the potion- it tasted like fruit cocktail, and made him feel extremely warm inside, but he didn't pay much attention to the pleasant feeling as it faded away.
Nico out-right refused drinking another bottle of BR potion, and Madam Pomfrey reluctantly agreed to let the others on the condition that Nico would take the potion while they were present.
Immediately, all the five promised people rushed into his room, all of them chatting at once, making Nico's head spin.
"Oh, Merlin Nico-"
"-were so worried!-
"-how in-"
Madam Pomfrey silenced them with a single glare. "Now, leave the poor dear rest. He still hasn't taken the proper dosage of Blood Replenishing potion."
Remus gave Madam Pomfrey an almost accusing look, as if complaining about favoring- it looked like Madam Pomfrey had a reputation that went past her.
"I'll make sure he does." Ginny volunteered, much too innocently for Nico's liking. She looked about ready to shove an entire storage cupboard's worth down Nico's throat if t meant he was allowed to talk.
Madam Pomfrey eyes them all incredulously, then sighed and went back to treating her other patients.
"We were so worried!" Neville whispered- he looked like he wanted to hug Nico, but was reluctant at his medical state, for which Nico was quite grateful. He took a slow sip just in case, however.
Remus nodded, but he looked rather distracted- his face was pale, and his eyes were dull and void of their usual warmth. He looked like a glued-together ornament. It was put back together right- it held on for the sake of the outside seers, but it would never be the same again. Remus had just lost a friend- one he'd though he had finally gotten back after twelve years, only to have him get lost again.
"I-I am glad you are healthy Nico- but believe I must check in on Harry's state." Nico nodded, giving him a reassuring look to confirm he understood, and it was fine. The other three shared incredulous looks, then turned to Nico as if awaiting some form of reply. Remus walked out swiftly before he could manage a verbal one.
Once the click of a closing door was registered, Ginny and Neville turned to him with a wld light in their eyes.
"What was that stuff you did- back there. Was it really necromancy?" Neville queried. Ginny and Luna just stared on curiously, and Nico felt a sigh escape his lips. That was it- he was hoping no one had noticed, but that was irrational thinking. It would be pretty hard to miss a hole in the ground with six skeletons popping out of it. He nodded reluctantly.
"Wow," Ginny breathed as Neville sat down in shock- well he was technically about to sit down on thin air, but Luna, the ready Ravenclaw she was, conjured one for hm before that happened. Nico's eyes drifted to his bed sheets as he waited for their response. The others, apparently, seemed to pick up on this.
"Crumple-Horned Snorkacks prefer to be more social when they are younger and more innocent, but that does not mean that they leave behind their younglings when they grow up." she said eccentrically. Ginny, Neville, and Nico just stared at her.
"I think what Luna is trying to say is," Neville started, looking at the blonde dubiously. "We're not leaving you behind or anything- just because necromancy is...well, unique, that doesn't mean we'll stop being your friends or anything." he assured confidently, as Ginny nodded determinedly. Nico felt his lips switch upwards, and he took another sip of the BR potion. For some reason, he suspected the warmth that spread his body was only due to its effects.
Luna patted Neville's arm fondly, and the older boy blushed. Nico had to clear his throat to divert their attention to him again, and Ginny smirked with what looked suspiciously like satisfaction.
"I appreciate that." Nico said slowly. "I really do. No one's been to keen to befriend a necromancer before and...well, that aside, I can guess you know why I was sent now." he finished.
The others nodded.
"Harry mentioned Dumbledore called you an 'ally of war'." Ginny said thoughtfully. "Raising the dead...I suppose that will definitely gives us a jump ahead."
"Yeah," Neville said. "I mean, I know this is probably a secret from everyone else, and there are most likely more- don't give me that look, I know there are more stuff you're keeping with us, and we understand that you'll have to keep them in favor of war. But it definitely does make us a step closer to success."
Nico just stared- he wasn't used to Neville being all sensible, but he really did seem to know something about keeping secrets.
"Yeah, about that...How's Harry and the rest?"
"They're fine." Ginny assured him. "Neville and I were treated in a trice- Hermione and Ron were released from here a couple hours ago. They're both fine, but I do think they're worried about Harry. He wasn't quite alright since...well, you know. And the three of them have always been inseparable- like some sort of tightly-bound Trio."
Nico found himself feeling a level of sympathy for Harry- it was like Bianca all over again. She was the only family Nico had left at that time, and her death had broken him inside out. He hoped that the presence of several other people in Harry's life would alter things for him, until he caught the wistful look on Ginny's face.
"Well, they've had to look out for each other, hadn't they?" Nico said, hoping to show her the other side of things. "There's really no point getting them out of that habit- they really are a trio. We'll just have to look out for each other too, right? You, Neville, Luna, and I." Nico didn't know where the words came from, but he knew that he felt them, and meant them with every fiber of his being. Right from then, he wasn't only protecting the wizarding world because he had to- he wanted to. It was just...a sense of obligation, really. There was no other word for it.
His words brought a smile onto Ginny's face. "Yeah...I guess you're right with that one. Strengthening that is the fact that we've been by your side since you got here. Couple of days- not that much, really." Nico nearly spat the potion he had been drinking, in fact, the only think stopping him was Ginny. Her expression hardened immediately as she turned around and gave the un-drunk BR potion in Nico's hands a pointed look. He hastily took another gulp, remembering the promise Ginny had made to Madam Pomfrey.
"C-couple days?"
"You were quite a mess." Luna admitted unhelpfully. "Anymore questions?" she asked sweetly.
"Another thing, ..." Nico started, frowning, and trying not to let the fact that he was out for days hinder him. He decided to try and keep his mind of it. "What happened, after I passed out? And what's your side of the story?"
Neville and Ginny launched into their parts, with Luna adding in comments about Nargle-infested brains and how the Quibbler would make sure the 'Ministry Raid' as they now called it, got its justice on publicity. Nico found himself frowning at the details that came next- none of them made sense, really- how stupid were the Ministry not leave guards behind? Sure, a few security Aurors would probably be no match for the Dark Lord as far as he knew, but he'd only seen Death Eaters at the earlier moments. Ginny came to a questionable end, explaining how they were told that Voldemort showed up in the Ministry right in front of the Minister of Magic himself.
"How in H- uh, Merlin did they managed to get everyone out of the Ministry? How did he manage to get all the Ministry workers out? That just makes no sense."
Neville and Ginny looked startled by that for a moment, and actually tried to give some thought into it, whereas Luna simply shrugged.
"I told you they had Nargle-infested brains- Nargles tend to take up easy bait, especially if it's to their benefit."
"Are you saying You-Know-Who baited Fudge and the Ministry into believing it was in their best to leave- like, say, their bait was something they wanted?" Ginny said, he chin under her palm. Luna just smiled mysteriously.
"All right, that aside," Nico said slowly. "Didn't you say Tom disapparated?" he asked incredulously. That earned him a nod from each of them. "Disapparated? Like, disappared into thin air and then appeared somewhere else?"
"Yes, that's usually the definition of disapparition. But what's your point?" Ginny asked, an eyebrow raised.
Nico shook his head helplessly. "Disapparated in the Ministry of Magic? If you could disapparate there, no one would have take the stupid phone-booth thing anyway. I don't think people ride that thing for the fun of it. And in all honestly, I would expect the headquarters of social, economic, law-related, and pretty much everything, not including the entire pillar of Wizarding Britian, to have anti-Apparation jinxes for safety. What if a swarm of Death Eaters one day decided to attack, and apparated into the Ministry without warning? What kind of stupidity is that, anyway? And in the Department of Mysteries, too. That place's supposed to be the wizarding equivalent of a dictionary definition for discreetness, and suddenly, anyone can apparate over their for tea?" Luna seemed to ponder this- apparently, even Nargle-infested brains weren't so stupid, as Ginny and Neville exchange looks.
"You know," Neville said slowly. "I never thought of that."
"Neither did I." a startled Ginny admitted. "But- well, he's the Dark Lord, isn't he? I should think he'd be able to lift the anti-Apparition wards."
"Without the Ministry somehow being alerted?" shot back Nico. "Fat chance, that. But that's the more logical explanation- in fact...you know, that's probably why they showed up at last anyway. They may have been somehow sensing Death Eater apparations. Yeah..I think that would pass for logical."
"You're scary when you think like that." commented Neville. "Like a more sarcastic Hermione."
"I'll take that as a compliment." said Nico, taking another sip of the BR potion. Fortunately, there were only a few drops left, and he managed to down them all just as Madam Pomfrey ran back in and demanded they all scamper and head to bed.
Luna gave Nico a sisterly kiss on the cheek before linking her arms with Neville as Madam Pomfrey shooed them away. Nico felt weird about that- no one had ever done anything as such, before, expect for Hazel, his sister.
Ginny lagged behind a little too, making a point to show Madam Pomfrey the empty bottle of Blood Replenishing Potion. The mediwitch sighed at her antics, but allowed her "two more minutes, and no more, Mrs. Weasley!"
"Hey," Nico said.
"Hey," Ginny replied with a smile. "I just wanted to say thanks and...Well, it's probably too far-fetched but- I've noticed. You seem...older, you know? For someone only a few months older than I am." she added cheekily, and Nico rolled his eyes.
"And I thought...well, Harry was really off his rocker the past few hours now. At least that's what Remus said- and I..I just thought maybe..Not that I don't trust Ron and Hermione can't help, but-"
"I'll look out for him." Nico promised. "I...I've lost my sister before, and I went too bitter because I didn't let anyone help. While I know Harry can't more than take care of himself usually...he just needs someone by his side for now- which reminds me, Ginny, where does Harry live over the summer, anyway?"
"Well, I'm sorry about your sister, Nico." Ginny said, her eyebrows knitting, and her hazel eyes dimming as she began to look upset. She deliberately ignored Nico's other question. He just shrugged it off, muttering something about having people help him eventually get through it. Ginny rushed over to him and gave him a hug, whch stung a little, but he refused to make any indication to that, a small grimace she couldn't see, aside.
"Thanks, Nico." she whispered. "And...thanks for joining the quartet, too." She backed away slowly, and cautiously headed toward the door- Madam Pomfrey appeared around the corner again, and gave her a look of approval. Apparently, it was rare for visitors to leave of their own accord. Madam Pomfrey muttered an incantation which turn out the lights-it was beyond visiting hours anyway. Ginny, however waited for the mediwitch to take leave to her quarters before she left, too.
"Nico," she whispered into the void room, catching his attention effortlessly.
"Hmm?"
He features hardened again- she actually looked quite scary when she was in a bad mood. "Remember when you asked me where Harry lives over the summer? Well, he lives with his Muggle aunt and uncle, from his mother's side. And they really hate magic." Nico didn't have the time to respond before the door clicked-closed, and the last bit of light streaming from the world outside the Infirmary was blocked. For the first time since he knew he could, Nico wished he couldn't see in the dark so well- right then, he just felt like being unable to see and drifting off was the most appealing thing in the world.
-O-
Harry frowned as Hermione called him over on their last day of school- tomorrow, they would be leaving home again, if one could even call 'Privet Drive' home. Still, he knew that Ron and Hermione were being patient with him, and tolerating his less than rational anger which he sometimes tended to take out on things, so he appreciated it. Besides, if there was anyone he didn't mind being with, it was these two. They were his first friends since forever. But that didn't help the black, gaping void space Sirius' death had left in his chest.
He did, however, manage to make it beside Hermione and Ron- it was quite early in morning, and three of them were inhabiting an otherwise empty Common Room. Most students were relived by the end of OWLs, and we sleeping in a bit, anyway. They would be leaving after lunch in the Great Hall that day.
"Hey, mate." Ron said. He offered Harry another chocolate frog, which he took. The Weasley twins were apparently doing well on their joke shop, since they were the ones who sent Ron the large mountain of Chocolate Frogs. At least things were looking up for them- and for the entire school, too, it seemed, had a better DADA class to look forward to. At least Harry thought so. With Dolores Umbridge in the Infirmary (no one knew exactly how Dumbledore had retrieved her, and Harry kept wondering why he went through the trouble at all), he didn't think she had much chance of teaching next year- not that Dumbledore would let her, anyway. From what Harry had seen his last few visits, she would go barmy at any small clicking noises of any sort. Ron had gone a little too far taking advantage of that, and Madam Pomfrey had decided she was far too sensitive to be left in the Infirmary, eventually putting her on medical isolation. That was probably just as well, Harry thought, as he was sure Nico would be less than happy if he found out he was sharing a room with the (ex-)High Inquister after waking up. He didn't think he really blamed him.
"Hermione found a book on necromancy." Ron explained, patiently munching his chocolate frog. "Dunno what she's on about- we know Nico's a necromancer. Apparently, so does the Ministry. If there's nothing wrong, then I honestly have no idea what she's come up with."
Hermione threw him a glare. "I came up with, as you put it, Ronald," Ron winced at the use of his full name- "the reason why Nico might be secretive. Here- I managed to convince Professor McGonagall into giving me access into the Restricted Section for this- it's a book about Necromancers, see?" She held up a book that said 'The Art of Necromancy'. It was worn, and looked quite old, but its cover was an odd mixture of black and white. She flew through the pages, and pushed a finger in when she caught sight of her magically-made bookmark. The red-ruby bookmark disappeared as soon as Hermione's finger made contact with the page.
"Here-" Hermione said as Ron and Harry leaned in curiously. "Chapter Sixteen, Page 647. The Wizarding View of Necromancers." Ron whistled at the number of pages as Harry settled more comfortably- he could tell Hermione was going to read for quite a bit. She cleared her throat and began-
"For as far as historians can remember, Necromancers were always shunned by the wizarding world, even gong as far as sinking below Squibs in the charts of medieval popularity. Mostly because of their ability to communicate and reanimate the dead (their corpses, specifically). This rare talent was considered an omen of death and foul luck during the medieval times- rumor has it that Herpo the Foul himself was a necromancer, thought no historical information proves this for a fact.
"Throughout the twelfth to the eighteenth century, Necromancer executions-"
"Wait, say that again?" Ron said, his eyes bulging dubiously. Harry felt his own narrow, too.
"Necromancer executions-"
"What the bloody hell do they mean 'executions'? They didn't bloody hurt anyone, did they? Just because someone is a little odd doesn't mean they deserve to die!" Ron exploded, and Harry nodded vigorously.
"What if they don't even get the Necromancers? What if they end up killing the wrong people anyway- not that approve of this, mind." Harry said firmly. Hermione looked quite pleased at their reactions.
"Quite." she said. "And I'm getting to that part...Ah, here-
Necromancers were usually distinguished from others easily- the retrotial necromancers due to the rituals they make, which tend to give their skins a tinge of slight gold during a crescent moon-"
"What are retrotial necromancers?" Ron interrupted, looking at Harry. He just shrugged, and the two of them turned to Hermione. She gave a tortured sigh.
"Ritrotial necromancers and those who gain their abilities through rituals and spells, while natural necromancers do it directly without any other magical interference."
"I don't get it." Ron complained, making Hermione roll her eyes yet again.
"Take it- um, like the difference between being a metamorphmagus and taking a Polyjuice."
"Ah." Ron nodded in comprehensions, and Harry had to admit that cleared things up a bit, too.
"How did they know the natural necromancers, then?" Harry queried.
"They...well, it says here that she just...knew. It felt natural- they would no with no doubt when a person was a necromancer by birth, and not by practice."
"Poor them." Ron muttered sympathetically. "You know- getting executed and all for something they have no control over. That's a tad sick- and, if Nico was a natural necromancer, why didn't we feel it?"
Hermione set down her book and stared Ron in the eye for that part."How many necromancers have you met to be able to recognize one, Ron?"
"Point taken."
She picked up her book again, huffing. "I suppose I can summarize," she said finally. "Anyway, the synopsis is that necromancers were hated- right...here. Right here, it says that once a necromancer was caught, they would be killed in a most slow and tortuous way, mainly because people were thick enough to believe that if a necromancer reanimated your body, your soul would be hindered from reaching the afterlife."
"They didn't use the Cruciatus Curse on them, now did they?" Harry asked warily, feeling sick. He could see Ron turning green around the gills, too, gaping at the suggestion.
"No," said Hermione slowly. "They were starved for seven days, and then thrown in an underground cavern and buried alive. The seven days on which a necromancer was starved were days of luck and rejoice."
"Well," Ron said, sitting up straighter. "That's hardly any better. And what's with the good luck thing? How can they 'rejoice' knowing they're starving some man who didn't do anything wrong?"
"Actually, most natural necromancers barely made it past the age of twelve." she pointed out intellectually.
Harry was feeling sick by then, and Ron hurriedly said; "Didn't need to know that, Hermione. Really not helping." She shrugged apologetically.
"But anyway, they really had a thing for omens back then if you haven't noticed. Seven is the magical number for luck, isn't it?" She slammed the book shut.
"I hope this proves why Nico is so secretive- part of the reason, anyway. He maybe afraid we'll think differently of him."
"Well...we don't." Harry said quietly as Ron nodded.
"They...they don't still do all the stuff you mentioned, do they?" said Ron.
Hermione shook her head. "There hasn't been a necromancer since the later 1800's, and the Ministry seems to know about Nico, so I should hope not." The two Gryffindor boys gave a sigh of relief each. Hermione nodded her approval.
"Quite," she breathed, packing her book. "I think we all owe Nico a chat today at breakfast."
"What should we tell him?" Harry wanted to know.
"Nothing." Hermione said simply. "Just act as normal as you can around him so that he knows nothing will be different."
-O-
Trying to catch up with Nico proved harder than they expected. He wasn't available half-way through lunch, though Hermione patiently explained to Harry and Ron that he might have been studying, since he had missed his OWLs with the entire Azkaban fiasco. He was having a redo right that day, after assuring them he didn't mind taking most subjects. Hermione felt rather envious of that- she would have loved to put her skills to the challenge and see if she could so something as such.
Finally, though the young Gryffindor showed up- he made no move to sit in his usual seat beside Dean and Hermione- instead, he sat at the very end of the table, the part of it which was a bit closer, she couldn't help but notice, to where Luna Lovegood was sitting. Ginny sat at Nico's right, and Neville at his right- that was strange. Neville, too, usually sat across from them. The four of them, however, seemed to have become some sort of quartet. Even Luna eventually hopped off from her seat at Ravenclaw and made a place between Neville and Nico. They looked rather happy together- Ginny, apparently, said something funny, because Neville and Nico looked like they were about to fall over laughing- it was strange to see Nico laughing. She had only seen him laugh once- over how silly the Death Eater title was, and even then, that was only a small chuckle. Still, it was refreshing, and it made him look so young...
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Ron asked, his eyebrow raised.
"Nico joining a quartet?" Hermione asked with a smile.
Ron frowned. "No...I was talking about Michael Corner with Cho. He must have broke up with Ginny! But the quartet thing is new, too." He turned towards the end of the table and looked at the group of them as Hermione rolled her eyes for what seemed like the umpteenth time that day. Why couldn't Ron leave his sister alone? Just because he himself had no social life, did not mean that he had to ruin his sister's. Perhaps this was because Ginny's social influence on people was skyrocketing, despite her being younger than Ron.
"Shouldn't we be talking to him?" Ron asked. Hermione shook her head ruefully, but she was still smiling.
"We can have that covered at the Express- let's not bother him. He has his OWLs to worry about now." Ron shrugged and went back to his bacon.
-O-
Nico couldn't believe how quickly the term had gone by- it was like a breeze. Quick, cold, and right to the face.
His OWLs didn't go as bad as he expected- he'd managed a Patronus charm for the DADA OWLs, and he was pretty sure the practical tests had gone okay, too. The written ones...well, he was fairly sure he'd done well on those too, but he just hoped his word-organizing charm worked. Dyslexia was as much of a pain as ever.
Potions had gone far better than he expected- without Snape breathing down his neck, Nico was able to make a potion he thought was at least acceptable, from the satisfied look on his examiners face. Herbology was a tad more difficult on the practical side, but fine, besides that. History of Magic was easier than Nico expected- after getting used to all the torture of homophones and rhyming syllables in Greek and Latin, remembering others like 'Uric the Oddball' and 'Emeric the Terrible' was fairly easy. And Binns wasn't too bad, either- true, his ADHD made that class particularly tormenting, but he found it a little easier to focus on the ghost from time to time.
Nico dropped the Divination test immediately- Professor McGonagall came up to him and let him know that since he hadn't really been given a choice, he was allowed to choose his originally third-year optional subjects. He dropped Divination, though he stuck with Care of Magical Creatures- he actually enjoyed that class. Along with that, he took Ancient Runes and Muggle Studies (he was still getting accustomed to the 21st century as it was...or maybe he was just humoring Ron's dad).
The rest of the day just flew by as Nico filed through his Charms, Transfiguration and Care of Magical Creature tests swiftly, confident with his work.
The last few minutes before boarding the Express were nothing short of...well, Nico didn't have a word to describe it besides 'nice'.
Hannah Abbot, Justin Finch-Fethcly, and Ernie Macmillan waved at him as they boarded and invited him to come spend a few minutes with them. Nico politely agreed- he talked with the three Hufflepuffs (and DA members, too) for a few minutes. It was all small talk- his OWLs, and how the holidays would be spent. No mention whatsoever about the great Azkaban escapade.
Next, to his surprise, Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, and Alicia Spinnet from the Gryffindor Quidditch team called him over- the whole compartment-shifting reminded Nico too much of how things were after the Giant and Titan wars, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. The older girls, however, were interested in more than small talk.
"So, I'm graduating next year, you know?" Angelina said conversationally.
"Mhmm..." Nico said, not knowing where she was going.
"And Alicia, too- so there'll be two free spots for chasers and-"
Nico abruptly pardoned himself after that, heading back into the corridor again. Cho Chang waved to him shyly from the window, with Michael Corner at her side, and Marietta close behind. Nico nodded at Cho, but narrowed his eyes in a glare at Marietta. He still hadn't forgiven her.
Faces flew by as he headed to the last compartment, where he, Ginny, Neville, and Luna had agreed to sit. The trio of Ron, Hermione, and Harry were probably there too. Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan were his last stop- he was growing tired of jumping through compartments by then, but he really didn't want to come of as rude. Seamus beat him at a round of Exploding Snap before he was allowed out, not before quickly advising Dean not to tell Ron he was dating his sister- or any of Ginny's brothers, for that matter.
When he finally reached their little hideout at the end of the Express, Hermione was the first to greet him with a hug. Ron followed suit, though Harry only did it half-heartedly. Nico sat between Neville and Ginny, watching Luna continue reading the Quibbler upside down and getting a sense of Déjà vu.
"Sorry I was late." Nico apologized. "I had to stop a couple of times- Angelina was trying to convince me to try out for Quidditch." he inwardly shuddered at the thought.
"You say that like it's a bad thing." Ron said, shaking his head and giving Nico that familiar look which clearly said 'You're barmy. Absolutely bonkers.'
The train ride was friendly- Nico allowed Ron to murder his chess pieces a few more times before he got bored of losing and switched game to Luna. No one mentioned anything about Nico raising the dead, or the past few days and the Ministry. No one mentioned Sirius. Of course, Nico still felt devastated that he couldn't stop it- the rational part of his mind told he there wasn't anything he could have done, but it was his first instinct to wonder what could have gone differently if he had been in the right condition...Would Sirius have been still alive?
The conversations, however, stayed up-beat and normal- well, as normal as witches and wizards can converse. Ginny deliberately 'forgot' to mention she was dating Dean, and Neville appeared to be trying to keep up with Luna's description of an average Crumple-Horned Snorkack and its habitat. It was all flattery on a slice of humor.
It was only when they were half-way to King's Cross that Ron mentioned something less than conversational-
"Nico?" he said, cautiously, looking like he was trying to beat his way around the bush.
"Yeah?" Nico looked up from his game of Exploding Snap with Neville, who drew back his hand in alarm as a card blew up, and started waving it around and blowing on it frantically.
"Remember at the beginning of the year? When Trelawney spewed out some melodramatic poetry? Was that really a prophecy, and why did you need one?"
"Hey, yeah!" Harry said, looking slightly interested as Ginny and Neville raised their eyebrows in question, but did not had a look of comprehension on her face, too.
Nico reluctantly nodded. "At my camp..." Nico started carefully, knowing his friends had come to know that 'camp' meant the 'American School' Nico went to.
"Prophecies guide you in general- we learn combat magic, you know? And every once in a while, we go on missions to prove ourselves- prophecies help. Of course, they're not life yours- they rhyme, and have a different purpose in general- and, they tend to be very confusing."
"Is that why you're here?" Hermione said suddenly, looking as if a sun of sorts had dawned in her mind.
"Uh- no, don't think of it like that or anything. I'd...like to think I already proved myself enough. And in all honesty, going to Hogwarts is that much toiling, now is it?"
Ginny laughed, and Ron sounded satisfied with the answers he got. They went back to their normal conversations again, with Hermione asking Nico about how it felt like to take all your OWLs in a day. He told her that since he started before breakfast, and had as much time as he wanted for revsion, it wasn't that terrible. When he told her about taking Muggle Studies and Ancient Runes, she was visibly ecstatic.
It was only a matter of time before the guys had to get out to allow the girls to change into muggle clothes, and in an even lesser matter of time, the hustle and bustle of the crowds at Platform Nine and Three-quarters greeted the group of seven. Neville gave each of them a hug before running off to a strict woman with a vulute-hat, whom Nico supposed was his infamous grandmother. Old witches had a strange taste in fashion. A fairly ancient, yet strangely lively man with wispy white hair walked up to Luna and tapped her shoulder. The Ravenclaw smiled dreamily at them and bid them goodbye as she left with her father. Two people, a bushy haired ashy-blonde man stood beside a pretty brown-haired woman. Mr. and Mrs. Granger waved to their daughter, and she waved back, apparently also signalling for them to wait.
You couldn't miss the Weasleys anywhere- Mr and Mrs Weasley waved to Ron and Ginny, and Fred and George, in all their new clothes and glory, gestured to them with fake-pompous expressions. Not knowing what else to do, Nico followed Harry, Ginny, and Ron, and Hermione to where the Weasleys were standing. Beside them, a disgruntled Alastor Moody, a less-than-normal-but-still-cheerful Tonks and a sincere-looking Remus Lupin.
"Ron, Ginny!" called Mrs Weasley, hurrying forwards and hugging her children tightly. "Oh, and Harry, Nico, Hermione - how are you, dears?"
"Fine," said Harry, as she pulled him into a tight embrace.
Mrs. Weasley gave Hermione, then Nico similar treatment, reminding him just how it felt like having his ribs crunched. Over her shoulder he saw Ron goggling at the twins' new clothes.
"What are they supposed to be?" he asked, pointing at the jackets.
"Finest dragonskin, little bro'," said Fred, giving his zip a little tweak. "Business is booming and we thought we'd treat ourselves."
Nico raised an amused eyebrow as the twins caught sight of him and formally offered their hands.
"f you're thinking about career in this path, you'll always come to us, eh?" Fred asked, throwing an arm around Nico's shoulders. Nico managed to chuckle at that, much to Fred's glee.
"Looks like you lost the bet." he told an annoyed George. "I made him laugh first."
George dug out a Galleon out of his pocket and tossed it at his twin, he caught it.
"'S'not like I'll be loosing anything- plenty Galleons these days, o' brother of mine." came George's reply. Before Nico could respond to being bet on, Fred scampered out of his reach, the sneak.
"Hello, Harry," said Lupin, as Mrs Weasley talked to Hermione
"Hi," said Harry. "I didn't expect ...what are you all doing here?" Nico raised an eyebrow and nodded in question.
"Well," said Remus with a slight smile, "we thought we might have a little chat with your aunt and uncle before letting them take you home." Nico absently mouthed an 'oh' as he understood. Suddenly, a bulb lit in his head- he pulled Remus away from a startled Harry and rushed at the greetings before telling the last surviving Marauder his plan. To his surprise, Remus' face broke into a grin.
"That's a bright idea! Are you sure you can follow through it?"
"Positive." Nico said determinedly- after all, he was supposed to protect Harry, right? Not that he needed it all that much- he'd seen Harry teach the DA and lead them into the Ministry, but he owed it to Harry as a friend, anyway.
Remus and Nico went back into the conversation, just when Harry was trying to convince Alastor he didn't think talking to his relatives was a good idea. Nico had a very good idea how it felt like to have relative that hated you. The time Persephone turned him into a dandelion was more than enough proof, but then again, she was his step-mother, and not a blood relative. He wondered just how bad Harry's relatives were.
"That'll be them, will it, Potter?" Alastor grunted.
He pointed with his thumb over his shoulder; his magical eye was evidently peering through the back of his head and his bowler hat. Nico leaned an inch or so to the left to see where Alastor was pointing and there, sure enough, were the three Dursleys, who looked positively appalled to see Harry's reception committee.
"Ah, Harry!" said Mr Weasley, turning from Hermione's parents, who he had just greeted enthusiastically, and who were now taking it in turns to hug Hermione. They had apparently crossed the station to meet their daughter while Nico was busy discussing his idea with Remus. He turned to address Nico warmly as well, before turning back to face the Dursleys.
"Ah, shall we do it, then?" Mr Weasley said cheerfully.
"I reckon so, Arthur." Alastor growled.
"Good afternoon,' said Mr Weasley pleasantly to a fat man with blond hair as he came to a halt right in front of him. "You might remember me, my name's Arthur Weasley."
From the look on the man's face, he remembered quite well, and probably wished he hadn't- his face turned a violent shade of purple as he glared at Mr Weasley. If Vernon Dursley greeted people who were as pleasant and nice as Mr Weasley by glaring, Nico didn't want to know what kind of a social life the man had.
Arthur, Alastor, Tonks, and Remus started making jabs at the senior Dursley, whose face was growing more colorful by the second.
"Are you threatening me, sir?" Vernon growled finally.
"Yes, I am." Alastor said, looking glad that Vernon had enough sense to recognize threats.
"And do I seem like the kind that can be intimidated?" Vernon asked menacingly.
"I...yes, Dursley, you do." Alastor said, nodding solemnly. Nico's respect for the man went up a few notches on the totem pole.
He turned away from Uncle Vernon to survey Harry, who looked amused, thought Nico was sure he didn't know it.
"So, Potter...give us a shout if you need us. If we don't hear from you for three days in a row, we'll send someone along ..."
"Bye, then, Potter," said Moody, grasping Harry's shoulder for a moment with a gnarled hand.
"Take care, Harry," said Remus quietly. "Keep in touch."
"Harry, we'll have you away from there as soon as we can," Mrs Weasley whispered, hugging him again.
"We'll see you soon, mate," said Ron anxiously, shaking Harry's hand.
"Really soon, Harry," said Hermione earnestly. "We promise."
Nico grabbed Harry's arm and gently pulled him toward him so he could whisper something to him.
"Expect a little extra company this summer," Nico muttered to him. Harry didn't seem like he understood, much smiled nonetheless as he walked out of the station with the Dursleys following in his wake.
Nico bid the Weasleys goodbye, promised the twins he would inform 'Cravis and Tonner' of their success, and gave Hermione one last hug before she left with her parents. Oddly, the Ginny, the first one of their group he'd met, was the last he said goodbye to. Nico took a few aimless steps away from the families he knew- he noticed several of his house-mates and DA partners with their families, and stood there, watching the scene. He gave King's Cross station one last look, never having anticipated how much he was in for the first time he had been there, boarding the train. And he was just about to shadow travel away when a hand on his shoulder made him jump.
"Woah, cuz." Percy said. Nico blinked- what was he doing here? And why was Jason there, too? The son of Jupiter waved at Nico, as Percy flung an arm around him.
"We've struck a temporary truce in favor of seeing this place." Jason explained. "And taking you back with us, I guess...We thought shadow travel would be- well, never mind, we just wanted to see you."
"Too true." Percy grinned. "And maybe get more of those blue wizard candies- man, those are good. Mrs. O'Leary can give us a ride, then."
Nico threw Percy an aqua-colored licorice wand, which the son of Poseidon grasped instinctively. He grinned wildly and Nico suppressed laughter. Together, Percy, Jason, and Nico walked out of the station, before Mrs O'Leary was summoned by Percy. The son of Poseidon filled him in on what was happening at Camp, though not all of it. It was as if they didn't want to worry him too much, Nico thought.
"You're still getting attacked by those things? Where's Hecate when we need her?" he asked out loud. Jason and Percy exchanged looks.
"We'll figure it out, Nico." Percy said sincerely. "But let's enjoy war-lessness while we can."
"Perce here's got that right, I guess." Jason said, ruffling Mrs O'Leary's fur. "Live more, worry less. Or else you'll make everything a mess."
Nico snorted. "That was a haiku that would make Apollo proud."
"It's not that bad." Jason argued.
Percy leaned in next to Nico and whispered; "Just humor him. He's sore I almost beat him last game."
"I heard that!" Jason spoke, and the two rivaling cousins started fighting back and forth about he 'almost' won the last time. Nico couldn't suppress his laughter anymore-
He patted Mrs O'Leary's black, shaggy mane and gave her the tip of another licorice wand to chew as she told her, rubbing her back as he climbed on and helped his cousins up, to take them home.
- The End-
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Author's Note: Special thanks for everyone who had helped me throughout this series. Your reviews will be answered next chapter, (which will be a sort of prologue on Year 7 since Chapter one of Year 6 is already published). I deeply apologize for the inconvenience, and I assure you your answers/ opinions will not be ignored, but rather attended to better by tomorrow.
Excuse: Exhaustion. It's 11:21 and I woke up at 6:00 today...Urgh.
Again, the author would like to thank all her amazing readers/reviewers/faves/alerts and likers in general. I would have never made it this far without your help.
All the characters belong to Richard Riordan and Joanna Kathleen Rowling.
-AmbushImagine (Ambie)