Harry

"Attention, students!" McGonagall rapped her wand against the desk, drawing the Gryffindor fourth years' interest away from the guinea-fowl they were attempting to transform into guinea-pigs, "I have something to say to you all, regarding the Triwizard Tournament."

Students sat up straighter, looking curious. At the back of the room, Percy's eyes asked a silent question. Harry shrugged in response, as in the dark as the rest of the class.

"The Yule Ball, a traditional part of the Tournament, is approaching. The ball will be open to fourth-years and above, although you may invite a younger student if you wish-"

Several girls giggled shrilly, and McGonagall silenced them with a glare before continuing, "Dress robes will be worn," – "Dress robes?" Percy mouthed – "and the ball will start at 8 o'clock on Christmas Day. Now, the Yule Ball is an opportunity for us all to – er – let our hair down, but please note that I will be seriously displeased if any Gryffindor," she stared deliberately at the demigods, "embarrasses the school."

The bell rang, and the class dissolved into excited chatter. At least, the girls were excited – the boys seemed mostly resigned.

McGonagall's voice rang above the noise, "Potter, Jackson… A word, please?"

Exchanging wary glances, they shuffled forward to the desk as the rest of the class left. The other demigods shuffled reluctantly out of the door, Annabeth looking back worriedly at Percy.

"Now, then, the champions and their partners-"

"Partners? Harry's insides seemed to shrivel up as he gaped at his teacher. Beside him, Percy was smirking.

"Yes, Potter," McGonagall continued slowly, as though he were stupid, "Your partners… for the dance."

Now it was Percy's turn to splutter, "Dance?"

"As I was saying, traditionally, the champions and their partners open the ball."

"I'm not dancing." Harry said.

"Oh, yes you are," McGonagall said firmly, "The Yule Ball gives us a chance to socialise with our foreign guests. Percy, it gives you the opportunity to further your quest, or have you forgotten why you're here?"

"No, but-"

"Since you've both been sorted into Gryffindor, I expect you both to do what is required of you as school champions. Do you understand?"

"But-"

"Do you understand?"

Harry and Percy sighed hopelessly.

"Yes, Professor."

A week later, Harry had decided that he'd rather have another round with the Horntail than ask a girl to the Ball. Not that there was any shortage of them; they were everywhere. It was amazing how many girls Hogwarts seemed to hold that Harry had never noticed before.

"It's easy for you," he complained to Percy, at breakfast on the last day of term, "You've got a girlfriend."

"Yep," he grinned smugly, his arm draped across Annabeth's shoulders.

"Well, go on then," Ron urged, "How'd you get her – uh, sorry, Annabeth – how'd he get you to go out with him?"

She laughed, "It took him five years. You've got two weeks. Maybe Percy isn't the best person to ask for dating advice."

"What about you, Nico?" Harry asked desperately, "How did you and Will start dating?"

"I almost died," he groaned.

"Twice!" Will corrected, ruffling his already messy hair.

The demigods faced a different problem: dress robes. They were currently scouring through the pages of Witch Weekly and the Daily Prophet for something suitable to order.

"We just have to grit our teeth and do it," Ron said with the air of someone about to take on a troll, "By the end of the day, we'll both have partners – agreed?"

"Er… ok."

And he meant it, he really did…

Nico

"How about these?" Will joked, pointing out a set of maroon, frilly robes that looked like something his stepmother, Persephone, might wear to a funeral.

"How about no?"

Will was only trying to cheer him up, he knew. Since finding out about Bianca, he saw her everywhere. He found himself unconsciously checking the names on trophies for his sister's and picturing her in classes, covered in soot in Potions or falling asleep in Divination… Missing her was becoming exhausting but Nico couldn't escape the memory.

And it wasn't just him; as excitement in the castle ramped up for Christmas – and the Yule Ball – the demigods were descending into melancholy. They'd been here almost half a year, now, and they were still no closer to completing their quest.

"Incoming," Will muttered.

Nico looked up and groaned inwardly. Sir Nick – or Nearly-Headless Nick as everyone else seemed to call him – was floating through the Gryffindor table towards them. Unlike Professor Binns who was terrified of Nico and surrendered his class easily, Nick had taken to treating him like royalty, a reality that quickly became annoying.

"Demigods of Camp Half-Blood!" he cried grandly, attracting attention from the other house tables, "Professor Dumbledore has asked me to escort you to his office, after breakfast!"

"Thank you, Nea-Sir Nicholas." Will managed to keep a straight face.

"I wonder what Dumbledore wants?" Percy mumbled through a mouthful of bacon.

Nico shrugged, standing up to follow their ghostly guide who was waiting not-so-patiently in the middle of a plate of pancakes.

The demigods at the other tables scrambled to follow as they left the Great Hall ("And all the food!" Percy complained) and followed the ghost to the third floor where he stopped in front of a particularly grumpy-looking gargoyle.

"Cockroach Cluster!" Nick said pompously. The gargoyle jumped aside, and the ghost ushered them onto the staircase which began to move slowly upwards, taking them to a narrow landing where a polished oak door with a brass knocker stood already open.

"Come in!" Dumbledore called from inside.

Dumbledore's office was a large and beautiful circular room with any number of strange, silver contraptions whirring away on spindle-legged tables. Portraits snoozed in grand frames, their chests rising and falling gently.

"Welcome!" smiled Dumbledore, from his desk. A beautiful golden bird perched on his shoulder and Nico thought he saw it wink, "I have a surprise for you."

Annabeth was the first to speak. "What kind of surprise?" she asked, cautiously. Surprise in demigod language usually went along the lines of, "Surprise! It's your turn to die!" or "Surprise! A bunch of monsters are invading your camp!"

"Christmas is a time for family," the headmaster's eyes twinkled, "And since you can't see yours's…" he walked over to a small, rounded object on one of the tables and tapped it with his wand. It began to whistle, emitting a fine mist that settled on Nico's face, making him blink. The vapour caught the light, creating a rainbow that arched over their heads.

"What? Oh!" Percy rummaged in his pocket for a drachma, "Uh… Oh, Fleecy, do me a solid -" he ignored the strange looks from his fellow demigods, "– show us Chiron at Camp Half-Blood."

The mist shimmered, forming a picture – the rec room at camp. At least two dozen demigods came into view, waving madly, with Chiron at the front in his wheelchair. Piper and Leo were there with Reyna and Jason, Percy's cyclops brother Tyson, the Victor twins, Cecil, Katie, Travis…

"It's good to see you!" Percy grinned.

"Nico!" Reyna demanded, "How do you get yourself in so much trouble?"

"I'm fine," he said seriously, "How are things there?"

Chiron's expression became grave, "Not good. The Mist has failed completely. Camp Jupiter is too visible – the Romans have moved here, but there are more and more attacks each day and the mortals are beginning to question the alarming number of "UFO" sightings… Please, tell me you've made some progress."

The demigods exchanged guilty looks. They'd been planning what to wear for a ball while their friends fought for their lives.

"We're working on it Chiron," Percy promised, "We just need time…"

"And we'll give you as much as we can," Reyna said.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, "Chiron, you know if Camp Half-Blood is no longer safe your students are welcome here. Your people are always welcome at Hogwarts."

"Thank you, my old friend," the centaur smiled tiredly, "But I'm afraid we cannot move so far from the gods' source of power, lest we risk all of them fading…"

Would that be such a bad thing? Nico wondered but quickly dismissed the thought. The gods were annoying, but they were also his family. Without them, he wouldn't have Hazel, or Will. Not to mention, he would never have been born.

They spoke some more about camp and Christmas, and the monsters and the Mist. Finally, Chiron swiped his hand through the mist with a weary, "Goodbye," and the demigods turned to leave Dumbledore's office, muttering their thanks.

"Nico," Will nudged him, whispering, "Ask Dumbledore."

"Ask Dumbledore what?"

"About Bianca."

He swallowed. Dumbledore might have the answers he so badly wanted, but if he recognised the name di Angelo he hadn't said anything, and Nico didn't want to risk anyone else knowing that he might be… that he could be…

I'm not, he told himself fiercely, I'm not a wizard. But his nightmares told him otherwise and judging by Will's face, he wouldn't be able to escape talking about it for much longer.

Unknown

"Did you get the blood I asked for?"

"Yes, my lord. I retrieved it after the First Task."

The Dark Lord hummed in content, "Good. Now, give it to Wormtail for testing."

Peter Pettigrew took the vial from the wizard's outstretched hand, holding it gingerly.

"Excuse me, my lord," he said, nervously wetting his lips, "What exactly am I testing it for?"

"It doesn't matter!" Voldemort rasped, "All that matters is that you get the results to me immediately!"

"Yes, my lord," Wormtail scampered into the darkness, leaving Voldemort to ponder his plan.

"Yes," he mused, "I have Percy Jackson right where I want him."

"My lord, I don't understand," the wizard said impatiently, "The Imperius curse doesn't work on them, how will you control him?"

"I don't need a spell to make Jackson do my bidding. He is weak, but I will make him strong. Now, the second task is coming up soon, yes?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Good," Voldemort smirked, "I have some special instructions for you…"

Bad news! I'm going on holiday so won't be able to update until next Sunday. Don't worry, I haven't given up on the story (I'm enjoying it too much!), I'm just stuck camping in the middle of nowhere with my parents! I would love to have 50 follows by the time I get back so if you haven't already, please follow the story and review/PM me what you think! I'm going to start replying to reviews individually as I really appreciate the feedback and want everyone to know that it doesn't go unnoticed. Have a great week!

Okurdek - I love the idea of the mermaids being aligned to Oceanus! Whatever happens, I'm planning on making the second task a little more challenging for Percy than people might think at first. I've noticed that you've reviewed a few times and want you to know that I love hearing what you think and I'm really glad you're enjoying the story. Keep reading!

Lileaf, xoxo