Hades Caster | Nico di Angelo at Hogwarts

Mission | Chapter Nine

i hate this chapter so much ugh

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 If he could, Nico would simply stand there, ensnared in the lovely song of Fawkes. The phoenix's voice was like a Siren's, enchanting and singing tones that Nico would've deemed impossible not for the fact that it was happening to him. Fawkes extended his shimmering gold wings, the light reflecting - or was Fawkes glowing himself? - off of his beautiful feathers. With his beak slowly closing to the song, Nico couldn't help but give a light grin at the bird. No, not a Siren's Song. Fawkes' voice emitted a kinder tone, like a loving tune of family. Enchanting? He would admit it. But it seeked nothing from him, only wanting to give him the fuzzy feeling he only got around his friends. Will, Percy, Jason, you name it. Nico would deny it at every chance, but he enjoyed the adredaline feel of happiness when his friends managed to get him to smile lazily. Nico turned his back to the ending song of Fawkes, meeting eyes with Dumbledore as the former smiled warmly.

"Ah yes, Fawkes does have that uncanny ability, no?" Dumbledore gestured to the now-sleeping phoenix, light pur sounds coming out of its closed beak.

Nico looked back at the phoenix before replying. "If you don't mind me saying Dumbledore but.. I find it all but  uncanny."

Dumbledore nodded his head, causing Nico to shift nervously left to right. "Thats find, lad. I find it intriguing. Not many people like Fawkes' music. But then again," the Headmaster of Hogwarts' eyes twinkled. "You aren't like most people." Nico graced Dumbledore with a slight smirk before Albus Dumbledore headed down the spiral stairs.

"I want to warn you, Nico." Nico tensed on instinct. What was it this time? "Many students believe in the false rumours spreading around the school."

"Um, if I may ask, Headmaster, what are the rumors?"

With a heavy sigh, Dumbledore shook his head. "I would tell you, but I do not know which is better: letting you find out or giving it. Neither is great, boy." Yet just as quickly as the heavy smog of seriousness settled in, it was filtered out by the happy twinkle in Dumbledore's eye. "But I believe that you are used to these sorts, hm?" The duo found themselves walking through the hallway. To Nico, he was surprised that time had flied so quickly. Being a Demigod, and having ADHD, he thought that he had a good perceiving of time.

Then again, he was in a Wizard and Witch school...

"Ah, here we are." Dumbledore gestured towards - were those moving stairs?

Getting to the Gryffindor commons... would be a lot more difficult than he thought. Not difficult, he chided himself. Think more positive. He licked his chapped lips as he followed the Headmaster towards the floating concrete stairs. The almost quartz-like stairs weaved through the air, floating amidst the magical feel in the air, portraying a dance with a song as silent as mystery. He felt a shiver go through him and he unconsciously gripped for a sword that was no longer there at his side. Dumbledore glanced over his shoulder, staring at Nico before waiting quietly and looking away. Nico felt a feeling of unease flow through his pale skin and he tightened his fists, taking quiet deep breaths. Honestly, he had no idea why he was acting up. Yeah, he was gonna meet the people who probably heard all the rumors, but why should he of all people care? It wasn't like this didn't happen before - loads of people have been there, done that. The small voice in his head said

It's because you want a fresh start.

He bit down - hard - on his lip, drawing blood. Nico didn't need a fresh start. He as sure as hell didn't want one. He was here on a mission, and that's all he would accomplish for. A mission, from a god, that was not his father. It was a quest, nothing else. And he would complete it with no complaints and no distractions. Nobody was going to treat him differently, anyways.

Nico snapped out of his trance as the stairs stuttered slightly before moving towards them. Dumbledore walked onto the stairs and Nico followed suit, hoping desperately that the Headmaster would not question the droplet of blood on his lip. The stairs moved and Nico stumbled, grabbing onto the side. Taking a deep breath he re positioned himself and stood up next to Dumbledore.

"You weren't supposed to be out of the Medic." Nico's eyes narrowed slightly as Dumbledore looked at him from the corner of his eye. "I could hear Madam Pomfrey's fit from my office."

Nico relaxed slightly before tensing again. "If you don't mind, I don't like tight spaces." Not really, he just needed to get out of there. That Hermione girl was going to interrogate him like there was no tomorrow. And maybe they could've become frie-

"It's quite alright." Nico couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly. Weren't there some sort of strict ruling system going on here? He thought maybe Dumbledore would have a field day if someone left the Medic like that. Dumbledore suddenly moved forward and Nico tensed up again, sliding into a defensive position on mere instinct. Dumbledore chuckled before motioning towards a platform and he moved towards it, leaving the staircase. Nico quickly followed, not wanting to end up dizzying around the whole Hogwarts castle. Dumbledore turned towards the painting - a lady to which um.. was a bit on the 'fat' side - and gestured towards Nico before speaking to the lady.

"Mimbulus Mimbletonia." If it weren't for the fact that he respected the Professor, he probably would've given him the wildest of looks and laughed at the weird phrase.

"Hello Dumbledore!" Nico blinked in shock and actually took a step back as the Fat Lady actually spoke. Okay, he's seen a bunch of things talk but.. portraits? This was getting a bit...

Dumbledore chuckled and greeted the Fat Lady, giving her the pleasure of a short conversation before he turned to Nico. "Remember the password, Nico. It's the only way inside." With hesitation, he nodded and looked over at the Fat Lady shyly. She only tilted her head slightly before he noticed that the painting slowly turned. Inside, he could barely see anything. Not that it was dark, blurry, or anything.

It was because his breath was caught in his throat by the sight of everyone turning their heads and looking at him. Anxiety skyrocketed in his veins, and why were they all looking at him? He just did one thing, one thing he swore, nothing more - he protected someone, stop looking at him like that!

Dumbledore's voice rang out and Nico felt his panic lower, and took a deep breath.

Right, mission. No distractions.

Just a mission.