An Unexpected Return (Book Two In The Prince Of Darkness Trilogy)

Regrets

A/N: Last chapter was a little bit intense, but I have no regrets about what I've done. Just remember to have hope. I don't own anything, J.K Rowling and Rick Riordan own their respective stories and characters and settings. Let's get into the story.

***Hazel's P.O.V***

When I lost sight of Nico in the middle of the battle, I should have known something was up. I didn't pay much attention to it however, slaying the rest of the monsters that came my way. Occasionally I used the Mist, which usually ended in one of them killing the other. It was all a blur; a haze of movement and sound. Narrowing my eyes in concentration, I sent another monster to their grave. They kept coming, and it kept building up. It felt like I was trapped in the illusion, each image layering over the other. My weapon was still in my hand, and I plunged it into enemy after enemy. Various scenes of the battle around me flashed in my eyes. I saw a Slytherin and a Hufflepuff battling side by side, Nico destroying the Minotaur, and-

I heard his scream as a sword swung too far and hit me in the back. There was a moment of silence, and everything seemed to be frozen.

Until the illusions disappeared and I was falling towards the ground.

***Nico's P.O.V***

When the monsters disappeared into thin air, I realised that Eris hadn't appeared during the battle. She'd been waiting, I suppose. Waiting for the right time to strike. Where there had once been an army, there was a swirling mass of black shadow. I couldn't tear my eyes away from Hazel. Her eyes were wide in shock, and the blade had fallen out into the sea of darkness. She shakily looked towards me, then sunk to the ground, the shadows engulfing her. I knew there must have been more deaths, possibly more dying and many injured, but for a moment I didn't seem to care.

I screamed. And I didn't stop screaming until the world slowed to a standstill.

***Draco's P.O.V***

"You were right." A voice said, as I turned away from the sight of Nico di Angelo. I tried to tune out his screams. Painting a satisfied smirk on my face I looked towards the source.

"Was I?" I kept my voice indifferent. "I thought that it would be obvious how effective my idea was. Yours was flawed. Mine was perfection." I didn't meet Eris' eyes, in case she could read how I really felt.

"Watch how you speak to me Malfoy-" She was offended, I could tell. I couldn't care. I didn't care. Rolling my eyes, I continued talking, watching her indignation increase.

"I know, I know, you'll smite me before I can even begin to stutter out an apology. Think of something more original why don't you?" She huffed and crossed her arms, remnants of the shadows clinging to her clenched fists.

"I gave you this-" I scoffed, interrupting her again.

"Opportunity? Hmm. Opportunity for what?"

"Revenge. A chance to get on the good side of the Dark Lord." I flinched.

"What do you want me to do?" She smiled sickeningly, and folded her arms. There was a glint of madness in her eyes.

"That's better. In fairness, you have done well. Go to the castle. Act normal; as normal as you can be. See who's dead or who's missing. And remember, I'm always watching." And she was. But I knew something she didn't. Giving her a sharp nod, I walked off, leaves crunching underneath my feet.

The corridors were empty, save for a few stray archers coming down from the roofs. Surviving wizards had congregated in the Great Hall. Quickening my pace as I saw Harry Potter, I called out before he could turn the corner.

"Potter." I kept my voice devoid of emotion. He raised an eyebrow and took a step back. I wasn't surprised; I didn't particularly want to talk to him either.

"Malfoy. What do you want?" I bit my lip.

"Nothing. Something. I don't know." And it was true. What was I doing? Eris was watching. The battle had been lost. It was over.

Or was it?

"What are you--" I put my arms around him in some sort of awkward hug, slipping a piece of parchment into his hand. With that, I turned on my heel and walked away.

The Great Hall was silent, apart from the occasional sob and murmur of comfort. No one noticed when I entered, but I saw everyone. Everyone injured. Everyone dead. Everyone traumatised. My eyes widened, and panic stricken, I fled. I should have known what I was doing when I gave information to Eris. I shouldn't have known what would happen when I helped plant her shadows. I should have know what could have been if I wasn't so eager to do something that would make my father see me as something more than a disappointment.

Nothing would ever be the same.

And it was all my fault.

A/N: Whoops. I accidentally dropped angst into the story. Haha. It's ironic, that this chapter is titled 'Regrets' yet I have none. Hahahahahaha. It's infuriate the reader time.

Question Of The Chapter: Who thinks Sebastian and Antonio in Twelfth Night are very gay for each other? Because I think they are very gay for each other.

And zarashaikh243 told me to shout out Trial Of Tears. It's a competition she's running (yes Zebra, you're running it) in which you have to write ANGST ANGST AND YET MORE ANGST. Check out her account for a book with the rules and stuff!

Also because I'm such a nice author, who's P.O.V do you want in the next chapter? Because I'm definitely a lovely author who doesn't torture you guys on a weekly basis.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed the chapter, vote and comment! If you want to see more of my stuff, give me a follow!

Until next time,

~HouserOfStories