Nico navigates through his first day of school after the boggart attack.

Chapter Rating: General and Up Audiences

Content Warning: Cursing

Word Count: 3774

Hey guys. Sorry I couldn't post yesterday but I had a really long shift at work and I was exhausted. So, before I get ready for another day of fun-filled waitressing, I'm dropping a chapter... at 5 a.m. Yeah, I can't fall back asleep. My loss is your gain, I guess.

Our resident artist, the wonderful Viviana di Chiara did an amazing comic of this chapter's opening scene. It's in the end notes, so I don't give anything away. :)

And all the characters are owned by J.K. Rowling, or Rick Riordan.

Nico didn't know how he got Will on a, for lack of a better word, singing rant. The Iris Message had started as usual, each boy catching the other up on their previous days and whatnot, but, somehow, between the thinly veiled flirting, Will decided to start scream-singing. Nico should've felt annoyed, after all, for a son of Apollo, Will couldn't sing to save his life. That awful screeching, plus the fact that Will happened to be on a Les Mis kick, should've driven him up the wall.

So, why on Earth was Nico laughing so hard?

"DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING"

"Will, shut up!"

"SINGING THE SONG OF ANGRY MEN"

"You're going to wake up the entire Slytherin house!"

"IT IS THE MUSIC OF THE PEOPLE WHO WILL NOT BE SLAVES AGAIN"

"It's too early for this now!"

"WHEN THE BEATING OF YOUR HEART"

"You're not the son of the theater god, so shut up!"

"ECHOES THE BEATING OF THE DRUMS"

"How do you even know all these words?!"

"THERE IS A LIFE ABOUT TO START WHEN TOMORROW--"

Will's voice cut off without warning. It took Nico a few seconds to even register the lack of song; he was panting so hard. Before he even had a chance to stop heaving from laughter, Nico felt a finger tapping on his shoulder. Heart pounding, he turned. Blaise stood behind him, expression complete with raised eyebrows, and a sarcastic smirk.

Desperate to save face, Nico turned back to Will. Despite the fact that getting caught was one hundred percent his fault, Will did nothing. Well, nothing productive. He gave one of his adorkable, awkward smiles, though somehow he was able to throw in a teasing glint in his eye. Then, he gave Nico two thumbs up, complete with tongue click, and waved the Iris Message away.

"Will!" Nico's voice didn't come off quite as exasperated as he'd have liked. Not that it mattered anyway; Will couldn't hear him anymore.

"Healer checking in on how you're doing?" Blaise asked. The sheer amount of sass in his voice could give Nico a run for his money. The wheels in his head sprung into overdrive, attempting to salvage the situation somehow. There was no way Blaise wouldn't be able to put together Nico's feelings, at least, not now. He'd now seen the way Nico acted around Will twice... in the same week. Blaise wasn't an idiot; he could put two and two together.

"I... um..." Nico's mind screeched to a halt as he searched for something, anything to say. "I can explain?"

"No need." The smirk on Blaise's face got a little more pronounced. "At least, now I understand why you haven't been checking me out."

Nico scoffed, throwing in a little shade. He was good at that. "You're not my type, Zabini."

"You don't have to fancy me to know I'm a looker. You just have to have eyes. Eyes that aren't already staring at that blond surfer boy, anyway."

Nico rolled his eyes good-naturedly. There was still a bit of awkward energy in the air, but it was fading fast. He felt grateful to Blaise, for turning the uncomfortable moment into a more teasing one. And, now that his head was out of the clouds, he knew just what to say to shut his friend up.

"You use that line on Hestia lately? Maybe if she realized you were such a catch, you could stop mooning over her when you think no one's looking. Who knows? You might, I don't know, be able to, like, take her out."

The look on Blaise's face was priceless. "I told you that in confidence!" he cried, mortified. It took a total of three seconds for him to realize how ridiculous he sounded, and start cracking up alongside Nico. Once they got themselves under control, Blaise's expression grew a bit more genuine. Brotherly, even. "I've never seen you like this," he admitted, his voice softer now. "You look... happy."

"That's 'cause I am," Nico replied, in spite of himself. He even allowed himself a small smile. "You get ready for breakfast, Blaise. I'll meet you in the common room with Hestia in ten?"

"Sure." Blaise started to walk away, then stopped, glancing back at Nico. "Am I telling her about this?"

"If you want your head to end up decorating my bed post."

Blaise put on a face of mock contemplation. "Noted." His footsteps echoed around the bathroom as he exited, leaving a gaping silence behind. Now completely alone, Nico gave himself some time to think.

What had just happened? Never, ever, had Nico so easily spouted secrets to anyone. He prided himself with his ability to conceal, to keep his cards close to his chest and his poker face intact. Even with people like Percy, Jason, or Hazel, he didn't tend to volunteer information; yet, there it was. A friend Blaise may be, but they'd only known each other a week, tops. Whether he, Blaise, and Hestia were on the fast track to friendship or not, Nico was a private person; he didn't just spew his life story to help save an awkward situation... but, that's exactly what he'd just done.

He was far from being ready to make his relationship with Will public. And yet, it felt nice for someone else to know, besides the boy in question, of course. With Will, Nico constantly second-guessed himself. He replayed every moment over in his head, agonized over the littlest things... but, that was how it should be. It felt nice to obsess a little, knowing Will did the same over him. It made him feel loved, cared for, special, even. He hadn't felt like that in a long time, not since Westover Hall. Not since Bianca.

Still, it felt liberating to tell someone something. It was hardly one of Nico's darker secrets, but even so, now he had a confidant, someone to bounce ideas off of, to pull his head out of his ass when he got too obsessive about Will. If things went wrong, he'd have someone to talk to, someone who might understand. The mere fact that Blaise didn't know Will, or Nico's life as a half-blood, made him a perfect candidate. Without all that history and baggage, Nico didn't have to worry about judgment or pity.

That was the main reason he wanted to keep his new relationship off the radar. Ever since he'd come out, everyone had gone overboard with accepting him. And, yeah, a party waiting for him outside the closet was much better than the alternative. He loved that his friends and half-sister supported him as much as they did. But, Nico wasn't a party person. He liked the acceptance, but the constant confetti in his hair and slaps on the back tired him out. He didn't need Percy or Jason going overboard with his new boyfriend, nor scare Will off, nor get invested in something that might not last. He wouldn't keep himself in an unhappy relationship for any reason; even for the sake of his friends. The last thing he wanted was them glorifying this thing to the point where the illusion became upkeep. Until Nico was certain this thing--whatever it was--was worth it, he needed to keep his friends' noses out of it.

Nico shook those thoughts from his brain and headed down to the common room. As promised, Blaise didn't mention Will whatsoever, chatting about an upcoming Transfiguration test instead. The debate about whether the theory behind the Inanimatus Conjurus Spell would show up on the multiple choice kept them talking right until Hestia's owl dropped off the latest issue of "The Daily Prophet." Though Nico didn't glance at the headline, from his friends' faces it seemed like a big deal. Finally, Nico squinted at the tiny letters, making out the bold text.

MINISTRY SEEKS EDUCATION REFORM

DOLORES UMBRIDGE APPOINTED FIRST EVER "HIGH INQUISITOR"

In a surprise move last night, the Ministry of Magic passed new legislation giving itself an unprecedented level of control at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"The Minister has been growing uneasy about goings-on at Hogwarts for some time," said Junior Assistant to the Minister, Percy Weasley."He is now responding to concerns voiced by anxious parents, who feel the school may be moving in a direction they do not approve."

This is not the first time in recent weeks Fudge has used new laws to effect improvements at the Wizarding school. As recently as August 30th, Educational Decree 22 was passed, to ensure that, in the event of the current headmaster being unable to provide a candidate for a teaching post, the Ministry should select an appropriate person.

"That's how Dolores Umbridge came to be appointed to the teaching staff at Hogwarts," said Weasley last night. "Dumbledore couldn't find anyone, so the Minister put in Umbridge and of course, she's been an immediate success, totally revolutionizing the teaching of Defense Against the Dark Arts and providing the Minister with on-the-ground feedback about what's really happening at Hogwarts."

It is this last function that the Ministry has now formalized with the passing of Educational Decree 23, which creates the new position of 'Hogwarts High Inquisitor.'

"This is an exciting new phase in the Minister's plan to get to grips with what some are calling the 'falling standards' at Hogwarts," said Weasley. "The Inquisitor will have powers to inspect her fellow educators and make sure that they are coming up to scratch. Professor Umbridge has been offered this position in addition to her own teaching post, and we are delighted to say that she has accepted."

The Ministry's new moves have received enthusiastic support from parents of students at Hogwarts.

"I feel much easier in my mind now that I know that Dumbledore is being subjected to fair and objective evaluation," said Mr. Lucius Malfoy, 41, speaking from his Wiltshire mansion last night. "Many of us with our children's best interests at heart have been concerned about some of Dumbledore's eccentric decisions in the last few years and will be glad to know that the Ministry is keeping an eye on the situation."

Among those 'eccentric decisions' are undoubtedly the controversial staff appointments previously described in this newspaper, which have included the hiring of werewolf Remus Lupin, half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, and delusional ex-Auror 'Mad-Eye' Moody.

Rumors abound, of course, that Albus Dumbledore, once Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, is no longer up to the task of managing the prestigious school of Hogwarts. "I think the appointment of the Inquisitor is a first step toward ensuring that Hogwarts has a headmaster in whom we can all repose confidence," said a Ministry insider last night.

Wizengamot elders Griselda Marchbanks and Tiberius Ogden have resigned in protest at the introduction of the post of Inquisitor to Hogwarts. "Hogwarts is a school, not an outpost of Cornelius Fudge's office," said Madam Marchbanks. "This is a further disgusting attempt to discredit Albus Dumbledore." (For a full account of Madam Marchbanks' alleged links to subversive goblin groups, turn to page 17).

It took him three times as long as Blaise or Hestia, but Nico got through the entire article. "What a load of bullshit," he said, throwing down the newspaper. "Immediate success? We've been going to her class for a week and learned nothing. Next that 'Percy Weasley' guy's gonna say that--"

Out of nowhere, Hestia started laughing obnoxiously loud. "So funny, Nico!" Her voice took on a fake kind of cheer he'd never heard from her before. Blaise, too, joined in the charade, with a plastic smile glued to his face.

"What are you guys--" Nico stopped short when his eyes fell on Umbridge, walking by with a smug look on her face. "Oh! Yeah, thanks, I know I'm hilarious." He thought his voice sounded pretty fake, but Umbridge didn't seem to notice.

The moment Umbridge turned her back on them, the charade ended. "Come on," Blaise said. "Let's get to Charms before that toad comes back. If she's inspecting Flitwick, we shouldn't be late, anyway."

Thank the gods, Umbridge wasn't inspecting. When Nico and his friends arrived, they only saw Flitwick in his tiny, tiny, magical glory. The entire morning was Umbridge free, since they dropped her class on Mondays. By the afternoon, Nico was starting to hope he wouldn't see her the entire day. His luck, as usual, didn't hold out; when he arrived at Care of Magical Creatures, there was Umbridge, with a pink clipboard and quill.

Great, now I get to deal with Malfoy, Harry, his friends, and Umbridge all at the same time! Whoop-de-fucking-do.

To make matters worse, it was the first time Nico had seen Harry since the boggart attack. Nico's hand went to his sword on instinct, his blood boiled with rage, and his breath grew ragged. He would've attacked the punk then and there, but Hestia put a hand on his forearm, holding him back.

"Don't. With Umbridge here, you'll get detention, and you don't want to be on her radar like Potter is."

"I don't care about detention," Nico spat through gritted teeth. "I want to beat him to a pulp for doing that to me."

"Hestia's right," Blaise chimed in. "I don't know what Umbridge does in detention, but, from what I've heard, it's not good. Just stay calm, Nico."

"He attacks me and puts me in the infirmary, and I have to 'stay calm'?! How is that fair?!" Nico felt likes Ares himself was influencing his actions. He'd never felt such a tidal wave of rage against any mortal before.

"I don't think 'fair' comes into it." Hestia eyed his sword-arm, her voice laced with salt.

"Fine," Nico conceited, pulling his arm away from Hestia's grasp. "But, if he so much as looks at me--"

"I'll pummel him for you," Hestia promised. "Now come on. And play nice."

As they walked towards the edge of the forest, Nico got within earshot of Umbridge. "You do not usually take this class, is that correct?" Nico's eye caught Harry's again; only Hestia's steel gaze held him back from a curse attempt.

"Quite correct," Professor Grubbly-Plank replied. She seemed nervous, with her hands behind her back and her constant bouncing on the balls of her feet. "I am a substitute teacher standing in for Professor Hagrid."

Nico noticed Malfoy whispering with his friends, but they were out of earshot. "Stop staring," Hestia whispered. "You look like you're about to kill Malfoy."

"I am about to kill Malfoy," Nico retorted.

"Geez, you guys are arguing like an old married couple," Blaise smirked. "Take it outside, will you?" Hestia and Nico both gave him a look, which wiped the smug smile off his face.

"Hmm," Umbridge hummed. "I wonder--the headmaster seems strangely reluctant to give me any information on the matter--can you tell me what is causing Professor Hagrid's very extended leave of absence?"

From the corner of his eye, Nico saw Malfoy's head shoot up.

" 'Fraid I can't," Professor Grubbly-Plank replied. "Don't know anything more about it than you do. Got an owl from Dumbledore, would I like a couple of weeks teaching work, accepted--that's as much as I know. Well... shall I get started then?"

"Yes, please do," Umbridge said, writing some more. She started to wander among the students, asking them about magical creatures. To Harry's apparent happiness, and Malfoy's bitter disappointment, everyone seemed to know the answers. Nico didn't know how to react; he'd never met Hagrid, after all.

After talking to a Gryffindor boy for a while, Umbridge returned to Professor Grubbly-Plank's side. "Overall," she said, "How do you, as a temporary member of staff--an objective outsider, I suppose you might say--how do you find Hogwarts? Do you feel you receive enough support from the school management?"

"Oh, yes, Dumbledore's excellent." Professor Grubbly-Plank sounded completely sincere. "No, I'm very happy with the way things are run, very happy indeed."

Crestfallen, Umbridge made a tiny note on her clipboard. "And, what are you planning to cover with this class this year--assuming, of course, that Professor Hagrid does not return?"

"Oh, I'll take them through the creatures that most often come up in the O.W.L.. Not much left to do--they've studied unicorns and nifflers, I thought we'd cover porlocks and kneazles, make sure they can recognize crups and knarls, you know... "

"Well, you seem to know what you're doing, at any rate." Umbridge checked off on her clipboard, making a show of it with a swooping motion. Then, she turned to Malfoy and his goons. "Now, I hear there have been injuries in this class?"

Crabbe--or Goyle, Nico couldn't tell the difference--burst into a huge, stupid grin. Malfoy stepped forward, with fake, sympathy-baiting apprehension etched into his face. "That was me," he said, in a small voice that everybody (but Umbridge) could easily tell was as faked as his facial expression. "I was slashed by a hippogriff."

"A hippogriff?" Professor Umbridge scribbled on her clipboard with fervor. Nico didn't know why she'd be happy to fire a teacher, but he wouldn't put that past her character. Still, he couldn't help but think about what Blaise and Hestia had said when they first met. Hagrid--at least, according to his friends--might be dangerous and irresponsible, giving his students potentially deadly monsters to study. As much as he hated Umbridge, if Professor Hagrid was that careless, she had a point to want to fire him.

Harry butted into the conversation, snapping Nico from his thoughts. "Only because he was too stupid to listen to what Hagrid told him to do!" Ron and Hermione groaned audibly as Umbridge's head turned in Harry's direction.

"Another night's detention, I think," she said cheerfully. Nico couldn't help but break into a small smile. "Well, thank you very much, Professor Grubbly-Plank, I think that's all I need here. You will be receiving the results of your inspection within ten days."

"Jolly good," she replied, and class ended.

Nico, Blaise, and Hestia stayed outside a little longer, then headed in the castle for dinner. On their walk back, Nico's mind drifted to yesterday's conversation outside Dumbledore's office. The more he thought about it, the more he realized Annabeth was, as usual, right. They had to find the wall horcrux and get out of Hogwarts while Umbridge had less power. There was no chance of more than one horcrux in the castle, which meant he had little reason to stick around. As much as he liked his newfound friends, the quest, his father's will... they came first. He had to get a jump on Riddle before all Hades broke loose.