Nico's Quest

Nico's secret

Nico laid in the warm water. He flicked his tail. It was black as Stygian Iron with silver fins. His elbow and ear fins were black. He looked like a merman, but he wasn't. He was a half-siren. A rare breed. But of course people would be afraid on him. He focused and his fins and tail disappered. He started to clean his flesh when a cough sounded behind him. He turned to see Will looking at him through a Iris message the steam filled room helping the connection.
"I love the view." Will smiled.
Nico grinned, "Of course you do. But I have to go. Write to me. I will see you in your dreams."
They shared a brief 'Ti Amo", before Nico cut the connection.
Nico spread his books out of his desk in the common room. He played his iPod on his Will playlist. He wanted to be held by Will but he would have to settle for Will's covers and favorite songs. Will loved soundtracks and was a big movie nerd. So many of the covers were Will's favorite soundtracks that he memorized and sang in pitch. But one song didn't seem to fit. Losing Control by Escape the Fate. Will sang it for Nico once and Nico could help but ask to hear more. Nico looked at the stack of papers that was his finished essays. He pulled out his notebook and started to draw.

Harry looked at the bed beside him. Nico was asleep. Harry stared in wonder at the sleeping boy. He looked like his namesake, an angel. Harry looked at Nico one last time before going down to breakfast with Hermione and Ron. Hermione pulled out a thick book labeling Italian Wizarding Families and Mystical beings. She opened the book and read out loud.
"The Di Angelo family is a powerful Dark Arts family. The last remaining heirs to the family stronghold were Bianca Di Angelo and Nicola di Angelo. They went missing in the early 40s in America when their mother was found dead."
Hermione closed her book. "He can't be Nico di Angelo. He would be as old as Dumbledore if he was."
Harry looked at the book, "Maybe he is a relative. "
"Or a Deatheater." Ron said, around a mouthful of food.
Nico walked in wearing his black and scarlet robes. There were bags under his eyes but he seemed happy. Like he had just got the best news. Harry looked at his friends. They were taking out how Nico was definitely a Deatheater in training. Nico looked at the sky above with a sudden frown. Harry looked up too. The high ceilings looked normal to him. Nico sighed and rubbed his back. He stood and walked up to them.
"Uh, hi. Do you know where the hospital wing is?"
Hermione snapped, "Why? Sick?"
Nico shook his head, "No."
Nico walked away, wincing with every couple steps. Harry sighed and just pushed it away.

Nico groaned loudly as he made his way to his first class. Potions was fun but he was in pain. He needed to find somewhere to open up and stretch his fins. Last night was not enough. He needed to swim in salt water. He was the only child of Hades that had the issue. Hades had made a deal with Posiedon but he didn't get anything yet to help the headaches.
The day passed slowly but he found himself heading to his DADA teacher's office. He didn't plan on causing trouble. But even so, he nearly puked at the sight before him. Everything was pink and frilled. There was kittens in adorable poses on little dishes on the walls. But it was the smell that got him. An overpowering scent of lavender, dried flowers and cheap perfume filled the air making him gag. Granted, Will smell like lavender but it wasn't a strong smell.
Nico was in hell.
Harry entered not to long after Nico. Nico was relief was bittersweet as he saw the same reaction in Harry's eyes. Umbridge handed them each a quill. Nico watched as Harry started to write "I must not tell lies." Nico turned and wrote "I must not be rude." After a couple lines a burning sensation cut through his hand. He looked down and the words where there in his flesh. He dropped the quill and left the room. His hand hurt. It feel like it was on fire. He uncorked a bottle of unicorn daught and swallowed a mouthful.
The pounding in his head dulled and his hand healed leaving only a harsh blistering scar across his hand. He heading back up to his bed.

"I am telling you, Hermione, he was in pain. More than me." Harry said as they walked down to Hagrid's hut.
Ron looked at Harry, "So why did he not go to the hospital wing?"
"Harry, we don't know why he is here." Hermione said.
When they arrived, Hermione immediately asked, "Hagrid, do you know who Nicola di Angelo is?"
Hagrid nodded, "I heard he got lines from a cursed quill. His father is stopping by. Worse then Ole Lucirus. No one says his name."
Harry looked at Hagrid, "Who is he?"
Hagrid sighed, "Aidenous di Angelo. He is one of those people you don't cross. His son is the same way. Ain't spoiled, but trained. Back in the day, the Ministry used the Di Angelo family to get rid of wizards that went bad like You-Know-who."

That evening, Harry watched the doors for a visitor. When the door opened to reveal a middle aged man in long black robes with equally black hair. His skin was pale, as though he barely saw the sun. He had dark brown eyes and his long pale fingers where tipped with black claws. Everyone froze. The man didn't make a noise as he approached the teacher's table.
"You in pink. Stand."
The man's voice was deep and resounding like an echo in a cave, but it had a chill to it. It reminded Harry of the hiss of the Demetors. Nico didn't seem like he noticed, for he was the only one eating. Umbridge stood and stared him down. But she seemed to be smaller now, compared to this towering figure in black.
"Your punishment is to give lines with a cursed quill? You like pain, to inflict it? You don't want to arm students here at Hogwarts? Hold out your hand." The man said in a voice like a silk covered dagger.
Umbridge giggled and said, "I have authority in my own classroom."
The man seemed to lose his patience. He looked at Dumbledore and back at her. He smiled like a wolf faced with chickens in the woods.
"HOLD OUT YOUR HAND"
Umbridge did and the man ran his hand over her hand. She screamed as blood dripped from her hand.
"Consider this a warning. Do your job, or else."
The man seemed to disappear without a trace. Nico looked up with a crocodile grin, and mouthed Strike One. Hermione looked at Harry and Ron in horror. What did the man do? Who was that? Umbridge looked at Dumbledore.
"Why did you let him leave?"
Dumbledore sighed, "He came to help you understand that some methods are best forgotton. I suggest you listen. He doesn't often give third chances."