Nico di Angelo and the Goblet of Fire

Chapter 2: The Triwizard Tournament

Harry, Ron and Hermione walked into the Great Hall, chatting. When they entered, Peeves was dropping water balloons on the students. One burst at Harry's feet, sending waves of cold up his spine.

"Peeves! Stop this nonsense right now!" Professor McGonagall screeched to a stop, grabbing onto Hermione to stop herself from falling.

"Sorry, Miss Granger," she added hastily. Hermione gulped, massaging her neck.

Peeves merely cackled and dropped another water balloon on a group of fifth year Ravenclaws. They all shrieked.

"Peeves!" McGonagall yelled again, but it was no use. Peeves didn't listen to anyone but the Bloody Baron.

"I'd advise you to stop." The voice rang through the hall even though the speaker wasn't talking that loudly.

Harry turned to see Nico di Angelo. "Peeves." Nico said. It wasn't a question-but a command, more forceful than McGonagall.

Peeves had stopped in midair. Then he bowed. "Yes, lord." Peeves sped away.

Ron was gaping at Nico. "Bloody hell. How'd he manage to do that?"

Harry shrugged, glad that Peeves had stopped tormenting them.

Professor McGonagall looked a bit flustered, but she regained her composure quickly. "Alright, we can't have you standing here in the cold. To your house tables, please!"

There was a bustle as all the students filed to the tables, crowding the doorways. Hagrid entered, with the first years following behind him.

Colin Creevy came bouncing up to Harry. "Hi, Harry! My brother, Dennis, is being sorted!"

"Cool." Harry said, mustering as much enthusiasm as he could for Colin. "Gryffindor?"

Colin beamed. "I hope so." He pointed to a small boy who was wearing Hagrid's coat. "There he is!"

Dennis gave Colin a thumbs-up and mouthed, I fell in the lake! He seemed to be very proud of that.

Harry slipped away while the brothers were occupied. He took a seat next to Ron and Hermione. "Where's Nico?"

Hermione pointed to the first years, where Nico stood behind them, looking very uncomfortable. "He's getting sorted. Since the Ilvermorny houses don't really match up, Dumbledore wanted the Sorting Hat's opinion."

Harry nodded, already looking elsewhere. "Where is the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?"

Ron shrugged. "Dunno, mate. Maybe Dumbledore couldn't find anyone this year."

Hermione looked at Ron. "I'm sure he found someone."

The Sorting Hat started singing, so the trio stopped to listen. When the Hat finished, McGonagall started calling the names of the first years.

When she got to Dennis, the boy hopped to the stool, tripped on Hagrid's coat, and barely managed to sit down without falling. McGonagall placed the Hat on his head.

"Gryffindor!" The Hat shouted after a couple moment's pause.

Colin looked down the Gryffindor table, smiling broadly at Harry. He moved over so his brother would have a place to sit.

The Hat finished with the first years.

McGonagall spoke up. "We have a transfer student this year, from Ilvermorny. Nico di Angelo!"

Nico started walking towards the Hat. He clearly didn't like everyone's attention.

The Hat squawked. "No! You're not putting me on his head! That kid has had enough, I'm not going to look!"