Nico di Angelo and the Goblet of Fire

Chapter 12: Dark Magic

Nico flinched away from Snape immediately after they landed in Dumbledore's office. Snape had already drawn his wand, though, and pointed it at Nico's throat. "What are you?" He demanded angrily.

Nico realized this was his chance-he'd blown his cover, but he had a way to regain it. "Nothing you know of," he hissed in a slithering voice.

"Whatever you are, remove yourself from this student!" Snape shouted, spit flying into Nico's face. Nico had to resist wincing.

Nico focused, making the mist form into a dark, inky shadow. He'd found it was much easier to manipulate the mist at Hogwarts-all the magic in the air had to affect that. This time, however, the shadows were strangely thick, almost like they wanted to be summoned and used.

Snape stumbled back slightly, but kept his wand raised. "Hello, Ssseverusss Sssnape," Nico had the shadow hiss. It was requiring all his concentration to project his voice from the ethereal ghost, making it all the easier to flop on the ground and pretend like the spirit had taken such control over him.

The inky shadows filled the room, consuming it. Nico was sweating by now at the effort.

"LUMOS MAXIMA!" Snape roared, and a blinding light extinguished the darkness, pushing it back to only the farthest corners. The shadows curled, almost afraid of the light, but an evil came from them. At this point, Nico had lost all control of the shadows. He opened his eyes slightly to see if they had vanished, seeing as he was the one who created them, but they were still there, twisting and curling in the corners. Nico's heart started beating faster. He'd created something, something that was completly unnatural. And he had no control over it now.

The shadows twisted around Nico, and he gasped, his chest constricting at the tightness. Snape slashed his wand, cutting through the inky darkness. The rope lessened for a second, but Nico half vanished himself into the void by shadow-traveling, making him only half in this world.

Suddenly, a bright light appeared. Dumbledore. Albus Dumbledore twirled his wand elegantly, and the shadows immediately vanished, but Nico knew they weren't gone for good. They'd only been banished, and he knew they would be back to cause even more trouble. The worst thing was, it was entirely his fault.

Instantly, Dumbledore waved his wand again, transporting Nico to the hospital wing, where Nico took his chance and reformed fully. He passed out for real after that.

The next thing he knew, he was in a bright white setting with a fountain in the center. The fountain was the only piece there-there weren't even walls, it just stretched on into endless white. It reminded him of the hospital wing, since that was where he last was, and that, too, was white.

A graceful lady appeared. Hera. "Did you not know not to reveal your powers?" She asked sternly, seeming very disappointed in Nico.

Nico rolled his eyes. "You should've said so. I'm trying to stay alive by any means possible."

Hera frowned. "I don't like it when I'm disrespected. I had hoped that this experience would teach you some manners."

Nico scoffed. "Not likely. What, you like kidnapping people? How many times have you done it?"

Hera froze. It seemed like he'd guessed a little to close to the truth for her liking.

"Who was it?" Nico asked, curious. The poor sod probably didn't deserve it. Then again, what had Nico done to deserve it? Maybe Hera was just an irritable person.

Hera turned around and stared out at nothing, seeing as the space was empty. At least look at the fountain. Nico didn't know if staring at blank, burning white stuff was good for your eyes.

"Now, never mind that now," Hera said hurriedly. Nico arched his eyebrows. "Seriously?"

"Anyway, di Angelo, you MUST maintain your cover. You may only use your ability to protect Harry Potter, nothing else!" Hera commanded shakily.

"Hmm? Alright then." Nico was drawing in shadows on the ground, marring the stark white. The white was irritating him.

Hera scowled and waved her hand, vanishing the shadow paint. "Enough of that. This is why I don't like dealing with demigods."

Nico noticed the plural. "Who else have you dealt with?" He asked again.

"Just that irritating, good for nothing son of Poseidon." Hera muttered almost unconsciously.

A memory came into Nico's head-a boy with black hair, who was funny and helped him. "Percy?"

"I also hate it when you demigods remember! It makes things so much harder to execute." Hera stomped her foot. Nico thought that she was behaving like a petty child.

"But why would it matter if I remember?" Nico asked. "My only task is to protect Harry Potter."

Hera nodded, an evil smirk sliding across her face. "Exactly."