Nico di Angelo and the Goblet of Fire

Chapter 18: A New Labyrinth

Will flashed into the Olympus throne room in a burst of light. He stumbled forward, exhausted. Hades had been really helpful, actually. More helpful than he had expected. He assumed that it was mostly his grudge against Hera and his pride for his son that he had helped Will.

Will limped forward into a kneel. "Lord Zeus," he said, his throat scratching and mangling the words.

Zeus responded with a 'hmmph.' He clearly didn't care much, like usual. "What are you here for, boy?"

Will wondered briefly if Zeus even knew his name. Probably not. "I wish to speak to Hera."

Hera sniffed. "Queen Hera for you."

Will looked at her and purposely rolled his eyes. Like he was going to respect her after she meddled in everyone's business. Maybe before, when she hadn't affected him personally. But this time, she'd gone too far. "Where's Nico?" He demanded.

Hera shrugged lazily. "Wouldn't I like to know."

Will felt anger building up inside him. "Just give me a location!"

Hera smirked. "Fine. Scotland."

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Nico was trying to summon Jules-Albert. He was annoyed at Hera-she didn't have to take his personal memories, it wasn't like he would do anything other than protect Harry. So he'd decided to talk to his skeletal driver.

He was a couple kilometers away from the castle, hiding in the forest. Every animal in the Forbidden Forest had chosen to avoid him, seeing as all the plants around him were wilted and there was black smoke.

Suddenly, a white figure appeared. Skeletal arms came out of the mist. "Hello, Hades child," Jules-Albert sniffed.

Nico was immediately on edge. This was not how Jules-Albert acted. "Yes?" He asked, drawing his sword.

"Oh that wouldn't do anything," the skeleton scoffed. "You see, I've already been claimed."

Nico was even more suspicious. He should be the only one in control of Jules-Albert. "By whom?"

Jules-Albert pushed his left arm forward, showing a black tattoo etched on the bone. It almost looked like segments were missing from his arm in the dark setting. "Lord Voldemort."

Nico stared at him. Jules-Albert smirked. "He's calling." He then vanished into a cloud of dark ink.

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Neither Nico or Harry had to do the end of term tests, seeing as they were Triwizard champions. They mostly spent their time at the back of the classroom, practicing spells and looking up hexes.

On the morning of the task, Professor McGonagall called them into a chamber off the Hall. Harry was immediately alarmed, spilling his eggs on his robes. "But the task's not till tonight!"

"I'm aware of that, Potter," she said. "The champions' families are invited to watch the final task, you know. This is simply a chance for you to greet them."

"Harry, come on, they're waiting for you!" He heard a voice call. Nico got up as well, following Harry out.

Utterly perplexed, Harry got up. The Dursleys couldn't possibly be here, could they? He walked across the Hall and opened the door into the chamber. Viktor Krum was over in a corner, conversing with his dark-haired mother and father in rapid Bulgarian. He had inherited his father's hooked nose. On the other side of the room, Fleur was jabbering away in French to her mother. Fleur's little sister, Gabrielle, was holding her mother's hand. She waved at Harry, who waved back, grinning. Then he saw Mrs. Weasley and Bill standing in front of the fireplace, beaming at him.