What Happens at Hogwarts: Percy Jackson Hogwarts AU Fanfic

Chapter 4: Cherry Sodas

Nico’s cheeks were flushed pink from the cold, and Nico instantly pulled his too-large aviator jacket closer to his body. He was walking in between Leo and Jason, with Piper and Thalia a little way up ahead. He trudged through the snow, his boots crunching all the way. 

They were almost at the Three Broom Sticks according to Leo. They would have already been there had it not been for the unexpected snowball fight back at Zonko’s. 

 Noticing his discomfort Jason unraveled his Gryffindor scarf and draped it across Nico, earning him a weird look. He shook his head in disbelief and little pieces of snow flew around him. Typical Jason. 

Ten minutes later they were all seated around a table, obviously not suited for that amount of people. Squished between Thalia and Piper, Nico sipped his cherry soda and twirled the tiny umbrella between his fingers. 

“I’m so pumped for the quidditch match this week,” Leo said, eyes widening with excitement, “the team’s been practicing for weeks.” This year had been a good one for Hufflepuff’s quidditch season, much to everyone's suprise. 

Thalia slung her arm around Nico and ruffled his hair like he was some scruffy adorable puppy. Nico rolled his eyes. Both of the Grace siblings loved to invade his personal space he concluded. 

“Even so, Sytherin’s still going to kick some-“ Thalia began. She was quickly cut-off when something caught the group’s attention. 

Octavian, a Syltherin that Nico barely talked to, Silena, a nice enough Ravenclaw and Luke coolly strolled into the inn, causing hushes to fall around the room. 

Thalia recoiled from her former embrace with Nico and slunk in her chair, looking uninterested at her nails. It was obvious that the tension between her and Luke hadn’t changed since fourth year. Nico didn’t know any of the details, but one day he found the two former best friends acting is if they didn’t exist to one another. 

The trio hadn’t noticed their group that was sitting at a table tucked away in a corner. Nico felt a sigh of relief wash over him. He was glad he dragged him over there, wanting to have a little sense of privacy. The three strangers sat in a booth a couple feet away. Just the perfect distance to be eavesdropped upon. 

Seconds past and the chatter began up again. It was as if the whole ordeal hadn’t happened.

Reluctantly, conversation started again at their table. He continued to stir his soda, letting his mind wander until someone brought him back into whatever heated debate they needed him to decide on. That was his job. To be the mutual voice in any of their more or less pointless arguments. 

“Okay so Nico-“ Leo started, ready for Nico to agree with whatever he said. Gosh, if it were going to be who the hottest guy at school was again, he’d say Octavian just to piss him off. 

“How did you think that Ethan kid got cursed the other day in Herbology?” 

Oh.

Before he could reply, Leo gave him his own theory. 

“I swear it’s that Octavian kid. The other day I saw him in Professor’s Kronos’s classroom at like midnight. Isn’t that a bit weird?”

“What were you even doing at midnight to have been able to see him?” Piper asked raising an eyebrow at the elfish boy. 

“Oh, um, might have gone to the kitchen for extra snacks,” he answered, elastic grin stretching onto his face. 

She looked at him with a mix a of disbelief and amusement. 

“Hey, I think I’m going to use the bathroom,” Nico stated, rising out of his chair. He didn’t want to be there when the topic of Ethan came up again. His friends nodded and went back to their familiar antics. 

Walking into the empty and slightly dingy bathroom, he entered a blue stall. He sat on top of the closed seat of the toilet. The whole going to the bathroom excuse was pretty much that. An excuse. He brought his knees up to his chest, tucking his chin into the crook of his elbow.

He enjoyed his friends a lot, but he felt the need to be alone for a few moments. 

Just as he was about to leave, he heard the sound of the bathroom door swing open, following two low voices that echoed off the walls. 

“She’s so naïve,” proclaimed the first voice. Nico could picture the sneer on who’s ever face it was. 

“That’s the whole point, dimwit,” came the respond. Nico imagined a scowl crossing the other person’s face. “Now that you’ve seen what happened to Ethan, I think it’s safe to say you’re joining our forces?” 

“Of course. That idiot deserved it. He didn’t even notice the bracelet that I slipped on him.”

Bracelet? 

Nico spotted two pairs of shoes pacing up and down the floor from a crack. If he leaned a little bit closer maybe he could see one of their faces-

“Are you sure no-one’s in here..?” the first voice questioned, abruptly bringing Nico back into reality. 

“I’m sure no-one’s here, but there no harm in checking. And if there is someone listening us to us right now I’d have no trouble hexing them into oblivion,” the second voice replied coolly. It was almost as if Luke was talking directly to him. Nico could already hear him kicking open the door farthest from him. He had eight stalls before he got to Nico’s. His throat felt closed up and he tried to keep his breathing to a minimum. Nico's insides began to wither. 

Kick. Eight.

Merlin what am I going to do.

Kick. Seven.

Luke’s not kidding when he said he’s going to hex me into oblivion. 

Kick. Six.

I have to think of something 

Kick. Five.

Come on charms had to be useful for something. 

Kick. Four. 

I’m going to puke.

Kick. Three. 

I wasn’t even able to give Jason his scarf back. 

Kick. Two. 

Merlin Merlin Merlin Merlin 

Kick. One more to go. 

I’m a goner.

Zero. 

The world seemed to stop spinning. 

And Nico could feel the figure approaching his stall. 

A/N: I'm actually back. Hello guys it's been so long (!!) Alas high school has began and that is why my updates are so infrequent. But anyways here's a chapter. Hope you guys enjoy! 

And for any of you who have voted/commented while I was gone, much love! And for that question at the end of the chapter hmmm... 

q: Who is the God of Love in Greek mythology? 

And as always if you get it right first you'll be next chapter's dedication. 

Sorry to the person who's waited a couple months for their dedication.. oops? 

Also I know it's a bit early in the story but I was thinking about setting up goals? So how about 10 votes for this chapter and a comment? 

And last but not least, votes, comments and constructive criticism are appreciated :)

-PercysBlueInk