Death Breath, the Debt Collector. (PJO/HP XC)

Chapter 9: Quidditch Tryouts

"Nico, are you sure about this? You look a little sick." Ron asked the frail kid standing next to him. 

Kid was a term he used lightly. Nico had this sense about him as if he'd grown beyond his years, he held a certain maturity about him. And now, the kid looked like he might throw up. The slightly tanned skin that always seemed a little pale now shown with perspiration, and Nico would't stop bumping his legs and tapping his fingers. There still was time to cancel out, in fact. It was just breakfast time, and as usual, Nico wasn't eating anything. Ron had accepted it by now, but still, maybe some toast or something would calm his nerves. 

"Nico! There you are!" Ron's sister, Ginny, bounded to the table where the trio sat, talking amongst themselves. 

Nico looked over his shoulder, a lock of his shaggy dark brown hair obsurcing his vision. 

"Oh, hey, Ginny." He greeted her glumly. "Listen, guys," Nico stood from the table, "I'm gonna go, uh, warm up. I'll meet you on the field, alright?" He strode out of the hall. 

The three held back reactions to the term field rather than pitch and Hermione had an inkling that Nico wasn't prepared for the sport. 

A voice from behind now whined, "Don't tell me. Di Angelo is trying out? Looks like the Gryffindor team will do even worse than last year." 

Harry didn't know how Draco could critize them after they won the cup, but he supposed he was desperate for insults. "Shove off, Malfoy." Ron spat at him. 

Harry unfolded the map underneath the table. "He's disappeared again," He muttered after a minute of searching. 

"Maybe he's found the Room of Requirment." Hemione suggested. 

Ron chocked on his cereal, now getting nervous for tryouts. "Harry, do you mind warming up with me?" He was still embarrased that Harry had found out that he was trying out, but since he was captain, it was inevitable. 

"Sure thing." Harry said as he jumped up from the table. 

"I'll meet you both down there, good luck!" Hermione called after them. 

She sat at the table talking to Luna, who had wandered over to the Gryffindor table, presumably looking for Nico. She sighed, taking in the sleepiness of Sunday morning. She had a feeling Ron would do just fine, and Harry would put him on the team anyways, but she wasn't too sure with Nico. 

Harry and Ron started to walk out of the Great Hall. "Oh, bugger! I forgot my broom." Ron started to bound up the stairs, Harry trailing after him. They arrived at the Fat Lady breathless. 

"Oddsbodikins!" Ron told the squaking Fat Lady, and they hurried up to their dormitory. 

As they took the spiral staircase upwards, they slowed once they heard voices. Harry took the lead in front of Ron, obviously curious, and they inched further to the door, which was slightly ajar. 

"It's called Hogwarts-stupid name right?" Nico's voice was heard. 

Another voice now laughed, and then said, "Hogwarts? Are you serious? What, is there another school called Pigfarts?" 

"Honestly, Hazel,  I wouldn't be surprised. These wizards are absolutley bonkers when it comes to naming things." 

A girl? In the boy's dormitory? When no one else was around? The boys shared a look. They were ready to make their entrance, however, when Nico asked softly, "How's dad?" 

"Your dad? Or mine?" She sounded strange all of a sudden.

Nico paused. "Mine." He cleared his throat.