Magical Demigods

Nico stayed at camp for a week after the Battle of the Labyrinth. He helped with funeral rites and tried to make new friends, but none of the other Demigods seemed particularly happy to see him. He wished that he hadn't outed himself as the son of Hades.

The only Demigod who seemed to want Nico around was Will Solace, a son of Apollo that Nico had befriended before Bianca died and he ran off.

But Nico knew that he was making everyone uncomfortable. He wanted to leave, yet he didn't have a good excuse to.

Until he was summoned by his father.

It was strange to be summoned by the Lord of the Underworld and boss of the god of Death, but Nico knew that he couldn't ignore it. Gods could strike down the people who displease them.

So he went. 

Nico bowed before his father, who was sitting on his throne made of bones. Not like that wasn't creepy at all.

"You wished to speak to me, Father?" Nico asked.

"Indeed, I did. Stand up." Nico did as Hades ordered. He met the god's gaze, which was observing him. "You desire a chance to have a normal life?" 

"Yes, Father." Safer to keep his answers simple.

"Well, you may get what you desire. I am sending you to school."

"The last school didn't go well for me," Nico pointed out.

"This is a special school. It is a boarding school in England," Hades explained.

"What's it called?" Nico asked, curious about this school.

"It is called Hogwarts. It is a fine institution for young people like you to learn magic." Nico blinked a couple of times, confused.

"Magic?" He asked, dumbly. He gathered his thoughts. "But magic-"

"You are the son of a god, Nico. Magic is not impossible," Hades cut Nico off, a smile on his face. Nico's mind was going a thousand miles per hour - more than it usually did, anyway.

"How is it possible for me to be able to wave a magic wand around in the air, say some funny words, and make some random stuff happen?" Nico asked. 

"Your mother was a witch. She went to Hogwarts for her magical education, and wished for you and your sister to do the same. Your letter is here," Hades said. He waved his hand, and a skeleton scurried forward as fast as a skeleton could. It held a silver platter, on which rested a letter. "It has been translated into Ancient Greek for your benefit."

Nico picked up the letter and slit it open. It told him enough of what he needed to know. Except...

"How will I get my things? Or get to the school?"

"I have arranged for a magical family to take you in for a few weeks before each term starts. They will help you on how to get to the school. As for the money, you can take some of the money out of my vault. It will be number thirteen. You should be able to understand the currency system that the witches and wizards use."

Another skeleton moved forward. This one had a black key on the silver platter that it carried. Nico picked it up.

"You will need that to get into my vault." Nico looked up at the god.

"Thank you, Father," he said, sincerely. 

"It is no big deal. Hecate is going to take you to the Leaky Cauldron in London. The Weasley family - that is to say, the family taking care of you until term starts - will meet you there."

"How will I know who they are?"

"They all have red hair, Nico. And they are a rather large family. No doubt it will be easy to know who they are." Nico nodded.

"All right then. Thank you for telling me this, Father." Hades dipped his head, acknowledging Nico's words.

"You may go," Hades said, dismissing Nico. "Hecate is waiting for you in the courtyard."

And so Nico left the throne room. He went to the courtyard, where Hecate was indeed waiting for him. A bag sat at her feet.

"Lady Hecate," Nico greeted her. The goddess smiled. It wasn't cold, which was a relief. Most gods seemed to just smile coldly at him.

"Nico. I have your basic needs," she motioned at the bag, "although, all you have had the last few years is barely the basic things a person needs."

"Thank you, Lady Hecate. I gather that we're going now?" Hecate nodded. She picked up the bag and handed it to Nico, who took it. It was an over-the-shoulder bag, and had enough space for multiple books. Nico gathered that it was probably for the best. After all, he would have to walk to all of his classes.

"Hold onto my arm tightly," Hecate instructed. He did so, and white filled his vision. When it cleared, Nico was standing in front of a small, dingy pub. "This is the Leaky Cauldron. The Weasleys are unable to come today, but you will spend the night here. Tom the Barman is a son of Hermes, and is aware of the situation. I must be going now. Best of luck, Nico di Angelo."

"Thank you, Lady Hecate," Nico replied. The goddess disappeared, and Nico was left alone. He entered the pub, seeing as he didn't see any other choice.

The pub was dimly lit, and Nico felt out of place. The barman came over to him.

"Mister di Angelo?" He asked. Nico nodded. "Room seven. I will arrange for some food if you are hungry?" 

"Um-" Nico was cut off by his stomach. Food did sound quite good. "Yeah, that'd be great. Thanks."

He followed the barman - he guessed that this was Tom the Barman - up a staircase and into room seven. It had the basics, a bed, a wardrobe, a bathroom, and a desk. Nico placed his bag down by the bed. He surveyed the basic room, and felt more at ease than he had in a while.

He didn’t mind sitting in his room, lazing around or swinging his sword. He could act like a kid who wanted to be a pirate, which he enjoyed. It was nice to be as normal as possible for the first time since the Lotus Hotel.

When the next day came, Nico got up and dressed before going downstairs to have breakfast. He waited, watching the door and the fireplace. People were entering using both, and that was probably less shocking than ending up in a maze that could take you from London to China in probably ten seconds. 

The fire burned emerald green, and a boy with red hair and glasses wearing robes stepped out of it. He brushed himself off and turned around in time to receive a young girl with red hair. 

Slowly but surely, a whole group of the red heads had arrived. The eldest man walked over to Tom, who pointed over at Nico.

Guess I’ve found them, Nico thought to himself. 

The man – whom he assumed was the father – walked over to Nico.

“Nico di Angelo?” He asked.

“That’s me,” Nico replied.

“I’m Arthur Weasley.” Mr Weasley held out his hand, which Nico shook.

“Nice to meet you, sir,” he said, politely.

He was introduced to the rest of the red heads. The youngest boy, Ron, was about his age, which Nico found to be a relief. At least he wasn’t going to know absolutely no one when term started.

They gathered in the small courtyard behind the Leaky Cauldron. Mr Weasley tapped a brick, and an archway opened onto an entirely different street. 

There were so many shops, and so many people that were walking about. Some hurried from one shop to another, knowing exactly what they wanted, while others milled about. 

Nico stuck close to the Weasleys as they made their way to the large marble building. His curiosity got the best of him.

“Where are we going?” He asked Ron.

“Gringotts. We need money to get all of our stuff,” he replied. Nico looked up at the marble building, and nodded.

The bank was operated by goblins. It was strange to see them inspecting jewels and counting money as well as helping out witches and wizards.

The Weasleys and Nico went up to a free goblin and talked to them. Mrs Weasley turned to Nico.

“Do you have a vault, dear?” She asked. 

“Number thirteen,” Nico simply replied. 

“Do you have a key?” The goblin asked. Nico pulled out the black key and placed it onto the counter. “Follow me.”

Safe to say, the way around Gringotts was not Nico’s favourite way to travel. Travelling in Apollo’s sun chariot with Thalia at the wheel was a hundred times better.

They stopped at the Weasley’s vault first. They didn’t have much, but Mrs Weasley still scooped some of the coins up into a bag. Then they headed to the vault that belonged to Hades.

The vault had a carving of a three-headed dog on the door, which was made of black metal. The goblin inserted the key into the door and unlocked it. There was a black sort of mist or something over it, which Nico walked through. 

The vault was filled to the brim with treasures. Golden chariots, coins from every nation and time in history, and suits of armour and weapons and every other valuable item was stocked in the vault.

Nico walked along until he came to the wizarding money – his father was right. He could identify it and its value.

He filled a bag with golden Galleons, silver Sickles and bronze Knuts, then left the vault. 

“Your family must be ancient to have a vault that’s deeper than the Pureblood ones,” Ron remarked.

“Ron!” Mrs Weasley scolded.

“It’s alright, Mrs Weasley,” Nico reassured her. He turned to Ron. “Kind of. It’s hard to explain.”

Ron seemed to think that it was a good enough answer.

They went back to the surface where they bought robes, school books, a cauldron for Ron and Nico, and Potions supplies. Nico enjoyed the trip.

“We might be able to get you a pet then go to Ollivander’s,” Mrs Weasley said. Nico knew that no animal would like him, but he didn’t say this to Mrs Weasley.

So they went to the pet store. 

Nico wandered around, looking at the animals. Most of them tried to stay away from Nico. So he told Mrs Weasley that he couldn’t find one that interested him, and they left.

Now it was time for a wand.

The shop was dusty, and magic seemed to buzz in the air. Boxes and boxes of wands were piled high.

The shopkeeper, Mr Ollivander, measured Nico before getting him to try different wands. Nothing happened, and Nico felt kind of stupid. However, Mr Ollivander started to become happier as he handed Nico wands and took them away. Eventually he pulled a box off of the shelf and took out the wand.

“Let’s see… Ebony, thirteen inches, with a phoenix feather core,” Mr Ollivander said. He handed Nico the wand, and as soon as his skin came into contact with the wood, a warm, buzzing sensation filled his hand. Nico brought the wand up over his head and then brought it down. A shower of red and gold sparks flew out of the end.

Mr Ollivander gave a cry of delight, then took the wand away from Nico to put it back in the box and wrap it up.

He paid for his wand and left, feeling happy.

Mrs Weasley herded him into the Leaky Cauldron, where the rest of the family was.

“Is that all? Good, good. I’ve got your bag here, Nico,” Mr Weasley said.

 One by one, they stepped back through the fireplace, calling out ‘the Burrow’ and disappearing in a haze of green flames.

Nico went before Ron, and arrived in a small but homely place. Ron appeared behind him.

“You’ll be staying in my room with me,” Ron said. Nico nodded and followed Ron upstairs.

Ron’s room was covered in orange and moving pictures of the same seven people.

“Sorry if it’s a bit small,” Ron apologized. 

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, I like it,” Nico said, fully honest with the red head. Ron seemed to be relieved. “Can you tell me what they’re doing?” 

And Ron launched into an explanation of Qudditch.