I am Nico di Angelo, Nico Weasley. I am son of Hades, heir to the Underworld. I am son of Molly and Arthur Weasley. I am son of Maria di Angelo.

I am blessed by the queen of the Underworld. I have magic in my blood. I control the shadows.

I fought in the Titan war. I fought on the front lines. I fought in the Giant war. I survived Tartarus. I survived being a prisoner of war.

I am Nico di Angelo. I can do this. The shadows do not control me. I don't need to follow them home.

Nico looked away from the mirror. His eyes had turned as green as the grass. His freckles had turned golden.

I can do this. I can do this. I am Nico di Angelo. I have the queen of the Underworld behind me.

He looked healthier, almost like a different person. His hair even had some life to it, though it still hung around in long curls.

I'll just explain...I'll just explain.

His cheek bones were as prominent as his collarbone. The outline of a dandelion was branded into the later.

"Aren't dandelions weeds, not flowers?" he muttered. Just as he did, a sharp pain sparked from the branding.

"Ow, fine, it's a flower." Nico rubbed the angry skin before covering it with his robes. He could at least hide that from Mrs. Weasley. But his eyes, the freckles...

I survived Tartarus. I can do this.

"Nico, breakfast!"

Damn.

He exited the bathroom, crept down the stairs. His robes covered his pounding heart but didn't hide his shaking hands.

Nico stepped into the kitchen, the last to get there. Ron was the first to see, then Harry and Molly.

"NICO WEASLEY-"

~~~~~~~~~~~

It was eventually time for Hogwarts to start. The night before, Mrs. Weasley cooked up a going-away feast. She never stopped hovering over Nico, but she nodded approvingly with each bite he took. He almost looked healthy.

He wasn't sure what Persephone's blessing entailed. All he was sure of was the energy he had and the change of his appearance. He tried to ask Hecate but she stayed silent. Nobody appeared in his dreams.

The next morning they were on their way to King's Cross. Nico didn't bother waiting for Ron or Harry, instead getting on the train as soon as he could to find a compartment. He thought he was going to be away from sight but Hermione soon joined him.

"Nico!" she sat across from him with a book in hand. She was still in muggle clothing. "Where are Ron and Harry?"

Nico shrugged. "They're slow. Give them a minute." He looked out of the window as the train started up. He already missed home. "Hermione, do you ever get homesick?"

She nodded. "When I was little, not anymore. Though last year I do admit I wasn't used to being away from home for so long."

"Right." he leaned his head on the window's glass. "They should get in here soon."

Hermione looked down at her book for a minute before looking back up at Nico. "Do you have contacts in?"

"Er, no." Nico didn't look her in the eyes. "They changed color."

"Fascinating!" she leaned forward. "How? Was it a spell or potion? Or was it-"

"Demigod related." he closed his eyes to hide them from view. "I'm going to take a nap. Wake me up if they don't get here soon."

And so she did. Twenty minutes had passed before she shook the dark haired boy awake, her eyes full of worry. "I've looked all over the train. I can't find them anywhere."

Nico sat up, quick enough to almost slam his head against hers. "You've looked everywhere?"

She nodded. "They couldn't have missed the train, right? They couldn't have been far behind you."

Nico scowled as different thoughts spread through his mind. "They're idiots. Complete idiots. How am I supposed to protect someone that's basically begging for trouble?"

~~~~~~~~

The trip continued on. Ron nor Harry ever showed up. He eventually went into his own compartment and closed the door. There, he sat on the floor and closed his eyes as he tried to feel where their souls were and how strong they were.

Nico eventually felt them not too far behind the train, both perfectly okay. He let himself relax though he couldn't understand what they were possibly doing.

He opened his eyes and ended the trance, expecting to be exhausted from using his abilities. He was for about a second, then the dandelion burned for about the same time he was in the trance.

Persephone, what the fuck is this pain for? He gripped onto his collarbone, it feeling as if someone was holding an iron to it.

You're smart enough to know you can talk like this to me now, but you can't figure that out? Her voice was full of amusement.

Nico loosened his grip as the pain faded. Why are you in my head? The blessing?

Of course.

Where did Hecate go, then?

She's also here, young demigod.

Great. Now I have two voices in my head. Nico stretched before sliding into a seat. Are you going to tell me what that pain's for?

You used one of your abilities, Persephone explained. You should have been exhausted since they feed on your life source. So you fed on the dandelion's life source. I can't fuel yours but I can fuel its. I am the goddess of flowers, after all.

Nico's eyes widened. It's a fucking real flower in me?!

Watch your language. And yes, why did you think it was there?

How is it living? Nico looked down at his collarbone. I'm made of shadows, not sunshine. I'm not Will.

Your eyes provide the chlorophyll it needs. Some of your veins will act as roots. Spend more time in the sun, Nico.

I don't want to.

You need to. You'll become less pale. Get any paler and you'll be able to see the chlorophyll in your veins.

This is fucked up.

It's keeping you alive.

Nico put his head in his hands before groaning in frustration. Do you know what Harry and Ron are doing?

No answer.

Fine, be that way. Nico looked out of the train window. We better get to Hogwarts soon.

He missed it. He missed one of his homes.