The shack was dark, dilapidated, old and downright creepy to an ordinary person's point of view. Nico, who practically lived in the Underworld feels right at home and took it all in strides. What could be worse than Tartarus? There were some dark curses placed all around the shack but proved to be ineffective to Nico, who is the Prince of Darkness. No curse is more potent that his. With a wave of his hand, he obliterated the protections around the shack and expunge the dark curses present in it.

Nico approached the house lazily, his back slouched and his face devoid of any emotion, unimpressed. He casually strolled to the front door and opened it as it creaked in protest. Nico belatedly and bemusedly noted a dead snake was nailed on it, shrugged his shoulders, and walked in. The inside was just as bad or worse that the outward condition of the shack. It was dark, the little light available was only from the half-moon in the sky that shone through the cracks and hole of the decrepit shack. Nico would have casted Lumos to ease his eyesight if not for the fact he can see perfectly clear in the dark, so he did not bother.

The shack reeked of death, along with a mass of filth, rusting pots, rotten wood, and mouldy food as he surveyed the place. The floor creaks with his every step. Annoyed, Nico casted a silencing charm on his feet. As he entered the shack, he could already feel almost unnoticeable pulses of a soul that embraces the small place. Nico was convinced then and there that this location was spot on and he would find the first Horcrux on the list. Nico searched through the shack, focusing on that small pulse and the almost inaudible ringing in his ears that became louder as he got near it.

Nico tilted his head, his eyebrows raised as he stared at the floorboard beneath his feet as if it's the most curious thing in the world. The soul pulse felt the strongest at that specific spot and the ringing in his ears was especially irritating. He crouched down and inspected the floor carefully. With a small tug, Nico removed the floorboard to reveal a small hidden space inside which lies a suspicious looking golden box laced with malicious curses to protect it. Wow, now that's just obvious. Well, maybe not to other people. But still. Not wanting to touch a disgusting thing such as a Horcrux, Nico levitated the golden box and it followed him obediently outside. After making his way away further into the woods into a more than spacious clearing, checking the Life Aura around him and finding no other sign of life other than that of plants, Nico levitated the box to the ground with quite some distance from his person. With a flick of the wrist, Nico banished the curses on the box and it snapped open, revealing the Peverell Ring. The Resurrection Stone attached as its jewel. Nico shook his head, exasperated. He ought to berate Thanatos sometimes. Controlling his magic with his will, he separated the Stone from the ring. He immediately destroyed the Horcrux with Hellfire as he caught the Stone and banished it into the shadows. He will return in to his Father later. Nico winced when the Ring cried in a shrilly voice and watched impassively as the soul implanted on the ring disintegrate with the Ring. Nico widen his eyes suddenly in realization.

Oh Styx, that was a waste of gold.

LINEBREAK====

Nico slumped down his chair in his office in the Underworld. He had shadow-travelled back to his room and had a good rest for 8 hours before making his way to his Father's throne room and delivered over the Resurrection Stone. His father praised him a job well done, looked at the Stone with disdain and placed it on his chair where it sorted itself into one of its decorations. Now, it lies among skulls, golds, silvers, diamonds and rubies that adorn his father's throne.

"Well done, my Son," Hades spoke impassively. Nico subtly rolled his eyes, as he bowed in respect.

"Thank you, Father," Nico acknowledged. Nico was about to leave when his father stopped him.

"Wait," Hades ordered imperiously.

"Yes, Father?" Nico probed.

"There's a mountain of paper works on your desk. Settle those before you resume your quest," Hades ordered, irked. Nico swallowed and nodded his head in affirmative. Hades waved his hand in clear dismissal so Nico took his leave and went to his office.

Nico sighed wearily as he continued to go over the papers. He wished he could make copies of himself so he could settle them faster. Alas, he was not a ninja, and there was no magic spell that could help him either. For several days afterwards, Nico worked himself to the bones on the pile in his office. Alecto came to him at one point to report that she had completed the first part of her task to infiltrate and possess a MACUSA official with good authority and smuggled his forged official documents, exams and grades into the American Wizarding Community Records. Nico thanked the Fury and dismissed her to continue her next task. September was quickly approaching and his groundwork needs to be completed as soon as possible.

LINEBREAK===

Nico was not amused. His face was presently etched into a scowl. He should have taken a precautionary measure when he decided to hunt for the second Horcrux, Helga Hufflepuff's Cup. But for the world of him, he never imagined that he would be treated to such a reception. With a snap of his fingers, everything around him seemed to slow down as if time has stopped. He directed all mortals present with the exceptions of goblins, to focus on him. Nico manipulated the mist and said,

"You shall forget every conversation, everything that had happened for the past half an hour and resume your respective activity from there, you shall not remember me entering the bank nor should you remember me afterwards," Nico declared. With another snap of his fingers, time seemed to have return to the world around him and the mortals continued with their own business like usual. None seemed to remember or care what had happened in the past half hour. The mist had done its job, and Nico was never more grateful for it. He sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose as he recounted what had happened.

Flashback---

Nico had completed a majority of his paperwork which he knew would continue to pile up later. But for the moment, he left it at that to resume his hunt for the Horcruxes. Nico slept for 10 hours, ate some ambrosia and nectar then got ready. He pulled out the list from his pocket and cross out the Peverell Ring. The next on the list was Helga Hufflepuff's Cup supposedly located in Bellatrix Lestrange's Vault. He would need to go to Gringotts Wizarding Bank manned by Goblins for that. Goblins are underground creatures that values gold, honour and treasures among other things. All dark beings such as the Thestrals, the Dark Elves as well as underground beings such as the Goblins falls under Hades' rule and domain. And with Hades being the God of Riches...well, enough said. Nico believed that the Goblins would tend to his request, easily.

So there Nico stands at Charring Cross Road, the Leaky Cauldron loomed before him in its old and shabby...glory? Nico would never understand why these wizards and witches in Britain never moved on with the time. They are wizards for crying out loud! Why can't they use magic to redecorate or redesign the whole place into something more...perhaps, modern? Nico imagined for the briefest moment what a futuristic magical world would be like...yeah, never mind. It would be destroyed in seconds from the wrath of the Gods. They are jealous like that.

Anyways, freaking ADHD.

Nico made his way over into the pub, completely ignoring everyone as they do him, having casted the Notice-Me-Not charm earlier. Really, very plain and simple yet extremely useful spell. He does not even need to bother to hide in the shadows...well alright, Nico had to admit that he always moves in the shadows to stay out of sight. But in public places such as the pub? Absolutely. To move in the shadows with the charms at work, he was invisible twice over. Quickly taking note of his surroundings as he made his way to the pub's backyard that will lead him to Diagon Alley, Nico also noticed that the place was hot with gossip with old ladies and men exchanging stories and news with each other.

'A perfect place to hear rumours and maybe useful information. These gossips were hardly accurate, but every topic and rumours had to start from somewhere. I just need to go to the source and extracted the truth from there,' Nico thought, scheming. Just as he was about to walk away, he paused when he heard a gossip about one Harry Potter.

"Have you heard? The Boy-Who-Lived was apprehended by the Ministry for improper use of Magic in the Muggle world!"

"I heard he and his cousin was attacked by Dementors."

"Awful things, they are."

"I don't believe there were Dementors at all. The kid was clearly delusional. I mean really. He was accused of murdering a fellow student in the Triwizard Tournament. He was not even of age to participate! Can you imagine? A cheater, I tell you. I don't believe a word that boy is saying. You-Know-Who is dead. He can't be back!"

Nico tuned out after that as he increased his pace to the backyard and arrived at a wall of red bricks. Only one thing bothered him in that conversation.

Dementors.

They were servants of Thanatos and guard the Field of Punishment. Some were placed in Azkaban to guard the prison and suck out the happiness from the prisoners there.

Why would Dementor attacked Harry Potter?

He needs some answers. ASAP.

Nico summoned his wand from the shadows and tap the brick in certain patterns that Hecate helpfully told him in his mind and watched as the red brick wall shifted and magically reveal Diagon Alley. He quickly made a beeline towards a gigantic white building that he knew to be Gringotts, taking in his surroundings in the process. He felt like he was back in the middle ages. Suddenly, he really felt like he was 85 years old. Unpleasant. Nico frowned and shook his head to get rid of the feeling.

Before he knew it, he was at the grand entrance to Gringotts. Taking a few deep breaths to calm and compose himself, he cancelled the Notice-Me-Not charm and walked up the steps and passed through the wizard guards who merely nodded at him. He waltzed through the front door and slowed his steps to a stop as he marveled at the majestic place. There was a huge chandelier hang from the ceiling that sparkles from the light. Big marbled stone pillars stood in rows supporting the building. There were two long counters of bank tellers at each side of the spacious lobby, some of which were dealing with wizards and witches, some were lead through one of the many back doors, presumably to their vaults.

The goblin guards were the first to notice Nico's presence, and to his shock, reverently knelt before addressing him with utmost respect.

"Your Highness."

As if on cue, all the goblins in the lobby turned towards his direction, stopped what they were doing and knelt before greeting Nico reverently. The wizards and witches that were present were rendered perturbed by the whole unbelievable (to them) situation. After all, in normal occasion, the goblins never consider themselves inferior to anyone, regardless of the wizards' opinion of them. To see the goblins willingly regarded someone with deep respect and superiority would be a shock to all of them. That begged the question on who that person is. All the wizards' attention then turned towards Nico and regarded him critically and warily. Hushed whispers broke through the massive hall at the turn of events as many theories and assumptions were made. He looked young and dressed finely with an air of regal, around 14 to 15 years old. Most assumed him to be a scion of an Ancient and Noble House, but normally even those did not receive the royal treatment given to the young lad.

Nico stood perfectly still. He did not see that coming. Not a moment too soon, The Head Goblin came down to greet him, with Griphook and Ragnok on either side of him. They came mere meters in front of Nico and like the rest of the goblins present, knelt in respect.

"Your Excellency. I apologize for the lack of preparation made for your arrival. We were not expecting you. If you give us a moment, we will soon ready a feast for you and..."

Nico quickly interrupted the Head Goblin.

"No! No, that's alright. It was my mistake. I should have given you a notice prior to my visit. If only to avoid a commotion such as this...," Nico mumbled the last part almost inaudibly. Honestly? Nico only expected to walk up to a teller, whispered some instructions and lead to the vault to hunt the Horcrux, not a grandiose welcome.

"Please, rise my goblin warriors. I am here on official business. I would appreciate it if you refrain from giving me the royal treatment and regard me normally. Pay me no heed and pretend as if I am invisible," Nico said brusquely, "in public," he added belatedly.

"Hades, no! We would never disrespect the Prince of All Riches, the Son of the Master of all dark and underground beings," the Head Goblin proclaimed.

"I am on a quest and keeping a low-profile. All your cooperation would be highly praised and rewarded. I will make sure of that. If you all could act as if I am invisible unless I personally addresses any of you. That's an order," Nico hissed frustrated. The goblins around him felt conflicted about adhering to such an order but reluctantly nodded all the same. They slowly rose to their feet and waited on him expectantly.

Nico huffed before turning his attention to the mortal audience that he had garnered due to his welcoming incident, decidedly to have no choice but to manipulate the mist to cover up his unexpected blunder.

Flashback ends---

Nico motioned to the Head Goblin waiting on him at his side to lead him to a sequestered quarter for a private conversation. The Head Goblin wasted no time to lead him into a secluded chamber. No words were spoken until they are completely secured.

After securing the chamber with wards and the Fidelius Charm, Nico dived right into the point.

"I am hunting for a Horcrux," Nico declared.