This will be a two chapter story. The ancient feeling Abaddon recognizes is an effect of the ancient magic Hermione's been using constantly and for her wards.

Hermione's Hounds:

1. Hermione's Hounds
2. Master of Death
3. Soul Marked
4. Abandon All Hope
5. The Devil You Know
6. My Heart Will Go On
7. Ursula
8. Drinking at Bobby's
9. Survival of the Fittest
10. Mistress of Death
11. Queen of Hell
12. Casifer

The Enochian warnings covering the aged stone wall amidst the overgrown ivy were currently vexing Abbadon. Promises of death and torture for violating the King's Law if the creature within didn't murder the trespassers were abundant, along with warnings of interacting with the creature inside the walls. However, there was not a single description of what type of creature was locked inside, or what its capabilities were.

Regardless, Abbadon was not deterred from her decision to free Crowley's worst nightmare, one that he felt the need to lock up. Simply imagining the look of terror on his face brought a gleeful smile to her own.

It took far longer than she originally expected to break through the numerous protections, without triggering certain defenses imbedded into the sigils. When she was standing on the other side of the wall, the dark lair she'd imagined turned out to be an expansive garden with a beautiful terrace, which was attached to a large manor. The growing doubt in her plan, however, was sealed by the dainty brunette sitting at small garden table with a bottle of wine and two glasses.

Abbadon forced herself to ignore the several hell hounds that were lazily lying in sun patches, and walk toward the creature. The strategic circle, centered around the garden table, created by the hounds was not lost on the demon. Each step Abbadon took, served to remind the demon that the creature she was approaching was old. The youthful appearance of the curly haired brunette was deceptive, but she had an aura that Abbadon found familiar laced with nostalgia. As though the creature was a long forgotten childhood nightmare. The smiling brunette set off every instinct Abbadon had honed since Lucifer had chosen her to become a Knight of Hell, which forced herself to remain relaxed as she accepted the free chair.

No wonder Crowley had locked this creature away.

"Is breaking and entering a demonic preference?" The Creature asked as she passed Abbadon a healthy glass of red wine.

"What can I say," Abbadon said as she took a sip of the wine. "I've always been a bad girl," This is excellent. Most vintages I've had recently taste like swine."

"It's a Domaine Georges and Christophe Roumier Musigny Grand Cru, from 1990. My sommelier is a bit of a snob," the creature said with a slight shrug. "He keeps my wine collection well stocked, but you didn't come for a wine tasting."

"You're right, of course. Name's Abbadon, Queen of Hell," the demon introduced with a brilliant grin. Her confidence lowered at the bemused look which appeared on the creature's face.

"I didn't realize Crowley disposed of his current Queen," The Creature commented, causing Abbadon to choke on the wine she had just imbibed. The brunette across from her ignored the reaction, "I suppose congratulations are in order, however, disposing of Queens can easily become cyclical. I'd be wary."

"I am most definitely not Crowley's consort!" Abbadon snarled, so angry that her eyes flicked to black. It did nothing to incite fear into the creature. .

"I didn't say you were," the brunette said, bemusement still etched on the heart shaped face, as she watched Abbadon.

"Crowley has a Queen?" Abbadon asked sitting forward as the information permeated through the demon's anger.

"I'm surprised you didn't know. He rarely shuts up about her," the brunette said. "He often sounds like a blithering idiot over her."

"Well," Abbadon agreed, as both women laughed together. She decided to ponder the information that Crowley had actually crowned a queen, and later ferret out information on the woman. Instead, she focused on the creature before her.

"I believe we could be great friends, and bond over Crowley's demise,"Abbadon said, as the smallest hell hounded suddenly growled. Abbadon turned to see the runt continue to growl, but not move forward.

"Ursula doesn't like Crowley," The Creature explained with a wave of her hand. "She's taken to vocalizing her displeasure."

"Cute," Abbadon said smirking before turning back to the brunette and focusing on her proposal.

"Crowley has been running amok for years," the demon explained. "He's convinced most demons that he's worthy of the title King, while damaging Hell's infrastructure. It's absolutely pathetic. He's been left unchallenged for so long that few demons are willing to move against him. The amount of times I've heard the phrase, 'but it's treason!' It's incredibly irritating."

"I'm not surprised," The Creature said confusing Abbadon. "Crowley is the only demon who fought against Lucifer when he made it topside. When you take into consideration that he was partially responsible for shoving the devil back into his cage, most demons will assume he's exceedingly powerful. Well, considering he was one of the few demons who fought against Lucifer, and successfully put him back into his cage, I'm not surprised."

"Father was free?" Abbadon asked simultaneously shocked and delighted. "When?"

"A few years ago," The Creature said as she shrugged, displaying her obvious disinterest, while the demon salivated over the news.

"Walls don't keep out the apocalypse," she explained.

"How…" Abbadon asked breathlessly. "How did he escape?"

"Huge melodrama between demons and angels, with a couple hunters thrown in the mix," The Creature said sipping her wine again. "Honestly, I don't have the details, and when Crowley was monologuing I wasn't particularly listening. He tends to drone…"

"Crowley visits you?" Abbadon asked momentarily distracted.

"He likes to lord his power over me," the brunette answered. "It's quite irritating. Although I am curious. Why bother with me when you could free Lucifer?"

Abbadon slumped backwards in her chair, and admitted,, "I have no idea how to free him. Even if I did, I doubt I'd be able to do it alone. It would be quite an achievement though."

"You'd be forced to play second fiddle," The Creature pointed out. "Can you handle the title of Princess? Although Queen sounds better, but it would require allying with Crowley or usurping him. "

Abbadon sneered at the suggestion before she spoke.

"Help me destroy Crowley, and I'll give you your freedom," the demon promised. "Permanently."

The sinister grin on the creature's face was matched by Abbadon's.