A Demon in Grimmauld Place

Summary: After the dementors attack Harry, the Order of the Phoenix is concerned about Lord Voldemort's ability to entice dark creatures to his side. Dementors, banshees, even pogrebins are siding with the Dark Lord. Harry and his friends think they are safe until they notice a terrifying creature near headquarters- a creature with blue fur.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the intellectual property of J.K. Rowling; the rights to X-Men Evolution remain with Marvel Comics.

Author's Note: I know I should be working on my other stories, but I've succumbed to writers block. I believe a jump into another fandom and style will revitalize my enthusiasm.

Chapter One: Dark Creatures 101

Harry Potter along with his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were mystified. The three of them had seen many unusual and curious things (lives as students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry exposed them to a great number of oddities), but they had come to expect certain actions from Molly Weasley, Ron's mother. Molly was a strict, but loving mother whose attentions included those close to her children, including Harry and Hermione; her overprotective nature both frustrated and endeared her to almost everyone. This was why the three soon to be fifth-year students were looking at Molly with something akin to suspicion and incredibility.

"Let me get this straight," began Ron, "you are encouraging us to attend the order meeting tonight?"

"Yes dear," responded Molly who continued to patch Fred's socks as if she hadn't shifted the universe on its ear. "The meeting is set to begin in just a few moments….there." Molly laid her finished sewing project in her basket. "I just wanted to get a few little things finished beforehand." Molly rose and motioned for the three teens to follow her into the dining room and order head quarters.

Harry's thoughts raced through his mind as he followed Molly into the main meeting place of the Order of the Phoenix. He had been badgering Sirius and the other order members for information ever since he had arrived in London. 'Maybe since the hearing is over, they feel better about telling me something,' he thought as he slid into a seat next to Ron. 'It's about time they told me something; dementor attacks are not usual…even for me.' Harry watched as twenty wizards and witches assembled in the room occasionally asking Ron who was who. Harry still couldn't believe Snape was an order member, but he supposed Dumbledore had his reasons.

Dumbledore cleared his throat, signaling the meeting was beginning. "I am pleased to tell everyone that young Harry was cleared of all charges associated with the dementor attack." He paused as several order members cheered while Ron pointed out Snape's sneer to Harry. "Yes, yes," continued Dumbledore, "I myself was confident that the right decision would be made. This attack does, however, lead to more troubling questions: such as 'how did the dementors know where Harry lived, and why did they attack Harry?'".

"Obviously," began Sirius, "Voldemort has spies in the ministry with access to personal files of Hogwarts students."

"Yes," agreed Dumbledore, "We have our ideas as to whom, but we can do little but work to eliminate their positions with the ministry. We have several people working on ensuring the confidentiality of personal information of order members and their children."

"I think it's obvious why the dementors attacked," Sirius leaned forward as he spoke, "They are working for the Dark Lord."

Ignoring the shocked gasps of several order members, Sirius elaborated, "During the last war, Voldemort had huge numbers at his disposal including many dark creatures. He is building up his army again."

"Indeed." Dumbledore pulled a letter from his robes. "According to our sources including the efforts of Severus, Voldemort is working to recruit dark creatures. He already has alliances formed with the dementors, banshees and pogrebins."

"Progrebins?" asked Ron.

"Progrebins are nasty creatures the infuse hopelessness into its victims. The victims then fall to the ground in grief before the creatures eat them. They often masquerade as stones and prey upon travelers." Hermione cringed as she finished her description. "They are foul creatures."

"A perfect synopsis Miss Granger. Voldemort is also working to ensure alliances with vampires, which he will not likely manage, and werewolves. Unfortunately, he will most likely forge a relationship with the werewolves." Dumbledore looked to Remus for confirmation.

"Yes, the packs will align with Voldemort. He is promising equal rights under his regime, and many will fight under those pretenses. They do not realize he will not make good on his promises."

"Voldemort seems to be focusing on dark creatures. Dark creatures are different from animals in the fact that they are the physical embodiment of dark magic. These creatures exist simply as a physical extension of an evil intention in that they seek to do harm just for the sake of doing harm. Unlike other dangerous animals such as manticores, there is no predator/ prey relationship; they only exist to cause havoc."

"Werewolves, however, are not dark creatures," interrupted Sirius with a look at Remus.

"That is debatable Black," answered Snape. "A creature that does not recognize friend or foe and would murder his own brother seems a dark creature to me."

Dumbledore spoke before a heated argument could erupt. "Werewolves are people. They are not dark creatures in the sense that they seek to harm others all the time, but under the full moon, they are very dangerous and meet the conditions of being dark. They are not dark by choice, but due to a curse transforming them into dark creatures. Red caps, on the other hand, are dark creatures because they bludgeon travelers to use the blood to stain their cloth caps red. There is a conscious choice to cause harm."

Dumbledore looked over his nose at those assembled to dispel any more comments about werewolves. "I encourage everyone to review dark creatures and how to defend one's self. That is why I have included those attending Hogwarts this fall in this meeting. Be vigilant and avoid the forbidden forest."

"Are there any other dark creatures considering aligning with You-Know-Who?" asked Hestia Jones.

"There have not been anymore formal alliances, but several other dark creatures have increased their activity levels. Many at the ministry believe the increase in activity is due to attention normally directed at keeping hinkypunks, incubi, and other dark creatures from attacking are now directed at other issues." Arthur sighed, "There is no man power left."

"Again," said Dumbledore, "keep a look out for these creatures. Does anyone have any questions or comments?" Since no one offered any, the meeting adjourned.

Later that night, the Hogwarts students at Grimmauld place were discussing the meeting. "They didn't tell us anything!" muttered Harry. "They didn't mention anything about what they are doing to keep people safe from dark creatures. Dumbledore also didn't meet my eyes for the entire night. Why is he avoiding me?"

"I don't know Harry, but they did tell us a few things. Now that we know dark creatures are aligning with You-Know-Who, we can take steps to protect our selves. We all need to learn how to conjure a patronus." Hermione pulled a book from her trunk. "I want to know what an incubus is."

"I know that one!" announced Fred as he plucked the book from Hermione's hands. "An incubus is the male counterpart to a succubus. They are demons that pose as men to seduce young women. They can drain the life force from their victims to prolong their own life."

"I remember that now!" exclaimed Hermione as she grabbed her book back. She quickly turned to the passages dealing with incubi. "Historically, incubi are ugly, deformed creatures, but can change their appearance in order to make their prey follow them. Children sired by incubi are said to be born deformed or more susceptible to supernatural influences. The most famous of legend of such a case includes that of Merlin."

"Merlin was the son of a demon?!" asked Harry. "I never heard that."

"It's never been confirmed," answered Ron, "but there are rumors that his incubi blood is responsible for his magical prowess. Most often though, incubi prey on muggles and kill them before moving on to their next victim."

"It says here," continued Hermione, "Incubi resemble demons with tails, glowing eyes, and fangs in their natural form, but the creatures can transform their appearance at will. The only way to reveal an incubus is the 'revealo' charm. Once revealed, the demon will usually flee."

"So they can be killed?" Ginny leaned over Hermione's shoulder as she read.

"I suppose. The book doesn't tell how, only that exorcisms and holy relics of muggles will not drive incubi away. Incubi avoid magical people because magic reveals their true nature."

"Well," sighed Harry, "there's something else for me to worry about."

---- Scene Break ----

"Kurt!" Kurt Wagner grinned as his girlfriend, Amanda Sefton, raced up the steps at the Xavier Institute.

"Amanda!" The two immediately embraced as Kurt swung Amanda around.

"You just saw each other an hour ago!" Rouge rolled her eyes at the antics of her brother and his girlfriend. "If you two are going to be like this for the entire flight, I'm sitting as far away as possible."

The two ignored Rouge as they headed into the entrance hall of the institute. Kurt was carrying Amanda's bags as Scott and Jean greeted Amanda.

"Ready for a great time in London?" asked Jean as she lead everyone to the garage with the x-men jet.

"Yes, I'm just glad my parents agreed to let me come." Amanda couldn't stop smiling as she grabbed Kurt's hand again. "Mom and Dad's talk with Professor X convinced them nothing would happen."

"Yeah, the professor is pretty convincing." Kurt agreed. He quickly teleported Amanda's bags into the jet and shut the door holding the luggage. It had been a stressful year for the students at the Xavier Institute. Several close calls with the brotherhood and a few personal issues had brought the teens close to the edge. The public was still unaware of the existence of mutants, and the x-men needed a break from keeping it that way. After a long debate, and even a few fights, a week in London had been everyone's favorite way to blow off some steam.

"I can't wait to do some shopping!" exclaimed Kitty as she strapped herself into her seat.

"I can't wait to see Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Stonehenge!" Jean was beside herself.

"I've heard the food is disgusting," complained Evan.

Scott and Rouge were calmer, but both were ready to get away from their problems or a while. Scott shot Rouge a smile as he smirked at Jean chatter, and Rouge blushed as she looked towards the control panel of the jet. Storm and Logan sat upfront ready to fly.

"Is everyone ready?" asked Logan as he buckled up.

"Yes!" came the excited voices of seven teenagers.

"I just know I'm going to regret this," he muttered as the jet took off across the grounds.