Summary: Voldermort, being the very wise and intelligent person we all
know, summons the most powerful of all demons... and he comes... AU? Yes. Dark?
Yes. Other than human characters? Oh, yes... maybe a few surprises, too. R&R.
Flame at will.
Disclaimer: Own myself and the characters that you've never seen before. All other things belong to others. Except the plot. I own that, too.
Title: Demons and Angels
Chapter 2
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"Ego veni" the voice said and a human body started taking shape in front of Voldemort. Maybe if he had been a tad more attentive, he'd have noticed that the whole thing was rather gray-ish than black, but the Lord's attention was quite centered on the demon. The color didn't matter... The power instead was very important. Very, very important. And very, very useful.
"Es..." the Dark Lord started saying, but the demon interrupted him.
"Yes, I am here. And yes, I know what you wanted to say. And yes, I speak English"
The human shape was by now completed and the demon was circling around the outer circle like a tiger in a cage... but he wanted to get in, not out, that being the difference. His eyes were shining in a very cold way and his voice was getting more and more human... still remaining demonic. Voldemort hid his surprise at the fact that the demon spoke English and said darkly:
"Now, according to the rules of dark magic, you will obey me and only me, serve me with all your forces and never, ever try to hurt me..."
"If I would never ever try to hurt you, then why the hell are you inside two protection circles?" he asked with a sneering smile. "I see no reason..."
Voldemort realized that indeed it would be stupid... The circles were for his protection, but since demons would never hurt the ones who summoned them, why would he be in the circles? Maybe he should get out, talk to the demon from a closer distance... He would never hurt him...
The something stroke him and he said slowly and darkly:
"You must be powerful... to almost make me get out of the circles..."
"It's called Imperius" the demon replied. "I think you should know it by now. After all, you did use it a lot. But you still didn't answer my question"
"Because I know the rule. I just wasn't sure you knew it"
A sarcastic smile spread across the demon's face as he started talking.
"There once was a fox that started talking to a wild bird. It told the other that there was a truce between all the animals and that no animal could hurt another and that the bird should come down from the tree... Then, the bird replied that there were a lot of dogs going that way, but that it was good there was a truce. Seeing that the fox started running, it flew above it and asked what happened to the truce. The fox replied: "I'm not sure they too heard about it"... sound familiar... fox?"
Voldemort raised an eyebrow. And this was supposed to be the most powerful of all demons, the one that he summoned? Ah, well, maybe he was just in a... poetic mood?
"What in the world do you mean by it?" he asked.
"Not much" the demon replied and smiled devilishly. "So... I'll serve you and get what in return?"
"I freed you. You must obey me" the Dark Lord replied proudly.
"I heard of that theory. Unfortunately for you, it's just that: a theory. Now, really, if I serve you, what do I get?"
"It is rather the problem of what will happen to you if you don't serve me!" Voldemort said proudly and threateningly.
"Well, I'm not the one in the protection circle" the demon replied with a very, very sarcastic smile. "And anyway, I wouldn't dare of dreaming of defying the great Dark Lord who's many deeds reached the ears of hell, blah, blah, blah..."
"I can send you back to where you came from!" Voldemort said in a way that made everybody shiver... and this demon was no exception.
"Oh, God, no!" he said, falling on his knees. "Please, please don't send me back! Please, oh God, oh no, oh, please... Not the Mediterranean shore! Agh, the horror of having to pass time in a pleasant way in Greece! NOOOO!"
Then, with a small move and quickly gathering himself back up again, he let out a few dark chuckles.
"Really, now, do you think you could send me anywhere? And besides, I was having a nice holiday in Athens. I don't mind going back. So, what's the offer? This is my last question of the type, heir of Slytherin!"
Voldemort's face dropped a bit in surprise when he found out of the holiday in Greece, but he decided to focus on a different matter.
"What would you want?"
"Speaking my language, finally" he replied. "And as you can see, it's not anywhere near Latin. Well, I get control of your entire army and after you rule the world for say... twenty years? I get your soul. How's that?"
"The price is too high for what you offer" the Lord replied.
"Well, it usually is. Take it or leave it!"
The death Eaters understood after a few minutes of bargain that they would definitely not be seeing the end of this too soon, so they decided to sit down and watch the show.
It was just one of those scenes of extreme weirdness: two circles surrounded by candles, outside a dark cloud and a powerful demon and inside the smallest circle the dark Lord, bargaining for the demon's service. And of course, in the second circle there were the death Eaters, sitting down and enjoying the show... All done in a pretty apocalyptic manner. Yes, all seemed pretty normal there.
The bargain itself lasted for a very long time, since both the demon and the Dark Lord were as stubborn as hell. Must have been a dark characteristic. But, alas, in about... four hours, the waste-a-lot-of-time- ceremony finished. Voldemort had a wide smile on his face, so had the demon.
"So, I guess it's a deal, then?" the demon asked with a wicked smile.
"Oh, yes..." Voldemort replied. "Therefore, you shall serve me now..."
"Yes" the demon replied.
"Well, then, Menorthan, let us go to my quarters..."
The demon raised an eyebrow.
"Menorthan?!"
"It's your name, isn't it?" Voldemort asked, suddenly feeling that something had gone terribly wrong.
"No, no, no, no, no!" the demon said with a weird, bad smile. "He was killed two months ago!"
"Who killed him?" Voldemort asked, feeling that the ground started slipping from under his feet.
"Why, I did... I just proved he wasn't the most powerful of all demons, after all... I was! Have you heard of me? I am Akvar, Demon of Sunset, like the idiot had been, Lord of the Black Dragon and Lord of Eternal Ice... And King of Twilight."
Voldemort –if possibly- paled. A-Akvar? As in the traitor demon that seemed to serve rather light than darkness and the one who he did not want to summon? Akvar made a few steps towards the larger circle and easily stepped over the candles and the trace of blood, to everyone's surprise.
"I thought you said you couldn't get through these circles?" one of the Death Eaters said, shocked.
"No, I said I wasn't the one in a protection circle... However, I did not mention them having ay effect on me. They don't actually. They do on most demons, but I guess I'm an exception. Now, if it would have been Menorthan, then it would have worked. He actually had much more demon blood through his veins than I do"
He explained this with such calmness the others couldn't believe their eyes.
"Now, Voldemort, I see you don't exactly wish to have me through your ranks... and sincerely, the feeling is mutual. I was just practicing my bargaining abilities as well as boring my enemies to death. So, I guess we'll see each other soon, since you did involve me in the war with this small summoning ceremonial"
"But you must obey me!" Voldemort said.
"Nah, I don't" Akvar replied. "I'm a Demon of Sunset and I deny every link I might have with anyone whom might summon me. That includes you. Actually, the reason why I allow people to summon me is because you get some very interesting information and maybe even some very nice gifts when people summon you. I'll be seeing you around, then?"
It was his last line and he stepped outside the circles, went through the dark shadows and disappeared, the shadows disappearing quickly after that.
"Oh, hell" Voldemort muttered.
---------
In the castle of Hogwarts dinner was being taken. Ah, yes, tomorrow would be a new day of school and they needed some reinforcements. At the teachers' table, only Severus Snape was missing, the rest of them were there. Draco Malfoy was missing at the Slytherin table. A few first years had gone to bed early. It was a normal, nothing special dinner. Until...
A dark mist started forming in the Hall, at first nearly unnoticed, but then growing powerful and thick. It started gathering in the center of the Hall, under the petrified looks of students and teachers. When it was as tall as a human, but much wider, it moved quickly, taking the shape of a human being.
The shadows became solid and his colors became human-like. He had gray hair and eyes and a long, gray coat.
"Hello, Hogwarts" he said with a small smile. "Some of you –some of the teachers, to be more exact- might have heard about me. I am the most powerful of all demons. I am a King of Twilight and the Lord of the Black Dragon. I am a Demon of Sunset and the Lord of Eternal Ice. My name is Akvar"
The students were gaping and some of the teachers were too. But Dumbledore had enough presence to get up and say something.
"I have heard of you. However, I do not understand why you are here" the Headmaster said.
"Then, if you heard of me, you must know that during these last years I've allied myself only with the light, not the dark"
"I know" the Headmaster agreed.
"Hmm. Perhaps you knew that smarty Voldemort decided to summon the most powerful of all demons?"
"I heard of it, yes" Dumbledore agreed again.
"But what he didn't know is that the... ex-most powerful demon was killed two months ago. It also proved he wasn't the most powerful, after all. I killed him and took his place"
"These events reached my ears" the old man said.
"Reached yours, but not his. He summoned me and tried to convince me to fight on his side. I made him lose a few hours with bargaining before I told him whom I was and I also managed to break through the minds of a few Death Eaters. He gave me the possibility to fight in this war through this summoning. I can't join his side, it's damned even if it wins and I'd rather not be through them when they will realize it. So, I come to offer my help here"
Dumbledore blinked twice before he asked:
"And what would you ask for in return of such a favor?"
"What's my price, you ask..." Akvar softly said. "I will get it, with the ones' whom will give it to me consent... many small things for one great service. But I also wish to be allowed to live in this castle and walk through it at will. Also, a room would be in order. And the right to take my price whenever I want if the ones' who will give it to me shall agree"
"Which is the price?" McGonagall asked.
"You shall see" Akvar replied with a devilish smile. "Not high... You won't like it, but still..."
"I cannot agree to such a deal" the Headmaster said and Akvar's smile widened.
"Knew you'd say that" he replied. "But I swear on my place between the kings that I shall hurt no one. Not physically... And I shall not destroy anybody's sanity. I shall not destroy anything physically... as much as possible. If you end up with another diary of Tom Riddle, I'll destroy it, do you see?"
The Headmaster opened his mouth to say something, but Akvar raised a hand asking for silence.
"And besides, I won't do anything I wouldn't do to allies I really care for... on my honor as a king!"
"How do we know you'll keep you promise?" McGonagall asked and Akvar's eyes shone in a weird way. But he wasn't the one to answer, Dumbledore was.
"He swore on his honor as a king" the Headmaster said. "That means he will keep his promise no matter what. I always heard that that promise I can always trusty with him. The question is not whether he means it or not or if we accept or not"
"And I also swear not to betray you" Akvar added. "Forgot that one."
"In my humble opinion" Professor Vector said. "It would be wise to accept. We might not know what he wants in return, but if he says it is not great, maybe it would be worth it. And we would have not only an enemy in minus, but an ally in plus."
"I fear for it" Madam Pince said. "Who knows of the price?"
"I've been on the bloody light side for a long time. Check my records" Akvar said. "Why would I do anything to endanger this link between me and the light now?"
"He has a point" Vector said. "So? What will it be?"
Dumbledore looked at the demon in front of him and said slowly:
"For now, I accept, but I keep the right of braking the deal if necessary... It is indeed your records and the faith the King has in you that makes me accept, even now"
"Great! You won't live to regret it!" Akvar said with a grin which turned into laughter. "Hey! I didn't mean I'd kill him, it's just an expression!"
-----------
Harry, Hermione and Ron were walking down the corridors towards their tower, talking in hushed tones about the whole occurrence. So, there was a demon on their side!
"I don't like it, I really, really don't like it" Ron complained. "He's too powerful! Did you see the way he entered the castle?! With the mist and stuff? You can't Apparate in Hogwarts!"
"He didn't, silly" Hermione said. "Don't you ever read?"
"Yes we do!" Harry and Ron replied in the same time and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"He didn't Apparate in Hogwarts, sine it is impossible, unless you take down the wards or break them, but in either case, the spells would be powerful enough to feel them! He must have made himself invisible and cast the mist for more effect!"
"You joking, Hermione?" Ron said. "No appearing just like that?"
"No, Ron" she exasperatedly said. They'd once tried to go out together, but it didn't work out. Now, Harry was going out with Luna Lovegood and Ron with Eleanor Boatwright, a fifth year Ravenclaw. So what if she was two years younger than him? But Hermione was single. But why think of that now?! "He must've walked through the Forest of something of the sort, avoided the wards against dark creatures and Death Eaters and entered the Hall in that matter."
"Ten points to Gryffindor for a wonderful idea I could use one day" she heard a voice say behind her and the three of them turned to see the speaker.
Akvar, the exact person they were talking about, stood behind them, his eyes shining coldly in the dim light. He had made no sound approaching them and Hermione wondered how she hadn't felt him before. There was a certain feeling around him she could easily sense now, why hadn't se felt it before?
"Unfortunately, I did not come that way. There are other ways of traveling that the castle is not warded against"
"We should tell Dumbledore" Hermione said quietly, looking at him dangerously.
"Oh, no... No need to" the demon replied, giving her a small smile. "The castle is warded against all types of dark spirits, including demons. And the shadow way of getting from a place to another belongs to demons."
"If it's warded, how come you're in?" Hermione asked again, coldly.
"Simple. I'm not a demon" he replied.
"I thought you were. The most powerful of all, weren't you?" she asked, dangerous shadows in her eyes.
"Yessssss" Akvar hissed slowly. "But not as a specie... The Demons of Sunset are not really demons, young wizards. We are what we chose to be. I once was human and although I have some demon blood through my veins, I still say I am human because of the mosaics of species in me. In other words, I have so many species' bloods that I can be considered human again"
"You're human?" she asked.
"Mhm. Sort of. Used to be and am again"
"What happened?"
His face got stern and cold.
"Forget it" he replied. "One day I might tell you, but not now. All you must know is that I'm not a demon by any means. Not a Sunrise or Midnight one. The Sunrise ones are the demons of hell... They're called that after Lucifer, Son of Morning. And the Midnight ones are creatures so awful they were called 'demons', but they are just creatures that resemble something. Like vampire bats"
"What are vampire bats?" Ron asked.
"They're a specie of bats that suck blood from cows and other animals and Muggles called them vampire bats" Hermione replied. "So, Demon, what are you?"
Akvar laughed a cold laugh and replied:
"One in search of power. That's what Demons of Sunset are. We are the mercenaries of the magical wars, if you could call us that. We are free from many rules and we are usually not to be trusted. A Demon of Sunset can be hired, but it shall not sell itself. Ever. We are more than anything free..."
"You sound like dark creatures to me" Hermione said.
"Not dark creatures" he replied and smiled a weird smile, showing his unnaturally white teeth. "Dark people"
"Whatever" she said. "So, what do you want?"
"I was just listening to different stories of how I got in and came here. Something told me you are the smartest witch around. Took its word for it and wasn't disappointed."
"Well, you proved me wrong, now leave us alone" Hermione said.
"Now, now, no need to be rude" Akvar said. "After all, I am a demon and might kill you for it. However, I shall go check out the castle. I bid you all farewell and goodnight"
He left faster than a bird at full speed and Ron turned towards Hermione.
"No, don't like it at all" he muttered to her.
----------
"Dumbledore"
That was all. A word, said calmly, as if replying to the question, "What is the name of Hogwarts' Headmaster?" entered said Headmaster's ears and rang into his brains as he looked up from his papers. How did he get in without him hearing?
"Anything wrong, Akvar?"
He felt weird saying the demon's first name, but he knew for a fact the man had none other and plus, he had insisted on 'no Mr. said in front of my name'.
"Not wrong. Very good, I believe" he replied.
"Really? And what would it be?"
"You have a very good student in your school" he replied. "A special student"
"I have many good students"
"This one is in particular good" he replied. "Mrs. Hermione Granger"
'Ah, yes, very smart and works a great deal, too... Wonderful young woman, if I may say so myself..."
"Stop, I could see all that" Akvar said. "She could use a tad more power, though"
"Ah, the power comes from one's heart and mind" Dumbledore replied, wondering where the demon was going to.
"She has great potential. If she would learn a few things, she would be perfect for the job..."
The demon sat on thin air in front of the Headmasters' desk, making Dumbledore wander if he had an invisible chair there.
"What job?" Dumbledore asked.
"Do you know what she wants to do after she finishes this summer?"
"I heard she has not yet decided."
"Perfect" Akvar replied. "I could convince her, then"
"To do what?"
"She can change a few of the aspects of her personality, it's not much different from what she will have to be"
"Akvar? What are you talking about?"
The demon raised his head and looked into the Headmaster's eyes.
"You shall see when the time is right" he replied. "But in the mean time, I would want you to do me favor. Late me take part of my price. Let me instruct her in her new job, if she decides to take it"
"But what job?" the old Headmaster asked.
"As I said, you shall see" Akvar replied with a devilish smile and walked out of the office. "Goodnight Albus"
Before Dumbledore could reply, the demon was far away.
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AN: review or flame. Just post something.
Latin:
Es-(you) are
Disclaimer: Own myself and the characters that you've never seen before. All other things belong to others. Except the plot. I own that, too.
Title: Demons and Angels
Chapter 2
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"Ego veni" the voice said and a human body started taking shape in front of Voldemort. Maybe if he had been a tad more attentive, he'd have noticed that the whole thing was rather gray-ish than black, but the Lord's attention was quite centered on the demon. The color didn't matter... The power instead was very important. Very, very important. And very, very useful.
"Es..." the Dark Lord started saying, but the demon interrupted him.
"Yes, I am here. And yes, I know what you wanted to say. And yes, I speak English"
The human shape was by now completed and the demon was circling around the outer circle like a tiger in a cage... but he wanted to get in, not out, that being the difference. His eyes were shining in a very cold way and his voice was getting more and more human... still remaining demonic. Voldemort hid his surprise at the fact that the demon spoke English and said darkly:
"Now, according to the rules of dark magic, you will obey me and only me, serve me with all your forces and never, ever try to hurt me..."
"If I would never ever try to hurt you, then why the hell are you inside two protection circles?" he asked with a sneering smile. "I see no reason..."
Voldemort realized that indeed it would be stupid... The circles were for his protection, but since demons would never hurt the ones who summoned them, why would he be in the circles? Maybe he should get out, talk to the demon from a closer distance... He would never hurt him...
The something stroke him and he said slowly and darkly:
"You must be powerful... to almost make me get out of the circles..."
"It's called Imperius" the demon replied. "I think you should know it by now. After all, you did use it a lot. But you still didn't answer my question"
"Because I know the rule. I just wasn't sure you knew it"
A sarcastic smile spread across the demon's face as he started talking.
"There once was a fox that started talking to a wild bird. It told the other that there was a truce between all the animals and that no animal could hurt another and that the bird should come down from the tree... Then, the bird replied that there were a lot of dogs going that way, but that it was good there was a truce. Seeing that the fox started running, it flew above it and asked what happened to the truce. The fox replied: "I'm not sure they too heard about it"... sound familiar... fox?"
Voldemort raised an eyebrow. And this was supposed to be the most powerful of all demons, the one that he summoned? Ah, well, maybe he was just in a... poetic mood?
"What in the world do you mean by it?" he asked.
"Not much" the demon replied and smiled devilishly. "So... I'll serve you and get what in return?"
"I freed you. You must obey me" the Dark Lord replied proudly.
"I heard of that theory. Unfortunately for you, it's just that: a theory. Now, really, if I serve you, what do I get?"
"It is rather the problem of what will happen to you if you don't serve me!" Voldemort said proudly and threateningly.
"Well, I'm not the one in the protection circle" the demon replied with a very, very sarcastic smile. "And anyway, I wouldn't dare of dreaming of defying the great Dark Lord who's many deeds reached the ears of hell, blah, blah, blah..."
"I can send you back to where you came from!" Voldemort said in a way that made everybody shiver... and this demon was no exception.
"Oh, God, no!" he said, falling on his knees. "Please, please don't send me back! Please, oh God, oh no, oh, please... Not the Mediterranean shore! Agh, the horror of having to pass time in a pleasant way in Greece! NOOOO!"
Then, with a small move and quickly gathering himself back up again, he let out a few dark chuckles.
"Really, now, do you think you could send me anywhere? And besides, I was having a nice holiday in Athens. I don't mind going back. So, what's the offer? This is my last question of the type, heir of Slytherin!"
Voldemort's face dropped a bit in surprise when he found out of the holiday in Greece, but he decided to focus on a different matter.
"What would you want?"
"Speaking my language, finally" he replied. "And as you can see, it's not anywhere near Latin. Well, I get control of your entire army and after you rule the world for say... twenty years? I get your soul. How's that?"
"The price is too high for what you offer" the Lord replied.
"Well, it usually is. Take it or leave it!"
The death Eaters understood after a few minutes of bargain that they would definitely not be seeing the end of this too soon, so they decided to sit down and watch the show.
It was just one of those scenes of extreme weirdness: two circles surrounded by candles, outside a dark cloud and a powerful demon and inside the smallest circle the dark Lord, bargaining for the demon's service. And of course, in the second circle there were the death Eaters, sitting down and enjoying the show... All done in a pretty apocalyptic manner. Yes, all seemed pretty normal there.
The bargain itself lasted for a very long time, since both the demon and the Dark Lord were as stubborn as hell. Must have been a dark characteristic. But, alas, in about... four hours, the waste-a-lot-of-time- ceremony finished. Voldemort had a wide smile on his face, so had the demon.
"So, I guess it's a deal, then?" the demon asked with a wicked smile.
"Oh, yes..." Voldemort replied. "Therefore, you shall serve me now..."
"Yes" the demon replied.
"Well, then, Menorthan, let us go to my quarters..."
The demon raised an eyebrow.
"Menorthan?!"
"It's your name, isn't it?" Voldemort asked, suddenly feeling that something had gone terribly wrong.
"No, no, no, no, no!" the demon said with a weird, bad smile. "He was killed two months ago!"
"Who killed him?" Voldemort asked, feeling that the ground started slipping from under his feet.
"Why, I did... I just proved he wasn't the most powerful of all demons, after all... I was! Have you heard of me? I am Akvar, Demon of Sunset, like the idiot had been, Lord of the Black Dragon and Lord of Eternal Ice... And King of Twilight."
Voldemort –if possibly- paled. A-Akvar? As in the traitor demon that seemed to serve rather light than darkness and the one who he did not want to summon? Akvar made a few steps towards the larger circle and easily stepped over the candles and the trace of blood, to everyone's surprise.
"I thought you said you couldn't get through these circles?" one of the Death Eaters said, shocked.
"No, I said I wasn't the one in a protection circle... However, I did not mention them having ay effect on me. They don't actually. They do on most demons, but I guess I'm an exception. Now, if it would have been Menorthan, then it would have worked. He actually had much more demon blood through his veins than I do"
He explained this with such calmness the others couldn't believe their eyes.
"Now, Voldemort, I see you don't exactly wish to have me through your ranks... and sincerely, the feeling is mutual. I was just practicing my bargaining abilities as well as boring my enemies to death. So, I guess we'll see each other soon, since you did involve me in the war with this small summoning ceremonial"
"But you must obey me!" Voldemort said.
"Nah, I don't" Akvar replied. "I'm a Demon of Sunset and I deny every link I might have with anyone whom might summon me. That includes you. Actually, the reason why I allow people to summon me is because you get some very interesting information and maybe even some very nice gifts when people summon you. I'll be seeing you around, then?"
It was his last line and he stepped outside the circles, went through the dark shadows and disappeared, the shadows disappearing quickly after that.
"Oh, hell" Voldemort muttered.
---------
In the castle of Hogwarts dinner was being taken. Ah, yes, tomorrow would be a new day of school and they needed some reinforcements. At the teachers' table, only Severus Snape was missing, the rest of them were there. Draco Malfoy was missing at the Slytherin table. A few first years had gone to bed early. It was a normal, nothing special dinner. Until...
A dark mist started forming in the Hall, at first nearly unnoticed, but then growing powerful and thick. It started gathering in the center of the Hall, under the petrified looks of students and teachers. When it was as tall as a human, but much wider, it moved quickly, taking the shape of a human being.
The shadows became solid and his colors became human-like. He had gray hair and eyes and a long, gray coat.
"Hello, Hogwarts" he said with a small smile. "Some of you –some of the teachers, to be more exact- might have heard about me. I am the most powerful of all demons. I am a King of Twilight and the Lord of the Black Dragon. I am a Demon of Sunset and the Lord of Eternal Ice. My name is Akvar"
The students were gaping and some of the teachers were too. But Dumbledore had enough presence to get up and say something.
"I have heard of you. However, I do not understand why you are here" the Headmaster said.
"Then, if you heard of me, you must know that during these last years I've allied myself only with the light, not the dark"
"I know" the Headmaster agreed.
"Hmm. Perhaps you knew that smarty Voldemort decided to summon the most powerful of all demons?"
"I heard of it, yes" Dumbledore agreed again.
"But what he didn't know is that the... ex-most powerful demon was killed two months ago. It also proved he wasn't the most powerful, after all. I killed him and took his place"
"These events reached my ears" the old man said.
"Reached yours, but not his. He summoned me and tried to convince me to fight on his side. I made him lose a few hours with bargaining before I told him whom I was and I also managed to break through the minds of a few Death Eaters. He gave me the possibility to fight in this war through this summoning. I can't join his side, it's damned even if it wins and I'd rather not be through them when they will realize it. So, I come to offer my help here"
Dumbledore blinked twice before he asked:
"And what would you ask for in return of such a favor?"
"What's my price, you ask..." Akvar softly said. "I will get it, with the ones' whom will give it to me consent... many small things for one great service. But I also wish to be allowed to live in this castle and walk through it at will. Also, a room would be in order. And the right to take my price whenever I want if the ones' who will give it to me shall agree"
"Which is the price?" McGonagall asked.
"You shall see" Akvar replied with a devilish smile. "Not high... You won't like it, but still..."
"I cannot agree to such a deal" the Headmaster said and Akvar's smile widened.
"Knew you'd say that" he replied. "But I swear on my place between the kings that I shall hurt no one. Not physically... And I shall not destroy anybody's sanity. I shall not destroy anything physically... as much as possible. If you end up with another diary of Tom Riddle, I'll destroy it, do you see?"
The Headmaster opened his mouth to say something, but Akvar raised a hand asking for silence.
"And besides, I won't do anything I wouldn't do to allies I really care for... on my honor as a king!"
"How do we know you'll keep you promise?" McGonagall asked and Akvar's eyes shone in a weird way. But he wasn't the one to answer, Dumbledore was.
"He swore on his honor as a king" the Headmaster said. "That means he will keep his promise no matter what. I always heard that that promise I can always trusty with him. The question is not whether he means it or not or if we accept or not"
"And I also swear not to betray you" Akvar added. "Forgot that one."
"In my humble opinion" Professor Vector said. "It would be wise to accept. We might not know what he wants in return, but if he says it is not great, maybe it would be worth it. And we would have not only an enemy in minus, but an ally in plus."
"I fear for it" Madam Pince said. "Who knows of the price?"
"I've been on the bloody light side for a long time. Check my records" Akvar said. "Why would I do anything to endanger this link between me and the light now?"
"He has a point" Vector said. "So? What will it be?"
Dumbledore looked at the demon in front of him and said slowly:
"For now, I accept, but I keep the right of braking the deal if necessary... It is indeed your records and the faith the King has in you that makes me accept, even now"
"Great! You won't live to regret it!" Akvar said with a grin which turned into laughter. "Hey! I didn't mean I'd kill him, it's just an expression!"
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Harry, Hermione and Ron were walking down the corridors towards their tower, talking in hushed tones about the whole occurrence. So, there was a demon on their side!
"I don't like it, I really, really don't like it" Ron complained. "He's too powerful! Did you see the way he entered the castle?! With the mist and stuff? You can't Apparate in Hogwarts!"
"He didn't, silly" Hermione said. "Don't you ever read?"
"Yes we do!" Harry and Ron replied in the same time and Hermione rolled her eyes.
"He didn't Apparate in Hogwarts, sine it is impossible, unless you take down the wards or break them, but in either case, the spells would be powerful enough to feel them! He must have made himself invisible and cast the mist for more effect!"
"You joking, Hermione?" Ron said. "No appearing just like that?"
"No, Ron" she exasperatedly said. They'd once tried to go out together, but it didn't work out. Now, Harry was going out with Luna Lovegood and Ron with Eleanor Boatwright, a fifth year Ravenclaw. So what if she was two years younger than him? But Hermione was single. But why think of that now?! "He must've walked through the Forest of something of the sort, avoided the wards against dark creatures and Death Eaters and entered the Hall in that matter."
"Ten points to Gryffindor for a wonderful idea I could use one day" she heard a voice say behind her and the three of them turned to see the speaker.
Akvar, the exact person they were talking about, stood behind them, his eyes shining coldly in the dim light. He had made no sound approaching them and Hermione wondered how she hadn't felt him before. There was a certain feeling around him she could easily sense now, why hadn't se felt it before?
"Unfortunately, I did not come that way. There are other ways of traveling that the castle is not warded against"
"We should tell Dumbledore" Hermione said quietly, looking at him dangerously.
"Oh, no... No need to" the demon replied, giving her a small smile. "The castle is warded against all types of dark spirits, including demons. And the shadow way of getting from a place to another belongs to demons."
"If it's warded, how come you're in?" Hermione asked again, coldly.
"Simple. I'm not a demon" he replied.
"I thought you were. The most powerful of all, weren't you?" she asked, dangerous shadows in her eyes.
"Yessssss" Akvar hissed slowly. "But not as a specie... The Demons of Sunset are not really demons, young wizards. We are what we chose to be. I once was human and although I have some demon blood through my veins, I still say I am human because of the mosaics of species in me. In other words, I have so many species' bloods that I can be considered human again"
"You're human?" she asked.
"Mhm. Sort of. Used to be and am again"
"What happened?"
His face got stern and cold.
"Forget it" he replied. "One day I might tell you, but not now. All you must know is that I'm not a demon by any means. Not a Sunrise or Midnight one. The Sunrise ones are the demons of hell... They're called that after Lucifer, Son of Morning. And the Midnight ones are creatures so awful they were called 'demons', but they are just creatures that resemble something. Like vampire bats"
"What are vampire bats?" Ron asked.
"They're a specie of bats that suck blood from cows and other animals and Muggles called them vampire bats" Hermione replied. "So, Demon, what are you?"
Akvar laughed a cold laugh and replied:
"One in search of power. That's what Demons of Sunset are. We are the mercenaries of the magical wars, if you could call us that. We are free from many rules and we are usually not to be trusted. A Demon of Sunset can be hired, but it shall not sell itself. Ever. We are more than anything free..."
"You sound like dark creatures to me" Hermione said.
"Not dark creatures" he replied and smiled a weird smile, showing his unnaturally white teeth. "Dark people"
"Whatever" she said. "So, what do you want?"
"I was just listening to different stories of how I got in and came here. Something told me you are the smartest witch around. Took its word for it and wasn't disappointed."
"Well, you proved me wrong, now leave us alone" Hermione said.
"Now, now, no need to be rude" Akvar said. "After all, I am a demon and might kill you for it. However, I shall go check out the castle. I bid you all farewell and goodnight"
He left faster than a bird at full speed and Ron turned towards Hermione.
"No, don't like it at all" he muttered to her.
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"Dumbledore"
That was all. A word, said calmly, as if replying to the question, "What is the name of Hogwarts' Headmaster?" entered said Headmaster's ears and rang into his brains as he looked up from his papers. How did he get in without him hearing?
"Anything wrong, Akvar?"
He felt weird saying the demon's first name, but he knew for a fact the man had none other and plus, he had insisted on 'no Mr. said in front of my name'.
"Not wrong. Very good, I believe" he replied.
"Really? And what would it be?"
"You have a very good student in your school" he replied. "A special student"
"I have many good students"
"This one is in particular good" he replied. "Mrs. Hermione Granger"
'Ah, yes, very smart and works a great deal, too... Wonderful young woman, if I may say so myself..."
"Stop, I could see all that" Akvar said. "She could use a tad more power, though"
"Ah, the power comes from one's heart and mind" Dumbledore replied, wondering where the demon was going to.
"She has great potential. If she would learn a few things, she would be perfect for the job..."
The demon sat on thin air in front of the Headmasters' desk, making Dumbledore wander if he had an invisible chair there.
"What job?" Dumbledore asked.
"Do you know what she wants to do after she finishes this summer?"
"I heard she has not yet decided."
"Perfect" Akvar replied. "I could convince her, then"
"To do what?"
"She can change a few of the aspects of her personality, it's not much different from what she will have to be"
"Akvar? What are you talking about?"
The demon raised his head and looked into the Headmaster's eyes.
"You shall see when the time is right" he replied. "But in the mean time, I would want you to do me favor. Late me take part of my price. Let me instruct her in her new job, if she decides to take it"
"But what job?" the old Headmaster asked.
"As I said, you shall see" Akvar replied with a devilish smile and walked out of the office. "Goodnight Albus"
Before Dumbledore could reply, the demon was far away.
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AN: review or flame. Just post something.
Latin:
Es-(you) are