CHAPTER NINETEEN--COMING HOME

"Welcome home, my child."

Groaning, Isis forced her body to listen. The pain was intense but she would overcome it. Turning blank lavender eyes to the soft hissing tone, she fell to one knee. "My lady, I have brought the gift you have asked for. War Mage Osiris and I have fulfilled our part of the assignment."

In one hand, Isis held out the glowing diamond. A tiny clawed hand reached out to grasp it. Hissing softly, the regal demon ruler looked at her enemy, "Tom Marvolo Riddle, you are no longer Lord Voldemort or the Dark Lord. Your reign has ended for eternity. Never shall you rise from my depths of hell. Never shall your followers ever worship you. Never will your name be feared. You no longer exist. Those who try to fight in your name have fallen and will always fall. I, She-Demon Ishnay Mulura, should be feared by you."

Fiery eyes pinned the trembling child before her. The cold hissing tone melted in warmth, "My sweet Rare Fallen Angel. My lovely child. You have not forgotten your past. You have not forsaken your present. What is your wish from me, sweet angel?"

In reverence to the demon ruler, Isis had always reverted to her True Form. Unlike the submission her mate required, She-Demon allowed a small part of her submissive creatures their minds in her audience. Wrapping the large wings about her frame, "My lady, I ask for nothing. I am but your servant."

A clawed hand waved in a careless gesture when a deep voice called out, "Isis."

The demon angel turned in surprise, wings spread wide. "Osiris?"

In full uniform and battle gear, the imposing black caped War Mage carefully glided forward. Upon reaching her side, Osiris dropped to his knees. His head bowed, "My lady, you called for me?"

"You both have served me well this day. I had expected to see this man by the solstice. You are months early. For this I shall grant you one wish each."

Both Mages knew having a wish granted by She-Demon were rare and almost impossible to gain. They had many things they would love to have, especially Osiris. Isis fell back to her knees, bowing her head in respect to her ruler, "My lady, I beg of you to allow me the chance to remain as your left hand. I still wish to serve as I live."

Osiris followed Isis' lead, head also bowed deeply in respect, his voice as low and calm, "My lady, we both wish to remain your Death's Messengers. To remain at your side as we believe in aiding your cause, whichever it may be."

She-Demon gracefully stood, her shimmering gown flowing against invisible air currents. Producing a single thread of magic, she hung the diamond near her throne. Then she laid both hands on their shoulders. Rarely, did she give out wishes to grant, even rarer for someone to decline. Even with her fangs, her smile was warm, "My children, you have done me great justice against my enemy. For this I shall grant you something. War Mage Osiris, should you gain the affection of the one you hunt, he has my permission to say my name without fear. I do wish to meet this young man of yours soon. That is my wish."

"Thank you, my lady. He is called Severus Snape, Potion Master at Hogwarts."

"Very good, my child. I shall send with you a bag of the rarest ingredients to present as a bridal to my right hand. I will not lose my right hand to someone not willing to understand what you are. I even grant his access to his one dream to be free. Free of a certain burden I believe he still carries upon himself."

Grateful, Osiris stepped away, head still bowed, as he waited for his friend, inwardly cheering that Severus would never have to bear Voldemort's mark. "My child, a rare demon indeed, and a War Mage, Isis Ishnay Mulura Sentas." Isis smiled as her ruler acknowledged her parentage by saying her full name, the name she shared with her mother. "I grant to you the power over your mate's transformation. I believe he was a werewolf once a month. With your new gift he will never worry again. He will become, I believe the humans call them animagus," she glanced at Osiris, who nodded, "But he will always take the form of a werewolf."

"Thank you, my lady."

"You are my only child of my womb and as your ruler I must insist on your returning home once a month. Preferably with your mates. They must know who you are and who you will become." She-Demon gracefully settled on her throne, quickly falling back into her role of a harsh demon queen. "I will return you now. But your returning will be quite painful. Your bodies have been found."

Both Mages felt a painful tugging at their navels, mouths fell open in a silent scream at the wash of hot, spiking pain. Ears hearing the final hissing of icy laughter, "You, my dear Riddle, welcome to your new home. Welcome to MY world, the true evil, the true darkness."