Summary: The demon creature 'Prince of Darkness' makes a feature. And death comes to Hogwarts once more…

Disclaimer: JK Rowlings creation is her own, the only profit I am making is the enjoyment of creating a story based on her works.

Darkness

"And no running in the corridors," I concluded glancing down at my wayward nephew. Saxtyn smiled winningly showing his straight white teeth and glanced to his best friend Newlin Gryffindor, Godric's youngest nephew.

"Of course not, uncle," Saxtyn replied innocently in a tone that he hoped would mask his eagerness for more trouble. I refused to be irked and battled to keep my eyebrows from lifting up into my fringe. Turning steadily on my heel I merely say, "Then you two may leave."

Without glancing back I know they had bob their heads in acquiescence and calmly wondered away as if they had not been given a stern talking to but Hogwarts must feared Healer.

Saxtyn and Newlin were twelve that morning and how I remember that time well. I had mentally noted to tell Godric of our nephew's no doubt intent for trouble… but I never was able to forewarn him of the tragedy that was to come our way.

Looking back on that seemingly happy morn and the grief and anger that followed; I had placed too much blame on Godric's shoulders. It was Godric who had accepted Saxtyn into his cohort and I was well pleased with my nephew's progress and vibrant spirit that flourished under Godric's tuition. It was Godric who had taught his youngsters how to apparate during the summer. But it was I who was Saxtyn's guardian.

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"FATHER!" I barely had time to glance up from my boiling potion I was showing the older apprentices when Earven burst through the classroom door. It was only the sheer panic look on his pale face that stopped me from snapping at him. Instead I motioned him with my hand to be still and finished giving the instructions to the small group of my apprentices.

Without a curt nod of my head Earven turned left the classroom and waited, without any patience for me as I stopped by an overzealous students' cauldron.

"Can't even keep a proper eye on your brat of a cousin…"

I stopped as I heard the cold drawl outside my classroom.

"Close your mouth d'Malfreds or I shall close if for you," Earven replied testily. I chuckled mentally inside my head. Oscar d'Malfreds the son of Tarrance and Odelle had very little love of myself as an Uncle and Earven as his cousin. The feeling was mutual; I only allowed him access into my cohort so I could watch the little snake's every move.

Schooling my expression to a neutral mask I swiftly opened the door, making Earven jump off the wall where he was lounging and Oscar regard me coldly through narrowed eyes. "Back to class Oscar," I commanded coldly without gracing my other nephew with a glance.

"Sir," he snidely acknowledged me and left the scene; Earven watched him leave with the look of intense dislike.

But my son's attention did not remain very long on his cousin. His head snapped back to regard me his eyes calculating his words before he spoke. Obviously he knew of what he had to say would anger me. "Speak," I commanded softly knowing that being direct would loosen Earven's tongue.

"Newlin and Saxtyn have left the grounds," Earven blurted. I raised my eyebrows. This was not an unusual occurrence with those rascally boys. It certainly would not have been enough to cause Earven to interrupt my senior apprentices.

"Magister Gryffindor was told of their departure by Rhoddy, who in turn is sure they are going after that horrid demon creature from Wales that Sir Elric was talking about."

I rolled my eyes. Old Sir Elric was always telling the boys stories. I knew this one well. The Prince of Darkness as Sir Elric calls him is a immortal creature that hold more dread in the magical community than dementors. There is no known charm for defence and produce a patronus would only mean certain destruction as this is what the demon lusts after.

It took a few moments of realisation of what Earven had just told me. Then in a whirlwind of decision I jumped from my place and ran to the entrance hall where Godric was already waiting for me. As I ran I heard Earven's footfalls behind me… I knew he wanted to come but I had made up my mind.

Godric acknowledged me with a grim nod and turned to Rhoddy with whom he apparently had been arguing with. "But Uncle, I'm almost sixteen…"

"Aye, you've reminded me of this fact serval times, boy. Now go to your grandfather as I have commanded and stay with him until I return and call for you," Godric replied stoically.

"But Newlin…"

"I will tan Newlin's hind all the way back to Hogwarts," Godric sniffed. "But otherwise he shall return unharmed."

Rhoddy looked to me as if hoping I would say something to help him convince his uncle. Granted he did look pathetic. "It would be best to do as your uncle wishes, Rhodderyk Gryffindor."

Rhoddy mumbled dejectedly and pointedly gazed at Earven.

"And Earven would be more than happy to accompany you to your grandfather."

I could see Earven was struggling not to raise his eyebrows. He bowed his head and nodded meekly and took the crook of Rhodderyk's arm leading him away.

"He's a good lad, Godric," I murmured watching Godric staring at his nephew's slumped form.

"That's what worries me," Godric replied grimly shifting from one side to another. "Shall we?"

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We had been searching for what had seemed like hours for the two boys. My voice was coarse in my throat and yet I had not given up hope. The disappearance of the boys only fuelled Godric's anger. I could see him even at the fifty paces that separated us that he was already blaming himself for the boy's latest escapade. In my secret heart I was also beginning to place the blame on his shoulders. Ashamed I turned my face away I could not bare the guilt if Gryffindor should see.

We had been walking in the Forbidden Forest, whose boarders were much larger in those days, looking for any signs. About twenty minutes later I found the first sign a thin strip of brown cloth. Evidently from an apprentice's robe. Godric and I exchanged exasperated looks and searched harder.

A muddied footprint was found next, then some disturbed mud, broken branches and more cloth. We were on the right track.

We ran from there something already telling us the grave danger our nephews were in. A moment later a shrill shriek confirmed our suspicions. Understand now this shriek was not made by any human voice. It was a terrible sound; most people would gnash their teeth together full of fear if they ever heard the sound. Godric described the sound later as the 'laugh of evil.' The only word that could explain it: evil.

Whoever designed wizarding clothes had never thought of the possibility of running. By the time we reached the place of the shriek I was muddied and tied up in my own cloak.

The first boy I saw was Newlin lying face down unconscious in the mud. Saxtyn stood over him his wand outstretched and his face etched in a look of horror at what he had found.

They had found him…

The creature unfurled great black wings. Any could mistake it for a vampire but would soon change their theory as they caught sight of its wings, which were covered with large black glistening feathers that poked out in odd angles. If you sniffed the air you would be overcome by the distinct odour of blood and decay. No other creature can equal its effect.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Instead of joy at the beautiful sight of my nephew's falcon patronus I only felt dismay.

The falcon cried as it swept forward in a silver rush of air. It landed on Saxtyn's shoulder and tilted its curious face to gaze at the dark creature before them as if it didn't know what to do.

In the light of the patronus the creature became even more visible to the eye. It looked so much like a man but it stood over seven feet and it wore a large brown cloak. Its skin was murky green – grey; the colour of death and decay.

The creature also regarded the falcon patronus and sneered showing the long rows of fangs. But otherwise it made no attempt to attack.

I stepped forward in a rush grabbed Saxtyn's shoulder. For a moment we locked eyes his betraying his fear and agitation whether caused by the creature or myself I would never know.

This movement was enough to trigger the patronus' decision to attack. I yelled and made a futile leap for it. But patronuses have very little substance to the human hand and I missed.

The creature remained still and dispassionate…

Then the creature lifted up his hand or claw like talons and brought the falcon down. The proud patronus stilled in the air with a shrill cry and then flopped ungracefully to the ground in a twisted mess of feathers. Where it remained motionless.

I caught Saxtyn as he collapsed into my arms unconscious. I knew exactly what was happening. The creature was attacking Saxtyn through his patronus.

I did the only thing I could in a situation like this. I lifted my hands and summoned a great wind and element that I found easy to manipulate.

Godric needed no instructions he had ran forward and collected Newlin's fallen form and nodded to me.

The creature was blocked off from attacking us by the wind. We had little time. And so we apparated back home.