Chapter Seventeen A

First day of Winter Break had finally arrived and became hectic. Almost all the students had already left Hogwarts to spend the holidays with their families. Even as students left Spirit Mage Maya heavily warded her magic. Osiris agreed to let her stay behind as her twin sister, Spirit Mage Raja, went back home to seek the council. Now Maya remained in the Forbidden Forest, with only the centaurs allowing her to be within their sights during the holiday break. They understood the need to see, the need to translate the threads of life. They also understood never being understood about their abilities of sight, especially when it can't be explained.

While Maya taxed her magic, Isis hurried her mates, "Come on, gentlemen! She-Demon does not wait for anyone! Not even her daughter!"

Remus and Sirius had just dropped their packed belongings at her side, "Explain this heiress thingy again?"

"Thingy?" Isis laughed at her dark haired mate. "This thingy," Sirius glared darkly as she snickered at his look, "happens to be my inheritance should I live long enough. Should I die before my reign, She-Demon will either choose an heir or bare another from her womb."

"Why don't you call her mother?"

"Because she is The Mother. The Mother of all demons, pure or half-blood. Now, are we ready yet?"

"Uh, yea. Remy?"

The ex-werewolf turned animagus smiled at his more childish mate, "Yes, Sirius. We're ready."

Smiling, the young demon barely touched her two mates and their belongings with her magic when her queen decided to activate the call. The very tugging of the demon's mind forced them to their queen's side. That tugging hurt by ripping their bodies from a sane and safe world to a world of absolute pain and insanity.

Remus and Sirius almost fainted from the white-hot pain flashing through their bodies. "It never goes away but those of this Hell can fight it easily. At least until they leave this place, after being called from a safer place."

Slowly gathering their wits, both males looked up to see a harsh cold stare. For the first time since hearing of her, they finally faced the fearful but respected She-Demon, Queen of Hell and all demons. Her voice was a soft hissing as she welcomed them. She seemed human with claw like fingers, serpent shaped fiery eyes, sharp fangs beneath slender lips, delicately and intricately carved horns erupting behind feline floppy ears, and a long swishing spiked tail. Dressed in shimmering ivory, seemingly out of place in Hell, She-Demon looked every inch of royalty, even with a single golden crown upon her head made of dancing flames.

"My child." They watched as Isis stepped forward, in submissive form, and kneel before She-Demon, "My Isis, you have returned."

"My lady, we have returned as requested. I have brought my mates, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black, to you."

She-Demon rose to high arched feet, stepping only on clawed toes, she circled and peered closely at the two males, "Very nice. Ah, he's the werewolf?"

Remus blinked as Isis kept her kneeling position, "Yes, my lady. The transfer was very successful, though my mates were unsure."

"To be expected of one with such an affliction. Now every full moon you will be in my presence."

Isis knew a command when told, even in the shape of a desired wish, "Yes, my lady."

Gracefully sitting back on her throne of black brimstone, She-Demon reached out for a single item, floating in the air, a small diamond like object. Harshly jerking it, the two males jumped at the high pitched screaming. They knew that scream well. She-Demon smiled, flashing her fangs even more, "Oh yes, gentlemen. He still lives. An eternity of pain. You two will be shown to your rooms. I have a few words for my darling child."

A thrumming of fast heartbeats rang thought their ears. Before the sound could even fade, two twisted looking creatures fluttered forward. They were around Fillius Flitwick's height but very thin. With leathery cracked skin stretched over bones, protruding crooked yellow teeth, horned foreheads and shoulders, cloven hoofed feet, gnarly clawed fingers, and insane glittering yellow eyes, the two men weren't very sure if they could be safe with such things.

"They are the original Imps of Hell. They have wings but no one can really see them unless truly insane and sadistically satisfying in life."

Both males paled at the absolute glee in her tone. From the words she said, they believed that anyone dealing with Hell, or at least what old Voldie did, would truly enjoy inflicting harsh pain and death, even derive joy and pleasure from them. "You are frightening them, my queen."

Isis suddenly froze. She flinched seconds later, head still bowed respectfully, beneath the chilly and fiery glare of her queen.