Emperor of Slytherin 6

Lord Vader descended the metal ramp, his mechanical breathing loud in the hushed air that surrounded the shuttle. He walked perfectly straight, his long black cape flowing behind him regally. Ignoring the open mouthed stares of the students, he marched straight to the Emperor. Then he knelt down on one knee and bended his helmeted head so low it almost touched the grass.

"Arise, my old friend." Palpatine signaled with his gnarled hand that Vader should stand.

"Yes, my Master." Vader rose and stood facing his Emperor. "I have done as you requested, Master."

"Good, good!" Palpatine smiled, pleased. "Have the soldiers bring it out and deliver it to that hut over there."

Palpatine pointed towards Hagrid's house, cheery smoke rising from the chimney.

"At once, Master." Vader bowed again from the waist and headed back into the shuttle.

Whispers started to flicker between the students as they watched the event unfold.

"Who's that guy in black?"

"I think he's a Death Eater! I heard they wear masks…"

"Yeah, they do wear masks so no one knows who they are!"

"Death Eaters at Hogwarts! We'll all be killed!"

"That old guy must really be You Know Who … he has Death Eaters!"

"But there's only the one guy in black…"

"Why is he using a Muggle aircraft?"

"He's not human! He's an alien!"

"What the heck is an alien?"

"It's a creature that comes from another planet! My mother buys Muggle magazines that tell all about them! They kidnap people and do horrible medical experiments on them! Like they stick things in your body and all sorts of hideous things! There was even an account of a woman that had an alien baby!"

"That's the most stupid thing I ever heard!"

"It's true! They had photos! And I heard these aliens have pale gray skin with large heads and huge eyes! That's why they wear masks, so you don't know!"

"I didn't know You Know Who was an alien…"

"Neither did I! But there's your proof right over there!"

"Look! That black alien is coming out again!"

The kids hushed as Lord Vader appeared once more. A group of elite stormtroopers followed him, a huge crate floating behind them on an antigravity bed. More stormtroopers followed the crate. The stormtroopers wore black and white armor, masks and helmets covering their faces. To the crowd of silent children watching, this seemed to be proof that Palpatine WAS Lord Voldemort for Death Eaters wore masks and so did the stormtroopers. It also appeared to prove that what the Muggle-born boy had said was true. Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters were really aliens from Outer Space! Had they not arrived in an odd spacecraft?

Lord Vader pointed towards Hagrid's house and the stormtroopers started down the steep hill, their armor clanking. The weak sun reflected off the shiny armor, especially the white areas. Upon reaching the house, they set the crate down just outside and then stood around the container.

Palpatine started down the hill, Lord Vader walking at his side.

Inside the castle, Lucius had dropped Neville Longbottom off at the hospital yet again and then emerged back into the hall. He was still debating whether or not he should tell Dumbledore about the lightning Palpatine had so easily produced from his fingers immediately or if it could wait until supper. His stomach growled noisily at the thought of food. He had missed lunch and the breakfast he had eaten hours ago at home seemed long gone. Had it really only been that morning? It seemed ages ago instead of mere hours. Nor was he used to so much running about. Palpatine was definitely keeping him on his feet a lot, all-day to be exact. Sighing, he descended the stairs from the hospital and paused at the bottom. Finally deciding it was best to return to Palpatine, he started back towards Herbology unaware that Professor Sprout had released the class just after he had left with Neville. He had gotten just a few feet down the hallway when he heard someone calling him.

"Lucius! Lucius!"

He paused and turned, seeing it was Professor McGonagall once again. "There's not another riot, is there?"

"It's worse! There are Muggles outside!" She exclaimed, worry clearly etched on her face.

"Muggles? That's impossible!" Lucius snorted. "The castle is ensorcered so Muggles will just see an old ruin."

"Yes, I know! But these are not normal Muggles!" McGonagall wrung her hands together, clearly upset. "They have a strange aircraft and men in armor suits! That new student it out there with them!"

"Merlin! What did he do this time! I just took Longbottom to the hospital. Again! And Palpatine produced lightning with his fingers! Wandless and wordless lightning!" Lucius started down the hall towards the door that led outside, his black cloak trailing out behind him. "I'll go see what he's doing."

"I'll go tell Albus!" McGonagall hurried off as quickly as her old legs would carry her towards the Headmaster's office.

Lucius practically ran out the school's double doors and towards the unfamiliar Muggle aircraft. A large clump of students milled near by and he immediately spotted the platinum blonde head of his son. He hurried up to Draco and tapped him on the shoulder with his snake headed cane. "Draco, what is going on here?"

"Palpatine took a giant box down to Hagrid's house…" Draco explained as he pointed.

Pushing his way through the students, Lucius soon spotted Palpatine and another man all in black near the bottom of the hill. And like Draco had said, there was a huge crate sitting next to the pumpkin patch. But the thing that worried him the most was the presence of the eight Muggles. Like the knights of old, they wore armor and if he wasn't mistaken those things they held cradled in their arms at an angle were Muggle weapons. What did they call the odd things, buns, duns? He shook his head, unable to remember. And what in Merlin was inside that huge crate? It was clearly taller than a person, squat and square.

Sighing, he started down the hill.

Palpatine had reached Hagrid's house and knocked on the door, Lord Vader standing slightly behind him. After a few moments the door opened and Hagrid stood in the doorway. "Oh, hello there! What can I do for ye?"

"You have served me well and I promised you a reward." Palpatine gazed up at the huge man with the thick head of wild black hair and the bushy beard. "Do you remember?"

"Aaah, you don't have to do that!" Hagrid blushed, the visible skin on his face turning cherry red. "I got everything I need right here in my house."

"But you don't have this!" Palpatine assured him with a smile. He motioned for Hagrid to follow him outside and the big man did. "I noticed you love unusual creatures and so I brought you a new one…"

"A new creature?" Hagrid's mouth dropped open in surprise. He spotted the giant-sized crate and the dangerous looking stormtroopers. He paused, his dark eyes focusing on the strange men in armor. His dark eyes narrowed as he tried to ascertain exactly who they were.

"Do not be afraid." Palpatine said softly as he once again motioned with his pale hand. "These are my loyal servants and will not harm you. They have brought the creature for you."

"Servants, huh?" Hagrid cautiously stepped closer to the crate, his eyes focused on the stormtroopers. "They don't look like any house elves I've ever seen."

"They are my loyal stormtroopers and this is Lord Vader. He runs the Empire in my absence." Palpatine explained.

"Empire? So you really are an Emperor?" Hagrid made a clumsy bow to Vader. "Pleased to me ye. The name's Hagrid, I'm the Keeper of Keys and Grounds here at Hogwarts."

Vader nodded his helmet but remained silent. He wasn't about to have a conversation with a peasant.

"Ah, what's in the box?" Hagrid asked.

"A special animal." Palpatine smiled. "It's called an Aklay. I'm sure you'll love it."

"I never heard of an Aklay…" Hagrid admitted and rubbed his hands together with obvious relish. "The class can study it tomorrow! Oh, that'll be a great lesson indeed!"

"Well, I must go now…" Palpatine turned and started back up the hill towards the castle. "How is the Empire, Lord Vader?"

"Construction on the new Death Star continues. The shield generator is up and running as scheduled."

"And the Rebels?" Palpatine asked as he climbed the series of stone stepping stones, his dark Jedi robe dragging behind him.

"There are rumors that they are planning a massive assault, my Master."

"Predictable. We will wipe them out as planned, Lord Vader." Palpatine stopped on one of the steps to face Lucius, who waited on the step just above him. "Ah, Lucius. I'd like you to meet my second-in-command, Lord Vader. Lord Vader, this is Governor Lucius Malfoy."

Lucius took in the intimidating black breath mask, the suit of black armor, the flowing black cape. Then his eyes lingered on the shiny silver lightsaber handle that hung from Vader's belt and seemed to instantly realize it was the same thing that Miss Granger had told him about, the red sword that would cut through anything. He had never actually seen Palpatine's. Where the aged man hid it he didn't know; under his robes no doubt. Yet it was clear this man had nothing to hide. He was clearly a warrior, yet he felt the same cold energy radiating off of him. So, he was a wizard as well. A warlock. By nature, warlocks were powerful and dangerous. Dumbledore was a warlock, even if he was an old fool. But this man was no fool, he would bet his life on that. Lucius smiled at him. "A pleasure to meet you, Lord Vader."

"You may dispense with the pleasantries, Governor." Vader said with his low voice, his cape moving in a faint breeze. The lights blinked on his chest plate, his hands on his hips.

"Mr. Palpatine, what is going on here?" Lucius demanded to know. "And what is in that crate?"

"A gift for Professor Hagrid, of course." Palpatine smiled sweetly at the senior Malfoy. "Do not be concerned, Governor. I assure you my troops mean no harm and they will be leaving momentarily. They just came to deliver the gift I had ordered. Surely it's not against rules to give one's teacher a gift, is it?"

Lucius blinked, surprised. He hesitated in answering, still worried about what the gift was. "No, I suppose not…"

"Oh! Look at the time! I must get to my next class…" Palpatine stepped past Lucius and continued his way up the stone stepping-stones. The stormtroopers were right behind him, their helmeted heads swiveling in all directions as if expecting enemy laser fire. When he was almost at the top of the hill, Palpatine paused and turned to face Vader. "Lord Vader, go back to the command ship and await my orders."

Vader bowed his head. "Yes, my Master."

Palpatine continued up the hill and disappeared into the castle. The stormtroopers followed their Emperor up to the castle doors, and then vanished into the shuttle. After a few moments of hesitation, the students filed into the school as well, several casting last glances at the white spacecraft and at the Death Eater in black armor. Many found an unhealthy interest in the strange goings-on, even if it terrified them. It was the same terrible fascination that caused people to gawk at car accidents or other such occurrences. Still, it was time for Transfiguration and not one of them wanted to remain outside, alone with a ship of Death Eaters.

Vader started up the hill towards the waiting shuttle, his black cape billowing out behind him as a breeze gripped it.

"Lord Vader," Lucius cautiously began. "May I have a moment of your time?"

Vader paused at the top of the hill and turned to study the white haired man. "What is it that you want, Governor?"

"I wish to know why Emperor Palpatine wants to attend school here at Hogwarts. He has caused a few … disruptions." Lucius studied the tall Sith Lord, dozens of questions rolling around in his head. This whole situation was strange to say the least and Lord Vader was strange, perhaps stranger than Palpatine. He wondered why the man hid behind a mask, why his breathing was so loud and why there were Muggle-like blinking lights on his chest. Anyway, he presumed they were Muggle lights. The ship was obviously Muggle-like. Were the lights some sort of decoration? Did they mean something? Were they signs of his rank? For the first time in his life Lucius realized his ignorance and prejudice against Muggles had him at a severe disadvantage.

"The Emperor does as he wishes." Vader simply replied as he scanned the surrounding terrain. "And disruptions do not concern me."

"May I ask what does concern you?"

"Restoring order to the galaxy does." Vader returned his attention to the man before him. "As second-in-command to the Emperor it is my duty. There is much chaos that must be eliminated, law-breakers jailed."

"And I wish to restore order to my school…" Lucius remarked, hoping he wasn't stepping over some invisible boundary. If Vader was a Slytherin and he was fairly certain he was, then he may be interested in advancement or knowledge. He had no idea exactly how loyal Vader was to Palpatine and if any strife existed between the two. But all Slytherins desired to move up in rank. He idly wondered if there was anything he could offer Lord Vader in exchange for help with Palpatine, preferably help getting Palpatine out of Hogwarts. "Do you have any suggestions?"

Vader breathed loudly for several quite tense minutes and Lucius began to worry he had overstepped the line.

"The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am. You best remember that, Governor, for your sake."

The Sith Lord started to walk towards the Imperial shuttle, his black cape floating majestically behind him. He moved very quickly, his pace steady.

"Wait!" Lucius was forced to run to keep up with him. "Perhaps there's something I could help you with…"

Vader paused, hands on hips. "And what may that be?"

Lucius considered the options quickly. He was sure there must be something the Wizarding World could offer this man, if only he knew what. Once again Vader's loud raspy breathing got his attention. Could it be the man was sick? He thought of the barbaric rumors he had heard once about Muggle medicine and shivered. It even claimed that Muggles did disgusting things such as slicing a person open on purpose and digging around inside the body; totally revolting. And then there was that other rumor he had heard of them slicing limbs off on purpose instead of healing the injury, as any decent medi-witch would do! "We do have medi-witches with excellent healing skills at St. Mungo's…"

Once again the loud breathing dominated the space between the two men, then Vader turned to go up the ramp. "No one can heal my injuries, Governor."

"They can regrow bones, limbs and heal almost any injury!" Lucius blurted out, desperate to get Palpatine out of the school. "The only thing they can't heal is brain-related injuries…"

The Dark Lord of the Sith stopped once again. He stood for several long minutes with his back to the wizard.

Lucius gasped as some invisible band tightened around his throat and squeezed. He clawed at his neck desperately with both hands, his snake-headed cane dropped and forgotten in the frantic need for air.

"If you are offering me false hopes, Governor, you will pay the price."

Released from the Force-choke, Lucius collapsed to the grass. His chest heaved as he gulped down as much air into his starved lungs as he could. Merlin! This one was more dangerous than the other! What had he gotten himself into?

"You will take me to this St. Mungo's." Vader instructed him.

Lucius nodded his agreement. He just hoped that whatever the man's injuries were that the medi-witches at the hospital would be able to heal them. And if not, well, he didn't want to think about that…

To be continued…