Emperor of Slytherin 8

AN: Thanks for all the great reviews! Someone mentioned a concern that if Vader gets healed of his injuries he may turn into a 'softie' (AKA Jedi) – well, that's not my intentions. No one likes to live with pain. I don't want to give away story plots here but rest assured he will remain a Sith. And maybe he's a bit of a Slytherin, too, with his own plans. I think we all know Vader was hatching plans during ESB… Hope I didn't say too much. Oh, I'm not very clear on exactly what healing potions and things can actually do, so I'll be improvising here. I know potions can grow bones (COS) and can apparently replace limbs so please don't say potions can't do that, OK? Anyway, there will be a few surprises in upcoming chapters!

Lord Vader and Lucius Malfoy appeared in St. Mungo's hospital, Vader having taken the image out of the other man's mind. Once Vader had seen how it was done it was a simple matter to twist the Force in the way he needed and he simply was where he wished to be. Truth be told, it was incredible and the Sith Lord pondered why the Jedi had never discovered this trick. It would be very useful indeed. And even more useful since Palpatine didn't know this talent existed. Yes, the ability to apparate and disapparate at will, that could very well determine who would rule the galaxy. Although Darth Vader was loyal to Palpatine, he felt the older man was making mistakes and getting off track with things. In the beginning the Emperor's purposes had been noble and good: he had built schools, locked up criminals and brought law and order to the galaxy in a time of chaos. But one did not need super-weapons for that. And surely a massive Death Star was not required to stop the pitiful band of Rebels? It was a waste of men, materials and credits…

Unless there were things Palpatine was not telling him….

Shaking the thoughts off, Vader turned his helmeted head this way and that as he scanned his new surroundings. They had appeared in a waiting room of a hospital. There was a central check-in desk with a long line in front of it. A blonde healer sat behind the desk and directed the injured people to the correct floor. The appearance of some of the people in line might have shocked a Muggle but Vader was no Muggle. He had seen thousands of alien species and had visited hundreds of worlds. And compared to that, this was pretty tame and even boring, even if one person did have a bird growing from the top of their head. The others in line turned at the sound of his loud breathing and startled expressions appeared. The blinking Muggle-like lights on his chest panel and his black mask no doubt causing fear and suspicion. But the sight of one of the most respected Purebloods eased their fears and they soon went back to waiting their turn. Vader joined the end of the line and patiently waited, Lucius standing next to him. Within moments he stood before the blonde healer.

She glanced up at him, surprise in her eyes. "Yes? What's the problem?"

"I have been informed you may be able to heal my injuries." Vader stated.

"And what caused the injuries?" The blonde healer asked.

"Lava and poisonous fumes…" Vader replied.

"You want Artifact Accidents on the Ground Floor. They should be able to handle that, I think. They take care of all the physical problems like broom crashes and caldron explosions. It's all there on the sign." The healer explained as she pointed to the large sign next to her desk. "Next!"

Lucius lead him to the room marked Artifact Accidents. The Pureblood glanced at the Sith Lord, curious. He, of course, knew what lava was and didn't see how anyone could survive it, unless it had been a very small amount? Except for the mask and the loud breathing the man appeared all right, but who really knew? Perhaps it was serious and the Muggle … what was the word … technology allowed him to walk around. He remembered the invisible grip that had tightened around his throat and hoped the medi-witches could heal the Sith Lord. Because if they couldn't it bode ill for him and he doubted if he could be paid off in gold. And he still needed to get Palpatine out of Hogwarts… "Your injuries are caused by lava?"

"Yes." Vader replied. "It was a miracle that I survived. Most of my legs were burned off, bone and all…"

The Pureblood's mouth dropped open in shock. He motioned to the Sith Lord's legs with his snake-headed cane. "But I see your legs…"

"These are droid constructs, artificial limbs." Vader explained as they walked into the desired room. "My arms are artificial as well. And I have cybernetic parts replacing my lungs and heart. There is very little of the real me left. But if I can once again have real parts I would be again at full power. Up until now I have thought that impossible…"

Lucius tried to understand what Vader was saying. "Artificial limbs? I'm not sure I understand…"

Darth Vader removed one of his black leather gloves and opened a small square door on his wrist. Holding it out so the wizard could see, he pointed out the tangle of wires, circuits and other various parts that lurked within. And the hand itself, it was like a gold-colored skeleton shaped to look like a hand! It was without doubt the most horrifying Muggle thing the Pureblood had seen. They had actually put their metal bits and wires on a person instead of growing new limbs! By Merlin, how were the medi-witches to fix something like that? And most of his body! Alarmed, Lucius leaned against the nearby wall as he realized that the Sith Lord might kill him yet…

A medi-witch entered the exam room and she started to talk to talk. "I'm Mandy Cloudkicker and I'll be your medi-witch today. So what's the problem?"

Vader showed her the circuits in his artificial wrist. "I have been burned by lava. Most of my original arms and legs were burned off and replaced by these fake Muggle ones. I also have damage to my heart and lungs, mostly my lungs. I cannot breath without this special mask…"

"Well," Mandy said as she jotted it all down on her note-taking scroll. "We can try some potions on you. We have potions that can regrow limbs and I'm pretty sure we can clear up those lung problems as well. Re-growing limbs is a painful business I'm afraid and you'll have to stay here overnight at least. I'll go get the potions…"

Vader watched her leave to go get the required potions. He rested on the exam bed and waited for her to return, his attention shifting to the blonde man. If the potions actually worked he would owe him a reward of some sort but that could be dealt with later. "You wish Palpatine to leave Hogwarts?"

"He is disrupting classes and many students have mistaken him for another Dark Wizard." Lucius explained once again and hoping he wouldn't have to tell the whole Voldemort story. With his Master supposedly dead from the backfired curse the last thing he wanted was to go spouting the man's name. And unlike Potter, he wasn't foolish…

But across London there was a foolish woman, a well-known one with a nose for news. She had instinctively known there had been something up at Hogwarts so she had gone there to investigate. Hidden from prying eyes in her animagus form she had perched on the cold stone block wall and had heard everything. It would be the story of the century and she had it! Her quill scratched across the paper by itself as she wrote out the article that would appear on the front page of The Daily Prophet. The Wizarding community would be shocked and rattled so much that it might tumble off its foundation. But that wasn't her concern. No, her job was to report news as she saw it and this definitely was news. A smile crossed her face as she dreamed how famous she would soon be.

Back at Hogwarts, Palpatine made his way across the Great Hall to the Slytherin table. It was suppertime and he intended to eat his fill. He sat down at the table and started to pile food onto his plate, the other Slytherins staying as far away as they could. Many cast him fearful glances and this pleased Palpatine to no end. The giant room was soon filled with the loud sounds of eating and nothing exciting happened.

Further down the Slytherin table, Draco complained to his two plump bodyguards. "It's not fair I tell you. Why should I have detention for?"

Crabbe and Goyle shrugged as they continued to pack themselves with food. They could have pointed out because the blonde had been out of his seat but then they didn't want to be on the receiving end of one of his angry glares. Besides, the plate packed with assorted cupcakes and sweet rolls was much more interesting … and safer.

"Well?" Draco repeated, a scowl on his narrow face as he glared at the two boys. "It's not fair I tell you! That old zombie sets fire to the classroom but I get detention just for talking to Granger!"

"McGonagall doesn't like Slytherins…" Crabbe said uneasily, chocolate frosting smeared on his plump lips. "You know that."

"Yes, I know that!" Draco replied hotly as he picked up a green apple from the big bowl of fresh fruit on the table. His frown deepened as he eyed the other two boys chocolate smeared hands and faces. Sometimes they could be so disgusting! "But that old creep is in Slytherin, too!"

"Were … were you really …" Goyle stuttered and then gave up.

"No, I was NOT proposing to the Mudblood! What do you think I am, some idiot? You know I can't stand her and now I have to serve detention with her!" He polished the apple a few times on his robe and then bit a chunk off, chewing. His gray eyes shifted to the teacher's table and he couldn't help but notice his father was still missing. Worry began to gnaw at his gut. It was an unpleasant feeling and he didn't care for it at all. Mostly life was good for the young blonde Slytherin. Sure, maybe his old man expected a lot from him and maybe slapped him a bit with the cane, but it wasn't anything really bad. Lucius never really beat him like some of the other Death Eaters did to their kids, just slapped his fingers with the cane. And as long as his grades stayed high things went smoothly. His mother sent him home-baked goodies and his father bought him expensive gifts. He had the best clothes and almost everyone in school fawned over him…

But the seat at the teacher's table was still empty and supper was almost over. The nasty turbulent feeling in his gut increased and the room felt too hot. What if the big black alien really had kidnapped his father? The last time he had felt this bad was when he had served detention First Year and that oaf had taken them out into the Forest. An uncustomary shiver passed through him as he remembered his fear at seeing the thing that had been feeding on the dead unicorn. He hadn't waited to see what it was; he had just run for his life leaving Potter to face it alone. Potter had been a fool to stay there with the thing and it was a miracle he had survived. Stupid Gryffindors and their dumb noble ideas! What good would it do to stay and die over a dead unicorn? His sacrifice wouldn't bring the magical equine back to life. Nothing could. Dead was dead, unless you were You Know Who. At that thought another icy chill traveled down Draco's spine and he wished he hadn't thought about Him. No, that was just too freaky. Why did his father have to get involved with a madman for, especially one that could come crawling out of the grave? In some ways that was far worse than the zombie…

Taking several more apples, Draco stuck them into the pockets of his robe for a snack later. Sighing, he stood up from the table and picked up his fine leather bag of schoolbooks. Focusing his eyes on Crabbe and Goyle, he gave them their orders. "Keep an eye on him. I have to go serve detention with that old cat."

The two other boys nodded dutifully but stayed at the table. Students were filing out the doors and heading back to their common rooms or to the library for study. Although it was just the first day many teachers had given homework already and Draco ran his own list through his mind. There were no big projects yet as there would be later in the year and he felt confidently he'd be able to finish the work quickly and neatly. Still, his step was not as snappy as it usually was as he stormed back to McGonagall's classroom. The smoke smell had cleared out and the room smelled fresh from the cool air blowing in through the open windows. He was pleased to see that he had beaten Granger, proving once again that Purebloods were superior to Mudbloods. Taking a seat in the back, he stretched his long legs out in front.

A few moments later Professor McGonagall hurried in with Hermoine right behind her. The bushy-haired girl took a seat far away from the blonde Slytherin and didn't even look his way, her eyes to the front. The Professor didn't waste any time but headed right to the front of the room and then turned to peer at the two students over her glasses. "You'll be serving detention with Hagrid tonight."

"Not him!" Draco complained as the frightening night in the forest flashed before his eyes. "Last time he almost got us killed!"

"Mr. Malfoy!" Professor McGonagall cried sternly. "You will serve detention with whom ever I say you will. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Professor." Draco said as he glumly stood and hoisted his bag of books onto his shoulder. He gazed at her for a moment, a question on the tip of his tongue. He wanted to ask her where his father was but she was a Gryffindor. Perhaps he could ask Snape later…

"Now unless you two have further questions I suggest you hurry down to see Hagrid. He'll be waiting for you." McGonagall seated herself behind her desk and turned her attention to a scroll, a clear signal that the audience with her was over.

Draco headed out the door without waiting to see if Hermoine was coming or not. He just wanted to get there and get it over with so he could continue his plotting on how to rid the school of Palpatine, not to mention find out what had happened to his father. His stride down the hallway was fast and he could hear Granger hurrying to catch up with him, her footsteps loud in the empty hallway. They reached the doors together and he shoved one of them open. It had grown dimmer outside although full night hadn't set yet. The two teens made their way down the row of stone steps towards Hagrid's hut, the air chill with the distinct bite of autumn. Cheery light could be seen in Hagrid's windows and a column of gray smoke rose from the chimney, the smoke just visible against the darkening sky. He glared at his unwelcome companion. "I bet you're glad, aren't you, Granger? We'll be lucky if that great oaf doesn't get us killed!"

"Hagrid is my friend!" Hermoine shot back at him angrily, her eyes flashing. "If you'd only take the time to know him you'd know that he's a good man! You shouldn't judge people by their looks or blood or any other foolish nonsense!"

"That's what ugly people say to make themselves feel better, Granger." Draco remarked in his customary drawl. "And I don't care about your Gryffindor platitudes. You best wake up and get that foolishness out of your head. The real world doesn't work with your 'all for one and one for all' bunk; it's everyone for him or herself. And that oaf is incompetent. He's not qualified to teach class. He doesn't know the first thing about teaching. You just wait and see."

"And what good is beauty when a person is rotten inside?" Hermoine demanded to know as she reached Hagrid's hut and stopped just outside the door to glare at the blonde. "A person could do so much good in the world if they wouldn't only focus on pleasing themselves!"

Draco smiled, his mouth perfect white teeth. "Why Granger, are you trying to say I'm beautiful? I didn't know you cared…"

"Why you…!" Hermoine's hand tightened into a fist and she contemplating slapping him one, but the wooden door opening saved her.

Hagrid stepped outside. "Ye can put your books inside until we're done. Sorry to hear ye got detention. You all right there, Hermoine?"

"Yes, I'm fine." Hermoine quickly put her book bag into Hagrid's hut and Draco did the same, a look of disgust on his face as his eyes darted around the man's house. Trying her best to ignore her classmate, Hermoine walked over to the half-giant. "So what are we going to be doing?"

"Please say we're not going to go into the Forest again…" Draco pleaded, a look of nervousness on his face.

"No, ye don't have to worry about that." Hagrid replied as he walked over to the big crate that the Imperial Stormtroopers had delivered earlier in the day. "I figured we'd open this here crate and get the poor beastie out."

Draco's eyebrow rose. "We're going to open that?"

"Yep." Hagrid scratched at his tangled beard as he studied the odd blinking lights on the front of the crate.

"Hagrid, do you know what's in there?" Hermoine asked as she gazed at the big box. Loud sounds came from within and she eyed it warily. It sounded as if the thing inside was big and was attempting to get out. A particularly loud crash into the crate's side made her leap with fear, her heart thudding quickly within her chest.

"Yep. A beastie called an Acklay." Hagrid replied as he continued to stare at the blinking buttons, a blank expression on his face. "Now I wonder how you open this thing…?"

"And what exactly is an Acklay?" Draco demanded to know. "Is that another horrid monster from that biting textbook you assigned us?"

"We won't know what an Acklay is until we let it out. Poor beastie can't stay in this box all night. It needs air and water and food…" Hagrid's finger hovered over the blinking control panel as he attempted to guess which one he should press. There was a green button, a red button and a white button…

"What!" Draco cried fearfully as he started to back away from the large crate. "You can't let some unknown animal out! What if it wants to eat us?"

"Hagrid! Draco is right! You can't let some unknown creature out!" Hermoine warned him.

But it was too late. Hagrid's thick finger stabbed the green button and there was a loud click. White smoke puffed out of the opening crate, the door gliding open smoothly on silent hinges. A loud scuttling sound issued from within and Hagrid backed up slightly to give the door room to rest on the grass. Soon movement became visible and the Acklay appeared at the mouth of the crate. The beast was forest green and moved quickly on six long legs. It had small eyes and a gaping mouth full of razor sharp teeth, the teeth long and straight like needles. A protective frill covered its neck and a long waggling piece of flesh hung down from under its chin. Each of the six legs were covered in a hard exoskeleton and ended in a deadly tip that was used for stabbing its prey; the sharp point easily passing through even the hardest shell as it was solid bone. A fine fringe of hair grew on the upper part of each leg and helped the creature find its food better. As prey moved about the air currents would cause the sensitive hairs to move and thus alert the Acklay to the exact whereabouts of possible food. All in all, the Aklay very much resembled a giant crab with a long neck and no claws. But with six deadly stabbing tools at its disposal it didn't need claws or pinchers. The green beast threw its head back and screamed in anger, then scrambled forward crab fashion.

"AAAAAHHHHH!" Draco shrieked in terror as his mind went totally blank. Forgetting about the possible safety of Hagrid's hut, Draco turned and fled up the steep hill towards the castle.

"Hagrid! Look out!" Hermoine whipped her wand out and screamed a spell. "Expelliarmus!"

The spell hit the Acklay with a swirl of bright light but the creature was so large it barely quivered from the assault. In fact, it was becoming increasingly clear that the monster towered over even Hagrid! The half-giant stumbled back in surprise and looked up at the looming creature. The thing lifted up a long leg and quickly stabbed at the ground. Luckily, Hagrid had enough sense to jump out of the way as the beast missed. Bits of soil and grass was flung up into the air from its hard tip digging deep into the soft earth, but this didn't faze the creature at all.

"Run!" Hagrid told the kids as he hurried to his hut to get his big crossbow.

Seeing that Hagrid hopefully would be all right, Hermoine charged up the steep hill after the blonde Slytherin. Draco hadn't got as far up the hill in the short time as he would have liked. It had grown darker and it was increasingly hard to see the stepping stones and the blind panic that gripped him often made him stumble on the uneven footing. He had heard Hermoine shout her lame spell attempt and had seen the flicker of light from behind, then had heard the giant oaf shouting for them to run. What had Granger been thinking? The thing was huge and nothing short of the Death Curse was going to stop it! Still, he was slightly grateful that she had given him a few extra seconds to escape because it was all too clear what the thing ate. His foot misjudged the step again due to the darkness and he slipped. Something gripped his right arm tightly and he almost shrieked in fright before he realized it was just Granger.

The Acklay saw its prey splitting up and as luck would have it, it decided to go after the two teens. Its long legs made short work of the distance separating them as it charged up the hill, the sharp tips digging into the soil for firm purchase on the steep slope. On its distant homeworld of Vendaxa, the Acklay was used to hunting prey on the open plains so the grassy area, although steep, was no problem. All too soon it caught up and hovered right above them. It stabbed at them with a bony forefoot.

Sensing the vicious creature right behind them, Hermoine shoved Draco out of the way. The sharp foot landed between the two teens, just barely missing Hermoine's black school robe. The horn-like tip of sharp bone shattered the piece of stepping stone and went deep into the earth beneath it. Opening its mouth wide to reveal rows of needle-like teeth, the Acklay screamed in anger.

Loosing his balance from Hermoine's shove, Draco fell and tumbled back down the hill. Hermoine quickly darted under the creature's body and raced back down the hill after him. Upon reaching him, she roughly hauled him to his feet. She spotted that Hagrid just emerged from his house with his crossbow and knew they needed to get out of his way so he could get a clean shot. But where could they go? The monster was big and powerful, so big she had fitted under its body easily. And although Hagrid's house was made of good solid fieldstone, she doubted if the wooden doors would stand up to the creature's strength. It had smashed the stepping-stone so easily… Turning her head quickly with her hair flying, she spotted the creature coming at them. Pulling on Draco's arm, she led him forward. "Into the trees!"

For once the blonde Slytherin didn't argue but dashed towards the Dark Forest as quickly as he could.

Hagrid let an arrow fly but it just bounced off the Ackley's thick exoskeleton harmlessly. The big man quickly knocked another arrow and let that one fly, too, but it also bounced off. Realizing he was in serious trouble, Hagrid hurried back to his hut and slammed the door. He had seen the teens disappear into the trees and hoped they would be safe. It was possible they could hide among the trees, but there were far worst things than an Acklay out there… He just set the thick board in place over his door when the entire door shook and a sharp bony tip smashed right through the door. Jumping back in shock, he called to Fang and ran to the back door. He had to get to the castle and tell someone about the vicious beastie. Hopefully a hunting party of powerful wizards could be arranged and they could hunt the dangerous thing down with spells, as his crossbow was useless. He heard the front door smash inward just as he went out the back, Fang as silent as possible. The loud crashing of furniture and crockery echoed out into the night as the Acklay shrieked in anger when it discovered its prey was gone.

To be continued…

AN: Hope that was good! For people who have seen Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones, the Acklay was one of the arena beasts on Geonosis. It looked similar to a crab and went after Oni-Wan.