The Devil as a Father - Chapter 11

The next day was a day off of school and Harry spent time getting to renew his acquaintance with Mooney aka Mr. Lupin.

Harry found out a lot about his parents and the magic world of England and decided they were all bonkers. He was never going there if they were so willing to make him some kind of sacrificial goat to save them from bad guys. He remembered that Dad had taken the magic away from the wraith of Voldemort and was grateful.

He asked questions about werewolves. Mr. Lupin had sort of never accepted the werewolf part of himself. He was a pretty lonely man and was slowly becoming the Mooney of his early childhood and a new friend of Harry Morningstar.

Then Mooney asked him what he was doing about his family money and properties.

"Wait I had money?" he asked, "Yes, you had a substantial trust fund to help you during school and then many properties and businesses belonging to your family.

"And Dumbledore had me living like a slave for the Dursleys. I was punished every single day for being a burden."

"Oh," said Mooney and then looked very angry. "Tell me about the Dursleys, Harry," he said softly, and sounded just like Dad before someone was made very unhappy. It was kind of nice and made him feel even better about this man.

"I did all the housework and cooking from the very first, before I could read or anything. They hardly fed me and I went weeks at a time without food, locked in a cupboard."

Mooney's eyes turned yellow and he excused himself abruptly.

Dad suddenly popped in, "Harry I felt rage coming from here," he said concerned and looking Harry over.

"Mooney just found out about the Dursleys. His eyes turned yellow, Dad, it was kind of cool."

"We can form a club,' said Lucifer and Harry giggled.

"Dad," said Harry, kind of angry now, "He said I'm rich."

"Yes, your family had some money, I was able by magic to tell that Dumbledore had stolen some of it, but I never investigated. Do you want me to?" His Dad looked troubled, "You know I have provided for you."

Harry grinned. "Yes, but you told me that money is a responsibility to be cared for."

Lucifer grinned at him, "Yes, so it can be a useful tool for you. Always good to have tools. I am remiss for not checking. I guess I was jealous you might feel less like my son and want to be more like your parents."

"Oh Dad, of course not. You are my Dad, the only Dad I really remember, except snatches of memories before the Dursleys. You are the best Dad in the world and I wouldn't trade you for anything."

Lucifer hugged his son. "Who is taking care of who here?" he muttered, "You deserve to take advantage of all opportunities, and to have new memories of your family. We'll see what we have to do without going to England. I don't like the magical morons messing about with my little boy."

Since their last visit to England had included him being kidnapped from America and then bullied by Dumbledore before Dad got there to rescue him, Harry agreed completely.

XXX

In England, the BBC had run a few articles on how Thanksgiving, a purely American phenomena was practiced. And it had pictures of Harry and Lucifer Morningstar at the local soup kitchen giving them a substantial bunch of food they had cooked themselves for the holiday. It was mentioned in passing, because Lucifer wasn't interested in publicity, but a picture of Harry standing proudly next to his Dad as they handed over a bunch of food made it into the online article. And Vernon Dursley, the Uncle and Abuser of Harry Potter recognized his damned freak of a nephew.

He scowled seeing the boy looking healthy and happy and curled his lip when the article mentioned that Lucifer was rich. Well now, that had potential.

XXX

They discussed the situation with Mooney, as knowing more about Magical things. Mooney informed them that the goblin banking system was all over the world and there was, of course, a branch in the magical district in Los Angeles. Lucifer was a little put out to hear that such an excellent storage place existed and then wondered if he had ever visited them before his magic was bound. Goblins predated humans and while they had free will, he couldn't recall having met a goblin in hell, so he was uncertain if they had souls or just had another place they went to. He felt a little fuzzy thinking about goblins, and he had felt fuzzy about magic, so he wondered if he was going to be surprised. Some of his first memories of hell were pretty well buried.

Harry had always purchased his books by owl mail and had his wand custom made by a dapper gentleman who had fallen in love with Dad's wardrobe and exchanged fashion tips. So the magic area of Los Angeles was a surprise.

They popped to the closest area Dad knew to the location that Mooney had pointed out on the map, which was the Farmers Market. They found a secret entry way to the magical side of things and it looked much like the market except for the things that were sold and the magical people selling them.

The American's were much less prejudiced against those that the Brits considered magical creatures, and they saw Centaurs, brownies, and all sorts in the open market. Harry thought he saw a lady with wings and a market basket.

No one appeared to pay any attention to them and they soon reached the bank. It was made of lovely white marble and Harry stood a moment reading the wards. Dad looked down at him, "Nice wards," he said. "Not as good as yours, Dad, but they have a few I don't recognize."

"Yes, I must discuss this with them, if they have the time."

They walked by two Goblin guards and Lucifer stopped and took the time to bow to each guard, "Hail honored warriors of the earth," he said. Harry copied him. The goblins looked rather pleased.

Then they walked in the bank and stood in line with Mooney, who looked a little confused, 'What language was that you spoke?" he asked.

Lucifer looked at him and said, "Oh I speak all languages automatically. It was their language."

"Dad," Harry said with excitement, "I understood it."

Lucifer looked immensely pleased, "Well done, Son. Maybe you are picking up some of my gifts."

Harry felt pleased.

Then finally they stood before a bored looking goblin.

"Good Sir," said Lucifer, again in the Goblin tongue, "Greetings and much profit for your tribe on this lovely day. How may I address you?"

The Goblin looked up in surprise to hear someone speak properly in his native tongue, and answered, "Well said, Sir. I am CrackJaw of the Tribe of HonorSlays. How may I address you?"

Lucifer gave him a warm smile, but didn't show any teeth. He knew somehow it would be a social faux pas. "I am Lucifer Morningstar," he said cheerfully, wondering how the Goblin would respond, "and this is my son Harry Morningstar."

The Goblin fainted. Lucifer blinked and yelled in Goblin, "A little help here, you compatriot appears to be in ill health."

Guards ran to check the goblin lying unconscious, while Lucifer looked on concerned.

"What happened, honored Sir, before he fainted?" asked a burly Goblin, "We were in the middle of introductions. I told him my name was Lucifer Morningstar and down he went." said Lucifer, bemused. Humans always laughed when he told them his name.

The large guard's mouth fell open and he staggered. "The Lucifer Morningstar, creator of magic?" he asked.

"None other," said Lucifer. "Is something wrong? I do hope I have done nothing to offend the Goblin Nation."

The guard seemed to stiffen up and Lucifer watched him carefully, concerned.

"You, you, you," said the guard. "You created light. It is said no forge will ever be as hot as the fires you forged in the stars. You created magic. You freed us from hell, where we were all imprisoned for centuries of darkness, hiding from demons who ate us as food."

"YUCK!" said Harry, "That's awful."

Lucifer stared at him and then gave the now gathered goblins a big smile. "This was when I took over hell" he said, and turned to Harry. "I remember now. They were magnificent warriors and fought each demon to the bloody end. However the demons had the advantage of their claws being poisonous to the goblins. Maze took lessons with them before I got them away. She and her tribe never hunted goblins and she honored their warrior ways."

"Mazikeen," whispered one goblin, like a prayer, and they all got woozier.

"Now, now," said Lucifer, "It's all right. No need to be upset or afraid."

"Upset," stuttered one Goblin, "Upset nothing. Lucifer is visiting. It's time to PARTY."

"I guess you have a different reputation with the goblins," observed Harry.

The Goblins closed the bank. Lucifer called home to explain he was apparently a national hero to Goblins and they were throwing a party in his honor. Mum and Maze were both popped into and soon were the center of a huge group of excited goblins.

They were ushered into a huge cavern miles under the surface of the earth that was decorated with raw gems and crystals and art work and weapons. Maze loved it. Mum liked the antique guns. Maze was surrounded by fans, and when the goblins discovered that Mum was a police detective, they were fascinated considered her a warrior woman.

The Goblin King showed up with his court and was more than excited to meet Lucifer.

An impromptu banquet started up and the food was pretty good. Goblins did a sort of line dancing and also just danced by themselves in large groups and everyone joined in.

Finally, the King asked after they sat down to have some drinks and recover from all the excitement, asked, "What brought you here, my Lord?"

Lucifer pointed to Harry "My adoptive son, Harry, was born of magical parents. He apparently may have property here and we were advised to go the Goblin Nation for more information on vaults and the like."

"What about your vault, my Lord?" asked King Ragnock.

"Oh my," said Lucifer, "It's been so long, I'm afraid I forgot. I hope there are not back fees on it."

King Ragnock threw back his head and laughed. "You gave us magic, you taught us war, you freed us from hell, you gave us a new homeland, you taught us honor and truth. You gave us the bank system. You owe us nothing, My Lord."

Lucifer looked mildly surprised.

"Well lovely. But first we should check into Harry's family. Harry's Parents were Potters."

Ragnock gasped, "The lost Potter heir is your adopted child?"

"Yes, and I would appreciate it if you keep this information strictly confidential, King Ragnock. Harry's people are mad as loons. They kidnapped him and tried to force him to go to school at Hogwarts without my permission."

Ragnock's eyes glittered with amusement, "Yes, we heard about that and were excited that you might have come to visit this earthly plane. Having Dumbledore lose his magic was most amusing. He cheated us and stole from Harry's vaults and caused a great deal of trouble. Your stripping him of his magic allowed us to take jurisdiction and get all Harry's funding and possessions back. We were only waiting for him to contact us to give us instructions on what he desired. We were not sure of their story about Harry being your son, because, well magical humans are rather emotional creatures and don't give good testimony."

"Well," said Lucifer, "We can go over that with Harry. I want him to learn to manage his estate correctly. He knew nothing at all of magic when we rescued him. He thought he was a freak."

Ragnock looked angry, "He was abused?"

Lucifer's eyes turned a little red, "Yes, that precious child was starved, beaten, abused in every way possible. The criminal that last had him are in jail, and Dumbledore losing his powers over Harry is a just punishment. However, his so-called normal relatives who had custody of him are as of yet unpunished. Harry is so terrified of them, to speak of them causes him pain, so their punishment is put off. Harry comes first."

Ragnock held out his hand and took Lucifer's gently, "I too am a father. I understand completely. Have you had him magically tested for the damage done?"

Lucifer frowned, "I didn't know it was necessary. Do you suggest it?"

"Yes," said Ragnock, "It would be our honor to have our healers, who are better healers than the humans, look at the boy and see if we can reverse any remaining damage. We have potions that help with malnutrition, and bone damage. We also can check him for deep spells that might inhibit his magic. These type of spells must be done by an expert with scrying crystals because they are invisible to most magic."

Lucifer smiled at Ragnock and took the goblins hand, "This is wonderful. Since you don't seem to want a favor in return, would you like me to name the Goblin Nation an ally of House Morningstar?"

Ragnock looked like he was going to faint. "You to whom we owe everything, consider us worthy allies?"

"You are honest, hardworking, superb warriors, you care for your children with love, and you did your best to protect my Harry. Yes, I would name you allies, and come to your aid when needed."

Apparently there was only one way to respond. Ragnock jumped up and began to dance happily. He shouted the news to the goblins and every goblin there jumped up and danced.

"They have quite the groove on," said Lucifer with a smile, "and they make wonderful whiskey. I wonder if I could buy some for the Lux,"

He also liked the fire whiskey which was apparently invented by the magical humans. At least they could do something right.

It was a fun party. The goblins knew how to rock and Lucifer danced with his Chloe and showed some new steps to the goblins.

Later, Harry met with his account manager, Scar, who had quite a few of them on his face and hands, and went over properties and companies under the watchful eye of his father. Scar explained what he could and could not do without Harry's approval and how his hands had been tied by wizarding law, and how they were able to keep many of his properties despite Dumbledore's attempts at taking over or selling them.

Harry listened intently, and asked good questions.

"Warrior Scar, you have done a terrific job protecting my assets," said Harry, "I am extremely fortunate having you in charge of my accounts. I would like a monthly report from you. I would also like to give you 10% of all profits you make on future investments. I give you authorization to make those investments because I trust your wisdom and honor, as well as your tenacity."

The Goblin was extremely pleased.

It turned out that Harry was much richer than he originally thought and that he owned a lot of luxury homes all over the world. He also owned businesses that were doing well, no thanks to Dumbledore, and had vaults full of things to look through. It was going to take a lot of work.

"What about your vault, Dad. Do you want to look at it?" Lucifer frowned. "I really don't remember what is in the vault, so it might be interesting."

So they wandered down to the vault which was in the lowest part of the bank. It didn't take long though, because they used an elevator that was really cool. It was made of pure crystal and you could see through it like glass. Harry shrieked all the way down.

They came to a long corridor lit by torches like out of a movie. They came to a door made of bones of monsters with fangs and stuff. Harry thought it looked interesting. Lucifer pursed his lips and began to rub his chin. Then he snapped his fingers and the door opened to blackness. Harry stayed right where he was. The vault smelled of old magic. Harry wasn't sure what that meant, but it was old magic for sure. He knew it in his bones.

Dad snapped his fingers again and the interior lit up and they all walked in.

It was huge, like the tardis was small outside, and big inside, it was huge inside. And it was like a museum with display cases going miles and miles in the distance. "Ah yes," said Lucifer, "Hmm. He walked along and finally turned a sharp left and went to a big case. It appeared to be full of really big eggs.

"What are those Dad?" asked Harry, curious.

"Dinosaur eggs. I saved them after Mum pitched a fit and killed them all off. They are in stasis. Not really a good idea to hatch them when humans rule earth. They wouldn't get along."

Then they came to a door that lead into a room filled with weapons. Scar the goblin looked as if he was going to jump up and down. "Are those?" he asked, excited. "Yes, weapons forged in hellfire." He snatched up a short gladius and smiled at it, "We lost one a while ago that should belong to my sister. This will make a good replacement."

"Should we get something for Maze?" asked Harry. "Yes," said Lucifer brightly, "Maze will love more knives." He invited Scar and Harry to pick up something they thought Maze would like, and Harry found a knife with black glowing gems on the handle. "Dad," he started to ask and Lucifer grabbed the knife and checked Harry for damage.

"Sorry Son, I didn't know you could even see that. It's an assassination tool that makes the user absolutely silent as they move, among other things. Very dangerous."

He looked at it and said, "Actually Maze would adore this. Let's see if we have an appropriate sheath hereabouts. To be on the safe side, please don't touch anything."

Finally, he found a black sheath that looked like something from a ninja movie. He slide the sword home and picked up the second sword and pinged it with a finger. It burst into flame.

"Yes, flaming swords are very 'in' this year. My sister will appreciate this."

They left the room, and Harry noted that Scar looked longingly at it as they closed the door.

They walked through more display cases. One was filled with what looked like malformed huge skulls. "Ah," said Lucifer, "So glad we got rid of them. You should appreciate this Scar, they are the last of the tribes who hunted your people. I must have been in a terrible mood to want to keep their remnants as trophies." He looked mildly at Harry, "I'm glad your Mother isn't here. It might upset her."

"She is a warrior," said Scar, "Mothers are the very fiercest of warriors."

"Yes, of course," said Lucifer, "My darling wife scares even me. It's part of her intrinsic charm."

Scar nodded appreciatively, "A woman of great honor."

Lucifer snapped his fingers and the display was covered with dark cloth.

They came to a display that looked like a giant jewelry box. Lucifer stopped and hummed to himself as he looked in the little drawers. He smiled suddenly and took out a case of rings. "What a delightful find," he said, "I forgot about these when I forgot about magic. These will do nicely."

He opened the case and it showed rings, beautiful rings. One was like Dad's ring, one was finely delicate flowers, one had a strange glowing jewel on it that Harry wanted to stare at. Some were diamonds that glittered. Harry didn't really care for jewelry but this stuff was really pretty and interesting. They were also full of magic.

"What kind of magic are they?" he asked.

"They are rings of power, made for protection and communication," said Lucifer. "I had them as tribute long ago, but there was no one at the time that I trusted or wanted to protect."

He looked at Harry, "This was before I met our darling Maze," he said. "Now they have use. They were made by a very ancient tribe of elves. Lovely people. I don't know what became of them." He looked sad for a moment.

He rifled through several drawers and took out a long box filled with other rings. "Mithril. These are very useful." he muttered.

Then he smiled at Harry, "Come my Son. We could spend days in here and I really don't want to keep your Mother waiting."