The Devil as a Father Chapter 21

Lucifer wrote back to the little headmaster at the school.

Dear Headmaster Flitwick:

I fully intend to visit and bring all my family and retainers. I honor your decision to ask me for guidance, and will do my best to help. I think you should know that when I say I am bringing my family I also mean I am bringing my son Harry Morningstar with me as well. While I greatly respect his forbearers, he is now my son, and if anyone tries to manipulate him or kidnap him again, they will lose their magic instantly. It's a lovely new traveling ward I made just for this situation. I know you would do everything to keep him safe but letting that little tidbit loose might help smooth our upcoming visit.

I would be delighted to speak with Minister Longbottom. Please assure her that I bear her no ill will and am only coming at both of your behests.

Most Sincerely,

Lucifer Morningstar

Lord of Hell

After reading the letter, Headmaster Flitwick threw back his head and laughed. Lucifer would give the Slytherins a run for their money in slyness and yet he had a taste of the best of Gryffindor House in his boldness.

He made his preparations for the visit. This was going to be fun and all his children would be the better for it.

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Goldie was bored. She had a full stomach and lots of fresh water and lovely places to sit, but Trixie was doing homework and that was boring. Harry was also doing magical homework, which she watched, then became aware of something magical visiting. She immediately went into flight and found the source, a magnificent owl that held a message pouch. Aradia beat her there and was sniffing the bird, who flipped his feathers at her in disgust. Aradia sniffed one last time and called mentally, "Daddy Lucifer, there is a magical messenger bird here with a message pouch for you."

Daddy Lucifer popped directly in front of the owl, who hooted at him at his silent magical travel. He smiled at the creature and brought out some owl treats and water. "Please refresh yourself while I read this message so you can send my return message if necessary."

The owl fluffed and began to drink thirstily. Goldie bugled at the owl and mind spoke.

The owl stopped drinking and said, "Hello small Dragon. Would you let me finish drinking and eating and we can meet one another?"

Goldie said, "I apologize. Please be refreshed. Do you like chicken livers?"

"I do," said the Owl, "they are a treat."

"Well finish there and follow me. I shall share my bowl with you. My humans and celestials and um, demon are very nice."

"Your master's power lights up the sky," observed the Owl, "and he has lovely wards. I hear he is actually the Light Bringer who made magic. Is this true?"

"Oh yes" said Goldie, "He is ancient, and kind and good and gives wonderful scratches."

"I am honored to meet him then. You say he gives good scratches?"

Goldie liked this owl, "He is very gentle and he can fly too, he has wings hidden."

"What a wonderful, Master. I wonder if he would scratch me?" said the owl tentatively.

"I'll ask him. He can mind speak."

When Lucifer returned with Aradia at his side and a note in his hand, Goldie excitedly told him that the Owl was very nice and liked scratches. He smiled at her and picked up the owl and proceeded to give her a very full bird scratching, and took especial care with the feathers. The owl began to make little sounds of pleasure and mind spoke, "You are wonderful. Oh a little to the left. Ohhhhh."

"I told you he was wonderful," said Goldie.

Chloe came into the room, dressed in a long gown. She had gotten in the habit of dressing for dinner for the way her husband's eyes would gleam when she dressed up. "I can hear a mental voice I don't know," she said questioningly. The owl chirruped at her and she smiled in welcome. Soon Chloe was learning the ancient art of proper scratching of owls. "Darling," she said, "Do your wings need some kind of attention that I could give them?"

Lucifer looked up from adjusting a flight feather and gave her a strange look. "It's been millennium since someone did my wings. It's a bit time consuming.

"I really should get back to work," said the owl softly, plainly very relaxed from the scratching. Lucifer carefully gave put the letter in the pouch and sent the creature off kindly.

He and Chloe stood at the balcony and watched it make its way into the night.

"Now, my beloved, I want you to show me how to preen your feathers."

Lucifer looked at her lovingly, "In the Silver City, we preened each other's wings. Towards the end, I ended up alone and no one wanted to be seen with me because I was a trouble maker."

Then he smiled at her. "You're my angel and worth the wait."

They went to their bedroom and Lucifer unfurled his white wings. Chloe smiled at him. "Should I start in front or in back?"

"I can get some of the front, but the back really needs some attention."

Harry poked his head in the door, "Mum, Dad, oh Dad you look so cool. I'm done with my homework."

"I'm going to learn to attend to your father's wings. Want to help?"

"Wicked," said Harry. With Lucifer's instruction, both Harry and his Mum worked on the magnificent feathers. Lucifer explained a few things about preening and found both to be avid learners.

"Lovely," said Lucifer, "I forgot how relaxing this feels. Hmmmmm," and Lucifer, began to purr softly.

Harry giggled and his Mum looked at him happily. They continued, and peaked to see that Lucifer's eyes were closing and that he had a happy grin on his face.

Soon Dad was sound asleep laying on his tummy with his shining wings taking up the whole bed. Mum kissed his head and came out with Harry.

"We'll let Dad sleep," she said. "He's been so busy. He looks cute sleeping."

Now Harry started giggling. Mum and Dad were so funny. He fled to his bedroom and she followed him and tickled him until he begged off, then gave him a huge hug. Then they went over his homework. Usually Dad and Mom both helped with this task, but they agreed to give Dad the extra rest.

Then Harry sat with Mum and showed her Dad's wonderful wards. Since they had spent more time working on the uses of the rings, Chloe's ability to see magic had grown. Harry showed her the wards he had put on individuals, something that the magical people didn't understand, but that he and Dad developed. "See, those purple lights downstairs. Those are wards on Mrs. Edwards, and Uncle Dan, and Cousin Draco and Narcissa. There are the wards on the security team that protect them from knives and bullets. There are the wards on Auntie Maze that tell her when those with ill intent are looking at her or hunting her and where they are. She doesn't like the protection wards except the one for back stabs."

Chloe laughed, "I can see that. Do you have wards on yourself?"

"Oh yes, Mum, I've made wards for me and Trixie which Dad approved of."

Chloe sat patiently and used her mage sight until she found Trixie and realized how many wards the child had on her. "I can see you and your Dad are taking good care of your sister. I see you have wards on our pets too." Then she looked down and gasped, "And on me. Oh, Oh, I can tell what these are. You have me warded against bullets, knives, disease, punches, broken glass, car wrecks, and celestials?"

"Dad and I think some of his family might try to kidnap one of us to punish him, so we took measures to protect everyone."

"Really, you and your Dad think angels would hurt you?"

"Yes," said Harry. "Uncle Amenadiel was planning on getting Dad murdered to send him back to hell, that is, he did before he got a clue."

"Oh," said Mum and she sounded upset. "Do you think he would do it again?"

"No, he is completely against doing anything to Dad. He'll even be fallen if he has to."

Chloe looked thoughtful. "I'm glad to hear it because I was going to go and kick his ass." She murmured softly. Harry grinned. Mum would take on angels for Dad. Probably even God.

Chloe made sure all the family needs were taken care of. She covered her husband with a blanket, tucked all the little ones and their assorted pets in bed, asked both pets if they were hungry and then made lunches for the children. That completed, she slipped into bed with the handsome devil she had married, who was snoring softly, and fell asleep, under one of his wings. She had a smile on her face as she fell asleep next to her beloved, knowing that they were doing everything they could to keep their family and friends safe.

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The next morning Harry was up first and started out by making fresh blueberry and blackberry muffins. Dad soon came in, sniffing the air appreciatively and kissed his son on the head. "I'm going to make ham and cheese omelets," he announced as he hugged his son. Chloe came in and Dan appeared. Chloe started grating cheese to help Lucifer, and Dan used an electric coffee grinder to make fresh coffee for breakfast. The smell of all the good things seemed to pull everyone in. Draco started squeezing orange juice, while his mother sat the table and made tea. Mrs. Edwards came in with some flowers and sat them at the table and then started a huge batch of hash browns with sausage in them.

Maze appeared with some of the security team and then Maze fed Goldie. Aradia preferred human food so she got a regular plate filled up with ham and cheese omelet and Harry gave her a ham bone to chew on. Everyone sat down to full plates and Lucifer smiled. "Harry, these are excellent muffins. Maybe we can box some up and give them to the little girl you want to meet and the Headmaster as well."

Sirius and Remus took seats and informed everyone that they were in charge of cleanup today.

"That's a very nice idea, Dad. Thank you," said Harry. They dug in companionably. Amenadiel showed up late with KynKyn, both dressed to travel to England and armed with their Christmas present swords from Lucifer. Lucifer and Harry rushed to fill plates for both of them.

When everyone was finishing up, Mrs. Edwards said, "Dears, I need to go with you. I promise to be careful but I really need to accompany you.

Narcissa looked concerned and said, "I'll watch after her with Draco. I will also be glad to explain any strange customs that I know of."

Dan looked longingly at the group and said, "I'm going to stay and watch over Trixie along with Security."

Remus looked up. "Werewolves are illegal now in magical England. I would be delighted to hang out with Trixie and Dan and the security team. That way one magical person will be able to assist and I won't draw any ire from the officials there. Besides, Trixie wants to learn about arithromancy.

Trixie looked very excited. "It helps you figure out spells and how they work. It also helps you figure out new potions. I'm going to use it to make a magic space ship to Mars."

Lucifer's eyebrows went up. Harry set down his fork and looked at Mrs. Edwards. She winked at him.

Remus looked a little surprised and then said, "You never know what you'll come up with. We better get started," and rose to put away his dishes.

Then, Sirius casually mentioned that he was still wanted by the Ministry for murder. Chloe and Dan took him aside and questioned him urgently.

Chloe came to Lucifer's side and whispered for his attention. "The Wizarding World put Sirius in prison without trial. That is apparently against their laws. We can't take him but please bring the matter up to Minister Longbottom. He should be given a trial and tell her that he is willing to be dosed with their verisatotum or whatever they call their truth serum. He should sue them for reparations too. I definitely want to discuss how they handle their law enforcement."

Those who were going all went to the pool floor which they had used for Harry's flight lessons. Lucifer had everyone form a triangle with him at the head. Harry and Mum were in the middle with Mrs. Edwards, Draco and Narcissa Black behind them. Kyn Kyn and Amenadiel took the other two points.

Lucifer said, "it everyone ready for transport? And did everyone visit the facilities?" he eyed Harry.

Everyone mentally agreed. They all had practiced and visited the bathroom too. "Harry do you have your presents?"

"Yes, Dad" said Harry.

"On the count of Three," said Lucifer calmly, "One, two, three" and he snapped his fingers.

Suddenly they were in front of a beautiful castle. Birds were singing, there was a huge lake, and everyone could feel the magic. Two great doors opened and the tiny man they knew as the Headmaster of Hogwarts walked out with a joyous expression on his face. "My Lord Morningstar!" he said happily and bowed respectfully.

Lucifer walked up to this and took his hand. "I'm glad to see you well my friend. Do you want to have us meet the children and teachers first?"

"That would be highly educational, My Lord. Please come in. Everyone has eaten and they all know you are going to visit."

Cletus muttered to the members of his household, "That was the smoothest form of travel I've ever experienced. And he didn't even use a wand." They were all impressed

Lucifer walked ahead with the small Headmaster. "How is the young lady you mentioned?" he asked. "She still works and studies alone." Said Flitwick. "She is my most gifted student, and now my most silent one."

"Harry wants to meet her," said Lucifer. "He has been an outcast among school children before. He made her some muffins, and I think some for you as well."

The Headmaster laughed merrily, "That will be a treat. Our elves are excellent cooks, but homemade cooking can't be beat."

They walked into the castle. There were statues of warriors and strange creatures, suits of armor on display and paintings that moved, all of whom bowed or curtsied to them. They walked through another set of doors and entered the great hall that with the enchanted ceiling.

"Is that new?" asked Harry. "It was here before," said the new Headmaster, "You just had other things taking up your attention, like being kidnapped."

"Yeah," said Harry, "It's pretty cool, actually."

All the children and teachers, who appeared excited, rose and bowed to Lucifer. He bowed back slightly like the King he was and everyone was seated. Headmaster Flitwick had laid aside the usual teacher's table for Lucifer and his family and they all took seats. Lucifer popped enough seats for his family and made some of the chairs more comfortable as well. He heard gasps.

"Wandless magic," and "silent magic" echoed in the chamber.

Draco suddenly clutched at Harry's sleeve. "There's a girl here I was really mean to, back when Dad was around. I want to apologize to her."

"Let's go," said Harry. He had no intention of letting Draco go alone.

So they walked up to a table that had only one person sitting there, a girl with bushy hair. She watched them with careful eyes.

"Miss Grainger," said Draco respectfully, and Harry noticed her eyes widened in surprise. "I was incredibly unkind and rude to you before, and I wanted to take this opportunity to beg your forgiveness. My Father would have beat me if I weren't known as a bully like him. That is no real excuse. You are very intelligent and I should have made friends with you. Please accept my poor apology."

Harry was impressed. He looked at the girl and realized she was the one that the Headmaster had mentioned.

"I accept your apology," said the Girl and curtsied.

Draco looked at Harry, "Thank you Miss Grainger. Permit me the honor of introducing you to my friend, and cousin, Harry Morningstar, of the House of Morningstar. Harry, this is Hermione Grainger."

"Hello," said Harry, "I heard you were the smartest student this year, and I made you muffins. I hope you like them." He handed the box of muffins to the girl and she stared at him in shock. "Thank you, Mr. Potter," she whispered.

Then a red-haired boy hissed at her and said, "Making up to the snakes now, are you Grainger?"

She winced and sat down and looked at the ground.

"What did you say?" asked Harry angrily. "Did you call me a snake?"

"You must be if you made friends with Malfoy here. He's a snake and they only befriend snakes."

"Draco saved me and cared for me when his father had tortured me," said Harry in an icy voice. "I think you are just as bigoted as you accuse my friend of being."

The air filled with pressure and the boy's eyes widened in shock.

Lucifer walked up to his son and frowned at the red-haired boy. "Young man, do you always bully girls?" he asked sternly. The boy turned pale. "She's a mud blood. She's a know-it-all and not worth your time, my Lord," he said in a snotty voice.

Some boys in green and silver came up and the biggest said to Draco, "You apologized to a mudblood? Your father would be so ashamed."

"Do you think I care what my father thinks of me?" said Draco. "You know nothing of magic or being a noble. I'd rather be with Harry. He's the first true friend I've ever had. He doesn't want my money or my power. He doesn't fear me. I like him. I'd rather be a poor relation in the House of Morningstar, where they have honor and kindness, then the richest Slytherin in the world."

The boy raised his wand to Draco and gasped when it disappeared. "Filius, I see your problem. These spawn haven't learned to think at all." Said Lucifer sternly and the boys dressed in green all backed up while the boy without his wand began to cry.

"You're lucky you still have magic boy," said the Headmaster as he walked up to the boy. "You know the rules. You may set quietly for this last meal, but you are going home. You are expelled."

"You can see the problem we have. They have always been prejudiced against those who are not inbred idiots," said the tiny man. "They blame them for their own magic declining and while they usually don't fight, they still bully those who are different."

He turned and looked up at Draco. "Mr. Malfoy I am pleased that you have changed your mind and even more pleased that you have made friends with Harry. While I am sorry to lose you as a student, I am very proud to hear that you helped Harry when he was a prisoner."

There was muttering from some of the students.

Lucifer heard one say, "He should love us best. We are the pure children of magic,"

Lucifer got a slight twitch in one eyebrow and Harry knew his Dad was aggravated.

"Do you know what magic is, young man?" the King of Hell asked?

"It is your gift to us human so we could rule nature and the other magical creatures," said the boy who had muttered.

"Ding! Ding! Ding! Wrong!" said Lucifer. "I gave the gift of magic to all to be shared equally in taking care of yourselves and nature. You were supposed to help one another and treat each other with curtesy. Instead you seem to think that your bloodlines being inbred gives you purity. Look at me." He commanded, and they all stared at him, frightened and for once cowed.

"Do you see this lady?" he said, pointing to Chloe. "She has minimal magic because she is what you idiots call a muggle. She has picked up magic of some sort, which we are investigating, but she was born a muggle. She is my wife and my Queen. Do you understand?"

Everyone nodded.

"Now are any of you stupid enough to say I married someone who is much less than me?" he asked and something in his voice made the hair on every ones' necks stand straight up. "Or worse that my Queen is a mud blood?"

The power of his anger filled the room and many of the children and teachers fell to their knees on the floor. "She is soul bonded to me and the love of my eternal life, the first time I have ever found love and fulfillment. She is a true warrior and queen, and worthy of ruling all magicals if I so desired."

Some of the Slytherins began to shake in greater terror. "Magic and music were my gifts to help you to preserve the earth, to survive on it with harmony and to help one another. Not to conquer and wipe out the magical races or to oppress them, and certainly not to make you better than anyone else. I am offended with how you have handled my gift and have considered removing it from all of you, but my wife, who is more merciful than any of you, was worried you wouldn't be able to survive without magic so I forgave you all. Please don't make me rethink this decision."

He returned to his seat and kissed Chloe's hand. Harry and Draco took Hermione's shaking hand and brought her to the main table and sat her between them. "I'm sorry everyone here has been such a bully. I know Draco was punished by his Dad for showing kindness or understanding, so maybe some of these others have the same problem."

Immediately several young girls and younger boys from all the houses jumped up and waved their hands. Harry waved at them. "See," he said to Hermione, "Their parents punish them."

Narcissa Black reached over and took Hermione's hand, "Dear child. Perhaps you could stay with Lord Morningstar in Los Angeles with all of us, and learn magic without feeling like you have no friends. I know both my son and Harry want to be friends with you."

Hermione stared at her in shock, and then gave a tremulous smile, "That would be lovely. I've wanted to go home, but the ministry would snap my wand and take away my memory of magic."

Chloe stood up with Narcissa and both women hugged the distraught girl. "We'll contact your parents and explain the situation. We have wonderful tutors at home and you'll be able to finish both types of education, so you can decide whether you want to work in the no-magic world or the magic world."

"You are not allowed to do that." Said one of the teachers rather harshly, "We have to protect ourselves from the mug, er no mag people."

Lucifer stood, "Miss Grainger is now under the protection of House Morningstar. If anyone wants to make an argument that my protection doesn't exist, please come forward."

No one made a move.

Mrs. Edwards stood, "I am a seer. I came today to tell you that you are close to dying out. If you do not accept your squibs and protect those you call half bloods and muggle born, all those called Purebloods will lose your magic. Your inbreeding has made you lose magic instead of protecting it. That is why you have so many squib babies. Those children should have been cherished and married into other families, because if they live in your world with love, they have a better chance of having magical children."

She sat down.

The teachers were just as befuddled as the children and there was long period of silence as everyone digested the new information and Lucifer watched his family.

Meanwhile Chloe and Narcissa were speaking kindly to Hermione and asking what had been done. They were appalled at the non-magical bits of cruelty done. Chloe took out her cell phone and asked for Hermione's phone number at home.

"But Ma'am, magic doesn't let electronics work," said Hermione.

"That may be true, but this cell phone was enchanted by Harry and Lucifer. Let's talk to your Mum, shall we?"

They left the great hall and sat in an empty classroom and listened to Hermione talk to her parents. The youngster began to cry. "Let me have the phone," prompted Chloe. Hermione handed her the phone and Chloe favored her with a motherly smile.

"Hello," she said kindly to Mr. and Mrs. Grainger, and she put the phone on speaker, "Hermione has had a pretty bad time of it, but was afraid to go home for fear of having all magic taken from her and both her and your memories. My husband and I live in America in Los Angeles, and we have tutors training two magical children. We'd love to come and meet you, and have Hermione stay with you for a while and give her and you a chance to decide and then invite Hermione to America to have her educated with us. We'll make sure she gets both magical and non-magical schooling. She's certainly capable of it."

"We'd love to see our daughter," said the voice of Mrs. Grainger over the speaker, "We miss her terribly and none of our letters seem to get there." Chloe looked at Hermione and said, "We'll discuss that with the headmaster. He's a terribly good man, but it seems he's the only one trying to do the job."

They returned to a question and answer session with the students and teachers. Headmaster Flitwick smiled at them as they entered the room with Hermione.

"Are all your allies magical?" asked an older girl.

"My brother and sisters are angels," said Lucifer.

"Angels," exclaimed one child, "But you're the Devil."

"Yes, I am child," said Lucifer, "But that is not all I am." He stood and unfurled his wings. So did KynKyn and Amenadiel.

Then Harry stood up and unfurled his wings and pandemonium broke out. "Harry is an Angel!" shrieked someone and even Flitwick looked astonished.

"Please," said Lucifer, "Harry is my son, he apparently has a gift for picking up my abilities. He can speak many languages and has suddenly grown wings. They are a source of great magic."

Everyone calmed down.

Another child stood and said, "Can you fly?" to Harry.

"Yup," said Harry. He looked at his Mother, "Would it be alright Mum?" he asked.

She smiled at Lucifer and Harry, "You have my permission."

Harry shot straight in the air, the wind of his passing ruffled papers all over the great hall. He flew circles, flew up and down and then landed in front of the main table and bowed. Then he popped into his seat. Draco giggled. The children cheered. The visit went better after that and Lucifer and Chloe noted names of all the children they suspected of being abused or taught to be cruel.

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Dowager Longbottom, Minister of Magic, wore a hat with a vulture on it as part of the tradition of her youth, immediately letting other purebloods know she was a widow.

She was not afraid of Lucifer Morningstar. She had spoken with Filius Fitwick at length about what he knew about the King of Hell, and had spoken to the goblins, who loved him dearly and learned he was considered an ancient hero to the whole race.

He had taken magic away from people she considered corrupt idiots, so she was impressed with his strength. And he had rescued and adopted Harry Potter, turning the boy Albus wanted to be a weapon into a little boy who was loved and cherished.

She wanted to speak to his wife, Chloe Morningstar, who the goblins considered a female warrior, and ask if she would take in Neville as she and Lucifer had taken Draco Malfoy and his Mother. She was very impressed that they had punished Lucius, but taken great mercy on his family. She felt she had failed with Neville and perhaps this warrior woman could help the boy to grow up more.

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That evening, the Morningstars popped to the Grainger home and let Hermione spend time with her mother. They gave their phone number to the Graingers and told them that they were using tutors now and also providing regular no-mag education to the children and would be delighted to have Hermione come with them. Mr. and Mrs. Grainger were concerned when they learned that their memories could be stolen by the aurors, and thought this was a good idea, especially when Chloe and Harry set up their rings to pop them to and from the Grainger's home. Chloe smiled understandingly and said, "When Hermione misses you, we can pop her over and vice versa. We'd love to have you visit with us as well. Too many of those children were homesick for family."

Lucifer meanwhile, set up wards to protect the Graingers, showing Harry how to do some of the more difficult ones and also placed protection wards on each person. Harry was really advancing in ward making and protective spells and Lucifer was very pleased with his progress.

They returned to the castle and Lucifer bid Flitwick good evening. We will return tomorrow. Miss Grainger is now under my protection. Tomorrow we will come back and meet with Minister Longbottom and I will give a lecture on light and dark magics for the teachers and you.