The Devil as a Father – Chapter 23
Neville was having a very nice time. Harry Morningstar, who was also Harry Potter, thought he was powerful and he actually could see magic. He wondered if it was true about him having magic, but even if it wasn't, Harry liked just him, Neville, the way he was. And he sounded interested in Neville's greenhouses.
A man wandered up to their table and said, "Did I hear you say you were a muggle?" to Maze. "I don't much care for muggles, but there are things you could do for me, if you're smart."
Maze stood up and walked right up until she was in the man's face. "No I said I am a demon, much different little man."
He started to pull his wand, and Maze grabbed it and broke it with an audible snap that made all the people in the tea room gasp. "Let's see the big magical man now." She said, before hitting the man in the nose and knocking him down.
"I'll have you put in prison for this!" the man shouted. Neville winced and started to worry.
"No, said Madame Longbottom's secretary, standing right next to Maze, "This is the Minister of Magic's guest. If anyone goes to prison, it will be you for insulting someone under her protection.
The man stood shakily and started to run away, but Harry cast a spell that tied him up in chains.
Maze grinned at both the boys and said to the secretary, "I like you. Thank you for speaking up for me."
"I'm Rose," said the secretary, "Mrs. Longbottom is a wonderful boss and helped me a lot. Both my parents are squibs from noble lines, and she helped me go to school. I hate bullies."
"Oh I love bullies," said Maze with a toothy grin, "They're delicious, especially when they wind up in Hell and the tables are turned around on them."
Rose giggled, and Harry and Neville started to laugh too. "I can see why Lord Morningstar trusts you as a bodyguard," she said, "And I am glad for your company."
The door opened and several aurors entered the room. Rose stood and walked over to them and explained the situation.
The oldest auror looked at Maze with interest. "If you are finished refreshing yourselves, would you like to come to our department and give testimony against this troublemaker?" He looked at Maze again, "I don't have enough men or women, and they are woefully undertrained when they come to me. They are completely useless without a wand. Maybe you could give them some pointers."
Maze looked delighted. Harry stood up and sent a message to his Dad, "We're going to go and visit the aurors with Maze and Rose. Some nitwit tried to bully Maze and now the aurors want pointers."
"Son, I would like to see that myself. I'll ask the Minister if we can visit there next."
So they went to the Auror's Department, which was big and had many men and women practicing spells and dueling.
Maze looked at them with interest and sat down with the older man who was apparently in charge and gave a full report, with Rose and Neville witnessing. Some of the aurors on duty seemed interested in Maze, and Harry watched them with his hand on his wand. He liked the Minister of Magic, Filius, Rose, Neville and Ms. Narcissa, but a lot of these people seemed really rude, and prejudiced against anyone who didn't look and act just like them.
Then an older man who had an artificial leg and crazy eye came in and was introduced as "Mad Eye" Moody, one of the best and most senior aurors. Harry didn't think much of his magical body parts, and wondered if there was magic that would help him, because the man was obviously in constant pain.
They were introduced to the aurors, who seemed very impressed that they were guests of Madame Longbottom, and even more impressed that they were with Lord Lucifer Morningstar.
Mad Eye then looked at Maze, "I'm told you fight well. I'd like you to fight with my aurors and show them what can be done without a wand."
"I'd be delighted," Maze grinned toothily at the aurors and some of them looked nervous, showing they had intelligence.
The door opened and the Minister of Magic and the Lucifer Morningstar tour group entered. Harry ran and hugged his Dad and Mom with enthusiasm.
He turned to Madame Longbottom and said, "Madame, could we have your permission to have Neville train with Trixie and myself under Maze? She is the best teacher for fighting. Dad says she's the best too. It strengthens magic."
Madame Longbottom saw her grandson looking at her with rare hope in his eyes, and nodded.
"I'm going to give a demonstration," said Maze, "I'd like three of you against me, and you can keep your wands."
One auror turned pale, and sat. The rest looked reassured that they'd do well against this upstart because the foolish woman said they could keep their wands.
Mad Eye's eyes both gleamed. He was sharp.
They went to the dueling area, and the entourage followed.
Maze stood at one side, and the aurors at the other side of the dueling ring. Lucifer put up first class wards to protect all the visitors.
Maze winked at Mad Eye and said, "You give the command," to him.
"Now," roared the older man, and Maze popped out knives and disarmed three aurors automatically and had all three on the floor, two held down by her arms and the other by a foot, all of them terrified with their wands in her possession.
"She fights like a demon,' said one auror, who looked like he might just be blown over by a nice spring breeze. "Literally," said Lucifer, "She is a demon, the best one in my opinion and my bodyguard and dear friend."
"If she wants to train Neville, then she has my full permission!" Madame Longbottom looked pleased, "And if she wishes to give lessons to our aurors, I would be in her debt."
Maze smiled at the aurors and the whole group eyed her carefully.
Then Madame Longbottom requested that they give examples of their magic to her guests. Harry watched them carefully, and said quietly to his mother. "Mum, I think I'm faster than some of them. Is it because Maze trains me?"
"Ah Lad, but do you have strong enough magic?' said Mad Eye in a gruff but friendly voice.
Harry grinned at him and said, "Can I try dueling with someone and see?"
Harry felt his mother's hand clamp on his shoulder. "Don't worry Mom, they are the good guys, they'll just teach me, not hurt me."
Chloe Morningstar gave them all a look that made many of the aurors become much more polite. In some respects, she was more frightening than Maze, and Maze was scary as well, hell.
A younger auror was chosen to show Harry a few moves.
The guy did an expelliarmus on Harry, but Harry wasn't there when the spell hit where he had been. Then the auror looked a little angry, but then laughed and gave a good natured smile, and said, "That's it young Master, don't be where the spell hits, and you have the beginnings of a good defense."
Then he tried an incarcerating spell and Harry snapped up a shield, caught the spell and bounced it back on the auror. There was silence for a moment as everyone stared in shock at the bound auror who couldn't break his bonds.
Mad Eye now looked extremely pleased. "Well, now ladies and gents, you see why you must do physical exercise now. This lad beat a full grown wizard, because he exercises, because he is quick and he takes his lessons seriously."
He turned to Harry and smiled, "We have training dummies here. I would like to see how hard you hit. Can you try for me?"
"Sure," said Harry. This was fun.
Mad Eye showed them all the dummies and stood Harry in front of one. "This one tells us the strength of the attack, and tells how well you aimed. Try to put all your strength in it lad"
Harry aimed, and blew up the dummy spectacularly. Harry looked frightened, "I'm sorry. I'll pay for a new one," he said, as his father checked him for damage and then snapped his fingers, making the dummy reassemble. The dummy now displayed a number, "1000" in red.
Where before they were silent, now all the aurors seemed awestruck. "What does that mean?" he asked quietly, starting to feel like a freak. His Mum came over and put an arm around him and then his Dad came up and did the same thing. What a joy it was to having parents who loved him.
Mad Eye stared at Harry and then said, "Lad, you are not a mere wizard. You have the same power as Merlin did. Only Dumbledore hit 800 and no one knows He Who Must Not Be Named's score. Maybe your score will be more because you haven't developed your magical core all the way."
Harry smiled suddenly and went to Neville. "See, and you are almost as strong as me."
Neville looked at him for a moment and then laughed. "I'm more happy you want to be friends. I'm glad I met you Harry."
Madame Longbottom was looking at both boys and Harry thought she might cry. "Madame, is everything all right," he asked. "You've already been a wonderful friend, Young Master Morningstar." She said. "Now what is this about Neville being strong?"
Harry smiled at her, "I can see peoples magic and their auras," said Harry. "You have a strong aura, so does Neville, but his has bonds on it."
"Bonds?" asked Madame Longbottom. "Algy took Neville to healers for me many times and they never noticed."
Now Lucifer came and knelt before Neville and looked at him with intent and caring eyes.
Harry felt his Dad's love for Neville now because he, Harry, loved Neville. His Dad was so great.
Lucifer snapped his fingers suddenly. "I recognize the signature of Albus Dumbledore. I don't know if the healers were strong enough to notice or if your Uncle is remiss. It was hidden quite sneakily."
He took up Neville's wand and stared at it. "Do you realize this wand is burned out, probably with an Avada? And Neville still was able to do magic with it. What a wonder."
He looked up at Madame Longbottom. "Your grandson is more than a wizard, he may be a mage. I suggest we test him, if that is convenient."
Madame Longbottom looked shocked and kept looking at Neville. "Would this please you, Grandson?" she said softly.
"Yes, Grams," he said and went with Harry.
He was loaned a wand. He didn't blow up the dummy but greatly damaged it, the dummy was able to display '800', neatly overhead and everyone looked at the two boys.
Moody smiled, "These boys need to continue training in fighting and also to learn defense against the dark arts. Young Neville is strong as Dumbledore and Dumbledore was in his prime and considered the greatest wizard in Britain."
"I agree with the training," said Lucifer. "We have a tutor for Defense at home and of course, our darling Mazikeen. No one can have a better teacher than her."
Madame Longbottom hugged Neville very gently. "Oh Neville, I have not taken as good care of you as I thought."
"Especially," whispered Harry, still angry at what had been done to his new friend, "Since Uncle Algy pushed him out of a window to test him for magic."
"What?" she said. "Neville, child, why didn't you tell me?"
"You were so happy I showed some magic, I thought you wouldn't care."
"Oh, my darling Grandson, I do. And Uncle Algy will find that out very soon. Did he do anything else to you?"
Harry decided there were a lot of very strong women in his life, because Madame Longbottom looked as mad as Mom when someone tried to hurt him.
"Gram, he did lots of things. He told me I was a dishonor to you and not to complain because it was only because you are kind that I had a home."
"Merlin's Beard – that is not true. You are my Grandson and I'm proud of you. How dare he treat you in that way. Oh Neville, I'm so sorry."
She hugged him again. "You've been suffering while I've been doing politics. I'm glad you friends will help, but please don't forget me, love. I am not sending you away because I don't want you but because I want you to have nice friends and because of the superior training and yes, love, that I see they give all their children."
"I know I have given you little reason to trust me, but I offer myself as an ally at your call, Lord Morningstar. You are raising an exceptional child here, and I don't speak of power, but of kindness. Call upon me at need, and I shall come."
The aurors all stood at attention. Having the Minister of Magic do such a thing was to be honored, even if it was as an individual.
Madame Longbottom then said, "Let's go back to my office for more tea. I want to spend more time with you all but also with Neville." So they returned, walking through many interesting hallways, while Harry observed magic
Lucifer paused as they sat down once more in Madame Longbottom's office.
"I have something I would like to discuss privately," he said.
"But of course," said the Minister and she took him into a little study that was part of the office.
"What is wrong, Lord Morningstar?"
"You know about Sirius Black?" he said.
She frowned, "The traitor is still in prison."
"No," said Lucifer, he escaped and came to America seeking to protect Harry. He was insane, but has been healed from the exposure of the dementors. He was not the secret keeper for the Potters. It was Peter Pettigrew."
The Minister paused and stared at him a moment.
"And he was never given a trial. I believe Dumbledore wanted him out of Harry's life and conveniently forgot that he had set the Fidelius spell on the Potter home and would know that Peter was the Keeper.
"That bloody BASTARD," said Augusta. "Sirius will have to come back for the trial, and I will let it out that he is under your protection and mine. That poor man! How many lives did Dumbledore destroy for his greater good?"
"I do not know," Lucifer's face was hard. "He certainly deserved to lose his magic and his life for what he did to my Harry. I have never seen a child so ill-used. It broke my heart. And then to kidnap Harry and try to force to stay in Hogwarts against his will. He used all his power for evil and thought he was good."