The Devil as a Father – Chapter 28
Their new Daddy and Mommy were taking them to a special doctor who was supposed to help them to be happier and not have bad dreams and stuff. Hercules Morningstar or Lee or Les according to mood, wasn't impressed that anybody could take all the bad things away, but he would try for Daddy and Mommy. He had never been so happy as he was now. He had good food and clothing, and his Daddy and Mommy were delighted with him like he was some kind of miracle. His Daddy and Mommy even played with them. They bought them toys. That hadn't been true at home, that was for sure, but again, they loved him here. Aradia and Goldie told them how loved they were too. Having the animals not being afraid of his new parents really helped, because there had been no pets growing up, and when he had tried to make pets, it didn't go well.
Maybe that was what this was about. He should tell Doctor Martinez what they did to the puppy he hid in the garden. How it cried. He knew by the way his da and older brother acted that they wouldn't
mind making him cry the same way. He could do that for his new real parents. And his tummy would feel better.
Daffodil sat quietly in the car and leaned next to Rose. She already knew that Dr. Javier Martinez was a very nice man. She also knew something bad was coming, but she would make it worse if she talked about it. She thought and thought and decided that she would just enjoy what she had while she had it and leave a clue for them to follow later. She felt eyes on her and looked up. Mommy was smiling at her with so much love. She smiled back. It was so nice that they had found real love. She had not seen herself or the others being loved like this in her dreams, although she had seen Daddy flying with his angel wings and Mommy's radiant smile. To know she was loved was good. She just hoped it would last.
Rose slept and dreamed about being snuggled by her new parents. Her Daddy had done something to let her magic loose, so she wasn't a squib anymore. She felt safe for the first time in a very long time.
Octavian sat and thought about what was going to happen. He knew how to shadow walk now, so he could escape if anyone tried to hurt him. He could hide in the shadows too. Daddy had taught him carefully. He watched houses and buildings go by as they drove and enjoyed being warm and safe.
They were surprised how bright and happy Dr. Martinez' office was and that they didn't have to be alone with the doctor yet, because he said he had to earn some of their trust first because so many grownups had been mean.
They talked though, about how happy they felt with Mummy and Daddy, and Les surprised the doctor by explaining that he had extra names so he could fool bad people. Then Les explained about the puppy. He did it to explain why he didn't want to go back to his family because they liked to make people hurt. Daffodil, Rose and Octy already knew about it. They would talk softly to each other in their cells at night, but Mommy and Daddy deserved to learn about it too. It helped to talk about it.
Daffodil told about the strange things her father expected and Daddy's eyes turned red. He excused himself and left the room and Daffodil suddenly realized he was angry at the things her parents had done. He loved her and wanted to punish her family for being mean. When he came back, looking a little embarrassed, she jumped up and sprang into his arms and hugged him. "I Daffodil Morningstar hereby declare you to be the father of my heart. Then she smiled at Chloe, and I hereby declare Chloe Morningstar to be the mother of my heart. I deny my family and refuse them as being mine. I shall ever be a Morningstar and no other, but always hold this household in my heart and being. So mote it be."
There was a flash of light in the room and tiny yellow flowers began to fall from the ceiling.
"My darling," said Lucifer, "Magic approves." His eyes, which had been red, were now filled with tears and he kissed her forehead and snuggled her.
Dr. Javier smiled at them and said, "Mr. Morningstar, you have already done so much to heal these darling children. How did you do it?"
"My sister angel, KynKyn, who helped us to rescue them, used her feathers to heal them in body and mind. It was a huge blessing, and yes, you can meet her and see if she will help you with other children," said Lucifer, when he saw hope leap into Javier's dark eyes.
"I have some patients that are considered hopeless," said the good Doctor, "I really want to help them."
Lucifer and he smiled at one another, and then Mummy smiled at the Doctor too.
Daffodil felt like a new path had opened up for the nice doctor. Whatever was bad was still coming, but she knew if they loved each other it would be defeated no matter what. Some of the fear she had been feeling went away and she was ready for whatever came next.
Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry
Mrs. Edwards had prepared lemonade, various juices and made dozens of different cookies for the children. Her apartment was filled with the heady aroma of warm chocolate chip cookies, vanilla, lemon and caramel. She also made coffee and tea for Lucifer and Chloe.
She wanted to spend time with the children, since she had officially adopted the whole family. She felt strange about Daffodil and had meditated upon it until she realized that Daffodil was like her, someone who saw things and paths no one else could see. She hoped to be a special mentor to the child.
When she heard Lucifer's light hearted tap on the door, she smiled and went to answer it. "Children, Lucifer and Chloe" she said happily, seeing only happy relaxed faces, "I see it went well with Dr. Martinez."
"It was good," said Daffodil calmly then she stared up at Mrs. Edwards. "You are like me." She said softly, "you have the eye."
"Yes, Dear," said Mrs. Edwards.
She, of course, proved it aptly by providing fresh cookies that each child and the grownups adored. Daffodil took a delicate bite and smiled at her. It was a smile of trust and acceptance and Mrs. Edwards wanted to hold this little innocent in her arms and protect her.
She felt unutterably sad. "I can't." she whispered
While at the same time the child whispered, "You can't."
They stared at each other.
"I can see you won't need much in the way of conversations," said Lucifer kindly, with a tiny smirk and then a frown. "Why do I feel something is wrong?" he asked
"Not something that can be discussed without making it worse," said Mrs. Edwards. Daffodil stared at her and then nodded.
Lucifer stared at them and sent out his own magic and felt the truth of what they were saying and magic's own warning to him not to delve deeper.
He resolved to stay ready, but was appalled at little Daffodil having to bear such a burden. He walked over to her and lifted her in his arms. "I love you," he said softly and pressed his face against her hair and showered her with kisses.
She giggled and kissed him back. He looked down and saw Mrs. Edwards and thought about her life without anyone to help when she knew things. "I am glad you are part of our family," he said, suddenly being a shy devil. Mrs. Edwards always made him feel shocked with her acceptance. She smiled at him and he felt warm inside. "Thank you for wanting to help Daffodil. Your perceptions in these matters are invaluable."
The older woman beckoned him nearer and reached out soft hands and patted his cheeks tenderly. "You are the family of my heart too." She said. And in a rare occurrence, the Devil blushed and saw his wife smiling at him.
Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry
While the grownups were tending to the little ones, Harry and his crew made a new company, incorporated it according to Wizarding law, with Draco and his Mother's help and called it Morningstar Farms, with the slogan, "Where we grow ideas."
Hermione had giggled when Harry came up with that one. Neville, of course, liked anything about growing stuff, and Draco thought it was catchy. They got on Harry's computer and looked at some of the new spreadsheets they developed about what they wanted for their special phone and what they had accomplished so far.
Neville mentioned runes that took in power, and Harry, thinking of solar panels, started to work with Trixie on an experiment with using runes to pull ambient magic from the surroundings and power it. They only blew up one phone, which they repaired quickly before Mum and Dad came home.
Maze promised to say nothing. Dan suggested using scientific protocols, including safety measures, and they did the experiments with the runes in areas where it wouldn't blow up the roof, floor or windows and stayed far away. Harry worked out a "distant glovebox" using a keyboard and mouse, where he moved and inscribed runes at a distance. Draco got really excited at the concept, because some people did get hurt by runes causing explosions. They also used a shield spell.
Hermione finally presented a list of things she thought would help aurors. Draco, Harry and Neville worked through the list and asked good questions, while Trixie made a list of the ones that they felt were most important, and began a list of which ones to do first. Trixie also worked on a program spreadsheet to take the arithmancy concept numbers for what they wanted to do and worked out the meaning in math and what they were trying to accomplish and how it would work. She was having as much fun with this as she did with her werewolf potion.
Hermione thought the idea of feeding the homeless and growing their own herbs and vegetables was really nice, and wanted to help, as did Neville. She and Neville learned a lot of household magic, and also prepared to wait tables. She learned to run the cash register as well. She was ready to help on the weekend.
Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry
At Hogswarts, their Headmaster was talking to a Centaur named Bane, who had been named liaison to the humans as punishment, apparently for being an ass. Filius Flitwick wasn't sure if ass had the same connotations to Centaurs or not but he did notice the big Centaur seemed suitably chastened about something.
He had provided a sumptuous tea, and sat on a small table set atop the big table that Bane was eating from.
"I truly rejoice to have you here to visit, Bane. Do you like the tea?"
"It's excellent, I wish I could bring some home for my tribe," said Bane politely.
"I'll ask the elves if they would provide some bags. It's the least I can do. So tell me, did Lucifer help with the incursions into your territory by the spiders."
He noticed that Bane's tail twitched violently, then subsided.
"They are no longer encroaching onto our land, and there seems to have been a great reduction in their numbers. Our bravest scouts found signs of dragon fire at their newest nest. It was completely destroyed."
"Oh excellent," said Headmaster Flitwick, "Lucifer sent me a missive telling me that he has sponsored a group of dragons employed by Gringotts, and they have been hunting the creatures."
Bane snorted and blew some of his tea across the room, "Employed?" he asked.
"Yes, Lucifer revealed that they are sentient beings and Gringotts freed them all."
Bane stopped eating and stared at the diminutive head master. "That is very honorable of the noble goblins. The stars have said that the Morningstar brings insight and knowledge."
"I'm glad of that, because it hurt my personal honor to know of our mistake. We have contacted both the dwarves and other goblins not of our Cave. All dragon hunting has been abolished to wipe out the stain to all honor, and we have paid the dragons restitution, and they seemed pleased by it."
"That too is good," said Bane, apparently calmed down. "We have gathered much Unicorn tail hair and one horn that came off when a youngling got in a fight. Could we arrange to trade with you for items of use to my people?"
"That would be delightful. Is the unicorn healing from his injury?"
"Oh yes," said Bane, "He has healed and is growing a new horn, they do lose them from time to time but Mother Magic has given them the ability to regrow their lost horns."
"That is a great blessing," replied Flitwick happily, "Do try the strawberry cakes. They are delicious."
"Thank you, Honored Ally," said Bane, "It is good to talk with you, even without the delectable foods. The old headmaster often lied to us with a smile, but you have treated us with friendship and honor. Things are better for us now."
Suddenly a vibrating sound started up.
"Oh, it's my communication mirror." Said Flitwick, "I do beg your pardon."
He picked a mirror out of his pocket and tapped it gently with his wand.
"Hello Professor, may I speak to you for a minute?" asked a youthful voice.
"But, of course, Harry," said Flitwick, "however I am having tea with Liaison Bane of the Centaurs. May I call you back?"
"Oh no," said Bane, curious at the mirror, "I don't mind unless the conversation is confidential in nature."
"Oh not at all," said Harry, "I called to ask who I ask at the Ministry for information that aurors use? Hermione and I are working on wand ballistics to help aurors determine spell direction at the scene of a crime."
"What a lovely project," exclaimed Flitwick, "Are you using charms?"
"Charms, runes, transfiguration and no-mag technology as well," said Harry excitedly, "Hermione and Trixie are doing a lot of math and we're learning all sorts of spells and arithomancy at the same time."
"Well, you should contact Madame Bones at the Ministry. She is the head of the aurors and a very good person to meet. Her daughter Susan is a Hufflepuff and a right handy one with charms."
"Thank you, Sir, and thank you Liaison Bane. Both of you have a great day."
"Who is this Harry child?" asked Bane when the image on the mirror disappeared, "he seems very intelligent for a child."
"He is the adopted son of Lucifer Morningstar. It is said he rescued him from evil men in the United States and has changed the wizarding world already because of it."
Bane's tail flicked violently, "Lucifer has a son?" he asked aghast, "But he is so frightening. Is he kind to the child?" Bane felt nervous thinking of the flames he had seen in Lucifer's eyes and the merry tones in Harry's voice over the magical mirror.
"He loves that boy devotedly, and has adopted 4 children that were cast out for being squibs and given to a torturer, McNair. And now he is sponsoring other magical children at his home in Los Angeles and they all seem to be very happy and loved."
"By all the stars in the heavens," said Bane. "I would have thought him a harsh and powerful Lord, not a doting father. He met with our tribe to ask permission to hunt the spiders and I, I foolishly in my bitterness insulted him. He looked into my eyes and I saw the hellfire in his and fainted like a frightened colt. The Herd made me Liaison as punishment and to learn, and I guess I have."
The Centaur stood still for a moment and then smiled at Filius. "My Noble friend. When next you write to Lucifer, tell him that I am well taught by him, and that I apologize and hope to do better by my herd and tribe."
"I will be delighted to," said Filius.
XXX
Meanwhile, Harry and Neville were working in the garden while their Gardening Tutor, a wizard named Fred, commented on their work and taught the others, who were behind compared to Harry and Neville, Harry because of his childhood as a house elf in the Dursley home and Neville because of his great love of plants and gardening.
Draco was much more interested because they were selling plants as fresh food in the restaurant tomorrow, and Hermione was excited to be learning with friends who didn't treat her horribly. She had never done yard work, but was excited to plant and harvest with the others. Trixie was also helping and taking notes. Learning this way instead of at school was way more fun. She wanted to grow flowers only at first, but had changed her mind after Harry gave everyone a fresh salad. The fresh salad greens and tomatoes were a rush!
When their 2 hours of lessons on herbs were complete, Harry popped everyone to the Lux kitchen and made cookies and snacks. Then they went back to their work, and Harry made a flue call to Director Amelia Bones' office where a secretary told him she would get the Director for him.
"Madame Bones, this is Harry Morningstar," he said politely, when a solemn looking woman came to the fire, "May I speak with you for a moment?"
"I have a few moments put aside for you, Mr. Morningstar," she said just as politely.
"I'm working on providing aurors with a muggle phone with applications that runs on ambient magic. I would like a list of rules for aurors, regulations, wand ballistics, etc. Nothing top secret or classified, just things that an auror would find handy in the field on a communication device that also takes pictures, and stores data."
The dignified woman with the monocle looked surprised and then interested.
"I will have the information sent to you Mr. Potter. If it works, it may save lives," she said smiling at him.
Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry
Dad, Mom and the littles came home and Harry rushed up and hugged them in excitement. Trixie followed him and hugged everyone happily. Dad grinned and then said, "Dinner, it's my turn!" and popped out of sight. Harry smiled, he had prepped tender steaks and they were ready in the kitchen for cooking. They didn't have a lot of red meat in their diet, it was used more as a flavoring then a meal, so today would be a treat.
The meal was impressive and everyone went to bed with full tummies.
The next day, an extremely tired eagle owl arrived on the balcony with a package. Harry immediately opened the doors and brought in the poor creature and gave it water, food, and a lovely perch in a darkened area so it could rest. Harry then returned and took the package to the other children, where he expanded to package to reveal a library of rules and regulations.
He ran to his business partners and they excitedly went over everything. "Photography at crime scenes," said Hermione, "Sketches of suspects when photographs are not available," suggested Trixie, who knew more than the rest about police needs, "Rules that can be pulled up to show they are laws," said Draco, "or to check when people claim otherwise," Neville grinned, "Rare magical plants and poisons with pictures." They got to work.
"We need to teach the magicals about finger printing," said Trixie. "Better yet, Magical signatures and finger prints for squibs and no-mags" said Neville thoughtfully.
"We can do a lot of this ourselves, but we need Dad's help too. I really think this is going to be wonderful," said Harry
"Gran is going to love it," said Neville and his face shown with excitement. The children were not only learning about developing a business, but learning practical and clever applications for magic of all disciplines. They were almost ready to give a presentation to Lucifer that Friday. Draco and Hermione were going to give the presentation. Then the whole group was going to devote Saturday to the restaurant, and start a line of baked goods to sell along with serving meals, while Trixie was going to do her first werewolf bane.
Life was good.