The Devil as a Father, Chapter 29

Lucifer was lying in bed being professionally snuggled by 4 small vibrant souls. Daffodil was attempting to snuggle his right arm all by herself and doing a standup job. Rose was in his left arm with her head on his chest and one little hand over his heart. The boys had a leg apiece and had fallen asleep. He felt incredibly appreciated and wanted, and he felt love bigger than the biggest star he ever made in him just beaming at the little urchins. How on earth could anyone resist this incredible joy, this contentment, this urge to protect and nurture? He was the luckiest devil in all the universes. So much of the pain was gone, healed by Chloe's care, Harry's incredible kindness, by little sticky fingers and tiny snores of peace when they fell asleep. It was the truest magic he knew. And to think children had originally terrified him!

He thought of creating stars and wished he could show the children so they would know that was how big his love for them was. He lay ruminating on the idea when he remembered the magical construct that Sirius Black had obtained to share his memories of James and Lily Potter with them. They had bigger ones that projected memories to an audience that were used for law enforcement. The feelings of the memory were transmitted. He could share his memories of making the stars. He could also put in proper safety precautions for humans. It would be fun.

The next day, deciding that the older children had worked hard enough on their project for Madame Longbottom, and that the younger deserved more fun, Lucifer appeared with 20 different types of toy light savers. They were the expensive, yes-you-can-whack-each-other but not too hard type. They were different colors, lengths and sizes and all made lovely noises like in the movies.

After a lovely breakfast, Lucifer called them all together and brought out his loot. "I thought we should have an opportunity to play with these light sabers. No sticking anyone in the eye, or I'll take them away."

The entire child contingent began to jump up and down. After showing the little ones how to use the swords, by staging a fake fight with Maze, the entire group split into two teams and chased each other around the penthouse, studiously whacking each other and shrieking with glee. Even though they didn't have opposable thumbs, Aradia and Goldie chased with them. Maze was the best at the game, and extremely good at crawling into places and them leaping on unsuspecting players. Listening to Draco squealing like a girl was entertaining.

Daffodil's seer ability seemed to lead her to all those hiding from her. She actually snuck up on Maze and whacked her in the behind with her light saber. Maze made funny noises. Octy disappeared into shadows and only Lucifer could find him. Maze considered it a challenge. Rose's squeal of delight could be heard by dogs for blocks around. Hermione braved all the opposing team like a Griffindor, but showed sneakiness like a Slytherin and helped lead her team.

Dan and Chloe had so much fun as Dan ran around with a wide grin on his face, and Chloe's eyes sparkled with joy.

And Harry was by Lucifer's side, lit up with excitement and energy. They never decided who won, they just had a wonderful time. When it was over, the little ones were put down for a nap in the Master bedroom, and Harry snuggled next to his Dad. "Dad, you are the best," he whispered before he too fell asleep.

Lucifer was content.

Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry

The day of the children's business presentation, Lucifer was overjoyed with all the ideas the children had and was amazed at all the work they had done. "My children are all going to end up being millionaires while they are in school at this rate," he said proudly and possessively and hugged everyone, including Draco, Neville and Hermione.

Hermione blushed and smiled.

Harry grinned proudly, his dad was so excited. He had listened so patiently through their presentation too.

He handed a small cell phone to his Dad who switched it on and looked carefully through the different applications. Now he was amazed at how well the apps worked.

The camera took magical photographs and made exact measurements. There was an application that took readings of magical signatures and even named the spells.

"Dad, I forgot, Dobby helped us and so did Winky," Harry announced and felt bad that the little house elves had been overlooked. "They helped us map the magic, Dad, it was awesome."

Lucifer gently called the two house elves who had become part of the Morningstar Black family.

"I am very proud of you for helping the children," he said, "I suspect you were making sure they were safe as well."

Dobby practically was airborne with excitement, while Winky was merely proud and happy.

"We is happy to serve, Daddy Lucifer," said Winky, who just had to call Lucifer by some kind of title, and chose this, since Master seemed to displease him.

"As a reward, I'm going to let you cook with me tonight," said Lucifer and the two elves started dancing with joy. They had been very put out at not being allowed to cook, until they actually ate some of the food prepared by Harry and Lucifer. They hadn't said anything after that, but their pride had evidently taken a hit. "Cooking Lesson!" crowed Winky and Dobby actually did cartwheels all through the living room in his excitement.

Then they all sat together on the couch and went over how the applications worked and which ones they needed help with. Lucifer had great ideas and made a magical self-updating template that would make new cell phones as copies of the latest existing ones.

"I recommend making a phone that will be visible only to law enforcement," said Lucifer, and began to prepare runes and small wards.

Chloe walked into the room and smiled, "Can I sit in on this business meeting?"

"But of course, Darling, you can be one of our consultants," Said Lucifer with a snarky grin.

Chloe giggled. Harry sat next to her with Trixie on the other side and told her their ideas. They had fingerprinting, magic tracking, spell identification, up to 5 party conferencing, photos, photos that measured everything, an emergency alert that was meant to be the equivalent to no-mag 911 calls for officers, a database of laws, and a photo database that showed known felons.

Chloe looked at her rapidly growing family with great affection and wonder. "This is amazing."

She pointed out their magical version of a ballistic calculator and said, "This may be the greatest thing for the aurors, identifying and capturing data on who used magic may solve many crimes. Oh children, I'm so proud."

Her eyes glittered with proud tears.

Trixie shyly showed her how she had used magical math to make the applications work with Lucifer's help powering the phone with magic. "And this is so the officer on the scene can talk about what he is seeing and hand it in as a report. We made little quartz crystals that organize and store reports for each office given a phone. When they are ready, they can transfer the reports to the quartz and hand them in to be transferred to a huge old quartz, that holds enough memory to store all their files for the precinct."

"We're still working on transcription from voice to word. It has to be proofed by someone," said Neville rather shyly.

"What has this project taught you?" asked Chloe.

Harry sat up, "That Trixie is a math genius, that magic math can be used to turn no-mag computer applications into magical computer applications, that English English is different from U.S. English, that grammar is kind of interesting when it tells you about crimes, and that miniaturization by magic can make a good tool into a better tool."

Chloe rewarded them all with a kiss and hugs. They planned on presenting their concept and the phone to Headmaster Flitwick, who was going to visit them tomorrow. While he was too busy to teach them charms, he did go over their charm work with them once a month. He also dueled with Maze and they both gave them all lessons in defense. Maze loved the half goblin and spent a lot of time trying to get him to blush.

Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry

When Filius Flitwick arrived the next day, he had people with him, a red-haired boy who made Hermione get up and hide behind Lucifer, and the boy's parents.

Narcissa Black stood up and walked forward graciously. She put an arm around Draco's shoulder.

The Weasley's looked around in curiosity and the boy looked rebellious and angry. Chloe stood and walked over to her adopted son Harry and put her arms around his shoulder and Trixie's.

"Greetings my Lord," said Flitwick, "Before we start our usual session, the Weasley family wanted their son to apologize to you. He is still expelled from school and I won't take him back for apologizing, but I felt it only fair to give him an opportunity to start making better."

The couple looked at Lucifer and bowed. The woman smacked Ron Weasley upside his head, which made Chloe's eye's narrow, and the boy bowed, but he still looked more like he wanted to yell insults, instead of apologizing.

The man spoke sadly, "I'm truly sorry to see that Ron is still being stubborn," he said.

The woman blushed even red, but said nothing.

Chloe said quietly, "Mrs. Weasley, do you always have to hit him to get him to mind?"

Mrs. Weasley looked embarrassed but nodded sternly, "He is sullen and doesn't work unless he gets a good smack or a spanking. He is my greatest disappointment."

Harry didn't like Ron, but now he felt a bit sorry for him. When he made mistakes, he might be punished but never hit. Indeed he thought it would kill his Dad to smack him. He stared at this weird family that felt disappointment for a child.

"Well, Lad, will you say your piece?" asked Headmaster Flitwick kindly.

"I apologize, Miss Granger, for treating you badly," the boy said, nothing kindly or rueful in his voice at all but an edge of respect was there, probably because Dad was there.

Harry almost laughed at the thought but kept silent.

Then he noticed that the boy had a pet rat in his front shirt pocket, which was asleep and snoring. Without a wand, he sent a gentle mental probe to the creature and staggered. This was a human, like Sirius Black was a human but could be an animagus, which in his case was a Grim, a large black dog.

"Dad, he's got an animagus in his pocket." Said Harry, trying not to be rude or anything, but honestly, weirded out.

"What?" said Ron Weasley, "That's my pet rat, Scabbers."

Lucifer stared at the rat and then nodded, "Scabbers is a human in rat form," he said and gently removed the rat from Ron's pocket and set it on the floor. He snapped his fingers, and suddenly an ugly fat rat-like man lay there sleeping.

Sirius Black happened to be there, and suddenly pulled his wand, "That's the man who betrayed Harry's parents and caused their deaths," he said in a hate-filled hiss.

Lucifer snapped his fingers again, and the man was bound in ropes and chains, and still slept.

"Don't hurt him, Sirius," he commanded, "This will help greatly in getting you exonerated in the magical courts. Madame Longbottom was able to do much to get you your freedom, but this is evidence.

Mrs. Weasley stared at the little ugly man and suddenly shrieked. "He's been sleeping with my children?"

"I'm afraid so, Mrs. Weasley," said Lucifer very sympathetically.

Harry shuddered, he knew what she was talking about.

And Mrs. Weasley didn't pull her wand, she rushed forward and started to kick the man over and over again. And Harry suddenly was angry too. He rushed forward and kicked the horrible man in his behind and yelled. "You awful man, what did you do to the Weasley Family?"

Lucifer gently pulled Harry away from the now awake and squealing Pettigrew, and Harry was embarrassed but looked up, shamed, and saw Ron staring at him with something like interest.

"Why do you care?" asked Ron, "I thought you were a snake."

"I'm not in any house at Hogwarts," said Harry, while Chloe, Dan and Mr. Weasley pulled Mrs. Weasley away from the transformed rat.

"No kid should be hurt by adults like he could have hurt all of you," said Harry passionately, "I hope he didn't do anything bad to you."

Mrs. Weasley was now crying, and Mr. Weasley was patting her shoulders and whispering endearments to her. Ron looked confused.

Lucifer was at his open fire place calling Amelia Bones, who was there quickly with a team of aurors to pick up Peter Pettigrew. Lucifer had Sirius leave the room, he didn't want any misunderstandings.

Chloe and Harry fetched cookies and hot tea and served everyone. Ron really lit into the cookies and Hermione sat with Lucifer, as did Draco, who had been treated rudely by the by Ron in the past.

"As your host this evening," said Lucifer, "I would like to offer the medical skills of the goblins to check all the children who were exposed to that sniveling creature. I'm trying to convince the Wizarding world that the Goblins are wonderful healers and it would be a special favor to me, if you could see your way to allow it?" Lucifer was being gentle, he knew from past conversations that this was not a rich family, and was hoping to help them.

Narcissa piped up, "Lord Morningstar did the same for me and Draco, with all the spells Malfoy put on us, and the punishments he enacted. They were wonderful. I recommend them."

Mrs. Weasley looked up at her with tear-reddened eyes and said, "Punishments?"

"Father tortured Mother," said Draco in a very firm voice, "He tortured Harry too, and I tried to help him when his family came for him. The goblins are very good healers, I had all sorts of spells and nasty compulsion things on me from him trying to teach me to be like him. The goblins got rid of all of them."

Mr. Weasley was surprised, "I had no idea."

"Yes," said Lucifer as though they were doing him a huge favor, "Their many skills are often overlooked, and they have rather better medical spells than the so called master healers at Saint Mungo's. Please accept this and tell me what you think. It would be a huge favor."

Mr. Weasley looked conflicted, but Mrs. Weasley grabbed his hand and said, "please." And she smiled at Lucifer and Harry. "You practically have your own school here, Lord Morningstar, and all the children seem happy and healthy."

Draco rolled his eyes and Hermione looked vaguely ill. Harry looked concerned and a little sad.

Lucifer noted all this, and looked over at Chloe who spoke to him mentally, "Darling, the boy is a bit abused himself. It's turned him sullen and mean."

He looked over at Narcissa who used her ring to speak to him, "My Lord, the boy obviously needs help and kindness. His family has 7 children and I think perhaps Ron feels cast aside. Perhaps he would do better with us."

Lucifer looked very sternly at Ron. "Ron, do you not want to learn anything in school?"

Ron got a stubborn frown on his face, "My brothers are all smart. I'm stupid. Why should I try?"

Hermione looked surprised and frowned, "I always thought you were lazy, but never stupid, Ron. Besides, what we are doing is learning while having fun."

Ron looked suspiciously at the girl he had tormented so badly, "I don't understand what you mean."

Harry stood up and said, "We started a company, we are going to make and sell communication devices that are based on muggle technology. We are going to see if the aurors can use them."

"

You're just kids, how could you do that?" Ron was skeptical.

"Well, we are learning math and arithmancy to test things, and doing it as a project. Dad helped us but we have been doing the work. Next, if Madame Longbottom likes the idea, she is going to buy them from us. Next Dad and I are going to make special wards for Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic and other places that need them. Dad's way of making wards is different."

Draco took a chance, "Also we have a little restaurant that we make the meals for, and we use the profits to make food for the homeless in Los Angeles. We only work two days a week, but its getting popular. Harry is the best cook."

Now, Ron Weasley happened to love food in all forms, and this got his interest.

"Yes," said Narcissa, seeing a spark in a face that had been sullen before, "He made the cookies we've been enjoying."

Ron looked down at the cookies, "These cookies are WICKED," he said, "they are good as my mum's cookies." Then he got a curious look, "I didn't know men can bake. I thought only girls could do that. Mom never has me help in the kitchen."

Harry piped up, "Dad cooks too. He is the best. He's better than house elves, and he's been giving the elves lessons when he's happy with them."

Ron looked astounded. "I'd love to learn to make cookies like these. I don't think I'm smart enough for the rest though."

"He can beat almost everyone at Hogwarts at Chess," said Neville. "You have to be really smart to play chess. That means you are smart."

Lucifer smiled at Neville. He knew that Neville didn't care much for Ron, he had managed to insult almost everyone in the family. "Would you like to play a game?" he asked.

Ron smiled and looked a much nicer person. "Yes, I'd love to," he said respectfully.

So they played. Lucifer had been playing all forms of chess for thousands of years, and was impressed with the boy. He beat him, but after a long and difficult battle."

Ron looked sad, but Harry and Hermione said to him, "Lucifer beats everyone at chess. He's been playing the game since the beginning of civilization, and you gave him quite a run. You are good."

"Yes," said Lucifer, "that was a great game."

"Thanks, Lord Morningstar," said Ron and the boy seemed happy.

"Well what do you think?" said Lucifer, "Do you want to give us a try?

Ron looked around the interesting house and the people who seemed rather nice. Even Draco, who he'd been rather hateful to, was being nice."

"Yes." He said.

"Now remember, we have rules," said Chloe, "No calling names, no hitting, no taking toys from others, that kind of thing. No insults."

"Okay, I'll try," said Ron.

Draco looked over at Harry and smiled, "Shall we offer him a membership in our business?"

Harry looked at Trixie, Neville and Hermione. They all nodded.

"You can join our business if you want. We think we are going to make money."

"Wow," said Ron, "That would be wicked."

So Ron was allowed into their home and school. Whether he would prove a new friend or not remained to be seen.