A/N Hello all, um well, I received a rather….not nasty, but prickly review if you can describe it that way telling me that I had to up the rating if I put lots and lots of graphic torture in my description. I would like to say to that reviewer who's name I will not reveal that if you read further on it says that I will give a warning in advance which to me means that I will up the rating and give a written warning in advance to all the chapters.

So if that bothered anyone else I apologize I didn't think about it at the time, my mind works its own ways.

Another thing, sorry about the huge delay I am a Camp Counselor at the barn I ride at and I have another job and I went on vacation for a week so I didn't have a chance to write and to tell you the truth I had a HUGE case of writers block but today I have a great idea for this story so it should be moving along a little faster shortly.

IMPORTANT: In this chapter Hermione recites Demon History, pay attention to that it will be useful in the future.

ON WITH THE STORY!

Chapter Eight: The End Is Near and Finally Here

The silver haired demon, smiled, "Severus," the unfamiliar word passed his lips in a whisper of fatality, "sweet, sweet Severus, how long has it been, months, years, centuries…?" his lips twisted into a sneer of laughter, "you thought you could hide, Severus, thought you could run away with what you will soon become, but you can't hide, Severus, we will always be watching, to show you that, you…..are not alone,"


Severus sighed and shook his head with disbelief as he watched the three students struggle and fight but with no avail, they now only had half an hour left and they were no where close, he knew they wouldn't make it, unless some miracle happened to befall them, then it was impossible, but….he sighed again…Potter is in the group, Boy Wonder some how will manage to escape in time, with his dignity still intact, escaping by sheer dumb luck, like always, just like every other time he has escaped doing a formidable task.


"Hey, 'Mione I think I found something, a door, in the ceiling," Harry pointed towards the door engraved in the ceiling, "How do ya think we open it?"

"I suppose, we might be able to do another Light spell but instead of a bridge a staircase, those are a little more complicated, having to build upward instead of across, but I think we the necessary application of….."

Ron and Harry zoned her out as they began concentrating on the spell. They were still stuck in the room with the door to the Bogart, and have been searching high and low for some other means of escape. They were in no mood to here Hermione's rambling about spell differences.

Hermione realizing they had already started the stairs added her own power and slowly a bridge began to grow until it reached the engraved door which turned out not to be just an engraving.

They pushed it open and a bright light that looked like sunlight peeked shyly through.

"No way, it can't have been that easy," Harry said pushing it the rest of the way open and tumbling upwards and out of the doorway. They were in a field of blue and green fake looking, but real flowers. The sun was out and shining brightly giving off a faint warmness in the clear blue sky, not a cloud in sight.

At the end of the dreamlike field was a finish line, set-up like a muggle race ending line. Yellow ribbon you could run through and brake and all.

"This is a trick," Ron said drawing his wand that he had just put away, "it has to be,"

The other two did the same and formed the human triangle, backs facing inwards.

A clap of the thunder, rumbled through the field, wind began to blow and clouds rolled in. Angry storm heads rose and rain began to pour down and the dream field turned into a valley of hell in a nightmare.

Lightning crashed and illuminated the trees that began to moan and creak as their roots ripped out of the ground and leaves began to tremble in rage.

"What's happening?" Ron screamed.

"I DON'T KNOW!" Hermione snapped back.

And at that moment the rain stopped, the clouds disappeared, and all evidence that remained of the raging storm was the ripped up trees, and damp flowers.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS PLACE? I AM GOING TO FIND WHO CREATED THIS AND KILL HIM AND IF HE IS ALREADY DEAD I AM GOING TO SLAGUHTER HIM AGAIN! THIS GUY HAS SOME SCREWED HEAD OR SOMETHING!" Harry huffed and puffed and Hermione and Ron just watched knowing he wasn't going to stop until he was done.

"Finished, Potter?" a cool voice broke through ranting of the teenage wonder.

"Quite, actually," Harry said not registering who actually spoke to him.

"Professor?" Hermione looked at the black robed figure with confusion, "did we run out of time?"

Harry's mind clicked, "Professor Snape?" he blushed an amazing shade of red knowing Snape just saw and heard him throw a temper tantrum like a two year old.

"Yes, Ms. Granger, you did," He said as he pulled out his wand and muttered a drying spell at the trio.

Hermione looked dejected as the trio followed him through the valley towards the end which was closer than they thought.

"So, how far were we?" Ron shrugged.

"Not too far," they walked down a hill to a door in a small mountain that led to the same door they entered the maze in.

"I don't get it, what was with the storm and everything?" Hermione calculated her mind still running around with questions about their mistakes and mishaps and everything all together about that bit of magic.

"The storm signifies that you are out of time," Professor Snape led them back to the Potions classroom where he pointed at them to sit.

"You didn't finish in time for a few reasons, 1 I didn't really expect you to, 2 you picked the wrong door, and 3 you got the riddle wrong."

The trio groaned; they knew they got a little cocky on the last riddle so of course, he was going to point that out.


Severus smirked at the trio; no he didn't expect them too. It was a difficult maze, a seventh year maze that was used when dueling and training was practiced more profoundly when the school first open, "the maze was difficult, I was surprised you made it as far as you did." He commented casually to the group, "lessons are finished for today," he turned and made his way behind his desk, "tomorrow lessons will begin at nine sharp, don't be late," the trio balked at the abrupt dismissal. Severus didn't look up from his papers where he sat at his desk as they left.


They entered the Slytherin dormitories after dinner, their minds still reeling with the events of the afternoon.

"Wonder, why, Professor Snape, added so many books?" Hermione commented lifting a book from the shelf and flipping through it, it was titled, Dragon Magic: Secrets of the FireBreathers, "and why all the authors are Demons?"

"Demons?" Ron and Harry rose and eyebrow at each other, "and Hermoine," Harry added, "remember when we saw the cat thing for the first riddle, what was the Purple Star of Rekorian?"

Hermione smirked, "well, that cat thing, was a Cat Demon, and since it was a demon I figured it would only answer to Demon words, the Purple Star of Rekorian is the name for the female leader of the Demon Worlds. And it also means home or away from danger."

"You really read the whole DADA book last year didn't you?" Ron shook his head in amazement, "so are there real things as Demons? It's not just a myth?"

"Of course its not a myth, Demons are more powerful than Professor Dumbledore, Demons powers run on their emotion and each Demon is gifted with a special talent, the rarest is an Elemental Demon, they control the elements. According to Demon legend only 1 still exists and he is the supposed King of the Demons but he went into exile 20 years ago and hasn't been heard of by anyone. Elemental Demons are stronger than Professor Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort put together."

Harry's eyebrows rose, "so if we found this supposed King of the Demons, he could destroy Lord Voldemort?"

"He could, but would he?" Hermione said knowing where his thoughts were leading him, "and it's not like we could find him, he hasn't been heard of and he must have gone into exile for a reason."

A clearing of the throat broke off there conversation, "I would hate to interrupt such an intelligent conversation," a silky voice purred at them from the doorway, "but the Headmaster wishes your presences in his office before dinner," Professor Snape said with ease.

Hermione blushed lightly, for showing off how much she knew and how easily she could answer their questions.

"Follow me, please," Professor Snape said curtly turning to leave.

The trio shuffled after and Harry started their conversation again, "so Hermione, what else about Demons, who leads them now if the King is in exile?"

Ron just zoned them out as they continued to walk, he surprisingly knew the information. When Fred and George learned it in their fifth year he quizzed them on it to help them study.

"Well," she said hesitantly throwing a glance at the stiff back of their Potions Master in front of them, "a stewardess was placed on the throne in his stead, her name was Rekorian Delia Calth….Catri….can't remember her last name,"

"Catrithian Elistratoral," Professor Snape provided.

Hermione glanced at him, "that's it, Catrithian Elistratoral, thank you Professor," she turned back to Harry knowing she wasn't going to get a response, "she was placed on the thrown only to keep peace, she was a Dancing Demon, her powers could only be accessed through special dances, and she was very graceful and calm and is a very beautiful woman, I saw a picture in the book,"

Harry smiled at that, she learned everything from a book.

By that time they had reached the stone gargoyle.

Professor Snape walked forward, placed his hands, palms flat, on the cool stone and spoke quietly,

"By night and flame and shining rock

Open though thy hidden lock

Alberolingarn!"

For a moment nothing happened and then it slowly began to grind and turn till the hidden stair case was revealed.

"Dragon Magic Spell?" Hermione inquired lightly more to herself than to anyone, but Professor Snape answered.

"Yes, but a very simple one, you don't really have to have much magical talent to make it work." He knocked highly on the door and almost immediately it swung open.

"Aw…Severus, come in, come in," an annoyingly cheery voice invited them in.

"Professor Dumbledore, you know dragon magic?" Hermione asked without thinking.

Dumbledore didn't look surprised at all, "no, no, actually, that bit of magic Professor Snape taught me, he's the expert on Dragon Magic,"

Professor Snape amused and annoyed at the same time by the phrase, and Hermione just sat their looking thoughtful.


Albus Dumbledore, you give to much information to these children, the girl is too smart she will grow suspicious, but Severus I am glad to see you still remember the Demon Leaders name…..the thought trailed off in the Demon's mind and he turned to stare at the large Cat Demon next to him, "so Ani, what do you think?"

"About what?" she responded opening one eye, "Severus Snape?"

"Of course, think he will come back to us?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because he is a stubborn fool, and he left for a good reason, though the name doesn't suit his character very well, Tal,"

Tal raised an eyebrow at her and shook his head his silver eye's dancing and flickering black every now and then.

End Chapter 8

So tell me what ya think. I still need a beta if anyone is interested. That Dragon Magic spell is NOT mine; it belongs to the author, Patricia C. Wrede, who wrote the Enchanted Forest Chronicles.

Is anyone out their linking any of the information together, I got an email that was a pretty close guess to who Tal (the silver-haired demon) is and how he is related to Severus, but guesses I would like to hear, and criticism is welcome so are ideas for the story.

Chapter nine is ready but I am going to wait a few days let people read chapter eight and think about it first and maybe review if they are interested. hint, hint

Tata.