Harry was about to greet his mother, but Kikyo caught his arm and shook her head. Kikyo glared at Ron as he was about to open his mouth.
"I think she's planning something..." Kikyo whispers. As she read into the aura of Maria.
Harry's eyes go wide as he move move his two human friends away from ground zero.
Maria took in the classroom. "I believe this is not the time nor the place to speak to you, I will see you at Dinner." she turned and with a sweep of her gown, she left.
"Umm Harry, that was your mum right." Ron asked in a whispered tone making sure no one heard him.
"Yes, I know her scent anywhere." Harry replies, as he went back to work.
After Maria left the potion's classroom, she left the school and crossed the turret and went down to Hagrid's hut, another one of her friends from her time here when she was bit younger.
Hagrid was working in his gardens getting it ready for the spring when fang starts to barking.
Maria knelt down and allowed the boar hound to sniff her head. "That's a good, cousin." she petted the dog before raising back up.
"No see here what is this nonsense going on if it you, Malfoy. I swear by Merlin's beard, I'll tan your hide like your father should have." The half-giant said in a grumble.
"I believe I am not male nor a Malfoy. Considering, I'm old enough to have started their wretched line." Maria states, as she came up behind Hagrid, "Good Afternoon, my old friend."
"Maria, goodness, its so good to see once again." He picks her up and hugs her tight, the only way he knows.
Maria gasped out a laugh, she was set down. "There is something that I am going to reveal to the Professors and Albus, but I rather you hear it from me first, my friend."
"Oh and whats that."
"You know that I am married in the human sense of the word, but you do not know who my husband is, nor his role and mine is in our world, the Demonic Realm. The truth is my husband is the current Lord of the Demonic Realm and I am his Lady." Maria replies, "I am Lady Maria Taisho, Lady of the Demonic Realm, and Western Lands of Japan."
Hagrid's jaw falls open in surprise. "Bloody hell, Maria, i alway figure you were important but not like this and your Harry's mum as well, well i have to say thank you for raising a fine boy indeed."
"I'm only doing what's right and what Lily would have wanted. I doubt James would like how his son is turning out. Without the pranking..." Maria replies, "I am here to observe Shippo's class again and assign him an assistant if he needs it."
"Ahhh well thats good even if the professor does a great job and with lady Kikyo there to help."
"Yes, Kikyo is good but she has so much on her shoulders for one so young" Maria replies, "The only person, who could figure me out by my posture was Lily, how I miss her." she turned to look at the castle, and seen ghosts of a different past flash in her mind's eye.
"To tell you the truth Maria I miss them as well." The man wipes his eyes.
Maria reached for the bigger man's hands. They shared a moment of mourning before she released him. "I know someone, who has a passion for gardening."
"But Harry, thats a lad, thats gonna go far, i can tell." Hagrid replies Oh lady Kikyo, yes she does."
"That's all I can hope for as a mother." Maria replies, "I was talking about Kikyo..this person is a half demon, who is so afraid of everything, he lives within the confine of the Estate."
"Well I can always use a hand here if can convince them to come here, I'll gladly give them work."
"I'll work on it." Maria replies, "I will see you later."
"Of course Maria feel free to come by for something."
A short time later, everyone was in the great hall for supper. Everyone was talking about the woman that showed up during potions and dressed Snape down.
Maria quietly entered the hall. "I just love rumors about me. To bad, you little children don't have any sense."
Harry just looks up and smiles as he smells Maria just giggles.
Maria nodded "So I caused some commotion, did I?" she grinned "Where have I learned that from, hmmm?"
"It couldn't be from us, fox demons." Shippo answers, with a grin of his own. "But I do love the sour look on my former student's face."
Harry and Ron just laugh and look at the head table and the sour look on Snape's face.
"Some of the Professors may remember me from my time here to observe the classes taught on Demonic History, do I assume correctly?" Maria questions
They all nod and smile most are smiling with a fond memories. "Have you come to observe the class once more?"
"Yes, but most importantly, answer questions that Shippo is forbidden to answer. I was directed by the Lord and Lady of the Demonic Empire, who I happen to know very well." Maria replies, she was waiting for someone to ask the obvious question.
As Ravenclaw ask "ma'am who are the lord and lady of the demon realm?"
"Sesshomaru Taisho and his mate the Lady Maria Taisho, by the way, my name is Maria Taisho." Maria replies, she held up a hand to forestall the students that were half-demons from getting up.
A gasp was heard through out the hall then several voices began asking questions, Hermione turned on Harry.
Maria whistled shrilly. "You see I have this little problem with my ears, I don't like a lot of noise..so everyone quiet down!"
They all stopped and turned to look at her with a look of wonder, Hermione looking from her to Harry.
"Well then lady Maria how can we be of further help to you." Professor McGonagall asked.
"Just the same as the last time, I will observe Shippo's class and decide if he needs an assistant with more authority to get in contact with us at the estate." Maria replies, "I am also here because I made a promise, to my son that one of his assignments will be called into question."
Snape scowled and muttered "I stand by my decision no matter the case."
"Then you are not a friend of my late sister." Maria snarled, she turned on her heel and left.
"Unwise of you, Severus." Shippo states, as he leapt from the table and went after his friend. "Stay here, Harry."
"But professor." Harry said his jaw open in shock.
"Just do as he says for once in your life." Kikyo snapped as she stood up and went after the two demons.
"But i always do as I'm told Kikyo."
Shippo follows Maria to the courtyard behind the great hall.
"I almost lost my control of my emotions. I can't believe it." Maria states, "Shippo, what if I really let loose and transform here?"
"After all these centuries, you're still afraid of your inner self?" Shippo questions
"Of course, I'm afraid, this is a school and my son is here."
"You are mistaken, and you do not see yourself clearly." Kikyo replies, "I've known you for years. I know you are able to seek help should you need it."
"Yes Kikyo, i agree with you, Maria has plenty she can call in for help and she knows it as well."
"I may not be able to help you with your medical needs however, I am still your Priestess, you can trust me to keep your secrets." Kikyo states
"Thank you, Kikyo, i do appreciate all you do and all you have done as well." Maria stands and makes her way back to the hall.
"Look, I didn't tell you for the same reason, I detest being looked at like a sacrificial lamb!" Harry exclaims as he stared at Hermione.
"But Harry, your Mum and dad are the lord and lady of the demon world."
"So you would have been my friend from the start if you knew I was a Prince? Doesn't say friendship, it says shallow." Harry replies, he left the table and the hall.
"Harry, I never cared about that its just shocking i mean i understand now when you said DPA would be better but do really think I'm that shallow?"
"It kinda does." Richard replies, his green slitted eyes glanced at Hermione. "What do you see when you look at me, Ms Granger?"
You mean besides a pest in charms, a joker, and someone i wouldn't mind having as a friend."
"Feathers floating equal cat toys in my book, but yes." Richard replies
"You cost me three feather your furball."
"I can't help it. I'm half-cat after all." Richard purred
"Hermione looks crossed at him "oh no, you don't you're not tricking me this time."
Harry walk down the hall heading towards Gryffindor tower and his bed.
Maria hated camping but she hated being cooped up in a castle, so she was relaxing in a tree by the forest. As she lay against the trunk, she felt several eyes upon her.
Someone came near to her tree "You shouldn't be so close to the wood, its dangerous here."
"So am I." Maria responds
She heard hooves moving closer to her "I don't see how a human can be dangerous here."
"Whoever said I was human. I am a demoness." Maria replies
"I don't think so the last Demoness here was close to 20 years ago just before the war started."
"I am the same demoness that was here, twenty years ago, they are more demonic beings then just me." Maria states
"Ahh interesting," he then looks to the sky "Mars seems very bright today."
"Centaurs predicating the future by the stars, I should have known by the scent of horse." Maria states airily, as if she didn't believe a word of what the creature said.
"As you wish." And she hears walk away.
The next morning comes and Harry is the first into the great hall for breakfast as he was trying to avoid everyone this morning.
Maria leapt from her tree and landed gracefully as a cat on her feet, she walked up to the castle with a fond smile on her lips. "So many memories of this place, so many generations of students, so much power..." she stopped as she replayed the last line. "Power that's it, that's what the rogues are amassing for..." As she enter the castle her mind still deep in thought she thinks she hears someone talking about the stone. Following her acute hearing, she found the trio.
Harry froze in mid-sentence as he felt his mother behind him. "Mother, good morning, did you sleep well." He turns to face her with a smile.
"I've known you for your entire life, you don't think I know when you're up to something?" Maria questions, her eyes hard as she stared at her son.
"Mother for once all we were doing was just talking about the stone."
"Which you shouldn't be talking about it at all. Someone might think you're up to something." Maria states
"Mother after both Kikyo and you warned me not to I know better than to even try."
"Something is amiss in this school, and I sense something wrong...I think I am going to write your father and see if my gracious mother-in-law has anything to track down a soul piece." Maria shuddered at the thought of asking the Lady-Mother for help.
"Umm grandmother but she hates humans you told me so."
"She hates me even more. But she can't complain because I make her son happy." Maria replies
"But you said you haven't heard from her since the twins were born." Harry feeling nervous about his demon grandmother.
"That's because she doesn't want to be reminded of our past dispute." Maria replies, "But don't worry, I won't let her near you."
"I know you will mother."
"Harry, what is so bad about your gran?"
"My mother-in-law, isn't like myself, who cares for humans. She still carries resentment that her mate left her for a human woman and fathered a half-demon with her." Maria answers
"Well that not fair." Hermione replies shocked.
"Hermione, life's not fair, I learned that lesson long ago."
"Keep in mind, that my mother-in-law wasn't raised in this era." Maria replies, "Five hundred years ago, humans were nothing to demons, except one thing."
"Yeah, food " Harry answers
Maria didn't correct her son, much to Hermione's horror.
"And the worst part the rouges still believe it." Harry states
"Speaking of, I must speak with Professor Dumbledore and Shippo." Maria replies, "Go outside, enjoy the sunshine, do not go anywhere until I know what is to do." she turned and left. Her aura lashing out as a summons for Shippo to find her.
"Mother is upset" as Harry drags both his friends out side.
A short time later, Shippo met Maria outside Dumbledore's office.
"Lemon Drops." Shippo states the password and the entrance to Dumbledore's office.
They both walk in to find the old wizard sitting reading an old scroll.
Shippo's tail was twitching as Maria gave him something that had merit as to why the rogues were trying to defeat their world. "Albus, you need to call an emergency meeting of the staff."
"Very well i will summon them all at once." He stands and grabs some power from the fire place and tosses it in and sticks his head in the fire." All staff to my office at once emergency meeting."
Maria took center stage once every member of the staff was here. "I have tried to keep this under the ivy bush, but I just realized that might have been folly on my part...but I have just realize that Hogwarts might be a target for rogue demons, who wish for the old ways back."
A general murmur goes through the room, Maria can hear the same words "But how and why we never dealt with the demon that much."
"That's where Kikyo and Noriko come into the fold." Shippo states, "and myself, of course. Along with the half-demons of the school, I am sure if they are told, they will be more willing to protect their fellow students."
"Yes, the civilized demons value half-demon abilities." Maria replies, "But if you see like a dark cloud on a normal sunshiny day, get everyone back inside and allow those who have fought countless hordes of demons know."
"Of course, lady Maria, we will do as you order,can we do anything else to to help defend our school."
"If you see Harry running toward the fighting...Tackle him, magical means or bodily." Maria states.
"Why would he run towards the fighting most would run away?" Professor Sprout asked confused.
"Because he has dog traits, what's a dog's family?" Maria replies
"A pack of course." Then it dawn on her. "Very well Lady Maria we will do as you command."
"Harry is exactly like Lily in that regard. He would lay down his life for those he deems worthy. He wants so much to make his family proud, adopted and blood family..." Maria states
"Well what child doesn't want to do that but young Harry does take it to extremes some times" Professor Flickwick says thoughtfully.
"I would suggest safe areas, say an empty classrooms on each level depending on where the students are, they can go there. I will work with Kikyo and add barriers to protect those rooms." Shippo states, "I suggest the Heads of House talk to the Perfects, and explain the situation to them in no simple terms."
"Yes we can do all that and make sure every head of house and prefect can and will stop Taisho from entering any fight."
"We know what to do, let's get to it." Maria then turned to Shippo and reverted back to a language they both knew. "I need the Tetsusaiga but I don't want to leave the school, and if I send to Sesshomaru, he's going to come unglued."
"Maria don't worry with in the hour I'll have it here and you best go see your son i fear he's gone hunting again."
Maria took off with a growl and ran through the halls, all the students felt was a gust of wind.
Harry was at the lake. "Hermione, its safe me and the twins do it all of the time." Was Maria heard as she found her son and his friends."
"Do what with the twins all the time." as Maria leaned against the tree trunk with her arms cross.
"We were just gonna hide and seek with me seeking."
Maria shook her head. "That isn't for humans to play, that is a demonic game that sharpens hunting skills." she closed her eyes and turned sharply, as she felt a demonic aura that wasn't supposed to be here.
Harry crouched low a snarl escapes his lips his hand falls to his dagger as he pulls Ron and Hermione behind him. Maria step in front of them, her aura spreading out, intent on finding the intruder. "Harry, you are no match for full grown demons" Maria states, as she got into a guard position, her child could be in danger and she wouldn't stand for that.
"But momma you always said to defend any weaker than us and they're my friends." Harry snarls more.
"and I also said not to disobey me when I tell you not to do something and fighting a full grown demon and a fully fledged at that is not a good idea." Maria snarled back as a huge snake demon slithered into the grounds.
"Guys, don't move mother will handle this but be ready to move." Harry tells them in a soft voice.
Maria didn't have a choice, she didn't have Tetsusaiga. She allowed her inner self to take over, her aura swirled and she transformed into her true form and launched herself at the demon.
Harry saw this and easily grabs his two human friends and runs back to the castle.
Shippo was there and grabbed the three students, "Are you three alright?"
Uncle Shippo, momma, giant snake ,lake ." Was all harry could get out since the run did tire him.
"Sakura!" Shippo roared, the vixen nods and took the three students to Shippo's office, as the fox demon ran out of castle to help his friend and Lady.
Harry was shaking as he held his friends close." Momma will be fine right, Sakura?"
"She survived this long, she's a tough demon. She has something worth fighting for, you are her child, she is a mother and will fight tooth and claw to protect what is hers." Sakura replies, as she fixed tea for the three students.
Harry looks out to the lake worried and wishing he could help some how lile he knew the twins would he wished he was full demon just to prove he can help. Sakura felt the flux of Harry's aura in the room.
"Enough of your self-pity party, If Maria feels your aura, she won't be able to fight." Sakura snapped
"Yes auntie." He teases in Japanese.
"I'm not your aunt yet." Sakura replied in the same tongue.
"Might as well be you both love each other right" he makes it a statement not a question.
"Hai, We do, but its not simple, the Wizarding World only considers one an adult when we are seventeen." Sakura replies
"They are so backwards sometimes."
"Yes, I'm older then I look but the wizarding world doesn't care about age like that..." Sakura replies
"You could always just stay home and help Uncle Shippo with the tribe."
"I can't, I must learn to control my human magic." Sakura replies
Harry sighs and the perks up and yips. "Momma's coming, she won." He tries to untangle his sleeping friends "blast it, Ron you and your big feet."