Though this time of year was never a pleasant one, for even if her family did possess the means to spend the day in relative comfort it was unnerving to know that over half of Hell's population was being butchered, Octavia nevertheless found herself more out of sorts than usual.

Of course, she had no real reason to be in such an emotional state considering that no one she cared about was in immediate danger of drawing the attention of those sadistic Angels.

But since Harry was safely in the Human world, and her father banned from interacting with her mother until he did something to 'wipe the stain' of being an Imp lover, the teenaged owl Demon only had her mother to talk to during this violent time.

And sadly even she was unable to provide her with any degree of comfort thanks to her uncle's narcissistic personality.

"I support your decision to finally separate from that Stolas my dear sister, even IF it would have been better to do so when you still had your looks and my darling niece wasn't too corrupted by her father. But couldn't you have waited until AFTER the Extermination to come running back to the family? I know timing has never been your strong suit, but one cannot deny that I am feeling a bit cramped in here since I was forced to throw out my servants to make room for you."

Briefly glancing around the luxurious bunker, which was far bigger than what lay underneath her father's mansion despite the fact that her Uncle Andrealphus had no one to share it with, Octavia found herself agreeing with her mother's retort.

Though perhaps not with her choice of words.

"Forgive me brother. I hadn't realized that my decision to finally follow your advice to separate from my pathetic husband would have imposed on your clearly cramped lifestyle. Though if memory serves, your servants were never allowed in the family bunker. Apart from the occasional service you need them to provide."

Which roughly translated to 'anything that he was too lazy to do for himself.'

But due to his position, there were only a scant few Demons in Hell who could make her uncle do something he didn't want to.

Her mother sadly was not one of them.

She could bargain with him.

And perhaps make him believe that certain courses of action were to his benefit.

But at the end of the day, if her blue feathered uncle didn't want to do something, he wouldn't do it.

"That's the whole point of being a noble Stella. You tell people what to do, and they do it regardless of whether or not they risk their lives carrying it out. But enough talk about how I spend my life. Lets talk about yours. I trust that after today's bloodletting you'll continue with your attempts to fully distance from your disgrace of a husband? I wont do much to help you of course since I am too busy with my own affairs. But if you wish to use my name to advance your pitifully low standing, I will strive not to complain too much."

Seeing her mother give a nod in answer, Octavia was felt her eyes widen in concern as her uncle decided to list some conditions for his 'help'.

"Good. Of course since Stolas's romantic choices are also now revealed to be flawed, I'm sad to say that I must now take a more direct role in your daughter's future. Unless of course you could convince your father-in-law to do something for your little chick. But I view that as unlikely considering Paimon has never been the most attentive of parental figures."

Considering her grandfather had sired hundreds of children, and only ever deigned to visit them to discuss matters concerning the continued relevance of the Goetia family, attentive was definitely not a term that could be used to describe the shape-changing Demon.

But it was her uncle's next declaration of parental responsibility that truly worried her.

"I don't not think it will take much effort to convince the rest of the family to help limit Stolas's time with the girl since it's obvious that she's already begun to pick up his…social habits. I trust you realize that I will not be allowing her to socialize with that Imp adopted brat while you're using my hospitality to rebuild your social connections. I do have a reputation to maintain after all.

Knowing that he was speaking about Harry, and suspecting that her mother would make this concession, the teenaged owl Demon fought the urge to smile as her mom managed to come up with an argument that even her vain peacock of an uncle couldn't reject.

"If the boy was merely a student of my former husband, I would agree with you brother. For despite having SOME modicum of potential, his connection with Stolas would make it difficult to go far. But since the King of Hell appears to have a vested interest in the boy, perhaps it would better if Octavia continued to foster the link between them. At least for the time being."

Though she was pleased that her mom recognized her friendship with Harry as something that shouldn't come to an end just because of their family situation, Octavia was understandably concerned by how her uncle reacted to this news.

"Then perhaps when I have the opportunity to do so I should inquire if our sovereign would prefer to have someone else take charge of the boy's training. Of course, I would have to test the boy to make sure just how much of an effort I have to expend to fully erase Stolas's influence, but I'm confident that like all my endeavors I will meet only with success."

Tuning out the narcissistic drama queen that was her relative, idly noting that her mother seemed to have done the same while her brother continued to boast of his supposedly superior accomplishments, Octavia found herself wondering how both her father and best friend were currently enduring this bloody day.

Her father was probably doing his best to seek comfort from his Imp lover, for despite the separation being his fault the former circus performer had once again been invited to shelter in her dad's bunker.

Along with the Mutt and Harry's parents.

And Harry, safe from the attentions of the Exorcists thanks to being in the Human World, he would probably be doing his very best not to give certain magic users the chance to see just how bloody Hell could be during this time of year.

She knew he had restraint, her mother wouldn't have consented to teach him if he wasn't capable of reigning in his more violented impulses. But since he had to wait until later that evening to find out if his friends and family managed to survive the day without becoming a target for an Angel's spear, the teenaged owl Demon suspected that perhaps her green-eyed friend was channeling the more hair-trigger tendencies of the Mutt.

She would have to all for Hedwig as soon as the all-clear sounded.

Partly to show concern for his understandably anxious mental state. But also to see if perhaps if her trigger-happy friend had wracked up a body count of his own.

…

"Potter! Pay attention! I know that the Herbicide potion is not what one would call the most exciting of concoctions. But considering I would have to deal with the initial mess should you fail to follow simple instructions, I would appreciate it if you stopped daydreaming about whatever pitiful fantasy you might possess and concentrate on the here and now."

Ignoring the mocking laughter of the Slytherins, if only because he had no doubt they would prove to be a useful stress relief once he was out of this so called classroom, Harry wasted no time in offering a mock nod of apology.

"I'm sorry professor. I was just thinking of another potion I had come across in my free time. One that in my mind is more valuable than something brewed to kill common weeds."

Smirking as the room went silent, for even if the enmity between them was well known, the sight of an eleven-year-old challenging the sadistic greasy-haired bat was an uncommon phenomenon, the green-eyed Hufflepuff was largely unconcerned as Snape responded to his insult.

"Is that right? Then I suppose you wouldn't mind sharing with the rest of us the potion that you have deemed more important then the one I, an acknowledged master off the subject, has deemed appropriate for your age group."

At this Harry could only adopt an expression of innocence.

"The Sleekeazy's Hair Potion. I mean yeah it doesn't really appeal to me cause my hair looks fine the way it is. But since it's obvious that you've never used it, probably because my…dad's family made a killing off of it by selling it to other greasy-haired assho…"

"SILENCE! Thirty points from Hufflepuff, and two weeks detention for your cheek Potter."

Having succeeded in pissing off the man who should have long since been fired for his teaching style, Harry managed to keep his less-than-respectful attitude in check for the remainder of the class.

He probably would have been able to maintain his control if not for Granger's inability to mind her own business.

"Care to tell me why the school's rumor mill has you deliberately insulting a teacher? I know your not exactly one for following the rules, but surely even you would not be as foolish to challenge someone who, again if the rumors are anything to go by, wants to see you expelled."

Glaring at the bushy-haired Gryffindor, lamenting that he couldn't do something more extreme since the girl had the common sense to approach him while Tonks was currently there to intervene, Harry tried to keep his tone civil as he stared into the unimpressed expression of the know it all.

Emphasis on tried.

"Considering this school has done nothing to really punish certain snake-loving racists for their viewpoints, I sincerely doubt I'm in any danger of being expelled. Though I'm rather shocked that a girl who is doomed to follow in the footsteps of our beloved librarian is debasing herself by listening to school gossip. Didn't think you had it in you Granger."

Smirking as he watched his fellow first-year drop her look of superiority for one of angered embarrassment, the green eyed Hufflepuff was quickly reminded that there were worse annoyances at Hogwarts than the know it all.

"I wouldn't be so surprised Potter. Mudbloods are known for debasing themselves to get what they want. I mean, just like at your whore of a mot...GRKKK!"

It was a sign of his self-control that he didn't kill Malfoy with that blow considering how pissed off he was.

Sadly however, the sight of an eleven year old neck chopping his fellow student was still something that was best done in privacy instead of in the middle of the Great Hall.

Where the only teacher of authority was one that had a constant need to make up for his crappy childhood by taking it out on the offspring of his chief tormentors.

"POTTER! Fifty points from Hufflepuff for assaulting a student. And detention until the end of year!"

Casting a brief glance at the sadly still breathing Slytherin, whose inbred cronies at least had the common sense to bring their leader to the school's hospital wing, Harry glared challengingly towards the still mostly empty Head table.

"And what about Malfoy's punishment? Surely there should be some repercussions for using racial slurs and calling my…mother a whore."

Though in truth he could care less about someone saying anything negative about the woman who birthed him. However since this was the time of year when his mom had a very strong chance of being killed, Malfoy's words had triggered an immediate response before his mind could clearly make the connections to whom he was directing his insult to.

Snape of course continued to turn a blind eye to the actions of his little snakes.

Even though there were plenty of witnesses to back him up.

"Malfoy did start it, Professor!"

"Yeah! He was saying the same stuff he always does."

"Potter's reaction was…a bit over the top. But he was provoked."

"Honestly I would have done the same thing if he talked about my mother that way."

Surprised by that last admission, for it had been said by the Puff who was looking to get into a career of law enforcement, Harry was prevented from showing his appreciation for Tonks's support due to Snape's reaction to this show of rebellion.

"SILENCE! The next person who speaks will see fifty points from their house, and two weeks of detention."

"That…is going too far Severus."

While he enjoyed the sight of the greasy-haired bat having his authority cut from underneath him, Harry was less than pleased to be the focus of Dumbledore's displeased expression.

For even if it was loads tamer than what his parents could give him, let alone what Loona or Octavia could do, the green-eyed Hufflepuff knew that the aged headmaster would do more than just glare at him for what he had done to the hate spouting ferret.

"Mr. Potter, you will accompany me to my office. It appears that we have much to discuss."

Knowing that he had little choice in the matter, and ignoring the hushed whispers of his fellow students, Harry did his best to ignore the small feeling of fear that had sparked into being at Dumbledore's order.

Not because he was afraid of the man.

But because there was a possibility, however slim, that he had upset the plans of a higher power.

Though in his case it would be a lower one.

…..

While he was one of the few beings in Hell that was completely immune from his former brethren's attempts of population control, his beloved wife and daughter being the other two, that did not mean that he enjoyed the day any more than his subjects.

Not because he cared about his subjects. At least to the point where he would waste his valuable time helping them to obtain something that it was quite obvious that he would never obtain even IF he wanted it.

No.

His dislike for this particularly bloody day was because it was a reminder that he was still subject to the will of Heaven.

Of course, being one of the most powerful beings in existence ensured that he could ensure that his loved ones, and a select few of his more likable subjects and nobles, were able to endure the day without worrying about ending up on the wrong end of an angelic spear.

But the blatant reminder that his realm was still subject to the edicts of Heaven, even if it was just the one, was enough to put a damper on any of the amusement that he usually got from watching his weaker subjects call upon the God that had already turned his back on them.

Honestly, if it wasn't for his wife's prompting to at least act like he was indifferent to Hell's bloodletting, he would have just stayed in bed all day.

Reputation be double damned.

"Dear I wish you would stop sulking like that. I know today is not your favorite, nor is it mine. But you should at least try to keep up the appearance of an aloof ruler."

Shooting his wife a small smile, who was perhaps the only being in Hell who he would willingly accept a rebuke from, Lucifer wasn't sure if he should welcome the unlooked for distraction or not.

For while he always enjoyed spending time with the love of his existence, especially recently since she had been inspired to try out a new form of role play by transforming into a giant, heavily buxom vampire lady, the following words out of her perfect mouth were not something he wished to hear at this point in time.

"Your little project has apparently gotten himself into trouble at that school of his. Considering what day it is, I'm not too surprised by any displays of misbehavior since he is probably concerned for his loved ones. But since the headmaster is threatening to suspend the boy, thus potentially effecting your overall plans for him, I thought you would like to be informed sooner rather than later."

If it had been any other day, the King of Hell would have probably been able to handle this in a jocular, if somewhat calculating matter since he was a firm supporter of those that rebelled against higher authority.

So long as said authority wasn't his own of course.

But since his temper and patience were already being tested by the only time of year when his former family willingly entered his realm, his mind was already thinking of various ways in which to punish the corrupted preteen for threatening his long-term goals.

Ensuring that the child could no longer sneak back to Hell was one option. Though he hesitated to do that since the chaos it usually caused was a great source of amusement. Even if he wasn't the first of Hell's residents to full recognize this.

And while forcing the Imps to temporarily give up their means to make it to the Human world was tempting, he didn't really want to stop anything that would ensure a Human's early admittance into Hell.

"Since your no doubt already scheming to get back at the boy for testing your already frayed patience, might I make a suggestion?"

Gesturing for Lilith to do so, for hers was the only opinion that he would listen to no matter what mood he was in, Lucifer felt himself grin in a manner that would put even a certain deer Demon to shame as his beloved wife told him her ideas for revenge.

It was subtle.

It would greatly irritate the boy without causing him to abandon his blood-stained path.

And perhaps the best of all, it would ensure that his sanctimonious family would be down a crucial game piece when it was time for Magical Britain to determine their post-Voldemort future.

Sadly it would take time before his lovely wife's plan would bear fruit.

But since he enjoyed watching Lilith work her magic, especially when it was directed towards the descendants of her abusive ex and his submissive lover, the first of the fallen had no problem in waiting for his wife's long-term plan to come to fruition.

….

Despite their continued willingness to participle in the annual purge of Hell's population, if only because it provided them with a chance, minuscule it might be, to try and reach out to their son, Lily and James Potter nevertheless felt depressed with their efforts.

They didn't go about their duties with the same sadistic enjoyment as some of their fellow angels.

The permanent elimination of the Dursley Family was the sole time where they derived some measure of pleasure from the annual slaughter.

And their status as former humans meant that they couldn't view the congratulatory words of their superiors as a proper motivator to continue their efforts in keeping Hell's legions to 'acceptable levels'.

The cause for their depressive feelings was the reminder that not only was their only child still unwilling to acknowledge their status as his parents, but that their decisions had impacted more than one truly innocent soul.

As low ranking Angels, they lacked both the authority and power to interfere in the living world, which had brought some amusement to Lily when she discovered that talking babies and animals could do so when her husband could not.

However, that still didn't prevent them from knowing what had happened to those they once knew.

Sirius's wrongful imprisonment, and his rejection into Heaven once those Imps wrongfully killed him, was something that pained both Potters. Though some of that pain faded into amusement when they learned that the former Gryffindor had turned into a more humanoid version of his animal form.

Of course, Lily's amusement wasn't nearly as great as her husband's when they found out that their friend had been employed by the type of Demon he would have undoubtedly summoned during his teenage years. But since Sinners needed connections if they wanted to be more than playthings for more powerful Demons, the Potters didn't begrudge Sirius's choice of employer.

Even if she did possess curves that most mortal women would kill to have.

Dumbledore sadly still seemed content to ignore the lessons that he should have learned during the war against Grindelwald, let alone Voldemort. Which meant that the red eyed bastard would find ample volunteers for his army should he ever manage to regain a body of his own.

But since he appeared to be genuinely horrified by what had occurred during the early years of Harry's childhood, plus the efforts he made to ensure that their son wasn't too corrupted by his stint in Hell, the Potters would give their old headmaster the benefit of the doubt.

At least for the time being.

And then of course there was Snape.

The man who took not only every chance he could to torment the child of his hated rival, and the constant reminder that said hated rival had possessed what he had long coveted, but also did his best to ensure that his former master would have an easier time of it if he returned to power.

For while there was no doubt he was a brilliant potions brewer, as well as an expert on the darker aspects of magic, he was incapable of passing down this knowledge to anyone who didn't already possess a talent for the subjects.

This meant that for the past ten years, Magical Britain was being denied a steady supply of witches and wizards who could have seen their initial enthusiasm for the brewing arts turn into something that could revitalize or revolutionize their society.

Not everyone had to be a genius of course.

But when your standards are set so high, and your demeanor is frightening enough to frighten grown adults, let alone children, it was no wonder that few Hogwarts students outside of Slytherin house managed to take Potions class after their fifth year.

Not to mention the way said Slytherins tended to treat the other members of the school.

It was one thing to play a role, which both Potters understood the need for since Snape couldn't really be a spy unless he had the confidence of those he was trying to spy on. But to do nothing to address the sickness that had long plagued Slytherin House, at times encouraging it through means of wilful blindness, or by blatant favoritism. It was almost enough to make the Potter's play with the idea of hiring their Hellish substitutes to properly reward Snape for all that he had accomplished.

But sadly they couldn't do anything about it.

At least not directly.

For while they were unable to directly interfere with their Son's life while he was in school, that didn't mean that they couldn't ask someone for help.

And since some of their superiors were interested in the conflict between Harry and the red eyed bastard who had tried to kill him, it probably wouldn't hurt to speak to them.

Especially since it was obvious that their fallen brother was just as interested in Harry's fate as they were.

…..

(3 weeks later)

Despite knowing full well that the inhabitants of Hell were still not completely over the brief spell of PTSD that always occurred in the weeks following the annual purge, the amount of Demons who had called ahead to make a reservation did much to assure him that business was returning to normal.

Yes Hell's numbers were constantly being replenished with the souls of the damned.

And would continue to do so as long as those feathered assholes kept following the rigid guidelines on who was allowed to join their party.

But the best, and funnest way to restore Hell's population was the act of procreation.

And what better way to help this along than by setting the mood for anyone capable of creating the next generation of demonic creatures.

Of course at his establishment, they didn't discriminate when it came to who was getting it on with who.

Unless of course there was a scandal to be had. But even then there was a chance for public approval since this was a place where the need for depravity was encouraged rather than frowned upon.

Such a shame that he didn't really have any of the big names coming to the club tonight.

There would of course be one or two high-profile succubi, but he would have preferred to have some of the more capable followers of his colleagues attending the night's festivities.

If only to demonstrate that out of all the Circles, save the ones that were under the direct control of Lucifer, Lust was the most important.

And since he was the embodiment of Lust, it was his purpose to ensure that by the time his guests left his nightclub, or better yet while they were in it, they would be thinking of nothing but screwing their brains out.

Especially if he appeared to give them that extra little nudge to indulge in their sexually charged desires.

Not that he ever really needed to since everyone who stepped through his doors was smart enough to understand that his house was a place for classy carnal enjoyment instead of wimpy emotional expressions of the heart.

But considering he had briefly felt a slight nip in the air, anything was possible.

…

ANNNND another chapter done. And FINALLY started the House of Asmodeus Chapter.

Pleased with how quickly this chapter turned out compared to the last one. Especially since the next one will take longer to due thanks to school starting again.

Anyways….dont think I need to go into too indeph of a summary for this chapter.

Octavia of course is dealing with her parent's separation, while the Extermination is happening. And while her Uncle has yet to make an official appearance, I think I did a good job of portraying him as others have done. I.e. a vain/narcissistic peacock who doesn't like Stolas.

As for Harry…well this would be his first time since he got adopted that he wasn't home during a Purge. So combine that with his usual attitude, and you get him insulting Snape, publicly calling him out for his behavior…AND punching Malfoy in the neck for his continued idiocy. Also that bit about the grandparents comes from Potter wiki…or Pottermore. Cant recall lol

Lucifer of course isn't happy with how this threatens his overall plans…but since Dumbles isn't the type to expel people for troubling behavior…he readily accepts Lilith's suggestion for a punishment. Which WILL be revealed later.

Needed to do another Potter POV segment since it's a) been a while. And b) cause it provides a means to get them back into an active role in the story. Or at the very least have someone act on their behalf.

And then of course the last segment….dont think too much needs to be said about that cause I think we all know WHO that character was.

Anyways. Thanks for reading.

As always your reviews are appreciated.

Til next time.