Despite the fact that her time at Hogwarts hadn't exactly panned out as she had hoped, Ginny couldn't help but think that the last few weeks hadn't been that bad.
Yes she wasn't in the same house as her hero.
And yes Ronald was still being a total ass despite the efforts of the Twins, and Percy, to enforce their mother's ruling.
But all in all, being a Slytherin wasn't the end of the world that she had feared it would be.
Her housemates, while still treating her like a bit of an outsider, appreciated her talents in a way that her brothers, mostly Ron and Percy, had never done.
Malfoy of course had initially been quite willing to continue the feud that existed between their families. But after she had displayed a certain vicious streak that her mother would never have tolerated, though Tom had praised her for it after he had gotten over his initial surprise, she had noticed a change in his attitude.
For he had come to the rather twisted and idiotic decision that even though she was from a poor family of Muggle Lovers, her sorting into Slytherin House was a sign that 'perhaps their was hope for the Weasley Clan'.
And while she would like nothing more than correct this assumption, the fact remained that she was in Slytherin.
Which meant that aside from the Twins, and to a lesser degree Percy, the only people she could count on to have her back was her slightly frosty housemates, and Tom.
Which wasn't as sad as it first sounded.
She hadn't known it before hand, but Slytherin's were, for the most part, actually quite supportive of each other. At least when they were interacting with other members of their house.
Snape had pretty much spelled it out to the first year Slytherins that the majority of the school was against them due to misplaced or exaggerated feelings of distrust and fear. Which meant that any issue between 'Snakes' was to be dealt with within the common room in order to present the rest of the school with the image of a united front.
Tom had to go into detail how this was a rather useful method in dealing with bullies since it was hard to pick on someone if it was known that they had a small army to back them up.
She still didn't exactly understand this line of thought, but Tom always assured her that under his tutelage she would eventually get it.
She just wished she wasn't so tired.
Most days she would be as energetic as she usually was. Only crashing after she had spent an hour or two writing in Tom's diary.
But she had started to notice that there were times were she felt as if she was going to black out.
Like a few weeks ago when she was passing through a seventh-floor corridor with a tapestry of a rather vicious-looking troll.
Or like now as she tried to silently walk past the second-floor girls bathroom without drawing the attention of a rather irritating ghost.
Honestly, it was yet another sign that Dumbledore's grasp of reality was rapidly loosening.
It was bad enough that he allowed certain undesirable elements to attend this school.
But to allow outdated and irritating relics like Myrtle and Binns to remain when they should have long since been purged from the school grounds, well that was just another sign that this school needed a good cleanse.
And since he had finally weakened his 'friend' to the point where he could take control of her body, it was time to ensure that his ancestor's weapon could freely roam the corridors without falling prey to its races' ridiculous built in weakness.
He would have to be careful of course, ensuring that his 'activities' were blamed on the giant oaf's incompetence to properly look after his feathered charges.
But he was confident that he would have no trouble restarting the mission he had been forced to abandon 50 years ago.
Even if his means to accomplish his ancestor's noble goal was reliant on his ability to take control of the body of an eleven-year-old girl.
…..
He loved his son.
Truly he did.
But sometimes he wished that the boy had taken after his more cautious nature when it came to dealing with their employer.
Oh sure, Harry knew that there were some topics that should be kept on the down low whenever Blitzo was within earshot. Especially anything related to Loona and her 'romantic' activities, or more recently anything that revolved around his more approachable Goetia mentor.
But when it came to anything related to the Company, at least recently, Harry had little problem in setting off Blitzo into one of his nonsensical rants.
Which was a feat considering his son didn't even need to be in Hell to provoke the former circus performer.
"Absolutely not Kid! Look I get it. Every student eventually dreams of killing their teacher. Which helps us out since they'll come down here to seek revenge for their classroom execution. But I am NOT GONNA GIVE YOU A DISCOUNT JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN'T HANDLE SPENDING A FEW HOURS A WEEK DEALING WITH SOME NARCISSISTIC ASSHOLE!"
A few years ago, his son would have been too nervous, or too in awe of Blitzo to ever dream of talking back.
But with the onset of puberty, and the fact that he had more than one argumentative figure in his life, Harry unsurprisingly had no issue in talking back.
"Then maybe try and find someone who has it in for the fucker? There's gotta be someone in Hell who would pay money to send him downward. A former lover. Someone whose work he plagiarized. Hell, even a crazy fan who thought Lockheart should help them out with their own shitty career. The point is, if I have to spend any more time with this asshole, I'm gonna…"
"Yeah, hold that thought kid. I gotta another call coming in."
Knowing that Harry wouldn't understandably be pissed about this, for this wasn't the first time Blitzo had used this excuse to get out of a conversation, Moxxie felt himself frowning when it turned out that he actually had another caller on the line.
"Hello Blitzy. I'm terribly sorry to be calling you right now. But…"
"Ugh. Stolas, I cant be dealing with your perverted bird needs right now. I've been waiting for this appointment for almost five years now. And I'm sorry, but bringing in Loona for her S-H-O-T-S is more important then pounding you into your mattress."
Unsure if he should chuckle or grimace at his employers comment, for while he didn't like hearing about his boss's love life he always got a kick out of seeing Loona act in a manner that was far different than her normal self, Moxxie found himself growing more than a touched concern as he heard Stolas's reply.
"Well I am sorry for being a bother Blitzy, but you see, I'm currently being held hostage by that cowboy friend of yours."
"Yeahhhh. Your gonna have to be a little more specific."
"How many cowboys do you know? What does he look like your highness?"
For a brief moment, the only thing that came over the phone was Stolas's considering hum. But his next words were more than enough to make the members of I.M.P. know just how serious the situation was.
"Ummm…sexy?"
"That's Striker sir! We have to go help him!"
Of course, Blitzo being who he was, had to prolong the conversation.
"How the fuck did this even happen? Aren't you supposed to be powerful?"
Moxxie was expecting many things.
An angry retort.
A flirtatious plea for help.
Or even a resigned admittance that the prince was far from the powerful figure that they had come to believe him to be.
Instead, the voice of the captured Goetia was filled with what could only be called embarrassment.
"Well, you see it happened like this."
(Flashback).
While he always enjoyed a finely brewed cup of tea, one of the few things that he actually had in common with his ex-wife, Stolas found himself unable to fully enjoy his steaming beverage thanks to not only the glowering expression of said ex-wife, but also the smugly arrogant smile of her brother.
However, for the moment he would make the attempt to keep things civil.
Albeit in a manner that conveyed just how much he currently enjoyed their company.
"Stella. Andrealphus."
"Stolas."
"Imp fucker."
Frowning at Stella's rather hypocritical insult, for she had also, however briefly, enjoyed Blitzy's carnal attentions, Stolas opened his mouth to deliver his own truthful observation.
But a cough from the blue-colored Goetia prevented him from doing so.
"Yes yes. You both hate each other. But I think the insults can wait until our business has concluded."
Giving a curt nod of agreement, Stolas wasted no time in making his position clear.
"Yes I suppose your right. But honestly there is nothing further to discuss. I have already ensured that my mansion is free of all of Stella's possessions by sending them to her new residence. So I honestly don't believe I am obligated to give anything that she has no right to."
It was childish of him.
But he felt nothing but satisfaction as he finally managed to say what he truly felt.
Sadly however, Stella was in no mood to let him enjoy his little victory.
"Not obligated?! Who was it that kept our family from becoming a laughingstock while you were off mooning over that pathetic Imp of yours? Its one thing to have sex with the lower orders.."
"Something which I point out you fully enjoyed during the past few years. Or have I just been imagining all the times you demanded our Imp lover to, as you put it, finish what he started? If your going to keep insulting me over my relationship with Blitzo, at least have the courtesy to acknowledge that you enjoyed the time he spent in our bed."
Which was perhaps the only time in the past few years where the both of them had been satisfied with their mutual actions in the marriage bed.
A reminder that was quickly dismissed by Andrealphus.
"You and I both know that the use of the lower orders to 'spice' things up is not an uncommon trait amongst members of our class. The problem is however, you have publicly made clear your feelings towards this Imp. Which means that to properly safeguard the family, it would be in our best interests to remove certain things in your possession that might be…better managed elsewhere."
Fighting the urge to grit his beak in irritation at this not-so-subtle reminder that he was no longer Via's and Harry's sole mentor in the arcane arts, Stolas felt his already severely taxed patience stretch to the near breaking point as Stella voiced her support for her brother's position.
Albeit in a far cruder fashion.
"Which means that I intend to leave you with only the bare minimum Stolas. Which is more than you deserve in my humble opinion."
"You are many things Stella. But humble has never been one of them."
Expecting his rebuttal to resort in yet another shrill accusation about his inadqueacies, Stolas found himself distracted by something that had never before happened in this establishment.
The sound of breaking glass. And a voice that betrayed a non aristocratic background.
"Yee fucking haw you flock of blue blooded scum!"
Turning in the direction of this unlooked for commotion, two things occurred that sent Stolas into full panic one.
The first being that the interloper, who was that little cowboy friend of Blitzy's, was pointing a gun at him at reeked of divine magic.
The second was that his ex wife, whose pettiness he had thought he had long since understood, was giving him a look that made it plain that she was not only not surprised by this turn of events, but that she was also looking forward to it.
Which in many ways hurt almost as much as the holy bullet that was now currently lodged in his arm.
With his powers reduced, and the fact that it was clear that he had no allies, Stolas did the only sensible thing that he could do.
He ran.
However, he didn't get far as he was snared by the cowboy Imp's holy-infused laso.
Which meant that he was not only unable to access his powers but also that he was now at the mercy of an Imp who wasted no time in treating him like some sort of prisoner.
(Timeskip ends).
"And that's the situation Blitzy. I am terribly sorry for the inconvenience, but it does appear that my life is in fact in danger."
Sighing in frustration, because while he wanted to go to Stolas's rescue he had to prioritize Loona's health, Blitzo found himself nodding in gratitude as the less impressive of the MnM's spoke up.
"Don't worry your highness. We're on our way."
Opening his mouth to give Moxxie some encouragement, albeit in a manner that would also highlight his shortcomings, the former circus performer was beaten to the punch by a familiar voice.
"Well ain't that cute? Too busy to come rescue your blue blooded sugar daddy, so you send your little piss boy in your place. Its like you want me to ramp up my body count Blitzo. But I'll make you a promise, unlike the feathered fuck, I'll at least give the worm and his bride a quick death. That is if they can find me in time."
….
Chuckling nastily as he threw the phone into the neared burning dumpster, Striker's expression morphed from amusement into one of savage anticipation as he thought of all the ways he would make the Goetia, and those two pathetic Imps pay for what he had gone through since their last get together.
He had only been a playing thing for that female pretending Imp for two weeks before he managed to escape. But in his mind that was two weeks too many.
It was unfortunate that he hadn't had the time to wreak vengeance against that dirt-farming family, but he had more important things to worry about.
Like salvaging his reputation, finding a new employer since the V's had been demoted to servants for Lucifer's golden daughter, and getting his revenge on both the Goetia and his Imp servants that had stood in his way.
It was a shame that he wouldn't have the chance to be adding a few dragon leather accessories to his gear since he also owed that reptilian brat, almost as much as his adoptive daddy.
But, since he was currently out of reach, thanks to being at boarding school and the fact that his current contractor had explicitly forbidden anything happening to her meal ticket, he would make do with just his parents.
Which would ensure that when he did go after the kid, he would have all the time in the world to tear him limb from limb without worrying about some parental rescue.
…
ANNNND that's enough for now.
I apologize for the wait, been a busy couple of months what with school, trying to find a job, and my new role as a DnD DM.
But, finally had the will to return to this chapter, and bring the total number of chapters in this story to 70.
Want to thank you all for your patience.
I will say though that I am uncertain as to when the next chapter will be, loss of creativity in this story, as well as new interest in other story ideas, and stuff in my life demanding my attention.
But will try to get back to it soonish.
As always, plz review.
No flames.
Ps. I apologize if Striker's comments about Sallie May were upsetting. Merely trying to ensure that audience has more believable excuses to hate Striker.