At the Leaky Cauldron, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were busy pushing three tables together in the corner. Percy was helping, but after moving each chair, he'd pause to polish the shiny silver badge on his chest.
Noticing Lucifer's gaze, Percy puffed out his chest proudly. "Head Boy badge," he said, as if the shine alone wasn't enough to announce it, "Professor Dumbledore himself approved it, I'm planning a few reforms at Hogwarts next year."
"...Good luck with that," he said dryly.
Reforms? From a student? This guy really didn't understand the hierarchy at all. The twins appeared out of nowhere beside Lucifer.
Fred clicked his tongue, "Bet you'd love to knock him down a peg, huh? We can lure him out for you. You do the hitting, we won't even charge..."
Lucifer kindly reminded.
"He's your brother."
"No, no, you misunderstand," George corrected solemnly, "That's Percy the Head Boy. Percy Weasley no longer exists, been replaced by this power hungry prefect who keeps lecturing us about school rules."
Hermione understood the aspiration to one day be Head Girl herself, but she just simply didn't really like Ron's older brother.
Fred added helpfully, "He's given that speech so many times we had to spike his tea with 'Draught of Living Death'. Finally got some peace for two days."
Ginny, carrying a tray of dishes, overheard and snorted, "Please. You really think that was your doing? He woke up after a day. I had to hit him with two extra Stunners to make him stay down another night...."
The twins exchanged a look of sudden understanding, "Ah, so that's why it worked so well!"
Lucifer couldn't help but grin. The Weasleys were... a very loving family, apparently, sibling affection came with stunning spells and poison.
Mr. Weasley put the paper down and Hermione saw the 'face' of Sirius Black staring up at them, "They still haven't caught him?"
"No..." Arthur said, looking extremely grave, "They've pulled us all off our regular jobs at the Ministry to find him, but no luck so far."
"Would we get a reward if we caught him?" She heard Ron ask, "It'd be good to get some more money---"
"Don't be ridiculous, Ron," Mr. Weasley said, who on closer inspection, looked very strained, "Black's not going to be caught by a thirteen year old wizard. It's the Azkaban Guards who'll get him back, you mark my words."
"My Lucifer could," Hermione said before she could stop herself. Crookshanks purred at her feet as he lazily looked about.
The boy in question suddenly felt awkward and brushed his curls.
"Well..." Arthur trailed off, "I suppose if any thirteen year old Wizard could, I suppose it'd be him..."
The brunette smiled a bit foolishly, hearing her boyfriend getting praised.
"Here," Ginny not to be left out said suddenly, pulling out a small wooden charm and pressing it into his hand, "Picked it up at the Egyptian wizard market. Supposed to have the same effect as Felix Felicis, but it's probably fake. Still, might bring you some luck..."
The faint scent of polished wood was actually pleasant, Lucifer looped it casually around his neck, "Smells nice, I'll use it as an air freshener."
....Hermione looked like she wanted to say a few words, but then got quiet at seeing the Red gemstone around, then giggled to herself leaving Ginny wondering if the girl was jinxed.
She was unaware of Ginny writing letters to him in private.
"Hmph, suit yourself."
The red-head girl tried to sound indifferent, but the tiny upward curve of her lips betrayed her mood.
Lucifer noticed and smirked, "So, what about you two?" he asked the twins, "No souvenirs?"
Ginny burst out laughing before they could answer, "They tried to bring back a mummy's burial shroud. Mum caught up on it and nearly skinned them alive..."
George sighed wistfully, as if still remembered and felt the pain,"It was thousands of years old. Who knows what kind of power wrappings held?"
"Even if it did have power, I wouldn't go near it. Maybe if it was a king's burial cloth, sure, but a random mummy's? No thanks."
Lucifer grimaced in distaste.
"Second Head Boy in the family." Molly was really swelling with pride.
"And last," Hermione heard Fred mutter under his breath.
"I don't doubt that," Mrs. Weasley said, frowning suddenly, "I notice they haven't made you two Prefects."
'That was an odd thing tosay,' Hermione thought, because only one of them could've become Prefect as only one boy and one girl are chosen in Fifth Year.
"What do we want to be Prefects for?" George asked, looking revolted at the very idea, "It'd take all the fun out of life."
Ginny began to giggle.
"You want to set a better example to 'your sister!" Mrs. Weasley snapped.
"Ginny's got other brothers to set her an example, Mother," Percy said loftily, as he found his own seat.
By then, the tables were arranged and everyone sat down. Hermione glanced around, and frowned, "Wait, why are there three extra chairs?"
Molly smiled warmly, she answered her question, "Oh, Lady Augusta, Neville and Harry will be joining us. They should be here any minute...."
Sure enough, moments later the 'fireplace flared' emerald green, and two figures stepped out of the Floo network. One was Madam Longbottom, sternly faced but charismatic as ever. The other was a tired-looking chubby-faced boy, definitely not Harry Potter.
"Sorry we're late," She said seriously, greeting everyone before turning to Lucifer with a nod, "Good to finally see you, boy. You too Molly, it's been a while, children have grown."
He reciprocated the formal gestures.
xxxxxx
"I hear your old classmate's going to be teaching 'Defense Against the DarkArts at Hogwarts' next term. If you children run into any trouble with your studies, he's the man to ask."
Thanks to Augusta's reputation and Neville's own polite, mild-mannered nature, everyone treated him warmly, though they couldn't help noticing he looked rather frail, what was on earth her Grandson was being taught?
Considering the so-called curse on that teaching position, a few people who knew Remus Lupin here wondered privately whether he'd even last the full year.
It was Molly who frowned, "Didn't you say you were bringing Harry? Where is he, professor?"
Mrs. Longbottom gave an embarrassed smile, and scratched the back of her vulture hat, "I, uh, might've taken him out to play a little too often past week. He didn't touch his homework till yesterday. So right now, he's locked in James' old room, writing like his life depends on it..."
Molly shot her a sharp glare-the kind only a mother could deliver, "Honestly, you're a strict Duelist, but your spoiling of Potters run too deep, act as a teacher, not his playmate!"
Then she turned to her own children, her tone instantly shifting to strict authority, "And what about you lot? Are your assignments finished?"
She folded her arms. "I'm friends with Professor McGonagall, you know. If I find out any of you didn't finish, I'll drag you home myself, and you won't be leaving the house for a month!"
The power of maternal intimidation was absolute. Everyone froze, except Percy and Hermione, of course.
Even Lucifer gave a nervous nod, when his girlfriend shot him a questioning look, only then she was satisfied with herself?
Arthur on the other hand nearly forgot he wasn't a student anymore. Finally, Molly smiled again, matter completely lost as if never taken upon and called everyone to the table.
Dinner was lively and full of chatter, with the adults sharing wine and stories late into the evening. It was past eight by time, things finally wound down.
"School starts soon, you know, I actually wanted to apply for the 'Defense job' myself, but Albus seemed to have vibrated.... Told me to rest instead of throwing myself into stressful work, how dare that man?"
Neville's body lost weight, and couldn't swallow another bite.
Hermione had stayed for dinner that evening, deciding to return home afterwards, which she had wrote to her earlier, asking to pick her up at around Seven o'clock.
Dinner itself was enjoyable.
Her appetite however wasn't there, just taking a sip from her bottle, compared to the Weasley's and Lucifer, who had all managed to eat their way through five courses of food, who noticed this and said something to her quietly.
"Are you not hungry, Hermione?"
She looked up at him sadly, "I miss eating your food, it doesn't have you inside it. I keep getting the feeling like I am going to vomit..."
"Funny you say that, because the entire time you were petrified, my appetite had diminished drastically."
"Did it really?" Hermione gasped.
"It did, I never wanted you to know that, though, so don't bring it up again, please?"
Lucifer asked her.
"I'll try..." Hermione said, knowing that it might not happen.
"How are we getting to King's Cross tomorrow, Dad?" Fred asked as they all tucked into a sumptuous chocolate pudding.
"The Ministry is providing a couple of cars for us," Mr. Weasley responded in kind to the question.
Everyone looked up at him.
"Why?" Percy asked first.
"It's because of you, Perce," George said in a serious tone, "And there'll be little flags on the bonnets, with HB on them----"
"- for Humongous Bighead," Fred finished.
Hermione had to cover her mouth from being a pig as she laughed, didn't want to, but the twins were great at making you laugh.
Percy and Mrs. Weasley weren't laughing, however.
"Why are the Ministry providing us cars, Father?" The newly Head-boy, asked again, in a dignified voice.
"Well, as we haven't got one anymore..." Mr. Weasley said in a slightly saddened tone, "and as I work there, they're doing me a favor."
His voice was casual, but Lucifer noticed his ears turn red, just like how Ron's did when he was under pressure or angry.
"Good job, too," Mrs. Weasley said briskly, "Do you realize how much luggage you've all got between you? A real sight you'd be on the Muggle underground... you are all packed, aren't you?" She asked them.
"Ron hasn't packed all of his stuff yet," Percy said in a long, suffering voice, "he thought they'd look much nicer on my bed."
"Ron, go and pack properly, we won't have the time in the morning," Mrs. Weasley said to her youngest son.
xxxxxx
Hermione looked at the time and it was almost seven, "My parents will be here in just a minute to pick me up. I'll see you all at King's Cross tomorrow." She said, packing up her stuff, "It was great seeing everyone again." Forcing a smile as she went to the exit of the Leaky Cauldron.
Crookshanks followed her at a casual pace outside the doors. She was really grumpy, Lucifer had no choice but to give her a kiss, that would last her for the night.
xxxxxx
"I hate to change topics so suddenly, but what's with the cat?" Wendell asked, a curious look in his eyes.
"Oh," Hermione let go of her mother, but not as much, "this is Crookshanks, he's an incredibly smart cat with human level intelligence from being half-Kneazle. The shop owner said he'd been in there for years because no one wanted him."
Jane smiled at her daughter, who now really appeared grown up, "I know he will love being with you, pumpkin."
"Thanks, Mum," She smiled and picked him up, "Let's go home for the night, Crookshanks."
She got in the back of her parents' vehicle with her cat and they went home. Hermione had trouble going to sleep that night, burning in loins keeping her awake for hours.
Desperately in need of her boyfriend's cock, she had no choice, and had to resort to giving herself a rub. It was pretty late when she finally did sleep, even had a strange but happy dream.
xxxxx
"It really means a lot to me that you come here every day for having lunch with your wife....."
Well, there was one good thing after a lot of months under there, Lucifer could do better than canteen. "I want to take you to a real restaurant today."
Hermione smiled and pushed aside the work as she stood.
"Come over, here."
Lucifer perked up and slid around her cubicle so he was crammed into the tiny space with her. She yanked him closer, and he found himself wedged into the corner between the filing cabinet and the wall.
Hermione's hands snaked around, her arms trapping in a fierce hug.
Lucifer's heart raced, somehow pounding like thunder whilst simultaneously melting like snow in a bonfire. Returning her embrace, he rested his face atop her head and breathed in the sweet aroma of her vanilla shampoo; the scent clouded his brain in a fog bank of blissful peace.
Closing his eyes in an attempt to commit the moment to memory.
Tipping back her head, she looked up at him with those warm brown eyes that made his toes curl, and his befuddled brain saw no option but to kiss her.
As soon as her lips touched his, his dick began to fill with hope. Her tongue twirled its way into his mouth, and he groaned in welcome.
Screw lunch! They should stay right where they were.
Hermione patted his chest and leaned back to disconnect their kiss. "We should get going. We're not going to have enough time to eat."
Eat? Oh. Right. Lunch was for food.
Not snogging. Damn logical of you, Mrs. Morningstar.
"Don't make that face, you also have people to help."
Lucifer sighed but nodded in agreement and led her out and down the hall. When they boarded the lift, there were only three other people on their way up, so he had no excuse to crowd her in the corner.
Of all the times for the lift not to be packed with people. Dammit!
In the lobby she politely held his arm as he Apparated them to an alley near the restaurant. When did she turn so restrained? All he wanted was to throw her down and shag her in the middle of the busy street.
The restaurant bustled with workday lunchers, but they were escorted to his reserved table immediately.
That was good. He needed to sit.
They got a nice table in the back where they wouldn't be disturbed or overheard, and Hermione perused the menu while Lucifer perused her.
His eyes locked on her mouth, his cock aching every time her teeth scraped her lower lip in ponderous concentration.
Being so close without touching was a cruel test of his willpower.
"Hermione?"
She glanced up. "Hm?"
"What are you doing today at night?"
"Give you a tongue bath."
"And?"
"Suck on my husband's cock like I do every night."
"What about the fucking?"
"Obviously." Hermione rolled her eyes at him, for asking a stupid question, "Could it be you want me to fuck you in the arse?" she licked her lips, now getting a little wet.
She had no problem with being an extra day in charge.
"What if I do?"
Hermione looked up, and her mirth morphed into sly sexuality. "Have you been a dirty boy?"
If his cock hadn't been tangled in his pants, his hard-on would have rammed the bottom of the table with enough force to knock over the water glasses.
"Yes, miss. Very dirty. Will you—?"
"Good afternoon," the waiter said, interrupting their game before it could get good. "The chef's special today is salmon salad with feta, almonds, and balsamic vinaigrette. The soup of the day is lobster bisque."
Lucifer sighed as he droned on, but Hermione smiled attentively, as if she were dying to be regaled on the wonders of ravioli.
Stupid waiter. Now the moment was ruined.
"Oh that sounds lovely," Hermione suddenly interjected. "I'll have that."
Lucifer had no idea what the man had said, but he nodded and handed over his menu just to get rid of him. "I'll have the same."
"May I interest you in a nice white wine to go with lunch?"
"Yes. I'm parched," Lucifer said, sipping his water to dampen the heat wave rolling through his body.
Hermione shook her head. "Just water for me, thanks. Wine always makes me drowsy."
The waiter nodded and took the menus, leaving them alone again.
"I'm so 'hungry," She murmured, and with a coy look slid her foot up his calf. Bloody hell!
Was she insinuating that she needed a helping of his dick to slake her appetite? "I'm surprised you didn't order oysters."
She blushed but continued her smooth ascent up the inside of his leg. "I hardly think they're necessary."
"Is that so?" Lucifer wondered as her foot came to rest on his seat, right between his thighs. Fuck, had she taken off her shoe?
He glanced down, and she wiggled her tight-clad toes at him in greeting.
The movement brushed his burgeoning bulge, and his dick furiously fought its confinement to wave back. Or perhaps it was signaling for relief. It got none.
Hermione sank down lower and pressed her sole to his erection.
Her wiggling piggies tested the boundaries of his manhood, and when she got the lay of his land, she tiptoed to the checkpoint and frisked him for contraband.
Lucifer gritted his teeth and leaned back in his seat.
Point and flex—she danced along the edge of his dick like a prima ballerina, foot-wanking him with the most wicked smile on her face.
"I was just thinking," Hermione mused in a deceptively innocent tone, "I could do with some more of your custard."
Lucifer didn't know if she was honestly saying she wanted custard, or if she was suggesting some chocolate-coated naughtiness. "I'll heat over the leftovers if you still want to play custard costume shop."
Hermione laughed loudly and reached across the table for his hand.
Lucifer leaned forward and caught her fingers with his. His skin tingled at her touch, his stomach fluttering like a drunken hummingbird.
They stayed joined at the hands until the main course was served, at which time she smoothly extracted her foot from his engorged genitals.
Lucifer hadn't been expecting a serving of blue balls for lunch, but he had to admit the meal was memorable. He'd never eat lobster ravioli again without a sentimental ache pulsing through his groin.
xxxxx
The next morning, Hermione awoke later than she had originally intended, around nine-thirty.
She had an hour and a half before Hogwarts train would be pulling out of the station. It took about twenty minutes to get to King's Cross.
Getting ready took ten minutes.
Hermione didn't even try with her hair beyond a few brush strokes and she didn't really use makeup, so getting ready for her was faster than it was for most girls.
As she was finishing the packing of her things, she saw something that she was embarrassed to let anyone else know about.
She threw the box in with her other things (dildo) and packed them up.
It neared ten-thirty and she had packed her stuff into boot of her parents vehicle, Crookshanks in his cage and with her in the backseat
"Don't worry, I'll let you out on the train, okay? Or maybe even in front of the train, just make sure to hop on with me before it leaves, okay?" She looked at him, and he looked at her, his face ever looking unamused, but Hermione only thought it was adorable.
"Are we making a stop by the Leaky Cauldron?" Her mother asked her.
Hermione gave it a moment's thought, 'Would Lucifer be waiting there? "No... I think he will just visit King's Cross directly...."
"Are you sure?"
Jane asked her worried.
"Yeah..." She said, despondent.
The two adults here shared an anxious look, their pumpkin very clearly cared a great deal about her boyfriend, even more so, since that half-cat incident. She looked back at her daughter a moment longer before turning back to face forward.
They arrived at King's Cross with ten minutes to spare. Hermione figured she had probably beat Harry and Ron here, they usually did. Even with their Ministry Escort, they probably would be arriving with five minutes to spare.
She got all of her luggage on a trolley and pushed it to the barrier for Platform 9¾.
xxxxxx
September first dawned under a blanket of thick London fog. The air was so heavy that breathing deeply felt like swallowing water.
At King's Cross Station, one could spot many strangely dressed individuals.
Sweaters paired with beach shorts, peeling leather coats worn with slippers. No need to guess, Wizards.
Among the crowd stood several sharply dressed individuals in suits, scanning their surroundings. Each wore a bracelet on their wrist, enchanted so that their wands could appear instantly in hand at the first sign of trouble. The Aurors stationed around King's Cross were most likely there for "Sirius Black."
A few days earlier, Cornelius Fudge had personally invited Lucifer for a private conversation, asking whether he required Auror protection.
According to the Ministry's recent surveillance, Black had been wandering around London for days, clearly planning something. 'Revenge was the most probable motive!'
Sirius Black was the Dark Lord's most loyal servant, his target was obvious.
Harry Potter.
"...."
Of course!
Lucifer declined Fudge's offer polite, school was about to begin, and Hogwarts was the safest place in Britain, he said so without a pause, even Umbridge' herself would have believed it, not for the Basilisk's head!
Fudge had not looked pleased, but he did not press the matter further.
Everyone trusted Dumbledore, no one trusted the Ministry. The more often Fudge heard that comparison, the sharper it felt.
The moment Lucifer appeared, students spotted him instantly. Countless eyes turned his way, and in seconds, he became the center of attention.
The photographs from 'The Daily Prophet' had left a lasting impression. Even though he had already done many unbelievable things, Evelyn Greengrass even stated she was helped by her Ward, published research papers, stunned professors, and shaken up magical academic world, 'WhatsApp, bank card' payments, the Basilisk, none of that had reached students' deeper hearts quite like that image had.
This time, it was different.
That photo captured what everyone already suspected but hadn't dared to admit: Lucifer had surpassed imagination itself.
Even the powerful wizards their parents revered, Ministry officials, heroes of history, 'figures' whose names appeared in textbooks, stood beside him like equals. Some even let him take the seat of honor.
Whatever reasons, the fact remained: 'they couldn't dream of achieving what he had.'
Lucifer greeted those who approached him with polite smiles, never showing arrogance or pride, that only made him more likable.
.....If all Slytherins were as courteous, or Gryffindor' not trouble makers, people thought, how could those two Houses ever have become the most hated rivals at Hogwarts?
What they didn't know was that the current warped ideology of Slytherin was the long shadow cast by the said boy, who had already come to fear.
Lucifer wasn't putting on an act, though, observing, quietly, carefully, watching the reactions of the parents on the platform. After all, what reason could anyone possibly have to hate such a well-mannered, hardworking young man?
Only two kinds of people, he thought grimly, would offer a 'five-thousand' Galleon bounty for him.
The first: 'pure-blood fanatics' driven mad by recent articles in The Magical History Review, desperate to silence Greengrass family's ward, before his ideas spread.
The second: those greedy enough to covet his magical communicator, "WhatsApp."
Timing was too coincidental, no bounty before, and suddenly one appeared right after the banquet.
Yes... that was entirely possible too.
Those guests may have all been people 'Nicolas Flamel' personally vouched for, but they weren't 'Newt Scamander', not paragons of virtue who could be trusted beyond reason. When faced with wealth and glory beyond measure, even the best of men might falter.
So, bloodshed 'followed' afterwards wasn't his to blame at all, it was merely Diablo purging impurities. Even he didn't have to care enough, why was there a sense of dread, and 'fear' at his welcome?
xxxxxx
Mrs. Granger smiled at the pair, glad that her daughter had him as her partner.
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Hermione pulled back, to give him a small peck on his lips, only then realizing she had to look up at him, "When did you get taller? It's one night, this big...."
"Over the hours I guess," Lucifer smiled at her, wiping away the rest of her tears, with his thumb, "I was about to ask you if you got shorter."
She smacked his shoulder, "You're such a prat," Hermione couldn't help the grin, that crept up on her mouth though.
"Prat?" Lucifer was somewhat confused by her dictionary, since it's the 'first' time he had seen her use that word.
"I don't know, I've just heard Susan use it a lot," She said, shrugging, while her nose tried to inhale his familiar scent.
Hermione buried her face into the boy's neck, and rubbed herself against it, her mess of a hair tickling Lucifer's nostrils, while she sniffed him audibly.
"'Mmmmp~You smell so good." she mumbled.
"Hm? Did someone cast a Jinx on you? Why do you look so strange?"
She tilted her head back to glare at him, who clearly wasn't showing any genuine concern, and instinctively rolled her eyes. 'Do I look like I am under a Jinx?'
For that brief moment, she completely forgot about yesterday's disdainful memory and her earlier frustrations of leaving bedding wet.
"...Pumpkin, you should probably get on the train before it leaves," Jane said just seconds before the Weasley's and Harry showed up, knowing her daughter needed a "good hauling."
Yes, when she realized what she was doing, Hermione huffed, stomped her foot in annoyance, and cast one last reluctant glance at her mother before turning to leave. Her odd reaction finally caught Lucifer's attention, raising an eyebrow slightly.
xxxxxx
By the time, Lucifer boarded the train, his smile faded, nothing suspicious.
Plenty of old-fashioned 'pure-bloods' still looked down on him, but their disdain now came tinged with fear. None seemed shocked to see him, which suggested they weren't behind the bounty.
Still, he didn't rule them out entirely, Grahams were coordinator, he would deal with them.
With a hiss of steam, and a long whistle, Hogwarts train started moving, leaving Platform 9 3/4 quarters, peace eluded him. Dozens of students came by, pretending to greet him, but really just looking for gossip.
They wanted to know everything, about his supposed plan to "change the world," what secrets besides those two inventions he was keeping, whether a secret organization was manipulating Wizarding world from behind the scenes, and if so, what rank he held within it?
After half an hour of this, Lucifer's head was pounding. So he sighed, muttered something under his breath about, "the Headmaster", and promptly shut up.
The moment he did, gave gossiping students a slow, meaningful look.
They all froze, and then, one by one, nodded in sudden "understanding" before hurrying off, eyes wide with the thrill of conspiracy.
Whatever stories they made up from that, he didn't care. Finally alone, he closed the compartment door and exhaled in relief.
"Lucifer," Hermione said, looking worried, "Aren't you afraid you'll get Professor Dumbledore into trouble, spreading... 'rumors like that?"
Her voice was filled with genuine concern. She could already imagine the chaos of Hogwarts filled with wild stories, Dumbledore's reputation twisting into bizarre shapes, none of them 'flattering!'
And if the Headmaster found out Lucifer was the source... even the calmest man would be angry. He couldn't help but chuckle at her anxious little face.
"You're laughing!" She huffed, glaring at him personally.
"I can't help it, I'm just a cheerful person," he said lightly, then added to calm her swats down, "But seriously, you don't understand Dumbledore. He doesn't care what people say about him, Half of Hogwarts calls him a mad old fool in bathroom...."
Hermione's jaw dropped. "What?!"
She turned to Daphne for confirmation.
"Lucifer's right," Daphne said, nodding to this Muggle-born, eyeing her cat with a jealous gaze, "You think Dumbledore's wonderful because you're a Gryffindor at heart. But plenty of Slytherin families suffered because of him of course they hate him. My 'father' once said Lucius Malfoy even shouted at him across a table. Dumbledore didn't react at all. It's like arguing with a... 'lump of dough."
Hermione's face fell, her expression bewildered. Her idol, reduced to an image of a soft, unbothered lump.
A strong man could be kind, even humble, but surely not spineless, right?
"He just doesn't bother with petty people," Lucifer said, shaking his head, "Though honestly, I don't always agree with his way of doing things. But don't mistake him for harmless, Hermione. For Solstice eve, he sent me a spell, a very special one. When you see it, you'll understand what kind of man he really is...."
A mischievous smirk crept across his kissable lips, "And besides... this is just payback, the old man's already planning to use me for something."
"He's trying to 'trick you?" Astoria asked curiously, "If you already know, why not just avoid it?"
"I don't know what for yet," Lucifer admitted, leaning back, "I'll deal with it when the time comes. Anyway, we will be back in an hour or two. Otherwise, Potter will feel abandoned..."
xxxxxxx
A few cars down, Harry was hunched over his desk, a piece of toast in his mouth and Ron's homework spread out in front of him. He was copying line by line, comparing as he went.
"How much do you have left?" Ron asked lazily.
"History of Magic right now," Harry muttered, "Then Transfiguration, Potions... damn it, I'll have to write the Potions one myself. Snape'll spot a copy in a heartbeat."
From the corner, where he sat wrapped in his cloak, Lupin who was pretending to be asleep, bore a weary smile. 'Harry... copyinghomework in 'front' of a professor and insulting another one in the same breath doesn't make the best impression... If he's like Lily, he will keep opinions about Severus to himself once at school.'
xxxxx
Lucifer had only seen him for about two minutes, and Ron was already getting on his nerves, dismissing his younger sister Ginny away.
"Remind me why you Weasley's wait so long to get to King's Cross?"
He asked, remembering how late they arrived last year, and assumedly in their 'first' as well.
Ron ignored him.
The occupant was sleeping next to the window and looked very out of place, considering that Hogwarts Express was reserved for students. Minus Conductor and trolley lady that asked anyone if they wanted sweets.
Lucifer assumed teachers either never left, or used the 'Floo network' to get to and from Hogwarts. The man sitting with them was wearing shabby looking wizard robes. He also looked quite ill and exhausted, which would explain why he was asleep.
He still seemed quite young, minus the exhausted look; his brown hair was flecked with grey spots.
"Who d'you reckon he is?" Ron asked.
"Professor R.J. Lupin," Hermione whispered at once.
"How on Earth could you possibly know that?" Ron looked at her, wide-eyed.
"It says it right there, on his luggage," Lucifer pointed out.
Sure enough, on the rack, there was a piece of item that had his first two initials and last name on it.
"I wonder what he teaches?" Ron asked as he looked at Professor Lupin with a frown.
"That much is obvious," Hermione said with an air of superiority, "Didn't Neville's grandmother say your mother's Dueling teacher here is to be 'Defense Against the Dark Arts,' that's the only vacant position."
"Well... I hope he's up to it," Ron said doubtfully, "one good Hex looks like it would finish him off, doesn't it? Anyway," he turned to Harry, "what were you going to tell us?"
Harry who had put homework aside for the moment, cause his hands were numb, began to explain all about Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's argument they apparently had and the warning Arthur had given him.
When he finished, Ron looked thunderstruck, Hermione had her hands over her mouth, and Lucifer didn't look any different than usual.
"I mean... trouble has a nasty habit of finding you, Harry, if he did escape for a reason, it doesn't surprise me that it was because of you."
"I don't know why Harry would want to go find him anyway, that's just asking for a quicker death," Ron said as his face paled.
"Probably, thinks I want another grand adventure like the basilisk," Harry said in a bad mood, "Quite frankly, I'd just like to go longer than a year without something trying to murder me."
"And yet I'm the one who ended up paying a visit to Hospital Wing last year," Lucifer still didn't forget, his ribs getting even more attacked by Hermione's swats.
"Not my fault you got injured! Blimey, that snake was too long!" Harry retorted back.
"Actually, I think with both Quirrell and Riddle being after you, I can comfortably blame, Quirrell, the troll, the manticore and the Basilisk on you," Lucifer said, while counting them off on his fingers.
"Lucifer, can you please stop talking about things which might have killed you?!" Hermione let out a growl.
At the moment, Rowena, who had been flying beside the train, suddenly flew into compartment, flew around a few times, and perched on her owner's shoulder.
"Hello, Rowena, get tired of flying?"
She wasn't paying him any mind.
Her beady eyes were on the door, as though she was waiting for someone or something to walk through it. Then even quietly, moved inside her cage, eyes now staring at the sleepy cat, that has now also woken up.
"God, you are really going to be the death of me...." Hermione said, and she allowed her head to fall sideways onto Lucifer's shoulder again.
xxxxxx
The silence was broken a moment later however by a loud whistling noise that seemed to be coming from Harry's trunk.
Ron pinpointed it first, he got up and opened the trunk, pulling from inside a small spinning top that was glowing very brightly and spinning in the palm of Ron's hand.
"Is that a Sneakoscope?" Hermione asked, craning her head to try and get a better look of the device.
Lucifer hadn't seen it before either.
"Yeah, mind you, it's a very cheap one," Ron pointed out, "it went haywire just as I was tying it to Errol's leg to send to Harry."
"Were you doing anything untrustworthy at the time?" She asked shrewdly, raising her eyebrows a bit.
"No! Well... I wasn't supposed to be using Errol, you know he's not up for long journeys, but how else was I going to get Harry's present to him?"
"Just throw it back in there, Ronald," Hermione said, her curiosity already lost, "before it has a chance to wake Professor Lupin up."
Ron tossed it back in Harry's bag, with a heavy mood, "We could get it checked in Hogsmeade? They sell all sorts of stuff in 'Dervish and Banges,' magical instruments and stuff, Fred and George told me...."
"Do you know much about Hogsmeade?" Hermione asked him, so that she could plan her dates with Lucifer much better, "I've heard from Hannah it's the only entirely non-Muggle settlement in Britain. She refused to tell more, told I go see it."
"Yeah, I think it is," Ron said in an off-handed sort of way, "but that's not why I want to go. I just want to get inside Honeydukes."
"Yes, I have been planning to visit that, see for myself why Dumbledore likes fresh cockroach clusters?"
Lucifer asked, now even his own interest had peaked.
"It's a sweetshop," Ron said, his mouth beginning to water a bit, "where they've got 'everything!' Pepper Imps, Big Chocoballs full of Strawberry mousse and clotted cream, and really excellent Sugar Quills," Ron went on about sweets.
"But it's also a very interesting place, isn't it?" Hermione asked, urging him to give up more information, "In 'Sites of HistoricalSorcery', it says the Inn was the headquarters for the 1612 Goblin Rebellion, and the Shrieking Shack's supposed to be the most severely haunted place in Britain---"
"- and massive Sherbert balls that make you levitate a few inches off the ground while you're sucking them,"
Ron continued, plainly not listening to Hermione at all.
She then turned to her boyfriend for some puppy love, acutely starving, "Won't it be nice to get out of school for a bit and explore Hogsmeade? We could go on a date there, Lucifer!"
Hermione was getting excited just by the thought, she had a cheery look on her face.
"Of course we can," Lucifer said brightly, "It looks like, you have done a lot of research, how about you show me around, then?" he asked, after noticing her expression.
"This seems like a brilliant idea!" Hermione had a spark in her eye. She was already planning the first three visits in her head.
Lucifer agreed with her, then noticed Rowena had gone asleep, probably tired from last night.
"I hope you both enjoy..." Harry said heavily, "You'll have to tell me when you've found out."
"What d'you mean?" Ron asked, getting confused.
"I can't go... the Dursley's never signed my permission form, Neville's Gran, Fudge wouldn't either..." Harry said, not looking at any of them.
Ron looked horrified, "You're not allowed to come? But--no way, McGonagall or someone will give you permission----"
Harry gave a hollow laugh. Professor McGonagall of 'Gryffindor House' was very strict.
"----or we can ask Fred and George, they know every secret passage out of the castle-"
"Ronald!" Hermione said sharply, "I don't think Harry should be sneaking out of the school with Black on the loose---they are worried for him."
"Yeah, I expect that's what McGonagall would say when I ask for permission," Harry said bitterly.
"But if 'we're' with him," Ron said spiritedly to Hermione, "Black wouldn't dare-"
"Ronald... I don't think Black will care... mind you, Lucifer is easily the most powerful of the four of us, Harry might stand a chance against Black if he's there, but he can't be with you at all times," Hermione pointed out matter-of-factly.
For some reason, Lucifer felt pretty good that she really had so much faith in him. Before he had much of a chance to think further, Hermione heard a scratching on the closed compartment door and quickly opened it to see Crookshanks lazily meander in, "Awww, wanna play with Mommy Gra---"
"Why is that 'thing' out?!" Ron snapped at her.
Upon walking in, Crookshanks leapt onto the seat beside Hermione, stretched, yawned, and then sprang onto Ron's knees.
The lump in his pocket began trembling something awful.
Before anyone could do anything about Crookshanks, Eve who remained inactive most of the time, launched a sprint from her cage, pushed him off of Ron's knees and stared at Crookshanks's weird face.
And, he lazily stared back at her, but his form was poised to attack if she tried anything.
"Eve," Lucifer said slowly, "That is enough out of you," she turned around to meow at her owner, but his eyes didn't show any mercy.
Eve grumpily jumped a little to get back inside her cage, touching her paws on the seat, but never once did she take her eyes off Crookshanks.
Lucifer knew that Eve had to know about Crookshanks, as they both came from the same shop and Crookshanks was there for a long time, like Eve, and Rowena. No one said anything for a good minute.
Professor Lupin stirred, and their gazes switched to watch him apprehensively. He merely was turning his head the other way, and slept on.
Eventually, Crookshanks and Eve came to an armistice, with her going back inside her cage, and Crookshanks leaping onto an empty seat next to Hermione.
"I'm sorry about that, Hermione, I don't know what came over her."
"It's alright, it might just have been an old rivalry between them. You did say she had been at 'Magical Menagerie' for a long time, after all," She smiled at him, and even thought it was even more adorable.
'It would be nice, if they became friends.....' Hermione, amusedly thought so in her heart, silently crossing her two fingers.
Lucifer smiled back and they settled into a mostly comfortable silence as the train moved steadily North. The scenery passing by, and a landscape that he never got tired of seeing.
Scotland had some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe, he felt.
He enjoyed it while he could, because the clouds overhead became thicker, darkening the landscape.
xxxxx
People were chasing backwards and forwards outside of their compartment. A moment later and the plump Witch with food came by, asking them if they wanted anything.
"D'you think we should wake him?" Ron asked, nodding towards Lupin, "He looks like he could do with some food."
Hermione approached him carefully and tried to wake him up, to absolutely no avail.
"Oh, don't worry dear," the Witch spoke as she handed Harry a stack of Cauldron cakes and Lucifer got some Pumpkin Pasties and Chocolate Frog.
"If he's hungry when he wakes up, I'll be up front with the conductor." She smiled as she slid their compartment door closed.
Lucifer handed Hermione one of the 'Pumpkin Pasties', which she accepted.
Upon first bite, her face indicated that they were, quite simply, the second best snack she'd ever had, and why two years relented, "This is really amazing, no matter how much I eat, thank you so much~~"
She said to Lucifer with a near full mouth.
"You're welcome, back then I wasn't sure if you'd like them, but they looked good," he shrugged, opening Chocolate Frog, grabbing it before it could run and biting its head off.
Thankfully it was pure chocolate.
Lucifer looked at the card when he was done, "Bowman Wright," he 'flipped' it over, "A skilled metal-charmer, Bowman Wright of Godric's Hollow is credited with the invention of the Golden Snitch."
"Really?" Harry asked him. "You wanna trade for it?"
"What are you offering, Potter?" He said in a challenging tone, while breaking up a small piece, for Eve to chew on, Lucifer started to feed her, since the cage was left open.
'It should have been me there, with my tongue out....' Hermione eyed the cat, with a jealous look. But shook her head, to focus on eating her third Pumpkin Pasty instead, "I'll never understand the Chocolate Frog Card craze."
"Don't ever collect your first one then, otherwise you just might," Ron warned her. Professor Lupin let out a sudden snore, reminding them he was there, wizard might not be very good company, but his presence in their compartment had its uses.
Hermione promptly placed her head on her boyfriend's shoulder again.
While absentmindedly began stroking her pet and chatting to him about the trip to France, that she couldn't end on telling him about.
xxxxxx
About an hour or so later, she had fallen fast asleep on Lucifer, who let her lay down fully across the seat, laying head on his lap, he too went to meet Morpheus, literally.
Rain was beating down harshly on the windows, and the compartment door had just been pulled open to reveal a blonde prick and his goons.
"I heard your father finally got his hands on some gold this summer, did your mother die of shock?"
.......
"I'm not going to take any more rubbish from him this year. I mean it, if he makes one more crack about my family, I'm going to get a hold of his head and----" Ron made a violent gesture in the air that Harry could only describe as 'Hulk Smash'.
xxxxxxx
The rain got heavier and heavier as the train ride wore on. Hermione eventually woke back up, but stayed lying down with her head resting on Lucifer, as he played with her hair.
It soon got so dark that the lanterns in the corridor next to all compartments had to be turned on. Professor Lupin still slept. 'Out like a light...'
"We must be nearly there," Ron complained, saying the same thing for the 'fifth time.' Just as the words had left his mouth, the train began slowing down.
"Brilliant, I'm starving, I want to get to the feast..."
"When are you not hungry?" Lucifer asked, but his question was quickly overshadowed.
"We can't be there yet," Hermione said, lifting her head from her boyfriend's legs, she slept so comfortably.
'Creak.... Creak...!'
"Why'd we stop?" Harry shivered, peering out the door. He wasn't the only one-heads were poking out all along the corridor.
Then, with a heavy clunk, the train came to a complete halt. The temperature plunged. Raindrops froze against the glass, spreading into webs of frost. The lights flickered once... then went out.
"Seriously, what's going on?!" Ron's voice wavered behind him.
"I don't know," Harry said, backing toward his seat, "Maybe the train broke down?"
Distant thuds and bangs could be heard, telling that luggage had fallen out of the racks. Distant 'ow's' told them some people had been hit with said luggage.
"Ouch!" Hermione gasped.
"Are you okay!?" Lucifer asked, concerned.
"Ronald just stood on my foot!"
"D'you think we've broken down?" Ron asked, not caring about what he just did. He stood up and moved over to the window.
Ron wiped the pane of the glass and peered outside,"There's something moving out there. I think people are coming aboard..."
Lucifer pulled his wand out, not going to put up with the dark, "Lumos Maxima..." Light was suddenly cast brightly inside their compartment and expanded a far distance, allowing others several sections away to see almost clearly.
"Brilliant!" Hermione said excitedly, "I haven't practiced with Lumos Maxima so I didn't know exactly how bright it could shine."
"Should've seen it last year in the Forbidden Forest when we were following spiders to see Aragog," Harry said to her.
The girl's face grimaced at hearing that, she instantly remembered the giant spider tried to eat her boyfriend.
"What d'you think happened?" She asked, instead.
"Did we break down?" Ron asked his question for the second time.
"Dunno..." Harry replied.
xxxxxx
Neville appeared at the doorway, "Do any of you know what's going on?" He asked, walking in and sitting down between Ron and the wall.
"No, your guess is as good as anyone's at the moment," Lucifer told him.
Ginny also showed up moments later, "Ron! What's going on? Do you know?"
"No idea," Ron said with a shrug.
Lucifer held his wand limply and was the only one to hear Professor Lupin speak, "Extinguish your light." He looked at him curiously before whispering, "Nox."
The bright light disappeared and everyone was plunged into darkness, once again. Hermione was about to ask him why he did that when there were suddenly soft, crackling noises and a shivering light that filled only their compartment.
Professor Lupin appeared to be holding a handful of flames.
They illuminated his tired, grey face, but his eyes looked alert and wary.
Lucifer exhaled and saw his breath, realizing just how cold it had gotten. He turned as the door to their compartment slowly opened.
Didn't even remember seeing Ginny close it or see her sit down, but she was between Ron and Harry. His eyes moved immediately back to the door.
It was halfway open and he saw a hand, sickly grey and scabbed.

Lucifer looked up and saw that it was to ceiling, but it was floating off the ground, so it wasn't as tall as he thought. Sensing nothing but danger from this thing. His eyes changed colors, but before he could hit it with anything, his eyes changed back to their usual Black.
He saw an image begin to swim into view of Hermione, lying frozen and rigid in a bed of the Hospital Wing.
He didn't know how long it took, but was finally able to get rid of the petrified 'Hermione' from his vision.
xxxxxx
Meanwhile.
"HERMIONE, GO UP TO YOUR FUCKING ROOM!'
The bushy-haired girl looked around, her breathing erratic, she didn't know where the 'familiar' voice was coming from, the only thing her mind told her was to get away from this creature and listen to that voice.
"D-Dad, what's wrong?"
"GO, UPSTAIRS, NOW!"
xxxxxx
"Jane, didn't I tell you to come back home at 7'o clock?!"
"Daddy, you are d-drunk, and scari-"
"What the hell was that!?"
'Smack!'
"D-Daddy, please.... H-Hermione's still awake!"
"What did y--"
'Smack!~'
"GET BACK HERE, YOU CUNT!"
Hermione closed eyes and cradling her head in between her hands, trying to make herself as small as possible. Then suddenly, it was gone, but she didn't feel any better.
Lucifer saw her and was beside her in a second. She was huddled into the corner of the compartment, feet up on the seat, 'fear in her eyes.'
Her lower lip was shaking and her breath was uneven, as if witnessed something cruel. When he placed a hand on her, immediately removed it when she flinched.
Seeing her like this broke his heart.
"Hermione?" He spoke softly, but the girl remained unmoved. It was almost like she was in a catatonic state.
Ron and Neville had helped Harry back into his seat when he came to.
"Are you okay?" Ron asked him.
"Yeah," Harry said, his eyes jolting quickly to the door. The hooded creature had long since gone, "What happened? Where is that, that thing? Who screamed?"
"No one screamed..." Ron said, looking nervous.
"Maybe not for us..." Lucifer said, still glancing at Hermione in a worried state, his fingertips touched her cheek, which glowed for a second, that jolted her up in an instant.
"Huh? Where am I?!" She looked around frantically, trying to clear her vision, by rubbing her eyes.
Whatever she saw, it almost broke her, and Lucifer could feel so many souls being eaten, just trapped.
Not allowed to pass over.
Lucifer heard a snapping voice from behind, noticed Lupin, had a bar of chocolate and was breaking off pieces, giving Harry a slightly larger piece, then turned to Ron.
He clicked his tongue in annoyance, then quickly removed his own pouch, from the side pocket, and wrapped open a new bar, giving a small piece to Hermione, "Eat it."
"Okay...." She just took it limply, without even looking, now feeling slightly more conscious after being electrocuted, by Lucifer.
And, just taking a bite, Hermione's mind started to become clear, and less foggy with past childhood memories.
"Make her eat a little more, " Lupin said, referring to the bushy-haired girl, Lucifer didn't give him a reply, but would try in a few minutes.
"What was that thing?"
Lucifer heard Harry ask, he glanced back and, noticed he hadn't eaten the chocolate yet.
"A Dementor... one of the Dementors that guard Azkaban," he said briefly.
Lupin crumpled up the empty wrapper and stuck it in his pocket.
They all looked at him, except for Lucifer and Hermione, "Eat, it'll help. I will be back, need to talk to the conductor, excuse me," he said and made his way out and towards the front of the train.
Hermione again took a bite out of her own and felt better for sure, making Lucifer ask her again, "Hey?" his voice was quite gentle.
She didn't look at him, or even acknowledge he spoke to her, "Can you please talk to me?" Lucifer asked, in a soothing voice.
While Hermione's right palm is busy holding on her cheek, her left arm draped around her knees, and feet were still on the compartment's seat.
She did, ever so briefly, glance over at him.
"Hey... do you want more Chocolate?" Lucifer asked, smiling at her, "It will help you feel better."
Her eyes darted around for a moment, as though surveying her surroundings to be sure it was safe to move. Hermione did slowly turn and place her feet on the floor again; Lucifer held out a hand with some Chocolate for her to take.
She slowly extended her arm and took it from him, "Thank you, sir." she whispered quitely.
She bit into the Chocolate once more, and the life came back into her eyes, the color back into her face; Lucifer smiled at her, the whole time.
xxxxxx
Lucifer heard Ginny sob across from him, shaking like mad between Harry and Ron, her brother, who didn't even seem to provide comfort.
Lupin came back a moment later, "We'll be at Hogwarts in two hours," Then his attention turned to look at green-eyed boy, who was shivering, "Are you alright, Harry?"
"Fine," Harry tried to reassure him.
Then, his gaze focused on the boy, whose arm was now being held in a painful grip by Hermione, "I am sorry to ask you, Lucifer, but out of everyone else, you were the least affected by the Dementor. Can you do me a favour?"
"I need to hear it first," Lucifer said, while moving his head to look at the Professor clearly. He felt Hermione squeeze his arm even more tight, if possible for a girl.
Lucifer turned to see her face stricken with fear again, he lent down and kissed the top of her head.
"Don't worry," he added, while waving his palm towards Lupin to continue.
"Can you do a sweep of the train with me, to make sure no other students have collapsed. If they have, give them some of that?" Lupin nodded to the large piece of chocolate, the said boy had on his lap, and probably even more inside the pouch.
"P-please, don't take him away!" Hermione's body started to tremble again, she jumped into Lucifer's arms, holding close to herself, not ready to, eyes blazing with nothing but fury, while looking at the man.
"She's more important, you can take the chocolate for others, Professor....."
"....Right, I'm very sorry for---"
xxxxxx
Talk about Hermione, her vision wasn't blurred anymore, she also saw that Rowena had perched herself on luggage rack above them, and she saw Crookshanks at her feet.
Now, she understood why Rowena decided to go back inside her cage, even though she didn't like it very much, probably afraid of those horrible creatures.
xxxxxx
After the Dementors vanished, temperature inside train slowly returned to normal.
Only a few students had realized what had actually happened, most were still clueless, whispering about the sudden chill. Even Aurors who'd escorted the Dementors aboard looked completely baffled.
"Is it just me, or did they... run away?"
One of them muttered the thought aloud as he stared into dark beyond the window. The others had the same uneasy feeling but kept quiet, uncertain what to do next.
None of them wanted to go chasing after Dementors. Aurors or not, no one enjoyed that sickening, hollow sensation of having all joy sucked out of them.
The compartment door creaked open, and the elderly trolley witch stepped inside, glaring at them, "The Dementors are gone. What are you lot still doing here?"
The Aurors exchanged glances. Finally, one nodded, and they all slipped off the train.
With the Dementors gone, there was no reason to stay, they'd just report it to their superiors and let someone else figure it out.
The old witch watched them go, let out a faint humph, then flicked her wand. The train shuddered and began to move again.
As the wheels picked up speed, she tilted her head and murmured so softly it almost vanished beneath the clatter of the tracks.
xxxxxx
Lupin remained uneasy. Dementors did not abandon a search lightly. They were creatures that 'feasted' on joy while they worked. To leave behind so many students, so much emotional sustenance, meant there had to be another reason.
But he had no explanation.
He pushed the thought aside and broke off a large slab of chocolate, handing pieces to 'first-years.' who were doubting whether they would be safe at Hogwarts.
xxxxxx
The narrow corridor of the Hogwarts Express rattled rhythmically, air was heavy with scent of rain-soaked wool, soot, and sweet, sugary musk of pasties.
Lucifer glided through the cramped passageway entirely unaffected by the chaotic surge of students.
Directly behind him, Hermione Granger pressed Crookshanks securely against her chest, brown curls bouncing with every erratic lurch of the train as she navigated the crowded space.
They paused just outside the compartment belonging to the Greengrass sisters.
The door slid open with a sharp, wooden rattle, and Tracey Davis stepped directly into their path.
[PS Note: Tracey Davis as 'Teagon Croft.]
She was striking, bearing the unmistakable features, a sharp, angular jawline framed by chin length bob of dark, ink black hair that swung forward, obscuring the sides of her face.
Beneath thick natural brows, her large glassy eyes were piercing bluish grey, capturing the dim light of corridor like stormy water.
The moment those locked onto Lucifer, her pupil dilated instantly, and expression hardened into pure, unadulterated hostility.
Before a single word could pass Lucifer's lips, Tracey lunged forward with explosive, feral speed.
'Thunk.'
The force of her sudden movement caught him squarely in the chest, driving spine hard against the varnished wooden paneling of the corridor wall.
The train's glass partition vibrated violently behind his head. In the same fluid aggressive motion, Tracey hiked her right leg high beneath the heavy wool of her Slytherin robes, driving her knee straight up between this bastard's thighs.
She wedged her knee high and deep, positioning the hard curve of her kneecap directly against his groin, pinning Lucifer's scrotum with a firm, upward pressure that forced him to shift his weight onto his toes.
Leaning the full weight of her slender torso into him, slowly rubbing her knee against the boy's center, creating a friction that sent a sharp, warning ache through his lower abdomen.
Lucifer's breath caught in his throat, a low, raspy intake of air escaping him as his shoulders locked against the paneling. He looked down at her, his dark eyes meeting her stormy, blue-grey gaze with a dangerous, flickering curiosity.
Tracey tilted her head back, her short black hair falling away to reveal the pale, tense curve of her throat. Her face was inches from Lucifer's, so close he could smell the scent of mint on her breath.
Her lips thinned into a cruel narrow line as she growled, her voice a low, vibrating hiss that cut through the background rumble of the tracks.
"You stay the hell away from Daphne," She whispered maliciously, her fingers clawing into fabric of his jacket, "If I catch you sniffing around her neck or complicating her life, I swear to Salazar, I will personally eat the omelet of your eggs. Do you understand me, Morningstar?"
"Get your hands---and your knee—off him right now!"
The furious insult sliced through the crowded corridor as Hermione reacted. Dropping Crookshanks onto a vacant seat with a loud, hollow clatter, she threw her entire body weight into space between them.
With a surge of indignant, trembling rage, she rammed her forearm against Tracey's shoulder, forcefully shoving the dark-haired girl backward and breaking tight grip on Lucifer's jacket.
Hermione stepped squarely in front of Lucifer, chest heaving under her crisp school shirt as a brilliant, furious crimson flushed across her cheeks and neck.
Hands curling into tight fists at her sides, brown eyes flashing with absolute disdain as she glared at the Slytherin.
"How dare you!" Hermione spat, her voice shaking with righteous fury, "Assaulting a student in the middle of a public corridor like a common, unhinged thug? Keep your barbaric threats to yourself, Davis, or I will personally ensure the Head Boy has you confined to a guard carriage for the remainder of the journey to Scotland!"
Tracey stumbled back a step from the force of the shove, small boots scraping against the metal floor strips.
She didn't look at Hermione. Instead, slowly ran a hand through her dark hair, brushing loose strands away from her face while maintaining an icy, unwavering stare directly on Lucifer.
A slow, mocking sneer curled the corner of her lips, eyes making it explicitly clear that she meant every syllable of her threat to devour him.
Without another word, she turned on heel, dark robes billowing around her ankles as she vanished down the rattling corridor.
Hermione turned around instantly, her fingers hovering anxiously over the front of Lucifer's rumpled shirt, her anger melting into intense, protective worry. "Are you hurt? Of all the savage, completely unprovoked behavior..."
Lucifer merely extended his arms, smoothing down the lapels of his jacket with slow, steady strokes. A faint, razor-sharp smile tugged at his mouth as he stared into the empty hallway where the girl had been.
"A fascinating specimen," he murmured, his voice entirely smooth, and unbothered, "A bit crude with her culinary metaphors, but she certainly possesses an exquisite sense of commitment...."
xxxxxx
Just then, the compartment door slid open.
"Anything from the trolley, dears?"
The cheerful voice of witch came pushing the snack cart to soothe trembling children. Their conversation ended there, Lucifer bought a generous amount, as usual.
It wasn't that train snacks tasted better than what Vampires could cook. But sometimes... food wasn't about taste. It was about... 'nostalgia.'
Even instant noodles and cheap sausages could taste divine, simply because they reminded you what it meant to be human.
Watching Lucifer eat so contentedly, Daphne's lips twitched with barely contained pain. With trembling hands, she opened the lunchbox she had prepared in advance, never opened.
An entire box of green salad.
Lucifer's eyelid twitched at the sight.
"Daphne," he said dryly, "you don't have to torture yourself like this. That stuff's for rabbits, not people. I could eat a single sentence that has more meat in it than your lunch."
Daphne pouted. It wasn't that she'd suddenly turned health-conscious, the Greengrass family had always eaten well. It was just that Maple, was too talented a cook.
These holidays, Daphne had completely lost control after tasting sweets especially reserved for Hermione in the fridge, she had Maple deliver those delicious meals every day, and in less than a month, she'd gained weight.
Even shared those to Astoria, and of course her secret crush Tracey, whom she felt even more complex about, especially after the way she treated Lucifer at the door, why couldn't they just get along well? Evelyn said, it wasn't wrong at all for liking both the girl and, Lucifer, now her boyfriend.
....She'd even kissed her mother, and ate her pussy, let alone fun with Astoria.
Only a few days ago, when Daphne saw herself in the mirror, did she finally realize the truth. That very evening, she had begun her crusade for weight loss.
Lucifer didn't think she looked fat at all, she'd merely gone from too thin to normal. But girls had their own logic: 'It doesn't matter what you think, it matters what I think.'
And what Daphne thought was that she had to get back to her previous weight. She had once used a strengthening potion that, as a side effect, improved her physique and slimmed her figure. But it hadn't been long since last dose, and taking it again would be risky.
Now she could only rely on willpower, and greens.
"Just one more month," She muttered to herself, forcing a smile. "I can do this..." But her voice trailed off halfway, her resolve leaking out like air from a punctured balloon.
With a small cry of frustration, Daphne tossed her lunchbox aside and latched onto Lucifer's arm.
"You're so smart, can't you invent a 'weight-loss' potion or something?" She said in a pleading tone, looking up at him with wide, glimmering eyes. Astoria, who had always been small and delicate, didn't pay much attention, her body was only growing better, and nothing there to moan for, even better if she got two or three sizes plus fugure.
But Hermione, sitting beside them, froze mid-bite. She'd been worrying about her own figure too, after all, studying required brainpower, and brainpower required sweets. Lots of sweets. She'd been eating lots of dirty 'semen' over the holidays.
Lucifer sighed, considering it seriously, "Hmm... all right, give me time to research it first. I do have something in mind..."
The truth was, Wizarding world did have potions marketed as weight-loss aids , but most were worthless. Some only provided temporary transformation, tricking customers with illusions.
From an academic standpoint, weight-loss potions had little significance, and thus little prestige. No one gained scholarly credit or acclaim from brewing them.
But this was Daphne Greengrass, and from the day they met, Lucifer had never once refused her a request.
"You're amazing~" She cheered with a feather kiss on his lips, beaming, swiftly packing away the cursed salad and reached instead for the savory beef pastries on the table, devouring them with visible joy.
In Daphne's mind, Lucifer was omnipotent, if he said he'd do something, success was guaranteed. And since a potion was on its way, there was no reason to suffer anymore. 'Eat!'
xxxxxx
"So," Lucifer asked, checking up next to another girl whom he was close to, Luna, she was family, "How was your summer?"
The girl had added a new butterfly clip to her hair. It shimmered prettily but on closer look, it was an actual preserved butterfly, the wings were real specimens.
Beautiful, yet unsettling.
Luna nodded dreamily, "It was wonderful, though I didn't find any 'Crumple-HornedSnorkacks.' Daddy says we probably went too late, they might've migrated to the Arctic."
Hermione groaned softly, rubbing her temple, she looked half dead with exhaustion, sighing weakly, "There's no such thing as a Crumple-Horned Snorkack, Luna..."
She was now running purely on stubborness.
Luna didn't seem offended. She simply said, in that calm, faraway tone of hers, "They do exist. Just like Wrackspurts. They're always around people, but most never notice them. You have to be patient and keep your mind open, or you'll never feel them."
Under normal circumstances, Hermione would've launched into a ten-minute rebuttal, citing at least three textbooks. But right now, she just opened her mouth, thought better of it, and leaned against Lucifer's shoulder with her eyes half-shut, drifting towards another nap.
Lucifer picked up where she left off, "So, what about me? Do I have any Wrackspurts floating around?"
Tilting her head, Luna studied him with those wide silver eyes before shaking her head slowly, "No, none."
He chuckled.
"Really? I'd have thought I'd attract plenty of buzzing. I've got more than enough to stress about."
His body was always undergoing sexual activities, hundreds of thousands of wives even right now at this very exact moment, he was making love to them, and everything else going on with 'females' gunning after his cock here troubling more.
He often felt like Dumbledore had it easy by comparison, the old man only had Voldemort to worry about.
"That's because you already have solutions," Luna said softly, "Confidence and patience keep 'Wrackspurts' away. You only require time to complete them, know you'll succeed eventually, so they can't bother you...."
Her voice was airy, almost musical-half seer, half philosopher. And weirdly, Lucifer found himself thinking she might be right. Turning his senses outward, extending magical perception.
Threads of energy shimmered around every girl in the compartment, faint and lively, but no sign of the so-called Wrackspurts. 'Could Luna's magical sensitivity really surpass Celestials?'
The thought was absurd, but it wouldn't leave him, he glanced at Luna again. Her magic wasn't strong, just slightly above average, about on par with Astoria's.
Still, the mystery tugged at him.
'No rush,' he thought, 'She's not going anywhere, I'll study her later, this girl behaves like she knows everything....'
xxxxxx
By six o'clock, train rolled smoothly into Hogsmeade Station. The air was cold and sharp, platform dusted with pouring rain.
Students rushed out, and carriages drawn by Thestrals awaited to carry them to the castle gates.
It was too cold for this early in September, Hermione had a feeling it was because of the Dementors, she couldn't imagine how 'first years' felt.
As Lucifer climbed out, he casually plucked a 'few' Thestral tail hairs, quick and deft, the creature didn't even notice.
According to Ollivander, his wand held the hair of this creature, even Garrick himself said he had never managed to craft a 'functional' wand with those this material again.
Only two wands held it, who was the second, Lucifer didn't know, he wasn't trying to make weapons either, just loved research. A few rare materials here and there could make for entertaining experiments on dull nights.
After disembarking did the younger witches learn there had actually been Dementors aboard.
"Even here at Hogwarts? What's the Ministry thinking, sending those disgusting things here? I'm telling Mum," Daphne huffed as she climbed into a carriage, already pulling out her WhatsApp to contact Lady Greengrass.
Luna looked almost disappointed, "I didn't even get to see one up close."
But Hermione on the other hand, almost had a crazy fit, and shook her head quickly, "Trust me, Luna, once you've seen one, you'll never want to see another...!"
"Well, I'd still like to try once. Otherwise I'll just keep wondering." She said stubbornly with a lovely pout, deserving Lucifer to give his niece an exasperated tap on the head, "Fine, I'll catch one for you sometime so you can take a good look...."
"No... are you barking mad?!" Hermione gave a weak laugh, she couldn't believe what she was hearing, these two really were related by blood, no doubt, "They're Ministry employees, remember? You'd get in trouble."
Their laughter filled the carriage as it rolled toward the castle gates, the bushy-haired girl knew something was pulling them, she could feel them but couldn't see. Lucifer could though, and she wondered why, her hand wrapped in his tightly, afraid to let go.
The said boy also kept an eye on her movements, when they climbed into a carriage. Hermione seemed much better, so he trusted her to be alright.
The carriage came to a halt and everyone began piling out. They tread carefully up the slick stairs, warm breath turning to mist in the icy air.
Inside the grand entryway, Filch was already barking at students, forcing several to scrub their muddy boots clean before stepping further into the castle.
As Lucifer entered the main corridor, something caught his eye. On the staircase landing ahead, Malfoy and Harry Potter stood nose-to-nose, 'faces flushed' red, arguing heatedly.
"You 'fainted', Potter? Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?!" came the ear scratching tone of Draco Malfoy.
"Ugh, that's disgusting."
Daphne had spotted it too, she folded her arms, visibly shuddering.
To spare the little witch's eyes from the "trauma," Lucifer sighed and stepped forward, "All right, that's enough. If you two want to perform a drama, do it somewhere else before Professor McGonagall drags you both out by the ears."
"Drama?" Malfoy turned first, confused.
Harry blinked as well.
Lucifer waved two children dismissively, seriously it was getting worse than a lover's quarrel, "Never mind, what's the argument this time?"
"It's 'his fault!" Malfoy said instantly, pointing at Harry, "Last term Potter said the Heir of Slytherin's hiding in a hole somewhere, too scared to show his face! Called all Slytherins cowards! And, now he fainted!"
"Shove off, Malfoy!" Ron said with a clenched jaw.
"Did you faint as well, Weasley?"
"I 'did not!" Harry snapped back, "I said you're a coward! You only act tough when your two bodyguards are around!"
"And what, I'm wrong?" Malfoy sneered. "The so-called Heir's plot was crushed by Morningstar. He's probably trembling somewhere under his blanket right now."
Standing near the Great Hall doors, Ginny Weasley directly 'froze' at those words, her body going rigid.
Lucifer who had caught her red handed immediately noticed. With a subtle motion of his hand, both boys were suddenly shoved several feet apart by invisible force.
"Enough," he said evenly. "Don't make me deal with you two on the first day back. Whoever the Heir was, it's none of your concern...And 'Harry," his tone hardened slightly, "from the way you talk, it sounds like you want another attack to happen, Sirius Black perhaps, do you?"
Harry's eyes widened.
"No! Of course not!"
"Then keep quiet about things, Merlin we hadn't even entered past doors yet, and you are on menopa--" Lucifer said 'flatly', before walking past them into the Great Hall. As he passed Ginny, a faint voice brushed her ear, soft as a whisper, but clear as crystal, "Nice outfit, it suits you..."
Ginny's heart leapt, but then short circuited the brain to scream he's a friend, and playboy was his nature.
Still, a radiant smile spread across her face, sweeping away every trace of anxiety. Forgetting Harry's words entirely, she skipped happily back toward the hall.
As for Harry and Malfoy, they locked eyes for a few seconds, both flushed, indignant, then turned away with identical scoffs and stormed to their respective tables.
Eyes racking over she saw, and hearing the damn voice, Hermione stared at the loathsome cockroach that was Malfoy, glaring. It was somehow his fault, for Ginny's got complemented without any reason.
Lucifer really knew how to make the air thick around him; she was finding it a little hard to breathe as well.
The crowd, rather quickly, hurried into school to get away from both the rain, and Lucifer. It was known by now that he was immensely powerful, and could make air around him thick and heavy. Only his immediate friends were not put off by him.
"Potter, Granger, Morningstar! I want to see you three!" The urgent voice of Professor McGonagall came.
Lucifer at the door waiting for his girlfriend to show up, slowed down the next footsteps, he turned and noticed she was looking at them over the crowd. McGonagall always had a way of making you feel like you did something wrong, and the look on their faces must've been just that.
"There is no need to look so worried, I just want a word in my office," She said to them, "Move along there, Weasley."
Ron stared at them with a look that said, 'Merlin you are going to be scratched, what the hell did you even do?' As they followed Professor McGonagall. The three of them accompanied her through Entrance Hall, up marble staircase and along a corridor.
They found themselves in her office, a large, welcoming fire in back of room.
McGonagall motioned for them to sit down, and she herself sat behind her desk, "Professor Lupin owled ahead and told me what happened on the train. He said Potter and Granger were the most affected by the Dementor?"
Before any of them could answer, Madam Pomfrey, school's Matron, entered the office."Oh, it's you three," She said in a tone that indicated she wasn't surprised, "what dangerous thing did you do this time?"
"It was a Dementor, Poppy," McGonagall informed her at once.
Madam Pomfrey's eyes widened and she shook her head, "Setting Dementors around a school, honestly," she said and began checking over the two, which looked paled.
"Well, you won't be the first to collapse due to a Dementor. Terrible things, they are, and the effect they have on people who are already delicate..."
"I'm not delicate!" Surprisingly both Harry and Hermione argued at the same time, even using the matching words. It was getting incredibly difficult for Lucifer to keep a straight face.
"Of course you're not..."
"What do they need?" Professor McGonagall asked in a worried tone, "Bed rest for Potter? Should Miss Granger perhaps spend the night in the Hospital Wing?"
"I'm fine!" Harry jumped out of his seat.
"No please, I am really done with the Hospital wing!" Hermione's cheeks puffed out in anger, she had missed a whole lot of classes, past year.
Already took so much time at night to catch up on, with Lucifer teaching her over the mirror.
"Poppy, Morningstar was on the train with them....so, he shou---"
Madam Pomfrey looked at the boy for some insight, but it was Hermione who opened her mouth first, "The Chocolate Lucifer gave me really worked, I felt much better after biti-"
"Well... She went into this--like, Catatonic state.." Lucifer explained to the stern-looking Professor.
It made Hermione snap her neck to look at her boyfriend's face, with a dumbfounded expression, she really felt betrayed! That's the reason, she opened her mouth first, knowing he would definitely rat her out.
"Professor Lupin did the same with me, I also ate his chocolate...." Harry decided to get out of this situation.
"Really, they did?"
She looked approvingly at the boy named Lucifer.
"...A Defense professor who actually knows what he's talking about? Mark it on the Calendar, Minerva," Pomfrey said, with a knowing look.
"Are you sure you both feel alright?" McGonagall asked again, just to make sure.
"Yes, Professor!" Hermione replied, while gritting her teeth. She was clearly agitated about this.
Harry nodded repeatedly, he just wanted to get out of here.
"Very well," she said and turned to Harry, "Potter, I ask that you kindly wait outside while I discuss with Granger and Morningstar their timetables, then we can all go down to the feast."
Harry got up and left, glancing back just before he closed the door.
xxxxxx
"Now, you both understand what it is I am about to hand you, correct?"
"Yes, Professor," Hermione answered, a little more cheerfully, now that Madam Pomfrey was gone.
"Perfectly," Lucifer nodded, with her statement.
"Alright, since you both are in the same House, and you have decided to take every class, there was no need to get more than one Time Turner," McGonagall said, producing the said magical thing.
"You are to only use this for educational purposes. Any mishandling or misuse of this object will result in 'immediate expulsion' and being tried in Ministry for attempting to alter time itself. Understood?"
She asked and they both nodded.
"Good," She handed it to the girl after Lucifer motioned for McGonagall to give it to her.
"I must say congratulations to you both, it took you long enough."
Hermione's face turned red from embarrassment, she took a peek at her partner, only to see with his usual face, not being affected in the slightest. But she knew he was also quite happy inside.
"Let's go retrieve Potter and head down to the feast, shall we?"
They both nodded and collected Harry outside standing like mad chicken, sprouting wings everywhere, desires to run a sprint, making their way to the Great Hall.
Inside, the warmth from a thousand floating candles banished chill of the rain soaked night. The Scottish Highlands were always cold and damp at the start of term. A dry first of September was a rare blessing.
Older students talked loudly, most of them discussing the Dementors. Only when the professors entered did the noise subside.
It was a sea of pointed black hats; each of the long house tables was lined with students.
In Wizarding world, Dementors were spoken of with even more disgust than the 'DarkLord' himself. Rumors were already spreading that some might remain stationed at Hogwarts.
The thought of studying alongside such creatures cast a visible shadow over many faces. Only one person looked more displeased than the students.
Severus Snape.
He sat two seats away from Lupin, who was smiling pleasantly as he chatted with Professor Flitwick.
Snape's hand clenched his fork so tight his knuckles went white, Lucifer 'half-expected' him to leap across the table and happily drive the utensil straight into Lupin's throat.
And Dumbledore? Oh, Dumbledore definitely knew about their history. The whole school did, yet he'd still hired Lupin, clearly unconcerned with Snape's feelings.
Putting two lifelong enemies in the same workplace, Lucifer couldn't help thinking that sort of management style had a 'Koreandrama' flavor.
He had gotten a 'few naughty' stuff out of Amelia Bones's when she was getting her arse fucked in the balcony, while Lucifer held the leash around her collar.
Sensing his gaze, Dumbledore looked up and gave him a small, knowing smile, he didn't return it, still hadn't forgotten how the 'old man' had undermined him last tim-----?
Several people looked and pointed at Harry, the boy who fainted.
Hermione Granger wondered if the news had spread that fast? It was well after all Hogwarts; news and rumors spread like a 'nasty flu!'
xxxxxx
Author's Note
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