Moments later, Professor McGonagall led this year's trembling 'first years' into the Great Hall.
The Sorting Ceremony began.
The Sorting Hat, having apparently spent an entire year composing a new song, delivered another painfully 'unpleasant performance.'
Lucifer tuned it out and instead expanded his magical perception to observe the nervous newcomers.
He wanted to see whether the Sorting had any correlation with magicules. When he had first been Sorted, it had barely brushed his hair before declaring 'Slytherin!'
Only later had he understood why. Carrying ancient power, an aura that aligned perfectly with Slytherin's traditional ideals of pure blooded excellence. For a mere hat to possess such acute perception was, in its own way, a testament to the brilliance of the 'founders!'
These first years, untouched by formal magical education, possessed magic in its purest state. Their power had not yet been shaped or "contaminated" by layers of learned technique and rigid theory.
That purity made their innate traits easier to observe. And, Lucifer truly did notice something. Among the new Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, he found no obvious common thread in their magic. Their auras varied widely, without a clear shared characteristic.
But among 'Slytherins and Gryffindors,' it was different.
The magic of students sorted into those two Houses was noticeably more active, more volatile, more inclined toward outward expression. If Hogwarts were ever reduced to only two Houses, he mused, 'Ravenclaw' and 'Hufflepuff' might well merge into one.
Slytherin and Gryffindor into another.
Half an hour later, Sorting Ceremony concluded. Professor McGonagall carried it and the three legged stool out of the Hall.
Albus Dumbledore rose to his feet.
"Welcome!" His beard shimmered in the candlelight, and his voice carried clearly to every corner of the Great Hall, "Welcome back to those familiar faces returning to school, and welcome to the new ones among us. I have several announcements to make, one of them quite important, so it is best I speak before you enjoy your feast and your heads become delightfully empty."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"As you will be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban Prison, who are here on the Ministry of Magic business to perform official duties."
Dumbledore just liked to give a long speech at the start of a new year, people were used to it by now.
"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are here with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises--or even invisibility cloaks."
Harry almost coughed.
"It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look at the Prefects, and our new 'Head Boy and Head Girl', to make sure that no student runs foul of Dementors."
Hermione glanced over at Percy, who looked important with his chest puffed out as he glanced around at everyone.
A heavy silence settled over many students. Heads lowered in visible dissatisfaction.
Lucifer, however, was thinking about something else. Why was 'Sirius Black's' bounty higher than his?
Could a single, wandless 'Memory Charm' truly justify such a threat level? Was the Ministry of Magic' pulling bullshit out their arses' to calm down the public? In truth, even Dumbledore did not fully understand, only a handful people within the Ministry even conjured' up of such a possible reason.
It had been the Dementors themselves who protested, bounty had been set high at creature's own insistence.
....Apparently, during the "incident," Sirius Black had hit one of them with such a powerful 'Obliviate' that it had literally forgotten how to feed. Its mind was blank, its body withering from starvation.
If it went on much longer, it would probably die before the year's end.
That had terrified the Dementors. The idea of starving to death--'of forgetting even their hunger'---was beyond nightmare. To them, this one human wizard was a mortal enemy, a creature to be destroyed. They didn't want him imprisoned in Azkaban, they wanted him kissed, wiped from existence entirely. Sirius Black could destroy people's minds.
Fudge had been hounded by their demands until he finally caved.
"Let's move to some happier topics, shall we?" Dumbledore's smile returned, as though he hadn't just announced that 'soul-sucking' monsters were patrolling the castle, "First, a reminder: this Wednesday, all classes will be suspended for a schoolwide placement exam. I encourage you to use the next few days to review thoroughly and hand in results that will make your professors proud."
A collective groan swept through the hall. The air practically dripped with despair. 'Merlin's ass... what kind of term was this going to be?'
Dementors at the gates, exams on day three, and the Headmaster was calling this "good news." The teachers, and secretly Hermione however, looked rather pleased, which probably explained everything.
Dumbledore pressed on, beaming.
"I am also delighted to welcome two new members to our staff this term."
"First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly agreed to fill the post of 'Defence Against the Dark Arts."
A smattering of polite applause followed, mostly from Gryffindor, led enthusiastically by Harry Potter and the Weasleys.
Lucifer joined in, partly out of courtesy to Augusta, who was now one of his most valuable customers. The applause gradually swelled.
The Slytherins, of course, weren't impressed with Lupin's shabby robes. Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs looked uncertain too, most of them still thought Lockhart had been the best dazzling Defense teacher that subject ever had in their memory.
Dumbledore caught Harry's eye and inclined his head slightly, as if in thanks. When the applause faded, he continued.
Hermione heard Ron tell Harry to look at Snape, so she did so herself and noticed he did not look happy.
He never looked happy, but particularly so; he was looking down the staff table at Professor Lupin with a snarl.
'Really, people should be more grateful Snape didn'tget it', she thought.
"As to our second new appointment,
Professor Kettleburn has retired of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. I am pleased to announce that 'Rubeus Hagrid' will assume his position as Professor of 'Care of Magical Creatures' in addition to his gamekeeping duties. As someone who has worked closely with magical beasts for many years, I am confident you will learn much from him."
This time, Lucifer applauded first.
Harry Potter's was the loudest.
Next moment, was a tumultuous applause at the Gryffindor table, and they saw Hagrid wiping his tears that seemed never ending.
Hagrid's greatest virtue was his sincerity. He was hardworking and reliable. Over the summer, every single batch of Acromantula venom had been delivered precisely as agreed, without error or delay.
Support was deserved, Professor Hagrid's face turned crimson as he nodded awkwardly toward the 'four' House tables. Becoming a professor had always been his dream, to teach about magical creatures he adored made it all the more meaningful.
"Well, I think that's all of important stuff," Dumbledore said with a smile, that almost melted candles on the ceilings, "Let the 'feast... begin!"
The golden plates and goblets filled before Hermione's very eyes, like they usually did, but she never got tired of seeing the magic happen.
She saw Neville across from them, and he was quite obviously avoiding looking at them, or at least Harry.
Hermione sighed and sat back down, eating and drinking at a slower than usual pace, her appetite just wasn't there for this kind of food.
Lucifer too was not looking at the glittering plates, but staring at the staff podium, and the sight was making the celestial hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He leaned sideways on the table, impeccable dark robes ruffling slightly gesturing toward the high table.
"Hermione, look at me, focus," he said, in a cautious tone, "I need you to tell me exactly when you last spoke to Dumbledore, and if he had any recent... 'hobbies. Like taking up human-level Transfiguration."
Hermione Granger didn't look up from her roasted lamb and potatoes. She delicately dabbed a speck of gravy from the corner of her lip and sighed, shaking her famously bushy hair, "For the hundredth time, Lucifer, he's the Headmaster," She said, her scholarly tone was full of exasperation, "He's hundreds of years old, allowed to change his robes or his beard. What are you even going on about?"
"No, no, no. You misunderstand," Lucifer pressed, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the podium, "The man up there? The one with the half-moon spectacles? He is not Dumbledore."
Watching the imposter lean down to whisper something to Snape who was pure livid, and not eating much. To anyone else, it was the Headmaster they had always known.
But to Lucifer, who had spent eons memorizing every nuance of human facade, the "discrepancy" was glaring.
The bone structure was millimeters off, rhythm of his blinking was entirely wrong. It was a mask, a meticulously crafted, 'flesh-level illusion!' What truly chilled the Devil's blood was that entire room, staff, students, and ghosts alike were cheering and carrying on as if reality itself had been seamlessly rewritten.
"Hermione, look at his nose!" Lucifer insisted, gripping the edge of the golden plate, "Last term, it had a slight hook to the right. Today, it's perfectly Roman, not a single person here is batting an eye! How can the entire student body just blindly accept this?"
Hermione finally put down her fork, fixing him with a look of pure, unadulterated pity. She reached out and patted his hand as if he were a particularly slow first-year.
"Lucifer," She said slowly, enunciating each word, "You spent the entire afternoon at trolley witch's stall. You've eaten 'four' bags of Sugar Quills, three Peppermint Humbugs, and a terrifying amount of exploding bonbons, and Chocolate frog."
Leaning in closer, she narrowed her eyes, teaching him with a spoon, "You have eaten so many sweets that your brain has literally frozen. You're having a sugar crash, or perhaps a minor hallucination brought on by a magical glucose spike....! There is no conspiracy, no fake Dumbledore. Now eat your toast before you start seeing goblins in the salt shakers."
Lucifer stared at her, then glanced back at the imposter, who was now beaming benevolently out over the student body.
Reality felt as if it had been ironed flat, smoothing over a terrifying rip in the very fabric of Hogwarts. 'The Devil' remained cautious, and quite suddenly, very much alone in his realization.
Lucifer stared at podium, his mind racing through timelines, cosmic resets, and Dimensional shifts.
The man standing there was entirely different. His stature, his voice, the way he moved, old bastard's face, it wasn't just a change; but an entirely different soul occupying the space where Albus Dumbledore used to be.
The previous man had a gentle, 'fragile' aura, like parchment. This new one moved with a sharp, energetic, almost aggressive cadence.
"Hermione...The universe just recast him, entire corporeal form has been replaced by a completely different human being, and everyone is acting like he's always looked like this!"
"Lucifer, oh babe," Hermione sighed, tapping her temple, she could only console with making him eat with her fork, and pouring orange juice.
xxxxx
At the Slytherin table, Blaise Zabini was grinning like he'd swallowed a batch of 'FelixFelicis.' His friend Nott, sitting beside him, finally lost patience.
"Blaise, what's wrong with you? You've been smiling like that for ten minutes. Did someone curse you? Was it those Gryffindor idiots?"
"Curse you," Blaise shot back without missing a beat, though his grin didn't fade. He tried, and failed, to school his expression into something solemn, "Actually... my seventh stepfather passed away this holiday."
The words hit like a dropped cauldron.
Nott blinked.
Lucifer who was eavesdropping to check if anyone else noticed the freak, almost dropped his glass.
And half the table froze.
Unlike the secretive professors, Blaise had no filter and no concept of volume. Half the Slytherin House heard him clearly, and soon an awkward silence settled over the table. Everyone knew about 'Madam Zabini', his mother, a living legend in wizarding society.
She'd had eight husbands so far. The first had been Blaise's biological father. Every one of them had been wealthy, distinguished... and 'dead' within a year of marrying her.
Her reputation rivaled that of the cursed 'Defense Against the Dark Arts' position itself. The Ministry had even launched an official investigation once, but in the end, the findings were always the same: "'tragic accidents, no foul play."
Yet despite her dark reputation, Madam Zabini's beauty ensured she was never short of suitors.
Lucifer had met her once, last year at the train station. A cold, poised woman with platinum-blonde hair, skin like polished marble, she looked exactly like 'Vanessa Kirby's White Widow from Mission: Impossible.'
Even the older wizards had stared.
'Men', he thought at the time, Eternal boys, all of them.
"...Er, congratulations?" Nott finally managed, groping for words.
That single word, "congratulations," sparked a wave of stifled laughter across the table. Blaise just nodded cheerfully, covering his mouth as if to hide his grin, "Thank you, thank you. Much appreciated."
Lucifer pinched the bridge of his nose, 'now that's what you call a cheerful funeral.' Then suddenly, he felt a sharp, dagger-like stare pierce him. He didn't need to look to know who it was.
Severus Snape.
The man's 'fury' was practically radiating heat across the hall. And honestly, he couldn't blame him.
After all, he was the one who'd given Snape that ridiculous Solstice "gift." And then, as if that weren't enough, he'd convinced Snape to continue brewing that particular potion, a potion that had turned poor man's laboratory into a nightmare.
Snape's expression screamed, 'I will end you.'
Lucifer met his glare, and grinned, wide and innocent, with a bright, boyish sincerity that rivaled 'Harry Potter's.'
That was the final straw. Snape's blood pressure skyrocketed; his fork bent under his fingers with a metallic squeal.
"Severus?" Dumbledore asked gently, watching him with faint concern, "Why aren't you eating?"
Snape's voice was ice, "Oh, I'm full. Utterly full."
Dumbledore followed the line of Snape's glare, spotted Lucifer's smug face, and sighed quietly, shaking his head. For the life of him, he couldn't understand it.
Lucifer had brought nothing but prestige to Slytherin, turned their reputation from notorious to formidable. He'd defended them, outperformed them, and yet Snape treated him like a 'ticking bomb!'
xxxxxx
This year's welcome feast was unusually calm. No disasters, no curses, no explosions, just the soft murmur of conversation and clinking cutlery. Students ate heartily, and time passed quickly.
When the last slices of pumpkin pie vanished, Dumbledore led the school in a rousing, if tuneless, rendition of the Hogwarts song before dismissing everyone. Many students bolted for their dorms, desperate to catch up on unfinished homework.
Lucifer didn't have any of that to worry about, but he had his own matters to handle, so he moved just as quickly toward the doors.
He was halfway across the entrance hall when a clear, 'firm' voice called after him:
"Mr. Morningstar, a moment, please."
Lucifer turned. The crowd parted around Professor McGonagall, who stood waiting for him, arms crossed and expression unreadable, she even shooed Hermione away.
He hesitated, frowning slightly. Classes hadn't even started yet, what could she possibly want with him? Was she trying to give him an early warning? A "let's try not to cause chaos this term" talk? Whatever it was, it probably wasn't good.
Dumbledore blinked in surprise and turned, 'Minerva... you stole my line.' He'd been just about to call Lucifer over himself. How had she?
Very puzzled, Lucifer approached the staff table, "Professor McGonagall, is something wrong?"
"Quite the opposite," She said with a rare smile, "Something good, come with me, oh, you too, Albus."
And so, "obedient" as ever, Lucifer followed her. And so, somewhat less obedient but equally curious, Dumbledore 'followed' as well.
The two exchanged a look as they walked down the hall, Lucifer's expression said, 'So this is the great Headmaster of Hogwarts? You and I are both getting ordered around.'
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with amusement, he could read that expression easily, and he refused to rise to it. 'Nice try,' his look replied, 'That trick doesn't even work on Snape.'
In truth, there wasn't a soul in Hogwarts, student or professor, who dared defy Minerva McGonagall when she was in one of her moods.
Still, Dumbledore thought wryly, 'the boy certainly knows how to needle me.'
In silence, the trio made their way up spiral staircase to Headmaster's Office.
"Toffee Finger," McGonagall declared crisply. The stone gargoyle sprang to life and leapt aside, as Lucifer passed, it winked at him.
"You've made friends," Dumbledore murmured under his breath.
The boy smirked telling a bit of his secrets, "Not exactly, more like... it's learned to 'fear me... I might've annoyed it a bit, I've used password more in one week than it's heard in decades...."
Dumbledore chuckled softly. 'Evil meets evil, and harmony is born,' he mused.
"Chirp!"
No sooner had they stepped inside than Fawkes, reborn and radiant after his last fiery cycle, swooped down to perch on Lucifer's shoulder.
The phoenix rubbed affectionately against his cheek, feathers gleaming like molten gold.
Lucifer chuckled and returned the affection, in his own way, "You really are beautiful, look at these feathers, oh, sorry, didn't mean to pull so hard."
Two warm, glowing 'tail feathers' slipped deftly into his pocket.
Dumbledore didn't even look, simply turned away, eyes fixed firmly on his desk. If he didn't see it happen, it didn't happen, he'd learned that trick a long time ago.
xxxxx
Inside the Headmaster's office, Albus Dumbledore finally reclaimed his authority, if only briefly.
"Minerva," he said, smiling with that grandfatherly patience, "now that we're here, would you mind telling us what this is all about?"
"It's a piece of wonderful news," Professor McGonagall replied, her tone brightening. She turned toward Lucifer with a rare, genuine smile.
"Mr. Morningstar," she began, "your 'Imagine' Fantasy's Potion' has been officially recognized by a number of transfiguration experts. The news has also reached the 'Extraordinary Potioneers' Association.' Many esteemed masters agree that your potion bridges the two disciplines beautifully, transfiguration and alchemy, in a way never seen before... Some who previously proposed third class, now looked promising Second."
She looked delighted, "Albus, our school is about to witness the youngest recipient of two 'Order of Merlin' in history.... As Headmaster, I trust you'll support two applications for both Mr. Morningstar's sake, and Hogwarts' honor."
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully, understood her meaning at once. She was asking to lend his name, to speak for Lucifer's merit and ensure the award's approval. And truly, he saw no reason to object.
Forget the Basilisk for now
Lucifer's potion was remarkable, a 'spell-enhancing' brew that allowed even mediocre students to grasp the essence of transfiguration faster. It was revolutionary. But before he could speak, the boy raised a hand.
"Professor," he said calmly, "I think... I'll pass."
McGonagall blinked. "I beg your pardon?"
Lucifer inched subtly away from her and placed Fawkes between them as a fiery buffer, "What I mean is, I don't think I deserve the honor yet. I'd like more time to refine my work before accepting such recognition... Please, Professor, help me tell those esteemed wizards not to file a second application. When I feel I've earned it, I'll apply myself, you can add potions' in First Order 'for' Basilisk."
Of course, it was nonsense.
Lucifer had no intention of rejecting the medal out of modesty, he was simply saving it. He wanted to stockpile prestige, to build toward something grander: the 'First-Class Order of Merlin', the highest tier.
While the Merlin Medals weren't technically cumulative, Wizengamot did consider a wizard's prior achievements when deliberating higher honors, past brilliance often tipped the scales.
McGonagall studied him for several long seconds. When she realized he wasn't joking, her stern face softened, "You truly feel that way, Mr. Morningstar."
"Of course, what would I do with two Second Orders?" he said sincerely, "I'm certain there will be other opportunities, no need to rush."
"Well... 'very well." McGonagall sighed, the faintest trace of disappointment slipping into her tone, "I'll send them a reply in two days. If you change your mind, you may still tell me."
"Thank you, Professor. I appreciate your understanding."
She turned to Dumbledore. "That's all 'from me, Albus."
"Then get some rest, Minerva," Dumbledore said, smiling, "I'll stay and discuss something else with him." When she left, the portraits around the room, which had been feigning sleep, erupted.
"Morningstar! You're not serious!" Phineas Nigellus cried, his voice echoing off the walls, "The Order of Merlin isn't just a medal, it's immortality! To have your name etched into history, and you just, turned it down?!"
Another portrait added, "Are you truly that humble?"
Lucifer merely shrugged, "Fine, I'll admit it. It's not humility, it's pride. The committee would probably give me a 'Third-Class' Medal, maybe 'Second-Class' at best...And honestly..."
His face showed visible disgust.
"That would put me on the same level as Lockhart... Do you think I'd let myself be ranked alongside him?"
The portraits burst out laughing, even the usually stoic Headmasters.
'There he is', they thought. 'The real Lucifer Morningstar, arrogant, ambitious, and utterly unapologetic.'
For a moment, they'd almost believed Dumbledore had bewitched him with the 'Imperius Curse' when he'd started talking about modesty.
Dumbledore chuckled too, shaking his head, "A perfectly in-character reason," he admitted. "Though I must say, Gilderoy's ability to serve as an eternal 'counter example' never ceases to amaze me."
xxxxxxxx
Albus was showing his fruits of labor, when he talked to Voldemort.
[Dumbledore, you saw that, didn't you? He used an Unforgivable Curse, right in front of you!]
[You're mistaken, Tom. If he used the 'Cruciatus Curse' on another wizard, then yes, that would be illegal. But you?"
You're just... a notebook. And what's wrong with a student testing his spells on school supplies?]
"Technically... you made a good point, Professor."
'No, he doesn't have a point!' Armando Dippet's conscience screamed, 'He's tortured a soul in front of Potter!'
The portraits were aghast.
Inside the diary, Lucifer could feel Voldemort's rage exploded.
'[Dumbledore! This is outrageous! You never treated me this way when I was at Hogwarts! You watched me like a criminal, and yet you let him get away with everything!]'
[In fairness, I never truly targeted you, Tom. I was simply... cautious. Your behavior in the orphanage made it difficult to trust you.]
'[Lies! Every time you looked at me, I could see it, suspicion, doubt, disdain! You never believed in me!]'
[And history, I think, proved my instincts correct. If anything, I underestimated you.]
Lucifer couldn't resist jumping in again, "He misunderstood me, the diary became useless to me, that's not betrayal that's 'efficiency. Tom Riddle should reflect on why he failed to stay relevant... Professor, you haven't exactly pampered me either. Two years ago, I fought his little remnant, saved the school, and what did you do? Tried to give the credit to Harry Potter, you know, the boy who killed him."
"Mr. Morningstar," Dumbledore interrupted gently, looking slightly embarrassed, "That wasn't suppression, you agreed, remember? I offered you the 'Philosopher's Stone' and an introduction to Nicolas Flamel in exchange. And later, Slytherin won the House Cup, like you wanted."
Lucifer raised an eyebrow, smirking, "Oh, right. So I risk my life, save the castle, and my prize is an old man and a rock..."
The portraits were trembling with laughter. Dumbledore, watching the calm boy seated across from him, couldn't decide who was more terrifying.
The one inside the diary?
Or the one smiling before him?
"Anyway," Dumbledore said lightly, adjusting his glasses, "the House Cup did still go to Slytherin, cause didn't appreciate hostility and suspicion from Gryffindor's."
"That," Lucifer retorted with a grin, "was because I won it back."
Dumbledore fell silent, smiling helplessly.
Lucifer Morningstar was sharper than he'd imagined, far too sharp, but at least this year, there would be no secret schemes or manipulations on the Headmaster's part.
Dumbledore made a mental note to ensure Harry didn't develop a personal vendetta against Lucifer.
'That... would end very badly.'
"Professor," he asked innocently, "what do you think of my invention?"
"It's marvelous," Dumbledore said truthfully, nodding, "I've even added a few more old friends recently, communication through it is far smoother than owls... Ever since, the video-stream version was released, I am delighted to have you given the 'Philosopher's Stone"
Lucifer sighed dramatically, "Ah, yes, about that, I've run into some... material shortages."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled knowingly, "I see. And I assume this is where I come in, tell me what you need, and I'll reach out to the appropriate suppliers..."
"Oh, no, Professor, you misunderstand," Lucifer said with mock modesty, "I already have the materials, what need now is... space to 'cultivate them."
He pointed casually toward the window, where moonlight illuminated shadowy expanse of the Hogwarts grounds.
"You see, Madam Greengrass gave me ten 'Whomping Willow' seedlings, I even gifted one to Newt for taking care of them, but one was left.... without a home."
Dumbledore almost wanted to laugh out of sheer courage of the boy's way of thinking, "You want to... plant one more' WhompingWillow', at Hogwarts?"
"Precisely!" Lucifer however was beaming, taking no insult or paying attention to his stiffened beard, "You summarized that perfectly."
The Headmaster rose, stepping to the window to gaze out over the lawns. The single, massive 'Whomping Willow' swayed in the wind, a lone sentinel on the frosty field.
"That I cannot do, it will require clearing part of the 'Forbidden Forest' And, we can't have the entire Quidditch pitch turned into a minefield, either."
xxxxxx
Dumbledore was feeling the slightest bit of unease, somehow not up to his usual self, "So..." he started slowly, "The 'Book of Admittance' removed both your and Miss Granger's residence, it had never occurred before. So, can I understand it was your doing?" In fact, the only thing he even remotely feared was the 'power of Merlin.'
"Indeed, it was just my side project over the holidays," Lucifer said calmly.
"Might I ask you to remove them?"
"Both of them are now more safe and secure," The boy partially answered, knowing his magic was tied to 'Hermione'svirgin blood', which he asked from her that day.
"How is it that school owls can only reach a garden's tree, even I myself just can't seem to remember?"
"Magic."
Dumbledore knew Lucifer wouldn't remove the barriers, and for some reason, his Legilimency wasn't working on the boy, "Have you told Miss Granger about any of this?" He asked, his eyes not sparkling.
Actually asking would be the only way he'd get information out of him.
"Just that I am related to Merlin," Lucifer gave a half-truth, "I didn't initially want to, but I figured it best if they heard it 'from me' directly."
Dumbledore didn't pick up on it, though, "I see. I will inform you that I have kept your survival of the 'Killing Curse' a secret from everyone. Only you and myself are aware of it," there was now heavy tension in the air.
"I am grateful for that, otherwise Hermione's reaction, let's just stay, I am not looking forward to that day ever..." Lucifer nodded his head politely, his eyes looking straight at Headmaster's face.
"...Indeed, have a good night, Lucifer, you and Miss Granger have a busy year ahead of you," Dumbledore said, knowing they had taken every class offered for 'third years.'
Lucifer got out of the chair and left Dumbledore's office, trudging through the darkened corridor. With a menacing look on his face, Albus's sudden probing now caused him to be even more alert.
xxxxxx
The moment the door closed, 'PhineasNigellus Black' groaned from his portrait, this year was the worst, his Death eater kin, a shame in their family's tree, had escaped Azkaban.
That was okay... 'glorious, but bad!'
"Utterly lawless! The boy's completely lawless!"
He jabbed a finger at Dumbledore.
"Even Voldemort never dared cast an 'Unforgivable Curse' any close distance nearby Headmaster Dippet! And this Morningstar, this Morningstar, tortured a soul fragment right outside your Gargoyle last year! and walks out requesting to plant trees like it's a 'charity project!"
Before Dumbledore could respond, Armando Dippet himself, the former headmaster, cleared his throat.
"Phineas, don't be absurd. You forget how well Tom hid his nature in my time. You once praised him as the 'very model' of a Slytherin gentleman, remember?"
"'That was before I knew what he'd become!" Phineas snapped.
"Exactly," Dippet replied calmly. "And that's my point. Tom hid everything, his anger, his arrogance, his ambition. But Morningstar? He's transparent. He gets angry, he argues, he jokes. He shows emotion. That makes him safer, and 'far easier to trust.'"
Dumbledore nodded slowly, as if his earlier probing of Lucifer was a mistake due to his old age, "Armando's right, I rather like the boy's honesty. True, he causes me headaches, often, but he's refreshingly straightforward. 'And as you know," he added, twinkle returning to his eyes, "many people seem to share my appreciation for him. Especially certain members of the 'opposite sex..."
Phineas scowled as the two headmasters chuckled softly, "Oh, brilliant, now you're both charmed by the boy. No wonder Hogwarts has no discipline left! Dumbledore, mark my words, you'd better put that boy in his place someday. 'Remind him who really runs this school!"
Dumbledore chuckled helplessly.
"Phineas... remind me, who exactly does run this school anymore?"
The portrait sputtered.
"Don't you dare!"
But Albus's laughter filled the office.
xxxxx
While those two were chatting, a certain Weasely boy was doing hardest to justify the badge, now held on his school robes.
"Coming through, coming through," Percy yelled over the crowd, pushing his way through, "The new password is 'Fortuna Major!"
"Oh no..." Hermione heard Neville from somewhere behind, she knew he was notoriously bad at remembering things.
Upon entering the Common Room, boys and girls separated to go to their respective Dorm Rooms, but she stayed up in Common Room to await her boyfriend's return.
She went over to one of bookshelves in Common Room and grabbed a random book to pass the time.
xxxxxx
'~Flashback to Granger's'
Hermione sat cross-legged, staring at the bag at the end of her bed. She grabbed the bag, the phallic object in her grasp, as she put it right in front of her, and removed from the bag.
She wasn't of age that she could buy what she actually wanted to, so this would have to do. She had in her hand a cucumber, and face heated up as her mind thought nothing but dirty thoughts.
"Daddy... I want to thank you, be able to make you happy... in 'more ways than you can imagine..." Hermione had decided on practicing to get better, in the event he would be growing even bigger, she was preparing for it.
She'd not make a fool of herself during playing with him.
Holding the cucumber 'firmly' in her right hand, raised her head up so that she was looking at ceiling, opened her mouth, and slowly lowered the cucumber in and down her throat, gagging almost immediately.
Tears had already formed in her eyes from the 'feeling'; this was going to be a lot harder than she originally thought.
She pressed on, however, for Lucifer.
Hermione looked at her ceiling again, and gave it another attempt.
xxxxxx
BookGirl79
I think I'm becoming addicted to the spankings. Or maybe it's the way I feel afterward. When Lucifer corrects me, I wonder, how does he feel?
Like, does spanking me make him feel more in control? Does it feel good?
Does it calm him down?
My brain won't turn off (and I'm sure once I go back to ask for more, I'll be even more obsessed). I don't want to ruin things, but I'm so confused now.
I'm going to bend over my pillows until my heart stops racing, then pay a visit.
In bed early for now.
xxxxxx
BookGirl79,
I don't know how Lucifer functions with his dick constantly rubbing against everything.
Using the loo was like a carnival game. I just gave up and sat down.
I hope this privacy charm works, because I just wanked in the toilet of my room.
I just wanted to see what it was like.
It didn't take much time, and it did give me some new ideas about what I should do to him.
I don't think I would ever get courage, to explain, after the way I used his body like that.
My daily 'one-hour' meditation seemed to have been working or so I think, but well it's going to be alright.
I bet he never considered the idea that I might steal his hair, change into him, and play with myself a little bit.
(I'm sorry, but I can't explain what else I did with my boyfriend's dick.)
xxxxxx
BookGirl79,
Forgive me, for tearing up those pages, I was just so damn frustrated after not being able to suck his cock.
xxxxxx
BookGirl79,
Another try.
I'm petting Crookshanks right now.
When I'm done, I'll take my bath and probably spend a while reading those books he gave me.
I want to spend as much time as possible lying over my pillows imagining him spanking me.
I've been thinking about Lucifer's cock all day. I wanted to taste him so much this morning. (Just had to do with my bottles for now)
Reaching at Hogwarts, I'm going to give him the works. So, he'd better plan an extra hour into the night for me to test out a few ideas.
Besides, I also want to show him the new room, Madam Pomfrey gave me a password for.
The only thing I can't decide is how to finish him off. If I swallow, I can't watch clearly; but if I watch, I won't feel him throbbing deep in my throat.
(Too deep actually, I swear if he grew up even more, his cock's going to tear apart my insides.)
Decisions, decisions. Will he touch himself for me tonight?
I wonder if we're ever doing it at the same time.
I'm already getting wet, shit my tears dropped on you again!
Sigh, this is going to be a long night.
Missing Lucifer's cock,
xxxxx
BookGirl79,
My bedsheets were all wet today.
I know it shouldn't get this obsessive, but mostly I just dreamed about shagging him last night.
I'm not really sore today or anything, but my pussy feels worn out. In a good way.
I don't know if I can separate his "corrections" from the sex anymore.
Is that wrong, or is that what he wanted to happen? Obviously, thinking about spanking turns me on.
I don't know, it's a punishment but if I want it this much. Won't that just make me act out so I can get over his lap again?
Going to end it here, King's Cross will arrive in a minu-
"Hermione, you can put the journal back now!"
"Okay, Mum...."
xxxxx
Present, he got to the Fat Lady.
"Password?"
Right, Lucifer didn't know, the most effective way inside is to just blo---People called Voldemort merciless, a monster, but in truth, he was 'fragile' The Wizarding world exaggerated the terror of killing and torture, never understanding what true war looked like. Across magical history, from 'FantasticBeasts' to Harry Potter's era, nearly a century of chaos and heroics, there was only one man, Lucifer truly respected.
A Muggle.
Jacob Kowalski.
He'd seen more death in a single heartbeat than Voldemort had in a lifetime, yet emerged 'kind, humorous, and whole', even winning the heart of a Legilimens like Queenie Goldstein, who could see into his mind and find nothing but gentleness.
Now that was true strength.
Lucifer smiled faintly.
"A god among men."
By the absolute grace of some bushy haired divine being, the Fat lady's portrait was saved tonight.
"Lucifer!" Hermione said breathlessly.
"...Hermione? What are you still doing awake?" Lucifer, asked, stepping into the Common Room, trying his best to pretend, he was just confused, and not thinking about blowing up school's portraits at all.
"I waited for you, obviously," She said, rolling her eyes, her tone like it was Lucifer, who was talking mad.
They sat down on one of the couches.
"You didn't have to, but I'm glad you did...."
"Yeah, you never were told the Password, were you?" Hermione asked him, raising her eyebrows.
He shook his head in denial.
"It's Fortuna Major."
"Thanks... 'thank you again'... for letting me in the Tower," Lucifer smiled at her, girl was really too good for his evil nature, and twisted personality.
She felt her cheeks burn, "Anytime..."
They sat quietly for a moment, before Hermione got up the nerve in asking him something, "Hey, I wanted to know why was Katie so nice to you?"
"Oh... Katie Bell, I had scooted over as far as I could to save her from a bludger during practice, then she treated me her bento box, it was really nice of her," Lucifer smiled down at the 'floor' for a moment, even missing the darkened look on Hermione's face.
"We should go to bed... Dumbledore said we have a busy year ahead of us," Lucifer still looked down in thought.
"You're right," She stood up quickly, trying to hide her look of contempt for the girl named, Katie Bell, "Come with me 'first', I have something to show you..."
When Lucifer was about to empty the couch, she grabbed his arm tightly, and just started dragging towards the boy's staircase.
"What the-----Hermio-"
"No buts, you're coming with me!"
xxxxxxx
Some time later,
Hermione opened the bathroom door, and his gut twinged when he saw the sorrow streaking her face with wet tears. She was in her maroon bathrobe, her hair pulled up in a messy ponytail atop her head.
Lucifer'd never noticed how lovely her neck was before. He was currently sitting on couch, looking around for their new stay, while Hermione went to the bathroom to have a bath, she didn't want to smell because of the "rain."
Expecting her to curl into his lap, he was surprised when she started to unknot her sash.
"Please, sir. I need a 'spanking on my barebottom," Hermione said, sniffling.
Lucifer put his hands over hers, stopping her from disrobing.
"No, Hermione," he said softly, closing her lapels, "A spanking is not what you need right now."
"Yes, it is!" She protested, her voice louder than intended. The tears came faster, and she angrily wiped her face, "Long and hard, please hurt me, sir!"
Lucifer heard the panic in her voice.
She was about to snap, "You do not deserve a long, hard spanking. I will not be party to your 'self-destructive fancies."
He wrapped his hands around her waist, "I know you're angry, and that's perfectly normal; but punishment is for correcting behavior. There is nothing in you that needs changing, because you did absolutely nothing wrong."
Lucifer pulled her into him, urging to sit in his lap, "Come here and tell me what happened."
Hermione wanted to pound the walls with her fists and scream at him until he beat her arse to a pulp. But he was making that impossible.
His arms wrapped around her, trapping her against him.
Her jittery anger cracked under his warmth, spilling out the hysterical sobs hidden behind her thin veneer of sanity.
She was broken.
Her heart was broken.
Everything was broken.
Lucifer gathered her up closer, pressing her head against his shoulder, hugging her tightly. "It's all right," he whispered into her hair.
"Get it all out."
She did. And then some, she was scared she was never going to stop.
The more he stroked her back, the more she cried, the grief was eating a hole in her belly. She'd caused her father's death, Dan Granger died because his last words before the inevitable were to save her.
Give his blood to her.
This was all her fault.
Her encounter with the Dementor, brought up many of her past memories, including the ones, when she was under 'coma.'
[PS: Amenadiel blessed her after Dan's blood transfer.]
When Hermione seemed to be tiring and her tears slowed, Lucifer moved one hand to head to stroke her hair.
If this was what calmed her most, he'd do it until sunrise, didn't want her to cry, but he didn't want her suppressing emotions any more than she already did.
She couldn't hide from the sadness.
She had to feel it, once it had its way with her, he would help her piece herself back together.
"Let me clean 'off your face," Lucifer murmured, trying to wave his palm.
She refused.
He nudged her chin with his fingers, "Don't be ridiculous, look at me. You can't even breathe, let me help you."
Cringed, Hermione decided to hide in his shoulder, "Don't look at me, I'm really ugly."
He understood, it wasn't her appearance she thought was unlovable, it was "her imperfections."
He'd avoided mirrors for the 'better' part of his life, never looking himself in the eye, because of seeing that face again. Last year was an exception, to make Hermione see her arse all damaged by his craft.
And now, to see her so blinded by that same pain stabbed at his heart like a rusty dagger, "You are not ugly, Hermione. You are the most beautiful girl I know, 'inside and out'."
"No, I'm not!"
Lucifer turned her face toward him and met her puffy gaze, "I have never ever lied to anyone my whole life. And, I will never lie to you."
Hermione blinked as he siphoned the snot from her sinuses and vanished her tears. She felt much lighter without all that mucus.
When he was done, Lucifer pressed his lips to her forehead. The sweetness of it made her cry again, but something shifted inside her.
Although she was still sad, there was also a strong sense of relief flooding through her chest.
"Are you ready to tell me what happened?" he asked softly.
She turned her face to the wall behind him, whispering so maybe it wouldn't be true yet, "Dementor caused me to remember some of my bad past memories, and I just realised that my Dad could have been saved, if he never shared his blood with me....We are both O- and the doctors...they didn't have enough to save both of us, so he...."
Lucifer hugged her tighter. "He made his choice, okay? You shouldn't blame yourself. And, I don't think your 'family' does either."
"B-But, now I understand, why Mum sometimes looks at me with that kind of gaze."
He murmured softly, "It must be one of your illusions, I'm sure."
Hermione's face crumpled. "Don't you think I am a bad, and selfish person?"
Lucifer sighed, considering how to answer her, "Hermione, there are bad people in this world. But you are not 'one of them', I swear."
"I don't know what I'm supposed to do now."
"You're already doing it, Dan Granger deserves to be mourned."
She cried softly for a while longer, and Lucifer stoked her head as he thought about how he could help her get past this.
The way she'd begged for that spanking earlier was a huge clue.
She wanted the pain to silence her sorrow. Her world was falling apart, and she needed him to put some order back into it.
But he didn't want her trading one hurt for another at a time like this.
She needed stability right now, Lucifer could give her the strength she craved without resorting to physical "displays of dominance."
Hermione had sobbed herself to exhaustion. Sniffling against his robes, she leaned into him and closed her eyes. Her body heaved out a deep sigh, too knackered to cry anymore.
"How are you feeling?" Lucifer whispered.
"Tired."
"I know you're still sad, but are you calmer now?"
"Yes, sir."
Lucifer smiled. She was ready for him to take care of her, "Have you eaten dinner properly?"
"Your fluids weren't inside, so I wasn't hungry."
"Why don't I run you a bath? I'll make you a sandwich while you get warm."
"How long can we stay here? Madam Pomfrey said to return back when my needs are done with."
"All night."
Hermione looked up at him, in disbelief, "Really?"
"Yes, really." Lucifer waved his palm, to clean her face again, "Let's make that a hot bath, you must be chilled to the bone after today in that robe."
She got off his lap, feeling shaky and drained. He put his arm around her and steered her to the bathroom.
While he plugged the drain and started the water, Hermione couldn't help thinking how odd it was to see him doing something so normal.
So kind.
Lucifer stood before her, meeting her watery gaze as he untied her sash.
Her robe dropped to the floor in a heap, and he smiled softly at her nudity
Hermione shivered as he drew his fingertips over her clavicle.
"You are so beautiful," he whispered, "I missed this."
"What?" she asked, looking down, wondering what part of her body inspired him most.
The boy tilted her chin back up, "Being with you."
A tentative smile pulled at her lips, "I missed you too."
That wasn't something he was used to hearing, Lucifer was starting to fancy.
He ran his hand along her neck, skimming his fingers over the soft skin of her upper back and shoulders, "Let's get you in the tub."
xxxxxx
Author's Note
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