Chapter 1
The skies were grey, and there was a slight drizzle, neither of which bothered the man strolling through the streets. His face was tilted upwards as if he were trying to catch the falling droplets.
Lucifer Morningstar spent eons as Hell's ruler; sometimes, like today, he ducked out to walk the Earth. He had watched humanity grow in leaps and bounds but never entirely changing. These little trips were about desire, and he indulged every wicked whim.
As he walked, he could feel a faint tingling at the back of his skull. His muscles tightened as he glanced around in search of this source of divinity, however slight. It had taken him a minute, but finally, he found himself at the door to a pub of some kind. The faded signage proclaimed it to be ‘The Leaky Cauldron’. His nose wrinkled in disdain, but he strolled in any way.
He made a place at a booth on the far end, eager to see what secrets were hidden here. Eventually, he slipped through a wall opening and realized what he was seeing. This was a society of magic. He could feel the way the energies thrummed and sang to him. He was the Light-Bringer, after all.
A snow-white multi-storied marble building located partway down the alley caught his eye first, and so he headed towards it. Other wand carriers hurried about doing whatever it was they needed to.
The burnished bronze entrance doors were flanked by goblins in a uniform of scarlet and gold and Lucifer’s smile grew. He had encountered the blighters before.
As he passed the second set of doors, also flanked with goblins, he found himself in a vast marble hall with long counters stretching along its length. In a few strides, he reached a teller and asked, with a roguish grin, "Tell me, does Ragnok still live?"
The goblin's response was a glare, "That is no business of yours, Wizard."
Lucifer tutted and let his eyes flash red briefly, "Now, now. Run along and tell Ragnok that Lucifer is here to collect."
Lucifer was content to wait. To think that just this morning, he wondered if he would ever be free of the boredom that plagued him. He heard the rapid whispers of Gobbledegook but ignored them until some Goblin addressed him directly.
"Lord Morningstar, this way."
And so Lucifer walked, fully aware of the eyes following him as he passed the threshold and was let into the bank's back area. Their final destination was a rather lavish room underground decked out with marble, granite and gold trimmings.
Lucifer gave a wave as he entered, "Ragnok. How nice to see you again."
"Morningstar," Ragnok tipped his head in greeting.
"I see time has been good to you," the Devil undid his suit jacket in a fluid motion and seated himself across the Goblin Chief.
"What is it you want here?"
"I was in the neighborhood. Figured I would drop by and see an old friend."
"Chaos follows you. I am fond of our way of life here." Ragnok gestured to the surroundings with emphasis.
"Right. What's a guy got to do for a drink around here anyway?" Lucifer pulled the flask from his pocket and shook it to make sure it really was empty.
"The last time I gave you a drink, I had a civil war on my hands."
Lucifer crossed his legs and re-pocketed the flask, "It was a minor disagreement."
"Why are you here?"
"To the point as always. Figured I'd see what interesting prepositions you little wand wavers have,"
Ragnok leaned forward and glared harder, "We are not wand carriers."
"Ah. Still fighting for that, then?"
"You know as well as I do that we are not."
Lucifer was twisting the ring on his finger as he eyed the goblin, "I'm starting to think you don't like me."
A toothy grin spread across Ragnok's face, "What is it you desire then, Lord Morningstar?"
Lucifer gave a laugh, "Stealing my lines, are we?"
"I assume you are bored yet again?" Ragnok gestured for the goblin at the door and gave sharp orders in Gobbledegook.
"Perhaps,"
The goblin returned with loose parchment, a specialty quill and a writing surface. Ragnok took the equipment and looked up at Lucifer, "How do you fancy teaching?"
"I don't."
"I guarantee you will be entertained,” was Ragnok’s only comment as he began writing.
"Are there no magical bars? Strip clubs? New drugs?"
"There's a school. Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Lucifer looked incredulous, "School implies children. Little urchins that are sticky and whiny."
Ragnok didn’t look up or react, "That is my proposition for you."
"Is this because of the sword?" Lucifer asked as he stood. He paced and then exclaimed, "Why would I bloody teach?"
"Does teaching the youth to flaunt authority not appeal to you?"
Lucifer paused, "When you put it that way, it does. But what's in it for you?"
Ragnok raised an eyebrow, "That's for me to know."
"I'll attend this meeting, but I fully expect a bottle of your finest mead."
"Ah, but you came to me, Lord Morningstar."
Lucifer scowled, "I am still the Devil."
"I'll make sure to address the owl properly then."
That was an apparent dismissal. Lucifer was escorted to the bank's exit and then headed to the nearest bookshop. He picked up an eclectic mix of tomes to figure out precisely what had happened since he had last encountered the wizards.
As the sun set, an owl flew into his hotel penthouse suite. It hooted indignantly, and Lucifer undid the letter from its foot. The owl gave one last hoot, and then it was off.
The letter, clearly marked to Lucifer Morningstar, the Devil, was undoubtedly written by Ragnok.
It was short and to the point:
Tomorrow, at 13:00 at the Three Broomsticks
Well, after nightfall Lucifer caught up on the history of magic. It had been almost a century since his last foray on Earth and even longer since he had crossed paths with a wizard. The first thing he had started with was this Hogwarts that Ragnok had mentioned. It was no surprise that he had met the four Founders, although he wouldn't have guessed that his little favor to them had managed to survive centuries.
He did wonder what the reaction would be like if the history books knew just how Hogwarts had come to be.
Magic was energy and had traces of divinity. Lucifer knew that. He theorized that wizards had come from a celestial's one night of passion some millennia ago.
He had flipped through a book on curriculums and deemed it insignificant. He had set the stars in the sky. He could manipulate the raw energy around him into whatever it had to be.
Once he deemed himself knowledgeable, he was out of the room and searching for a good time.
When the rays of sunlight hit his face, he brought a hand up to shield his eyes. He extracted himself from the pile of naked bodies and returned to his room. The clock showed that he had just a few hours before his meeting, allowing him to regroup.
He donned another exquisite suit and grabbed a healthy breakfast of scotch and donuts because why not.
His wings disappeared with a slight roll of his shoulders as he touched down in an alley in the general area of the Three Broomsticks.
He sauntered in and flashed a smile at the woman behind the bar. His eyes locked on a diminutive man seated towards the corner. He approached and leaned closer, "Filius, I presume?"
"Indeed. Lord Morningstar, I believe. Ragnok has spoken highly of you."
Lucifer snorted, "Ragnok would sooner drive his spear through his eye,"
Filius chuckled, "Come, Lord Morningstar. Let us go to Hogwarts."
Filius Flitwick, as Lucifer now knew him to be, led the way to Hogwarts. As they passed the edge of the wards, Lucifer couldn't quite speak. This was much like home had once been. He shook his head, trying to dispel the memories of what once was.
Flitwick led him to a stone gargoyle that guarded a door.
"Cauldron Cakes" was the magic word, and passage was granted.
Filius remained behind, and Lucifer couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you coming?"
"Ah. I have other business to attend to but do not worry. I believe you'll do just fine,"
Lucifer nodded in thanks and carried on up the staircase.
"Come in, come in. Would you care for a lemon drop?"
Lucifer eyed the yellow candy suspiciously but agreed. As soon as the candy touched his tongue, Lucifer was torn, "Would go down better with tequila."
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore stood in garish purple robes adorned with neon green moons and stars. The blue of his eyes stood out against the white hair and rather odd matching hat.
"I might try it one day," Albus smiled, "Now, you wish to work at Hogwarts for a time?"
Lucifer tilted his head slightly, "It was recommended, yes."
"Our soon to be Defense instructor is rather unqualified and perhaps unfit for the role,"
"I see. And you continue to offer employment to the moron because…." Lucifer trailed off
Albus grimaced slightly, "Alas. There were no other applicants, so I could not prevent her from joining the staff."
"But now here I am. Lucifer Morningstar, at your service."
"I fear the Ministry will not back down; thus, I cannot stop Madam Umbridge from coming to Hogwarts. But, I can offer an elective class to the fifth years and above to be taught by you, of course."
"Fifth years," Lucifer repeats. "How old are they?"
"Usually, our fifth years are 15 or 16 years old during the year."
"They do not require hand-holding? Or feeding?"
Albus laughed, "No, no. They're quite self-sufficient if a little mischievous."
Lucifer considered this, "What do I teach the spawn?"
Albus gazed at the impeccably dressed man and saw power and pain. This stranger had those in spades.
"I will say that war is closer than ever. But that, my dear boy, is up to you."
"I expect you to regret that statement fully."
Albus gave a short clap of his hands, "Excellent. Our students arrive tomorrow, and classes will begin the day after."
A house-elf, and what a strange creature that was, showed Lucifer to his quarters for his time at Hogwarts. He left the rooms as it was and decided to explore this castle.