Chapter 8
Since he met Sirius, no matter how briefly, Lucifer had an idea for how to find the man. It helped that it seemed Sirius Black had a solid connection to Hell and, by extension, Lucifer. He was behind strong wards, but Lucifer was stronger.
So, when he walked in, Lucifer didn't expect the man in question to be playing host to a hippogriff.
"Morningstar?" Sirius' brow furrowed as Harry's Professor entered Buckbeak's room as if he owned it.
"Black. You look well for a man supposedly being tortured."
"Well, hippogriff shit is the worst, but he did save my life," Sirius said with a fond glare at the animal
"I'm here to take you to your godson. The boy is inconsolable."
Sirius stiffened, "Let's go, then."
"You do not fear being caught?"
"For Harry, I would do anything," Sirius did pale at the thought of Azkaban again, but he would never not come to Harry's side.
Lucifer tossed him a blindfold, "Put that on. Don't need you going crazy too,"
"I'm flattered, but I am in a sort-of committed relationship," Sirius winked
"I don't mind sharing," Lucifer gave a wink of his own, "But right now, I'm taking you to the boy."
Sirius grumbled but eventually did put the blindfold on. Sirius Black squealed when he felt Lucifer's arms wrap around his body.
"Stop being a baby. This is the fastest way back." Lucifer muttered as he adjusted his position and took off, wings working as hard as possible.
"It's unmanly. And uncomfortable." Sirius whined
"It's no picnic for me, I assure you. Your bony elbow is digging into my chest."
"Well, maybe you should invest in a broom or a flying motorcycle. I had one, you know,"
"Black. Stop talking, or I swear I'll let go."
Sirius wisely observed silence. When they did reach Lucifer's quarters at long last, a shaggy black dog flattened Harry. Harry wrapped his arms around the dog and didn't let go for a while. When he did, it was to insist Sirius become himself to prove that it was him.
"You're okay," Harry mumbled as he held onto Sirius as tightly as he could
"I'm fine, kiddo. I'm here," Sirius responded, wrapping an arm around his godson
"You're a hellhound." That statement was Lucifer's, who had been observing the reunion
"I'm a dog,"
"A Hellhound."
Sirius did go on to say that he felt Animagus form had changed after Azkaban. However, he hadn't had the time actually to investigate. Lucifer couldn't be sure, but he did believe that the Dementors had some Hell-ish connection which in turn fostered the relationship in Sirius.
Lucifer tried his best to understand what Harry's visions meant. However, since he kept seeing Sirius' torture, it was likely a trap. Sirius stayed in Lucifer's office. Lucifer agreed to have him pass as his pet and was willing to bring one of his hounds to Earth to muddle the issue.
The teachers eventually regained control of the castle. Umbridge was shipped off to St. Mungo's where she would be isolated for her safety.
When Albus did return, it was with the news that Voldemort's return was now being noted officially. Voldemort had shown up in the Department of Mysteries to take what he wanted. Dumbledore and The Order of the Phoenix had responded, but ultimately, Voldemort escaped.
Dumbledore did tell Harry of a prophecy that bore his name and Harry destroyed his office in a fit of raging magic. He then showed up, barely standing at Lucifer's door. Sirius grabbed him at once and allowed his godson to rant and spill every fear he had.
The prophecy made Lucifer scoff, "Free will is everything. Nothing can dictate your life."
Harry looked dubious, but Sirius agreed, "If you face Voldemort, it'll be because you disagree with the psychopath. Not because you have no choice. I promise, kid. I'll kick Fate's ass if I must,"
Harry gave a choked laugh, and Lucifer retreated to allow them some privacy.
The year had practically drawn to a close, and Lucifer Morningstar couldn't help but be disappointed. He had enjoyed his time here far more than he thought he could. He had grown close to the children he'd met.
Ron reminded him of himself, lost in a sea of siblings with no one to see him. Hermione was fierce in her defence. Ruthless and unrelenting if it meant protecting those she loved. Lucifer understood.
When Fred and George consulted Gringotts again, they'd find a Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes account set up with the bank's most favourable rates and close unto a million Galleons and a note from Lucifer Morningstar to Give 'em Hell.
Sirius Black was a man Lucifer didn't expect to get to know. Yet, Sirius had settled into familiar camaraderie with Lucifer. When Lucifer made disparaging remarks about his father, Sirius was there to guffaw and toss in an anecdote about good ol' Walburga.
Lucifer did bring up one of his demons to track down one Peter Pettigrew. Sirius would later find the rat trussed up in Buckbeak's den, slightly worse for wear. He enjoyed gloating over him for a while but eventually handed him off to Kingsley Shacklebolt, like Harry had wanted.
Harry Potter was an enigma, but he counted the Devil as a friend. Lucifer was honour bound to protect the boy. It's why he found himself here in this cookie-cutter neighborhood that made his skin crawl. He knocked at the door, which was answered by a thin, horse-faced woman who showed apparent disdain for him.
"Lucifer Morningstar, Harr-"
That's all it took for the door to be slammed in his face. Well, not quite. The response stank of guilt, so nobody would blame him if he caught the door before it shut. The woman protested. Of course, she did, but Lucifer's eyes flashed, and she fainted. He moved on. He found Harry's room, cat flap, bolts and all.
Lucifer handed the shocked boy a tiny black dog that reminded Harry of Padfoot.
"You're giving me a dog?"
"A Hellhound. They're Hell's fiercest guardians, and they can chomp down on errant souls too," Lucifer explained as he scratched the puppy's head, "That's not all. This little fella will recognise you as his Master, second to me. That's something that's never been done before,"
More than that, the hound would eventually be able to come and go from Hell, so Lucifer would always have an eye on Harry. Harry's face was screwed up in concentration as he stroked the dog.
Lucifer went on, "You were right. The Devil counts you as a friend." Because Lucifer wasn't stupid, he knew that locked doors, flaps, and barred windows were signs of something deeper and darker at play. If the boy's name got such a reaction, then it was likely that he hadn't been treated much better. Abused children did have a way of becoming fond of him; he could extrapolate the rest.
"If ever you need me, call. I'll answer."
"This isn't a persona, is it?" Harry asked, green eyes widening as he took one last look at Lucifer.
Lucifer's only response was a grin and a wink.