Chapter Text
Harry Potter was barely into primary school when he was already running from larger crueler boys, even older than Dudley and his gang. They were nearly eleven, and Harry was only five. He felt his chest burning as he ran. He was so focused in his desire to escape he didn’t realize the strange shimmering portal he just ran into, thinking he was about to run into a wall. Or maybe because the portal popped up at the last moment.
Before he knew it the young child was running into a dingy alley under a red sky. He collapsed for a moment panting hard. After a few minutes his chest no longer burned, he looked around.
“....why….?” he looked up at the strange red sky and a glowing burning red ball in the sky. Where…was he?
Harry wandered the streets and realized with a lurch in his stomach that everyone looked different. Like monsters. Creatures some with demonic looking horns. Others just looked like random creatures….Wait was that one bloke a giant slug?
He hid in the alley , curled up and wondering how he was going to get back. As he sat there. He heard two voices talking.
“I don’t know Vaggie….I want to help but-” One voice spoke.
“Well.. You might have to think about who you’re talking to. Truth is a lot of Sinners ..don’t want to put in the work" Another more rough voice said. “I’m not even sure if this Angel Dust guy-”
“He accepted!” the other one said. Harry poked out to see two women, or.. Maybe they were women….One with white skin and long blonde hair in a suit and the other was a short haired grey skinned woman with an eyepatch. Harry was about to hide when they turned and looked right at him.
“....oh my…is that” The grey one eyed woman said staring “a…. Human?”
“...he’s a child” The blonde white skinned woman said with a sympathetic look “....I….how? I didn’t think they sent children here.. They’re.. They’re not supposed to according to Dad…”
“....he doesn’t look like a sinner Charlie… he looks… human”
Harry gulped. “I am human, I.. I think” He said . Charlie came closer and knelt down.
“What’s your name sweetie?” She asked looking concerned. “Can you tell me how you got here?”
Harry took a deep breath. “My .. my name is Harry… I .. I live with my aunt and uncle… and.. I was running away from some boys chasing me… and…I was running.. At a wall and….”
The two women exchanged looks.
“I don’t know how.. I was suddenly just here..” He said. “I don’t know how to get back” he admitted.. “If I did…. They’d probably punish me” he muttered.
“....why would they punish you?” Charlie asked shocked. “It wasn’t your fault.”
Harry gulped realizing he had said that aloud.. Admitted to what his aunt and uncle were really like. “...they don’t like me…I…my parents died and I was sent to live with my aunt and uncle. Strange things sometimes happen around me… and.. I always get punished.”
“That’s not right! You’re a child”
“Harry….how old are you” Charlie asked gently
Harry paused thinking “five… I .. i think”
Both women looked and one another concerned. But Charlie smiled as the one eyed woman , Vaggie sighed
“You’re not safe out here. Come with us” She finally said holding out her hand Harry hesitated but he took it. She was an adult and she seemed nice. Both of them did. They both gently took his hand.
“You can stay with us. The hotel is…” Charlie hesitated
“That building’s a dump Charlie…” Vaggie said. “But.. It's structurally sound. So..”
“It just needs some fixing up” Charlie said brightly. The two led Harry to a long strange looking limousine. “I’ll call Dad I guess…” She didn’t look thrilled about it.
They got in a long car that looked like luxury inside. “This is amazing” Harry said quietly. As Charlie was dialing a strange kind of phone, Harry looked to Vaggie. “Is her dad really rich or something?”
“Yeah.. he’s well.. It’s a long story but her dad rules Pride Ring. She’s like the Princess” Vaggie said “of well.. Hell.”
Harry’s eyes widened. “.....you mean like… the bad place you go when you die?”
Vaggie sighed “yes. But I’m pretty sure you’re here by mistake. You’re still human. Still alive. And a child . At your age if you had died you would go automatically to heaven. Children are too innocent for this place”
“Oh….” Harry said “even if….if I’m… a freak?” Vaggie looked shocked.
“Who told you that? You’re - there’s nothing wrong with you” She said protectively.
“My aunt says I’m…. abnormal.. Like my parents. I overheard Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon talking about abilities I might have….” he said.”I don’t know what they meant but… it’s like I said weird things always happen around me. And I get blamed”
Vaggie sighed sadly “That…that sounds awful.. That’s not your fault .. at least not intentionally. Harry….do your aunt and uncle… hit you?”
Harry flinched and the look in Vaggie’s eyes darkened.
“O-only when I’m punished or.. I don’t do chores properly” Harry said. “And when weird things happen.”
“...” Vaggie sighed sharply. “That’s not right. I don’t care what they’ve told you but… that’s.. That’s abuse.”
Charlie got off the phone “So Dad says…” She stopped seeing the look on Vaggie’s face. “...what?”
Vaggie whispered quietly to Charlie as the two leaned together like adults did when they wanted to talk. Harry sat quietly trying to look like he wasn’t paying too much attention.
“I was talking to Harry. We…. we can’t send him back to his aunt and uncle, Charlie” Vaggie said “based on… well I’m pretty sure he’s being abused. Badly. His aunt and uncle tell him he’s a freak. I’m not .. i can’t just send a child back to a place like that”
“...well we can take care of him” Charlie said.
“.....” Vaggie looked unsure “well .. this place isn’t … ideal for raising a kid…”
“I.. well I have a certain amount of… privileges.. Or.. something” Charlie said “I mean I’m a Princess… my Dad is the Sin of Pride. I can protect him”
“You..sure?” Vaggie asked. “You and your dad don’t seem very…..”
“Yeah but well he’s not.. Mean he’s just……” Charlie trailed off. “...not … entirely reliable. At least that's what Mom said. But I know I can protect Harry”
Harry was stunned . The kind woman who’d helped him was a Princess. And apparently her father had a lot of power . And .. was the Sin of Pride.
“...what do you mean he’s the sin of Pride?” Harry asked. He felt guilty , remembering he wasn’t supposed to be listening in. But Charlie just shrugged and sighed before saying
“He’s like the representative of Pride. He’s Lucifer… uh.. Like a fallen Angel.. And he…well he’s the king here.” She explained. “In case Vaggie didn’t tell you I’m .. kind of the…Princess” She said.
‘...wow” Harry said. After a moment of thinking he said “I …don’t really mind being here” he said “I know people say this place is awful but.. I don’t think- well I mean.. I know my aunt and uncle are awful. So far.. You’ve been nice”
Charlie smiled. Vaggie smiled slightly but added “well not everybody is, That’s why you need to be careful and stay close to us. When we get to the hotel,”
“You own a hotel?” Harry said with a gasp.
Charlie grinned “it’s GOING to be. It’s um technically a building my family took over ownership of after the previous owner well.. Long story but… it’s owned by my family. I’ve been fixing it up because soon it’s going to be the Happy Hotel, a hotel for redemption!”
As Charlie excitedly explained her plans Harry listened in awe. As he listened to her and she showed him her sketches Vaggie sat nearby with a warm smile. They could do this. Probably.
------------------------------------
Lucifer Morningstar was a lot more… cheerful than Harry expected . A man dressed like a ringmaster with sleek blonde hair and red spots on his cheeks. He was exuberant and energetic not at all like Harry would have expected the King of Hell to be.
“Oh yeah uh .. I.. bet you were expecting something scarier huh, kiddo” Lucifer said sheepishly.
“Sort of” Harry admitted.
“Yeah that’s Satan. He’s about a ring down in Wrath” Lucifer said “big .. dragon guy.. Lots of anger issues”
“......oh” Harry said .
“Yeaah I’m much more uh heh.. Chill” Lucifer said with a grin. “Anyway.. Uh well.. Technically it’s dangerous for you to be here. Live children aren’t supposed to be here. So.. How did you get here again?”
“I .. was running and I was really afraid because some older boys from my school were chasing me, My cousin Dudley told them I stole something from them.”
“Dudley huh? Kid sounds like a jerk” Lucifer said “Oh, anyway continue!”
“Welll I was running and about to run into a wall.. And…then I was here” Harry tried to remember what happened when he was about to hit the wall. “Ithere was a bright light before I crashed into the wall or.. Well should have”
“Oh my…me” Lucifer said quietly “That… that’s powerful magic”
“Magic doesn’t exist, at least my Aunt and Uncle say that “ Harry said confused
“Uh huuuh.. Well that’s where you’re wrong kiddo. Magic does exist in many forms. Some folks are even born with it.” Lucifer said with a grin. “Wizards and witches… well that was one of my last lil.. Uh… gifts I snuck into humans before I got tossed down here”
“..really? Magic comes from.. You?” Harry said, stunned.
“Yuup.” Lucifer nodded. “Took a little bit to really appear in humanity… which is why you have some folks who aren’t magic. Probably .uh.. Another reason.. Heaven won’t be letting me back anytime soon” Lucifer said sheepishly. “Wouldn’t be surprised if that was added to Heaven’s shitlist on me after the fact”
“Language Dad” Charlie sighed
“Wait… you gave humanity something Heaven didn’t KNOW about?” Vaggie said in shock.
Lucifer looked a little uneasy “k-kind of.. I uh… “ he laughed nervously. “Like I said uh they’re not happy with me up there”
Charlie sighed looking exasperated , Vaggie looked uneasy and Lucifer looked incredibly uncomfortable, but Harry leaned in fascinated
“So..wait.. I’m… am I a wizard?” Harry asked.
“For sure. And a pretty powerful one if you’re accidental magic warped you to hell” Lucifer said. “Do you know your family name, Harry?”
“Potter” Harry said
“Mmmm Potter… “ Lucifer’s eyes widened “ahhh… yeah I know that line! Ancient one, powerful”
“How… Mom said you were holed up in the old manor all this time?” Charlie asked
“Uh Char-Char I wasn’t holed up,. I’ve been busy. You know sin business and all” Lucifer said quickly. “But I have.. Ways of knowing what’s going on.”
Charlie sighed looking embarrassed “don’t call me that, Dad”
Harry giggled nervously and Vaggie looked amused
“Oh come on it’s adorable” She said.
“....anyway.. Uh.. about that” Lucifer took a deep breath “did your.. Uh charming aunt and uncle tell you what.. Happened to them?”
Harry frowned looking down. “They said it was a car crash-”
“WHAT?!!”
Lucifer’s rage exploded as his form flickered momentarily, taking the form of a winged bundle of eyes. “THEY LIED TO YOU?” Harry yelped and Charlie looked concerned “Dad calm down!”
Lucifer took a deep breath, his form returning back to normal. “Right….right sorry” He took a deep, heavy breath. “This is not easy to tell ya kiddo but your parents were murdered .They were great people, heroes standing up to fight for what was right when the odds against them seemed crushing. They were…. betrayed by some COWARD who they thought was a friend. And well….There’s this dark wizard who’s been perverting magic to stay alive for ages and well he.. He murdered them and tried to kill you… and-”
Lucifer stared at him closely and walked over. “....ah I see now”
Charlie looked confused “what do you mean Dad?”
“Hang on.. I think … this might be uncomfortable. I’ve never done something like this but-” Lucifer reached for Harry’s scar and touched it as it began to feel hot. And then with a firm yank he pulled something wriggling and hideous out of Harry’s body . Harry cried out in pain , the agony momentarily white hot.
But all of a sudden it was gone and in Lucifer’s hand was what looked like twisted warped and charred bit of black slime with an eerie dark aura.
“Riddle…. That bastard left a bit of his soul on you” Lucifer said darkly in disgust. “Looks like I found the reason you warped to hell kiddo. This …thing hitched a ride when… when your mother’s love rebounded and blasted him”
“My …mum’s…?” Harry said quietly, feeling tears prick his eyes.
“Yeah.. Your mom loved you enough to die to protect you. And that well.. Her murderer couldn’t understand that kind of love” Lucifer said with a gentle smile. He looked at the bit of soul with utmost disgust and then with a ball of white hot fire he burned it, giving a brief terrible scream before the smoke cleared and it was gone.. “Your parents’ murderer , Tom Riddle Jr. was headed for hell without a doubt. And even though he split up his soul to live forever…. The soul parts all know that they’re damned. A burst of powerful accidental magic fueled by fear for one’s life mixed with that energy in the Horcrux bit…well that’s why you were warped -ah right apparated -to hell”
Harry stared where that thing had been.
“But… you’re purified of it. And.. well there’s no way in the seven rings you’re being sent back to those pricks you lived with” Lucifer dusted off his hands. He turned to Charlie . “So… um.. If you want I can keep him in the manor while he’s still tiny Your sister will be happy to have someone else there-”
“....my sister” Charlie said confused
There was an awkward silence. “.....She ..she never told you?”
“No… Mom.. said I was…” She said quietly voice shaking “an…only child”
Lucifer breathed hard, pinching the bridge between his eyes. “....Dammit Lilith. Dammit”
Harry stayed quiet, feeling a bit lost in all this family business.
“...she…lied to me?” Charlie said quietly.”why…?”
“I don’t.. I don’t know. I… i asked her , told her to tell you at some point. And I trusted her…” he sighed “you have a younger sister. Danika, She’s a kid still but .. growing up way too fast for my liking.” Lucifer chuckled weakly.. “Well…if you want-”
“I mean.. I was going to.. Let Harry stay at the hotel. But” Charlie said.. “If you think it’s safer”
“Hm well he’s … a little kid and hell. Is… really dangerous. It’s why I’ve kept Dani back home. Why don’t I let him stay at my house while he’s still young and his magic is growing. I have books and Dani’s learning her own magic too.. I expect when he’s near 11 they’ll be looking for him”
“Who?” Harry asked
“Dumbledore… the wizards who… well should have been responsible for you after your parents… well yeah . That old prick’s got a few things to answer for. Before I even CONSIDER letting you go to his school”
Charlie sighed “That sounds.. Fair. but.. Can he .. visit?”
“Sure..and maybe when he does, well Dani has been dying to meet you too” Lucifer said. “I can let them come by every so often. And you’re going to have to tell me what all-” Lucifer waved his hand around “this is about”
Charlie beamed and Vaggie sighed “that’s a long conversation sir”
“...yeah i think it will be” Lucifer nodded. “Well come on then Harry, don’t worry you’ll come back.”
Harry jumped up and followed . He turned back to Charlie and suddenly overcome by emotion , ran up to hug her legs “thank you” he said quietly. She smiled, patting his head.
“You’re welcome Harry. And welcome to the family”