The Angel, the Witch and the Demon

A/N: I absolutely love the Potter series and as such I was foolish enough to believe that I could write my own story based on these fantastic books. I do not confess to be the best of writers, but greatly enjoy doing it.

This only the second story I have ever posted and as such, I am very nervous about posting it. Inspiration comes in fits and starts but this piece has been fleeting about in my head for such a long time, that I bravely thought I would run with it. It is a story that incorporates a number of things that I really enjoy. Mythology, sophisticated bad guys and of course the world of Harry Potter!

I welcome feedback; though hope it is given in a manner that is not insulting or hurtful. So with a nervous intake of breath, I hope you all enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I don't; unfortunately, own the characters or anything to do with the fantastic world that JK Rowling has created.

Everything starts with a beginning.
It is the simplest things that make a lasting impression.
A chance encounter that can shape a future.
It is within our past, that we can look back upon for guidence. A place in which wisdom can be obtained.
It is a place in which dissappointed hopes, lost dreams and painful memories lie in desperate hopes of being lost.
Our past, mark our futures. Our futures, are shaped by our past.
And for those who look out on the world with selfish eyes. What was once a beginning for others.
Is an ending, waiting for the right mind to construct.

Chapter 1: Beginnings

It had reached that time of night when you could truly feel the deadness of the hour. When the halls and passages are desolate and silent. When sound falls with a crush into the still slumber and any thoughts of activity seems a riot.

So it came as rather a surprise when; thinking he was quite alone, Lucius suddenly jumped half a mile into the air. When out of now where he heard a little shriek, a fall and the unmistakable crash of breaking glass.

Calming his rapidly beating heart, the age old combat of fight and flight instincts kicked in. Stay and investigate or get the hell away from here? But thinking himself as someone with a more hardy nature, he sought to investigate instead. Of course it could be nothing more than a trumped up scene of Peeves the Poltergeist, thinking it funny to lure a stray student into trouble for breaking curfew. No doubt the useless squib Filch was lurking about nearby as well. But something made him feel that this was different. Peeves surely wouldn't want to intrude on the Bloody Baron? What's more the scream had distinctly sounded very much like a girl.

So with the rapidly growing need to gratify his curiosity, Lucius sulked down the darken halls in search of the perpetrator.

It was not as though he was overly concerned about actually being caught out of hours. As a prolific member of the Slug Club; a specially acclaimed group of pre-selected students chosen by his head of house and Hogwarts' very own Potions Master, he was certain that Professor Horace Slughorn would ensure he was exempt from any severe reprimanding. Beside which, he was already safe within Slytherin territory and would have been stepping into the entrance of Slytherin common room; his home away from home, if not for this unwanted distraction. Of course he dismissed the obvious notion of simply ignoring the matter out of hand.

"Finite Incantatem." He whispered, casting his lit wand and the surrounding area into total darkness. If it really was Peeves he was not about to let him; or whoever else it might be, know that he was coming.

Once certain that his presence was still unknown to this would be intruder, he started off in a manner not that dissimilar from a sulking cat.

The dungeons of Hogwarts Castle; located under the school itself, was as a result much colder than many areas of the main castle. But already; now at the start of his fourth year at Hogwarts, he had become quite accustom to the drop in temperature. As well as having gained; what he was certain, an unrivalled and extensive knowledge of the dungeons' many hidden secretes. There was not a room, hall or cupboard that he did not know about. Down here he was the master and as such, had no qualms about sneaking about in the dark.

Lithe and agile, Lucius turned a corner and was not surprised to find himself standing outside the potions classroom. What did surprise him however; when peering into the darkened room itself, was the unexpected face peering back at him from behind the door.

"Arrggghhh!"

It was out of his mouth before he had time to think. His only slight vindication was the same echo he heard coming from his scarcer. Fumbling for his wand his hands only stilled their search, when his eyes kicked in with his brain and he was able to properly process what it was he was actually seeing. Unfortunately the same could not be said about the person before him. Before the scream had finished leaving her lips, Lucius found a wand jammed between his eyes. It was then; staring in a rather crossed eyed fashion, while quickly raising his hands defensively. He realized that he recognized the perpetrator.

"What are you doing sulking about in the dark Slytherin?"

"Surely I should be asking that of you?" Raising an eyebrow in indignation, as sarcasm laced his words.

"Lumos." Was the reply, as he was forced to snap his eyes shut.

Silently seething; for he was certain she had done that deliberately, he squinted more than glared back his contempt at her ignorance at the true predicament of her situation. It may seem differently at the moment; what with him standing there with a wand thrust in his face, but she must know who had the real upper hand here. After all; by all appearances, it was he who had caught her out in the more pressing of circumstances.

"I can't imagine for a minute that Professor Slughorn would appreciate you rummaging about in his cupboards. In fact I believe that he would be so unimpressed by the discovery, that he would have no choice but to inform the headmaster of your actions."

"Not if I obliterate your memory first." Sneering openly this time, he didn't bother to mention the fact that neither of them would learn about such spells until at least their fifth year. Let alone be able to caste them with any credibility.

He watched quite satisfactorily, as the recognition of the same exact thought slowly crossed her features.

Finding himself suddenly quite amused at the whole situation, he took a moment to study the girl before him. She was a pretty little thing with the perfect oval face, the greenest of eyes and waves of jet black hair. Which at present looked slightly dishevelled, no doubt; as his grasp of the whole fiasco deepen, was the result of what he had heard to be the unmistakable sound of her falling. What's more as a crystallized clinking sounded from her beneath her robes; as she began to fidget uncomfortably, he realized he might actually know her name. He had certainly remembered seeing her about the castle, usually in the library or in the grounds. In fact she appeared to have a particular fondness for the areas surrounding the lake. He could recall seeing her near there, usually accompanied by a group of giggling friends. Perhaps that was where he had overheard her name from?

"Or I could hex you into silence." He couldn't help but admire her determination. Naturally if their roles had been reversed, he would have considered doing the same. But as they were not...Well, why not have some fun with it?

"You could I suppose." Feigning a profound contemplation of such an idea. "But it would only be a matter of time before I would regain my ability to speak. And well, surely you would understand that I would have an insatiable and undisputable need for revenge."

"Is that a threat Malfoy?" She challenged, taking on a duelling pose.

He was quite taken aback that she actually knew his name, though why she would not, would have been more startling.

"Merely a statement of fact." He replied, while regaining some of his composure. "You would, no doubt take on a similar method of retribution yourself. And the only sure way of obtaining that, would of course be to tell on the assailant at ones earliest ability to do so."

"Do you not think then, it is perhaps best that we both agree to forget about this unfortunate encounter?" How dare she think she could preposition him? Though the thought did not come as bitterly as he would have liked.

"I could be persuaded...perhaps." Diminishing the glimmer of hope he had caught just behind her eyes. "That is, if you made it worth my while."

"I will not be bullied." She really was very attractive, especially when pissed.

"It's only fair. After all you are undoubtedly getting the better of this. Surely being spared expulsion is paramount to any repayment that I ask for."

He allowed a few minutes for her to weigh the fall out of that, against his solution. And was pleased to see resignation on her face.

"And what exactly would a Slytherin want from a Gryffindor?" The anger in her voice, the defiance and pride that shone in her eyes at mention of her house name, was electrifying. She was quite a remarkable girl.

Caught up in the moment, he heard himself say. "A kiss..." The remark was followed by the most profound of silences, as the shock on her face was no doubt mirrored upon his own. All each could do was stand there, staring dumbly at one another.

'Where the hell had that come from?' Lucius thought desperately.

He had merely thought to have her as his dog body, performing impossible tasks that would humiliate her no end. Not this! What was thinking?

"What?" She struggled with surprise.

Not wanting to lose face, he pretended indifference. "You heard!" Loosening his shoulders slightly as he coughed, for he had sounded remarkably high pitched just then.

"Never!" Horror contended with firmness.

"It is your decision. But sooner or later Professor Slughorn will realize someone has been stealing from his storeroom. You have until then to decide if my offer is the more desirable outcome to your thieving." And without fear of attack or finality to his question he turned and walked off, leaving her gasping in aspiration.