Through Darkness and Light

Chapter 12

The Demon Revolt

"Al lright, time's up. Please put down your quills," Remus stated.

A few students groaned while others finished. Then there was Hermione, who read a book because she'd finished a half hour ago. Remus waved his wand, summoning the parchments to his desk.

"But, Professor Lupin, I wasn't done with a sentence." Seamus grabbed at his exam and missed.

"I'm sorry, Seamus, I gave you ample time." He tucked his wand in his pocket and noticed the threading was coming undone.

Shra stretched on the floor, waking from her short nap. She had taken to him these past few months, though lately her presence became more of a distraction. It was a reminder about the friendship he'd lost.

Remus shook his head and pushed aside those thoughts. They both made a choice. It wouldn't do any good to dwell on the past. Yet, this hollow feeling wouldn't leave.

"That's it for today, you can all go." Remus clasped his hands behind his back.

Cheers erupted and Remus chuckled. That was a wonderful thing about his students - they had the power to change someone's mood with the simplest action or smile. There were memories of his friends acting the same way. He would remember those good times, treasuring them for what they were, four friends having fun.

Perhaps Hogwarts was finally showing what he needed, the ability to let go. What Sirius had done was unforgivable, but Remus couldn't let his life be ruled by that hatred.

The students packed their quills; some talked in excited voices while others moaned about a question they had gotten wrong. Hermione raised her hand. "Actually, Professor, I have a question."

"Can't you wait until after we leave?" Ron whined.

"This is important!" Hermione glared at him.

"Hermione, go ahead," Remus said.

"We've already been excused." Lavender put her bag back down.

"Leave it to Granger to keep us here longer," Draco snapped.

"No, no," Remus said. "If she thinks it's important then let's hear her. I'm sure it won't take long."

Hermione pulled out a recent copy of the Dailey Prophet. "This is important and I'm sick of everyone pretending it didn't happen."

"We're not pretending," Dean said in an off-hand tone. He didn't look at the newspaper. "No one likes talking about it, that's all."

"Well I'm tired of it!" Hermione's face flushed from frustration. "Demons exist; they live with us and are apart of this world!"

Remus placed a calming hand on Hermione's shoulder. He took the newspaper and glanced at the headline, "Falling to the Blood." He had read the article last week, though the facts were inaccurate. He expected no less from Prophet reporters, especially Rita Skeeter.

"Is this true?" he asked the class. "You won't talk about this?"

None of his students met his eye.

"I see." Remus handed the paper back to Hermione.

The subject of demons was another one of those black areas in wizard history, the ones that many preferred to forget. This approach solved nothing and only made the peace between the two races that much more difficult. In order to bring change, his students needed to understand. He'd been hoping to wait until their fourth year, but Hermione was right.

"Hermione, please read the article, in case there were some who didn't."

Hermione nodded. "On Halloween night, several demons took it upon themselves to renew the War from five hundred years ago. Demon Exterminators, our wonderful branch within the Hunter guild, were dispatched to handle the situation. Thankfully only three civilians were killed.

Ministry officials were in an uproar over this incident and have been working with the Demon Council. The Minister, Cornelius Fudge, has assured us that war is the last thought on everyone's mind.

The head of the Demon Council, Lord Sesshomaru of Japan, had no comments though his associate had this to say, "The Lords know what caused demons to revert to their blood. The situation is being dealt with. However, the mindless killing of innocent demons by the Exterminators is unacceptable."

Unfortunately, such words do not bring comfort to this reporter, who requires proof that demons are not using this incident to restart the War. It is clear that the silent and manipulative Lord Sesshomaru has plans to take back the demon's place within the world. This reporter would also like to point that there is no such thing as an 'innocent' demon. All demons exterminated were guilty, regardless of their association to those who turned primal."

Hermione put the paper down on her desk. "That's all of it."

"Thank you, Hermione," Remus said and then addressed the class. "Now, what do you think?"

Remus walked between the desks, patiently waiting for someone to speak up. Most grew up with the belief of how evil and untrustworthy demons were. They couldn't help continuing this conception when their families didn't tell them the reasons behind the war.

Draco Malfoy crossed his arms against his chest. "What does it matter? This is an attempt by the demons to destroy us all. They want War."

A couple students nodded. The comment from Draco was not unexpected. After all, he'd been raised by his father, Lucius.

"So you believe this was part of their master plan?" Remus inquired.

"Of course."

"I don't think that's the case at all," Harry said.

"Is that right Potter?" Draco snapped. "Oh, I forgot. You are an expert on the wizarding world. So tell us, what do you think?"

Harry's eyes narrowed, the only sign that Draco's comment got to him. When he spoke it was in a controlled voice. "Why would they want to go to war? They have their lands and community intact."

"Please, demons don't care about land or each other," Draco replied. "If wizards hadn't stood up, demons would still be killing each other."

Though it was good that they were at least talking about the subject, Remus decided it was time he stepped in. "In order to understand what's happening now, especially the political side, you need to understand what really happened during the Demon War."

"This is stupid." Draco grabbed his bag. "If I want history I'll pay attention in History of Magic class. The exam is over, I'm leaving."

"Mr. Malfoy," Remus said, his voice deep and rang with authority.

Draco stopped and glanced behind him. Shocked expressions were on the other students' faces, but no one said anything.

"You will go back to your seat. After class please see me."

Draco's snorted, but did not move.

Remus remained still. "You can choose to have this talk with me or in the company of the Headmaster."

Anger flashed across Draco's face and he stormed back to his seat, dropping his bag onto the table.

"Now, as I was saying," Remus continued, "no war is ever as black and white as you've been taught. The Demon War is no exception. Does anyone know how it began?"

Hermione squirmed in her seat but did not raise her hand.

"Very well. In the past demons fought each other to establish who was the most powerful. Muggles were beneath their notice and magic-folk were left alone. It was a shaky peace, but one neither side wanted to break."

"If they lived so peacefully why did the demons attack our kind?" asked Dean.

"Have you heard of the Shikon Jewel, also called 'the Jewel of Four Souls? No? It was a powerful Japanese artifact that fell into the hands of half-demon named Naraku about 500 years ago, just before the war. This particular demon was cunning and used the jewel to kill thousands. He was the one who started the war."

"That can't be possible," Ron stated. "How can one man, umm demon, start a war that lasted a hundred years?"

"You kill off the right person and get a chain event," Hermione said. "If you're smart enough to work two powers you'll come out on top."

Remus nodded. "Naraku killed the Japanese wizard emperor and placed the blame on the demon lords. It didn't matter that Naraku was considered a rogue demon and not part of the political structure. War was the result and the battles spread to the rest of the world.

"It wasn't until the end that demons mobilized as one force, but it wasn't to fight. It was for peace. You see, the war began from the actions of one demon, not all."

"But why would our parents tell us something that isn't the truth?" Dean asked.

"Fear." It was the only way Remus knew how to answer, with the truth. "Even now there is fear of 'what if.' What if the demons had united but not for peace? What would happen if there was another war?"

This was the fear that haunted parents and children even in this age. Demons were stronger and faster, able to absorb wizard magic to a certain limit. This wasn't even counting demons that took the form of a 'human' whose true forms were terrible to behold.

"Hermione's right." Harry glanced at the students around him. "We can't continue to think with all this prejudice otherwise another war will start."

Remus watched in wonder as the Gryffindors, and even a few several Slytherins, nodded. Harry was more like James than he realized; the sort of charisma that swayed crowds was a talent that James had wielded many times.

"What do you mean?" asked Seamus.

"Demons don't want war because in the long run they'll die," Harry said.

Hermione jumped in, no longer able to sit still. "They might be powerful and resistant to magic, but they don't reproduce often and it takes years for them to mature. We would outlast them."

"Exactly," Remus said. "Both sides wanted to survive." He waved his hand towards the Daily Prophet. "Articles like this destroy that relationship."

Hermione folded the paper out on the desk. "The reporter might be biased, but there are other things to be concerned about. Like what caused the demons to lose control."

"What does that mean when a demon gives into their blood?" asked Harry.

Ah, so finally someone asked the right question. Unfortunately for Remus, this particular topic drove too close to home.

"Actually, it's very similar to when a werewolf turns feral." Remus spoke in a strong voice not betraying his unease.

Ron scratched his head. "Feral, what's that?"

"I was under the impression that Professor Snape had already covered werewolves," Remus said.

"He did," Hermione answered, "but we ran out of time."

"I see." Remus took a deep breath. "The blood within a werewolf is tainted, a darkness that will eventually consume the human. This process is known as turning feral."

"Is it true, that transforming once a month regulates the human and the werewolf?" Hermione asked though her eyes would not meet his

"Correct, unfortunately, with each transformation the taint strengthens, building for that moment when it will take over."

"So how is that similar to a demon?" she asked.

"Demons also have a primal state. When they lose control all conscious disappears and are driven by the need to kill. They will not stop until they are destroyed. This only happens, however, with lesser demons."

"That's odd," Dean commented, "my parents said that all demons can go primal."

"Demons that take a humanoid form, like Lord Sesshomaru," Remus indicated the newspaper, "will never lose control. They are simply born with that control over their blood. They can change into their true form, but will not become a mindless killing machine."

"And you want to be buddies with them?" Draco sneered. "They are killers and should be exterminated, not roaming around free."

"People like you who caused the war in the first place," Hermione snapped. Harry placed a restraining hand on her arm and she immediately calmed. "If we can't be considerate to the lifestyles of others then all we'll do is fight."

"That is enough from both you." Remus held up his hands. "Hermione, sit down please."

Draco leaned back and glared at Remus. The Slytherins in general kept nodding in Draco's direction while the Gryffindors wore angry expressions. Harry glanced at his hand that was still on Hermione's arm, and jerked back.

"If you refuse to learn then you're always going to be afraid of what you don't understand," Remus said.

"Well, they're dangerous," Dean point out.

Remus nodded. "Oh yes, they are dangerous but then Muggles are dangerous too when they use their technology. Are you saying that all Muggles should be destroyed because of what they can do?"

This had the reaction that he was hoping for. The students shifted in their seats and several looked ashamed at the floor.

"That's what I thought," Remus continued. "The same idea is applied to demons. There are some who desire the annihilation of humans, but there are wizards who wish for Muggles and Muggle-born to be destroyed as well."

Remus smelled their fear, hanging about the room like a thick cloud. His senses were heightened from the full moon even though a few days had passed. They might have been willing to talk about demons and werewolves, but apparently Voldemort was something they were unable to face.

"I believe we addressed Hermione's point. You're free to go. I will have your exam scored by next week."

Relief washed over Remus and the fear dissipated as if it hadn't been there in the first place.

"Mr. Malfoy." Remus called.

Draco's eyebrows drew towards his nose. "Go, I'll meet up with you later," Draco said to Crabe and Goyle. The two boys nodded and gave Remus a nasty glare before leaving the room. Hermione brushed past them, weaving in between the rows of desks.

"Professor," she said coming towards him. "I just well wanted to say thank you."

"I understand." And the truth was he did. A Muggle-born fighting against prejudices of their world, but unlike many others willing to change the accepted perspectives. Lily shared that same desire and stubbornness. Perhaps one day he would share that with her.

"What you did wasn't easy, but that's the first step and your friends will be behind you the entire way."

Hermione smiled and looked over where Ron and Harry were waiting for her. "I know." She turned and hesitated. "Do you think one day everyone will be equal in our world?"

Remus sighed. As a child he had asked his parents that same question. He could still see the pained look as they answered, "Of course, sweetheart." He was an adult now and Hermione was no child. She knew the answer before she had asked it.

"I don't know, but it's something to believe in."

"Yeah, it's better than nothing I suppose."

Draco sauntered to Remus, a smug expression on his face. "Can we get this over with? I've got stuff I need to do."

"For Monday morning you will hand in three rolls of parchment on Demon War, specifically the significance of Japan's involvement. Is that understood?"

"What?" Draco yelled. "You can't do that!"

"If you disrupt my class in such a manner again I will take this matter to the Headmaster. Disapproving of another student's opinion is one thing, but you are required to show that student respect regardless of your feelings. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir." Draco stormed out muttering, "Ridiculous class and shabby teacher. Wait till my father hears about this."

It appeared that Dumbledore would be getting another series of complaints about his teachers. In this regard, Remus was happy that he could join Calrheane in attempting to shake the old conceptions.

His thoughts wandered to that night when everything changed. She had said the world was changing and then several demons gave into their blood. Now Hermione was challenging the blatant prejudice in class.

Remus shook his head. The world was changing, but he doubted this is what Calrheane had referred to. Or maybe it was the stirring in the water, waiting for that stone to be thrown if it hadn't already.