Chapter Two – An Outsider Returns.

T.J sat next to Logan staring out of the window. She was nervous about returning to her old school. She was excited too, but she wasn't sure what sort of welcome she would be getting.

The Blackbird began its descent. Scott Summers brought them into land on the front lawn. T.J could see Professor Dumbledore and some of the teachers waiting on the front steps.

"Well here goes nothing.", she whispered to herself as she disembarked from the jet, the others right behind her.

As they got closer T.J could see the Great Hall was full of students, presumably waiting for their arrival. She took a deep breath as she began to climb the front steps, not sure what to expect.

"Welcome back T.J.", Professor McGonagall said embracing her. T.J relaxed knowing that she was not feared because of her mutation.

"It's so good to be back. I've missed this place so much."

"Allow me to show you to the Great Hall. Everyone's excited to meet you.", Professor Dumbledore said gesturing to the door and allowing them to enter the Entrance Hall.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were staring in awe at the strange collection of people making their way to the front of the Great Hall. A buzz of chatter circled the hall, who were these people and what were they doing here?

Suddenly the doors opened, everyone turned to see who had entered. Harry's jaw fell open. He turned to look at his friends and they both were as stunned as him. Standing in the doorway was a woman. She was tall, dressed in a black leather uniform the same as the others. Her blonde hair was cut short and her blue eyes flashed brightly. She began walking between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables and as she drew level with Harry, Ron and Hermione she stopped. She turned and winked at them before continuing to join the others.

"Oh my god she's back and she looks fantastic.", Hermione gasped grabbing Harry's arm.

"Who is she?", he asked even though the woman looked so familiar.

Ron, who was sat next to him, punched him in the arm, "It's T.J, you idiot."

Before Harry could reply Professor McGonagall called for everyone's attention. As silence descended over the Great Hall, Professor Dumbledore rose from his chair. He slowly looked around the room as he composed his thoughts.

"You are probably wondering why you have been asked to gather here. Well, there are two reasons. The first being that Lord Voldemort is on his way here. The second reason is to meet a team of people who are willing to help us. Allow me to introduce Professor Charles Xavier, who will introduce you to his team."

Professor Xavier glided forward and turned to Dumbledore, "Thank you, Professor. Let me tell you a little something about my team and me. We are called the X-Men and we are all mutants, with different gifts. I am a telepath and I can control people just with my thoughts.", he paused as a huge gasp ran around the room.

He waited until the room calmed down, then continued, "Allow me to present Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, Iceman, Pyro, Rogue, Nightcrawler, Wolverine and last, but not least, Paradox.", his team stood as he said their names.

As T.J sat down, Dumbledore stood up. He waited for the chatter to subside.

"I see some of you recognize Paradox. For those that don't her real name is T.J Foster and she attended Hogwarts for almost five years. When her mutant ability manifested she was forced out by the Governors. She and her team are here to help us because of a premonition she had last night. The X-Men are here to help defeat Lord Voldemort. You will be able to meet our guests properly at dinner, until then back to class.", he concluded dismissing the students.

Once the Great Hall was empty, Nightcrawler threw his arm round T.J's shoulder. She could tell he was excited.

"So are you gonna give us the ten cent tour of this place?", he asked.

"Yeah, why not. It has been so long since I was last here it will be nice walking these old halls again. See if I can remember my way around.", she replied a big grin on her face, leading them to the doors.

As everyone was leaving Draco Malfoy was in a daze as he made his way to his next class.

"How is this possible?", he thought.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione headed to the Gryffindor common room due to the fact they had the rest of the day free. They sat in silence, each of them lost in their own thoughts and memories of T.J.

" I remember the day she left us.", said Ron breaking the silence.

" Yeah, me too, it was raining so hard that day as if even the weather knew just how heartbroken T.J was feeling. She didn't want to leave, but she did because she knew it was better for all of us.", Harry continued the memory, the sadness he felt showing clearly by the furrow of his brows.

" I know, but what happened the next day really surprised me.", said Hermione smiling.

" I thought I was seeing things when Draco lashed out at Professor Snape in Potions class, saying that T.J shouldn't have been made to leave because she wasn't a danger to anyone. I'd never seen him so upset about anyone other than himself.", she continued with a small chuckle.

" Maybe Draco has a few hidden depths none of us knew about. I guess I owe him a thank you.", said a voice from behind them causing them to jump to their feet and spin round to see who had spoken.

Huge smiles spread across their faces as they saw T.J and the rest of her team standing there. They hadn't heard the portrait door open because they had been so caught up talking.

" T.J!", Hermione squealed running to her.

T.J wrapped her arms tightly around her as she was almost knocked off her feet. Harry and Ron started towards her, then stopped not quite sure what to do next.

" Get over here you two.", T.J said releasing Hermione.

They didn't need telling twice, almost knocking her over as they swept her into a huge hug. T.J wrapped her arms around them, feeling the last three years melt away in that moment. Harry and Ron had changed, but that didn't matter it made her feel she had never left now they were all back together again. As she glanced at Hermione she knew she wasn't the only one thinking that thought.

"This place is fantastic.", Iceman said, walking around the common room.

"I spent many a night here sat by the fire with my friends, talking when we should have been studying.", T.J replied, the slightest hint of a giggle in her voice.

The X-Men came and sat down with her and her friends.

"Guys I'd like you to meet three of my dearest friends. This is Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. We had a lot of good times and bad times together in this room.", she smiled as she introduced them to her teammates.

"It's nice to meet you, it seems like we already know you from everything that T.J has told us about you.", Cyclops said shaking hands with the three of them.

The X-Men spent the rest of the afternoon listening to stories of T.J's time at Hogwarts. Hermione jumped in occasionally with any details that were left out.

"I have a question, why do they call you Paradox?", Harry asked.

"Well, I'm called Paradox because that's exactly what I am. My mutant powers enhance my magical abilities. I can replicate any mutant ability which comes in handy in battle.", T.J replied.

"Which is your favourite ability?", Ron questioned curiously.

"I guess my favourite has always been rapid healing and bone claws similar to Wolverine. Logan spent a lot of time training me and we have a similar outlook to battle.", she answered winking at Logan.

They continued talking only this time it was Harry, Ron, and Hermione that were the ones answering the questions. To T.J it seemed that all the news was bad or horrific in nature.

"Hasn't anything good happened around here since I left here?", T.J asked Harry.

"Well, there has been one good thing that has happened. I fell in love with the most wonderful girl in the world.", Harry answered blushing.

"That's great Harry. Who's the lucky lady?", she asked smiling.

"It,s...it's Hermione.", Harry stuttered looking at Hermione and grinning.

T.J wrapped her arms around Harry. "I'm so happy for you Harry. You above all people deserve to be happy.", she whispered in his ear.

Ron looked at his watch and announced it was time for dinner. As they headed down to the Great Hall T.J spotted someone she wanted to talk to. She told the others she would catch up and ran ahead to catch up with the quickly retreating figure.

"Draco can I have a quick word with you please?", she said placing her hand on his shoulder to stop him.

He nodded and told his friends to go in without him. Without another word he turned and headed back towards the dungeons. T.J followed in silence wondering where Draco was leading her. Halfway along the corridor that led to the Common Room, he turned down another corridor that led to a single large dormitory room.

He opened the door and stepped aside so she could enter before him. T.J looked around in awe until the sound of the door closing made her turn around.

Draco stood with his back against the door his arms folded across his chest. She couldn't believe it had only been three years since she had last seen him, but he had changed so much.

Gone was the arrogance that he had used as a defence mechanism while she was at Hogwarts. Instead, there was a quiet confidence that shone from within him. He had stopped slicking his hair back and his hair fell over his eye as he dipped his head. There was a need that bubbled up inside her which she couldn't stop even if she wanted to. She wanted to go and brush his hair away so she could see his face.

"What can I do for you T.J?", he said finally breaking the silence and pulling her back from her fantasy.

He looked nervous, almost scared of what she had to say. His posture betrayed his thoughts. She could imagine what he was thinking. Was she angry at him? Did she blame him for what his father had done to her? Did she think he had some hand in her having to leave?

"I wanted to thank you Draco.", she said gently, taking a step towards him. She smiled as her words altered his posture. He relaxed slightly, but the fear was still in his eyes. It hurt her deeply to think that she was the cause of his uncertainty.

"Thank me for what T.J?", he asked the confusion he felt marring his voice.

T.J took another step towards him, which put her within touching distance. She brushed the hair away from his face that made him look at her. Her breath was dragged from her lungs as she looked into his eyes, the colour of molten steel. There was a mixture of confusion and trepidation.

"I know you stood up for me after I left. What I don't know is why?", she said calmly, placing her hand on his cheek and leaving it there.

Draco stepped away from her and walked towards the fireplace. He stared into the flames. T.J couldn't help noticing how sad he looked and she wanted to take that sadness away so badly it was like a physical ache. She wanted to see that brilliant smile that he had flashed at her from across the Great Hall for years when they made eye contact at meal times.

She let him stand there for a few minutes watching the dancing flames, before crossing the room to stand behind him. She gently placed her hand on his back. She felt him start and heard the smallest gasp of breath before he relaxed under her gentle touch.

"Draco why did you do that for me?", she murmured cautiously almost afraid of what his answer might be. She felt him take a long deep breath as he sought the courage to answer her question.

"I did it because the day you left I looked up at the Gryffindor table and you weren't there. It left a gaping hole in my heart that hasn't been filled until you walked back into the Great Hall today. That's when I knew without a doubt in my mind that I love you truly, completely and with a passion, I can't and don't want to control.", he said finally letting all his barriers down and leaving him completely at her mercy.

T.J had steeled herself for any other answer except that one. However, she found she wasn't surprised. A lot of things suddenly fell into place. The fact that they had become good friends despite the rivalry between their two houses and her friendship with Harry and the others. He always managed to make her laugh when she was unhappy or scared.

Now her own actions and thoughts became clear to her. She had never stopped thinking about him over the last three years. The tears she had shed over her nightmare, she had thought were for Harry, Ron, and Hermione. She realized that she had been terrified that she would never see Draco again. With these thoughts whirling around her head she was hit like a lightning bolt with the realization that she was in love with the beautiful man stood in front of her.

She stepped forward slipping her arms around him and placing her hands over his heart, laying her head on his back. She felt him relax against her and she felt his heartbeat quicken under her fingers. It felt natural as if he had been purposely made for her. Her own heartbeat quickened and she took a deep breath in taking in his scent which was so familiar, making her feel as though she was home.

"I have a confession to make and I don't know where to begin, so here goes. I am in love with someone. He has blond hair and the softest grey eyes. He is kind, gentle and caring, he makes me feel safe just by being in the same room. He has a smile that melts my insides whenever I see it, but that hasn't been in at least three years.", she whispered in his ear.

Draco turned to face her looking dejected, "He's a lucky guy.", he murmured. T.J watched as what she had said began to sink into his brain. He began to smile as he went over what she had said and hoped he had come to the right conclusion.

T.J couldn't stop herself from smiling at the look on his face. When he noticed this his smile faltered. She knew she had made a mistake when she saw the hurt in his eyes.

"You're just playing with me aren't you?", he said unable to hide the hurt from his voice.

She closed the gap between them and placed her hands on his arms. She gently moved her hands up his arms until she wrapped her arms around his neck. She could feel the heat radiating from him. His breathing quickened as she ran her fingers up and down the back of his neck. She entangled her fingers in his hair and pulled his face towards hers, looking deep into his eyes she gently kissed him.

"If I'm playing would I have done that Draco? Would it be so hard for me to have admitted that you Draco Malfoy are the one person in this world I am terrified of losing because it would shatter me in ways you can never imagine? I love you and I always have and always will.", she said pulling him closer.

Draco wrapped his arms tightly around her and dipped his head resting his forehead against . He moved in slowly and captured her lips in a sweet kiss which intensified as he pulled her even closer.

After what seemed like an eternity he pulled back and looked down into eyes and he saw his past, his present and now his future looking right back at him.

"I love you T.J Foster and I always will. You are never going to lose me because now I have you back in my life I have no intention of letting you go.", he said pulling her close to his chest.

As T.J rested her head on his chest hearing his laughter and his heartbeat she vowed that she would never let him go either.

END OF CHAPTER TWO.