Coming Home

Chapter Four – Plans Unfold.

T.J awoke the next morning to find three very concerned faces watching her from across the room. She knew she was in trouble and steeled herself for what was to come.

"Where did you go last night?", Ron asked, anger and concern coming through in his question.

"I'm so sorry guys I shouldn't have run off. Logan said something that got to me. I needed time to think.", she apologised sheepishly.

"You had us all worried, especially Draco.", Hermione piped in, disappointment clouding her eyes.

"Hey, it doesn't matter now. C'mon Ron let's leave these two to get ready. We'll meet you in the common room.", Harry said heading for the door followed by Ron.

"What did Logan say to make you run away?", Hermione gently questioned.

"He doubts my ability to keep my head in the upcoming battle against Voldemort because of my feelings for Draco.", T.J answered as she changed and ran a brush through her hair. She slumped on the bed with her head in her hands.

Hermione came and sat next to T.J on the bed. She realised T.J's shoulders were shaking, so she placed her are on her friend's shoulder. T.J couldn't hold back her tears, she laid her head on Hermione's knee and sobbed.

"Ssh T.J, it's going to be ok. He shouldn't have done that to you. He should have faith in you because everyone in this castle that knows you do.", Hermione whispered as she stroked T.J's hair. When T.J calmed she helped her up and taking her hand they left the dorm.

Draco was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for her. She ran into his arms, which wrapped tightly around her pulling her close to him.

"I'm sorry I ran off last night, I didn't mean to worry you.", T.J said, pulling back just enough to look at his face.

"You did worry me, but you're here now and that's all that matters to me.", he said, tilting his head down to kiss her gently.

When they entered the Great Hall, T.J caught sight of Rogue. She told Draco to sit down and she headed in Rogue's direction. Rogue smiled as she approached.

"Morning T.J did you sleep well?", she asked.

"Like a log Rogue. I need you to gather the others and meet me in the Entrance Hall after breakfast if you don't mind.", T.J replied. Rogue nodded and went off in search of the rest of the team.

T.J went and sat down between Draco and Harry. The meals at Hogwarts hadn't changed at all since she had attended. There was so much to choose from, but she found her appetite lacking. She grabbed some toast and sat quietly nibbling on it, lost in her thoughts.

"Earth to T.J, come in T.J.", a voice broke through her thoughts. She looked up to see Rogue stood next to Ron.

"Sorry Rogue, what did you say.", T.J apologised, focusing on her.

"I said everyone will be there.", Rogue repeated, ruffling Ron's hair and shaking her head at T.J.

T.J felt eyes on her. She scanned the room and found Logan watching her. She dropped her gaze trying to concentrate on her friends. She finished her toast, said bye to her friends, kissed Draco and left the table.

She hadn't been waiting long when the rest of the team filed out into the Entrance Hall. She led them down to the edge of the Dark Forest. She turned to face her friends, as she looked at them she found herself wanting to tell them to go home. The urge to tell them she would face Voldemort alone swelled up inside her head. She knew they would protest if she tried. As her gaze fell on Logan he stepped forward.

"T.J I'm so sorry I hurt you last night. Hermione told me why you ran off.", he took both her hands in his as he spoke.

T.J dropped her head as she felt the tears begin to prickle the edges of her eyes. She tried to take a step away from Logan, but he held her in place.

"Please look at me T.J.", Logan said.

T.J looked up at the pleading tone of his voice. She searched his face and saw the pain in his eyes.

"I have never doubted you and I'm not about to start now. You are the best person to see us through this fight and yes you are the only one who knows this Voldemort, so what's the plan. You lead, I'll back you up right to the gates of Hell itself.", he continued, looking her square in the eyes.

"Thanks, Logan that means a lot to me. Voldemort is an extremely powerful wizard. He is going to be difficult, but not impossible, to defeat.", she said, taking a deep breath.

"Do you have any ideas of how to beat him?", Jean asked.

"Yes, Jean I think I do. Ok here goes, magic will not work as an offensive weapon. Voldemort is too well versed in magic for that, so I think we should use our own special brand of magic on him.", she replied, injecting a lot of positivity into her voice.

"You mean our mutant powers.", Kurt said, comprehension dawning on his face.

"Exactly. Bobby and Rogue are going to be our secret weapons because they will be the most effective against him. We will have to defend them. Voldemort needs to be rendered useless enough that he can't use his wand. Bobby that will be your role, Freeze him so he can't move.", she began laying out the first part of the plan.

"Got it, boss.", Bobby said nodding.

"Rogue your part in this is going to be the hardest. What I'm asking you to do will not be pleasant, but it is important. I want you to drain Voldemort's life force. Do you think you can do it?, T.J asked turning to look at her young friend. Rogue nodded scared but determined to do her part.

"Kurt you will get Rogue away to a secure location, while Logan does what he does best.", she looked at them both.

"Slice and dice party.", Logan growled, grinning at her. She grinned back and winked at him.

"Once that's done, his body can be burned and the ashes scattered to the four winds.", T.J continued, mentally checking off her list.

"John and I can handle that part T.J.", Ororo said matter of factly.

"I have a couple of things I need to know T.J. Where is this going to happen and what will we be doing?", Scott asked.

T.J could almost hear the cogs in his brain turning as he considered her plan, looking for any flaws.

"Well, we will make him come to us which gives us the advantage of the fight being on our terms. He wants Hogwarts, so let's give it to him. As for your second question, we'll be fighting the Deatheaters. Do not under any circumstances underestimate them, they are fiercely loyal to Voldemort and they are more than willing to die for him.", she responded, holding each of their gazes.

"Explore, ask questions, do whatever you have to do to familiarise yourselves with every inch of this castle and it's grounds. I want you to be ready, I want us all to be ready. I'm going to see if I can round up some extra help from the teachers.", she replied, urgency clearly coming through in her voice.

The X-Men all nodded before turning and heading back to the castle. T.J watched them until they got back to the front steps, before sitting on the grass and closing her eyes and relaxing slightly.

She knew there was a chance none of them would survive and that made her heart ache to know she was leading her friends into grave danger. She felt a physical ache deep down, but she knew they would face whatever was thrown at them as a team, as a family.

She would gladly place her life in the hands of any of her family, and they, in turn, were trusting her with their lives by fighting alongside her without hesitation. Suddenly a shadow passed across her, blocking out the sun's rays.

"Hello, Hagrid.", she said without opening her eyes.

"Hullo T.J, are yer alright?", Hagrid asked as she opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"I honestly don't know Hagrid. I'm leading my friends straight into the jaws of death. I don't think I'll be alright until Voldemort is defeated.", T.J answered, her voice just above a whisper. She stood up and gave Hagrid a hug.

Hagrid placed his big hand on her shoulder as she stepped back. T.J found comfort in the presence of her huge friend.

"Y'know yeh may well be, but they must trust yer judgement to follow yeh. Yeh'll always have doubts, but just remember I have faith in yer and so do your friends.", he said gently.

"Thanks, Hagrid, I'd better get back to the castle.", T.J said, hugging her giant friend again. Turning she began walking back towards the castle.

As she entered the Entrance Hall she knew that Voldemort was about to have the fight of his life on his hands. T.J planned on winning or die trying.