Chapter Three: Cooldown.

Alex placed her hands down on the edge of the wall and mentally counted to a number where she never mentally counted for before. Everything happened so fast.

She could not help, but feel responsible for this, somehow. They did not have time to properly understand the situation. There was very little time to understand the situation. They treated this like any other alien guest and it blew up in their face big time.

'We can't have lost him….after all of this, we can't have lost him,' Alex thought. 'If we've lost him, that means he's out there….in the open.'

Alex shuddered to think about it. The communications outside refused to respond as well. Thus Alex had been put between a rock and a hard place, unable to call in specialized help.

"The system lockdown is…..actually we're finally out of the system" one of the technicians said. "Everything's rebooting, all we have to do is wait about a minute to get back online."

Alex really tried not to get agitated and upside. The good news one they were still alive.

"It's a minute more where he's out there," Alex said. "He's out there in the open, being hunted by that thing. I….we thought he was the danger…"

"Well, to be fair, when he dropped down, he looked to be a threat," Hank said. "We didn't know where he came from, and he didn't really know either….we may have saved his life by taking him in."

"I won't necessarily deny it."

Everyone turned around, mouths open in shock. Harry Potter stood right before them, looking rather pale all things considered, but alive. The agents pointed their guns towards him.

"Relax," Hank said. "You won't attack us, will you, Mr. Potter?"

"Not unless they attack me first," Harry said.

One look from the DEO Director prompted the agents to drop their guns and take in deep breaths. Harry motioned for the two of them to follow him into a private room, which he did.

"Harry…you're….." Alex said. She paused and looked at him. Surprised about the fact he made his way back into the DEO facility and a little bit curious about the fact. "You're him, aren't you? You're not the hunter wearing Harry's skin, are you?"

Harry was glad she asked this question because it was the right one to ask under these circumstances.

"Well, if I was, would we really be having this conversation?" Harry asked. "After all, the Hunter looked like he wanted to feed on all of your souls just by being in proximity to me. I'm sure, you would have been at the top of his list, given we shared pizza. Or don't you recall that?"

"Yes," Alex said. "Before you went all…"

Alex trailed off as she struggled to figure out how to explain it. Harry chuckled, believe him, he felt her pain.

"It's hard to explain what happened," Harry said. "Magical puberty really doesn't describe it. I guess the closest thing to it is a caterpillar who changes into a pretty little butterfly….only I'm not so pretty."

"Oh, I think there would be a few people who would disagree," Alex said, gaze drawing towards those eyes once again.

Harry cleared his throat and Alex looked away towards him.

"It's a good thing I'm not a dangerous alien looking to melt people's brains by looking into their eyes," Harry said. Alex smiled, although the joke was a little bit too on the nose. "Right, so….Director Henshaw, wasn't it?"

"Yes," Hank said. "How much do you remember?"

Harry thought they were getting around to this question. Just because his memories were coming back did not mean Harry wished he wanted to think about it. He decided to give the old college try to walk through the maelstrom of memories.

"Well, I remember a bright light, not reacting well to being in a place where I didn't recognize because I assumed I was dead," Harry said. "I remember waking up here, I remember pizza….and then I remember the change…..thankfully the pulse of magic didn't kill you."

"Thankfully it didn't kill you, for all of our sakes," Hank said.

Harry smiled, little did they know what he survived in the past.

"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure, I've survived some rather dangerous things," Harry said. "You don't have to worry about the Hunter anymore though."

"How did you defeat him?" Alex asked.

"I ate him," Harry said without missing a beat.

There was a long pause when the two of them looked at Harry. This was about the reaction he expected if he was honest.

"Wait, wait, whoa…wait…wait….you…ate him!" Alex said, unable to wrap her mind around it.

Harry smiled, figured they would have this reaction, and sometimes the simplistic didn't work well with an explanation.

"Actually, if you want to get technical, I ate his magical core which tasted like raw sewage," Harry said. "Or how I'd assume raw sewage to taste rather, I don't go around eating raw sewage in my spare time after all because….well, raw sewage isn't exactly…"

"Yes, we get it," Hank said. "Get to the point."

"Anyway, I absorbed his core," Harry said. "Yes, it sounds a lot better than eating someone. Anyway, I absorbed his magical energy and he was weakened. He's sent back….."

"You sent him back?" Hank asked. "Are there any more of him?"

Harry tried not to smile at this statement. There were plenty more like him. There was always someone like him.

"Yes, I'm sure there is," Harry said. "And I'm sure you're asking what is going to stop them from coming back and going against me for round two?"

"The thought had crossed our minds….what if you can't defeat the next one…"

"I sealed the breach," Harry said. "Nothing else nasty will be going through….I sealed it, and…"

"That means you won't be going back either, will it?" Alex asked.

"And here I thought we were starting to bond," Harry said. "Getting rid of me already, are you?"

"Sorry, that's not what I meant," Alex said, looking a little bit flushed in the process. Harry smiled. "It's just….well you left wherever you were…and this is not your home…"

Harry held up his hand. Now he remembered everything, Harry had even fewer reasons to be broken up.

"The people worth fighting for there have long since moved on," Harry said. "And me staying there would put me back to square one…..it wasn't like I had too much there to begin with."

"Right," Hank said, knowing enough not to press him about it. Just because someone looked calm and tranquil now, did not mean they were not going to lash out. "So, there's the matter of where you're going now."

"I'm going to stop you right now," Harry said. "If you think I'm going head back into a cell and be babysat, you have another thing coming."

For a moment, Alex thought there was going to be an ugly battle of the wills. She wouldn't want to be against Harry in this particular situation.

"No, nothing like that," Hank said. They wouldn't know how to take him down. They knew it, and more importantly, Harry knew it. "I've seen enough of you up close to realize you may be just what this organization needs."

Harry wondered if this was coming, he half expected it.

"Hmm, interesting," Harry said. "So are you offering me a job?"

"I think we can both work together," Hank said. "I wouldn't assume you would do it for free."

"That's good, because you'd be wrong," Harry said. Harry could see the man's eyes locked onto them. "Anyway, continue..."

"As you may have guessed, people aren't lining up around the block to go and hunt down alien fugitives," Hank said. "I'll tell you more about why and the problem we're experiencing if you agree to join the DEO."

"If you want to know everything, it's fair I lay this little card down on the table," Harry said. "Apparently, there was some fae blood back in my bloodline….my mother's side if I had to hazard a guess. The Evans family wasn't as normal as my aunt wanted them to believe. Or maybe my mother was adopted. I can't really figure it out. Regardless, I'm not normal."

"The wings clued us in," Alex said. She smiled and Harry raised an eyebrow. "Wait, are you saying, what I think you're saying…"

"If you think I'm saying I can enchant women….then yes, I can…to certain extents," Harry said. "Never really had much of a chance to try it back home due to having more pressing matters to attend to. Here and there, but really, my powers weren't fully unlocked until now."

Harry cleared his throat and continued on with his explanation.

"I can only enchant them though when there's an attraction already there. If the woman wouldn't be attracted to me….well there's no spark….well not without me forcing the issue which would get into some rather sketchy territory."

Alex allowed her look to stray towards Harry.

'Who would have such poor taste not to be at least a little bit intrigued?' Alex thought. 'Okay, down girl, stay focused.'

"Well, I thank you for being honest," Hank said. "And I can tell right off you wouldn't abuse your powers when they're not warranted. And you'll keep professional when it matters most."

"Very professional," Harry said. "Providing I agree….I have a feeling though there's something you're not telling me, as why you need my help."

"Yes," Hank said. "While I don't intend to return to return you for your cell….mostly because you couldn't be held…there's a spare office where you can stay until you make decision."

"I'm sure we can fix it up, and we can make it just as good as home," Alex said with a bright smile on her face.

"Well, I'm pretty sure we can work some magic in there," Harry said. "Hell, give me a broom cupboard and I'm sure I can make it just like home."

Harry chuckled for a moment. To them, he made it sound like he was the adaptable sort.

'Was that too soon?' Harry thought to himself, at his own dark joke about his poor childhood.

Alex escorted Harry into an office. It was pretty practical with the barest essentials. A laptop sitting on the table, a television set, a book shelf, even though there were no books on the shelves. A couple of chairs and a desk and nice couch at the edge of the table, with Harry moving in. He whistled in response when walking around.

"So there you have it," Alex said. "If you need anything, there's a snack bar right down the hall, I'm sure you can find something better to eat than the core of a demonic wraith."

Harry stole a look with Alex who responded with a smile.

"Well, there's a sentence I never thought I'd say," Alex said. "And I swear, I need to stop thinking that."

"You really should," Harry said. "And yes, I don't think I'll be pulling that trick….although I'll need to feed….."

"So, if you have an allure towards women," Alex said. "That means you must be like an Incubus, right…..or….."

"Well, in a matter of speaking, that's the closet thing non-magicals have to compare me for," Harry said. "Thankfully, I can make the wings transparent…and I don't necessarily need them to fly."

"Oh, you can fly?" Alex asked.

"Do you really honestly find it hard to believe a man can fly?" Harry asked.

"Actually, it's a lot easier to believe than you can think," Alex said, with a knowing smile. He had some interesting things to learn about in this universe, but she should not spoil it. "Yes, the computer is configured the network so you can get online. And yes, we have Netflix."

"What's that?" Harry asked.

"Oh, right you come….what kind of medieval world do you come from again?" Alex asked.

"One apparently which is twenty years behind this one…well in the non-magical part of it at least," Harry said.

"That explains it," Alex said. "You're like someone who slipped into a coma for twenty years on this world. And then you wake up and…..well you don't really know what the hell has happened to the world?"

"Yes," Harry said. "So, if I get on the Internet, that means people won't be able to use the phone, right?"

"Um, I think that went out years ago," Alex said. "Well, unless you're dirt poor and can't afford a good connection, but we need a pretty fast Internet."

"This is different, it doesn't have a floppy disk drive or anything," Harry said. "And the keyboard still doesn't have the any key, you would think they would get that fixed."

"Actually, you don't have to press the "any" key, you just have to press any….key," Alex said. Harry smiled at her. "You were trolling me, weren't you?"

Harry responded with a sharp smile when staring at her.

"If by trolling you mean, taking the piss out of you, then yes, I was, just a little bit," Harry said. "My cousin once hurled a computer out of his bedroom window when he couldn't find the any key, but I'm a lot more competent than that."

"Oh, right," Alex said. She took a second to regain her bearings and smiled at Harry. "I really hope you're going to stick around for a while we….well…..I'd love to have you."

Harry turned around for a moment to see what he needed to do. His transfiguration was kind of rusty, he hoped the technique had been put down.

"I would have thought after what happened I'd be way more trouble than I was worth," Harry said. "I don't see me being the type who is going to blindly follow orders."

"Hey, you're not the only one who is like that who works here," Alex said. "Still….if there's anything you need…anything at all….please tell me."

"Oh, don't worry," Harry said. "You'll be the first to know."

'Those words could be taken in so many ways,' Alex thought. She took a moment to catch her breath. 'Okay, got to remain professional, especially since he's working here.'

A flash of light filled the room. Alex turned around and saw a lavish looking bed in the middle of the room, and a dresser replaced where the book shelf. The room filled with energy which caused the hairs on the back of Alex's neck to prickle up.

"Wow, I didn't….how did you do that?" Alex asked.

"I'm going to say magic because sometimes the most simple of answers are the best answers," Harry said. Harry moved over to the bed which was once a desk and sat down onto it. "Oh, to think this was just a hard desk about a minute ago. Now it's something much more."

Harry leaned down on the bed. Alex's curiosity got the better of her and she sat down on the bed. The softness of the mattress made her want to sit back, relax, even if she had plenty of work to do. Most of it rather tedious paperwork, her least favorite part of the job.

"Wow, this is pretty comfortable," Alex said, sitting down next to Harry. The bed held up and was soft. She would have not known it was a desk if Harry had not told her. "I might have to stick around for a little bit."

"Well, I wouldn't complain," Harry said.

Alex heard her phone ring and she better answer this before someone tore down the DEO doors to get inside. At least the new reinforcements held which was both a bad thing and a good thing, but you really had to take the bad for the good with security.

"Actually, sorry, I have a call I need to take," Alex said. "I'll tell you about it when you join the DEO."

"Hmm, now I'm intrigued," Harry said.

"Are you intrigued enough to say yes?" Alex asked.

"I'm intrigued enough to consider it," Harry said. "Talk to you later, Alex."

The two of them locked eyes with each other for a moment. Alex barely managed to drag herself away.

"I'll be right back, in a couple of minutes," Alex said. "I promise."

"Alex, what the hell is going on at base? I swear, I could get in…"

The voice on the other end of the phone trailed off.

"Um, about that….the base was on lockdown," Alex said.

"Are you in any danger?"

Alex smiled at the concern which dripped from the voice of her favorite heroine.

"Not really, well not anymore," Alex said. "I'll tell you all about it later…..we just had a bit of a misunderstanding. One of our most high profile patients finally woke up."

"Wait, Patient E woke up?"

Alex smiled, he was of an interest to the entire DEO, super special guests included. And he would be of any more interest when the two of the met.

"Yes, him," Alex said.

"It's weird, there was no brain activity in the past couple of months, and then he just woke up. And what's he….he's not dangerous is he?"

Alex thought this was a delicate question to answer.

"Not since he's calmed down," Alex said. "Still, upsetting him isn't a good idea and…..locking him up in a cell might have upset him….he actually might work at the DEO."

"Well, that's a pretty strange hiring policy you have…you sure you're alright? He didn't do anything to hurt you."

Alex smiled at the concern in her voice. Boy did the conversation change around.

"Yeah, you don't need to come flying in here faster than a speeding bullet," Alex said. "It would have been a help if you were here…but at the same time, I think it would have complicated the problem."

"Now you're worrying me, Alex."

"Trust me, it wasn't my intention," Alex said. "Get here as soon as you can, I'm sure he'll be happy to meet you…when you can get here…..you're not having any problems."

"No, nothing on my end, it's been pretty quiet tonight. I know that won't last…..I'm glad you're alright."

Alex smiled, she was glad as well, believe her, she was glad.

"Believe me, it was a pretty near miss," Alex said. "If I need anything, I'll call you….I would have last time, it's just, there was pretty much no way for me to get out last time….trust me, Kara."

"Right, I do," Kara said. "I should have been there tonight."

"You can't be there all the time," Alex said. "The DEO is able to function just fine, we have for years before Supergirl showed up. We are the best in the world at what we do."

"Yeah, I know," Kara said. "So, what is he like? He must be something if he's being recruited to the DEO already….unless you think he's worth keeping an eye on like me."

"Kara, we just didn't recruit you to keep an eye on you, you know," Alex said.

"Relax, Alex, I was only kidding," Kara said. "But, seriously, the moment I get away, I want to meet him…..I can't explain it….there's just a feeling I got every time I went past his cell. I can't explain it."

'Oh, I can hazard a guess,' Alex said. 'Because I have the same feeling…and as weird as it is, I know what it is.'

"Believe me Kara, I understand," Alex said. "I truly and completely understand."

Harry smiled. Anyone who knew magic could make chicken salad out of chicken…well, anyone who was around the block knew how the saying went. He wore a very elegant sleeveless silk shirt and a pair of nice pants.

He now could see without glasses. One of the only good things about his time at the Department of Mysteries was the Unspeakables cut his eyes out and new ones, with enhanced vision, grew back in their place.

Now, he studied the video of an attractive girl dressed in a blue top, and flowing skirt with a cape. Cape wouldn't be his preferred fashion choice, but it really worked well for her so Harry would not complain.

"Hmm, interesting," Harry said. "Very interesting. I wonder what her story is.

"She's Supergirl," Alex said. Harry turned around. "I should have know better than to sneak up on you, but I couldn't resist."

"Just trying to get educated on this new world," Harry said. "Since I'm going to be here for the long haul, I might as well know what I'm up against and who some…rather important people are."

Harry shook his head and returned his thoughts to the subject at hand.

"Never mind me though, this Supergirl, she's pretty fascinating," Harry said. "All of that power….and she uses it to save people."

"You sound like you don't approve," Alex said, raising an eyebrow at Harry's subject.

"I never said I didn't approve," Harry said. "She's just a lot better than most people are in that spot….she must have had a pretty good set of values….like the same set of values you had."

'He can't have known, could he?' Alex asked. 'Just act, natural, smile, and nod.'

"You agree with me," Harry said. "So, have you worked with her a lot?"

"Yes, a few times," Alex said.

"Interesting, I'd like a chance to meet her," Harry said. "And I think I'm going to give my answer….do you think you can walk to me to meet Director Henshaw?"

Alex had been caught off guard, mostly because she did not expect him to answer this soon.

"Oh, yes, I think I can," Alex said, wondering what Harry would say. This could turn out to be pretty good or kind of bad. She had no clear idea where this was going to come.

The two walked in and met with Director Henshaw.

"So, how are you holding up?" Hank asked.

"About as well as could be expected," Harry said. "I would apologize for being upset when I woke up earlier, but all of us can agree the last place anyone wants to be is trapped in some kind of containment cell."

"Fair enough, but I think you can even appreciate why we thought you might be a threat," Hank said.

"I won't lie I would have done something if I was in your position and you were in mine," Harry said. "So, you've offered me a place here with the DEO."

"I think your talents could be an asset, and…I'm sure someone like you would want a chance to expand on those talents," Hank said. "And we could use all of the help we can get, as I told you before."

"Yes, I'm blessed with a good memory,' Harry said. "And…..I have a few concerns."

Hank almost could tell where this was going.

"We don't make easy choices here," Hank said.

"Yes, I know," Harry said. "It's just….we're keeping a lot under wraps here….how many people knew about the incident in Vegas when you found me? I mean the exact circumstances, and not a vague indication about how you found something in Vegas."

"Only a select, trusted few," Alex said. "It was a very tight and closed circle."

"Right," Harry said. "And I'm sure people will be thrilled a magical creature works for the DEO."

"I can't speak for the rest of the world, but magic is an open secret," Hank said. "It has its share of detractors, about as much as any other super powered individual would."

"Like Supergirl for example," Harry said.

"Yes, like Supergirl," Hank agreed. "We won't tell anyone your powers, unless you want them to know."

"Which might be smart," Harry said. "They're best kept under wraps…because one of three things could happen."

Harry hated the necessity of keeping magical powers under wraps, but damn he knew what would happen if the lid had been blown off.

"One, they're hunt me down and try to burn me at the stake," Harry said. "Which, I will be the first to inform you, no actual magic user has ever been burned at the stake, to my knowledge at least. If it's anything like it was back home, a bunch of innocent people were burned, while the few who did have magic allowed to get themselves caught out of sheer amusement, while laughing at the poor non-magicals who did get burned."

"It sounds like they were the ones who fanned the flames hysteria in the first place," Alex said.

"I come from a very messed up society," Harry said, repeating each word in a slow and concise way. "They only got around to passing laws in the past century which outlawed the hunting of anti-magicals…but we're getting off the subject."

"Of course," Hank said. "Continue."

"Or I'll end up in some lab where they try and cut me open to see what makes me tick," Harry said. "I don't want to have that done to me again. It wasn't pleasant the first time."

"Messed up society, remember?" Harry asked. "Or they're use me as an excuse to have super powered people, regardless of their origin, have to be registered with the government."

Alex shuddered at this particular revelation.

"Wouldn't be the first time," Alex said.

"Did it work?" Harry asked.

"It never works," Alex said.

"I believe I never answered your question," Harry said. He looked at both of them. "I've thought about it, and I'm not willing to work for the DEO."

Hank was surprised they had been turned down so flat.

"I will however work with it," Harry said. He looked at the two agents. "I think we've come to an understanding, haven't we?"

They appeared to have a similar relationship with Mr. Potter as they did Supergirl, although there would be some differences.

"Yes, Mr. Potter, I do," Hank said. "It will be interesting working with you."

'Boy, you don't know the half of it,' Harry thought, even though his face remained stoic.

To Be Continued.