A/N: Here's the next chapter. Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my computer.
In Deep Trouble
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Harry looked around the so-called Danger Room and wondered how he managed to get himself into situations like this.
He didn't even know how his mutant abilities worked, or even what they were, and now this crazy Professor wanted them to try and destroy targets with the aforementioned unknown powers? Merlin's hairy balls this was going to be a long day.
A row of human shaped targets popped up in front of Luna on the other side of the Danger Room and Harry took a moment to watch his adopted sister.
The Seer had no problem letting loose bolts of lightning or making baseball shaped electric balls to decimate the targets. With her dueling background it wasn't a surprise that Luna was very accurate in her throws even if the lightning often wouldn't keep its shape long enough to reach a target.
Harry turned his attention from her as a row of targets popped up in front of him. He grimaced slightly. Time to put these strange abilities to good use.
He tried to recall the foreign feelings that had accompanied his previous mutant outbursts, but all he could feel was his magic surging forward ready to obey his whims.
Harry reluctantly pushed the magic away and tried to call that strange force forth. A few of the targets slowly levitated from the floor and then he let them drop, shattering them.
Whew. That kinda made him tired. Harry thought to himself.
Maybe he could call up that energy surge that sometimes occurred after nightmares. Harry focused on the feelings of loss, pain, guilt and regret that war nightmares invoked in him and managed to let loose a shockwave of energy that destroyed every last target in the room.
Luna glared at Harry even as he swayed unsteadily on his feet.
"That was pretty impressive." Professor X's voice drifted down to them from the control room. "Now I'm going to up the intensity level so that the targets move and will attack back."
"What do you think so far?" Xavier asked the others in the command room as he began to set up the next row of targets.
"Luna seems to have a good sense of how to access her powers and how to direct them. I think that once she has more practice she'll have excellent judgment in knowing how to keep up the intensity of her attacks and judging distances." Ororo commented. "We'll practice that and then I think she'll fit right in."
"And Mr. Potter?"
"Ask me again after the next round." Logan grunted.
Xavier raised an eyebrow, but there was only silence from the gruff Canuck. Xavier was surprised normally Logan was quick to dismiss the new mutants as worthless until they had some practice and were a lot more advanced in the use of their abilities. Seeing that Logan wasn't going to say anything more Xavier hit the start button. The mutants turned their attention to their new recruits.
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Just great. Harry thought to himself as the new targets popped up. It's already taking way too long to remember how to activate my stupid abilities and that was against stationary targets. How do I use them against moving targets?
Harry quit his ranting and dodged the robot that was closing in on him. A lightning bolt fizzled and died in his hands before he could attack with it. Growling Harry concentrated his magic within him boosting his speed and allowing him to dodge the targets rather than leave him open for attack as he tried to use his mutant abilities.
He ducked, dodged, rolled and ran from the stupid robots as he tried to call on those stupid powers of his. He recalled the Professor saying that Ororo could call on the weather and he figured making it rain would short-circuit the robots.
The African woman felt like the calm before a thunderstorm and smelled like rain so that is what Harry focused on as he gathered that alien energy, it was wild and resisted his control. But his innate magic was even stronger and he 'herded' that strange energy together, 'packed' it into a ball in the middle of his chest and then concentrated on pushing it out, grinning in triumph as rain clouds appeared out of nowhere and released a torrent of water on the unsuspecting robots.
Harry suddenly felt as he was in more danger from a drenched Luna than the robots if the glare she was sending him meant anything at all. He flashed her a sheepish smile and she rolled her eyes at his antics.
But as soon as she turned back around he placed his hands on his knees and wheezed silently, trying to catch his breath and stop from falling face first into the floor.
"That was wonderful you two," Professor Xavier complimented them, "Now I'm going to up the danger in the simulation one more time just to see what you can do under pressure, so to speak."
Harry groaned. He was positive that if he hadn't had his magic to "recharge" him he would have been plastered face down on the floor after that first use of his mutant powers.
However he didn't have long to contemplate this thought as some weird cat-man sprang towards him. Harry didn't think as he put his war training to good use even as he mentally thanked Snape for the emphasis he put on physical training.
As he wove through the army of people trying to attack him Harry tried to focus on what the other mutant powers he remembered the X-Men having. Scott Summers' ability was the easiest to employ and so Harry focused on the uptight leader and the strength and the power that was concentrated behind Summers' eyes. Releasing the energy, he had the oddest sensation of shooting a laser beam from his eyes yet at the same time still being able to perfectly see. He found that by focusing on the gruff and wild Logan he could access his healing abilities which were useful when those stupid buggers scored a hit on him. Ororo's abilities had been the first he had focused on and found that her weather abilities were coming to him a lot easier and of course were being used against the simulation with great effect. Finally, when Harry was on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion, both physical and magical, the simulation was turned off and the Danger room became the empty metal room it had been at the beginning.
"That was very well done. You managed to last for almost 40 minutes." Professor Xavier congratulated the two exhausted Brits.
In the control room Scott smirked at a grumpy Logan. "You owe me ten bucks."
Logan growled at him and slapped the offending bill in Scott's outstretched hand before stomping out of the room.
Scott strolled out whistling a victory tune.
Jean and Ororo just looked at each other and said in unison, "Men."
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Harry groaned as he got out of the shower and ran a towel through his hair. That exercise in the Danger Room had really worn him out.
He really hoped the Professor had some idea about what his abilities were and how to access them. Because even being thrown into a completely exotic world at the tender age of eleven and told he had to kill an evil megalomaniac was nothing compared to trying to access his mutant powers.
He studied his appearance in the mirror and noticed that his eyes appeared tired and, if he studied them close enough, the way his hands shook slightly. Trying to force out those strange powers and keep up the glamour to hide Teddy's Metamorphagus abilities were already taking their toll on him. He didn't know how long he could last and he was one of the most powerful wizards now that Dumbledore and Voldemort were dead. Imagine trying to continue with a smaller magical core!
Harry sighed. Time to stop woolgathering.
He pulled on boxers, a pair of stonewash denim jeans, a white undershirt and a button up royal blue shirt, leaving the top three buttons undone. He quickly toweled off his hair and crossed the hall back to his room.
Teddy smiled up at Harry from his playpen and stretched his arms up, begging to be held. Harry grinned down at his little boy and settled him on his hip.
"Come on Teddy-bear. Let's go find some dinner. I'm starved." Harry said rubbing his nose against Teddy's.
Teddy gurgled happily and snuggled into Harry's chest.
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Harry and Teddy walked into chaos.
At least that was what the dining room resembled.
There were mutants everywhere!
Harry raised one eyebrow as he tightened his hold on Teddy. All these mutants weren't here earlier!
"Evenin' mon ami." Gambit greeted the two coming over.
"Good evening." Harry returned the greeting, blushing a little as the Cajun came so close Harry could smell his heady scent of smoke and rum.
"Where did all these people come from?" Harry asked gesturing to the hungry hoard.
"Oh. De students just got back from a field trip ta de city." Gambit explained. "Dey live 'ere 'n take dere lessons 'ere as well."
"Sounds like the boarding school I went to in Scotland." Harry said as he and Gambit found a table and started to serve themselves.
"What was ya school like?" Gambit asked as he watched Harry mash up hamburger and corn for Teddy.
"It was in a restored castle in Scotland, which always made finding our way around fun. My best mate and I got lost and were late on our first day of class because it was so complex. We lived there during the school year for seven years and they divided us into four separate "houses" based on a personality test we took." Harry replied, skillfully editing out the magic part and coaxing Teddy into eating mashed potatoes.
"A castle? Dat doesn't sound like ya everyday school." Gambit said taking a bite of his dinner.
"It was a private school that my parents, my godfathers, one of whom is Teddy's father and pretty much all of my relatives went to. My name was on the roster for enrollment from the moment I was born." Harry said.
"Wait, Teddy's father went dere?" Gambit asked thoroughly confused and slightly hopeful.
"Yeah I know it's confusing. Teddy's father was one of my father's best friends. I always thought of him as my unofficial godfather. Then when Teddy was born Remus named me Teddy's godfather. I decided then and there that he was going to be the most spoiled godchild in the world. But when Remus was murdered I changed my mind and adopted Teddy. So now he's going to have everything I never had." Harry finished softly gazing lovingly down at the little boy banging his spoon in the mashed potatoes.
Gambit studied the young man across from him. He sensed there was more to the story and the young man then what he was told. But that would have to wait until they knew each other better.
Gambit slowly reached out and took a hold of Harry's hand, causing the younger man to look up in surprise. "Remy t'ink dat be one o' de most amazing t'ings he ever hear cheri."
Harry stared at Gambit shocked not only by the touch but at his words. No one had ever said taking care of Teddy was amazing. On the contrary, they thought he was crazy for giving up a career as an Auror and the chance to marry a beautiful witch (i.e. Ginny) to raise the son of a destitute werewolf.
And when Gambit started to run the pad of his thumb over the back of his hand, Harry felt a frisson of pure lust shoot through him as he stared into Gambit's hypnotic eyes. He had to get away from the sexy Cajun or he was going to fall hard and fast and he didn't think his heart could handle anymore betrayal.
Gambit smirked to himself when he felt the lust his actions and his words inspired in Harry but frowned at the panic that followed. Had someone hurt him before? It might very well explain the panic lust would cause in a person. Well he would just have to be slow and subtle in his wooing of Harry.
"Mr. Potter may I have a word with you?" Dr. Hank McCoy asked surprising the two with his sudden appearance.
Harry could have hugged the man for breaking the mounting tension between himself and the sexy man across from him. If Hank hadn't appeared he might have done something rash, like kiss Gambit.
"Certainly Dr. McCoy. Now or in a little while?" Harry asked feeding Teddy the last bites of his dinner.
"After you've finished eating, there's no need to rush. Just come on down to the Medical Bay when you are done." Hank said with a smile for the two of them before ambling off.
"Medical business?" Gambit asked raising an eyebrow.
"Sort of. I asked Dr. McCoy earlier about pursuing a medical degree and maybe getting some experience helping him out. I think that's what he wants to go over." Harry replied in between bites of his own dinner.
"Impressive cheri. Do ya remember 'ow ta get ta de Med Bay?" Gambit asked.
Harry paused. "Errr….not exactly." He admitted sheepishly.
"'R ya done eatin' 'Arry? Ah'll take ya myself." Gambit offered draining his water glass.
"I'm done. Thanks Remy." Harry said with a crooked smile.
"My pleasure, cheri." Gambit replied with his own roguish smile.
Harry had to remind himself to breathe. I think I'm in deep trouble.
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After Gambit left once he showed him the Med Bay Harry took a deep breath, steeled his nerves and made sure his wand was in his holster for easy access.
"Dr. McCoy?" Harry called out closing the door behind him.
"Actually I believe the proper term of address would be Healer McCoy, but I would much prefer to be called Hank." Dr. McCoy's cultured voice drifted from his office where Gambit had said he would more than likely be waiting.
Harry let out a small sigh of relief. At least the biggest hurdle was out of the way and he wouldn't have to Obliviate the doctor for having told him about magic. Although whether or not he would have to Obliviate him for other reasons remained to be seen.
"You can enter the office you know. I promise I won't bite." Hank's amused voice drifted into Harry's ear interrupting his contemplations.
Blushing, he hurried into the office.
The blue furred Healer was seated in a comfy arm-chair a tea set assembled on the coffee table in front of him.
He gestured for Harry to take a seat in the other arm chair and raised the teapot. "Cup of tea? I promise it's the proper English kind."
Harry smiled happily. "Absolutely. I haven't been here that long but I've already discovered that the tea in the States is far inferior to the stuff we drink in Great Britain." Harry said.
Once the tea was prepared to their liking the two mutant-wizards studied one another unsure of where to begin.
"So…." Harry trailed off as soon as he spoke.
"Perhaps I should begin." Hank said.
Harry nodded, relieved and gestured for Hank to continue.
"My parents are of pureblood lineage, not a particularly wealthy or prestigious family, but they are extraordinarily proud of the fact that they are purebloods with no trace of muggle lineage." Hank began.
"I am the older of two boys and attended Durmstrang in Bulgaria instead of Beauxbatons or Hogwarts. I was average in magical abilities, but I was very studious and meticulous in my course work and graduated among the top three of my class. After school I entered into an apprenticeship with a well-known Healer who was also a friend of the family. Eventually I attained my status of full Healer when I was twenty one." Hank explained.
"However, I didn't get a chance to start work professionally because strange things started to happen to me. Needless to say it was my mutant abilities that were surfacing, leaving me in my current state. I'm sure you can imagine how my parents reacted."
"Let me guess. They ranted and raved, then disowned you and threw you out of the house." Harry said drily thinking about the straight-laced and stuck up Purebloods he knew.
Hank gave a forced half-smile. "That's precisely what they did, accompanied by a lot of screaming, cursing and flying hexes. Luckily I was in the habit of saving my money and had deposited it in my own account along with some heirlooms that were mine by right. So I at least wasn't left destitute."
"What did you do after that?" Harry asked genuinely curious.
Hank smiled. "Much like yourself I got in touch with the goblins who arranged for me to move to the States, provided me with a glamour to hide my new characteristics and I enrolled in medical school. After earning my degree I was able to start working which allowed me to save up money. A few years later I learned about Charles Xavier and the school he had just started for mutants. So after meeting him I agreed to move here, join the X-Men and start working as the school's doctor." Hank explained.
"Does the Professor know you are a wizard?" Harry asked.
"No he doesn't and it's thanks to the goblins. My Occulmency skills are minimal at best and in order to obey the Statue of Secrecy the goblins inserted a, well, shield is the best word I suppose. It keeps any magical thoughts hidden under a layer of 'normal muggle' thoughts. While Xavier is good about not randomly reading people's minds I'm sure something like dragons or potions might catch his attention." Hank said.
"That's true. Good I really didn't want to tell anyone about magic. And if they knew I don't want to go through the whole Look-It's-The-Boy-Who-Lived thing again." Harry said bitterly.
"The war was hard." Hank stated bluntly.
"I don't want to think about it anymore. I gave up so much that now I just want a peaceful life away from the hypocrisy of the magical world." Harry continued.
"I think that's more than understandable." Hank said. "But I do have a question. Why is your son wearing a glamour?"
"Oh Teddy's a Metamorphagus and since he can't control the transformations I don't want to pretend it's a mutant ability. From what the Professor said the X-gene doesn't start to surface until the teens and I don't want Teddy to become a science project." Harry said protectively. "Not only that but he's the son of a werewolf and with the Dark Creature Act going on in Britain I didn't want to chance that someone might recognize him."
"It probably is a good idea to keep his Metamorphagus abilities a secret, but keeping an indefinite glamour up is going to drain your magical reserves fast. Even for someone as powerful as you are." Hank said worriedly.
"I know but I have some potions saved from the war and our potions master that will help boost my reserves and for me eating and sleeping a lot will help keep them higher." Harry said.
"Well, bring Teddy down here during your lessons. We'll set up a playpen for him and you can remove the glamour while you work. That will give you some respite." Hank said frowning.
"Thanks. I could use a hiding place." Harry said. "So when should we begin lessons?"
"Right now."
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Harry didn't even bother with a shower that night. He just changed himself and Teddy and flopped into bed. He was so tired and that was from just beginning Healing knowledge. He was not looking forward to beginning lessons with the Professor tomorrow on how to use his mutant abilities. Tomorrow he would have to….
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Harry woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and energized. Stretching, he contemplated the conversations he had with Remy and Hank the night before. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad living among mutants.
He blushed as Remy's hypnotic red-ringed eyes floated in his mind. Oh yes, he definitely wouldn't mind staying here.
Harry shook his head to clear away the tantalizing images that danced through his brain. Enough Potter!
Resolutely he climbed out of bed, intent on getting Teddy and himself prepared for the long day ahead of them. There would be no more thoughts of handsome, roguish Cajuns that would only, inevitably, lead to heartbreak.
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"Good morning." Harry greeted everyone as he entered the dining room, Teddy perched on his hip.
"Morning." Came the replies from the gathered X-Men in various stages of wakefulness.
Luna greeted him with a kiss on the cheek, a cup of Earl Grey and stole Teddy so that Harry could eat unhindered for once.
Harry helped himself to bacon, scrambled eggs and toast and began to eat with fierce concentration.
In doing so he missed the look of hurt and longing that crossed Remy's face when he saw the casual and affectionate greeting that Luna gave Harry.
Luna, however, did not and smiled knowingly. Soon her brother would be happy and that was what counted the most. After all happiness was savored even more when preceded by longing and hurt.
"Miss Lovegood I think that for today you should work with Storm to acquire control over your mutant abilities." Professor X said, looking at her over the rim of his coffee cup.
Luna smiled and nodded. "Maybe later I'll help you get rid of the Crumpled Snorlacks that are invading your classroom." Luna said to Ororo.
Storm, unsure of what Crumpled Snorlacks were, nodded in agreement. "I could certainly use some help." She replied politely.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Don't overdo it Luna." He said warningly.
"Don't worry so Harry dearest. We'll have to explain about the Nargles to them soon enough." Luna said handing Teddy to Hank and then skipping out of the room, oblivious to the shocked and worried look on Harry's face and the confused mutants.
"What did she mean by that?" Cyclops asked slightly suspicious.
Harry shrugged and tried to desperately shrug off the worry that something would happen to cause them to reveal their magical heritage to the mutants. "Don't mind Luna. She prefers to speak in riddles and code to confuse people. And no matter how strange she sounds I wouldn't change anything about her." Harry defended the eccentric Seer. "Besides if there was anything to worry about she would have said something." Harry finished.
"Ah. Well then Mr. Potter, once you've finished breakfast come up to my study so we can work on your control over your own powers." Xavier said willing to relinquish the questioning, for now at least.
Harry grimaced as he tried to swallow the forkful of eggs that turned to paste in his mouth at Xavier's words. He was so not looking forward to this.
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A few hours later Harry collapsed on the sofa in Xavier's office, dripping sweat and muscles shaking from exhaustion and over-exertion.
Charles glanced worriedly at the new mutant and handed him a glass of water.
"That wasn't bad for your first attempts." He offered the panting Brit.
"Yeah but it wasn't exactly a walk in the park." Harry retorted, slowly sipping from the glass.
"I agree but you won't gain complete control for a while. Especially since you just recently discovered your mutant abilities." Xavier replied trying to keep his new pupil from feeling too discouraged.
"Yeah but have you had any other mutant have this much trouble?" Harry asked sarcastically.
"Well, no. But then again their problem seemed to be more over control rather than being in touch with their abilities. Of course it helped that they had very straightforward abilities. Yours is intriguing and one I haven't encountered before." Xavier explained.
"Yeah well I've always been a freak." Harry said bitterly and before he could censor himself.
Xavier's eyebrows shot up faster than you could blink. There was a whole story behind this one comment. Perhaps if he could get the young man to talk about it, he might find a way to help him.
Harry frowned to himself. He couldn't keep being careless. Despite what Luna said (did she See it?) he wasn't going to reveal anything to these people if he could help it.
"Sorry Professor. I just tend to get really grumpy and sarcastic when I'm feeling stressed out." Harry offered as an answer instead of the entire truth.
Xavier was disappointed, though he didn't show it. Maybe once he stayed in the Mansion for a while longer he would begin to trust in the X-Men enough to confide in them. In the meantime Charles would do all he could to help the young man gain the confidence and control he needed in dealing with his strange ability.
"Don't worry Mr. Potter. We'll figure it out eventually, we always do." Xavier assured him.
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After taking a shower and relaxing his tense muscles Harry went in search of Luna and Teddy.
It took a little bit of searching and some help from the various students, but eventually he located the two along with Jean Grey in the kitchen.
"Harry! How did your lessons go?" Luna asked not looking up from where she was making silly faces with Teddy.
"Eh. Okay I guess." Harry responded noncommittally. Though he smiled when Teddy laughed at one of Luna's faces.
"Oh by the way. The shipping company delivered Sirius' motorcycle here per your request." Luna said.
"Shipping company?" Harry asked frowning. Why in Merlin's name would they use a shipping company when they could just shrink it.
Luna looked at him.
Oh. Right. Stupid.
"Oh I forgot about that." Harry said trying to cover up for his stumble. "Where did they put it?"
"In the garage with the rest of the cars." Luna said.
"Do you know anyone who might be able to help me out with my motorcycle?" Harry asked Jean. "It was my godfather's and I want to be able to use it and take care of it properly." He explained to the red-head.
"You should talk to Gambit or Logan about that." Jean replied. "They are the only motorcycle riders around here. In fact I think if you hurry you can catch Gambit in the garage right now." She offered.
"Thanks. I'll go do that." Harry replied and hurried out the room before the heat rising to his cheeks would beg some embarrassing questions.
He certainly wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to spend some time with the man that with one look had him captivated.
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"Gambit, are you in here?" Harry called out upon entering the huge garage.
"Ah be back 'ere." Gambit's voice echoed from the back of the shop.
Harry threaded his way through the multitude of cars and bikes before finding one with a pair of legs sticking out from it.
"What do ya need?" Gambit asked still hidden underneath the car.
"Well my motorcycle arrived here today and I was wondering if you would be willing to teach me how to ride and take care of it." Harry asked nervously.
"Dat beauty is ya bike?" Gambit asked emerging from underneath the body of the car.
Harry forgot how to speak.
Gambit was shirtless and when he stood up, lean muscles flexed underneath golden skin making Harry just want to let his hands wander across that glorious chest and stomach.
Jerking slightly Harry replied to Gambit's question. "Yeah it belonged to my godfather and now it's mine."
"Belonged?" Gambit questioned looking down at Harry.
"Yeah. He, um, he passed away a few years ago." Harry replied guilt filling his chest as he thought about Sirius.
"Ah'm sorry cheri." Gambit said a hand coming up to cup Harry's cheek.
Harry's breathe caught in his throat at the unexpected touch and he swore that his heart stopped when Gambit rubbed his thumb comfortingly over Harry's cheek. Before he could say something Gambit broke the silence.
"Come on then cheri. We got a lot o' work ta do." Gambit told him, turning and heading over to where Sirius' bike stood.
Harry exhaled rapidly even though his eyes were transfixed to Gambit's rippling back muscles and the lone drop of sweat trailing down his back and into the waistband of his jeans. Merlin how he wanted to be that sweat drop right now… Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.
"Ya comin' cheri?" Remy questioned.
Oh yeah. He was in deep shit.
Unlike the last several times though, the threat wasn't against his life, but rather his virginity.
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A/N: Sorry for the long wait and hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter will introduce the X-Men 2 storyline, along with a few twists, wizarding-style! Please leave me a review and let me know what you think.
~Dark Disaster