Chapter 7:

The next couple of weeks seemed to fly by. He spent a lot of time with Bruce, Dick, and Alfred getting to know them. It was something he was actually extremely grateful for getting the chance to do. He was enjoying his time with the three residents of Wayne Manor. They had game nights that ranged from sports to board games to video games, and movie nights. His father was busy a lot but he always tried to make sure he spent time with him. Often times he attended their movie or game nights with huge circles under his eyes but he never complained.

There were still things they had to discuss.

None of them had brought up the more difficult events in their lives. They all seemed to inherently know the topics to avoid with one another. Bruce, Dick, and Alfred knew not to bring up his relatives, and Harry didn't ask about the loss of Bruce's parents.

Harry's criminal life was also a subject they had so far tip toed around discussing. There were a couple of times where Dick would start asking a question when his father would quickly cut him off and change the subject. Harry was grateful that they hadn't brought up his mom's villainy or his own actions as her accomplice. It wasn't something he wanted to fight about. He was fairly certain his new family wouldn't approve but it wasn't something that he was going to give up on.

For now he was happy just to ignore the elephant in the room that was his alter ego. Harry couldn't have asked for anything more. There was only one thing that was bothering him. He still hadn't heard from Batman about visiting his mom. There was only just a couple of weeks before Harry's eleventh birthday.

The burner phone that the Dark Knight had been given him had remained completely silent. Harry would have tried to call him but the cellphone had been set up so that it couldn't make calls or texts only receive them. Harry brought the phone with him everywhere just in case Batman finally decided to call him.

Harry stabbed the dirt with his trowel in annoyance. Bruce had given him the materials to build a state of the art greenhouse in the backyard as an early birthday present. It was of course on the condition that there were no genetically modified additions. Of course, what his father didn't know couldn't hurt him. Dick and Bruce had helped him build it, and Alfred promised to care for his plants if Harry was away.

"Hey," Dick greeted as he strolled into the greenhouse.

"Hey," Harry nodded.

"Do you think you can pull yourself away from your plants long enough to play a game of one on one?" Dick smirked.

"Yeah, just give me a minute," Harry had definitely gotten better at basketball in the last couple of weeks.

Dick snooped in his plants while Harry finished potting the plant he was working on. The older boy frequently sought Harry out to hang out whether it was basketball or soccer, or a video game. Dick truly was as friendless as Harry. The other boy had been homeschooled all of his life like Harry. First, because he grew up in the circus, and now because of the media attention he got being Bruce's adopted son. Dick was also really smart, and would have been bored in regular classes like Harry. He was planning on going to Gotham Academy once he was older.

Dick had eventually shared the events of how he ended up with Bruce. His parents' deaths hadn't been an accident. A crime boss called Zucco had murdered them. Harry in turn had shared more about his aunt and uncle's deaths he just left out the part where it was at the hands of a dark wizard. It was nice to have someone his age to share things with, and it made him hopeful about finding friends if ended up going to a magical school.

The two of them made their way to the basketball court, and played a couple of games together. They had paused for the moment to catch a breather when the phone Harry took every finally chimed.

Harry lunged for the phone as fast as he could, and flipped it open. His eyes eagerly read the message on the screen. The text simply had a time, date, and location but Harry knew exactly what it meant.

"What is it?" Dick asked.

"Batman finally sent me a date I can see my mom," Harry grinned.

Dick's eyebrows furrowed slightly and he shifted uncomfortably.

"What is it?" Harry frowned.

"It's nothing," Dick shook his head. "When are you supposed to go?"

"This Thursday at 8. He left an address for me to meet him at," Harry answered.

"Bruce is going to Tokyo on a business trip the day before so he won't be back before then," Dick commented.

"I'll ask Alfred to drive me," Harry was elated about finally getting a time to finally see his mom.

"I'm glad you get to see your mom," Dick patted him on the shoulder.

"Me too," Harry grinned.

At dinner that night Harry brought up the visit to Arkham with his father. Bruce had some concerns about Harry going into Arkham, and offered to try and cancel his business trip. But Harry assured him it would be fine. Batman had no doubt set up an airtight plan that would see Harry into Arkham and safely back out again.

Alfred agreed to drive him there, and then wait for him while he visited with his mom.

Harry was over the moon at the impending visit. He had no idea how Batman had managed it but Harry's respect for the Gotham's feared vigilante rose. The Cape Crusader had kept his word, and Harry was going to get to see his mom one last time before he had to go to Hogwarts.

The night he was set to visit his mom Harry was vibrating with excitement. Dick tried to distract him with a Mario Kart marathon but Harry just couldn't focus. The older boy beat him five times in a row without even trying.

It was a relief when Alfred finally came to collect him. They made their way quietly through Gotham City. The sun was setting, and the city's lights were flickering on. Gotham City never really slept. There was always something that was going on, and most often that something was unlawful.

Alfred pulled in to the address Batman had specified. It was an abandoned parking lot beside a crumbling restaurant. From his own extensive knowledge of the city, Harry knew they were only a short distance from Arkham.

"Who are we waiting for, Master Harry?" Alfred questioned.

The words had barely left the butler's lips when a dark shape swung down from a nearby rooftop. Harry was surprised that Batman was willing to take time out of his busy schedule to personally escort him into Arkham. Harry had honestly been expecting an Arkham worker Batman had intimidated into sneaking him in.

"Apparently Batman," Harry answered as he climbed out of the car to meet the vigilante.

"Ready?" the Dark Knight asked curtly.

Harry nodded and glanced back to Alfred who had rolled down the window.

"I'll have him back within the hour," Batman informed Alfred.

"See that you do," was the butler's swift reply before pulling a novel out. Harry was more than a bit impressed by the butler's dismissive attitude when faced with Gotham's Dark Knight.

Batman wrapped an arm around Harry's waist, and shot off his grappling hook. At this point Harry was getting used to swinging through the air with Batman, and was able to relax as they made their way across the rooftops towards Arkham's ominous presence.

They halted their journey on a building overlooking the large and haunting asylum. Harry had only seen pictures of the place. It was much more intimidating at night. Large wrought iron fencing ringed the grounds. Searchlights constantly roved the grounds along with a bunch of security cameras. However, no matter how much security they added it never seemed to be enough to keep the inmates from escaping or in this instance keeping Batman from sneaking in.

"I've arranged everything with several of the Arkham staff. They'll bring your mother to one of the therapy rooms that don't have any recording devices. We just have to get passed the security," Batman crouched at the edge of the roof.

"How are we going to do that?" Harry scanned the grounds looking for a spot that wasn't heavily guarded.

"You're going to climb on my back, and hide under my cape."

"You're joking," Harry gaped.

"I don't joke," Batman stated flatly. "I've gotten past Arkham's security before. I can do it while carrying you."

"Okay…" Harry couldn't believe he was about to get a piggyback ride from Batman. But he was willing to do it to see his mom.

Climbing on the Dark Knight's back and tucking himself securely beneath his cape was extremely awkward. There were several readjustments before Harry was successfully hidden with both of them comfortable. Harry wasn't able to see what happened next with his face squashed up against Batman's back. The rocking movements of the Bat's body let him make guesses that he was swinging and jumping through the gaps in the floodlights and security feeds.

The Dark Knight swung and leapt expertly. No movement was wasted. The entire thing only took a couple of minutes. Batman's movements came to a halt. There was the sound of an opening door, and a new male voice telling them a number. Then the Cape Crusader was striding quickly forward. He walked for several moments before the sound of another door opening and shutting.

"Batman to what do I owe the pleasure of your company? I already told you I wasn't going to tell you anything," his mom drawled.

"I brought you something."

Batman's words were his cue. Harry quickly unwrapped himself from his spot crouched with his feet on Batman's utility belt. He ducked out from beneath Batman's cape into a small room that much more closely resembled an interrogation room than one used for therapy.

"Harry?" disbelief covered Ivy's expression.

His mom was without her green skin due to the inhibitor collar around her neck. She was wearing the typical bright orange Arkham inmate uniform with her curly red hair pulled back in a low ponytail.

"Hi mom," he waved.

With her eyes shining she quickly crossed the distance to wrap her arms securely around him. Harry gripped her back just as hard. He knew why she had to risk herself and get locked away but he would always miss her fiercely while she was away.

"Not that I'm not pleased to see you but what are you doing here?" she pulled back from their hug, keeping her hands firmly on his shoulders.

"I wanted to see you before my birthday. So Batman and I made a deal," Harry glanced at the dark figure in question.

The intimidating figure had set himself up in the corner to give mother and son as much privacy as he possibly could in the small room.

"What sort of deal?" Ivy shot the Bat a dark glare.

"I told him why we needed Bruce Wayne's DNA," Harry admitted.

"Harry!"

"It's fine, mom. Batman even helped me meet him."

"You met Bruce?" his mom's eyes had gone wide.

"Yup, and I'm sort of staying with him," Harry sent her his best puppy dog expression.

"Tell me everything," his mom commanded.

Harry obligingly told her about his last couple of weeks at Wayne Manor.

"So it's gone well with Bruce," Ivy's shoulders relaxed. "I'm glad."

"You are?"

"Of course, my little sprout, I would never want your father to reject you even if it means I have to share you with him," she ran a hand through his curls. "It also means that I don't have to turn him into plant food."

"Mom," Harry groaned.

"No one hurts my little sprout," Ivy sent Batman a pointed look.

The Dark Knight just sent her back a bland look.

"I also wanted to talk to you about school. Bruce got me an inhibitor cuff. It's kind of like the collar you're wearing but it doesn't completely cut me off from my abilities," Harry explained.

"That's wonderful, and now that you have it you think you might want to go?" Ivy questioned.

"I think so. What should I do?" Harry questioned.

They were both being purposely vague. They didn't want Batman to know about wizards or the fact that Harry was one himself.

"They should be sending you your letter any day now. They always sent your Aunt Lily's around this time. I want you to write a response and simply request someone come to speak to you and answer your questions," Ivy responded.

"Should I tell them anything specific when I write them back? And when they do come what should I ask them and how much should I tell them?"

His mom leaned in close so that she could whisper to him. "I don't think you should provide any information in your letter. It would be much better to speak to someone in person. In your response you should simply request a visit from a professor."

"Anyone in particular?"

"Ask for the headmaster. He is the most knowledgeable and well connected if my memory serves. If anyone can answer your questions it would be him. You can tell him that I am your mother not your aunt but I don't think it's necessary that you get into a discussion about our greenside. You should ask them about your aunt and uncle's Halloween night. You will need to ask about how you will fit in at your new school. Also ask about You-Know-Who, and if there are any of his friends still around."

"Okay," Harry nodded his understanding easily translating what she thought was important for him to ask of the wizards.

His mom wanted him to ask about what had exactly happened to his aunt and uncle on Halloween. The books they had purchased really given any reasons why. She wanted him to ask about just how famous he was in the wizarding world. She also wanted him to ask about Voldemort and his followers to see if any of them might attack him in order to get revenge.

"I'm sorry I'm going to miss your birthday," his mom stroked his hair.

"It's okay," Harry assured.

"No, it's not. I already got your birthday present. It is in my closet. You can go get it if you want or I can give it to you once I'm out," Ivy offered.

"I can wait until you're out," Harry assured.

Batman didn't bat an eye over the fact that Ivy was planning to get out eventually. He had to personally know how lax security was in Arkham. After all he'd had just broken in to the Asylum himself.

"I promise it will be worth the wait, and we'll spend an entire day doing whatever you like," his mom smiled.

"That sounds perfect," Harry agreed with a smile.

His mom smiled back, and the two of the chatted for the rest of their time together. If Harry decided that he wanted to go to Hogwarts this might be the last time he saw his mom until Christmas. It definitely didn't feel like there was enough time for the two of them to talk.

At exactly an hour Batman told them to say their goodbyes.

"Love you, my little sprout. And if you decide to go to school study hard and have fun. Maybe bring me back a few new plants," his mom murmured into his ear.

"I will and I love you, too," he released his mom, and stepped back to Batman's side.

With a bit of maneuvering Harry was settled back into his spot on Batman's back. The trip back went by much faster than the one it took to get inside. Batman dropped him off in the parking lot.

"Thank you for getting me in to see my mom," Harry looked up at the tall, intimidating figure.

Batman gave him a gruff nod in reply. "What's this school you're thinking of going to?"

"Oh, it's just some prestigious boarding school in Scotland. My aunt went there, and since Bruce got me an inhibitor band that hides my appearance I was thinking about going," Harry shrugged.

"How has your stay with your father been going?" Batman asked.

Harry was surprised that the Dark Knight was even concerned about such a thing. "I think it's been going well. His ward and I get along well, and I like Bruce. Alfred's nice too."

"Good," Batman nodded, looking pleased.

The two of them said a brief goodbye. Batman swung away into the night to beat up the thugs that plagued Gotham, and Harry returned to the car Alfred was still patiently waiting inside of.

"Was it a pleasant visit, Master Harry?" Alfred questioned as Harry climbed back into the car.

"Yeah, it was," Harry smiled at Alfred.

"Very good, sir," Alfred started the car, and they were on their back to the manor.

Harry truly appreciated Alfred's unflappable nature. There were no demands to know exactly what had occurred between him and his mom. He just wanted to know if Harry had enjoyed his time with her.

When they got home Bruce called him from his business trip to ask how his visit with his mom had gone. Like Alfred he didn't ask about specifics. Still it was the most the two of them had actually discussed his mom. Poison Ivy, like Harry's own criminal activity, had so far been a topic that was strictly avoided in Wayne Manor. Harry knew they would have to discuss it eventually but for now Harry was happy just to ignore it.

He had other things to think about like impending letter from Hogwarts, and whether or not he would be attending the wizarding school.

/

A week before his eleventh birthday his Hogwarts letter finally arrived. He was up early eating breakfast by himself like he normally did since Bruce and Dick liked to sleep in late.

Alfred entered the dining room carrying a large cream-colored envelope with green cursive lettering. "I believe that this letter is for you, Master Harry. I found it on the front steps this morning."

The butler handed him the letter. Harry quickly took the envelope and scanned the front. It was addressed to Hawthorne Potter of Wayne Manor. It listed his exact location right down to the bedroom he was staying in. They hadn't quite gotten the name right but Harry had to have been recorded as a Potter.

Feeling a surge of excitement he quickly tore open the letter, and read through it. The supply list was definitely odd but the titles of the textbooks left him more than a little intrigued.

"Do you have a pen and some paper?" Harry asked the butler.

He would need to quickly pen a reply. Hopefully the owl Hogwarts had sent with his letter was still awaiting his reply like his mom had told him it would.

Alfred got the requested items, and Harry swiftly scribbled down a request for a teacher to answer some of his questions about Hogwarts. Harry ran out of the front door. Standing on the front steps he looked around for an owl. Just when he was getting worried that the owl had already left, a large brown owl swooped down to perch on the railing. It stuck out its leg, and Harry promptly tied his letter to the owl's leg with the string that was already there.

Harry watched the owl fly swiftly away. His mom had seemed to believe that the wizards would respond quickly. Harry Potter was apparently far too important for them to ignore.

Harry had only just made it back inside when he was confronted with a sleep rumpled Bruce.

"What's going on? Alfred woke me up because of something about you getting a letter from an owl?" Bruce's face was a study of confusion.

"Right, well, I suppose I should tell you now before the wizards actually arrive," Harry shifted uncomfortably.

He knew he would have to have this conversation with his newly discovered father, and probably the other residents of Wayne Manor as well. Harry just didn't know how they would respond to this information.

"Wizards?" his father's eyebrows rose, and his eyes widened. The sleepiness was completely shaken off.

"We should probably sit down for this," Harry patted his shoulder.

"All right then," Bruce nodded, and the two of them made their way into the living room.

Once there Harry seated himself across from Bruce.

"I'm a wizard," Harry confessed.

"You're a what?" Bruce's eyes widened and his mouth had dropped open slightly.

Harry grinned in the face of the man's shock. "I'm a wizard like wands and potions and flying broomsticks. The whole nine yards. The letter that was just delivered by an owl was my acceptance letter to a magical boarding school in Scotland. It's called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"No way!" Dick cried.

The other boy was standing in the archway to the living room looking as stunned as Bruce was.

"It's true," Harry grinned at the other boy.

Dick didn't look convinced but he joined Harry and Bruce in the living room.

"I think you need to explain a little more about this Harry," Bruce prompted.

"My Aunt Lily, who was a witch too, went to school there. It's where she met my Uncle James who was also a wizard. Here look at my letter," Harry fished the parchment out of his pocket, and handed it to Bruce. "I sent a reply to ask the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, if he could come speak with me about Hogwarts. Since I'm not sure if I'm going to go to school there yet. But he can explain more about the wizarding world to you."

"There's a wizarding world?" Dick questioned, his eyes still wide as he scanned Harry's Hogwarts letter.

"It's not actually a separate world or anything. Witches and wizards live alongside regular humans. They just live behind powerful magical wards that keep non-magical people from seeing them and their buildings," Harry waved his hands.

"Why don't you tell us what you know," Bruce leaned forward, looking intrigued.

"You believe me?" Harry pressed.

"It's not any stranger than an alien who can lift skyscrapers or men who dress up as bats and fight crime at night. It'll take some adjusting and I certainly would like to learn more about it," Bruce assured with a small smile.

"Okay then," Harry grinned, and launched into an explanation of what he knew about the wizarding world.

He even touched base on his own role in wizard society.

"Wait, you defeated this dark wizard?" Dick looked suitably impressed.

"Well, I mean they say I did but I was only a year old so I don't know how much of it was actually me. It's most likely my aunt did something to protect me," Harry answered.

It didn't feel right to take the credit for something he didn't do.

"Your aunt sounds like a hero. It's strange to think she's so different from her sister," Dick muttered.

Harry felt a flash anger surge through him. "My mom is hero."

"I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean…" Dick glanced away looking uncomfortable.

Harry shifted uncomfortably as well. "Right, whatever," he mumbled.

"Tell me more about this Voldemort," Bruce cut through the awkward tension that had suddenly developed.

"I don't know much, it's why I asked the headmaster to come. My mom said he was the one who could answer my questions," Harry answered.

"When can we expect him?" Bruce wanted to know.

"Soon, probably within a day or two."

"Well, then I suppose we have an interesting conversation to look forward to," Bruce flashed a sardonic smile.

"Wizards are apparently very eccentric," Harry forced himself to smile in turn.

Bruce got up to leave. He had a board meeting this afternoon that he needed to prepare for. Harry got up to follow him out.

"Harry, wait," Dick called out to him before he could make his escape.

Harry paused and turned to look back at the other boy. Dick was shifting awkwardly.

"Look I'm sorry about that comment. I shouldn't have said it," Dick apologized.

Harry found himself quickly forgiving the older boy. Dick had been nothing but kind to him since he arrived. Harry even considered the other boy his very first friend. He could tell that Dick was sincere in his apology.

"I get it. I know how people see my mom. But that's not the way I see her. She's my mom, and I understand why she does the things she does. I have the same abilities she does. I can hear when plants are in distress, and when they're hurting. She can hear a lot further and a lot more than I can so I understand that she can't just sit back when they're in danger. Would you ignore someone crying for help?"

"No," Dick shook his head, and looked more than a little stunned by Harry's little speech.

"Exactly, that's what it feels like sometimes. I know it doesn't exactly make up for the crimes and stuff but there is a reason behind it," Harry glanced away, feeling more than a little embarrassed by his impassioned explanation. He had never really shared the way his chlorokinesis sense felt with someone other than his mom.

"I guess I never realized what it was like. I'll try not to say anything bad about your mom again," Dick promised.

"Thanks, I appreciate that," Harry smiled at the dark haired boy.

It had to be difficult for Dick to agree to something like that when he'd only been given the negative viewpoint of his mom.

"Now, how about I kick your butt in Mario Kart?" Dick smirked.

"You're on."

Harry spent half of the day playing video games with Dick and the other half in the greenhouse trying to distract himself from the impending visit from the wizards.

At least now Bruce, Dick, and Alfred knew. He wouldn't have to meet with the wizards by himself. Harry still would have preferred to have his mom there with him or even Harley but he was thankful to have his father. Harry didn't know what he was going to do about school.

He knew there was an American wizarding school called Ilvermorny. However, his Aunt Lily and Uncle James had attended Hogwarts, and if he was going to go to a wizarding school he wanted it to be the same as his aunt and uncle. The two of them had given their lives for his own. Harry felt it would be a way to honor them if he went to the school they had both loved.

Harry's mom had told him how much Aunt Lily had loved Hogwarts. Apparently his Aunt Petunia had even written to Albus Dumbledore in hopes of being able to attend. Harry thought that he would at least try to go, and see what it was like for himself.