AN: A short chapter I'm afraid, but hopefully enjoyable none the less.

Chapter 10 – Flash

(Friday, October 29th 2004)

The week following the 'love potion' incident had been a good week for Harry. Proving once again, getting into a potentially life threatening situation was good for friendships, as was 'saving the day'. After knocking out three football players armed with baseball bats in order to protect Clark, Chloe and Lois, despite his help not really being needed, Harry could definitely say they were friends.

Lois had been given the place her place in Metropolis University and had moved out of the Kent farm and into the dorms at Met U. Harry had gone with to Metropolis and helped her move in. He'd visited a couple of times as well. For wanting a place in University so badly, she seemed to be doing whatever she could not to take it seriously and they'd spent their evenings wandering Metropolis and wandering into bars. Due to Harry's magical nature he had an extremely high tolerance for non-magical drinks and would have struggled to get drunk. Harry was also incredibly surprised by just how much Lois could drink and not feel the effects. He was interested in what he reaction to firewhisky would be.

On their trips round the city Harry was appalled by the level of crime. There was one part of Metropolis called Suicide Slums that people didn't dare enter after dark. Something needed to be done about it. An idea crossed his mind to approach the crime problem the same way Gotham City had. The large, nearby city and home to Wayne Enterprises, had one of the worst crime rates in the country due to its large nature. Over the last year though, the crime rate had dropped significantly due to what the newspapers were referring to as, 'The Batman'.

Batman, according to the Gotham Gazette, the cities main newspaper, wore a black armoured suit and patrolled the city at night. Whilst the police had no desire to admit that a 'winged' vigilante was helping the city, it seemed obvious that it was. People weren't even entirely sure if the crime-fighter was human.

As far as Harry was concerned, Batman was doing a lot of good in Gotham and Metropolis needed its equivalent. Harry had briefly considered attempting something similar himself but the fact that he would have to publicly use magic deterred him.

He'd also been given the grand tour of Smallville by Lana and on occasion Chloe. They'd taken him to what he could only guess was everything of significance in the town, which admittedly didn't take long. The Kawatche caves had interested him though. He couldn't quite peg what it was, but there was a something powerful there. The mark Lana wore on her back also being painted on the walls added to the mystery.

He'd spent what time he could with Clark as well, but after his winning pass in the recent football game Clark was busy keeping his new fans at bay. It was obvious that he was pleased that he'd found his place on the football team, but was suitably embarrassed about the attention. Harry fully understood that, having experienced it during his Quidditch days.

Harry had watched the match and admitted that it was exciting. The fact that the entire town came out to watch added an incredible atmosphere. He'd quickly found himself cheering along for the Smallville Crows with everyone else.

He'd also tried to spend what time he could outside of school with Lana. He managed some time but due to her having a boyfriend she was often busy. The problem that Harry was having with that was that Lana had asked him if he didn't mind covering for the two of them due to her having to keep her relationship with her school's football coach. He'd met Lana's boyfriend Jason Teague and talked with him once. He couldn't explain his reasoning, but he didn't like him. Still, as Lana was his friend he agreed that he'd be their cover every once in a while.

He'd also been surprised that Lex Luthor hadn't contacted him. After meeting the man in Clark's barn Harry had been sure the man had realised who he was and his connection with MI, but maybe he hadn't.

He'd also, much to his surprise, found himself getting along quite well with Chloe. She'd been the one that he had initially been the most wary of given her status as a reporter, but he'd gotten to know her, and despite her being too curious for her own good, she was a nice person. She'd tried talking him into helping write for the Torch but he'd refused, stating truthfully that he would never be a journalist.

There was too much bad blood there.

And thus was how he found himself with Chloe in the Talon during its grand reopening. The place was packed and the staff were rushed off their feet trying to serve the ever increasing line of customers. Sitting in a coffee shop had also been a new experience for him. He could honestly say that before this day he had never drank a cup of coffee. Of course with Chloe being a caffeine addict she soon sorted that out by taking him to the Talon to be acclimatized.

Sitting sipping his coffee, which he found himself enjoying, he watched Chloe as she moved from different groups of people, getting quotes and opinions of the reopened coffee shop. Harry sat thinking about Clark again, something that had become habit quickly, although thankfully not an obsession. He hadn't mentioned his suspicions to anyone, but simply watched for anything strange.

His theory of Clark being able to manipulate and create fire hadn't gotten any further than what he had seen once during the pool party, but he hadn't given up yet. From what stories he had gotten from Chloe and Lana, Clark had been in the centre of most major incidents that had happened in the town for a few years, but they didn't seem to have any suspicions. He was curious to why that was when Clark was so obviously a bad liar.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when he saw Clark enter the Talon with a guy he hadn't seen before. He was almost a foot shorter than Clark with spiked up light brown hair, wearing a red hoody. He was definitely a couple of years younger.

Chastising himself for doing so, he listened into their conversation. "She says to call her next time you're in Miami." The boy said to Clark with a teasing smile.

"Sshh!" Clark chastised him, looking to see if anyone was listening. "I can't just go run back down to Miami."

Harry's interested was now peaked. His geography was good enough to know that Miami was a fair distance away He cast another notice-me-not charm around himself, silently wondering if he was becoming addicted to that spell.

"Why not?" the boy asked, clearly not understanding what Clark was saying.

"Because it's…" Clark stopped, not sure what to say.

The younger boy took advantage of Clark's silence, "It's what? Too much fun, Clark? Come on, dude, nobody's ever died from it."

And with that the boy vanished for a microsecond before appearing on the opposite side of Clark that he'd been before. Not only that, but he was holding a cookie that had already been bitten into. Harry immediately replayed the scene with using only his left Omni-lens whilst using his occlumency skills to split his focus and concentrate on the conversation in front of him.

Harry watched what just happened again in slow motion, but even that wasn't of any help. Harry watched as the boy blurred before appearing. It definitely wasn't Apparating but Harry had no idea what happened.

"What are you doing? " Clark hissed at him, clearly annoyed and snatching the cookie from him.

"I'm eating a cookie, dude, I'm starving." The boy said as if it explained everything. It was obvious Clark knew how he'd done it. He tried legilimancy on the boy but found himself unable to process his thoughts. They moved too fast for him to follow.

"You can't just take whatever you want. My mom runs this place." Clark tossed the cookie back onto the counter, which as it had already been half eaten, was a complete waste.

"Look, man," the kid said, annoyed. "There's a line. I don't do lines. "

Harry watched as Chloe approached the two, "What's up, Kent? I thought you'd still be in Metropolis playing detective." Harry knew what she was talking about. Earlier on in the day they'd heard that Mr Kent had been robbed whilst in Metropolis and that Clark was tracking down whoever had done so.

"I thought I'd leave that one up to the authorities." Clark said with a significant look at the boy in red. 'Was that boy the person who robbed Mr Kent?' Harry wondered. With whatever power the boy had and how he had taken the cookie, Harry knew it wouldn't be difficult to rob a wallet.

"Never would've caught him, anyway." The boy said smugly confirming Harry's theory.

Chloe looked over at the boy curiously. "Chloe, this is my friend Bart. He's from..." Clark said.

Bart interrupted Clark mid speech, "The future."

Chloe looked intrigued, "Really?"

"Yeah." He shot a look at flirtatious look at Chloe. "I ran all the way back in time to tell you that we're still in love a hundred years from now."

Ran.

'That's an interesting choice of word to use.' Harry thought to himself. With a new idea he reviewed the boy's… Bart's cookie grab earlier. When he blurred the blur moved slightly towards the counter and then switched back.

"He ran?" Harry muttered to himself. 'Is it possible he can run faster than they eye can see?' Harry wondered to himself and removed the charm that hid him.

The running idea made sense. What didn't make sense was why Clark was with him. It seemed obvious that Bart had robbed his father a few hours before, so why where they hanging out? Clark obviously knew what Bart could do, and if they were both in Miami earlier on, could Clark do the same thing? Could he run at the same speed or had he used whatever power over heat or fire he had to get there. He sighed in annoyance. He didn't like mysteries, and this one kept growing.

Chloe laughed aloud at Bart, clearly delighted with his answer, "What's your favourite kind of flower, Chloe?" he asked, still flirting with her.

"Uh, tulips." she answered before looking around to Clark in confused amusement. Harry watched Bart carefully, having an idea of what was about to happen. He saw in slow motion as Bart disappeared and reappeared about two seconds after, although slightly longer than before. His viewing clearly showed a blank space before Bart turned up again in a frightfully quick blur.

"How did you do that?" she asked in astonishment as Bart handed the orange tulip to her.

He gave her a smug look, "Magic."

Harry smiled this time at his answer, remembering during his 5th year when they had been taught how to conjure flowers. He'd chosen lilies, for obvious reasons.

"Wow." Chloe said mockingly, but still amused.

"You want to see some more?" he asked. Chloe nodded and walked back over to Harry. He was surprised for a second. Considering their flirting Harry assumed that they'd have gone over to another table, but obviously it was just for amusement as neither of them looked put out at having another person company. Mrs. Kent approached Clark and pulled him aside.

"Harry," Chloe said as she sat down. "This is Bart. Bart, Harry."

"Hey." Harry said and shook is hand. Bart's eyes went up to Harry's forehead in a way that most of the magical world did. Harry immediately began thinking that perhaps the boy was a wizard but his thoughts barely started.

"Dude," he said with an impressed look. "That scar is awesome. Anyone ever tell you it looks like a lightning bolt."

Harry laughed, unable to help himself, "Yeah, once or twice." He looked at the red backpack the boy was carrying and saw a yellow lightning bolt decorating it.

"How'd you get it?" he asked.

"Magic." Harry answered, echoing the boy's response from before.

He smirked at Harry, amused.

"Oh shoot," Chloe interrupted looking at her watch. "I've got to get back to the Torch, I've got a deadline." She pulled her car keys from her purse. "Will you two boy's be alright by yourselves?" she asked.

Harry just rolled his eyes and Bart smiled charmingly at her. "We'll survive." Harry said. She nodded.

"Sorry I couldn't stay Bart. I'll see you around?" she asked.

He grinned, "You couldn't keep me away."

She smiled again and left. "She works for the school's newspaper." Harry said in explanation of just what the Torch was.

Before Bart could say anything Harry spoke again, "How was Miami?"

A brief look of comprehension flashed across his face, before an annoyed look appeared, "Dude, you were listening to us?"

Harry shrugged, "I have good hearing." he answered before putting up the notice-me-not charm around the area again.

"Not cool. What did you hear?"

"Nothing much. What I saw was more interesting."

"You didn't see anything." he answered quickly.

"The cookie and the tulip?"

"As I said, it was magic." He answered, trying to dismiss what he knew Harry was getting at.

"Perhaps, but then you mentioned running." Talking a chance he asked, "You can run faster than people can see?"

He rolled his eyes, "Dude, no one can do stuff like that."

Ignoring the voice in his head that sounded rather like Hermione telling him not to, knowing that Clark trusted Bart, he took a chance, "People around here can do strange things." Checking that no one had pierced or crossed his charm work he held up his left hand and created a small ball of lightning between his caged fingers. He dissipated it after a few seconds.

Bart looked at Harry, eye's widened in awe. "Dude…" he whispered in awe.

"So, what can you do?" Harry asked, curious to know if this boy had a spontaneous power like he did. He was pretty sure that should he try to obliviate Bart, he would move away faster.

Snapping himself out his shock, he answered sounding pleased with himself, "I'm fast." Harry just raised an eyebrow; the answer said very little and he considered himself fast. "Speed of light fast." Harry's other eyebrow rose. "What about you? Anymore than that little trick there?" He looked around, "How is it that no one's looking?" He looked back at Harry, "What did you do?"

Harry shrugged, "Comes with the lightning. People don't notice me if I don't want them to." He paused and answered Bart's previous question about what he could do, "I can do a few things but nothing that I can show you here."

"How did that happen?" he asked, lowering his voice and sounding more sympathetic. "You get into an accident as well?"

Harry shrugged, not actually sure where the lightning came from, "Not that I know of. I've only been able to do this for about three months. Got myself into a situation I couldn't handle, and it just appeared and got me out. Still working out the fine details. What about you?"

"There was this accident a couple of years ago, right? Then a huge flash of light, and bang, fastest man in the world." He said with a smile, showing he clearly enjoyed what he was.

He smiled again, showing just how excited he was, "Dude, this is so awesome. I always wandered why if I was the only one like me, and I'm here, right in the middle of nowhere and in less than a day and I've already found two others. We could start a league or something." He paused, realizing what he said.

"Clark?" Harry asked.

"You know about Clark?" he asked in surprise.

"Not really. I knew there was something a bit odd, but hadn't quite sure what. With the Miami comment earlier he can run as fast as you can?"

"Dude, I can run faster than him." Seemingly offended that Harry thought they Clark was just as fast.

"That's a yes then." Harry muttered. "So you just… run… then?"

"Yeah, I can go wherever I want whenever I want."

"And stealing?" Harry asked, not judging.

"Man," Bart moaned. "You as well? I've already got Clark hounding me about that. I just do what I have to."

Harry could understand that, "Hey," Harry said, holding up his hands to show he meant no harm, "I know better than most that surviving is difficult and sometimes you have to do things you'd ultimately prefer not to."

Bart was surprised by the answer, "You know what it's like?"

Harry nodded, "My parents are dead and my guardians in jail. Had my parents not left me money, I'd probably be doing what you do. I got lucky." Harry paused for a moment, "What about your parents?"

Bart looked uncomfortable, "They didn't really understand, you know?"

Harry nodded, "Yeah. My Aunt and Uncle were like that a while back. Where you staying?"

"Kent's gave me their couch for a few days, though I doubt I'll stay that long."

"You can't always run you know." Harry said, knowing how many times he wanted to run away from everything.

Bart shrugged before smiling, "Dude, I'm going exploring. I'll see you around alright?"

"Bart," Harry said, stopping him as he stood up, taking another chance with the younger boy. Despite not being able to read the memories, he could still tell that he was a good kid and just a little lost. Harry put his hand in his pocket and conjured a small rectangle card with his name and number on it. He passed it to Bart, "Keep hold of that."

Bart looked at it and then back at Harry, "You ever need a place to crash, give me a call. We super powered guys have to stick together right?"

Bart smiled, "Smell you later dude."

He disappeared with a burst of air. Harry tilted his back, staring at the ceiling.

"Why is my life so weird…." he muttered to himself before getting up to get another cup of coffee.

OoOoOoOoO

AN: Whilst I would have loved to make this chapter longer and have Harry interact more with what happened in this 'episode' I can't as Clark has to develop as well and if Harry takes all his adventures, there's no point in Superman…

Given the date that this takes place it shouldn't be hard for you to work out what date the next chapter takes place.

Review and give suggestions, I love reading them.