Child of the Phoenix

Disclaimer: As Before

Plot: Response to my A Sirius Secret Challenge: Just when Harry thinks he's all ready to go back to Hogwarts, Sirius drops a bombshell that changes EVERYTHING! Now, in the knowledge that he's more than your average wizard, can Harry adjust to a new life, a new destiny and, above all else, a new FAMILY?

Dedication: I wish to dedicate this story to everyone that continues to provide positive reviews for my stories and the feedback that I enjoy; the recommended reads for this story are: Ruby Tinted Glasses by StormyFireDragon and Tinkerbell and Claws by mrsKnitewolf.

Harry/Hermione; Scott/Jean

Bobby/Marie; Peter/Kitty

Normal Speech

'Thought'

'Telepathy'

Review Answers:

HarryPotter'sCharmedTwilight: All I'm going to say to that is if you want to know more, then Wiki them; however, I will say this much: the Cajun is Wolverine's nickname for Gambit;

Penny is wise: Maybe, maybe so, but you never know what could happen, especially where one like Harry is concerned;

StormyFireDragon: I'm about to make that request possible, Storm: all it takes is the right sort of encouragement;

"That monster…" Harry gasped, "That…High Councillor…the Magus Maxima…it…it was me!"

Chapter 11: Stephen's Secret

Jean, Scott, Stephen, Sirius, Remus, Logan and Charles were in a mix of shock and disbelief when Harry's left hand twitched, showing that he was awake, before he opened his eyes and looked back up at them. For a moment, nobody said anything and, when Hermione opened her eyes, the silence only seemed fit to continue as Harry moved across the room and held Hermione, Jean and Scott sharing a worried glance as they noticed the tremors of their son's body.

Stephen, sharing a glance with Charles, received a nod of unspoken agreement from the X-Mentor before he addressed his young apprentice, "Harry…Hermione…are…are you two all right?"

"Stephen," Harry replied, his voice surprisingly calm despite the tremors of his body, "Have I ever asked you for anything?"

"In the month and a half that I've been training and guiding you?" asked Stephen, before he shook his head, "Never, Harry: why do you ask?"

"Would…" Harry glanced once to Sirius before he returned his attention to his mentor, "Would you ever lie to me?"

"No," Stephen answered instantly, now sharing the worry that was felt by Scott and Jean, though from the worried glances shared between the others, the worry was almost leaking out of them. Drawing himself to his full height, Stephen then asked, "Harry…your mind: were you spoken to by one Cassandra Web?"

"Yes," Harry answered, his voice still calm as Hermione seemed content to soothe him with deft strokes over his black hair; however, Harry was far from calm as he then added, "And she…she showed me a glimpse of a future…of…my future."

"The future is not set in stone, Harry," Charles explained, actually having to fight to resist the temptation to read his honorary nephew's mind, "We are constantly changing it not with our actions, but our choices and the battles that we face. You, more than any of us here, are a perfect example of that."

"What did she show you, kiddo?" asked Sirius, clearly moving towards the question that the others were trying to avoid.

For a long moment, Harry said nothing; instead, he ground his hand into his fist and seemed to glance to each and every member of the room: he didn't need to read their minds to know that they knew something he didn't. But what he'd seen thanks to Madame Web…it was…it was too terrifying to think, let alone believe in.

Lifting his head, Harry looked to each of his friends and family, his hand now being held by Hermione as she shared in his fear, anxiety and shock, her free hand wrapped protectively and supportively around his waist. Deep inside his mind, Harry heard her voice, 'They have a right to know; if anyone can help us avoid what we saw, it's Dr Strange and the X-Men.'

'I know you're right with what you say, Codex,' Harry replied, shivering slightly as he still felt like he could see the image of that wasteland, the Roman-style amphitheatre and the execution performed by that monster, the Magus Maxima…by him.

'That wasn't you, Zenith,' Hermione assured him, the very mention of his name making Harry feel dead inside, 'That was someone that couldn't control the power and fell to darkness, to forces like Magneto and Dumbledore and Voldemort. That wasn't the hero and future X-Commander that I fell in love with.'

Harry knew that her words spoke truth, but still, the screaming, the energy and the distant sound of his elder self's cold voice made him feel sick to his stomach; the fact that he would, he could become heartless enough to kill a member of his own family without any remorse or regret. And, what made it worse was that when she'd begged him to spare her, the girl in question had addressed him not as Father, but as Master, the one thing that Harry had always held a loathing against because of how it made him think of himself as a Voldemort double.

Finally, as her words settled into his mind, Harry took a deep breath, took Hermione's hand in his own as though he was trying to channel her strength and, keeping his eyes on his friends, Harry glanced to Stephen before he asked, "All right, since you won't lie to me, tell me this: who is the Magus Maxima and what does he have to do with me?"

Silence returned to the room as Stephen's eyes widened, as did the eyes of Sirius and Remus while some of the X-Men looked confused; Charles, however, just looked puzzled before he glanced once to Stephen and, seeing the troubled look in the eyes of the Sorcerer Supreme, seemed to understand that this was something of high importance.

Stephen, meanwhile, looked into the sparkling emerald-green eyes of his apprentice, seeing wisdom, strength and a determination to get the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth out of this conversation. Now, at least, the Sorcerer Supreme could understand the reason for Madame Web's out-of-body experience with the Class Five mutant, though he didn't like how she'd apparently revealed the legacy that Harry was set to inherit. On the other hand, he had always said that her powers dwarfed his own and now, it seemed, was one of those times: showing Harry his future, keeping him in such a state that he required the comfort of his girlfriend and, on top of all that, revealing the fact that Harry was the Magus Maxima.

How else would he know that mantle?

Cassandra Web didn't do things by half and, for her to reveal that Harry's future involved the Magus Maxima left no doubt in Stephen's mind that his apprentice was indeed the heir and recipient of said magical potential and mutagenic powers.

Rising from his seat, Stephen moved to the windows of the office before he seemed to stare out at the distant sunset, his eyes watching the reds and blues of the skyline turn into a fiery vision of beauty before he heaved a sigh and, catching Harry's line of sight in the window, Stephen began his explanation. "The Magus Maxima, as his name suggests, is the single most powerful sorcerer in the world, one whom, I am not afraid to say, is more powerful than me: once, there was a sorcerer who had true power and could make magic itself do its bidding. His name, as you may know, Harry, was Myrridin Emrys, or Merlin Ambrosias to give him his real name."

"Wow," Hermione gasped, a part of her old mannerism rearing its head as she asked, "How come I've never read anything about the Magus Maxima?"

"Because there are those who believe him to be a mere legend," explained Sirius, his words calm as he watched Harry, "Being a member of House Black, I had access to some of the more archaic beliefs of the world and the legend of the Magus Maxima was one of those legends. If I remember correctly," he added, now glancing to Stephen, "The Magus Maxima was also, apparently, the first to bear the title that Harry, Hermione and Remus hold of Magi-Mutate or Magical Mutant, isn't that right?"

"The Magus Maxima was the First," Stephen explained, his voice now held by an air of knowledge that Harry and Hermione knew from their own lessons. "He was the first true sorcerer supreme, the first mutant and the first to defend the notions of good and evil; however, after Emrys died, there were some that claimed to have gained the power of the Magus Maxima and use it for both sides. Yet, the only true way that a power like his could be claimed was through three things: first, and foremost, the Magus Maxima can only be confirmed and empowered by the blade of kings, or Excalibur to give it the true name."

"Second, the Magus Maxima is born of both worlds: mutant and magical, a half-powered half-breed with more power than either side. And finally, and this is the one that caught out the ones that called themselves the new Magus Maxima; third and finally, the Magus Maxima had a power unlike any other mutant: a power so strong that he became a final First: the First Class Five."

"What was this power?" asked Hermione, knowing that Harry was listening even if he wasn't paying attention to Stephen physically.

"It was once known as the Ultimate Power," Stephen explained, "Neither good nor evil, but power in its purest form and, as a symbol of that power, it was bonded with the power and magical ability of the greatest sorcerers. It's known as Magikinesis, which literally means one whom is able to make magic obey his every whim and desire: Merlin had it, his descendant, one Godric Gryffindor, had it and now, it seems, if Madame Web is correct, then you have it, Harry."

"Magikinesis," Harry whispered, remembering the overpowering energy that had been built up by his future self. "And it can allow you to do…anything; anything at all?"

"The laws of magic and sorcery are out of the window with this power," Stephen explained, his eyes noticing Harry's discomfort: what had Web shown him? Turning to face his young student, Stephen continued with his explanation, "But this confirmation also gives us a reason for one such as Magneto to come after you, Harry: with the Magus Maxima on his side, the world of mutants ruling over humans is that much closer."

'And that's probably the world we saw in that vision,' Hermione added to Harry, though she kept the words between the two of them as she held his hand, 'Which means we've already changed the future by taking ourselves away from Magneto and beating his challenge.'

'Evil Nutcases 101, Hermione,' Harry remarked dryly, 'Sick megalomaniacs never give up: two words, Kitten; Tom Riddle.'

'But that doesn't mean you'll give in to evil,' Hermione argued, though she did glance towards Stephen as she explained, 'Your too good to fall for evil's temptations, no matter what sort of power you have: clearly, from the way he's talking, Stephen's suspected that you were the Magus Maxima for some time. If I was you, I'd confirm this with him, but don't lose your faith in his beliefs: remember that you have wizards and mutants on your side…not to mention that you have me as well, Harry. More than anyone else, I won't let the darkness take you.'

'Thanks, Mione,' Harry sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose before he glanced to Stephen himself as he asked, "Have…have you had suspicions about me, Stephen? About me being the…the Magus Maxima?"

"Yes," Stephen answered, "Ever since your parents asked me to help protect you, I've had a suspicion that you were the new Magus Maxima: then, when I saw your elder self, I felt it again, but stronger this time. And, throughout your training, your will, your resolve and your heart have never changed ways from doing whatever you feel must be done for your task to be a success. These are all traits of the Magus, but, more importantly, they are signs of a warrior, a leader and a true member of the X-Men, as I'm sure your parents, Logan and Charles will agree with me."

"Not just them," Remus added, moving to Harry and taking his cub's hands in his own, "You used a mix of magic and mutant power to help cure me of the curse inside me and risked your own life to protect those that meant so much to you. Some would call that reckless, even dangerous, but me, I call it a heart of good and a will of steel that can never be beaten, no matter who or what stands in your way."

"Alpha's right there, kid," Logan added, tapping his forehead with one finger as he explained, "You unlocked the mysteries of my past and help answer questions that have been bugging me for as long as I've been alive. You also helped the team in a dangerous situation out on Liberty Island though you were younger and inexperienced; you led the team just as good as your old man would."

"I'd make some sort of remark back to Logan about the old man part," Scott chuckled, earning a smile from his son, "But he's also right: this power, this destiny, it's always been a part of you: from the moment your Mother had the power of the Phoenix inside her and it…conceived you, I always felt that you would be different. I mean, we've faced some real megalomaniacs in our time and some tough challenges, but you, Harry, you are one all-powerful that I am proud to call my son and prouder still to stand beside when the time comes."

"Your life and your destiny touch many people and many parties," Stephen informed Harry, picking up the conversation once more, "But the fate of the Magus Maxima is not for one person to have alone: it is for all to bear as one. That is why the title is revered not only as a mutant's calling, but the calling of a wizard; now, I never told you this, Harry, or if I did, I don't recall it. However, a short while ago, I was summoned to represent my people, the members of the Sanctum Sanctorum, amongst the members of the ICW, or the International Confederation of Wizards."

"Let me guess," Harry sighed, returning his gaze to his mentor, "A certain delusional megalomaniac that I left Britain to avoid was behind it, right?"

"He was trying to get you away from Xavier and the X-Men," Stephen explained, keeping his words soft and sweet, "But the authority of the goblin nation as well as President McKinley overrode all choices: I suspect that it is because King Grimscar owes a debt to me, but, nevertheless, you became protected by them and by the President as an American citizen and as my apprentice. However, in the midst of that little meeting, I was asked why I was so intent on protecting you and I revealed my suspicion to them that I believed you to be the Magus Maxima."

"Which only adds to our thoughts about it being Dumbledore that had sent Magneto after Harry," Sirius put in, sharing a look with his pup and noticing that Harry looked almost angered by the fact that Stephen had told others before he'd told him.

"Perhaps," Stephen agreed, "However, when I revealed this, their reaction was…less than unexpected to say the least: it took a command from the Grand Master, Rameses Wulfgarden, to silence the exclamations, but, afterwards, he told me that I was to contact him personally to address this matter. Now, while I am obliged to do so as a member of the ICW, I shall not without the permission of both you and Hermione, Harry: this is a trial that you must oversee yourself and, when you meet Master Wulfgarden, you will be in the presence of the only human power in this world, other than yourself, whose power is greater than my own."

"Stephen," Remus then piped up, drawing everyone's attention to the newest magi-mutate, "If, and I say if because I know that Harry will not accept this so easily, but if Harry is the Magus Maxima, then how do you know he's the right one inside as well as out? You said it yourself that the power of the Magus could be used for evil as well as good."

"And if there is anyone here that believes Harry of all people will use the power for evil, then I ask them to leave now," Stephen answered Remus, countering the argument, "As I said, I was questioned as to the reasons behind my suspicions from Master Wulfgarden and I said, and I used these words exactly: Harry was conceived by the entity known as the Phoenix and raised in both a magical and meta-humane environment. He was once held in the raptures of darkness, but never truly resorted to that darker nature: if he does possess it, then you all know as well as I do that he shall not be able to use it. I myself have witnessed the forging of a powerful psionic bond with the one whom shares his power and apprenticeship to me and he never once gave into darkness. Every word that I said there is nothing but pure truth: Harry will never use the darkness and each and every one of us here knows that, even Harry himself."

'Told you,' Hermione whispered to Harry, who was slightly awed at how Stephen was doing so much and all for the sake of the friendship that had formed between them in recent weeks.

"Now," Stephen added, moving towards Harry before he kneeled down and, taking Harry's hand in his, he looked into his apprentice's green eyes as he explained, "If Madame Web has seen that you are the Magus, then I can't call it mere speculation any longer; however, for it to be confirmed, we'd need to locate the first item: Excalibur. Once you hold the sword, you'll be able to use the power of Magi-Kinesis and control your powers in any way you desire. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about this, Harry, but I needed to be sure for myself and, from what you've said, what you've done and everything you've risked, I should have realised by now that you were ready: please, my friend, my apprentice, forgive me."

"I…I forgive you, Stephen," Harry gulped, shaking slightly as he told them, "But I only do that because I know what he says is true: even with those words, it gives me the confidence to see this through. We can find Excalibur in due time, but, for now, we've got a party to get ready for and a few more training sessions to perform, but, before we leave this where it is for now, I think there's one thing that I should tell you."

"What's that, Harry?" asked Jean, keeping her hand in her husband's as she listened to the bravery and strength in her son's voice.

"When Madame Web showed me the future," Harry explained, feeling Hermione's hand tighten around his as he spoke to the others, "It…it wasn't a vision of goodness…it was a vision of…of evil."

"What sort of evil?" asked Sirius, the shock spreading around the room, though it turned to horror when Harry spoke his next words;

"The end of humanity as we know it kind of evil."

ChildOfThePhoenix

Halloween Night;

It seemed like a night where, just for once, Harry wished that nothing bad would happen: here he was, dressed in a new white tuxedo with a red rose through his lapel, his dark hair combed back and his eyes filled with delight as he stood out on the porch of the mansion, looking out over the garden where floating lanterns – courtesy of Stephen, Sirius and Remus – had been created to resemble pumpkins and floating candelabra. The centre of the garden was open and flattened to form a dance area where the couples could let their hair down. The mansion itself was decorated in a mix of Halloween and general party decorations, the music specially chosen by Storm, Jean, Logan, Harry and Hermione.

Stepping out into the garden itself, Harry heaved a deep sigh and turned back, just in time to see his date and his girlfriend, Hermione Granger, step down from the mansion, her own body covered in a sleek ice-blue gown that made her certainly look more beautiful than her pink dress from the Yule Ball had made her look. Offering Hermione his arm, Harry smiled and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek before he whispered, "Are you sure that you're ready for this?"

"I know that you've always said that we have no choice," Hermione explained, fixing Harry's rose with a quick dash of the Mystic Arts, "But if we're going to protect others and deal with what lies ahead, then we have no choice…and I mean that."

"It does mean that we leave everyone else here except for my parents, Logan, Gambit and Stephen," Harry explained, walking onto the dance area as a soft tune began playing over the speakers. As Harry began to guide Hermione through the dances, he continued speaking to her, "Uncle Charles and Stephen already know what we're going to do, but how do I explain this to your parents?"

"You're worrying too much, love," Hermione replied, placing a gentle kiss on Harry's lips as she added, "We'll be fine: remember, we can have some advantages that they'll never see coming and, from our latest letter, it seems that there's another kind of storm brewing over there."

"Okay," Harry sighed, lifting his head to the sky and, with a whisper of the Mystic Arts, he cleared the heavens of the clouds overhead, revealing a beautiful gibbous moon and a starlit sky. "But for tonight, we enjoy, we honour and we have ourselves a real good time, deal?"

"I will if you will," Hermione agreed, before she let herself be guided and moved by her boyfriend, her head never leaving his chest as they danced the night away. At the side of the area, Harry saw Sirius and Remus smiling proudly, Sirius actually looking pretty good in his new clothes while, close to the mansion, Harry's parents were sharing a teary moment at seeing their son so happy.

As the evening turned into the night, the other members of the X-Men finally decided to get up and join the Mystic Duo on the dancefloor, though Harry and Hermione had to laugh when Gambit tried to get a dance with Kitty and Rogue and wound up with a double helping of black eyes and kicks to the male areas.

"Remind me never to get those two really mad at me," Harry laughed, taking Hermione away from the floor where they managed to acquire a few drinks and a bite to eat.

As they relaxed, Harry was aware of a shadow over his head; lifting his head to the sky, a smile crossed his face when he saw Beast watching from above, the blue-furred mutant leaping down and settling next to the duo as he asked, "Having fun, you two?"

"We always have fun when we're here, Uncle Hank," Harry laughed, though his laughter was also at the image of his godfather dressed in a suit that clashed with the blue fur. Releasing Hermione's arm, Harry moved over towards Beast as he added, "You know, once I control the power of Magi-Kinesis, I should be able to allow you to switch back into a person again…like Iceman and Colossus, I mean."

"A truly generous offer, young Zenith," Beast laughed, though Harry could sense the sadness in him, "But to paraphrase the bard: What a piece of work is a man! How noble inreason, how infinite in faculty! In form and moving how express and admirable! In action how like an Angel! In apprehension how like a god! The beauty of the world! The paragon of animals!"

"Huh?" asked Harry, though he didn't see a tear of awe from Hermione at Beast's words.

"I mean to use it to say that I am happy as I am," Beast explained, "I am still a man in form and moving; though I am no angel nor no god, I am still a man: but I do thank you for your consideration."

With that, he was gone and Harry, returning to Hermione, gave a soft smile before he explained to her, "I actually hoped he'd say yes."

"The power that you have will be great, Harry," Hermione explained, caressing his cheek before she kissed his lips as she added, "But sometimes you have to learn that there are people like us who are happy with who and what we are. Hank's just one of those people."

"I guess so," Harry reasoned, taking a drink from his cup as he added, "Come on: now's as good a time as any to spill the beans."

Leading Hermione to the centre of the garden, Harry amplified his voice and called out to the others, "Hey…guys; if I could just have everyone's attention for a moment? Thank you," he added as the others moved to join him and Hermione on the central area. Taking Hermione's hand in his, Harry explained, "Lately, I've been feeling a sense of confusion enter my thoughts and, after talking about it with Hermione, I've come to a decision. It's not an easy one, but, I hope that with my parents' help, as well as Dr Strange, Logan and Gambit as well as you guys, you can help me sort things out before I put this decision into effect."

"What decision might that be, Harry?" asked Sirius, his words hurting Harry as he knew that this would hurt Sirius: after all, it meant that the two of them would be separated and unable to be as close as they had been since leaving Grimmauld Place.

But, if Harry wanted to avoid his dark destiny as the destroyer of humanity and overlord of the one true kind in the world – a destiny that he knew would never come about as he wasn't into the biased propaganda and discrimination – but, if such changes were to be made, then this had to be done.

"It's a tough one," Harry explained, tightening his hold on Hermione's hand before he glanced to his friends and his family, the eyes of his Mother widening as though she had picked up on his thoughts.

Though he wasn't a telepath, Sirius and Remus also seemed to get the message as Remus asked, "Harry…are you trying to say that…that you're…you're going to do what I think you are?"

"Yes Alpha," Harry sighed, sharing one more glance with the X-Teens before he made his announcement;

"Hermione and I have decided that it's time for us to return to Hogwarts!"

Chapter 11 and a real big announcement there; it seems that the X-Teens are Hogwarts-bound, but how is this supposed to change fate?

Also, can Harry avoid the darker side of his destiny or will the vision come true?

Keep Reading to Find Out…

Next Chapter: The X-Teens meet Harry's old friends and enemies at Hogwarts; there's a confrontation when a Mystic Master meets an annoying Toad and Harry has an encounter with Dumbledore to learn the truth; also, a hatchet is buried when Harry shares his secret with one whom has ghosts to lay to rest;

Please Read and Review…