Title: Magical Mutations
Summary: Not all mutants found their way to one of the many factions in America. Jean and Scott had a baby...a baby they wanted to grow up apart from the fight they dedicated their lives to. But what happens when their gifted little girl isn't just a mutant...she's also a witch?
Disclaimer: I own nothing, not even the idea, or the main character. That belongs to Shanna. I also don't own biomimetic fabric. That belongs to the wonderful Internutter, find her at Check out the stories on the forum, they rock!
Author's Notes: This story is written in response to a challenge. It is AU, but takes place after HPB and X Men 3. Everything that happened in X Men happened, but in HPB, Dumbledore didn't die.
Obviously, this story is even more AU now that Deathly Hallows is out. However, I have got the ending written, even if the in-between bits aren't, so rest assured that mine will be quite different. I'll use JK's other Horcruxes, obviously...or will I?
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The One goes to his fate,
To kill his foe, as preordained.
With him, he takes Athena's Daughter,
And Ra's son.
To scorch the Snake with his Lightning.
But he left behind his Heart,
And the Golden Moon.
The Light-Bringer has come to battle,
And wields the Mermaid Staff.
The new Golden Trio rises,
And will take to their breast three more.
One Freya, delight of her Mother's Eyes.
And the Prince who is his nemesis.
But the Stumbler,
Who once had a chance to be Chosen,
Will belong to this team,
And will show his Lion's Heart.
Be warned, tutors,
Without these six,
The Circle of Nine cannot be completed,
And the Son of Slytherin will triumph.
For while is it the Chosen One's job to end the war,
He needs the love and support of the Eight.
They each have something to offer,
But will only offer it if barriers fall,
And House Unity is achieved.
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It was obvious that Madam Pomfrey wasn't awake yet, when the five students came crashing into the room. There was a muted stillness that was completely absent when the bustling school nurse was awake, a kind of empty calm that even their loud entry didn't disturb.They stopped in the doorway, unsure of what to do. Neville and Draco hadn't spent much time in the Hospital Wing, and were too in awe of its mistress to feel comfortable about waking her. Kalli didn't have that problem, but was still feeling a bit tingly from Cruciatus. If she were honest, Draco was probably helping to prop her up as well as Letty.
"We need to wake her," she said firmly. "This isn't something we can sort out on our own. Also, Betsy should probably be informed...but how?" She didn't feel up to searching for the telepath mentally, and it would be pure suicide to actually search for her when such events were going down. But the teachers needed to be told, too. They needed to be prepared.
Neville nodded his agreement, placing Luna on a bed gently, before drawing his wand. "Expecto Patronum," he said, a silvery figure escaping from the tip. His Patronus was a young woman with ivy for hair, and a floating dress made of gossamer. Her large eyes were limpid and kind.
Kalli smiled, she recognised the figure from their History of Magic book. It was a common conception of what Gaia, Mother of Nature, looked like, and it fit that she would be Neville's guardian.
"Go to the Professor Dumbledore and give him this message: We have returned from Malfoy Manor, have rescued Letty, and V-Voldemort is on his way. Then tell Professor McGonagall, and all the other heads of houses. If you see Betsy Braddock, tell her to meet us here."
The Patronus nodded, and then vanished through the wall.
"Good idea," Kalli said, swaying slightly. She was beginning to feel very sick, but trying her damndest not to show it.
"Sit down, idiot. You'll be useless otherwise," Draco said roughly, leading her and Letty over to another bed. Once his sister was arranged on the crisp white sheets, and Kalli in the chair beside it, he spoke again. "We have to wake her, huh?"
"If you are referring to me, Mister Malfoy, let me assure you that there is no need," the crisp tones of the nurse sounded from the doorway. "Just what are you five doing in my Hospital Wing so early in the morning, and what on earth has happened to Misses Grey, Lovegood, and Malfoy?"
"We rescued Letty from mummy dearest," Kalli said wearily from the chair.
In a low voice, Draco filled Madam Pomfrey in on what had happened.
"Oh my...oh dear. Let's sort them all out, then. Mister Malfoy, go to my potions cabinet and get me the soothing draught, a strengthening elixer, and some pepper up. We'll start with that. Then I'll need pain suppressant, nerve regenerator, and some dreamless sleep-"
"No time for sleep, Madam, Voldemort will be here soon. I'll not have my sister helpless," Draco interrupted coolly. "But I'll get the rest. What about Lovegood? She was bitten by Nagini, Voldemort's familiar. And Ka-Grey was hit with Cruciatus."
"Oh my! Well, all I can say is that it's lucky I still have some of the anti-venom from when poor Arthur Weasley was bitten two years ago, because that loathsome snake has a fearful venom. It's a nasty business, this war, and I'm glad you told me Miss Lovegood was bitten by Nagini, otherwise she might well have died. Mister Longbottom, if you would be so kind as to fetch me the purple bottle in the fourth cupboard from the left by my desk, I would be most obliged. And Mister Longbottom, I wouldn't drop it if I were you." Her silvery-blue eyes twinkled as she bustled over to Kalli while the two boys were employed. "Now, Miss Grey, feeling the aftereffects of Cruciatus, hmmm?"
"I'm feeling a bit tingly, yeah," Kalli replied guardedly.
"Mmm hmmm...Mister Malfoy, make that two vials of nerve regenerator and pain suppressant, if you please. And as for you, Miss Grey, into bed with you, at least until you feel the need to go gallivanting about again." The sadness that overcame the brusque school matron's face for a moment spoke more eloquently than a thousand speeches on the horror of war, and Kalli felt glad to have a chance to be babied, even for a moment, by this protective figure.
"Here are the potions, Madam Pomfrey," Draco said, almost politely. He'd changed so much since their trip to Malfoy Manor just hours before, and it seemed to Kalli that he was becoming a nicer person in a dramatic way.
"Good, set them down on the counter here, and give them to me in the order I ask for them. We'll begin with Miss Grey, since she is currently conscious, and then move on to Miss Malfoy. Mister Longbottom, please wake up Miss Lovegood and convince her to drink that potion. Mister Malfoy, the nerve regenerator first, if you please."
Obediently, Kalli swallowed the two potions Madam Pomfrey insisted upon administering, then settled back against the pillows to watch Letty receive similar treatment. The blonde had just finished drinking the violet pain reliever when Ginny, Harry, Ron and Hermione came running into the room, a glow of triumph on their faces.
"We did it!" Ginny cried, practically pouncing on her older cousin before settling into a comfortable position on the end of the bed. "The tiara is gone, and now we can kick that snakey ba-"
"Miss Weasley! If you insist upon mussing my beds, and disturbing my patients, that is one thing. But foul language will not be endured!"
Ginny grinned, unrepentant. "We saw Betsy, too, and told her to meet us here, she told Kalli. And I am going to Fire-Call Mum right now, if I may, Madam Pomfrey? Everyone in the Order needs to be told, and Mum's the quickest way of doing that, she's such a gossip."
"MISS WEASLEY!" Madam Pomfrey bellowed, eliciting a gasp of surprise from Neville. "Kindly stop insulting everyone whenever you open your mouth! If you wish to Fire-Call your mother, you may do so, but no more nonsense, please." And with that, the matron swept from the room.
Ginny giggled. "I knew that would do it. As much as I trust Madam Pomfrey, some things need to be said in private." She sobered. "Has anyone told the teachers?"
"Neville sent off his Patronus fifteen minutes ago," Kalli confirmed.
"How's Luna doing, Nev?" Harry asked, walking over to stand by the girl's bedside. Luna was awake now, her ankle no longer bleeding, and she seemed to be her usual odd self.
"Oh, hallo Harry," she said dreamily, focusing her large eyes on his figure. "So you found the Crown of Wisdom? I'm glad; it can't have liked being forgotten all these years. No one likes to be ill-used. It must be so relieved to be thought of once more."
"Perhaps," Harry agreed with amusement. He brandished Gryffindor's sword, the rubies glinting once more. There was a coppery discolouration on the blade, probably from Nagini's death. "D'you want this back, Neville?"
"No, you keep it." The young man in question flushed. "You're more Gryffindor than I ever was."
"That's a load of dragon dung, Longbottom, and what's more, you know it," Draco said rudely. "There never was such a bunch of contentious Gryffindors as the five of you."
"Wow, Malfoy, that could almost be considered a compliment," Hermione retorted bitingly as Harry sheathed the sword and attached it to his belt.
"It wasn't," the Slytherin said firmly.
Ginny had just finished informing her mother of Voldemort's imminent arrival when Professor Dumbledore entered the Hospital Wing, followed closely by Professor McGonagall, Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick, and Professor Starr.
"Who sent the Patronus?" Dumbledore asked, taking in the injured group. His eyes were devoid of their usual twinkle, expression grave.
"I did," Neville said softly.
"Are you absolutely certain, Mr. Longbottom?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"I wouldn't sound the alarm if it wasn't a sure thing, Professor," Neville answered calmly. "Harry had a vision."
"Sometimes Mr. Potter's vision are not to be trusted, Mr. Longbottom," Professor Dumbledore said gently.
"We killed Nagini, sir. Trust me, he's coming." Ginny's expression was stubborn.
"Well, in that case we'd best get a move on," Professor Sprout said, clapping her hands together.
"The Order's been informed, sir, but they'll need you to disable the portkey wards," Hermione said quietly. "And we'll need a safe house for the students who don't want to fight."
"They can go to Braddock Manor," Betsy said, stepping out of the shadows. "My brother's home, and he'll keep them safe." She no longer looked the part of a mild-mannered (if lavender-haired) librarian. Her tweed skirt and jacket ensemble had been switched for a form-fitting suit made of black material, and a long staff was strapped across her back. The black plastic-rimmed glasses were gone, and her purple eyes shone fiercely, the red mark across the left one almost pulsing with the intensity of Betsy's expression.
"Well, you can take them there," Professor McGonagall began.
"No!" Betsy's hair flared out from her head, she shook it that hard. "No, I'm a part of this now, whether you like it or not. I will fight."
"Miss Braddock, we're grateful you want to help, but-"
"But nothing. I'm not a student, and I'm over 18. You can't stop me." Her face softened for a moment. "I'm not afraid of death, headmaster. Especially if I die for a good reason. Trying to save the world is one of the best."
"What's better than saving the world?" Draco scoffed. "It's about as goody goody as it's possible to get."
Betsy gazed at him firmly. "Sacrificing yourself to save your family. What you just did is far more important than saving an abstract."
Her words made the Slytherin turn pink in embarrassment. "Slytherins look after their own," he said grumpily.
"Too right," Professor Starr agreed. "How will we get the students to your home, Betsy? After all, it's surely not connected to the Floo."
"Actually, it is," Betsy grinned. "My brother Jamie went to Beauxbatons, don't you know? He's a pretty good wizard, actually, even if he didn't concentrate enough to get many OWLs. At least he passed his NEWTs...although only because Brian threatened not to buy him a car. But that's neither here nor there. The fact is, both Brian and Jamie will be at home, so the kids'll be safe. Braddock Manor is magically warded, and protected through a wide range of advanced Muggle security, a lot of it extra-terrestrial."
"Oh! Well, that's...uh, good," Professor Flitwick squeaked.
"Indeed, it is extremely good news. I suggest you for go directly to your common rooms and announce this news, before any of them head out to breakfast."
The four heads nodded, hurrying off.
"I'd best tell my brothers to expect them," Betsy said softly. "Good luck." She followed the teachers out the door.
Professor Dumbledore turned to the group. "How many Horcruxes are left, Harry?" he asked urgently.
"None." The green-eyed young man's face split into an enormous grin. "We - that is, Hermione, Ron, Ginny and I - took out the last of them about half an hour ago."
"Fabulous, fabulous. You've done well, all of you."
"We intend to keep doing well," Letty rasped, speaking up for the first time. She got out of bed, wincing.
"Don't get up!" Kalli yelped, leaping from her own bed. "You're not strong enough yet!"
"Rubbish," Letty snapped. "I'm as strong as I'll ever be. And I'm not sitting this one out." Her blue eyes were icy chips in her pale face. "Mother's going to pay for what she did to me. They all are."
Just as she finished speaking the words, the castle rocked, and an alarm sounded, signalling that the wards were failing.
Harry's face paled as he grabbed his forehead. "They're here."
End Chapter 36