Chapter 9: D.A
Gajeel smacked his forehead with his hand as he turned around and saw Professor McGonagall who was still waiting for an answer. She had her arms crossed and kept looking at them. Harry was wide eyed as he was looking at the group in front of him.
"Well? Is someone going to say anything?"
Lucy felt Laxus putting his hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her away. Her brown eyes were looking at him, concerned on what he was going to do, but he gave her a small nod. She let go of him and he approached the professor.
"I think that we need to talk to Dumbledore regarding barbaric methods of punishment used on students."
Minerva furrowed her eyebrows, "What do you mean?"
He looked back and pointedly looked at Lucy. She couldn't find the courage to refuse. The last thing she wanted was for them to start off wrongly at Hogwarts.
However, at the end it wasn't just about Lucy's hand being damaged or Harry's. It was putting every student at risk that were to be disobedient towards the other woman.
She quietly stepped forward and lifted her hand, showing the small wound to McGonagall as she removed the handkerchief.
The older woman's eyes widened as she quickly but gently grabbed her hand and brought it closer to inspect it, "Who did this?"
"It was Umbridge," Natsu spat out with a venom they didn't think was possible from him, "Lucy and Harry had detention with her. She did the same thing to him too."
Harry felt the professor's eyes on him and he nodded as well.
"Alright. All of you come with me."
Laxus had been walking behind the professor the entire time. Eventually they met Snape on the way and he followed along with them. The moment they stepped foot on Dumbledore's office, Cobra cleared his throat and looked at the head of his house.
"Can you put a charm so no one can hear?"
Snape raised his eyebrow and slowly nodded. With a wave of his wand, the seal was placed.
"I wasn't expecting a full house tonight," Dumbledore said from his chair, "What can I help you with?"
And just like that, the dragon was unleashed.
Laxus removed the amulet from his neck, the illusion immediately disappearing and showing his true self. McGonagall was the only one in the room that had not seen him as the twenty four year old he was and let out a gasp. He was beyond pissed and he was going to show that he meant business. He slammed his palms on the desk, cracking it as lightning started dancing around his form.
"I specifically told you that I would not let slide anything from this school. Care to explain to me how you can let that woman come into this school and harm students? Give me a good damn reason right now that I should not go and electrocute her myself."
His growl at the end of his rant was menacing, making some of them swallow their nerves.
Dumbledore wasn't phased however, "What is it that you're talking about?"
He snarled, "Umbridge used a magical pen on Lucy and Harry. It didn't require ink because the ink it was using was their blood. I don't know how you operate Dumbledore, but I don't appreciate smelling the blood of my guild-mates."
Dumbledore got up and went to both Harry and Lucy, gently lifting their hands and inspecting their hands.
"If you are asking for me to fire her, that is out of my league. I didn't personally hire her, the Ministry assigned her the position."
Everyone's eyes widened at that, but that seemed to be adding more fire to Laxus' already out of control temper.
"What if it was a First Year student!?" His booming yell echoing from the walls, "You're just going to sit back and let her get away with this shit? This is fucking ridiculous! Our deal is o—"
"Laxus, enough."
He whirled his head, his deadly glare falling on Lucy who walked forward.
"Our deal isn't over. I'm sure something will be done. Isn't that right professor?"
"Are you fucki—"
"Laxus, shut up."
Dumbledore looked from the pretty blond to the seething man that was glaring daggers down at her.
"I can assure you that although I cannot fire her, something will be done."
Minerva cleared her throat as she was still getting over her shock about Laxus, "I will speak to her. She already has it out for you Albus, we shouldn't add more fuel to the fire. Besides," she looked at Lucy and Harry, "They're part of my house and I will make sure she doesn't use that method again."
No one said anything as the students left. Laxus picked up the amulet from the floor and immediately stormed out, leaving the three adults letting out a breath they had been holding without noticing.
Minerva looked at Dumbledore, "Albus, his power…"
She trailed off, not sure what else should follow after that.
Snape nodded slowly, "I have never felt that before… not even from you. It's different. Didn't even use this much when he met me."
Dumbledore had a thoughtful look on his face, "He's quite exceptional isn't he? Imagine the rest."
The group walked out together to the courtyard to get some fresh air. Being inside Dumbledore's office had been suffocating and they were all tense from Laxus' shouting.
"We should blow off some steam," Gajeel casually said to break the eerie silence that developed in the group.
Ron gave him a look, "How can you be so casual? He practically just cussed out Dumbledore! Probably the most powerful wizard in the world!"
"You're not 17," Harry added in, not in an accusatory manner. He was just not expecting him to be older. It was almost a different person but still him.
Laxus looked at Harry and shook his head, "Nah kid. I'm 24."
Hermione suspiciously looked at the rest, "Who else is hiding their actual age?"
Cobra sighed and pointed at himself and Gajeel.
Yukino shook her head, "Maybe from this world he's the most powerful, but you haven't seen what we can do. Specifically what Fairy Tail can do. Besides, Laxus is right. How are they expecting us to help when our own are getting injured by a teacher?"
"So that's the deal?" Hermione carefully asked, "You're helping us in exchange for what? To go back home?"
"Pretty much," Wendy softly said.
Harry hated the idea of more lives being put at risk, "Why would you guys agree to that? It isn't your fight. Voldemort is powerful—"
"You don't get it do you?" Natsu asked, the first words coming out of his mouth for a while, as he gave Harry a look.
"It isn't about if it is or isn't our right. We'll help because it's in our bloods to help. How can we just be focused on going home when you guys are dealing with some evil wizard and his followers? How can we leave and leave you with that? We are friends. Friends are there for each other."
The rest of the Fiore group were staring at Natsu in surprise and he was quickly offended, "Geez, even I can see how serious this is!"
Hermione's attention went back to Cobra and Gajeel, "How old are you?"
"I'm not going to take this thing off and risk someone see us," the man hissed at her, "But if you really want to know, I'm actually 32."
Gajeel crossed his arms, "I'm 22."
Ron was wide eyed, "This is madness!"
Harry rolled his eyes, "Ron you're acting like you just first met them."
"Except no drool this time," Hermione added in.
Ron's face was flushed but glared at her, "Says the one that blushed the first time you saw Sting being half naked!"
"You blushed?"
"He wasn't half naked you dimwit!"
Cobra shook his head as he started to walk away, "I'm going to bed. Tomorrow we can figure out about training."
Majority of them were hesitant but nonetheless started walking away. However the other two that were not moving were Laxus and Lucy as they were sitting in different spots in the courtyard.
Wendy was going to walk towards Lucy, but Yukino shook her head. The bluenette's eyes widened and she understood completely. And within minutes, the two of them were alone.
Lucy hadn't even realized she was left alone with him until she looked up and saw everyone was gone. She sighed heavily. She grabbed her injured hand with the other and started softly rubbing it. She could still feel the carving of the words and the burning sensation. She had felt her keys growing warm during her detention and she had silently pleaded Loke to not force his gate open.
She knew she was going to hear it from him eventually.
Her gaze then fell on a rock that was by her feet and immediately an idea popped in her head. She grabbed it and immediately threw it at Laxus. Which with no much surprise, he caught it without any effort and he finally turned his head to look at her. They stared at each other for a bit until he motioned with his head for her to sit next to him.
She hesitated at first, but eventually did. She sat next to him and she almost squeaked when she felt his large hand grabbing hers. She felt her heart speed up until she realize he was intently looking at the markings on it.
"Ask Wendy to fix you up tomorrow. We talked to them already, there's no need for you to have a scar on your hand."
She swallowed and carefully nodded, "I was planning on it. Anyways… thank you, for standing up for me like that. Although honestly I didn't need it. You scared them half to death."
He grunted, "I would've done it for Wendy or Yukino too. We are a team and we stand up for each other."
She felt a strange sensation on her chest, that she immediately retracted her hand and abruptly got up.
"We should start heading to our rooms. The last thing we need is getting in trouble with Mr. Filch. Specially me. I'll just see you in the morning."
She didn't wait for a reply. She turned around and immediately left the courtyard. It left Laxus feeling confused, but it wasn't until he replayed the conversation in his head, that he groaned once he figured out why she left like that. He wasn't dense. He was twenty four and well familiar with females.
He pinched the tip of his nose, Nope. No way. I just imagined it. She was just tired and probably tired of my temperamental ass. Yup, that's exactly what it was.
And with that, he went to his room as well.
The following day after speaking to Dumbledore, Minerva had told Umbridge a piece of her mind regarding the bloody quill and she demanded her to not use it any more. This brought the attention of the entire Great Hall as it had been during breakfast. Umbridge grew furious and she became Hogwarts High Inquisitor earning more groans from the students.
A few days passed without any issues.
It had been rather tricky, but the Fiore mages had finally found a good routine to not arise suspicion and finally train. It seemed that Filch always seemed to be around them more consistently, possibly orders from Umbridge. But, they were smarter and able to get away with sneaking away. They had drawn straws to determine the first group to go off and train. The first group had consisted of Gajeel, Wendy, Lucy, and Laxus. Lucy insisted to only be four as she was sure Loke wanted to be out and do some damage due to his anger towards the pink toad. Natsu and Sting loudly complained but they had been silenced by Lucy herself. Then the second group finally had the opportunity to let off some steam.
The Golden Trio wanted to go and watch them, but all of them refused. One, it was too dangerous, and two, they wanted to surprise them for when the day came that they would have to fight.
This left a somewhat bitter taste on them. They felt rather helpless and that's how the idea of creating their own club to learn to fight came about. Hermione convinced Harry and once she told her idea to the others, they all encouraged Harry.
Sting offered to teach them hand to hand combat if they were to go through with it. Which the others offered as well.
Harry was beyond skeptical, but they were not learning anything from Umbridge, leaving them completely vulnerable if an attack were to happen. He still didn't know how strong really the new group was, but still, it wasn't their fight. He didn't want to see anyone else die because of him. The guilt it flushed through him as Cedric fell to the ground dead, was something that had not gone away.
The first meeting took place on the first trip to Hogsmead to obtain recruits. Harry kept biting the inside of his cheek out of habit for being nervous. Lucy could practically feel it, so she decided to walk up to him, put her arm around his own, and smiled at him.
"It's going to be okay!"
He blushed at how close she was, as her rose perfume reached his nose. However, he was grateful for her support. He was surprised, as his eyes landed on several students inside Hog's Head. He swallowed again, but with a quick squeeze on his arm by Lucy, he walked forward with Hermione and Ron.
Sting scratched the back of his head as he quietly said to them, as they all stood behind everyone, "I'm still trying to process the idea of relying on something to protect myself."
He immediately got glares from the Celestial Mages. Lucy was about to snap but he interrupted her.
"You guys are different. You can at least fight back if you don't have your keys," he looked to the front.
Cobra was shifting uncomfortably, Wendy taking a note of this.
"Are you okay?" She whispered.
"Too many frantic thoughts," he hissed slightly as he rubbed his temple, "So indecisive."
Laxus couldn't help but nod. He didn't have to have the ability to read minds to feel the nervousness of the kids. The meeting was uncomfortable, as it was obvious why majority of those that came wanted to know. If it wasn't for Luna, who knew if anyone was going to sign up. He couldn't help but admire silently Harry's courage. The young boy at the age of 15 had already faced enough to last him a life time. The potential he had, what he could be capable of, he understood Voldemort's fear.
He could only wonder when he would make his move.
As the meeting went well and after a quick bite to eat, they all walked back to the castle.
Natsu had similar thoughts like Sting when it came to battle, so he looked at Ron and loudly asked, "Do you even know how to throw a punch?"
Ron was beyond confused by the random question, "Uhh… no?"
Natsu threw an arm around the ginger's shoulders, "Imagine if you and your friends are in danger and you don't have your wand. What are you gonna do? Just let it happen? Hell no man! You fight!"
Hermione was walking behind them and overheard their conversation, "He's actually got a good point."
Harry rolled his eyes as he gave her a look, "You're only saying that because you punched Malfoy two years ago."
Laxus surprisingly was the one to turn around and raise an eyebrow, "You punched Malfoy?"
She instantly blushed as Gajeel and Cobra were giving her curious looks, "He was being a foul cockroach! He got Hagrid in a huge predicament with Buckbeak that it was going to get his hippogriff executed! He was laughing at Hagrid's misery!" Her face was more flushed, "I'm the last person that uses violence to sort out issues, but he well deserved it."
"Completely the opposite from Fairy Tail," Cobra said dryly, "They punch first and then ask questions."
Harry was expecting them to yell at Cobra for his comment, but none of them were saying anything. Natsu however, looked thoughtful.
"I don't think—"
"Natsu," Lucy cut in, "You're the last person that should be defending what he said. It's true. And you're the biggest one that punches and then asks questions."
He looked more confused, "When have I—"
Sting cut him off, "You blew up our guild's door and fought like half of our members."
"Well you guys deserved that!"
"I also heard from Erza that her and Mirajane went with the Master to talk to Twilight Ogre since they bullied our guild during the time we were gone," Wendy added in, "Twilight Ogre refused until.. err… they were… persuaded by them two…"
Laxus whistled, "Those bastards didn't stand a chance against them."
Gajeel snickered, "Aw, is poor little Laxus scared of them?"
Neville was totally confused at the conversation, but was too shy to ask anything as he was still getting used to them. Luna's mind was elsewhere, not even paying attention, while Ginny and the Twins were intrigued.
He immediately glared at the iron dragon, "Would you fight them together?"
They all looked at Gajeel as they waited for an answer. Natsu was already shaking his head furiously, "That's suicide. In Edolas there were two Erzas! That was horrifying!"
"Yeah, you called them monsters," Lucy said with a shake of her head.
"Well when you put it that way…" Gajeel trailed off. The more he thought about it, yeah, that would be suicidal.
"Anyways," Harry said, "When do we get to see you guys use your magic? I would be a liar if I said I wasn't curious."
Neville finally spoke up, "Their magic?"
Ginny covered them quickly, "They have different forms of magic in their school that's all."
"I think our magic would be easier to show," Yukino said carefully as she pointed at herself and Lucy, "Possibly Wendy's as well. Regarding the rest of them…"
"It'll be better if you see them in battle," Lucy said with a sigh, "Them trying to just show a little bit could be destructive. Specially Natsu."
"Why do I feel like I've been attacked all day?"
Majority laughed at him as Lucy decided to jump on his back so he could carry her the whole way home. Just as he made a comment about her weight, she punched him on the back of the head, yelling at him.
Laxus rolled his eyes at everyone's laugh, but as he looked up right by the clock tower, he easily spotted a certain ugly toad.
That was a score he still needed to personally settle.
Author's note: This was more of a filler chapter. More fun to come soon!