LoDK
Harry Potter: Alchemy
Chapter 8: Halloween
Disclaimer: This is solely a not-for-profit fan activity and does not intend to infringe on copyrights held by Time Warner, DC Comics, Bloomsbury et al, and JK Rowling. Any characters that are original to this work remain the property of the author.
A/N: The Last Daughter Series diverges significantly from accepted canon for the Harry Potter series from the outset, as in addition to the crossover elements, there are several deviations from the books that will be covered where they fit into the narrative. The timeline of the DC Comics elements borrows heavily from Young Justice (2011),) and may adapt elements and characters from the comics and several additional other media instalments including but not limited to Smallville (2001) and the upcoming Superman and Lois (2021) and relocates the series to the Eighties and early Nineties rather than the New Tens as screened and includes several 'legacy' and original characters as a result.
Kent Farm,
Smallville.
KS 67524.
October 31st, 12:20 CST.
Karen was parking the truck outside the house when she sensed the transmission from one of the signal watches that she and Kal had provided to certain people.
"What's wrong?" asked Pa Kent from the passenger seat.
"Someone's in trouble, Pa," Karen replied with a frown.
"Who is it?"
Karen paused, "I'm not sure. We use a slightly different frequency for each watch, I'll have to check the sample file. It's pretty far away though…"
"Could it be Hank?"
Karen nodded, "It probably is. As far as I know, Lois is sticking close to home at the moment because of Jon… I'm not sure about Uncle Jimmy though… it could be him."
"Go and find out," said Pa. "I'll be fine."
"I'm on it," confirmed Karen and slid out of the driver's seat, pulling out her cellphone and keying the second speed-dial button.
After a moment, the call was picked up and a woman's voice echoed out of the device. "Lois Lane."
"Aunt Lois, it's Karen."
"Yes?"
"Someone's activated their signal watch. Was it you?"
"No, everything's fine here."
"Do you know what Uncle Jimmy's up to?" Karen asked.
"He was visiting family down in Rhode Island last I heard."
"So it's probably not him then?"
"Well, you know Jimmy, he could find any trouble anywhere…"
What's the expression, 'Pot calling the kettle black'? mused Karen, but aloud she said. "Can you check on him? If it's Hank that's in trouble, I need to talk to Aunt Lana and Aunt Mera as soon as possible."
"No problem," agreed Lois and hung up.
*-*-*
First Floor Girls' Bathroom,
Hogwarts,
Scottish Highlands.
October 31st, 18:30 BST.
Ron felt a surge of triumph as the room settled under the troll. He was just about to move around it to check on Harry and Hermione, when a sudden slamming and loud footsteps outside the room distracted him. Ron spun back towards the door; wand raised.
A moment later, Professor McGonagall burst into the room, followed by Professors Snape and Quirrell.
The Defence teacher took one look at the troll, let out a faint whimper and sat down on one of the few intact toilets, clutching his chest. Snape on the other hand showed little emotion at all and walked around Ron towards the troll. Ron watched Snape for a moment, but then McGonagall spoke, drawing his attention back to her.
"What on earth were you thinking of?" said Professor McGonagall, with cold fury in her voice. Ron had never seen her look so angry… in fact he'd never seen anyone look that angry and given that he lived with the twins and his mother that was saying something… Hopes of winning fifty points for Gryffindor faded quickly from his mind. "You're lucky you weren't killed. Why aren't you in your dormitory?"
Ron's mind went blank for a moment, and so Snape spoke up first. "Granger, Potter and the troll appear to be minimally injured."
"Have you tried reviving Miss Granger and Mr Potter?" asked McGonagall.
"Not as yet," Snape admitted. "I will do so while you attempt to get some sense out of Weasley."
"We… that's Harry and I… when Professor Dumbledore sent us back to Gryffindor Tower…"
"Yes?"
"Well, Hermione wasn't in the Great Hall when Quirrell burst in…" Ron told them. "… So, when we were on our way back, Harry realised that she probably didn't know about the troll…"
McGonagall nodded, but still looked annoyed. "Why didn't you tell someone and let them handle it?"
"The professors had already left," Ron told her. "Percy was around but… well, he's not the easiest to get to listen, Professor."
"You are not the first person to make that observation, Mr Weasley," Professor McGonagall admitted. "So, Mr Potter decided to go and find Miss Granger and warn her himself?"
"That's right, Professor," Ron agreed.
"And you followed him… Even given your problems with Miss Granger?"
Ron startled, "You know about that?"
"I was apprised by several parties."
"Oh right," said Ron, a little surprised. "Well… I mean… we're not friends but, I mean… I think she tries to help… and it doesn't mean I wanted her dead!"
McGonagall's face briefly took on an odd expression. "Very well then… you should consider yourself very lucky. Mr Weasley. Not many first years could have taken on a fully grown troll and lived to tell the tale. Are you hurt?"
Ron shook his head.
"Ten points will be given to Gryffindor for your actions, and you had better return to Gryffindor Tower. Students are finishing the feast in their houses."
Ron's stomach grumbled at that moment, reminding him that he hadn't even started eating when they'd been interrupted. He was about to excuse himself when a rustle of robes behind him caught his attention. He turned around and saw that Hermione Granger was conscious again but looking a little worse for wear.
"Professor McGonagall, I..."
But whatever she had been about to stay was cut off as Professor McGonagall spoke. "Miss Granger, I trust that you've learned your lesson about isolating yourself rather than facing your problems?"
"Yes Professor," agreed his classmate, a slight waver to her voice making it clear that she was upset by the rebuke.
"Potter's injuries do not appear to be serious," Snape reported. "However, he is not responding to the Reviving Spell."
"Take him to Poppy," ordered McGonagall. "I'm sure she can sort it out."
Snape nodded, then conjured a stretcher and moved Harry onto it. When he started to leave the room, Ron moved to follow, but McGonagall stopped him. "Return to Gryffindor Tower, Mr Weasley. Mr Potter is in good hands."
Ron wasn't sure about that. But he recognised the signs of something that wasn't up for a debate, so he kept his mouth shut and followed Hermione out of the bathroom.
The two Gryffindors hurried through the castle in companionable silence until they reached the Fat Lady's portrait. "Pig snout!" they chorused and entered the Common Room.
The common room was packed and noisy. Everyone was eating the food that had been sent up. Hermione paused for a moment, a little pink either from embarrassment, exertion or both. "Thanks, Ron."
"You're welcome," Ron replied, and then they hurried off to get plates.
*-*-*
Gulf of Maine.
13:40 CST.
"Portland Departure from Bio-Ship 1," said Forager from the Bio-Ship's throne-like helm. "Request clearance to depart flight level three-seven-zero for flight level four-zero-zero."
Karen glanced back from her seat at one of the two of the front stations and considered the two sorcerers that Mera had brought from Atlantis for extra 'muscle' filled two of the rear seats. La'gann was a former member of the Team and should objectively have been the more welcome inclusion, but - due to ongoing tensions between the fishman and her family over Connor 'stealing back' M'gann after that couple resolved their issues - it was the reformed Purist Wynnde whose presence was more welcome.
"Bio-Ship 1, Portland Departure. You are clear to flight level four-zero-zero."
"Bio-Ship 1, acknowledged," confirmed Forager. "Accelerating to 14,000 knots and ascending."
"Bio-Ship 1, Portland Departure, good journey. Contact Moncton Area Control on 228 decimal 3."
"Forager, how long till we're clear of North American airspace?" asked Mera.
"Approximately three minutes, Queen Mera," replied the Bug.
"As soon as we are, go to maximum speed until we enter British airspace."
"Forager will do so, Queen Mera."
"Glad to be back in action again, Wynnde?" Karen asked the blue-clad sorcerer.
"I go where my king or queen have need of me," replied Wynnde, though he didn't sound unhappy about the fact.
"I saw you and Aquaman at Mr Jupiter's gala on Friday, are you going to be working with the Titans?"
The brunette shook his head, "Regular surface world heroics are Kaldur's domain. I was merely his escort for the evening. Despite his no longer being the Justice League co-chair, he is still invited to such events."
"Are you too ever going to tie the knot?"
"Perhaps," replied Wynnde. "If only Atlantis were a factor, then I suspect we would already be joined. But the surface world complicates things…"
"You have a point there," agreed Karen, she might have said more, but at that moment the console in front of her beeped urgently. Karen reached over and touched a control.
A video screen flared into life with Lana's face in the centre. "What's going on, Karen? Do you know anything else?"
"Not as much as I'd like, Aunt Lana," Karen replied sadly. "I've confirmed that it's Hank's watch that's going off. But that's all I know for now. We'll be onsite in about eleven minutes at current speed, ten if we push it."
"Can you?"
"Forager is already planning to do so, Lana Lang," confirmed the pilot.
"I just hope you can get there in time,"said Lana. "Hogwarts was supposed to be safe."
"We're doing our best, Aunt Lana," said Karen. "But let's be honest, it's not the first his first rodeo."
"I know," Lana assured her. "I just worry."
"You're his mother," chipped in Mera. "You can no more not worry than you can breathe. But you must trust us."
"I do," Lana confirmed. "Barn out."
A second later, the screen faded to black.
"Forager wonders if Kara Zor-El could have used a portal spell to get there faster rather than getting Forager to fly her?"
"I thought about it, Forager," Karen admitted. "And if was it was just me and I knew for sure that only Hank was in danger… I might have done it. I still might if we need to evacuate. But as I don't know what I'm going into – the whole school could be at risk – I want some back-up and taking passengers over that kind of distance into a potential combat zone… that's not something I'm comfortable with."
"Forager understands Kara Zor-El," agreed the pilot. "Violet Harper or Victor Stone do not have those problems with their portals, but they are busy today."
Karen nodded grimly.
"Will you be able to open a portal in future?" asked Mera.
"Maybe," Karen replied. "I need to do some tests though."
"Is there anything else you can do now?"
Karen was silent for a moment. "I've been working with Cindy and Cisco on another spell that might help…"
"Please."
Karen took a few deep breaths to centre herself, muttered a quick prayer to Telle, Goddess of Wisdom, then cast a trio of sigils and raised her hands in supplication. "Zor Dar Re!"
A magical window shimmered into view above her hands, images flickered across it for a few seconds and then it faded out. "Ghimshom!"
"Could you make anything out?"
"Not much," Karen admitted. "A large open room… maybe their dining hall… a bathroom…" she frowned, trying to remember. "I think the last one was some sort of first aid station… beds, white sheets…"
"So you think that he is all right?" asked Mera.
"Hopefully," Karen agreed with a sigh. "He seems to be out of danger at least. I'd feel better if he'd switch off his signal watch though. Or he'd had proper comms in the first place, so we weren't going in blind…"
Mera considered the question and then nodded. "At the moment I agree. But according to Black Canary and Oracle that would effectively bring him into the Team and takes him out from under the 'do not endanger agreement' we have with the League of Shadows."
"I know," Karen confirmed sadly. "And most of the time I even agree with them, particularly as commlinks are hit and miss in magical environments anyway. But right now… I don't."
"I can understand that."
*-*-*
Hogwarts Dungeons,
Hogwarts.
Scottish Highlands.
October 31st, 18:49 GMT.
While Albus Dumbledore's knowledge and awareness of the goings on in the castle wasn't as complete as he liked people to think, he was generally able to pick up on unexpected and unusual intrusions into his territory.
"Expecto Patronum! Hagrid, meet me at the main entrance," he said, waited a moment until the spectral bird disappeared from view, then turned and hurried towards the stairs.
*-*-*
Hogwarts Grounds,
Hogwarts.
Scottish Highlands.
October 31st, 18:51 GMT.
Albus Dumbledore had seen many unusual sights in his time, but a red stingray shape appearing out of mid-air and speeding towards him over the lake was definitely high on the list.
"Wha's tha'!" exclaimed Hagrid.
"I am not sure," he admitted, pensively. "However, I suspect that the timing is not a coincidence."
"Yeh think it might be cos o' Harry bein' injured?"
"I do."
"Yeh could be righ'," agreed the big man as the craft slowed, banked into a turn and drifted to the ground in the open area between the lake and the main entrance.
Seconds later, the rear of the craft flowed open, forming a doorway and a ramp. But this wasn't the end of the surprises. The first figure to exit the craft – a tall, dark, muscular youth in a blue sleeveless armour – was a little atypical, but the second…
"How da think he ended up like tha'?" asked Hagrid.
Perhaps a botched attempt at human to puffer-fish transformation, thought Albus. But he didn't answer aloud as the two young men strode down the ramp and took stations on either side.
"My queen, the immediate area is secure," reported the dark youth.
My queen, thought Albus. This could be bad, particularly if the rumours from Gringotts are true.
A moment later, three more figures exited the craft, in the lead was a tall, brunette girl in a muggle dress, then a second middle-aged, red-headed woman in jeans, blouse and a poncho, with another strange being – this one a squat, four-armed, earth-coloured creature that reminded the headmaster of an insect or beetle – bringing up the rear.
"Tha's Mera and Karen!" declared Hagrid. "They were with Harry at Diagon Alley."
The two females separated from the group and headed towards him, while the males remained with the craft.
"Greetings," said Albus, once they were within arm's length of the entrance. "Welcome to Hogwarts… I am Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of this school… how may I be of assistance?"
Karen was the first to speak, "What's going on here… where's Hank?!"
"We had a minor security issue which has been resolved," Albus replied, briskly. "Mr Potter sustained minor injuries during the incident and is currently resting in our hospital wing."
"Resting?!" exclaimed Karen incredulously and lurched forward, to do what he wasn't sure.
Before Albus could do anything, Mera moved between the two of them and blocked the girl.
"Aunt Mera!"
"Hold, Kara!" she glanced towards Hagrid. "Hagrid, if you would take Kara to see Hank, so that she can reassure herself that he is well…"
"Ma'am…" said Hagrid, clearly a little unsure what to do.
Mera turned her sapphire-blue eyes towards him. "We need to talk, Headmaster... it can either be a friendly chat between peers or..." She broke off and glanced back at the strange craft.
Or I can deal with the Queen of Atlantis, Headmistress? thought Dumbledore, quickly deciding that he didn't fancy that idea. "Mera, I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have about the situation as best as I can. My office?"
"That would be acceptable," agreed the red-headed woman and took his arm when he offered it. Then the pair headed toward the castle with Karen and Hagrid following.
*-*-*
First Floor,
Hogwarts.
Scottish Highlands.
October 31st, 18:55 GMT.
By the time they got onto the first floor, Karen was almost vibrating with impatience. So as soon as they separated from the two school heads, she gave in and sped up. She wasn't deliberately using her super-speed, but even so it was only Hagrid's much longer stride that allowed him to keep up and reach the door to the Hospital Wing just as she was about to enter.
"Better let me go first," he told her, opened the door and stepped in, with Karen only a step behind.
Madam Pomfrey looked up from her station at Harry's bed, "What? Hagrid?" She spotted Karen and her eyes narrowed… "Who is this? She doesn't look ill…" Her tone making it clear that only illness or severe injury would explain a stranger intruding in her domain.
"This is Karen, she's Harry's cousin," replied Hagrid.
Before Madam Pomfrey could reply, Karen dodged round him and was at Harry's side in the blink of an eye. In only slightly more time, she'd taken in his condition and her hands began forming sigils. "Zor Am Nu!"
"What are you…?" demanded Pomfrey, then faltered.
"Ghimshom!" swore Karen as her scan confirmed her fear. She turned to the nurse and spoke in the same no-nonsense, business like tone that she used for most emergency services personnel not named Teresa Colvin. "Do you know what happened?"
"I- umm…" stammered the nurse, but quickly recovered. "Apparently a mountain troll managed to get into the castle. Mr Potter and another boy – Ron Weasley – went to find another student who was in the library who didn't know about the troll…"
Karen sighed. "Hank, Hank… I'm supposed to be the muscle…"
"… When the professors found them, Mr Potter and Miss Granger were unconscious, and Mr Weasley had knocked out the troll with its own club."
"Not bad," said Karen, a little impressed. "Did he use a spell?"
"The Levitation Charm, I would assume," replied Pomfrey. "The first years usually learn that around this time of the year."
"I assume that the girl… Hermione Granger… was able to be revived by your usual methods?"
Pomfrey nodded. "She and Mr Weasley returned to Gryffindor Tower."
"And Hank… Harry… wasn't?"
"No," confirmed Pomfrey. "Professor Snape made an initial attempt on scene and I have tried several other spells since."
"I'm not surprised," said Karen. "The problem isn't one that you're used to."
"And you are?"
"I've seen it once or twice," Karen replied. "What do you know about sorcery… or the great magicks…?"
"Only enough to know to avoid them," replied the nurse, darkly. "They are…"
"Heavy-handed, imprecise and frequently dangerous?"
"Exactly."
"But sometimes, they are the right tool for job," continued Karen. "Hank and I trained in a special style over the last two years or so. He seems to have used some of those spells against the troll."
"And paid the price?"
"Only a little one," Karen assured her. "I should be able to transfer enough energy to top him up."
"Do it."
Karen nodded and her hands quickly formed another set of sigils, "Lor Da Nu!"
Seconds after she directed the effect towards Harry's chest, he struggled back into consciousness. "What… what hit me…?"
" A mountain troll apparently," answered Karen dryly.
"That makes sense… Karen!" he exclaimed and lurched over for a hug. He nearly fell off the bed, but her strong arms caught him and steered him back. "You came!"
"You call, I come," said Karen as she returned his hug. "That's the way it works."
"Thanks," said Harry, and then as if reminded of something, he glanced down at his watch. He nodded his head slightly, then tapped one of the buttons.
"I just wish I'd been a bit quicker… you shouldn't have engaged the troll without me."
"I would have waited if I could," Harry assured her. "But it already had Hermione cornered when we found it, there wasn't time to wait."
Karen nodded, her chin ruffling his hair. "And you used sigilomancy against it."
"It seemed like the best option at the time."
"I would agree," confirmed Karen. "If you'd been keeping up with your meditation."
"How…?" Harry began to ask but tailed off when he realised that the answer was obvious. "I panicked… that thing was huge, it could bench-press a truck! I couldn't think of anything that I've learned here that would work… and you've skimped on meditation and done it before."
Karen hissed, and shifted position so that she could look him in the eye. "Hank, I shouldn't either. Well, not for more than a day or two. But I survive doing it because I'm invulnerable!"
"Oh… I didn't think of that." Harry admitted, chagrined. "But in my defence, we're supposed to be safe here. I thought I could concentrate learning the new stuff and pick up the meditation later."
"Well, lesson learned," said Karen. "Are you going to find time now?"
"I'll try…"
"Do or do not, there is no try," quoted Karen, coaxing a giggle from Harry and breaking the tension.
"If everything's fine now, we should let Mr Potter get some sleep," declared Pomfrey.
Karen nodded. After giving her cousin a final squeeze, she disengaged, stood up and turned back to Hagrid. "Let's find out where that troll went. Maybe even how it got in the first place…"
"I was going t' do tha' anyway," agreed the big man. "I wouldn' mind the help."
*-*-*
Headmaster's Office,
Hogwarts.
Scottish Highlands.
October 31st, 21:45 GMT.
"How's Hank?" Mera asked Karen as the pair entered the office and she sat down.
"He'll be fine," Karen confirmed as she sat down. "Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape couldn't revive him because he had an unusual case of magical exhaustion."
"He's been skimping on meditation, and tried to use sigilomancy on the troll?"
"Yeah, he decided to take a break so he could concentrate on his studies here, Quidditch and that new club he's setting up…"
"Unfortunate in retrospect, but understandable."
"… Then in a moment of panic forgot why we should meditate regularly if we're using sigilomancy, particularly combat spells."
"I take it you reminded him?"
"I did," Karen confirmed. "I also checked on the troll. It's secure. The Beast Division is going to pick it up in the morning and take it back where it belongs."
"Did you have any luck finding out how it got in?"
Karen sighed. "Not as much as I like. It got in by a side entrance that Hagrid's says is rarely closed outside of a full lockdown. We tracked it to the edge of the forest, but someone must have teleported it in or something."
"I reckon tha' they used a Portkey," offered Hagrid. Unlike the others, he was still standing, as none of the chairs were suited to his bulk.
"I agree," confirmed the headmaster. "Side-along Apparition with something that large would be… challenging."
"If it was a Portkey, then we couldn't find it," said Karen. "I managed to get a general track to somewhere in Scandinavia without it, but that was all."
"Is there anything else you can try?"
"Before what little trail there is goes cold?" clarified Karen. "Maybe… I'll check with Hank when he wakes up, he's better at the subtle stuff than I am."
"How d' yeah know he's asleep?" asked Hagrid, curiously.
"This close… I can hear him sleeping," Karen replied.
"On that note, perhaps we should all get some sleep," suggested the headmaster. "Mera, I can have the house-elves set up rooms for you?"
"That would be lovely, thank you."
"I'm still on Kansas time," Karen admitted. "I'll go and see if Madam Pomfrey will let me sit with Harry."
Mera nodded and turned back to the headmaster in time to catch a somewhat sceptical look. "She can be very persuasive."
"I'm sure," he replied blandly.
*-*-*
Gryffindor Dorms,
Hogwarts,
Scottish Highlands.
06:25 GMT.
Ron had a bit of an unsettled night, worrying about Harry, who hadn't returned from the hospital wing by the time Professor McGonagall had sent them to bed.
When he reached the common room, he found it mostly empty apart from Angelina Johnson and Hermione, both were dressed for class and Hermione looked about as good as he felt.
Angelina spoke up. "Professor McGonagall asked me to catch you and Hermione before you went to breakfast."
"Is something wrong?" Ron asked. She'd seemed happy enough when he left, but experience of his mother told him that opinions could change in a flash.
"I don't think so," Angelina replied. "A couple of people arrived to check on Harry Potter last night. One of them, Mera Orinaina, asked to talk with the two of you."
"Okay…" said Ron with a nod. "Let's go."
*-*-*
Guest Rooms,
Hogwarts,
Scottish Highlands.
06:30 GMT.
"Aquarius," said Angelina to a portrait of a pod of dolphins.
The door swung open towards them, and they slid inside.
A middle-aged, red-headed woman – Ron assumed this was Mera Orinaina – was sitting at a small round table in the middle of the room, loaded with breakfast foods. She looked up and smiled at the trio. "Good morning, Miss Granger, Mr Weasley, have a seat. Hank and Kara will be with us shortly." She glanced at Angelina. "Miss Johnson, thank you for bringing them."
"You're welcome, ma'am," replied Angelina. "Is there anything else?"
"One thing before you go…"
"Of course, ma'am."
"One of the first things I asked your headmaster during our meeting was what he did wrong last night. As a prefect, can you think of anything?"
Angelina paused to consider the question. She was still thinking about it a few moments later when Harry and an older girl – that Ron assumed was 'Kara' – wandered in.
"I've checked the landing site, I couldn't find anything Karen missed…" Harry reported, then scowled. "Aunt Mera, I asked you not to…!"
"I need to know, Hank."
"But it's not nice to put her on the spot like that!" Harry exclaimed, then turned to Angelina. "Sorry about this, most of her students are Atlantean military, so they're used to those sorts of questions."
"It's okay," Angelina assured him.
"In that case, I'll give you a clue… Think about where the troll was reported…"
Angelina frowned. "Professor Quirrell said it was in the dungeons…"
"Yep," confirmed Harry as he took his seat. "Now, I'm not exactly sure, but isn't that a problem…?"
Then Angelina's frown deepened as she realized what he was hinting at. "The Hufflepuff and Slytherin dorms are in the dungeons!"
Mera nodded. "They are. After your headmaster finally realized this… which took him a good deal longer than you by the way… he agreed that the students will be held in the Great Hall in event of any future security breaches."
"That would make sense," agreed Angelina. "With only one door it's a lot easier to defend."
"That was our thought when Kara scried the incident," confirmed Mera. "Apparently, your headmaster didn't think of that."
Angelina grunted, but didn't comment. "If you don't need anything else, I'd like to go to breakfast with my friends?"
"Certainly," replied Mera with a nod.
Angelina nodded to the group, then opened the portrait door and left.
Mera waited a moment, then motioned to the breakfast selection. "Help yourselves, everyone," she said, helping herself to some kedgeree and kippers. "Hank tells me that you have questions?"
Ron wasn't sure what she meant as he didn't have any, he was more interested in breakfast. On the other hand, he wasn't surprised that Hermione did!
"What was that magic you used on the troll?" she asked. "There's nothing about it in my books… you didn't even use a wand!"
Harry nodded. "That's the key to my whole 'origin story'."
"Origin story?" echoed Ron.
"Sorry, private joke," said Harry. "Well, both of you know how it started…"
"With You-Know-Who killing your parents and trying to kill you?" Hermione suggested.
"That's it. But what most people don't know… even Professor Dumbledore only found out the details last night… is what happened next."
"You weren't rescued by the headmaster's people and taken into hiding for your own safety?" asked Hermione. "That's what the books say…"
Harry shook his head. "I've already told you my opinion on those pieces of 'speculative fiction'…"
Karen grinned. "You sound like Aunt Lois reviewing a bad article."
"There's a reason for that," said Harry with a grin. "I was skimming a couple of magical history books during a visit…"
"And Aunt Lois… being her usual, endearingly nosy self… investigated and gave her opinion on them."
"Naturally," confirmed Harry, his grin now even wider. "Well, getting back to the story… Apparently Professor Dumbledore did send Hagrid to get me out of the ruins, but I'd already been rescued by members of the Justice League who'd detected the explosion."
"Who?" asked Ron, confused.
"Which members?" asked Hermione.
Harry looked at Ron first. "An international – in fact interplanetary – group of people… some magical, some with other powers… that protect the world from various threats."
Interplanetary? Ron wondered, but decided that he probably wouldn't understand the answer anyway so said nothing.
Harry turned to Hermione, "Black Canary and Giovanni Zatara responded. Apparently, my mum's sister was asked to take me in…"
"That was Professor Dumbledore's plan as well," added Mera. "But unlike the police and the Justice League, he wasn't planning on giving her a choice in the matter."
"Yeah, because that always goes so well…" commented Kara, a little snidely.
"So who did you end up with?" asked Hermione, impatiently.
Harry took up the tale again. "After my mum's sister turned them down, the police had Zatara cast a spell to find my 'best guardian', which pointed them towards a distant cousin in the United States who was attending a conference in London… Her name was Lana Lang."
"And she took you in?"
"Yep," agreed Harry. "After sorting out some paperwork, she took me back to her home in Smallville. Then when I started signs of accidental magic…"
"As we all do eventually as kids," interjected Ron.
Harry nodded. "… Mom reached out to her contacts within the Justice League, and I became part of the 'play group' of their children… including Aunt Mera's son Artur… which led to me having lessons with her and with Zee… Zatara's daughter… neither of their magical styles really spoke to me, but it helped me get a handle on my accidental magic and I had some fun adventures along the way…"
Mera snorted. "I don't believe that your mother would agree with that assessment… I don't like it when Artur is in danger."
Harry shrugged. "It all worked out in the end."
"A point that came up in passing during my meeting with Professor Dumbledore," admitted Mera. "I think he would have preferred a more mundane childhood for you… but I insisted that – as the Death Eaters never had much of a presence in the Americas and none west of Appalachians – the danger is minimal and well within our ability to handle. I think he may try and persuade you over to his point of view though…"
"No thanks," Harry retorted with a snort. "Well, to cut a long story short… my adventures gave me the background to reach out to Karen when she needed it."
Kara took up the tale at this point, "I went through some horrible experiences when I first arrived on Earth, not helped by the fact that my baby cousin – who I'd been sent here to protect – arrived long before me and was a married man with a baby of his own when I arrived…"
Hermione's eyes lit up in realization. "Are you… sorry, I shouldn't interrupt."
"It's okay," Karen assured her. "We're all friends here… well I hope so at least."
"I'd like that…" said Hermione, colouring slightly. "… Kara Zor-El?"
Kara nodded. "That's me. I couldn't speak English when I arrived, so Harry – who as you may know is a master of languages – agreed to help me learn…
"You are?"
"He can speak lots of languages!" declared Ron. "Dozens!"
"Really?"
Harry shrugged. "Only about a dozen well, including Kryptonian."
"Which I taught him while he taught me English," said Kara. "Then we learned Kryptonian sigilomancy together…" she paused, and mock-glared at Harry. "Which works a lot better if we keep up our exercises… particularly the one of us who isn't nearly invulnerable."
"Yeah, yeah," sighed Harry. "I know… we discussed that earlier remember."
"You need to find the time," Kara insisted. "Or stay out of trouble until you learn enough magic here to defend yourself safely next time."
"I'll help!" promised Hermione.
Ron nodded in agreement; he wasn't sure what he could do to help Harry learn… except maybe be a test subject… he shuddered a little at that prospect… but he would always try to have his friends' backs.