Erik Lehnsherr stood in a barren field not far from where he knew some of his people were held captive by one of the magic users. He had escaped from one of Charles latest jails and after getting caught up to speed by his network he was led here. He was wearing a basic form fitting metal helmet around his head and the outfit of the guard he had stolen.

Much was unknown about how these wizards defended territory. He would have liked backup, but he would not leave his people, unless he had no other choice.

He had just begun to walk towards the estate when out of the blue four people floated down out of the sky to stand before him. Seeing them clearly he nodded to three young women.

"The infamous Frost sisters. Why are you here? Who is your new friend? I thought you were with Charles."

Harry spoke. "My name is Harry Potter. We know why you are here."

"You do. That is most curious. I of course know of you, or at least the name. Why would you care about a bunch of mutants?"

Harry shrugged. "We didn't know some were mutants before we came, but it doesn't matter. They are kids."

Mindee said, "Almost all are younger than us, and it is not just mutants. There are magical children and other children as well."

"I didn't know that," admitted Erik.

Celeste said, "We wish to name terms for this engagement."

"Oh, and what makes you think I would honor any such terms? Unless of course you are offering to come join us. I would give a very great deal for that."

Phoebe rolled her eyes. "You still do not understand."

Erik said, "What is there to understand? You can see the problems as well as I. You condemn me for my actions, yet they will tell any lie; break any law to hurt us. You know this." Then nearly yelling, "You experienced this!"

They nodded sadly.

Harry said softly, "I fought a man that many would place in the same category as you."

Erik raised an eyebrow.

Harry continued. "But the comparison is flawed. You do not fight for yourself. You retain more honor than Voldemort ever had."

"Your point?" asked Eric dryly.

Phoebe said, "We have no problems killing those that must die, particularly if it can prevent more deaths, or simply give others a chance to live."

Amused he said, "Charles would be so disappointed."

Phoebe said, "But not all are like that; not even most. Most would leave others alone. Many more are not beyond hope."

"You believe that coexistence is possible."

Harry said, "It is possible. We know this to be true."

"But is it likely?" asked Erik.

"No it is not," Harry agreed. "Not between wizards and muggles or mutants and muggles."

Erik smiled.

Harry continued with fervor. "What else is not likely is it ending well if you try to kill them all. That is even less likely. The same ones who lie about everything to see you dead will use any of your actions to justify all of their efforts; to justify every low they go to. It is not just that genocide is wrong, for it surely is! It is that it will not work. It is a doomed path that dooms us all!"

"This is a tired argument. Your sounding like Charles, though he was never so ruthless. What do you want?"

Celeste said, "In exchange for us brokering this deal where the X-men there, and if possible the ICW wizards there leave you along during this engagement, you agree to work with us to get all the captives out with the least loss of life on our side."

"Your not trying to save the bad guys too?" asked Erik.

Phoebe said, "Do you believe us so naive as to save people that would kidnap children?"

"No my dear. I rather think you will not show them any mercy at all." He smiled at that. "Very well, I agree."

Phoebe added, "There is more. For a period of one month, you make no effort to start any new trouble, nor to convince anyone else to do so. This includes starting new plans or continuing old ones. In exchange we give you that time. Charles will no doubt want to talk to you. I have doubts that it will help, but we ask you to listen for that time period."

"We'll, I certainly could use such a month for good purposes," mused Erik.

Celeste said, "We aren't going to stop anyone from coming after you either, though we will try to save lives, if we can."

Phoebe warned, "Do not think to trick us. You do not want us as an enemy. If we decide you are one that must be removed…"

Erik smiled. "My dear, you are ever so much more refreshing than dealing with Charles. Very well. You have a deal."

The four's eyes all glowed at once. "It is agreed. The attack will begin soon. You will come with us."

"Oh? You do realize this could be a trap right?"

Phoebe rolled her eyes.

The others smiled. It was not a comforting smile. Their eyes continued to glow. "It is most certainly a trap. The hunter just does not yet know that he is actually the prey."

Erik smiled once more. Their eyes dimmed.

They started towards the large elaborate manor that was their target. It was set into the side of a cliff overlooking a river. They walked to where the treeline ended and they could see the property fully.

Erik looked behind them. The others turned as well. He said, "It seems Charles has arrived." They saw the X-Jet landing in the distance.

Phoebe said, "They are not our problem. We need to get moving so we aren't caught in the middle."

Erik asked, "Your plan?"

Celeste said, "We are going to dig a tunnel to where the children are, but we are going to do so quietly. The wards do not appear to extend below a certain point."

Harry pulled a necklace off his neck and pulled a tiny truck off it which became a much larger trunk. In it he pulled out four medium shopping cart sized cloth sacks. He handed one to each of them.

"What is this?" asked Erik.

Harry said, "It is a cheap bag with an unlimited extension charm. Of course, they are not truly unlimited, but the five should hold the material we are going to remove."

"I thought you could just vanish it?" remarked Erik.

"Some yes. All that is needed to get to where we are going no."

"What do you wish of me?"

"Do what you can to keep the tunnel stable, perhaps with what metal exists."

Erik nodded.

"And air?" he asked.

"I will cast a bubble head charm on us all. You may not be able to easily hear us after, at least till we break the surface."

Erik said with distaste. "I would prefer to not have magic used on me."

Harry shrugged.

"Do it," snapped Erik.

Harry cast the charm on the girls, then Erik, then himself.

Their eyes glowed and a stream of power flew from the elder wand causing dirt to flow like water into each of their bags save for a stream of metal that seemed to split from the flow and cling to the walls.

Around them parts of the tunnel simply appeared to change as Erik drew and purified the iron around them to form a spidery exoskeleton of metal that surrounded their tunnel. The tunnel was easily two foot wide and seven foot tall.

They continued their walk down under the Earth.

Charles surveyed the group around them. It had over fifty ICW hit wizards and his whole senior team of X-Men. He watched as Babajide walked up to him.

"I thought we agreed not to involve them."

Charles replied, "I didn't think we could win without them, particularly and save the children."

"They are too powerful now."

Charles said, "I understand your concerns, but sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and not just in power."

"Let us hope you are correct."

Charles nodded. "I was hoping our numbers would be greater."

"It is the best I can do. Many resources are tied up in other parts of Britain. Your team should be enough of a difference, particularly if they are striking inside, especially with the help they recruited."

Charles grimaced. "Erik is many things, but a liar is not one of them. He does keep his word when it is given and he will not leave his people behind."

"And this delay in chasing him?"

"Only applies if Erik stays out of trouble. Frankly, I'd like one more chance to convince him of his folly. He has suffered too much loss and has not recovered from it, not truly. He misses the risks of his plans. He is a broken man still trying to do what he feels is right."

Babajide said, "This is what you risk with those four, and you know it."

"Perhaps, but they have all known loss and have recovered. I know from your agent that they kill too easily, but then they can know, beyond doubt if a person is worthy to live."

"You have the same power," noted Babajide.

"I have trained myself all my life to temper my power with humility and caution. They were trained to be weapons. They all were, including Harry in a way. Now, with their combined brilliance they can analyze probable outcomes far better than anyone else alive, but when they come to the conclusion that someone is better off dead, well with their power the result is accomplished almost without further thought."

"Dangerous."

Charles said, "It is, but they are also willing to temper themselves, as they have shown. Just make sure those they spare do not bother them again. It would not end well, for anyone."

Babajide said, "Of that we are agreed. Are you ready for the assault. They should be getting close now."

Charles turned to Ororo. "Is everyone ready Storm?"

She replied, "We are."

"Good, we are about to begin."

"Then we can go all out?"

Charles nodded.

Babajide said, "These are terrorists that are defending. The kids are safely deep under the wards. Just let me signal the beginning that we planned."

Babajide cast a blue flare into the sky.

Suddenly a deep horn sounded that seemed to penetrate everywhere. Leaves fell from trees as the vibrations shook everything, even deep under the Earth where a tunnel was being created.

Storm's eyes went pure white as she shot into the air. Clouds rushed in.

Freezing rain and hail formed out of a clear blue sky. Day became dusk as lightning strike after lightning strike began to batter the wards of the manner.

Cyclops launched his own attack while the wizards started battering the wards with spells.

Within a minute the wards were shattered. The lightning never paused, even as the field began to swarm with enemies.

Babajide cursed. "It's mostly mercenary scum." He shouted. "Lethal force remains authorized as long as they resist!"

Some of the mercenaries whispered the word, "Ragnarok," in awe and fear as the horns continued to sound, even as they sought defensible positions.

The horns grew louder and rose in pitch.

Harry said dryly, "Well that has their attention."

You could not hear him well from inside the other bubbles, but each still heard him clearly enough to understand.

"Indeed," added Erik. "I'd say Charles is taking things seriously for once. Interesting."

Phoebe added, "Let's speed it up."

It took them another ten minutes to finish their tunnel, with the horns and explosions never letting up.

Their tunnel remained intact. Magnetos power easily making it safe and secure.

Harry was the first through, his eyes still glowing. He spun to dodge a killing curse.

Phoebe was next. She turned to see the blond aristocrat gleefully looking down at them from a stone balcony next to a set of stone stairs.

They were in an underground cavern with several cages full of kids scattered around it. Lucius Malfoy was at the top. His expression remained defiant. Runes were carved into almost every part of the floor they walked on.

Fire formed in Phoebe's hands and shot towards him, only for wails of pain to be heard as her fire hit.

"Stop," said the other three.

She stopped instantly.

Lucius smirked. "I have you now Potter. Your friends may kill the mercenary scum. It will only save me money. I have you now and you are going to die. Not even you can get out of this. Attack me and you just hurt the children. Kill me and they die. Now just stand still and let me kill you. I promise to let them all go after your dead."

Erik snorted.

Harry said, "We do not have to kill you."

"Go ahead. Cast the imperious. Try it. You will find that I'm quite immune."

Phoebe smiled.

Malfoy's face suddenly became vacant and blissful.

The light faded from the four's eyes.

Erik asked, "What did you do my dear?"

Phoebe said, "We shredded his mind. We even made it pleasant. Now his brain has just enough capacity to keep his heart and lungs working."

Celeste said, "We would appreciate it if you didn't mention that to Charles. He would disaprove."

Erik nodded.

A huge thud shook the underground cavern.

Harry said, "I'm more concerned with getting the kids out. After our dive into Malfoy's mind, we know there is a one way silencing charm so they can't hear us. We also know that Malfoy didn't design a way to get them out or to tear down these wards. If we break into the cages the wards cascade fail and everyone dies. If Malfoy dies the wards cascade fail and everyone dies. He doesn't even think a curse breaker team could do it. The things are literally designed to cascade fail. That is their primary purpose. Well they also block portkeys and apparition, but killing us is the core purpose."

Explosions continued to felt in the underground chamber they were in.

Erik mused, "Could we tunnel under? No, I see each cage is complete. What if I bent the bars?"

Mindee said, "We do not know. We will hold the wards while you open the cages. Do so slowly. Perhaps we can prevent or at least delay the cascade failure."

Harry and the others went to the first of the three large cages. It seemed to hold the apparent muggles. He grabbed hold of the corner of the cage even as the other three grabbed hold of him.

Their eyes glowed again. A brilliant glow enveloped Harry and the bars.

A short time later Harry said, "Try slowly."

Erik focused his power. His shear power overriding the magic flowing through the bars and forcing them not to break but to bend slowly apart. The flare around Harry grew in intensity until it stopped.

Their link faded.

Harry said into the opening, "Okay everybody. Help each other. I need you to get out that hole in the wall over there. Please. Do it now. There is not much time."

They slowly funneled out. Seven or eight of the thirty or so had to be carried but they were leaving.

Harry moved to the next cage. This one appeared to be magical children.

He said, "The cascade failure is beginning. The best we could do was delay it about fifteen minutes. We do this one, get them moving, then do the final one and get them moving. We will inform the others. I have one more thing to do first."

"Agreed."

Harry pulled a seemingly small bag out of his jacket pocket. He opened it and then suddenly all four's eyes glowed again. One after another seven silver balls shot out of it and went in all directions.

They sent, "Charles. Full retreat. We have them and are going to blow this place soon, and if our explosion doesn't do it, the cascade ward failure will. Retreat now."

"I understand."

Harry and the others went to work on the second and then the third and final cage. This one contained the mutants.

"Go now." all four shouted at once. Take everyone and go.

A few minutes later the cavern was empty. Harry and the others followed behind into the tunnel they made.

"Damn. There may not be time to spread out the portkeys, let alone teach them how to use them."

"Are they metal?" asked Erik.

Celeste opened her bag. They flew out into the air. She said, "Four people per portkey. All must touch it. A fingertip is enough."

The portkeys zoomed down their tunnel even as Mindee opened one of their expanded dirt bags and Harry and the others started repairing their hole.

Four minutes later they were hundreds of feet away. He turned and saw clusters of people tied in metal wire, each touching one portkey. All four shouted, "Sanctuary!"

The portkeys vanished along with all the people.

Erik said dryly, "We should have saved one."

Mindee shouted, "Inside our circle now!"

Erik hesitated but then quickly did so even as power seemed to start to hum around them. Harry took their hands and apparated them thousands of feet into the air and many thousands of feet away.

They put up a massive shield in front of their group as they held themselves into the sky. All four of them shifted to diamond forms as well with Erik in the middle of them.

They saw on the ground the remains of countless mercenaries. The X-Men and the ICW were gone.

Suddenly, the as yet unknown manner was vaporized, shattering the cliff and blocking the river.

Harry shot a lance of destructive power from the sky to the river detonating the obstruction.

They apparated to outside Longbottom manor. The portkeys landed all the others inside the wards. Most had already gotten out of the wire.

"What were those marbles?" asked Erik.

"A bigger boom," replied Phoebe.

Harry shrugged. "They were probably unnecessary, but they were dangerous to keep around once made."

With a gesture from his hand Erik released everyone else who was still in wires.

Harry said, "We apologize for the wires, but we didn't have much time. Everyone is welcome to spend time here till we sort out something better."

Erik said, "I think we will take you up on that."

Celeste added, "Charles is coming."

"Or not." Erik motioned for his people to come to him.

Harry got his trunk out again and pulled a sack from it. He tossed it to Erik.

"What is this?"

Harry said, "One of my old bug out bags. There is a fair amount of food and water in there. Its not the best, but it is what I could get at the time. If you reach in you should pull out something. You won't be able to put it back though. With a group this size, it may only last a couple days."

"You have my thanks. We will find more before that."

Harry pulled out a much smaller bag. From it he pulled out a fist full of British pounds. He handed it to Erik. "Try buying it, if you can."

Erik nodded. He then started spreading out random food and drink items even as he and his group slowly walked away.

As they were leaving all four pairs of eyes glowed once more.

They said as one. "We are willing to try to build a place of safety, should any be willing to simply live."

"But can you keep them safe?" asked Erik Lehnsherr.

They responded, "Could you not keep yourselves safe? Would a new home not be something worth protecting?"

Some looked more than ready to turn around.

Erik answered, "You will have your month and then perhaps we will talk again."

The four waved, even as Neville helped pull Harry and his friends across the wards. A few minutes later he pulled the ICW team that had helped assault the manor across along with the other X-Men.

Later that evening Charles rolled his surprisingly nimble wheel chair around the lake to where the four were laying on a large conjured bed to watch the stars.

Harry and the others looked over at him.

Mindee was the first to speak. "Are you angry we did not capture him?"

"No, though I very much fear what he will do once the month is gone. I'm more curious about your offer of sanctuary."

Harry said, "Potter Manner is a thing, apparently. I have never been there. We considered getting it the best wards possible and making it a place of shelter. It would be a lot of work. Much they would have to do themselves, but there is enough space for schools, homes and recreation."

"If you need any funding," Charles added.

Phoebe snorted. "We are leaving in a bit to relocate the Dark Lord's gold. It seems the creep who tried to trap us was his treasurer. Money will not be an issue."

Charles asked, "And if I have some that wish to also go to your new place?"

"We haven't built it yet," noted Harry.

"Will you?" asked Charles softly.

"We are going to try to get a couple we know to manage it. If you want, you can come with us?"

"Sure, why not. Just let me alert Ororo. She can take everyone back. I assume you can bring me home later?"

Phoebe said, "Of course."

He nodded and then closed his eyes to concentrate. A few seconds later he said, "I am ready."

They got one last look at the stars before they got out of their bed still fully clothed.

Mindee said absently, "The attacks on the Longbottom wards have almost ceased. The last one was hours ago."

Charles said, "Babajide assured me they were making headway on eliminating the corrupt ministry. Some were killed in that bit of overkill you did, though it was mostly mercenaries, and if you have their money, they should cease being a problem soon either way."

The others formed a circle around them and they soon found themselves outside a small cottage. It was already near dark when they arrived.

"Where are we now?" asked Charles.

Harry said, "We are on the outskirts of Tinworth in Cornwall. A friend lives here. Make sure your shields are up."

"Oh?"

"She is part Veela."

"Ah," noted Charles.

After Harry knocked and identities were confirmed they were invited in. A small little red haired copy of Fleur rushed over to Harry and hugged him.

Harry bent down and said, "Hey Vicky. I need to talk to your parents."

Vicky said, "But you just got here, and you never play with me anymore!"

Mindee said, "Make me another violin. I'll entertain her."

"Okay." Harry fell into their gestalt with no effort at all.

He pulled the Elder wand and a beautiful old yet new violin formed in Mindee's hands. Their gestalt faded.

Both elder Weasley's whistled.

Bill added, "Nice. Is that permanent? Given the power I felt.."

Harry nodded. "Or at least we did our best. Mindee is going to try to convince yet another to take up music and I'm sure Vicky agrees she deserved the best."

"My name is Victorie!" huffed the little girl.

Harry smiled at her.

Mindee asked, "So would you show me your room?" The little girl soon dragged Mindee and her new toy off.

Glasses of wine were passed around. The Weasley's listened to their story.

When they were done Fleur asked, "I do have an unrelated question. Why is this man still in a wheelchair if he knows of magic?"

"You could cure me?" asked Charles.

Fleur replied, "Probably? Would you like me to try?"

"Please," asked Charles in a rush.

Fleur waved her wand for several minutes.

She said, "Skelegrow will work, though it takes a custom brew for the non magical. I could do it tomorrow if you like."

"I would. Please, I can pay you for any ingredients."

Fleur waved him off, unconcerned about the cost.

Bill said, "I'm more interested in what your proposing. Your basically giving me Potter Manner, enough funds to update the wards, but I have to agree to, within reason, shelter mutants."

"And others," Harry amended on the fly.

Celeste said, "He meant to say he would ask that you not turn away any legitimately in need, but you would be in charge not Harry. The details are yours."

Bill said, "Harry, I'm not sure it will work. If you ask the keystone to accept me, it may, since we have some family members in common in our past. It also may not. I'd really rather not have to wipe the wards and start over. That would be a crime. Even if they are shattered. There is bound to be a core there that we need to use. Also, even if it accepted me, and by associated my wife, it isn't going to work well with a lot of new people."

Harry shrugged. "It doesn't have to be there. We are going to go collect the Dark Lord's money stash. As far as we are concerned you can have it, provided you can protect it."

"I'd stick it in Gringotts. Since you claimed it by conquest, that should work for the Goblins. Are you sure you don't need it though?"

"Do you think they will ever forgive me?"

Bill and Fleur laughed.

Fleur asked, "For taking all your money out?"

Bill added, "Or for robbing the place?"

"Both?" asked Harry curiously.

Bill said, "Let's see what we have. If it is a lot, we will probably want to divide it. Some of it can and should go under your name."

"I honestly don't care. We don't plan on returning the money we took. It was our money. Still, if storing some in our name makes the goblins happy." He shrugged.

Fleur giggled. "They goblins will forgive all your sins if you make them richer or give them enough money to store."

Phoebe said, "It turns out we need more arithmancers and rune master's on a project we are working on. There is certainly potential for money to be made, if they have something to contribute."

Bill said, "They do, but maybe hold off on that. For now we better go grab the money."

Fleur looked at Harry and the others hesitantly.

Celeste said softly, "We will need Mindee with us."

Fleur grimaced. "Then I will watch over Victore. Come back soon, but most of all come back safe.''

Frank Longbottom looked upon his family's ancestral grounds from out the little porch that was attached to the master bedroom. They were full and bursting with life like he had never seen them. It was true that the muggles and muggleborn they had rescued would require a lot of help, but they had the resources.

He looked left and saw an equally warm smile on his wife's face. He asked, "Shall this be their home now?"

"Please. Voldemort has torn away so much. All of these children have lost their parents thanks to that scum Malfoy and his ilk. We can do this."

Frank nodded.

She said, "The pain has receded a great deal."

"Mine too. Your spell seems to be working."

"Good."

He walked slowly down to their kitchen. Alice was a few steps behind. It would take time for them to fully recover, but recover they would.

He saw his mother sitting at the smaller informal kitchen table, complete with glass of tea and tray of biscuits.

Augusta waved her own wand and moved two chairs out for them. The Longbottom house elf, complete with uniform, appeared with two more glasses of tea and more biscuits before popping away.

Frank waited for Alice to sit and pushed in her chair before sitting himself.

He turned to his mother and said simply, "Thank you."

"I have made so many mistakes," she said.

Frank replied, "But we are here as a family. Our son is well."

Augusta nodded.

Alice added, "My thanks as well."

Augusta choked up then nodded her head in acknowledgment.

Frank asked, "Will you be able to help us get whatever is needed for these people? We were hoping to make this place a refuge for as long as they require it."

Augusta smiled. "Yes, I can do that. The ICW has volunteered to find some orphanages to go to as well. I didn't want to say anything until you had heard, but I did take the liberty of ordering more tents from the person that one of the ICW aurors said they had purchased tents from recently. Once he heard what they were to be used for he sold us twenty of his low end models at half his normal price. They are quite high quality."

"Good. How are we for food?"

"Tizzy has been very busy. I have asked her to see if there are any free elves that wish to bond with our house. She knows of several. Again, I did not want to presume. It is past time I relinquished to Neville, but now you are well again."

Frank called, "Tizzy, a moment please."

The harried yet happy elf appeared again. "How may Tizzy serve?"

"My mother mentioned that you knew of several elves that would wish to bond to help us out."

The happy elf nodded. "I know of six others now. Their families..." The elf swallowed. "They died, but they no good. They not respect the bond."

Frank whistled softly. "Six is more than I'm comfortable with unless we can confirm that more are staying. Their bonds will require a lot of magic. Could you maybe recommend two for now?"

"Could the others help?"

"Of course, and you will let me know if any of them needs help urgently. It may be that the others will which to bond to some of the children here in time."

"Tizzy will. Tizzy thanks Master Longbottom and is glad he and Mistress Longbottom are well now." The elf vanished.

Augusta asked, "Are you sure that you both are well enough for two additional house elf bonds?"

Alice smiled. "Two yes. Six is a bit much."

"Quite," noted Augusta dryly.

They soon had two more members of their family and another four helpers beside. Frank suspected the other four would find help those they considered family soon enough, and even the newest elves would have that option, should they desire it. The problem of obtaining the help they needed was well in hand.

The problem of their well now non existent government, well that was going to be a lot harder. Hardest of all might just be Hogwarts, or rather the absence of it. They had a lot of work to do.

Author's Notes: Please consider reviewing or following. It may be week or two before another chapter is ready. I need to consider some things more. Thanks for your follows, favorites, and reviews.