Chapter 10: Age of Apocalypse

Harry and Hermione walked down the stairs of the Mansion in their Hogwarts robes, "Prof. Xavier wants you to come often so he can make sure Sinister didn't do anything we don't know about," Harry said, walking by her side.

"Ok, I can do that … but I'm worried about my scores," Hermione said with a sigh, "What if Mystique messed up my grades to the point I can't graduate. Oh, what am I going to do, Harry?" she panicked.

Harry laughed loudly, earning a death glare from Hermione, "Mione, relax!" Harry chuckled, "You've had enough points to graduate since THIRD YEAR!"

"Even so …" Hermione blushed, "I want to do my absolute best; anything else would be unsatisfactory!" she said with a firm nod.

"So where are you two off to?" a voice said from behind them.

They turned to see Kitty in uniform, leaning against the wall.

"Oh, we're about to go back to Hogwarts. Today's the last day before Christmas holidays," Harry explained.

"LAST DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS!" Hermione screeched, "Merlin's beard, Harry, I've been gone THAT Long?"

"Oh, sorry, Hermione," Harry said shyly, "Have you met my girlfriend, Kitty?"

"G-girlfriend?" Hermione stuttered, growing slightly pale.

"Um, yeah, Kitty, this is Hermione Granger," Harry introduced as Kitty walked toward them, "Hermione, this is Kitty Pryde."

"Hello," Kitty forced a smile toward Hermione.

"Pleasure …" Hermione said, the girls locking narrowed eyes.

"I've heard a lot about you … Hermione," Kitty said in a venomously sweet voice to rival Professor Umbridge.

"Nice to know," Hermione replied in an icy voice, "I've never heard a word of you before."

"I'm sure you two will be such good friends!" Harry said cheerfully, "Now we must be off, Hermione. We don't want to be late for assembly, do we?"

Hermione nodded, not once taking her eyes off Kitty. Kitty, on the other hand, gave Harry a kiss on the cheek and smiled at the scowl she received from Hermione before retreating down the hallway. "See you when you get back, Harry love," Kitty said, mocking Hermione's accent and emphasizing the word 'love' as she went into her room.

'Kitty?' Hermione thought, still scowling at Harry's side, as they walked through the mansion, 'what kind of name is … 'Kitty'? She probably has hairballs …'

"Did you say something, Hermione?" Harry asked looking down at her in confusion.

"No, I didn't say anything, Harry," Hermione replied coldly.

"Ok, let's head back then," Harry smiled oblivious at her sudden mood swing, "I've contacted Dumbledore, he and Ron will be waiting."

"Oh, goodie …" she said as the two touched the portkey and Harry recited the keywords.

--

"Welcome back, Ms. Granger," Dumbledore said with a smile as he and Ron stood by the door in Harry's dorm room.

"Hermione!" Ron cried as he ran up and hugged her tight.

"Oh, Ron, I've missed you!" She said over dramatically and hugged him tight, then glancing back at Harry and then sighing when she saw it had no effect.

"Now, we must go," Dumbledore said making his way to the door, "We are already late for the assembly; Heaven knows what those brothers of yours are up to without my supervision, Mr. Weasley."

"Hermione, you go on ahead with Dumbledore," Harry said, waving her off, "I'm sure they've missed you more than me, and I need to speak to Ron for a moment."

Hermione looked nervous for a moment before she nodded and followed Dumbledore out of the room.

"What is it, Harry?" Ron asked, "Need me to tell you how to do the protection charm so you can shag your new girlfriend there?" he winked causing Harry to give him a small telekinetic shock.

"She's not my new girlfriend; she's still yours …" Harry said looking toward the door, "I think …"

"Bloody …" Ron sighed slapping his forehead, "Did you not listen to a word I said before?"

"Yes, I did, Ron but … it's complicated …" Harry sighed, looking at the open window, "Ron, ever since she started at Hogwarts, she's worked hard to make Head Girl. She was so happy when she made Prefect, but if I do tell her how I feel and she feels the same … Ron, I don't think I could forgive myself if she doesn't make Head Girl next year because she's with a Mutant!"

"You're a git, Harry," Ron sighed shaking his head, "You know that right?"

"Ron, don't tell me that won't be a factor," Harry said, sitting down hard on his bed, "Ron, you were ready to throw away a friendship that we spent six years building just because I was a mutant. You think other people will look at Hermione the same way if they knew she was a 'Mutie Lover'? She doesn't deserve to live like that; she's better than that. That's why I think she's better off with you, a normal person, and not a freak like me."

"Harry, listen to yourself!" Ron said exasperated, "Since when has Hermione ever taken in mind what others thought of her or you? She's not like me; you know what would have happened when you came out to that weird lizard-thing that was pretending to be her and me if Hermione was really here then? I'll tell you, Harry, she would have knocked the crap out of me and stood by you through the whole bloody thing. Harry, if you became a Death Eater, she'd still follow you like a bloomin' lost puppy!"

"I don't know …" Harry said softly and uncertainly.

"Look, Harry, its like you told me," Ron said with a smirk, "Let her decide. Now let's talk about something more important … I want to know everything you know about this … Jubilee."

--

Harry and Ron walked into the great hall and took their places on either side of Hermione. "We miss anything, Hermione?" Harry asked.

"No, now hush, Prof. Dumbledore's about to speak," Hermione said, gripping Harry's arm unconsciously.

"Now, before I dismiss classes for Christmas Holidays, I have a few announcements. Firstly: Mr. Filch is proud to announce that he has found his cat, Ms. Norris," Dumbledore said, pausing for the applause that never came, "Secondly, I would like to proudly announce that Hogwarts will be the grounds for the first ever Tri-School Quidditch game. It will involve the best players from each of the schools' houses in a specially created Quidditch Pitch to house the special three way game. The Hogwarts team will be of the following …"

"I know I'm out …" Harry sighed, looking down, "They won't risk a mutant on the team …" Hermione looked at Ron before taking Harry's hand in her own and giving it a quick squeeze.

"… And due to the overall size of the new pitch, the team will have two Seekers: Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter." Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eyes as he watched for Harry's reaction.

"What? What?" Harry said, his head popping up as if someone kicked him.

"Just stay out of my way, Potter," Draco sneered from the Slytherin table, "Either way, I doubt the other schools have anyone who can touch Hogwarts' two best Seekers ever."

"Did … Malfoy … just?" Harry asked wide-eyed.

"Ok, where's You-Know-Who …" Ron muttered, "Because the end of the world has just been heralded."

"Never the less," Dumbledore cleared his throat. "The Tri-School game will be held in April. The Hogwarts team will meet and practice upon returning to school after the New Year. That is all, Happy Christmas!"

--

Christmas Day

--

Harry and Hermione sat together on the couch in the living room of the X-Mansion with Beast across from them. "Your Mother and Father should be arriving soon, Hermione," Beast said, scratching his furry chin.

"I'm so nervous," Hermione sighed, "I … I don't know what that Mystique said to them while she was in my place. They said not to worry and that they understand it wasn't me, but what DID she do? I mean, what could she have done to my parents? I had most boys and that complete cow, Pansy Parkinson, winking at me and making rude comments? What else could she do?" Hermione complained, resting her face in her hands.

"You're nervous?" Harry said, cocking an eyebrow, "Remember, Hermione, this is my first Christmas with a real family. I haven't slept all week!"

"Yup," Hermione nodded with a sly smile, 'And with Kitty Cat away with her family, it's just practically me and Harry.' She thought with an audible giggle. Harry blushed furiously at this.

"Welcome back, Helen, Peter," They heard Xavier down the hall.

"Well, here goes," Hermione sighed as the three stood up and walked toward the entrance.

"Hey, little brother!" Helen Granger said as she hugged the much taller Beast.

"Hey, big sister, I have someone here to see you," Beast said, signaling for Hermione and Harry to walk out.

"Hi, Mum, Dad," Hermione said before she was crushed by a hug from both her parents.

"Merry Christmas, sis," Beast smiled as Helen cried her eyes out and her husband turned his attention to Harry.

"You're Harry, right?" he asked, eyeing Harry.

"Yes sir," Harry nodded shyly.

"After everything my daughter has said of you," Mr. Granger said with a straight face, "I am absolutely not surprised you are the one who rescued her."

"Hey, Harry," Scott called from the kitchen, "We could use some help in here, son!"

"Coming dad," Harry replied, "See you soon, Hermione." He called as he walked toward the open kitchen to help Jean and Scott prepare Christmas dinner.

"I hope you like what we got you for Christmas, dear," Mrs. Granger said, smiling at her daughter, and then growing concerned, "What's wrong, dear? Why are you crying?"

"Nothing, Mum," Hermione said smiling, watching Harry laugh at Scott while Jean scolded them both about something, "I've already got what I wanted for Christmas…"

--

Not long later, the table was surrounded by the Grangers, Scott, Jean, Harry, Hermione, Kurt, Beast, Storm, Wolverine, Rogue, Gambit, Jubilee, and Professor Xavier and groaning under the weight of all kinds of delicious foods.

"Ok then, Kurt would you do the honors of blessing the food?" Xavier asked with a smile.

"Of course, Professor, let us bow our heads," Kurt said before closing his eyes, "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for all the blessings you have bestowed on us, Thank you for being with us through this past year and giving us the opportunity to gather together. Thank you for reuniting families and building families, Dear Lord. Bless this food we are about to eat, and forgive us our many sins. I ask all these things in Jesus' name, amen."

"I've got the turkey," Wolverine said, standing and unsheathing a claw.

As the dinner moved on, Scott looked toward Jean and gave her a quick nod before continuing his meal, but she stopped eating and seemed to concentrate instead.

Hermione took a sip from her drink when a furry elbow hit her in her side, "What is it, Uncle Hank?" She asked, tilting her head in confusion. Beast simply nodded above Harry's head. She looked and Hermione's face went scarlet. Above Harry's head floated a twig of mistletoe.

"Well, Darlin, ya just gonna stare at it?" Logan whispered with a wink, making her blush harder.

Hermione took a hard gulp and it appeared that the whole table had stopped what it was doing save Harry and was watching them. Hermione swallowed hard, and then leaned over toward Harry to kiss his cheek.

'Look to your left, Harry,' Prof. Xavier's voice rung in Harry's mind. He did as told and as soon as he did, his lips made contact with Hermione's. They didn't move for a moment, just stood there frozen. But when it registered what they were doing and they leapt apart, and pretended like nothing happened.

"Pay up, Cajun," Logan said, holding his open hand to Gambit.

"Dat just ain't right, Mon Ami," Gambit sighed, handing sixty dollars to the Canadian.

--

Three Months Later

--

Harry ran through the halls of the mansion in his Quidditch uniform, carrying his Firebolt with Kurt running beside him, "No, Kurt," Harry said, pressing the hidden elevator button, "My only concern is the Snitch; the others worry about scoring individual points."

"Awesome!" Kurt chirped happily poofing along behind Harry, "This Quad Ditch game sounds so cool!"

"That's Quidditch, Kurt," Harry said, "Where ARE they?" He groaned as he ran down the hall.

He found who he was looking for in the gym across from the Danger Room.

"That's it, Darlin', let it out," Wolverine nodded as Hermione used the fighting drills she had learned as part of her therapy on a punching bag weighted down by the Canadian X-Man. Hermione had been coming to Xavier's often for mental and physical training and therapy to help her recover from the damage Sinister had done.

"This! Is! For! Making! Me! Think! You were! My father!" Hermione grunted as she punched and kicked with everything she had, "And this! Is for! Almost! Taking! Harry! From me!" she said as she gave a very hard kick to an area that would've caused Logan no small amount of pain had she missed the bag.

"Oh, good morning, Harry," Hermione said, taking a towel to rub the sweat from her face.

"Hermione … you … you look great, but …" Harry said, looking over Hermione. She was wearing a sports bra and sweat pants with her hair in a high ponytail, "I don't think Professor Dumbledore would approve of that attire for the Quidditch match."

"But that isn't 'til this evening Harry," Hermione said, tilting her head to the side, "We have plenty of time!"

"Hermione, that's evening, England time …" Harry said with an exasperated look. He couldn't help but chuckle as Hermione's eyes went wide.

"Harry!" Hermione wailed, making a dash for the door, "Harry, what are you standing around for? We're going to be late! Come on!"

"Right away, Hermione," Harry smiled as he walked out with Logan and Kurt.

--

Harry circled the much larger pitch on his Firebolt, taking extra care to look into the crowd in the Hogwarts area of the stands. He beamed proudly. Prof. Dumbledore had allowed those from Xavier's to come to the game, and this was the first time Harry had ever gotten to play before his family. He had spotted them; there were Scott and Jean watching him flying, and beside Jean sat Hermione, who had her nose stuck in the program. Next to her were Beast and Kurt with holoprojectors to hide their strange appearance, both in awe of Harry's flying prowess. Then there was Kitty, who was looking around curiously at the new surroundings. Logan was apparently arguing with Neville about smoking on Hogwarts property as he was trying to get his cigar back from Neville, who was holding at arms length from him.

"Better hand that back to me, Runt," Logan snarled.

"Make me,"

'Snikt'

"Here you go, sir."

Harry laughed out loud. He, like the other X-Men, had seen right through Logan. The man may act tough, but he wouldn't hurt a fly if he didn't have to. Of course, Neville didn't have to know this.

"You ready, Potter?" Malfoy asked, flying up to his side with a look Harry had never seen before, a look of respect

"Um …" Harry gawked.

"How about this? I'll take the north end, and you take the south end," Malfoy said, speaking in an almost friendly tone, "That way, we'll have both sides of the pitch covered."

"Why are you being so friendly all of a sudden?" Harry finally asked.

"I don't like you, Potter," Malfoy said, narrowing his eyes, "But I'm willing to work together long enough for us to be these yahoos. So, truce?"

"Truce," Harry said, taking Draco's extended hand.

"It's off after we win." Draco said, "We are in no way friends, understood?"

"Understood," Harry smiled, "So let's win, shall we?" he said. They nodded at each other and took their places.

--

The game was very intense, the score tied three ways. Durmstrang's keeper was more than a match for the Hogwarts and Beauxbaton Chasers, and Fred and George were doing their best to knock the opposing Beaters off their brooms. The other Seekers seemed to have the same idea that Malfoy had as they kept high out of the way of the rest of the players, one Seeker to an end of the field. Right now, the entire game seemed to hinge on someone finding the Snitch. Up in his private box, Fudge kept his glowing eyes on Harry, "It's time. You will get the answers I need, Archangel," He said to the figure in the shadows, visible only by the glinting of light off the metallic wings. "Harry Potter knows of the Chamber of Secrets; do not fail me."

"I shall not, My Master," Archangel bowed, and then took to the air.

--

Harry flew around the south end of the pitch, keeping a close eye out for the miniscule, winged Golden Snitch. He spotted it, but unfortunately so did the other two teams' seekers. All four sped around the pitch with Harry in the lead, and all in hot pursuit of the speedy, golden ball.

As Harry flew past the Hogwarts stands, he easily spotted Hermione and Jean, both jumping up and down cheering. "Time to show these gits what it takes to be a Seeker." Harry said as he pushed his Firebolt harder than ever before. He carefully climbed into a surfing position while reaching for the Snitch, growing closer and closer all the time. With one last burst of speed, Harry reached out and took the golden ball in his hand, almost falling off his broom as he did so. Under the pretense of showing off to the crowd, he almost immediately turned to see if Jean, Scott, and Hermione had seen his catch.

"HARRY POTTER HAS THE SNITCH!" Dean Thomas cheered, "HOGWARTS WINS WITH 180 POINTS! HOGWARTS IS …What in Merlin's name?"

Harry looked and saw what looked like a man-sized bird with shimmering wings heading straight toward them. Harry quickly resumed a riding position on his broom and headed toward the ground quickly.

"Somethin' tells me that isn't part of the game," Logan snarled, staring at what now was easily seen to be man with silvery wings.

"Better get in uniform," Cyclops said, getting up and replacing his glasses with his visor.

"Hermione, you stay here where it's safe," Jean said, pushing the teen back into her seat. "Safety in numbers." She winked before following Scott, Logan, Hank, Kitty, and Kurt through the crowd.

--

'Harry,' He heard his name in his mind as he flew, trying to get a good look at the unknown person. "Mum …err … Jean?"

'Harry, get to the X-Jet and suit up,' She said sternly, 'this looks like trouble.'

"On my way," He said, flying over the exit.

--

"Harry Potter!' Archangel cried, landing in the center of the field, "The Archangel of Death awaits! Show yourself and you may live!"

"Hermione!" Ron said, moving quickly to where Hermione was watching in the stands, "What's going on?"

"That guy just … flew out of nowhere and started demanding Harry to show himself," Hermione said worriedly, "When did you start wearing makeup?" Hermione asked with narrowed eyes at the lipstick smeared on his lips.

"Oh, umm …" Ron stuttered under her glare.

"Harry Potter, if you will not show yourself …" Archangel said, turning toward a large, crowded section of the stands, "Innocence shall be destroyed." The winged man waited a moment, "Very well, their blood is on your hands!" He cried, flapping his wings toward the stands and releasing several missile-like 'feathers' at the shocked masses in the stands, who started trampling others in their efforts to get out of the way of the razor-edged projectiles.

"You want a fight?" Harry's voice echoed as he, Cyclops, Wolverine, Phoenix, Jubilee, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler, and Beast came running toward the demonic figure, "You've got one."

"X-Men!" Ron cheered, his eyes lighting up slightly.

"Harry …" Hermione whimpered worriedly.

"I do not wish to fight," Archangel said, taking to the air again, hovering only a few dozen feet above them. "I only want answers. Where is the Chamber of Secrets, and how does one enter it?"

"Why does everyone want to know about that?" Harry asked exasperatedly, "I'll tell you the same thing I told that bastard that hurt Hermione, sod off!"

"Very well, Harry Potter," Archangel nodded, narrowing his eyes, "THEN DIE!" He cried, closing his wings and then reopening them, flinging hundreds of feather projectiles at the X-Men.

--

"HARRY!" Hermione cried, turning to dash down to the field, but being caught by Ron. "Ron, let me go! We have to get down there; Harry needs us!"

"No, he doesn't, Hermione," Ron said, a hint of sadness in his voice, "Look."

Hermione did as told and saw that Harry was in fact standing tall in the rain of deadly shrapnel. Strangely, the feathers seemed to veer away from him as they got close. Hermione thought for a moment that Harry had been Imperturbed. But it occurred to her a second later that there must have been some kind of shield blocking him. By now, Harry was fighting the grounded stranger alongside the other X-Men as a single unit like a well-oiled machine. Then it hit her like a slap in the face. Before, Harry, Ron, and Hermione all worked together to solve problems and dangers. Now, Harry had moved on and joined the X-Men, leaving Hermione and Ron behind. They couldn't do what he and the other X-Men could; they didn't have their training. A single tear slid down Hermione's cheek when she realized he had grown up from the scrawny boy with a lightning bolt scar she met six years ago into a proud warrior, an X-Man, and he really didn't need her any longer.

--

"This guy's fast!" Cyclops said firing off a wide angled beam at him.

"You want to know about the Chamber?" Harry yelled, moving toward Wolverine, "Come and get me then!" Archangel flew straight toward Harry, but just before he was about to tackle him, Harry reached out his hand, and Jean, from a short distance away, did the same, stopping Archangel in midair.

"Wolverine! Cyclops! Now!" Harry barked. On cue, Cyclops fully opened his visor, letting out an undampened blast, almost completely melting one wing, while Wolverine brought a clawed fist down and pulled back, ripping the other into three separate sections, causing Archangel to collapse to the ground, passing out from the pain.

"Well," Wolverine said, dusting his hands together, "That wasn't too tough."

"Thank you again, X-Men," Dumbledore said, walking toward the group with McGonagall and Snape right behind him, "Mr. Potter, you never cease to amaze me."

"No problem, Professor," Harry said blushing slightly.

"Cornelius," Dumbledore said as Fudge stormed toward them, his face flush with anger, "I don't know if this …" Dumbledore started, but was unable to finish when Fudge opened his palm to the Headmaster and sent him flying several feet back through the air.

"Who are you?" Cyclops asked in his commanding voice.

"Silence, Mutant," Fudge growled, then kicked Archangel hard, "You, you would fail me as well?" Fudge then turned toward Harry, "Come to me, boy. Tell me what you know of the Chamber of Secrets, NOW! I am tired of playing games."

Harry started to back step, but found himself flying toward Fudge's open hand, "Now, tell me what you know, Little Mutant."

"How about I just do this?" Harry ask as he threw off his gloves and gripped Fudge's wrist, but jerked away in pain. "What…what are you?"

"I am as far above you mutants as mutants are above normal humans, and as far above wizards as wizards are above Muggles," Fudge said as he grew much taller and more muscular. His pinstriped cloak and suit morphed into silver and blue armor with a large 'A' on the belt. "My power is far too great for you take and my armor can withstand the most powerful magic. I am the end of all you know; I am Apocalypse."

"You'll never find it," Harry grunted, trying to free him self.

"Then I am afraid you shall die," Apocalypse growled, beginning to squeeze his neck.

"Let him go!" Wolverine snarled, diving at him, only to be grabbed by Apocalypse's free hand and thrown hard into the other X-Men, knocking them unconscious.

"Stupefy!" Dumbledore cried from behind the gigantic, gray-skinned mutant, but the spell simply bounced off his armor like pebble would to a balloon.

"Pathetic humans," Apocalypse growled, sending an energy blast at Dumbledore, knocking him out as well.

"Now, Potter," he growled, "This is your last chance. Tell me where the Chamber of Secrets is."

"Let. Him. Go." Came an accented voice from across the field.

"What power …" Apocalypse gasped as Jean walked toward them, her body appearing to be wreathed in flames.

Apocalypse locked eyes with Harry, "So, the bathroom it is then …" he smirked, "You want this boy so desperately, so be it," He then threw Harry at Jean, knocking her down and making the flames disperse.

"I have all the information I need," Apocalypse smiled, appearing to turn to smoke and waft away, "Thank you, Mr. Potter."

"Harry!" Kitty gasped, getting up and running towards Jean and Harry, "Harry, Jean, are you alright?"

"Her … Hermione …" Harry mumbled in a daze, causing Kitty to look away sadly.

"Jean!" Cyclops said, pulling Jean up into his arms.

"She's ok," Wolverine said, rubbing his arm, "but who or whatever the hell that thing was, he blindsided us."

"Beast," Cyclops said as Jean started to come around, "Take the jet back to the mansion and bring back the full team and the Professor." He then looked around at the downcast X-Men, "The rest of us will stay here in case he comes back, whatever 'Apocalypse' is, I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him."

To Be Continued …

C. Cowboy: Ok, this is it, the bottom of the ninth. We've got three more chapters and possibly an epilogue 'til Harry Potter and the Secrets of Weapon X. Don't forget to review!

Next Chapter: The Fall of Hogwarts