Chapter 11: The Fall of Hogwarts

The sun had set on Hogwarts, but no one was at ease. The students, professors, and families from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang all left for their home schools, and all the students of Hogwarts stayed safely locked in their respective common rooms. The full X-Men team had been gathered and there was always someone standing guard on the now warded bathroom where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets was hidden.

Harry walked toward the Gryffindor common room in hopes of finding a place to relax. The Fat Lady's portrait was left open for easy access for the X-Men and quick escape if worse came to worse. Harry made his way into the supposedly abandoned common room, but smiled when he saw the familiar, bushy, brown hair of Hermione in a chair facing away from the entrance.

"Hey, Hermione," Harry said, smiling, "Would you like some company."

"No, I was just leaving," she said quickly, jumping to her feet and moving quickly to the stairs to the dorm rooms.

Harry stepped in front of her, cutting off her escape, "What's the matter, Mione?" Harry asked with his voice full of concern.

"Nothing," She said flatly, moving around him, only to find her self pinned against the wall.

"What's wrong, Hermione," Harry said more sternly, "Talk to me …"

"I was … I was just getting out of your way, Harry," Hermione said, looking down so her bangs hid her eyes, but Harry could plainly see her lip trembling. "That's all …"

"Getting out of my way?" Harry asked, blinking in confusion, "What in Merlin's name are you talking about?"

"Watching you today …" Hermione said softly, "I … I think it was the first time I realized you're not the Harry I knew anymore. You've grown up. You've got the X-Men, but I could see you really didn't need them as much as you needed Ron and me when we were younger. I know that sounds selfish, but I just … I just know you don't need me any longer so I'll just get out of your way. I'm sorry …"

"Hermione …" Harry said, a small smile crossing his lips. He cupped her chin in his hands and made her look him in the eye. "Listen to me; I don't want you to get out of my way. Hermione, if you think I don't need you anymore, you're wrong, dead wrong." He said barely above a whisper, unconsciously moving his face toward hers, "Hermione, don't you see? I need you … now more than ever …" he whispered his lips inches from hers.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything …" Kitty said from the portrait hole, causing the two teens to jump apart.

"No, no not at all, Kitty," Harry stuttered, "We were just … we were just …"

"Whatever, Mage," Kitty said coldly with a hint of sadness in her eyes, "Cyclops called for you. He's waiting at the entrance."

"Goodnight, Harry," Hermione said, quickly running up to her bedroom while he was distracted.

"Ok, Goodnight, Hermione. Thanks, Kitty," Harry said, starting toward the portrait hole.

"I don't want to be second best," Kitty stated, causing Harry to stop dead in his tracks.

"What?" Harry asked, having a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"I knew it as soon as she came back that I'd lost you, Harry," Kitty said, her voice breaking slightly, "Don't try to deny it. It's written all over your face every time she's around you." She then forced the brightest smile she could, realizing she had no way of winning, "Harry … it's ok … really …" Kitty sighed, "I don't want it… I just … just you to be happy …" She then turned her back, "But if she ever hurts you … so help me …"

"Thank you, Kitty, I'm sorry," Harry said guiltily, "And Kitty … you should know … I know there's someone else at school who loves you a lot …" he said before turning and walking toward the portrait hole, "I'm sorry …" he said once more before exiting.

Kitty waited 'til she was sure he was gone before collapsing on a couch and letting her tears flow.

"Kitten?" Kurt's voice said from the doorway, "I heard … I'm sorry …" he said, walking toward her.

"Just leave me alone," she choked out.

"I cannot do that, my kitten," Kurt said, sitting down beside her and beginning to stroke her back, "What kind of friend would I be if I left you like this?"

Kitty responded by quickly sitting up and gripping Kurt in a massive hug, starting to sob loudly into his chest. "It's going to be alright, Kitten," Kurt said, wrapping his arms and tail around her, "The one for you will find you. Or maybe he already has and is just waiting for you to find him …"

--

"You called Cyclops?" Harry asked, walking up to where his adopted father and team leader was leaning against the wall beside the entrance to girl's lavatory. Wolverine snored softly on the other side of the door to the girls' out of order toilets.

"Yes, Mage," Cyclops said in his official voice, "Are you sure there is no other way to get into the Chamber other than someone speaking … that snake language?"

"Right, as far as I know that's the only way," Harry nodded, "I still don't understand what he'd want with it; the only thing I know that was in the Chamber was a Basilisk and I killed it in second year …"

"Whatever it is, Mage," Cyclops said, looking at the door, "We can't let him have it."

"Harry," Neville said running up to the three X-Men, "Professor Dumbledore called for you, told me to tell you to come to his office and bring Wolverine."

Harry nodded; "Think you can handle things on your own for a few minutes, Dad?" Harry smirked.

"I'll manage, hurry back," Cyclops then turned to Neville, "Mr. Longbottom, you should head back to your common room where it's safe."

A few minutes after they left Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Ginny approached Cyclops. "Good evening, Mr. Summers," Dumbledore said with a friendly smile.

"Good evening, professors, is anything wrong?" Cyclops asked, "I thought Mage and Wolverine were to meet with you?"

"Yes, yes, they are waiting on me," Dumbledore nodded.

"You see," McGonagall started, "Ginny has opened the Chamber once before. We have placed a spell on her so that she will remember how to open it. We are going to inspect the Chamber once again. Perhaps we shall find a clue as to what this Apocalypse is after."

"Need me to come with you, Professors?" Cyclops offered.

"No need, Mr. Summers," Dumbledore said with a reassuring smile, "You will be needed to make sure no one follows us."

"Ok, good luck," Cyclops said as the three walked into the bathroom.

--

"You think something's up, Wolverine?" Harry asked as he, Wolverine, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor Xavier made their way to the lavatory.

"I don't know yet, kid," Wolverine said, though it was obvious he thought so by his unsheathed claws, "Just keep your guard up."

"Professor Dumbledore?" Cyclops questioned as the group arrived, "Oh, hell, tell me that wasn't …"

Wolverine sniffed the air and growled, "Shit, Mystique, a girl, and someone who doesn't even smell human. Not good."

"Cyclops, Mage, Wolverine, go after them. Albus, let's start evacuating the school. I've a terrible feeling on this …"

"Right, Charles," Dumbledore nodded, "Harry, X-Men, do what you must, but do not risk your own lives if needn't be." The three X-Men nodded and ran into the lavatory.

--

"I don't like it here …" Wolverine snarled as the three walked into the snake-themed, temple-like Chamber of Secrets.

"If I had my way," Harry started, spotting the skeletal remains of the Basilisk, "I'd never come back here …"

"Hopefully this will be the last time, Mage," Cyclops added, "Now stay on your toes."

"Welcome to my home, X-Men," Apocalypse said, stepping out from mouth of the large statue in the center.

"This isn't your home," Harry shot, "This was Salazar Slytherin's hidden chamber, and I don't think you're him."

"You know so little, boy," Apocalypse laughed, "Allow me to tell you a tale. Many, many years ago, long before any of you were born, I ruled over the Magical and Muggle world from my great, floating fortress. But then four wizards rose against me. They couldn't destroy me, so they imprisoned me deep underground and wiped my memory from mankind. They hid away my fortress, my power source, foolishly thinking I would never escape their imprisonment, and even if I did that I would never rediscover my home. They were sadly mistaken."

"Yeah?" Harry narrowed his eyes, but getting a sinking feeling in his stomach, "Where is this floating fortress?"

"Here is a hint, young mutant," Apocalypse smiled, "They hid it by building a school around it …"

"Oh my God …" Harry started to back step as Apocalypse laughed evilly and pressed a button on his wrist, causing the eyes and mouths of the serpent statues that lined the walls to glow with a faintly sinister light, "Behold! The Age of Apocalypse has returned at last!"

The entire chamber began to tremble, "Run!" Cyclops ordered, and the three X-Men made a dash toward the exit.

--

"Scott?" Jean asked as Cyclops, Harry, and Wolverine ran up to her. She was helping the Professors point the students to the proper exits out of trembling castle, "What's happening?"

"I don't know, Jean," Cyclops said, now showing one of his few signs of uncertainty, "But we need to get these kids as far away from here as possible.

"Harry!" Hermione and Ron cried, running up to him, "What's happening?" She asked, but then yelped as Harry jerked her away from falling debris.

"Harry, have you seen Ginny?" Ron asked nervously, "We've looked all over for her."

"Oh, no … we completely forgot …" Harry gasped, his eyes growing wide. He then turned to Ron and Hermione, "Get out of here, I'll get Ginny and be right behind you." He said, turning to head back deeper into the castle.

"Harry, no!" Hermione cried, grabbing his arm, "It's far too dangerous, please, you can't go back in there!"

"I can't leave her in there, Hermione," Harry pleaded, "Go and wait for me outside, I won't be but a tic."

"Harry, no, please, don't …" Hermione whimpered, tightening her grip on his arm, "You promised you wouldn't put your life on the line anymore … you promised …"

"I promise I'll be careful, and I promise I'll come back to you," Harry stated, stroking her cheek, "Now, please, get out of here. I'll be right behind you."

"Harry …" Hermione started uncertainly, "Harry … I … I love you … please come back to me safe… "

"An army of Basilisks couldn't stop me, Mione," Harry said with a goofy grin on his face and a dreamy look in his eyes, which made Hermione chuckle in even this dangerous situation before he ran back into the depths of the shaking castle.

"Harry … please be careful …" Hermione said, taking one last look back into the castle before following the others out.

--

Hermione watched in the crowd of students and professors from the Quidditch pitch. All eyes were watching sadly as Hogwarts Castle, which had stood for over 1000 years, violently trembled. "Harry … please … please hurry …" Hermione prayed, ignoring Jean, who was squeezing her shoulder comfortingly.

Then it began, first Hufflepuff Tower gave way and collapsed to the side taking most of Hogwarts' east wall down. Then Ravenclaw Tower buckled and fell away from the castle, most of which fell over the cliff into the ocean.

"Oh, Albus …" Prof. McGonagall whimpered, tears streaking her aged cheeks.

"This … this can't be happening …" Draco choked out, no longer caring about his image or his supposed dislike of the place.

"It tis," Hagrid responded, placing a hand on the teen's shoulder, "I'm 'fraid it tis …"

Then the north tower, also know as Slytherin's tower, even though it hadn't been called that for ages and the Slytherin common room had long since been moved into the dungeons, where so many had been taught by Professor Trelawney, began to break apart and tumbled into the main castle, causing it to explode violently. Flames, smoke, and dust were flying everywhere. Finally Gryffindor Tower's foundation gave way and it imploded in a cloud of dust and smoke, leaving only part of the central castle to remain, burning and trembling.

Finally, the central castle and its many towers exploded in a gigantic cloud of dust and smoke. At the same moment, Professor Dumbledore, who had never before been seen in a moment of weakness, dropped to his knees in a daze. "It's … it's over …"

Suddenly, something rose from the cloud of dust and smoke: a floating castle, adorned with gigantic serpentine gargoyles. It rose several hundred feet in the air and floated over the broken and burning remains of Hogwarts Castle.

"Hermione … I'm sure Harry's alright …" Ron said, gulping slightly at the intimidating fortress.

"I know he is," Hermione said, sadness in her voice, but absolute faith in Harry along with it, "I know Harry would never hurt me like that …"

--

Harry ran through the now lit Chamber of Secrets, "GINNY!" He cried, "Ginny! Answer me!"

"You came all this way for the girl?" Apocalypse said in surprise, "You truly are foolish, X-Man."

"I'm not leaving without her," Harry growled, taking a fighting stance.

"You would fight me for a friend," Apocalypse asked with a smirk, "knowing that to do so alone is suicide? Very well, X-Man, you will see your friend."

Before Harry had a chance to react, several tendrils shot from the walls and wrapped around Harry's arms and legs, dragging him into the shadows.

"I'm sorry, Hermione …" Harry whispered as he was dragged away.

To Be Continued …

C. Cowboy: Just to help out on the geography of the late Hogwarts Castle, I know that this isn't the actual geography of the castle, but darn it, it's my story and I'll rearrange things if I have to. :snickers: The towers, which were named after the founders, are the four tallest towers that stand on the corners of the castle. And the castle itself stands on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Also, of course, I don't own any of the characters or places name in here. They are the property of their respective people, companies, etc.

And if you're wondering on how Apocalypse escaped his imprisonment, that will be discussed in detail in the prequel HPX: Origin, so don't worry about the blanks, they will be filled in. Only two more chapters to go, and the final battle is about to begin, Ladies and Gentlemen … LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!

Special thank you to Xavien for beta reading this for me.

Next Chapter: Beginning's End