Chapter 4:
New beginnings are all it takes
By: Chronos the Fallen Angel
Author's note: "A new beginning is all it takes to make the world, and a second chance to change it." Chronos the Fallen Angel
Classic Cowboy, thank you for the review, same with Sunny and Logan Taylor. Anyone who reads this please review it; don't worry about my other story. I'm taking it down as soon as I have the time.
/-/ Means thought since italics doesn't work on this network. Also it can be used for telepathy.
I'm going to continue where I left off; I'm skipping the car ride over and majority of the mall, as it would be pointless to have that for the next chapter. In reality, this and the chapter before probably could be one, so review if you think so or not.
* * * * * *
When they got to the mall, Roland and Storm immediately let Harry and Hermione go off on their own. As soon as they found all the cloths stores, and finished shopping for the majority of what they needed, Hermione made Harry take her to the bookstore. She face lit up when she saw it, Barnes and Noble was the name of the store. It was two stories, and Hermione was like a little kid in a toy store. Despite her legs hurting her, she ran inside, excited for she could start her collection again. "Hermione," Harry said, running in after her, "please, slow down. You're going to hurt yourself, and besides, Roland said to take our time." He placed an arm on her shoulder, and she jumped just a bit.
"Oh," she said, seeking shelter in his arms, "I forgot that you were here. It's just that Steven never took me anywhere I wanted to." Her voice trailed off.
"Hey, remember," Harry replied, "he's never going to hurt you again, Hermione. I won't let him. Now c'mon, I don't think you want to spend the entire time in here in my arms, do you?" Hermione didn't reply. "Okay, I'll hold your hand, alright?" he looked down at her, and saw a smile on her face. "Alright, let's go." He let go of her and wrapped his hand around hers. Harry loved the way she felt in his hand; her touch was so soothing. /You are a true heaven sent angel, Hermione,/ Harry thought.
Hermione led the way, walking up and down every aisle, Harry right by her side. She talked about what she had read, what she wanted to read, and every once in a while, grab a book and handed it to Harry. After two aisles along, Harry had about ten books in his arms. Finally, he stopped her for a second so that he could get a bag or something to hold all the books in. He'd walked over to the miscellaneous section and picked up a bag. "I think that we'll need more then one of these," Harry said, seeing that the bag was already half full. He already was holding their other bags, filled with their cloths.
"That's cause it's only half empty, Harry," Hermione replied.
"Really, I saw it as half full." Harry looked down in the bag, staring at all the books. He shifted the bag to his free hand, Hermione let his use both hands for a second. Harry grabbed two more bags, and held them in the same hand as the bag. He then looped his hand around her arm and bowed, "lead the way." Hermione blushed for a moment, and then walked off, with Harry right next to her, helping her every few steps. Hermione blushed every time, too.
She pushed some hair out of her face. "I'm sorry to be such a burden," Hermione said, looking down at the ground. Harry was already holding two full bags, and they were working on the third right now.
"Hermione," Harry replied, picking her chin up, "you will never be a burden on me.' He smiled into her baby-blue eyes. /God, you're beautiful, Hermione./
"Thanks, Harry," she said, staring back into his emerald eyes. /Harry, you happen to be the most handsome person on the planet, why can't I tell you that?/
"Listen you two lovebirds, you're blocking the aisle," a man said, Harry looked up and saw that it was Roland.
"Sorry, Roland," Harry said, his face turning a mad color of red.
"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked, she tried her best to remain calm, but her face was a bitter red too.
"I told you, I'm a collector," Roland said, looking at the books in the aisle. They'd stopped in the biography aisle, when Roland showed up. "I see that you two like to read."
"No, just me," Hermione replied, "I'm trying to start my collect again."
"It's great to see someone so fascinated by ready." Roland wasn't even looking at them any more; he picked up a book and scanned the back of it. "I simply read for it gives me a gateway into another realm, whether a fantasy one or a realistic world like ours."
"That's interesting," Hermione, said, "I read because people are interesting to me, I love to see how the hero wins or the villain loses." She looked at the books the bags that Harry was holding.
He replaced the book and pulled out another one, reading the back of it. "Your leg still bothering you?" Roland asked.
"How'd you know that it was bothering me in the first place?" Hermione asked.
"I don't think Harry's holding your hand for nothing," he watched as they turned the gazes away from each other, each face burning a bright red. "Though I could be wrong."
"Roland?" Storm appeared at the end of the aisle. She had a few books in her hand.
"Yeah," he looked back at her.
"Do you happen to have a cell phone that I can borrow?" She walked over to them, her long white hair bouncing on her shoulders.
"Now, what sorta question is that to ask me?" Roland said, reaching in his coat. He pulled out one and handed it to her. "Of course I have a cell phone."
"Thanks, I should be done in a few minutes," Storm walked off, opening the cell phone and began to press the buttons.
"Anyway," Roland continued off, picking up another book. "When did your leg start hurting you?"
"This morning," Hermione replied. "Why?"
"Could be just a bruised bone, but you might want to have Doc McCoy look at it."
"Doctor McCoy?" she repeated looking down as if she heard that name before.
"Hank, Harry." Roland put the book back, "if you want any sci-fi novels, they're this way." He turned around and walked back out the aisle.
"C'mon, Harry," Hermione said, pulling him along. Despite all the things he was carrying, his and Hermione's cloths, and the books, Harry felt as if he was carrying nothing. "I want to get some science fiction books."
"Alright," he replied, smiling at his friend's enthusiasm. Harry walked a bit quick to appease Hermione's search for knowledge and books, as she pulled him along. "Slow down, Hermione, you're going to hurt yourself."
"Fine, but hurry up, Harry," Hermione said, she stopped for a moment, and Harry noticed the piano her ace.
"Your leg still hurting you?" He asked, out of concern.
"Yeah," Hermione rested her head on his shoulder, "but I'll be fine once we get back to-" she paused for a moment, "where ever we were."
"We can ask Roland if we can go back now; I doubt that he'd say no."
"No, please, Harry," Hermione pleaded, staring at his eyes with hers, "just a bit longer."
"Only if you slow down, and stop pushing yourself." They walked off and found Roland looking through the comic books.
"Comic Books, gotta love them," Roland looked at a few of the titles and picked up one. "Science Fiction is on this side." He pointed to one side, and then continued to look through the comic books.
Harry just noticed that he had another bag next to him. "What's in the bag?"
"Um," Roland looked down at the bag at his side, "some of the games I ordered arrived, along with a few dozen packs of Magic cards, along with a some more CDs that I need to add to my collection."
"Oh, Harry," Hermione said, holding up a few books, "we just got to get these." She came running back from the end of the aisle.
"Hey, it's your choice. I'm just here to carry the books for you," Harry replied. "Just slow down."
"Thanks, Harry," she said, slipping the books into the bag, and giving him a quick peck on the cheek. As she pulled away, Harry tried to move his free hand to feel his cheek, but felt hers instead. They stood there for a moment, staring into each other's eyes before pulling away. Hermione walked off down toward the end of the aisle, and Harry just stood there. Only Roland seemed to notice that both of their faces were a deep scarlet red.
"Hey, Roland," Storm showed up again, and Harry snapped out of his trance. "Here's your cell phone back." She tossed it down the aisle, and the man in black simply caught it with even looking at her.
Roland turned his head from the comic book. "Thanks," he said, and placed it back into his coat.
"Are we going soon?" she asked, "it's getting late, and it's almost dinner time."
"When Hermione's done," Roland said, looking down at Harry. "Or until Harry here can't carry any more."
"Then we might be here a while," Harry replied. "I'm perfectly fine, Roland." He looked down at all the bags he was carrying. "And I doubt that Hermione's going to end soon, but you never know." Hermione came back, yawning, but she had more books in her hands. "Almost done?"
"Not," she yawned again, "yet." Hermione placed the books in the bag, but stopped when Harry touched her shoulder. Roland noticed that she jumped just a bit.
"It's been a long day," Harry said, "and I doubt that this is the last time we come here." He looked up at Roland, who had picked up his bag. "Is that right?"
"Right, I come once every Saturday," He answered, "I won't let you spend as much, but you can by a few books."
"You're still willing to pay for us," Harry replied, shocked. "But-"
"Why not, making people happy is what I do." Roland walked over and placed a hand on each of their shoulders. Storm saw the pain on his face, despite him still wearing the sunglasses. He nodded at her, but Harry didn't know why.
"Hear, that Hermione," Harry said. She rested on his shoulder, a tired look painted across her face.
"Do you have any shopping left?" Storm asked.
"Yeah a few things," Harry blushed just a bit.
Storm didn't figure it out, but Roland did. "Bathroom materials, huh?" he said, causing both of them to blush more. "That's fine. After dinner, I'll take Harry; Storm, you take Hermione." He walked past them and hooked his arm around. "Lead on, Miss Munroe." Roland smiled. "A blind man can't led himself everywhere."
They walked down the to food court, through, rather slowly for Hermione stopped every once in a while, catching her breathe. Harry smiled down at her each time, holding her hand in his free one. She returned the smile and pressed on. /So strong,/ Harry thought, /so brave./ After about a five minute walk, they made it down to the food court.
After dinner, Roland took Harry off to buy what he needed: boxers, shampoos, and the such. Harry felt alone and empty when Hermione left with Storm to get her final few items.
"You love her don't you?" Roland asked finally, his walking cane bouncing off the ground.
"What do you mean?" Harry replied, shocked by the question.
"I can tell that not being near her makes you feel uncomfortable, Harry," Roland looked down. "I'm still an empath, Harry. I can tell what others are feeling."
"I-I," Harry stuttered a bit.
"Alright, don't answer the question then." Roland looked back up at the crowd.
They didn't talk again until Harry had finished shopping. The entire time, Harry was thinking about what Roland said. Why was it that he did feel uncomfortable without her near? Did he love her? All sorts of questions ran through his mind, and then he felt it. /Help me, Harry./ He collapsed when he felt it, the pain was so much. "What was that?" he asked.
"That was her calling out for you, Harry," Roland said, helping him back to his feet.
"You felt it too?" Harry slowly got to his feet.
"I feel everything," Roland replied. "Go find her, you still are able to run. Run Harry."
Harry ran off down the hallway, everyone was staring at him. But he didn't care. He had to find Hermione. Harry ran at his top speed, and he was carrying all of the bags of cloths that he and Hermione bought. He turned the corner and saw a blue sphere surround someone. He looked around and saw Storm. "Storm!" Harry ran over to her, "What happened?" It was slowly growing out. Sparks flashed along the edges of the blue sphere.
"I don't know," Storm, replied; her face was that of fear and panic. "She saw someone in one of the stores and freaked out. She started to ask for you, and then ran off. Then this happened." She pointed to the sphere.
"What is it?" Harry asked. He reached out and touched it. He felt nothing, his hand simply passed through the sphere's edge. "I don't see what's wrong with it."
"It's an electric field," Roland had walked up, slowly though; his knee must have been killing him by the look on his face. "It's her powers, they're manifesting." He pulled out his cell phone, and dialed a number. "Professor, get over here pronto. We've got problems." Roland closed the phone and placed it back in his coat. "How we going to get her? Storm, can you-"
"No, I just summon the lightning, Roland, not control it," she had scared look painted across her face.
"And I doubt that my powers would work against pure plasma." He looked back at the field, staring at it for a moment. "The energy is coming from Hermione, not just out of the air, but something's wrong."
"Can you tell what it is?" Harry asked. Roland didn't look down at the boy, but felt his pain. He felt everything that was happening right now. Harry moved to touch his left arm and felt a shock. "Why'd you do that?"
"I didn't do anything," Roland replied, still staring at the sphere. "It's static electricity, Harry. The arm and eye are metal remember."
"So this is her power?" Storm asked, trying to get closer but got slightly shocked. "Ouch." She jumped back.
"Storm just back off," Roland said; he motioned for her to move back. "Something's wrong, but what is it? This data, where is it?" he began to talk to himself. "Dear god," he took his eyes off her it for a moment, "Everyone down." He dove to the ground knocking down Storm. Harry dropped to his knees and covered his head. A large blade moved across the air just above Harry's back, he felt the air column move. Glass broke all along the hall in the mall. He looked up and saw that Roland and Storm were thrown a few feet back. The man in black slowly got to his feet. "Got to stop her before she hurts someone."
"What do you think you're doing, Roland?" Harry asked. "You said so yourself, your part metal, you're labial to be fried."
"Harry, I've got to try." He ran after toward the sphere.
"Roland, no!" Storm reached out, trying to stop him, but she didn't move, her legs under some rubble that had fallen from the ceiling.
Roland dove straight into the sphere, and was a few feet from Hermione before he hit the ground hard. A hole was in the floor where he landed, and his body began to convulse. /The circuits in his arm must be frying,/ Harry thought as he saw the smoke rise up from the man's body. /I've got to help./ Harry ran into the blue sphere, and excepted to be fried too. But nothing happened.
Harry stood up and looked around, nothing was happening to him. He didn't feel anything out of the ordinary. Pushing his own fears aside he ran over to Roland, and knelt next to him. "Roland, what can I-" but that was all he could get out.
Roland had reached up with his right arm and grabbed Harry by the collar. "Help.her.now. .Harry," was what Roland got out, and he threw the wizard over in the direction of Hermione.
Harry got up and ran over to his friend's side. She was on her knees, huddled up. "Hermione?" he said, he touched her back lightly. She quivered under his touched. "Hermione, it's me Harry."
Hermione sat up quickly; Harry knelt down next to her. "Are you alright?" He asked. Immediately, when he got the words out, Hermione had her arms around his neck, her head in his chest. He began to run his fingers through her hair. "I'm here, I'm here. I promised that no one would hurt you again, Hermione." He began to rock her back and forth in his arms. /Maybe Roland was right,/ Harry thought. /No, I'm just being a good friend./
Storm watched as the blue sphere slowly dissolved away, the electricity dying from the lack of a power source. Roland stopped writhing pain, but he lay on the ground looking at Harry and Hermione. He held his side, as he landed hard on it. "That a boy," Roland said, smiling to see Harry so protective and caring about Hermione.
Security guards came running over to them, many pointing guns at Harry and Hermione. "Don't move!" one shouted. His hands were trembling; Roland had to laugh at it. They were afraid of a little girl. The guard walked forward a bit; a spark jumped from Hermione, and blew him back about twenty feet, through a store window. Roland only laughed harder.
One guard kicked Roland for laughing, "Shut up!" he yelled, pointing a gun at him. "You think that this is funny." Roland got kicked again; he coughed out blood. "Fucking mutie, ya'all should burn in hell." He pointed the gun at him, and started to pull the trigger back.
In a matter of moments, Roland was on his feet, holding the guard by the neck. He lifted him off the ground, smiling at the fact that the guard was squirming. "I may be mutie, pal. But I am a damn powerful one at that."
"Roland, no," Storm said, she had gotten to her feet but was still dazed from the fall.
All guns were pointed at Roland. The sound of them clicking echoed the silent mall. He was smiling at the guard, who was trying to break the grip of Roland's left hand on his neck. No one was moving, save Harry rocking Hermione back and forth, and Storm walking over to Roland's side. "'Bout time, Professor," Roland said, dropping the guard. The floor echoed when the man hit it.
/Glad to be a service,/ the professor's voice said, echoing the minds of his students. /Please come along on. And don't forget the things you came here to get./
"Right, professor," Storm replied, Roland and her grabbed all the bags. "How many books did she get?"
"About fifty or so," Roland said, smiling. "I'll get the two lovebirds." He walked off and Storm followed him, holding Hermione's cloths.
/Roland!/ Professor X said in their minds.
"What?" He asked, as he was walking over to Harry and Hermione. "Harry, come on," He said softly. "We've got to go."
"Thank you, Roland," Harry said.
"I did nothing, Harry," Roland replied. "It is you who I should be thanking." He held up his mechanical arm, "After all, I'd still be frying right now if you didn't calm her down." He placed a hand on his shoulder, the other one filled with bags. "C'mon, we've should be leaving not." He looked up and waved his arm. A black oval appeared, right in front of him. "Storm, you first, then Harry and Hermione." Storm ran through the oval.
"Where does it lead?" Harry asked, he stood up and had Hermione in his arms, resting peacefully. /My princess must have fallen asleep. Probably just an exhausting day./
"To where ever the professor is Harry," Roland pointed at it, "now, go on, I've got some more work that needs to be finished." A black robe appeared on his body, as did the black mist around his feet. Harry didn't move, staring at Roland. "Harry, go now, for I don't think that professor can hold these men in place much longer." Roland pulled up a black hood and his face fell back into the darkness.
"Fallen?" Harry said, staring at him.
"Correct, now go, Harry," Fallen said, "and that is an order." His body slowly rose into the air as Harry walked through the black oval. He appeared on the jet where he and Hermione were first rescued.
"Hello, Harry," the professor said, "Please take a seat." He was up in one of the cockpit seats, and Storm was at the other.
"Yes, Professor," Harry replied, and carried Hermione over to one of the seats; he placed her down in it and then sat next to her.
"Professor?" Storm said, throwing her white hair out of her eyes. "When did Roland change the Blackbird?"
"About a week after you left," The professor rubbed his temples. "I can't hold them much longer. What is taking him?"
"Probably after the security cameras, professor." Storm strapped herself in. "he can take care of himself."
"It's not him, I'm worried about, Storm," Professor X said. "It's those who are attacking him."
* * * * * *
Roland floated through the screaming crowds, scanning the building for the security room. "There you are," he said, his voice demonic and evil. A small smile broke out underneath his hood. He found the security room, on the other side of the mall though.
"Freeze mutie," A line of guards was standing in front of him, blocking his way. "Stand down, and put your hands on your head."
"Like," Roland moved his hands to the back of his head, and summoned two shadow swords, "This." He charged them, slicing through the line. Some of the guards tried to shot Roland, but the bullets just pasted right through him. No blood was spilt but all the guards were writhing in pain. "Show you to mess with me." His swords were absorbed back into his body and continued to float along.
More people ran away from him, though some shouted at him. "Freak." "Muties deserve to burn in hell." "Go back to your own kind." "Die, you monster." Roland did his best to ignore the ignorance, but it was hard. They were so loud and so frequent, and the feelings that these people projected were so strong, it was extremely difficult.
"Ah," a voice said, Roland turned around to see who it was. It was a man in a yellow and blue uniform. He had long gray hair. Roland looked at the mechanical leg. "So a mutant has turned up. X-Factor, assembly." Three people came running out of the crowd. Roland looked at them carefully, studying their movements. /know thy enemy, a wise man once said,/ Roland thought. The woman of the three people had green hair, and moved gracefully, much like a dancer. The first of the men looked like a biker, with just a vest covering his tattooed chest. He wore a bandanna and walked slowly. The last man moved fast, but not fast enough. He was white-haired. /much like your father, Pietro./
"Well, X-Factor," Roland said, crossing his arms. He summoned another black oval behind his back and sent a hand into it. Only he knew where it went. "it is a pleasure to meet a group sponsor by our hypocritical government. Let me guess, you're here to stop me." /the room is destroyed as are all the tapes, save,/ he thought, and pulled the hand back. In it was a video tape, more specifically, the one that recorded Hermione and her manifestation. /The last one./ He pulled the hand into his shadowy body, but not before destroying the tape, burning it to bits by focusing energy into it. "Please try." He summoned two swords.
The gray-haired man looked at the Pietro and the woman. "Just like in the drills," he said, "but be carefully." He whispered, probably hoping that Roland didn't hear what he said, "this is our first real field assignment, so don't screw it up." he pointed at the shadow master. "Quicksilver, Polaris, formation delta. Random, projectile launch gamma."
Roland stood his ground as Quicksilver/Pietro ran around him, gaining speed, and creating a vortex around him. Polaris pulled the metal from the surroundings and sent it in the vortex, trying to do what Roland couldn't' figure it out. /Computer,/ he thought, /record all data while fighting mutant team known as X-Factor./
/confirmed, recording beginning/ a voice replied to Roland.
/this should be good./ He thought, /I'll learn something from this at least./ A blast came from outside the vortex, the man known as Random had begun whatever Projectile Launch Gamma was. It missed Roland by three feet. He looked up and saw that the visibility beyond the vortex was zero. A smile broke out under his hood again. The blast continued to come as Roland walked forward, into the edges of the vortex. He stuck a sword out as Pietro ran around, he ran right into it, and fell down to the ground. Again, no blood was spilt, but Pietro was writhing in pain. The vortex collapsed and so did the metal pieces within it. They went flying in every direction. Polaris protected herself by forming a shield around her, much like the sphere that Hermione produced. /A magnetic mutant. Interesting; probably not as powerful as Magneto./ Roland thought. He threw his swords at her, piercing the shielding and her shoulders. She screamed out in pain, and he felt it all.
Roland turned his attention to the two remaining members of 'X-Factor.' "I am Fear," he said, his demonic voice echoing the now salient halls, "I am Pain, I am Anger, I am Sorrow. I am the Fallen." He bowed at them. "You are good soldiers. And I would like-" Roland never finished his statement, for he heard a gun click behind him.
"Damn, muties," the guard said, he was on the ground, holding his side. "All deserve to die." And fired it at Roland.
There was barely enough time for Roland to react. /I have to take the bullet, unless I am willing to allow these people to be hurt./ He dropped out of his wraith form and took the bullet in the stomach. "I've been shot," he said, staring at the wound. His hands covered it as he dissolved into a fine black dust. It was quickly blown away by wind that appeared out of nowhere.
* * * * * *
Harry sat next to Hermione, who was leaning on his shoulder, sound asleep. He placed an arm around her. Every once in a while, she would whimper a bit, but when Harry touched her, she calmed down. "It's alright," he said, "it's alright."
Wind blew in the cockpit, and formed a vortex in the back. Professor X looked at it then at Storm. "I didn't do that." A form began to form with in the vortex, what looked like a black figure in a cape and hood covering his head. "Is that, no, it can't be."
Roland appeared and took a few steps forward, holding his stomach. He looked down at it then at front of the jet. "I've been shot." And collapsed onto the floor, his knees hitting the ground, then the rest of his body. Storm rushed back, as did Harry.
"My god," Harry said, "he's bleeding all over the place."
"Storm, treat him the best you can, I'll take the controls," the professor said. "Harry, help her get him onto the table." He nodded, and picked him up by the shoulders. Storm grabbed his legs and they were able to get him on the table. She pulled a small knife out from underneath the table.
"Harry," Storm said, "you can go sit down now." He looked at the man on the table; the black hood that covered was being used as a pillow for him. Storm cut open his shirt and began to clean it. Harry slowly walked back to the front and took his seat next to Hermione. She seemed fine, but the moment he sat down, she curled up next to him, using his lap as a pillow.
Harry smiled at the little girl in his lap, how peaceful she looked. He just stared at her for a moment, brushing her hair with his fingers, before the professor broke his trance. "Hank? Hank!" he was talking into a little device that had speaker on it.
"What, professor?" Hank's voice came over the Com. Systems.
"Get a stretcher ready and meet us in the hanger."
"Why what happened?"
"We have a gun shot wound."
"Roland's with you," Hank said, "he should be able to help."
"He's the victim, Hank," Professor X said.
There was silence from the Com. Systems before Hank spoke again. "We'll be waiting."
"Hank," the professor added, "keep everyone calm the best you can, tell only the other professors. I don't want a panic school, alright?"
"Yes, professor," Hank replied. The professor hung the device on the dashboard.
"All we can do now is wait."
"Professor!" Storm yelled from the back. Harry looked back and saw Roland beginning to stir.
"Storm, we're almost to the mansion; can it wait?" Professor X asked.
"No, Roland's trying to get up," She said.
"Roland," Professor X said, pushing gently on the controls, "lay back down, now. Before you hurt yourself. That gun shot wound-"
"Is nothing," he managed to get, his sunglasses had fallen off, and his face was filled with pain and agony. "I just need to-" he reached into his stomach with a pitch-black hand and pulled out the bullet, "to be patched up. That's all." He was breathing hard, and still holding his side.
"Roland, I want Hank to look at the wound," Professor X replied.
"Fine, but-" it was one of the few times, he didn't argue. The pain was so much that he couldn't focus.
"No medicine, I know, Roland," the professor landed the jet carefully. The hatch opened up, and Hank came in with a stretcher.
"Roland," he said, and helped him onto the stretcher, "please relax."
"Okay, but," Roland handed the doctor something. "Hold this for me." He had a small smile on his face.
Hank opened his hand and saw the bloody bullet in his palm. "Roland, did you?"
"I did, Doc," Roland replied, he laid down on the stretcher. Hank pushed him down the hatch and to the infirmary. "Hi, ho silver, away." He pointed up in the air as he speed off. Storm was right behind them, showing concern for her friend.
Harry picked up Hermione and walked down the hatch. "Professor, I'm going to head up to our room, if that's alright?"
"That's fine, Harry," the professor said, "You two must be tired. And don't worry about the bags, you can come back for them after you drop Hermione off."
"Okay," Harry started to walk away. "Professor?"
"Yes, Harry," he replied.
"What about the security tapes? They can probably figure out that it was us from them."
"I'm sure Roland did what he needed to do," the professor wheeled himself down the hatch.
Harry took Hermione up to their room, and laid her in her bed. She looked so peaceful, so much that Harry didn't want to leave her, but he did. He had to get the rest of their stuff. The only reason why he made two trips was because he couldn't fit all the bags into his two hands. They felt so light in his hands, as did she.
With all their cloths and bags up in the room with them, sleep finally hit him, and it hit him hard. Harry had a hard time keeping his eyes open. But some how, he was able to change in his pajamas and get into his own bed. The sun hadn't set yet, but it was summer and it rarely set before eight.
* * * * * *
Roland limped back down the hallways of the X-mansion looking for someone. Hank had patched up his wound, and bandaged it. He was without his shirt, or coat for that matter. Professor X said that it was taken to his room, as were his books and the rest of the things that he had bought. He was below ground and was coming out of the infirmary, with bloody bandages around his waist where he had been shot. Roland felt so sick to his stomach but was starving too. Using his powers drained him of his energy.
He walked alone, as the rest of the school was quiet and asleep. His internal clock read twelve midnight. The silver hallways were dark and empty. Roland was happy, for he didn't have to worry about the light bothering his unprotected eyes. Finally he found the holding cells for the brotherhood. He walked through the door leading to them and turned on the lights. The inhabitants were rather surprised at the light. "Magneto," he said, and limped over to the cell where the Master of Magnetism was being held, "we need to talk."
"That is fine," he said, coming to the edge of the cell. All the separated the two mutants was a thin wall of plasma. "I must say, the upgrades that you have done for this mansion are splendid, Roland." Unlike the rest of the Brotherhood, he was wide-awake, reading some of the books in the cell.
"Thank you, Eric." Roland summoned a chair for him to sit on. "Like I said, we need to talk."
"Before we begin, I would like to thank you," he said.
"For what?" Roland took a seat, and then summoned a shadow chair for the other mutant. "Please sit down."
"For saving my life, and the rest of our lives," Magneto took a seat. "Thank you again."
"Well, you're welcome, for both things." Roland stared at him for a moment. "What do you think of my invention?"
"Rather ingenious, Roland," Magneto touched the brace on his neck. "How it is able to prevent the use of our powers is amazing?"
"Well, thank you," Roland smiled. He completely ignored the question. "But I didn't come down here for idol chit-chat."
"Then what do you want?"
"A few things," Roland replied. "What do you know about Voldemort?"
"He was the man who sent us to kill Mister Potter. I'm afraid Steven just got out of hand." He had an ashamed look on his face. "the two people weren't suspose to die. Only Harry, and that was why steven was there. Gambit, Pyro and I refused to kill them.
"Do you have an idea where he is?" The Master of Magnetism looked down at the ground.
"Yes, but," Magneto looked look at Roland, "What's in it for me?"
"A second chance." Roland smiled at the old man, "But in order for you to even get this, I need a few things in return."
"Like what?"
"A promise, Eric," Roland said, "a promise that you will not fight another human being, accept with my permission."
"Now why should I promise to that? You know the best out of the mutants here, a war is coming and only the superior will survive."
"The war's not with who you think, Eric," Roland said. "It's against the wizards, and if we waste out energy on attacking normal people, then we will lose the war. And besides, it wouldn't be this easy to take out the humans if that was suppose to happen."
"Still," Magneto pondered, "why the wizards, they are no threat to us unless-"
"Slave labor, Magneto, among other things." Roland ran his fingers through his hair. "So I am offering a second chance for you and Gambit, as you two did not kill any one, or destroy that much property. The second chance begins with your freedom."
"Excellent," Magneto replied.
"But there is a catch," Roland said. "I'm in need of spies within the ranks of Voldemort."
"Do you even know the first reason why we were working for him?"
"No, but that doesn't matter." Roland stood up. "What matters is the fact that you can help me stop a mad man."
"Do you know that Harry Potter has defeated Voldemort for the past five years?"
"Yes, any intelligent wizard knows that," Roland said, "What does it matter?"
"Do you know that the boy and the girl is important is the full revival of The Demon?"
"You mean Harry and Hermione?" /The Demon,/ Roland thought, /where have I heard that name before?/
"Or how about the fact that the six Elements are also important to his revival?" /Six Elements, why does that name-/ "or maybe the fact about you are also a key ingredient to the resurrection. Or it could be-" He didn't have time to answer the question. Roland took a partial wraith form and drove his hand through the plasma wall.
"What does this have to do with me and them?" he asked, Roland had a tight grip on Magneto's neck.
"Harry Potter is one of the last ingredients in his revival. As are you and Hermione." He coughed from lack of air. "But it doesn't matter, whether or not the six elements are alive, all he needs is their blood." Roland dropped the old man back to his feet and pulled his arm back through the plasma wall. The pain was enormous; the skin on his hand was burnt to a crisp, even in his wraith form. But the pain wasn't just from the plasma burns. "The Demon will be reborn, Roland, or should I say Chronos?"
"What did you call me?" Roland stared at the Master of Magnetism. The old man slowly rose to his feet and sat on the bed.
"Chronos, it is the name that he used for." /that name is familiar too. Where have I heard it before?/
"How can that be?" Roland asked. "I've never met him."
"You are so foolish, Roland," Magneto said, "it wasn't you directly, only the powers that you have, that is how he described you, a Shadow Master are you not?"
"Since you know a lot about this then," Roland said, /clearly more then me./ "then you knew that if he is revived, then we'll have a hard time slaying that beast. I want to you to relay information to me, Eric. That way I can stop him." He rubbed his elbow; the farthest point into the plasma wall and where it was in it the longest.
"He promises of a free world, where-"
"Bullshit, and you know it. The only way mutants will be free is if the understand why we are the way we are. Under his rule, we'll be slaves like the rest of the world."
"True, Roland," Magneto said. He said nothing for a moment. "Will you be offering my freedom then in exchange for this service?"
"Yes, you and Gambit."
"And what of the others in the Brotherhood?"
"Sabertooth will be punished according to wizard law, as records indict that he is a wizard, and Pyro will stay here, where the Professor will help him. But I doubt that much can be done. I will probably have to strip him of his powers since-"
"Aren't we quick to judgment, when we too are in the same position?" Magneto asked. Roland stared with his hollow eyes. It had been a long night, and he was having trouble focusing, but he still continued on. /is he right?/ he asked himself. /Am I not in that same position?/
"He will be given a second chance, as I was," Roland said, "what he makes of it is his choice."
"I see then," Magneto replied, "Then why do you want to help me and Remy?"
"You two are the ones that can be saved as of right now," Roland said, running his fingers through his hair. "Are you going to take the deal or not?"
Magneto sat there for a minute, thinking over the proposal. "I will give you my answer in the morning, which will give me time to talk it over with Remy."
"Fine, I'll be back in the morning, you have til then, Eric," Roland walked away.
"Oh, Roland, what did you think of the Holocaust," he asked. Roland stopped where he was, thinking of what the survivor had said. Then it hit him, /I acquired the memories of a Holocaust survivor./ He rushed off to his room, just as the memories of the old man hit his mind, just as Magneto started to laugh.
* * * * * *
Harry woke up in the middle of the night; another storm was brewing outside. On his back he watched the storm outside work it's magic. Lightning flashed again, and he felt the little huddle mass that was lying in the bed with him shiver. "Hermione," he said looking down.
"Hi, Harry," she replied, "you don't mind if I stay here the night do you?" She sounded as if it was no big deal. The lightning cracked and Hermione buried her head back into his bare chest.
"It's alright, Hermione," Harry said, softly petting her brown hair. "You can stay here." /you can stay all you want, Hermione./
"Thank you so much," she whispered. Harry felt her begin to trace his chest. He laughed a little bit, and she giggled. She sighed and stopped for a moment, laying her arm across it. Her head was on it chest too, just below his head.
"You know what Hermione?" Harry asked.
"What Harry?" Hermione replied, pulling Harry closer to her when the lightning crashed.
"If you kept on ending up in my bed, I think that we should just get rid of the other one." Hermione laughed again as did Harry too. /I mean it too, Hermione./
"I think you're right," she said, her breathing becoming softer. "I like the beat of your heart." The lightning cracked again, but she didn't shake as much.
"Well," Harry didn't know how to reply.
"It's soothing." She let out a deep breath. /Hermione, my sweet Hermione./ Harry thought to himself, continuing to pet her curly brown hair. /Beauty is but another name for you. Kindness is but your hobby. How I love you./
"Thank you, 'Mione." He said, but no reply came. She was asleep, and had stopped shaking. Despite the storm outside, his friend had calmed down. "I love you, Hermione Granger, and I always will. I promise that." Harry leaned forward a bit and kissed her head lightly.
Hermione yawned, "What did you say, Harry."
"Nothing," he lied. "Just relax, and try to get some sleep."
"Will," she yawned again, "do." Again Hermione was fast asleep, comforted by Harry's touch.
Harry continued to pet her hair as he thought about the day's events. /Was Roland right when he said that I loved her? No,/ Harry thought, /he couldn't be, she's my friend. I am willing to do anything to protect her because she is my friend, but that's it, right?/ But sleep grabbed him again, before he could figure out the answer. Harry dreamt about a single tree, whose branches danced in the wind.
* * * * * *
Roland was asleep in his room when the storm hit, but that wasn't what woke him up. Despite the thunder in the background, Roland heard the sound of someone knocking. He got up. /Who could want to talk to me at this time of night?/ he thought. His internal clock read three a.m. He got up and walked over to the door, limping because of the wound in his stomach and his knee. When he opened the door, no one was there. /probably just a prank./ Roland closed the door and started to walk over to his bed, then the knocking came again. This time, he caught where it was coming from. The sound was too faint to be close to him. The only other entrance into his room was the balcony. /But who would be out there at this time of day, in this weather?/
Roland limped over to the window and opened the blinds. A woman with her blonde hair in ponytails was floating barely above the balcony. She holding a large duffle bag, and was drenched from the rain. "Heather," he said, opening the windows. She floated into he room shivering. "What are you doing here?" He walked over to his bathroom and pulled out a towel. "Don't you know that it's raining out there?" he handed her the towel.
"No, it's not raining out there, Roland," She said, and began to dry herself off. "I just decided to take a jump in a pool with all my cloths on before I came here."
"Alright," he held up his hands defensively. "You still didn't answer my first question; what are you doing here?"
"I ran away from the farm," Heather said, still shivering; her hands were shaking so much that she had a hard time drying her self.
"Here," he took the towel and helped dry her off. "God, you're freezing. Listen, go in the bath and get out of these cloths; you're not the Matrix any more so you are going to catch a cold if you stay in these cloths."
"Yes, Pa," she said, as he pushed her into the bathroom. Heather closed the door as soon as she was in.
"Go ahead," Roland said, "take a shower too."
"Yes, Pa," Heather repeated, and then laughed a bit.
Roland sat on his bed, waiting for his friend to come out of the bathroom. He tried his best to figure it out; /Why are you here, Heather?/ he asked himself. /You've got the perfect home, why leave it?/ the bathroom door opened and she came out, wearing his robe. He walked over to greet her. "I see you found my robe," Roland said, and received a playful hit on the arm.
"Shut up," Heather said, smiling at her friend. She walked over to his bed and sat down on it, still drying her hair.
"Want me to turn on a light?" he asked, still standing at the bathroom door way.
"I thought that you took out the lights in your room," She said, her blonde hair resting on her shoulders.
"Remember that we're wizards, Heather," his wand appeared in his hand. "Lumos." The end of his black wand lit up, providing light for them to see each other. "So, how are you?"
"I've been better," Heather said, "dear, god." She covered her mouth in shock. "What happened to you?'
"What?" Roland asked, as if he didn't know. He looked down at the bandages around his waist. "Nothing, just a gun shot wound."
"Gun shot? Roland what happened?"
"Let's talk in the morning," he said. "Now about you."
"Yes, about me," Heather said. Her eyes looked back at the ground.
Roland walked over to his bed and took a seat next to her. "It's clear that you don't want to talk about it now-"
"To an empath," she replied with a smile.
"So, take my bed for tonight and we'll talk in the morning."
"Roland, I don't want to-"
"No more, you're taking the bed, I'll have my couch," he said, offering his reassuring smile. One that he charmed many of girls with.
"Thank you, Roland," Heather said, hugging him. "You're always a great friend."
"No prob', Heather," Roland replied, "That's what friends are for." He picked up the comforter and walked over to the couch. "Sleep well, and please, give me until nine before you wake me up, alright?"
"Fine," she said, and climbed into the bed.
Roland got comfy on the couch, and in no time at all, he was asleep. "Good night, my hero," Heather said, "good night my love." And then sleep took her too.
* * * * * *
Author's note: Another long chapter for me. Registering at eight thousand words, and that's still six thousand less then my first chapter, excluding the prologue.
Any way you probably noticed that this chapter focused on Roland a lot. Well, that is to build the up coming story for Harry. Again thank you for the review and please continue to do so. If you've read my story, take the time to review it.
New beginnings are all it takes
By: Chronos the Fallen Angel
Author's note: "A new beginning is all it takes to make the world, and a second chance to change it." Chronos the Fallen Angel
Classic Cowboy, thank you for the review, same with Sunny and Logan Taylor. Anyone who reads this please review it; don't worry about my other story. I'm taking it down as soon as I have the time.
/-/ Means thought since italics doesn't work on this network. Also it can be used for telepathy.
I'm going to continue where I left off; I'm skipping the car ride over and majority of the mall, as it would be pointless to have that for the next chapter. In reality, this and the chapter before probably could be one, so review if you think so or not.
* * * * * *
When they got to the mall, Roland and Storm immediately let Harry and Hermione go off on their own. As soon as they found all the cloths stores, and finished shopping for the majority of what they needed, Hermione made Harry take her to the bookstore. She face lit up when she saw it, Barnes and Noble was the name of the store. It was two stories, and Hermione was like a little kid in a toy store. Despite her legs hurting her, she ran inside, excited for she could start her collection again. "Hermione," Harry said, running in after her, "please, slow down. You're going to hurt yourself, and besides, Roland said to take our time." He placed an arm on her shoulder, and she jumped just a bit.
"Oh," she said, seeking shelter in his arms, "I forgot that you were here. It's just that Steven never took me anywhere I wanted to." Her voice trailed off.
"Hey, remember," Harry replied, "he's never going to hurt you again, Hermione. I won't let him. Now c'mon, I don't think you want to spend the entire time in here in my arms, do you?" Hermione didn't reply. "Okay, I'll hold your hand, alright?" he looked down at her, and saw a smile on her face. "Alright, let's go." He let go of her and wrapped his hand around hers. Harry loved the way she felt in his hand; her touch was so soothing. /You are a true heaven sent angel, Hermione,/ Harry thought.
Hermione led the way, walking up and down every aisle, Harry right by her side. She talked about what she had read, what she wanted to read, and every once in a while, grab a book and handed it to Harry. After two aisles along, Harry had about ten books in his arms. Finally, he stopped her for a second so that he could get a bag or something to hold all the books in. He'd walked over to the miscellaneous section and picked up a bag. "I think that we'll need more then one of these," Harry said, seeing that the bag was already half full. He already was holding their other bags, filled with their cloths.
"That's cause it's only half empty, Harry," Hermione replied.
"Really, I saw it as half full." Harry looked down in the bag, staring at all the books. He shifted the bag to his free hand, Hermione let his use both hands for a second. Harry grabbed two more bags, and held them in the same hand as the bag. He then looped his hand around her arm and bowed, "lead the way." Hermione blushed for a moment, and then walked off, with Harry right next to her, helping her every few steps. Hermione blushed every time, too.
She pushed some hair out of her face. "I'm sorry to be such a burden," Hermione said, looking down at the ground. Harry was already holding two full bags, and they were working on the third right now.
"Hermione," Harry replied, picking her chin up, "you will never be a burden on me.' He smiled into her baby-blue eyes. /God, you're beautiful, Hermione./
"Thanks, Harry," she said, staring back into his emerald eyes. /Harry, you happen to be the most handsome person on the planet, why can't I tell you that?/
"Listen you two lovebirds, you're blocking the aisle," a man said, Harry looked up and saw that it was Roland.
"Sorry, Roland," Harry said, his face turning a mad color of red.
"What are you doing here?" Hermione asked, she tried her best to remain calm, but her face was a bitter red too.
"I told you, I'm a collector," Roland said, looking at the books in the aisle. They'd stopped in the biography aisle, when Roland showed up. "I see that you two like to read."
"No, just me," Hermione replied, "I'm trying to start my collect again."
"It's great to see someone so fascinated by ready." Roland wasn't even looking at them any more; he picked up a book and scanned the back of it. "I simply read for it gives me a gateway into another realm, whether a fantasy one or a realistic world like ours."
"That's interesting," Hermione, said, "I read because people are interesting to me, I love to see how the hero wins or the villain loses." She looked at the books the bags that Harry was holding.
He replaced the book and pulled out another one, reading the back of it. "Your leg still bothering you?" Roland asked.
"How'd you know that it was bothering me in the first place?" Hermione asked.
"I don't think Harry's holding your hand for nothing," he watched as they turned the gazes away from each other, each face burning a bright red. "Though I could be wrong."
"Roland?" Storm appeared at the end of the aisle. She had a few books in her hand.
"Yeah," he looked back at her.
"Do you happen to have a cell phone that I can borrow?" She walked over to them, her long white hair bouncing on her shoulders.
"Now, what sorta question is that to ask me?" Roland said, reaching in his coat. He pulled out one and handed it to her. "Of course I have a cell phone."
"Thanks, I should be done in a few minutes," Storm walked off, opening the cell phone and began to press the buttons.
"Anyway," Roland continued off, picking up another book. "When did your leg start hurting you?"
"This morning," Hermione replied. "Why?"
"Could be just a bruised bone, but you might want to have Doc McCoy look at it."
"Doctor McCoy?" she repeated looking down as if she heard that name before.
"Hank, Harry." Roland put the book back, "if you want any sci-fi novels, they're this way." He turned around and walked back out the aisle.
"C'mon, Harry," Hermione said, pulling him along. Despite all the things he was carrying, his and Hermione's cloths, and the books, Harry felt as if he was carrying nothing. "I want to get some science fiction books."
"Alright," he replied, smiling at his friend's enthusiasm. Harry walked a bit quick to appease Hermione's search for knowledge and books, as she pulled him along. "Slow down, Hermione, you're going to hurt yourself."
"Fine, but hurry up, Harry," Hermione said, she stopped for a moment, and Harry noticed the piano her ace.
"Your leg still hurting you?" He asked, out of concern.
"Yeah," Hermione rested her head on his shoulder, "but I'll be fine once we get back to-" she paused for a moment, "where ever we were."
"We can ask Roland if we can go back now; I doubt that he'd say no."
"No, please, Harry," Hermione pleaded, staring at his eyes with hers, "just a bit longer."
"Only if you slow down, and stop pushing yourself." They walked off and found Roland looking through the comic books.
"Comic Books, gotta love them," Roland looked at a few of the titles and picked up one. "Science Fiction is on this side." He pointed to one side, and then continued to look through the comic books.
Harry just noticed that he had another bag next to him. "What's in the bag?"
"Um," Roland looked down at the bag at his side, "some of the games I ordered arrived, along with a few dozen packs of Magic cards, along with a some more CDs that I need to add to my collection."
"Oh, Harry," Hermione said, holding up a few books, "we just got to get these." She came running back from the end of the aisle.
"Hey, it's your choice. I'm just here to carry the books for you," Harry replied. "Just slow down."
"Thanks, Harry," she said, slipping the books into the bag, and giving him a quick peck on the cheek. As she pulled away, Harry tried to move his free hand to feel his cheek, but felt hers instead. They stood there for a moment, staring into each other's eyes before pulling away. Hermione walked off down toward the end of the aisle, and Harry just stood there. Only Roland seemed to notice that both of their faces were a deep scarlet red.
"Hey, Roland," Storm showed up again, and Harry snapped out of his trance. "Here's your cell phone back." She tossed it down the aisle, and the man in black simply caught it with even looking at her.
Roland turned his head from the comic book. "Thanks," he said, and placed it back into his coat.
"Are we going soon?" she asked, "it's getting late, and it's almost dinner time."
"When Hermione's done," Roland said, looking down at Harry. "Or until Harry here can't carry any more."
"Then we might be here a while," Harry replied. "I'm perfectly fine, Roland." He looked down at all the bags he was carrying. "And I doubt that Hermione's going to end soon, but you never know." Hermione came back, yawning, but she had more books in her hands. "Almost done?"
"Not," she yawned again, "yet." Hermione placed the books in the bag, but stopped when Harry touched her shoulder. Roland noticed that she jumped just a bit.
"It's been a long day," Harry said, "and I doubt that this is the last time we come here." He looked up at Roland, who had picked up his bag. "Is that right?"
"Right, I come once every Saturday," He answered, "I won't let you spend as much, but you can by a few books."
"You're still willing to pay for us," Harry replied, shocked. "But-"
"Why not, making people happy is what I do." Roland walked over and placed a hand on each of their shoulders. Storm saw the pain on his face, despite him still wearing the sunglasses. He nodded at her, but Harry didn't know why.
"Hear, that Hermione," Harry said. She rested on his shoulder, a tired look painted across her face.
"Do you have any shopping left?" Storm asked.
"Yeah a few things," Harry blushed just a bit.
Storm didn't figure it out, but Roland did. "Bathroom materials, huh?" he said, causing both of them to blush more. "That's fine. After dinner, I'll take Harry; Storm, you take Hermione." He walked past them and hooked his arm around. "Lead on, Miss Munroe." Roland smiled. "A blind man can't led himself everywhere."
They walked down the to food court, through, rather slowly for Hermione stopped every once in a while, catching her breathe. Harry smiled down at her each time, holding her hand in his free one. She returned the smile and pressed on. /So strong,/ Harry thought, /so brave./ After about a five minute walk, they made it down to the food court.
After dinner, Roland took Harry off to buy what he needed: boxers, shampoos, and the such. Harry felt alone and empty when Hermione left with Storm to get her final few items.
"You love her don't you?" Roland asked finally, his walking cane bouncing off the ground.
"What do you mean?" Harry replied, shocked by the question.
"I can tell that not being near her makes you feel uncomfortable, Harry," Roland looked down. "I'm still an empath, Harry. I can tell what others are feeling."
"I-I," Harry stuttered a bit.
"Alright, don't answer the question then." Roland looked back up at the crowd.
They didn't talk again until Harry had finished shopping. The entire time, Harry was thinking about what Roland said. Why was it that he did feel uncomfortable without her near? Did he love her? All sorts of questions ran through his mind, and then he felt it. /Help me, Harry./ He collapsed when he felt it, the pain was so much. "What was that?" he asked.
"That was her calling out for you, Harry," Roland said, helping him back to his feet.
"You felt it too?" Harry slowly got to his feet.
"I feel everything," Roland replied. "Go find her, you still are able to run. Run Harry."
Harry ran off down the hallway, everyone was staring at him. But he didn't care. He had to find Hermione. Harry ran at his top speed, and he was carrying all of the bags of cloths that he and Hermione bought. He turned the corner and saw a blue sphere surround someone. He looked around and saw Storm. "Storm!" Harry ran over to her, "What happened?" It was slowly growing out. Sparks flashed along the edges of the blue sphere.
"I don't know," Storm, replied; her face was that of fear and panic. "She saw someone in one of the stores and freaked out. She started to ask for you, and then ran off. Then this happened." She pointed to the sphere.
"What is it?" Harry asked. He reached out and touched it. He felt nothing, his hand simply passed through the sphere's edge. "I don't see what's wrong with it."
"It's an electric field," Roland had walked up, slowly though; his knee must have been killing him by the look on his face. "It's her powers, they're manifesting." He pulled out his cell phone, and dialed a number. "Professor, get over here pronto. We've got problems." Roland closed the phone and placed it back in his coat. "How we going to get her? Storm, can you-"
"No, I just summon the lightning, Roland, not control it," she had scared look painted across her face.
"And I doubt that my powers would work against pure plasma." He looked back at the field, staring at it for a moment. "The energy is coming from Hermione, not just out of the air, but something's wrong."
"Can you tell what it is?" Harry asked. Roland didn't look down at the boy, but felt his pain. He felt everything that was happening right now. Harry moved to touch his left arm and felt a shock. "Why'd you do that?"
"I didn't do anything," Roland replied, still staring at the sphere. "It's static electricity, Harry. The arm and eye are metal remember."
"So this is her power?" Storm asked, trying to get closer but got slightly shocked. "Ouch." She jumped back.
"Storm just back off," Roland said; he motioned for her to move back. "Something's wrong, but what is it? This data, where is it?" he began to talk to himself. "Dear god," he took his eyes off her it for a moment, "Everyone down." He dove to the ground knocking down Storm. Harry dropped to his knees and covered his head. A large blade moved across the air just above Harry's back, he felt the air column move. Glass broke all along the hall in the mall. He looked up and saw that Roland and Storm were thrown a few feet back. The man in black slowly got to his feet. "Got to stop her before she hurts someone."
"What do you think you're doing, Roland?" Harry asked. "You said so yourself, your part metal, you're labial to be fried."
"Harry, I've got to try." He ran after toward the sphere.
"Roland, no!" Storm reached out, trying to stop him, but she didn't move, her legs under some rubble that had fallen from the ceiling.
Roland dove straight into the sphere, and was a few feet from Hermione before he hit the ground hard. A hole was in the floor where he landed, and his body began to convulse. /The circuits in his arm must be frying,/ Harry thought as he saw the smoke rise up from the man's body. /I've got to help./ Harry ran into the blue sphere, and excepted to be fried too. But nothing happened.
Harry stood up and looked around, nothing was happening to him. He didn't feel anything out of the ordinary. Pushing his own fears aside he ran over to Roland, and knelt next to him. "Roland, what can I-" but that was all he could get out.
Roland had reached up with his right arm and grabbed Harry by the collar. "Help.her.now. .Harry," was what Roland got out, and he threw the wizard over in the direction of Hermione.
Harry got up and ran over to his friend's side. She was on her knees, huddled up. "Hermione?" he said, he touched her back lightly. She quivered under his touched. "Hermione, it's me Harry."
Hermione sat up quickly; Harry knelt down next to her. "Are you alright?" He asked. Immediately, when he got the words out, Hermione had her arms around his neck, her head in his chest. He began to run his fingers through her hair. "I'm here, I'm here. I promised that no one would hurt you again, Hermione." He began to rock her back and forth in his arms. /Maybe Roland was right,/ Harry thought. /No, I'm just being a good friend./
Storm watched as the blue sphere slowly dissolved away, the electricity dying from the lack of a power source. Roland stopped writhing pain, but he lay on the ground looking at Harry and Hermione. He held his side, as he landed hard on it. "That a boy," Roland said, smiling to see Harry so protective and caring about Hermione.
Security guards came running over to them, many pointing guns at Harry and Hermione. "Don't move!" one shouted. His hands were trembling; Roland had to laugh at it. They were afraid of a little girl. The guard walked forward a bit; a spark jumped from Hermione, and blew him back about twenty feet, through a store window. Roland only laughed harder.
One guard kicked Roland for laughing, "Shut up!" he yelled, pointing a gun at him. "You think that this is funny." Roland got kicked again; he coughed out blood. "Fucking mutie, ya'all should burn in hell." He pointed the gun at him, and started to pull the trigger back.
In a matter of moments, Roland was on his feet, holding the guard by the neck. He lifted him off the ground, smiling at the fact that the guard was squirming. "I may be mutie, pal. But I am a damn powerful one at that."
"Roland, no," Storm said, she had gotten to her feet but was still dazed from the fall.
All guns were pointed at Roland. The sound of them clicking echoed the silent mall. He was smiling at the guard, who was trying to break the grip of Roland's left hand on his neck. No one was moving, save Harry rocking Hermione back and forth, and Storm walking over to Roland's side. "'Bout time, Professor," Roland said, dropping the guard. The floor echoed when the man hit it.
/Glad to be a service,/ the professor's voice said, echoing the minds of his students. /Please come along on. And don't forget the things you came here to get./
"Right, professor," Storm replied, Roland and her grabbed all the bags. "How many books did she get?"
"About fifty or so," Roland said, smiling. "I'll get the two lovebirds." He walked off and Storm followed him, holding Hermione's cloths.
/Roland!/ Professor X said in their minds.
"What?" He asked, as he was walking over to Harry and Hermione. "Harry, come on," He said softly. "We've got to go."
"Thank you, Roland," Harry said.
"I did nothing, Harry," Roland replied. "It is you who I should be thanking." He held up his mechanical arm, "After all, I'd still be frying right now if you didn't calm her down." He placed a hand on his shoulder, the other one filled with bags. "C'mon, we've should be leaving not." He looked up and waved his arm. A black oval appeared, right in front of him. "Storm, you first, then Harry and Hermione." Storm ran through the oval.
"Where does it lead?" Harry asked, he stood up and had Hermione in his arms, resting peacefully. /My princess must have fallen asleep. Probably just an exhausting day./
"To where ever the professor is Harry," Roland pointed at it, "now, go on, I've got some more work that needs to be finished." A black robe appeared on his body, as did the black mist around his feet. Harry didn't move, staring at Roland. "Harry, go now, for I don't think that professor can hold these men in place much longer." Roland pulled up a black hood and his face fell back into the darkness.
"Fallen?" Harry said, staring at him.
"Correct, now go, Harry," Fallen said, "and that is an order." His body slowly rose into the air as Harry walked through the black oval. He appeared on the jet where he and Hermione were first rescued.
"Hello, Harry," the professor said, "Please take a seat." He was up in one of the cockpit seats, and Storm was at the other.
"Yes, Professor," Harry replied, and carried Hermione over to one of the seats; he placed her down in it and then sat next to her.
"Professor?" Storm said, throwing her white hair out of her eyes. "When did Roland change the Blackbird?"
"About a week after you left," The professor rubbed his temples. "I can't hold them much longer. What is taking him?"
"Probably after the security cameras, professor." Storm strapped herself in. "he can take care of himself."
"It's not him, I'm worried about, Storm," Professor X said. "It's those who are attacking him."
* * * * * *
Roland floated through the screaming crowds, scanning the building for the security room. "There you are," he said, his voice demonic and evil. A small smile broke out underneath his hood. He found the security room, on the other side of the mall though.
"Freeze mutie," A line of guards was standing in front of him, blocking his way. "Stand down, and put your hands on your head."
"Like," Roland moved his hands to the back of his head, and summoned two shadow swords, "This." He charged them, slicing through the line. Some of the guards tried to shot Roland, but the bullets just pasted right through him. No blood was spilt but all the guards were writhing in pain. "Show you to mess with me." His swords were absorbed back into his body and continued to float along.
More people ran away from him, though some shouted at him. "Freak." "Muties deserve to burn in hell." "Go back to your own kind." "Die, you monster." Roland did his best to ignore the ignorance, but it was hard. They were so loud and so frequent, and the feelings that these people projected were so strong, it was extremely difficult.
"Ah," a voice said, Roland turned around to see who it was. It was a man in a yellow and blue uniform. He had long gray hair. Roland looked at the mechanical leg. "So a mutant has turned up. X-Factor, assembly." Three people came running out of the crowd. Roland looked at them carefully, studying their movements. /know thy enemy, a wise man once said,/ Roland thought. The woman of the three people had green hair, and moved gracefully, much like a dancer. The first of the men looked like a biker, with just a vest covering his tattooed chest. He wore a bandanna and walked slowly. The last man moved fast, but not fast enough. He was white-haired. /much like your father, Pietro./
"Well, X-Factor," Roland said, crossing his arms. He summoned another black oval behind his back and sent a hand into it. Only he knew where it went. "it is a pleasure to meet a group sponsor by our hypocritical government. Let me guess, you're here to stop me." /the room is destroyed as are all the tapes, save,/ he thought, and pulled the hand back. In it was a video tape, more specifically, the one that recorded Hermione and her manifestation. /The last one./ He pulled the hand into his shadowy body, but not before destroying the tape, burning it to bits by focusing energy into it. "Please try." He summoned two swords.
The gray-haired man looked at the Pietro and the woman. "Just like in the drills," he said, "but be carefully." He whispered, probably hoping that Roland didn't hear what he said, "this is our first real field assignment, so don't screw it up." he pointed at the shadow master. "Quicksilver, Polaris, formation delta. Random, projectile launch gamma."
Roland stood his ground as Quicksilver/Pietro ran around him, gaining speed, and creating a vortex around him. Polaris pulled the metal from the surroundings and sent it in the vortex, trying to do what Roland couldn't' figure it out. /Computer,/ he thought, /record all data while fighting mutant team known as X-Factor./
/confirmed, recording beginning/ a voice replied to Roland.
/this should be good./ He thought, /I'll learn something from this at least./ A blast came from outside the vortex, the man known as Random had begun whatever Projectile Launch Gamma was. It missed Roland by three feet. He looked up and saw that the visibility beyond the vortex was zero. A smile broke out under his hood again. The blast continued to come as Roland walked forward, into the edges of the vortex. He stuck a sword out as Pietro ran around, he ran right into it, and fell down to the ground. Again, no blood was spilt, but Pietro was writhing in pain. The vortex collapsed and so did the metal pieces within it. They went flying in every direction. Polaris protected herself by forming a shield around her, much like the sphere that Hermione produced. /A magnetic mutant. Interesting; probably not as powerful as Magneto./ Roland thought. He threw his swords at her, piercing the shielding and her shoulders. She screamed out in pain, and he felt it all.
Roland turned his attention to the two remaining members of 'X-Factor.' "I am Fear," he said, his demonic voice echoing the now salient halls, "I am Pain, I am Anger, I am Sorrow. I am the Fallen." He bowed at them. "You are good soldiers. And I would like-" Roland never finished his statement, for he heard a gun click behind him.
"Damn, muties," the guard said, he was on the ground, holding his side. "All deserve to die." And fired it at Roland.
There was barely enough time for Roland to react. /I have to take the bullet, unless I am willing to allow these people to be hurt./ He dropped out of his wraith form and took the bullet in the stomach. "I've been shot," he said, staring at the wound. His hands covered it as he dissolved into a fine black dust. It was quickly blown away by wind that appeared out of nowhere.
* * * * * *
Harry sat next to Hermione, who was leaning on his shoulder, sound asleep. He placed an arm around her. Every once in a while, she would whimper a bit, but when Harry touched her, she calmed down. "It's alright," he said, "it's alright."
Wind blew in the cockpit, and formed a vortex in the back. Professor X looked at it then at Storm. "I didn't do that." A form began to form with in the vortex, what looked like a black figure in a cape and hood covering his head. "Is that, no, it can't be."
Roland appeared and took a few steps forward, holding his stomach. He looked down at it then at front of the jet. "I've been shot." And collapsed onto the floor, his knees hitting the ground, then the rest of his body. Storm rushed back, as did Harry.
"My god," Harry said, "he's bleeding all over the place."
"Storm, treat him the best you can, I'll take the controls," the professor said. "Harry, help her get him onto the table." He nodded, and picked him up by the shoulders. Storm grabbed his legs and they were able to get him on the table. She pulled a small knife out from underneath the table.
"Harry," Storm said, "you can go sit down now." He looked at the man on the table; the black hood that covered was being used as a pillow for him. Storm cut open his shirt and began to clean it. Harry slowly walked back to the front and took his seat next to Hermione. She seemed fine, but the moment he sat down, she curled up next to him, using his lap as a pillow.
Harry smiled at the little girl in his lap, how peaceful she looked. He just stared at her for a moment, brushing her hair with his fingers, before the professor broke his trance. "Hank? Hank!" he was talking into a little device that had speaker on it.
"What, professor?" Hank's voice came over the Com. Systems.
"Get a stretcher ready and meet us in the hanger."
"Why what happened?"
"We have a gun shot wound."
"Roland's with you," Hank said, "he should be able to help."
"He's the victim, Hank," Professor X said.
There was silence from the Com. Systems before Hank spoke again. "We'll be waiting."
"Hank," the professor added, "keep everyone calm the best you can, tell only the other professors. I don't want a panic school, alright?"
"Yes, professor," Hank replied. The professor hung the device on the dashboard.
"All we can do now is wait."
"Professor!" Storm yelled from the back. Harry looked back and saw Roland beginning to stir.
"Storm, we're almost to the mansion; can it wait?" Professor X asked.
"No, Roland's trying to get up," She said.
"Roland," Professor X said, pushing gently on the controls, "lay back down, now. Before you hurt yourself. That gun shot wound-"
"Is nothing," he managed to get, his sunglasses had fallen off, and his face was filled with pain and agony. "I just need to-" he reached into his stomach with a pitch-black hand and pulled out the bullet, "to be patched up. That's all." He was breathing hard, and still holding his side.
"Roland, I want Hank to look at the wound," Professor X replied.
"Fine, but-" it was one of the few times, he didn't argue. The pain was so much that he couldn't focus.
"No medicine, I know, Roland," the professor landed the jet carefully. The hatch opened up, and Hank came in with a stretcher.
"Roland," he said, and helped him onto the stretcher, "please relax."
"Okay, but," Roland handed the doctor something. "Hold this for me." He had a small smile on his face.
Hank opened his hand and saw the bloody bullet in his palm. "Roland, did you?"
"I did, Doc," Roland replied, he laid down on the stretcher. Hank pushed him down the hatch and to the infirmary. "Hi, ho silver, away." He pointed up in the air as he speed off. Storm was right behind them, showing concern for her friend.
Harry picked up Hermione and walked down the hatch. "Professor, I'm going to head up to our room, if that's alright?"
"That's fine, Harry," the professor said, "You two must be tired. And don't worry about the bags, you can come back for them after you drop Hermione off."
"Okay," Harry started to walk away. "Professor?"
"Yes, Harry," he replied.
"What about the security tapes? They can probably figure out that it was us from them."
"I'm sure Roland did what he needed to do," the professor wheeled himself down the hatch.
Harry took Hermione up to their room, and laid her in her bed. She looked so peaceful, so much that Harry didn't want to leave her, but he did. He had to get the rest of their stuff. The only reason why he made two trips was because he couldn't fit all the bags into his two hands. They felt so light in his hands, as did she.
With all their cloths and bags up in the room with them, sleep finally hit him, and it hit him hard. Harry had a hard time keeping his eyes open. But some how, he was able to change in his pajamas and get into his own bed. The sun hadn't set yet, but it was summer and it rarely set before eight.
* * * * * *
Roland limped back down the hallways of the X-mansion looking for someone. Hank had patched up his wound, and bandaged it. He was without his shirt, or coat for that matter. Professor X said that it was taken to his room, as were his books and the rest of the things that he had bought. He was below ground and was coming out of the infirmary, with bloody bandages around his waist where he had been shot. Roland felt so sick to his stomach but was starving too. Using his powers drained him of his energy.
He walked alone, as the rest of the school was quiet and asleep. His internal clock read twelve midnight. The silver hallways were dark and empty. Roland was happy, for he didn't have to worry about the light bothering his unprotected eyes. Finally he found the holding cells for the brotherhood. He walked through the door leading to them and turned on the lights. The inhabitants were rather surprised at the light. "Magneto," he said, and limped over to the cell where the Master of Magnetism was being held, "we need to talk."
"That is fine," he said, coming to the edge of the cell. All the separated the two mutants was a thin wall of plasma. "I must say, the upgrades that you have done for this mansion are splendid, Roland." Unlike the rest of the Brotherhood, he was wide-awake, reading some of the books in the cell.
"Thank you, Eric." Roland summoned a chair for him to sit on. "Like I said, we need to talk."
"Before we begin, I would like to thank you," he said.
"For what?" Roland took a seat, and then summoned a shadow chair for the other mutant. "Please sit down."
"For saving my life, and the rest of our lives," Magneto took a seat. "Thank you again."
"Well, you're welcome, for both things." Roland stared at him for a moment. "What do you think of my invention?"
"Rather ingenious, Roland," Magneto touched the brace on his neck. "How it is able to prevent the use of our powers is amazing?"
"Well, thank you," Roland smiled. He completely ignored the question. "But I didn't come down here for idol chit-chat."
"Then what do you want?"
"A few things," Roland replied. "What do you know about Voldemort?"
"He was the man who sent us to kill Mister Potter. I'm afraid Steven just got out of hand." He had an ashamed look on his face. "the two people weren't suspose to die. Only Harry, and that was why steven was there. Gambit, Pyro and I refused to kill them.
"Do you have an idea where he is?" The Master of Magnetism looked down at the ground.
"Yes, but," Magneto looked look at Roland, "What's in it for me?"
"A second chance." Roland smiled at the old man, "But in order for you to even get this, I need a few things in return."
"Like what?"
"A promise, Eric," Roland said, "a promise that you will not fight another human being, accept with my permission."
"Now why should I promise to that? You know the best out of the mutants here, a war is coming and only the superior will survive."
"The war's not with who you think, Eric," Roland said. "It's against the wizards, and if we waste out energy on attacking normal people, then we will lose the war. And besides, it wouldn't be this easy to take out the humans if that was suppose to happen."
"Still," Magneto pondered, "why the wizards, they are no threat to us unless-"
"Slave labor, Magneto, among other things." Roland ran his fingers through his hair. "So I am offering a second chance for you and Gambit, as you two did not kill any one, or destroy that much property. The second chance begins with your freedom."
"Excellent," Magneto replied.
"But there is a catch," Roland said. "I'm in need of spies within the ranks of Voldemort."
"Do you even know the first reason why we were working for him?"
"No, but that doesn't matter." Roland stood up. "What matters is the fact that you can help me stop a mad man."
"Do you know that Harry Potter has defeated Voldemort for the past five years?"
"Yes, any intelligent wizard knows that," Roland said, "What does it matter?"
"Do you know that the boy and the girl is important is the full revival of The Demon?"
"You mean Harry and Hermione?" /The Demon,/ Roland thought, /where have I heard that name before?/
"Or how about the fact that the six Elements are also important to his revival?" /Six Elements, why does that name-/ "or maybe the fact about you are also a key ingredient to the resurrection. Or it could be-" He didn't have time to answer the question. Roland took a partial wraith form and drove his hand through the plasma wall.
"What does this have to do with me and them?" he asked, Roland had a tight grip on Magneto's neck.
"Harry Potter is one of the last ingredients in his revival. As are you and Hermione." He coughed from lack of air. "But it doesn't matter, whether or not the six elements are alive, all he needs is their blood." Roland dropped the old man back to his feet and pulled his arm back through the plasma wall. The pain was enormous; the skin on his hand was burnt to a crisp, even in his wraith form. But the pain wasn't just from the plasma burns. "The Demon will be reborn, Roland, or should I say Chronos?"
"What did you call me?" Roland stared at the Master of Magnetism. The old man slowly rose to his feet and sat on the bed.
"Chronos, it is the name that he used for." /that name is familiar too. Where have I heard it before?/
"How can that be?" Roland asked. "I've never met him."
"You are so foolish, Roland," Magneto said, "it wasn't you directly, only the powers that you have, that is how he described you, a Shadow Master are you not?"
"Since you know a lot about this then," Roland said, /clearly more then me./ "then you knew that if he is revived, then we'll have a hard time slaying that beast. I want to you to relay information to me, Eric. That way I can stop him." He rubbed his elbow; the farthest point into the plasma wall and where it was in it the longest.
"He promises of a free world, where-"
"Bullshit, and you know it. The only way mutants will be free is if the understand why we are the way we are. Under his rule, we'll be slaves like the rest of the world."
"True, Roland," Magneto said. He said nothing for a moment. "Will you be offering my freedom then in exchange for this service?"
"Yes, you and Gambit."
"And what of the others in the Brotherhood?"
"Sabertooth will be punished according to wizard law, as records indict that he is a wizard, and Pyro will stay here, where the Professor will help him. But I doubt that much can be done. I will probably have to strip him of his powers since-"
"Aren't we quick to judgment, when we too are in the same position?" Magneto asked. Roland stared with his hollow eyes. It had been a long night, and he was having trouble focusing, but he still continued on. /is he right?/ he asked himself. /Am I not in that same position?/
"He will be given a second chance, as I was," Roland said, "what he makes of it is his choice."
"I see then," Magneto replied, "Then why do you want to help me and Remy?"
"You two are the ones that can be saved as of right now," Roland said, running his fingers through his hair. "Are you going to take the deal or not?"
Magneto sat there for a minute, thinking over the proposal. "I will give you my answer in the morning, which will give me time to talk it over with Remy."
"Fine, I'll be back in the morning, you have til then, Eric," Roland walked away.
"Oh, Roland, what did you think of the Holocaust," he asked. Roland stopped where he was, thinking of what the survivor had said. Then it hit him, /I acquired the memories of a Holocaust survivor./ He rushed off to his room, just as the memories of the old man hit his mind, just as Magneto started to laugh.
* * * * * *
Harry woke up in the middle of the night; another storm was brewing outside. On his back he watched the storm outside work it's magic. Lightning flashed again, and he felt the little huddle mass that was lying in the bed with him shiver. "Hermione," he said looking down.
"Hi, Harry," she replied, "you don't mind if I stay here the night do you?" She sounded as if it was no big deal. The lightning cracked and Hermione buried her head back into his bare chest.
"It's alright, Hermione," Harry said, softly petting her brown hair. "You can stay here." /you can stay all you want, Hermione./
"Thank you so much," she whispered. Harry felt her begin to trace his chest. He laughed a little bit, and she giggled. She sighed and stopped for a moment, laying her arm across it. Her head was on it chest too, just below his head.
"You know what Hermione?" Harry asked.
"What Harry?" Hermione replied, pulling Harry closer to her when the lightning crashed.
"If you kept on ending up in my bed, I think that we should just get rid of the other one." Hermione laughed again as did Harry too. /I mean it too, Hermione./
"I think you're right," she said, her breathing becoming softer. "I like the beat of your heart." The lightning cracked again, but she didn't shake as much.
"Well," Harry didn't know how to reply.
"It's soothing." She let out a deep breath. /Hermione, my sweet Hermione./ Harry thought to himself, continuing to pet her curly brown hair. /Beauty is but another name for you. Kindness is but your hobby. How I love you./
"Thank you, 'Mione." He said, but no reply came. She was asleep, and had stopped shaking. Despite the storm outside, his friend had calmed down. "I love you, Hermione Granger, and I always will. I promise that." Harry leaned forward a bit and kissed her head lightly.
Hermione yawned, "What did you say, Harry."
"Nothing," he lied. "Just relax, and try to get some sleep."
"Will," she yawned again, "do." Again Hermione was fast asleep, comforted by Harry's touch.
Harry continued to pet her hair as he thought about the day's events. /Was Roland right when he said that I loved her? No,/ Harry thought, /he couldn't be, she's my friend. I am willing to do anything to protect her because she is my friend, but that's it, right?/ But sleep grabbed him again, before he could figure out the answer. Harry dreamt about a single tree, whose branches danced in the wind.
* * * * * *
Roland was asleep in his room when the storm hit, but that wasn't what woke him up. Despite the thunder in the background, Roland heard the sound of someone knocking. He got up. /Who could want to talk to me at this time of night?/ he thought. His internal clock read three a.m. He got up and walked over to the door, limping because of the wound in his stomach and his knee. When he opened the door, no one was there. /probably just a prank./ Roland closed the door and started to walk over to his bed, then the knocking came again. This time, he caught where it was coming from. The sound was too faint to be close to him. The only other entrance into his room was the balcony. /But who would be out there at this time of day, in this weather?/
Roland limped over to the window and opened the blinds. A woman with her blonde hair in ponytails was floating barely above the balcony. She holding a large duffle bag, and was drenched from the rain. "Heather," he said, opening the windows. She floated into he room shivering. "What are you doing here?" He walked over to his bathroom and pulled out a towel. "Don't you know that it's raining out there?" he handed her the towel.
"No, it's not raining out there, Roland," She said, and began to dry herself off. "I just decided to take a jump in a pool with all my cloths on before I came here."
"Alright," he held up his hands defensively. "You still didn't answer my first question; what are you doing here?"
"I ran away from the farm," Heather said, still shivering; her hands were shaking so much that she had a hard time drying her self.
"Here," he took the towel and helped dry her off. "God, you're freezing. Listen, go in the bath and get out of these cloths; you're not the Matrix any more so you are going to catch a cold if you stay in these cloths."
"Yes, Pa," she said, as he pushed her into the bathroom. Heather closed the door as soon as she was in.
"Go ahead," Roland said, "take a shower too."
"Yes, Pa," Heather repeated, and then laughed a bit.
Roland sat on his bed, waiting for his friend to come out of the bathroom. He tried his best to figure it out; /Why are you here, Heather?/ he asked himself. /You've got the perfect home, why leave it?/ the bathroom door opened and she came out, wearing his robe. He walked over to greet her. "I see you found my robe," Roland said, and received a playful hit on the arm.
"Shut up," Heather said, smiling at her friend. She walked over to his bed and sat down on it, still drying her hair.
"Want me to turn on a light?" he asked, still standing at the bathroom door way.
"I thought that you took out the lights in your room," She said, her blonde hair resting on her shoulders.
"Remember that we're wizards, Heather," his wand appeared in his hand. "Lumos." The end of his black wand lit up, providing light for them to see each other. "So, how are you?"
"I've been better," Heather said, "dear, god." She covered her mouth in shock. "What happened to you?'
"What?" Roland asked, as if he didn't know. He looked down at the bandages around his waist. "Nothing, just a gun shot wound."
"Gun shot? Roland what happened?"
"Let's talk in the morning," he said. "Now about you."
"Yes, about me," Heather said. Her eyes looked back at the ground.
Roland walked over to his bed and took a seat next to her. "It's clear that you don't want to talk about it now-"
"To an empath," she replied with a smile.
"So, take my bed for tonight and we'll talk in the morning."
"Roland, I don't want to-"
"No more, you're taking the bed, I'll have my couch," he said, offering his reassuring smile. One that he charmed many of girls with.
"Thank you, Roland," Heather said, hugging him. "You're always a great friend."
"No prob', Heather," Roland replied, "That's what friends are for." He picked up the comforter and walked over to the couch. "Sleep well, and please, give me until nine before you wake me up, alright?"
"Fine," she said, and climbed into the bed.
Roland got comfy on the couch, and in no time at all, he was asleep. "Good night, my hero," Heather said, "good night my love." And then sleep took her too.
* * * * * *
Author's note: Another long chapter for me. Registering at eight thousand words, and that's still six thousand less then my first chapter, excluding the prologue.
Any way you probably noticed that this chapter focused on Roland a lot. Well, that is to build the up coming story for Harry. Again thank you for the review and please continue to do so. If you've read my story, take the time to review it.