Chapter 9:
I try for I care
By: Chronos the Fallen Angel
Author's Note: "I try to help for I care for this realm and all realms." Chronos the Fallen Angel
Spoilers!
I recently read Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, which I might add is a great book. I will try to modify this story to co-exist with that one, but a few things will not change. Roland and Heather and the mutants will remain, and despite the warning that Moody gave the Dursleys, they still beat Harry. This will be explained later, as will who picked up Harry.
Okay, a few things, I'm sorry for not updating for a while. Our Internet has been done for a weekend, preventing me from updating. Also I was on vacation for a week, so I couldn't do it then, then I had baseball and summer school, so I had little time for this story.
J.K. Rowlings created Harry Potter and its characters, Marvel owns the X- men, and DC owns Supergirl, and any other characters that they had created. Anything I created is mine.
* * * * * *
Harry woke up with pure beauty in his arms. Hermione had rarely used the other bed now that they were dating; saying that is was more comfortable. But he knew better, she just wanted to be with him. Harry couldn't complain, he just wanted to be with her. She felt so warm in his arms, her skin smooth and silky. And her eyes, god Harry could get lost in them, and he did a few times. Just before Harry ever kissed her, he stared into her beautiful baby-blue eyes, into the pale sea that they were. His knees buckled every time he looked into them. "You are beautiful," Harry said softly, running his fingers through her hair.
Hermione shivered a bit, and slowly opened her eyes. She yawned before saying to Harry, "Would you mind not doing that when I'm asleep?"
"I thought you love it," Harry replied.
"I do, just every time you do that," she yawned again, and laid her head back on his bare chest, "it sends chills down my spine." Harry pulled her closer to him, and began to run his fingers through her hair again, slowly this time. Hermione shivered again. "Harry Potter, stop that," her words were between her giggles.
"Okay," he replied, and placed his arm around her. Hermione began to trace the muscles on Harry's chest.
"Harry," Hermione said.
"Hmm," he asked.
"Do you know what today is?" she asked, continuing to run her finger on his chest. She laid on her side, supporting her head with her other hand. Harry shifted so that he was looking start into her eyes.
"What?"
"I can't believe you forgot, Harry," Hermione said, sitting straight up. Her long night gown hung onto her body by two simple spaghetti straps. One strap fell onto her shoulder.
"Forgot what," Harry replied, to him it was just Saturday. Hermione just gave Harry a stern look. "What?" She placed her hands on her hips. "'Mione, please tell."
Hermione sighed when ever he used that name, his little pet name for her. /I can never resist that name, Harry,/ she thought. Hermione quickly gave Harry a hug, whisper in his ear, "Happy Birthday."
Harry eyes lit up when the date returned to his mind. "Today is." Hermione nodded. "So it's my." she nodded again.
"How could you forget?" she asked him.
"I got lost staring into your beautiful eyes, 'Mione," Harry said, touching her cheek gently with his fingers.
"Oh, Harry," she replied, she face burning red. Hermione just remembered something. "Oh, I almost forgot." She got up and ran over the dresser and pulled out a small bag and large box.
"What are these?" Harry asked as she jumped back on the bed, Hermione handed him the bag.
"This is Roland and Heather's gift to you," she said. Harry just stared at the gift. "Go on, open it."
Harry did as he was told, opening up the bag. He pulled out broom oil, then a cleaning kit and finally a large book about Quidditch. "But Hermione, don't they know that my Firebolt was destroyed?"
"And here is my gift to my boyfriend," Hermione shoved the box into Harry's hand.
Harry eyeballed Hermione before opening her gift. All the time, she had a smile on her face. Harry simply gasped at the gift that was in the back. It was a broom, not just a broom, but the legendary Excalibur. "Hermione, there are only three of these created, how did you get one?" he asked. "How did you pay for it?" He just stared at Hermione for a moment.
"What's wrong, don't you like it?" Hermione's smile disappeared. She didn't expect this. She thought that her boyfriend would be happy.
"Like it?" Harry got up quickly, placed the gift down, then picked Hermione and spun her around. He was laughing all the time. "I love it." When Harry put Hermione back on her feet, he gave he a kiss, passionate and long. He slid his hand behind her neck, and began to run his fingers through her hair. Hermione's knees buckled and she would've collapsed had her arms not been around Harry's neck and one of his around her waist. When Harry pulled away, a smile was on his and Hermione's face. "But I love you more." For a moment they just stared into each other's eyes. Hermione loved that she had to look up at Harry, /just like out a romance novel,/ she always thought. And today was no different. They stopped moving completely, just stared into each other's eyes.
"And I you, Harry," she said, kissing him again. Hermione felt a tongue against her lips for a moment, but then it disappeared. But when it touched, it was like heaven to her. Soft and sweet, just the way she liked it with Harry. She returned the favor, slowly opening her mouth enough to touch Harry's lips with her tongue. He pulled away when she did it. "Something wrong?" Hermione looked disappointed.
"No," Harry said breathing hard. Hermione didn't notice that she too was breathing hard. "Three things. One, I'm out of breath. Two, that was the one of the most wonderful kisses I've ever experienced." He still held his girlfriend close, looking to his eyes.
"One of," Hermione replied, still upset that Harry pulled away. But she could never stay mad at him for long.
"Yeah, the first kiss we shared was the best," Harry said, Hermione beamed proudly. "And three, we have really bad morning breath." Harry started to laugh and Hermione quickly joined it. Harry walked backwards over to the bed. She sat down on his lap, her arms still around his neck. "So what do you want to do?"
"It's your birthday," Hermione answered. "So you decided."
"Alright, but you have to do it with me," Harry replied, an idea had crossed his mind.
"Fine, Harry," Hermione said, "what do you want to do?" she just stared into his eyes, getting lost in the emerald pools.
"Now you got to promise that you'd do this."
"I promise, Harry." Hermione didn't take her eyes off of Harry's.
"So let's get showered and dressed," Harry said a small smile growing on his face, his eyes looking straight into Hermione's.
"Okay."
"Then we'll do what I want alright?" Harry asked. Hermione simply nodded her head, still lost in Harry's eyes. "Okay you take your shower first, and get dressed in the bathroom, I'll wait." Hermione got up, though with a frown on her face from leaving Harry's lap. "I'll be waiting for you." A smile appeared back on her sweet face, and Harry felt his heart jump. Hermione gave Harry a kiss on the cheek before running over to her dresser and removing her cloths for the day. Both their cheeks were turning a bright red, despite having been going out for the past month and half.
When Hermione closed the door, Harry got up and searched his dresser for cloths for the day. A knock came from the window. Harry looked up and saw that it was Roland, wearing his usually black trench coat and cowboy hat, surrounded by a black aura and floating high above the ground. "It's a bit early isn't it?" Harry asked, he walked over to the balcony windows and opened them. Harry then looked out across the acres of land that was owned by the professor. Roland just floated at the level of the young man.
"It's only 7:30," Roland replied. "And I know that you two have been up since six." He was moving back slowly, giving Harry room to look out at the horizon.
"It's really been that long?" Harry said. Roland simply nodded.
"Time passes quickly when you're with a love one, Harry." Roland still was hovering over the ground, out away from the balcony. "I came out here to tell you that I'm going to pick up what survived the fire and structural damage. I'll be apparating so I won't cause much of a stir."
The thought of how he was going to get there didn't cross his mind yet. "you remember what I asked to look for especially, right?"
"But of course." The floating man had a smile on his face.
Finally, the way Roland was getting there hit Harry. "But the ministry's all the way in England," Harry replied. "You can't apparate that far."
"Course I can, Harry," Roland smiled, "distance isn't what matters. Magic is about will. If you can will it, it shall be done." Roland crossed his legs and sat down on the air. He slowly began to turn upside down. "My mutant powers are also limited to my will. It just drains a lot more out of me." Roland was smiling upside down; Hermione came out to the balcony and just laughed at her cousin. "Did he like the present?"
"Which one?" Harry asked.
"Both," Roland said.
"Yes, he did," Hermione replied, laying her chin on Harry's shoulder. "But he said he loves me more then the gifts." She gave Harry a kiss on his cheek. He turned and smiled at her.
"I believe it," Roland turned himself right side up. "Now, I'm off." In a moment, he began to drop from the air. Just before he landed, Roland apparated away.
"So, Mr. Potter," Hermione said, wrapping her arms around his waist, "what do you plan for me today?" She was wearing simple blue jeans and a white blouse.
"Let me shower and get dressed," Harry replied, facing his girlfriend. He looked down at himself, "after all, I'm just in my boxers."
"And there's nothing wrong with that," Hermione said, she began to trace his stomach again, a small six-pack forming. "I like that you've gain a little muscle."
"I think that it has to do with my mutant powers, Hermione," Harry answered, Hermione shifted so that her arms were around his neck, making it easier for her to stare into his eyes. He wrapped his hands around her waist. "And I think that you've grown more stunning everyday since last year."
"I was only stunning last year?" Hermione sounded upset.
"No, it was just the first year that I noticed," Harry quickly said, making Hermione smile again. "But my 'Mione was, is and shall be beautiful."
"You, Mr. Potter are quite the romancer." She placed her forehead against Harry, happily looking into his eyes. Suddenly there was a flash. Both of them looked up to see Kitty with a camera. "Kitty!"
"Happy Birthday, Harry," She said, running toward the other wall, she quickly phased through it, using her mutant powers.
"Kitty," Hermione chased after her, but stopped at the wall. She couldn't follow her. "Bring that back."
"Nope," Kitty's voice came from the wall. "I'll going to print it off my computer now and show it to everyone." She popped out and looked around. "And by the way Harry, you look good in boxers."
"Thanks," Harry waved; his face was a bright red. He hadn't bothered to cover his fiery red boxers up, as he was out on the balcony. "Say hello to Piotr for me."
"No problem, Harry," Kitty flashed a smile at Harry before disappearing back into the wall.
"Ooo, Kitty makes me so mad sometimes," Hermione said, walking back to her boyfriend.
"Relax, Hermione," Harry comforted her, wrapping her in his arms. He laid his head on one of her shoulders. "She just wanted to get a picture of us."
"But aren't you mad, she saw you in your boxers." Hermione turned her head to looking to Harry's eyes.
"You're just jealous," Harry replied.
"No I'm not," Hermione said, Harry turned her around and looked straight into her eyes. "Okay I am, a little bit. But that's beside the point."
"You just don't want any other girl to fancy me, right?"
"Right, Harry," Hermione said, "you're all mine." She hooked his neck and pulled him in for any other kiss. Again a camera flashed and she pulled away from her boyfriend. "Kitty!" she said sternly.
"Okay, okay, last picture," Kitty disappeared through the wall again.
"Now where were we," Hermione said, a smile on her face.
Harry returned with the smile. "I think that we were about here." He kissed her again, after a few minutes he stopped and pulled away. "You taste good."
"And you don't," Hermione replied, "but I love you anyways. Now go take your shower." She shoved Harry toward the bathroom; he quickly grabbed his cloths and went inside. "And hurry up will you, I want to see the surprise."
"Okay, I'll hurry," Harry said starting the shower. After a good ten minutes he was out and dressed, though he was without his shirt and was still drying his hair.
"Oh, Harry," Hermione said, rushing over to him. "Let me help you with that." She took the towel from him and began to dry his hair.
"Thank, 'Mione," Harry replied, she just blushed. Harry quickly put on his gray t-shirt. "C'mon." he walked over to his broom. Harry grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her toward the window.
"What are we doing?" she asked, as Harry mounted the broom. "Oh no, Harry. I'm not flying."
"C'mon, Hermione," Harry pleaded, "just sit in front of me, and we'll fly together."
"No Harry," Hermione turned her back to him, pouting. "I don't like heights."
"'Mione," Harry said, she couldn't help but face her boyfriend. "Please, this once. If it isn't one of the greatest things that you've done, then I'll never ask you to do it again."
Hermione sighed. She wanted to fly so much, watching Harry do it at Hogwarts just made her crave it even more, but still. Her fear of heights was greater then that want. But love over comes all. "Fine Harry," Hermione walked over and mounted the broom in front of Harry, Harry wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Now hold the broom," he ordered.
"Harry." she complained, flying with a friend was one thing, but when she was the one control it, it was more then she could handle.
"C'mon, it'll be alright," Harry said, "I'm here to make sure nothing goes wrong. I'll catch you."
"Fine then," she pouted but did as she was asked. Hermione carefully gripped the broom. "What next?"
"Now," Harry pushed off the ground, and they were floating in the air, "we head toward that tree." He removed one arm from Hermione's waist and pointed to the farthest away tree.
"Okay," there was no point in complaining, Harry would make her fly anyways. Slowly, she pushed forward on the broom and they began to soar off, slow enough for Hermione to handle. Within a few minutes, they were at the tree.
"See, that wasn't too hard," Harry said with a smile, he leaned down and whispered into Hermione's ear. "I know you could do it, love."
"Thanks," Hermione looked back at Harry, turning her head just a bit. She was blushing, happy that she was finally able to do something that she had wanted to do for so long. And Harry was with her all the way, never leaving her side. She loved his sweet touch. "I just need someone to push me, to be there for me."
"I'll always be there, 'Mione," Harry replied. "C'mon, let's go a bit higher, you'll like the view."
Hermione looked down. "I don't know, it seems high enough already."
"You'll be fine," Harry said comforting, "I'll always be there to catch you." He kissed her forehead, and Hermione giggled. "Let's go."
/I'll be safe as long as Harry is with me,/ Hermione repeated to herself over and over in her mind. She sighed and reluctantly said, "Let's go." The broom slowly rose in the air. Soon they were above the mansion, high above the ground, and Hermione refused to look down.
"Hermione," Harry said, "open your eyes."
Hermione didn't release that they were closed. She slowly opened then, one at a time. "It's beautiful isn't it?" He asked. Hermione finally saw what Harry loved in flying; the sun was just rising above the clouds, reflecting off the horizon.
"Oh, Harry," she replied, wishing to be in his arms. But she knew better then to let go of the broom. "Now I see why you love flying."
"Flying isn't the only thing I love," Hermione blushed at Harry's statement.
"Always the romancer," She said, "all the girls are going to be so jealous of me."
"Yes they are," Harry said, he rested his chin on her shoulder, "Because of your beauty, your brains and your body."
Hermione just turned a brighter shade of red. "Stop it Harry." Her hands had become sweating and her hair was falling on her face.
"Here," Harry removed one arm from her waist and pulled the hair back behind her ear. "Much better."
"Thanks," Hermione blushed, she wasn't going to let go of the broom, not this high up. "Can we, um."
"Land? Sure, 'Mione, anything for you." Harry took hold of the broom, carefully, as he was still holding onto Hermione. She still hadn't gotten over her fear of heights. "Ready." Harry just watched as Hermione's head shook yes in answering. "Okay." and Harry dove straight forward to the ground. With in a few moments they were back on the ground, safe and sound. "Handles perfectly, Hermione."
She quickly jumped off the broom, and crossed her arms. "Don't you ever do that again, Harry James Potter," she yelled at him, not even looking at his emerald eyes.
"Hermione," Harry said, "you still want to fly with me sometimes?" A slick smile was on his face, as she turned around and looked at his eyes.
Hermione sighed, /you always get the best of me Harry,/ she thought. "As long as you don't do that again, alright?"
"Fine, Hermione," Harry replied.
"Promise?"
"I promise, 'Mione," Harry said, she quickly ran to his arms, the broom floating faithfully next to him.
"I can never resist that name," a smile was on her face as she looked up in his eyes.
"I know," Harry smiled down at her. "I love you, 'Mione."
"And I you, Harry," she kissed him passionately, never wanted the moment to end. They stood with the sun rising over head, peaceful and happy.
* * * * * *
Miles across the Atlantic Ocean, Roland had apparated in front of the Ministry of Magic building. He knew that anything that had survived the fire and structural damage was there, and so there he started. Roland slowly walked up to the doors; two aurors guarded them, carefully protecting the minister in side. His black trench coat flowed in the wind, his sunglasses reflected the just rising sun. "Halt," one of the guards said, just as Roland reached the stairs. "What is your business at the Ministry of Magic?" A rehearsed speech if Roland ever heard one. He eyeballed both guards, judging their build and their feeling about his surprise arrival. His mechanical eye switched it a lens that he had created to detect energy he named simply as 'life essence,' as there was nothing else to call it. A fascinating discovery, in Roland opinion. Each being that had, is, or ever will exist on the planet emits it, Roland thoughts raced. In wizards and mutants they have more access to this energy then normal Muggles. Roland learned that ability to access it is passed down through generation-to-generation, given the wizards case. But since there was no record of any mutant giving birth, Roland couldn't say the same for them.
/Weaklings,/ he thought. The amount of energy that these two Aurors possessed was limited, minute at best. Nothing compared to Harry and Hermione. "I have no business with you," he stated, "so leave me be." He started to walk up the stairs, but a guard stepped in front of him. /you've got to be kidding me. This, this/ he was stumbling in his thoughts, /boy is afraid of me, as is this girl./
"I said halt," the guard repeated.
The sun was glaring in Roland's eyes. He carefully removed his sunglasses, as he didn't want to be blind from the light. With his glasses off, Roland pulled down his hat to hide his eyes. "I don't think you know who I am," Roland said, looking straight, careful not to look up at the guards.
"I don't care if you're You-Know-Who," the guard said, "you aren't getting in."
Roland looked up at the man, a sinister smile on his face. "You couldn't defend against Voldemort if you Harry Potter." The Auror jumped back from the sight that he saw. "Go tell your boss that I need to talk to him."
"Yes sir," the guard stammered. He ran off into the building, leaving the poor girl to defend herself if there was an attack.
"That wasn't very nice of him," Roland said, walking up the stairs. /god this kills,/ he thought, his knee had been acting up again. But this time it was brutal, the stairs were long and he had to climb a lot of them to reach the top, where the girl was. Roland was hoping to calm the girl down; he sense that she was scared. "Relax; I'm not going to hurt you."
"You must be strong if you not afraid of He-Who-Should-Name-Be-Named," she said, quivering where she was standing.
"It's just a name, my dear," Roland replied, "it would mean nothing if it was just a normal person."
"But what he did," the female Auror was defending her standpoint.
"Adolf Hitler killed more people in one year then Voldemort did in his entire reign, Ms." Roland smiled at her, putting on his sunglasses; the sunlight was beginning to hurt. "And we do not give him such foolish names as You-Know-Who or He-Who-Should-Name-Be-Named."
"It is but a simply superstition, Mr. Childe," the minister said. He had appeared at the door, along with his own bodyguards.
"Morning, Minister," Roland replied. "I would like to know how you know me."
"The American minister owled me a while ago, mentioning you and a friend were transferring over to Hogwarts."
"That is none of your business," Roland crossed his arms and stared at the Minister. "Mr. Fudge."
"No, but the fact that we have a elemental wizard at Hogwarts means that-"
"I'm not teaching," Roland interrupted.
"No, but you can protect the school, like you did with Salem University," Fudge said.
"So I'm just a tool then," Roland asked.
"No, but-"
"Can it, Fudge," his sunglasses reflected the sun, his patience gone. "I've been used too much by politicians." Roland walked forward and stared straight in the eyes of the minister. "Especially those who use their power to destroy lives."
"But I-" Fudge quickly shut up.
"Good, the American Minister must have informed you about one of my special abilities," Roland smiled; the fact that this man was afraid of him was funny to him. "So you'd better kept that mouth of yours shut and allow me and my follow students to learn in peace." He walked up to the door, and pushed it open with his left arm, they slammed against the walls inside the minister. "I want what has survived from the Granger's house."
"She's alive?" Fudge quickly followed him. "What about Harry, is he-"
"I am not at liberty to say, Fudge," he replied.
"But do you know?"
Roland smiled, and lied. "No, which is why the retrieval is so important, Fudge." he stopped at the front desk.
"Name and reason for being here," a man said behind the desk.
"Roland Childe," he replied, "and I am here for the remains of the Granger house."
'Okay," the man waved his wand for a moment, then handed Roland something, who just placed it in his coat. "Please present your wand," the man said. Out of thin air, Roland's black wand appeared in his hand, and he handed it to the man, who carefully placed it in a box that contained three different scales. Within a few moments, a small sheet of paper had come out. "It says here: Thirteen inches, demon hair, been in use for five years. Is that correct?"
"Yes it is," Roland wand jumped back to his hand and disappeared.
"May I ask what is demon's hair?"
"No," Roland said, and walked off, not even bothering to ask where he needed to go. Fudge followed him quickly.
"Demon's hair, is that a new form of core," he asked.
"No," Roland stopped and stared down at the minister, "and I don't want to talk about it."
"Fine then," Fudge replied.
"But I do want to talk about the innocence of Sirius Black." He found out about it from Hermione's memories.
"That mad man killed-" but the minister didn't even finish his sentence.
"No one," Roland said, staring into the minister's eyes again, his sunglasses slid down his nose. "Two years again, there was proof that he was innocence of all charges, and you refused to listen."
"There-there was no reason to," Fudge stammered.
"And last year you destroy a man's reputation, nearly had a riot at Hogwarts, and allow Voldemort to enter the minister." Roland pushed the minister against the wall, "over your love of the job and your own reputation." He moved so that he was nose to nose with the minister. "I forgot to mention that you killed someone."
"I did no such thing," Fudge said, "and if you would so kindly-"
"Your failure to act was the cause of this man's death," Roland bellowed. "Above all else you are responsible for this man's death. I think you owe his godson an apology."
"And who might that be," Fudge didn't back down this time.
"Harry Potter," Roland said, "And the man you killed was Sirius Black, innocent of all charges you had against him, and still you prosecuted him."
"He was not-"
"The very exist of Voldemort right now contradicts that, Fudge," Roland replied. "Sirius was killed when saving those who entered the Department of Mysteries. And the testimony of Harry Potter proves that he was innocent." He spun around, his trench coat waving in the air. "God you are so ignorant, fudge."
"But-"
"Have you ever wonder why I refused to go to Hogwarts for the first five years of my learning, it was because I couldn't stand the stench of ignorance that you have and spread where ever you go. Even in Hogwarts, it was there." He sighed, "but what can you do? There will always be people like you Fudge, too scared or stupid, maybe both," Roland paused thinking about something, "I don't know, who cause problems because they do not act for the betterment of human kind."
"How dare you, Mr. Childe."
"What for speaking the truth," Roland turned round and faced the minister. "Is it not true that you just passed a law that prevents those with werewolf blood in them from earning job?"
"Yes," Fudge replied, "because they are a danger to our society, they must be kept under control."
"And mutants," Roland was searching his mind for his statements, trying not to let his anger get the best of him. I heard rumors that you are working on a law to prevent them from ever becoming wizards, is that not true,"
"Yes, but-" Fudge was turning a bright shade of red.
"Then you are simple proving my point; are these people not humans?" Roland asked.
"No, they are not."
"And why is that," He asked, staring the minister start in his eyes. "Because they are different?"
"No, they are but freaks of nature," Fudge said and Roland simply laughed at that statement, "What is so funny?"
"Wizards are freaks of nature," Roland said, "to be able to access that much power is ungodly, it isn't natural."
"We you cannot ridicule us for being born that why," Fudge replied.
"And you can not ridicule those who are born mutants," Roland said, crossing his arms over his chest. For a while Fudge did not say a thing, thinking of their conversation. "I will find what I came here for by myself, so continue to think about what I said."
But the minister didn't listen; he followed Roland, "I have a favor to ask of you, Mr. Childe."
"I like favors, 'cause they mean you owe me," Roland replied, his knee had been acting up, but he didn't let that stop him from walking. "Shoot."
"I want you to watch Dumbledore for me," Fudge said, "you know, make sure that he is still sound of mind."
"Minister," Roland said calmly, he had stopped walking. "If you continue to stall, I will have to destroy this entire place, down to ever last brick. Now show me where the items are stored!" his voice bellowed down the hallway, echoing into the depths of the ministry.
"Okay, then," the minister quickly walking in front of Roland and began to lead the way to the elevator that carried them down into the deeper levels of the ministry. "They are on the second floor."
"Fifth," Roland said.
"What?" Fudge looked back at the man in black; he was following Fudge's footsteps to the point.
"If we are going down to the second level, then it is the fifth, Fudge," Roland said. Fudge just gave him a weird look. "Never mind, just take me to the second floor."
They entered the elevator only to be pushed to the back. The minister coughed loudly and the crowded elevator looked at him. "Sorry, minister," Echoed through it.
"Mindless drones," Roland muttered, receiving a glare from the minister.
The elevator quickly went to the second floor, as the Minster had top priority. "Level two, department of Magical Law enforcement, including the Improper Use of Magic Office, Auror Headquarters, and Wizengamot Administration Services."
"This is our floor, Mr. Childe," Fudge said, as he pushed his way to the front.
"No shit, Sherlock," Roland replied, causing many of the wizards inside the elevator to gasp. He on the other hand just walked as if nothing was wrong, carrying himself above them. But he was concerned. The presence was growing stronger in his mind, and it was taking the majority of his energy to focus. Slowly they walked down to the end of the hallway, Roland grunted. He was splitting his energy between controlling the pain and controlling the presence. But he continued on, as it was his duty to return the remains to Hermione and Harry.
"We are here," Fudge said.
"Good," Roland pushed passed the minister and into the room. Inside were pieces of the house, a couple books, Roland spun around looking for what he needed. "It should've survived." He walked around.
"Are you looking for something?"
Roland didn't bother to pay attention to Fudge. "Here it is," he picked up a wand resting onto a trunk. "Good, its still usable."
"Yes, that is Harry's wand, but it is useless, unless the boy," Fudge started, but stopped the moment, Roland glared at him.
"I told you before," he was lying again, "that is unknown whether or not he is alive. But using his wand we can find out." Fudge looked like he was about to say something. "Don't bother asking, it is not for you to know what we need to do." A box shock in the room and the minister jumped. "What's in there?" Roland placed the wand back on the trunk.
"A cat I believe, Mr. Childe," Fudge replied.
"Has it been taken care of, feed and the such?" Roland walked over to it and opened the box. A cat jumped out and tried scratch him. Roland caught the think by its waist, holding it away from him. /skinny thing,/ he thought, /I doubt they've feed it often./
"Only when we can get near it." The cat was still trying to claw Roland, and the minister was a bit worried. But within moments after touching the cat, it had calmed down; Roland placed it on his shoulders, where it calmly went to sleep. "How did you do that?"
"I have a special way with animals," Roland smiled and pet the cat behind its ears. "I intend to give it a nice home, as its previous owner can not take care of it." He was being careful with his words, as he did not like to lie. /dishonorable thing to do, lying is,/ he thought, walking over to some of the books. Roland picked up a book. "Hogwarts: A History?" he read. He put the book down and looked back to the minister. "I will take it all."
"Fine, I will send for some wizards to help you take, as this is a lot for even an-" the minister didn't finish his sentence, as he saw all the objects in the room, floating around Roland. Each of them were surrounded by a black aura. The man in black's hair was floating all over the place, dancing in the air. He had removed his sunglasses, showing the darkness within his eyelids. Red lightning bolts broke the darkness.
"I am no ordinary wizard, Fudge," Roland said, his arms crossed. The cat was still calmly sleeping on his shoulder. A black aura began to form around him as did his wand return to his right hand. "SAHDO WTRONPART!" a red light flashed, quickly followed by darkness. When the light returned, the entire room was empty save a scared minister.
"Dumbledore won't know what hit him," Fudge said. Despite being proven wrong, he still hated Dumbledore for saving the day. "That man is more trouble then he's worth."
* * * * *
Back at the X-Mansion, the sky was turning a dark shade, clouds quickly forming over head. "Storm?" Hermione said, running across the green house floor. "Are you doing this?" she had been working in it, helping out Storm until Harry returned.
"No, but it's not like the plants need it outside," she replied. Storm looked up and saw the terrified look on the girls face. Despite Hermione's powers, she didn't like thunderstorms, which was funny because she often worked with Storm in the green house. "Oh, honey," she said kindly, walking over to her friend, "relax, alright." She gave Hermione a friendly hug. "Harry will be back soon." A thunder bolt split the sky followed by a boom, Hermione began to shake. "Odd."
"What is it," Hermione looked up at the sky just to see a thunderbolt cut it in half. But the color was what was wrong. /A red lightning bolt,/ she thought, /that is odd./
"I think that we should get back to the mansion before it begins to pour." Storm pulled her friend to the door, leaving the materials where they were. "The lightning isn't natural, and that could be a problem." Storm threw the door open only to have a red lightning bolt land in front of her, throwing both her and Hermione back. As Hermione stood back up, she noticed that there were trunks and books all over the place. A black huddle was in the center of it and it slowly stood up.
"Damn trip," it said, Hermione just stared at the man, or at least she thought it was a man by the way it talked. "Took more out of me than I thought." It reached up and scratched something on his shoulder. "And how you are Crookshanks?"
"Crookshanks?" Hermione repeated. A figure stood up on the thing's shoulder, and looked at her. It quickly jumped off it and ran over to Hermione. The moment the cat left its shoulder it regained all color. "Crookshanks!" she repeated. The cat jumped into her arms and purred contently. "You're a bit small since the last time I saw you." Hermione began to scratch his ears.
"That's because he hasn't been well feed," the black figure said, "Help me bring these trunks in, Hermione." He turned around and threw out his arms, black sand came flying off of him. He crutched back down and slowly stood up back up, holding his sides.
"Roland?" Hermione said.
"The one and only." He had a large smile on his face, his long black hair covering his forehead and his shoulders. The sky had begun to clear up, revealing the sun over head. "Relax, I'll have this fixed by morning." Roland bent down and picked up a small stick. "and I think Harry would like this."
"What is it?" Hermione walked over to him, still holding Crookshanks in her arms.
"His wand." He looked over at Hermione. "I think you should give him this."
"How did.." she just took the wand staring at it.
"I'm sorry that he broke your wand," Hermione was caught off guard with Roland's statement.
"What are you talking about? It was." she couldn't finish her sentence whether due to Roland's presence or her own conscious.
"I know, Hermione," he said, walking around picking up the lone books. "I know what he did."
"How could you," she asked, "Harry didn't-"
"No he did tell me Hermione," Roland replied, "while in my shadow form, if I make physical contact with someone, I acquire their worst memories, sorta like a dementor would."
"What is a dementor," Storm asked.
"I'll explain later," Roland said, "And the spell that I casted on you not only removes the worst of your injuries, but brings out my own along with the memories. My hands were bleeding, I could barely walk."
"But what does that have to do with my memories?" Hermione was getting annoyed at the moment. /how could he know?/
"The spell requires physical touch, and I was in my shadow form, Hermione," Roland said, the wand that he held in his hand vanished. The man in black held up his right hand, a scab the size of a quarter was in the center of it, "and I still haven't recovered from that spell." He waved his other hand over it and the scab vanished.
"But-"
"A simply vanishing spell, Hermione," Roland said, "I will need to wrap it up later, but that can wait. Now come on." Roland started to raise the trunks in the air, all of them surround by a black aura. "just pick up the stray books. Don't worry about getting them all, I'll send Harry down to help you." He walked toward the mansion.
"Roland we need to talk!" she yelled at her cousin.
"Later, there's work to be done," Roland didn't even look back at her, but he could tell that she was burning red.
"He makes me so mad," Hermione stated, but Storm just placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Relax," she said, "you get used to him leaving in a middle of a conversation."
Hermione sighed, "I'll be better once I talk to Harry."
"Thata girl," Storm replied. "now put the cat down and take as much as you can carry. Then follow him. He'll show you where he wants them."
She sighed again, "alright." Hermione placed down Crookshanks and picked up a few books. She stopped at one. "Hogwarts: a History?" was the title. "It survived."
Roland yelled from the mansion. "Hermione can you hurry it up, you can read later." He popped back inside muttering to himself.
"Fine then," Hermione rushed toward the mansion leaving Storm to think about the magic that she had just seen.
* * * * * *
Harry found Hermione in their room, sitting on their bed, reading another book. He had just come back from training session with Logan and was tried as he could be. "I thought we've read all your books?" he asked. Hermione blushed; she had a made it a habit of picking a book a night and they read to together. Of the books that Hermione bought and that she hadn't read yet, they finished all of them.
"We have, Harry," she replied. Harry took a seat next to her and smelled her hair.
"You smell nice," he said, burying his head in her bushy set of hair. Hermione giggled.
"Thanks Harry," she replied and turned another page. Harry caught a glance of the title, Hogwarts: a History.
"Hey, he found it," Harry sat up straight, wrapping an arm around his girlfriend.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, confused written on her face. He couldn't help to smile. "Roland brought this back along with the."
"I know, I was the one who asked him to bring them here," Harry said, looking down at his lap. "I thought that we-" he didn't get to finish his statement; Hermione had her arms wrapped around his neck, her mouth connected to his. For a moment, Harry was surprised but quickly relaxed and returned the favor, pulling her closer to him.
When she let go of Harry, Hermione was in his lap, smiling. "Thank you Harry," she said softly, her eyes never looking away from his. She loved to stare into the emerald pools of his eyes and not look back. "It was the kindest thing anyone has done for me since we got here."
"I just wanted you to be happy." Harry just looked into her baby-blue eyes, staring into the endless skies that he saw. /I love you Hermione, and I will never leave you./ his train of thoughts were broken when a cat jumped into his lap. "Hey," but when he saw who it was, Harry's expression changed, "nice to see you again Crookshanks." He immediately began to pet the small, thin cat, keeping one arm around Hermione, though. She rested her head on his chest, closing her eyes and relaxing. "I see he brought back, Crookshanks, too."
"Yeah," Hermione didn't even open her eyes up, but a smile crossed her face. "He's powerful, Harry."
"Roland?" he asked, and she nodded. "I know, from what Logan told me, he was granted the right to cast magic outside of school three years ago." Hermione just nodded. "Something about protection, but he trailed off and I didn't catch the rest." She just nodded again, and Harry smiled. He had stopped petting Crookshanks and started to pet Hermione's hair.
"Everyone here knows a lot about Roland," Hermione replied.
"No just Logan," Harry said, "From what Logan told me; it seems that Roland thinks very highly of him, as he was the only person to ever beat him in a duel."
"A magical duel, but I thought-" Harry shook his head and Hermione stopped talking.
"No, with swords and everything," He replied, "Roland is suppose to be an expect fencer, he also seems to have mastery in other weapons. When I asked how Logan won, he just said he got lucky, but I doubt that."
Hermione sat, and looked around. "Where's Hedwig?" She asked, changing the subject.
"I think she's flying letters for Professor Dumbledore right now, along with Roland's owl."
She relaxed and rested her head on his chest again. "Oh," was her reply. Then a surprised looked appeared on her face. "Harry, I've been thinking."
"I'm not surprised," he said, but smiled down at her. "About what?"
"You said that Sirius picked up, right?"
"Right, but Sirius is dead," Harry answered; his voice was sad and somber. "I've been thinking about that."
"You do know that could've been one of Voldemort's Death Eaters," she replied, "you could've been hurt or worse. Oh, Harry." She arms went around his neck and began to sound as if she was crying. "I don't know." she had shifted her weight so that she was straddling his legs.
But Hermione didn't get out another word before Harry began to comfort her. "Shh, it's alright. I wasn't, 'Mione; so you don't have to worry. I was too happy to see you to think about anything else." He heard the sobs stop, but she was still sniffling. "You mean too much to me. Like I said before, you are the reason why I survived at the Dursleys for that first week."
"But you could've asked help from Moody and the others, I remember them telling you that you could talk to them anytime you wanted."
"That was before the mutant issue arrived," Harry said, and Hermione pulled away from Harry just slightly. She looked start into his eyes. "I was lucky that they didn't come, I guess."
She had caught on as to why. "Right, it is possible for a Muggle to mistake a wizard as a mutant." Hermione paused for a moment. "You are right, it is lucky that they didn't come." She pulled in closer, there foreheads touching, staring into each other's eyes. "And I'm lucky that you came along."
"As am I, 'Mione," he replied, and kissed her again. "As am I." When they released each other, Hermione yawned. "Tired?" Harry asked, his fingers running through her hair. Hermione pulled away; her forehead on his. She just nodded. "Alright, why don't you go change, and get ready for bed. I'll change out here."
"Okay," Hermione replied, not letting go of Harry, a smile was still on her face.
"Well?" Harry asked. He didn't want her to go, but when she yawned again. "Go on, I'll be here when you come back."
"Fine," Hermione pouted, and got up. Harry couldn't help but feel that something was wrong, but he said nothing. He knew better, Hermione would just deny it and wouldn't talk to him for a while, and he didn't want. To hear her voice, it was music to his ears. Hermione walked over to her dresser, avoiding the trunks that covered the floor, and pulled out one of her nightgowns, then quickly went to the bathroom. Harry smiled and went over to his dresser, removing a white t-shirt and a new pair of boxers for the night. He quickly changed and returned to the bed that he had just come from.
A knock came from the bathroom door, and then it opened up slightly. Hermione's head peaked out and looked around. When she saw Harry sitting against the headboard, waiting for her, she came running out, and jumped on the bed, landing right next to him. Harry felt as if something was wrong again, but Hermione's face didn't show it, so he didn't ask. 'Hey," Harry said, pushing the hair that landed on her face out of it. She just smiled at him.
"Hey," she replied, blushing slightly. Harry slid down and laid across from her, staring straight into her eyes. He returned the smile and laid down on his back, Hermione quickly moved closer to him, placing an arm around his chest and her head on his shoulder. She let out a long breath.
/Now was as good as anytime,/ Harry thought. "Something wrong?" he asked. Hermione quickly sat up, still looking in his eyes. "Hermione?"
She sighed again, and straddled his waist. "Can I tell you something?" She asked. Harry just nodded. Hermione laid down on his chest, her head on it. "Harry, please don't be mad at me."
"'Mione, I could never be mad at you," he replied. She sat up just a bit, so that she was closer to Harry's face. "You're too perfect for me to do that." He lifted his head up and kissed her, wrapping an arm around her neck. Hermione graciously relaxed, following Harry's head as it slowly moved back down to the bed. She quickly got her hands around his neck before Harry reached the bed. /you're perfect, Hermione. Never let anyone else tell you other wise./
The door exploded open with a bright red light, Harry quickly turned to his side, his back to the door. He rather it was him who got hurt then Hermione. "What are you two doing in here?" a voice boomed. Harry turned his head to see that it was Scott; he was just placing his glasses back on. "And to think we trusted you two." Hermione was cowering in Harry's arms, trying to bury herself in his chest. "Stand up!"
Harry pulled Hermione closer, and focused on his mutant powers, his back and his arms became hard as stone, turning a deep tan color. A hard shell began to form around his and hers bodies, protecting them. "Don't you hide from me, Potter!" Scott yelled. Harry didn't care, only think that he was worried about was Hermione who was shaking in his grasp. A bright red light grew behind him and he knew what was coming.
"Cyclops," Roland's voice said, "Calm down." Harry turned his head just enough to see what was happening. Roland was standing in the doorway, arms crossed and a stern look on his face. "You're not yourself."
"Of course I'm myself," he replied, and another shot from his glasses was aimed straight at Roland's chest. He quickly dodged it, stepping to the side. "I've never seen clearer."
"Fine, let me purge your mind then," he boomed over the other mutant. Roland began to transform, this time a form that Harry hadn't seen before. But it didn't matter to him. Hermione was muttering something.
"Stop it ,Steven, please stop it," she was saying.
"Oh Hermione," he said, began to pet her hair, pulling her closer to him. Hermione couldn't wrap her arms around his waist because of his shell, but she moved as close as she could to him. A few bright lights exploded behind Harry, but all the world was quiet save the sobs of the girl in his arms. "Why does the worst of things have to happen to the best of people?"
"Now listen, Scott," Roland growled, his voice was like that the night he saved both him and Hermione. Harry turned his head the best he could, and saw the shadow master with his back to him. He had lifted up Scott by the neck and his feet were dangling in the air. "You're not yourself, if you let Professor X or even Jean to-" but not another word came, as Scott had removed his glasses and fired a shot straight at Roland's chest. Harry was afraid for a moment that he was phase and let the beam pass through and him them, but inside hit him square in the chest. Black smoke appeared all over the place.
Harry's attention was turned back to Hermione, some of the dust had drifted over to them, and she was beginning to cough. "There, there," Harry replied, lightly tapping her back. "It'll be alright." But worried about his friend, Harry turned around and looked at Roland; the dust had just begun to settle. He was still standing, holding Scott now. But inside of holding him by his neck, Roland held the man up by his face.
"Mind you, Scott," Roland said, "you're not in control of your actions, so I won't hurt you too badly." He tossed the man out into the hallway. "Damn necro." his voice trailed off as he walked out. The doors floated up off the ground and quickly fixed themselves as Roland passed. He wondered about what just happened, but his mind returned to his girlfriend in his arms.
* * * * * *
Outside Harry's room, Roland sighed, and did his best to relax. The transformation he made quickly disappeared, just as Logan, Jean, and Xavier came running up. "It's about time," Roland said, "I took a full optic blast in the chest." He rubbed it, sore from the pain. "Probably a third degree burn."
"What happened?" Jean crutched down next to Scott, his forehead and cheeks were covered in first degree burns, save the area covered by Roland's hand. Scott's neck had five cuts in it, four on one side, and one on the other.
"Tried to attack Harry and Hermione," Roland replied. "Lucky I felt what was happening, or else they probably would've been hurt badly, dead maybe."
"You felt that all the way across the school, but even I didn't," Professor X said.
"Focus, Professor. You have, I don't; that's way I felt it." He slowly backed up to the wall and leaned against it, using it to support him.
"Scott, honey," Jean was saying, "Are you alright?" The brown haired mutant just stared forward, his red glasses reflecting the light.
"He's knocked out right now, but some one was controlling him." Roland slid down, still holding his chest, he was now breathing hard. Logan walked up and lifted the shadow master to his feet. "Thanks, I owe you, anyways."
"Yeah, ya do," The Canadian mutant, replied. "A case of the wizarding whiskey would do just fine."
"You'll have it when I leave," Roland said, he summoned a black cane from the shadows and took hold of it. He looked over to Jean who was still trying to wake her boyfriend up. "He's being controlled, so you have to break spell."
"It a spell?" Jean repeated. Roland just nodded. "But who did it?"
"No one here, I can tell you that," he was still leaning against the wall, "I've and the American President made sure of it. Only the most powerful of wizards can cast magic on this school's grounds."
"Why would the-" Jean started, but stopped suddenly realizing what he was talking about. "Oh. So who did it?"
Roland acted as if he never heard the question. "The spell isn't normal magic, so any spell I cast won't work. A telepathic blast should do it though." He turned to the professor, "Jean isn't strong enough to do it so, and you'll need to, Professor." The professor seemed to concentrate for a only a moment, before Scott gasped as if he hadn't breathe forever.
"Scott, it's alright," Jean quickly hugged him and the professor smiled.
"Where am I?" he asked.
"You're in the school, Scott," Professor X said, "Don't you remember anything?"
"The last thing I remember was when I went out to get food for the week; I met an old man in the supermarket." Roland punched the wall, his hand creating a huge whole in it.
All eyes were on him. "Don't worry about me," Roland said, "Professor, we'll talk later." He quickly walked down the hallway, dropping his cane and bearing the pain.
"What's his problem?" Jean asked.
"Don't worry about it, Jean," Logan said, "he's going to deal with it." He walked off in the opposite direction, to his room.
The professor sighed. He knew for a fact that Logan was hiding something for Roland, as he was hiding something for the Canadian too. But the secret that Roland held was something that even Logan didn't know, his past. And for that reason, Roland has kept it a secret, it was meant to be.
* * * * * *
Harry had fallen asleep, holding Hermione in his arms. The sun had set long ago, and their room was totaled, but Harry was happy; she was safe. Hermione was a bit upset, but quickly calmed down when both Roland and Scott had left. The bed that they were in before was covered in dust and everything, so Hermione made them such beds. She also made Harry take off his shirt, so she could look for any damage. But his mutant powers quickly healed him, much to her satisfactory. They had switched beds and quickly fallen asleep in each other's arms.
But for some odd reason, Harry was still awake. He must've woken up but a few minutes, but it seemed forever. His mind raced, thinking off what happened, what is going to happen. He was so worried about the girl in his arms. Despite being as strong as she was, Hermione was fragile now, and that was something that Harry was concerned with. Lying on his back, he stared up at the ceiling, an arm wrapped around her. She was peacefully sleeping, breathing in softly, a smile on her beautiful face. /god only knows what I'd be without, 'Mione,/ he thought. But so many thinks made him worry.
Harry got up carefully, and walked over to the window. He opened the blinds slowly and stepped outside onto the balcony. It was a warm summer's night, not a cloud in the sky. He walked out and stared up at the full moon. "A month till school starts," Harry said, "I wish I was going back."
"Who said you weren't?" Harry looked up; it was Roland. He jumped down and stared at the boy who lived. He was without his shirt or coat for that matter, even his hat was missing. All he wore was a pair of black work out pants. Roland's hair seemed to hug his shoulders. "You're letters have arrived, both you and Hermione's." He handed two envelopes with the seal of Hogwarts on them. "Heather and I will also be going with you." Harry looked at him for a moment before taking them. Roland had a large bandage wrapped around his chest and shoulders, where he had gotten hit before.
"But I thought," Harry started; he took the letters and stared at them.
"Dumbledore is too kind to not allow us to go to his school," Roland replied.
"But what about wands and everything else," he asked.
"Hermione has your wand, I think," he walked over and leaned against the railing. "I gave it to her when I returned."
"My wand survived?" Harry repeated. "What about-" Roland shook his head, turning and staring him in the eye.
"Didn't even make it to the fire, remember," Roland replied. He quickly changed the subject. "When Scott attacked you today, he wasn't of good mind."
"Someone was controlling him?" Roland just nodded. "Was it an Imperious curse?"
"No, something worse," Harry winced for a moment, "no spell can break it, no known magic can remove it."
"What's its name?"
"In your letter, it talks about weapons," Roland changed the subject, "I have a large collection for you and Hermione to choose from."
"Okay, but you didn't answer my question," Harry replied.
"It is not important," Roland said, "what is important is the fact that it was used against us." Harry started to say something. "Until we return to London, I want you and Hermione to stay on the school's grounds, and if possible never leave each other's sights. Mind you I may be powerful, but not right now." He looked off in the distance. He quickly turned back and looked at Harry. "In the mean time, I will start training you with the weapons that you have chosen, if that's alright."
"That's fine, but-"
"I also have one more gift for you, one that I had completely forgotten until today. You and Hermione can come down to my room tomorrow to see it alright?" he walked over to Harry, placing his two hands on his shoulders.
"Sure, but-"
"Great," Roland said, he walked over to the wall. "I will see you tomorrow, and remember what I said about you and Hermione not leaving each other's sight." He jumped up to the roof and ran across it, silently and swiftly.
"He's insane," Harry said, he walked back inside, and saw Hermione shivering. He tossed the letters onto his dresser, ran over to her and sat her up, wrapping his arms around her cold body. "Hey."
"Hey, who-who were ya-you t-talking t-to," she asked, her teeth clattering. Harry pulled her closer, trying to warm her up. He rubbed her shoulders, her back, only to stop and pull her closer. "Y-you're c-cold too, Harry."
"Sorry, I was outside," Harry replied. "I didn't realize how cold it was until now." Hermione removed an arm from Harry's waist and pointed it at the door. Slowly it was shut, and latched. "Thanks."
"Yo-you're wel-welcome," Hermione smiled, she was still freezing, but was warming up. "But you d-didn't an-answer my qu-question?"
"I was talking to Roland," Harry said, he laid back down, holding Hermione on to of him. "He told me that we've received our letters, about us going back to Hogwarts."
"We're going back to Hogwarts?" she repeated, a smile grinning from ear to ear. "But I thought that since we were mutants, we couldn't go-"
"Professor Dumbledore must think that we're worth it," Harry replied, he loved to see that sweet smile on his girlfriend's face. It always cheered him up. "Also, Roland said something about weapons, so we have to go to his room tomorrow to pick them up."
"Weren't you paying attention?"
"No," Harry said, only to receive a glare from Hermione, "I was thinking of you. Besides, he was talking too fast for me to catch much. But I do remember he said that I should never leave your side, and on the school's grounds."
"That's fine by me," she replied, and yawned Hermione wasn't as cold as she was before, and the sleep was returning to her. "Just don't leave me, you're too warm." She cuddled up next to him, smiling the entire time.
"I could say the same thing about you," Harry said. He returned the smile, despite the darkness, each of them could tell the other was blushing. "Let's try to get some sleep."
"Okay," Hermione answered, "And Harry?"
"Hmm," he was close to sleep.
"Happy birthday," she giggled before yawning again.
"Thanks, 'Mione," Harry kissed her forehead and felt sleep reach for him. He dreamt peaceful dreams of his life after Hogwarts, with Hermione. Not even Voldemort could stop that.
* * * * * *
Roland frantically paced around his library, looking for his books. Despite being in alphabet order, he still didn't know where everything was. He held a candle as he rid the ladder around the room. "Where is it?" The room became suddenly colder, and all the candles were blown out. "I told you before to leave me alone," he said, still looking around the shelves. "Damn it, where is that book?" a blue light had appeared behind Roland.
"Roland, please listen to me," a young girl's voice said, it couldn't have been over eighteen.
"Leave me alone," he repeated, and pushed himself farther down the library, away from the voice. "I need to find that book."
"Roland, please, darling, listen to me," the voice said. "You need help with this."
"I don't need help, nor want it, now leave before I banish you," Roland jumped down off the ladder and walked past the voice, not even looking at it. "I as I said leave me alone."
"But, Roland, please," she replied. "It's important." Roland stopped where he was. "Thank you."
"Get on with it," he said, not turning around.
"Look at me." Roland didn't move. "Look at me, please."
"Either tell me what you wanted to, or leave now," Roland said. The sobs of the girl could be heard as he walked over to the family tree.
"Fine then, Roland," She said, "Don't look at me."
"Tell what you have come here to tell me," Roland repeated. He pressed a button on the wall, and the family tree sunk down to the ground, revealing a hall lined with weapons. Small lights hung over head, showing hammers, swords, axes, and a large arrangement of long-range weapons. He quickly entered down it. The voice followed him. "Trish."
"The dark lord is beginning to find the value of you kind," she said.
"I have no kind," Roland replied, he turned around and looked at the source of the voice. It was a form of a teenage girl, blue in color and surrounded by a blue mist. She was transparent. She was a ghost "May I remind you of that." He quickly began to walk again.
"Yes, Roland," the ghost of Trish answered. "But the point is the same." Roland stopped at the end of the hallway, at a doorway. "You have been asked to stop this."
"I'll do my best," he sighed and opened up the door, revealing a large room filled with instruments. Roland entered the room and slammed the door. Trish passed right through it. "I've always done so."
"There is something else," she said, taking a seat by the grand piano. It hadn't been polished in months, but with a wave of a hand, Roland made it look brand new. He snapped his fingers and candles appeared overhead, lighting up the room dimly.
"Let me guess," Roland said, he took a seat in front of the piano, and ran his fingers over the keys. "It has something to do with Harry and Hermione." He took off his sunglasses and cracked his knuckles.
"Yeah," Trish replied, "aren't you looking for the book?"
"I know where it is," Roland smiled, "but do you think I go to that library all the time, Trish?" he was always more relaxed when playing and it didn't matter what. His guitar, his sax, his violin, anything. Part of his rehabilitation was learning to play an instrument, and soon he taught himself how to play any one. His hands gracefully glided across the keys as he played a sad, haunting melody. "Don't change the subject, what do you want me to do?"
"HE wants you to protect them, for they-"
"Are a part of the future, and their fate makes or breaks it," Roland interrupted. "I know." He continued to play a song that he held close to his heart. "If that is all, can you leave?"
"But I'd thought that-" Trish stood up.
"You thought wrong," Roland replied.
"You used to love me," her face looked like it was near tears.
"Thinking about yourself again, aren't we Trish," Roland said, he just played on, his song getting slower and sadder. "You forget how hard it is for me to see you again, and to do nothing. This is killing me, I can't hold, I can't kiss you. But that doesn't mean I don't love you."
"Really," Trish looked happy again, despite him not even making eye contact.
"Yes, Trish, I will always love you," Roland replied.
She sighed. "Despite that fact, you can't hold onto me forever."
"Which is part of the reason why I don't want to see you again."
"I know, but I needed to see you one more time, in person. I wanted to hear your voice with my own ears." She turned away from Roland. "I love you, and I'll never stop."
"I know," Roland replied.
"But you need to move one, there is someone else out there for you," she said.
"I know." Roland paused in his piece, "But I haven't moved on yet. I just need more time." He sighed. "Can you leave, please, you're presence is beginning to annoy me."
"Alright, if that is your wish, but I will not stop watching over you," Trish stood up, "I will see you again." Her glowing body disappeared, much like a cloud in the sky. "Good bye, Roland."
"Good bye, Trish," he said, his sunglasses hid his eyes, but a lone tear slide down his cheek.
I try for I care
By: Chronos the Fallen Angel
Author's Note: "I try to help for I care for this realm and all realms." Chronos the Fallen Angel
Spoilers!
I recently read Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, which I might add is a great book. I will try to modify this story to co-exist with that one, but a few things will not change. Roland and Heather and the mutants will remain, and despite the warning that Moody gave the Dursleys, they still beat Harry. This will be explained later, as will who picked up Harry.
Okay, a few things, I'm sorry for not updating for a while. Our Internet has been done for a weekend, preventing me from updating. Also I was on vacation for a week, so I couldn't do it then, then I had baseball and summer school, so I had little time for this story.
J.K. Rowlings created Harry Potter and its characters, Marvel owns the X- men, and DC owns Supergirl, and any other characters that they had created. Anything I created is mine.
* * * * * *
Harry woke up with pure beauty in his arms. Hermione had rarely used the other bed now that they were dating; saying that is was more comfortable. But he knew better, she just wanted to be with him. Harry couldn't complain, he just wanted to be with her. She felt so warm in his arms, her skin smooth and silky. And her eyes, god Harry could get lost in them, and he did a few times. Just before Harry ever kissed her, he stared into her beautiful baby-blue eyes, into the pale sea that they were. His knees buckled every time he looked into them. "You are beautiful," Harry said softly, running his fingers through her hair.
Hermione shivered a bit, and slowly opened her eyes. She yawned before saying to Harry, "Would you mind not doing that when I'm asleep?"
"I thought you love it," Harry replied.
"I do, just every time you do that," she yawned again, and laid her head back on his bare chest, "it sends chills down my spine." Harry pulled her closer to him, and began to run his fingers through her hair again, slowly this time. Hermione shivered again. "Harry Potter, stop that," her words were between her giggles.
"Okay," he replied, and placed his arm around her. Hermione began to trace the muscles on Harry's chest.
"Harry," Hermione said.
"Hmm," he asked.
"Do you know what today is?" she asked, continuing to run her finger on his chest. She laid on her side, supporting her head with her other hand. Harry shifted so that he was looking start into her eyes.
"What?"
"I can't believe you forgot, Harry," Hermione said, sitting straight up. Her long night gown hung onto her body by two simple spaghetti straps. One strap fell onto her shoulder.
"Forgot what," Harry replied, to him it was just Saturday. Hermione just gave Harry a stern look. "What?" She placed her hands on her hips. "'Mione, please tell."
Hermione sighed when ever he used that name, his little pet name for her. /I can never resist that name, Harry,/ she thought. Hermione quickly gave Harry a hug, whisper in his ear, "Happy Birthday."
Harry eyes lit up when the date returned to his mind. "Today is." Hermione nodded. "So it's my." she nodded again.
"How could you forget?" she asked him.
"I got lost staring into your beautiful eyes, 'Mione," Harry said, touching her cheek gently with his fingers.
"Oh, Harry," she replied, she face burning red. Hermione just remembered something. "Oh, I almost forgot." She got up and ran over the dresser and pulled out a small bag and large box.
"What are these?" Harry asked as she jumped back on the bed, Hermione handed him the bag.
"This is Roland and Heather's gift to you," she said. Harry just stared at the gift. "Go on, open it."
Harry did as he was told, opening up the bag. He pulled out broom oil, then a cleaning kit and finally a large book about Quidditch. "But Hermione, don't they know that my Firebolt was destroyed?"
"And here is my gift to my boyfriend," Hermione shoved the box into Harry's hand.
Harry eyeballed Hermione before opening her gift. All the time, she had a smile on her face. Harry simply gasped at the gift that was in the back. It was a broom, not just a broom, but the legendary Excalibur. "Hermione, there are only three of these created, how did you get one?" he asked. "How did you pay for it?" He just stared at Hermione for a moment.
"What's wrong, don't you like it?" Hermione's smile disappeared. She didn't expect this. She thought that her boyfriend would be happy.
"Like it?" Harry got up quickly, placed the gift down, then picked Hermione and spun her around. He was laughing all the time. "I love it." When Harry put Hermione back on her feet, he gave he a kiss, passionate and long. He slid his hand behind her neck, and began to run his fingers through her hair. Hermione's knees buckled and she would've collapsed had her arms not been around Harry's neck and one of his around her waist. When Harry pulled away, a smile was on his and Hermione's face. "But I love you more." For a moment they just stared into each other's eyes. Hermione loved that she had to look up at Harry, /just like out a romance novel,/ she always thought. And today was no different. They stopped moving completely, just stared into each other's eyes.
"And I you, Harry," she said, kissing him again. Hermione felt a tongue against her lips for a moment, but then it disappeared. But when it touched, it was like heaven to her. Soft and sweet, just the way she liked it with Harry. She returned the favor, slowly opening her mouth enough to touch Harry's lips with her tongue. He pulled away when she did it. "Something wrong?" Hermione looked disappointed.
"No," Harry said breathing hard. Hermione didn't notice that she too was breathing hard. "Three things. One, I'm out of breath. Two, that was the one of the most wonderful kisses I've ever experienced." He still held his girlfriend close, looking to his eyes.
"One of," Hermione replied, still upset that Harry pulled away. But she could never stay mad at him for long.
"Yeah, the first kiss we shared was the best," Harry said, Hermione beamed proudly. "And three, we have really bad morning breath." Harry started to laugh and Hermione quickly joined it. Harry walked backwards over to the bed. She sat down on his lap, her arms still around his neck. "So what do you want to do?"
"It's your birthday," Hermione answered. "So you decided."
"Alright, but you have to do it with me," Harry replied, an idea had crossed his mind.
"Fine, Harry," Hermione said, "what do you want to do?" she just stared into his eyes, getting lost in the emerald pools.
"Now you got to promise that you'd do this."
"I promise, Harry." Hermione didn't take her eyes off of Harry's.
"So let's get showered and dressed," Harry said a small smile growing on his face, his eyes looking straight into Hermione's.
"Okay."
"Then we'll do what I want alright?" Harry asked. Hermione simply nodded her head, still lost in Harry's eyes. "Okay you take your shower first, and get dressed in the bathroom, I'll wait." Hermione got up, though with a frown on her face from leaving Harry's lap. "I'll be waiting for you." A smile appeared back on her sweet face, and Harry felt his heart jump. Hermione gave Harry a kiss on the cheek before running over to her dresser and removing her cloths for the day. Both their cheeks were turning a bright red, despite having been going out for the past month and half.
When Hermione closed the door, Harry got up and searched his dresser for cloths for the day. A knock came from the window. Harry looked up and saw that it was Roland, wearing his usually black trench coat and cowboy hat, surrounded by a black aura and floating high above the ground. "It's a bit early isn't it?" Harry asked, he walked over to the balcony windows and opened them. Harry then looked out across the acres of land that was owned by the professor. Roland just floated at the level of the young man.
"It's only 7:30," Roland replied. "And I know that you two have been up since six." He was moving back slowly, giving Harry room to look out at the horizon.
"It's really been that long?" Harry said. Roland simply nodded.
"Time passes quickly when you're with a love one, Harry." Roland still was hovering over the ground, out away from the balcony. "I came out here to tell you that I'm going to pick up what survived the fire and structural damage. I'll be apparating so I won't cause much of a stir."
The thought of how he was going to get there didn't cross his mind yet. "you remember what I asked to look for especially, right?"
"But of course." The floating man had a smile on his face.
Finally, the way Roland was getting there hit Harry. "But the ministry's all the way in England," Harry replied. "You can't apparate that far."
"Course I can, Harry," Roland smiled, "distance isn't what matters. Magic is about will. If you can will it, it shall be done." Roland crossed his legs and sat down on the air. He slowly began to turn upside down. "My mutant powers are also limited to my will. It just drains a lot more out of me." Roland was smiling upside down; Hermione came out to the balcony and just laughed at her cousin. "Did he like the present?"
"Which one?" Harry asked.
"Both," Roland said.
"Yes, he did," Hermione replied, laying her chin on Harry's shoulder. "But he said he loves me more then the gifts." She gave Harry a kiss on his cheek. He turned and smiled at her.
"I believe it," Roland turned himself right side up. "Now, I'm off." In a moment, he began to drop from the air. Just before he landed, Roland apparated away.
"So, Mr. Potter," Hermione said, wrapping her arms around his waist, "what do you plan for me today?" She was wearing simple blue jeans and a white blouse.
"Let me shower and get dressed," Harry replied, facing his girlfriend. He looked down at himself, "after all, I'm just in my boxers."
"And there's nothing wrong with that," Hermione said, she began to trace his stomach again, a small six-pack forming. "I like that you've gain a little muscle."
"I think that it has to do with my mutant powers, Hermione," Harry answered, Hermione shifted so that her arms were around his neck, making it easier for her to stare into his eyes. He wrapped his hands around her waist. "And I think that you've grown more stunning everyday since last year."
"I was only stunning last year?" Hermione sounded upset.
"No, it was just the first year that I noticed," Harry quickly said, making Hermione smile again. "But my 'Mione was, is and shall be beautiful."
"You, Mr. Potter are quite the romancer." She placed her forehead against Harry, happily looking into his eyes. Suddenly there was a flash. Both of them looked up to see Kitty with a camera. "Kitty!"
"Happy Birthday, Harry," She said, running toward the other wall, she quickly phased through it, using her mutant powers.
"Kitty," Hermione chased after her, but stopped at the wall. She couldn't follow her. "Bring that back."
"Nope," Kitty's voice came from the wall. "I'll going to print it off my computer now and show it to everyone." She popped out and looked around. "And by the way Harry, you look good in boxers."
"Thanks," Harry waved; his face was a bright red. He hadn't bothered to cover his fiery red boxers up, as he was out on the balcony. "Say hello to Piotr for me."
"No problem, Harry," Kitty flashed a smile at Harry before disappearing back into the wall.
"Ooo, Kitty makes me so mad sometimes," Hermione said, walking back to her boyfriend.
"Relax, Hermione," Harry comforted her, wrapping her in his arms. He laid his head on one of her shoulders. "She just wanted to get a picture of us."
"But aren't you mad, she saw you in your boxers." Hermione turned her head to looking to Harry's eyes.
"You're just jealous," Harry replied.
"No I'm not," Hermione said, Harry turned her around and looked straight into her eyes. "Okay I am, a little bit. But that's beside the point."
"You just don't want any other girl to fancy me, right?"
"Right, Harry," Hermione said, "you're all mine." She hooked his neck and pulled him in for any other kiss. Again a camera flashed and she pulled away from her boyfriend. "Kitty!" she said sternly.
"Okay, okay, last picture," Kitty disappeared through the wall again.
"Now where were we," Hermione said, a smile on her face.
Harry returned with the smile. "I think that we were about here." He kissed her again, after a few minutes he stopped and pulled away. "You taste good."
"And you don't," Hermione replied, "but I love you anyways. Now go take your shower." She shoved Harry toward the bathroom; he quickly grabbed his cloths and went inside. "And hurry up will you, I want to see the surprise."
"Okay, I'll hurry," Harry said starting the shower. After a good ten minutes he was out and dressed, though he was without his shirt and was still drying his hair.
"Oh, Harry," Hermione said, rushing over to him. "Let me help you with that." She took the towel from him and began to dry his hair.
"Thank, 'Mione," Harry replied, she just blushed. Harry quickly put on his gray t-shirt. "C'mon." he walked over to his broom. Harry grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her toward the window.
"What are we doing?" she asked, as Harry mounted the broom. "Oh no, Harry. I'm not flying."
"C'mon, Hermione," Harry pleaded, "just sit in front of me, and we'll fly together."
"No Harry," Hermione turned her back to him, pouting. "I don't like heights."
"'Mione," Harry said, she couldn't help but face her boyfriend. "Please, this once. If it isn't one of the greatest things that you've done, then I'll never ask you to do it again."
Hermione sighed. She wanted to fly so much, watching Harry do it at Hogwarts just made her crave it even more, but still. Her fear of heights was greater then that want. But love over comes all. "Fine Harry," Hermione walked over and mounted the broom in front of Harry, Harry wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Now hold the broom," he ordered.
"Harry." she complained, flying with a friend was one thing, but when she was the one control it, it was more then she could handle.
"C'mon, it'll be alright," Harry said, "I'm here to make sure nothing goes wrong. I'll catch you."
"Fine then," she pouted but did as she was asked. Hermione carefully gripped the broom. "What next?"
"Now," Harry pushed off the ground, and they were floating in the air, "we head toward that tree." He removed one arm from Hermione's waist and pointed to the farthest away tree.
"Okay," there was no point in complaining, Harry would make her fly anyways. Slowly, she pushed forward on the broom and they began to soar off, slow enough for Hermione to handle. Within a few minutes, they were at the tree.
"See, that wasn't too hard," Harry said with a smile, he leaned down and whispered into Hermione's ear. "I know you could do it, love."
"Thanks," Hermione looked back at Harry, turning her head just a bit. She was blushing, happy that she was finally able to do something that she had wanted to do for so long. And Harry was with her all the way, never leaving her side. She loved his sweet touch. "I just need someone to push me, to be there for me."
"I'll always be there, 'Mione," Harry replied. "C'mon, let's go a bit higher, you'll like the view."
Hermione looked down. "I don't know, it seems high enough already."
"You'll be fine," Harry said comforting, "I'll always be there to catch you." He kissed her forehead, and Hermione giggled. "Let's go."
/I'll be safe as long as Harry is with me,/ Hermione repeated to herself over and over in her mind. She sighed and reluctantly said, "Let's go." The broom slowly rose in the air. Soon they were above the mansion, high above the ground, and Hermione refused to look down.
"Hermione," Harry said, "open your eyes."
Hermione didn't release that they were closed. She slowly opened then, one at a time. "It's beautiful isn't it?" He asked. Hermione finally saw what Harry loved in flying; the sun was just rising above the clouds, reflecting off the horizon.
"Oh, Harry," she replied, wishing to be in his arms. But she knew better then to let go of the broom. "Now I see why you love flying."
"Flying isn't the only thing I love," Hermione blushed at Harry's statement.
"Always the romancer," She said, "all the girls are going to be so jealous of me."
"Yes they are," Harry said, he rested his chin on her shoulder, "Because of your beauty, your brains and your body."
Hermione just turned a brighter shade of red. "Stop it Harry." Her hands had become sweating and her hair was falling on her face.
"Here," Harry removed one arm from her waist and pulled the hair back behind her ear. "Much better."
"Thanks," Hermione blushed, she wasn't going to let go of the broom, not this high up. "Can we, um."
"Land? Sure, 'Mione, anything for you." Harry took hold of the broom, carefully, as he was still holding onto Hermione. She still hadn't gotten over her fear of heights. "Ready." Harry just watched as Hermione's head shook yes in answering. "Okay." and Harry dove straight forward to the ground. With in a few moments they were back on the ground, safe and sound. "Handles perfectly, Hermione."
She quickly jumped off the broom, and crossed her arms. "Don't you ever do that again, Harry James Potter," she yelled at him, not even looking at his emerald eyes.
"Hermione," Harry said, "you still want to fly with me sometimes?" A slick smile was on his face, as she turned around and looked at his eyes.
Hermione sighed, /you always get the best of me Harry,/ she thought. "As long as you don't do that again, alright?"
"Fine, Hermione," Harry replied.
"Promise?"
"I promise, 'Mione," Harry said, she quickly ran to his arms, the broom floating faithfully next to him.
"I can never resist that name," a smile was on her face as she looked up in his eyes.
"I know," Harry smiled down at her. "I love you, 'Mione."
"And I you, Harry," she kissed him passionately, never wanted the moment to end. They stood with the sun rising over head, peaceful and happy.
* * * * * *
Miles across the Atlantic Ocean, Roland had apparated in front of the Ministry of Magic building. He knew that anything that had survived the fire and structural damage was there, and so there he started. Roland slowly walked up to the doors; two aurors guarded them, carefully protecting the minister in side. His black trench coat flowed in the wind, his sunglasses reflected the just rising sun. "Halt," one of the guards said, just as Roland reached the stairs. "What is your business at the Ministry of Magic?" A rehearsed speech if Roland ever heard one. He eyeballed both guards, judging their build and their feeling about his surprise arrival. His mechanical eye switched it a lens that he had created to detect energy he named simply as 'life essence,' as there was nothing else to call it. A fascinating discovery, in Roland opinion. Each being that had, is, or ever will exist on the planet emits it, Roland thoughts raced. In wizards and mutants they have more access to this energy then normal Muggles. Roland learned that ability to access it is passed down through generation-to-generation, given the wizards case. But since there was no record of any mutant giving birth, Roland couldn't say the same for them.
/Weaklings,/ he thought. The amount of energy that these two Aurors possessed was limited, minute at best. Nothing compared to Harry and Hermione. "I have no business with you," he stated, "so leave me be." He started to walk up the stairs, but a guard stepped in front of him. /you've got to be kidding me. This, this/ he was stumbling in his thoughts, /boy is afraid of me, as is this girl./
"I said halt," the guard repeated.
The sun was glaring in Roland's eyes. He carefully removed his sunglasses, as he didn't want to be blind from the light. With his glasses off, Roland pulled down his hat to hide his eyes. "I don't think you know who I am," Roland said, looking straight, careful not to look up at the guards.
"I don't care if you're You-Know-Who," the guard said, "you aren't getting in."
Roland looked up at the man, a sinister smile on his face. "You couldn't defend against Voldemort if you Harry Potter." The Auror jumped back from the sight that he saw. "Go tell your boss that I need to talk to him."
"Yes sir," the guard stammered. He ran off into the building, leaving the poor girl to defend herself if there was an attack.
"That wasn't very nice of him," Roland said, walking up the stairs. /god this kills,/ he thought, his knee had been acting up again. But this time it was brutal, the stairs were long and he had to climb a lot of them to reach the top, where the girl was. Roland was hoping to calm the girl down; he sense that she was scared. "Relax; I'm not going to hurt you."
"You must be strong if you not afraid of He-Who-Should-Name-Be-Named," she said, quivering where she was standing.
"It's just a name, my dear," Roland replied, "it would mean nothing if it was just a normal person."
"But what he did," the female Auror was defending her standpoint.
"Adolf Hitler killed more people in one year then Voldemort did in his entire reign, Ms." Roland smiled at her, putting on his sunglasses; the sunlight was beginning to hurt. "And we do not give him such foolish names as You-Know-Who or He-Who-Should-Name-Be-Named."
"It is but a simply superstition, Mr. Childe," the minister said. He had appeared at the door, along with his own bodyguards.
"Morning, Minister," Roland replied. "I would like to know how you know me."
"The American minister owled me a while ago, mentioning you and a friend were transferring over to Hogwarts."
"That is none of your business," Roland crossed his arms and stared at the Minister. "Mr. Fudge."
"No, but the fact that we have a elemental wizard at Hogwarts means that-"
"I'm not teaching," Roland interrupted.
"No, but you can protect the school, like you did with Salem University," Fudge said.
"So I'm just a tool then," Roland asked.
"No, but-"
"Can it, Fudge," his sunglasses reflected the sun, his patience gone. "I've been used too much by politicians." Roland walked forward and stared straight in the eyes of the minister. "Especially those who use their power to destroy lives."
"But I-" Fudge quickly shut up.
"Good, the American Minister must have informed you about one of my special abilities," Roland smiled; the fact that this man was afraid of him was funny to him. "So you'd better kept that mouth of yours shut and allow me and my follow students to learn in peace." He walked up to the door, and pushed it open with his left arm, they slammed against the walls inside the minister. "I want what has survived from the Granger's house."
"She's alive?" Fudge quickly followed him. "What about Harry, is he-"
"I am not at liberty to say, Fudge," he replied.
"But do you know?"
Roland smiled, and lied. "No, which is why the retrieval is so important, Fudge." he stopped at the front desk.
"Name and reason for being here," a man said behind the desk.
"Roland Childe," he replied, "and I am here for the remains of the Granger house."
'Okay," the man waved his wand for a moment, then handed Roland something, who just placed it in his coat. "Please present your wand," the man said. Out of thin air, Roland's black wand appeared in his hand, and he handed it to the man, who carefully placed it in a box that contained three different scales. Within a few moments, a small sheet of paper had come out. "It says here: Thirteen inches, demon hair, been in use for five years. Is that correct?"
"Yes it is," Roland wand jumped back to his hand and disappeared.
"May I ask what is demon's hair?"
"No," Roland said, and walked off, not even bothering to ask where he needed to go. Fudge followed him quickly.
"Demon's hair, is that a new form of core," he asked.
"No," Roland stopped and stared down at the minister, "and I don't want to talk about it."
"Fine then," Fudge replied.
"But I do want to talk about the innocence of Sirius Black." He found out about it from Hermione's memories.
"That mad man killed-" but the minister didn't even finish his sentence.
"No one," Roland said, staring into the minister's eyes again, his sunglasses slid down his nose. "Two years again, there was proof that he was innocence of all charges, and you refused to listen."
"There-there was no reason to," Fudge stammered.
"And last year you destroy a man's reputation, nearly had a riot at Hogwarts, and allow Voldemort to enter the minister." Roland pushed the minister against the wall, "over your love of the job and your own reputation." He moved so that he was nose to nose with the minister. "I forgot to mention that you killed someone."
"I did no such thing," Fudge said, "and if you would so kindly-"
"Your failure to act was the cause of this man's death," Roland bellowed. "Above all else you are responsible for this man's death. I think you owe his godson an apology."
"And who might that be," Fudge didn't back down this time.
"Harry Potter," Roland said, "And the man you killed was Sirius Black, innocent of all charges you had against him, and still you prosecuted him."
"He was not-"
"The very exist of Voldemort right now contradicts that, Fudge," Roland replied. "Sirius was killed when saving those who entered the Department of Mysteries. And the testimony of Harry Potter proves that he was innocent." He spun around, his trench coat waving in the air. "God you are so ignorant, fudge."
"But-"
"Have you ever wonder why I refused to go to Hogwarts for the first five years of my learning, it was because I couldn't stand the stench of ignorance that you have and spread where ever you go. Even in Hogwarts, it was there." He sighed, "but what can you do? There will always be people like you Fudge, too scared or stupid, maybe both," Roland paused thinking about something, "I don't know, who cause problems because they do not act for the betterment of human kind."
"How dare you, Mr. Childe."
"What for speaking the truth," Roland turned round and faced the minister. "Is it not true that you just passed a law that prevents those with werewolf blood in them from earning job?"
"Yes," Fudge replied, "because they are a danger to our society, they must be kept under control."
"And mutants," Roland was searching his mind for his statements, trying not to let his anger get the best of him. I heard rumors that you are working on a law to prevent them from ever becoming wizards, is that not true,"
"Yes, but-" Fudge was turning a bright shade of red.
"Then you are simple proving my point; are these people not humans?" Roland asked.
"No, they are not."
"And why is that," He asked, staring the minister start in his eyes. "Because they are different?"
"No, they are but freaks of nature," Fudge said and Roland simply laughed at that statement, "What is so funny?"
"Wizards are freaks of nature," Roland said, "to be able to access that much power is ungodly, it isn't natural."
"We you cannot ridicule us for being born that why," Fudge replied.
"And you can not ridicule those who are born mutants," Roland said, crossing his arms over his chest. For a while Fudge did not say a thing, thinking of their conversation. "I will find what I came here for by myself, so continue to think about what I said."
But the minister didn't listen; he followed Roland, "I have a favor to ask of you, Mr. Childe."
"I like favors, 'cause they mean you owe me," Roland replied, his knee had been acting up, but he didn't let that stop him from walking. "Shoot."
"I want you to watch Dumbledore for me," Fudge said, "you know, make sure that he is still sound of mind."
"Minister," Roland said calmly, he had stopped walking. "If you continue to stall, I will have to destroy this entire place, down to ever last brick. Now show me where the items are stored!" his voice bellowed down the hallway, echoing into the depths of the ministry.
"Okay, then," the minister quickly walking in front of Roland and began to lead the way to the elevator that carried them down into the deeper levels of the ministry. "They are on the second floor."
"Fifth," Roland said.
"What?" Fudge looked back at the man in black; he was following Fudge's footsteps to the point.
"If we are going down to the second level, then it is the fifth, Fudge," Roland said. Fudge just gave him a weird look. "Never mind, just take me to the second floor."
They entered the elevator only to be pushed to the back. The minister coughed loudly and the crowded elevator looked at him. "Sorry, minister," Echoed through it.
"Mindless drones," Roland muttered, receiving a glare from the minister.
The elevator quickly went to the second floor, as the Minster had top priority. "Level two, department of Magical Law enforcement, including the Improper Use of Magic Office, Auror Headquarters, and Wizengamot Administration Services."
"This is our floor, Mr. Childe," Fudge said, as he pushed his way to the front.
"No shit, Sherlock," Roland replied, causing many of the wizards inside the elevator to gasp. He on the other hand just walked as if nothing was wrong, carrying himself above them. But he was concerned. The presence was growing stronger in his mind, and it was taking the majority of his energy to focus. Slowly they walked down to the end of the hallway, Roland grunted. He was splitting his energy between controlling the pain and controlling the presence. But he continued on, as it was his duty to return the remains to Hermione and Harry.
"We are here," Fudge said.
"Good," Roland pushed passed the minister and into the room. Inside were pieces of the house, a couple books, Roland spun around looking for what he needed. "It should've survived." He walked around.
"Are you looking for something?"
Roland didn't bother to pay attention to Fudge. "Here it is," he picked up a wand resting onto a trunk. "Good, its still usable."
"Yes, that is Harry's wand, but it is useless, unless the boy," Fudge started, but stopped the moment, Roland glared at him.
"I told you before," he was lying again, "that is unknown whether or not he is alive. But using his wand we can find out." Fudge looked like he was about to say something. "Don't bother asking, it is not for you to know what we need to do." A box shock in the room and the minister jumped. "What's in there?" Roland placed the wand back on the trunk.
"A cat I believe, Mr. Childe," Fudge replied.
"Has it been taken care of, feed and the such?" Roland walked over to it and opened the box. A cat jumped out and tried scratch him. Roland caught the think by its waist, holding it away from him. /skinny thing,/ he thought, /I doubt they've feed it often./
"Only when we can get near it." The cat was still trying to claw Roland, and the minister was a bit worried. But within moments after touching the cat, it had calmed down; Roland placed it on his shoulders, where it calmly went to sleep. "How did you do that?"
"I have a special way with animals," Roland smiled and pet the cat behind its ears. "I intend to give it a nice home, as its previous owner can not take care of it." He was being careful with his words, as he did not like to lie. /dishonorable thing to do, lying is,/ he thought, walking over to some of the books. Roland picked up a book. "Hogwarts: A History?" he read. He put the book down and looked back to the minister. "I will take it all."
"Fine, I will send for some wizards to help you take, as this is a lot for even an-" the minister didn't finish his sentence, as he saw all the objects in the room, floating around Roland. Each of them were surrounded by a black aura. The man in black's hair was floating all over the place, dancing in the air. He had removed his sunglasses, showing the darkness within his eyelids. Red lightning bolts broke the darkness.
"I am no ordinary wizard, Fudge," Roland said, his arms crossed. The cat was still calmly sleeping on his shoulder. A black aura began to form around him as did his wand return to his right hand. "SAHDO WTRONPART!" a red light flashed, quickly followed by darkness. When the light returned, the entire room was empty save a scared minister.
"Dumbledore won't know what hit him," Fudge said. Despite being proven wrong, he still hated Dumbledore for saving the day. "That man is more trouble then he's worth."
* * * * *
Back at the X-Mansion, the sky was turning a dark shade, clouds quickly forming over head. "Storm?" Hermione said, running across the green house floor. "Are you doing this?" she had been working in it, helping out Storm until Harry returned.
"No, but it's not like the plants need it outside," she replied. Storm looked up and saw the terrified look on the girls face. Despite Hermione's powers, she didn't like thunderstorms, which was funny because she often worked with Storm in the green house. "Oh, honey," she said kindly, walking over to her friend, "relax, alright." She gave Hermione a friendly hug. "Harry will be back soon." A thunder bolt split the sky followed by a boom, Hermione began to shake. "Odd."
"What is it," Hermione looked up at the sky just to see a thunderbolt cut it in half. But the color was what was wrong. /A red lightning bolt,/ she thought, /that is odd./
"I think that we should get back to the mansion before it begins to pour." Storm pulled her friend to the door, leaving the materials where they were. "The lightning isn't natural, and that could be a problem." Storm threw the door open only to have a red lightning bolt land in front of her, throwing both her and Hermione back. As Hermione stood back up, she noticed that there were trunks and books all over the place. A black huddle was in the center of it and it slowly stood up.
"Damn trip," it said, Hermione just stared at the man, or at least she thought it was a man by the way it talked. "Took more out of me than I thought." It reached up and scratched something on his shoulder. "And how you are Crookshanks?"
"Crookshanks?" Hermione repeated. A figure stood up on the thing's shoulder, and looked at her. It quickly jumped off it and ran over to Hermione. The moment the cat left its shoulder it regained all color. "Crookshanks!" she repeated. The cat jumped into her arms and purred contently. "You're a bit small since the last time I saw you." Hermione began to scratch his ears.
"That's because he hasn't been well feed," the black figure said, "Help me bring these trunks in, Hermione." He turned around and threw out his arms, black sand came flying off of him. He crutched back down and slowly stood up back up, holding his sides.
"Roland?" Hermione said.
"The one and only." He had a large smile on his face, his long black hair covering his forehead and his shoulders. The sky had begun to clear up, revealing the sun over head. "Relax, I'll have this fixed by morning." Roland bent down and picked up a small stick. "and I think Harry would like this."
"What is it?" Hermione walked over to him, still holding Crookshanks in her arms.
"His wand." He looked over at Hermione. "I think you should give him this."
"How did.." she just took the wand staring at it.
"I'm sorry that he broke your wand," Hermione was caught off guard with Roland's statement.
"What are you talking about? It was." she couldn't finish her sentence whether due to Roland's presence or her own conscious.
"I know, Hermione," he said, walking around picking up the lone books. "I know what he did."
"How could you," she asked, "Harry didn't-"
"No he did tell me Hermione," Roland replied, "while in my shadow form, if I make physical contact with someone, I acquire their worst memories, sorta like a dementor would."
"What is a dementor," Storm asked.
"I'll explain later," Roland said, "And the spell that I casted on you not only removes the worst of your injuries, but brings out my own along with the memories. My hands were bleeding, I could barely walk."
"But what does that have to do with my memories?" Hermione was getting annoyed at the moment. /how could he know?/
"The spell requires physical touch, and I was in my shadow form, Hermione," Roland said, the wand that he held in his hand vanished. The man in black held up his right hand, a scab the size of a quarter was in the center of it, "and I still haven't recovered from that spell." He waved his other hand over it and the scab vanished.
"But-"
"A simply vanishing spell, Hermione," Roland said, "I will need to wrap it up later, but that can wait. Now come on." Roland started to raise the trunks in the air, all of them surround by a black aura. "just pick up the stray books. Don't worry about getting them all, I'll send Harry down to help you." He walked toward the mansion.
"Roland we need to talk!" she yelled at her cousin.
"Later, there's work to be done," Roland didn't even look back at her, but he could tell that she was burning red.
"He makes me so mad," Hermione stated, but Storm just placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Relax," she said, "you get used to him leaving in a middle of a conversation."
Hermione sighed, "I'll be better once I talk to Harry."
"Thata girl," Storm replied. "now put the cat down and take as much as you can carry. Then follow him. He'll show you where he wants them."
She sighed again, "alright." Hermione placed down Crookshanks and picked up a few books. She stopped at one. "Hogwarts: a History?" was the title. "It survived."
Roland yelled from the mansion. "Hermione can you hurry it up, you can read later." He popped back inside muttering to himself.
"Fine then," Hermione rushed toward the mansion leaving Storm to think about the magic that she had just seen.
* * * * * *
Harry found Hermione in their room, sitting on their bed, reading another book. He had just come back from training session with Logan and was tried as he could be. "I thought we've read all your books?" he asked. Hermione blushed; she had a made it a habit of picking a book a night and they read to together. Of the books that Hermione bought and that she hadn't read yet, they finished all of them.
"We have, Harry," she replied. Harry took a seat next to her and smelled her hair.
"You smell nice," he said, burying his head in her bushy set of hair. Hermione giggled.
"Thanks Harry," she replied and turned another page. Harry caught a glance of the title, Hogwarts: a History.
"Hey, he found it," Harry sat up straight, wrapping an arm around his girlfriend.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, confused written on her face. He couldn't help to smile. "Roland brought this back along with the."
"I know, I was the one who asked him to bring them here," Harry said, looking down at his lap. "I thought that we-" he didn't get to finish his statement; Hermione had her arms wrapped around his neck, her mouth connected to his. For a moment, Harry was surprised but quickly relaxed and returned the favor, pulling her closer to him.
When she let go of Harry, Hermione was in his lap, smiling. "Thank you Harry," she said softly, her eyes never looking away from his. She loved to stare into the emerald pools of his eyes and not look back. "It was the kindest thing anyone has done for me since we got here."
"I just wanted you to be happy." Harry just looked into her baby-blue eyes, staring into the endless skies that he saw. /I love you Hermione, and I will never leave you./ his train of thoughts were broken when a cat jumped into his lap. "Hey," but when he saw who it was, Harry's expression changed, "nice to see you again Crookshanks." He immediately began to pet the small, thin cat, keeping one arm around Hermione, though. She rested her head on his chest, closing her eyes and relaxing. "I see he brought back, Crookshanks, too."
"Yeah," Hermione didn't even open her eyes up, but a smile crossed her face. "He's powerful, Harry."
"Roland?" he asked, and she nodded. "I know, from what Logan told me, he was granted the right to cast magic outside of school three years ago." Hermione just nodded. "Something about protection, but he trailed off and I didn't catch the rest." She just nodded again, and Harry smiled. He had stopped petting Crookshanks and started to pet Hermione's hair.
"Everyone here knows a lot about Roland," Hermione replied.
"No just Logan," Harry said, "From what Logan told me; it seems that Roland thinks very highly of him, as he was the only person to ever beat him in a duel."
"A magical duel, but I thought-" Harry shook his head and Hermione stopped talking.
"No, with swords and everything," He replied, "Roland is suppose to be an expect fencer, he also seems to have mastery in other weapons. When I asked how Logan won, he just said he got lucky, but I doubt that."
Hermione sat, and looked around. "Where's Hedwig?" She asked, changing the subject.
"I think she's flying letters for Professor Dumbledore right now, along with Roland's owl."
She relaxed and rested her head on his chest again. "Oh," was her reply. Then a surprised looked appeared on her face. "Harry, I've been thinking."
"I'm not surprised," he said, but smiled down at her. "About what?"
"You said that Sirius picked up, right?"
"Right, but Sirius is dead," Harry answered; his voice was sad and somber. "I've been thinking about that."
"You do know that could've been one of Voldemort's Death Eaters," she replied, "you could've been hurt or worse. Oh, Harry." She arms went around his neck and began to sound as if she was crying. "I don't know." she had shifted her weight so that she was straddling his legs.
But Hermione didn't get out another word before Harry began to comfort her. "Shh, it's alright. I wasn't, 'Mione; so you don't have to worry. I was too happy to see you to think about anything else." He heard the sobs stop, but she was still sniffling. "You mean too much to me. Like I said before, you are the reason why I survived at the Dursleys for that first week."
"But you could've asked help from Moody and the others, I remember them telling you that you could talk to them anytime you wanted."
"That was before the mutant issue arrived," Harry said, and Hermione pulled away from Harry just slightly. She looked start into his eyes. "I was lucky that they didn't come, I guess."
She had caught on as to why. "Right, it is possible for a Muggle to mistake a wizard as a mutant." Hermione paused for a moment. "You are right, it is lucky that they didn't come." She pulled in closer, there foreheads touching, staring into each other's eyes. "And I'm lucky that you came along."
"As am I, 'Mione," he replied, and kissed her again. "As am I." When they released each other, Hermione yawned. "Tired?" Harry asked, his fingers running through her hair. Hermione pulled away; her forehead on his. She just nodded. "Alright, why don't you go change, and get ready for bed. I'll change out here."
"Okay," Hermione replied, not letting go of Harry, a smile was still on her face.
"Well?" Harry asked. He didn't want her to go, but when she yawned again. "Go on, I'll be here when you come back."
"Fine," Hermione pouted, and got up. Harry couldn't help but feel that something was wrong, but he said nothing. He knew better, Hermione would just deny it and wouldn't talk to him for a while, and he didn't want. To hear her voice, it was music to his ears. Hermione walked over to her dresser, avoiding the trunks that covered the floor, and pulled out one of her nightgowns, then quickly went to the bathroom. Harry smiled and went over to his dresser, removing a white t-shirt and a new pair of boxers for the night. He quickly changed and returned to the bed that he had just come from.
A knock came from the bathroom door, and then it opened up slightly. Hermione's head peaked out and looked around. When she saw Harry sitting against the headboard, waiting for her, she came running out, and jumped on the bed, landing right next to him. Harry felt as if something was wrong again, but Hermione's face didn't show it, so he didn't ask. 'Hey," Harry said, pushing the hair that landed on her face out of it. She just smiled at him.
"Hey," she replied, blushing slightly. Harry slid down and laid across from her, staring straight into her eyes. He returned the smile and laid down on his back, Hermione quickly moved closer to him, placing an arm around his chest and her head on his shoulder. She let out a long breath.
/Now was as good as anytime,/ Harry thought. "Something wrong?" he asked. Hermione quickly sat up, still looking in his eyes. "Hermione?"
She sighed again, and straddled his waist. "Can I tell you something?" She asked. Harry just nodded. Hermione laid down on his chest, her head on it. "Harry, please don't be mad at me."
"'Mione, I could never be mad at you," he replied. She sat up just a bit, so that she was closer to Harry's face. "You're too perfect for me to do that." He lifted his head up and kissed her, wrapping an arm around her neck. Hermione graciously relaxed, following Harry's head as it slowly moved back down to the bed. She quickly got her hands around his neck before Harry reached the bed. /you're perfect, Hermione. Never let anyone else tell you other wise./
The door exploded open with a bright red light, Harry quickly turned to his side, his back to the door. He rather it was him who got hurt then Hermione. "What are you two doing in here?" a voice boomed. Harry turned his head to see that it was Scott; he was just placing his glasses back on. "And to think we trusted you two." Hermione was cowering in Harry's arms, trying to bury herself in his chest. "Stand up!"
Harry pulled Hermione closer, and focused on his mutant powers, his back and his arms became hard as stone, turning a deep tan color. A hard shell began to form around his and hers bodies, protecting them. "Don't you hide from me, Potter!" Scott yelled. Harry didn't care, only think that he was worried about was Hermione who was shaking in his grasp. A bright red light grew behind him and he knew what was coming.
"Cyclops," Roland's voice said, "Calm down." Harry turned his head just enough to see what was happening. Roland was standing in the doorway, arms crossed and a stern look on his face. "You're not yourself."
"Of course I'm myself," he replied, and another shot from his glasses was aimed straight at Roland's chest. He quickly dodged it, stepping to the side. "I've never seen clearer."
"Fine, let me purge your mind then," he boomed over the other mutant. Roland began to transform, this time a form that Harry hadn't seen before. But it didn't matter to him. Hermione was muttering something.
"Stop it ,Steven, please stop it," she was saying.
"Oh Hermione," he said, began to pet her hair, pulling her closer to him. Hermione couldn't wrap her arms around his waist because of his shell, but she moved as close as she could to him. A few bright lights exploded behind Harry, but all the world was quiet save the sobs of the girl in his arms. "Why does the worst of things have to happen to the best of people?"
"Now listen, Scott," Roland growled, his voice was like that the night he saved both him and Hermione. Harry turned his head the best he could, and saw the shadow master with his back to him. He had lifted up Scott by the neck and his feet were dangling in the air. "You're not yourself, if you let Professor X or even Jean to-" but not another word came, as Scott had removed his glasses and fired a shot straight at Roland's chest. Harry was afraid for a moment that he was phase and let the beam pass through and him them, but inside hit him square in the chest. Black smoke appeared all over the place.
Harry's attention was turned back to Hermione, some of the dust had drifted over to them, and she was beginning to cough. "There, there," Harry replied, lightly tapping her back. "It'll be alright." But worried about his friend, Harry turned around and looked at Roland; the dust had just begun to settle. He was still standing, holding Scott now. But inside of holding him by his neck, Roland held the man up by his face.
"Mind you, Scott," Roland said, "you're not in control of your actions, so I won't hurt you too badly." He tossed the man out into the hallway. "Damn necro." his voice trailed off as he walked out. The doors floated up off the ground and quickly fixed themselves as Roland passed. He wondered about what just happened, but his mind returned to his girlfriend in his arms.
* * * * * *
Outside Harry's room, Roland sighed, and did his best to relax. The transformation he made quickly disappeared, just as Logan, Jean, and Xavier came running up. "It's about time," Roland said, "I took a full optic blast in the chest." He rubbed it, sore from the pain. "Probably a third degree burn."
"What happened?" Jean crutched down next to Scott, his forehead and cheeks were covered in first degree burns, save the area covered by Roland's hand. Scott's neck had five cuts in it, four on one side, and one on the other.
"Tried to attack Harry and Hermione," Roland replied. "Lucky I felt what was happening, or else they probably would've been hurt badly, dead maybe."
"You felt that all the way across the school, but even I didn't," Professor X said.
"Focus, Professor. You have, I don't; that's way I felt it." He slowly backed up to the wall and leaned against it, using it to support him.
"Scott, honey," Jean was saying, "Are you alright?" The brown haired mutant just stared forward, his red glasses reflecting the light.
"He's knocked out right now, but some one was controlling him." Roland slid down, still holding his chest, he was now breathing hard. Logan walked up and lifted the shadow master to his feet. "Thanks, I owe you, anyways."
"Yeah, ya do," The Canadian mutant, replied. "A case of the wizarding whiskey would do just fine."
"You'll have it when I leave," Roland said, he summoned a black cane from the shadows and took hold of it. He looked over to Jean who was still trying to wake her boyfriend up. "He's being controlled, so you have to break spell."
"It a spell?" Jean repeated. Roland just nodded. "But who did it?"
"No one here, I can tell you that," he was still leaning against the wall, "I've and the American President made sure of it. Only the most powerful of wizards can cast magic on this school's grounds."
"Why would the-" Jean started, but stopped suddenly realizing what he was talking about. "Oh. So who did it?"
Roland acted as if he never heard the question. "The spell isn't normal magic, so any spell I cast won't work. A telepathic blast should do it though." He turned to the professor, "Jean isn't strong enough to do it so, and you'll need to, Professor." The professor seemed to concentrate for a only a moment, before Scott gasped as if he hadn't breathe forever.
"Scott, it's alright," Jean quickly hugged him and the professor smiled.
"Where am I?" he asked.
"You're in the school, Scott," Professor X said, "Don't you remember anything?"
"The last thing I remember was when I went out to get food for the week; I met an old man in the supermarket." Roland punched the wall, his hand creating a huge whole in it.
All eyes were on him. "Don't worry about me," Roland said, "Professor, we'll talk later." He quickly walked down the hallway, dropping his cane and bearing the pain.
"What's his problem?" Jean asked.
"Don't worry about it, Jean," Logan said, "he's going to deal with it." He walked off in the opposite direction, to his room.
The professor sighed. He knew for a fact that Logan was hiding something for Roland, as he was hiding something for the Canadian too. But the secret that Roland held was something that even Logan didn't know, his past. And for that reason, Roland has kept it a secret, it was meant to be.
* * * * * *
Harry had fallen asleep, holding Hermione in his arms. The sun had set long ago, and their room was totaled, but Harry was happy; she was safe. Hermione was a bit upset, but quickly calmed down when both Roland and Scott had left. The bed that they were in before was covered in dust and everything, so Hermione made them such beds. She also made Harry take off his shirt, so she could look for any damage. But his mutant powers quickly healed him, much to her satisfactory. They had switched beds and quickly fallen asleep in each other's arms.
But for some odd reason, Harry was still awake. He must've woken up but a few minutes, but it seemed forever. His mind raced, thinking off what happened, what is going to happen. He was so worried about the girl in his arms. Despite being as strong as she was, Hermione was fragile now, and that was something that Harry was concerned with. Lying on his back, he stared up at the ceiling, an arm wrapped around her. She was peacefully sleeping, breathing in softly, a smile on her beautiful face. /god only knows what I'd be without, 'Mione,/ he thought. But so many thinks made him worry.
Harry got up carefully, and walked over to the window. He opened the blinds slowly and stepped outside onto the balcony. It was a warm summer's night, not a cloud in the sky. He walked out and stared up at the full moon. "A month till school starts," Harry said, "I wish I was going back."
"Who said you weren't?" Harry looked up; it was Roland. He jumped down and stared at the boy who lived. He was without his shirt or coat for that matter, even his hat was missing. All he wore was a pair of black work out pants. Roland's hair seemed to hug his shoulders. "You're letters have arrived, both you and Hermione's." He handed two envelopes with the seal of Hogwarts on them. "Heather and I will also be going with you." Harry looked at him for a moment before taking them. Roland had a large bandage wrapped around his chest and shoulders, where he had gotten hit before.
"But I thought," Harry started; he took the letters and stared at them.
"Dumbledore is too kind to not allow us to go to his school," Roland replied.
"But what about wands and everything else," he asked.
"Hermione has your wand, I think," he walked over and leaned against the railing. "I gave it to her when I returned."
"My wand survived?" Harry repeated. "What about-" Roland shook his head, turning and staring him in the eye.
"Didn't even make it to the fire, remember," Roland replied. He quickly changed the subject. "When Scott attacked you today, he wasn't of good mind."
"Someone was controlling him?" Roland just nodded. "Was it an Imperious curse?"
"No, something worse," Harry winced for a moment, "no spell can break it, no known magic can remove it."
"What's its name?"
"In your letter, it talks about weapons," Roland changed the subject, "I have a large collection for you and Hermione to choose from."
"Okay, but you didn't answer my question," Harry replied.
"It is not important," Roland said, "what is important is the fact that it was used against us." Harry started to say something. "Until we return to London, I want you and Hermione to stay on the school's grounds, and if possible never leave each other's sights. Mind you I may be powerful, but not right now." He looked off in the distance. He quickly turned back and looked at Harry. "In the mean time, I will start training you with the weapons that you have chosen, if that's alright."
"That's fine, but-"
"I also have one more gift for you, one that I had completely forgotten until today. You and Hermione can come down to my room tomorrow to see it alright?" he walked over to Harry, placing his two hands on his shoulders.
"Sure, but-"
"Great," Roland said, he walked over to the wall. "I will see you tomorrow, and remember what I said about you and Hermione not leaving each other's sight." He jumped up to the roof and ran across it, silently and swiftly.
"He's insane," Harry said, he walked back inside, and saw Hermione shivering. He tossed the letters onto his dresser, ran over to her and sat her up, wrapping his arms around her cold body. "Hey."
"Hey, who-who were ya-you t-talking t-to," she asked, her teeth clattering. Harry pulled her closer, trying to warm her up. He rubbed her shoulders, her back, only to stop and pull her closer. "Y-you're c-cold too, Harry."
"Sorry, I was outside," Harry replied. "I didn't realize how cold it was until now." Hermione removed an arm from Harry's waist and pointed it at the door. Slowly it was shut, and latched. "Thanks."
"Yo-you're wel-welcome," Hermione smiled, she was still freezing, but was warming up. "But you d-didn't an-answer my qu-question?"
"I was talking to Roland," Harry said, he laid back down, holding Hermione on to of him. "He told me that we've received our letters, about us going back to Hogwarts."
"We're going back to Hogwarts?" she repeated, a smile grinning from ear to ear. "But I thought that since we were mutants, we couldn't go-"
"Professor Dumbledore must think that we're worth it," Harry replied, he loved to see that sweet smile on his girlfriend's face. It always cheered him up. "Also, Roland said something about weapons, so we have to go to his room tomorrow to pick them up."
"Weren't you paying attention?"
"No," Harry said, only to receive a glare from Hermione, "I was thinking of you. Besides, he was talking too fast for me to catch much. But I do remember he said that I should never leave your side, and on the school's grounds."
"That's fine by me," she replied, and yawned Hermione wasn't as cold as she was before, and the sleep was returning to her. "Just don't leave me, you're too warm." She cuddled up next to him, smiling the entire time.
"I could say the same thing about you," Harry said. He returned the smile, despite the darkness, each of them could tell the other was blushing. "Let's try to get some sleep."
"Okay," Hermione answered, "And Harry?"
"Hmm," he was close to sleep.
"Happy birthday," she giggled before yawning again.
"Thanks, 'Mione," Harry kissed her forehead and felt sleep reach for him. He dreamt peaceful dreams of his life after Hogwarts, with Hermione. Not even Voldemort could stop that.
* * * * * *
Roland frantically paced around his library, looking for his books. Despite being in alphabet order, he still didn't know where everything was. He held a candle as he rid the ladder around the room. "Where is it?" The room became suddenly colder, and all the candles were blown out. "I told you before to leave me alone," he said, still looking around the shelves. "Damn it, where is that book?" a blue light had appeared behind Roland.
"Roland, please listen to me," a young girl's voice said, it couldn't have been over eighteen.
"Leave me alone," he repeated, and pushed himself farther down the library, away from the voice. "I need to find that book."
"Roland, please, darling, listen to me," the voice said. "You need help with this."
"I don't need help, nor want it, now leave before I banish you," Roland jumped down off the ladder and walked past the voice, not even looking at it. "I as I said leave me alone."
"But, Roland, please," she replied. "It's important." Roland stopped where he was. "Thank you."
"Get on with it," he said, not turning around.
"Look at me." Roland didn't move. "Look at me, please."
"Either tell me what you wanted to, or leave now," Roland said. The sobs of the girl could be heard as he walked over to the family tree.
"Fine then, Roland," She said, "Don't look at me."
"Tell what you have come here to tell me," Roland repeated. He pressed a button on the wall, and the family tree sunk down to the ground, revealing a hall lined with weapons. Small lights hung over head, showing hammers, swords, axes, and a large arrangement of long-range weapons. He quickly entered down it. The voice followed him. "Trish."
"The dark lord is beginning to find the value of you kind," she said.
"I have no kind," Roland replied, he turned around and looked at the source of the voice. It was a form of a teenage girl, blue in color and surrounded by a blue mist. She was transparent. She was a ghost "May I remind you of that." He quickly began to walk again.
"Yes, Roland," the ghost of Trish answered. "But the point is the same." Roland stopped at the end of the hallway, at a doorway. "You have been asked to stop this."
"I'll do my best," he sighed and opened up the door, revealing a large room filled with instruments. Roland entered the room and slammed the door. Trish passed right through it. "I've always done so."
"There is something else," she said, taking a seat by the grand piano. It hadn't been polished in months, but with a wave of a hand, Roland made it look brand new. He snapped his fingers and candles appeared overhead, lighting up the room dimly.
"Let me guess," Roland said, he took a seat in front of the piano, and ran his fingers over the keys. "It has something to do with Harry and Hermione." He took off his sunglasses and cracked his knuckles.
"Yeah," Trish replied, "aren't you looking for the book?"
"I know where it is," Roland smiled, "but do you think I go to that library all the time, Trish?" he was always more relaxed when playing and it didn't matter what. His guitar, his sax, his violin, anything. Part of his rehabilitation was learning to play an instrument, and soon he taught himself how to play any one. His hands gracefully glided across the keys as he played a sad, haunting melody. "Don't change the subject, what do you want me to do?"
"HE wants you to protect them, for they-"
"Are a part of the future, and their fate makes or breaks it," Roland interrupted. "I know." He continued to play a song that he held close to his heart. "If that is all, can you leave?"
"But I'd thought that-" Trish stood up.
"You thought wrong," Roland replied.
"You used to love me," her face looked like it was near tears.
"Thinking about yourself again, aren't we Trish," Roland said, he just played on, his song getting slower and sadder. "You forget how hard it is for me to see you again, and to do nothing. This is killing me, I can't hold, I can't kiss you. But that doesn't mean I don't love you."
"Really," Trish looked happy again, despite him not even making eye contact.
"Yes, Trish, I will always love you," Roland replied.
She sighed. "Despite that fact, you can't hold onto me forever."
"Which is part of the reason why I don't want to see you again."
"I know, but I needed to see you one more time, in person. I wanted to hear your voice with my own ears." She turned away from Roland. "I love you, and I'll never stop."
"I know," Roland replied.
"But you need to move one, there is someone else out there for you," she said.
"I know." Roland paused in his piece, "But I haven't moved on yet. I just need more time." He sighed. "Can you leave, please, you're presence is beginning to annoy me."
"Alright, if that is your wish, but I will not stop watching over you," Trish stood up, "I will see you again." Her glowing body disappeared, much like a cloud in the sky. "Good bye, Roland."
"Good bye, Trish," he said, his sunglasses hid his eyes, but a lone tear slide down his cheek.