Earlier in HPX
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Harry's eyes barely had enough time to focus before Sinister grabbed him and forced him onto an examination table, shackling him down.
"Where's Hermione?" Harry growled, glaring at Mr. Sinister, "You swore you would let her go if I came with you."
"I said of her own free will," Sinister smiled evilly, "Hermione dear, you're free to go where you please." He said, looking back in the shadows.
Then who walked out of the shadows made Harry's eyes go wide, it was her. No doubt this was the real Hermione, same bright, cheery, cinnamon eyes, same bushy, brown hair, and wearing slightly dirty Hogwarts robes.
"Hermione?" Harry asked, a smile creeping across his lips, "You're alive! I knew I'd find you!"
Then all the color faded from his features as she walked up and entwined her arms around Sinister's. "Who is that, Daddy? He looks familiar."
"It's amazing what a little reeducation can do, huh, Mage?" Sinister laughed as Harry stared, at a loss for words.
"What … what have you done to her?" Harry asked, gaping at the confused Hermione.
"She's been such a trooper during our interrogations," Sinister said, giving Hermione a small hug, "I decided to claim her as my daughter. I've cleansed her mind of all the trash her last family and you have given her, and she only remembers what she has learned at Hogwarts. Now I will begin training her to be my heir. Once we get the info we need from you, Mage, we will begin her DNA therapy," he then kissed the top of her head; "my darling daughter will be just like me."
"You …" Harry growled, his anger skyrocketing, "You bastard!"
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Mr. Potter, but enough about my family," Sinister smiled, "Tell me about the Chamber of Secrets."
"How about …" Harry growled, his emerald eyes boiling with anger, "you burn in hell." Sinister started to laugh, but suddenly found him flying through the air.
"Blast," Sinister groaned, standing up and pulling himself back through the wall he had just demolished, "A telekinetic brat, I hate telekinetic brats."
Harry then used his TK to unshackle his wrists and ankles, "Stay away from him!" Hermione snapped, standing between Harry and Sinister.
"Hermione … it's me, don't you remember?" Harry pleaded, "Hermione, it's me, Harry. Please remember …"
"H-Harry …" Hermione whispered, her brow crinkling as she tried to recall.
"Yes, Harry, remember?" Harry said, stepping closer to Hermione.
"No! Stay back!" She barked, taking several steps back.
"I can't do that, Hermione," Harry said, giving a small smile, "Hermione, try to remember. Remember when we first met on the Hogwarts Express, you were looking for Neville's toad?"
"T-Trevor …" she whispered, tears starting to form in the corners of her eyes.
"That's right," Harry nodded, the smile growing, "Remember how you always wolfed down your food too quickly so you could run off to the library? Or how we always took walks, just you and me, around the lake when something was bothering one of us?"
"H-Harry?" She asked, looking up at him in confusion.
"NO!" Sinister cried, running toward them, "She's my specimen!"
Harry started to pull out his wand, but Sinister tackled him, knocking the wand out of his hand and sending it clattering to stop right at Hermione's feet. "If you won't tell me what I want to know, you are of no use to me." Sinister growled, wrapping his clawed hand around Harry's neck, "Time to die! You got a lucky shot before, kid," Sinister snarled, squeezing Harry's neck, cutting off his airflow, "You will not get lucky again …""Lucky?" Hermione whispered, Lucky …"
"More important … important things …" Hermione said in a daze, her eyes traveling down to the wand at her feet, "friendship… bravery…" she slowly squatted down and picked up the wand, "… love … Harry?" Her eyes suddenly snapped wide and shot up to Sinister strangling Harry, "HARRY!"
She didn't know what she was doing; her thoughts were only on Sinister hurting Harry, Sinister killing Harry, and her body was on autopilot. She pointed the wand at the demonic scientist and, with all the anger and pain in her body and soul, she screamed "AVADA KEDAVRA!"
The curse connected with Sinister's side, and he immediately fell limp on top of Harry. He quickly and roughly shoved the larger body off him and looked wide-eyed at Hermione, "Ha...hu...her...Hermione?"
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Chapter 5: Sinistra
"SINISTER?" Harry cried in shock, "No, there must be a mistake!" He said, pacing back and forth, running his hands through his hair, "Sinister is dead. I was there; I saw him DIE! There is no coming back. No one survives the killing curse!"
"You did, Harry." Dumbledore stated, but even the powerful yet aging headmaster winced at the glare Harry gave when his head snapped up.
"That was different," Harry snapped, "Sinister was a Muggle, a buggered in the head Muggle at that. He could not have survived."
"Mage, Calm down," Professor Xavier said forcefully, "We have thought Sinister was dead before, yet he returned to plague us again."
"He's dead," Harry said hatefully, "And if he is somehow still aliveand he tries tolay a finger on Hermione, I'll make him wish he was dead."
"Don't worry," Xavier said, "We won't let him take her again, if it is in fact Sinister." He then looked toward Dumbledore, "It's late. Tomorrow, we'll investigate further."
"Very good, Charles, Come along," Dumbledore said, walking toward the entrance to the castle, "We shall meet back up with Prof. McGonagall and Ms. Granger."
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The X-Men, Ron, and Ginny followed Dumbledore deep into the depths of the newly constructed castle. "There you are, Minerva," Dumbledore said, walking up to Prof. McGonagall and Hermione and someone else, "Ah, Mr. Longbottom, I am pleased you arrived." Dumbledore then turned to Harry, "Mr. Longbottom has been chosen as this year's Head Boy," Dumbledore informed the shocked young X-Man.
"Well, I see the Mudblood's come with her pet Mutants," Another familiar voice came from down the hallway.
"Oh, goodie," Harry sighed as Ron shook his head. Neither noticed the pink shade covering Ginny's cheeks.
"What are you doing here, Malfoy?" Harry growled, glancing down to make sure his uniform was neat and official looking, "I'm sure you didn't come all this way just to make an arse out of yourself."
"Oh, you would say that, wouldn't you, Mr. Hero,"Malfoy said, eyeing Harry's uniform, "What is it you're called in that attire? Mage? Poor comedy."
"You didn't answer my question," Harry asked, making sure to be between Draco and Hermione, "What are you doing here?"
"Why I am here is none of your concern, 'Mage'," He returned.
"You know, you two really are a good match,"Malfoy smiled, eyeing Hermione, "The nasty Mutant and the filthy Mudblood," His sentence was cut short when he was suddenly tackled to the ground.
"You want to say that again, Malfoy?" Hermione hissed in a tone Harry had only heard her use once before: during their trip to Hagrid's before Buckbeak's execution. Malfoy had been just as foul then and he had earned a punch in the nose from Hermione then. However, now she seemed more than ready to strangle the life from him.
"Potter, get yourwhore of aMudblood off me!"Malfoy gasped from where Hermione was strangling him.
"Miss Granger!" McGonagall gasped as Harry grabbed Hermione's shoulders and tried to pull her off the platinum-blonde Slytherin.
"Hermione, calm down!" Harry cried.
Hermione's eyes went wide, "H-Harry? What? I … I don't know what came over me … I …"
"You filthy, little Mudblood,"Malfoy snapped, pulling himself up, "I've got better things to do than hang around you scum and blood traitors," He said, giving Ginny a quick glance before turning his back and walking down the hall. He continued muttering, and although no one could terribly hear him, the words "my father" were discernable.
"Miss Granger," McGonagall said firmly, "You are Head Girl. If you would like to keep the position, I would seriously consider learning to control that temper."
"Y-yes, Professor McGonagall," Hermione said weakly.
Harry merely hugged her shoulders and gave a worried glace back to Professor Xavier, who returned a nod.
--
Harry walked Hermione into the Head Girl's private Dormitory. "You alright?" Harry asked nervously.
"Just a little shaken up …" Hermione said with a small smile.
"You scared me earlier," Harry admitted, "You've never acted that way before."
"I know. I mean it's just that term; it just makes me crazy when I hear it, especially from Malfoy.I think it's mostly just the nerves though, so don't worry," She said, giving him a quick kiss, "Ok?"
"Yeah, ok," Harry nodded, turning to go, "Goodnight then, Hermione, I'm going to stay out in the Head Boy and Girl's common room, just to be safe."
"You know …" Hermione said, grabbing his hand, "You really don't have to go."
Harry smiled conspiratorily and the couple then met in a passionate embrace, their hands travelling all overeach other as they made their way to Hermione's bed.
--
The next morning, Harry slowly opened his eyes and looked down on the mass of brown hair spread across his chest.
"Good morning, Harry," Hermione said, looking up at him with a smile.
"How long have you been awake?" Harry asked, smiling back.
"A while," She yawned, snuggling next to him, "I like watching you sleep."
Harry blushed crimson. "You know … we can't stay in bed forever," Harry said, squeezing her slightly in a hug.
"Who says?" Hermione smiled, closing her eyes andsnuggling her head into his chest. She then froze before rising up to look him in the face, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Harry said, avoiding eye contact.
"Don't lie," Hermione said, rolling over to pin him under her, "Talk."
"Nothing's the matter, Hermione," Harry replied, but she showed no sign of accepting his answer.
"I can tell something is troubling you, Harry," Hermione said, looking worriedly at him, "Why won't you tell me?"
"I can't, Hermione," Harry sighed, 'What am I supposed to say?' he thought,'the psycho who kidnapped and brainwashed you a year ago might not be dead after all.'
"Oh god … Sinister," Hermione gasped, looking ill.
"Damn telepathy!" Harry cursed his own gift.
"Oh god, Harry," Hermione said fearfully, sitting up. "He couldn't have survived, could he?"
Harry quickly pulled Hermione into his arms and shushed her, "It's going to be ok, Hermione," Harry whispered into her hair, "We don't know if he is or not, but no matter what, I am not letting him take you from me again." He said, rocking her in his arms.
--
A short while later, Harry, in uniform, and Hermione walked into the Great Hall where the other X-Men, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall had gathered. "Ok, Mage, I want you to guide Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm, and Shadowcat into Hogsmeade and try to gather any info you can get on the murders." Professor Xavier ordered, "The rest of you stay here and guard the school in case of a worst case scenario. Dismissed."
Harry turned to Hermione, "No matter what you do, Hermione," Harry said, stroking her cheek, "Stay inside the school, ok? I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Ok, Harry," Hermione nodded, "I want to look around the new library anyway. Do be careful." She said, rising up to kiss him quickly.
"I will," Harry nodded, "See you soon."
Hermione watched Harry and the X-Men walking out with a strange sense of dread in the pit of her stomach.
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"Alright, split up and keep radio contact," Cyclops said, looking around the X-Men who were all wearing Hogwarts cloaks to hide their uniforms, "Radio in as soon as you get any information whatsoever, do not attempt to take on Sinister if you happen to come across him. Clear?"
"Watch yourselves," Harry added, "Hogsmeade has its rough places."
"Everyone catch that?" Cyclops added, "Ok then, X-Men, fan out."
Harry walked casually down the main street of Hogsmeade, looking around the different shops and stores. "Hello, Mage," a soft, feminine voice called from behind him, causing Harry to spin around in a combat stance. Before him stood a woman though her form was hidden under a crimson cloak.
"Who are you?" Harry asked, pulling off his sunglasses, "How did you know my name?"
"I know a lot about you, Mage," She said in a vaguely familiar voice, "Or would you be more comfortable with me calling you Harry?"
"Mage will be fine," Harry said, relaxing slightly, but keeping his guard up, "And who might you be?"
"I can help you find Mr. Sinister." She said, walking away down the street, swinging her hips to and fro, beckoning him after her.
Harry followed her as she walked into an alleyway, "I know you believe Mr. Sinister is behind the recent murders, and in a way he is."
"What do you mean 'In a way'?" Harry asked quizzically.
"Well, you see, he is actually behind the murders if you look back the correct distance in time," She said, stopping suddenly, letting Harry pass her, "For you see, he is dead, but someone else is continuing Mr. Sinister's work."
"Who's that?" Harry asked as he turned around to face her, but suddenly found himself flying backwards from a kick.
"Me," She said cockily, throwing off the cloak. Harry sat up and gawked for a moment. She stood around Hermione's height, was wearing tight, dark blue, leather short shorts that covered maybe a quarter inch of her thigh, knee high boots, and a 'top' that was made up of two tight, leather straps of the same color that came across her shoulders, covering the essentials and connecting to her shorts with clear mesh between them. Her face was hidden behind a blue mask with a red gem in the center of the forehead that covered the upper part of her face; her sneering lips were colored with jet-black lipstick; her eyes were bright crimson, and her bushy, raven hair ran down her shoulders. "You can call me Sinistra," She said, kicking Harry in the ribs.
"Petrificus Totalus!" Sinistra cried, pulling a wand and pointing it at Harry. Harry's body went rigid. He could do naught but watch as she walked toward him, seduction oozing from every pore on her chalk-white skin.
"Who are-" Harry forced out, but the question was cut short as the girl pressed her lips to his and shoved her tongue far into his mouth.
"Mmm … Delicious," She purred, rubbing her body against his petrified form. "Have I ever told you how beautiful those eyes of yours are, Love?" Sinistra asked, looking up at him pruriently, "Maybe I'll pluck them out and keep them after I kill you."
She then stepped back and held an open palm against the frozen X-man, "Goodbye, Lover," She said as a glowing orb formed in her palm, "It was fun." She seemed ready to fire the blast, but was holding back for some reason and her red eyes showed signs of struggle.
"Oh, no, you don't!" Another voice said from the sky as a figure shot down from the heavens and punched the girl right in the face.
"You bastard!" She cursed holding her face, "How dare you interrupt me!"
"No one will have Potter's blood on their hands," The young man said, "Except me!"
The young man wore a black bodysuit with a blood red 'A' on his chest with a golden halo around the letter's peak, and a half mask coming up to his hairline hid his face, his unruly blond hair sticking up in all directions. His piercing blue-gray eyes shined hatefully at Sinistra. But what stood out the most were fourfeathery wings the color of just spilled blood.
"See you soon, Lover," Sinistra smiled evilly at Harry before vanishing in what appears to be dust.
"Thanks," Harry said before found his frozen from tumbling to the ground from the impact of a fist from the 'angel'.
"The name's Darkangel," He said standing over Harry, "And this …" He said, looking at his wings, "Is entirely your fault, and I plan on killing you for it among other reasons."
He pulled a wand from a pouch on his side and aimed it at the unmoving Harry, "No, not like this," He said, dropping his arm to his side, "I don't want it to be easy on either of us." He then raised his arm again, more casually and removed the spell, "Watch your back, Potter, I'd hate to see you die by anyone except me," he said as he flapped his wings and soared off.
"Well, that was different," Harry said, rubbing his lips where Sinistra kissed him. For some reason, the taste of the kiss seemed familiar, but only vaguely. "Mage to Cyclops, come in."
"Cyclops here, did you find something Mage?" Cyclops' voice responded.
"You could say that …"
--
"So Sinister had a successor," Xavier said as he, Cyclops, Wolverine, and Professor Dumbledore walked toward the Great Hall.
"Yes, she called herself Sinistra," Harry said, removing his sunglasses.
"Harry! Harry!" Ron, Ginny, and Neville ran toward them, "We can't find Hermione!"
"What!" Harry snapped, "I told her not to leave … Sinistra … did you check the map?" He asked, ignoring the fact Dumbledore was in hearing range.
"Yes, she didn't show up on it," Ron said panicky, "We even checked the Library and the new librarian hasn't seen her all day!"
"Seen who?" Hermione asked, walking around the corner with a friendly smile on her face. Half a second later, she was being crushed in a hug by Harry.
"I was worried about you," Harry said into her hair, "where were you?"
"I fell asleep in the library," Hermione responded, pulling away just enough to kiss his cheek.
"But the librarian hasn't seen you today." Ginnysaid suspiciously.
"Have you seen the size of that place?" Hermione asked, "I'm surprised there'sjust Madam Pincefor aplace of that size."
Before anyone else could say a thing, a loud "Hem, Hem," could be heard behind the group. Harry's eyes went wide in recognition, "Not her … anyone but her …" He pleaded, slowly turning around.Sure enough, there stood an abnormally small, dumpy woman in a nasty, pink cardigan with blackAlicebandon top of her head that looked almost like a fly, and whose face bore a strange similarity to a toad's.
"Why hello there, Mr. Potter," Umbridge said, walking toward the group of X-Men, students, and Dumbledore, "My, how you've … grown," the old toad said, looking him up and down.
Harry looked visibly sick, and looked to Professor Dumbledore and Xavier for help. "Pleasure to see you again, Dolores." Dumbledore said with a small bow, "but I must ask to what do we owe the honor of your visit today, Minister?"
To Be Continued …
C. Cowboy: Alrighty, there's another chapter, hope ya liked it. If ya did, please drop a review, and I love long review (hint, hint) anyway, thanks goes out to Xavien for beta reading and you guys for reading, that's about it, ttfn tata for now!
Next Chapter: The Forgotten Weasley