A/N: First I would like to offer my deepest apology to everyone I kept waiting for this chapter. It was unintentional and I hope it won't happen again. I'm on vacation now, so hopefully I'll have more time. I must warn you though, I am currently in a town so secluded that they got excited when a Mcdonalds was built and my only access to the internet is my grandmothers computer (which I'm currently on). I will also be unavailable for a while in the beginning of June, seeing as I'll be on a different continent. I promise though, that I'll spend all my fly time scheming…um, I mean plotting, wait that sounds just as bad…. I promise to continue writing. There we go! Well, enjoy the chapter!
A/N2: And another thing, I've given up on Hagrid's accent. Just can't stand going through all the words and trying to make it sound like his exact voice.
Previously:
"Hagrid," Harry said hesitantly. "What's it supposed to be?"
"A portkey, of course. Haven't ye seen one before?" Harry gave him a blank look in reply, and then shook his head. "What? Ye haven't? Well, it's supposed ta transport ya when ya touch it. This one's on a timer so we get sent back when the meetin' starts."
"Where are we going though?"
"Why… Mr. Kents place of course."
The Kent FarmClark felt a strange tugging sensation somewhere in his middle as everything seemed to disappear around him. The only thing that reassured him that he wasn't alone, falling into some strange and unkown abyss was the feeling of Harry and Hagrid nearby him. The fact that they were in the same situation as him though didn't help diminish his worries.
Before he could think of anything beyond the odd sensations and his creeping fear, the ground became suddenly evident beneath his feet. By reflex, he grounded his feet and a hand shot out to steady Harry before he fell. Harry thanked him, looking a bit green in the face.
"Here we are," Hagrid's voice boomed into the darkening farmyard. "Nice place you've got here, Mr. Kent." Clark looked around the familiar surroundings. They were currently standing in front of the barn, right beneath his fortress of solitude. He could see the kitchen windows blazing in the quickly diminishing haze of sunlight, and shadows moving about inside the house.
"Mom, Dad?" Clark made his way towards the house, seeing the shadows freeze in the kitchen. There was the sound of quick steps inside and then two figures burst through the kitchen door.
"Clark?" His mother's voice sounded unsure, which was expected since he wasn't supposed to be back for a while. He could see his father standing beside her, arm around her shoulders as he peered cautiously into the dark.
"Mom, Dad, it's me." Clark moved closer up and his father seemed to visibly relax as he released his grip around his wife and came down the steps. Martha Kent soon followed after him.
"What are you doing here, Clark? We weren't expecting you for quite a while. Did something happen?" His mother's eyes were filled with worry as she came up to hug him fiercely. As she released him from her hug that probably would have broken ribs if it were anyone else, Clark shook his head.
"It's not what you think. Something did happen though." Jonathan and Martha then took notice of the two figures, one very tall and one short, standing a little distance from them. Jonathan seemed to stiffen with caution as Martha peered at them with confusion.
"Who are they, Clark?" Clark motioned Hagrid and Harry forward, who both came slowly as to not startle Clark's parents.
"I'd like you to meet two of my recent acquaintances and friends," Clark emphasized the word friends and gave his parents a pointed look, which they responded to by relaxing slightly. "This is Harry Potter and Hagrid. I've been staying with Harry and his relatives and Hagrid is part of the reason I am here right now." Harry offered his hand first, which both the Kents shook and then
"Why do I have the feeling we're going to need to sit down for this," his father asked exasperatedly.
"Because you will," Clark said, putting his hands in his pockets as he looked around almost guiltily.
As soon as they were all inside (after some difficulty due to Hagrid's size) and seated in the living room with mugs of coffee and tea in hand Clark hesitantly began his story, editing a few things to exclude the alien related parts for later. Clark's parents seemed to notice the gaps in his story, which they both responded to with looks that told Clark that he better tell them everything soon or else.
Once his tale was told, Clark waited anxiously for their reaction. They didn't say anything for a while though, and he was getting worried. His mother looked astonished while his father looked pensive. Finally after nervous glances towards Harry and Hagrid for reassurance and several seconds of awkward silence, Jonathan opened his mouth.
"They want you to go to this… wizarding school?" Clark nodded his head.
"It's called Hogwarts, here…" Clark slipped a hand into his jacket and pulled out the letter he'd received in the Leaky Cauldron. "They want us to attend a meeting to discuss it further." He handed the letter to his parents and they silently read it. After a moment, Martha Kent looked up at Clark.
"I know we've seen many strange things Clark, but… magic?" Clark just shrugged.
"I wasn't sure at first either. What I've seen so far has pretty much changed my mind about that."
"Son, are you sure about this? There could be other explanations for what you've seen." The look in his father's eyes made it obvious what he thought could be the cause of everything. Most of the bizarre events that occurred in Smallville could be centered around the meteor rocks' influence. Why couldn't they give humans powers similar to magic? It seemed strange that so many humans could have the same abilities though, which only assured Clark's belief that this was something more.
"Dad, there's no other explanation for this. It's magic. I just sat in a place that no one can see except wizards and teakettles were serving people by themselves. Does that sound normal to you?" His father sighed, looking for the first time in his life confused.
"It just doesn't make any sense, Clark."
"Which is why I need to learn about it. Please, Dad. I need to go." His father looked at him for a moment, the calculating he was doing visible in his eyes. Finally, he sighed again almost wearily and shook his head.
"I'm going to regret this. When's this meeting?" A broad smile grew on Clark's face, quickly mimicked by Harry.
"It's in the evening, which will be a while since the meetings at Hogwarts."
"And where exactly is this… Hogwarts," his mother piped in.
"Its specific location is kept secret," Harry quickly replied. "But it's somewhere in Scotland."
"So you go to this wizarding school, Harry?" Harry nodded, smiling.
"Yes, it's like home to me."
"And you work there, Mr. Hagrid?"
"Please, just Hagrid. All my friends call me that. But yes, I am games keeper and keeper of the keys at and grounds Hogwarts."
"Don't forget that you teach too, Hagrid. And a brilliant one too." Hagrid blushed at Harry's comment.
"Well, that too. I wouldn't say I'm brilliant though."
"Oh, what do you teach?" Martha looked at Hagrid, smiling politely. She seemed to be growing more comfortable with their current situation.
"Care of Magical Creatures, Ma'am." Mrs. Kent made a gesture with her hand, smiling.
"Call me Martha. Ma'am makes me feel old." Hagrid smiled, making his beady eyes twinkle. Clark just stared in amazement at the ease his parents were in right now. His father still seemed to be brooding, but a small smile was on his face.
Clark then stood up, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
"I'm going to show Harry around a bit if it's all right." His parents nodded and Clark gestured for Harry to follow him upstairs. Before they were completely out of sight though, Mr. Kent called to Clark.
"We still need to talk about a few things in private, son." His father gave him another look that meant there was a lot to discuss and Clark internally groaned. This wasn't going to be a pleasant talk. Clark nodded despite the dread that was creeping into his stomach and then hurried up the stairs with Harry not too far behind.
Once they were both upstairs and in Clark's room he let out a groan and sat on his bed. Harry smiled at him sympathetically.
"I guess they want to talk about your other abilities, huh?" Clark groaned again.
"I'm probably going to get another lecture about not giving away my secret and I still have to tell them that I told you." Harry sat down on the bed beside him.
"I'm sure they'll understand. If it helps, I can find some spell that will make me keep your secret." Clark shook his head.
"No, I trust you," Clark then stood up. "Well, I might as well show you the rest of the farm. Come on, I'll show you the fortress of solitude." Harry looked up at him in confusion.
"The what?"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX"This is the fortress of solitude." Harry looked around the loft, which was apparently the fortress that Clark was speaking of. A couch, desk and telescope made up the majority of the furnishing while a coffee table strewn with papers and books created the rest of the atmosphere. Harry smiled at it, despite the slight clutter.
"It's brilliant. Do you come up here a lot?"
"Every time I need to think," Clark replied as he moved towards the open window of the barn. "I mostly come up her to star gaze though." Harry moved up to the telescope, hesitantly peering through the eyepiece. He found to his surprise, that it didn't show stars but the house across the way, which currently had a pretty girl on its front porch.
"Who's she?" Clark looked at him in confusion before he looked through the telescope too. His confusion changed to embarrassment as he cleared his throat and moved the telescope up a little more.
"That would be Lana Lang."
"Oh, is she your girl friend?" Clark's embarrassment seemed to deepen as he put his hands in his pockets and scuffed the floor with his shoe.
"No, we're just friends." Harry nodded though he had the slightest feeling that there was more to what Clark thought of this Lana.
"I'd like to meet her some time, and those other friends you mentioned. That is… when we can figure out a way to without them getting suspicious." Clark smirked.
"I think Chloe will be suspicious no matter what. She's got too much reporter in her not to." Harry smiled, thinking of his own intuitive friend Hermione Granger.
"Yeah, I've got a friend like that too." They both stood there for a moment, looking out at the clear sky until both their thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling from below.
"Oi, Harry, Clark? Are you up there?"
"Yes, Hagrid. What is it?"
"It's drawing close to the time of the meeting. I figured Clark might want to talk to his parents before we leave." Harry looked over at Clark to confirm this, which he nodded to.
"We'll be right down," Harry replied back and they both soon came thundering down the stairs. They met up with Hagrid outside the barn and then split into different directions, Harry and Hagrid over by the garden and Clark into the house.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX"Clark, we can't let you go if you're developing another power." Things weren't going as well as before. Clark had filled them in on the burned rose bush and still hadn't had a chance to tell them about Harry. It just wasn't going to end well.
"I can learn to control it. I've learned how to use my other abilities, haven't I?"
"This is different," his father explained slowly, trying to calm his voice. "The other ones didn't involve flames shooting from your eyes."
"It's not like I asked for this. Do you think I want to be a walking flame-thrower?" Jonathan Kent shook his head.
"That's not what I meant, son. I just want you to be safe. What if this power activates itself at the wrong time? You've already burnt a bush in front of Harry. What if he gets suspicious?" Here was the part that Clark really didn't want to get to. He shifted in his seat nervously.
"He already knows."
"What!" Clark winced at his parent's simultaneous outburst.
"He found me floating in my bed."
"You should have told him it was magic."
"I didn't know for sure if he was a wizard then. Besides, I trust him."
"You barely know the boy. How are you supposed to trust him?" Clark's nervousness vanished as he looked up at his father, staring him straight in the eyes.
"I just know I can trust him. Trust me on this, Dad." His dad continued to stare back at him before sighing.
"Just be careful, Clark." Clark smiled at his victory.
"I will, Harry can even help me." Mr. Kent shook his head.
"I hope you're right. Is there anything else you want to add that will shorten my life by a few more years?" This was meant as a joke but Clark felt nervousness creep up on him as he thought of recent events involving a certain silver-eyed beast. He still couldn't figure out exactly what it was, but the thing said it was going to help him. Whether he should tell his parents about this though, Clark was still trying to figure out. So, he covered his anxiety and put aside the problem for now.
At that moment a light knock came from the kitchen door before Harry's head popped in. His expression seemed pensive before he appeared to shake it off and turned a polite smile towards them.
"Hagrid said that it's almost time for the portkey to activate and take us to Hogwarts. Ready to go?" Clark looked to his parents, who nodded and then turned back to Harry.
"We'll be out in just a second." Harry nodded and then closed the door again.
"Well, I guess there's not point in stalling is there," his mother said, smiling slightly. His father smiled in reply and the Kent family all headed out the door.
"Clark," Clark turned to his dad as they walked. "What's a portkey exactly?" Clark smiled.
"You'll see. Just remember to steady your feet at the end." With that, they reached the Hagrid and Harry. Hagrid took out the glove again, both Harry and Clark reaching out to touch it. The Kents hesitantly placed their hands on it also, looking confused. For a moment nothing happened until Clark felt that jolt and they disappeared from the Kent Farm.
TBC… Next up, the meeting….
Comments:
(I don't have much to say to everyone but some reviews struck my interest)
angelkitty77- Thanks, that will be 100 dollars for the self-mowing lawn mower and you get a free garbage bin with it. :)
Alethianess- I usually don't give away this much, but oh well. It's not Krypto and not anything you've seen in the comics, movies, or tv shows. Good guess though.Mitchill- You didn't die waiting, did you?
Devyn- Is that a good or bad hate?
TsumetaiXKokoro- Thank you for your comments, albeit a bit harsh. You had some good points but I assure you that I did not mean to sound like a broken record and I am not a disgrace to Smallville fans. I fully intend to take writing lessons once I have the money but until then I'm going to continue just writing.
A/N: I hope that was satisfying enough for everyone. I'm not quite sure about the time difference between Kansas and England, but I do know London's about eleven hours ahead of where I live so… I guesstimated (I know, that's not a real word.) Hope it was all right though. Remember, reviews make me happy and happiness means I'm writing (as long as I don't get stupid writers block or have something in the way that is).