An Ace in The Hole

Chapter Twenty: Bye, Bye, Bats!

"You don't remember anything about where they took you?"

Mr. Granger shook his head. "No, ma'am. The only thing that I recall is being in a plain room with my wife and daughter. The only furnishings were the chairs we sat in and the table where we ate. There was a bath directly attached to the room. For all we know, it could have been an old hotel."

Madam Bones sighed. "Thank you for your time. Though, I'm still surprised that they let you leave."

"From the sound of things, I don't think they would have even taken us if you and your department hadn't shown up," Mrs. Granger interjected. "They had planned to knock our daughter out by magic and leave her in the car with us."

Madam Bones frowned.

"I'm not blaming your department for what happened. I'm just going by what happened and how they treated us."

Madam Bones nodded, then glanced around the kitchen and sitting room. "Still not coming out of her room?"

Mr. Granger shook his head. "No, and we're not going to force her. Hermione will come around when she's ready."

"I'm sorry that you had to go through all this." Madam Bones rose to her feet. "I hope you will consider allowing Ms. Granger to return to school in the fall."

"Once Hermione has come around to talking, we'll have that conversation." Mrs. Granger rose with her and walked over to the sitting room fireplace. "She's a bright girl, and in the end, I believe that we'll make the best decision for her future."

Madam Bones reached inside her robes, pulled out a small pouch, and then hesitated. "Thank you again for meeting with me. I hope you decide to send your daughter back to Hogwarts this fall. My Susan tells me that she truly is one of the brightest students there. Headmaster Dumbledore has also assured the Ministry of Magic that new rules will be in place that will help ensure the safety of all who attend. I will have your fireplace removed from the temporary floo network as soon as I get back to my office."

Mr. Granger nodded to her from the kitchen. "Thank you for coming by."

Madam Bones smiled, nodded to both Grangers, tossed floo powder into the grate, and exited the residence. Hermione removed the invisibility cloak, pulled a small pouch from inside her pocket, then threw a black powder into the grate. The powder glowed, then faded away.

"Just in case," she muttered.

"Did that seal off their access?" Mrs. Granger inquired as she examined the grate.

"Yes, Mum. That powder will seal the grate from being able to be used, just in case she 'forgets' to remove it."

Hermione's mother walked over to the kitchen countertop and poured herself another cup of coffee. "I thought for certain she would discover you the moment she cast that spell to check for illusions."

"Harry's cloak is just as special as he is," Hermione sighed.

Her parents glanced at one another before her father chuckled. "Yes, it is. I'm so glad that you're making friends. However," his demeanor sobered, "the issues that this past month has brought to light are quite disturbing. That is to say, while I understand that your magical world experiences the same problems we do, their attitude toward Harry and his family is flat-out unjust. The fact that they incarcerated his godfather without a trial for over a decade. It's disgusting. Then, the way that they treated Jay and Harley. How can they believe it is okay to chuck someone out simply because they're born without magic? Why shouldn't he be allowed to remain in Britain with his family? It's not like that Jay could help how he was born. Then, to make him out to be a monster to us!"

"Eugene, remember your blood pressure." Mrs. Granger sat her cup on the table, then rubbed his shoulders. "Getting all bothered about it today won't change anything. Besides, as he said, he would have never met Harley if he hadn't been chucked out. And they make such a lovely couple. Harry couldn't ask for better."

Hermione's father's face relaxed. "True. By the way, Hermione, did Harry say when he would stop by to collect his cloak? I want to show him some of my old rugby trophies. He acted interested in learning more about the sport."

Hermione smiled. "No, Dad. He didn't say. However, I'll be sure to tell you as soon as I hear from him. I'm going to go put it in my trunk, and then I'll be back down."

"Alright, dear. Too bad we can't go out today. I would've liked to of gone shopping with you." Mrs. Granger peered through the curtains. "But I'm sure people from her department are watching the house."

Hermione pecked her mother on the cheek. "We can go shopping in a day or two. I'll have 'recovered' by then."

Hermione skipped up the stairs and placed Harry's cloak in her trunk. She then turned to her mirror, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then laughed.

"Sirius's memory modification charms worked splendidly."

~~~ACE~~~

Bruce opened his eyes, then scrunched them shut at the amount of sunlight pouring through the window.

"Afternoon, Brucy."

Bruce made to leap from his bed. However, something hit him hard in the chest and slammed him back into his mattress.

"There, there, Brucy. Don't get up on my account."

Bruce scanned the room until he found the boy. "What are you doing here, and how did you get inside?"

"Rude," Harry quipped as he dropped down from his perch atop the dresser. "And magic, of course."

"Thought you weren't allowed–"

"I brought him," a man's voice interjected.

Harry circled to the side of the bed. "Brucy, meet my godfather, Sirius Black."

The man nodded.

"Not to worry, Brucy. He took an oath." Harry hopped onto the edge of the mattress. "See, Mistah J doesn't want me to tell him, Aunt Harley, Frost, or Ivy, your little secret. It would spoil their fun!"

"I have a feeling that he's guessed it already," Sirius interjected as he glanced about the room. "Little things he's said over the last couple of months."

"Why are you here, then?"

"Mistah J wants an audience with the Bat, and I volunteered to fetch you. He wanted to 'draw you out,' but you're so sulky right now that we knew it wouldn't work."

"And if I refuse?"

Harry sighed. "Brucy, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. Now, let's go put on your Bat suit, and no funny business."

"Don't want to have to stun you and dress you ourselves," Sirius added.

Bruce growled as he slid out of bed.

"Oh, goodie! I've always wanted to see the Batcave!" Harry hopped down.

Bruce growled louder but complied as he eyed the wand trained on his chest. Better to lead them than to let them tear the place apart.

Harry shook with excitement as they entered the study. "This is it! The entrance to the Batcave! I can sense it!"

Bruce sighed, then turned two bookends on the bookshelf to the right.

"Hold your breath. Make a wish. Count to three," Harry whispered as the bookcase slid sideways to reveal an elevator.

'Go with Bruce, and we'll be,

In a world of pure imagination!

I can't wait, till we see,

His land of depreciation!'

Bruce stepped inside and then motioned for them to enter the elevator. As they descended, Harry flung his head back and sang.

'We begin, with a ride,

Traveling down into the world,

Of his creation!

What we'll see,

May defy, explanation!'

"Enough with the singing!" Bruce growled as the elevator stopped, and they stepped out. "This is my base of operations. Not a chocolate factory. And I don't call it the 'Batcave'."

Bruce made a move for Sirius's wand. However, Harry's godfather moved with lightning reflexes. A blast from his wand, and Bruce found himself on his back on the other side of the cave. He looked up to see Harry shaking his head.

"No more games, Brucy. Mistah J wants to see Bats as a whole. Not in a jar." Harry danced across the cave to where Batman's cowl, cape, and armor hung, then flung them at Bruce. "Suit up, Bats, while I have a look around. As for my singing, you and Watcher Steel My Metal Fourteen, or whatever their name is, will just have to get used to it. My singing is a part of who I am, and I've gotta be me."

Bruce looked at Sirius while he pulled on his suit's lower half. "Taking orders from a child?"

"No. Spending time with my godson." Sirius smirked. "There's a difference. Now, be a good eccentric muggle billionaire and put on your suit."

Once Bruce had finished suiting up, and Harry had sat in the driver's seat of the Batmobile, Bat Wing, and Bat Bike, they were ready to go. Sirius and Harry grabbed Bruce simultaneously, then disappeared from the cave. The next moment, they stood in a dark open room. Bookcases lined the walls, and a chandelier full of candles hung in the center. The glow from the candles illuminated a single individual who sat directly below—the Joker.

"Bats!" The Joker leaped to his feet and flung his arms wide. "You've come to see me! I would hug you, but my ribs still haven't completely mended from the last time. So, please don't be offended."

Batman's eyes narrowed.

"Oh, how I've missed you, Bats. It's been like playing chess all by myself. Remember the good old days?"

"Good old days?" Batman growled.

Sirius waved his wand, and carnival music filled the room. Batman closed his eyes and breathed out through his nose. The Joker swayed to the music as he began to sing.

'I used to grin through the gates,
And watch the night suffocate,
All the light as it smothered the sun.
I could tell by the moon,
That you'd be joining me soon,
As a guest in my fortress of fun!'

'I just couldn't wait to see you,
And once again free you,
Released from your humorless air!
I dreamed I'd someday replace,
That big frown on your face,
With a smile and a murderous glare.'

'We were two of a kind,
Violent, unsound of mind,
You were the yin to my yang, can't you see?
And ever since I had to leave you,
You have grumbled and grieved,
Face it, Bats, you've been lost without me.'

'You've been lost (You've been lost)
You've been lost (You've been lost)
Face it, Bats, you've been lost without me!'

The Joker slid closer to Batman, then leaned on his cane.

'I'm just trying to show you,
Just how well I know you,
I understand just how you feel!
Threw your reason away,
Cause you had one bad day,
And your mind let go of the wheel!'

'We were fated to battle,
You pouted, I prattled.
Oh, I never tired of our game!
But now it must all pause,
Cause I'm in one big fog,
Oh, the irony, now I feel your pain!'

The Joker twirled on the spot.

'We were two of a kind,
Violent, unsound of mind,
You were the yin to my yang, can't you see?
And ever since I had to leave you,
You have grumbled and grieved,
Face it, Bats, you've been lost without me!'

'You've been lost (You've been lost)
You've been lost (You've been lost)
Face it, Bats, you've been lost without me!'

'We have so many wonderful stories,
I have studied your wonderfully sadistic mind.
You're simply a hero with no praise or glory.
Just your cape, your cave, and your ...
Meow!'

"Aah ha, ha, ha, hooo! Oh, oh, oh, aah ha, ha!" the Joker cackled as tiny toy kittens rained down from the ceiling.

'We were two of a kind,
Violent, unsound of mind,
You were the yin to my yang, can't you see?
And ever since I had to leave you,
You have grumbled and grieved,
Face it, Bats, you've been lost without me!'

'You've been lost (You've been lost)
You've been lost (You've been lost)
Face it, Bats, you've been lost without me!'

The Joker did something like a two-step as the music ended and kicked one of the stuffed kittens at Batman. Harry, Sirius, and Harley clapped while Killer Frost filed her nails.

"I take it this means that you're planning on staying in London."

"Bats, you stuffed cape!" The Clown Prince of Crime flopped into his chair and then folded his arms. "Here, I serenade you with a creative ditty, and all you can think about is Gotham."

Vines shot out of the ground and wrapped around Batman's legs and torso. They lifted him into the air as Poison Ivy stepped into the light.

"I told you that he would be boring, " Ivy hummed. "He's lost his edge."

"Which is exactly why I asked Harry to fetch him," the Joker cooed as he leaped back to his feet and strolled towards the dangling caped crusader. "See, Bats here's the deal. You want me back in Gotham, yet you've allowed our fair city to fall to levels that no self-respecting villain would dare call home. Ivy's quite right. You've lost your edge."

Batman struggled to free his hand and reach his belt. However, the vines held him tight. He groaned in frustration.

"I feel your pain, Bats. Truly, I do. That's why we're going to help you rekindle the fire that once burned in those boots." Harley and Harry joined the Joker as he approached the vines. "See, I know what you're missing because I've suffered the same losses. The loss of my parents, and then the loss of a son." The Joker flung an arm around Harry's shoulders. "Like you, I didn't want to admit that my apprentice had become so important to me. However, now I understand. You need your bird like I need my Ace."

"Robin has gone his separate way," Batman interjected as he struggled again against the vines, "and he's not–"

"Relax. I know." The Joker rolled his eyes. "The little birdie has flown the coup and now calls himself Nightwing. Yes. He's running about, looking for things he doesn't even comprehend. That's why we've brought you here. To help you bring him home."

"Even if I wanted to convince him to return to Gotham, he won't. So you and the rest of your gang will just have to settle for me."

"The rest of your gang," Ivy repeated. "Have you forgotten my name so soon?"

Batman could feel the vines tighten.

"I told you that he would be stubborn. Ace has told me too much about the Bat."

Batman opened his eyes to see a young girl step into the light. She wore white face paint with lightning streaks that flowed from her eyes and a long cloak that stopped just shy of the heel of her red shoes. When she looked up, he could see a swirl of red in her eyes that glowed.

"Alas, you did, Red, my dear," the Joker cooed. "But I always try to reason with Bats first. I admit it's a weakness of mine."

Frost strolled into the light, then leaned on Sirius as they watched. The smiles on their faces sent a chill up Batman's spine.

"Reason is the best first option, Mistah J," the girl nodded. "However, people who strive to be normal while hiding the freak within rarely listen to reason."

The vines twisted as they lowered Batman closer to the group. Finally, he came to a halt, a mere foot from the girl. Her smile made him swallow hard.

"We know that you want the best for Gotham. In your own twisted way, of course. However, you fail to see, Batman, that there must always be a balance. Without this balance, the world will never learn to smile." She withdrew a small vial from the inside of her cloak. "The Watchers say that we should teach you to laugh, and I agree. If you learn to laugh, birdie will have no choice but to return to Gotham. To save it … from you."

Batman struggled as she uncorked the bottle and held it to her lips. She blew across the opening, and a red mist rose from within the vial. The mist soared into his face and entered his nose and mouth. He could feel it seep into his skin. The girl stepped back as she watched him struggle. Then, a bone-chilling sound filled the room as Batman started to laugh.

~~~ACE~~~

"I can't go back."

"Are you prepared to watch as Gotham falls? Do you believe that the justice system there won't crumble without Batman or Robin?"

"Look, Vic, right now, Bruce needs a wake-up call. As for Robin, his days in Gotham are over."

The Question rubbed his chin. "What about your new persona?"

"That's a great question, Question."

The two figures turned to see a pale-faced young girl with flowing brown hair step into the light as she crossed the rooftop. Her eyes glowed like fire, and red lightning streaks lined her cheeks, matching her lips. She wore a white collared shirt, red and black striped tie, black skirt, black robes, and red high-heeled shoes.

"Who are you?"

"You can call me Red if you like, but I wouldn't worry that handsome head about me. It's Bruce that you should be worried about." She smirked as his face tightened. "You see, we've already given Bruce the wake-up he needed."

"What have you done with him?" Dick demanded.

Red stepped forward and traced the bird's head on his chest with her finger. "We've freed him, and he's anxious to see you again. He asked me to deliver this message to you."

She slipped a note into his hand as she stepped away. Dick opened the letter and read, 'Come Play'.

"What does this mean?"

Red continued to back away until she reached the edge of the rooftop. "It sounds clear to me, Nightwing. Bats wants to play."

Without waiting for him to respond, Red spread her arms wide, then fell back over the side. The Question and Nightwing walked over to the edge and peered at the empty street below.

"That's the same move the kid used on me last time."

"What are you going to do?"

Dick crumbled the piece of paper in his fist. "Looks like I don't have much of a choice. I need to go find out what they've done to Bruce."

"Agreed. I'll deal with our young friend, the Joker, and their followers."

"You've got a plan?"

The Question rubbed his chin. "I always do. However, it is whether the plan works that's important, and that remains to be seen."

A/N: Welcome back! Welcome back! Welcome back! I know it's been a while, but I just had to find the right groove and complete some other projects. Thank you to my Dad, AA, for being beta! I hope that you enjoyed the summer holiday teaser! Now, we'll jump into year two (year three by Hogwarts standards) of Harry's schooling and the rise of a few characters! Let's get this party started!