Chapter 29
Show and Tell
"Alright everyone," called out Storm, and everyone turned to her. "While we are no longer going to be demonstrating in front of the entire school, it will only be the highest grade. The rest of the years will be leaving, and Harry, you'll be staying with me alright?" At their unhappy but firm nods the group walked in to meet the Aurors.
As they entered the room, Harry heard Dumbledore informing the students that only the 7th years would be allowed to attend. Protests were heard all around but the headmaster would not be swayed, and one by one the younger years began making their way out of the room. Soon all that was left were the seventh years, seated along the benches that had been moved against the walls. "Why are they allowed to stay?" He asked Storm.
"I believe the excuse is that next year many of them will be out fighting in the war, and the Headmaster believes that they should see who they will be fighting with."
"Even the Death eater's children?"
She grimaced, for she knew that it was a huge sacrifice to show their skills in front of those who would look to exploit it. "For them, it is my understanding that it is to show them what their up against should they join Voldemort."
'Great.' He thought as he watched as the ministry officials made their way into the room. There were about eight or so of them, all dressed in ministry robes, and looking wearily at the group of children that they were supposed to test. Looking back at the assembled students he could see his old housemates, all giving him dirty looks. Looking around he could see most of the students were looking at him, giving him a sense of De Ja Vu. It was like being the supposed Slytherin Heir all over again, only this time he didn't have Ron and Hermione at his side. His gaze fell on the red head he had been thinking about, and was met with a cold glare. But instead of the sadness welling or his heart clenching, he felt his hands fisting, and he was soon glaring right back at Ron until the boy shifted his gaze. He would not be undone by these people. He came to far at the institute making his own life, not following the one that others saw fit to set for him! 'They'll get theirs, and I only hope I'll be there to see it'. And with that thought in mind he turned his back on the students and went to stand next to his friends, ready to watch a great show.
"Alright lets get this started," ordered a rather harassed looking Fudge. Harry smirked; it must not be good public image to be unable to capture your most wanted criminal when he's standing ten feet in front of you. It was one of the few things that Harry and all his voices agree on, the more Fudge suffers, the happier Harry will be. "You will give a short description of your abilities, and then a demonstration. Is that understood?" he asked, trying and failing to look down his nose at the mutants.
They looked at each other, and decided to make the best of the situation. Logan stepped forward, and in one quick movement, his claws were extended from one hand and were an inch from the ministers nose. "I don't die." He said shortly before retracting his claws and stepping back, crossing his arms over his chest. The hall had gone totally silent, until Rahne snorted beside him at the look on the minister's face. The man looked like he was going to wet himself, his body completely rigid. At the sound of the laughter he snapped out of his state and sputtered out, "Demonstrate on the Aurors!" he all but yelled.
Storm stepped forward then, and said "I can manipulate weather." A flash of light and a rumble that shook the hall accented her words.
There was a streak of red light and one of the Auror's Hats were blown off their head. "I have Optical Lasers." Said Scott.
Another Auror gave a yelp and looked behind him, but there was nothing there. And then another twitch, to look to his side, but there was nothing there either. "Whos there!" He shouted drawing his wand, but it flew out of his hand and started smacking him on the head. "Telepathic and Telekinesis." Jean said calmly, looking directly at the minister.
Rogue strode purposefully at one of the other Aurors while they were distracted by their panicking co worker. By the time anyone noticed her she gave an evil smirk and drew her hand across the mans face in a seductive manner. "I take peoples energy." She said to the man as he sunk to the floor. This wasn't a complete lie of course, but when they had fist heard of the testing it had been decided that Rouge's ability to absorb memories would be too dangerous in the hands of Fudge.
The Aurors were getting very worried now. This was unlike anything they'd ever seen. What looked to be a group of harmless, unarmed muggle children, had already disabled one of their number and spooked two others. And when Kitty strode towards them, one of the more cocky ones must have decided to show that they would not be shown up so easily. Throwing a curse at the petite girl, he gaped as it went right through her. "I can become intangible" she said happily before expertly kicking the bewildered man in the chest.
Amara's body wreathed with fire, and she threw small balls of flame at their feet, corralling them, as Bobby dropped the temperature in the room and created a iced dome over the Aurors. Sam propelled himself though the dome and landed on the other side of the room leaving the wizards to be showered by chunks of ice.
Ray let electricity crackle all around him, as Roberto powered up using the sun. Again the wizards raised their wands to try and fire upon the boys but with a gust of wind their wands were gone and in a pile at the feet of Pietro. Jamie produced several copies of himself and taking a wand each, returned them all to their owner but then dog piled the Auror who had been trying to mend the hole in his Hat.
Rahne transformed halfway causing startled shouts to come from the crowd and the closest Aurors began firing hex's at the wolf girl. She dodged behind Fred, and the hex's bounced right off his impenetrable skin. Todd's tongue snapped out and snatched the wand out of the nearest Auror. The rest went to fire upon the boy when half began to float uncontroably, their curses propelling them backwards. The others had become statues. The ones that were floating continued to try and curse the children below them but Ana pulled out her own wand and disarmed them all.
Harry now had both hands covering his mouth trying desperately to stifle his laughs, but the look on the minister's face was too precious. He was looking at the children who had just beaten his top Aurors as if they were nothing with looks of horror and dawning comprehension. But his eyes snapped to Harry, and with a sickening smile, he asked, "And your powers Potter? I believe to be a student at their school you must be a mutant as well? Care to show us your 'gifts'?" He stressed the word gifts and Harry had to use all of his control not to show this man exactly what his 'gifts' could do! His hands forming tight fists, he opened his mouth to tell the story they had all agreed on, but Storm beat him to it.
"Harry is a student with us, He has expressed that he no longer wishes to remain in the wizarding world and is continuing his muggle education so that he may live a normal life after all this is done." Spoke Storm calmly.
"Doesn't wish to remain in the wizarding world? Of Course he doesn't wish to remain! Hes a murderer!! He belongs in prison! It is only for you people that he is remaining here!" Raved a red faced Fudge.
Despite his harsh words, Storm smiled at the man, "And we thank you for that, and hopefully in time you will see just what you have done to this boy. Now, we have followed your direction and properly shown you our contribution to this war. And I am sure that you realize that the children that Voldemort has captured are just as powerful as we. In return for our services to this war, we have asked for Mr. Potters immunity. Now that you have seen what we can do are you willing to continue this situation, or will out services be unneeded?"
Harry had always admired the weather witch for her complete ability to remain calm and collected, and he now appreciated it all the more when he saw how her words were making the minister squirm. He was faced with two very difficult choices. One was to let the mutants be damned, break the deal, and dismissing the powerful force from the side of the light, and capture the blasted Potter boy. But then while he would be able to claim that he had captured the fallen child of the wizarding world, he would have lost the best advantage in the war that had ever been presented.
On the other hand he could accept their help, as they desperately needed it, but then suffer the public outcry of having their murdering traitor in the school with their children.
Harry watched the man's face, trying to hide his grin. He could practically see the thought patterns in the great basterd's head.
"Alright!" he said furiously, and Harry could see in the corner of his eyes, many of the mutants relaxing. "Alright, he can stay. But if he breaks the rules once, only once, and I'll have him shipped off to Azkaban!" Then turning to give a ridged mini bow to the assembled professors, he marched out of the hall followed by his Aurors, some of them being levitated out.
After the doors shut again, Harry could feel all the eyes in the room turn to them. Nervous smiles were passed between the group of mutants. Never before had they been allowed to use their powers in such a way before, and after heard how they had treated one of their own, it had been a welcome form of stress relief. Harry almost felt cheated that he could not have done the same. But the less people who knew about his powers the better. Not only would it prove useful if he was ever faced with Voldemort again, but also incase he was indeed captured and placed back in Azkaban. This time he could break himself out without assistance.
Storm turned to the rest of the students, "I would like to say that you all displayed excellent control over your powers today, and you have the rest of the day off to enjoy as you see fit."
With a cheer the mutants exited the Great Hall leaving behind the shell shocked seventh years and Hogwarts Professors. Harry ran forward and took Moyra by the hand. "How would you like to see the library?"
"But what about the other students?" She asked
He smiled down at her, "Who cares? Besides, I think your sister needs something new to read!" They both looked over to the girl in question who only smiled brilliantly back.
"I think it's an excellent idea! Come on!" grabbing her sisters other hand they split off from the group who were heading back to the tower, and left to discover the library, with Harry leading them.
AN: PLEASE READ THIS PART!!! IMPORTANT NOTICE!!!!
First, please note that when I said that I burst out crying at the review, it wasn't even that mean of a review! It was just to show just how completely stressed I was. Put the pitchforks down! (I'm looking at you Dr. Gero!)
Wow… ok it has been a few days since my last update and I have very much enjoyed the vacation. So much that I'm going to need another! Yes I know Its not fair, BUT I didn't have to put this chapter up either! So consider it a peace offering! Don't expect another update till the 28th. Until them my life is just far to busy. Sorry but that's how it is right now. Merry Christmas to you all, and please remember to think of all the things we take for granted. Like our freedom, our families, for everything that we love. Remember those lost, but never gone. Christmas will never be the same without you Bessie. I love you, and thank you for fighting so long.
Ok….. now not everyone has to read this, but its responses to reviews. Well you might want to read them cause I might add in hints to future chaps!
Little-Padfoot-JR: Thank you so much!
Maria: I could see it!
Kyntor: They agreed because wizards are the only thing they've got to find kurt and the others, so its kinda a weird relationship. I don't know what you mean about the younger mutants being mistreated, but I'm going to go with the idea that they can take care of themselves. And I'm working on the longer chapter thing.
harrypotterfan777777: I love you man! That was just the best, totally made my week!
Nooka: One? /goes off to read it/ OMG! It's a Remus Sirius! YES! /reads/ eeeeeee!!!!!! Soooo sweet!!!!!!
Eloeehez: /Cuts and pastes/ eeeeexcelent! It will be saved for future use! Thank you!!!
Quinnilin: I'm sorry I didn't react sooner, but I wasn't ignoring all e-mails, I was terribly busy. Thanks for the warnings though!
To the rest of who reviewed, I can not express how much you all touched me with your words. I have never thought myself good with words, (not to mention speaking my God! Don't get me started) and to hear how much you all like my story, and style and everything… I think I was even compared to the great JK Rowing a few times! I cried again thank you very much! It means so much to me to know you all are out there. Thank you so, so much.