Chapter 35
Old Friends and New Friends
"Are you trying to tell me that in the two months that I was gone and it was just Ana and you, that the two of you still didn't get together? I mean all that time with you consoling her and you two aren't a couple yet?"
Harry sighed. They had been heading back to the tower after their last class when Kurt had burst out with the question. Harry didn't really know what to say to that except, "Kurt, this is Ana we're talking about. She's our best friend! It's not like that."
"I'm sure." He responded, sounding totally unconvinced.
It had been two days since the news came that he had been cleared, and they had just returned to classes that day. They had seen a few Hogwarts students since then, but most had just run off as soon as they realized they had been spotted. However, Moyra's friends had stopped by to congratulate him during one of their visits yesterday. Neville had come by right after breakfast saying that classes had been canceled that day for Hogwarts students as well. With that news, Rahne had suggested that they all go outside and teach the wizard boy some Muggle sports, and indeed they had. The weather had been cold still, being late March, but it had not stopped them.
Harry sighed happily. He had his best friend back, safe and healthy, and now he had his freedom. Just then, as he was about to suggest the idea of doing their homework outside, the commotion coming from up the hall caught his attention. Bounding down the corridor, as if Hell was on their heels, were Jamie and Ana.
"HARRY!" They both shouted when they caught sight of him.
"They're in our room!"
"We didn't know what you wanted, I mean with who they are…"
"They didn't even ask!"
"I didn't even see them come in!"
"Guys! Who's in the room?" He asked, silencing their ramblings.
Ana gave him a dark look before answering, "Weasley and Granger."
It only took a moment to process the fact that his two betraying friends were currently inside his dorm room, before he tore up the hall that Jamie and Ana had just come from. He could hear the others behind him as he impatiently said the password (Mutant Ball). "I'm going in alone." He said without turning around, and marched up the stairs that lead to the boy's dorms. He knew they wouldn't follow.
Pausing at his door, he reminded himself of all the things they had said to him in the last two months, and how they had abandoned their friendship over rumors.
As soon as he was in, he could see the two of them standing over his desk, looking at something. 'So help me if their looking through my journal…" He thought to himself. "How did you get in here?" He asked loudly, but in an even voice.
Hermione started at the sound of his voice and they both whirled around to face him, his photo album clutched in Hermione's hands. "Harry," she gasped, and then went on to say something about them wanting to see him. Harry didn't hear it though. He was too busy taking in their appearance. They both looked drawn and pale, as if neither had slept well in a while. Ron was looking at him with a miserable expression and Hermione, who was still babbling on, was on the verge of tears.
He had to restrain himself from rolling his eyes.
Deciding to get this over with, he interrupted the distraught girl. "I didn't ask why you are here; I asked how you got in here."
Hermione looked slightly guilty. "Well, I-I'm Head girl," she paused and Harry got the idea that she might be waiting for him to comment. He just fixed her with a cold look. Giving her head a tiny shake she continued, "Well, that means that I have the passwords to all the towers." Harry felt his eyebrows rising. 'Great, now I have to barricade the door to sleep soundly.' He thought to himself. "I-we wanted to see you. The Headmaster told us what happened." She sniffed. "Harry we are so sorry."
"Yeah mate," spoke Ron for the first time. "We know we don't deserve your forgiveness, bu-"
"Then why are you here asking for it?" Harry asked evenly, his hands clenching and un-clenching as he tried to restrain his anger.
"We're not Harry." Said Hermione in a pleading voice. "We just wanted you to know that we were wrong and we regret what we did so much."
"Alright, you're sorry. You told me, now you can leave. Don't bother coming back."
Neither moved.
"Harry, please come back to Gryffindor Tower." Ron asked.
"No. Get out."
"Harry we're so sorry. We know you don't want to be friends with us, but please don't let our mistakes stop you from being where you belong!"
Harry had to take a deep breath to calm himself. 'It won't do you any good to start throwing things around with your powers and have them blab to the Headmaster.' When he felt almost semi calm, he gave them both a cold glare. "And where exactly do I belong Ron? With you? In the Gryffindor Tower? With all the other Witches and Wizards who betrayed me and sat around the fire talking about how I was a Dark Wizard and a traitor?"
"Then at least go back to wizarding classes Harry! You don't want to live as a Muggle forever do you?" Cried Hermione and Harry had to bite back a laugh at the absurdity of what she was saying.
"Why wouldn't I? I hate this world! I hate this school! I don't want to be here anymore; I didn't want to come back in the first place! When Voldemort is gone, I'm leaving with the mutants, and going back to America."
"Harry, no!"
"Alright Ron, tell me why I should stay? What could I possibly gain from staying here in this world where I'm nothing but an icon? No one here knew me!"
"We knew you Harry!" Hermione cried, who now had tears running down her cheeks and Harry had to take a step back from her words. Echoes began passing through his head…
"Ron, I didn't do it! Please! You have to believe me! You're my best friends! You know me!"
"We knew a kid! We know you hated your relatives. You knew how to do it; you killed them. You're just like You-Know-Who!" Spat Ron, while Hermione, disgust clearly written on her face, refused to even look at him.
………
"Look though the eyes of those that know you, and then you will see who you are. I bet you'll even like who you see too."
Harry screwed up his eyes. "I thought they knew me too." He whispered letting a few tears slide down his face.
………
"THEN HOW CAN THEY THINK THAT?" He screamed, jumping up from the bed. "THEY KNEW ME ANA! THEY WERE MY BEST FRIENDS FOR FOUR YEARS! THEY WERE MY ONLY FRIENDS! THEY KNEW ME SO HOW CAN THEY THINK THOSE THINGS IF THEY AREN'T TRUE?"
"Because they didn't know you Harry! We know you; we know who you are. They got lost in all the mess of it. There were too many facts and rumors for them to see straight, but we know you Harry. You have to know that. Please Harry?"
Harry shook his head. "You didn't know me." He whispered as he fixed them with an angry glare.
"Yes we did." Said Ron sounding more like he was trying to make himself believe it instead.
"THEN HOW COULD YOU LET THEM TAKE ME AWAY!" He bellowed out, making them both take a step back and Hermione choke a little on her tears. "IF YOU KNEW ME THEN YOU KNEW THAT I COULDN'T KILL MY FAMILY! I WOULDN'T! YOU DID NOT KNOW ME! THEY KNOW ME!" He proclaimed, pointing at the door that led to the common room full of mutants.
"Harry!" Cried a sorrowful Ron.
"NO! HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT YOU KNEW ME!" He stepped forward and ripped his photo album from Hermione's hands. "NO ONE DID! NO ONE EVEN GAVE ME A CHANCE! THEY THREW A SILENCING SPELL ON ME SO I COULDN'T EVEN STAND UP FOR MYSELF AT THE TRIAL! AND WHEN I GOT BACK HERE, I EVEN TRIED TO TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED AND YOU WOULDN'T EVEN LISTEN! NO ONE WOULD! WHY THE HELL WOULD I STAY IN A WORLD LIKE THIS? WITH YOU?"
"At least you'd be with your own kind! They're mutants Harry! Their not even human!" Shouted a hysterical Hermione and Harry let out a bark like laugh.
"That's a bit rich coming from you isn't it? A Mudblood?" He hissed back.
Ron stepped forward looking angry as Hermione gasped. "Harry! How could you say something like that?"
"You are the biggest hypocrite I have ever met Hermione! Mutants are just like Muggle borns! Everyone thinks they're better than mutants and that mutants are unworthy because their different, but they're my best friends!"
"Harry we're your friends!" Ron shouted desperately.
"YOU ARE NOT MY FRIENDS." He ripped open the photo album to the last page where he stood with Ana by the well with Kurt hanging from a tree branch and his head hanging between theirs. "THESE ARE MY FRIENDS. THEY ARE THE ONES WHO HELPED ME WHEN NO ONE ELSE WOULD! YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNEW ME LIKE THEY DO!" Harry was breathing heavily at the end of his rant, but dear God did he feel better! He was about to continue when the door to his room inched open and a familiar head popped in. "Jamie this isn't a good time-"
"I know, we can hear that, but there are these two wizards downstairs who wanted to see you."
"Great," he said with a sigh. "More wizards."
Jamie gave him a smile. "I like them. One keeps turning into a dog and him and Rahne run around chasing things we throw."
"Sirius!" Harry quickly ran to put his photo album in his night table drawer before dashing out the door leaving behind two very distraught students. He bounded down the stairs after Jamie and ran into the common room. Inside Harry could see Ana, Jamie, Lance and Rogue watching as two dogs were rolling around tugging at something. Kurt was nowhere to be found.
"Ah, there he is." Said Remus, who smiled warmly at him. Sirius, who had been in the middle of a tug-of-war over someone's tangled up scarf with Rahne, jerked away and transformed.
"Harry! Finally decided to join us?" He asked with a huge smile on his face as Harry took in his appearance. His Godfather was looking far better than he did the last time Harry had seen him, and he was dressed in very new looking robes.
"What are you doing here?" He asked feeling his mood becoming far lighter than it had been in his room.
"Oh just wanted to stop by and say hello. Congratulations from one exonerated convict to another."
"You were cleared!" Harry asked happily.
"My dear Godson, I stand before you as a free man. Not to mention quite a bit wealthier. Although I really didn't need it." He added as an after thought, and then winked boyishly at them.
"That's amazing! What happened?"
"Well," he paused to plop down on the couch that was near him. "In the raid that the Order did to rescue your friends, a few Death Eaters were caught, as you already know. Not only did they state under Veritaserum that you were not guilty, but also said that Pettigrew was alive and kicking. Dumbledore got them to give me a proper trial and with all the evidence they had no choice but to let me off!"
"Ah bet tha ministry wasn' to happy about addmitin it was wrong about two wanted criminals." Rogue mused.
Harry heard Sirius laugh and respond to the girl, but his attention was drawn to what Remus was looking at with a puzzled expression. Following his gaze he saw nothing but a shadowed corner by the bookcase. Frowning he looked harder. 'Did that shadow just move?' He thought, and his frown deepened when he saw two glowing eyes looking back at him. Mumbling a "be right back" he walked over to the darkened corner.
"Kurt, what are you doing over here?" His friend was almost invisible in the shadows, his dark fur blending in so that only his eyes were really easy to spot. Up close he could see the anxious expression in the boy's face.
"My image inducer won't work here."
Immediately Harry understood. "I know; it's the magic in the school. Electronic things just won't work. But you don't need it here. You were fine before."
"That's because before I didn't care if I frightened them, but these people are your family. I don't want to frighten them away."
Harry grinned. "First, they've already seen pictures of you. Second, you and Professor Lupin probably have a lot more in common than you think. Besides, Sirius will probably want to know what kind of things you can do with your powers." He could see Kurt was still looking a little nervous. "Please Kurt? Come on; I want them to meet you!"
With a groaned, "Fine," Harry hauled him out of the corner. As the two were heading over to the couch that everyone was now sitting around listening to Lance explain his powers, Harry spotted Hermione and Ron slowly making their way down the stairs. Feeling particularly vindictive, he stood where he could still partially see their faces and introduced Kurt. "Sirius, Professor Lupin, this is Kurt Wagner. Kurt and Ana are my best friends." He saw Ron and Hermione pause on the steps for a moment before dashing out the portrait.
Remus smiled warmly at the nervous teen and offered his hand. "Remus Lupin. Don't listen to Harry. I'm not a Professor anymore." Kurt shook the man's hand before Sirius jumped up.
"So this is the famous Kurt. Harry's told us all about you! Good to see someone's being a good influence on him"
Kurt looked a little confused. "I have?"
"This is my Godfather Kurt." Explained Harry with a smile. "Normal behavior is looked down upon!"
"Ah that's right. Then I suppose you told him all about The Crusade?" He asked with a grin at his friend.
"The what?" Asked a curious Sirius.
Now looking much more sure of himself, Kurt explained. "The Caper Crusade. It was a war between groups in the Institute to see who could pull off the most pranks while using the least amount of powers."
Harry ginned evilly. "Bobby didn't know what hit him!"
"Oh! Remember Operation Plug-It-Up?" Cackled Ana.
Harry laughed as Kurt explained to the others how they had caused all the toilets in the Institute to clog up before lacing the students' dinners with a strong laxative. Sirius chuckled at the dark looks on the faces of the other Institute students as they remembered the event.
"Did I ever tell you about some of the pranks the Marauders did?" Asked Sirius. Harry shook his head and Sirius smiled in remembrance. "There was this one time when I bet James that he couldn't prank the entire house with one prank and he took it."
"Us included." Remus added with a wry smile.
"Yes us included. Somehow he managed to find a spell that would turn all the clocks in the Gryffindor Tower back by four hours after everyone else had gone to sleep. So everyone in the house would be getting up at four in the morning, showering, getting dressed and heading for breakfast only to find that breakfast wouldn't be served for another few hours!"
"It went on for three days before anyone figured out what was going on!" Remus groaned. "James got out of it by saying he wasn't feeling well when we woke up."
The laughter was interrupted by the portrait opening and Storm walking in. "Harry I'm sorry to interrupt, but may I speak with you for a moment?" She asked in an apologetic voice. Feeling the smile drop from his face, he rose to meet her by the door. "Harry, there are a great number of reporters that have arrived to speak with you. We have been able to keep them at bay until now." She paused for a moment. "You don't have to speak with them Harry. If you wish, Logan or I would be more than happy to make a statement on your behalf."
He grimaced at the news. Sure he could just ask Storm to tell them that he didn't have a comment, or better yet have Logan chase them all out of Hogwarts, (oh thats a nice mental image!)but they would come back. They would keep coming till he faced them. "I suppose I should just talk to them now then." He said with an indifferent shrug.
She gave him an encouraging smile. "You don't have to go alone. I'm sure Kurt or Ana would like to come along."
He grinned and nodded before dashing back to explain the situation to the others. Kurt had smiled rather evilly at the prospect of telling off the Wizarding World as a whole and Ana was all for the idea. Sirius and Remus offered to come along for moral support, though Sirius claimed that he might distract the female reporters because of his good looks. There was much eye rolling to that comment. The others offered to come as well, but Storm said that four was more than enough and that they could watch from the sides.
The group walked through the halls and as they drew closer to the entrance hall they could hear the noises from the croud. The second they caught sight of Harry the cameras started to go off.
"Mr. Potter, how does it feel to be cleared?"
Harry blinked. "The same as I felt before, just now everyone keeps saying that their sorry."
"Do you feel angry at the Wizarding World at all for turning their backs on you?" Asked another.
"I'm angry that the Wizarding World would make the same mistake twice." He answered pausing to glance at Sirius who was standing off to the side.
"What was it like in Azkaban?" Shouted one in the back.
He glared, "How do you think it was?"
"Mr. Potter, now that you have been exonerated, what do you plan to do?"
Crossing his arms he cast a quick glance at his two best friends who were standing a little behind him. "I am going to continue with my muggle lessons of course. Nothing has changed except the fact that now you actually believe me." There was a large uproar from the crowd as everyone began asking questions at once.
"But Mr. Potter! What about You-Know-Who!"
"What about him?"
"He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is the one responsible for your incarceration. What are your feelings towards h-?"
"I don't blame Voldemort." Harry said crossly and he felt Ana put a steadying hand on his shoulder. "I blame the Wizarding World and the government for not giving me a fair trial. I blame you for sending me away on hearsay! I blame wizarding society for allowing such a government to exist! I was not tried fairly and my Godfather wasn't tried at all! I do not blame Voldemort. I blame you!" He growled out in an even voice before he turned around and stalked back to the Mutant Tower.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Later that night after all the news reporters had gone, Kurt had teleported them up to the Astronomy Tower for a little privacy. At the moment, the three of them were laying on the rooftop dressed in warm spring jackets watching the stars came out.
"So what did you guys talk about?" Kurt finally asked.
Harry knew that he meant his conversation with Ron and Hermione. It had probably been bugging the both of them all day, but neither wanted to bring it up with him. "Oh the usual. 'We're so sorry' and 'We don't deserve your forgiveness'."
Ana frowned. "It didn't sound like it was just that. I heard you yelling… loudly."
Harry sighed. "Just some other things they said. They said that they thought I should stay here after the war is over to be with my own kind."
"I'm guessing that you didn't tell them that we are your own kind?" Asked Kurt.
He smiled ruefully. "I almost wish I did. They didn't seem to happy with the idea that I thought that mutants were better friends then them."
"Ah yes." Smiled Ana. "Hence the screaming?"
"I wasn't screaming." He argued.
"Hmm." She shifted so her arms were behind her head. "So they didn't like the idea that you had new friends or that your new friends were mutants?"
"Both." He frowned. "I would have thought that the Wizarding World wouldn't have been so close-minded." He heard Kurt snort. "I mean more than normal. Mutants are just muggles with one specific spell that they can do."
"Ah yes, but you are forgetting something. Wizards don't like to share their spells. Just look at muggle borns. The whole war is over whether or not they're worthy of learning magic. Now there's muggles sprouting up everywhere who can apperate or levitate without a wand or any training at all. We're bound to push a few buttons." Ana explained in a sage like voice.
He shook his head. "People judge us because we're not human."
Kurt flashed him a fanged smile. "Tell me about it! At least you're not blue and fuzzy!"
Ana poked him in the side. "Hey! I like your fuzz!" They laughed a little before lapsing into silence. The stars were really bright that night, with the half moon just rising over the forbidden forest. Ana smiled widely all of a sudden. "To be other than human does not necessarily mean to be less."
"Ana, that was positively enlightening!" Exclaimed Kurt.
She smiled wider. "It was what the alien said to Hellboy in the Conqueror Worm."
Harry laughed. "Should have known."
It was a while before anyone spoke again. Ana was trying to remember the constellations in the sky and Harry was pondering what was going to be in the newspaper the next morning. Kurt was thinking of something far more serious.
"Harry," he said tentatively, "I think you should go back to your magic classes."
Harry and Ana were up in a sitting position in an instant. "What are you talking about?" Ana asked, obviously upset and confused.
Harry's face was unreadable as he looked down at his friend.
"I'm not saying that you should stop your normal classes, just, maybe you should take magic classes as well, like Ana does." The blue mutant explained.
Harry scowled. "I'm not taking wizarding classes. I don't want anything to do with this world. You know that!"
"What if mutants betrayed you? Would you stop being a mutant as well?" Kurt countered.
"Don't be ridiculous Kurt! We would never be like these people! We wouldn't do that to Harry!" Ana exclaimed, but Kurt held his hand up to her.
"I'm not saying we will or we ever could. It was just a point. Magic is just as much a part of you Harry as being a mutant is. Just look at your powers! I'm not saying that you should stay here with them, just… take the classes, and learn. It will help your powers as well." He sighed, "Just think about it, okay?"
Harry nodded, "Alright."
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
"I like your Godfather." Jamie commented as he climbed into bed. Harry was seated in his own four-poster bed writing in his journal. "He told me this great way to make dye last much longer when you add it to toothpaste!"
"Andon a completely separate topic, I am now keeping all my toiletries under lock and key." Harry said with a smile. "Good night James."
"Night Harry." Jamie said as he slid his curtains shut.
Closing his eyes and finding a source, Harry cast a strong locking spell on his door. 'Head girl indeed.' He thought to himself as he dated his entry and put his journal in his drawer and locked it as well. Blowing out his candle, he settled back against the pillows feeling exhausted and awake at the same time.
/Bamf/
"Guten Nachmittag Harry!"
"Kurt!" He groaned as he threw up a silencing charm on his curtains. "What are you doing?"
Two glowing eyes pleaded with his in the darkness. "I just vanted to make sure that you didn't take offense to what I said to you before."
Harry sat up and leaned back against the headboard. "Honestly Kurt, its alright. You made a really good point and I'm thinking about it. It would just be easier if I didn't have to be taught by these people."
Kurt nodded, his eyes thoughtful. "I can understand that." The bed shifted and Kurt sat back next to Harry still deep in thought.
"What is it?" Harry asked after a while.
Kurt's shoulders slumped. "You don't have to answer this, but do you think you will ever forgive them?"
Harry grimaced and shook his head. "No. How could I? They sent me to Hell on Earth knowing exactly how the Dementors affected me. They never visited; never even tried to listen to me."
"But will you listen to them?" Kurt asked.
"What?"
"I know they never gave you a fair trial or asked for your side of the story, but you're not listening to theirs either. I'm not saying you should forgive them. Personally I don't want you too. Arschloch, the lot of them. However, at least try to understand why they didn't listen. It might help you understand." Kurt rubbed his hand against his arm. "I don't think you are the type of person who would want to hold on to anger for the rest of his life. You are too good for that." He threw and arm around Harry's shoulders. "You don't need them, but you don't need this stress either. You have us. We will take care of you."
Harry smiled at him through the dark, knowing that the boy could see it clearly. "Thank you Kurt. You're a great friend."
Kurt gave his shoulder a squeeze before letting go and preparing to port. "Oh, and about our Wenig conversation this morning… I don't believe you for a second!" /Bamf/
Harry just glared at the spot his friend had just occupied. "Verdammen." He muttered to himself.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZ
German:
Guten Nachmittag – Good afternoon
Arschloch - Assholes (more or less)
Wenig – little
Verdammen – Damn
Reviewers:
Dragonic: Define the relationship between Harry and Ana. Alright… best friends, although Harry has different ties to Ana than he does to Kurt. With Kurt, they can relate on a lot of things because of their history (such as the betrayal and being judged solely of appearance.) Ana was able to help Harry with Magic and thus spent a great amount of time together and they became great friends. I admit that there is an attraction there but it will take a lot for them to stop dancing around each other to see that.
Will: "What was Ginny doing in the halls after curfew? Illicit romantic meeting?
You have NO idea! Glad you picked up on that, what she was doing is going to be very important later on!
MorganEddasil: Pairings? Do you really want to know?
Chrismking: What I said might be revoked….. slightly…. I'm still not sure on that.
Theshyguy: Excellent theory! Although he could use an object to channel his magic, his powers make it so that it is much easier to channel it out of himself. Think of Magic like you would radio waves or sound waves. He is the conductor for it, that is his powers, and with his powers he can take the raw currents and form it into a particular spell. (this also means he still sucks at potions!) As for the Magical items… I personally think that he was more upset at loosing the photo album and cloak because he had so little of his parents to begin with. And as for gambit… there will be more! I promise!
HecateDeMort: Did snape believe Harry was innocent the whole time? Snape knew something was up with Harry, but he thought he was far to incompetent to actually kill somebody.
ON A WHOLE:
For questions and comments that I got a lot of:
Regarding Hedwig: she will be showing up soon, she aint dead don't worry!
Regarding Timeline: This chapter would be taking place in what would have been Harry's 7th year. The 5th book never happened, Harry was framed before Umbridge set the Dementors onto Privet Drive. Therefore Harry never had occulmency, nor did he learn of the prophecy. In case you're wondering now "Well then how did Voldemort not send him visions?" My excuse is that in Azkaban his mind was already occupied and then later on he was to far away to be affected and now his mutant powers plus the added bonus of having a telepath around has blocked any further visions since he has been at Hogwarts.
In regards to Rogue and Gambit: X3! There will be more I promise!
In regards to Sirius and Remus: Same goes for them, more more more!
In regards to Roberto/Hangs head in shame/ I formally apologize to all that suffered because of my ignorance. Although the boy is from Brazil, he would be speaking Portuguese. I know that now.
END NOTE
First, I want to thank EVERYONE who has been so patient with me over the last month. Your support has really helped! The chapters are all planned out now, and most of them are half finished. The only foreseeable problems in the future would be my never ending work load. I will try to get them all done and updated soon! I hope everyone had a great Easter!
Review and tell me what you think!
Next Chapter: Dinner and a Prophecy