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For copyright and disclaimers, please see chapter one.
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8 – Tenth week, Third Year
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Tuesday, October 31, 2000: (Gregorian)
Gotham City, Wayne Enterprises, Chairman's office: 08:00
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With a soft 'pop', four people appeared in the outer office. The blonde secretary looked up calmly (This was Gotham), "Good morning, and Happy Halloween. Do you have an appointment?"
The elegant woman in the expensive suit smiled and gestured, "Indeed we do. I am Mage Zatanna; this is the Mage Merlin, the Demon Hella, and Jason Blood, with the Demon Etrigan."
"I don't see Mr. Etrigan."
"We share a body," Jason said.
"Ah. One moment, please," she asked, smoothing her skirt as she walked down to Selina's door. "Mrs. Wayne, your eight o'clock appointments are here."
"Show them in, please. We're not to be disturbed."
"Of course, ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. Wayne will see you now."
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"Thank you for coming," Selina said, offering her hand.
"Etrigan was intrigued, and so am I," Jason commented as he shook. "What can we do for you?"
"One of Mattie's ... schoolmates, a Miss Lucille Malfoy, has sent her back to the fourteenth century using a Dark Spell. I grow impatient, it's been two months."
"We shall inquire," Hella said.
Jason said, 'Gone, gone, the form of man, arise the demon Etrigan!'" Etrigan's claw touched Selina's wrist, a golden charm bracelet appeared:
"Call upon me with your need,
Malfoy's soul is a true lead!"
Merlin, impeccably dressed in a business suit, added, "That item is in the Cave, Mrs. Wayne. Zatanna and I will be by later tonight." With a soft 'pop', they vanished.
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Tuesday, October 31, 2000: (Gregorian)
Hogwarts, Great Hall, Hufflepuff table: 08:02
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With a soft 'pop', four figures appeared before the Head Table. Minerva rose as Zatanna smiled politely, her voice carrying clearly. "I am the Mage Zatanna; this is the Mage Merlin, the Demon Hella, and the Demon Etrigan. We inquire on behalf of Mrs. Wayne, regarding her daughter and Miss Malfoy?"
"Oh, shit!" someone said, several people casting 'Protegro'. As the Demon Etrigan stalked toward Gryffindor, Arthur jumped the table, grabbing Julie and pulling her behind him. He wasn't the only one. All over the Great Hall, people rushed to protect siblings in other houses, while people screamed and prayed.
"D... demon," Julie stuttered. "A real, live demon from Hell..."
"See why I don't talk about this place?" Arthur asked as he pulled his wand out. Etrigan was about five feet away, and turned to address him:
"He seeks my heart to stop it cold,
Seldom is one so young so bold."
"Defend your sister naught this day,
For Etrigan seeks other prey."
The scent of brimstone wafted from him, as Etrigan approached the blonde girl. She backed away from him, "My solicitor's supposed to be here." With a claw-snap, Roger Webster appeared, wearing suspender socks, lacy briefs, his face half-shaven.
"You speak for this chit?
She is not worth your writ."
"I've taken her gold," Webster said. "Who are you, and what do you want with my client?"
"A soul I need,
A lead I received,
For the demon Etrigan,
Victims can call need."
"I smell another, the sweet scents of betrayal and cowardice," Hella said, surveying the room as Etrigan approached Gryffindor. "We owe naught for this soul, either," she added, looking back and forth as she stalked toward Slytherin, students scattering before her. "Only one here smells of cowardice, of a trust betrayed." She pointed at Pritchard, "You, boy. Your honor is stained, your word for naught. Come quietly, or will'st be fought?"
"I am responsible for Mr. Pritchard," Severus said. Hella's yellow head swiveled to him. "You speak for this coward?
"I do not condone his actions, his betrayal of a housemate. Does that merit Hell?"
"You have faced Riddle, one who thought himself demon," Hella smiled, and students shuddered, "Punished is he for presumption, ruled the court of Hell. How would you spend this?"
"I would speak for Mr. Pritchard's soul."
"So be it," Hella said. Addressing Pritchard, "Your soul now marked; Hell's coin be spent. Behave thyself; thy soul forfeit to him." She turned and stalked toward Gryffindor.
Webster asked, "What do you intend for my client?"
Hella looked him over, "The scent of greed, a tattered shred of honor remains. Choose your clients well, or meet us again you shall." She motioned to Lucille, "A chance received with change of form; innocence renewed. Marks she has for history and arrogance." The girl vanished with Hella.
Jason Blood reappeared, addressing Minerva, "What are you doing in regard to Miss Wayne?"
"I understand she is creating a device to return with someone else." Jason nodded, snapping his fingers and disappearing with Minerva.
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"Now what are you gonna tell Mom in your email?" Arthur asked.
Julie shivered, "Not a damned word."
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Tuesday, October 31, 2000: (Gregorian)
Hogwarts, Charms class: 09:10
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The somewhat stunned third-years filed into the classroom quietly, Professor Flitwick not even bothering with the roll. "What can we learn from this?" he squeaked in his tiny voice.
"What Malfoy hasn't learned yet," one of the twins said. Her sister nodded, "Don't fuck with Wayne."
Charlie shuddered, "With ANY of them!"
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Tuesday, October 31, 2000: (Gregorian)
Hogwarts, History class: 09:18
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The first years sat, one of them bursting out in tears. Professor Lupin hugged her, rocking back and forth, whispering to her as Julie looked wide-eyed at Tomas. "Did you know?" she asked; he shook his head.
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Monday, October 31, 1379: (Julian)
Hogwarts, Great Hall: 08:14
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Jason appeared with Minerva, he indicated a charm bracelet, "Touch it and say 'Return' when you are ready." He raised his hand, when Minerva asked, "Why can you not do that with Miss Wayne?"
"She must follow the timeline," he answered, turning and saying, "Hello, Miss Wayne."
"Good morning, Mr. Blood, Demon Etrigan," Mattie replied. "Have you come for me?"
Jason shook his head. "No, follow your plan and take care. Your family sends their love, and Etrigan greets you," he said before he vanished with a pop.
"Oh, my," Alberta said, "Miss M, I presume? Would you care for a bit of a chat?"
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"Quite different from mine," Minerva said, looking out a window. "That is Miss Wayne's starship?"
"It is. Please have a seat, would you care for a new thing called tea?"
Minerva raised her eyebrow. "A bit of difference, the British have been drinking tea... oh, my. Your pardon, yes, indeed. A bit of honey with it?"
"Honey?" Alberta inquired. Two drops later, she added, "Oh, my, that does make it better."
They sipped companionably, Minerva saying, "This is Ceylon tea, wherever did you get it?"
"Miss Yates. As part of their work on the ship, she's flown it about, coming back with quite a few items in trade, including a 'coffee' plant. She showed Professor Barnhart how to connect his plant beds to another with a different type of plant, which freshens the water as it circulates, and they needed nothing but pipes, a flat tank of water and some string." Alberta sipped, adding, "She is growing a herb garden on board, this particular plant cleanses the air. She had a few extra cuttings, and inquired if we would like them, in exchange for fresh food." Alberta smiled gently, "The food on their ship is apparently barely above stale bread and water, a problem they are attempting to rectify."
Minerva nodded, changing the subject, she added, "I must confess that I have been enjoying your letters; it is like reading a mystery. One must resist paging ahead to discover the ending."
"I have so little time for reading for pleasure, I understand. A guilty secret," Alberta smiled at Minerva, taking a seat next to her, tea in her lap. "You do not know the ending yourself?"
"Only through your last mention of her on the 28th of October. I really must rearrange my office like this, it is quite cozy." Minerva took a sip, "Might I meet Miss Bundy and Miss Yates quietly? I'll prepare for their arrival."
"That can be arranged, perhaps for lunch? I hesitate to invite myself to sup with them, but their ship really is a marvelous device." Alberta took another sip, "There really are horrendous wars in the future? Miss Wayne has told us so little, properly so, but we are naturally consumed with curiosity."
"Quite understandably, and I am afraid I must observe the same guidelines. Miss Wayne is not aware of my personal background, but I lost my fiancé in one war. I believe there were seven or eight million lost on both sides then, sixty million or so in a later one." Minerva looked in her cup, then up. "To balance that, there have been the most remarkable advances. Miss Wayne herself is responsible for introducing some to Hogwarts, although she will deny any credit." She pulled a small silver device from a pocket, passing it over. "It allows me to speak to almost anyone on the planet in an instant."
"Amazing," Alberta said, opening the cell phone. She studied the device, passing it back. "I feel so backward."
"As did I when Miss Wayne introduced us to them two years ago, it is muggle technology we were unaware of, and I shall undoubtedly feel just as foolish when I see this starship." She finished her tea, "Remember, this ship is current to now, those of my time and Miss Yates' will no doubt amaze us all."
"True. Let us fetch Miss Wayne and Miss Bundy; they should both be in Alchemy class."
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"How is everyone?" Mattie asked as they walked outside. "What are the Quidditch standings?"
"Slytherin's replacement Seeker is not as talented as you, from what Severus said, Miss Bundy was most reluctant to replace you."
"I what?" Anne said.
Minerva smiled. "Your kinswoman Karen is Quidditch captain and a seventh-year. Should you decide to proceed with your plan, you will have another, Kelly, who is an instructor."
"Did Professor Binns remember me?" Mattie asked, motioning them away from the descending ramp.
"He did not, he's still on the Goblin Wars, teaching to empty classrooms," Minerva shook her head, "If I had known I was coming, I would have brought correspondence, Amy has quite a bit for you."
"I'm sure," motioning up the ramp, "Welcome to the Cassidy Yates."
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"Honey, I'm home!" Mattie called, explaining, "It's a joke. She must be refining, we went asteroid-hunting over the weekend."
Cassidy entered, barefoot and wearing a halter top with a short skirt, "Hello. If I had known we had company, I would have baked a cake." She held out her hand, "Cassidy Yates."
"Minerva McGonagall," she said automatically, and Cassidy started, swaying and gripping the table.
"Well, that cat's out of the bag. I hate it when she does that, but at least she didn't scream and faint when she met you." Motioning to the semicircular bench, Mattie asked, "What can we do for you?"
Minerva gazed at Cassidy and her collar, "I understand your mistake, Miss Bundy. It does look like a form of jewelry. A reprehensible form, though." She settled herself, "Miss Bundy, Miss Yates, I wanted to meet you, and prepare for a smooth journey. Should you decide to come, Miss Bundy, please let the Headmistress know as soon as possible. We would need a great deal of preparation beyond your pig."
"So it's safe for the timeline?" Cassidy asked.
"Apparently so. In consulting the student lists for the next several terms, I could not find a listing for Miss Bundy. That does not necessarily mean she proceeded, she could have failed to attend for other reasons."
Alberta looked at Anne, "When you travel home for the holidays, you will not speak of this to anyone. Furthermore, should you decide to proceed, you shall give the utmost consideration to the fact that you will never see your family again. They will be lost forever to you, save as an entry in a dusty tome. They will no longer be living, breathing people, but bones in a tomb." She reached out and held Anne's hand, "Just as I will be."
Minerva leaned forward to look at the girl, "For that reason, I will not accept your decision before the new year. As to how it shall work, our Miss Bundy reports American cousins living in Chicago; we thought you could be a transfer student from Salem."
"Salem? American? Chicago?" Anne asked. Cassidy glanced over, "Let's take 'em."
"Chicago is a city in America, which is one of those 'undiscovered' continents I mentioned," Mattie told Headmistress Oldridge. "You'll be about a hundred years early, so you'll have to keep quiet. You secure in the hold?" she asked Cassidy, "I'll do a preflight."
"Five minutes," Cassidy called, as Mattie gestured her guests forward.
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"Anne?" Mattie gestured to the command chair, pulling out chairs for Minerva and Alberta. She took the ops chair, starting a preflight as the engines rumbled. "We won't be going faster than light, just a nice slow flight to North America."
"Still got that phase variance I need to find," Cassidy said as she entered, helping them to buckle in. "Feels like about two microns. Clear left."
"Clear right, ready to lift."
Cassidy buckled in, touching the controls, and Hogwarts disappeared below them. "Ballistic to orbit?"
"Why not?" Mattie asked as the ship stood on her tail, "You ladies ready to fly?"
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"Low orbit," Cassidy said, "This place looks so empty!" The planet rotated below them, "Japan coming up on the right, Greece and the Mideast on the left in a minute, then Italy. Spain's ahead and then we'll be over the Atlantic."
Mattie turned, "The Americas have about four hundred million people." They banked over 'Chicago', then 'Boston', overflying Greenland, tiny Iceland passing below to starboard. They banked again over the Nordic countries, before touching down a minute later at Hogwarts.
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"Professor McGonagall, might I have a word in private?" Cassidy asked. Mattie raised an eyebrow as Minerva followed her to the flight deck, and the hatch sealed. Cassidy flicked a couple switches on the command chair; inviting her to take a seat. She chuckled, adding, "I've locked out the boards, don't worry about where you put your hands."
"Ah, thank you. What may I do for you, Miss Yates?" Minerva relaxed a bit.
"This is difficult, so fly along, please." Cassidy gathered herself, "The reason I'm having this conversation is that history records 'The One' doing so, and I'm convinced I am that person. What I'm going to tell you is a bit of future history, and it must remain between us. Understood?" Minerva nodded, "Nothing in the Headmaster's journal, nothing said to Professor Vector. What do you know about the relationship between Mattie and I?"
"You are shipmates, and," she gestured, "Mistress and slave."
"She does get this off, although there are a few rough patches there. No, Mattie and I share a deeper relationship. She's my great-grandmother, although she doesn't know that. She only knows my middle name, 'Wayne'. However, what happens when we go through the transport on April first changes human history." She gathered herself, adding, "The only real problem is that in order for that to happen, I have to die." She grinned wryly, "I keep telling myself, it's not a bad trade."
Minerva sat back, shocked, "How?"
"History is fuzzy on the exact details. The recordings weren't the best; there was a lot of interference from the temporal field. We made it through all right, and Mattie turned to greet Professor Dumbledore – make sure he's there, all right?" Minerva nodded, "Someone fired an AK at her back, and I took a step and intercepted it, and... well, I died." Cassidy took a deep breath, "In any case, you don't need to build a second device to send me home. I... I don't know what happens with my... my corpse."
She finally started to cry, and Minerva gathered her in her arms as she wept. 'What do I say? What do I do?' she thought. 'No wonder she was shocked to meet me, it confirmed her death.' She rocked Cassidy gently, letting her cry herself out. She conjured a hankie, passing it over.
"Feeling better?" she asked. Cassidy nodded, wiping her eyes, "I've needed that for years," she said with feeling. "A couple of other things to cry about, I... well, I somewhat lied to Mattie about the school trip. I was in a private ship, a raceabout, with two other people, when we were captured. The pirates got my life pod, but I saw the racer explode, I'm the only survivor, and there are no others to contaminate the timeline. They were good friends," she said pensively.
She drew a shuddering breath, "Secondly, I'm a Hogwarts graduate, class of 2385, a good Gryffindor." She grinned at Minerva, "First in the family in 130 years, everyone else was either a 'claw or a Slythie. There was a Huffie back there somewhere too, but I burned out my magic escaping from a Master." She grinned at Minerva's questioning look, "Professor Harry could apperate from one place to another when he was a kid, Gran was a ghost whisperer, I... well, I could time-jump. Just a bit, usually not more than an hour. Pulled off some great pranks, though, but now I'm a squib." She looked out the port at the castle, "I miss my magic somewhat, but I didn't know I'd jumped a thousand years. Unfortunately, I just dropped into my previous master's camp, I was registered to him when I woke up, and he chained me to a pole to dance." She snorted, "What he called 'dancing', I call using the pain circuits in this collar."
"That's torture!" Minerva whispered, and Cassidy shook her head. "Not legally, I'm a slave, an animal. It's discipline. Anyway, Mattie happened along a couple hours later, and the rest..." she shrugged, "...it's fate."
"Surely there's something we can do..."
Cassidy clutched Minerva's hands, "I don't see how. Please, Professor, I must die in the Entrance Hall on April first, someone must fire an AK at me. Please promise me that you'll... you'll kill me, if nobody else does! I'll write a note and record a chip for you after you leave, and give it to Professor Oldridge for April first's entry. Please, promise me!"
Minerva sat back and regarded the girl. "Miss Yates, how were your potions OWLS and NEWTS?"
"Huh? What does that have to do with my dying in four months?" She blinked at Minerva, then added, "I suffered through it and scraped out an A, barely, in my OWL, and didn't do NEWT potions. Why?"
"In addition to mixing and chopping things to make potions, that class teaches critical thinking, something Gryffindor has, traditionally, been weak in," Minerva explained. "WHY does a potion succeed or fail? Ravenclaw and Slytherin students have been able to step back and analyze, whilst Gryffindor students simply charge ahead, devil take the hindmost." She smiled faintly, "Something I myself did in my own student days. The point is, Miss Yates, that you must stop that little voice running about your head screaming 'I am going to die!'. There is a simple solution, you just do not see it."
"But... I'm gonna die!"
"And what happens after that?" Cassidy blinked in confusion, Minerva sighed, "Step-by-step, what exactly happens April first?"
"Um, we go through the portal, Mattie gives Lucille Malfoy a scroll, then turns to greet you and Professor Dumbledore, Malfoy unrolls the scroll and starts to read it, then casts Avada, I take a step to intercept it," she tapped her left breast, "right here, over my heart, I fall over dead, and that's it."
"So now, you've died. History is satisfied," Minerva leaned forward, "Think, Miss Yates."
Cassidy blinked; her face brightened. "Oh..."
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Monday, October 31, 1379: (Julian)
Hogwarts, Girl's tower: 17:06
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Mattie stretched; sitting on her bunk to pull off her boots and wiggling her toes. Reaching into her bag, she held her ring to the battery, thinking 'There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home. I feel like Dorothy sometimes.' Replacing the innocuous battery in her bag, she pulled off her sweater and tie, casting 'Scourgify' and 'Reparo' on each as they were folded, and laid next to her. She stood and reached behind her, unzipping her skirt, then carefully pulling her bodysuit's zipper down, past her bra and peeled it off, inspecting it and repairing a small run as she cleaned it. 'At least I'm finally getting a bust,' she mused, 'A B cup bra's getting a bit small, though. Double-D's, here I come! Why, oh why, didn't I wear a front-close that day? At least my damn period's over for the month.' She pulled her charms off, tucking them safely under her pillow, then inspected and cleaned her underwear, placing them with her wands under the pillow. She wrapped a towel around herself, then headed to the newly christened 'Bathing room'. Looking up, she said, "Evening, Susan. How..."
"Stupefy, Stupefy, Stupefy!" Susan Cooper ran forward to keep the girl's head from hitting the stone. Wrapping her in a blanket, she bound her to a broom, and flew through a window.
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Monday, October 31, 1379: (Julian)
Scotland, Doune Castle: 23:43
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The exhausted, shivering girl landed, telling a guard, "The Royal Sorcerer is expecting us, quickly!"
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"Master, I have the time traveler, now may I see my family?" the girl asked.
"Foolish girl, we have only minutes left!" She stiffened as he cast an incantation on her, a glowing red collar appearing on her throat. "You are mage-bound to me now, wench. Take that place on the circle, I must begin!"
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Tuesday, October 31, 2000: (Gregorian)
Gotham City, Batcave: 20:55
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Zatanna appeared, dressed in her traditional top hat, tuxedo and fishnet outfit. Merlin, on the other hand, wore a simple brown robe, somewhat frayed at the edges. His wooden staff was simple and unadorned. "Good evening, Mrs. Wayne," he said, and was corrected. "Down here, Batgirl. Up there, Mrs. Wayne."
"My apologies, I did not know." She nodded, and removed the cowl from the figure in the coffin.
"As generic a 45 year old human male as we can make," Zatanna said. "A perfect, uniform set of teeth, no identifiable scars or fingerprints, with blue eyes, straight black hair and type O blood. The entrance and exit wounds match the damaged cowl. Take a drop of blood and run a DNA scan, the medical examiner's sure to." Batgirl nodded, taking her samples, telling herself, "It's not Bruce."
"Regarding Miss Malfoy," Merlin said, "Hella took her to visit Hell. They had not returned when we left. Minerva reports having seen and spoken to Mattie, she is safe and is working on her return. Tomas is doing well, and had actually heard of me!" He seemed surprised at this.
The computer dinged, reporting "No cross reference found. Subject is unknown." Batgirl nodded, pulling the damaged cowl back into place, while Zatanna secured her top hat.
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Tuesday, October 31, 2000: (Gregorian)
Gotham City, Gotham plaza, Halloween celebration: 21:23
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Batman paused on the rooftop long enough to be seen, then fired a line and leapt away as people pointed. There was the crack of a rifle shot, Batman folding in on himself, falling away from the crowd as people screamed.
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Tuesday, November 1, 1379: (Julian)
Hogwarts, Headmistress' office: 07:18
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"We have a problem," Perenelle Flamel reported. "Two girls are missing, along with a school broom, Miss Wayne and Miss Cooper."
"Just what I needed, someone whose family summons demons going missing," the Headmistress moaned.
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Wednesday, November 1, 2000: (Gregorian)
Gotham City, Wayne Manor: 06:02
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Selina watched the news as WGTV's perky blonde reporter said, "Good morning, Gotham. We wait and wonder as a press briefing from Police Commissioner Giomotto is about to get under way. The question on everyone's mind: Is Batman dead?" Let's go to the footage from last night's Halloween celebration. Children should not watch this tape."
"What about adults?" Zatanna said from the doorway. She cringed as the figure crumpled in midair, falling to the ground. "Was there anything in the belt?"
"Nothing identifiable and the self destruct went off for the radios and so forth," Selina said, sipping tea. "The commissioner's going to speak."
The video cut to Police Headquarters, the commissioner saying, "Good morning. I'll keep this brief and to the point. Last night, at about 9:20 pm, someone used a large caliber rifle on a person tentatively identified as Batman." A diagram flicked up, "We will not show the autopsy photos; they are rather gruesome. The bullet entered below the right eye, traveling up and back, and exiting above and behind the left ear. Destruction of the headpiece, with residual bone and brain matter confirm the cause of death as trauma to the head and brain."
"Who is he?" someone shouted, and the Commissioner paused, "We don't know. Could I have the artist's sketch? Thank you." A color sketch appeared, "Victim is a Caucasian male, about 40, blue eyes, black hair, type O blood, six feet two inches, about 220 pounds with very little fat, a very muscular, fit physique. Of course, he's Batman." Some of the reporters chuckled, "There are no cavities or fillings, which rule out dental records, no tattoos or piercing, and no bodily scarring. This is unusual, as everyone has at least one or two, but there are none, not even vaccination marks. He even has his tonsils and wisdom teeth. This is unusual, as we know Batman has been injured over the years. Batman either has superb medical facilities, or this is some sort of switch."
The Commissioner held up his hand to shouted questions, "Batman is known to have had access to JLA technology, and due to the location, police were on the scene within thirty seconds. This is our leading theory."
"We could have added scars," Zatanna said.
Selina shook her head, "Too many were from Bruce's 'accidents' or known criminal injuries, which could have identified him. It was a judgment call, but he's jumping the right way with the tech. Clark will confirm that Batman has availed himself of JLA medical tech, which should answer that question." She flicked off the TV, "Thanks, Zee."
"No problem. That's like, two hundred thousand I still owe you. See you at the funeral?"
Selina nodded, "Donna Troy's going to play the Pimpernel; that knocks her count down to a half million or so." She grinned, "Thanks again."
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Tuesday, November 1, 1379: (Julian)
Scotland, Doune Castle, Great Hall: 16:41
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Mattie groaned quietly, as the small platform she was on swayed. 'Where am I? Last I remember was in the bath...' she wondered, opening her eyes. In the faint light coming through the burlap, she could see the simple shift she was wearing, and could feel her Ring pulsing gently on her finger. 'I need to charge my ring... she thought woozily. 'What happened?' She felt the iron chains on her wrists and the aches in her limbs. 'Let's see what's going on here.' She opened her perimeter spell, musing, 'Lots of muggles, banquet preparations, I guess. I'm being carried between two wizards, with Susan behind them. Why do I feel a drain on my magic? They seem rather dull, and they have drains on their magic too. I'll wait and see what happens.'
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The Royal Sorcerer was most pleased. Not only was the Time Traveler a young wench (he always enjoyed them), just showing her curves, she was also a fairly powerful witch. He did not want to take her until she was completely under his control. The spell he would cast tonight should start her subjugation, he mused, and her first breast-milk in a potion would finalize it. His mage-bond should prove sufficient to the task until then; as his magical tap upon her would drain her as it increased his magic, enabling him to counter any efforts she produced. He waved a serving wench over to refill his goblet, groping her as she nervously poured.
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"What have you for us this fine evening, Michael?" Robert II asked, the Royal Sorcerer suppressing his flash of irritation at the familiarity.
"I received information that a Time Traveler had appeared, my liege," Michael Potter said, "She was at the school near the town of Inverness, so I made arrangements for one of her schoolmates to steal her away. She arrived last night; I labored long to make her mine." He drank, "'Tis a good thing, she has a fair bit of power, but she is mine now, as is the schoolgirl that betrayed her."
"Have her sent to my chambers, then," and Robert's wife shot a glare at him. She remained properly silent, however. Michael raised his hand, "I beg you not, milord. The spell I need must use a virgin maid's milk; the traveler is still growing her curves." He sipped again. "Her school mate is older, but I have not yet had time to determine if she has been taken yet. If you can wait a few months, then you may be her first taking. It is only fitting you should be her first."
"I can wait, then," Robert said as he arose from the table, crossing to take his seat for the night's festivities. "Bring out the Traveler," he called.
People murmured in fear as the two wizards appeared, carrying a form on a two foot circular platform covered by a red cloth, a witch following behind. All three wore glowing red bands about their neck and simple red tunics, they were barefoot and their faces blank. They stopped, and at a gesture, placed the disk before the throne, Susan removing the cloth as they knelt to the side.
On the disk, a young woman crouched, hands and feet manacled, wearing a glowing red collar and red tunic. A rough chain held her down, as the Royal Sorcerer waved his wand, calling "Enervate!"
'Showtime!' Mattie thought as she stirred, looking up. "Where am I?" she asked.
'Veritas!' the Sorcerer cast, "You are the Time Traveler? When were you born?"
"May 31, 1988," she said, and people gasped. "Where am I, what happened?" she asked, as she thought, 'Now I know whose tap that is, it's time to get out of here'. She smiled to herself, whispering, 'Finite Incantatem'. On the dais, the Royal Sorcerer swayed as his link to her power was suddenly cut. 'Exsicco!' he called, pointing his wand at Mattie as she said, 'Protegro'. His spell bounced off her shield, the king asking, "What is wrong?"
The Sorcerer paused to consider this, while Mattie asked, "You still haven't answered my questions. What happened, and where am I?
"You are in my court, do you not know of me?" the king asked.
Mattie looked at him, "I've never heard of you. Are you some sort of knight?"
"A mere knight?" he shouted, "I am King Robert the Second of Scotland!"
Mattie said, 'Alohomora' and her chains dropped off as she stood up. "I've never heard of you," she repeated, adding, "Pesky things, chains." She looked around casually, "Nice castle; is it new? Hello, what's this?" as she brushed her hair back, her fingers encountering her glowing collar.
"'Tis the mage-bond I cast on you, wench. You are bound to obey my commands as my total slave."
"Did you say I was your slave?" Mattie demanded. "I don't think so," she said, trying to step off the disk and encountering a barrier.
The Sorcerer smirked, "You are, I had you marked as a common wench this morn, now kneel before me."
She ran her hands over herself as she sank to her knees, stopping at the mark on her thigh. "You branded me?"
"Of course I did, wench. I know not how you blocked my tap, but I have three others to drain dry to restore it." He gestured, "Once I have restored my tap upon your power, I shall be the most powerful wizard in Europe!" Smirking, he added, "Until then, you cannot rise from your knees without my permission. Bow to me."
Mattie slowly lowered her head to the flagstones. "What if another wizard contests my ownership?"
"There are no others, wench. Once I have your full powers under my control, I shall drain you dry of magic and knowledge, then throw your body to the dragon as his feed."
"My full powers?" she asked, ring pulsing on her finger.
He gloated, "Once your curves are completely grown, I shall imbibe a potion made from your virgin milk, which will transfer your powers to me. Then, you will give your maidenhead to the king, as I have promised."
"That's what I needed to know," she said, standing. Pulling back her hair, she said, "I contest your ownership of me."
"You can't..." the Sorcerer gobbled, as several large green objects appeared, aiming at him, and with an unearthly roar, started to spit energy at him. He screamed, ducking for cover as his imprisoning spell wavered and died. She stepped down from the disk, calling 'Expelliarmus', the sorcerer's wand shooting into her hand. The machine guns disappeared, as the king screamed, "Attack! Take her!"
'Damn, my Ring's dry,' she thought, as she said, "I think not," turning to face the onrushing men-at-arms, calling, 'Fusum!' The guards' chain mail welded together, they crashed to the floor; Mattie smiled, "Let's rock."
"Fortunately, I have another wand," the Sorcerer said with a cruel smile, shouting, 'Exsicco maxima!'; draining the other three wizards. They collapsed as he faced Mattie, "You will return to my control, wench." he said.
"I don't think so, being someone's slave is not on my to-do list," she said as she started to circle. "I would like to know how you got me, though," she asked conversationally.
"I informed your school mate that I had her family," he said, his face tense.
"Do you?" her gaze locked on his.
"In my donjon," he said; snapping, 'Fera Verto'. The curse missed Mattie, hitting a courtier, who transformed into a goblet.
"Very nice," she said, "I assume you're a Gryff, going by all the red. Transfig seems to be a house specialty of yours." He smirked and nodded, 'Serpensortia Maxima' she shouted, an enormous rattlesnake appearing. "Let's clear out the riff-raff, shall we?" she added casually, as the courtiers screamed and fled in panic.
"Ah, the Den," he smiled, giving a small nod of his head, which she returned. "Sixth year?" he inquired, firing a quick 'Petrificus', which unfortunately hit the king. The queen screamed as he went rigid in his throne, Mattie flicking a 'Stupefy' at her, adding, "I do hate the whiny types."
"In that we are agreed," he said; 'Vermillius' he added, casting it at the floor.
'Glacius', she drawled, freezing the floor and using it to skate away. "For what it's worth, you've been much more of a challenge than the last duel I had."
"I am honored," he said, adding, "Tell me of these large white ships I see in your mind."
"They're known as Star Destroyers," she replied, asking, "Do you think you're the first to try to read my mind? How do you know I'm not lying to you?"
"You cannot, it is in your mind," he snorted.
"And I in yours," she replied with a smile (thanking Albus), he recoiled in shock. 'Stupefy'!"
------------------------
"Hello, Susan," Mattie said coolly, tossing the last of the four mage-collars, her own, into the fire. "We'll talk later, for now; shall we retrieve your family?"
"You know? You're not angry?"
"I didn't say I wasn't angry, I said we'd talk later. Now, would you like some help retrieving your family? The sooner we have them, the sooner we can leave for Hogwarts." She motioned, "The brothers are confining the sorcerer, but we don't have much time." She stood, and scooped a goblet off the table. "Come on, now."
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"Hogwarts, Headmistress' office!" Mattie shouted, flinging floo powder. The flames turned green, and she poked her head through as Susan changed.
"Miss Wayne!" the Headmistress said, "Where are you?"
"Doune Castle, I've got Susan and her family, along with the brothers Dumbledore. Once we come through, you need to ward the floo, there's a rather angry wizard here." Her head vanished as the Coopers came through, then the two brothers, and after a moment, Mattie. She turned, casting 'interstinguo', and the flames died as she put a pot of floo powder on the mantle.
"Why did you extinguish the fire?" the Headmistress asked.
"I set a timed blasting hex on the fireplace," she replied. "It can be rebuilt, and I stole his floo powder, so he'll have to come at us a different way." She nodded, letting Susan brush her off. "If you'll excuse me, I need to let Cassidy know I'm back."
Alberta crossed her arms, "Dressed like that? Child, there's a blizzard outside; you'll catch your death. Let me send someone to fetch her, when is the last time you ate?"
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"Mattie!" Cassidy called, running to hug her. "I was so worried, and red is so not your color." She sat on the couch, "What happened?"
"Susan?"
"Er, I received a message that the Dark Mage had taken my family, and would release them 'twere I bring the 'Time Traveller' before midnight on the thirty-first." She swallowed, "I had no choice in the matter..."
"You could have asked one of us," the Headmistress snapped. "We could have worked out a suitable plan, instead of your simply charging off."
"I... I realize that now, Headmistress, but I was just so worried..."
"Miss Wayne, you are the injured party, what do you wish?"
"I do not want her expelled," she replied. "Whatever you think fair. My question is, how likely is it that the Dark Wizard will seek revenge on the Coopers?"
"Almost certain. Mr. Cooper, your business?"
"Carpenter, milady, but all my tools and such are in m' home in Fortingall," he said as Cassidy leaned over to whisper to Mattie, who nodded. "We've a bit of extra gold, sir," she said. "We'll be happy to loan it to you, you can start in the spring. I'm sure the village can use a good carpenter. Until then..."
"Until then, you may stay in the castle," the Headmistress said. "Miss Cooper, I would like to know why your eyebrows are singed off. I think there is much more in this tale needs telling."
"I brushed the Mage's Grimore by mistake," Susan admitted. "There was a large flare of light which knocked me back a yard or two."
"I thought about stealing them, but when Susan got burned, I changed my mind. The sorcerer had these three under a tap of some kind," Mattie said. "When I escaped from confinement, he stole everything from them, they collapsed. We traded spells, I stunned him, and here we are."
"You are not telling the whole tale," one of the Dumbledore brothers said. "We had been captive for... what year is it?"
"1379," someone said, and he continued, "Ah. Three years under the spell of that dark mage, and the first I woke up was to witness th' duel. I couldn't move, but I could hear and see bits of it." He glanced at his brother and Susan, "Why didn't you kill him?"
"Two reasons, I've sworn an oath not to, and I know his descendant, who's a really nice fellow."
"Well, now, are there any other questions?" the Headmistress asked.
"Just one," the other Dumbledore brother said. "What is a 'Star Destroyer'?"
Cassidy and Mattie started to laugh, Cassidy saying, "It's a huge warship, painted white, wedge shaped and miles long. Where did you hear of it?"
"The dark mage said he pulled them from your mind..."
Mattie chuckled, "He did, but they're fictional, parts of a story. I could tell he was trying to read my mind (she glanced at the Headmistress), so I lied to him."
"You can do so?" she asked.
------------------------
Cassidy dragged Mattie toward the front doors. "I want to make sure you're okay, I'm going to stick you in the auto-doc. C'mon, we can dash; the snow's only about a half meter deep."
"But I feel fine..."
Cassidy snorted, "I ran over here like this," and she waved at her short skirt and halter, "You can run back in that shift. It's only a hundred meters or so, and," she gave Mattie a glare, "I saw that brand on your thigh. I want to make sure it's not infected or something."
"The brand stays, it's a reminder."
"Gawd, you're stubborn. Okay, but I'm going to check for nerve and muscle damage as well, Mistress." Mattie reluctantly nodded, "Ready to dash?"
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Thursday, November 2, 2000: (Gregorian)
Hogwarts, Headmistress' office: 21:26
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Minerva settled down with her tea, opening the 1379 Journal to November first. She was anxious to see what Alberta had to say about Miss Wayne's disappearance, although she had been too exhausted to check the previous night.
1 November, 1379
My dear Minerva,
All is well with Miss Wayne. She returned late this evening with Miss Cooper and two other students we had given up for dead, the Dumbledore brothers.
Alberta Oldridge
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Friday, November 3, 2000: (Gregorian)
Gotham City, Wayne Enterprises, Chairman's office: 09:29
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The elevator 'dinged', and the occupant approached Mira's desk. He smiled gently, "Good morning, Ms. Thompson. I'm aware I don't have an appointment, but I was wondering if I might have a few minutes of Mrs. Wayne's time."
"I'll check, Father Tim. Excuse me a moment," She smiled, and the former Marine unarmed combat instructor smoothed her tiny skirt and walked down the hall. Knocking, she asked, "Mrs. Wayne? Father Tim of St. Michaels' is here. He doesn't have an appointment, but is asking for a few minutes."
"Please, send him in," Selina said. She stood, offering her hand, "Father Tim! Please, come in, Mira, we're not to be disturbed."
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"Thank you, Mrs. Wayne," Father Tim said, taking a seat. "I was given to understand you had some most unusual visitors." He held up a hand, "Just to reassure you, Ms. Thompson was not the source. Now, I understand you're concerned about Martha's disappearance from Hogwarts, but I really must inquire about the demons."
"I see," Selina said, putting in two sugar cubes and offering him his cup of coffee. He accepted, not bothering to wonder about how she knew his coffee preferences. "Shall we lay our cards on the table, Father?"
He stirred, and sipped, "Excellent coffee. Very well, Mrs. Wayne, your daughter Martha, who is a wonderful child, is currently a third-year student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry near Inverness. She was abducted on the school train September first, sent back to the year 1379 by a dark spell. Growing impatient, you called the Lady Mage Zatanna, whom you have known for a number of years through the JLA." He took another sip, "The only person I have told of the activities in your 'sub-basement' is His Holiness the Pope, in private conference, a year ago. He was, of course, aware of Hogwarts."
She took a sip of her coffee. "It's Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, sixty dollars a pound. How is your second cousin Alicia doing in her first year at Salem? We looked at that school, but decided Hogwarts was a more comfortable fit. I think Mattie would enjoy meeting her." She took another sip, "I received a call from Minerva, who was taken to visit Mattie by Mr. Blood. She is as safe as can be in the Middle Ages, and is working on a device to return. She recently acquired a small starship; I will be traveling to London soon regarding that." Taking another sip, "I asked Zatanna to choose an appropriate team. I should have discussed her choices with her, which is of course my responsibility." She took another sip, "In retrospect, from a magical viewpoint, she chose an excellent team. However, it could have been more... politically sensitive. I understand it has caused Minerva some problems."
He finished his coffee and rose, "I believe my concerns have been answered, please call me if I can assist. I was not looking forward to your excommunication."
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Saturday, November 4, 2000: (Gregorian)
Hogwarts, Great Hall, Gryffindor table: 07:45
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A ball of hellfire appeared, Lucille Malfoy dropping out of it to land before the High Table. She sat up, and giggled, "Hogwarts", then snapping at Minerva, "The date, idiot!"
Severus said, "November fourth, 2000. Where have you been, Miss Malfoy?"
"Ah, Severus, my old friend," and she giggled again as she stood, dusting herself off. "Miss Malfoy, indeed; a matter I shall discuss with Potter, Dumbledore and Wayne. How they have entrapped me as a mere female, that Hell's own spells could not break." She giggled again.
"I have not spelled you, Miss Malfoy," Harry said.
She waved him off, "Where have I been? Why, I was recreating Dante's visit to Hell, courtesy of Miss Wayne. I started, as all do, at the Gates, the difference being I was still mortal, and thus a curiosity. Whilst I waited to be judged, I spoke with many different demons, and I found great dissatisfaction. Lord Lucifer had left his post, two angels (she spat) attempting to fill his shoes." She smiled, "I began to formulate a plan, a most wondrous plan, to take advantage of the brewing civil war, and take my place as ruling Queen of Hell." She giggled again.
"Being judged arrogant," she said, "I know not why, I was sent for my 'lesson'. I was to learn humility from it" (she spat again), "I, the most humble of men." She giggled, "I appeared as a Roman prisoner in Gaul, chained as a slave wench, and was marched those hundreds of miles, all the way to Rome itself, not knowing of my true self. There, I was sold from the block, where I started to slowly regain myself. Being judged not unattractive" (she tossed her hair), I was originally to be a bath attendant, and was chained in a cell to be raped, as was proper for a mere female slave. When I struggled, I was sent for training as a fighting slave." She looked about, "I fought in the arena, and I slew men, and I enjoyed it. I enjoyed using my charms, and then running my gladius through their belly, watching them bleed to death on the sands."
She giggled, "When Spartacus started his revolt, I knew only that there was a difference with me, I was not like the other females. I journeyed with him, up and down Italy, fighting and killing Romans. I had gained the eye of an archer, and gladly killed many, many Romans. They did not credit me, thinking I a mere camp follower, a mere female, a mere slave. They learned differently when I slit their throats as they lay on me." She stalked about, "When Spartacus was defeated, I, along with other 'rebellious slaves', was sentenced to death. Crassus offered a quick death to point out Spartacus, but I declined; why should I give my 'masters' anything?"
Snorting, "Our wrists nailed to the patibulum, the females were laid in the grass, and raped by any who came along the Appian Way. I did not care, indeed, I asked the centurion to make sure I lasted on the cross a long time, as I did not fear death. After they had amused themselves, my shoulders were lashed to the crosspiece so I might easily breathe, and I was raised to a high cross, my feet then nailed to either side." Lucille grinned cruelly, "As an attractive female, I was good advertising as my hair blew; a wine vendor took advantage and set up his cart, nailing his price list between my feet. I watched Spartacus die after three days as I plotted and planned my conquest of Hell. After five days, most had died, but I persisted, declining to have my legs broken. I took a full week to die, crucified as a rebellious slave, that wine list still nailed between my feet, the merchant long departed."
"Take your seat, Miss Malfoy," Minerva said.
"I shall, Minerva, I shall bide my time, being a 'good girl', until I am ready for my conquest of Hell." She took a seat at the Gryffindor table, Julie staring at the red, puckered scar on her wrist as she reached for the juice.