Harry and the DA spent about an hour talking. Harry mostly talked about his time with the Justice League and Teen Titans, which the muggleborns and halfbloods found amazing, and the purebloods, much like Ron, found unbelievable.
All the muggleborns were also incredibly jealous when they found out Harry had a computer that worked within Hogwarts. Harry told them it was from Wayne Enterprises, and though he said he wasn't sure it was on the market yet, more than just Hermione vowed to get one.
Finally the group dispersed when Harry said he needed to get going, which brought up exclamations of dismay when they found out he wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts as a student. Upset but reassured that he could take care of himself, one by one they left the room. As Luna and Ginny left after giving him another hug, he was once again left with Ron and Hermione.
"Whew, enthusiastic, weren't they?" Harry said.
"They're just happy to see you alright, Harry." Hermione said with a smile.
"Yeah mate. We've had precious little to smile about lately. This was what everybody needed." Ron said. He caught sight of Hermione giving him a pleading look and, showing uncommon insight, gave a big yawn. "Well, I'm knackered. That fight in Hogsmeade took it out of me." He clapped Harry on the shoulder. "You take care of yourself, got it mate?" He said seriously. "I'm not going to go through dealing with your death again till we're at least a hundred, understood?"
Harry chuckled. "Yeah, I got it Ron. Go, rest. I need to get going anyway. Need to find myself a hotel to stay in for the night."
Ron nodded and left, winking at Hermione as he did, making her blush. Soon it was only Harry and Hermione left, Harry gathering the Invisibility Cloak and carefully placing it in his bag as Hermione fidgeted, trying to think of what to do now.
Finally she took a deep breath and moved closer to him, still red faced. "Harry, there's something I need to do before you leave, now that I have a chance."
He turned to her. "What is it, Her-" He was interrupted when she wrapped her arms around his neck and quickly pressed her lips to his, kissing him.
Harry froze, not expecting this in the least. Before long, however, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close as he kissed back. Working more on instinct than anything else at the moment, he deepened and took control of the kiss. Expecting her to fight back, he was surprised when she eagerly surrendered to him, moaning softly as her form was pressed against his and his tongue invaded her mouth.
Neither was sure for how long they remained that way, but eventually Harry pulled back when his hands began to make their way past her waist to her backside, trying to keep control of himself. "Hermione, what was that about?"
Hermione rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes, listening to his strong heartbeat. "…When we thought you died, I had so many regrets, so many things I wished I'd had the courage to do." She looked up at him. "Even if this is as far as it goes, I wanted to at least do this much to show you how I feel."
Harry held her, looking down at her, more than slightly surprised. "I had no idea…"
She smiled self depreciatingly. "I'm not surprised. I never even really acknowledged it to myself till I thought you were dead." He smile became slightly teasing. "Plus you were always a bit dense."
Harry chuckled. "Yeah, I guess so." He sobered. "Hermione… I can't… Not now…"
Hermione looked away, trying to hide the tears that appeared in her eyes. "Oh…" She moved to let him go and step away, but he kept a tight hold on her.
"I'm not saying that there's no chance." He said with a soft smile. "I just have too much on my plate right now. There's Tom, the Death Eaters… Hell, Flash said they might induct me into the Justice League when I'm older."
She looked up at him, wide eyed. "Really!?"
Harry grinned. "Really really." His smile softened. "You focus on your education, Hermione. Once everything is dealt with… Well, we can revisit this then, okay?"
Hermione tentatively smiled back. "Okay Harry."
He kiss her brow. "Good girl."
Harry was lying in bed watching Evil Dead 2 the next day in the penthouse suite of a fancy hotel he was staying in for the moment. Before he'd left Jump City Robin had handed him a debit card he said was linked to an account with some initial spending cash to help him get set up. Initially he'd thought it would be a few hundred pounds, enough to support him till he got on his feet. He'd been astounded by the sum Robin had told him it was, once again reminded that the Titans, and by extension the League, had incredible resources.
He checked the clock. It was almost time for him to go out and do his first job. After he did so he'd have enough money to support himself. The fact that it would inconvenience Tom enormously was a nice bonus.
He quickly dressed himself in what he'd decided would be his battle gear. A black dragon hide jacket Raven had obtained on his behalf for him to practice his enchanting on went first over a simply white t-shirt. She'd wondered why he'd insisted on something so spell resistant for his forays into enchanting. Harry had simply stated that the challenge would help him improve faster. His teacher had been skeptical, but to her surprise his efforts had yielded results, ending up with a jacket that would block most spellfire, was fire resistant, and had several other features.
A similarly enchanted pair of sturdy jeans for his bottom half was added, followed by some steel toed combat boots which had been enchanted to be lighter and quieter than normal ones, negating the traditional downsides to them. He added the belt with his gun on last.
He looked himself over in the large mirror in the bedroom. Satisfied at what he saw he got ready.
He didn't know his destination, but he didn't actually need to. Raven had told him that the portals she taught him to create could be set to lead to a person instead of a destination. It just took a lot more power, for some reason, which is why not many did it. Thankfully Harry, for the most part, had power to spare.
He focused on creating a portal to the person he had in mind, hoping he could remember them well enough despite only meeting them once. He was happy to see the portal form and moved through, hand on his gun, ready to draw. Blackness enveloped his vision, and when it faded… there was a wand pointed straight at his face!
Without a thought he drew his revolver and aimed it right at the wand's owner, just barely keeping himself from blowing their head off. The two stared each other down before the wand wielder spoke.
"Who are you, how did you get here, and what are you doing here?" Narcissa Malfoy said in a surprisingly dangerous voice.
"Hello Mrs. Malfoy. I'm sorry to drop in unannounced." Harry said calmly, ready for any attack, but keeping from doing anything as she hadn't done anything yet. "We've only met briefly once before. My name is Harry Potter."
Narcissa gave a small start of surprise, her eyes widening, before they narrowed. "So it's true… You're back."
Harry flashed her an insolent smile. "Indeed."
She pursed her lips. "You haven't answered my other questions. How did you get here? The wards should have kept anybody out." She eyed the portal that was still open behind him. "Though I'll admit, I had not seen such a method of travel before."
"There's that wand waver arrogance." Harry said with a small smirk. "There are more magics than just the kind taught at Hogwarts. I've been lucky enough to be able to learn some. It's served me well so far, seeing as your wards aren't set up to stop them."
Narcissa eyed him. "I see… Why have you come then?"
Deciding to take a chance Harry lifted his weapon away from her face, pointing it up. "I'm here to cause as much havoc to Tom's forces as possible and deny them as many resources as possible."
Narcissa blinked. "You're here to loot us?"
Harry smirked. "And maim some Carrion Munchers while I'm at it, yes."
The blond seemed to waver slightly before letting her wand drop with a sigh. "Fine. I am past caring anyway."
Now it was Harry's turn to blink. "That's… not the reaction I expected. I figured you'd likely curse me."
The witch went and sat on her bed, looking exhausted. "What good would that do me, exactly? You were able to kill my sister, and fought off the Dark Lord in Hogsmeade. I may be a decent fighter, but I know I have no chance. It is best for my safety if I step aside and let you do as you wish."
"That's more… pragmatic… than I expected." Harry said carefully.
Narcissa elegantly raised an eyebrow at him. "Potter, I am a Slytherin. Foolishly dying for lost causes is a Gryffindor's part and parcel."
Harry couldn't help the grin that appeared on his face. "Point." He looked around, just now noticing the fact that the door to the room was barred with most likely conjured steel that glowed softly. "Something tells me that you haven't exactly been having an easy time of it in the first place."
"My family has fallen out of favor with the Dark Lord since the Department of Mysteries battle." She said scathingly. "So whatever protection I had as Lucius' wife is gone." She looked at Harry somewhat imperiously. "I am a beautiful woman, Potter. I'm well aware of it. And so are my husband's former 'colleagues'." Then, to his surprise, she let a vicious little smile appear on her face. "That doesn't mean they have had any success. I am a Black by birth. I know more than enough spells to make them rethink their approach."
Harry frowned. "I see. Have you even left this room recently?"
Narcissa shook her head. "No. I have my own en suite for bathing, and my house elf provides me food and books from the library when able."
Harry gazed at her for a few moments before sighing and muttering 'saving people thing' to himself. "Fine. I'll get you out of here."
Narcissa stared at him. "You'll… what?"
"I'm not going to be stupid about this, though. Give me an oath you won't reveal my secrets to Voldemort or anybody you know or suspect supports him. That includes your son and your husband. You do that, and I'll take you somewhere safe to stay till I figure out somewhere to put you." He waited as she continued staring at him in shock. "Well?"
"You're serious." She said in disbelief.
"Very." He responded, crossing his arms as he watched her.
Narcissa licked her lips, obviously thinking furiously. "I… very well." She raised her wand. "I, Narcissa Malfoy nee Black, so swear that I will not knowingly reveal any of Harry James Potter's secrets to any person I know or suspect of being aligned with the Dark Lord V-Vo-Voldemort. So mote it be." There was a flash of light, and Narcissa looked at him hopefully.
Harry nodded. "Alright, grab whatever you think you need or don't want either me or the Death Eaters to have. Quickly. I've taken enough time as it is."
As Narcissa quickly called her house elf and began packing things away Harry leaned against the wall, wondering how his friends would take what he was about to do.
The idea of raiding Death Eater estates and causing as much havoc as possible had come to him while he was with the Titans, and they'd been, for the most part, supportive of the idea. It was only later that the idea to take the opportunity to rob them blind while at it came to him, and he'd decided not to bring it up to them. He knew they wouldn't agree to that. He was quite sure there was some rule somewhere about it.
He looked up as Narcissa stepped before him, a large trunk full of things at floating lightly at her feet. "I'm ready, Potter."
Harry nodded. "Alright. One last thing before I send you and your house elf away. Any hidden areas in the mansion where your husband kept valuables or gold?"
Narcissa hesitated before speaking. "Under the drawing room. Lucius kept a supply of gold and other valuables there. I recommend caution with everything but the gold, however. Most things there are cursed. You can access it by turning the head of a bust of Lucius' grandfather."
"Thank you." He focused, and a new portal appeared, Narcissa looking at it apprehensively. "Through that portal is the place I'm staying in for the moment. It's in a muggle building, so don't leave. I won't be long."
Narcissa nodded. "Very well." She proceeded to slowly and carefully walk through the portal.
Harry gave her a minute to get clear of it before letting it dissipate. "Alright then…" He grinned. "Time to get to work." Before anything else, deciding he might as well, he went through the room for any jewelry Narcissa left behind, coming up with some clearly expensive pieces, which he promptly put in an enchanted bag he'd brought along specifically to carry his plunder.
He looked at the barred door and rolled his eyes at the stupidity of some people. He moved to the wall beside the door. He held out his hand, already deciding to screw subtlety, and blasted the wall, creating a large enough hole to walk through. He walked into the opulent hallways of the manor and looked around before heading to where he guessed the drawing room was.
It was as he turned the corner that he ran into his first Death Eater. The man stopped, looking dumbfounded, wand held in a shaking grip. "W-who are you!?"
Harry grinned. "Hello friend. Have you heard the good word?"
"Go-good word?" The wizard asked, off balance.
"Yeah, this word. Stupefy." Harry said, pointing a finger at the enemy.
The Death Eater, obviously not exactly the brightest bulb around, simply gaped as the red light rocketed towards him, sending him flying onto his back, unconscious.
Harry whistled a cheerful little tune as he walked forward, drawing his revolver. The next wizard that appeared a short while later was not so unprepared, raising his wand to aim at Harry, who quickly took aim and fired. His shot slammed into the Death Eater's wand hand, mangling it and breaking the wand in the process. He dropped, screaming in pain, so Harry fired another shot, this time a stunning bullet, making him go silent.
He prepared himself for more attacks now that the man's screams had announced his presence. He walked cautiously, reading for anything.
"Avada Kedavra!" Was called behind him, making him whirl around. He smacked the green light away without a thought and proceeded to fire back at the Death Eater behind him. This DE was smarter than his fellows, however, ducking around a corner into cover, only his wand poking out and launching multiple spells at Harry. Harry quickly created a dark shield to block the attacks.
Unable to aim properly at the DE through his shield, and unfortunate side effect of the dark energy used to create it, Harry holstered his weapon and placed a hand on the wall, focusing on what he wanted to have happen. Before long his assailant gave a cry followed by some weak gurgles as he died, a spike having burst from the wall and impaled him thanks to Harry's transfiguration.
Once he was sure he wouldn't be attacked immediately he resumed making his way to the drawing room. Thankfully he reached it without further incident. He peered in, checking for hostiles, before entering and closing the doors behind him, focusing on his magic to bar them similarly to what Narcissa had done in her room in order to avoid being disturbed. Once that was done He looked around for the bust the woman had informed him about and, once he found it, twisted it as he'd been told. He watched as the floor sank away, leaving a staircase leading down into torchlit shadow.
Drawing his gun again just in case, he moved down into the room below. He paused briefly when he heard someone frantically trying to get in. He smirked. "Be right out!" He called, chuckling to himself as those on the other side of the door started cursing and trying harder to get in.
He took a moment to look around once he reached the bottom. On one side of the room there were shelves full of artifacts and books. Remembering Narcissa's warning he kept his distance from them, wary of any curses they might have. He looked at the other side and grinned, finding a pile of bags, each heavy with Galleons.
Still being careful, he waved his hands over the pile, checking for any magic from them. Thankfully they came up clean, and Harry began grabbing them and putting them in his enchanted bag with a smirk on his face. This would put a nice dent in Tom's available funds, which could only be good.
After he got every coin into his bag he left the room and closed it, ignoring the sound of a large amount of people trying to get into the drawing room. Then he turned to consider the door. It sounded like there were a large amount of Death Eaters on the other side, considering how many voices were shouting. Probably everybody currently in the manor, twenty of the fools by his estimate.
He looked around, searching for something he could use. He could just leave now while they tried to get in, having robbed them of a large amount of gold. However, he wanted to cause more havoc for them, not satisfied with just taking three of them out. He spotted various tasteless knickknacks scattered around the room, and slowly an evil grin grew on his face.
Outside of the room nearly two dozen Death Eaters launched spells at the door to the drawing room, intent on reaching the intruder and doing some rather unpleasant things to them. It was as they were about to launch another barrage of spells that they were interrupted when the wall beside the door burst open, launching one of the Death Eaters into the opposite wall. They turned to see what caused it, more than one gaping at the strange creature standing in the hole in the wall.
It was large. A full head taller than the tallest of them. It was heavily muscled and covered in bright green skin. Its face was brutish, with a heavy jaw that sported two large tusks from it and small, glaring eyes. It was dressed in patchwork clothes and held a crude cleaver in its enormous fist.
As the creature spotted them it raised its weapon and roared. "WAAAAAAAAAGH!"
To the Death Eaters' consternation its call was answered by several more, similar voices within the drawing room. They raised their wands in more than slight panic as the monster rushed them, swinging its weapon, and more burst through the walls and door.
The wizards screamed in panic and pain as they started casting, trying to kill the monsters before they were all butchered. Crude and makeshift melee weapons tore into them as the green monsters advanced, ripping through the humans like tissue paper, seemingly unstoppable. Even when hit with an AK all it did was blow chunks off of them, which didn't seem to manage to slow them down.
Soon nearly all the Death Eaters were dead, and in desperation one of the remaining ones, Crabbe, launched a blast of Fiendfyre. On the upside, it started destroying the monsters. On the downside, he lost control of it and it turned on him and his fellows, killing them all the same.
Harry, who had remained to keep the transfiguration going, gulped when he saw the cursed flames. "Ok, I think that's my cue to leave." He hurriedly opened a portal and dived through as a serpent made of flames moved to take him out.
Narcissa jumped to her feet from the armchair she was sitting on in the common room of the penthouse when he suddenly appeared, hurriedly closing the portal behind himself. "What happened?"
Harry got up, dusting himself off. "Ah, well…" He gave her a sheepish grin. "You… might not be going home for a while."
She eyed him. "For how long?"
"Umm… forever?" As she stared at him he explained further. "One of the idiots there decided Fiendfyre would be a fantastic idea. You can guess how that went."
Narcissa closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I… see…"
They were silent for a few moments before Harry let out a cough. "Anyway… I got what I needed and did what I'd set out to do. So I'm going to shower and order room service. Do you want anything to eat?"
She eyed him before nodding. "I could eat, I suppose…"
"Alright. I'll call the kitchen and order something. You go sit and watch television or something."
Narcissa blinked. "Tele… vision?"
Harry grabbed the remote and turned the TV on, making Narcissa jump and stare at the sudden images and sound. As she observed he went through the channels, looking for something that might entertain her. Finally he stopped it on The Fellowship of the Ring, which was luckily just starting. "There, watch that."
She warily retook her seat. "What… is it?"
"It's like a moving picture that tells a story. That one shouldn't have much that'll confuse you technology wise. Just be aware that the magic in the story doesn't work the same as wizarding magic."
She nodded, eyes observing the movie, as Harry proceeded to order room service and head for the shower, shaking his head.
When he'd gone out earlier, he hadn't planned on ending up with a roommate. "Funny how things work out." He muttered to himself as the water began to cascade down his body.
Still, he thought he could call this day a success.
Hello all, it is I, your author!
New update, finally. Shorter chapter than usual, but it's mostly a transitory chapter setting up what Harry's doing now and how he's screwing with Tom. Things will pick up soon. I don't plan for many chapters to pass before we finally begin the multiversal journey. Considering what I have planned to happen, it'll probably just be one more chapter with a timeskip in it before those events are set in motion.
In case anybody is interested in knowing, someone from the DC verse will be joining Harry in his travels through myriad worlds. Place your bets now, who do you think it's going to be!? It's someone that's shown up before. That's the only hint I'm giving out.
Also, yes, those were WH40K orks Harry created. I did mention he liked the universe, and the thought of a bunch of DEs facing a group of orks screaming their customary 'WAAAAAGH!' tickled my fancy.
Also also, no, Narcissa is not in the running for the pairing with Harry. I know she's supposed to be a MILF (in the books, at least. Never saw the movies beyond PoA), and as entertaining as Draco's reaction would be, it's not happening. Just to head that off.
In other news, I started yet another story since this last updated. For those interested, it's a Xander centric Buffy story called On Swirling Ashes. It's only got one chapter so far, but the response till now has been positive.
I'll also be beginning yet another story. Yes, I know, I have plenty, but the plot bunny won't leave me alone. It's actually the crossover concept I shared in the author's notes of chapter 5 of this story. I'll begin work on it tomorrow, and hopefully have the first chapter of it up this weekend. Just need to think of a name for it.
I also have a Zelda story gnawing on my brain, but one project at a time.
I think that's it for now. I'll talk to you all again soon enough. Till then, take care. And don't forget to review.