A/N - Hello everyone. Sorry for the wait. As I've said in the past I'm not the fastest writer in the world and when I don't have any advance chapters written the time between new installments can be long. Fortunately you won't have to put up with that for too long with this story as it's almost finished.
I split this chapter in two because it was getting too long and because the two halves are quite different from each other so it made sense to make them into separate chapters. Because of that the next chapter is already finished and you'll get it in a week's time as regularly scheduled. After that there's only one more chapter before Part 2 is done.
Thank you everyone for pushing this story past 100,000 views!
Disclaimer: The X-Men were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and belong to Marvel Comics. Harry Potter was created by and belongs to J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this and the only thing that's mine are the original parts of the story.
"Normal speech"
"Telepathy"
43) AFTERMATH
"So here we are again at Hogwarts after a battle" said Iceman, "is this going to happen every year?"
"Probably" said Lightning thinking about how every year since he'd entered Hogwarts had included a battle of some kind. This continued happening even after he left Hogwarts. The yearly fight record was now 4 out of 4. First year had been Voldemort, second year was the basilisk (controlled by one of Voldemort's horcruxes), third year had been Magneto and the Brotherhood. That was the only year where the battle hadn't involved Voldemort somehow. This year it was Voldemort again, this time with his Death Eaters and allies. He wondered what would happen next year although a small part of him hoped that with Voldemort defeated that there would be no battle next year. He wasn't counting on it though.
"There isn't going to be a big feast this time, is there?" asked Marvel Girl, "I know we won but since people died it seems wrong somehow."
"There won't be a feast today" said Dumbledore, "the Great Hall is being used as a first aid station. Everyone will need to be accounted for before the students can be let out of their houses. By now the students probably want to break down their house doors. Once the field has been cleaned up I'll have the house elves serve a very informal lunch out here."
"That sounds good" said Cyclops, "somehow I don't think people will be in the mood for victory speeches or toasts or any of that stuff."
The DMLE would be kept very busy for the rest of the day. Almost all of the Death Eaters were taken down in the fight but not many of them had been killed. Maybe this had more to do with the ethics of the superhero teams. Both of them consciously did their best to avoid killing people if they could. At any rate when Lightning later saw the list of Death Eaters who had died he didn't recognize many of their names. The only ones he did know were Lestrange, Parkinson, and Nott. He didn't know the others.
The Death Eaters who didn't die were all taken into custody by the aurors. There were a lot of them, including many of the ones who had been arrested at the Quidditch World Cup. Many of them were badly injured and had to be taken to the prison wards at St. Mungo's before being moved to holding cells at the ministry to await their trials.
The defenders didn't escape unscathed. The presence of the superheroes and sorcerers had kept casualties low but not nonexistent. It was mainly aurors who were killed. Gawain Robards fell to curses as did Auror John Dawlish. A curse caught Rufus Scrimgeour in the back at his waist and badly injured his spine there. He would live but for the rest of his life would only be able to walk with magical aids. Kingsley Shacklebolt suffered a broken arm and burns on a few parts of his body. Tonks had come through okay but Professor Sprout had bad bruises on her ribs while Professor Vector and Professor Sinistra suffered similar injuries. Fortunately they would all make full recoveries. Both Hagrid and Madame Maxime had fared better than many others as their giant blood gave them some magical resistance that other people didn't have. Headmaster Karkaroff had been killed by several Death Eaters who had ganged up on him. It came out later that Karkaroff had been a Death Eater himself but had turned State's Evidence in '81 and helped send a lot of Death Eaters to prison. His past finally caught up with him today when several of his former comrades had taken revenge on him for that.
Bellatrix Lestrange's fate had shocked just about everyone who saw her body before it was removed from the front of the school. Although it was removed quickly it wasn't fast enough and the sight of her body vertically spitted like a pig being prepared for roasting was one that would haunt more than a few of those who saw it. Later, when the details of her death were made public it was given out that Neville had killed her with a blast of accidental magic unleashed while he was being tortured. This was accepted without question because it was completely plausible and even likely for such a situation. The only people who knew the truth were the X-Men, Dumbledore, and, later on, Neville's parents and grandmother, and those of Harry's friends who knew Neville was a mutant.
As soon as they could the X-Men made their way into the Great Hall which looked like it had been converted into a hospital ward with beds laid out in rows up and down the room. Madame Pomfrey was busy treating patients but she wasn't alone. As soon as injured people began coming in Minister Fudge had contacted St. Mungo's on her behalf and managed to arrange for some of their healers to come to Hogwarts to help her. In addition Fudge had made himself useful by helping where he could under the direction of the healers. He was the one who had brought Neville in from the entrance hall right after the boy had screamed and passed out. When Fudge saw the reason for Neville's screaming he felt like passing out himself but instead elected to stay conscious and move Neville to a bed for treatment.
When the X-Men reached his bed they were surprised to see Neville awake, alert, and not nearly the wreck they thought he might be. Neville explained that Professor X had been talking to him almost as soon as he woke up.
"The professor should be a mind healer" said Neville.
"What did he tell you?" asked Cyclops.
"That's between Mr. Longbottom and myself" said Professor Xavier to all of them.
"What a copout" groused Iceman.
"Is that so Bobby?" said the professor, "perhaps you would like everyone to know your personal business?"
"Not really" said Iceman backing off.
"Your family will be proud, won't they?" asked Lightning, "considering you just took out the worst of the people who tortured your parents?"
"I hope so" said Neville, "the minister was quite pleased. He said I might get a medal."
"I can believe that" said Mage, "and don't worry Neville, my cousin was an incredibly crazy harpy. I won't hold it against you that she's dead."
"I'm sorry we couldn't keep you safe" said Cyclops, "but you did good. I just wish you hadn't had to suffer for it though."
"That's okay" said Neville, "I'm looking forward to seeing you all again in a couple of weeks. After today I want to step up my training."
"Your family is still okay with you coming?" asked Marvel Girl, "I thought you and your parents would want to spend time together."
"We have been" said Neville, "they've been staying at Hogwarts since they woke up. We've been catching up for two months already. I think they might want some time alone pretty soon and the summer seems like a good time for that."
By now there were a lot more people in the Great Hall and it was starting to get a bit crowded. Lightning felt a little uncomfortable with all of the people in the room.
"I'm going to head back outside" he said to his teammates, "I need to think over and process everything that's happened today."
"You do that" said Cyclops, "considering what today meant for you I think you have the right to some privacy." Everyone else on the team agreed with Cyclops so Lightning nodded to his teammates and left the Great Hall to head outside again.
Once he was outside the castle Lightning took off and flew to the far side of the lake. He landed where he, Ron, and Hermione had talked after he first revealed himself to them the previous year after the X-Men had driven Magneto and the Brotherhood away from Hogwarts. After he landed he stood there for a while looking out over the lake and across it to where the castle stood basking in the rays of the mid-day sun. He wasn't quite sure why he had come to this spot except that it was away from everyone else and it let him be alone for a little while. After staring at the view for some time he sat down on the ground and closed his eyes as he relaxed and let the adrenalin of the battle completely leave him. It was peaceful here and he needed that.
"How are you feeling Harry?" Professor Xavier called to him after a while. Lightning didn't open his eyes.
"A bit strange" said Lightning, "hard to believe that Tom is finally beaten, hopefully for the last time."
"I agree" said Xavier, "you said after facing Juggernaut that Voldemort didn't scare you anymore – "
"Tom" interrupted Lightning, "his name is Tom Riddle. He doesn't deserve a fancy role playing name."
"Tom Riddle" repeated Xavier, "was he less scary this time?"
"Yeah" said Lightning, "I don't know if it's because I've dealt with worse than him in the last couple of years, or because I'm older and stronger now, or because the team was with me, or maybe all of those things together, but he just wasn't scary anymore. Mind you that didn't make him any less dangerous – but he wasn't scary."
"I'm glad to hear it" said Xavier, "you should open your eyes now. Your friends are approaching you."
"Thank you professor" said Lightning. He opened his eyes and saw Ron and Hermione walking towards him. He gestured for them to come join him. Soon Ron was sitting on his left and Hermione was sitting on his right.
"We thought you might be here" said Hermione.
"I guess I am a bit predictable" said Lightning with a wan smile.
"To those of us who know you maybe" said Ron, "but that's not a bad thing."
"How do you feel?" asked Hermione.
"Professor X just asked me the same thing a few minutes ago" said Lightning, "I'd say relieved more than anything else."
"I can understand that" said Hermione.
"What do you think the ministry will do with You-Know-Who?" asked Ron, "will he go to Azkaban? Or will they kill him because of everything he's done?"
"Honestly?" said Lightning, "as long as I never have to deal with him again I don't really care what they do with him."
Both of his friends nodded. They sat for a few moments in silence just staring back at the castle.
"How much of the fight did you see?" asked Lightning.
"Almost all of it" said Hermione.
"I thought you might have" said Lightning as he remembered that Gryffindor Tower overlooked the front of the school.
"It was wicked mate" said Ron, "even more than last year."
"There was a lot more of it than last year" said Lightning.
"I wish I could have helped you" said Ron.
"I wish you wouldn't feel that way" said Lightning, "have you seen Neville?"
"No" said Hermione, "but we heard about what happened to him. I hope he'll be okay."
"He'll be fine" said Lightning, "probably better than he's been in a long time once he recovers from the experience although right now he'll probably say he could have done without it."
Lightning took a breath and sighed.
"When we saw him outside the castle we said we'd take care of him" he said, "Professor X told Dumbledore we wouldn't let anything happen to him."
"No one's perfect mate" said Ron, "not even Professor X. Besides after this I don't think anyone will make fun of Neville anymore."
"Probably not" said Lightning nodding his head. (This turned out to be correct. All bullying of Neville stopped completely after that day as no one else wanted to end up like Bellatrix Lestrange. Even the Weasley Twins didn't tease him or play any pranks on him like they did on other people. The fact that Neville Longbottom, of all people, had killed Bellatrix Lestrange made just about everyone reassess him. The Slytherins, who had made up most of his bullies, went out of their ways to avoid him for a while. After that they treated him with much more respect than they used to.)
"At least Hogwarts didn't take any damage" said Hermione.
"We kept all of the fighting outside" said Lightning, "I'm sure it didn't do the front lawn any favors though. At least the Quidditch stadium is undamaged."
"Considering that's where the third task will be held in two weeks that's a good thing" said Hermione. Lightning chuckled.
"The third task" he said, "would you believe that I almost forgot about it today? It's going to be an anti-climax. Today was the real third task."
"Can't argue with that mate" said Ron.
"When I come back for the third task" said Lightning, "I wonder how many people are going to try to tell me about Voldemort getting beaten today?"
"You think people won't realize you get the news in America?" asked Hermione.
"I'm sure they will" said Lightning getting increasingly sarcastic as he spoke, "actually I was wondering more about how many people will want to talk to Harry Potter the Boy-Who-Lived about why he wasn't here to beat You-Know-Who himself like he's supposed to."
"You can't really mean that" said Hermione sounding shocked at what Lightning said and his tone of voice.
"No, he's right" said Ron, "Remember how everyone treated him when we first got to Hogwarts? This would just be another part of all of that. I bet Malfoy will probably come up to you and accuse you of being a coward because you weren't here."
"After what he did Malfoy can say whatever he wants" said Lightning who went on before Ron could saying anything, "if it hadn't been for his letter to Professor Xavier Riddle would probably have taken the school. The aurors wouldn't have been here, neither would the Avengers, or Dr. Strange and his mentor, or us. None of us would have known to come. Think about what that would have been like. A much larger number of people would have probably died."
"You're right" said Hermione, "the muggleborns would have all been killed – including me!"
"You-Know-Who probably would have done something special to you" said Ron, "me too, because we're Harry's friends and everyone knows it. And all of my siblings too since my family are considered blood traitors."
"And Susan and Neville" said Hermione, "and any other light kids who aren't pure bloods. Would anyone be left alive at the end of all of that?"
"It's a good thing we'll never know" said Lightning, "so leave Malfoy alone. Don't tell anyone what he did either. It's not safe for people to know yet. Too many of his house mates have Death Eater parents. Hopefully that won't matter as more time goes by but it matters right now."
"Lightning!" a voice called and the three friends turned to see Angel flying towards them from over the lake, "there you are. We were wondering where you'd got to."
Lightning and his friends stood up as Angel landed near them.
"Everything okay?" Lightning asked his teammate.
"Oh yeah" said Angel, "lunch is being served on the lawn. The house elves have set up a buffet for anyone who's hungry." Lightning's stomach growled a bit just then and he laughed.
"Lunch sounds good" he said before turning to Ron and Hermione, "do either of you want a lift back?"
"Yeah that would be great" said Ron with some enthusiasm.
"No, thank you" said Hermione, "you know how I feel about flying."
"I'm not a broom Hermione" said Lightning.
"I can take you if you want" said Angel, "I won't drop you."
"Do it Hermione" said Ron, "How many people do you know who get to fly with the X-Men?" Hermione slapped her forehead with exasperation but acquiesced since she knew she wouldn't hear the end of it if she said no. Angel picked her up bridal style, took off, and headed across the lake.
"Your turn" said Lightning to Ron and he lifted him up in the air with his telekinesis as he took off. He flew Ron across the lake just as he had done with Neville back in late March. Knowing how much Ron loved to fly Lightning flew him both higher and faster than he had done with Neville. Ron loved it and gave out a whoop of joy causing Lightning to laugh.
They landed back on the near side of the lake next to Angel and Hermione.
"Your stop" said Lightning to his two friends, "see you both at the buffet!" He took off again without waiting for either of them to say anything. He flew up to about 50 feet, turned around and flew straight down at Angel.
"You're it!" he said to Angel as he tagged him and then flew off again.
"Ha!" said Angel taking off after him, "you asked for it this time!"
"Boys" huffed Hermione as she watched the two flying mutants go chasing after each other.
"Let them enjoy it" said Ron, "after what they've been through they have a right to some fun."
Angel and Lightning didn't play for long. They chased each other across the lawn to the buffet and landed a short distance away from the food. Angel tackled Lightning to the ground.
"Do you give?" asked Angel pinning his teammate.
"I give – not!" said Lightning as he telekinetically tossed Angel off of him.
They both laughed, stood up again and went to get some food. The rest of the team was there ahead of them and soon they were all eating their fill. The Avengers were also there having a meal (even Iron Man who raised his mask up just enough to expose his mouth but not so anyone could see his full face) and Dr. Strange and the Ancient One were there too. The two sorcerers were talking softly with Dumbledore and no one could hear what they were saying to each other.
By now most of the school was out on the lawn and everyone was having lunch. The mood was mostly upbeat but also subdued. People had died on both sides during the battle and everyone knew it. Out of respect for the dead no one felt like celebrating too much.
As Lightning munched on a sandwich he caught sight of Draco Malfoy near the edge of the crowd. He caught Cyclops' eye and gestured with his head in Malfoy's direction. Cyclops nodded and sent a thought to Marvel Girl who sent a thought to Malfoy directing him to go off on his own. It was very subtle. Malfoy didn't consciously hear it but it worked. Malfoy soon wandered away from the crowd and went around the side of the castle where he was out of sight from everyone else. One by one the X-Men followed him and soon all seven members of the team were standing with Malfoy who looked surprised to see them all.
"Hello Mr. Malfoy" said Cyclops.
"Hello" said Malfoy, "to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"
"We just wanted to thank you for your help" said the team leader, "we all read the letter you sent to our mentor. That was very brave of you and we're glad you're safe."
"It was nothing" said Malfoy.
"On the contrary" said Beast, "it was everything. Your epistle to our esteemed Professor X is the entire reason why we are here today to defend this remarkable institution of learning from your Dark Lord and his followers."
"He's right" said Professor Xavier joining the conversation, "it made all the difference in the world. You deserve a significant amount of credit for doing what you did. I know how hard it was for you. Well done."
"Th-thank you" said Malfoy clearly not used to receiving compliments like that.
"You're welcome" said the professor.
"What will you do now?" asked Marvel Girl, "your father was one of the Death Eaters that was captured."
"I don't know" said Malfoy, "try to pick up the pieces I guess. I'm sorry my father's in trouble but I'm not sorry that the Dark Lord's been stopped. My mother will feel the same way."
"Well good luck to you" said Cyclops.
"Thank you" said Malfoy, "do you mind if I, uh, stay in touch? I mean you're some the first people who are older than me who have actually, well, listened to what I had to say and taken it seriously and well – "
"If you ever want to talk" said the professor cutting in, "just think at me and I'll hear you."
"Thank you professor" said Malfoy. One by one all of the X-Men shook his hand and began to drift back toward the front of the castle. Lightning was last.
"That was a real good thing you did" he said to Malfoy when they shook hands, "even if you keep your contribution secret forever you're one of the winners today."
"I appreciate your saying that" said Malfoy, "especially considering our earlier encounters."
"Ancient history" said Lightning waving it away, "but if you want to take it as a lesson just be a little nicer to people from now on, regardless of who they are or what kind of blood they have."
"I'll try" said Malfoy, "I really will. I can't guarantee I'll succeed for a while but I will work on it."
"That's all anyone can ask" said Lightning "see you around." Lightning took off and flew up and over the top of the castle. Malfoy smiled as the young X-Man flew out of sight. Lightning was right. No matter what anyone else said or thought he was one of the winners today and maybe he had just made some new friends. He resolved to truly do his best to change for the better and start treating everyone as well as he could.
As lunch was ending Dumbledore got everyone's attention.
"This has been a hard day for all of us" said Dumbledore, "thankfully it hasn't been nearly as bad as it could have been but there were still casualties today. I'd like everyone to take a moment and be silent out of respect for those who gave their lives defending our school."
Everyone on the lawn fell silent and stayed that way for a long moment. Today was a day none of them would ever forget and there was no telling what kind of effects it would have on on their world going forward from here.
"Thank you" said Dumbledore, "students of Hogwarts, faculty, Aurors, Avengers, X-Men, Sorcerers, Minister, I hope we never face a day like today ever again. We'll all have to work hard to make sure such a situation doesn't repeat in the future but I'm sure we can do it. The fact that so many of us came together today to face a deadly threat gives me hope for the future. Let's do our best to see that our future is a good one. So mote it be."
"So mote it be" replied most of the crowd when Dumbledore was finished speaking.
The X-Jet arrived not long after that. Not many people were surprised to see it this year as most of the students and staff at Hogwarts had been present when it had come to the school the previous year. All it meant was that it was time for the X-Men to leave again. This time they wouldn't be heading home alone as the Avengers would be returning to New York with them. Dr. Strange and the Ancient One would be returning home via portal. Goodbyes were said all around and the two teams boarded the plane which soon took off and headed back to America.
When the X-Men got back to the X-Mansion (and after having said good-bye to the Avengers who went back to the city) the team went to Professor Xavier's office for debriefing.
"Welcome back" said Xavier when he saw his team, "there are many things I could say but right now I think 'well done' would seem to cover the situation nicely. You should all take the rest of the weekend off. There will be plenty of other menaces to face in the future but today you've earned a break."
The team took it easy for the rest of the day and no one did much although Harry portkeyed over to Ilvermorny in the afternoon to assure Ororo that he was fine and tell her all about what had happened.
"What will you do?" she asked Harry when he was done telling her the whole story, "now that Voldemort is beaten?"
"I'll relax today" said Harry, "then I'll get back to preparing for the third task in two weeks. Will you be there?"
"Of course" said Ororo as she gave him a quick peck on the cheek, "I wouldn't dream of missing it."
(To Be Continued)
A/N: That's all for this week. I hope you liked this chapter. As usual please take a moment to leave me some feedback. Constructive comments are always welcome but no flames or trolls please. As always stay safe and well everyone and I'll see you all in the next chapter.