MoP

Harry Potter and the Myriad of Possibilities: Prologue

Chapter 24: Deception, Part 10.

Disclaimer: This is solely a not-for-profit fan activity and does not intend to infringe on copyrights held by Time Warner, DC Comics, Bloomsbury et al, and JK Rowling. Any characters that are original to this work remain the property of the author.

A/N: The Myriad of Possibilities Series primarily uses the background from the Harry Potter books but some elements and scenes have been borrowed from other sources – including the movies, Pottermore and my own headcanon – that will be covered where they fit into the narrative. The timeline of the DC Comics elements borrows heavily from Young Justice (2011) and may adapt elements and characters from the comics and several additional other media instalments – including but not limited to Smallville (2001) and Superman and Lois (2021) – and relocates events of Young Justice to the Eighties and early Nineties rather than the New Tens as screened and includes several 'legacy' and original characters as a result. Any other recognisable characters belong to their copyright holders.

A/N: Thanks to 6f5e4d for their help on this chapter.


Gotham.
October 1, 21:22 EDT.

Artemis' cell phone rang as she was climbing the stairs to her apartment. She fished it out of her jacket and answered it. "Artemis."

"Artemis, it's Leslie Thompkins."

Please don't need me to come in tonight, Artemis thought tiredly. "Hi, Doc."

"I hope you weren't injured during the plant attack?"

"No, I'm fine, just a bit tired," Artemis replied.

Doctor Thompkins paused for a moment. "I could really use your help here… it's been pretty crazy since the plant attack."

Artemis sighed. "I'll be there as soon as I change into my uniform."

"We'll be waiting," replied the doctor and hung up.

Artemis slipped her phone back into her jacket and moved to open her door.

"Artemis! Are you all right? I was worried."

"I'm fine, Mom," Artemis assured her mother as she wheeled into the corridor. "Doctor Thompkins needs me at the clinic."

"Are you sure?" asked her mother as she looked her up and down. "You're tired, hurt…?"

"I took a hit or two," Artemis admitted. "But I've had much worse from Dad in training. I'll be fine."

Her mother frowned, then sighed. "Be careful."

"I will," Artemis assured and turned to go into her room.


Thomas Wayne Memorial Clinic.
21:44 EDT.

Dr Thompkins was ruling the organised chaos with an iron hand when Artemis slipped in through the loading door. As soon as she spotted Artemis, she smiled wearily. "Artemis, thanks for coming."

"That's okay, Doc," Artemis assured her. "Where do you need me?"

"Can you go up the front and triage first?" she asked. "Crystal's up there at the moment, but she's been on since two without a break."

"No problem," agreed Artemis. "I'll just dump my bag and get started."

She waited for an accepting nod from the older woman and then weaved her way carefully through the throng to the small staffroom. She'd expected the room to be empty, but it wasn't. A young blonde girl covered in a purple blanket was sleeping on one of the sofas.

The girl stirred. "Mom…?" she mumbled, a puzzle book sliding off the blanket and hitting the floor as she raised a hand to rub her eyes and stare at the new arrival "Artemis?"

Artemis nodded, then turned away to slip off her jacket and hang it up. "I'll send your mom into see you when I go out."

"Okay," Stephanie agreed and settled back down again.

Artemis quickly checked her appearance in the mirror over the sink, then crossed the room and quietly left the room. Once she was in the corridor, she turned away from the main treatment area and headed down a short corridor to the front of the clinic in search of Crystal Brown.

It didn't take her long to find her.

Artemis waited until the older blonde finished checking over her latest patient – a middle-aged black woman with a large bleeding cut to the head – who Artemis vaguely recognised from the neighbourhood but couldn't put a name too.

"I'll try and get you in as soon as I can, Mrs Rhodes," Crystal assured her. "But as you can see we're still very busy."

"That's okay, dear," Mrs Rhodes assured her comfortably as she pressed a pad to her own wound. "Take care of the people that need it first, I'll be fine here."

Crystal gave the other woman a small but genuine smile, then turned away and spotted Artemis. This time the smile was much broader. "Help at last," she commented with a grin.

"Doc says I'm to relieve you," Artemis told her.

Crystal looked conflicted. "But we're still so busy…"

"I think Steph would prefer to sleep in her own bed," Artemis suggested, gently.

Crystal paused and then nodded.

Artemis took the tablet from her hand and then watched her hurry into the back. Once the older woman was out of sight, she checked the device and then turned back to the waiting public. "Li Mùchén?"


October 2, 08:16 EDT.

"Artemis!"

The soft insistent voice cut through the fog of Artemis' mind better than the shaking of her shoulder had. She sat up in her chair and looked around groggily at the woman who'd woken her. "What, where am I? What time is it?"

"Two o'clock," replied Detective Yin, then frowned. "What's the last thing you remember?"

Artemis paused, trying to remember. "We finished with the last of the rush about midnight, and I spent a couple of hours restocking… then I sat down to finish some paperwork…" she trailed off. "I must have dropped off."

"How long have you been here?" asked Yin, concern heavy in her voice.

"Since about ten," Artemis replied lightly as she scanned the paperwork. Then relaxed a little when she confirmed that her impromptu nap hadn't damaged anything.

"And you were at school yesterday?"

Artemis nodded.

The detective's frown deepened, then she turned and scanned the treatment area, looking for someone. "Leslie!"

"Yes, Detective?" asked the older woman as she exited one of the treatment bays.

"I'm taking Artemis home," replied the detective. "She needs some proper rest."

"But…" began Artemis as she tried to drag herself to her feet.

Dr Thompkins nodded. "I agree, we can manage here."

Artemis almost collapsed in relief, she didn't want to let them down, to endanger anyone but she'd been bone-tired for hours and the short nap had if anything made it worse. "I need my jacket."

Yin slung a protective arm around her and guided her towards the staff room. "Would you like to hear a story about our pointy-eared and workaholic friend?"

Artemis grinned.


Mount Justice.
16:16 EDT.

"Recognised, Arrowette B-Zero-Seven," declared the Computer as Artemis stepped out of the Zeta-Tube into the Mission Room, suited up and ready for action.

Kaldur and Robin stood with Captain Marvel and their 'den-mother' Zatara in the middle of the training ring. The team's new mascot, Wolf, raised his head to look in her direction but then looked away.

Obviously I'm not who he's waiting for, Artemis thought as she crossed over to the boys. "Have I missed much? They needed some help at the clinic after the Injustice League's attack."

"Nothing much," Robin admitted. "We've just been sparring. KF's parents wanted to keep him a home or a day or two, and SB and Miss M are at a football match."

A holo-screen popped out of nowhere and a familiar voice came out of it. "Miss Martian to the Cave."

Zatara reached up and activated the channel. "Go ahead, Miss Martian."

"There may be a situation over here in Ivy Town, Zatara," the girl continued. "I've tried to get hold of Batman, but apparently he's busy with other business."

The tuxedo-clad magician nodded. "I assume you wish me to authorise the Team to join you in his absence?"

"Yes."

"Can you explain the situation?"

"We haven't got all the details yet," M'gann admitted. "But one of the home team's star players missed the match today… When their coach went looking for him after the game, he found him hanging from the ceiling in one of the labs. Superboy got Mal Duncan to introduce him to his team-mates and he's questioning them now."

Odd timing for a suicide, Artemis thought. But I don't see why they need us…

Zatara asked M'gann the same question.

"Something doesn't feel right about it…" M'gann replied, then tailed off. "Superboy just told me that one of the other players mentioned that Roy Cassinelli – the dead student – may have been involved in some sort of magical cult…"

"Well, that does alter things somewhat," admitted Zatara, then glanced at Captain Marvel. "I believe a covert investigation by the Team is in order."

The other magical hero paused, but eventually nodded agreement.

"I'm not sure if Bio-Ship will let anyone fly her without me switching over to manual control," M'gann added. "And she's too far away for me to contact her telepathically."

"I will attempt to convince her," Kaldur interjected. "If not, then Arrowette, Robin, and I will Zeta to Providence and then ride over to Ivy Town on the motorcycles."

"I think that we should meet off-campus," M'gann suggested. "According to our source, one of the teaching staff and several other pupils are involved."

"That seems wise," Kaldur concurred. "Is there a particular location you would suggest?"

"There's a Big Belly Burger on Watkins," M'gann offered after a moment. "I doubt anyone would think anything of us meeting there?"

"We will be with you in a few moments," Kaldur agreed. "Cave out."


Ivy Town.
16:30 EDT.

The three teens slowed their bikes to a stop outside the restaurant, dismounted and removed their helmets. "I think I should leave my bow and quiver on the bike," Artemis offered. "But I'm keeping my crossbow."

"I agree," said Kaldur, then slipped off his water-bearers and stashed the pack in his bike's cargo bin.

"I've just talked to KF," Robin reported. "He asked his mom if he could join us, but she won't let him."

"Then we will have to manage without him," said Kaldur and lead the way towards the front of the restaurant.

Artemis spotted Conner and M'gann as soon as they were inside and pointed them out.

"Hi, guys!" said M'gann brightly as they sat down, then indicated the stranger who sat with them. "This is Mark Cornell, he's on the Ivy Town High School football team."

The curly-haired blond smiled at them. "Conner and Megan say that you guys have dealt with this sort of thing before."

"We have," confirmed Kaldur. "What can you tell us?"

Conner rose to his feet. "I'll get some drinks and fries for us."

"Mark, can you tell my friends what you told Conner and I?" asked M'gann.

The football player gulped, then nodded. "It was Mister Blackstone who started it…"

"Mister Blackstone?" repeated Robin.

"Al Blackstone, our chemistry teacher," clarified Mark.

Robin nodded, his expression inscrutable behind his dark glasses, then pulled out his phone and started typing on it. After a moment, he turned the device and showed the screen to the older boy. "Is that him?"

"That's him."

"I'll run a check to see if we have anything on him," Robin continued.

"Please continue, Mark," said Kaldur.

"It was all innocent fun and games at first," Mark replied. "Just fooling around with something to fill our nights in the off-season…"

Artemis nodded, growing up in Gotham she'd heard much weirder in her time.

"But a couple of weeks ago, it turned serious…" Mark continued. "He started talking about ceremonies that would lead us to real power…"

Oh, I don't like the sound of this… Artemis thought.

"We thought it was a riot at first and just played along…" he paused and shrugged. "We thought, 'why not it's harmless?'… but then two nights ago he summoned a demon in front of us!"

Yeah, I'm no expert, but even I know that anything that even looks like it could be a demon Is bad news, Artemis thought to herself.

"It scared the wits out of me…" Mark admitted. "But I guess Roy took it even harder and that's why he killed himself."

"That's possible," agreed Robin. "I'm not sure though… he might have been killed and then it was made to look like a suicide. I've seen it happen."

"Me too," added Artemis. "Do you know if the police are investigating?"

M'gann shook her head. "There were some rumblings about calling for a medical examiner, but the police don't seem keen."

"Do you know where the body is?"

"I'd guess Graceful Peace," replied Mark. "That's the local funeral home."

Artemis nodded. "I'd like to get a look at the body if I can…"

"Do you think that you can tell whether he really hanged himself?" Kaldur asked.

"Maybe," Artemis confirmed. "There are certain things to look for…"

Conner came over with their drinks and dumped a couple of baskets of fries on the table. "What's the plan?"
Kaldur took a drink before answering. "Mark, do you think there's likely to be another meeting of the coven tonight?"

The boy nodded.

"Artemis, I would like to see if you can get access to the body," Kaldur continued. "Perhaps you can tell if the death was suspicious or not."

"I can try."

Kaldur turned to M'gann. "Can you go with her?" When M'gann nodded her agreement, he turned back to their contact. "Can you show the rest of us to the ritual site so that we can set up surveillance?"

Mark looked stricken for a moment, but then a beep from his pocket distracted him before he could reply. He extracted the device and checked the message. "There's another meeting tonight."

"Then we should move quickly."

Artemis slowed their bike to a stop out of view of the main entrance of the Graceful Peace Funeral Home. (Can you tell if there's anyone inside?)

M'gann got off their bike and stood stock still for a moment, her eyes glowed for a moment and then faded. (There's one man at the reception desk, but he's relaxed and watching television.)

(Is he likely to wander?)

(I don't think so,) M'gann decided after a moment. (We should be fine as long as we don't set off any alarms.)

(No problem,) said Artemis, as she spotted a fire exit on the side of the building. (I'm pretty sure we can get in there, even if it has an alarm it's probably a basic one.)


Watkins Wood,
Ivy Town.
October 2, 20:16 EST.

(Is this the place?) Artemis asked as she and M'gann joined the boys on a grassy knoll overlooking a clearing in the middle of the forest. Both girls, Kaldur and Wally had all changed into their stealth suits, while the other boys still wore their regular outfits.

(We believe so,) Kaldur replied. (However, there has been no activity as yet. Do you have anything to report?)

Artemis made a face under her mask, then shrugged. (Inconclusive, the hyoid bone seems to be intact, which might argue against foul play in an adult, but…)

(Mr Carmel is an adolescent,) finished Kaldur for her.

(Yeah,)confirmed Artemis with a nod. (Which means the bone might not have hardened enough to break if someone else strangled him.)

(Miss Martian, do you have anything to add?)

(No, Aqualad.)

(Then we remain here,) decided Kaldur. (Robin found some indications of a bonfire in the clearing so perhaps the coven will present themselves shortly.)


21:09 EST

(Showtime,) Artemis announced as the first of the coven trooped into view and took their places in a circle at the centre of the moonlit clearing.

(Thirteen members,) noted Robin as a shorter, slighter figure in a more elaborate robe took his spot in the middle of the circle. (According to the League's files, the goat-head mask is associated with Baphomet, a devil figure worshiped by various sects and sometimes equated with the Devil himself.)

(Any connections to known players?)

(Unclear,) Robin replied. (According to the files he's sometimes linked to Chaos, but not necessarily the Lords of Chaos.)

(Let's hope not,) suggested Artemis, grimly.

(Robin, update Zatara and Captain Marvel of our situation,) ordered Kaldur. (We may need their assistance at short notice.)

(Done,) confirmed the Boy Wonder.

"Dämonenblut, das so hell brennt…"began the goat-headed man. "Öffnen sie weit unsere innere sicht … entfesseln sie die kreaturen der nacht … während die dunkelheit jetzt das licht vertreibt!"

(Not good!) observed Artemis as the figures in the circle collapsed in a heap and four massive, vaguely humanoid figures faded into existence at the centre of the circle.

(Hold position,) ordered Kaldur. (Robin, update the Cave.)

(He's looking our way,) reported Conner.

"Arise my creatures!" yelled the goat-faced man. "Destroy the interlopers!"

(We've been made!) declared Artemis as the four creatures lunged in their direction, and raised her bow, targeting the misty butterfly creature in the lead. The arrow passed harmlessly through it. (Arrows have no effect!)

A sickly yellow gas began to leak from the creature and drifted towards them as its wings beat.

A birdarang flew towards the gas and exploded, igniting it and spending the creature flying backwards.

(Miss Martian, pursue the butterfly creature!) Kaldur ordered. (Keep it away from the civilians!)

(On it!) said the Martian girl and took off into the air.

(I've got the hot one!) said Conner and leapt upwards, flipping over in mid-air to deliver a brutal two-footed kick to the lava monster's chest.

Artemis shifted her focus to the third monster, a towering walking tree that threw several branches in her direction. She dodged out of the way of the first attack, then shot two arrows at it in quick succession which impacted against the tips of two more branches, destroying them.

A birdarang flew towards the monster's trunk and detonated in a crackle of electricity.

The monster screamed in pain but seemed undamaged as it reached out for them again.

(Not sure why didn't work…) Robin mused.

(No time to think,) Artemis reminded him, then drew another arrow of her own. (Try something else!)

She aimed an arrow at the creature's trunk and fire it. But it was on the alert now and intercepted it with another branch before it could reach the centre point. (It's got too many ways to block!)

(Let's attack together,) Robin suggested. (I'll lead with a bang… you try and disable.)

(I've got just the thing,) confirmed Artemis, drawing a different arrow from her quiver. (On your mark…)

(Now!) Robin ordered and threw two of his birdarangs in the creature's direction.

Artemis loosed, and as they expected, the creature was distracted enough by the birdarangs that it was able to get through.

The arrow broke open, enveloping the creature in a fast-expanding, quick-drying foam.

(That should hold it for a while,) Artemis declared, then cast her eye around the battlefield, immediately spotting Kaldur, who was enveloped in the grip of a solid water creature. She reached for another arrow, but at that second his tattoos began to glow, and electricity arced around the bubble.

A bubbling, whistling scream echoed across the clearing and the monster separated into clouds of steam as Kaldur dropped to the ground. (Superboy, Miss Martian… report.)

(Still playing keep-away here,) Miss Martian reported. (I'm not sure how long I can keep its interest…)

(Understood,) Kaldur replied, casting around for Conner. (Superboy, what's your situation?)

Artemis spotted him first, then pointed in his direction.

Conner was in one piece, but his shirt was gone, and the rest of his clothes were dotted by burn marks.

(He's trying to drive it into the river,) Kaldur concluded, then – as the creature broke the clone's grip and knocked him away – drew his water-bearers and fired dual streams of water at it, knocking it back further.

Artemis ran over to Conner. He was conscious but lying on his back in a wreckage of a tree. (Are you okay?) she asked, offering a hand to help him up.

(I'll be fine,) he said and abruptly surged to his feet, then took off at a run towards the lava monster, but broke stride as M'gann dropped out of the sky and landed in front of him. "M'gann!"

(I'm okay,) she assured him, and staggered to her feet.

Kaldur screamed in pain as the lava creature grasped him by the arm, forcing him to drop his weapon. Before Artemis could react, a birdarang flew past her and buried in the limb and released a surge of electricity. It didn't do much harm to the creature, but it was enough to release the Atlantean. (Arrowette, check on Miss Martian,) he ordered as he rolled out of the creature's grasp. (Superboy, I require assistance.)

The clone didn't reply until Artemis was at his side, but then he tensed and leapt into the air, body-slamming the lava creature as he landed, causing it to fall to its knees for a moment.

(Arrowette, how is Miss Martian?) asked Kaldur.

(She'll be fine,) Artemis confirmed, then spotted something at the edge of thout of the corner of her eye. (The butterfly creature is coming back.)

(Can the two of you handle it?)

The two girls shared a look. (We can,) replied M'gann.

(Then do so,) order Kaldur as he dodged an attack from the lava creature.

(We're on it!) declared Artemis and drew two slim rebreathers from her belt and handed one to M'gann.

(It must be holding itself together by instinct or willpower,) M'gann observed. (If we can distract it…)

(Then it'll dissipate, the same as the water creature did when Aqualad electrocuted it!) finished Artemis.

(I might need to add a psychic blast to finish the job,) M'gann pointed out.

(Then get ready!) Artemis told her friend as the creature swooped towards them.

(Ready.)

Artemis waited until the butterfly had dropped below the treeline before firing. "Now!" she ordered as the arrow's head split and bracketed the creature with three small explosions.

M'gann didn't reply, but seconds later the creature began to dissipate and was soon invisible. (Is it gone?)

(It's gone,) confirmed M'gann, then winced as a cloud of steam enveloped them.

(Then that leaves only their master,) declared Kaldur as M'gann tried to clear away the steam.

A bright flash of light lit the clearing as a portal opened and Zatara and Captain Marvel stepped through. The former carried a familiar bag. "I hope we are not too late?"

"You are not," Kaldur assured the magician. "The villain remains to dealt with."

"Schweben!" chanted the villain, then rose into the air. "That will be harder than you think!"

"I don't think so!" declared Captain Marvel and rose to meet him.

"Blitzregen!" cried the sorcerer, and hurled several bolts of magic at the hero, who dodged them easily.

"Dleihs!" cried Zatara, forming a shield to protect the Team and himself.

The sorcerer hadn't been expecting a physical attack, so when the scarlet-clad hero's fist swung towards him it connected easily and knocked him out of the sky.

"Drop the shield!" demanded Artemis, then drew an arrow and soon as soon as she had a clear shot, she fired it, catching the sorcerer in a 'bed' of high-density expanding foam. "That should hold him for a while."

"Agreed," said Zatara as he left the Team's huddle and approached the sorcerer. "However, just to be certain… Gag mih!"

With the sorcerer unconscious, the rest of the coven began to stir.

"We should leave," Kaldur suggested as the rest of the coven began to stir.

"Agreed," said Zatara. "The Captain and I will deal with the clean-up. Nepo a latrop ot rieht sekib!"

A portal blossomed open, and the quintet walked through.