A/N - Finally wrapping up the year and Hogwarts will be soonish. Before you burn me for the next scene, be kind and check my notes at the end of the chapter.
o-0-o
It took Harry, Atalanta and Laura over two weeks before they were able to return back to the Institute as they spent over a week before celebrations spending time with each other and discussing ideas for his rooms with the architect responsible for the redesign as well as being with his family. After that came celebrations worthy of celebrating birth of a member of the royal family and since there were two children, the celebrations were even louder and larger.
However now it was just the past as he wondered where Atalanta was walking with him, it took him a moment before he recognized it, but he knew that it was the corridor where Jean-Paul had his room. She stopped in front of Jean's door, gently knocked and opened them, not waiting for any invitation, with second hand dragging him inside.
"We need to speak," she said with finality, looking at Jean who was laying on his bed and Harry, as she closed door behind.
"About what?" Jean asked.
"Something we should have done long ago," she said with a very sweet smile, making Harry and Jean gulp in fear and terror. "If you are cooperative, we will be done soon, if not, we will see and some might not leave this room whole." At those words their gulpes became even larger and some color disappeared from their faces. Mainly I think there is a need to have a small, pleasant chat about how relationships on Asgard look, especially in regard to you and Harry."
Jean looked at her and later at Harry. "Can you clarify it?"
"I can," Atalanta said with a smile and sat down on the other bed and motioned for Harry to do the same. "As you probably know on Asgard relationships are open and usually a lot can pass as long as everybody is accepting it."
"So that's why you can be in a relationship with Harry and Laura," Jean said.
"Precisely," she nodded. "We are all equal and accepting of the relationship as a whole, if I want to be alone or just with Laura it is fine, if Harry wants to have a moment to sulk on his own or be with just Laura, it is also fine. It's the same for Laura, she wants to be alone, it is fine, she wants to be just with me, it is fine."
"It all sounds nice and all," Jean said. "But I don't see my part in it."
"Because I didn't get to that part," Atalanta smirked. "Lovers," she slowly said, carefully pronouncing that word. "I saw your and Harry's flirts, no matter how well you tried to hide them, they were quite amusing at times."
Harry blushed at those word and could see that Jean did it, too.
"You saw then, yet you didn't murder us, which means that you have something in mind," Jean finished. "Also it most likely doesn't end with me or Harry being castrated by you using a very blunt and rusty knife."
Atalanta chuckled softly at those words. "No, besides, I wouldn't use a knife, a hairpin would be better and he would see your fate," she said. "Even if I'm nice and friendly for most of the time, my patience also has some limits."
Harry felt a very, very large ball of ice form in his stomach, he knew she could be nasty, but this was on a completely new level of nastiness and suffering. He was used to pain, his training in hand to hand, wrestling and hundreds of other martial arts made sure of it, but there were some borders and usually he had some kind of protection over his crotch
"Terrible," Jean shuddered and looked at her. "So what's the offer you want to make that will allow both of us to retain our balls and for you to have your precious Harry and your relationship with him."
"Indeed," she smiled. "The deal is a simple one, Harry is first and foremost mine and Laura's, we spend most of our time and we come first, however you also count. While not as important as we are, as long as you will be considered enough to be able to share him with us, you will be allowed to keep flirting with Harry and maybe develop it even more."
"Sounds interesting," Jean said and mused. "So if I want to have sex with him, I will be allowed to have it as long as I don't steal all of his time and leave most of it for you?"
"In the very most basic form of it, yes," Atalanta said and smiled. "However those are not the only perks of it, on Asgard you will be allowed to stay in his chambers as if you were his lover and as long as you do not things that can get between us and Harry, you won't be killed by one of us."
"I like it, I really like it," Jean said and smiled. "So can I think about myself as a part of a very complicated relationship that on Midgard would be impossible to understand?"
"You can."
Jean smiled and moved to sit on the other side of Harry. "Would you mind the two of us be alone?" Jean asked Atalanta.
"You can," she smiled. "You can spend even the whole night as long as you do nothing nasty and behave like civilized people."
"We will," he promised. "I don't want to lose your trust so quickly."
"Well, have fun," Atalanta said with a smile. "In the meantime, when you have fun and enjoy each other, I will talk with Laura and explain her the things, while you can educate each other about your bodies."
"Can we?" Harry asked.
"You can," Atalanta said, kissing him on the forehead and leaving the room.
"So we are alone, for a whole night and she doesn't have any issues with me spending the time with you," Jean said and moved closer to Harry. "Do you mind it? If you feel uncomfortable I will leave you alone."
He glanced at Jean and could tell that his friend was sincere in his words. "No, I don't mind it, it's just that I'm shocked by her reaction," Harry finally said. "I expected her to kill both of us, or at least you, while forcing me to watch it."
Jean smiled and looked at Harry. "She is a jealous one, but she also knows the limits and knows that devil she knows is a better than one she doesn't know," he finally said and leaned closer to Harry. "So what do you say mon chéri about using the time she has given us to the best of our abilities?" Jean whispered.
"I won't mind it," Harry said and Jean smiled.
Jean lightly pushed Harry onto the bed. "You won't forget this day any time soon," he whispered, leaning to kiss Harry.
Harry felt Jean's lips touch his, it was a different feeling than when he kissed Atalanta, she was soft and delicate, while Jean was firm and demanding. Also Atalanta usually let him choose his pace, while here it was Jean who started to probe his lips, asking for entrance. Harry lightly parted his lips, allowing Jean's tongue inside and tried to enjoy it as much as possible.
"You are a good kisser, mon chéri," Jean whispered as they ended their kiss. "It will be a very enjoyable night for both of us."
"What do you plan?" Harry asked, feeling comfortable warmth of Jean's body on his own. "She said that we should behave like civilized people."
"And we will," Jean promised. "It's just that a night in one bed with the hottest guy at school, or one of them is a dream of many and I'm the lucky one."
"You are also looking quite beautiful," Harry said and Jean looked at him. "And certainly in a better, more interesting way than guys on Asgard, every single one is a hulking mountain of perfectly sculpted muscles, while you are a different one."
"And different means better," Jean whispered, his hands roaming over Harry's chest. "It's not like you lack any muscles."
"No," Harry smiled. "So what do you say, get into more comfortable clothes and get into the bed?"
Jean smirked. "It works well," he said. "I just never expected you to be so blunt and direct, mon chéri."
"What can I do? It's just me," Harry said, slipped from beneath Jean and sat up on the bed.
He quickly threw his shirt to the side, followed by his pants, leaving him just in his underwear, Jean looked at him and quickly shed his own clothes, letting Harry take a good look at the physique of his lover. Jean was thinner, but it didn't mean that he lacked muscles, in fact he had quite a lot of them, they were just less visible and more wiry.
"You look good," Harry said as he walked to Jean. "Not like an Asgardian, but better and alien."
Jean licked his lips, his gaze running over Harry's body. "I knew that you looked good, but this, this is something much better and clothes hid almost everything from my eyes."
"Thanks," Harry said, small blush on his cheeks.
"No problem, chéri, you deserve it," Jean said and lightly pushed Harry onto the bed.
Harry softly landed on it and moved to the side to make room for Jean, who softly landed on the bed and turned to look at him, not hiding gaze that was undressing Harry from the last piece of clothing. Jean reached out for the blanket and draped it over their bodies.
"How is it with those relationships on Asgard?" He asked, looking at Harry. "Could you expand on what the other of your lovers said?"
"If you want," Harry said with a shrug. "I can, it's just that she explained most of it."
"Maybe she did," Jean smiled and placed his hand on Harry's arm. "But I want to hear it from you, mon chéri."
"From where should I start?" Harry mused quietly
"From the very beginning," Jean said with a smile. "If you do well, we can kiss until you will be unable to breath."
"Well, that's a certainly good motivation," Harry said with a smile. "As she said, generally as long as every interested party knows what is going on, nothing bad should happen, just be careful and don't push into others people's territory and you will be fine. Also same sex relationships are accepted and not seen as something bad, if I wanted to I could ask you to be my date for an official ball or banquet and you would be accepted."
"So as long as I listen to her and what she wants to do, I will be fine?"
"Yes," Harry smiled.
"So if I want to have sex with you," Jean said and Harry arched an eyebrow. "Hypothetically speaking, of course, she won't murder me as long as I won't take all of your time and let her have a bigger part of you."
"Yes," Harry said and looked at Jean. "Satisfied with my answer or should I expand on something?"
"It was an excellent answer," Jean said and pulled Harry into a kiss.
Harry didn't fight Jean, instead fully focused on enjoying the kiss and gathering as much pleasure as possible out of it. He let his hands race all over Jean's body, feeling out muscles and shapes. Jean didn't fight it instead he moved closer to him, making them feel heat of their bodies. It seemed like a beginning of a very enjoyable night, one of the very last he would spend at the Institute as soon the school year was going to end.
o-0-o
Atalanta smiled as she looked at Laura, who looked unsure and confused about what was going on, they were both in hers and Harry's room and sitting on the bigger bed. "Easy, love," she whispered, placing her hand on Laura's hand.
Laura looked at her. "I know, it's just that emotions confuse me," she weakly said.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Atalanta asked with concern. "Or for that matter Harry? We both are telepaths and could help you control them, or even Professor who knows telepathy even better than we do."
"I don't want to be seen as a weak one," Laura whispered. "I'm used to being the best and not showing emotions."
"You won't be seen as a weak one," Atalanta said and Laura looked at her. "We all need to deal with our emotions and ask for help when we cannot deal with it on our own."
"You do?"
"Yes, love," Atalanta said as she gently embraced Laura. "It is not a sign of weakness, some even treat an ability to be able to ask for help as a sign of maturity."
"Really?" Laura asked surprised.
"Yes," Atalanta smiled and pulled Laura even closer. "You need to embrace who you are and forget about the time with Weapon X."
"I know," Laura said. "It's just hard and emotions are confusing for me."
"You are a beautiful, strong girl, one that deserves much more than she was given," Atalanta said and gently cupped Laura's head, making their gazes meet. "We love you, Laura," Atalanta whispered. "Harry and I and we will help you and give you what you need to be the person you should be."
Laura smiled and Atalanta gently pulled her into a kiss, Laura's eyes widened in surprise, but then she simply enjoyed their physical contact and closeness.
"I know that you think that physical contact is a bad thing," Atalanta said, ending the kiss. "But it is a lie, did you suffer here because someone touched you? Did you enjoy the kiss we shared and the time in the resort on Asgard?"
"No and yes," Laura said and looked at Atalanta. "It's just that in Weapon X they had beaten me and I never ever had a chance to feel something else from a physical contact than pain."
"So have I thought," Atalanta said and Laura focused on her. "That's why we are alone and Harry is minding his own business, so that we can have some fun on our own and so that I can show you that physical contact can be fun."
"Can it?"
"Yes," Atalanta grinned. "Kissing is an example of it, massage another, even simple hug is an example of this."
Laura looked at her and Atalanta gently moved her hand up Laura's arm and to her shoulder, her gentle fingers moving over Laura's skin.
"How does it feel?" she asked.
"Good," Laura whispered as she leaned back. "Really good."
Atalanta smiled and leaned to kiss Laura. "So how about you relax and enjoy the time while I show you what feels good?"
"You won't harm me?" Laura asked in concern.
"No, I won't," Atalanta whispered. "Just a word and I will stop."
"Thank you," Laura said. "I trust you, but..."
"But the past doesn't let you relax," Atalanta finished and started to gently move her fingers up and down Laura's arm and shoulder. "Here you will relax and enjoy the time."
Laura weakly smiled and leaned back, which Atalanta took as a sign of approval and decided to make it a special time for their lover. She was a bit jealous of Harry's small affair with Jean, so she decided to have fun with Laura, while he could have his day with Jean and get bored, giving her plenty of opportunities to tease and annoy him.
o-0-o
Tony Stark smirked looking at the planes that stood outside of one of his factories, getting them assembled without too many people finding out was a challenge, but one that he liked and the effect was worth the trouble. There were whole twelve planes parked in front of the factory, two much larger one and ten smaller, nimbler and more predatory.
Larger ones were named Brave Eagle and were a heavily redesigned version of a bomber plane that was previously developed for USAF, it was almost fifty meters long with a narrow, elongated hull with smooth, angular lines to help in hiding from radars. In front of the hull was a pair of small, stubby wings, while the main ones were quite long, slightly angled and were located around midsection and were designed with variable-sweep in mind. In place where wings transitioned into the tail section there were mounted engines, four of them, a pair of them on the each side of the hull. Just a pair was enough to allow the plane to fly, but the whole four of them was required for it to reach designed speed of Mach 3.3. Such speed required powerful control mechanism and that's why its tail possessed an uncommon cruciform shape. Even if the shape of the plane was unable to cause respect, its paint took care of that, it was matte black with radar absorbing coating placed on top of the paint.
"How well does it look?" Tony asked, walking towards it with Cyclops and Warren III. "Top of the line technology, some devices that even military won't have for the next few years and all of that with a yearly supply of all major parts and everything is for free."
"It looks good," Cyclops said, his hand trailing over the edge of one of wings. "What about those other ten planes standing here?"
Tony smirked and motioned for them to follow him to a group of ten, smaller planes named Black Widow, each one of them was a fighter-bomber two-seat plane with large trapezoid wings, a pair of engines and large, uncommon angled fins placed on both sides of its engines. Under wings were visible several hardpoints for mounting equipment or weapons, however it was not the main place for it as inside of wings and hull were placed large weapon slash cargo bays, normally they were hidden, yet at the moment their doors were opened, revealing their locations.
"Black Widows," Tony explained and they looked at him. "Designed for you to use when you either need to crash into a base of some mutant haters militia, tangle with HYDRA or need something smaller and easier to hide than Blackbird."
"Why do I have a feeling that I saw them somewhere else?" Warren asked.
"Your father's engineers did a similar one, while ago," Tony explained. "I used their design, modified it and added some of my toys, the final effect is in front of us and I'm quite proud of it."
"It looks good," Cyclops nodded. "We will need to test it, but if it is as good as your normal stuff, than we will take them all."
"Well, choose which one you want and take it for a spin," Tony said with a smile. "All of them are ready for a flight."
Cyclops looked at him and after a nod from Tony walked to one of Widows, opened its cockpit and jumped inside.
o-0-o
Silence fell over gathered wizards of the International Confederation of Wizards when into the room stepped in three people, two of them in black robes with purple stoles, however on this similarities ended. One of them was tall with wide shoulders, perfectly groomed white hair, long flowing silver beard and cold blue eyes. He held himself with an air of confidence backed by power and experience, his name was Arthur Langtry and he was the Merlin of the White Council, the most powerful wizard on the whole planet and one of the oldest, if not the oldest one.
To his side was walking a man that was a total physical opposition of the Merlin, he was short, stocky and almost completely bald with only small tufts of hair on his head and a large beard. His name was Ebenezar McCoy and he was the Blackstaff of the White Council, their wetwork man and a powerful wizard in his own right.
Between them walked Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme, on his chest shining Eye of Agamotto and a cloak flowing behind him. He looked calm and composed, grace and dignity visible in his moves, he walked into the meeting room as if he owned the place and had every right to be here.
Before wizards managed to snap out of their stupor they walked across the whole room and to the empty seats on the raised dais where was seat of the Supreme Mugwump. Seating himself comfortably Strange looked around the room and later at Dumbledore. "Supreme Mugwump, could you be kind enough to announce the reason why we are here?"
"Of course," Dumbledore said and fired several sparks from his wand. "Silence!" he bellowed "Silence! Silence!"
"Our meetings are very similar," Ebenezar commented. "Just a lot more of plotting and animosities."
"Normally we can behave with some grace," the Merlin said. "Those here behave far worse than the most irresponsible Apprentice."
Strange nodded and waited patiently for Dumbledore to silence the crowds of wizards, over ten minutes passed before some resemblance of order was achieved and silence fell over the room. Silence undermined with excitement and curiosity as to why the White Council was present at the meeting, not to mention Sorcerer Supreme.
"Topic of this meeting is to discuss an event preparations to which were made in secret by the Ministry of Magic from Britain," Dumbledore said and paused to let crowds shout. "This event, the Tri-Wizard Tournament, preparations to it were started by the Ministry of Magic without any consultation with other countries or bodies that have power to initiate it. Sorcerer Supreme and I have discussed it at length and reached a conclusion that this body and the White Council need to be consulted."
"We think that the Tournament isn't a bad idea, but the proposed shape of it needs to be changed as difficulty of tasks is above the level of knowledge and abilities of any students and apprentices that could be allowed to take part in it," the Merlin said. "Stealing an egg from a nesting dragon, swim in a lake in the middle of winter and a maze are both dangerous and hard to organize as well as can easily get out of control."
Strange smiled when he heard gasps of shock and surprise, however, honestly speaking nothing else was expected, nobody liked their secrets being so carelessly revealed. The fact that it was the Merlin who tore into them made it even harder for them to digest and accept, even if the White Council stayed out of the ICW meetings, it had seats and the Merlin was one of the most important members of it.
"Thank you, the Merlin," Dumbledore said. "Because of mistakes done by the Ministry, I suggest that an appropriate body will be assembled to oversee preparations for the Tournament as well as creation of tasks that are both challenging, yet entertaining to watch."
"I have taken liberty of choosing a proper place for the event to be held," Strange cut in. "Its location will be revealed to the group that will oversee preparations once it is assembled."
"Masterfully played," the Merlin commented. "You set this whole thing up, didn't you?"
"I might have helped them," Strange said and added with a smile. "But it was you who ensured that they would behave and that they would listen to us."
Merlin nodded and Strange leaned back in his seat, enjoying the show, even if he hated politics it didn't mean that he was unable to play them, here and now he could even enjoy them.
o-0-o
Harry sat on the branch of one of many trees surrounding the Institute, he was holding a piece of charcoal and carefully drawing things on a sheet of paper he had on his laps, on top of a large, thick book. He pursed his lips as he tried to focus on the image he had in front of his mind, carefully making rough lines on the paper.
"What are you doing?" someone asked.
He looked in the direction of the voice and smiled when he saw Rahne climb up the tree, her nails turned into claws and eyes the color of amber. "Drawing things," he said. "Not much else."
"Not bad," she said as she looked at them. "What are they supposed to show?"
"Some of us, X-Men, few animals of Asgard and whatever else I have an idea to draw," he said. "It is also a good way to kill time and do something more meaningful than lay on your back for a whole day."
"I suppose it is," she nodded. "Though better question is for whom you are doing them, as I can tell that you have a goal in mind."
"Do I need to have a goal?" He asked her. "Maybe I want to be carefree and do whatever the hell I want to do, not caring about what am I supposed to do or should do."
"Fair enough," Rahne said as she moved to stand directly behind him. "It's just that you usually have some goal in mind, but now you don't have."
"Sorry," he said and looked at her. "It's just that this year been a hectic one and I want to finally catch some breath and get rest."
"No problem, I'm just curious," she said as she moved to get a more sure position. "So how soon do you return to Asgard?"
"In two weeks or so," he said with a faraway voice. "I will miss those days spent here, I came to like this place and all of you."
"Where will you go next year?"
"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy in Scotland, one of the oldest one on Earth, thousand or so years old."
"You seem not really fond of it," she noticed. "You don't like it?"
"Not really," he said with a sigh. "It's just that I wouldn't mind studying magic at the Academy or even other schools of magic on Asgard as we have quite a few of them. There are three main, but there is also a lot more of smaller ones."
"So what's wrong with it?"
"Atmosphere of it, some of the rules there and the fact that the Headmaster seems to be a very active politician, oh, and SHIELD raided it."
"SHIELD, the SHIELD?" she asked.
"Very same, they did it during Weapon X thingy," he said and rubbed the scar on the back of his neck, he could still feel lingering phantom pain, even after all those months. "Not that I feel sorry for those that were arrested."
"They deserved it, didn't they?"
"They did," he sadly agreed. "It's just it doesn't make me feel too confident that there won't be a second raid on the school. I know that there shouldn't be, but..."
"You aren't sure and don't want get into the path of danger."
"Also Ulf and Atalanta will be coming," Harry said, changing the topic. "So hopefully it will be okay and I will learn a thing or two, or at least have a more enjoyable stay there."
"You should enjoy it," Rahne said and grinned. "If you get bored there is also the Institute where you can return when you want or desire to and there is also Skype and few other things. Though the time difference is a bummer as afternoon for us means midnight for you."
"Yeah, at least I will be able to stay in contact with you," he said and looked at her. "I would like to finish the drawing I'm making, so I won't talk."
Rahne nodded and changing into the wolf laid still to his side, her muzzle on his leg, he smiled and scratched her wolf form between its ears before focusing back on drawing. He wanted to finish it soon and give some of his drawings to one that taught him most of what he knew about mutant powers.
When he was done with the drawing, the sun was much lower that it used to be and everything was covered in a layer of shadows that extended and distorted shapes. Gathering his drawing utensils, papers and jumped down onto the ground. He headed for the Institute and once inside he walked into his room to gather few things.
When he entered inside he saw Atalanta and Laura on their bed, quietly talking with each other and trading kisses, Atalanta looked up and her gaze focused for a moment on him. "What are you doing, love?"
"Nothing, just making a small gift for a friend of mine, one who taught me most about my powers," he quickly replied back in thoughts. "Keep doing what you are doing and later we can talk."
"Sure," Atalanta replied before focusing back on Laura.
He gathered what he needed to gather, silently slipped out of the room and went on his search of Storm, who was one of more elusive X-Men unless trouble was happening or someone was dangerously close to breaking the rules. Then she was very easy to find and only the most foolhardy were able not to notice her.
Walking through the Institute he carefully looked around, trying to find any clue about her whereabouts, he wandered it aimlessly for over an hour, not finding a single clue about her location. He sighed and then it hit him. "I'm an idiot," he whispered to himself before quickly walking to place where was her room.
He climbed up several flights of stairs and walked down the corridor on the top floor of the Institute, floor which was occupied by most of the staff, he stopped in front of ones at the end of the corridor and gently knocked. He heard some rustling and almost immediately door were opened by Storm.
"What do you need?" she softly asked.
"Nothing," he said with a sheepish smile. "I just wanted to say thank you for all or the time you spend on teaching me about my powers and how to use them."
"There is no need for it," she said. "I did it because it should be done."
"Still," Harry said and showed her the folder he had brought with himself. "Please, Storm."
She nodded, took the folder and looked through the things inside of it. "They are beautiful," she said and looked at him. "All of this is your work?"
"Most of it, Atalanta started on few or few finished, but the rest is completely mine," he said. "I always loved to draw, but until I was on Asgard I didn't have time or means of exploring it. Now I have and those are the effects of it."
"Thank you," she said and gently hugged him. "Teaching you was an honor, I hope that I will be able to show you even more."
"Hopefully you will."
She nodded and released him with a smile. "Now, go to your room and behave."
He nodded and disappeared towards his room, when he got there, he saw Atalanta sitting on the bed and Laura cuddled to her side. Atalanta was slowly and gently stroking Laura's hair, but when she heard doors creak she looked up at him and smiled. "Done?"
"Done," he said and jumped onto the bed on the other side of Atalanta. "So what do you think about the time we spent here?"
"It wasn't a bad one," Atalanta said, her hand still moving through Laura's hair. "She on her own would be worth all the trouble, you and her..."
"Make it a much more enjoyable experience," he finished. "So who should be allowed to come with us to Asgard for holidays?"
"She is a must," Atalanta smiled. "Maybe also you will finally kiss her and if you want Jean can come and I won't murder you too badly."
"Thank you for that," Harry said with a smile and moved towards Laura. "Do you want to come to Asgard with us, for whole holidays?"
"Can I?" she asked, her voice a bit blurry and sleepy.
"Well, as long as Wolverine agrees, I don't see a single issue," Harry said and saw her smile. "Yes, I'm not joking as I can invite whoever I want and since you are my lover, I don't see a single reason why I shouldn't do it."
"Also you will have time to relax and enjoy the time," Atalanta added. "So I think it is a far better way to spend the time, than being stuck here and bored to death."
"It sounds way better than being here," Laura said as she moved. "So I will probably speak with dad and he should let me come with you."
"That's good," Harry said and gently placed his hand on her arm. "May I?"
"Yes."
"You should like the time we will spend there, three months of glorious rest and we will most likely share rooms," he said and glanced at Atalanta. "Did we discuss with the architect what we wanted inside of every room when it comes to colors, paneling and so on?"
"We did," Atalanta said. "But making modifications is also relatively easy, so if you don't like something it can be easily and quickly changed," she added in direction of Laura. "So if you don't like it, you need to just say and it will be changed for something you like."
"As well as have it fitted to your tastes and desires," Harry added. "Or if you want, you can share the main bedroom with me and At."
"Can I?"
"Yes, you can," he said and started to gently move his hand up and down Laura's shoulder. "You are my lover and have the same rights as she has, so you can also be in the same bed as we are."
"Also we won't do a single thing without your acceptance," Atalanta added and smiled. "So you don't need to fear of something untowards happening to you."
"I will come with you," Laura said and made them smile.
Harry moved to a more comfortable position on the other side of Laura, so that she was between him and Atalanta and lightly embraced her.
o-0-o
Harry gulped as he looked at Wolverine, even if he was a head taller and probably stronger, he still feared this old mutant grizzled by wars and life, as well as an extremely experienced and deadly combatant. "You will do a single thing to her," Wolverine gruffly said, indicating Laura. "And this will happen to you." At those words Wolverine extended his claws and pointed them at Harry's chest. "Is it clear?"
"Yes," Harry said with a gulp, eyeing the claws that were touching his shirt in front of his heart. "So could you kindly remove those claws?"
"Not yet," Wolverine said. "Are we clear I will hunt you to the edge of the universe and beyond it if something happens to her?"
"Crystal clear," Harry said, pushing those claws away from himself.
"Good," Wolverine nodded. "As I said, anything happens, your head rolls and if you do something to her without her consent, the same."
"I understand."
Wolverine nodded and finally retracted his claws, when he did it Harry took a couple of deep breaths to steady himself and forget about those pointy objects almost touching his chest, ready to bury themselves the moment he gave a wrong answer. He was able to understand why Wolverine was so protective of Laura, but he could do it in a subtler and less stressful manner, he almost shit himself once or twice during this conversation.
"So can I leave?"
"You can," Wolverine said dismissively and Harry nodded breathing out in relief.
He almost ran out of that room, his frantic steps carrying him further and further away from Wolverine, he stopped when he was almost in front of his room. Even after whole two years Wolverine was as scary as he used to be, maybe even more, it also made him realize with finality that those were his last few days at the Institute for a very long time, if ever.
o-0-o
Professor smiled when Harry entered into his office, he could feel some sadness in that boy, but it was a better than a massive whirlwind of emotions that were in him when he was freed from Weapon X. "Sit down," Professor said and waited for Harry to get comfortable before speaking once more. "I know that you won't return here for the next year and that you will be at Hogwarts, however that is not why I wanted to talk with you."
"So what's the reason?" Harry asked.
"Weapon X," Professor said quietly and Harry looked at him. "I'm almost certain that all of the longer term effects of what they did to you were healed, however it is impossible to be sure of it. So if you have any problems don't let them boil inside of you, but come and ask for help, I'm almost sure that nobody will not allow you to come and ask me for help or counseling."
"I understand," Harry said and bowed his head. "I feel fine, so I will probably won't ask for help, but I'm grateful for your offer of help and support. What about my time at Hogwarts?"
"It won't be a problem," Professor said with a smile. "I know Albus rather well and I know how to convince him to let you come here for a couple of days if it will be required, or even for more. So you have nothing to worry about as I will be able to get to you when situation will require it."
"Thank you,"
"No problem," Professor said. "Enjoy your last few days here and don't cause too much damage, if you ever want or need to come back you are welcomed to do so and don't need to ask if you can."
Harry nodded and walked out of the room, Professor watched him leave the room, while thinking about Dumbledore, his old friend was a mystery and a danger. Previously he didn't think about those events from the times of the Order of the Phoenix as something more serious, but looking at them from the perspective of over thirteen years made them look different.
o-0-o
"We will miss you," Rahne said as she embraced Harry.
"I will too," he said and smiled mischievously. "Maybe we will see sooner than you think."
"I hope so," she said as she released him. "So you need to travel to Asgard so soon?"
"Yeah," he said and sighed. "School year is over and I need to be home as soon as possible."
"I see," she said and looked at Atalanta and Laura. "Take care of him and make sure that he stays safe."
"We will make sure he stays alive," Atalanta promised. "Him dead would be of no use for us and that would make us sad, really sad."
"Good enough," Warren said as he dropped onto the ground. "I also expect you not to rape or murder him, as it would make me unhappy."
"Let me live," Harry sighed. "It's not like I won't return here, just not soon, so let me live."
"True enough," Danielle said, before hugging Harry. "Still we will miss you."
Harry smiled and looked at Atalanta and Laura. "Should we go?"
"We should," Atalanta nodded as they walked towards one spot, she looked at the sky and shouted. "Heimdall, open the Bifrost."
Rainbow beam of Bifrost descended from the heavens above and whisked them away to Asgard, starting their glorious holidays and break time when they could fully relax and not care about the world.
o-0-o
A/N:
Relationships - Harry and Atalanta subconsciously know that sooner or later their families will convince/lure/force/whatever into a marriage, so even if for all intents and purposes they are lovers, they also don't have many qualms about taking lovers and having fun. Also in royal family nobody really cares with whom someone sleep unless there are some children born out of the union, if there are no children, nobody will say no, that is as long as they don't show too openly how many lovers they had and have.
Why did Atalanta accepted Jean - because she knows him and knows how she can threaten him and thus knows how she can keep Harry in line. She wouldn't have too many issues with chasing him away, but it would also mean that Harry might get angry, annoyed or simply find someone else and thus making her start the whole thing once again. Also she doesn't want to be like Hera who murdered several of Zeus' children and lovers getting nothing. She can defend her prize, but she also knows that she and Harry are from lines famous for sleeping around and indulgence, off top my head - Odin raped and murdered seven witches, had something like ten sons with various women and was able to devour insane amounts of food and drinks. Zeus, do I really need to mention his exploits? Ares, Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Hermes, Hephaestus, Dionysus, Heracles, Helen of Troy, Castor, Pollux, Perseus, Minos, Nine Muses, Persephone, Moirai, Horae, Enyo and Eris. Does anybody have any questions about his escapades?
Planes for X-Men - Larger one is based on B-1B, one of few nicer and newer designs in existence that can reach supersonic speed. It looks good and with small upgrades and redesigns will serve well and not many will be able to match its performance. An important factor is that it can pass as a plane belonging to the USA and at that not many will even think about shooting. Smaller planes are designed with missions when they don't want to be really seen and heard, but want to have teeth to scare anybody that might have other plans for them. One nice gift that comes with those planes is that trips onto LEO are a possibility and won't cost much.
The White Council - It is an organization of wizards in Dresdenverse and its leaders form Senior Council, there are seven of them and they are the oldest wizards of the council. The Merlin is its leader and the most powerful wizard out of the whole council and many claim that he is the strongest in the whole world. Blackstaff is a member of the Senior Council who is allowed to break any laws and is its heavyweight champion when it comes to arguments with other groups.
Reviews:
WhiteElfElder - Why should they do it?