A/N -Here's the next chapter of Lightning Part 2. I must say it has really taken me by surprise to find so many people following and favoriting this story in only one week. Over 200+ people are now following it and almost 150 have favorited it. I've seen such things happen with other stories but this is the first time it's happened to one of mine. I was also surprised by the spike of people reading Part 1 which had almost 10,000 views in the last seven days. A friend of mine said that probably it was people who hadn't read any of the story who saw the note about reading Part 1 first before this part and went off to do that. At least that's what I hope it is.

Anyway, thank you to everyone who is now following the story, has favorited it, has commented on it, or has just read it. I hope people continue to do so, and I hope you like the new chapter too. You've probably noticed that I've moved the Quidditch World Cup forward from late August to July 31st. I have a reason for doing that which you will see soon enough.

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"

3) A BIRTHDAY LUNCH

The next morning Harry woke up at his usual early time for his morning workout. He might be away from the X-Mansion but he wasn't going to slack off on his exercising. He might have to forego weight training for now but he could still do everything else. Ron was still fast asleep so Harry dressed quietly in a t-shirt, gym shorts and trainers so as not to wake him. He slipped out of the room and into the upstairs hallway. No one else seemed to be up yet so Harry moved as quietly as he could down the stairs and into the livingroom. He then headed out the back door that let out onto the lawn behind the house.

Once outside the Burrow Harry took a deep breath. The air was fresh with the early morning smells and it was very pleasant. The sun had been up for a little while already and it looked like it would be a beautiful day. Harry did his stretches to loosen up and then began running laps around the outside of the Burrow. The house took more time to circle than a lap back at the X-Mansion gym so he ran one or two fewer laps than he would usually do but spent about the same amount of time running as he normally did.

Once he was done running he did one more lap around the Burrow at a walking pace to cool down from that before going back inside the house and into the livingroom where he did his push-ups and sit-ups. He was now up to about 50 of each and he was working up a good sweat by now as he counted out each one as he did them.

It was while he was doing his sit-ups that Mrs. Weasley came downstairs to begin breakfast and found him in the livingroom. She stopped to watch for a moment before speaking.

"Harry dear" she said attracting his attention, "you're up early."

"25" said Harry as he did another sit-up, "good morning Mrs. Weasley, 26."

"What are you doing?"

"27, just my morning exercises, 28."

"I see" said Mrs. Weasley who didn't know much about muggle exercises, "do you do this often?"

"31" said Harry, "almost every day, 32."

"It looks rather hard."

"33, not really" said Harry, "you just – 34 – have to get used to doing it – 35 – it's very good for the body – 36 – you said I looked very good when I got here yesterday – 37 – well this is a major reason why – 38 – it builds up strength and stamina – 39."

"I see" said Mrs. Weasley who watched him in silence as he did his last sit-ups. When he was done he got up and wiped his forehead.

"Well that was fun" he said, "I'm going to take a shower now. Is anyone else up yet?"

"Just Arthur" said Mrs. Weasley, "before you go home you should show him your exercises. I'm sure he'd be happy to watch. Now go take your shower. You have plenty of time before breakfast will be ready. Oh, and Harry, happy birthday."

"Thank you Mrs. Weasley" said Harry and he headed back upstairs while she went into the kitchen to start making breakfast. Harry took his shower spending a couple of minutes at the end of it just letting the warm water run over him. After getting out of the shower and drying himself off he went back to Ron's room and began dressing again. He put on blue jeans and his Ramones t-shirt. He'd thought about wearing his Nirvana shirt but decided that a lot of people in the wizarding world might get offended by seeing a picture of a naked baby. Harry was sure Mrs. Weasley would have some – interesting – words to say about it.

As he finished tying his trainers again there was a knock at the door and Mrs. Weasley's voice calling for Ron to wake up. Ron began to stir. He opened his eyes and yawned. He sat up in his bed and looked at Harry with bleary eyes.

"Blimey" Ron said in a tired voice, "you're up and dressed already?"

"Been up for a while" said Harry

"Why?" asked Ron still not fully awake.

"Just doing my morning exercises" said Harry, "and just finished showering a short time ago. It's a good way to wake up and it really builds up an appetite for breakfast. Speaking of which you should probably get up and get dressed or there might not be any left." That got Ron's attention and he practically leaped out of bed. Harry chuckled and headed back downstairs. As he left the room Ron was trying to dress himself as quickly as he could and not being very successful at it.

When Harry got to the kitchen he saw Mrs. Weasley plating up breakfast for people, and Mr. Weasley sitting at the kitchen table reading the Daily Prophet. No one else was there yet.

"Good morning Harry" said Mr. Weasley, "Happy Birthday."

"Thank you sir" said Harry sitting at the table.

"I hear you were up before anyone else" said Mr. Weasley.

"Yes sir" said Harry as Mrs. Weasley handed him a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast, "just doing my morning workout."

"I found him in the livingroom" said Mrs. Weasley, "doing – what did you call them Harry dear?"

"Sit-ups" said Harry as he began to eat, "it's a muggle exercise that helps build certain muscles."

"A muggle exercise?" asked Mr. Weasley, "I'd like to see that."

"What did I tell you?" said Mrs. Weasley to Harry. Harry began describing his daily routine to Mr. Weasley who seemed fascinated by the muggle exercises. Harry was talking Mr. Weasley through the proper way to do a push-up when the Weasley kids and Hermione started drifting into the kitchen. Hermione was first but Bill and Charlie were right behind her, then Ron, Percy, Ginny, and finally the twins.

"Wow Harry," said George, "you're up early."

"Yeah, well, story of my life" said Harry with a shrug, "best time for a daily workout is the early hours. Really wakes me up and gets everything going."

"How early are we – " asked George.

"– talking about?" asked Fred.

"About a half an hour before your mother came down, give or take" said Harry. The twins, Ron, and Ginny all looked at Harry like he was insane. Percy and Hermione seemed to be approving. Bill and Charlie didn't comment. Before anyone else could say anything Mrs. Weasley put plates of food on the table for the rest of the kids and any further conversation was silenced for the moment.

"What's that t-shirt you're wearing?" Percy eventually asked Harry.

"This?" asked Harry, "it's a t-shirt for a muggle band I like."

"You know the Ramones?" asked Hermione. Harry was not surprised by this. As a muggle-born it was very possible she knew who they were.

"Saw them play a few months ago" said Harry, "great show. Got the shirt then. It's the second muggle rock concert I've been to."

"What was the first?" asked Hermione.

"Nirvana last November" said Harry.

"That's right" said Ron, "you wrote you were going to that show. It was right around the time they caught Pettigrew."

"The very same day" said Fred, "that we saw you reading the letter if I'm remembering correctly."

"You are brother mine" said George, "what are muggle concerts like?"

"There are many different kinds" said Hermione, "muggles have all different kinds of music stretching back centuries but I think the shows Harry went to must have been mosh shows."

"What are those?" asked Mr. Weasley who sounded very interested to learn about this aspect of muggle culture. Harry, with some help from Hermione, told him and the others about moshing. Mrs. Weasley looked concerned.

"That's sounds dangerous" she said, "how can it be allowed?"

"It's nowhere near as dangerous as it sounds" said Harry who told them about how moshers looked out for each other in the pit and how that helped keep potential injuries to a minimum.

"Sure, sometimes people get hurt" said Harry, "but that can be said about almost anything. Think how often people get hurt in Quidditch."

"Touche Harry" said Bill and Mrs. Weasley let the subject drop

The morning passed quietly, or at least as quietly as it could in any building that housed Fred and George Weasley. It was around noon when Remus arrived and greeted them all. He looked fairly well as the last full moon had been over a week ago. At the end of the last school year Professor Snape had "accidentally" let it slip that Remus was a werewolf. Remus left Hogwarts at once knowing that the parents would be demanding his removal anyway. Now with no job and no immediate prospects of one Sirius and Harry, with Professor Xavier's consent, had invited him to come stay at the X-Mansion for a while. He was quite happy to do so and had been there since the beginning of July. He helped out where he could and often watched the X-Men during their training sessions.

"Hello everyone" said Remus, "are you all ready to go?"

"Where's Sirius?" asked Harry.

"He went on ahead to set up the tent" said Remus, "he'll meet us there and he'll have lunch waiting for us. He also has a birthday surprise for you."

"Oh?" asked Harry, "what is it?"

"If I told you" said Remus, "it wouldn't be a surprise."

"As Hank would say" said Harry, "don't you just love cliches?"

"Sirius conveys birthday wishes from Scott, Bobby, Warren, Hank, Jean, and the professor" said Remus.

"Are they some of your friends in America?" asked Mr. Weasley.

"Yes" said Harry, "I think they would have enjoyed coming but Sirius told me it wasn't possible."

"Harry dear" said Mrs. Weasley, "your friends are welcome here but it would be hard to put up several more people considering how full up we already are."

"That's fine Mrs. Weasley" said Harry.

"Now if everyone will please come outside" said Remus, "we can be on our way."

Everyone would be going to the World Cup, even Mrs. Weasley. She had originally planned to go shopping for the upcoming year at Hogwarts for her children but the school letters had not yet arrived and wouldn't for some more days so she agreed to attend the match too.

They all exited the house and went out onto the lawn and down towards the pond.

"Harry" said Ron in a low voice so only he and Hermione would hear, "those friends of yours that Remus mentioned, are they – ?"

"They are" said Harry, "I'll tell you who's who later."

"Hey" said Fred calling back to them, "why are you three dawdling?"

"And what are you whispering about?" added George.

"Nothing" said Harry. "just catching up some more. It's been over a year."

The twins didn't reply to this. Harry, Ron, and Hermione quickened their pace to catch up with the others. Once they were all gathered in a group out on the lawn Remus held out a length of rope and told them all to grab a hold of it.

"It'll take us right to Sirius" he said. Once they were all holding it he said the activation phrase and they were all whirled away to the Quidditch World Cup. After taking a portkey to llvermorny regularly during the last year Harry managed to stay on his feet when they landed. His friends were not so fortunate. He quickly helped Ron and Hermione to their feet before turning to make sure Fred, George, and Ginny were all right. Other than Harry only the adults – meaning Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, Percy, and Remus had managed to stay on their feet when they landed.

"Wow Harry" said George as he got up, "how did you not fall over?"

"Lots of practice" said Harry but didn't elaborate further. They'd landed in front of a large, elaborate tent. When Harry looked around he saw that it was one of many tents in what was obviously a large camp site. Many of the other tents were as big, or bigger than the tent they'd landed in front of. Before Harry could say anything about this the flap of their tent had swung open and Sirius stepped out to meet them.

"Great" said Sirius motioning for them all to go in, "you all made it. Come on in. You're just in time for lunch." Harry entered the tent first, took a few steps in and stopped dead when he heard several people shout "SURPRISE!" His mouth fell open.

"Scott?" he said as took in his teammates standing there, "Bobby? Warren? Hank? Jean? What are you all doing here?"

"Oh come on Harry" said Warren, "you didn't really think we'd miss your birthday, did you?" Harry closed his mouth, opened it again, and then shut it again.

"I think we broke him" said Jean.

"Indeed" said Hank, "he does seem to be suffering from a cessation of the proper workings of his higher mental functions."

"Wow" said Harry, "you really came."

"Not just us" said Warren and gestured to the side behind them where Harry noticed three more people.

"Professor Xavier?" said Harry to the man in the wheelchair, "Professor Dumbledore? Hagrid?"

"Of course it's us Harry" said Dumbledore with his usual eye twinkle, "and a very happy birthday to you."

"Harry dear would you introduce us to your friends please?" asked Mrs. Weasley, "we all know Hagrid and the headmaster but who are these others?"

"Right, sorry" said Harry, "the man in the wheelchair is Professor Charles Xavier, an old friend of Professor Dumbledore's. He's the founder and head of the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters in New York State. It's where I live now and one of the two schools I attend, the other being Ilvermorny which I commute to by portkey every day."

"How do you do?" said Professor Xavier, "Harry has told me a lot about the Weasley family and you also Ms. Granger. It's nice to meet all of you."

"And it's nice to meet the two of you in person" Xavier sent to Ron and Hermione.

"Yes it is" Hermione sent back.

"Now this man here wearing the cool red glasses" said Harry, "and I've always thought they were much better than mine, is Scott Summers. The really big guy next to him is Henry McCoy but he usually goes by Hank. The girl next to him is Jean Grey. Next to her is Robert Drake but everyone calls him Bobby – "

"Really?" asked Ron, "I thought that was a girl's name."

"Not in the U. S." said Bobby, "it's just one of several more informal names for Robert along with Rob, Robby, Bob, and according to a very strange friend of mine from when I was 12, Bobert, although I've yet to actually meet anyone who goes by that."

"We can – " said Fred.

" – call you that" said George.

"You'll be sorry if you do" said Bobby smiling at them in a way that promised lots of pain if they even thought about it. It actually made them both gulp.

"I know the feeling" put in Bill, "my actual name is William but you can call me Will, Willy, Billy, or Bill which is what most people call me. However, as Fred and George know well, trying to call me 'Billiam' is a big mistake."

"It was just the one time!" both twins said together.

"Good" said Bill with a smirk.

"Hey" said Harry although he was trying not to laugh, "everyone be nice."

"Sorry Harry" said Bobby with the sort of contrite expression that all pranksters everywhere know how make. This immediately caused both Fred and George to perk up again as they recognized a potential kindred spirit.

"Anyway" said Harry, "last but certainly not least is Warren Worthington III."

"Worthington?" asked Hermione, "really? Are you a member of the Worthington family?"

"Yes" said Warren, "you've heard of us?"

"Who hasn't?" replied Hermione.

"I haven't" said Ron.

"Right" said Hermione, "most people in magical Britain wouldn't know. The Worthington family is one of the richest families in the world. They're the founders and owners of Worthington Industries which is a multi-national corporation that operates all over the world. If you're Warren III does that mean you're the family heir?" Warren looked a bit embarrassed so Harry answered for him.

"He is" said Harry, "but unlike a certain Slytherin we all know he's actually a nice person that it's pleasant and fun to be around."

"Thank you Harry" said Warren, "you're not so bad yourself."

"Gee, thanks" said Harry, "well that's the people I live with. Now on the other side we have Arthur and Molly Weasley and their children Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred and George, Ron, and Ginny. And last, but again not least, is Hermione Granger. You already know both Professor Dumbledore and Remus Lupin from their visits to the mansion and I'm guessing you were introduced to Hagrid before we got here."

"We were" said Professor Xavier. After that there several "how do you dos" and "nice to meet you," etc. exchanged and the shaking of many hands.

"So how did Harry come live at your school?" asked Mrs. Weasley once this was done.

"That" said Professor Xavier, "is quite a story which we can discuss after lunch."

"And speaking of lunch" put in Sirius, "it's ready. If you'll follow me to the diningroom we can all eat."

They followed Sirius further into the tent which turned out to be much larger on the inside than it looked from outside. Apparently this was normal with magical tents. None of the Weasleys, Dumbledore, Remus, or Hagrid showed any surprise at this. Harry's teammates were also only mildly surprised as they were used to magic by now. They went down a hallway and entered a large diningroom where a buffet lunch was laid out. Apparently Sirius had most of it delivered the previous day and kept under stasis charms until now. Everyone took seats at the large banquet table and began eating.

Harry's teammates were scattered among the other guests, Hermione sat next to Hank and the two of them were soon involved in a deep discussion regarding the nature of magic and how to explain it. Remus, who was sitting on Hermione's other side, would sometimes add a few thoughts of his own to their conversation. Bobby sat between the twins and it was obvious the three of them were getting along like old friends which Harry decided could be scary if they decided to collaborate on a prank. Scott sat between Professor Xavier and Professor Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley sat on Xavier's other side. Jean sat next to Ginny saying that the "girls need to stick together, especially red-headed girls like us" while Harry himself sat with Warren on his right and Ron on his left.

Although the most of the courses were store delivered Harry's birthday cake was homemade. Mrs. Weasley had baked a large chocolate cake earlier that week and had sent it to Sirius that morning after breakfast. It was as delicious as everything she made and she received many compliments for it.

Normally presents would have been given too but none were that day as it was an inconvenient place for Harry to receive them. His magical friends had sent his presents to Professor Dumbledore who had sent them to Xavier's school where Harry would get them after he returned to America. He would also get presents from his teammates at that time too.

During lunch Professor Xavier spoke with Harry mind to mind.

"It's all right Harry" said Xavier, "I scanned all of the Weasleys and with the proper safeguards I think they can be trusted with the truth."

"Even Percy?" asked Harry in surprise, "Bill and Charlie too? I hardly even know them."

"With proper safeguards, yes" said Xavier, "we didn't know Sirius and Remus either when I first told them about the X-Men but I knew they were trustworthy when I scanned them. As for the safeguard Albus has that in hand and he will deal with it before we get into the serious subjects. In addition I can make sure that none of them will have any urge to say anything nor will they be able to should that change. Dumbledore also knows a spell that can stop them from telling the secret."

"I know about that" said Harry, "he used it on Hagrid."

"I know" said Xavier, "however in this case Albus believes an oath, backed up by enough power, will be sufficient."

"Okay" said Harry, "if you're sure."

When lunch was over everyone leaned back in their chairs.

"Now then" said Professor Xavier turning to speak to the Weasleys first, "I should start out by letting you know that Albus, Sirius, Remus, Hagrid, Ron, and Hermione already know what we're about to tell you. This is mainly for the benefit of the rest of you."

"Are you telling us – " said Fred.

"That little Ronniekins had a valuable secret – " said George.

"And he didn't share it with us? For shame!" they both said in a melodramatic manner although they looked at him with a bit more respect than usual.

"It wasn't my secret to tell" Ron said rolling his eyes, "I'm not about to betray my best friend's trust. I would think the two of you have enough secrets of your own to understand that."

"He's got us there Gred."

"Yes, Forge, he does."

"So what is this secret?" asked Mrs. Weasley with an expression on her face saying that she wasn't pleased that anyone in the family was keeping secrets and it had better be good.

"Well" said Professor Xavier, "before we begin I must stress that what you're about to learn cannot leave this room. When you hear it you'll understand. Do you all agree?"

"The headmaster knows what you're going to tell us and approves of it?" asked Mrs. Weasley.

"I do" said Dumbledore, "but due to the sensitive nature of this subject we will be requiring a magical oath from all of you who are new to the secret. I'm afraid this is not negotiable. If you cannot give the oath I'll have to ask you to leave."

"That won't be necessary" Mrs. Weasley said before adding in a stern voice, "I'm sure everyone in our family understands that this is important and will give the necessary oath." She looked around at all of her family as if daring them to disagree. Mr. Weasley and all of her children nodded as no one wanted to go against Mrs. Weasley when she was laying down the law.

"I'll even swear it" said Ron, "and I already know what we'll be discussing."

"You don't have to do that" said Harry to Ron, "nor do you" he added to Hermione when she opened her mouth. She quickly closed it again.

Once the issue was settled Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, and Ginny all raised their wands and swore magical oaths to keep what they were about to learn secret and tell it to no one unless given prior permission to do so by either Harry himself or Professor Xavier. When the oaths were finished flashes of light swirled around all who had taken the oath to show that it was accepted.

"Very well" said Xavier leaning back in his chair once the oaths were sealed, "let me ask you a question first. Do you know anything about mutants?"

"You mean like the X-Men?" asked Percy, "the ones who defended Hogwarts back in April? Like that?"

"Exactly like that" said Xavier nodding his head, "they are very good examples. Mutants like them are people who are born with extra abilities that normal people don't have. It's very much like how wizards and witches are born with magic. Mutants are not magical although their powers can seem like they are and there may well be some overlap between them."

"I remember reading about that in the Daily Prophet right after the battle at Hogwarts" said Mr. Weasley, "it was the talk of the ministry for days."

"What does the ministry think now?" asked Xavier.

"They're fine with mutants for the most part" said Mr. Weasley, "Minister Fudge is quite grateful that the X-Men came to Hogwarts because it averted a disaster. A lot of other ministry workers feel the same way, especially those who have children at Hogwarts like we do. There are a couple of people who don't like hearing about mutants of course. The most vocal is Fudge's undersecretary Dolores Umbridge but nobody's listening to her about it."

"Arthur, that woman hates everyone who isn't a pureblood supremacist" said Mrs. Weasley, "and I mean everyone: so-called blood traitors like us, half-bloods, muggleborns, squibs, muggles, the goblins, centaurs, werewolves, vampires, house elves, and every other magical creature there is. There's nothing special about her hatred of mutants. It's just one more entry in a very long list and everyone knows it."

"And what are your opinions?" asked Scott.

"I have nothing against mutants" said Mr. Weasley, "we had five children at Hogwarts this past year. I don't like to think about what might have happened if the X-Men hadn't defended Hogwarts from Magneto."

"I feel the same way" said Mrs. Weasley. Bill, Charlie, and Percy all voiced agreement as did Ginny and Ron. Fred and George had a few more things to say.

"We thought they were wicked" said Fred.

"Especially Angel and Lightning" said George.

"We watched them playing tag up in the air above the lawn after the battle" said Fred, "it was one of the best things we've ever seen." Harry gave Warren a sideways glance. The two of them smirked just a little bit at each other but no one noticed.

"I'm glad you feel that way" said Xavier, "the reason I brought it up is because the specific purpose of my school is to find mutants and help train them in the proper control and use of their powers."

"So all of them" said Percy indicating Xavier's students, "are mutants?" The oath he'd sworn with the others was now starting to make sense.

"Yes" said Xavier, "and not just them. I'm a mutant too, quite possibly one of the first such mutants." Before anyone could reply to this Xavier switched to telepathy.

"In my case" Xavier's voice sounded in everyone's heads much to the surprise of those who had never experienced telepathy before, "I'm a telepath. But don't worry, I won't read any of your minds without your permission. The one exception I made to that was when we first met earlier. I didn't dive into your inner thoughts since those are none of my business but did I scan each of you to make sure you could be trusted with the information we're giving you. I hope you will let that slide as I did not inspect your private thoughts. That would have been an abuse of my power. Whatever secrets you may have are still yours."

"You can trust Charles on this" said Dumbledore, "I've known him for a long time and he means what he says. He won't violate any of you."

"I'm glad to hear it" said Bill, "so what are their powers?"

"In particular – " said Fred.

" – what's Harry's power?" said George.

"He never showed off anything – "

"– while he was at Hogwarts."

"My powers didn't wake up until the end of second year" said Harry, "naturally you didn't see them. I didn't even know I had them until then." He looked at Scott who looked at the professor who nodded at him. Scott took a breath and pulled out a coin from his pocket which he played with for a few seconds before speaking.

"The six of us" said Scott indicating his teammates, "aren't just mutants who attend Professor Xavier's school. We also happen to be the X-Men and he is our mentor." There was a long silence around the table at this statement as all of the people who were learning this information for the first time stared at Scott in surprise.

"Really?" Ginny finally asked, breaking the silence.

"Really" said Scott, "Watch." He took the coin he was holding and tossed it up high in the air. Then he raised his glasses up to his forehead and opened his now closed eyes just a little bit. ZAP! His optic blasts came out as a very narrow, focused beam. It hit the coin right in the center just as it reached the top of its rise and began to fall. Scott immediately closed his eyes again and lowered his glasses back down over them. He then picked up the coin which had fallen on the table and held it up for everyone to see. It now had a hole right through the middle of it.

"As you can probably guess" he said, "I'm Cyclops."

"I'm Beast" said Hank next, "What else would someone as large as me be called?"

"I'm Marvel Girl" Jean sent to everyone telepathically. Then she levitated one of the plates that was still on the table.

"I'm Iceman" said Bobby. He held up his right hand and quickly covered it in ice before thawing it again,

"I'm Angel" said Warren, "sorry you can't see my wings right now but when I want to go out in to regular society I fold them down under my clothes with a harness, and no, before you ask that doesn't hurt although it can feel restricting after a while."

Finally everyone looked at Harry. He sighed a little and held out his right hand with his open palm face up. Soon tiny bolts of electricity were dancing above it.

"I'm Lightning" he said, "and no, I didn't get that name because of my scar." He then levitated himself up out of his chair a few feet before coming back down again.

"Show off" whispered Warren to him with a smile. Harry just shrugged.

"Wait a minute" said Fred, "do you mean that when we watched Lightning playing aerial tag with Angel at Hogwarts – "

"– and later" said George "when he beat Draco Malfoy in those duels – it was you the whole time?"

"Yes" said Harry with a smile.

"THAT'S AWESOME!" the twins exclaimed together.

"Boys, don't yell" reprimanded their mother.

"That's an incredible prank" said George, "to think that the Boy-Who-Lived was at Hogwarts – "

" – and almost nobody knew it." finished up Fred.

"It was a great relief to me" said Harry, "I was finally able to mix with everyone without having to deal with that label. There were quite a few people there who don't like Harry Potter that were perfectly friendly to Lightning the X-Man."

"But, but – Merlin!" squeaked Ginny starting to turn red in embarrassment, "I talked your ears off when I met you at Hogwarts that day!"

"Yes" said Harry, "and I'm glad you did. Ron told me that you're usually quite outgoing and chatty but you've always been very shy around me and we've hardly spoken at all. It was nice to see, well, the real you so to speak and it also let me know you were all better from the Chamber of Secrets business." Ginny blushed even more but for once didn't look away. She realized that now that Harry had seen what she was normally like he wouldn't let her be shy around him again. Ron, meanwhile, was silently thanking Harry for his discretion in not saying that he had really said that Ginny "never shuts up normally" that day at the Burrow. He knew that would make her angry and an angry Ginny was a scary Ginny.

Mrs. Weasley turned and looked at Ron and Hermione with a serious expression.

"You two really knew about this?" she said.

"Yes" said Hermione, "but only since the end of April. After the fight at Hogwarts was over Harry came to us and told us everything."

"It was the same for me" said Hagrid.

"Sirius and I found out last Christmas" said Remus, "we visited Harry at Xavier's school during the holiday vacation and Sirius stayed there when I returned to Hogwarts."

"I lost 12 years of time with my godson because of the stupid mistakes I made" said Sirius, "I didn't want to lose any more. I've been living at Xavier's school ever since."

"And in recent months you've started training yourself" said Scott, "you're doing very well."

"Thanks" said Sirius, "but I'll never be an X-Man."

"Says who?" said Warren, "you live with us, you're training like we do, you even fought alongside us at Hogwarts. At the very least you're an honorary X-Man by now, or perhaps we should call you a reserve one."

"But I'm not a mutant" said Sirius.

"It doesn't matter" said Xavier unexpectedly and when Sirius looked at the other team members they were all nodding.

"The one person from the wizarding world who has known the whole time" said Harry getting things back on track, "is Professor Dumbledore. He was there from the beginning. He introduced me to Professor Xavier and made the arrangements for me to go to his school and later to enroll at Ilvermorny too. He's supported us all along."

"If there's a second honorary X-Man" said Bobby, "it's Professor Dumbledore. He fought Magneto to a standstill."

"Thank you" said Dumbledore, "but it took all of us to beat him in the end."

"But how did this all come about?" asked Mrs. Weasley. Harry took a breath.

"Well" he said, "it all began on the night Ron and I went to rescue Ginny from the Chamber of Secrets..."

(To Be Continued)

That's all for this week. The coin trick that Scott did is one he used in X-Men #170 if you want to see what it looks like. See everyone next Sunday.