If you want a better disclaimer, read a previous chapter, still own zip.
Chapter Fourteen – Repercussions
"The curse I used is the same one that gave me this scar Bruce. It is the killing curse and means an automatic life sentence in Azkaban Prison," Harry said.
Batman looked at Harry in shock, for two reasons. First he would be sent to prison for using lethal force in a situation that required it and he called him Bruce. "How did you know," he asked not trying to deny it.
"Let's go to Godric's Hollow and I will explain," Harry said. "Hermione is right we need to leave before the Ministry arrives.
Harry called for Fawkes, who appeared with a flash of flame.
'Yes, young one,' the phoenix asked.
"We need you to get us out of here Fawkes. None of us have the energy to apparate and I don't want the Aurors to be able to track us," Harry said.
Fawkes nodded and had each of them grab a tail feather as he quickly flashed them back to Godric's Hollow.
As they left two Aurors arrived at the Orphanage and went inside to investigate.
They arrived in the cottage and Harry called for Scotty and asked for a calming draught for Hermione and butter beer for all of them.
"Please sit," Harry said. "Hermione and I have been putting pieces together since we first met. The sightings of the Demon of London didn't start until after you arrived. However, when you said we had told you about Voldemort, we only told you and Alfred so that was what cinched it."
Bruce had removed his mask and looked at Harry and Hermione with respect at their detective skills. He then said, "I know you two understand secrets and I trust you with this one."
Hermione nodded slightly calmer after the potion and then said, "Harry why did you do that, you are going to get in such trouble for casting that curse."
Harry looked at her and smiled as he said, "Well if the Ministry follows its rules, I should be fine. As I cast it on a non-human creature. But, we both know the Ministry of Magic has a habit of only following its rules when they suit it."
She nodded and then asked, "But how did you cast it Harry, it takes a great deal of emotion and power to cast the unforgivable curses."
"In order to cast each of the curses a different emotion is needed," Harry explained for Bruce and Hermione. "To cast the imperious curse, you need to want to dominate the person completely. To cast cruciatus you have to want to cause the person unbelievable pain, and to cast the killing curse, you must want the person dead. I wanted that gargoyle dead very badly so it couldn't hurt you Hermione."
Hermione hung her head and began to cry softly as the nights events finally caught up with her.
"Scotty," Harry said, "Please escort Hermione to her room and give her a dreamless sleep potion."
"Yes sir," Scotty replied as he escorted Hermione to her room.
Harry turned back to face a smirking Bruce Wayne and asked, "What's so amusing?"
"Oh it is nice to know I'm not the only one who needs a man-servant to keep my life on track," Bruce replied.
Harry smiled and said to Fawkes who was sitting their observing, "Fawkes please go retrieve Alfred."
Fawkes chirruped and flashed away, and then five minutes later, both he and Alfred reappeared in the room.
"I say, that is a very convenient way to travel," Alfred said after he arrived.
Harry thanks Fawkes and said to him mentally, 'Thank you for your help tonight and I'm sure Hedwig is around here somewhere, you reprobate.'
Fawkes sung a short note of acknowledgement and flew off.
Alfred looked at Bruce still in his costume, minus the cowl and raised an eyebrow asking the obvious question.
"Yes, Harry here figured it out, Alfred," Bruce said.
Then looking at Harry, Bruce asked, "I understand the horocruxes, but I am curious why you are the one doing this. There has to be more than what you have told us."
Harry nodded and then said, "How familiar are you with prophesy?"
Alfred said, "As in a view of what will happen in the future correct, similar to Nostradamus?" At Harry's nod he continued, "Generally given by a seer, they are rather ambiguous and aren't usually able to be verified until the event has taken place."
Harry chuckled and said, "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... And the Dark Lord will mark him as equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives."
Bruce and Alfred both looked at Harry in shock then Bruce said, "I'm assuming this prophesy is about you."
Harry nodded and explained how his birthday and the scar made him the Chosen One to face Voldemort in the prophecy.
"What about this power, Master Potter," Alfred asked.
"Dumbledore thought it was my ability to love, though I still think it is something else," Harry said then looked at a clock on the wall. "You are both welcome to stay here for the night, this house is safe. Hermione and I need to go to the Weasley's tomorrow for Bill and Fleur's wedding. I will have Fawkes take you back tomorrow morning."
Bruce nodded and Alfred thanked him.
Harry called out for Scotty and had him show Bruce and Alfred their rooms. He then went to his own after stopping by Hermione's to make sure she was resting peacefully.
"What do you mean you can't track where they went," Minister Scrimgour shouted at the two Aurors.
"Sir, we were able to determine there was a fight there between at least two Wizards and some gargoyles. There was also another person there, but there was no magical signature we could find, we think it was a Muggle. We were also able to determine a killing curse was used as well as some other spells. But, we could not determine where they went, it was almost as if they disappeared," Dawlish said.
Scrimgour frowned at the fact gargoyles had been there and then asked, "Were you able to determine what kind wand cast the killing curse?"
"Yes sir," Smythe said. "It was cast by a holly wand containing a phoenix feather."
"Interesting," Scrimgour said, "Did you make sure the bodies of the gargoyles were disposed of?"
The Aurors nodded and asked if there was anything else the Minister needed.
"No, that will be all," he said dismissively.
After the Aurors left, Rufus sat back in his chair and laughed darkly, he had Potter now, using a killing curse and exposing the Wizarding World to a Muggle. Potter would regret not working with him.
The next morning Hermione woke with a start and looked around at the room she was in. She then realized she was in Godric's Hollow and remembered last night how she was sure her life was over. Remembering the saliva dripping from the mouth of that gargoyle as it was about to rip her to shreds, then seeing a flash of green light strike it dead.
Harry's right she mused, he did the right thing and shouldn't be punished, though she also knew that the Ministry could still cause a problem over this. Then realizing the day she got out of bed and went to shower and get ready for the wedding.
Harry had not slept well, he was thinking about casting the killing curse, but more he was thinking about what had caused him to use it.
He realized that laying about would do nothing to change the past and got up to get ready for the wedding.
Harry came down the stairs to find Bruce, Alfred and Hermione sitting at the breakfast table eating.
"How did everyone sleep," Harry asked plastering a smile on his face.
"Quite well, thank you Master Potter," Alfred said for himself and Bruce. He then added, "Forgive Master Bruce, he is not what you call a morning person."
Bruce glared at his long time friend and father figure before returning to nurse his coffee.
Hermione looked up at Harry and whispered a thank you.
Harry realized it was for more than just the potions and nodded in acknowledgement.
"We should go back to our suite and we will meet up with you later, to discuss our next step," Bruce said.
Harry nodded and had Fawkes take them back to their suite.
"Are you all right Hermione," Harry asked.
"I'm not sure Harry," she said. "I understand the what and the why from last night; it's just hard to accept. Just be careful the Ministry could still come after you."
Harry smiled and patted her hand, "We should go; Molly is probably going spare wondering where we are."
Hermione squeezed Harry's hand and they both walked outside to apparate to the Burrow.