CIRCUMSTANCES, PT. 2

"So why are you here?" Maddie asked.

"I need a favor." Minerva said. She motioned to Harry with her head. "Our family was attacked. Rodney was killed." Rodney had been killed by Death Eaters defending Diagon Alley so technically, it was true.

"ATTACKED BY GHOSTS?!" Jack asked. His eyes lit up.

Ghosts? Why would ghosts…Minerva thoughts trailed off. Well, I guess I can make this work. "Yes, by ghosts. I just managed to get Harry out."

"Family is family." Maddie said. "We'll help in any way we can."

"I need you to take care of him."

Maddie and Jack looked shocked. "Why?" they asked simultaneously.

Minerva stared into Jack's eyes. "I think it's time for me to go into the Fenton family business." She said forcefully. "While I'm gone I can't keep him." Aaannd, I think my plan is working.

Maddie and Jack looked at each other. The silent communication lasted a few seconds. "We'll take him." Jack said.

"Thank you." Minerva said. She shifted the Harry-bundle in her arms and gently passed him to Maddie.

She stood up. Harry was safe in a place no one would guess. Now for the final item. "Don't tell him about me." Minnie said quietly.

Maddie hesitated then nodded. "Ok. I won't tell him."


I won't tell him.

Fourteen years had passed and Harry had grown into a handsome young boy. He and his 'twin' were inseparable… and argumentative.

"It has to be the X-men." Harry said.

"Harry, Harry, Harry." Danny retorted. "Justice League, hands down."

"X-men." Harry countered. "Or should I get Fred down here to discuss it?"

"Don't you bring that thing anywhere near me." Danny yelled.

"He's a harmless snake." Harry said. "The zoo thing was three years ago. Get over it."

"I don't like that fucki-"

"Boys!" Maddie's voice rang out from the basement. They flinched. Despite an attempt to keep it quiet, they had been heard. "Danny, watch your language. Harry, stop teasing your brother."

"It's not my fault he fell in the snake cage." Harry called down the stairs.

"Listen to your mother, Harry." Jack's voice told him a second later. "Could both of you come down to the lab for a minute?"

"Sure, Dad." Danny said.

The twins tramped down the stairs to the basement. Their jumpsuit-wearing parents met them in from of a cloth-covered object. Jack and Maddie tugged on it and the canvas fell off.

"So, what is it?" Danny asked. Jack had anticipated the question and prepared a display board about the project. He talked and pointed. "The Fenton!Ghost-portal. This will allow humans to see ghosts! We should even be able to go into an entire zone full of Ghosts! And you two have been invited to see the Fenton!portal start for the first time."

Jack and Maddie each grabbed an end of a power cord that had lain on the floor and thrust them together. A few sparks came from the back of the portal and then…nothing. It didn't work.

"Well, that was nice. I need to go get Jazz to drive me to PetSmart. Fred needs some mice. I'll be back later." Harry said.

"We have mice down here, honey." Maddie said. She pointed to a cage in a corner. It was glowing.

"NON-radioactive mice, Mom. I'm not sure Fred can handle another dose."

A/N: and here is the second part of Circumstances. This is mostly to set up the next chapter.

Next chapter…the accident. Da-duh-dum!