MoP

Harry Potter and the Myriad of Possibilities: Contagion

Chapter 2: Grief

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 Jon, Greg Parsons, 6f5e4d and the Young Justice Writing Group for their help on this chapter.

Leesburg Hospital.
July 1, 16:22 EDT.

Linda woke to the feeling of something gripping her arm. She forced her eyes open and looked around, immediately noticing a nurse looming over her, wrapping a Velcro cuff around the upper part of her arm.

"Raed, gnileef uoy era woh?" asked the woman as she pumped it up.

"What do you mean?" slurred Linda, her brain still fuzzy, but the nurse apparently didn't understand her any better than she could understand her and didn't reply, instead picking up one of her hands by the wrist.

After a moment, the nurse dropped her hand and adjusted the cuff. After taking a reading, she removed the cuff and produced a thermometer. "Esaelp htuom ruoy nepo uoy nac?"

Linda wasn't sure what the woman had said, but her intentions were clear enough, so she opened her mouth and allowed the woman to insert the device, then remove it a few minutes later and swapped it for a small flashlight.

Given their language issues, it took several frustrating minutes before the nurse was happy with the results of that exam, then turned to leave.

17:16 EDT

Linda's belly was starting to growl with hunger, and she was beginning to wonder how dinner was going to work when everyone was speaking gibberish, when a familiar face in a white t-shirt and denim shorts let himself into the room. "Hank, it's good to see you!"

The boy paused, then smiled. "It's good to see you too, cousin."

Linda paused for a moment, then sighed in relief. "You're not talking gibberish?!"

Hank smiled back. "And the staff here are the ones that thought you were the one talking gibberish."

"Huh?" asked Linda, confused.

Hank nodded. "Your language centre was scrambled by the ritual you were exposed to… which means that you're speaking Backwards German. I suspect you're hearing them backwards as well."

"That makes sense," Linda agreed, nodding. "And your meta-power is allowing you to translate."

"Of course," Hank confirmed. "Given that Zee's taught me some backwards magic in English and I speak German it wasn't even that hard."

"Are my parents here?"

Hank paused, then replied. "My mom's talking with your doctor and the Bureau agents that helped rescue you," Linda had the feeling that he was trying to hide something, but she couldn't figure out how to ask before he continued. "I'd better let them know that you're up and why they were having problems communicating with you."

"Hank, what are you not telling me?" Linda asked, but the boy ignored her, turned on his heel and hurried out of the room. "Hank!"

17:32 EDT.

She was still fuming over Hank running out on her when an orderly brought her meal and was slightly mollified when she realised that her cousin had probably set it up as it included her favourite flavour of Jell-O as a peace offering.

The room's door opened just she was finishing the desert and she looked up, hoping to see Hank so that she could thank him, but instead of her brunette cousin it was a slim man with mousey-brown hair in a cheap navy-blue suit that screamed "government agent", flanked by Hank's mother in a knee-length skirt and sleeveless top and a vaguely familiar young woman with shoulder-length red hair in a camisole and shorts.

(Can you understand me?) asked a female voice inside her head.

What, how? Linda thought, then realised what was happening and who the young woman was. (I can. You're Lia Briggs aren't you? I've seen some of your posts on Eyespasm.)

(I am,) confirmed the older red-head. (I just joined the Outsiders, so when the DEO found out about your communication problems they asked me to come over and see if I could help.)

"Krow ti did?" asked the agent. "Su ot klat ehs nac?"

Lia looked over at the agent. "Yllacihcysp reh ot tcennoc ot deganam ev'I," she replied, then she shifted her gaze to her aunt. "Su fo ruof eht neewteb knil rotalsnart a pu tel dna yrt ot gniog m'I noissimrep ruoy htiw?"

"Reh mrah t'now ti erus er'uoy?" asked her aunt as she moved to Linda's side and picked up her hand, squeezing it reassuringly.

"Ti s'taht tub sdnoces wef a rof ehcadaeh a teg yam ehs," declared Lia confidently.

"Ti od," demanded the agent.

Lana opened her mouth, paused, then nodded.

Linda yelped as a brief stab of pain flickered across her forehead. "What was that?!"

"I just expanded the low-level psychic link between us to include your aunt and Agent Futz so that we can talk more easily," replied the older girl, now speaking aloud again.

"That's good," said Linda. "Maybe you can explain what's going on here? Where are my parents?"

The agent stepped forward. "Miss Lang, I'm Special Agent Leo Futz with the Department of Extranormal Operations, I'd like ask you a few questions?"

"Where are…" Linda began, then she was hit by a flash of memory… gunshots… then her babysitter and a muscular man barging into her room and grabbing her. "No, no, no…" she moaned as she broke away from her aunt, curled up in a ball and began to sob.

The Hub.
16:08 PDT.

"Recognized, Looker D-One-Six," announced the computer as Lia appeared inside the Zeta-Tube.

The young telepath looked around and was a little surprised to see Artemis – dressed in her everyday outfit of jeans and a tank-top rather than her costume – standing in the middle of the common room. "What's up, Boss?" she asked as she stepped out of the portal and moved towards the seating area.

The older hero grunted. "That was supposed to be my line," she countered and looked Lia over as the younger hero dropped into a chair. "Oracle told me there was a problem with Linda Lang at the hospital?"

Lia shrugged, then winced as a muscle in her shoulder throbbed. "I wouldn't call it a problem per se…" she equivocated. "Just a few bumps and bruises from an outburst by a scared and angry pre-teen."

"So she's a meta then?"

Lia paused to consider the question, then made a face. "I'm not sure she's a meta, magical or both. Probably both, as she apparently had a passive meta talent before the ritual."

"Do you know what it was?"

"According to her cousin she's always been spooky good at hide-and-seek."

"Maybe some sort of illusion power," mused Artemis. "I'll get M'gann or Zee to check her out when they get back."

"He also says that she's a good kid, maybe even Outsiders material."

"Not at the moment she isn't," Artemis countered.

"Maybe not," Lia agreed. "She's been a through a lot in the last few days. But she's not even twelve yet, so there's plenty of time for her to recover."

Artemis nodded, still a little sceptical but willing to table the issue for now. "Has she been Collared?"

"Agent Futz pushed for it," Lia admitted. "But Ms Lang vetoed it for now. She wants to give the girl a chance to control herself. She has agreed to reconsider if there are more outbursts."

"Fair enough," conceded Artemis. "And you're sure you're all right?"

"Nothing a hot shower, some food and an early night won't fix," Lia replied casually. "I've had worse in training sessions…"

Artemis nodded again, she wasn't sure if the younger hero had, but personal experience told her it was unfortunately plausible. "I'll leave you to it then," she said, and headed towards the Zeta-Tube, then paused just before she passed over the threshold and looked back at Lia. "If you get a chance, ask Anissa or Traya about her, they're likely to be a bit more objective than her cousin."

"Will do," Lia agreed, and Artemis turned back to the Zeta-Tube and stepped inside.

"Recognized, Tigress B-Zero-Seven," confirmed the computer as the archer teleported out of the Outsiders' headquarters.

Leesburg Hospital.
July 4, 09:16 EDT.

Hank glanced over at his cousin, then reassured that she was still in the half-sleeping fugue state that she'd been in for the last few days, he picked up the remote and clicked on the television.

A familiar blond woman in a maroon skirt suit appeared on the screen standing to one side of a large crowd. "This is Cat Grant, reporting live from outside the Hall of Justice… Justice League chairman Black Lightning will be announcing changes to their line-up momentarily…"

There was a commotion behind her and she turned away from the camera, which then zoomed into the podium in front of the massive building as a familiar tall, bearded black man stepped out of the building at the head of a six-strong brightly-clad group of men and women.

"Good morning," he said. "The Justice League was formed for two reasons: First, as an acknowledgement that no single individual... no matter how powerful, can solve all the world's problems alone and second, to uphold the values of truth, liberty and justice… the last one is even in the name…"

The quiet sound of polite laughs came from the crowds, and Hank shook his head at the old joke.

"… These five heroes have sworn to uphold those values," declared Black Lightning as he stepped away from the podium and began to hand out membership cards. "I would like to welcome Metamorpho…"

The chalk-skinned bald and nose-less man in a multi-coloured leotard accepted his card and smiled for the camera to quiet cheers and claps from the crowd, just before it shifted to the next inductee, a massive red-and-white armoured figure with a number seven on his chest-plate.

"… Our new Soviet government liaison, Vladimir Mikoyan of the Rocket Red Brigade…"

The armoured man accepted the card silently and without any reaction as the cheers and claps died away and camera panned away from him to a bronze-skinned man in biker leathers.

"… Veteran hero and former member of the Doom Patrol, Robotman…"

The massive cyborg nodded impassively as he accepted his own identification to subdued celebration from the crowds, then the camera followed the League's chairman to the fourth man in the line-up, a slim black man in red and yellow with a flaming torch in place of his hand.

"… Firestorm the Nuclear Man…"

"Glad to be here!" announced the young hero with a grin as the cheers and claps became more audible.

"And we're happy to have you," confirmed Black Lightning as he handed over the elemental hero's identification and moved to the final member of the line-up, a shaggy-haired petite woman. "And finally, I would like to welcome Kylie Rayner of the Green Lantern Corps."

The dark-skinned woman smiled broadly as she accepted her card and then waved to the crowd as they went wild.

A moment later, the door into their room opened and his mother entered with an elderly, balding man in a white coat.

"Is everything alright, Mom?" Hank asked.

His mother nodded, "Dr Winters just wanted to go over some of Linda's test results with me."

Hank glanced at Linda, she had come out of her fugue a little as the two adults entered the room and was looking at him with a puzzled frown on her face. (Mom says everything's fine?) he assured her.

(Can I.. when can I?) she asked, vaguely.

Hank turned back to his mom and the doctor. "She wants to know if she can get out of here?"

The two adults shared a look. "Monday?" offered Dr Winters. "I know that Dr Harcourt wants to see her before she's discharged and she's got the weekend off."

His mother paused to consider it. "At the latest please," she replied. "Her parents' funerals are scheduled for Monday morning and I'd like her to be able to attend if she wants to."

Harry turned back to his cousin and translated the message.

The older girl shrugged and snuggled back into her blankets.

Star City.
July 8, 10:16 PDT.

Artemis was trying to decide what to make for lunch when her commlink buzzed. "Now's not a great time, Oracle."

"Cyborg just called in a priority assistance request from STAR Labs Detroit," Oracle reported. "One of their researchers has been transformed into a werecat, escaped on-site security and is on the loose."

"And he wants the Team, not his own team or the League?"

"His father has concerns about what will happen if the local police department get involved," Oracle continued. "He feels that the Team are best option to resolve it quickly and discretely."

"That's a familiar sentiment," Artemis admitted. "I need to find someone to look after Lian, but I'll be in Detroit as soon as I can."

"I'll gather the Team."

As soon as the channel closed, Artemis paused to think for her options for a moment. The boys are tied up on a job with a new client… she thought. Garfield, Tara and Violet are in Europe for a summit on the Markovia-Vlatava border crisis… Mom won't be back from her physiotherapist for another hour…

She pulled out her phone and dialled a familiar number.

"Allen House. Iris speaking."

"Iris, it's Artemis."

"Hi, Artemis… what's up?"

"Can you take Lian for me?" Artemis asked. "I've just got a rush job and everyone's tied up."

"No problem," agreed the older woman. "Compared my two, Lian's an angel…"

"When can I drop her off?"

"Bart's on his way to pick her up and bring her here," Linda replied. "He'll be with you in a few seconds."

"Thanks, I owe you one."

Detroit.
13:32 EDT.

"Good afternoon, Tigress," said the uniformed guard who was waiting for Artemis when she arrived at STAR Labs.

"Hi Casey," replied Artemis, as always ignoring the man's slight resemblance to her father. "How's Dale?"

"Still working for Heywood," he replied. "I'll get him to defect eventually."

"Fingers crossed," Artemis agreed. "Is my team here?"

"They're in Dr Stone's lab," confirmed the chief of security. "Follow me."

Artemis nodded and they left the lab's small garage.

"I've got her!" Victor announced as they walked into the lab. "She just broke through a fence at the Grosse Point sewage treatment plant, she's heading for the river."

"Good work," said Artemis as she joined him at the computer console.

"Thanks Boss."

Artemis turned away from the console and considered the rest of the group that had assembled in response to his call for assistance.

"M'gann, did you bring Bio-Ship or Zeta here?"

"Bio-Ship's here," confirmed the Martian woman.

Artemis wondered momentarily why her hair was longer than it had been when she left but didn't mention it. "Can you take a squad and fly overwatch?"

"Of course."

"Cissie, Traci… you're Gamma with M'gann and Bio-Ship."

Both girls nodded agreement.

"Hank, you're with me," she continued. "Victor, can you Boom to somewhere on the waterfront?"

"No problem," he confirmed. "She's probably heading for either Bush Park or the marina…"

"We'll take the park," Artemis decided. "M'gann, head for the marina."

The Martian woman nodded and turned to leave, with the rest of her squad at her heels.

13:34 EDT.

Artemis glanced around as the Boom Tube closed behind them. "I don't see her."

"Yeah, she's not here," Victor confirmed. "Not yet anyway…"

Artemis was about to reply, then a scream echoed out of the trees. "Is that?"

"I think so," he admitted. "Locking in on the sound…"

(Miss Martian, we have something within earshot of our location.)

(Heading your way now.)

"It's this way!" Victor declared and set off at a run.

Hank transformed into his steel form and set off after him.

Artemis was only a moment slower to react, but the two boys quickly outpaced her, and by the time she reached the clearing where the screams had come from, the pair had already engaged the woman, but with limited success. As she watched, Cyborg staggered backwards, blood streaming from scratches to the patch of skin left on his face.

Artemis drew her crossbow, but paused as Hank dove towards the woman to tackle her and bring her down. But the feliniod woman must have sensed the attack as she leapt upwards and he planted his face in a rubbish bin. Artemis fired, the bolt expanding into a net and briefly snaring her in mid-air, dropping her to the ground.

Artemis gave a cry of triumph, but it cut off as the woman tore through the netting and surged to her feet as Artemis loaded another bolt into her weapon. "Dr Dowd, we don't want to hurt you… stand down!"

The older woman hissed in anger and lunged toward her; face contorted in anger.

Artemis' finger tensed on the trigger, but she relaxed as a purple haze appeared around the older woman, causing her to fall to the ground, and gave the two boys the opening they needed to pile on top of her and restrain her.

(Nice move, Thirteen,)

(Always happy to help, Boss.)

"Let's get her back to STAR Labs," said Artemis as the sound of sirens began to appear in the distance. "Fast."

"I can do fast," declared Victor and a Boom Tube opened with a bang.

"Then let's go," declared Artemis, motioning for Hank – who carried the bound and collared Dr Dowd in a fireman's carry – to precede her.

Missouri.
July 12, 16:16 CDT.

"… this is your captain, speaking," declared a voice over the tannoy. "We will be landing at Hardwell Fields Airport in fifteen minutes. Thank you for flying FerrisAir."

Hank marked his place in the book he was reading, stowed the volume in his carry-on bag and then glanced over his cousin, who was glazing out into space. "Do you need help?"

Linda didn't comment and didn't move to gather up her own things or fasten her seatbelt for landing.

Deciding to help her anyway, Hank reached over and snagged the buckle of her belt, then fastened it for her and gathered up her things and packed them away, there was another announcement. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to begin landing procedures, please ensure your seatbelts are fastened and your tray tables are in the upright position."

Hank settled back in his seat and fastened his belt, then glanced over at his mother, nodding at her enquiring expression.

Central City.
17:01 CDT.

"Grandma!" exclaimed Hank gleefully as he spotted the older woman approaching them from the other side of the arrivals lounge and set off towards them at a run.

"It's good to see you, kid," said his grandmother as he caught her around the middle in a massive hug, then when Melo barked to draw attention to himself, he bent to caress the dog, who whimpered a little in happiness for a moment and licked him in the face, eliciting a giggle from him before spotting Hank's mother and his cousin and then broke away and bounded towards them barking and whimpering in joy.

The Border Collie covered the distance in seconds and jumped up to lick his mother in the face, who laughed a little and pushed him back down again, then she turned to Linda and jumped up to lick her, catching her by surprise and knocking her down.

Linda winced a little as she hit the ground, but Melo kept up his greeting she began to giggle.

Hank smiled as he led his grandparents towards them, but his smile turned to a frown as she began to cry instead. "Are you all right?" he asked. "Melo, come!"

Surprised at the firm tone in his voice, the dog started to break away from Linda, but she reached for her and pulled her to her, tears now streaming from her face.

"Mom?"

His mother nodded. "I've been expecting… almost hoping for this to be honest. Though I would've preferred a more private location…"

"Can I help, ma'am?" asked an airport employee as he wandered over.

"That would good," agreed his mother. "Can you help me get my niece into our car?"

"I could get a wheelchair?"

"That's sounds good."

"I'll just be a moment."

"Ma, I'm gonna call Iris and see if we can stop off at her house…"

His grandmother nodded, then turned back to Hank. "Hank, why don't we go and get your bags while your mother gets your cousin settled?"

"Let's go!" Hank confirmed and led the way away from their group towards the baggage carousels.

17:16 CDT.

"She's sleeping properly now," Lana reported as she joined Hank and his grandmother in the Allens' living room. "Melo's staying with her."

"That's great," Hank observed. "She hasn't slept properly since she found out that her parents died."

"Wasn't that about two weeks ago?" asked Aunt Iris as she entered the room from the kitchen.

Hank nodded.

She whistled, then turned to his mother. "I'll have some food ready in about half-an-hour."

"We appreciate it, Iris."

"It's no trouble," Aunt Iris assured her. "With Barry, Wally and now Bart… I'm used to putting together big and quick meals at short notice. Do you want to stay over?"

"No, that's okay," replied his mother. "Ma wants to get back to Pa tonight, and I've got an early morning meeting with my boss. He's been an angel about giving me time-off but even he has limits."

"Can I stay, Mom?" Hank asked. "Linda might be scared if she wakes up in a strange place and she can't talk to anyone."

His mother didn't reply immediately.

"Then we could Zeta back to Grandma and Grandpa's," Hank continued. "Depending on when she wakes up, we might be back before you've finished your meeting."

The three women shared looks, then nodded.

"You can stay," agreed his mother.

"Thanks, Mom!" Hank exclaimed and lunged over to hug her around the waist.