Harry Wayne and the Batman of Hogwarts
Chapter 42- X-scape from Arkham
The moon cast a pale glow over the gothic spires of Arkham Asylum, its light flickering as an unnatural cold swept through the grounds. The eerie silence was broken by the low growl of rusted hinges, followed by the bone-chilling sound of spectral wailing. A storm of Dementors descended upon the asylum, their presence suffocating, their frost-like aura spreading across the walls and corridors.
Inside, chaos erupted. Alarms blared, echoing off the ancient stone walls, as guards scrambled to contain a mass breakout orchestrated with terrifying precision. The Dementors, now in allegiance with Ra's al Ghul, floated methodically through the halls, freezing cell doors open with their cold touch. One by one, prisoners of particular interest to Ra's stepped out, their sinister smirks promising destruction.
Leading the breakout was Lady Bellatrix. Draped in black leather with a flowing cape, her raven hair shimmered under the flickering lights. Her piercing, almost hypnotic gaze made her as beautiful as she was deadly. Known for her unmatched skills as an assassin, Bellatrix moved with the grace of a predator. There was a rumor—one that whispered in dark corners—that she was deeply in love with Ra's al Ghul, her devotion to him unmatched.
As Bellatrix emerged from her cell, she glanced at the chaos around her with a smirk. "Time to finish what we started," she whispered, her voice laced with dark anticipation.
From a neighboring cell emerged Lazlo Dolohov, better known as Professor Pyg. His hulking figure was clad in a blood-stained butcher's apron, and his grotesque pig mask hid the gleeful madness in his eyes. He dragged a rusted cleaver across the wall, leaving deep gouges as he spoke in a sing-song voice, "Oh, the sweet symphony of suffering awaits. Who shall we carve tonight, Bellatrix?"
"Focus, Lazlo," she snapped, not breaking stride. "We have a mission."
Further down the corridor, Floyd Rockwood, known to the world as Deadshot, adjusted his eyepiece. A master marksman and former spy, Floyd's precision was second to none. He stepped into the fray with cool detachment, loading his custom wrist-mounted guns. "I don't suppose we're leaving quietly," he said dryly, aiming at a fleeing guard and firing without hesitation. The guard dropped instantly.
Bellatrix turned to him with a wicked smile. "Oh, darling, where's the fun in that?"
The three of them had fought alongside Ra's al Ghul during the First Wizarding War, their loyalty sealed by blood and darkness. Now, as they moved through the asylum, they were determined to pick up where they had left off—to help Ra's complete his vision of a new order.
The trio regrouped in the main hall, where other prisoners—less significant but equally dangerous—were being freed. Bellatrix raised her wand, the tip glowing with dark energy. "Loyalists to Ra's, gather! Tonight, we make Hogwarts and the Ministry tremble!"
The Dementors swirled above, their ghastly presence ensuring no resistance could mount against the escape. The guards who remained alive fled in terror, leaving Arkham to the chaos.
As the trio exited into the cold night, Bellatrix turned to her comrades. "First, we rendezvous with Ra's. Then, we hunt down the scroll."
Lazlo chuckled darkly, his pig mask glinting in the moonlight. "And if anyone gets in our way?"
Bellatrix's smile widened, cruel and unyielding. "Then we remind them why we're feared."
Floyd adjusted his eyepiece, scanning the dark horizon. "I hope Harry Wayne's ready. Because we're coming for him."
The group vanished into the night, leaving behind a broken Arkham and a chilling promise of the chaos yet to come.
Hours later, as Harry Wayne lay sleeping, his rest was interrupted by a vivid and horrifying nightmare that felt far too real to dismiss. In the dream, he saw Ra's al Ghul standing in a dark, ominous chamber within the Ministry of Magic, torturing Sionis Black. Harry quickly deduced that Ra's must have captured Sionis while he was searching for the scroll hidden in the Department of Mysteries.
In the nightmare, Harry could hear every word Ra's spoke as he loomed over the restrained Sionis. Ra's voice was calm but chilling as he made his demands clear: "Harry Wayne must retrieve the scroll himself. Only then can its secrets be revealed. If he does not come and give its power over to me, I will kill you."
The moment grew even more unsettling when Ra's turned his gaze directly toward Harry, as though he were fully aware that Harry was watching him through the dream. His piercing eyes seemed to bore into Harry's very soul, making it clear this was no ordinary nightmare—it was a warning, or perhaps even a magical projection meant to terrify him into compliance.
Behind Ra's stood three figures Harry had never seen before, but their presence alone was enough to send a chill down his spine. Lady Bellatrix, her posture cold and calculated, exuded an air of deadly precision. Floyd Rockwood, known as Deadshot, stood confidently with an aura of sharp cunning. Lazlo Dolohov, the infamous Professor Pyg, seemed twisted and unhinged, his sadistic nature practically radiating from him. Though Harry didn't know their names, he instinctively understood these were no ordinary allies—they were Death Eaters loyal to Ra's al Ghul, ready to carry out his will.
As the dream reached its climax, Ra's drew a gleaming magical dagger from his robes. With a swift motion, he hurled it directly at Harry. The blade flew through the air, glowing with dark energy, and as it struck, Harry woke with a start, his body jolting upright in bed.
Pain immediately shot through his back from the abrupt movement, a harsh reminder of his still-healing injuries. Sweat poured down his face as his heart raced. The vision had left him shaken, both from its intensity and its implications.
How am I going to stop this? Harry thought to himself. Ra's has Sionis, and he's demanding I retrieve the scroll. But I'm in no condition to face him, let alone fight off Death Eaters.
The weight of the situation pressed heavily on him as he realized the danger Neville, Hermione, and Harvey were in. They were planning to infiltrate the Ministry of Magic to find the scroll, completely unaware of the trap Ra's had laid for them.
Harry clenched his fists, frustration and fear swirling within him. I have to warn them before it's too late. If they walk into that ambush, Ra's will destroy them.
Determined, Harry began formulating a plan. Despite his condition, he needed to find a way to reach his friends and stop them from walking into the lion's den unprepared.
Unsure of how to proceed and overcome the growing danger, Harry sat on his bed, feeling completely helpless. Suddenly, a soft, resonating voice broke the silence. It was coming from the mirror on the wall. Startled, Harry turned to look and saw the faint, glowing image of Charles Dumbledore staring back at him.
"Harry," Dumbledore's voice said, calm yet grave, "I felt a disturbance within you and decided to reach out. I am speaking to you through a spell called Cerebro, which allows me to track and communicate with wizards and muggles across the world."
Harry wasted no time, recounting the terrifying nightmare he had just experienced. He explained how Ra's al Ghul had captured Sionis Black and demanded Harry retrieve the scroll hidden in the Department of Mysteries. He described the vivid details of Ra's threats, the three unknown Death Eaters standing by his side, and how real the dream had felt—as though Ra's himself had entered his mind.
Dumbledore nodded solemnly, his expression darkening. "What you've experienced is no ordinary nightmare, Harry. Ra's al Ghul has his own way of using Cerebro to invade the minds of others. He's learned how to manipulate dreams and project himself into the consciousness of his enemies. This is why you must learn Occlumency—a defensive technique that allows you to shield your mind from intrusion. It will be your greatest defense against Ra's and his methods."
As Harry processed this revelation, his concern shifted to his friends. "Dumbledore, Hermione, Neville, and Harvey are in grave danger. They're planning to go to the Ministry of Magic to retrieve the scroll, but I know Ra's is waiting to ambush them. And those Death Eaters with him—they're not ordinary followers. I could feel their power in the dream."
Dumbledore's expression turned grim. "It is worse than I feared. The three Death Eaters you describe are Lady Bellatrix, Lazlo Dolohov, and Floyd Rockwood. They were among Ra's most trusted allies during the First Wizarding War. I must also inform you of another grave matter—a mass breakout has occurred at Arkham. Among the escapees are the very same Death Eaters you saw in your dream."
Harry's eyes widened in shock. "Ra's must have orchestrated the breakout," he said, his voice trembling.
Dumbledore shook his head. "The Order of the Owls does not believe so. They are blaming Sionis Black, claiming he masterminded the escape as part of some grand scheme. The Ministry is already moving to declare him a fugitive."
Harry's frustration boiled over. "That's a lie! Sionis is innocent! He's being used as a scapegoat because the Order of the Owls needs someone to blame."
"I know, Harry," Dumbledore said softly. "But the Order is blinded by their need for control. They refuse to see the truth. Ra's is pulling strings they cannot even comprehend."
Dumbledore's image began to flicker and fade, the spell nearing its limit. Realizing he was running out of time, Harry pleaded, "Dumbledore, please! You have to warn Hermione, Neville, and Harvey before they walk into Ra's trap. I can't let them face him and those Death Eaters alone."
As the light from the mirror dimmed, Dumbledore gave Harry one last nod. "I will do everything in my power to protect them, Harry. But you must prepare yourself. The path ahead will not be easy."
With that, the image disappeared, leaving Harry alone in the darkened room, the weight of the looming threat heavier than ever. He knew he couldn't afford to wait any longer.
By morning's light, the news of the mass breakout at Arkham had spread like wildfire across Hogwarts. Despite the murmurs and hushed conversations among the students, the Order of the Owls issued strict instructions: all students were to remain in their dormitories until further notice, and under no circumstances were they to discuss the breakout with anyone outside the castle. Violation of this directive would result in severe punishment.
Not long after, a summons came for Neville, Harvey, and Hermione to meet with Dumbledore in his chambers. Nervously, they entered his office, half expecting a reprimand. Dumbledore greeted them with a solemn expression, but his tone was measured.
"I am aware of your intentions to retrieve the scroll from the Ministry of Magic," he began, his piercing gaze locking on each of them. Before they could respond, he continued, "I also know that Ra's al Ghul and his Death Eaters are lying in wait for you there."
The trio braced themselves for what they assumed would be a stern warning or an outright prohibition of their plan. To their astonishment, Dumbledore instead said, "I will not stop you. Proceed with caution. I will do everything in my power to support you—though it will not be easy. The Order of the Owls has locked the castle down, and no one is permitted to leave."
The trio exchanged glances, digesting the unexpected turn of events. Hermione, always the thinker, quickly devised a plan. "There's a way," she said, her tone cautious but resolute. "But... it will require tarnishing your reputation, Professor."
Dumbledore's expression remained unreadable as he nodded. "I am listening."
Minutes later, Dumbledore left his office, his face calm but his stride purposeful. He was barely halfway down the corridor when Jostanos intercepted him.
"Dumbledore," Jostanos began, his tone sharp, "I've received reports that you were having a private meeting in your chambers. What is the meaning of this?"
Without breaking stride, Dumbledore walked past him, offering nothing but a dismissive wave. "You're welcome to investigate," he called over his shoulder, leaving Jostanos standing in the corridor, fuming.
Determined to uncover the truth, Jostanos stormed into Dumbledore's office, finding Hermione, Neville, and Harvey still inside. "What was that meeting about?" he demanded, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
For a moment, the three students were silent, exchanging nervous glances. Then Hermione stepped forward, her voice trembling as if she could no longer contain the weight of her secret. "I... I can't keep it in anymore," she stammered.
Neville and Harvey immediately acted, their protests loud and panicked. "Hermione, no!" Neville pleaded. "You know what Dumbledore will do to us if you talk!"
"Don't do this!" Harvey added, his voice strained.
Despite their protests, Hermione pressed on, her voice barely above a whisper but dripping with urgency. "Dumbledore has left the castle," she said, her tone grave. "He's gone to the Forbidden Forest... to release something—something dangerous. A being called Weapon X."
Jostanos's face contorted in confusion and alarm. "Weapon X?"
Hermione nodded, her voice steadying. "And that's not all. He intends to take Ra's al Ghul's place. He wants to become the next leader of the League of Shadows."
The weight of the accusation stunned Jostanos. He didn't wait for further explanation, bolting from the room to alert the Order of the Owls. Within minutes, the castle was abuzz with activity as the Order mobilized, heading toward the Forbidden Forest to stop Dumbledore's so-called "sinister plan."
As the chaos unfolded, Hermione, Neville, and Harvey slipped away, unnoticed in the commotion. They knew their time was limited. With the Order distracted, they began making their way to the Ministry of Magic, fully aware of the danger that awaited them but resolute in their mission to retrieve the scroll before it fell into Ra's al Ghul's hands.
To be continued…