Chapter 2
Harry and the others were getting dressed. He was in a white silk shirt, black jeans, boots, and glasses. He was primping in a mirror, trying to fix his hair. He sighed, "I hate my hair." He said, just then, Fleur had walked over to him. She ran her hand through it and kissed him.
"Do not worry, arry." She said, "you look fine." She was dressed in a powder blue gown (think Elsa's but the skirt's at the half thigh), Hermione was in a gold mini-dress, stockings, arm sleeves and boots, a short, black jacket, and two necklaces that she wears with love and pride. One was given to her by her lord and husband, Harry, and the other was given to her by her fellow wife, Wanda.
Jen was in a purple gown, heels, and stockings. "Hey, Jen," said Karen. Who was in a white qipao and heels. "I heard you were a lounge singer at one time." The gammazon chuckled.
"I did it once," she said. Carol came in, dressed in a black gown with gold trim and boots.
"And she's fantastic." She said Jen blushed.
"Harry? Can we go karaoke singing later?" Asked Karen.
"Why are you asking me?" He said, "I don't control you if you want to go singing after the meeting, you can."
"But we want you to come with us, Harry." Said Wanda, who was now dressed in her gypsy clothes as she snuggled in his arms.
"Oh, never went singing before." He said.
"You never went to a karaoke bar, Harry?" Said Zatanna, who was dressed in her stage gear. She hugged him to her chest and kissed him on the forehead. "You poor thing, it's settled. We are going to have some fun tonight." The others cheered.
Meanwhile, Luna and Victor were getting dressed; Luna was in a lovely gown, and Victor was in a suit and a banded collar. "So, we are meeting at Luxor?" He said.
"Yes, everyone will be there." She said.
"That's good," he said. He opened the door for his wife, and she walked out.
Next were Tonks and Laura; they were dressed nicely, with Laura in a ladies' suit and Tonks in a regular dress. Tonks' hair was a vibrant red, and her eyes were as green as Harry's. "Well, I hope we'll have some fun tonight." She said.
"Yeah," said Laura. "Me too." With that, they left their hotel.
Neville, Hannah, and Kitty were already at the Luxor, awaiting Harry and his wives. "Like, I can't believe I married royalty." Said Kitty, Neville blushed as Hannah giggled.
"I'm only 25th in line for the throne." He said, "Harry's much closer because he's the crown prince of Wizarding Britain." Hannah looked at Neville.
"HE'S Prince?" She said, "I thought it was you?"
"No, I'm his 'First Knight'."
"Wow, so you're like, second in line for the throne?"
"Close, more like 4th." Just then, Harry and his group came down to the lobby. That was when everyone else had come in as well.
"Well," said Harry. "Looks like everyone's here." Hermione nodded and hugged Neville, Victor, and Laura.
"Let's go eat." She said, and they headed to a restaurant.
Meanwhile, a group of villains was getting ready to rob the casino.
Harry and the others were just enjoying each other's company and having fun. Just then, one of the guards came up to Harry. "Excuse me, sir?" He said.
"Yes?"
"The casino is being robbed."
"What? Where are they?"
"Out front." Harry looked at the others and nodded. They quickly stood and then headed out to stop them.
"Let's take care of some business people." They headed out to the front to see Doctor Octopus, Bizarro, Solomon Grundy, Rhino, Electro, and Shocker. After a spectacular fight, with the deaths of Doc Ock, Rhino, Grundy, and Bizarro being changed into Harry's daughter, Harry was sitting on the sidewalk in front of the casino. Paramedics were patching him up; a cut was over his eye. Black blood was being cleaned up from his scar. Hermione was helping him through what he did.
"He was a corpse, Harry." She said, "he was already dead."
"Still doesn't make it right." Power Girl went over to him and wrapped herself around him.
"Hey, you're only human." She said.
Meanwhile, the authorities were arriving in force. Sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder as police cars, SWAT vans, and even a couple of armored vehicles screeched to a halt around the Luxor. Officers jumped out, weapons drawn, quickly assessing the scene. The sight of the defeated villains, coupled with the concerned murmurs of the crowd, immediately signaled that this was no ordinary robbery.
A stern-looking woman in a crisp uniform, Captain Reynolds, pushed her way through the throng of onlookers. Her eyes scanned the scene, taking in the overturned vehicles, the remnants of the battle, and finally, settling on Harry being attended to by Hermione and Power Girl.
"What in God's name happened here?" she barked, her voice cutting through the remaining tension.
One of the officers, a young man with wide eyes, nervously stepped forward. "Ma'am, it appears a group of super-powered individuals attempted to rob the casino... and were stopped by... them." He gestured towards Harry and the others.
Captain Reynolds raised a skeptical eyebrow. Super-powered individuals? It sounded like something out of a comic book. But the devastation around her was very real. She marched over to Harry, her expression unreadable.
"You," she said, her voice sharp. "You're responsible for this?"
Harry looked up, wincing slightly as the medic dabbed at the cut above his eye. "In a manner of speaking, yes. They were robbing the casino, and we stopped them."
"We?" Reynolds' gaze swept over the gathered group: the woman in the powder blue gown, the one in the gold mini-dress, the one in the vibrant gypsy attire, and the others, each looking like they had stepped out of a different world. This was getting weirder by the second.
"My…associates," Harry corrected, carefully choosing his words. "We were simply acting in the interest of public safety."
"Public safety?" Reynolds scoffed. "You caused more damage than they did! And...you killed them?"
Hermione stepped forward, her voice firm. "They posed an immediate and lethal threat. We acted in self-defense and defense of innocent bystanders."
Reynolds looked at the carnage and the dead villains. She was a cop and didn't like any of this. "Great, now I have a bunch of super-powered freaks running around claiming to be heroes! I don't know if I will buy any of this, and there will be a full investigation, but for now, you are free to go. Don't leave town." She turned to her officers. "Secure the scene, get forensics in here. And someone get me a damn coffee."
As the police swarmed around them, Harry sighed. "Well, that went about as well as expected."
Wanda squeezed his hand. "Don't worry, Harry. We did what was right."
Zatanna snapped her fingers, and the black blood vanished from Harry's scar. "Now, who's still up for karaoke?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Despite the grim situation, a few smiles broke out. The karaoke plan provided a much-needed distraction, a chance to unwind after the chaos. As they started to head back inside, Power Girl put her arm around Harry.
"Don't let it get to you," she said. "The world needs heroes, even if it doesn't always appreciate them."
As they walked, reporters were getting close to everyone to ask questions. Harry, however, had thought, "This is going to be a long night."
And he was right. The karaoke, initially a balm, soon became a chaotic press conference of its own. Reporters, alerted by the police presence and the excited chatter of onlookers, descended upon the Luxor like vultures. Flashbulbs popped as Harry and his companions tried to navigate the hotel lobby, each question a pointed dart aimed at uncovering the truth behind the bizarre events.
"Who are you people?"
"Are you vigilantes?"
"What kind of powers do you have?"
"Were those people you killed supervillains? Is that a thing now?"
Harry, already exhausted and sporting a fresh bandage, tried to deflect the barrage of inquiries with vague answers and polite smiles. Hermione, however, was a natural at damage control. She stepped forward, her voice calm and authoritative, and attempted to steer the narrative.
"We are concerned citizens who acted to protect innocent lives," she stated firmly. "We cooperated fully with the authorities, and we trust they will conduct a thorough investigation. We have no further comment at this time."
But the reporters were relentless. They pressed harder, their questions becoming more intrusive. As Harry felt his patience wearing thin, Madame Esmeralda, surprisingly, intervened. She threw her arms wide, her voice booming with theatrical flair.
"Enough, enough!" she cried. "Can't you see these brave souls are exhausted? They deserve a night of rest and celebration, not to be hounded by vultures! Shoo, shoo! Go find some real news!"
Her dramatic outburst, combined with Zatanna's subtle manipulation of the crowd using a few well-placed illusions, created enough of a distraction for Harry and his group to slip away. They retreated to the penthouse suite, grateful for the momentary respite.
Inside, the atmosphere was tense. The initial euphoria of victory had faded, replaced by a sense of unease.
"This is…complicated," Harry said, collapsing onto a plush sofa. "We stopped a robbery, saved lives, but now we're under investigation and plastered all over the news."
"It was inevitable," Hermione said, ever practical. "We used our abilities in public. We couldn't expect to remain anonymous."
"I just wish things would go back to normal," Harry sighed.
"Normal is relative, Harry," Power Girl said, resting a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Besides, after seeing all of us, do you think this world even has the concept of normal anymore?"
"I have a bad feeling that Captain Reynolds is going to make our lives a living hell" Harry states with worry in his voice.
The group looked at each other in shared understanding. This was just the beginning. The world had changed, and they were now a part of it, whether they liked it or not.
"Reynolds isn't the only problem," Zatanna added, pacing the opulent living room. "The magical community... they'll have noticed. They always do. Especially after a display like that." She gestured vaguely towards the city lights visible through the panoramic windows. "We haven't exactly been discreet."
Madame Esmeralda, who had settled herself on a lavish chaise lounge, fanning herself with a peacock feather fan she'd somehow conjured, chimed in, "Indeed. The whispers will begin. Questions will be asked. Alliances will be forged... and broken." She peered at Harry over the top of her spectacles. "And young Harry Potter... well, your legend precedes you, does it not?"
Harry groaned. "Please, not the 'boy who lived' thing again. I'm trying to live a normal life."
"A normal life?" Power Girl chuckled, but there was a hint of sympathy in her eyes. "Harry, darling, you're surrounded by a Kryptonian, a powerful witch, a stage magician with real magic, a fortune teller, and someone who knows more about ancient runes than Merlin himself. 'Normal' sailed a long time ago."
Hermione, predictably, took a more proactive approach. "We need a plan," she declared, pulling her beaded bag from her shoulder. "We need to understand the legal ramifications of what we did, how best to protect ourselves, and... and what our next steps are."
"Our next steps?" Harry asked, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "What next steps? I thought we stopped a robbery. I didn't sign up to be... what? A superhero?"
"Whether or not you signed up for it, that's essentially what you are now," Power Girl said bluntly. "You have abilities. You used them to help people. That makes you a hero."
Zatanna stopped pacing and perched on the arm of a chair, her eyes serious. "But being a hero comes with responsibilities. And consequences. We need to decide what kind of heroes we want to be."
Hermione began pulling books and parchment from her bag, laying them out on a nearby table. "First, we need to research. International laws regarding the use of magic, vigilante acts, superhuman abilities... This could take a while."
"And while Hermione buries herself in books," Madame Esmeralda said, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone, "I will consult my cards. The future, my dears, is a fickle mistress. But she often gives hints to those who know how to listen."
Harry rubbed his temples. "So, what you're saying is, things are about to get even more complicated?"
Power Girl squeezed his shoulder again. "Probably. But hey, at least we're in it together."
A sudden, sharp rapping at the door echoed through the suite. Everyone froze, exchanging nervous glances. Hermione quickly gathered her books, tucking them back into her bag.
"Expecting anyone?" Zatanna whispered.
Harry shook his head. "No."
He cautiously approached the door, peeking through the peephole. Standing in the hallway, clad in a crisp, blue uniform, was Captain Reynolds. His face was grim.
Harry sighed. "Speak of the devil."
"Let me handle this," Hermione said, stepping forward.
Harry opened the door. "Captain Reynolds. To what do we owe this pleasure?"
Reynolds' gaze swept over the room, taking in each of them in turn. "Mr. Potter. Ms. Granger. I need you all to come with me. We have some questions to answer." He paused, his gaze hardening. "And I'm afraid you don't have a choice."
Harry crossed his arms, a familiar defiance rising within him. "And what if we do choose not to go with you, Captain? Are you planning on arresting us?"
Reynolds' jaw tightened. "I have a warrant for your questioning. Obstruction of justice, suspicion of aggravated assault, and…well, a few other things are being considered. I would prefer you cooperate." She glanced meaningfully at Power Girl, who was carefully avoiding eye contact.
Hermione stepped forward. "We have already cooperated fully with your officers at the scene. We have nothing more to add without legal representation."
"Then get a lawyer, because you have 30 minutes before I start bringing you in one by one, and it won't be pleasant" Reynolds stated as she turned to leave. "Oh and another thing, that little show you put on out there wasn't what I want to see. If I or the city deems your abilities necessary, you will be contacted and asked to help. Until then, stay out of trouble."
As she turned around, Power Girl scoffed and said, "Or what? You'll use force? You are awfully confident for a mere mortal."
"Careful now, Ms. Starr," Reynolds said without turning back. "Don't let your abilities make you think you're above the law. We have ways of dealing with people like you."
As Reynolds walked away, Harry closed the door, and he turned back to look at everyone.
"She is going to make this extremely difficult for us" Harry stated.
"She seemed pretty confident. What ways could she possibly have to deal with us?" Zatanna asked.
Hermione chewed her lip, a worried expression on her face. "The government…they have resources. Specialized units, undisclosed technologies… they might even have… countermeasures."
"Countermeasures? Against magic?" Harry asked incredulously.
"Against anything they perceive as a threat," Hermione replied grimly. "Remember the Statute of Secrecy? It's not just about keeping us hidden from Muggles. It's about protecting both sides from each other."
Madame Esmeralda shuddered. "I see shadows… cold, calculating men… whispers of deals made in darkness…" She trailed off, clutching her fan. "This is more dangerous than I initially foresaw."
Power Girl scoffed. "Let them come. I'm not afraid of a few government spooks with gadgets."
"It is not just a matter of strength, Kara," Hermione said, using Power Girl's Kryptonian name. "It's about strategy, information, and knowing where to strike. We are outmatched, in this world, when it comes to those things."
"So what do we do?" Harry asked, feeling the weight of responsibility settling upon him once again. "We can't just sit here and wait for them to come for us."
"First," Hermione said, taking charge, "we need a lawyer. Someone with a clean record, experience in dealing with metahuman cases, and…preferably, someone who can keep a secret."
"I know someone," Zatanna said, snapping her fingers. "An old friend. He's discreet, resourceful, and knows his way around the legal system. He owes me a favor, too."
"Good. Contact him immediately," Hermione ordered. "Second, we need to gather information. Find out exactly what Reynolds knows, what she suspects, and what resources she has at her disposal. I can start looking into the local law enforcement databases. It will be difficult, but not impossible." "What about the magical community?" Harry asks.
"I can see what I can find out about here. However, the Magical community here is much more secretive when there isn't a Hogwarts. They have to be to prevent the Statute of Secrecy from being broken" Hermione replies.
"And third," Harry said, his voice hardening, "we need to decide what kind of heroes we're going to be. If we're going to keep doing this, we need a plan, a code, and a way to protect ourselves. This isn't going to be a game, and we can't just run around throwing spells and punches without thinking about the consequences."
He looked around at his companions, a sense of determination hardening his gaze. They were a strange, unlikely group, bound together by circumstance and a shared desire to do good. But they were all he had, and he was going to do everything in his power to protect them. He was going to be the leader they needed, even if he wasn't sure he was ready for it.
The next few hours were a whirlwind of activity. Zatanna contacted her lawyer friend, arranging a meeting for that evening. Hermione began her research, disappearing into a digital rabbit hole of legal databases and classified files. Madame Esmeralda retreated to a quiet corner of the suite, muttering incantations and laying out her Tarot cards. Power Girl, restless and impatient, patrolled the balcony, keeping an eye on the city below. Harry felt like he was finally reliving the horcrux hunt, with the world's problems and the group's future weighing down on his shoulders.