Chapter 10: Age of Apocalypse
Harry and Hermione walked down the stairs of the Mansion in their Hogwarts robes, "Prof. Xavier wants you to come often so he can make sure Sinister didn't do anything we don't know about," Harry said walking by her side.
"Ok, I can do that … but I'm worried about my scores," Hermione said with a sigh, "What if Mystique messed up my grades to the point I can't graduate. Oh, what am I going to do, Harry?" she panicked.
Harry laughed loudly, earning a death glare from Hermione, "Mione, relax!" Harry chuckled, "You've had enough points to graduate since THIRD YEAR!"
"Even so …" Hermione blushed, "I want to do my absolute best, anything else would be unsatisfactory!" she said with a firm nod.
"So where are you two off to?" a voice said from behind them.
They turned to see Kitty in her uniform, leaning against the wall.
"Oh, we're about to go back to Hogwarts, today's the last day before Christmas holiday," Harry explained.
"LAST DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY!!" Hermione screeched, "Merlin, Harry, I've been gone THAT Long???"
"Oh, sorry Hermione," Harry said shyly, "Have you met my girlfriend, Kitty?"
"G-girlfriend?" Hermione stuttered, growing slightly pale.
"Um yeah, Kitty, this is Hermione," Harry introduced as Kitty walked toward them, "Hermione this is Kitty."
"Hello," Kitty forced a smile toward Hermione.
"Pleasure …" Hermione said, the girls locking narrowed eyes.
"I've heard a lot about you … Hermione," Kitty said sweetly yet venomously.
"Nice to know," Hermione replied in a icy voice, "I've never heard a word of you before."
"I'm sure you two will be such good friends!" Harry said cheerfully, "Now we must be off, Hermione, We don't want to be late for assembly, do we?"
Hermione nodded, not once taking her eyes off Kitty. Kitty on the other hand gave Harry a kiss on the cheek, and smiled at the scowl she received from Hermione, before retreating down the hallway. "See you when you get back, Harry love," Kitty said mocking Hermione's accent and emphasizing the word 'love' as she went into her room.
'Kitty?' Hermione thought, still scowling at Harry's side, as they walked through the mansion, 'what kind of name is … 'Kitty'? She probably has hairballs …'
"Did you say something, Hermione?" Harry asked looking down at her in confusion.
"No, I didn't say anything, Harry," Hermione replied coldly.
"Ok, let's head back then," Harry smiled oblivious at her sudden mood swing, "I've contacted Dumbledore, he and Ron will be waiting."
"Oh, goodie …" she said as the two touched the portkey and Harry recited the keywords.
--
"Welcome back, Ms. Granger," Dumbledore said smiling as he and Ron stood by the door in Harry's dorm room.
"Hermione!" Ron cried, as he ran up and hugged her tight.
"Oh, Ron, I've missed you!" She said over dramatically and hugged him tight, then glancing back at Harry. Then sighing when she saw it had no effect.
"Now, we must go," Dumbledore said making his way to the door, "We are already late for the assembly, heaven knows what those brothers of yours are up to without my supervision, Mr. Weasley."
"Hermione, you go on ahead with Dumbledore," Harry said waving, "I'm sure they've missed you more then me, and I need to speak to Ron for a moment."
Hermione looked nervous for a moment, before nodded and followed Dumbledore out of the room.
"What is it, Harry?" Ron asked, "Need me to tell you how to do the protection charm so you can shag your new girlfriend there?" he winked causing Harry to give him a small telekinetic shock.
"She's not my new girlfriend, she's still yours …" Harry said looking toward the door, "I think …"
"Bloody …" Ron sighed slapping his forehead, "Did you not listen to a word I said before?"
"Yes I did, Ron but … it's complicated …" Harry sighed looking at the open window, "Ron ever since she started at Hogwarts she's worked hard to make Head Girl, She's was so happy when she made Prefect, but if I do tell her how I feel and she feels the same … Ron, I don't think I could forgive myself if she doesn't make Head Girl next year because she's with a Mutant!"
"You're a git, Harry," Ron sighed shaking his head, "You know that right?"
"Ron don't tell me that won't be a factor," Harry said sitting down hard on his bed, "Ron you were ready to throw away a friendship that we spent six years building just because I was a mutant, think other people will look at Hermione the same way if they knew she was a 'Mutie Lover'? She doesn't deserve to live like that, she's better then that. That's why I think she's better off with you, a normal person, not a freak like me."
"Harry, listen to yourself!" Ron said exasperated, "Since when has Hermione ever taken in mind what others thought of her or you? She's not like me; you know what would have happened when you came out to that weird gi-thing that was pretending to be her and me if Hermione was really here then? I'll tell you, Harry, she would have knocked the bloody hell out of me and stood by you through the whole bloody thing. Harry, if you became a Death eater, she'd still follow you like a bloody lost puppy!"
"I don't know …" Harry said softly, and uncertainly.
"Look Harry, its like you told me," Ron said with a smirk, "Let her decide. Now lets talk about something more important … I want to know everything you know about this … Jubilee."
--
Harry and Ron walked into the great hall and took their places on either side of Hermione. "We miss anything, Hermione?" Harry asked.
"No, now hush, Prof. Dumbledore's about to speak," Hermione said, gripping Harry's arm unconsciously.
"Now, before I dismiss classes for Christmas Holiday, I have a few announcements. Firstly: Mr. Flinch is proud to announce that he has found his cat, Ms. Norris," Dumbledore said, pausing for the applause that never came, "Err, Secondly, I would like to proudly announce that Hogwarts will be the grounds for the first ever Tri-School Quidditch game. It will involve the best players from each of the schools houses in a specially created Quidditch Pitch to house the special three way game. The Hogwarts team will be of the following …"
"I know I'm out …" Harry sighed looking down, "They won't risk a mutant on the team …" Hermione looked at Ron before taking Harry's hand in her own, and gave it a quick squeeze.
"… And due to the overall size of the new pitch, the team will have two Seekers: Draco Malfoy and … Harry Potter." Dumbledore said a twinkle in his eyes as he watched for Harry's reaction.
"What? What?" Harry said, his head popping up as if someone kicked him.
"Just stay out of my way, Potter," Draco sneered from the Slytherin table, "Either way, I doubt the other schools have anyone who can touch Hogwarts' two best Seekers ever."
"Did … Malfoy … just?" Harry asked wide-eyed.
"Ok, where's You-Know-Who …" Ron muttered, "Because the end of the world has just been heralded."
"Never the less," Dumbledore cleared his throat. The Tri-School game will be held in April. The Hogwarts team will meet and practice upon returning to school after the New Year. That is all, Happy Christmas all!"
--
Christmas Day
--
Harry and Hermione sat together on the couch in the living room of the mansion with Beast setting across from them. "Your Mother and Father should be arriving soon, Hermione," Beast said scratching his furry chin.
"I'm so nervous," Hermione sighed, "I … I don't know what that Mystique had said to them while she was in my place. They said not to worry that they understand it wasn't me, but what DID she do? I mean, what could she have done to my parents? I had most boys and Pansy winking at me and making rude comments, what else could she do?" Hermione complained resting her face in her hands.
"You're nervous?" Harry said cocking an eyebrow, "Remember, Hermione, this is my first Christmas with a real family. I haven't slept all week!"
"Yup," Hermione nodded with a sly smile, 'And with Kitty Cat away with her family, it's just practically me and Harry.' She thought with an audible giggle.
"Welcome back, Helen, Peter," They heard Xavier down the hall.
"Well here goes," Hermione sighed as the three stood up and walked toward the entrance.
"Hey, little brother!" Helen Granger said as she hugged the much taller beast tight.
"Hey, big sister, I have someone here to see you," Beast said signaling for Hermione and Harry to walk out.
"Hi Mum, Dad," Hermione said, before she was crushed by a hug from both her parents.
"Marry Christmas, sis," Beast smiled as Helen cried her eyes out, and her husband turned his attention to Harry.
"You're Harry right?" he asked eyeing Harry.
"Yes sir," Harry nodded shyly.
"After everything my daughter has said of you," Mr. Granger said with a straight face, "I am absolutely not surprised you are the one who rescued her."
"Hey, Harry," Scott called from the kitchen, "We could use some help in here, son!"
"Coming dad," Harry replied, "See you soon, Hermione." Said Harry as he walked toward the open kitchen to help Jean and Scott prepare Christmas dinner.
"I hope you like what we got you for Christmas, dear," Mrs. Granger said smiling at her daughter then, growing concerned, "what's wrong dear, why are you crying?"
"Nothing, Mum," Hermione said smiling, watching Harry laugh at Scott while Jean scolded them both about something, "I've already got what I wanted for Christmas…"
--
Not long later, the table was surrounded by the Grangers, Scott, Jean, Harry, Hermione, Kurt, Beast, Storm, Wolverine, Rogue, Gambit, Jubilee, and Professor Xavier and covered with all kinds of delicious foods.
"Ok then, Kurt would you do the honors of blessing the food?" Xavier asked with a smile.
"Of course, Professor, let us bow our heads," Kurt said, before closing his eyes, "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for all the blessings you have bestowed on us, Thank you for being with us through this past year and giving us the opportunity to gather together. Thank you for reuniting families, and building families, Dear Lord. Bless this food we are about to eat, and forgive us of our many sins. I ask all these things in Jesus' name, amen."
"I've got the turkey," Wolverine said, jumping up and unsheathing a claw.
As the dinner moved on, Scott looked toward Jean and gave her a quick nod before continuing his meal, but she stopped eating and seemed to concentrate instead.
Hermione took a sip from her drink when a furry elbow hit her in the side, "What is it, Uncle Hank?" She asked, tilting her head in confusion. Beast simply nodded above Harry's head, she looked and Hermione's face went scarlet. Above Harry's head floated a twig of mistletoe.
"Well, Darlin, ya just gonna stare at it?" Logan whispered with a wink, making her blush harder.
Hermione took a hard gulp, and it appeared that the whole table stopped what it was doing save Harry and was watching them. Hermione swallowed hard, then leaned over toward Harry to kiss his cheek.
'Look to your left, Harry,' Prof. Xavier's voice rung in Harry's mind. He did as told, and as soon as he did, his lips made contact with Hermione's. They didn't move for a moment, just stood there frozen. But when it registered what they were doing and they leapt apart, and pretended like nothing happened.
"Pay up, Cajun," Logan said, holding his open hand to Gambit.
"Dat just isn't rite, Mon Ami," Gambit sighed, handing sixty dollars to the Canadian.
--
Three Months Later
--
Harry ran through the halls of the mansion in his Quidditch uniform, carrying his Firebolt, and Kurt running beside him, "No, Kurt," Harry said, pressing the hidden elevator button, "My only concern is the Snitch, the others worry about scoring individual points."
"Awesome!" Kurt chirped happily 'poof'ing along behind Harry, "This Quad Ditch game sounds so cool!"
"That's Quidditch, Kurt," Harry said, "Where ARE they??" He groaned as he ran down the hall.
The two found who he was looking for in the gym across from the Danger Room.
"That's it, Darlin', let it out," Wolverine nodded as Hermione used the fighting drills she had learned as part of her therapy on a punching bag held by the Canadian X-Man. Hermione has been coming to Xavier's often for mental and physical training and therapy to help her recover from the damage Sinister had done.
"This! Is! For! Making! Me! Think! You were! My father!" Hermione grunted as she punched and kicked with all her strength, "And this! Is for! Almost! Taking! Harry! From me!" she said as she gave a very hard kick in a place that if it was a man, it would make him very humble.
"Oh, good morning, Harry," Hermione said taking a towel to rub the sweat from her face.
"Hermione … you … you look great but …" Harry said looking over Hermione, who was wearing a sports bra and sweat pants, and her hair in a high ponytail, "I don't think Professor Dumbledore would approve of that attire for the Quidditch match."
"But that isn't till this evening Harry," Hermione said tilting her head to the side, "We have plenty of time!"
"Hermione, that's evening, England time …" Harry said with an exasperated look. He couldn't help but chuckle as Hermione's eyes went wide.
"Harry!" Hermione wailed, making a dash for the door, "Harry, what are you standing around for? We're going to be late!"
"Right away, Hermione," Harry smiled as he walked out with Logan and Kurt.
--
Harry circled the much larger pitch on his Firebolt, taking extra care looking into the crowd in the Hogwarts area of the stands. Harry couldn't help but beam proudly, Prof. Dumbledore had allowed those from Xavier's to come to the game, and this was the first time, Harry had ever got to play before his family. Then he spotted them, there was Scott and Jean watching him flying, beside Jean sat Hermione, who had her nose stuck in the program. Next to her was Beast and Kurt, with holoprojectors on to hide their strange appearance, both watching Harry fly in awe. Then there was Kitty, who was looking around shyly at the new surroundings. And then there was Logan, who was apparently arguing with Neville about smoking on Hogwarts property, because Neville was holding a cigar, which Logan was reaching desperately for.
"Better hand that back to me, Bub," Logan snarled.
"Make me,"
'Snikt'
"Here you go, sir."
Harry couldn't help but laugh. Harry, like the other X-Men, had seen right through Logan. He may act tough, but he wouldn't hurt a fly if he didn't have to. Of course, Neville didn't have to know this.
"You ready, Potter?" Draco asked flying up to his side, with a strange look on his face. Almost looked like a look of respect.
"Um …" Harry gawked.
"How about this, I'll take the north end, you take the south end," Draco said, speaking almost in a friendly tone, "That way will have both sides of the pitch covered."
"Why are you being friendly?" Harry finally asked.
"I don't like you, Potter," Draco said narrowing his eyes, "But I'm willing to call a truce, as long as we beat these guys, so truce?"
"Truce," Harry said taking Draco's extended hand.
"It's off after we win." Draco said, "We are in no way friends, understood?"
"Understood," Harry smiled, "Lets win, shall we?" he said as they nodded at each other and took their places.
--
The game was a very intense one and the score was tied three ways. "It's time," Minister Fudge said from his private box, "I want you to get the answers I need, Archangel," Fudge said to the figure in the shadows, "Harry Potter knows of the Chamber of Secrets, do not fail me like the others."
"I shall not fail you, My Master," Archangel bowed, and then took to the air.
--
Harry flew around the south end of the pitch, keeping a close eye out for the little golden snitch to flutter by. Then he spotted it, unfortunately so did the other two teams' seekers saw it too. All three Seekers sped around the pitch, with Harry in the lead, all in hot pursuit of the snitch.
As Harry flew past the Hogwarts stands, he easily spotted Hermione and Jean, who were both jumping up and down cheering. "Time to end this …" Harry said as he pushed his Firebolt harder then ever before. Harry carefully climbed onto a surfing position while reaching for the Snitch that was growing closer and closer. Then with one last burst of speed Harry reached out and took the gold ball in his hand. While almost immediately turning to see if Jean, Scott, and Hermione especially had seen it.
"HARRY POTTER HAS THE SNITCH!" The announcer cheered, "HOGWARTS IS THE WINNER! HOGWARTS IS …What in Merlin's name?"
Harry looked and saw what looked like a man-sized bird with shimmering wings heading straight toward them. Harry quickly resumed a riding position on his broom, and headed toward the ground quickly.
"Somethin' tells me that isn't part of the game," Logan snarled staring at what now was visible to be a man in silvery wings.
"Better get in uniform," Cyclops said, getting up, and replacing his glasses with his visor.
"Hermione you stay here, where it's safe," Jean said pushing the teen back into her seat, "Safety in numbers." She winked before following Scott, Logan, Hank, Kitty, and Kurt through the crowd.
--
'Harry,' He heard his name in his mind as he ran tried to get a good look at the unknown person. "Mum …err … Jean?"
'Harry, get to the X-Jet and in uniform,' She said sternly, 'this looks like trouble.'
"On my way," He said, running through the exit.
--
"Harry Potter!' Archangel cried, landing in the center of the field, "The Archangel of Death awaits! Show yourself and you may live!"
"Hermione!" Ron said moving quickly to where Hermione was watching in the stands, "What's going on?"
"That guy just … flew out of no where, and started demanding Harry to show himself," Hermione said worriedly, "And when did you start wearing makeup?" Hermione asked, with narrowed eyes at the lipstick smeared on his lips.
"Oh umm …" Ron stuttered under her glared.
"Harry Potter, if you do not show yourself …" Archangel said turning toward a large crowded stand, "Innocence shall be destroyed." Archangel waited a moment, "Very well, Harry Potter, their blood is on your hands!" He cried, flapping his wings toward the stands releasing several missile-like 'feathers' at the unsuspecting stands, exploding on impact.
"You want a fight?" Came Harry's voice as he and Cyclops, Wolverine, Phoenix, Jubilee, Shadowcat, Nightcrawler and Beast came running toward the demonic figure, "You've got one."
"X-Men!" Ron cheered, his eyes lighting up slightly.
"Harry …" Hermione whimpered worriedly.
"I do not wish to fight," Archangel said, taking to the air again, "I only want answers. Where is the Chamber of Secrets, and how does one enter it?"
"Why does everyone want to know about that?" Harry asked exasperated, "I'll tell you the same thing I told that bastard that hurt Hermione, I'll never tell you anything!"
"Very well, Harry Potter," Archangel nodded, narrowing his eyes, "THEN DIE!!" He cried diving at Harry knocking him several feet back with a single punch.
--
"HARRY!!!" Hermione cried, turning to dash down to the field, but was caught by Ron. "Ron! Let me go! We have to go down there; Harry needs us!"
"No he doesn't, Hermione," Ron said, a hint of sadness in his voice, "Look."
Hermione did as told and in fact Harry was back on his feet and fighting the stranger along side the other X-Men as a single unit, almost like a well-oiled machine. Then it hit her, like a slap in the face. Before, Harry, Ron, and Hermione all worked together, to solve problems and dangers. Now Harry had moved on and joined the X-Men, leaving Hermione and Ron behind. They couldn't do what he and the other X-Men could do; they didn't have their training. And a single tear slid down Hermione's cheek when she realized he had grown up from the scrawny boy with a lightening bolt scar she met six years ago, into a proud warrior, an X-Man, and he really didn't need her any longer.
--
"This guy's fast!" Cyclops said firing off a shot at him.
"You want to know about the Chamber?" Harry asked moving toward Wolverine, "Come and get me then!" Archangel then flew straight toward Harry. But just before he was about to tackle him, Harry reached out his hand, and Jean, from a short distance away, did the same, stopping Archangel in midair.
"Wolverine! Cyclops! Now!" Harry barked. On cue, Cyclops blasted one wing damaging it, and Wolverine brought a clawed fist down stabbing the other, causing Archangel to collapse to the ground, passing out from the pain.
"Well," Wolverine said, dusting his hands together, "That wasn't that tough."
"Thank you again, X-Men," Dumbledore said walking toward the group with McGonagall and Snape right behind him, "Mr. Potter, you never cease to amaze me."
"No problem, Professor," Harry said blushing slightly.
"Minister Fudge," Dumbledore said as Fudge stormed toward them, his face red with anger, "I don't know if this …" Dumbledore started but was unable to finish when Fudge opened his palm to the Headmaster and sent him flying several feet back through the air.
The X-Men then all took a defensive posture, and watched Fudge like a hawk. "Who are you?" Cyclops asked in his commanding voice.
"Silence, Mutant," Fudge growled, then kicked Archangel hard, "You, you would fail me as well?" Fudge then turned toward Harry, "Come to me, boy, tell me what you know of the Chamber of Secrets, NOW! I am tired of playing games."
Harry started to back step, but found himself flying toward his open hand, "Now, tell me what you know, Little Mutant."
"How about, I just do this?" Harry ask as he threw off his gloves and gripped Fudge's wrist, but jerked away in pain. "What? What are you?"
"I am as far above you mutants as mutants are above normal humans, and as far above wizards as wizards are above muggles," Fudge said, as he grew much taller and more muscular, and his suit morphed into silver and blue armor with a large 'A' on his belt. "My power is far too great for you take, and my armor can withstand the most powerful magic, I am the end of all you know, I am Apocalypse."
"You'll never find it," Harry grunted trying to free him self.
"Then I am afraid you shall die," Apocalypse growled beginning to squeeze his neck.
"Let him go!" Wolverine snarled diving at him, only to be grabbed by Apocalypse's free hand then thrown hard into the other X-Men, knocking them all out.
"Stupefy!" Dumbledore cried from behind the demon, but the spell simply ran off his armor like water.
"Pathetic humans," Apocalypse growled sending an energy blast at Dumbledore knocking him out as well.
"Now, Potter," he growled, "This is your last chance, tell me where the Chamber of Secrets is."
"Let. Him. Go." Came a British voice from across the field.
"What power …" Apocalypse gasped as Jean walked toward them, her body appearing to be in flames.
Apocalypse then locked eyes with Harry, "So the bathroom it is then …" he smirked, "You want this boy so desperately, so be it," He then threw Harry at Jean knocking her down, and making the flames disappear.
"I have all the information I need," Apocalypse smiled, disappearing, "Thank you, Mr. Potter."
"Harry!" Kitty gasped getting up and running toward Jean and Harry, "Harry, Jean, are you alright?"
"Her … Hermione …" Harry mumbled in a daze, causing Kitty to look away sadly.
"Jean!" Cyclops said pulling Jean up into his arms.
"She's ok," Wolverine said rubbing his arm, "but who or whatever the hell that thing was, he blindsided us."
"Beast," Cyclops said as Jean started to come around, "Take the jet back to the mansion and bring back the full team and the Professor." He then looked around at the downcast X-Men, "The rest of us will stay here incase he comes back, whatever this 'Apocalypse' is, I have a feeling he'll be back."
To Be Continued …
C. Cowboy: ok this is it, the bottom of the ninth. We've got three more chapters and possibly an epilogue till Harry Potter and the Secrets of Weapon X. Don't forget to review!
Next Chapter: The Fall of Hogwarts