Kapitel 415: 11
Harry wasn't certain how it happened.
It had seemed like a normal enough request, -well, normal enough for him. After all, wasn't it his responsibility to portkey them back to England if they wanted to go. He wasn't in the business of kidnapping people across international borders-not that the idea didn't have its monetary merit-nor was he really the type to turn all preachy and 'greater good'.
Their departure hadn't gone smoothly, but that was hardly a surprise.
Thankfully none of the council leaders had been able to intervene but they didn't have as useful sources of information as the two teenage girls who did arrive. Midnight had appeared with the reddish girl named Azza only moments before Harry's portkeys were scheduled for departure.
"Dad," Azza said, her arms crossed and her face already set into a fierce determination. She walked right up to Torch and glared, "I'm going too!" she stated firmly.
"No you're not!" Torch hissed back.
"I am! They killed Viper, I want to kill them too, we can burn it all down!"
"No you don't want that!" Midnight stepped in and shook her head, her long black hair swinging around her furious face. "This is wrong and you all know it."
"We've got to do something," Justin argued fiercely.
"Not like this!" Midnight said loudly. She looked around the room frantically. "Why are you doing this, we all decided to be different than the Rats, and now I hear you're going to join them."
"Shut it," Justin said lowly, he was looking down at the ground.
Midnight looked shocked.
Justin's silver eyes stared blankly, "Did you forget what happened? What they did to us? And what about the others, you can't say we should just abandon them and play school and pretend they didn't…" Justin trailed off shaking his head, his eyes looked hard, almost as if they lacked any human emotion.
"Justin-" Midnight said weakly, she reached out a hand to him but he jerked away.
Midnight built herself back up silently, refusing to look at Justin.
Azza wasn't giving into defeat.
"You can't go without me," she said firmly. "I get to do this, for my mum."
"She wasn't your mum," Torch said coldly, "I'm not your father."
Azza's ruby eyes were the only sign that his words had hurt her. "So what, I can still…"
"You can't, I'm not taking you."
Midnight reached out a hand and wrapped Azza against her while the young girl continued shaking her head silently.
Harry coughed, not looking at Midnight or Azza.
"Well, if you remember," he explained awkwardly. "All you have to do is hold on tight. I'm dropping you down in an alley off Charring Cross." Harry had decided on the small alley not only for symbolic meaning, but if his previous apparition from that point was any indication it might be the best place for a group of people to magically appear. This would be a very short rebellion if Harry dropped them down in Trafalgar Square, they'd only be seeing one very swift trial and a new cell.
The twenty or so people who had made the decision to leave nodded seriously. X-ray and Pyro were the youngest among the travelers, the majority were in their late twenties or thirties. Torch was a little hard to peg on the whole age thing but Harry tossed him in with the majority of adults.
This time Harry had decided to use one of the blankets that had been on a cot. Stretched out similar to a rope, the blanket made a great device to easily transfer this many people.
Harry stepped away, as they all grouped around it. He looked at X-ray and Pyro wearily, but in the end there wasn't any argument he could offer them.
"I can't believe you're helping them with this," Midnight said, her tone furious.
Harry ignored her. He crossed his arms.
"One, Two" he began the countdown, "Thre-"
On three all hell broke loose. Azza made a dash for the protkey, Torch seemed to have expected this and tried to block her. He gave her a firm shove which managed to knock her into Harry and just like some sick game of dominos Harry toppled right into the portkey.
The word 'three' was still firmly in his mind when he felt the navel tugging sensation of being pulled hundreds of miles away.
The small alley Harry had chosen would have been a perfect place to land-were it not for the drunken young man who had chosen a rubbish bin there to empty his stomach, and were it not for his slightly inebriated mates who had decided to laugh at him while he did so.
"Shit," Harry said tumbling onto the dirty ground.
The four young men seemed to suddenly realize that they were now sharing the alley with more than a dozen people, all of who had appeared out of nowhere.
"Woah, are you seeing this?" one of the youths asked.
"Mu-"
But Harry was quick with stunning spells and the four men slumped to the ground before Harry had even gotten to his feet.
"Err, let's get out of here," Justin suggested.
Harry moved to prop the young men up against the wall. Hopefully they could wake up soon and enjoy their drunken hallucinations.
"Harry do the whammy thing," Pyro said.
Everyone stared blankly.
Harry slid a grimy hand down his face irritably, he'd actually not intended to come on this particular jaunt. "It's not really-Oh bugger it."
Another grouping of people were passing their alley's entrance and laughing raucously. Maybe Pyro had a point, they'd need a hand to get wherever they were going. Then they could take it from there, their mess was their own problem.
"I don't think I can do this many," Harry said. Notice-me-not charms did require some effort after all. He looked curiously among the group and spotted the ones who, as they said at Mutant High, walked on the strange side.
Torch looked at him threateningly as Harry approached and raised his hands.
"I come in peace," Harry muttered ironically.
Torch didn't see the humor.
Harry quickly cast the charm on five of the most conspicuous mutants, the others blended in with the London streets easily enough. Harry feel into step near the front of the group, partially to keep the spell going, but also because Torch was leading their little Mutant Pride Parade and not everyone was able to 'notice' him given the spellwork.
Still, Harry felt uncomfortable essentially leading the group of people who followed behind him and he dropped back to fall into step beside Justin.
"So, these Rats. What are they like?" Harry asked quietly, keeping one eye on Torch as the man continued leading them through the city and toward the river if Harry was any guess.
"Well, the name sort of gets the general idea across," Justin said softly. "They live in London sewers, petty criminals for the most part. It's why Telltale made the Haven, he didn't like seeing what happened to the kids who ended up there. It was pretty much the only place to go, you know if your parents kicked you out, well before the Haven that is."
Justin shared a look around, "Some people from Haven used to be there. Torch was one. And the Hammer. Torch used to be an arsonist or something, he'd burn a place so that the owners could collect the insurance. Least that's what Azza said. I haven't exactly asked him about it."
Harry smiled grimly and cast a glance at Pyro, yes this sounded like just the place for his fiery friend. It was difficult not to feel the sudden unpleasant feeling that Dumbledore's eyes were staring at him very disapprovingly. The Greater Good was telling him this was a very bad idea.
"You ever met them?" Harry wondered.
"No way," Justin said. He stopped and stretched his neck, "I mean nothing against them…It's just well, when I was starting to figure out what was happening to me- I got involved with the Haven. And well, let's just say the two have never mixed very well."
"Until now," Harry mentioned.
"Well," Justin looked uncomfortable, "Doubt Telltale is going to be too excited about this."
Justin hung his head and seemed reluctant to say any more on the subject. Harry chose to look away and instead his gaze caught on Torch who was walking steadily though the London streets seeming to enjoy the Notice-Me-Not charm that left him almost invisible to the 'normal' people who would usually scream and run away. Almost unwillingly, Harry caught up to the fire breathing mutant and fell into step.
"So, you know where you're going?" He asked.
"Well enough," Torch hissed. His voice always sounded slightly hoarse. "They don't move the main Market Place often."
Harry nodded and couldn't think of anything else to say.
It was rather late but the city of London was an insomniac and they passed other night walkers who seemed to be enjoying the good evening weather. Their rather large group looked only slightly out of place amongst the quartets and pairs of revelers. Occasionally a single person would sweep nervously past their group, their heads bowed low as they returned home from some occupation that had forced them to be out so late. Harry watched these normal people living their lives and for a moment felt a small tug of-was it jealously. No that wasn't it exactly, but what wouldn't he give to he headed home himself right now.
It wasn't as far of a walk as Harry have been expecting, Torch had been leading them closer to the river and the smell of the moisture was thick in the air now. And even though it was late, standing along the Victoria Embankment made the world seem like it was wide awake. From a distance, the lights of Waterloo Bridge and the London Eye danced on the water; by comparison the warm yellow glow of the House of Parliament seemed ancient and oddly grim. Harry couldn't help but let his eyes wander to these well known images. He'd never really spent much time in the muggle parts of the London and his eyes were drawn to these features. He knew them like he knew his own face, and yet they seemed new and exciting.
"Hurry it," Torch hissed.
Harry fell back into step, following the fire breathing mutant off the more populated path and into one of the shaded gardens that had been built along the Thames back when the land was being converted from swamp. Despite the darker setting, Torch's steps were steady and he led them down a little further to the river.
Close to the bank, the water echoing loudly enough that it drowned out the other night sounds, Harry could see what appeared to be the opening of a large pipe or drain. It had been grated over and some greenery was growing over it. It looked like it had been abandoned some years ago.
Torch moved to the grate and moved his hands low to the ground, as if he were feeling for something in particular. His expression grew somewhat hesitant, until Harry heard the sound of metal groaning. Torch must have unhooked some sort of latch that was concealed by the vines that grew thicker on the ground. With some grunting the fire mutant was able to push the bars blocking the pipe open a small degree.
"This way," he hissed nodding his head and disappearing into the darkness.
"This is gonna smell like shit," Pyro complained and visually took a deep breath.
Harry had a feeling it might be like the Chamber of Secrets revisited.
It took only a few minutes into the tunnel to realize that Pyro assessment was a little more accurate than his own, but Harry noticed that the stronger scents seemed to be coming closer to the ground, which thankfully he couldn't see that well, and there was even a faint breeze rustling though the tunnel bringing in fresh air from somewhere.
Torch paused and took a breath, then opened his mouth and released a whip of flame that briefly lit the tunnel. Everyone blinked as the light blinded their sensitive eyes.
Torch's fire died and they were back in semidarkness again.
"Need more light," the firebreather hissed, his words slightly less clear after the fire had charred his throat.
"Lumos," Harry whispered softly, allowing a ball of bluish white light to float into the air above their heads.
"Great," Justin commented.
"Ew, dead rat," Pyro complained gazing at the small furry corpse that was lying near his feet. "Somehow it was better when I couldn't see it."
But Torch ignored the mutterings from the crowd as the others took in the much appreciated light. He seemed to be examining the tunnel walls, as if he was looking for some sort of a sign or map. He crouched closer to the floor, and based on his lack of reaction to the smell, Harry assumed Torch's nose was thankfully less sensitive than most.
Whatever he found seemed to make the mutant happy, or as happy as Harry had seen him.
"This way, we've got a walk," he hissed.
"How did you know?" one of the adult mutants that Harry was unfamiliar with asked.
Torch jerked his shoulder to where he had paused. The tunnel wall looked unmarked, that is until Harry spotted a small triangle near where a pipe junction was.
"Codes?" he asked.
Torch nodded but didn't explain.
Walking in a dark filthy tunnel is a very different thing than walking on the London streets. Firstly, the tunnel they were walking in, while mostly straight, had a tendency to bend and curve randomly. Some sections were still in good condition; others looked ancient and were partially flooded. In one section they had been forced to walk pressed against a ledge to avoid some foul gray water that so opaque they couldn't see the bottom.
Time flowed differently underground, it dragged at an almost painful pace. Harry gave up attempts of conversation completely. He, Pyro and Justin just followed the train of walkers who still trailed behind Torch.
Then the light began to change, Harry's cold blue light began to be edged by a warmer glow that seeped from behind a bend up ahead. Their pace increased in a hopeful way and Harry thought perhaps even the air seemed a little fresher, or maybe he was just becoming optimistic.
But the light continued, soon Harry's glowing orbs were a dull comparison to the warm luminance that brought the dark tunnels into sharp focus.
The tunnel mouth had widened into what appeared to a marketplace of some sort. Dwellings, of a fashion, were constructed flush against the cement wells. But the biggest difference was the space that suddenly towered overhead, Harry hadn't imagined that they were so far underground, but the roof had risen several stories. As Harry looked up he noted residences built into stone, giving the place the look of those native Cliff dwelling he'd seen pictures off. How the Rats had accomplished something this massive underground was anyone's guess.
Faces peered out without much enthusiasm as they walked further into small encampment. Torch seemed to be the only one who merited a greeting, Harry noticed a man with a thick bristly beard nod to him as they passed. But the fire breathing mutant had set his face in a slightly terrifying expression.
"This was somewhat a surprise."
A man had entered from behind a building, emerging from a tunnel that Harry hadn't noticed, but Torch didn't seem at all surprised. The stranger put Harry on edge, and at first he wasn't certain why. The man wasn't like some of those mutants who walked on the strange side, nor did his presence immediately inspire feelings of fear. He looked friendly even, a little worn, but with an open face. It wasn't until Harry realized how tensely Torch was holding himself and how the other Rats seemed to pull back or surge behind this man, then Harry knew his initial reaction was correct.
Maybe it was also the way the man's eyes seem to light up when he saw Harry. It didn't take all of Harry's experience of being a pawn in war to know when someone found you…useful.
"I thought you weren't coming back," the man said directing his words to Torch and seemingly ignoring the people trailing behind him.
There was a slight bit of tension for a moment as the two stood staring each other down. Harry could almost feel the intensity in the air. He wondered how much of this all balanced on the tip of a knife.
"Good to have you," the man stuck out his hand, it was somewhat scarred and looked very rough, but Torch clasped it with a cold expression. Around them the faces seemed to soften and people began to go about whatever business the small greeting had interrupted.
"We were in the middle of a meeting when Borgy," the man gestured toward a pudgy fellow beside him, "mentioned you'd come."
Borgy showed his snaggled teeth for a moment in a passive sort of a smile, "Wouldn't ta think I'd see it, if I didn't see it." He said in a hoarse voice.
"Useful as ever," the man said, but seemed to dismiss Borgy with barely a glance. For the first time his gaze left Torch, although they lingered on Harry for a few moments longer, and then his gaze swept over the mutants behind Torch.
"Welcome to my humble abode," He stated with a commanding sort of tone. "Mick Watts," he said introducing himself with a tap on his chest. "If you all are going to be useful, you might as well join us."
"Yes, indeed," A more cultured voice added from the same tunnel Watts had emerged from, "Welcome, Brothers."But this was a face that they all knew, Magneto.
Harry didn't know what he should think when confronted with the man that haunted Rogue's nightmares, the evil villain, so to speak of this whole X-men mutant world. He thought the man looked…short, and altogether too human. But he was still Magneto and that seemed to inspire some respect from the mutants around him. Watts didn't look impressed, however.
Harry gave a side glance to Pyro, wondering how the young man would face confronting this old enemy as it were, but he didn't find the rage he had expected. Pyro looked…curious.
"Meeting's already started," Watts said to Torch, jerking his shoulder back from where they had come. "You'd want to come."
Torch nodded and with a glance back to some of the other Haven members, they ducked their heads as they entered the short tunnel and followed the trailing Rats. The gloom of the slight darkness was almost peaceful again, as they all rustled beside each other.
Harry, to his surprise, found himself walking beside Watts, and the older man was staring at him in a friendly manner. "What's your name, son?" he asked.
"Harry, Harry Potter" he replied with some hesitation.
"Welcome lad, if you need anything, well I'd be glad to help. Wouldn't want you getting pinched again."
Harry nodded silently, watching the man carefully.
But Watts drifted back to the front of the line and they soon reached a metal door that was guarded by a man at least seven feet tall with bulging biceps and eyes that looked slightly dead.
"Go recharge," Watts ordered the large man. "We got enough fire power, no ticks gonna wanna crawl in here."
The large man nodded and lumbered away like some docile monster.
The metal door opened and a burst of noise introduced them to the chaos that was happening inside. Perhaps they had been expecting some sort of placid meeting, or even the boredom of some governmental assembly. Instead, it seemed a fistfight of some sort had broken out. The room was filled with the deafening jeers of the spectators along with the crashing of most of the furniture. Four figures, or maybe it was more (Who could really tell?) were grappled together, it wasn't boxing so much as just a mesh of limbs and arms moving rapidly.
A whistle broke through the noise like some sonic blast and all the action ceased in a moment.
"Well, gentlemen," Watts said looking amused. "Back to business then."
The four individuals who had been fighting picked up chairs, ignored their bleeding, and settled them back against the long table that was set in the middle of the room. Harry noted that this was hardly King Arthur and his round table, Watts took a prominent place at the front while several others crowded around him. Magneto established himself to the left, his lone assistant, the blue skinned woman Harry had heard mention of, sat beside him, her yellow eyes looking slightly alien.
To Watts's right was skinny girl, no older than sixteen, with stringy blonde hair and vacant eyes. Her hand reached out and latched onto Watts as he settled himself, but she quickly released after the brief touch. Others seemed to surround Watts to varying degrees and Harry noted with some caution the loyalty he observed.
There were only a few kinds of leaders, he thought, and they had different ways of keeping people close to them. What kind was Watts?
Torch settled himself at the table, seeming to have no desire to speak to or see anyone else, he face was just as emotionless as usual.
Harry hung back, looking at the group of battered survivors who had survived in London during the Mutant Acts. Some looked relatively comfortable and well fed, while others were ragged and looked almost feral. Harry remembered what Justin had said about the Rats. You had to survive by your own skills here…some were better at that than others.
"Well we've settled on our first action, and you newcomers will lend us a hand in it." Watts addressed Torch specifically and there was a cold harshness about his words "Or you can leave." He paused to offer a genial smile, "If you don't you'll wish the Mutant hunters found you."
Harry didn't doubt what he said, this was no bravado.
Some of those gathered near Watts chuckled.
"How do you kill a snake?" Watts asked
"You cut off the head," an Indian man with a faint accent replied. He didn't look enthused with the answer and kept flipping through the technical magazine he'd been fiddling with since they had entered. He seemed oddly out of place among the masses of Rats, he was wearing a crisp white shirt and navy tie, looking more like a business man than a criminal. Not that those were always separate entities.
"Yes," Watts said, ignoring the man's dissenting tone casually.
"Bitch should be staked," a lanky man growled fiercely.
A muttering of agreement followed this pronouncement.
"She does seem to control a large base of opinion," Magneto offered with some doubt. But his resources were significantly diminished here, Harry noted. He had a feeling that despite the man's mutant power, which was rumored to me immense, the most valuable weapon in the den of the Rats was manipulation. And currently Watts had the aces.
"We can get her where she lives," the thin blonde girl said. Her voice ran shivers down Harry's spine, it was as if she was half there and half somewhere else. "She spends a lot of time in a den on the eastern side of the building. It's nice."
Borgy, the round nosed man from earlier turned to Harry suddenly, sparking Watts attention as well.
"I say we get her at one of those fancy rallies," a bald man said rubbing his fists.
"More security there," the Indian man from earlier added.
"More fun," the bald man argued.
There didn't seem to be anything to say to that.
"Who?" Torch asked.
"The She Bitch Queen herself, Speaker Chand."
"As in the Speaker of the House of Commons?" Justin squeaked a little nervously.
"She's the one breaking the rules of parliament and pushing these new Acts," Watts said thoughtfully. "She's the head. Chop off the head…"
"Well that's just stupid," Harry said more loudly that he had thought. The words had come out automatically, and he wanted to bite his tongue as soon as he had said it.
Several faces turned to him, just as Borgy's had moments ago.
"You got something to say boy?" A rather large man standing behind Harry asked.
"Merrick," Watts warned. "What makes you say that, Harry." His voice was suddenly kinder and the people around him seemed surprised.
Harry swallowed, he was supposed to be heading back soon, right.
"She's their symbol, I saw them selling bleeding bobble heads of her in Trafalgar square" he looked around the people hoping he wasn't making some error. "You kill her, especially at some rally, she's going be a martyr, they'll make her the Jesus Christ of Mutant haters."
Watts seemed thoughtful for a moment as the people muttered dissent around him.
"Let's be straight then. She needs to be stopped," Watts said interrupting the clamor that had built up. "Now we can stop her anyway that works, but body bags are more final."
Harry couldn't argue with that.
"But I'll tell you what, son, I'll give you a week to find another way. If you do it, fine then. But she's too dangerous, give her anymore time and she'll get a boa grip."
"Wait, me? I wasn't going to be…" he trailed off .
Harry knew what would happen. Watts was offering him this chance because he wanted something from him, but if Harry left they'd go with the original plan. And if that happened Harry knew the Mutants would have to abandon London, maybe even England. For good. This wasn't his war, and he could easily turn his back…but somehow he wondered if he could do just one good thing before he left.
"Any volunteers to help," Watts posed as Harry's silence dragged.
"Sign me up," Pyro chimed in eagerly.
Justin nodded as well, setting his jaw as Torch gave him a small shake of the head.
"Me too."
Harry looked up in surprise, the Indian man with the computer magazine had spoken, his dark eyes catching on Harry with a faint smile.
No one else said a word.
"Well," Harry said thoughtfully, "It could be worse."
Sirius Black was sleeping fitfully. He had this vague feeling that there was something he had to do. Instantly as his eyes opened and he knew what it was. He had to find Harry. His body jerked and he made a move to get up from the bed-but then he remembered and he allowed himself to relax.
He'd found Harry, Harry was safe. They were going to be a family again, them against the world- or worlds as the case may be.
He heard voices from the next bed and settled silently into his mattress to listen for a moment. What he heard was a very odd one-sided conversation.
"You can't blame yourself," an old voice said despondently, "After all they've suffered, perhaps it was unavoidable that they would want to take some action. I only wish they had waited, we have no intention of abandoning Britain."
A pause lasted for a moment.
"Oh I have very little doubt that his intentions were noble, or at least he thinks so."
The older man chuckled.
"You're right, I'm not privy to his mind to know for certain. But during his time here I've learned that Mr. Potter does what he deems right. And it may be my fault for creating this rift…I fear I've broken your rule."
The silence dragged for a long time after this and Sirius held his breath.
"There is little we can do for now," the old man said tiredly. "With Magneto's escape, focus has shifted to America and I fear my X-men may be needed here. We may just have to hope that Mr. Potter's sense of right is good enough to do for the time being."
Again, that puzzling silence before the same voice spoke.
"You're right Thomas, it isn't fair to place this burden on a child. There are other men who would gladly take on England's fate, you know as well as I do what their intentions are…I honestly don't see any better options."
A strange sound on the tile floor made Sirius pause, but then the divider closing off his bed was pulled aside by a man in a wheelchair, his blue eyes examined Sirius with a tired expression.
"What would you say Mr. Black, can we trust your godson's judgment?"
Sirius felt a brief tickle over his Occluded mind.
"I'd trust him with my life," he answered without pause.
The Professor didn't seem to have anything to say to that, but he nodded thoughtfully before turning back to the other man in the room, one who was sitting with a heavy bandage still around his throat.
"Very true, so might we all."
Harry had decided to leave the meeting room where the rest of the mutants were discussing the various methods for killing Speaker Chand. It was somewhat counterproductive to his own agenda, an agenda he had taken on out of sheer stupidity. What was still doing among these mutants? He should go back to Sirius and -Sirius was sick.
Harry sighed, somehow the matter at hand seemed more enjoyable than facing that.
"Thanks, Harry," Justin said as they moved back out to the main tunnels, following the Indian mutant who had introduced himself as Garabed Bashur, or Black Box.
"For what?" Harry asked tilting his head at the silver eyed mutant who seemed slightly more like his other world self now that they were among the Rats.
"For having another plan, I didn't want to have to…" he trailed off looking awkward, "I know she should… and I hate her and all but…" He stuttered his words and looked at his palms.
"I don't have a problem with killing her," Harry said with a shrug, He didn't want his new friends to be confused there. And as soon as he said the words he knew it with certainty. "I could do it with no problem."
Justin stared at him blankly, or at least Harry thought he was staring at him. Those silver eyes made catching Justin's gaze tricky.
"It's not that hard," he said thinking back to Voldemort. He'd never regretted that, or worried about taking a life. And all those Death Eaters, he hadn't mourned them even one hour, one minute, one second.
Harry had the strangest paranoia that Justin's X-ray vision could see that, could see right into Harry's mind. That Justin could see what a nice little monster he was. It wasn't that he was some homicidal maniac, but sometime long ago he'd decided, maybe without even realizing it, that sometimes it took killing people to get them out of your life. And he was just monster enough to see the sense in that.
"But that way isn't smart," Harry said, fighting a yawn as he continued following Black Box, they had slipped into a small crevice that left them flush against a dirty wall for a moment, then into a large pipe with water running at the floor.
"That have been my point as well," Black Box joined the conversation with a slight pause. His voice had a slight accent but it sounded oddly cultured for the Rat crowd. Harry would guess that he was somewhere in his late twenties, maybe even thirties. Or maybe it was the clean cut look about him that made him look older. "But try to put the Guv on a different path, he won't go unless he sees how it benefits him."
"Who is he anyway," Pyro asked from the rear, he'd been rather serious ever since they had joined the Rat's meeting.
"Guv Watts, well he runs things. Has for awhile, and he's got too many friends for it to be any other way."
"I heard Telltale say he was like the leader of the mutant Mafia," Justin added.
Black Box laughed in a dark way, "Don't let him hear you saying that."
"He is a criminal though, right?"
"Who isn't," Black Box said.
Justin closed his mouth suddenly and nodded.
"No, Guv used to run things like an old Crime Boss, even went to jail for racketeering and smuggling. But he figures he's some kind of noble leader now." Black Box scoffed and shook his head. "But shagging sixteen year-olds don't make him Winston Churchill in my book, course ol' Winston wasn't even Churchill, if you get my meaning."
"Lovely," Justin groaned, rubbing his face irritably.
"Not liking your new digs, Haven boy?" Black Box asked looking slightly amused.
Justin shrugged and stared at the ground, "There isn't much of a choice."
"Er, yeah," Pyro added sounding chipper, "I mean it's not all bad, look at our nice new accommodations." He gestured to the walls of the sewage tunnel they had just entered, ducking their heads to avoid the low ceiling.
"I've seen worse," Harry offered.
"Me too," Justin agreed sounding a little more cheerful, if possible.
"Well, what is it the Yanks say? Freedom is never free? Well you've got a point there, my new mates." Black Box's voice was rattled with sarcasm.
"Why'd you join us," Harry asked, getting a chance to voice the worry that had been a focal point in his mind ever since Black Box has raised his hand. Harry didn't trust people, he didn't know this man and while he was willing to place some confidence in Justin and Pyro there was no reason for this man to side with three teenagers in a lost cause mission.
Black Box's white teeth seemed to stand out among the gloom of the tunnel, "Because I've got more between my ears than cotton, that's way. Don't misunderstand; I know why he's doing it. Watt's trying to keep the main lot under control, keep this orderly, which has been bloody impossible since the world started crashing down around us. There are some wild ones who want to go out in the streets and start taking out anyone in their path. But chaos is bad for business boys. And setting them on a murder plot seems to keeps them occupied, but dead boring for me to work on.
"Then there is Magneto, the zany bugger. He has his plans I'm sure, probably focused on taking over the world and what not, but I've never been the type for world domination. Too much work and politics and ideals with that bugger, not enough smarts.
"And then you got a pass."
Black Box stopped his steps and turned to look at Harry with dark intelligent eyes. "Watts only gives free passes to one type of person and you might look like a scrawny kid to me, but whatever the old codger might be, I trust his eyes."
"What is his mutation anyway?" Pyro asked following the conversation with a frown.
"Guv sees what people can do, what they're good at. In the normals he can see, well, if they're a good fighter, if they're good with numbers, or maybe just good at telling dirty jokes…but with us, well he can see a bit more."
"He can see what someone's mutation is?" Justin asked softly.
Black Box nodded, "Even more, he can see what it could be."
Harry didn't understand that but nodded.
"Doesn't sound that good to me," Pyro commented with a shrug.
Black Box laughed in a mirthless way then suddenly their guide stopped dead and turned to face Harry sharply.
"You've got something he wants, and the way I figure it, he doesn't want for much anymore. So he gave you pass. He saw right through you, and figured what would tie you to him."
He turned to Pyro with a sneer, "Still not 'sound like much', boy?"
Pryo swallowed and looked at Harry.
"How much further," Harry asked ignoring the conversation and looking forward, he'd been careful to memorize the route they had been taking in case their new comrade proved untrustworthy.
"Not much," Black Box dropped back into step and they followed him.
Indeed, after only a few more meters, the tunnel reached an end and Black Box turned a wheel unsealing a door of some kind and allowing them to enter what appeared to be a janitor's closet.
"I like to have access to the sewers, gives me a good escape route and well, some of the undergrounders are my best customers." he explained before exiting the small space and entering…
Harry didn't know much about computers, he'd admit that freely. Granted, Harry didn't know much about the muggle world in general, but considering he didn't talk to parking meters…well he was a step above most of the wizarding populace. Still Harry had to admit the sight he was presented with was impressive if only in the quantity. Screens and devices hummed and lights flickered, Harry had no idea what it was but he supposed it was the sort of sight that composed any geek's dream.
"Coo," Justin said looking around with some interest.
"I run a computer company, least as far as the abovers are concerned. Legal even…for the most part." Black Box said dismissively.
He flicked a switch and the lights flickered on.
A small corner of the room had been set aside as a living area, with two couches and a chair, a door with a small window seemed to lead to a storefront of some sort, Harry didn't know what kind of computer company it was, but the place looked shiny and fully fitted to appeal to customers. Black Box settled in the chair and pulled a laptop from a small side table and turned it on.
Pyro and Justin looked at Harry with raised eyebrows.
"So what were you planning then?" Justin asked.
Harry settled onto a couch and stared ahead for a moment, "She's a politician, and there is only one thing I know about politicians."
"They're dirt bags?" Pyro offered.
"Mad as hatters?" was Justin's contribution.
"Committed to civic duty," Black Box said in a bored tone.
"Nope," Harry said seriously "They're snappy dressers."
The three other people in the room paused, even Black Box looked up from his laptop screen.
"They are," Harry argued, "Ever meet one that wasn't?"
They had to think for a moment.
"You know, he has a point."
"And you only dress that well if you're trying to hide something," Harry stated.
"Is he crazy?" Black Box asked turning to the other two, there was no jocular edge to his tone. He was serious.
"Only sometimes," Pyro offered. "But he's good in a fight."
"Politicians all have skeletons in the closet," Harry continued ignoring their speculations as he looked down at his hands. "We wouldn't need to kill her, people are only following her because she's looking down from her pedestal and saying whatever she wants. But if we can get them to turn on her…" Harry trailed off thoughtfully.
Black Box smiled slightly, his teeth surprisingly white and straight, "You know that actually sounds like a good idea. If only to watch the old buzzard get knocked down a peg or two before Guv finishes her off."
Pyro and X-ray smiled as well nodding as they looked at Harry.
"How we gonna do this?" Pyro asked. He chuckled slightly, "Gonna have X-ray specks here take a peek at her underwear drawer."
Justin rolled his eyes, least Harry thought he did.
But Black Box just smiled faintly, the glow of the computer screens reflecting off his eyes. "I've got a better idea," he said.
The office of the esteemed Speaker of the House was located in a very respectable street, not far from 10 Downing street. It had the appearance of a very neat brownstone, one whose hedges were trimmed using a ruler. Traditionally the Speaker of the House of Commons was perhaps the one person who wasn't supposed to speak, and the individual gave up all partisan affiliations prior to taking on the role…but if Harry was any judge he had a feeling that Speaker Chand had changed that rule some.
There was a small pub/coffee shop that operated less than a block from the Speaker's office, and it seemed to cater to the young politicos that ran around working for the many parliamentary figures who had offices nearby. A 24 hour news station was airing a program, regarding a recent bill and Speaker Chand was featured heavily, her lovely face with its precise smile flashing for the camera almost once every two minutes.
Blackbox sighed as he sipped his tea and looked up at the Speaker's grinning face.
"Waste of a Sundara laṛakī" he said slipping into a language Harry didn't know.
"A pretty girl from Bhārat Ganarājya shouldn't be spreading such horrible things, almost makes me sad to consider myself a Desi," he laughed, "Of course I'm a capitalist first, so why should I worry?"
Harry wasn't entirely certain what the man was talking about, but he nodded.
"No worries," Pyro offered, "I'm about as German as it gets, but that doesn't mean you can blame me for Hitler."
X-ray laughed, "I think there are people more German than you, they live in Germany."
"Yeah, yeah, I forgot I've ventured over to the fatherland," Pyro said rolling his eyes. "If you're more than 50% of anything, that counts in America."
Harry continued glancing up at the screen for a moment while his companions chattered on.
Madam Speaker Chand was indeed a rather beautiful woman for someone who was trying so hard to kill innocent people. Her rich black hair was always styled back in a loose, but well composed, chignon at the base of her neck, and her dark brown eyes were large and fringed with long black lashes. Her body was curvy in a way that managed to be attractive but not sexy. And like Harry had said, she was one snappy dressed, always seen clothed in rich looking suits and crisp hats. She looked and acted like most politicians Harry had met, polished and clean with enough fake cheer to fuel two New Years parties.
When she smiled there was something enigmatic in her expression, and it really did draw you in. She would pause right before speaking to the camera, smile, and then in a deep sweet voice she'd say some of the worst things Harry had ever heard, put very politely of course.
"Well you see, it really is a matter of public safety," she said with her honey voice, "We wouldn't allow dangerous creatures to roam the streets of London, endangering children. It's quite reasonable to put restrictions on things that aren't human, evolved societies have been doing it for years. We're merely trying to keep up with these little genetic dead ends, and allow natural selection to take its course."
Harry smiled, the more things change the more they stay the same.
"Why are we here again, shouldn't we be busting into Miss Prissy Pant's office or something?" Pyro asked a little too loudly.
"No need," Blackbox said gesturing to a sign that was placed near the door.
WiFi Here
The words were posted in bold letters and Harry stared at them for a moment.
"My mutation allows me to psychically retrieve, interpret and store data from any form of electronic media. I've only got to hack into her system. Being this close just makes it easier to pinpoint her system. This section of London in particular is a little bogged down."
"How's that possible?" X-ray asked sounding thoughtful.
"I can attach myself to electronic signals and essentially download information into my brain."
Harry nodded, "That's one I can't do," he said smiling at Pyro.
Pyro chuckled darkly.
"The only issue might be with her security so I'm trying to scope her system out," Black Box's words meant very little to Harry and he continued to stare around blankly at the people who were eating in the small restaurant.
X-Ray however sounded interested, "But how do you keep that much information straight? I mean that's like…a lot."
Black Box merely looked at him blankly and then continued staring into space in a bored manner.
X-ray turned to Harry was who seated next to him and nudged the other boy, "He seems helpful," he said nodding toward their new acquaintance.
Harry nodded, he knew what his old friend was getting at. The Rats weren't exactly the altruistic type, and he was pretty sure that there would be a price tag attached to anything that Black Box might be doing to help them. But right now he was the best chance they had of finding some dirt on the charming female politician. And based on the woman's massive crowd appeal, whatever they found had better be good.
"I'm getting the runaround," Black Box said, his attention coming back to the table. "I'd have to physically be in the same room as her data storage." He looked a Pryo and cocked his head, "Looks like you'll get your wish boy."
Harry grew pensive for only a moment, based on his unique mutation he wouldn't have any trouble breaking into a muggle office.
"Just call me Houdini," he said with a shrug, "But it will be better to come back after dark." Harr y looked outside, it was light out now but he had no idea what time. Being underground made it difficult to guess.
Black Box eyed him speculatively but didn't say anything.
Justin glanced around at the other patrons of the restaurant, some who were cheering softly at Speaker Chand's more venomous statements.
"Let's get back underground then, sorta stinks up here," Justin said with a tired voice.
Harry took a moment to look at his old friend, this Justin seemed so different than his own. He seemed so world weary, it was hard to imagine that the cheerful Hufflepuff could become like this. But then this Justin had been rejected by his parents, he had built a new home with the good people at the Haven-only to have that taken away by such violence.
Harry once again found himself unsettled at how much the world had changed. Would this be how the world would react if they found out about magic? Harry had always known the Dursleys were hateful people, but somehow he had always thought that the rest of the world would be different. If he was the sort to speculate about the nature of humanity, he might be given to a rather gloomy prediction. But since he wasn't, and had done his best to give up such introspection, he followed Black Box back underground.
When they returned to the computer den, they all came to the decision that tomorrow night would be the night for their grand heist, mostly considering the act that Harry and his friends were more than a little exhausted from the time difference. And while breaking into a Muggle politicians' office didn't worry Harry, a little rest would give them time to get to know their target better.
The three teenagers had settled back in Black Box's lair. Justin was fiddling with a computer, checking his email and even reading up on some online comic that he was a fan of. Apparently imprisonment in a government facility had made it difficult to keep up with his online life.
Black Box was fiddling with his own laptop, something about getting the plans for Chand's building.
Pyro and Harry, both less technologically inclined, were stretched out on the couches and looking over some of the articles Black Box had found regarding Speaker Chand. Her full name was Putul Chand, and there was plenty of information regarding her years at Oxford, and her rise to power in the House, as well as her love of rose gardening…but precious little on the early years of a young Putul. This was frustrating, but also good news as far as Harry was concerned. Obviously someone had gone to some effort to hide something, giving his loose plan hope of success.
But eventually Harry and Pyro grew bored and their conversations shifted to discussing some of the things that had been going on back at Mutant High.
"Bet Bobby is pissed," Pyro said suddenly.
"About what?" Harry asked blankly.
Pyro gestured around them, "about us taking off to save the day. He's got to sit around now."
"Why didn't you ask him to come," Harry wondered aloud. He had thought that despite their differences Pyro and the Iceman where close friends.
"I know what he'd say," Pyro said, leaning back on the arm rest of the pillow and staring up at the ceiling.
Harry nodded. "What are you planning after this?" he asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, are you going back to Mutant High?"
Pyro was quiet for a moment, "There is no reason to go back there," he said, he shook his head and stood up, crossing over to where Justin was chuckling at whatever he'd found online.
Harry watched his two…friends? Was that the word? He felt too old to have new friends, he felt too jaded. When he had met Ron and Hermione, he had been so eager for friends, he had craved friends more than even food when growing up with the Dursleys. When he had abandoned his world, he had abandoned them as well. And he had done it without even a thought. That didn't speak too well of him, he knew it.
"We might want to consider reaching out to more allies," Black Box said interrupting Harry's musings.
"I don't think this is the sort of mission that many of the Rats are interested in," Harry said with a chuckle.
"No, they wouldn't be," Black Box said without hesitation. "But I know some mutants who, well they wouldn't be comfortable with murder plots, but they might be good at getting intel on Chand."
Harry nodded slowly. "I thought the Rats were the only mutants left in London."
"Not exactly," Black Box said, he ran a finger along his well shaven jaw line, "There is a group of them, it's smaller now, but I operate a forum for them. They operate mainly online, but they do have some unique talents-"
"Are you talking about bloody home kids," Justin interrupted, his tone one of distaste.
Black Box smiled, "They usually prefer to go by-"
"Yeah, yeah," Justin waved his words away, "Their acronym is even worse than what I call them."
"What's that?" Harry asked curiously, having Hermione for a friend he'd seen his share of badly chosen acronyms.
"Social Communication for Underage Mutants," Black Box recited faithfully. "It's a web group, I created the code for it, made it secure for young mutants in England, probably the safest place for mutant to talk online. A place to share information-"
"What a minute," Pyro said suddenly, "Let me get this straight, they willing chose a name whose letters spell S. C. U. M." He started laughing to himself.
"I think they've changed it recently actually, after that was pointed out," Black Box said seriously. "It's Social Communication Network for Underage Mutants…but well, you know how a name can stick."
"They're home kids," Justin said with a frown. "They're too scared and useless to do anything but hide away at home and have their mommies and daddies protect them."
Maybe it was Harry, but he thought he sensed some hurt and anger in the young mutant's tone. He wondered what had happened to this Justin's home, and why his parents had accepted magic but couldn't abide mutation.
Black Box shook his head, "They're hardly useless, some have developed exceedingly useful mutations, Watt has even courted a few, trying to bring them to the Rats." Black Box seemed eager to defend them, and Harry wondered why.
"I've been on that stupid site, it's all whinging and tips on how to be normal."
"Scum indeed," Pryo said, rolling his eyes.
"Would any of them be able to help us in getting information on Chand?" Harry asked.
Black Box seemed thoughtful, while Justin seethed.
"They might."
Harry turned to Justin with his palms raised in a placating gesture. "We can't plan on getting the information we need from Chand's office," he said. "We need more allies, more eyes looking. We only have a week and we lose our window."
Justin shook his head, "They won't be any help," he said but Harry knew he had given up the argument.
"I'll post something on their site, some have managed to stay hidden because their parents have connections in the parliament. Others live in London and might be able to be useful."
Harry nodded, that made sense.
"Guess there isn't much to do but wait until later then, You got any food?" Pyro asked Black Box with a bored tone.
"This isn't a charity," Black Box said with an arch voice, looking at the other two young men with grin.
But Harry caught his gaze and held it.
"So what do you want for all your help?"
"I can see why Watt's likes you," Black Box said a nod, "Quid Pro Quo, it's the way of the world children. I'll be glad cipher though the good Speaker's computer, and get you in touch with some over mutants…but a little payment is only fair."
Harry nodded, he actually liked it better spelled out so clearly.
"We don't have money, the government seized it when we were arrested," Justin said sounding confused.
Harry, who had never had money, was less concerned. He had a feeling Black Box was interested in another form of currency.
"I'm willing to work on trade," Black Box said. "There is a development firm in London that has created a new microprocessor. They're not due to be released until sometime in the next year, and by then it will be next to impossible to reverse engineer the bugger. Half of my profit margin comes from duplicating technology and selling it for, ahem, more reasonable cost. Security is tight, but not nearly as tight as it would be on a Speaker of the House's office."
Black Box was looking directly at Harry as he spoke, but Harry was careful to keep his eyes averted as he looked over at a screensaver of a dancing banana.
"And seeing how that doesn't seem to trouble you, a little side mission shouldn't be a problem."
"You want us to steal it?" Justin sounded a little horrified at the idea.
"Cool," Pyro mused with some excitement.
"This isn't striking back against an unjust government," X-ray said looking at the fire mutant with some doubt. "It's common thievery."
"Says the boy born with a silver spoon in his mouth," Black Box said with some scorn. "It's business."
"What's that supposed to mean," X-ray demanded.
"Oi, I can tell a tofter from a bleeding mile," Black box said, for a moment his voice lost some of the cultured quality and dipped into a street slang that Harry was unfamiliar with.
"Look, I don't intend to stoop to pilfering to-" he gestured of to the side, seeming at a loss for words.
"And that's why the Haven crashed and burned, you weren't ready for the real world. Say what you want about your 'home kids' least they're still around."
"The real world?" Justin demanded "The Real World?" Justin's face was starting to turn an alarming degree of red, and his hand had balled into fists at his side.
Harry wanted no part in it. He didn't have Justin's noble outrage, but he couldn't bring himself to hate his old friend for having it either. Harry didn't like to see himself as a thief, he still liked to think that when the scales were balanced he was still more of a good guy then a bad one. But he also couldn't begrudge Black Box his chance to make some money either.
"We'll give it some thought," Harry said suddenly, interrupting the rush of words that was likely on the tip of X-Ray's tongue.
"Do you have the name of the place? I'll see if maybe it's a fair trade." The practicality in his voice sounded odd even to Harry.
Black Box looked a little startled at the sudden switch in demeanor, and Justin looked a little betrayed as well, perhaps he has assumed Harry would be firmly on his side. Pyro, Harry noted, was unusually silent.
The room felt awkward for a moment, until Black Box moved to a desk and started fumbling with papers. He came back with some printouts marked CLASSIFIED PROPERTY OF STARFRONT TECHNOLOGY. Harry looked them over briefly and then stuck them in his pocket for closer examination later. Justin crossed his arms
"I could use some food," Pyro said, interrupting the silence.
"You're more than welcome in the Marketplace, there is bound to be a party in full swing by now."
"Party?" Pyro asked sounding interested.
"Yeah, ol' Guv will want to welcome back old and new friends in fine style."
"What is the Marketplace?" Pyro asked curiously as they crossed back to the small janitor's closet that served as Black Box's entrance into the underground world of the Rats.
"It's the biggest crosspiece between all the different tunnels," Black Box said negligently. "Most of the lifers, the people who have grown up underground…well they have their own territories, different hidey-holes that they've staked out and built over the years. These tunnels are mine. But the Market…well that's sort of open territory, a central location."
"Some people were living there," Justin said entering the conversation but still sounding quiet.
"Merchants have stalls there, and some people can't afford anything else." Black Box dismissed them as if they were nothing.
"But food, yeah?" Pyro asked.
Black Box's smile seemed brighter still as they once again entered the gloom of the tunnel, "Something like that."
Food, as it turned out, was not the main focus of a Rat Party. Alcohol on the other hand flowed freely, and cups seemed to find their way into hands easily enough. Before five minutes had passed Harry was sipping his own mug of beer…he hoped it was beer. There was something not quite right in the taste of it, like maybe it had once been a pumpkin, or perhaps some other gourd. Still is warmed him a bit, and that was a welcome thing when they were buried so deep underground.
The lights that had lit up the Marketplace so brightly when they had first found their way here earlier in the day had been nearly shut off. Harry could only imagine that maybe it was night. His own "jet lag" was playing havoc with his sense of time, and he never had gotten another watch after the second task fourth year. For all he knew it was midday and the lights had merely been turned low to allow a more festive atmosphere.
And it was festive, in a way. Some of the stalls had put up Chinese lanterns and twinkle lights, music poured out from broken radios and record players, and people moved freely in the streets, bumping into each other and greeting friends. Harry watched as several of the Haven folks met up with old friends, and Justin even found some people who had escaped the military raid and had spent the interim hiding out with the Rats. Food was a little scarce, but what there was had been put out and was being shared freely. (Or was at least very moderately priced.)
Harry, Pyro and Justin soon gathered with some of the other Haven arrivals, most of who had settled near a small pub/billiard hall. And it didn't take long for Harry's friends to lose themselves in first the alcohol, and then in a foosball match. Harry wasn't quite certain what it was about that game, but the mutants of the Haven seemed to take it fairly seriously.
Instead of watching them play, Harry settled himself at one of the crowded tables and unfolded the documents that Black Box had given him.
He had merely glanced at the first page when he had to lift them off the table quickly, a small shot glass had spilled some amber liquid and the man responsible for the mess fumbled with his sleeve to wipe it up.
"Pardoner," the man slurred softly. "Oh it is you, the young héroe"
Harry looked up to see a face he remembered, except the man had looked quite different. Back when they had been escaping from the Northern Facility, Harry had recalled an extremely agile, dark haired man. Then his hair had been slicked back, and his skin had been pallid. Now his shiny hair fell messily in front of his face, and his cheeks were rosy. Harry had a feeling that the shot glass in his hand, and the half empty bottle had more to do with his glow than any improved health.
"Ignore, Manual," a voice hissed from further down. "He's had losses."
Harry looked up to see Torch's serpentine eyes looking back at him.
"No problem," Harry said, offering the Spaniard a smile.
"You are a nice boy," Manual said with an even heavier Spanish accent. "Buen Chico." He reached a hand up and ruffled Harry's already messy hair.
"I try," Harry said, smiling before trying to get back to examining his papers.
A full shot glass plopped down in front of him.
"A drink," the Spaniard said, "To Abby, Abby…she hates when I call her Abby…Abigail, the most beautiful woman, MY MUJER HERMOSA!"
Harry shrugged, picked up the drink and tossed it to the back of his throat…and then winced, what was he drinking? Rubbing Alcohol?
"What do you suppose they've done with her?" The Spaniard moaned into his glass.
"You ssent her to Sspain before they came," Torch said softy.
"She never made it though," he said staring at the table. "Amile, Julian and Victor they were too young…I shouldn't have let them out of my sight. I thought it would be safer for them to go with their mother."
Harry borrowed the bottle and poured himself another drink as Manual pulled a photograph from his breast pocket and stroked the small face. "Amile, she is so stubborn, just like her madre. Look at the face she makes."
Harry didn't look at the picture; instead he sipped his drink letting the warmness of it take away the chill.
"I am famous, did you know that?" Manual said slinging an arm around Harry's shoulder.
"Is that so?" Harry asked, he smiled wryly, "I am too, isn't it a world."
"Have you ever seen me in the ring?"
Harry shook his head, "You box?"
"Tonto!" Manual laughed and slid Harry another shot.
Harry took it and swallowed fast while Manual patted his back.
"No, no, I was a bullfighter, a Toreador, you never saw me? I come from the great EL Chino!"
"Sso agile you could sslid between the hoovess of a bull and not be trampled," Torch said, his voice still with a same soft hiss. "Watched you here, you were brilliant."
"Yes, and they came to watch. They knew, they must have, but they didn't care. Mutant and all, and they came to watch me. ME. Because I was the best you see."
The three sat in silence for a moment.
"We shouldn't have come to England," Manual cursed, taking another drink.
Harry poured himself another drink, Torch held out his glass as well.
"But Abigail, she wanted to the children to know her home, to know their grandparents. I was foolish. They can not hate us so much, I thought. They can not hate us so very much."
"They can," Torch hissed.
Manual lowered his head, "Yes, they can."
Some music flared to life for a moment, and Manual turned to look and smiled this broken sort of smile. "And so I plotted murder today. Not of a bull, through she is animal enough…I had not thought I would do that."
"Sshe brought it on herself," Torch hissed.
Harry could almost feel heat come from the man's breath, and there was a fiery glow to his eyes.
"A man without his children, his wife, he can not be held responsible for the horrible things he will do if they are taken from him."
Harry could feel the ache, the pain in both of these men. He had chosen another path in terms of getting rid of Chand, and he believed it was the right one. He hoped it was. Maybe he was the fool, and maybe they were right. Maybe you did have to cut off the snake's head.
He licked his lips and poured another shot.
Bloody hell, he hoped he was right.
"Good evening there, son." It was a kind, warm voice and it waded though the haze of alcohol. Guv Watts met Harry's gaze, and his eyes were a startlingly sharp slate blue. How the man had come to be seated next to him, Harry didn't know. Maybe it was because Watts looked so normal amongst his people, no fancy suits or badges of leadership.
"How was your planning today? Productive?"
Harry bit his tongue, and allowed himself to smile. "Yes, good enough."
"Good, good, I don't mind letting you try a different way."
Harry nodded and turned away, he wanted nothing to do with…what had Justin called him, mob boss of the mutant mafia?
"But you're not above killing, are you lad." It wasn't a question and Guv said it with a casual tone
Harry turned back suddenly and smiled at Guv Watts, "No," he agreed.
"Not above doing whatever needs being done. So I asked myself why you chose the path you did."
Harry nodded, "I've killed enough people to wonder what good it does," Harry said, his voice dropping to a low quiet tone. He thought back to home for a moment, and wondered what good any of it had been. What had it done, it had stopped Voldemort, but had it really changed anything?
Watts said nothing to that, but the man didn't leave. There was noise from music, noise from voices and conversations, the shouts of the players who battled with foosball and billiards. It was a cyclone of life and energy, brutal and ugly but also so very alive. It was very different from Mutant High, with its veneer of safety and normalcy.
"They say you've got good eyes," Harry said suddenly. His bright green eyes seemed to glow as he looked back at Watts.
"They say so," Watts agreed, waiting.
"So what do you see when you look at me?" Harry honestly wanted to know. Was he a Monster? A Hero? A Killer? A Thief? A Savior?
"You're a survivor," Watts said.
It was exactly what Harry needed to hear. Of course it was, and a part of him hated that a manipulator like Watts could see it so clearly.
"When the world is topsy-turvy, then is the time when men like us find our way in it."
Harry knew he was right.
"I've got work to do," Harry said rising to his feet.
When the morning came, Black Box came into his store to find a hangover Harry Potter collapsed on his couch; he also found a clear plastic box on his desk, containing one state-of-the-art STARFRONT microprocessor.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein