章 414: 10
Chapter 10: Variations on Complication.
Harry couldn't help but continue to feel concerned for Sirius as he left the medical room. Despite how nice it had been to speak to the man again, indeed to speak to anyone who could understand this crazy world-jumping insanity. Harry stepped out in to the hallway and rubbed his forehead tiredly. For a brief moment he allowed himself to feel worried about the situation. It was one he couldn't control.
And what of leaving? Was this world a lost cause, filled with hate and war? Maybe he should just do as Sirius had done. If they tried maybe they could find the peaceful world Sirius mentioned, or one like it.
But Harry hadn't expected to see anyone in the hallway; his thoughts left him quickly when his emerald eyes met a pair of blank silver.
"Justin," Harry said, anxiety over what the former Hufflepuff may have heard consumed him for a moment. But Justin wasn't staring at him as if he'd grown another head, so he forced himself to relax.
"X-ray," Justin reminded him.
"Oh, yeah," he said lamely.
"I 'saw' you up here, thought maybe you'd be willing to help with a jailbreak of another sort?"
Harry grinned, Justin seemed to be acting normal. Harry had slightly worried that his former friend might not be willing to trust him given the mystery. Harry wouldn't have blamed him, but maybe this Justin wasn't that different, after all he seemed willing to trust.
"Oh yeah," Harry said, still smiling slightly, "What did you have in mind?"
"They have a bunch of us 'recovering' in some sort of bunker area. Mind, it's not as bad as the Mutant Containment cells, but, well…" Justin shrugged, "It's still underground. And trust me, I don't care how nice it is I can still tell when we're underground."
Harry nodded, "I think I can lead the way, but what about the others…" Harry trailed of, he had no idea how the British mutant community worked.
"There is a big council meeting, they're deciding what is going to be done. A lot of arguing, and apparently they aren't interested in what we 'children' have to say."
Justin's ire was familiar to Harry and he shared the boy's glower for a moment. "Sounds like a plan. How'd you like some sunlight?"
Justin nodded, "We should call you Jailbreak, you always seem to be busting us out of one prison or another."
Harry rolled his eyes, what was it with these people and assigning him a nickname?
Not all the mutant children were willing to risk another escape so soon, but Justin soon emerged with about ten kids who looked very excited to be leaving. Midnight was among them and Harry recognized Jenny, the young girl who hadn't wanted a scar, from the previous evening. She quickly recognized him too.
"Harry," she shouted, running forward and grabbing his hand. She gripped tightly like some sort of monkey and bounced with excitement.
Justin rolled his eyes and put a finger to his lips, "Shhh," he directed, looking to a door where some loud muttering was heard.
"Sorry!" she said, her voice lowering to a hush. "It's just Harry rescued us again!"
"I did some rescuing too," Justin argued good naturedly.
"But Harry is the awesome one," Jenny decided.
Justin rolled his eyes, "What do you want to bet that when Jenny gets her powers it will have something to do with being irrepressibly cheerful."
The other chuckled but Jenny perked up at the idea.
"That would be so cool, like maybe I could control people's emotions, or make plant's grow like Mia, or ooohhhhh I know maybe I'll be able to see the future…"
"What does seeing the future have to do with being cheerful?" said one boy, who while younger than Harry, looked like he could easily bench press a fully-grown tree.
"Or maybe I could fly, that would be great too!" Jenny continued her litany of possible powers not seeming to care what the others said.
"Maybe you'll have the power of shutting up," a dark haired girl offered.
Justin laughed, "That's a power she'll never have."
"Maybe I'll be like Harry," Jenny mentioned next. "He can do lots of stuff, you must be really powerful eh Harry?"
"Err," Harry stood hesitantly at the opening to the elevator. "Not really," he evaded.
"I don't think many people are like Harry," Justin explained to the younger girl as she pouted.
"Yeah, what is your mutation?" a girl with reddish skin asked.
Harry tried not to be distracted by her odd coloring, her skin was the same color as brick and her eyes glowed like rubies, she titled her head at him in an expectant manner.
"Oh well..." Harry wondered what he was telling people these days. "It's a little complicated," Harry said with a shrug.
"Still, you have to admit it's pretty cool, don't you think Azza," Jenny asked the red-skinned girl.
Azza nodded, she looked thoughtful. "You aren't from the Haven, and Justin says you aren't a Rat? Where have you been? I thought Telltale knew everyone."
"No one can know everyone," Harry pointed out.
Midnight exchanged a glance with Justin, "Yeah, I guess."
"Maybe he's a Metos!" Jenny said looking excited.
"That's utter shite and everyone knows it," the fit boy replied, looking down at Jenny with a roll of his eyes.
Jenny frowned and stomped her foot, "No! They're there; even Telltale said we shouldn't just not believe because no one has seen them."
The athletic boy rolled his eyes again, "He only told you that so that you wouldn't cry like a little girl. The only Mutants in London now are living in the sewers."
Justin sent the boy a glare, "Don't listen to him Jen, you never know right?"
Jen nodded, "So are you?"
"Am I what?" Harry asked having no clue what they were talking about.
Justin sent him a commiserating glance as Jen's expectant expression didn't leave her face.
"Metos are sort of a legend really. A lot of mutants ditched London about ten years ago when the anti- mutant vibe hit an all time high. The Rats stayed of course and a few of the closeted home kids, but people always talked about the Metos. Really powerful mutants who stayed in the city and controlled things from the outside."
Harry grew thoughtful, "Sorry," he apologized to Jen with a shrug. "Afraid not, I was born in Surrey...just happened to get caught around London."
Jenny seemed to be fighting disappointment, and won with a vengeance her bright smile seeming to stand in sharp contrast, "It's okay, your mutation is still really cool."
They finally made it to the elevator and Harry fiddled with the buttons. The others seemed to perk up at the thought of finally leaving subterraneous dwellings, Justin in particular was looking up through the elevator shaft with a light smile on his face. The mood lightened even more when the elevator door opened and the mansion came into view. Harry himself remembered how nice it had been to be in a home again, even such a chaotic one as Mutant High but, then again, perhaps the general disorder improved the setting.
"Harry, there you are," a gloved hand hit Harry's shoulder, some surprise in Rogue voice.
"Hey," Harry said, he glanced back at the mutants who stood behind them.
"Rogue these are some of...these are my friends," He simplified. "Jus— X-ray, Midnight, Jenny..." he trailed off not entirely certain about the other names.
"Close friends I see, you sure like bein' a mystery." Rogue said sarcastically. She turned and smiled, particularly at some of the younger kids, "Well, y'all are welcome to Mutant High. I'm sure you'll have a great time." She turned back to Harry, "I was just goin to go look for your other roommates, any idea where they'd be?"
Harry shook his head, "Last time I saw them they were sleeping."
Rogue rolled her eyes, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Well, I guess you're more fun than them. Have you showed them the Rec Room."
"I think the outside world might be a little better," Harry said turning to the others who nodded.
"Oh yeah," Rogue fell into step beside them as Harry continued his quest to find the front door. "I heard about the prison thing. That must have been lousy."
Midnight smiled, Harry noticed that her pitch black skin didn't even give Rogue pause. Indeed, none of the mutants sparked her curiosity. Harry smiled absently thinking that there were few places in this world, or any other for that matter, quite like Mutant High.
Once they were outside the mood of the group definitely became happy. The sun was shining, the air was fresh. After so long without seeing the sun, it seemed that Mother Nature had decided to give them a beautiful day. A game of Frisbee seemed to be the main activity, three boys were tossing the flying disc while four girls sat on a blanket under some trees.
"Max, you got room for more?" Rogue asked.
Max, a boy with spiked yellow hair turned and smirked. "Sure, but no powers," his gold eyes flickered unnaturally bright for a moment.
Rogue shrugged, "Fine with me," she held up her gloved hands.
"But it's sooo slow," one of the three players, a boy with rich tan skin and black hair complained.
Rogue took her place in the group and Harry, Midnight and Justin did as well. The other British mutants seemed to find distractions elsewhere, either joining the girls who were watching, or drifting toward the basketball game that was in progress on the small court.
"Well aren't you a breath of fresh air," Max said, sidling up beside Midnight and giving her a wink.
Harry had to admit, even with the pitch black skin, Midnight was oddly beautiful.
She rolled her eyes and gave Justin an annoyed expression.
"So what can you do?" Max asked.
"See in the dark," she answered. "And...I don't know when it's dark out stuff is just easier."
One of the boys whispered something to the other and they snickered.
"Gives doing it in the dark a new angle," Harry heard one of the them whisper back faintly.
Rogue hit one of them in the head with the Frisbee.
Max cocked his head, "Well that is different. I can control electricity."
Harry hadn't known that and found himself wondering just how that worked.
The game was, as the other mutants had commented, rather slow. Harry managed to 'find' two more Frisbees to make it more interesting and the game devolved more when Flash (or so Harry learned his name to be, and it was something of a joke…although Harry didn't get it.) couldn't contain himself anymore and it quickly became a game of keep away as everyone tried to stop Flash from claiming all the Frisbees. But after an hour out in the sun Rogue grew impatient and kept glancing back toward the mansion.
"Looking for someone?" Harry asked her.
Rogue bit her lip and looked like she'd been caught in a lie. "I guess I wanted to check the news, you know, see if there had been any more on Magneto."
Harry nodded, understanding completely.
"What do you say we take a peek at the TV in the Rec Room, those 24 hour news channels are probably still buzzing with whatever is happening."
"You think you can, aren't you playing tour guide or something?" Rogue glanced at the British mutants who had followed Harry out.
But Harry managed to locate them as well, and he was pleased but not surprised to see so many of them being folded into normal Saturday life at Mutant high. Jenny and her friend Azza had drifted to the grouping of girls who were nestled around a tree. One girl with blue hair was braiding Jenny's hair while the other girls seemed to be comparing notes on the boys playing basketball. Three of the boys, including the one that looked like a young body-builder, were gathered in an open field and seemed to be initiating a game of football/soccer with a few of the American teens to held the same interest.
"I think they're fine," Harry decided. "Now, let's go and see what sort of madman is after us next."
Rogue tilted her head and looked at him quizzically before a slow smile stretched across her face.
"Alright then," she agreed.
The pair were leaving the grounds when the pounding of some footsteps caught up with them. Harry turned and noticed Justin and Midnight had decided to follow.
"Sesh, running is sort of hard after being in a box for so long," Justin commented.
Harry nodded, "At least they feed you," he commented.
Justin laughed thinking it a joke, "Yeah I guess, although what a terrible menu, eh?"
Harry faintly recalled how pleased he had been with the government's meal program.
"I suppose it depends on what you're used to," he replied.
"So where we headed," Justin asked.
"Rec Room," Rogue answered, "They've got TVs and games."
"We're gonna check the news," Harry explained.
"Oh, wondering if the escape made it to the public?" Justin asked, but he shook his head, "No way, massive cover-up, no such thing a free press anymore."
"Not that escape," Harry said, "Have you all heard of the Liberty Island Incident?" Harry asked.
They looked at him like he was stupid.
"Okay, so I guess you have."
"With all the world leaders there, who hasn't heard about it?" Midnight seemed faintly amused.
"Sounded like a good idea from my perspective," Justin commented.
Harry could understand that, but he shot Rogue a concerned glance. She had bit her lip firmly and seemed to be trying to stop herself from saying anything.
"Yeah, well," Harry's attention shifted between Justin and Rogue, "It was a little less nice from Rogue's point of view. Magneto was going to use her to power he machine, even though it would kill her."
Justin looked like he'd swallowed a lemon. "Sorry," he said quickly. "I didn't know the mechanics of it all…"
Midnight crossed to Rogue, "Ignore his amazing ability to stick his foot in his mouth, we all do."
"Hey," Justin complained crossly.
"It's okay," Rogue said, nodding her head, "I can understand, ya'll weren't sitting in prison for the fun of it." It probably hurt a bit to admit that Magneto's plan might have been proactive to prevent suffering, that it wasn't pure evil.
Harry hadn't been tortured by a bad guy with good motives, Voldemort easily represented the end of the evil spectrum. Magneto, on the other hand, was painted in shades of gray, that much Harry had determined and he didn't even know that much about the man and his influence in this world. But Harry didn't envy Rogue her philosophical dilemma.
Harry nudged her shoulder and offered her a crooked smile, something she must have grown to appreciate because the wrinkles between her brows melted away.
"Well, Magneto escaped too," Harry explained. "We want to keep up to date. Current Events are very important."
Justin didn't seem to know if he could take Harry seriously or not.
The Rec Room was by far on the most crowded places to be on a Sunday. While some of the students were outside enjoying the beautiful day, and a few others were in their dorm rooms or the library, the rest of the teenagers had crowded into the only other room that provided some enjoyable distractions.
One of the TVs had been taken over by video games but the second was still unused and Rogue quickly swooped down to set the channel on one of the news channels that was still flashing information on Magneto, as well as a mine collapse in Pennsylvania.
"Hey, Harry," Pyro shouted, "You're just in time to see me destroy Icebox once again."
Harry chuckled when he caught sight of his roommates, both had taken control of the foosball table and their fierce rivalry was already becoming apparent.
"Oh no," Midnight moaned.
Harry turned to see an honest expression of loathing on her face as she took in the foosball table. It contrasted drastically with the hungry desire on X-ray's face.
"Awesome," he said, the excitement heavy in his voice, "I play winner."
"I hoped we'd never see another table football. He's obsessed," Midnight complained.
Justin had moved to stand between Harry's roommates and he stared at the game with a strict sort of focus that reminded Harry vaguely of his attitude while escaping the governmental facility that had housed them.
"Who are you?" Pyro asked with his usual eloquence.
"X-ray," Justin replied not taking his eyes off the table.
"Neat," Pyro replied, "Like Mr. X-ray specs, huh?"
"Without the specs," X-ray lifted up the curly bangs that usually hung in front of his eyes and flashed his silvery gaze.
Pyro took his eyes off the game and stared for a moment, "Well that's handy, I'm Pyro."
The two shared an expression, "Nice and obvious," X-ray commented.
Bobby had decided to use this distraction to score a goal and Pyro cursed loudly and the attention shifted back to the game. Harry watched them in amusement, he'd never played the game but Justin seemed to be an expert. He quickly took over as referee and Midnight rolled her eyes. The black skinned girl moved to join Rogue on the sofa.
"And the crowd goes wild," Pyro cheered, he sneered in Bobby's direction. "That's what you get for cheap tricks."
However, as Harry watched, he observed his share of 'cheap tricks' on either side as both Pryo and Iceman battled for the top. Neither was opposed to offering any sort of distraction and as the end neared Harry noted that from time to time the metal rods that controlled the players turned icy cold or searing hot.
Harry was starting to understand why the plastic men playing seemed to have accumulated a fair amount of damage over time, including one fellow whose head had melted onto his shoulder.
But Harry's attention faded easily. It was difficult to get excited over such a thing, even though he wanted to.
Perhaps that was why he was able to easily catch Jean's eye as she scanned the room. When she spotted him, she jerked her head in a manner that implied she needed to speak with him. Noticing Pyro was in about to win, and the clamor that created, Harry easily slipped away.
Jean stood silently in the hallway, not seeming to mind the loud chaos that was underway inside. Indeed, she looked to have utterly forgotten her previous ire concerning him.
"Professor?" Harry said, opting for a cheery grin. He wasn't certain what she might want from him.
Jean blinked at the title before shaking her head, "I promised you I'd let you know when your godfather awoke," she explained, obviously noting his confusion.
"Sirius is awake," Harry said. He supposed his godfather hadn't mentioned this afternoon's visit.
"He was," Jean clarified. She pressed her lips together and batted at a stray lock of hair that was hanging stubbornly out of the clips she wore. "We discussed some things and he was still very tired, however I think," and here she seemed to be debating something, "I think you should be informed of the situation."
Harry didn't like how this was going.
Jean looked around the hallway, "Let's discuss this in my office."
Never a good sign, Harry considered even as he nodded his head in agreement.
Jean's office, as it was, could easily have been mistaken for a medical supply room. She seemed to have a bit of everything stored here with a desk and small couch shoved into a corner. Harry supposed she wasn't the type of doctor who needed an office much. The couch, while small and covered with a hideous floral print, was also remarkably comfortable. Harry settled himself on it while Jean took a seat next to him.
She seemed to steel herself for a serious conversation.
"So, what is it?" Harry asked, being right to the point.
"Your godfather, he's very sick Harry." She had put on her patronizing voice and Harry glared. She seemed to take the hint and her expression turned a tad flinty. " Do you know anything about radiation?"
"From bombs?" Harry hadn't been to muggle school in some time, but he recalled the horror of atomic bombs well enough. Their school had even still had an air-raid shelter, somewhere in the basement or so the rumors had said.
"Different than that," Jean explained. "Your godfather has been exposed to ionizing radiation."
"That doesn't sound good."
Jean didn't comment on that, "I'm not certain the exact nature of it, but it seems that the British government has been conducting some test on him. Exposing him to burst of radiation over a period of several months.
She paused and focused on him, "How long has it been since you've seen him?"
Harry hesitated, he looked down at his lap, "A little over a year now I guess."
"Well, that might explain…" Jean trailed off and the silence dragged for a moment as she seemed reluctant to press him for more information. "When a person is exposed to a short burst of radiation in high doses, like from an atomic bomb, often times what we see is a verity of symptoms which are called 'radiation sickness'.
"In some cases these same symptoms can show up with this kind of long term exposure to smaller doses, this is what has happened to your godfather. Not a blast of radiation but rather small level of exposure over a range of time."
Harry felt numb, which was probably the only thing allowing him to keep a calm face.
"The fatigue, the slight fever, his difficulty holding down food. He's also showing signs of slower than average healing. And based on the time table he has given me, I'd believe he has what they call a moderate case."
"So he'll get better," Harry stated.
Jean paused, "He has a good chance to. But it's going to take some time Harry. Not only is he having these issues, but his Blood pressure is very low, probably from lack of blood. And his weight is not something I'm happy with either. He's obviously been at a point of physical exhaustion for some time. While not fatal these additional problems are slowing his recovery."
Harry nodded. "Maybe I can help, or…" he trailed off not knowing exactly what he should do. He could heal any wounds Sirius had but things like blood loss needed blood replenishing potions, and unless there was some dragons blood around he had no chance of making it. (Then again maybe that fellow Torch might submit to being a donor.)
"We'll do everything we can for him," Jean stated.
"Thank you," Harry said. He looked down at the couch. He was glad he'd curbed his impulse to simply leave with Sirius. He would have had no way to helping his godfather. What his godfather needed right now were doctors and medicine. And maybe just some sleep.
"Harry, I do want to prepare you for the possibility that there might be some long term damage as well." Jean reached out and gently touched his forearm, her eyes were soft and Harry was almost glad for her patronizing pity.
"What?" he asked, not knowing what else could be wrong.
"With this sort of exposure we do have to accept the possibility of cancer."
"Cancer?" Harry blinked. Could wizards even get cancer?
Jean nodded, "We'll be running some tests, so don't worry yet. And great strides have been made in the medical community, so I think it would be best to be optimistic for the moment."
Harry nodded. Optimistic? That was going to take some work.
Jean smiled at his softly and she patted his hand in a cheering manner.
"So, you're not mad about me tagging along anymore?" Harry asked, thinking this was a good a time to bring up his misdeeds when the good doctor's sympathy was on his side. It was a trick he'd picked up from the Weasley twins.
Jean rolled her eyes and bit her tongue as her previous temper flared for a moment.
"Given the circumstances," she said begrudgingly, "I suppose your assistance saved many lives and," she paused for a moment, acting as if she couldn't believe she was saying this, "As Logan says, perhaps you're more capable than we would like to believe."
Harry chuckled, "Hmm, I suppose I can take care of myself."
"This wasn't the world we were working toward," Jean sad sadly. "I don't like to see this…" she shook her head and seemed reluctant to continue.
"How are the others?" Harry asked, changing the subject.
"Most of them will be fine." She said with a nod, she shot a glance in his direction, "It seems that several of them miraculously healed quite quickly."
Harry shrugged, "Well that was nice, you must be a good doctor."
Jean didn't buy his attitude for a moment.
"What about that leader guy, Telltale?" Harry asked.
Jean looked uncomfortable again and Harry had the distinct impression that she wasn't comfortable sharing anymore patient information than she already had.
"You should get back to your friends," she dismissed. "Class again for Monday, how are you coming on that Science booklet."
Harry cringed recalling the book of science homework she had given him. It was probably something he should have seen in year nine, or maybe even later based on how much this society seemed to prize scientific achievement. Sometimes Harry wasn't certain if his confusion stemmed from all his years in a magical school or whether his home world wasn't familiar with the concept either.
"Yeah, sounds like fun," he said cringing.
Jean seemed to be stifling a smile, Harry knew she probably got some thrill out of piling on his assignments considering it looked as though the Professor had chosen to forgo any specific disciplinary action.
Harry wasn't certain how he felt about having received no word from the Headmaster- or principal as he was called here. The Professor was still quite the mystery to Harry's mind. He seemed pleasant enough, but Harry still felt nervous around the man. He hoped his confrontations with the telepathic hadn't left him predisposed to dislike everyone with the ability.
It was an odd prejudice to have.
"Are you alright Harry?" Jean asked breaking him out of his thoughts.
He hadn't quite realized that this mental preoccupation had left him standing silently, and Jean's warm eyes seemed to be watching him in a gentle manner that somehow felt uncomfortable.
"I'm fine," he said, the crooked smile that his friends knew to be sign of lying crossed his face.
"Well, try to be a normal teenager for a little while. I think you deserve it."
Jean's words were kind, but ridiculous. Harry nodded all the same.
"Yeah, have to get back to the foosball game," the genial tone of his voice put the doctor at ease.
Harry exited Jean's office, his path back to the elevator lead him past the medical room that was currently housing Sirius. He couldn't avoid the temptation to peek inside and get a glimpse of his godfather. The room had been divided into a few small curtained off areas, the dozen people who had been sleeping must have awoken, or been moved to another room. Harry supposed that left the difficult cases to be cordoned off on their own.
Sirius looked weary even in sleep Harry decided, and he didn't have the will or need to try waking him again.
He would admit to being afraid of what Jean had told him. It would be stupid to deny that, but he wasn't going to be cowed by that fear. He simple had to accept the risk.
But there was one thing that Jean couldn't have known. And that troubled Harry the most. Because he knew, as she couldn't, that Sirius hadn't been the government's prisoner for several months. There was no way that his symptoms were the result of periodic doses of radiation for experimental purposes. No, there was only one thing that Sirius had been doing over and over again for the past year.
Harry had done it once himself.
Everything in this world has a cost, or perhaps, given the situation, he should say 'in this universe'. Every cause an effect.
Harry had learned the effect. Sirius, never one of consider consequences, had discovered it for him.
"Hello Harry, dear," a kind voice broke him out of his thoughts.
He turned, surprised to see the well weathered face of Cancer, Telltale's wife. She looked so normal, like the kind of woman who baked cookies and knitted and waited for her kids to come home from school. She didn't seem to belong in this world of underground shelters and government prisons.
Cancer, the name hadn't meant much before.
"Is your godfather alright?" she asked kindly.
"They don't know," Harry answered, surprised by the uncomfortable quaver his voice had. "He's been exposed to some sort of radiation, he should get better but he might have…" he trailed off looking at her.
"Cancer." She said the word softly and a sad smile was on her face. "Sadly both my parents died of it. I give of a form of energy, not unlike radiation. It doesn't seem to hurt other mutants, actually it tends to have some very positive effects. But on normal human, well, it is dangerous. My son, Milo, he was very sick as a child until we discovered he hadn't inherited his parents' little genetic quirk."
Harry blinked, "Sort of a cruel nickname then," he speculated.
She chuckled warmly, "The children made it up, they are so fond of these little code names. But it's not out of cruelty really, it's a way for me to remember. And some remembering is painful, and some remembering is sweet."
She patted him softly on the shoulder, "You're such a mature young man, perhaps you can understand that."
Harry nodded, he watched her enter the same room that Sirius was in and go behind another curtain. It seemed Telltale wasn't well either, not yet.
It was with some surprise that Harry found himself so quickly back in the Rec Room, but looking around it was almost as if he had never left. Bobby must have decided that losing had given him the opportunity to take a seat next to Rogue. Dedication was surely one of Iceman's more prevalent traits, and Harry rather hoped that Rogue might clue into that. But in her defense, He supposed her mutation made considering dating a little complicated.
Pyro had met a rival who was as competitive as he was. He and Justin and taken over the foosball table much to the amusement of others, and the annoyance of some. Midnight in particular seemed to be standing very reluctantly next to her friend, her eyes seeming to doom the inventor of the game into the fiery pits of hell.
"Hmm," Harry said, peering over her shoulder and making her jolt. "They seem evenly matched."
Midnight rolled her eyes and flicked her dark hair over her shoulder, "Well, he played it enough back home."
"In the Haven," Harry said thoughtfully. "Was it a school like they have here?"
Harry still wasn't entirely clear on how things had worked there.
Midnight seemed happy to talk, "Not really. They had a school of sorts but it was more casual, Cancer ran it. Telltale was talking about making something more permanent then things went pear shaped."
"Telltale headed it then," Harry said thoughtfully.
Midnight looked at him as if he'd said something utterly ridiculous. "Jenny is right," she said sounding amazed at the concept, "Where have you been? Who doesn't know about Telltale?"
"I'm rubbish with current events," he said trying to play off his ignorance casually.
"Okay," she said not seeming to believe a word he said.
"What was it like," Harry asked, his words slightly muffled by a violent curse that seemed to shake the room.
Harry's attention was shifted for a moment while he watched Pyro berate Justin for a maneuver was- to put it mildly- corrupt, depraved, and 'f***ing cheating'. Justin answered back with a litany of foul language that Mrs. Weasley would have clobbered him for. Harry was slightly impressed, collecting inventive invectives was a good hobby.
Midnight sighed and answered Harry's question as if the interruption hadn't occurred.
"Well, with things being so bad-"
Harry nodded as if, indeed, he really did know.
"Telltale just sort of organized things so that we wouldn't all have to become Rats. He sort of assigned families I guess. Mutant foster care. That's what it was like for me and Justin, and the community took care of itself. The council runs things, and…" She shrugged, not seeming to be able to explain something that, to her, was common knowledge.
"Sounds like a good thing," Harry stated.
"How don't you know this?" Midnight said, she seemed exasperated. Her dark eyes seemed to focus on him and the searching quality they possessed made Harry feel on edge.
"It was a secret right?" Harry demanded. "It's not like everyone has access to the secret password or anything."
Midnight shook her head, "It doesn't make sense," she said with a shrug. But she seemed willing to let the matter drop.
Harry hoped everyone would be as lenient, because while he might be willing to let the mutants in on his strange mutation there was no way he was sharing the location of the veil and his arrival via it.
Hey, everyone needed an escape route. And Harry was of the mind that the fewer people who knew about it the better. As he had learned, crossing worlds was dangerous and disorienting.
Still he was tired of Midnight's curious eyes. He was glad he didn't 'know' her, had no connection to her as he did Justin. He crossed the room and joined Rogue and Iceman who were still watching the news. Bobby had grown slightly bored and he had settled his head on his elbow and seemed to be watching Rogue and thinking on something. Rogue's attention hadn't wavered, although she seemed less stricken and more focused.
"What's new?" he asked, plopping down on the other side of Rogue and leaning against the cushions.
"They rescued two of the miners," Rogue responded.
"I'm glad," Harry said, he sent Rogue a cautious grin, "You were really worried about them. Guess we can turn off the telly now…"
Rogue raised an eyebrow and flipped a few white strands of hair out of her face.
"On the Magneto front," she said with a shrug, "Nothing new, although there have been sightings in Portland, Chicago and New York City."
"Probably all the hick towns in-between too," Bobby added.
"He's a busy fellow," Harry commented.
"I'm just goin' to stop worrin' about it," Rogue decided vehemently.
"This just in…." A nervous announcer stuttered, her gaze shifting off camera even as she spoke her words.
Rouge's attention was instantly focused on the television belying her previous words.
"While it is not intended for this station to concede to terrorist demands…well, considering the circumstances we will shortly be airing a video sent to us by the terrorist known commonly as Magneto."
She was left on camera for only a moment, looking very tense indeed, before her face disappeared and a close up of Eric Lehnsherr appeared. The edges of their vision were cut so short that it was nearly impossible to see any of the background and only the man's face was visible.
He wasn't quite what Harry had been expecting. But then, after Voldemort it was difficult for anyone to ooze pure evil better.
"Brothers," the man said. Rogue recoiled at the tender and perhaps even kind quality his voice contained.
Harry looked around the room, at this one word the entire common room had fallen silent and every gaze flickered to the screen.
"I call out to my Brothers, my fellow mutants. I am currently pursued, by several governments I'm certain." He paused for a moment and his eyes seemed to glance off camera as if he was sharing a joke with someone off screen.
But when his eyes turned back to face his audience and the affability became stony.
"I have been labeled as terrorist, a funny phrase when it is us, the Brotherhood of Mutants who have been terrorized. We are forced to hide in dull anonymity, hiding our true natures least the rabid mob decides to destroy us. But it is not only in the court of public opinion in which we have been judged, but even now the once brave United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has chosen to inflict upon its subjects the most barbarous of treatment. Murder, forced imprisonment and experimentation.
"I ask you now, rise with me my brothers. Do not bask in the denial of your own nations, come join me and we shall destroy the aggressor, before his message of terror spreads throughout our world."
The screen cut to black but not before the camera had panned a little to the left and a small portion of the Magneto's location was visible. It was the outline of a clock, but one that even an American would have no difficulty identifying.
Big Ben, it seemed Magneto had gone to London.
When the newsroom was visible again the startled looking reporter was trying to regain her composure, but her eyes still seemed unusually wide as she began reading sedately from a prompter.
"Well, you've just seen the mutant terrorist Eric Lehnsherr, commonly called Magneto, deliver a speech against the United Kingdom. This is the latest in a series-"
But whatever the new announcer was going to say next was deafened by the reactions of the teens around Harry. He had almost bolted upright, prepared for battle, the outpouring was so massive.
"Great!" One girl said, her voice heavy with sarcasm. "Now Mutants don't seem blood thirsty at all." She rolled her eyes.
A boy with brown hair next to her shook his head, "At least someone is doing something," he stated forcefully. "Since those acts passed there hasn't been any news on the mutants over there. Maybe something like the holocaust is going on and we don't even know it."
"Yeah, but we can't just declare war on another nation," the girl argued back, "The US government is just waiting for the chance to pass its own Mutant Acts."
Discussions just like this one were erupting around the room, the noise rising as the different viewpoints argued passionately for their own beliefs. Harry shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Once again he was confronted with how different this world was. Voldemort had been so tangibly evil. He'd never heard conversations in the Gryffindor Common Room debating the megalomaniac's good points.
Although maybe the Slytherin Common Room had been different.
He turned to Rogue, perhaps he'd expected outrage but instead her expression was oddly hesitant and she was watching Harry closer than he would have liked.
"He's right isn't he," she said softly. "Somethin' has to be done. You, Midnight, X-ray…all those others."
"But he isn't going about it the right way," Bobby chimed in, tossing an arm around her and shaking her shoulder in a rallying manner.
Rogue seemed to relax at Bobby's words. Harry would like to offer his own…but he wasn't as certain as Iceman where his loyalties lay.
Instead he looked up and tried to find the others. Justin had been playing table football with Pyro, but he'd moved away from the game and his attention ignored everyone else in the room as he stared blankly at the television screen. His mind seemed to be processing the information without any emotion.
Pyro had noted his opponent's lack of attention and his own expression wasn't filled with vigilante spirit as Harry would have predicted, instead he looked oddly thoughtful.
Harry never admitted to prophetic feelings, bad luck all around when messing with fate, but he'd be lying, if he said he didn't feel the faint stirrings of dread.
Dinner had been impossible, the chatter about Magneto's 'declaration of war' filled the room with a buzz. Harry had lost track of the British mutants and Pyro as well. Harry refused to consider this ominous and instead he focused on eating a good meal and trying to ignore the various militant conversations. And while several students around him where shouting their rebellious beliefs and planning ways of joining the crusade, Harry was utterly innocent of any such delusions of grandeur.
Despite his sincere wish to avoid any such adventures, he felt somewhat paranoid. Was it his imagination or were the attentions of his teachers drifting to him more than was normal. The hair on the back of his neck prickled and he had the bad feeling that someone was talking about him.
"Harry," his name was called by a soft voice and he tilted his head up to see Storm standing above him.
"Mmm, h-gh-i" he muttered though a full mouth.
"Good evening to you as well," she stated her voice filled with authority.
Harry swallowed and waited to find out what this little visit was about.
"Harry, the Professor was hoping to speak with you after dinner tonight."
"I thought I wasn't in trouble," he blurted, recalling his little chat with Jean.
Storm blinked, "You're not in trouble," she answered. But Harry had a hard time believing her words while her tone remained severe.
"So, Professor's office after dinner?"
Storm nodded.
Eating dinner should have been more relaxing but Harry decided he'd rather get over whatever sort of lecture the Professor intended for him. Sure, maybe he shouldn't have snuck aboard the X-jet and followed them across the Atlantic and invaded a military base-wow, was that really his life? Shit, just another Saturday night after all.
-But aside from that he'd sort of saved their asses over there. What had been their exit strategy? Not that he had planned one either, but it was the principle of the thing.
He heaved a sigh and tried not to feel like he was twelve and waiting in Dumbledore's office after being accused of petrifying students.
Knock.
"Come in Harry," a warm old voice encouraged from the other side of the door.
Harry did so, but he bit his tongue when he saw who was inside. He'd expected a quiet lecture on 'the oh-so-great importance of valuing his own safety' or perhaps another discussion of the fact that he was 'still a child.'
Instead he found himself among an odd collection of his new adult acquaintances. The Professor was there and Scott was leaning against the wall behind him looked rather bored. In a chair off to the side Telltale was looking wan but with penetrating eyes. Wolverine had, oddly enough, also made the guest list and he was poised on the other side of the room standing like Scott but with noticeably less attention to posture. His gaze was also focused on the side of room and away from the others. Harry had the distinct feeling that Wolverine had been given his own dressing down, either that or he really didn't like what was about to happen.
Once again, Harry reminded himself that prophetic thinking helped no one.
"Professor," Harry said bending his head. He also nodded to Telltale, his eyes lingering for a moment on the English mutant, wondering why he was here.
"Harry," Xavier said warmly. "Thomas would like to thank you for the efforts you made on behalf of his friends and family."
Telltale nodded, his curious eyes not leaving Harry.
Harry gazed for a moment at the bandage still wrapped around his neck.
"Any hope for talking again sir?" Harry asked curiously.
Xavier looked pained at the question, "We don't know as of yet, there might still be some hope."
Harry nodded. He wished his could offer his own services, and maybe, indeed, someone like Madam Pomfrey could cure such destruction. Harry could seal the skin…but he was a loss to attempt such complicated healing.
"And while we are grateful for your help Harry, I do hope you're taking good care of yourself."
Harry nodded, he looked at the ground and fought the urge to itch his head. The Professor's unique kind of ligillamancy was scurrying across his brain, so many subtle points of pressure it felt faintly like a spider was crawling across his own mental shield.
"And your godfather is he doing better?"
The Professor could only be asking for politeness sake, Jean must have given him the update.
"He seems to be, but he's still really worn out."
Xavier shared a glance with Telltale, "Yes, what was done to him is most regrettable."
Harry nodded. Was it his imagination or was the light brush of the Professor's telepathy becoming more pronounced.
"Indeed," the Professor commented, his kind blue eyes gazing steadily at Harry.
"And Magneto," Scott said from behind the Professor, his voice strangely cool, "He's going to use this as a way of starting the war."
The Professor sighed, "I'm afraid that Eric sees the war as already begun, his own actions will be nothing more than a counter attack."
"Well," Harry said thoughtfully, "Isn't it?" His green eyes flickered to Telltale, wondering what the leader of the British mutants thought. His people had been imprisoned, experimented on, and even killed. Surely he could recognize the need to fight back.
But Telltale's face was serene, the tightness of his jaw was the only indication of any concern.
"Harry, the actions of a few should not be used to blame everyone."
Well, of course, Harry thought, he wondered if they thought he wanted to turn radical and attack the innocent masses.
Once again he felt the strong pressure on his mental shield, as if perhaps some hand was squeezing now. He looked up sharply and his green eyes met the Professor's innocent blue.
"What are you asking me," He asked, his tone harsher than he wanted.
His sudden shift in attitude meant little to the other people in the room, who looked at his changing expression cautiously. But the Professor didn't blink and met Harry's gaze steadily. The increased pressure in his head wasn't Harry's imagination, and the Professor silent steady gaze filled Harry with anxiety.
"Harry, the world is moving swiftly now. And with Magneto's latest challenge…it becomes necessary for us to be certain of some things."
"Some things…" Harry ground out between his teeth as the pressure in his head grew. The slight pain there now was bringing to mind the days of his scar headaches and he wasn't enjoying the comparison.
"They want to know if you're Magneto's spy," Wolverine grunted, his tone filled with a rude sort of disapproval.
"We're not saying that," Xavier said quickly. "We know he had some associates in Europe, and since Thomas-"
"What? And since he doesn't know me I must have thrown in with Magneto?" Harry asked, he clenched his teeth as the mental probe continued digging into his shield.
"We wouldn't blame you if you had, Harry," the Professor said looking away, "But we want to help you-"
"You want to help me?" Harry asked incredulously.
"See the light, walk the straight and narrow," Wolverine chanted with some annoyance behind Harry.
Harry wanted to say something rude and juvenile, like 'I don't need your help', and maybe even toss some things around the professors office for good measure. But his days of temper tantrums were over, and instead he fixed his gaze on the ground and explained to himself the reason why he really did need the X-men. No so much for himself-but Sirius was still in a bad way. He couldn't just take his godfather and disappear off the map.
But he hated this, he realized in that instant. The suspicion and the doubt, the feeling that once again the rose colored glasses had been torn off and he had to see the world for what it was. Was Mutant High really the wonderful place he had thought it to be, or was this Professor just using the place to make his students think as he thought and act as he did.
Because, maybe Magneto had the right of it. Maybe war had already been declared and Xavier was too busy teaching about peace and understanding to know that sometimes there was nothing left to do but fight. Harry knew that, had lived that. There would have been no reasoning with Voldemort, no compromise. Where the actions of the British government any different? Didn't something have to be done.
These thoughts flashed rapidly in Harry's mind and something in them must have shown in his expression of body language because the conversation around the room had disappeared.
"I'm not working with Magneto," he said hollowly, "But professor, you have to admit, he's the only one doing anything. What is it that you plan to do?"
Harry shrugged and turned to leave. He didn't have anything else to say
Scott stood up, but the Professor raised a hand to stop him, shook his head and no one stopped Harry as he left.
The silence dragged for a long moment.
"Well we had to ask," Scott said uncomfortably from behind the Professor. "Magneto has a wide range of associates around the world and with Harry's talent-and without Telltale knowing him, the boy has no history…"
The reasons were all valid, just as they had been when the discussion had started an hour ago. A mutant like Harry simply couldn't have slipped beneath the Professor and Telltale's radars all on his own. He had to have had help or contact with someone at some point.
"I told you he wasn't like that," Wolverine said with a shrug, he seemed annoying pleased with how the conversation was going.
"Why do you like that kid?" Scott demanded letting some of his anger seep into his tone. "He breaks the rules, he endangers himself and he could have endangered the mission-" Scott trailed off as Wolverine grinned.
"I think you answered your own question, Scott," The Professor said, but his usual good humor wasn't in it.
For a moment the Professor glanced at Telltale and they seemed to share a silent conversation.
"You're right old friend, we had to ask. But I can't escape the feeling that we have made a very grave error."
Telltale shared a glance.
The Professor chuckled, "No, I'm not able to see the future. And while despite some of my better efforts I couldn't enter the young man's mind, I was left with the feeling that he was disappointed in me."
The silence hung heavy.
"Yes, I'm rather disappointed in myself as well," Xavier said, shaking his head and for a moment he looked very old.
Harry wasn't upset, or at least he didn't look upset and that was half the battle. But he couldn't quite convince himself to go back and join the others. He felt as if he was betraying Rogue in, at least partially, admitting that Magneto might have the right of it. Well, maybe not entirely right but the man had made a few correct comments in his little speech, and Harry had begun to doubt what plans if any Xavier had for correcting the situation in Britain. It was all well and good to help the mutants escape and bring them to America but it goaded on Harry's pride to think of abandoning his country to a bunch of bigots.
He'd decided to go and visit Sirius, maybe they could have some time to talk everything over. Harry's determination to stay in this world was slipping, and if it weren't for Sirius's bad health maybe he'd join his godfather on another attempt through the veil.
"Harry! Good luck finding you, mate," Justin familiar voice echoed slightly in the underground section of Mutant High.
Harry turned and spotted Justin, and oddly enough Pyro as well.
"Hey," Harry greeted, nodding to the both of them.
"Can we talk with you a minute?" Justin asked, his shoulder gestured back down the hallway.
Harry supposed Sirius was still sleeping, it would wait, "Sure," he agreed falling into step behind them.
"We were just coming to find you," Pyro explained. "It's maze-like down here eh?"
The two teens led him into one of the rooms that had been converted into living quarters for the escapees. The room had been divided up into different curtained off sections to give the impression of privacy, but most of the curtains were opened and people were milling about talking in small groups. There was certainly a sort of fervor in the air, energy was palpable.
"What's going on?" Harry asked.
Pryo and Justin just gestured him to follow them deeper into the room.
In the last of the small partitions, a larger group of people had gathered. Mostly men and a few woman, as well as some teenagers like Justin and Pyro. A few of the faces Harry remembered. Torch, the dragon faced fire breathing mutant from the high security wing was looking less human that usual his scaled face set in a grim snarl. Harry also recognized the swift Spaniard whose quick agility had made him noticeable in the battle as well.
"That was fast," A tall teenage girl said, as Justin, Harry and Pyro entered.
"Yeah."
"Harry Potter," Torch addressed him, the same hissing quality to his speech. "You heard the speech the mutant Magneto gave."
Harry nodded, he was starting to see where this was going.
"Well now, He's a grandstanding, manipulative sort innit he," Torch stated.
A few others in the crowd muttered their agreement.
Okay, Harry thought, maybe he didn't know where this conversation was going.
"But he did have a point," a middle-aged woman with thick, short blonde hair said begrudgingly.
Torch nodded, "We need to fight back. Telltale wants to work with the system, and the majority of the Council has sided with him, but the system is so broken the only thing to do is tear it down and start again."
The others nodded and mutters of agreement could be heard from the twenty or so people who had gathered.
Harry sort of agreed but he stayed very still.
"What are you planning to do?" he asked slowly.
"The Rats in London, I used to work with them." Torch said.
Another man, he easily stood over seven feet and was thickly muscled. "I did too, no matter what the normals may think they can't have gotten all the Rats out of their hidey-holes."
"And if know the Rats," Torch said darkly, "They won't be taking turning the other cheek, not now."
Looking around the crowd, Harry noticed that some of the people looked less than enthusiastic about joining these Rats. Not that the name made their organizations sound appealing. Still, despite the slight reluctance most of people involved seemed to have decided to shoulder whatever burden they had to. Revenge was thick in the air, and the traces of imprisonment were easily seen.
"What do you want from me?" Harry asked getting down to the end of the matter.
"We want to go home," Justin said. His face was locked in an expression of determination. "We can't just hide here while things are happening there."
"But Xavier isn't going to loan them the X-jet if you get what I mean," Pyro added.
Harry thought of the conversation he had just had with the older man, "Yeah you're probably right about that."
"So we figured the Harry Xpress might be kinder to a bunch of rebel hitchhikers." Justin waggled his eyebrows.
"Do you know what you're getting into?"
"It's our decision to make," Torch said darkly, "No one should have the right to keep it from us."
Harry nodded.
They had a point, no one, not Telltale or Professor Xavier, could decide was right for someone else. If these people had made their choice who was he to say they were wrong. He had brought them here, it almost seemed like they were keeping them hostage if they refused to allow them to leave.
"You too?" Harry asked Pryo curiously.
"Magneto had a point, we all have a stake in this, no matter where we're from."
Harry could tell by the fierce look in Pyro's eyes that there would be no arguing with him. He wished he could tell Pryo the truth, that this daring campaign he was embarking on wasn't going to be anything like he imagined it would be. War was nothing like people imagined, but Harry couldn't explain that to his friend. He'd figure it out on his own.
"Okay, I'll give you a lift," Harry said with a nod. "I hope you all are ready for what you're getting into. Cause I have a feeling it's going to be a botched job all around."
The mutants chuckled, Harry wished he could explain that he wasn't joking.
A/N : Hope you enjoyed this chapter. As in previous, I don't have a Beta so these chapters are unedited. If any of my clever readers find errors, please give me detailed mention of them and I will be happy to correct them.
-Also, I am currently looking for someone who might be interested in helping me with some future chapters. Not to give too much of the plot away, but I'd like to find someone who is very familiar with the UK's parliamentary process and general knowledge of how (as we say it in the States) 'a bill becomes a law' etc. I'd prefer someone native to the country in question, as I tend to be of the frame that only a person who is truly of a culture can accurately speak for it. (But if you're particularly knowledgeable I'd be interested in you as well) I'm doing my own research but to avoid something rife with errors, a checker would be greatly appreciated.
If you think you might be a good candidate and would have the time to read over a document 20+ pages (And return it in a timely manner.) send a brief description of your skills either through a review or PM me.
The plus being you'd get to read chapters before I publish…sadly that is the only currency I can offer.
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