The Labyrinth of Amagor

The Labyrinth of Amagor

Chapter 10: Close Encounters of Many Kinds

When the swirl of the Portkey stopped, Harry found himself in-a bedroom? A very feminine bedroom, all white wood and pink silk, by the look of it. Even the four-poster bed had pink curtains and sheets. What the bloody...?

From a half-open door nearby came trails of scented steam and the sound of running water. Harry took a step forward, and a silvery bell rang. A tremulous woman's voice called through the door, "Who's there?"

"Er, me. Harry Potter," he called back.

"Harry? Oh, thank the gods! Don't move. I'll be out in a second."

Narcissa smiled at herself in the bathroom mirror. Let Bellatrix play sultry dominatrix if she wished, but Narcissa defied any man to resist a helpless, scared, fluffy little woman! She carefully arranged the folds of her lustrous silk dressing gown to look as if she had just pulled it on, making sure it clung to every moist curve. Then she dabbed on a little mildly aphrodisiac perfume-not too much, she wanted this to be seduction, not a drugged frenzy. Her hair hung in damp curls, and her white skin was dewy, as if from a bath. She pinched her cheeks to make them look flushed, took a breath, then dashed out into the bedroom.

Harry knew her, of course, but why was she here? "Mrs Malfoy?"

She ran up to him, putting her hands on his chest, surprised at the feel of the muscles there. Narcissa searched his face, eyes anxious, lips slightly parted. "Harry," she breathed. "Oh, it worked. I'm so glad to see you! Don't worry, Draco's not here, and I sent the house-elves away. We're safe for now."

Harry was completely confused. "Mrs Malfoy, what's going on? What worked?"

Narcissa gazed at him with enormous, blue eyes. "How can I make you understand?" She took his hands and drew him down beside her to sit on the bed.

"When they locked Lucius away, I thought I was free of it all, but the Dark Lord had already initiated Draco. He's as fanatical as his father; I'm terrified of both of them." Her voice trembled convincingly. "Draco told me I had to obey him. He took me to Salazar's Keep, made me help him set that final trap for you. But I managed to slip that photograph onto the desk. I knew if you saw it, you'd pick it up. I prayed you'd get my mental message. You did, and it brought you here safe!"

Harry was trying to keep a grip. Narcissa was so close he could feel the warmth of her body through the thin robe and, like any seventeen-year-old boy, his own body was responding automatically to the presence of a near-naked woman.

"Why?" he asked, his voice thick.

"Why? Because I hate their Dark Lord! I hate him and everything he stands for!" For the moment, Narcissa wasn't even lying-not completely. "Lord Voldemort has had my husband and son in thrall all their lives. And they like it; they live for him!" Her face went sad. "Harry, families like the Blacks and the Malfoys don't allow their children to marry for anything as frivolous as love. My parents forced me to marry Lucius, and he forced me to serve the Dark Lord."

Narcissa sighed, then made a show of confessing, "There's something else. Ever since Draco started Hogwarts, he's been talking about you. He hates you, you know. Every time he's tried to achieve something to make Lucius proud, you've been there. You've outdone Draco, beaten him, and made him look a fool at every turn. He's eaten up with bitterness!

"But I'd never really seen you until the end of this last term. I was at the station, waiting for Draco, and you and your friends got off the train first. You had your arm round a girl with red hair, I remember. You were wearing Muggle clothes-a black, sleeveless T-shirt and jeans. I couldn't look at anything else. I knew it was you, because somebody called your name, and you answered. Then you leaned down and kissed the girl with such tenderness, and oh, Harry, how I envied her."

To counter Harry's shocked expression, she added quickly, "I know you probably think I'm a silly old woman, but I'm not so old that I can't want things--a little gentleness, warmth--the things I saw in you."

Harry's head was in a whirl. One set of instincts was screaming at him to get out of there. Another, more primitive set was urging him to take what was so obviously being offered. Narcissa leaned forward as she spoke to him, apparently unaware that the front of her robe had parted. Against his will, Harry's eyes were drawn to the gap where almost the whole of one pearly, perfect breast was exposed. He could even see the delicate pink nipple.

Narcissa followed his eyes, allowing herself a small smile of triumph while his attention was elsewhere. She felt her nipples harden under his gaze, Hecate! she thought, I really do want this one! Narcissa had had many lovers; she enjoyed sex, using men for her pleasure as well as her plotting, but this lad was making her feel something different. She wanted to keep him for herself! The boy looked up at her again, and she manufactured a blush. Something about his compelling, green eyes sent a flood of heat through her.

"I'm sorry, I've embarrassed you," she said, "but I'm afraid and lonely, and you're so strong...." She let her voice trail off, then reached out and pulled herself against him, feeling his arms instinctively come round her. Almost there! He would be hers soon--for an hour at least, if she were lucky, perhaps a little longer.

Her face buried in his chest, Narcissa didn't see Harry's eyes suddenly lose their focus.

Snap out of it, Harry. You cannot trust that woman!

Professor? The familiar mental touch brought a flash of clarity to Harry's badly muddled brain. What's going on?

She is attempting to use you for her own purposes.

Are you sure, Professor?

Look into her mind, Harry. You have the capability.

Harry closed his eyes and concentrated, opening his mind to Narcissa's. The Professor was right! Oh, there was genuine desire, all right. The forefront of her mind held some very distracting images of her body entwined with his. But, beneath that level, were other images, flashes of himself being twisted into a cold, ruthless, figurehead for some shadowy group...the Knights of something...he couldn't catch it all.

That's enough for now, Harry. Your abilities are still undeveloped. You must not overtax yourself.

Thanks, Professor.

What will you do now, Hawk?

Perhaps I'll give her a little of her own medicine!

He felt Xavier's mental chuckle. I'm afraid Logan taught you too well, Harry. Be careful.

Harry felt Xavier withdraw. The whole exchange had taken perhaps thirty seconds, but it had been enough. Harry could feel that hard-edged part of his mind rising to the surface. He welcomed it.

Narcissa drew back from him. Harry put his hands on her shoulders and made himself speak hesitantly. "Mrs Malfoy..."

She put her fingers to his lips. "Narcissa, please, Harry darling."

He kissed her fingers before she could remove them. "Narcissa, then. I don't...I shouldn't. I mean, you're married and I...."

She smiled at him. "Darling, don't think," she urged, "just follow your feelings."

He forced his hands to tremble slightly as he slipped the robe off her shoulders and drew her to him. She offered up her mouth, and he opened his to her darting tongue. He ran the fingers of one hand down her bare spine.

Narcissa quivered and moaned softly into Harry's mouth. Gods! He's good at this! Instinct? Or is he more experienced than I thought? Harry's other hand was cupping her face. As they kissed, she felt that hand slide sensuously down her neck.

Then the lights went out.

Harry's eyes were like ice as he lowered Narcissa down to the bed. A little judicious pressure with his thumb in just the right place meant he hadn't had to hurt her, just disappoint her a little. He lifted her legs onto the bed and made her comfortable, covering her with a sheet. His heart was pounding, and his lower regions were in some discomfort-thank Merlin his amorous interludes with Ginny over the months had saved him from complete embarrassment!

He took a deep breath and cleared his mind as Ororo had taught him. (Ron had fidgeted throughout Meditation classes, but Harry and Hermione had both benefited from them.) Now Harry calmed his mind and his over-eager body, so that he was immediately alert to the sound of ironic applause.

Draco Malfoy stood by the bedroom door, clapping sardonically. "Bravo, Potter," he drawled. "Unexpected and quite remarkable."

Harry drew his wand, but Draco held up empty hands. "Truce, Potter. I know when I'm overmatched. Physically or magically, you've got the better of me, and I'm not such a fool as to challenge you."

Draco moved over to the bed; Harry moved away, keeping distance between them. Draco considered his unconscious mother for a moment, and shook his head. "I keep track of her manoeuvrings, and father's, too. It's a tedious business, but useful. Neither of them cares who the other sleeps with, yet their lovers often have other partners who might object. A word or two in the right ear can open doors, you know?"

Harry's lip curled. "You're disgusting, Malfoy!"

Draco shrugged. "I have to look out for myself. D'you think either of my parents give a damn about me? They're too busy playing their games." He shook his head disdainfully. "The Portkey is on the dressing table. It will take you back to the Keep. The Order and your freakish friends have pretty much taken the place to pieces by now, I should think. Join them, and do try to have the decency to get yourself killed in the process, if you would."

Harry backed over to the dressing table, glanced at it and saw the Portkey. The frame was now empty, but he thought it would still work. As he was about to pick it up, Draco's eyes narrowed and he spoke again.

"Why, Harry?"

"Why what?"

Draco turned to him with curious eyes. "I know the Hat offered you Slytherin, but you chose Gryffindor. And yet," Draco gestured at Narcissa's inert form, "the way you dealt with dear Mama here was slick--too slick for a Gryffindor. That was something I might have done. We're the same, you and I, in some ways. So why are we enemies?"

"You chose the wrong side, Draco. You belong to Voldemort, the scum who killed my parents!" Harry snarled.

"Sides," Draco scoffed. "It's not about sides, Harry. The only side I'm on is my side. It could have been, still could be, our side. Think about that, Harry. Oh, stay with the Order if you like, help them get shut of Riddle if you can. But if you succeed, he'll be gone, the Order will dissolve, and there'll be a whole new world out there. A world you and I could rule."

"You're mad."

"No, I'm practical. Think about it, Harry. There's a place at my right hand that's empty. It's waiting for you to claim it, Harry Potter, on the day the scales fall from your eyes."

Draco stalked off before Harry could reply. Harry wanted to be quit of this place as fast as possible. He picked up the Portkey, and the world swirled away. He was back in the Keep, where Ginny flung herself at him with a joyful cry.

****

Harry's disappearance was cause for instant consternation. Ginny was absolutely sure that he had activated a Portkey, but how or why?

"He must have done it by accident," Hermione speculated. "It could have been left here since the Keep was closed. It might have been Salazar Slytherin's personal Portkey!"

"Then why leave it here?" countered Sirius. "It's some kind of trap, most likely Voldemort's doing. Had to be something Voldemort knew would get Harry's attention, but no one else's."

"Either way," said Luna, "we don't know where Harry is. We can't reach him."

"Yes, we can," Marie interjected. "Hawk has his communicator. If we're out of the Labyrinth, the satellite link should be working." Following up on this thought, Marie tried to call Harry. Her efforts raised nothing but static.

"Too much magic for Muggle technology to work," Sirius suggested.

Marie shook her head. "Uh-uh. These units are EMP shielded. They worked fine at Hogwarts."

Kitty was examining the window shutters. "Rogue, I think these may have something to do with it. These shutters are lead, not aluminum or iron. And they're locked," she added, tugging at one.

"Well, we'll see about that!" Hermione strode over to the nearest. "Let's let in some daylight. Alohomora!" The shutter Hermione had targeted swung open.

The other wizards set about the business of opening the remaining shutters, but as the last one gave way, Rogue suddenly raised a hand. "Hold it, people. It's Professor X!"

Marie's eyes went unfocused for a while. Sirius leaned close to Ron. "What's happening? Who's Professor X?"

Ron led him aside so as not to break Marie's concentration. "Professor X is Professor Xavier. He runs the Mutant school in America. He's what they call a telepath-like a Legilimens, only more so. He can send his thoughts into people's minds, as well as read theirs. He's sort of talking to Rogue right now."

After a slight pause, Ron added, "Look, Sirius, just between me and you--Harry might tell you himself, or he might not--but I think you need to know that Harry has a touch of the same power. He's what Professor X calls a 'latent telepath', which means he can't just use the talent any time he wants. Professor X taught him to shield his mind from Voldemort or any kind of Legilimency. The only other people who know about this are Hermione, Ginny, and some of the teachers at Hogwarts and Xavier's." Ron took a deep breath. "What they don't know, 'cos Harry only told me, is that it's getting stronger! He keeps getting these flashes. You're going to have to watch him, Sirius, same as I do. If it gets too strong, Harry's going to have to go back to Professor X for more training. Just keep it under your hat for now, though; you know how bloody-minded Harry can be."

Sirius said nothing, but reached out to grasp Ron's arm by way of thanks. It felt like an iron bar.

Rogue called them over then. "OK, I just got an update on Harry. He's at Malfoy Manor, wherever that is."

"That's where our old pal Jerko Malfoy lives, is it?" asked Bobby

"Probably. But our favorite blond butthead isn't involved in this, apparently. Now listen up: Harry's not in any physical danger right now, but he does have a problem. The Professor says he's gonna help, and it should be OK."

"What kind of problem?" Hermione wanted to know.

Marie wrinkled up her face. "Woman trouble, it seems. Someone called Narcissa is after Harry's body."

"Draco's mother? Ewww!" Ginny groaned. "What does that skinny cow want with Harry? Wait 'til I get my hands on the kinky hag! I'll teach her a thing or two!"

Sirius chuckled. "Doubt it, Ginny. Narcissa's been at this a long time."

"She should act her age!" Ginny protested, outraged.

Sirius opened his mouth, then caught Ginny's eye and thought better of it. The little auburn-haired American girl-Harry's ex-girlfriend Kitty, he recalled-also looked aghast. Still some feelings there, then, Sirius thought.

The big, dark-haired lad called Peter, or Colossus, put his hands on Ginny's shoulders. "Chill, babe," he rumbled. "Harry can handle it. If the Professor says he's gonna help, you can take that to the bank."

Hermione had buried her face in Ron's chest; Sirius guessed she was doing her best not to burst into giggles. Lavender was less inhibited, or less polite, and Peter had to forcibly restrain Ginny from attacking her Housemate.

Dani muttered to Roberto, "If this Narcissa has the same luck with Harry I did, she's cruisin' for a bruisin'."

Fortunately for all of them, there was a sudden distraction. Sam and Rahne had been looking out of the windows, and now Rahne gave an excited shout. "Rogue! Look! That's Storm out there!"

Rogue dashed to the window, then spoke into her communicator. "Rogue to Storm- Do you copy?"

"Storm here. Rogue, where are you?"

"In the tower, at your three o'clock."

"I see you. On my way." Sam opened the window, and moments later, Storm flew in through it.

This was to be a day of shocks for Sirius. The first shock was that the woman flew without a broom. The second came as she settled gracefully down in the centre of the room, and swung her gaze around them all.

She was, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman Sirius had ever seen. Tall, with a sensuously curved figure the close-fitting leather uniform enhanced, she moved with a regal poise. Her face was perfect; there was no other word for it. There was warmth in her coffee-coloured skin and dark eyes, strength in the flawless bone structure, and sensuality in the generous mouth. The flowing mane of silver-white hair entranced him. Sirius could not take his eyes off her as she greeted the young people with the warmth of a family member.

Ororo could have almost wept with relief: they were all here, all safe and well, all her little brothers and sisters! She went from one to the other, greeting them by name, looking them over, hugging them eagerly. When it came to Hermione and Ron, Storm was especially glad to see them; it had been far too long, and she had missed them both.

When Storm asked about Harry, Marie related what Professor X had told her. Then she was introduced to their other friends from Hogwarts, youngsters she had heard about, but never met.

It wasn't until Ororo had satisfied herself that the teenagers were all well that she turned to the other adult in the room. Charm stepped forward. "Ororo, this is Harry's godfather, Sirius Black. Sirius, this is Ororo Monroe, who is called Storm."

For a moment, Ororo couldn't speak. The man was tall, lean and riveting. His face was thin but striking, marked with experience, and the magnetic eyes locked on hers held power, deep strength, and an indomitable will. He put out a hand, and spoke quietly. "Miss Monroe? Honoured to make your acquaintance."

Ororo couldn't remember replying. All she ever recalled afterward was the rush of feeling that ran through her when their hands touched. They simply stood, staring at each other, for a time.

Hermione looked from Sirius to Storm and back again, smiled quietly to herself, and left them alone. As she rejoined the group, Rogue asked, "What's going on there?"

"Chemistry," Hermione replied. Rogue's eyebrows rose, but she said nothing.

Suddenly, Ginny shouted, and they all turned to see Harry standing by the desk. Ginny flew to him, and he opened his arms to her in a glad embrace. Ginny kissed Harry ardently, then leaned back from him. "Ugh! You reek of that woman!"

Harry gave a short laugh. "I probably do! She was all over me like...like a Devil's Snare!"

That comment caused general laughter. Sirius, with Storm close beside him, pushed through the crowd. "Harry? You held Narcissa off? I think that puts you in a class of one!"

"Does it? How come everyone knows what I've been doing, or not doing?" asked Harry. Without waiting for an answer, he cried, "Storm! You're here!"

"Why, yes I am! You always were perceptive, Hawk." Grinning, she reached out and hugged him. He held her tightly for a moment, then asked, "Does that mean the rest of the X-Men are here, too?"

"Yes. We're trying to find a way into this place."

"Why?" Harry wanted to know. Storm paused a minute to collect her thoughts, then explained what was happening. She told them about Voldemort's quest for the Talisman of Life Unending, his discovery that the 'deadly light' blocking access to the Talisman was gamma radiation, and his subsequent kidnapping of the Muggle world's foremost expert on the lethal rays. Ororo went on to explain how Dumbledore had consulted Xavier about the kidnapped scientist, and the resulting identification of Dr. Banner and his powerful, destructive alter ego, the Hulk.

"So," Storm concluded, "the Professor sent us over to help out in case the Hulk broke loose. But then it turned out that there were a lot more of these Death Eaters than we first thought, and trolls, as well. So Cyclops decided we had to get involved. Kind of like Harry would have done." Ororo smiled significantly at Harry, recalling his reply to Scott in the aftermath of the battle at the shopping mall near Xavier's.

"So, what you're saying," Ron summarised, "is that we've got Voldemort's lot surrounded?"

"Goddess! You're right, Hunter!" Storm's eyes widened, then she spoke into her communicator. "Storm to Cyclops-What's your situation?"

"We've just found another way into the Keep. The wizards are cooking up an illusion to make them think we're still out here while we blindside the bad guys. What about you?"

"I'm in a tower. Cyclops, the kids are here!"

"What, all of them?"

"Ours and the wizards, both. Hunter thinks we can do a pincer movement."

"I see. I think it'd be better if you all stayed put until we've cleaned house down here."

Harry had been listening in, now he interrupted. "Hawk to Cyclops-Scott, we're not going to have a row about this, are we? You, me and Rogue?"

There was a moment's silence, then Scott's rueful voice came back. "I'm outnumbered here, aren't I?"

"Damn straight, Cyke!" This was Wolverine. "'Cause I'm backin' the kids, too!"

"OK. Hawk, Rogue, the ambush is in the Great Hall. You'd better work your way down there quietly. When you're in position, let me know. Radio silence until then. Cyclops out."

"Right!" Harry said. "First things first. We have to see what's beyond that trapdoor."

"That's my job," said Ariel. "Be right back, guys."

Sirius watched, amazed, as Ariel stepped onto the trapdoor and slowly sank through it. For a few minutes, they all held their breath, then Rogue's keen ears caught a man's voice shouting, "Stupefy!", a surprised yelp from Ariel, a groan and the sound of a falling body.

"Trouble!" Rogue snapped. Peter, still in his armoured form, stamped once on the trapdoor, which flew into splinters, then charged down the stairway below it. Rogue and Harry were a breath behind, the others jostling to follow.

At the bottom of the stairs, a shaken-looking Ariel was standing over the inert body of a wizard. Peter dashed to her, resumed his human form, and swept her into his arms. "Katya, are you OK? What happened?"

"I'm fine, Peter. I don't know why, though. I was coming down the stairs, when this guy suddenly jumped out of the shadows and cast that stunning spell at me. But I was phased at the time. All I felt was like a static shock, then he just...keeled over!"

"Now that is interesting," remarked Hermione. "I know you disrupt electronics when you're phased, Kitty. Perhaps you do the same to some spells. You were lucky this time, but I wouldn't like to try to guess what would happen with other spells or curses. I'd be careful if I were you."

Sirius approached the stunned wizard and picked up his wand. "Voldemort took mine," he noted, "but this one might do for now." Testing the wand, he applied a binding charm to the unconscious man.

"OK," said Harry, "there are probably more guards. Wolfsbane, you scout ahead. The rest of us had better stick together."

Once again, Sirius was surprised as the little Scots girl smoothly transformed into a red wolf and padded ahead. He caught Harry's eye; his godson grinned at him. "You get used to it after a while," Harry remarked. "Wolfsbane could do with some help, though. Are you up to being Snuffles for a bit, Sirius?"

"Good thought," said Sirius. "Why didn't I have it?"

"Well," said Harry kindly, "you are getting on a bit, you know."

Sirius turned to Ororo for support. "This is the respect I get?"

She grinned at him. "That's our Hawk for you. You should hear how he back-talks me."

"Cheeky lad! I'll have to have a word with him." With a stern look for his godson, Sirius transformed into his Animagus form, wagged his tail at Harry, and loped off after Wolfsbane. She turned as he caught up with her, and gave him an exploratory sniff. Satisfied, she trotted alongside him.

They ventured farther into the Keep. As they did so, they began to encounter unshuttered windows, and the rooms became larger. There were a great many scents, but nothing close or urgent. Then, in a wide corridor that stretched on for some distance, they found a powerful, threatening scent that sent them dashing back to the pack.

The two shapeshifters resumed their human forms as they came up on Harry and Rogue. "There's something nasty down there," Rahne warned them.

"Troll," said Sirius. "Maybe more than one."

"Holy Mother of Kazan!" muttered Peter, before he changed to Colossus. "I've done this before, guys. Stay back."

Colossus took the lead, moving forward noiselessly. Sure enough, a panel in the wall opened, and two trolls spilled out into the corridor. Colossus went in fast. His last fight against a troll had been long and drawn out, but Peter had learned from it. Ducking under a swinging club, he drove his steel fist with all his power into the troll's gut. The creature doubled over without a sound, and Colossus finished the job with a chop to the neck.

The other troll had reacted faster than expected, and its stone hammer crashed into Colossus' forehead. The blow didn't hurt the big X-Man, but it caught him off-balance and sent him sprawling to the floor. The troll roared and raised its hammer again. Harry started forward, but then heard Sam yell, "Comin' through!"

Harry leapt to one side as Cannonball rocketed down the corridor and struck the troll full in the midsection. Cannonball was pretty much an irresistible force, but the troll was far from an immovable object. The two flew the length of the corridor to crash into the stone wall at the end. The troll's eyes rolled up in its head and it slumped to the floor, blood trickling from the corner of its mouth.

"Now that'll ruin your whole day," commented Alison.

"Aye," replied Seamus, "an' if Sam'd hit the thing lower down, he'd have ruined its night as well!"

"You've got an evil mind, lover mine."

"Sure and I didn't hear you complainin' last night, sweetheart."

Sunspot and Colossus had managed to untangle a struggling Cannonball from a mass of inert troll limbs by now, and Hawk and Rogue led the party on. The corridor ended in a T-junction. To one side, a flight of stairs led up; on the other side were stairs down. "We're heading for the Hall," said Harry, "so we go down, I think."

The stairs led to a large, rectangular room. As they entered it, everyone felt a sudden chill, which was immediately explained by the dozen black-robed figures that melted out of the shadows with chilling shrieks.

The members of Dumbledore's Army reacted as one. Wailing, the Dementors fled before a herd of silvery animals led by Harry's stag. "Impressive!" murmured Sirius to Storm, then noticed she was gazing entranced at the Patronus spirits. "Interesting, aren't they?" he inquired.

She turned to him, her dark eyes alight with a kind of inner joy. "It's more than that, Sirius! My mutation makes me sensitive to energy-patterns; it's how I manipulate weather. I can see or feel energy. These Patronus creatures are produced by positive psychic energy. I can feel the happiness--the joy--that makes them manifest. It's beautiful!"

Sirius looked at her, then heard himself saying, "So are you, Ororo." She shrugged the words off and turned away, but he reached out and took her chin in his strong fingers, making her look into his face.

"What?" he asked. "Has no one ever told you that before?"

"Yes," she breathed, "lots of people. But they didn't mean it the way you do."

For a moment, they gazed into each other's eyes, exploring what was happening between them, then Sirius sighed, "This is not the moment." Storm smiled with reluctant agreement. "Later," she promised him.

*****

It had taken some time for the united efforts of the wizards to create a self-sustaining illusion, but the time had been well spent. Anyone looking out of the windows would have seen the attacking force apparently milling around, talking among themselves and reconnoitering. Meanwhile, the Phoenix team and their Mutant allies slipped into the secret passage.

It quickly became clear that the passage was part of a network stretching throughout the ancient fortress. By means of the compasses every X-Man carried and the enhanced senses of the three feral Mutants plus Remus and Tonks, who had shapeshifted into a hound, the force was able to make its way to the level of the Great Hall. There they found a fairly wide passage, which seemed to run in a circle, with doors spaced at regular intervals.

"Unless my calculations are completely wrong," mused Beast, "we should be level with the Hall now."

"I don't know if you noticed, Hank," said Remus, "but there were doors all round the Hall, leading to rooms off it, I suppose."

"Well, in that case," decided Moody, "these doors will probably take us into those rooms. Just like old Snakeface to have a back door out of every room."

"Right!" said Shacklebolt. "We spread ourselves along here, one or two of us in the various rooms. Then we wait for the youngsters to get in position. Cyclops, can you ask them to find somewhere high up? If they can attack from above, it'll have the enemy milling around. Then we can hit them from as many sides at once as we can manage."

"OK, give me a minute. Beast said there was a gallery above the Hall with no one on it."

Cyclops moved off a ways to speak into his communicator. When he returned, he said, "Seems they're heading for the gallery. That force has two of our most powerful elemental Mutants, Storm and Iceman. There's also Sunfire, Psyche and Dazzler, who can strike from a distance. Add to them Charm, Hawk, Hunter, seven other young wizards and one more adult wizard, and you have quite an artillery squad."

"Who's the other adult wizard?" asked Arthur.

"Some guy they found in the Labyrinth named Black. He's Harry's godfather, I gather."

"That's impossible!" said Arthur. "Sirius Black is dead!"

"Did you see the body?" asked Logan.

"Well, no but--"

"No buts, Mr. Weasley. Never count a human dead till you've seen the body," advised Wolverine, who added, "And even then, you can make a mistake. If Storm and Hawk say they've got this Sirius guy with them, then they've got him."

"That's not the point right now!" Cyclops interrupted. "What we need to do once we have the hostiles off balance is to get our close fighters in. That's you, Wolverine, Beast, Nightcrawler and any of you wizards who are good at close combat. Banshee, Polaris, you need to head up to the gallery and help Sunfire and Storm get Colossus, Sunspot and Wolfsbane into the mix-preferably right in the center. Then you four stay airborne and do what damage you can."

Cyclops stopped to consult the senior Auror. "Is that OK with you, Kingsley?"

"It's a sound plan, Scott. You're quite good at this."

"Thanks, but I do have this tendency to take charge."

"Don't worry about it. You're getting me in practice for when young Potter becomes an Auror."

Cyclops laughed. "You'll have your hands full with Hawk, that's for sure."

The group began to spread out, entering various rooms. Snape, Moody and Wolverine chose a door at random, and Logan led the way in, only to meet a figure apparently waiting for them.

It was a small, slightly built, Asian woman with oddly blank eyes. She smiled cruelly at Wolverine and raised an elegant hand. From her fingertips sprang long, slender, curved claws. Wolverine dropped into a fighting crouch, extending his own claws. "I thought I killed you, bitch! I'm gonna make sure of it, this time!" he vowed.

The woman looked puzzled for a moment, then her outline flowed and changed. Suddenly, Wolverine was faced with a nine-foot tall figure, manlike, but covered in white fur. Its face was at once human and bestial, and it opened a fang-filled mouth to howl, "WEN-DI-GO!"

Wolverine's jaw dropped. "What the...?"

Snape stepped forward. "Riddikulus!" he barked.

The creature faced Snape, and it's fur became bright sugar pink. It wore a sash that read Welcome to Disney Land! The thing looked puzzled for a moment. "Wen-di-go?" it asked. Then it vanished.

"What--what was that?" Wolverine wheezed.

"That was a Boggart," explained Moody. "It's a creature that protects itself by assuming the form of your worst fears. I take it you were supposed to be scared of at least one of those apparitions?"

Wolverine grunted. "They both gave me close runs for it. The first was Lady Deathstrike, another Weapon X graduate. The second was the Wendigo. I think I've fought him more than once, but I'm not sure."

"They didn't seem to bother you much," remarked Snape.

"Nah," Wolverine replied. "One of the kids- Psyche-does that riff a lot. She can pull your worst fear or your greatest desire right out of your head and show it to you. A few go-rounds with her in the Danger Room, and you're toughened up. Besides, all that happens when I get scared is that I fight harder. Fear can make me go berserk," he admitted.

Moody had tiptoed over to the door, and inched it open. Now he closed it again and came back. "Nothing's happening yet," he reported. "How will we know when it's time?"

"Oh, I think we'll know, Moody," said Snape. "Mr Potter has a way of getting everyone's attention."

A few minutes later, all Hell broke loose on the other side of the door.

*****

Rogue was not as seasoned as Wolverine. Turning a corner in the corridor, she came face to face with the last person she expected to see.

The man was tall and powerfully built. His body belied the age-lined but still handsome face that peered out from the bizarre-looking metal helmet. He wore tight, red clothes and a thick, purple cloak.

He bore down on Rogue menacingly. "What, child? Did you think you could escape me forever?" he asked. His English was fluent, but heavily accented. "I am your destiny, and there is nothing poor, soft-hearted Charles can do to prevent it."

Rogue shrank back, No! Not again! Never again! She steeled herself, lifting her chin defiantly.

The man smiled fondly. "You have courage, girl. Charles is a good judge of character."

Despite her brave façade, Marie felt her stomach knot. Then she heard Ron behind her shouting, "Riddikulus!"

A suddenly oversized helmet slipped over the man's eyes, and he tripped on the cape that was now far too long. He vanished before he hit the floor. Marie shrank into Ron's arms and squeezed him tight, shuddering. "Jeez, Ron, how did you do that? That was awesome."

Ron, red in the face with embarrassment, nevertheless returned the hug. "Who was that?"

"Magneto, my worst nightmare." Rogue frowned. "Yet it wasn't really him."

Ron said gently, "We call those things Boggarts. They use your own fear against you. That one's gone now."

By this time the others had come up. "Put him down, Marie," said Hermione dryly. "You don't know where he's been!"

Bob wondered, "Are you gonna let go of my girl, Hunter, or do I have to grab yours?"

Ron looked at Rogue. "We'd better break it up, Marie. It's not safe to grab Hermione, and Bob looks so much better with his head attached."

"Oi!" said Hermione. "What am I, a praying mantis?"

"All women are, under the skin," supplied Sirius, smiling at Storm's consternation.

"Now you tell me," moaned Harry, while neatly sidestepping Ginny's jab toward his ribs.

Ron handed Marie off to Bob with a grin. "Here you go, mate, I've already got all the woman I can handle."

Marie hugged Bobby, and kissed him, but then couldn't help teasing Hermione. "Say, Charm, any chance I could have Ron when you're done with him? He's real huggable and reassuring..."

"No chance! This one's a keeper," stated Hermione firmly, taking hold of Ron's arm. "But I might let you borrow him if things get desperate."

"Bloody Hell!" Ron groaned. "Harry, mate, any chance of going gay?"

"I'm considering it," Harry huffed.

"I doubt that!" countered Ginny. "You're far too keen on my curvy bits--definitely a boob man, this one."

"Is there anything else you need to tell everyone about me?" Harry shot back.

"Well, I can't say you're a great lover, as we haven't done that, but you are awfully good at--"

"Ginny!" Harry cried desperately.

"Kissing. I was going to say kissing," Ginny said innocently. Then her eyes narrowed. "Which reminds me--What were you up to with Malfoy's mother? Ewww, I mean, really, Harry!"

"Do they ever let up?" Sirius asked Storm.

"No. They still need time-outs. Hawk," she said loudly, "we should be moving on."

"Righto!"

They found the gallery soon enough, noting that the Death Eater force was still waiting, rather nervously, in the Hall. Silently, they spread out along the gallery, choosing strategic points from which to strike.

Cyclops' voice sounded in Harry's ear. "Hawk, we're in position down here. Whenever you're ready."

"Acknowledged. Stand by," replied Harry.

Moments later, Harry heard Rogue say, "Rogue to Hawk-We're in position. Ready to go on your mark."

Harry turned to Ginny. "You ready, love?"

"I will be once you've kissed me!"

He did that, and she slipped into the cover of a nearby pillar, wand gripped tightly in her hand, the light of battle already in her eyes. Harry felt himself grinning, then the increasingly familiar icy calm settled over him. "Hawk to Cyclops-The fun's about to start!"

Harry drew his wand, and stepped up to the rail. "NOW!" he bellowed.