The Labyrinth of Amagor

The Labyrinth of Amagor

Chapter 13: Time Enough for Love - and Tea!

It took a while, but finally everyone had assembled in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. There were sandwiches, tea and coffee available, but the main table was set up for a conference, and it was clear that a long debriefing was ahead of them. Professor Dumbledore had come straight over to Harry, looking him up and down keenly, and taking his hand in a firm grip,

"Well, Harry," he said, "once again, you show your talent for beating the odds. I might have known, though," he glanced over Harry's shoulder at Marie, who was greeting Professor McGonagall, "that Miss D'Ancanto would take a decided hand in matters."

"I'm awfully glad she did, Professor," stated Harry. "Without Marie's help, I'd not have been able to retrieve Sirius."

Dumbledore's eyes widened. "You have managed to restore Mr Black to us? This is remarkable, Harry! I must hear all about it."

"You will, during the debrief," promised Harry. "But later, Professor, you and I need to talk about some things. I've got questions, and they need answers."

Dumbledore was suddenly looking into a pair of emerald eyes that were as hard as the gems they resembled. Harry had not raised his voice, but there was an edge to it that indicated he was not to be put off or cajoled. Dumbledore nodded, secretly pleased. "Of course, Harry, we'll talk as soon as this main meeting is over."

But there was one more piece of business to get through before the meeting could start. With the loudest boom any of them had ever heard, Molly Weasley Apparated into the Hall and flew towards the youngsters. Of course, she gave the first attention to her own children - which in her view also included Harry and Hermione - but not one of the young wizards or Mutants was neglected in her round of careful inspections, affectionate chidings and rib-cracking hugs. When she had satisfied herself that all the teenagers were whole and well, she finally flung herself into Arthur's arms, and the couple kissed with a passionate abandon that raised more than a few youthful eyebrows. When Arthur came up for air, he glanced around and asked, "What? Did you kids think you'd invented sex?"

"Arthur!" Molly went red and hid her face in his shoulder.

Arthur laughed. "Well, I mean, love, to look at that shower, you'd think they believed we'd found them under gooseberry bushes."

It was too much for Bob, who doubled over whooping with laughter. That set Ron and Sam off, and soon everyone was laughing. Even Snape managed a sardonic chuckle. Then they had to try to explain everything to Fleur, who had just returned from settling Dr Banner in the care of Madam Pomfrey, who had cut her holiday short in view of the emergency.

The meeting that followed was a long one. First, Cyclops and Shacklebolt gave an account of the assault on the Keep. Remus then told how he, Beast and Nightcrawler had penetrated the fortress and discovered the ambush laid inside. Then Harry and Marie took turns telling about the young people's adventures within the Labyrinth, the various trials and tests, and finally the discovery of Sirius and Voldemort's final trap.

When Marie told of their arrival at the Keep and their discovery of the fight going on there, Harry skimmed over the details of his side trip to Malfoy Manor, saying only that Narcissa had tried to recruit him for some group she belonged to, "Not the Death Eaters, some bunch called the Knights of something or other." Though he mentioned Xavier's intervention, Harry kept quiet about his own telepathic foray into Narcissa's mind; he didn't want any more rumours circulating about him.

"One thing," Snape asked, "how exactly did Mrs Malfoy attempt to recruit you, Mr Potter? She does not seem the type to offer what I believe Muggles call a 'sales pitch'."

"Ah, I don't think we need go into details about that, Severus," said Sirius sharply. "Let's just say that Narcissa used very, er, traditional methods which Harry, with the Professor's help, was able to resist."

"Good enough, Black." Snape nodded. "I have some familiarity with Narcissa's persuasive methods," he added with a faint smile.

"Have you, by Jupiter?" asked Remus, surprised.

"Indeed--a regrettable lapse of taste on her part, I always felt," said Snape, while directing a sly glance at Harry. "And not her only such lapse, it seems."

Dumbledore cleared his throat, "Quite. However, that is something of a digression. As to the matter of Mrs Malfoy's possible affiliations, that is also not germane to this session. Miss D'Ancanto, could you take us through the events that occurred while Harry was elsewhere?"

Marie explained what had happened in the Keep's Hall. Shacklebolt and Cyclops picked up the thread from there, bringing everyone up to date.

As they concluded, Madam Pomfrey came into the Hall to report on Banner's condition. "The poor man is in a terrible state, half-starved and completely exhausted. He is absolutely not to be moved or disturbed until tomorrow at the earliest."

"Oh," said Scott. "I'd hoped we'd be able to take him back to Xavier's this evening." He looked around the table, from Madam Pomfrey's disapproving frown past the anxious looks of the youngsters until he reached Fleur's pleading gaze. He hesitated, then asked, "Professor Dumbledore, could we stay here for another night?"

"Most assuredly, Scott. In fact, I have already instructed the house-elves to prepare Gryffindor Tower for the young people. I do hope Miss Lovegood and Miss Padma Patil will not mind lodging there under the circumstances?"

The two girls allowed they would manage. Scott noted, "OK, then, but I'll have to let Professor Xavier know."

"That's all right, Mr Summers," put in Molly. "Charles told me that I was to encourage you to stay the night."

In answer to Cyclops' surprised expression, she explained, "Charles managed to contact me the other night, to tell me the children were safe. After that, I've been keeping an ear open, as it were, for him. How do you think I knew to come here when I did?" She smiled. "Charles is rather a charming man, don't you think, Minerva?"

"I really hadn't noticed," replied McGonagall blandly.

Molly smiled mischievously, then delved into the large bag she had brought with her, producing a number of small packets. "I've Flooed round everyone's parents, and I washed the things you American kids brought with you, so you can all change into clean clothes. I also got hold of underwear for all of you - I had to guess at the sizes, but I'm sure a quick spell or two will help the fit. I also got some pyjamas and nighties and stuff."

"Splendid," said Dumbledore. "That's all settled, then. Now, as I see it, it is almost five o'clock, too late for afternoon tea. However, I am sure none of us wishes to wait until dinnertime. So, shall we reconvene here in, say, an hour-and-a-half? I will have Dobby and the others prepare a high tea for us."

Everyone agreed to that, and the meeting broke up. The youngsters made their way to Gryffindor Tower. Marie felt a great sense of comfort and familiarity as she entered the Common Room - she had spent many happy times there. The process of getting washed and changed was a brisk one, but they all felt better for it, finally settling into the Common Room for a little talk before tea.

Poor Harry had to endure a deal of good-natured ribbing about his 'adventure' at Malfoy Manor. Mainly, though, those young X-Men who had not been to Hogwarts were keen to find out more about the Castle, the school and its customs. The House system particularly interested them, though Xavier's was too small a school to need one.

During a lull in the conversation, Dani suddenly turned to Ron, "Hey, Hunter, you said you had something to explain to me?"

"So I did," agreed Ron. He looked at Hermione. "Shan't be many minutes, love."

Hermione grinned, "All right, darling. But make sure you explain things thoroughly to Dani. I don't want any misunderstandings."

Ron got up and, taking Dani's hand, led her out of the Common Room. Harry glanced sharply at Hermione, but her face was serene as she carried on chatting with Marie.

Ron and Dani were gone about ten minutes, and when they came back, Ron looked much the same as ever, flopping down beside Hermione with a gusty sigh, and kissing her on the side of the head as she pulled her slim hand firmly into his great fist. Dani, however, lagged a little behind Ron, and was staring at him; she was looking unusually flushed and bright-eyed. Before going back to her place next to Roberto, she leaned over quickly and whispered to Hermione. Only Rogue's keen ears caught the three words, "You lucky bitch!" Hermione's smile remained angelic.

At that point, Professor Dumbledore came into the room. "Harry, you wanted to speak with me?"

Harry nodded, and the two left the Common Room, making their way to an empty classroom. "We won't be disturbed here," promised Dumbledore. "What did you need to ask me, Harry?"

"Well, first off," Harry told him, "I'm not going to lose my rag and start breaking things this time, OK? I've got past all that now, I hope.

"Now, I told you about Voldemort's note in the Labyrinth, but I left one part out. In the note, he told me that anyone could have got Sirius back, that it was a simple ritual, but that it was Necromancy - a Dark Art - so you refused to use it, or allow me to. Look, Professor, I'm inclined to take anything Voldemort says with about a ton of salt, and I do realise that saving one wizard doesn't rank high in your priorities when you're trying to stop or win a war. But I do have to ask: If there was a way to get Sirius back, a simple way, why didn't you do it? Or why didn't you at least tell me it could be done and how?"

Dumbledore sighed. "Necromancy is classed as one of the Dark Arts, Harry, for a number of reasons. Firstly, the spirits of the dead are reluctant to be called back, and it causes them great pain and suffering. Only great need or great love can draw them willingly, as it did your parents when you confronted Voldemort two years ago. For this reason alone, we reject the practice.

"Now, I know that this would not apply to Sirius, who was thrust beyond the Veil whilst still alive, but there is another consideration. In order to draw a spirit back, another spirit must be offered in exchange. Usually, it is the spirit of an animal, which fades quickly, returning the human shade to the realm of death. A human sacrifice is required for permanent return--" Dumbledore broke off, seeing the sudden look of horror on Harry's face. He raised a calming hand.

"No, don't be concerned, Harry. In this case, Sirius passed into the Veil alive. In any case, a blasphemous rite such as human sacrifice shrieks aloud to those with ears to hear. The gods loathe such acts. I would have known had Voldemort conducted that ritual.

"But still, the Guardians of the Gateway must be placated with blood. Doubtless some small animal, a cat or a dog, was tortured to death to effect Sirius' return. Fair exchange, some may say, for a human being, but others would disagree. I myself would refrain from the rite out of respect for all life, but I suppose I should have offered you the choice, Harry. I'm sorry."

Harry shook his head. "Don't be. I don't think I could have done that, either. If I had, Sirius wouldn't have thanked me for it. In the end, then, it's just more blood on Riddle's head. He's welcome to it."

"Quite so," Dumbledore agreed. "Was there anything else?"

"Yes." Harry frowned. "In the Labyrinth, whenever Amagor spoke to me, he called me 'Dunadan'. Does that mean anything to you?"

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "Fascinating. The word is in a very ancient language, no longer spoken in this world. It means, as far as I can recall, 'Man of the West'."

"That's weird. I'd have thought that was more suitable for one of the Americans," remarked Harry.

Dumbledore shook his head. "I think not. Such writings as we have are still in need of further translation, but it is clear that 'Dunadan' was a term used to refer to the descendants of certain tribes who came to the mainland from a large island in the Atlantic, which seems to have suffered some kind of catastrophe, possibly volcanic, millennia ago. These tribes appeared to be more advanced than the mainland peoples and to have formed an empire of sorts. Their royal house was held to be descended from an incredibly ancient bloodline."

"Amagor talked about my 'unfailing line'; I wondered what he meant," said Harry.

"Amagor is a djinn," Dumbledore reminded Harry. "He's a very ancient being. It is likely he has access to information we do not possess. It is possible that you are, however remotely, descended from that line of primitive tribal rulers. I would advise you, however, not to let that knowledge go to your head. It is entirely possible that if Professor Snape heard about it, he would suffer an apoplectic fit on the spot."

Harry chuckled. "I'll bet he would. Might be almost worth it at that. Look, thanks, Professor. There is one more thing, though. If you find out any more about those Knights Mrs Malfoy was on about, let me know, will you? I'm sort of fed up about being kept in the dark." Rising to leave the room, Harry added, "I'll leave the three of you to talk about it."

"Three?"

Harry shook his head. He addressed one corner of the room. "Professor McGonagall, when a bloke's got a girlfriend, he learns to recognise perfumes because it's important not to be caught with the wrong one on you."

McGonagall was actually smiling as she emerged from the Disillusionment Charm. "I warned you, Albus. Mr Potter is a perceptive and clever young man. My apologies, Mr Potter, forgive my curiosity. Next time, I will ask."

Harry nodded, then turned as Severus Snape appeared in the other corner. "And how did you detect my presence, Mr Potter?"

"I didn't," Harry lied. "It was an educated guess." But he thought, For someone who teaches Occlumency, you think awfully loudly, Professor. "I'll see you all at tea," he said aloud, and left.

The three Professors stared after him. "Born a wizard, raised by Muggles, trained by Mutants," breathed McGonagall. "What have we created, Albus?"

"Something unique in all the world, I imagine," Dumbledore replied.

Snape snorted. "He's not what you wanted, Albus. In the name of your precious prophecy, you tried to forge a weapon aimed at Voldemort. Well, you have that, but Potter is now more than a weapon. He's a force in himself, one to be reckoned with. We should pray that he chooses the right path."

***

The bell summoning everyone to tea was perhaps the most welcome sound any of them had heard that day. "What's a 'high tea'?" asked Sam.

"You'll see," Lavender told him.

A high tea turned out to be cold meats--chicken, turkey, roast beef, roast pork, ham, pressed tongue and haslet. It also meant pork pies, sausage rolls, Cornish pasties and Scotch eggs. There were three types of bread, butter, wild honey, plum jam, damson jam and strawberry jam. At least six cheeses, ranging from sharp, nutty-tasting farmhouse Cheddar to mild, white Caerphilly were arranged among fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, spring onions, radishes and sweet, red-skinned salad onions. A variety of pickled vegetables, including cucumber, beetroot, onions and gherkins along with sweet pickle and spicy yellow piccalilli, mayonnaise, and vinaigrette dressing added relish, while coleslaw and potato salad offered still more choices. There was as much tea as anyone could possibly want to drink, as well as lemonade and ginger beer. Ron, Sam and Peter settled themselves at the table with the air of people who were prepared to stay there all night, if necessary.

The Weasley twins entered a little late and were looking for somewhere to sit. "Fred! George!" called Parvati. "There's plenty of room here. You can sit with us." The twins looked at the two pretty, dark-eyed girls smiling invitingly at them, exchanged a glance, and came over with some alacrity.

For a while, everyone concentrated on eating. The only interruption occurred when Alison confused English mustard with American mustard, and discovered her error at the cost of a red face, streaming eyes and a good deal of coughing and spluttering.

Just as plates were mostly empty, the food on the table magically became dessert. "Oh, man," groaned Kitty. "I'm gonna gain twenty pounds."

"Nonsense, dear," called Molly from further up the table. "Eat up! You're nothing but skin and bone."

It was hard to resist this array of chocolate éclairs, cream slices, apple turnovers and scones piled high with strawberry jam and clotted cream. There was fruitcake, and bowls of sweet strawberries, and tart raspberries with more clotted cream. Marie missed her favourite treacle pudding, but found herself well compensated by her first spoonful of trifle.

With dessert came conversation for most, though Peter, Sam and Ron continued to eat with a single-minded determination that caused Hermione to dub them "The Three Trenchermen of the Apocalypse".

Beast was saying, "The phenomenon was obviously an ancient one, predating the Keep itself by some millennia, I'd judge."

"A natural one?" asked McGonagall.

"Possibly. I can't be certain without a geological survey of the area, of course. However, if the gamma source itself was a meteorite, its impact could have magnetized iron-bearing rocks in the area and generated the field which contained the radiation."

"And if it is not natural?"

"Then we're left with the speculation that it is some kind of alien technology. Alien races have visited Earth in the past, among them the Kree, the Skrulls, the Shi'ar, the Brood and the Dire Wraiths. None of them utilise gamma radiation in their current technology, however.

"The other possibility is that it is some kind of failed gamma weapon - a neutron bomb or something similar. UNIT files indicate that at least one race - the Daleks - have used such weapons elsewhere."

Ginny was saying to Kitty, "I know, you have to hit Harry over the head sometimes. I swear, I had to virtually strip off and jump on him to get him to do anything more than kiss me."

"Tell me about it!" Kitty winced. "All those months, and all we ever did was kiss. Well, almost all."

"Oh, really? Tell me more."

"Oi," interrupted Harry. "I'm sitting right here."

"No shit, Sherlock!" chorused the girls.

Ron was telling Sam and Peter, "So Batman says 'Was Wonder Woman surprised?', and Superman says, 'Not as surprised as the Invisible Man.'." Both lads howled with laughter.

Hermione glared at Ron. "And just where did you get that one from, Mr Weasley?"

"Your dad," said Ron instantly.

"Oh!" Hermione sputtered, then rallied. "Well, now we know what you two were doing when you said you were gardening. What do they call it - male bonding? Drinking cans of lager, looking at nudie magazines and telling dirty jokes, I call it."

"And burping," Ron reminded her gravely. "You left out the burping."

"It's real important, the burping," Sam agreed.

"Burping," said Peter solemnly, "is central to the whole male-bonding process." He addressed himself to his third huge slice of fruitcake.

Hermione threw up her hands, "I give up! I really do. Why do we have anything to do with men?"

"Cuddling," said Lavender, leaning in close to Neville. "A girl can do without flowers, diamonds, pretty dresses and even sex in a pinch - but we need our cuddles. For some reason, only men can do it properly."

Whatever was going on between the Weasley and Patil twins, it was going on very quietly, and completely absorbed the attention of all four. There was no burping involved, but cuddling might well be coming into it at some point.

The afternoon became evening, and then, with certain inevitability, the evening became night. People scattered into groups. Logan, Snape, Moody, Banshee, Remus, Hank and Kurt made tracks for the Three Broomsticks, along with Shacklebolt and most of the Aurors. Arthur and Molly Flooed back to The Burrow, pointing out that they seldom got the house to themselves. Lorna and Alex stayed talking in the Great Hall with Scott, Fleur, Bill and Tonks. Sirius and Ororo were chatting with Dumbledore and McGonagall.

The teenagers, and the Weasley twins, based themselves in the Gryffindor Common Room. They talked over the adventures of the last couple of days, filled in the gaps of the last few months, and realised, one way and another, how much they all meant to each other. Couples wandered in and out, seeking private moments as the mood took them. Eventually, they all drifted off to bed and a well-earned sleep.

Bill and Tonks made their way up to the Astronomy Tower again. For a while, there was the sound of soft conversation. Then there were other sounds, equally soft, and perhaps more meaningful.

Sirius and Ororo walked around the school hand in hand, talking. Sirius pointed out favourite locations as he told her of this or that prank or embarrassing moment he and his friends had had there. Storm told him about her childhood, and about what McGonagall had revealed to her - her potential for witchcraft.

But in the end, they could no longer avoid the subject uppermost in their minds. Sirius turned to her, taking both her hands in his. "Ororo, I know how I feel about you, but there's something...Look, how old do you think I am?"

Storm appraised him. "Early to mid thirties, I'd say, why?"

"I'm thirty-seven. You're what, twenty? Twenty-one?"

"Twenty-three, if it matters."

"So I'm more than ten years older than you. Ororo, I have to ask, do you think it's right? I mean, there are men closer to your age around, and--"

She shushed him imperiously. "Sirius, be quiet. Where I grew up, my mother was a priestess, as I said. Even though I was small, she made me listen when the young folk came to her about these matters. My people believed that women should choose their men, not the other way round. The young girls all thought that young men - boys - were fun to play with, flirt with, and...romp with, I suppose you'd call it. But when it came to choosing the man you wanted to get serious with, you looked for someone older, someone of proven strength, wisdom and courage. All the things I see in you, Sirius.

"So I have to ask something, too. Sirius Black, do you think you could love me?"

He stared at her, and couldn't hedge or lie. "Yes, Ororo, I do. With all my heart."

"I think I'm already in love with you," she replied, and moved into his arms.

The timeless length of a kiss later, they slowly resumed their walk, not speaking because they didn't need to. Then Sirius spied a door. "Merlin! What's that doing here?"

"What?" asked Ororo.

Sirius opened the door, explaining, "It's called the Room of Requirement. It's there when you need it, and it's whatever you need it to be."

The room looked like the interior of a log cabin, but a very up-market log cabin. Storm laughed delightedly. "Oh! You see these all the time in the movies. Look, there's the hearth, and the fur rugs, and everything. I always wanted to stay in one of these," she looked at Sirius, "with someone very special."

They moved into the room. There was a small table, on which stood a silver bucket of ice with a bottle in it, and two glasses. Storm looked at the bottle. "Hmm...Bollinger, no less. Good year, too, if Charles told me right. D'you want to open this?"

Sirius took the bottle from her, and put it back in the ice. "I think it needs to chill a little more," he told her. Her eyes glowed as he drew her down onto the rug before the hearth.

Scott and Fleur had walked in the soft night, talking quietly, intimately, coming to know each other better. Scott told her of the plane crash that had claimed his parents' lives, of how he had protected Alex with his own small body, sustaining the head injury that rendered him unable to control his Mutant power completely. He told her of his childhood in orphanages until the day his power began to manifest and he had fled, leaving Alex behind rather than let him be stigmatised as the brother of a destructive freak. He had been found sleeping rough by Banshee, himself sent by Xavier, who had detected Scott with the first version of Cerebro. So Scott had become the first of the X-Men. Sadly, but with relief, he told her about Jean.

In her turn, Fleur spoke of her childhood in a pretty chateau in France. She told him with some bitterness of the prejudice she had met at Beauxbatons because she was part Veela, and how it had driven her to excel, so she had been chosen for the Tri-Wizard Tournament. But she had not done well at the Tournament, and that had made her push herself even harder, trying to make a career for herself at Gringotts in Britain, where no one seemed to care about her Veela heritage. She spoke wistfully of Bill, chastising herself for her failure to realise that they were fundamentally unsuited.

The pair had come to a grove that stood near the Castle. Scott looked up at the stars, feeling the warm night about him, and for the first time in over a year, felt a surge of true happiness. He turned to face Fleur, and she pointed her wand at him, murmuring words he couldn't catch. Scott blinked. Suddenly he was seeing the world without the visor that had framed his vision for so long! He closed his eyes tightly and his hands flew to his face, only to come up against the familiar barrier. What?

He felt Fleur's strong, slim fingers on his wrists, and let her pull his hands away. He looked down at her, and she smiled up at him, saying, "Do not be afraid, Scott. Eet ees only a leetle spell to make invisible your visor. Eet weel 'old back your power as before. I wished only to see your eyes, cheri. Zey are beautiful, but so sad."

He didn't answer, just drew her to him and kissed her passionately. When they had finished, his eyes were no longer sad. They were brown, and warm, and they looked at Fleur in a way that set her heart pounding. She began to speak, but Scott closed her lips with another quick kiss.

"That's enough," he told her gently. "You said it yourself, honey. We talk too much." Silently, clasped in each other's arms, the couple sank to the soft turf.

***

The morning brought Molly Weasley in a tremendous bustle, with a sheaf of invitation cards. "It's Ginny's birthday the day after tomorrow," she explained. "We're having an all-day barbecue and swimming party for the young people, and a dance in the evening. So I thought why not get the grown-ups along for a get-together as well? It's all very well to meet up on business all the time, but a little socialising can't do any harm."

"Oh, can't it?" groaned a rather fragile-looking Remus. He had overindulged the previous night, and had now reached the stage where he knew he was going to live, but wasn't sure he wanted to. He gave Wolverine a bloodshot glare. "Dammit, Logan! Haven't you the decency to have a proper hangover?"

Logan grinned, looking disgustingly robust. "My healing factor, Remus. Same as with smoking, booze don't do me no harm at all."

Ororo and Sirius approached Professor McGonagall. Ororo said, "Professor, I have to think a little longer about what you told me. I need some time to decide. When I come back in a couple of days, I'll have an answer for you."

McGonagall said, "Take all the time you need, Ororo. I'm sure Mr Black will be available to assist with your deliberations."

Sirius shook his head. "I won't be putting any pressure on Ororo either way. After all, for a wizard, it's not so very far to Xavier's. For now, though, I need to sort out Grimmauld Place, and I want to spend some time with Harry and Remus." He smiled at Ororo. "Dumbledore and Shacklebolt are addressing the Wizengamot today. If everything goes well, I'll have all the time in the world for other things."

Fleur didn't want to let Scott go, but she knew if she wanted to keep this man, she must not come between him and his duty. At least she had an invitation to the party. She had begun by demurring, as she was no longer with Bill, but Molly had brushed her objections aside. "Don't be silly, dear. If you don't come, who will Scott here have to dance with?"

Now they stood together, holding each other. "I'll see you soon, Fleur," Scott promised.

"I know," she replied, "and by zen I weel 'ave 'ad ze time to make some leetle arrangements. Zere weel be no need for zese clumsy Muggle aircraft, and we weel see each other whenever we wish, no?"

"I hope so," Scott said with feeling.

Ali clung to Seamus. "It's too soon! I don't want to leave you!"

"Hush now, darlin'," he comforted her. "It's only a day or so, to be sure. An' after that, why I'll have a little surprise or two for you that will make everythin' just fine."

Alison accepted that and kissed him. She knew that if Seamus said he'd make everything right, he would.

Molly was handing Snape an invitation. He tried to decline. "It is kind of you, to ask me, Mrs Weasley, but--"

"I'm not asking you, Severus," Molly interrupted. "I'm telling you. It's high time you stopped moping around the place with a face like a wet weekend at Margate. If it's so hard to be nice to people, you can always sit in a corner with that Wolverine chap and make sarcastic comments. There's a pub in the village, and the two of you can always slope off for a quiet pint, the way Arthur and the boys do whenever I mention gardening."

There was, Snape realised, no arguing with Molly Weasley, or with any woman who could hold her own in a house full of Weasley men. He accepted the invitation with a sigh. Molly gave him a bright smile, then turned away and made for Cyclops.

"Scott, here's Charles' invitation. I made him promise to come, and I'm relying on you to make certain that he does. I'm rather tired of seeing him sitting on my sofa and not being able to give him a cup of tea!"

Farewells were cordial, and in some cases affectionate, but not extended; Mutants and wizards would, after all, be seeing each other soon. Bruce Banner, who was weak but conscious, managed to thank everyone sincerely and tried to apologise for his alter ego's destructive behaviour. The Americans climbed into their plane, which soon rose into the summer sky and disappeared into the west.

Sirius approached Harry where he stood, an arm around Ginny as always, looking after the plane. "Harry? I gather you're staying at The Burrow? Good, at least you're away from those Dursleys.

"Now look, it's going to take a week or so to shovel out Grimmauld Place, but once I do, you'll have your own room there." He glanced at Ginny. "I'll make it a double room."

"I should hope so," said Ginny cheekily, then darted forward and impulsively hugged Sirius, pulling him down so she could kiss his cheek. "There. You're officially family now."

"Am I indeed?" asked Sirius. Despite his humorous tone, he was touched. "Well, Harry, could you stand to set up in a bachelor establishment?"

"Bachelor? With this one and Ororo watching us like hawks? Not much chance of that, Sirius, but we could give it a try." Harry grinned, but inside he was ecstatic. He might never have to go back to Privet Drive again!

Sirius had other thoughts in his mind. To be free again was wonderful! To have Harry - and Ginny, for that matter - living with him would make his home a joyful place. But Sirius' heart was somewhere over the Atlantic with the beautiful elemental Mutant he had met only the previous day. So much depended on Ororo's decision, and it was one he could not, and would not, influence. Still, he prayed that she would follow her heart back to him.