Xchange Students

Xchange Students

Chapter 10. Special Relationships

Winter gave way to spring. The months had been full and happy for the students at Xavier's. The highlight had come one week after the fight with the Hellfire Club, when the Professor closed the school for repairs, and took students and faculty on holiday.

They chartered a plane, flew south to Florida, and took over most of a small motel in the resort town of Orlando. The three Hogwarts youngsters had been wondering how all this was to be paid for, especially since they each received a set of theme park tickets and a generous pocket money allowance. Cyclops explained that Professor Xavier was a wealthy man, Professor McCoy had made a considerable fortune from selling a number of inventions, and that additional support for the special week was given to the school both by Roberto's parents and multi-millionaire Xavier's alumnus Warren Worthington III, the former X-Man Angel.

The holiday was extraordinary, filled with wonders. Neither Harry nor Ron had ever seen a theme park. Hermione informed them, in a rather superior tone, that her parents had once taken her to Alton Towers, then wished she hadn't, as she grasped the true scale of Disney World, Seaworld, and Universal Studios. While Harry and Ron discovered rollercoasters, Kitty and Hermione discovered at least three new varieties of nausea. On the plus side, the two girls found a factory outlet mall, and the boys found out how being a pack-mule feels. By Rahne's calculations, both Sam and Ron managed to eat their own body-weight in steak and lobster by the end of the week.

Too soon, it was back to Xavier's, the everyday business of classes and the serious business of having fun. Harry was becoming an expert skateboarder. He and Roberto finally induced Hermione and Ron to have a try. Ron, by his own admission, was too big and heavy to do well. Hermione proved unexpectedly agile at Muggle sports, especially after switching to rollerblades, which she found more comfortable. Ron and Professor X continued to play chess regularly, and Ororo introduced Ron to the ancient Japanese game of Go. Hermione discovered the delights of the Internet, which she thought an excellent tool for study. The boys improved their skills at video gaming, though Hermione still professed to find them boring until the lads caught her playing Doom late one night on the PC.

For Harry, of course, there was Kitty, constantly at his side. Neither of them were fools; they knew the clock was running on their time together, and they were determined not to waste a moment. Hermione and Dani watched happily as their two formerly lonely friends learned to open their hearts.

There had been one shock, however. One Saturday evening, Ron had dashed into the Rec room looking like his own ghost. "What's up?" Hermione had asked. Ron had replied with a single word. "Snape."

Just then, the Potions Master, followed by Logan, had entered the room. To his students' astonishment, Snape was wearing jeans, trainers, a black polo shirt and a leather jacket. His lank hair was tied back in a neat ponytail and he looked...cheerful.

"Well, well, good evening, Miss Granger, Mr Weasley, Mr Potter. Are you not going to introduce me to your colleagues? Surely, we have taught you better manners at Hogwarts? And do close your mouth, Mr Weasley, something unpleasant may fly in there."

Harry recovered sufficiently to make introductions. When it came to Kitty, Snape held her hand in his for a little longer than the others.

"So, the famous Miss Pryde, the young lady who has so captured our Mr Potter's er, interest. It appears, my dear, that even you have been unable to keep our most notorious student out of trouble."

Kitty met his eyes squarely. "Professor Snape, it's great to meet Marie's favorite teacher."

To Harry's astonishment, Snape flushed, harrumphed loudly, and let go of Kitty's hand. Ron murmured quietly, "Zap. Nice one, Kitty." For some reason, Harry felt compelled to save Snape further embarrassment, so quickly introduced Dani.

Hermione asked, "Why are you here, Professor? Are you checking on us?"

"Good heavens, no, Miss Granger. I am here on a social call to my friend, Logan. We are about to repair to a local hostelry, where I intend to find out exactly what a 'boilermaker' is."

Logan, who had stepped outside to speak to someone, came back in. "Severus, cab's here."

"Please ask him to wait, Logan. Mr Potter, a word in private, if you please?"

Harry showed Snape to the empty Quiet Lounge, closing the door behind them. As he turned around, Snape spun, whipping out his wand. "Legilimens!"

Harry's shields snapped up instantly; weeks of practice with Dani and Professor X had paid off. Snape actually smiled. "Excellent, Mr Potter! It appears Professor Dumbledore and I were right about this scheme--so much for Professor McGonagall's misgivings."

Another day, there had been the race. Harry and Ron were busy giving broom rides to the younger students one Sunday, when Storm came onto the veranda, dressed in jogging clothes. She hailed Harry.

"I've been watching you," she said, "and I think it's about time we found out what that broom can do." She pointed across the grounds to where a granite spire poked up beyond a line of trees. "Through the woods and once round the folly, then back here. Are you game?"

Harry grinned. "Is the Pope Catholic?" Storm nodded with satisfaction. "Sean, come and start us," she said.

By now, all the students and the staff had gathered round. Sean Cassidy stepped forward, then floated gently off the ground. "To your marks," he called. Storm sprang into the air, rising to hover even with Banshee. Harry kicked off and floated to the same height. Banshee made sure they were level, calling Ron in to check from the other side. When he was sure, Banshee called, "Get set." Storm tensed; Harry leaned forward on his Firebolt. "GO." They were off..

Storm took the lead, but only for a few seconds before Harry reached her. They were neck-and-neck as they approached the woods, but Harry lost ground in the slalom through the trees. Storm knew the woods better than he did. Once through, he caught up with her again and, in a risky maneuver that made Ororo gasp, gained the lead by swinging round the folly so tightly he almost touched it. Storm was matching his pace when they reached the trees again, but this time Harry knew the route and stayed with her through the wood.

They exploded out of the forest to a chorus of whoops and yells from the crowd gathered on the veranda. Everyone seemed to be cheering on both contestants impartially. Banshee and Ron were holding a tape stretched between them. The lead changed several times as Storm and Harry streaked down the final stretch, but the tip of his Firebolt broke the tape at exactly the same moment as Storm's outstretched hands. The crowd went wild.

"Dead heat!" exclaimed Banshee. "Nose to nose."

Both racers dropped to the ground. Storm, panting but elated, stepped up to Harry and, to his intense embarrassment, threw her arms round him in a hearty hug.

"Goddess!" she said. "That was fine flying. Nobody's ever held me to a draw before."

Out of the corner of his eye, Ron saw Kurt Wagner take a five dollar bill out of his pocket and pass it to Logan, who accepted it with a grin. Then Kitty and Hermione were taking turns hugging Harry and, after that, Dani and Rahne got in on the act, while the boys were thumping his back and the younger students were jumping and whooping like mad things.

The days passed swiftly. As the end of term approached, the three friends found that they were missing Hogwarts and their old companions more and more, but at the same time dreading the time when they would leave their new ones. They mused on the events of the term, recounting their favorite stories. There had been much excitement, and not a little danger amidst the enjoyment and the new discoveries. Finally, Harry sat back and asked his friends, "OK, then. What's the biggest, best, most important thing you'll take back with you to Hogwarts?"

Hermione and Ron locked eyes for a moment, before Ron looked directly at Harry. "You," was what he said.

"Huh?" Harry was puzzled. "But, I came with you."

"No," Ron shook his head, "the Boy Who Lived came with us. The bloke who's coming back with us is Harry--my mate, Harry--the kid who bought everything off the trolley on the Hogwarts Express to share with a lad he'd only just met. That's the Harry I'm taking back--the one I was scared I'd never see again."

Stunned, Harry turned to Hermione, who nodded. "He's right. We thought we'd lost you. After the Ministry of Magic last year, you were this angry stranger. But, the Harry who fought the White Queen was the boy who found the Philosopher's Stone."

She reached out her hands to Ron and Harry. "It's just the way it used to be--the way it was when you two came charging into the girls' toilet to rescue me from that Troll. You were two pint-sized knights in rather grubby armour, but so valiant! My heroes...my friends."

Harry cupped his chin in his hand. "You know, you're right. Just being here, with nobody expecting me to save the world or to fulfill the Prophecy, I've felt better than I have since...since our Fourth Year."

A few days later, Professor Xavier announced that, in honor of their three guests, a dance would be held the night before Harry and his friends were to go home. That revelation caused a flurry of activity. It was absolutely vital, the girls insisted, to visit the mall; none of them had a thing to wear!

Harry and Ron were a little worried about clothes. Neither of them had brought dress robes with them. Ron, however, saw this as no bad thing. "It might be all right at Hogwarts or a Wizard ball, but here I'd end up feeling like a trans...trans...transistor?"

"Transvestite, you git," said Harry with a grin. "I suppose we'd better look into buying suits. I'll ask Roberto. He's what they call a sharp dresser."

Kitty and Hermione had other ideas, however, steering their menfolk firmly into a chain store. "Plain suits, never mind the color, just make sure they fit. A new shirt and a tie, apiece. And hurry up," Kitty told them. "Hermione and I have dresses to choose."

Sheepishly, the boys did as they were told. They got what was required, only to have their purchases confiscated by the girls. "We'll give you these back when it's time to dress for the dance," Hermione declared. "After we've made a few improvements."

"Dead right," supplied Kitty. "Now go and play video games till we come for you." The boys went for coffee, instead, spending a companionable hour discussing the absolute impossibility of any man ever understanding a woman.

The night before the dance, Kitty took Harry to their tree and said. "Harry, can you do some magic to make sure we're private here?"

Mildly puzzled, Harry Shrouded the area under the tree. He turned to see Kitty staring at him, tears leaking down her cheeks. She turned away, covering her face with her hands. "Oh....damn! I promised myself I wouldn't do this."

He went to her, and took her in his arms, pulling her head onto his shoulder. She held him tightly and cried quietly for a while. He was feeling more than a little tearful himself, and swallowed hard. Kitty murmured into his neck, "Harry, it's OK for guys to cry when they're hurting."

He was, so he did. Afterwards, they both felt better, and sat together on the grass, Kitty leaning back against Harry, his strong arms round her. She spoke into the stillness.

"I love you, Harry, I always will. These weeks have been special and wonderful, but we both knew it wasn't going to be forever, didn't we?"

"I suppose so," he sighed, "but I didn't want to think about it."

"Well, we think and talk about it tonight, so it won't spoil tomorrow, OK? Now look, Harry, we're both in the same danger. Tell me what it is?"

"That we'll use each other as an excuse not to get involved with anyone else?"

"Got it in one. It'd be so easy for you to tell Ginny--don't look like that. I'm not blind or deaf, Harry. Every time you talk about home, you mention her, and the look in your face...." Kitty squeezed his hand. "When you go back, it'd be easy to tell Ginny that you're with me, so you can't date her. You'd be lonely and sad. So, don't do it, OK?"

"You mean we're finished, Kitty?"

"Not now, not tonight. But the day after tomorrow, when you go back to Hogwarts, that's it. We'll always be special friends, Harry, but we can't pretend to be dating after you go back, for both our sakes."

"You're right," he said sadly. "We need to move on, don't we?"

"We do, but not right now. Tonight, and tomorrow night, you're mine, Harry Potter!" She turned in his arms, eyes on fire, and fastened her lips greedily on his.

On the day of the dance, the girls made a last-minute trip to the mall. Ororo loaded them into the MPV and drove them there. Scott and Logan took the boys paintballing. It was late afternoon when everybody arrived back at the school. Hermione watched in disgust as the boys, bruised, muddy, tired and elated, piled out of the Hummer.

Hermione had taken a sauna, before being oiled, moisturized and massaged. She was manicured and pedicured. Her hair had been conditioned, trimmed, curled, gelled, piled and pinned. She had been exfoliated to within an inch of her life and waxed in places she hadn't thought waxable.

"Look at them!" she sputtered, "Just look! We spend hours of torture making ourselves look good for them, and they spend the day rolling in mud and getting covered by paint and sweat."

"It's disgusting," Dani agreed. "Unfair. But, you know what's worse?"

Hermione nodded. "I do. They look so damn sexy I could rip Ron's trousers off him right now."

The boys wondered why all the girls, including Storm, were giggling as they went into the mansion.

Harry and Ron had finished showering and were relaxing when they heard pounding on their door. Hermione and Kitty stood there in dressing gowns, holding a large box each. "These are your clothes for tonight," Hermione told them. "Hang them up straight away so they don't crease. Jump to it - I want to see you do it right."

Harry's suit was dark navy blue, cut in what Kitty called "Armani style". The shirt was ivory, and the tie mixed red with silver. Ron's was camel, sharply tailored in traditional English style, to be worn over pale blue shirt. His maroon tie sported tiny gold Gryffindor lions

"These aren't the clothes we bought," Ron noticed.

"Yes, they are," asserted Kitty. "We consulted some magazines for ideas, then Hermione wriggled her nose at them."

"Waved my wand, you mean. The name's Hermione, not Samantha."

"Anyway, God alone knows what you guys would have come up with if we'd left it to you."

"We were going to ask Roberto..." Harry began.

"Uh huh. You'd end up looking like refugees from the Carnivale."

Ron sighed. "You will be assimilated..."

"...resistance is futile," finished Harry.

The ladies withdrew in high dudgeon as the boys fell about laughing. Nevertheless, they both felt very stylish as they went along the corridor to meet up with their dates. Which was a good job, as the girls looked stunning.

Hermione wore a long, black, halter-top gown whose plunging neckline revealed rather more than she would have dared without Dani's insistence. Ron's pendant glinted at her neck, and the softly draping chiffon gown flattered her trim figure. Kitty had chosen a red satin, strapless, flaring cocktail dress with a narrow, rhinestone belt buckle. More rhinestones glittered at her ears.

Ron offered Hermione his arm. "You're beautiful, and I love you," he told her proudly.

Hermione smiled. The light in her face said everything.

Harry gazed at Kitty. "No comment?" she asked, a little nervously.

"You're gorgeous," said Harry. "Pinch me! I think I'm dreaming."

She kissed him instead. Harry knew then that he was fully awake.

The ballroom at the mansion was normally used for assemblies, but tables and chairs had been grouped around the periphery and the floor had been cleared for dancing. Balloons, streamers and banners bearing messages of affectionate farewell decorated the walls and ceiling. Along one wall, a substantial buffet had been laid out. This table was flanked on one side by a disco console, manned alternately by Beast and Nightcrawler, and on the other by the staff table. The senior students made their way to the large, circular table set aside for them.

The evening began with lively music so the younger students could dance some of the excitement out of their systems. The older students sat and chatted, talking over their time together and recalling the most exciting and amusing incidents. Sam and Ron made numerous visits to the buffet table.

After an hour or so, the music stopped and Professor Xavier wheeled himself out onto the floor in front of the staff table. "If I could have your attention, please? I don't propose to keep you long. The last few months have been rather historic for this school. They mark the first exchange program between the School for Gifted Youngsters and any other school. They also mark the first time that non-Mutants have attended this institution as students.

"Hermione, Harry, Ron, I think I speak for everyone when I say that it has been a delight to have you among us, and that you will be missed. Both individually, and as a group, you have made your mark here, and you won't be forgotten. I hope you will each carry something worthwhile away with you.

"Mutants have learned to fear the prejudice and persecution of normal humans - Muggles, as everyone now seems to be calling them." This comment raised a few chuckles. Xavier smiled and continued, "It has been a refreshing and heartening change to encounter other humans who do not react to us with blind fear or hostility. Far be it from me to speak to larger issues here; this is not a symposium. What I will say is that individual friendships, as always, are to be treasured. Other than that, I can only express the hope and desire that our two communities, Mutant and Wizard, will travel down our separate paths with mutual respect and tolerance. Hermione, Harry, Ron, would you come here, please?"

As the three approached, the Professor turned to the table behind him. "I understand that your classmates have some more personal gifts to give you tomorrow, before you leave. However, on behalf of the school, we have these for you."

They were given large, leather-bound books with the X-symbol and their names embossed in gold leaf on the front. On each page of the book was a photograph of a student or member of staff, and the page was signed and included a personal message. Professor Xavier also gave them each a small box. Inside the boxes were elegant gold signet rings, with the X-logo in gold on black onyx. Each was engraved with the owner's X-Man codename and the year.

Xavier said, "Normally, class rings are only given to graduating students, but this is a special case. Think of us when you wear them."

Scott stepped forward. "Charm, Hawk, Hunter, the uniforms and equipment are yours to keep, of course. I hope you'll never need to wear them, but it'll be a comfort for us to know you have them, just in case.

"I wasn't wholly behind this scheme at first," Scott admitted. "I was wrong. Now, I'm telling you this, and you better remember it: You three are X-Men, now, and whatever or whoever else you might become, you'll always be X-Men. That means that, if ever you need us, we'll be there for you. So, take care of yourselves, remember what you've learned here, keep practicing, and don't do anything stupid. We're gonna miss you kids. Good luck!"

The next presentations were individual, and meant to reflect the interests the three had shown in their various classes. Harry was given a book entitled Philosophy for Beginners: A Reader. Hermione got a facsimile edition of Newton's Principia Mathematica, and Ron, much to his consternation, received a hardback copy of A Brief History of Time. ("And he'll still be late for class," muttered Hermione.)

The final gift was for all of them to use at Hogwarts. It was a laptop computer like the one Professor X had given to Dumbledore, EMP shielded and linked to Cerebro. "Now there'll be no excuse not to write," Xavier said significantly.

After that, the younger students, the ones under 14 or so, were sent off to bed. The music changed, and the older students and adults took to the dance floor.

Harry and Ron had both hoped to avoid dancing, but that was not to be. Hermione and Kitty dragged them onto the floor straight away. It became obvious that all the girls wanted a dance with Harry and Ron, and that all the boys were determined to dance at least once with Hermione.

To his great relief, Harry found dancing with Kitty easy and natural. He felt confident enough to circle the floor, quite formally, with Rahne. After that, he had to surrender gracefully to the importunities of another girl he knew only slightly, a tall strawberry-blonde called Alison, who would be joining the senior class in the summer, she told him.

It was different when Dani briskly intercepted him on his way back to the table. "My turn," she told Harry, leading him back onto the floor. She was wearing a soft, white, full-length gown and looked superb, so Harry really didn't mind all that much. As he reached for her hand, she laced her arms around his neck; his hands slipped naturally to her waist. Dani was taller and fuller-figured than Kitty, and the sensation of her body pressed against him was unexpected.

His reaction didn't seem unnatural to Harry. Dani was a confirmed flirt, for one thing. For another, the hours they had spent together, working on his mental shields, had brought them surprisingly close. Still....

"Don't look so worried, Harry. I'm not going to eat you or anything. I just wanted to talk a little without having to shout at you over the music. I can hardly corner you in the ladies' room," Dani quipped. "Look, about you and Kitty," she went on, seriously, "Is it OK between you? I mean have you talked?"

"We've talked. Yes, it's OK. Sad, but OK. I just wish...."

"If wishes were fishes! Harry, you've done more than you know for Kitty. Marie and I were worried she'd never be able to trust a boy again. You came along, the right guy at the right time. She's better than she was before; so are you, I'll bet. You can take that home with you - something to be proud of." Dani reached up and kissed Harry lightly on the lips. "That's to say thanks, for everything."

Ron was dancing with Kitty. He regarded her sympathetically. "You look a bit sad. Is everything all right with you and Harry?"

"Fine, Ron. We had a talk; we both know how it has to be. I only wish you could all stay a little longer."

Ron gave her hand a squeeze. "I don't know if it helps, but Hermione and I owe you a lot. Harry was getting so distant and lonely - we almost couldn't reach him for a while. You've brought him back in a way none of us could. We'll never forget that, or you."

"Look after him for me?"

"Always."

Kitty smiled. "Ron Weasley, you're a fraud!" Before he could protest, she went on. "You've got this whole Homer Simpson thing going: big, dumb Ron who can't work the CD or the VCR, who talks to game sprites and doesn't know what Spandex is. Big, dumb Ron can beat the Professor at chess two times out of three and can beat Ororo at Go! Ron, nobody beats Storm at Go.

"You always know what we're all thinking, how we all feel - you don't miss a damned trick. Marie would have seen through you in a New York minute. It took the rest of us a little longer. I wonder if Hermione knows just what she's gotten hold of?"

Ron grinned down at her. "She knows. She's always known. That's what used to drive her barmy about me when we were kids."

"She is one lucky, lucky girl. Now, give me a kiss and let's dance." Ron kissed Kitty firmly on the cheek, and then dipped her outrageously low to make her giggle.

Hermione was more than a little surprised when Logan, resplendent in a dark suit and spotless white shirt, courteously asked her to dance. She was even more surprised to find him a proficient and graceful partner.

"Where did you learn to dance?"

He shrugged. "I got no idea, darlin'. It's just somethin' I know how to do. Like if you sit me down at one of them fancy banquets, I know just the right fork to use at the right time. Charlie thinks I must have been a classy guy at one time, before my amnesia. Hard to imagine, eh?"

"Not really. Under that gruff exterior, you're always really polite--except when you're yelling at us in Danger Room."

Logan stopped dancing, telling Hermione seriously, "You three better keep practicin' your moves when you get home. Don't think I won't know, 'cause my pal Severus'll be keepin' an eye on you. And another thing: If this Voldemort character comes callin', you let me know. If I miss out on a scrap, I'm gonna be pissed."

Hermione laughed. "I promise. And you let us know if that Magneto shows up. Are you coming to see us off tomorrow?"

"Wasn't plannin' to."

"Oh, you must! It wouldn't be right without you. Only wear something waterproof. I can't answer for the other girls, but I'm sure I shall cry buckets."

The end of the evening came, too soon in one way, not soon enough in another. After a last, slow dance with their chosen partners, the students went their separate ways in couples.

Hermione and Ron found their favorite spot in the arboretum, a small, scented arbor with an ornate seat. Hermione Shrouded the entrance, then turned to look at Ron. He had taken his tie off and was standing gazing at her, with the look in his eyes he reserved only for her. Hermione realized once more that the future held no terror as long as Ron was with her. She wanted to go to him, but held back a moment.

"Ron, d'you think we've done it? Have we really got Harry, our Harry, back?"

"Between us and Kitty? Yes, love. All we have to do now is keep him. Still, we know that whatever happens..." he slipped into an outrageous cod American accent, "we can rebuild him - we have the technology."

"You've been watching too much TV," Hermione scolded.

"Well, can you suggest anything more interesting to do?" Ron challenged.

"You bet I can, bub," she replied, in a fairly good imitation of Wolverine. She stepped close, then deftly tripped him up so that he tumbled to the grass. But he was as quick as she, catching her round the waist so that she landed atop him. She lay for a moment, head on his chest, listening to his great heart's bright thunder, then she swarmed up his body and began to kiss him, slowly and tenderly.

Kitty and Harry sat under their tree, arms around each other, and kissed for a long time. When they paused, Kitty said, "Harry, I want you to promise me something. I want you to promise that when you go home, you won't go back to that Boy-Who-Lived thing. You'll have to do that soon enough, if Voldemort comes for you. But, until then, be yourself, be Harry--the boy I fell for. Promise me?"

Harry smiled at her. "I promise. Somehow, I don't think it'll be that hard. All I'll have to do is think of you."

She reached round and grabbed her evening bag. "Well, here's something to help jog your memory." She handed him a box. Inside was a man's watch.

"It's what they call an alarm chronograph," she told him. "It's shockproof, anti-magnetic and waterproof. I thought of buying you a fancy dress watch, but then I thought, if I buy you one to wear every day, maybe you'll think of me every day - and I don't want you to forget me. Look on the back."

On the back plate was engraved KP to HP with love. Always friends. Harry thanked Kitty with a kiss, then plucked a small velvet bag from his pocket, handing it to her. The bag contained a delicate silver bracelet, decorated with tiny flowers picked out in blue stones.

"The flowers are forget-me-nots," said Harry. "The bracelet's enchanted. I had Hermione and Professor X help me with the charm. If you wear the bracelet, put your other hand over it, and say my name, it'll open a mind-link between us. Just for a few minutes, but we'll be able to say hello, or tell each other something important. It's not for every day, though. We have the computer and email for that. But, if you really need to talk to me, you'll always be able to. If you're wearing the bracelet, I'll always be able to find you."

Kitty fastened Harry's gift on her wrist, then put her arms around Harry. "Thank you, Harry. Now, that's enough talk," she decided, and smothered his reply with her lips.

The morning came. Harry and his friends shared a last breakfast with the Xavier's students. Many of the younger children stopped by their table to say goodbye and to offer small gifts of pictures or poems that they had drawn or written themselves. It was touching, and Hermione's eyes were misting up when Roberto led them into the Quiet Lounge, where still more gifts were laid out. Harry was given a brand-new skateboard; Ron an electronic chess set which Hermione had enchanted to work off magic rather than batteries, and Hermione received jewelry and cosmetics. ("Don't you dare go all nerdy again, after all our hard work!" Dani said sternly.) As a group, the three were given a CD player and a large stack of CDs reflecting their varied musical tastes. In return, they gave each of their friends an album of Wizard photos and a magic compass whose four points were labeled Danger, Safety, Friends and Home.

It was time to go up to their rooms and collect their luggage. They met with their friends and the staff one last time in Xavier's office. True to her prediction, Hermione cried, and so did the other girls. The girls exchanged hugs and kisses with everyone. The boys blinked a lot and cleared their throats.

"Well?" said Roberto to Harry and Ron. "Is it stiff Brit handshakes or awkward American guy-hugs?" It was hugs in the end, and not so very awkward, at that.

The staff said farewell, rather more formally, though Storm did go so far as to hug each of them, and Hermione insisted on hugging all the staff, even gruff Logan and a rather pleased Professor Xavier.

Kitty pulled Harry to one side. "I'm afraid I'm a greedy girl, Harry. One more kiss?"

It went on a long time, and neither of them would ever forget it, but it was finally over. In a corner of the office, three figures appeared, all, for some reason, howling with laughter. Marie came over to Harry. "We have to talk. Professor, give us a minute?"

Xavier nodded. Harry and Marie drew off a little way and talked for a few minutes. Nobody heard what they said, but Ron, looking at them, realized that they were two of a kind. As they came back, Marie turned to Harry, again. "Write me, OK? Keep me in the loop, Harry."

"I will. You keep me up to date, too."

"Bet on it, sugah," Marie told Harry. They shook hands, beginning a friendship that was to last the rest of their lives.

Then, there was the familiar swirl of the Portkey, and Dumbledore's study appeared around Harry, Ron and Hermione. Dumbledore was standing by his desk. "Welcome back," he said. "I trust you had a memorable experience. Must be strange to be back at Hogwarts where nothing exciting ever happens," Dumbledore said, smiling.