The leaves crackled on the ground in Smallville, Kansas. Kara and Harry, dressed in jeans and long sleeved shirts, carried baskets.
"Jonathan, just sit down and let Kara and Harry do it, you're not as young as you used to be," said Martha in an exasperated voice before she muttered underneath her breath. "I swear, sometimes I don't know if that man's going to have a heart attack or he's going to give me one."
"Are you sure you don't need any help?" called Jonathan, but when he looked as it was all cleared up. "I guess, not."
"See, no sweat at all," said Kara as she wiped her forehead to demonstrate. "Good haul this year, isn't it?"
"Could be better, could be worse," said Jonathan with a shrug as he made his way as Martha was in the kitchen just finishing up a fresh baked apple pie.
"You three can come inside, it will be ready in a few minutes," said Martha as she moved over to the phone and dialed it once again. She let it ring several times but no answer. "Clark, I don't know what's gotten into him as of late."
Kara and Harry exchanged a look with each other, as Martha moved over, to cut the pie, but her mind was preoccupied.
"So you two haven't heard from Clark, have you?" asked Jonathan in a casual voice.
"No, not since that night he flew off after what happened," said Harry. "I wish he didn't have to see that."
"What happened?" asked Martha in a calm voice as she put out plates. Harry and Kara moved to help but she shook her head. They sat back down.
"We should really tell them Harry, its better they hear from us," said Kara.
"Right, we should," agreed Harry as he launched into his story.
The Kents remained attentive and polite, as Kara and Harry told a detailed account of the day at the former Lexcorp.
Jonathan Kent sat for a moment and thought about the situation. While strictly speaking, trying to kill someone was not something he was a fan of, he understood that there were certain times where emotions tended to get the best of people.
Plus, he reminded himself that if he had been there, he might have tried to do something to Luthor himself. You never mess with another man's wife or his children, and not expect some kind of comeuppance. He would have felt bad about what he did after the fact, but he would have done something.
Martha sipped her coffee and thought for a long moment. "It's really a bad situation you found yourself in. I thought eventually that Lex Luthor would push the wrong button of the wrong person. I'm just glad it happened before he killed anybody."
"And now Clark thinks I'm a monster because I was trying to protect Kara and him," said Harry in a dark voice. "Well, that's not my problem."
"No it's not…it's just…" said Kara as she struggled to find the right words.
"There's really no easy solutions to a problem like this," said Jonathan wisely. "And I'm sure Clark doesn't think you're a monster, Harry. You'd do anything to protect Kara. He'll realize that eventually."
He paused before bringing up other matters than this depressing family drama.
"So Patronus Incorporated?" asked Jonathan.
"Yes, Kara and I are the co-owners," explained Harry as he launched into an explanation about what they had been doing.
In the artic, a plane shaped like a bat, called the Batwing touched down. Batman exited, dressed in a thermal bat suit. He trudged through the snow and made his way to the frozen ice.
Inside his glove he popped out a pen like device. With expert precision, he cut a hole in the ice and dove right into the frozen water.
After a time, he made his way to the entrance underneath and popped up right inside the Fortress of Solitude. The animals backed up as Batman walked down before he reached a crystalized room.
"Kent," muttered Batman.
"Oh, Bruce," said Superman without facing him.
"You've been up here for over two weeks, almost three," said the Detective as he went face to face with Superman. "Does this have to do with what happened with Luthor?"
"Well, you haven't lost your touch, have you?" asked Superman as he turned his head away.
Batman remained silent before he spoke. "Sarcasm doesn't suit you, Kent."
"What do you want me to do?" asked Superman. "Kara's husband tried to murder Lex Luthor in cold blood…"
"In cold blood?" asked Batman. "And what makes you think what Spanner did was not justified?"
Superman looked at him, eyes widened. "Spanner, what are you…"
"Potter's new codename," said Batman. "Lois gave it to him."
Superman cracked a smile in amusement in spite the situation before he answered. "I didn't know."
"You've been sending a robot to work as Clark Kent and you've been up here the entire time, haven't you?" asked Batman and Superman nodded. "Do you realize how risky that is?"
"I appreciate your concern, but I need to figure things out," said Superman.
"So you think Potter's a murderous bastard?" asked Batman.
"No," said Superman. "The problem is I can't figure out why he would go this far…."
Batman looked at him and remained calm.
"Harry loves Kara," said Batman in a stoic voice, appalled that he was the one who had to spell this out. Especially given his poor record with women, on both sides of the law. "He will do anything to ensure she has the best life. And she'll do the same thing for him."
"I know that, really I do," said Superman as he turned around. "I just…it's just…"
Batman tugged on his cape as Superman realized he was floating.
"Sit down Kent, and take a deep breath," he said. "Super or otherwise, most men do need oxygen to think straight."
Superman calmed himself before he sat down. Batman sat across from his colleague.
"Here's the problem," said Batman slowly. "Luthor pushed things too far. He passed over the line this time. He tried to kill you, Kara, and Harry. Given what Harry's told me, the long term exposure to Kryptonite drove him mad and he's contracted cancer."
Superman looked confused but then he nodded. "It is radiation, it makes sense, long term exposure will cause cancer."
"Very good, shows you didn't sleep through Chemistry class," said Batman as he remained calm. "Remember the Jade Dragon the Joker stole?"
"It was only the first time we met," said Superman in recollection.
"All of the previous owners died of cancer," said Batman. "It just proves that Kryptonite may pose a danger to humans as well as Kryptonians. Perfectly harmless however if encased in a vault lined with lead or a lead lined pouch."
At that point, Superman's eyes averted to Batman's utility belt and noticed a pouch lined with lead. The pouch was nestled right between the exploding gas balls and the explosive gel.
"And magic can shield the effects as well," added the Detective. "Harry put up a shield charm over the Kryptonite."
Superman nodded, he had been so preoccupied with the fact Harry was mauling Luthor that he neglected to see the Kryptonite or lack of effect it had on him.
Batman remained silent. "We are getting off the subject however. Until a body shows up, we should assume Luthor is still out there somewhere."
"Do you know where Luthor is?" asked Superman.
"If I did, I would tell you," said Batman. "Do not judge Harry or Kara for what they might do. A mistake I learned from the hard way."
Superman paused as he wondered why Batman said this, than it clicked. "Wait, they killed before, didn't they?"
There was no response but that was all the response Superman needed.
"The Scarecrow, it wasn't a heart attack," muttered Superman as his fists clenched together and he turned towards Batman. "I thought you said you vowed to never take a life."
"I stick by that rule," growled Batman. "But in this situation, I'm glad the matter was taken out of my hands. Harry did what he had to do, there's no other choice."
Superman looked at Batman, expression cold. Then he spoke coolly. "There's always another choice…"
"I thought so too, but sometimes there might not be," muttered Batman. "Trust me, Crane was going to kill all of Gotham City…"
"You let Harry get away with murder," said Superman in a stiff voice.
"The technical term is justifiable homicide," argued the Dark Knight as his fingers twitched on a certain pouch but he resisted the impulse. "If it makes you feel better, should either of them step over the line, there are plans to take care of them…"
Superman stood right up and faced his colleague. "Take care of them? You don't mean what I think you mean."
"I doubt it will come to that, but it never hurts to be prepared," said the Dark Knight flatly.
"You know what, Bruce, you can just leave," said The Man of Steel voice as cold as the frozen winds of the Artic.
He had no idea what he was more pissed off about. The fact that Batman chose not to tell him about the little incident in Gotham City or, the fact that he was developing plans to deal with both Harry and Kara.
He turned to say more but Batman already took his leave.
Superman sat down and continued to reflect. He studied the situation over his mind. He tried to find a justification against what Harry did to Luthor, other than the morality and potential legal situation.
Outside Batman returned to the Batwing.
'They're going to have to kill again, especially Harry. I don't know what kind of vows they made, but they take them rather seriously,' thought Batman. "This will be a delicate situation, one day at a time. The usual rules might not be in play."
"Okay, that will be enough for today," said Batman after a couple of hours of training, as Kara and Harry backed off and took a breath. "The two of you managed to hold your own today without using any powers. Your teamwork is getting better. Of course, there's always room for improvement, but we're getting there."
"We had you on the ropes through," argued Kara.
"You've shown improvement but there is always room for more," repeated Batman as he sat down to give his assessment. "Your trajectory upon your strikes has improved greatly over the past several weeks, the both of you. Previously, you went for a punch that demanded much of your strength but offered little impact. Now you have got those abilities mostly fine-tuned, although you still require a bit more practice."
Batman clicked off the red solar lamps high above them.
"Stamina has improved, you no longer get winded," he continued. "Kara, I've taken a closer look at your powers. Your skin absorbs yellow solar radiation at a factor of three times beyond that of your cousin."
Kara nodded surprised at this.
"This may have something to do with the nature of your marriage or it may be a unique genetic trait of yours," continued Batman. "Or it may be perhaps a combination of both."
Batman turned his attention to Harry. "As for you, Harry, I've noticed your keen eye for detail."
"Yes, I do notice things a lot," said Harry nodding his head.
"It may be an ability to read the body language of your opponent, which should serve you rather well in combat," explained the Dark Knight. "But I do warn you that while this skill will be useful, it is not foolproof. You may run into opponents that do not have a defined manner of fighting. It does not make them any less dangerous. Or opponents that are versatile enough not to stick to one fighting style in a consistent pattern be it magical or regular."
Harry nodded before he realized he had the office to switch topics. "So I have some notes on the Kryptonite. The company…"
"Tracking it all down, I know," said Batman. "And the idea to keep a few pieces handy as a contingency shows that you're both learning."
Batman tapped on the computer as he brought up a series of readings for them to look over.
"The unknown element, that could be an issue," muttered Batman. "Without any idea of what minerals found on Krypton were, it will be difficult for me to pinpoint everything."
Kara looked at him. "Maybe…if you break down just the composition of the unknown element a little bit, I can help."
Batman nodded as he did so, as he locked onto the unknown element and began to run more tests. Kara and Harry sat and waited.
Back after Brainiac's failed attempt to possess Bruce Wayne some time back to achieve his objective, The Detective analyzed Wayne Foundation computers for any traces the A.I. might have left behind.
As it turned out, there were traces as Superman warned him of. Batman managed to copy enough of the data from the machine's data banks into the Bat Computer, before deleting all remnants of the actual Brainiac program. It served him rather well.
"Any luck?" asked Harry after about twenty minutes but a sheet of paper shot out. Kara took the print out and read it.
"It's a mineral found in a plant native to the city of Kandor," said Kara after she studied the paper a little bit. "X'iarium it's called."
"The city of Kandor?" asked Harry.
"Yeah it was a beautiful place, one day it just disappeared," said Kara as she reached over for a piece of paper and a pen. "Hang on a second, here's what the plant looked like, kind of hard to describe."
She sketched out the plant on a piece of paper.
"Nothing similar to it on Earth," said Batman and Harry shook his head.
"Can you tell us anything else about it, Kara?" prompted Harry.
Kara looked thoughtfully. "Well it was supposed to really be rather hard to extract from the leaves. You know, before its healing properties ran out."
"Healing properties?" prompted Harry.
"Yeah the X'iarium in its most diluted form resembles a tear, but Mother told me that it can heal most non-fatal injuries as long as there is still a breath in the body," explained Kara with taking a breath.
Harry was clicked by a sudden insane thought of inspiration. "Tears that have healing properties, that reminds me of a creature from my world, the phoenix…"
"Another myth proven true then," said Batman speaking up for the first time in a while.
"So phoenix tears are similar to this X'iarium," said Harry. "They healed me from near death. The Basilisk venom should have killed me…"
"It just proves that there enough similarities to warrant a potential avenue," said Batman. "Do you have any idea where to find a phoenix?"
At this point, Harry remained rather thoughtful.
"Phoenixes are rather rare, the only one I know is Fawkes, but he's with my former school's Headmaster," said Harry as he remained thoughtful. "I'm going to have to write a letter later. See if a friend can help me coax some tears."
Harry hated to rely on Hermione anymore that he had to but going to Hogwarts at this point in time himself would akin to putting his own head in a guillotine.
"So, have you talked to our mutual friend?" muttered Harry to Batman as Kara walked over to pick up her bag from the other end of the room.
"Yes, he's being stubborn," said Batman shortly. "His upbringing is both a blessing and curse."
"Yeah, but at least someone got a decent life growing up," said Harry darkly but he looked at Kara who likely heard every word he said, even if she pretended she did not. "Then again, it doesn't matter what happened in the past. The world you make for yourself in the present makes your future."
Batman had his back turned. "A positive attitude, Spanner, I hope you can keep it."
"You had to use that codename, didn't you?" asked Harry, dismayed.
"Lois does have a way with words," said Batman as he clicked away on the computer. "It's not the most threatening name in the world but a name only gets you so far."
Harry nodded and walked over to join Kara over to the other side.
"He'll come around, my love," whispered Harry, before he gave her a tender kiss on the lips. She returned it, as she melted into her husband's arms.
"I know, I know," she breathed after they broke apart but she shook her head. "I'm not going to let him drag me down. If he wants to be a big emo and hide in his fortress, that's not my problem. I'm more pissed what he's doing to Ma and Pa."
Harry could almost sense that his wife was more upset than she let on. She took personal responsibility for her cousin in many ways.
"So, this place is always interesting, we're always finding new things," said Harry as he held her hand, trying and steer her into a more light hearted conversation. "Batman, he could make even more money if he opened a museum."
Sure enough, they had learned much about Batman and his past just by looking around the Batcave. In a dusty room, he had battles chronicled of foes of less renown from his earlier and for lack of better term, camper days.
The battle with a shameful cowboy was chronicled who once used racing car parts in an attempt to soup up an old truck to outrun the Batmobile.
Another archive record detailed a criminal mastermind who had an obsession with eggs and had nearly deduced Batman's secret identity but had been foiled.
Yet another archive detailed a woman with a stunning voice who could bring men underneath her spell, as she sang three octaves about High C. She once hypnotized Bruce Wayne and tried to get the entire Wayne Family fortune signed over to her. Once again she had been foiled.
Another detailed Batman's struggles with a Yale Professor of Egyptology that had been clonked on the head and believed he was the re-incarnation of a certain pharaoh from the eighteenth dynasty of ancient Egypt. He bedeviled Batman a time or two.
Another chronicled a battle with a stylish gangster. This man tried to control the flower market of Gotham City, or in particular lilacs.
A final one detailed a woman who tried to use her mineral spa and a high end piece of machinery to extract the secret locations of hidden valuables of her rich clients.
Needless to say, Batman had some interesting adventures his younger days, before he moved towards the Arkham regulars and murderous mobsters. Yet, he would not be here had it not been for those early battles.
"Yeah, I'm still going with hoarder," said Kara after a moment's silence but she had a fond smile. "All of the symptoms are there."
Harry just smiled as they exited to see Batgirl, Robin, and Nightwing return.
"So you're still standing this time," said Robin and they nodded. "It took me three months before I reached that point and I only made it to the kitchen before I collapsed."
"Ah, six for me," said Batgirl.
"I about managed it in two," said Nightwing.
"Well, aren't you special," muttered Batgirl under her breath before she turned to Harry and Kara. "So, what have you guys been up to?"
"Loads, believe me," said Harry with a smile.
"Getting a company running isn't easy after all," said Kara.
"So, you're getting Bruce involved," said Nightwing casually.
There was a nod.
"Well only as a rather minority partnership," said Harry.
"Good, and just a word of advice," said Nightwing as he made sure Batman was not around listening. "Make sure you do full mental evaluations of your employees. Jervis Tetch, Lyle Bolton, just to name a couple of the more suspect moves from the Wayne Foundation."
"Believe me, we're checking everything," said Kara. "If things get on the ground, we might something set up in Gotham."
Harry looked the wall of old costumes.
"Trying to pick up some fashion tips um Spanner," said Batgirl with a snicker.
Harry's glare was not as fearsome as Batman's but he could be intimidating enough. He got it from his mother.
"No, Barbara," said Harry as his eye twitched at the name which seemed to be sticking with him. "Just curious, I get all of the costumes over there, but that one, I can't quite figure out."
Robin and Batgirl both shrugged they had no idea about that costume. Nightwing looked at it, as he had memories flooding back.
"The Red X costume," muttered Nightwing as he looked it over. "That brings back some old memories. It was a long time ago."
He sighed before he recalled the story.
"Years ago, I wore that costume to try and spy on a criminal named Slade," said Nightwing as he said that name with the utter contempt that it deserved. "Then the costume got stolen right from under my nose. I'd imagine Bruce would give me a solid zero for security just for letting a high tech costume with an unstable energy source get in the hands of some petty thief."
Nightwing looked at the costume, as he remembered it. Kara, Harry, Batgirl, and Robin all leaned in closer. "So, it wasn't until a couple years later that I found it. A young man named Jason Todd stole the suit. He committed crimes but then had a change of heart. Well to an extent. He decided to fight crime in the suit."
"I'm guessing you didn't approve of his methods," prompted Harry.
"Well, he brutally killed people and not just crazed psychopaths like Crane," said Nightwing. "Jason killed everyone from the lowly thief who stole a stick of gum from a mini-mart all the way up. I tried to keep an eye on him, but eventually, it was too much. He managed to get himself killed when he got in over his head."
Nightwing sighed. He could help but feel guilty because of the role he played in this.
"Well he made the choice he did and he wasn't careful," said Harry. "You couldn't control his actions."
"Yeah, Harry's got a point," said Batgirl. "Besides, how many year ago was that anyway?"
"Seven or so years ago," said Nightwing as he shuddered. In his mind's eye he saw himself fighting through the thugs, as he envisioned the battered young man being savagely beaten.
"Well, he's long dead and buried," said Batgirl as she reached forward but Nightwing turned and walked away from her.
Things still were frosty between them to an extent. Kara, Harry, and Robin all exchanged awkward looks.
"So, Tim, Barbara, Dick, Harry, and Kara, I thought you five were hanging out tonight," said Batman. "Don't worry, I've got it covered. I did it for years alone."
"Right, we're leaving," said Batgirl. "With any luck, we won't get mugged."
"Or break up any smuggling rings this time," said Robin. "Rupert Thorne would be cursing Harry's name if he knew who cost him that much money."
"Well, add that to the growing list," said Harry as he held his wife's hand. "Ready to go?"
Kara nodded in confirmation.
Batman watched them depart. Perhaps tonight they would not get into trouble.
Or at least trouble they could not handle.
Batman heard voices and then noticed that Alfred was in the middle of an argument with someone.
"Dobby is only just trying to tell you to dust this way, sir…"
"Now listen here you little gnome, I've been dusting at this Manor for over forty years…"
"Then Dobby has been dusting since before you've been soiling your nappies."
"Well that's charming dialect."
Batman cleared his throat. He found himself visited by a rather peculiar sight. Alfred was in a tug of war with a small figure wearing ninja garb.
"What are you doing here?" asked Batman as he stared down at the small figure.
"Dobby is wondering, if sir is being, the goddamn Batman," said the house elf as he looked up, slightly intimidated but less so than most.
"Well I've been called that more than a few times," said Batman. "Yes, I'm him."
"Do you have the locket?" asked Dobby.
"Yes," said Batman as he reached into a pouch and pulled out the locket. Dobby deposited it in the bag.
"Dobby is wondering if Harry Potter has been here," said the elf.
"You just missed him," said Batman. "He's out with his wife and their friends."
"Ah sir be hanging out and acting like a normal teenager, Dobby approves of that," said Dobby. "And to think, all it be taking was a trip to the Sin City to be getting Harry Potter sir to get his head on straight."
Dobby looked off before he nodded. "Sir never saw Dobby here tonight."
"No," said Batman.
"Good," said Dobby as he vanished with a pop.
"Well powerful creatures, but not good for stealth," muttered Batman.
"The nerve of him, to criticize how I dust," muttered Alfred.
Alfred Pennyworth made a vow to get the better of this Dobby, if it's the last thing he ever did.
"Acid pops," said Hermione in a casual voice. The gargoyle slid open and she made her way inside the Headmaster's office, a cup of coffee in her hand. "Professor Dumbledore, you sent me a note saying you wanted to see me."
Hermione was missing Hogsmeade weekend to meet with Dumbledore but the trip to the village had worn out its charm with her.
"Yes, Miss Granger, I did," said Dumbledore as he motioned for her to sit down in a chair across from him. Snape sat behind the desk as well.
"Oh, we're doing the good cop, bad cop thing," said Hermione with a smile before she took a drink of coffee.
"No, nothing like that, Hermione, we just are concerned," said Dumbledore. "After all, you aren't speaking to one of your friends and your other friend left Hogwarts. This situation must be stressful on you."
Hermione just drank her coffee and refused to respond unless it was her own terms.
"Well, the year's been stressful, you know the NEWTs are very serious business, even if I don't have to take them until next year," said Hermione.
"I realize that, Hermione and I know a driven young woman like you would take those exams rather seriously," said Dumbledore. "But I must ask if you've heard anything from young Harry."
Hermione sipped her coffee some more.
"Well, that's private and has nothing to do my education," said Hermione as she looked at Dumbledore, and gave him a look as if to challenge him.
"I know, I'm just registering my concern about Harry," said Dumbledore. "I feel he's not getting what he needs to prepare himself for his destiny with Lord Voldemort."
Hermione regarded Dumbledore and spoke once again, carefully. "Concern, that's an interesting spin on things. Then again, you spin more than a record, Professor Dumbledore. And again, your lack of anything substantial to deal with Riddle or his followers just shows how much you care about Harry. Obviously, what happened over the summer didn't stick."
Snape could not remain silent any longer.
"Listen you arrogant girl, you'd do well to show your betters some respect," said Snape.
"And you'd do well to treat your hair to some conditioner," replied brunette bookworm in a nonchalant voice.
"Ten points from Gryffindor, Miss Granger for your disrespect towards a Hogwarts Professor," said Dumbledore in a disappointed voice. "And I must insist you apologize to Profesor Snape."
"Sorry, wouldn't want to offend a toddler killer," said Hermione before she corrected herself. "Well attempted toddler killer."
'Wouldn't want to imply competence,' thought Hermione to herself.
Snape opened his mouth but Dumbledore shook his head. He closed it.
"Professor Snape has my full trust, Miss Granger, and he has proven his worth," said Dumbledore.
Hermione remained silent as she drained her coffee. Then she spoke. "There was once a kindly old farmer. He found a snake. The serpent was injured and had killed many of the animals on the farm. Yet the serpent swore that he would repent if the kindly old farmer nursed him back to health. The farmer did so, because he believed in second chances. The moment the serpent did not need the farmer any longer, the snake bit him. The farmer asked why. The snake said it was nothing personal. He got what he needed and it was in his nature."
Dumbledore blinked.
"I'm afraid I don't follow you, Miss Granger," said Dumbledore.
"A snake never changes its ways, it's merely an illusion until it gets what it wants," said Hermione. "The moment a certain foolish old man is not needed, the snake will strike."
Snape decided to speak once again, tired of the subtle character assassination. "Granger, cut the act, you know why you're here. You attacked two of my Slytherins, admit it!"
"Unfounded accusation much, Professor Snape," said the girl. "You know, accusing people of things. It might make people might think you're paranoid. The fact could get you locked up after all. Granted, I don't shed tears about those two being attacked."
"Now, Miss Granger, everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt," said Dumbledore.
'I doubt there's any benefit to being an utter blind and naïve idiot,' thought Hermione to herself.
Snape had enough of this arrogant bint and decided to take more direct motions. He found his way into her mind and found her library defense. The Potions Professor would not be denied as he tried to force his way inside.
That turned out to be a mistake. Professor Snape found himself bombarded with "It's a Small World After All" on a never ending loop. Snape sat down in the chair and trembled.
He tried to concentrate but the song would not leave his head.
"I do like my thoughts to be left alone, they're kind of private," replied Hermione coolly as she finished her coffee. "To answer your question, Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown can both collaborate my whereabouts at the time of the attacks. Although you might want to ask Parvati, as getting Lavender to pry herself away from Ron would require the jaws of life."
Hermione shook her head. There were times where love or at least teenage lust could defy all logic. Then again, she had positively no interest in that drama.
"I will check into your sources, Miss Granger," said Dumbledore. "But I do find myself rather worried about you and the drastic changes in your personality, along with your recent rebellious attitude."
"Near death experiences change people, Professor," said Hermione but no sooner she said this, Professor McGonagall bust into Dumbledore's office and looked panicked.
"Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape, there's been an attack just now in Hogsmeade," said McGonagall.
"Well, that should clear me as well, Professor Dumbledore," said Hermione.
"Yes, Miss Granger," said Dumbledore quickly before he turned.
Hermione could hear a few whispered bits of conversation between Snape, Dumbledore, and McGonagall. Katie Bell had been given a cursed necklace and she was found hours later, dead behind the Hog's Head.
She closed her eyes. She did not know Katie too well, only through her being a teammate of Harry's for years and in the D.A., but she seemed like a decent person.
The three Professors ran off and Hermione was left alone with her own devices.
"Trusting me a lot," said Hermione as her eyes traveled to Fawkes.
There would not be a better time. Hermione flicked her wand. The portraits all went into stasis as she walked over to Fawkes.
"Good afternoon, Fawkes," said Hermione in a cheery voice. "I was wondering if you could spare me some tears, it's for an important cause."
She held out a crystal vial and the phoenix regarded her, before several tears dropped into it. Hermione corked it and hastily stuffed it into her bag.
Acting as no time had passed when she lifted the stasis charm on the portraits.
"I guess that's my cue to leave," said Hermione as she departed the office. She would have to give these to Harry and Kara in person. It was too risky to send through the post.
If all the stars aligned, she hoped she could get together with them during the November Hogsmeade trip. Sneaking out would be a problem, but she had time to plan.
Hermione Granger made her way out before she almost ran into a sixth year Slytherin girl named Daphne Greengrass.
"Watch where you're going, Mudblood," said Daphne with utter contempt.
"Well hello to you too, Greengrass," said Hermione as she looked at the Slytherin. She had been one of Parkinson's lackeys but given the fact Parkinson was out, she moved up in the hierarchy to bitch supreme of the Slytherin House. "Dear Daphne, you must not be so rude to people."
"I'll act however I please, Granger," said Daphne with thinly veiled contempt. She would be the top witch in her year for grades if it wasn't for Granger.
"Well that's your problem," said Hermione. "But given that you're a pureblood heiress, I trust you've learned manners and how to respect people."
"Of course I have," said Daphne offensively.
"And you should know that respect is not to be given to those of your same social class or blood type," said Hermione. "Manners should not be mutual for only those of your same social class or higher. They are universal. With your lack of respect, you could run the risk of offending someone. And for a pretty little pureblood like yourself, that could really drain your family dry."
Daphne opened her mouth but Hermione cut her off.
"You see, the death penalty is forbidden in the Wizarding World, but not because of moral reasons," said Hermione. "I did some research and the Ministry makes a fair bit of coin sucking the accounts of the Azkaban prisoners dry. You see, those cells are being paid for out of the family accounts of the criminals. It's an interesting little racket, and actually kind of clever for the Ministry. The goblins are getting a healthy cut of gold as well. Many of those prisoners are purebloods."
"What are babbling about, you little snooty know-it all?" demanded Daphne. If she did not fear retribution she would have hexed the smug little bitch right then and there.
"That's not all, St. Mungos is in on the little racket too," said Hermione. "You see, there are potions that would allow victims of the Permanent Spell Damage ward to be put out of their misery. How many of those people have recovered?"
Hermione paused as Daphne had no response. The Slytherin looked confused, so Hermione elaborated. "None have because the steps have been taken to keep them in there. The poor Longbottoms could have been treated right away, but there are those at St. Mungos interested in getting a bit of that fortune for their own spending."
Hermione just smirked at Daphne. The girl was transfixed.
"A pretty little pureblood like yourself, they'd been drooling at having someone like you in their care," said Hermione. "You see, you're of age right now, and the Greengrass family is rather rich. You're coming into a lot of money, aren't you?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but yes," said Daphne as she stared down the girl. She would not be intimidated of someone with lesser blood and of a common background. "So nose out, Potter's not here to protect you this year."
"Mind your manners, Daphne," said Hermione before she looked at the girl without blinking and spoke again. "Someday, you'd pull the cold hearted bitch act with the wrong person. That person might be of lesser breeding but perhaps he or she knows some inventive curses. Said curses could send you to St. Mungos. They take one look at your bank accounts and discover that you have a lot of galleons. What do you think they're going to do, hmm?"
Daphne stood paralyzed as she thought of the possibilities.
"Your face mangled behind all recognition, your organs damaged, barely able to pump blood through your body," said Hermione. "They'd find that it would be too dangerous to use any spells or potions, so into the Permanent Damage Ward you go. As they find more wrong with you and suck every last knut from your bank account. Healers love real estate, you see. You'd put an army of them in mansion houses."
Hermione just looked at her. "Just a friendly warning, princess, you know just in case you have the urge to be rude to anyone."
Daphne stood, mouth agap as her mind went a mile a minute. She had no idea if Granger was threatening her or trying to give her the heads up about someone dangerous.
One thing was for certain, Daphne Greengrass would not be sleeping soundly for a long time.
Hermione moved her way down the corridor. She had no idea who was attacking the students. Her days of playing detective to the yearly mystery died when she became of age.
Besides, it would resolve itself before the end of the year. Hermione managed to finally guess that pattern. It only took her five years.
Inside the meeting room of Patronus Incorporated both Kara and Harry poured over the countless records and notes they took.
"Okay, this company is our future, so we're going to have to take our time and make sure we have the right people," said Harry. "Forty percent of the former Lexcorp employees should be trustworthy or competent enough to keep on, after the tests we ran. Records seem to check out."
"Yeah, that just means we're going to have to go straight to the new applications," said Kara as she looked them over. "Well this might take a while."
"I gave some thought of a project that we could work on, that could make a lot of money," said Harry.
"Do tell," muttered Kara.
"A security system that's simple to hook up but protects your family or business from any attack," said Harry. "And no one can hack into it. It's an ambitious project, but in a couple of months, we can break even."
"Well we need to find the right…project management team, I think the term is, to do it," said Kara. "What about if we make it tamper proof to magic as well?"
"Tricky," said Harry. "We can shield it a bit better just like most electronics are against static charge…"
"Oh you mean like some EMP protection," said Kara.
"If you say so, I'm learning a lot of Muggle things as I go," said Harry. "Understanding Artimancy could help. I think if we could get some people with a knowledge of Muggle electronics and magic, we might be able to help. "
"What about Hermione?" asked Kara.
"Hermione seems to have her own thing right now, perhaps later on we can bring her on," said Harry. "Remus or Tonks or both would be good. Tonks more so, but I kind of want to give Remus a job so…"
"Yeah the furry little problem thing, I know," said Kara as she grabbed her husband's hand. The co-owners of Patronus Incorporated continued their discussion. "What about a cleaner, cheaper form of energy, maybe based off of magic…"
"It'd be a hard sell to the people," argued Harry. "People are set in their ways. It'd be better for the environment in the long run but…people do enjoy their comforts and familiarity. Perhaps a few years, Patronus Inc. can revisit that one."
"Okay, I was looking at something Luthor was working on he left in one of his folders, some kind of modified space travel vehicle," said Kara as she pushed the blueprint out in front of Harry. "I'm sure it was so he could find Krypton and get more Kryptonite. But maybe, if we modify it, we can cut down the risk and sell the designs to NASA or something for the space program."
"Good idea, honey," said Harry as he jotted down the note.
They had both agreed any Kryptonian technology would likely be too expensive and too complex to fully replicate to turn a profit. So they had to deal with simpler but at the same time more advanced forms of technology.
The two continued their late night brain storming/planning session. They hoped it would pay off in the end, as they continued to add and subject employees, along with coming up with ideas and future plans.