In an un-used part of Hogwarts, unseen by prying eyes, Hermione Granger leaned against the wall. Many students filed in, the remaining members of the D.A. They all sat themselves down, to face Hermione. Susan Bones, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnegan, Padma Patil, Parvati Patil, Lisa Turpin, Colin Creevey, Dennis Creevey, Terry Boot, and Su Li all sat down. Moments passed before Hermione addressed them.
"Okay, as you know, we have a bit of a situation regarding the attacks at Hogwarts," remarked Hermione, as she looked at the entire group. "As you know, there is a mysterious attacker who seems to taken a fancy in killing random students. I just want to say something for the record."
Hermione raised her left hand, and held her wand high in her right. "I, Hermione Jean Granger, do solemnly swear on my magic, that I am no way part of the attacks against students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, or have collaborated in any way with the attacker or attackers."
A blinding light appeared, and Hermione held her wand. She demonstrated her powers being intact, before she began to blast chairs away.
"Now, all of you, I want oaths, before I tell you more," said Hermione, as she looked at the fellow members of her group. "If any of you are the Hogwarts attacker, then, you'll be dealt with accordingly."
Susan Bones got up to her feet, to take the initiative. Everyone followed her lead. They all demonstrated they retained their magical abilities. None of them were the killers, which was a relief for the entire group.
Everyone sat down.
"So if it's not any of us…" muttered Parvati Patil.
"It could be anyone else in the school," said Padma Patil. "That really doesn't narrow it down, does it?"
"Any one of us could be next," mused Dean Thomas.
Su Li, the normally quiet and studious girl, looked from side to side, frantic. She began to speak. "What are we going to do? They got Katie, Lavender, Michael, Hannah, and Ernie, and…"
Hermione took a deep breath and shot sparks in the air. "Everyone calm down, I've got a plan. It's still the same plan, it's just the time table has been moved up. We can't save this place. Hogwarts is like the Titanic, and I, for one, am not going down with the ship."
Everyone nodded, and knew that they felt the same thing.
"So, how has the plan changed, Hermione?" asked Susan.
The brunette bookworm looked thoughtful, and peered at everyone. She then spoke.
"Well, I didn't expect some crazed killer to take a crack at everyone. After all, I'm smart, not omniscient. Here's what we're going to do. When Hogsmeade Weekend comes, I want you to all leave the village, and keep walking."
Everyone nodded slowly. She continued to speak to them. "Find a way to return home, and inform all of your families. Make sure they're out of harm's way. Then I will get in touch with all of you after I've got some business wrapped up. Sanctuary will be offered. I'll arrange something, an alternative to Hogwarts, without the danger."
Hermione sighed, as she looked at the group. "It is too dangerous to remain here. Hogwarts is going to get shut down by the end of the year. The Ministry has their own problems, just keep with the spells we've been practicing, and if you see any Death Eaters, make sure they know you won't be intimidated.
They all left, but Hermione had Susan stay behind.
"Susan, you're in the most danger of all of us, for obvious reasons," muttered Hermione. "What exactly did you see?"
"Just a figure, in a hood, seemed to be a witch," replied Susan after a moment's thought.
"Or a wizard using Polyjuice to look like a witch," countered Hermione.
The Hufflepuff remained thoughtful and nodded. Then she frowned.
"So, Harry's not coming back, is he…"
"It's in Harry's best interest to stay away from Hogwarts," said Hermione, as she gazed at Susan. "He's doing well, he's happy."
Susan stood right before Hermione. She kept a close watch on the Muggle World, and followed the news, so she heard of Harry's exploits in Vegas. She also managed to get a few other news articles when she could, so she managed to draw some logical conclusions.
"Hermione, I saw the picture," said Susan as she looked at the Gryffindor. "Harry didn't marry some Kansas farm girl. He married S…"
Hermione silenced her immediately with a flick of her wand.
"Not one more word, Susan Bones," said Hermione, her voice harsh, as she looked at the Hufflepuff. "You didn't tell anyone, did you?"
Hermione released the charm. Now the Hufflepuff witch could speak freely.
"No, but it's good that Harry finally found someone he could relate to," said Susan in a quiet voice. "I don't know if he could have found someone like this in this world. Not that I didn't remain hopeful...
"Many did, but it would have never worked," said Hermione. "Once you get to know Harry, you really appreciate how much he needed a fresh start, and a clean break. Anyone from this world would have not worked. He needed someone who could see Harry, and not the Boy-Who-Lived. And there will always be that stigma with everyone in his age group around here."
Hermione brushed her hair out of her eyes.
"Harry is the only hope the world has," she added.
"What if he doesn't beat You-Know-Who?" wondered Susan.
"We're fucked," said Hermione, without preamble. Then she added. "Susan call him by his name…"
"Hermione, I can't do that, it's just not something that I'm comfortable with doing," said Susan. "You and Harry both can say it, and you're a lot braver than I ever can hope to be…"
"I wasn't referring to that made up French anagram that he uses," said Hermione as she waved her hand dismissively. "His real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle."
Susan look surprised. Her lack of speech gave the opportunity for Hermione to continue.
"His mother was a pureblood, but his father was a Muggle. His entire sick campaign was because his Daddy didn't love him."
Hermione said this part with disdain. She took a deep breath.
"I don't fear him," said Hermione. "I fear what he might do, and what he can inspire others to do. The man himself, he's kind of pathetic. And that's why I think in the end Harry will beat him. Harry embraces who he is, and all of his emotions. Riddle cowers from them."
"Hermione, the Sorting Hat put you in the right place," said Susan as she smiled at Hermione, and leaned back.
"I sure hope it did," said Hermione, but she looked thoughtful. "Even if the Hat did waver between all four houses."
Susan blinked.
"I thought you said it only wanted to put you in Ravenclaw," said the Hufflepuff.
"It did consider Slytherin and Hufflepuff as well," remarked Hermione casually. "Some of us can be defined by one house, some can fit in two, some can fit in three, but very few have the qualities of all four houses."
Susan nodded.
"Harry was another," muttered Susan.
"Yes he was," agreed Hermione. "Certain people in this world is laboring under this misconception that Harry is a pure Gryffindor."
She paused. "They couldn't be more wrong about my brother."
Susan was left as Hermione walked off. Then the Hufflepuff returned to her Common Room without another word.
Dear Harry and Kara:
I'm getting out. Things went to hell in a handbasket in a hurry. I'm not being a scapegoat when Dumbledore decides to spin this one.
If Superman is still up there, we're heading up to the Artic, and I'll give him a piece of my mind.
Talk to you soon,
Hermione.
"What do you think she meant?" asked Kara.
"Hermione seemed freaked out about something," said Harry. "I told her she shouldn't have gone back."
"Well, she had her reasons when she did, but I guess things changed," said Kara, arms wrapped around Harry.
"Well, I've got a phone call to make, before I decide what I want to do with your cousin," said Harry, as Kara let him go.
The wizard dialed up the Kent Farm. After a few rings, Martha picked up on the end.
"Martha, it's Harry. Has Clark called? I thought not. We're going to get him. He'll call you by tomorrow, even if I have put a phone in his hand with a permanent sticking charm. Yeah, Kara and I are doing well. Talk to you later; we're going up to Scotland, then we're swinging by the Fortress. Tell Jonathan I said hi, take care, good bye.
Harry hung up the phone, and counted to one hundred. Both Harry and Kara wrapped their arms around each other, in an attempt to calm each other down.
"Okay, I'm hexing him," managed Harry darkly. "This is getting ridiculous."
"Two months…" managed Kara, but Harry distracted her from her rant and her anger with a slight kiss. They enjoyed the activity for a short time, but duty called.
Harry took a breath, as he mulled it over. "Okay, let's pick up Lana, and then we'll head over to the Mountains."
Without another word, they departed.
Hermione walked towards the doors of Hogwarts with a purpose, but Professor Flitwick blocked her path, and cleared his throat.
"Miss Granger, could I please have one moment of your time?" asked Flitwick.
Hermione regarded the tiny Charms Professor for a moment. "Professor Flitwick, no disrespect meant, sir, but I'm kind of in a rush."
"I'll be quick and discreet," said Flitwick. "It's clear you're leaving here to visit Harry Potter, and won't be coming back."
Hermione chose her next words carefully. "Yes, I've arranged to send the notice I'm leaving Hogwarts. Dumbledore will receive it when I'm off the grounds."
"I've heard some rather interesting news regarding Mr. Potter, many intriguing rumors," added Flitwick. "He's been off in the United States; he has his own company…"
"Professor, we could be overheard," interrupted Hermione, but Flitwick just chuckled.
"Don't worry, Miss Granger, anti-eavesdropping charms are second nature to me," said Flitwick. "I have some contacts within the Muggle World, and have heard about Patronus Incorporated. Many Muggleborn alumni of Hogwarts from the past few years seem to be looking into it as an avenue of employment."
The Professor's next statement remained neutral.
"Purebloods have the first crack at all of the highest paying jobs, then half bloods," said Flitwick. "Muggleborns, no matter how well they've done in their studies, get last dibs on the jobs in our world."
Hermione's disgust became apparent. Flitwick just verified what she had suspected.
"So my hunch was correct, the highest paid Muggleborn, still makes less than the lowest paid pureblood," muttered Hermione.
"Yes, I'm afraid so Miss Granger, it's not how much you know, but rather who you know," said Flitwick. "And the Ministry is the logical representation of this."
"The company is getting off the ground," said Hermione. "Harry said there was a job waiting for me, the moment I'm ready to ditch this place, as part of the research team."
"Very good," said Flitwick, before his voice dropped. "I would leave Hogwarts, but Dumbledore has placed us teachers in a bind. Magically binding contracts offer us job security in case of a change of Headmaster, but they do work both ways. They must be broken mutually, I'm afraid."
"I figured as much," said Hermione darkly.
"I do have something that might help Mr. Potter," said Flitwick. Hermione moved closer, to see what the Charms Professor had up his sleeve. "As you may have heard, I was a dueling champion before I became a teacher. I wrote a journal of some of the tactics I found had been useful against my adversaries."
The Professor took out the book and handed it to Hermione. "Naturally, some of these tactics would get duelists barred from the professional dueling circuit."
"Yet, they'd be perfect for a duel against someone like Voldemort," answered Hermione.
Flitwick nodded.
"Well those who fight by the book, may not live to fight again, Miss Granger," said Flitwick. "Now, I didn't see you, nor did I give you this book to give to Mr. Potter."
"Of course, Professor," said Hermione, as she walked off.
She paused.
"Dobby," said Hermione, and Dobby appeared.
"Yes, Miss Granger," said Dobby.
"Put this in Dumbledore's office," muttered Hermione, as she handed Dobby a lemon drop.
"You'd be giving the Headmaster is favorite sweet?" asked Dobby.
"Place it in his candy dish, and leave immediately," said Hermione.
Hermione watched Dobby go. The charm on the lemon drop would interfere with all of those little monitoring instruments. By the time Dumbledore realized what had happened, it would be too late.
Without another thought, the brunette bookworm made her way up to the mountains.
In the mountains of Hogsmeade, Harry, Kara, and Lana stood to wait for Hermione. They wore heavy coats, gloves, hats, and scarves for their trip up into the Artic.
"So you went to this place at your old school?" asked Lana.
"Yeah, really isn't that exciting when you think about it," said Harry, as Kara peered down.
"There's Hermione," whispered Kara in an excited manner.
Hermione pulled herself up the mountain, and rushed to greet Harry and Kara.
"Harry, Kara, it's so great to see you!" yelled Hermione in an excited voice, as she hugged both of them.
"Nice to see you too, Hermione," said Kara, as Hermione backed off.
"Hermione, how have you been?" asked Harry. "What did you mean in your…"
"Explain it to you later, after we get done with some things, I swear Harry," said Hermione. "After all, we've got a rather important intervention to stage."
Harry turned to point to Lana. "Hermione, this is Lana Lang, she's…"
"I'm a friend of Clark's from school," said Lana. "We used to go out in high school."
Hermione looked at her, as something clicked in her mind. "Not the Lana Lang surely. I'm not one for fashion, but you do some impressive work."
"Well, nice to see you've heard of me," said Lana, in surprise, as she inclined her head towards the younger woman.
"Hermione Granger," said Hermione, but she motioned to the redhead woman to walk over to her. "I've got a project for you, if you have the time. Costumes for our happy couple of heroes. Make them, and I'll do some charm work…"
"So what do you have in mind?" asked Lana.
"We'll meet up some time, go over some ideas," said Hermione, as she turned to Harry. "Oh and here's your little unknown element."
Hermione handed Harry the vial, and Harry took it, putting it carefully in his bag.
"Thanks a bunch, Hermione," said Harry, but Hermione waved it off.
"Hey, no problem, it's the least I can do," said Hermione.
Everyone stood on the mountain for a minute, making small talk, but Kara looked over.
"So, what are we waiting for?" asked Kara.
"Our ride," said Hermione, as she looked at her watch and tapped her foot. "I just hope with these great magical powers, she's able to tell the time."
Darkness swirled around them, as the mystery contact presented herself.
"Of course I'm on time, Hermione," said the young woman. "You're just a bit early."
They faced a young woman, of about twenty five years old. She had long purple hair, and grey skin, dressed in white robes, with a jewel on her forehead.
"My name is Rachel Roth," said the girl.
"You're Raven of the Teen Titans," muttered Lana, but she got stares. "Sorry, the Titans were the big thing when we were in High School."
"Well, to be fair, I haven't been a teen in some time, and the Titans have been disbanded for seven years," replied Raven. "I've put a lot of those days behind me, and embraced a lot more of my human side, taking on a normal alias, and taking a normal job. Well, somewhat normal, if you call collecting and cataloging obscure magical tomes normal."
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Rachel," said Harry.
"Yeah, nice to meet you," said Kara, as she nodded.
"This is Kara and Harry," said Hermione. "Or as you might know them as, Supergirl and…"
"Arcane!" interrupted Harry, as he cut Hermione off before she could say the dreaded name.
"I thought your name was…" started Lana, but she was interrupted.
"Arcane!" repeated Harry, as Kara just smiled fondly, and grabbed his hands.
"I do like that one better, it's more fitting," said Kara, as she looked in his eyes. "Arcane, I love it."
Hermione sighed. "Yeah, but the other name was…"
"Arcane!" repeated Harry. "We will not speak of that name, we will not utter that name, we will not even hint about that name. Is that clear?"
"I have no problem with it," said Kara.
"See nothing wrong," said Raven.
"Yeah, got to say, this is a better name," agreed Lana.
"Fine," muttered Hermione. "There go my plans to tease you. Put a wrench in them, or rather a s…"
"Mione, not one word," said Harry in a dangerous voice, but then Hermione glared at him.
"You did not just shorten my name," said Hermione. "You did not just butcher my name in such a mockery, Harry."
"Fine, don't mention the Name-That-Shall-Not-Be-Mentioned and I won't call you Mione, Hermione," said Harry, with a grin. "Or would you prefer, Hermy?"
"Okay, now I just know you're being obnoxious," said Hermione.
Kara watched her husband and his friend in amusement. The interplay between Harry and Hermione, did remind her, of herself and her cousin, in happier times. Her expression darkened when she remembered what her cousin was doing everyone.
Raven sensed her negative emotions, and cleared her throat. "As amusing as it is to watch you two bicker like two siblings over what to watch on television, we do have a lot to do."
"Right, let's go visit the Artic," said Harry.
Raven closed her eyes. The purple light engulfed the five, as they had been transported right out of harm's way and to the Artic.
A group of cloaked figures touched down in the middle of the Artic. Lucius Malfoy joined them with a pop, as several trolls trudged through the snow. The blizzards were frigid as they continued their trek.
"The Dark Lord wants us to do what?" demanded a Death Eater.
"This is merely a fact finding mission," said Lucius, as he rubbed his hands together, before he grabbed his walking stick. "Likely, we won't find anything up here to concern ourselves with. Calculate and take notes. I'll meet you back at my mansion when you are finished."
The Death Eaters grumbled. It was just like someone like Lucius Malfoy to make them trudge through the Artic, while he just lived it up in his nice and warm mansion.
Lucius walked off. In a few hours, he could determine whether or not these fools would find anything, or they would freeze to death. His keen eye spotted something buried in the snow and ice.
"Accio," muttered Lucius as he pointed his wand at the crystal.
A purple crystal lifted out of the ice, and flew into Lucius's hand. Lucius studied it. He had no idea what it was, but he decided he could likely fleece a few Galleons out of someone.
He put the purple crystal in his pocket, and Disapparated, before he left the Death Eaters to their own devices.
The party touched down into the Artic.
"Someone else is here, that shouldn't be?" whispered Kara.
They all remained on alert, as Kara listened at the sounds of whispered voices.
"The Dark Lord wants us to see about that energy source over…"
"Harry, Death Eaters, they've found the Fortress of Solitude," whispered Kara.
"No, they're outside it, they haven't found anything yet," said Hermione, as Lana stood back.
"And they won't," said Raven, as she closed her eyes, before several of the ice blocks rattled, which caused the Death Eaters to turn around.
Two of the Death Eaters had been smacked in the face. A troll lumbered forward, but Kara blasted it right in its foul face. Another blast and heat vision sliced through the troll. The low level Death Eaters tried to scramble, as the trolls swung their clubs at their attackers.
Heat sliced through two more of the trolls. Hermione flicked her wand, and disarmed one of the Death Eater's literally, with a slicing spell. Harry knocked him back into the frigid water with a banishing spell. He sunk into the icy depths below.
Kara punched one of the trolls in the face. She grabbed Harry, as they tucked and rolled on the ground in a ball. Kara flung Harry forward, his wand outstretched, as he blasted another Death Eater hard with an attack.
One of the Death Eater's tried to run, but Hermione flicked her wand. The man's ankles snapped out from underneath him, and Kara pulled him up, before she flung him back down.
The mask slipped off to reveal the face of Marcus Flint, formally of the Captain of the Slytherin Quidditch Team. Flint looked up to see the four dangerous people above him, and he had no wand. He saw his fellow Death Eaters were on the ground, dead or dying. He saw trolls on the ground, having been sliced through by one of the girls, with heat beams coming from her eyes.
Needless to say, it was a good thing Marcus Flint was wearing dark robes.
"You're going to tell me what you were doing up here," said Raven, as she looked at Flint, her eyes glowing red.
"Forget it, I'm not telling you anything, the Dark Lord will kill all of you," said Flint.
"One moment, please," said Raven, as black tentacles appeared from underneath her robe, and grabbed Flint, sucking him into the depths.
Kara, Hermione, and Harry all looked horrified, as Marcus Flint fell out, pale and shaking like mad.
"Fine, the Dark Lord was looking for something, some energy signature, that's it, I swear," babbled Flint.
"Who was your leader?" asked Harry.
"Lucius…Lucius Malfoy," babbled Flint.
"Figures," muttered Hermione. "Malfoy bought himself out of trouble again."
"Where is he?" demanded Harry.
"He's gone, left, we were supposed to report back to him," said Flint.
Harry flicked his wand, and Flint was put to sleep. He summoned a piece of ice, and muttered a spell, before he placed it right in Flint's hand. Flint was transported back to Malfoy Manor.
"Lucius might be getting a nasty shock," said Harry. "As far as he knows, they all died, frozen in the Artic."
"Well given the brain surgeons we had to fight, would you be surprised?" asked Kara.
Lana walked out, just in time to see a certain man clad in red and blue show up.
"Look who just turned up," muttered Raven.
"What happened, what's going on?" asked Superman, as he flew over, before he stopped. "Lana…"
"Hello, Clark," she said as frosty as the Artic around her.
"Lana, what are you doing here?" asked Superman. "We haven't even…"
"Oh, you know what, you should really know why I'm here," said Lana. "I fly back into town, to head back to Smallville, and I'm not even back in town a day, when your mother calls. Your mother, who is a nervous wreck, because a certain person doesn't seem to want to take time out of his sulking to give her a call!"
Superman looked at Lana, and tried to find the words. "Lana, you've been away, a lot has…"
"Well, Kal-El, Lana might have been out of town, but I know everything that happened!" shouted Kara, as she turned to face her cousin. "Every day, I take time out of my day, and believe me it's a busy day, to call Ma and Pa, to make sure they're doing alright. And I have to console them about how their son decided to pull some super powered emo act and sit up in the Artic."
"Kara, Harry…he…tried to slaughter Lex Luthor…" said Superman, but he found his argument lacked conviction.
"Don't you bloody dare!" yelled Hermione, as she got right in Superman's face. "Harry doesn't kill people, unless they've done something to deserve it. You remind me of people from our world that tried to give people second chances, even when they keep killing people! You better get your act together, and understand that you're not always right!"
Raven stood in the background and watched the spectacle, as Harry stood with her.
"I love my brother, I don't like to see anyone hurt him, and the fact is, you hurt Kara, so you hurt Harry, which means you really pissed me off!" yelled Hermione who was just hitting her stride. "And then, to top it off, you decide to drag your poor mother and father down. I've never met the Kents, but I've heard nice things about them from both Kara and Harry. I'm sure they raised you right, so you're doing a disservice to them with the way you're acting!"
Superman tried to speak, but Hermione pulled out her wand. Harry disarmed her immediately.
"Hermione, settle down," muttered Harry.
"I'm calm as I'm going to get right now," said Hermione through gritted teeth.
"Lana, Hermione, and Kara, please, calm down, I know you're all upset," said Raven, as she rubbed her forehead, as she could feel their negative emotions. "Yelling at the Man of Steel over there won't solve anything, it will just cause him to withdraw into himself further."
Harry decided he better be the voice of reason, God help them all.
"Clark, I want a word with you," said Harry. "Just give me fifteen minutes to explain why I did, what I did."
Superman looked at everyone, and turned to Harry. He figured he better let him explain.
"Fine, follow me," said Superman, as he lead them into the Fortress of Solitude.
Lucius sat in his Drawing Room at Malfoy Manor. His foot tapped, as he checked the clock off to the side.
A loud thump echoed outside of the doorway, and the pureblood wizard hastened his steps. He pushed open the door. He saw the frozen and unmoving form of Marcus Flint on the lawn, right by his prized peacocks. He stared down at Flint.
"Frozen, this is what happens when children are left without supervision," muttered Lucius, as he held the handle of his walking stick. "I must make my excuses for the Dark Lord, to collaborate an account that will allow me to get through this matter unscathed."
Lucius disposed of the corpse, a skill he familiarized himself with over the years. Then he prepared to craft his story, and report to the Dark Lord at the planned time.
Superman sat down and Harry sat right across from him.
"Clark, I swear on my mother's grave that what I'm about to tell you is nothing, but the exact truth," said Harry in a somber voice. "There is a prophecy regarding myself and Lord Voldemort, as you know. I don't believe in fate, or pre-destiny, but Voldemort's paranoid. Therefore, he's coming after me."
"You told me as much," said Superman.
"It just sets up my motivation," said Harry. "Kill or be killed in the world, Kal-El, but not everyone can be trusted with this responsibility. I have had it forced into my hands. I come to a realization once Dumbledore told me the prophecy. I had to let my inhibitions go about killing."
"I don't know if I could ever do that," said Superman.
"Clark, I'm not asking you to do that, nor do I want you to do that," said Harry in a gentle voice. "The world relies on Superman to be a symbol. It gives them someone to aspire to be. I'm sure you have your demons, and they could get brought out. Now, you wondered why I tried to kill Lex Luthor?"
The Man of Steel nodded.
"Lex Luthor reminds me of a man named Lucius Malfoy, who nearly stumbled upon this Fortress tonight," explained Harry. "Everyone knows Lucius Malfoy is a Death Eater. Yet he keeps slipping out of trouble, because he can buy the right people off. Luthor might stew in jail for a month or two, but he'd be back out."
Harry closed his eyes. "Lucius Malfoy is sadistic, and cruel, but he hides himself behind a front of being a respected wizard. I know things about him. In my second year, he gave an eleven year old girl a cursed magical object. She's still screwed up because of it. It was all because he wanted to spite a rival, and discredit him. He's tortured people, and murdered others. He's assaulted women about the age of Kara and Hermione before."
"By assaulted do you mean…"
"Yes, Clark, you know what I mean, he raped them, and he got away with it!" yelled Harry, as his voice rose. Yet he took a breath and calmed himself down. "They're Muggles and Mudbloods, so in the eyes of the purebloods, they were asking for it. Lucius got away, and these poor girls were ruined, all of them. The other Death Eaters were the same way. They use the Imperius Curse, a curse where they can make the victim do anything they wish. And they have memory charms, which makes them forget anything done to them. Not to mention there are any number of potions that can bend them to the users will."
The Man of Steel's stomach turned at the implications.
"Back to the subject of Lex Luthor," said Harry. "He tried to kill Kara, not once, but twice in the same day. Months ago, he had Kara strapped down, underneath a red solar lamp. What do you think he would have done? There are a few possibilities, and all of them make me wish he burns for all eternity."
He continued to speak. "Make no mistake about it; I will finish the job I started if I ever find Luthor. No one tries to kill the people I love. Especially my wife who I vowed to protect. Not that she needs it, but Kara's my life. She's given me a reason to live beyond this death sentence. Now, I've got a future worth fighting to keep, and I will kill Riddle."
Superman just remained silent, and he spoke. "What about Jonathan Crane?"
"The Scarecrow, so Batman did tell you," muttered Harry. "Did he also tell you that I had literally no choice but to kill him?"
Superman shook his head.
"I went over the scenario in my mind a thousand times," continued Harry. "Scarecrow would have consumed everyone in the world. I saw my greatest fear overrunning the world…Dementors, they make you experience your greatest trauma. They leave people miserable empty shells, with no souls."
"What would even be the purpose of such creatures?" asked Superman.
"To guard prisoners," answered Harry, dryly. "Crane was a mercy killing. He wouldn't have much of life anyway. Those people who dropped in Gotham, all of them died slowly. They didn't have the will to live, or eat."
Harry got up to his feet.
"I don't expect you to become a crazed killer, because that's not who Superman is," said Harry. "But, I do expect you to trust my judgment and not try and save the bad guys from me. Especially when I try to protect the ones I love."
Harry walked off, to rejoin his wife and friend in the next room. He said down, next to Kara.
"I hope I got through to him, and made him understand," said Harry.
"Well, if it doesn't, they're more direct methods," said Hermione, as she held her wand out.
"No, I'm pretty sure Kal gets the message now," said Kara with a sigh, as she and Harry held each other close.
Superman walked out a moment later. He saw Hermione glaring at him, Raven just sitting in the background, Lana looking at him with a mixture of emotions, and Harry and Kara together. Happy, despite all of what happened, and everything they had been put through. Kara also seemed to act like he was part of the Fortress wall.
"Listen…" muttered Superman, as he walked over to where Kara and Harry sat. "It's…I shouldn't have blown up about Luthor, you were right."
Kara nodded stiffly.
"Kara, please forgive me, I didn't realize how much this hurt you," said Superman.
"Well, it did," said Kara, as she barely looked at him. "If you make me choose between you and Harry, you won't like the outcome."
She sighed, and then added. "And I'll forgive you, after you call Ma…actually fly your butt to Smallville and visit both of them. As the Head of the House of El, I'm giving you a direct order, so you better do it, Kal-El"
"Okay, Kara, I'll visit them, I promise," said Superman, with a smile, but she did not return it.
"I'll see you at Christmas; hopefully I'll be able to stomach you a lot better by then," said Kara softly, as she buried her head in Harry's shoulder.
'She's not going to let this go,' thought Superman. 'Well stubbornness runs in the family, I guess. I'd know that better than anyone.'
"Clark, before you leave, I want to talk to you," said Lana, as she shuffled her feet on the ground nervously.
"Okay, Lana," said Superman curiously.
The two walked out of earshot, super hearing or otherwise.
"The one man I always wanted, and he's always been out of my reach," said Lana, as she looked at him. "You really have your heart set on that other woman, Lois, don't you?"
"Lois, she's….I don't know if I can be with anyone," said Superman. "It'd be too much of a…"
Lana clapped her mouth over her friend's mouth. "You're really not going to try that with her if she confronts you, are you?"
She removed her hand.
"Look, Clark, we might have not gotten the life I dreamed of for years together, but I still care about you," said Lana in a somber voice. "I always will. Don't think you're alone. If something like this happens again, call me. I'll listen, I swear."
"Thanks Lana, I appreciate that," he said.
"Now, I'm going to make sure you visit your parents, Mr. Kent," said Lana. "I'm sure that's not one of my official duties of my job at Patronus, but it's never too early to start angling for a pay raise."
The two left, as Raven watched them.
"Good, I was about ready to seal him in some nightmare realm if they didn't get through," muttered the half demon, before she turned to join the rest of the group. "Okay, now we can get to the matter at hand."
Raven looked at them. "I have some information on what your mother did to protect you on that night, at least as best I can guess."
Without another word, she transported them to another location.