Kara and Harry finished up on the day of December 23rd at the Patronus Incorporated office building.
"So, that's everything," muttered Harry.
"Yeah, we're pretty much done for the holidays," answered Kara, as they moved out of the building. Hand in hand, they watched everyone go, wishing them a "Merry Christmas" all of the way.
With smiles, Kara and Harry took the flight back home. They soured through the sky.
"You're really getting good at this Harry!" yelled Kara, with a warm smile as they flew through the sky. "You 're a natural."
"Yeah, but I still don't stay up for more than a couple of minutes on my own," said Harry, as Kara caught him in his arms as he started to descend.
"Someday, you will have your full powers Harry," said Kara, as she flew with Harry in her arms. "Then we can do the things from those dreams, but do it for real."
"Sounds like the proper motivation," said Harry with a grin, as they touched down outside their house. "It's going to be a white Christmas this year; hopefully it doesn't get too bad before everyone gets out of here."
"Hey, clearing off the snow's simple when you have heat vision," said Kara, as she touched down right in front of their house. The snow was already gaining some minimal coverage, but the weather forecast indicated potential blizzards.
Kara stood right before Harry. She wore a red blouse with a white jacket and blue jeans, with white tennis shoes and red laces. A blue stocking hat covered her head and a red scarf topped off the ensemble. Harry wore a red sweatshirt, a black and white jacket, and blue jeans, with black boots. The two moved inside, before they caught a chill.
"The heating charms work well, but there's nothing like a good fire," remarked Kara, as she aimed her eyes. A jet of heat vision zapped the logs inside the fireplace and created a roaring fire. Kara just stood back, and admired her work.
"Nice one, my love," said Harry, as Kara took off her jacket, hat, and scarf, with Harry doing the same.
Harry returned with some hot chocolate for the both of them, as they sat in front of the fire. It was some rare downtime for them together, so the experience was enjoyable.
Kara curled up onto Harry's lap, and Harry wrapped his arms around her. The phone rang, and Harry slid his wife off onto the couch, before he went to answer it.
"Hello," said Harry in a polite voice. "Oh, Martha, hello…you and Jonathan are in? Yeah, Kara and I are home, no problem. Yeah you're in town, excellent, we'll watch out for you."
"Tell Ma this is her year to relax, I'll take care of everything," said Kara.
"Harry, don't let Kara anywhere near the stove!" yelled Martha Kent in a slightly mortified voice over the phone.
"Actually, I'm calling in some professional help, but Kara helped me come up with ideas and get all of the food," said Harry. "Hey, just relax. Got to pay you back after that wonderful meal on Thanksgiving you cooked, okay I'll see you in about an hour."
"Ma and Pa coming soon?" asked Kara.
"Yeah," said Harry. "And Clark's coming up with them pretty soon."
Kara just smiled. "Harry…I really want to clear the air with him. I was kind of unfair with him, but I just didn't like seeing how he was upsetting Ma."
"What about the thing with Lois?" asked Harry.
"I've taken care of it," said Kara mischievously. "I think part of Clark's problem is that he needs to…you know."
"Yeah, I do know," replied Harry. "Of course, there are boundaries and limits…"
"I'm sure Lois is resourceful enough to figure out something," said Kara. "Her dad was an army general after all, so she's not completely stupid. Even if she needs to learn something about not throwing herself into trouble, but hey we can only set it up. It's up to them what they do from there."
"Well that's their business, if something does pan out," said Harry in a calm voice. "So what were the holidays like on Argo?"
"Well, obviously we didn't have Christmas, but we had our own winter celebration festival," said Kara with fond memories. "It was fun. I actually have a hilarious story for you, Harry…if you don't mind."
"Continue," offered Harry. He always enjoyed hearing about his wife's life.
I remember the last year we spent together as a family before Zod's reign of terror,' said Kara. "I would have been about nine or ten I think. Dad and Uncle Jor got their hands on something from Earth called eggnog."
Harry could already tell this was going to be a funny story. Kara had a lot of trouble keeping a straight face, before she continued. "Anyway, they got loaded up on that eggnog stuff, and decided to go for a joyride around the Universe. They went to an intergalactic pub, and got into a bar fight, against a bunch of Thanagarians. They're like hawk people, all of them have wings. A very war like race and they are rather powerful warriors. Also, Jor-El punched some bounty hunter named Lobo in the face, or so we found out later."
Harry and Kara laughed.
"Aunt Lara and my mother bailed them out of intergalactic jail about two weeks later," said Kara in between giggles. "And poor Uncle Jor had to sleep in his lab for the next month. It was kind of amusing, no it was actually hilarious. I'm sure Aunt Lara made up with him eventually. Sadly, that was the last time I got to see either of them."
Harry wrapped his arms around her.
"But it's these fun memories that make them live on, long after they're gone," said Kara with a smile. "It does make us smile, even though we're sad they're gone."
Harry nodded in agreement.
"It was beautiful on Argo and on Krypton in the winter," said Kara. "But it's beautiful here on Earth as well. Beauty does come in many forms."
"Nothing as beautiful as you," said Harry with a smile, and Kara just shifted, before she kissed Harry. They got into the activity rather heatedly.
The sound of Jonathan, Martha, and Clark arriving had cut their activities off prematurely. Harry went to get the door, and opened it, to let them in.
"Hello Jonathan, Martha, Clark!" said Harry brightly. "Let me have my associate get your jackets, Dobby!"
The little house elf appeared with a pop. Harry had bought out the contract of Dobby from Hogwarts for Patronus Incorporated. Granted, Dumbledore did not know, it was just Dobby declared that he had found a nice family to serve. That nice family was the Potters, as Harry paid Dobby well.
"Hello, Mr. Kent, Mrs. Kent, Clark, may Dobby be of service to take your coats?" asked the house elf, as he took them, before he sprinted them off. "Dobby will be showing you where you will be staying when you stay at this house."
"Hey, Harry, know where we can get someone like him," said Jonathan in a casual voice, so his wife did not hear. "Or at least, let me borrow him for a while, I'm sure we can work out a deal."
"We'll talk," said Harry, as Kara and Clark just looked amused.
Kara turned around to face her cousin. Harry left them for a moment.
"So, how have you been doing?" asked Kara as she looked at Clark, to break the ice. "I missed you at Thanksgiving."
Clark just looked at her. "Yeah, well…I've been busy with a lot of things. I did swing by over later, the next day. Ma did have enough leftovers, and it's better late than never."
"Clark, I forgive you for everything," said Kara, as she looked up at him with a smile. "It's just, like Harry said; we don't want you to be someone you're not. But can you please offer us the same courtesy or at least give us time to explain next time?"
"Kara…I think I can," said Clark as he turned. "I guess there are times where I can be stubborn…"
"You get that from your father, both of them," said Kara, but she was grinning when she said this statement. "Clark, you might be an oversized dork at times, but I love you for that, honest. You're my cousin, but you know, I can be pretty stubborn too."
"It's in the blood I think," said Clark as he laughed before he smelled the air. "Something smells good…I'm guessing Harry let you nowhere near the stove…"
"Clark that was one time, get off of me!" yelled Kara, but Clark just looked at her with a knowing smile. "Okay fine, twice or three times…but Harry can cook so it all balances out."
"You'd be eating a lot of takeout if both of you couldn't," said Clark. "Not that it's a bad thing."
"No, not when you're in a jam after spending eighteen hours between board meetings and training," said Kara, but she lead Clark into the kitchen. "Come on, Kal, I don't know about you, but I'm starving."
The table had been expanded for the holidays. Kara and Harry took their seats next to each other, as did Jonathan and Martha.
"Are you sure you don't want any help?" asked Martha.
"You're our guest, Martha," said Harry, as Dobby set out the plates.
"Dobby is hoping that this is to everyone's liking," said the house elf. "Dobby has been making them a bit healthier than what is being done at Hogwarts."
The Kents and the Potters ate a nice family dinner two days before Christmas.
"It's good…not as good as you Martha," said Jonathan. "But still, you got to admit, it's rather tasty."
"Yeah, it's good, thanks Dobby," said Martha. "And Harry and Kara for having us for this meal."
There were mutterings of "it was no problem". Kara decided to share some stories for the benefit of Clark about the holidays on Krypton and Argo, as they ate the meal. Clark laughed for several minutes when Kara got to the part of the story where Jor-El punched out Lobo.
"He had it coming," muttered Clark, which caused Kara and Harry to both break out into laughter, and even Jonathan chuckled at that. Martha just shook her head, but she hid a smile.
Over the streets of Gotham City swung its shadowed protector.
'Crime never takes a holiday,' thought Batman. 'But for once, I'm going to. If I come back and see that Gotham is burned to the ground, I'm going to be rather annoyed with certain people.'
Batman dropped down, and returned to the Batmobile. He drove back to the cave, and got a call.
"Master Bruce, you do realize that if you don't get back soon, we're just going to leave without you," said Alfred in a droll voice.
"Yes, I know, this Christmas thing at the Potters," said Batman. "It's been a while since I really enjoyed Christmas."
"That would be when you were eight years old, wasn't it sir?" asked Alfred.
Batman just refused to answer. He recalled the last Christmas he had with his parents. Images of a young boy happy on Christmas Day, thinking he was going to get the action figure he wanted. Then it was dashed because he received the gift he did not want, and he threw a childish tantrum.
His parents took him to a movie on that day to make up for his disappointment. After the movie, they made their way down the alley.
All the man wanted was the pearls. Then there were gunshots, and two parents were dead on Christmas Day.
"Master Bruce, you haven't crashed, have you?" asked Alfred.
"No, Alfred, just remembering," said Batman as he pulled right down the road into the cave. "I'm sure Tim, Dick, and Barbara are about ready to leave without me. I'll get changed when I arrive, and I'll be back down in five minutes."
"Take your time, I'm sure I can appease them," said Alfred. "I've appeased worse, given some of the vultures in the media."
That nearly caused Batman to crack a smile.
Late that evening, everyone sat around the living room, but a loud crash echoed from outside the house to get their attention.
"Hi Tonks!" yelled Harry in a cheerful voice, as prepared to get up to answer the door, but Dobby popped in.
"Harry Potter sir should relax," said Dobby, as Kara held onto Harry.
"I second that opinion," said Kara, as Harry did not find himself arguing too much.
"Yeah, I'll vouch for that," said Clark, with a smile. "No offense Harry, but you overwork yourself."
Harry was about to protest, but he was right. Dobby beckoned Sirius, Remus, and Tonks inside.
"Jonathan, Martha, and Clark, you remember Remus and Tonks," said Harry. They nodded in affirmation. "This is Sirius Black, my godfather."
There were introductions all around, and Sirius looked around. He whistled.
"My godson and his wife have nice taste," said Sirius as took in everything. "It's both distinguished, and also gives the atmosphere of home."
"Yeah, well touch anything without permission, and you're going to be sleeping in the snow," said Kara, as Sirius withdrew his hand from a shelf.
"I wasn't going to do anything," said Sirius, but Remus looked at him, with a roll of his eyes. "Hey, I'm on my best behavior, I swear on it!"
"Yeah, that will be the day," said Tonks as she sat herself down.
"So how have you been, Tonks?" asked Harry.
"Busy, you know some of what I've been doing, but I don't like to bring it home for the holidays," said Tonks, as Dobby had got her a plate from the other room. "I'm going to be here, and then I'm going to head over to visit Wally and his family for Boxing Day."
"Oh, Wally, huh," said Sirius with a mischievous grin, but Tonks just reached into a bag she had been carrying for her secret weapon.
"Hey, Harry, Kara, you want to see some baby pictures of Sirius!" called Tonks, and they scrambled over as quickly as possible. "I found these when I was going through my Mum's things, and I thought you'd guys get a kick out of them."
"Oh, I'm sure we will," said Harry, as Kara joined him and even Clark moved over to get a closer look.
"Tonks!" whined Sirius as he gave her the puppy dog eyes, but Tonks was immune to them. "Remus…"
"You brought this on yourself, Padfoot," said Remus with no sympathy.
Clark, Harry, and Kara spent some time being amused by the photos Tonks was showing them of Sirius. This was adequate payback for Sirius bringing up Harry's former codename in a letter.
This amused the group for several moments, as Sirius turned into a dog, and whined.
"Hey, Tonks, pass those over to me when you're done with them," said Remus. "I think I can get copies made."
Sirius whined some more, and howled. Remus just patted the dog on the head.
Old magical laws have been invoked to keep all of the students inside Hogwarts for the holidays. No one could go home to their families, and that made some students upset. Yet, Dumbledore felt it was for their protection. The Board of Governors had lost a lot of power after Dolores Umbridge's stint at Hogwarts. She had decrees in place to limit their influence, backed by the Ministry, and Dumbledore had decided not to overturn them.
Albus Dumbledore sat in his office at Hogwarts, and he sat with a gift wrapped package in front of him. The Headmaster carefully removed the paper, to reveal a large stone with runes on it.
The stone glowed, and crackled to life. Dumbledore prepared to shield himself, but the image of a figure dressed in black appeared. The face of this figure was distorted, as was the voice.
"Hello, Albus Dumbledore, we meet face to face, so to speak," said the image. "I am the one puzzle you can't solve. I am the Hogwarts killer."
Dumbledore hitched a breath.
'Merely a memory,' thought Dumbledore.
"Who can you trust, Dumbledore?" taunted the figure . "You see, I could be anyone. I may be student, staff, or one of the Aurors the Ministry has sent to patrol the school. Or I could be none of them. It doesn't matter, because there is no way you can know where I am. Of course, Hogwarts is rather limiting, isn't it? The Zabinis were the first victims. Anyone can die, including you, Dumbledore."
Dumbledore tried to perform scanning charms, but whoever this mysterious killer was.
"My motives might be clearer if you had the entire puzzle," continued the figure. "But the pieces are scattered, and you only have but a handful at your disposal. And none of those pieces fit together. The holidays are something where you should keep me in mind, Albus. You think you have protected the students by forcing them all to stay for their safety. All you've done is locked them inside the school with me."
The stone cackled. "I'm sure you keep holding out for a hero, but there's no one left. You ran off your only hope. There's no scarfaced golden boy to clean up the messes made by your sheer incompetence this time. And now it leaves me time to play, until I get what I want. You're nothing but a bumblebee with clipped wings and no stinger."
Without another word, the stone burst into dust. This left Dumbledore with nothing, but a mess to clean up and unanswered questions.
Christmas Eve approached, early in the morning. Kara, Harry, Clark, Sirius, and Tonks all looked out the window, captivated by the snow as they sipped on hot chocolate. Christmas music played on the radio nonstop. At least Sirius had stopped singing along under threat of bodily harm, but it did look like a winter wonderland out there.
"So, do they know that they've been staring out the window for nearly a half of an hour?" remarked Jonathan, as the tunes of several holiday classics played in the background.
"It keeps them all out of trouble," said Remus, as he looked at them. "Trust me that Monopoly game last night got a bit too heated. Tonks can be rather savage with the hotels."
"Yeah, she can," agreed Jonathan.
"But it gives Harry some experiences he never had as a child," muttered Remus.
"This is the first real Christmas he's had with family since his parents," said Martha as she looked at him. "He seems to be enjoying it; all of them are I think."
"Given all that's happened with all five of them, it's actually nice to see them enjoying the simpler things," agreed Remus, before he took a sip of the hot chocolate.
Kara got up, and looked around. Harry joined her at that moment.
"We'll be right back," said Kara. "Harry, and I have to do something real quick, we shouldn't be gone for more than a couple of hours. By the time Dobby has lunch done; our friends from Gotham should be getting here."
Everyone muttered, saying it was fine, as Harry and Kara bundled up, before they made their way outside.
"It's beautiful isn't it, Harry?" asked Kara, with a smile.
"Yeah, it's pretty nice," said Harry.
"I actually thought we'd do something together for a little bit," said Kara, as she held her bag, as they soured into the sky. They landed after a short flight. Harry wondered what surprise his wife had for him.
"Hey, this is the school Patronus bought for our little project," said Harry as he recognized it. "They did a good job fixing up the place…"
"The next generation of magical users will get a more balanced education," said Kara, as they walked inside. "Granted, it's still about six months or a year off, but maybe in a couple of years, we'll have something ready."
"That sounds like a good plan," said Harry as he nodded in agreement. Then he frowned. "Why are we here exactly…"
Kara led him through the doors of the gym, that had been made up to look like a makeshift ballroom. "After that crummy experience you had with the Yule Ball, I figured you deserve another better memory to replace it…"
"Kara, I'm still not that good of a da…" started Harry, but Kara muffled Harry's protests with a kiss on the lips. All of Harry's protests had been stifled immediately.
"Harry, I know enough where I think I can teach you," said Kara, as she moved off, and grabbed her bag. "I'll be back, faster than a speeding bullet!"
Kara zoomed off into the next room to get changed. She returned a moment later.
Harry took in the vision before him.
Kara wore a strapless blue dress which extended just a few inches above her thighs. The dress was low cut and tight to showcase her cleavage. She wore red high heel shoes and a white bow in her hair. The dazzling smile she wore and the look of love in her eyes made her all that more appealing.
Harry walked over. In that dress, he'd follow her off a cliff to his own doom. Kara grabbed a remote, and activated spotlights, along with music. She grabbed Harry's right hand. The left hand went on Kara's waist.
"Just let it flow naturally," whispered Kara, as she brushed up against Harry.
The dress hugged every single curve his wife had, and Harry managed to tentatively start the dance. Kara encouraged him, and gently corrected him when he did something wrong. Eventually by the time of the end of the second song, Harry managed to get the hang of it.
By the time of the third song, it was one of the most natural things in the world. Harry never thought he would enjoy dancing.
He was wrong. It was rather fun, with the right person. Kara and Harry looked into each other's eyes. They danced through three more songs, having their own private winter dance with each other.
The two made their way over to the bleachers and sat down.
"You're amazing, Kara!" said Harry, as he held her tight.
Kara smiled, and wrapped her arms around him. "You did well Harry. You were a little tentative at first, but you got it in the end. So, are you up for a little celebration after our dance?"
Harry pulled her so she straddled his lap. He wrapped his arms around her, and began to kiss her in a heated manner. Kara returned the kiss. Their tongues battled for dominance, as Kara grinded herself up and down Harry. They sat on the bleachers of this school gym.
"Harry, I'm not wearing anything underneath my dress," purred Kara in his ear, and that got his attention.
Smut/Lemon Begins:
Kara slid down, and unbuckled Harry's pants with practiced ease. She slid down his boxers over his ankles. Harry's throbbing penis sprang out. She stroked it a few times to cause to grow even more.
Harry reached over and slid down her dress to reveal more skin. His hands squeezed her firm C-Cup breasts, as Kara moaned in encouragement. She stroked him faster, but then slowed down a little bit.
She smiled, as she gave his penis a few licks. Harry leaned back in pleasure.
"I'm so wet for you," said Kara in a breathy voice, as she slid off her dress the rest of the way. She stood in nothing but a pair of red high heels.
Kara sat in the air, and spread her legs. She held three fingers in the air and shoved them into her core. She gave Harry a bit of a show, to tease him.
"So hot," breathed Harry, as Kara rode her fingers to an orgasm. She flew over, and stuffed her fingers into Harry's mouth.
Then, she lowered herself onto Harry's erection.
"Oh, yes," she breathed, as she slowly bounced up and down on it. Harry sucked her soaked figures. This spurred her to greater movements yet, as his cock slid in and out of her.
Harry's hands found her breasts again. The structural integrity of the bleachers was tested, as his palms rubbed around them. She rode Harry as he massaged her breasts, and then he swirled his fingers around her hardened nipples.
"Play with my nipples," encouraged Kara as she continued to ride Harry's cock. She clenched him with her powerful pussy muscles, and found herself brought to an orgasm.
Harry trusted up and into her. He felt her hot center tighten around his throbbing penis, and his eyes just glazed back. Harry grabbed her shoulders to push her down onto him. He stuck his face into her chest.
Then his tongue slithered in between her breasts. He stimulated her cleavage with a hissing of Parseltongue.
Kara shrieked, and was driven to the point of multiple orgasms. Harry slipped his hands underneath her arse, and began to play with it. This caused Kara to lose it big time.
Harry stimulated her breasts with his tongue and mouth, and her arse with his hands. Both were so involved in their activities, that neither noticed the fact they floated off of the bleaches.
Kara's head was thrown back, as she screamed in pure bliss. She breathed her husband's name, as he continued to thrust into her and just worked over her entire body.
"Fucking cum in me Harry!" babbled Kara as they continued to float up. The roof vanished, as they continued to float up.
Harry just continued to suck her tits, as Kara reached around, to stroke Harry's balls. She grabbed it with her soft, but firm hand.
"I don't know if I can take much…more," breathed Harry. "Wet…tight…hot…baby you want my cum?"
"Yes, cum, now, in my pussy," whispered Kara, as she continued to grind onto Harry. She squeezed as hard as she could manage. Harry matched her movements, as he throbbed inside of her.
Kara screamed one more time, as Harry's release arrived. Both found themselves driven to the heights of their passion. Harry's cock ejaculated its load inside her pussy. Kara squeezed him until his penis was limp and soft, for now at least. Every single last drop was drained from him.
They two wrapped their arms around each other in the afterglow, and gave each other a tender kiss. Harry's eyes opened, and saw that they were both outside, high above where they started.
Smut/Lemon Ends.
Both Kara and Harry descended back down into the gym. Harry conjured a blanket for his wife, as she took it.
"We…just ended up outside," said Kara after she caught her breath. "But it's freezing cold out there, and I didn't feel a thing, other than you inside me and pleasuring me."
Harry pondered for a second. He saw his wand in his pants.
"Warming charms and shield spells I believe," said Harry, as she moved to put her regular clothes back on. "Done without a wand, the ceiling vanished, and we ended up above the pull of gravity."
Kara returned, as Harry put his pants on. Both sat down on the bleachers for a moment to catch their breaths. They cuddled with each other inside the gym of the school.
"I enjoyed it," breathed Kara. "You really…it's just amazing. I never thought I could actually do that for real. Granted, the dreams were nice…"
"No, the dreams were far more elaborate," said Harry with a smile. Kara gave him a light kiss.
"Yeah, they were, we're working to that point," said Kara, as she cuddled against him. "But, I wonder…how far would we have gone? Could we have passed Earth's orbit even?"
Harry was visited by a rather interesting thought. "Sex in Zero Gravity might be the best."
Kara liked the way her husband thought.
"It would be, no boundaries for what we could do," said Kara, as she brushed her hair back, and put a hand on her chin. "Problem is re-entry and the vacuum of space. Without the proper protection, it's like not going to be feasible. Well not yet anyway…."
"We should be getting back," said Harry, as he helped her clear up and lock up the school.
Kara and Harry returned to the Potter family home, where Sirius sat in front of the television in the sitting room.
"Hey, Harry, come over here, one of Snape's relatives is on television!" called Sirius. Both Kara and Harry moved over, to see a green man on the television screen rant about how he hated all of the noise on Christmas.
"Hey, it's How the Grinch Stole Christmas," said Clark as he looked at the screen, as he walked from the other room. "I remember this special, I watched in a few times when I was a kid."
"A few times Clark?" asked Martha as she looked at her son.
"Yeah, you seemed to watch it about a dozen times a year," replied Jonathan, as he clapped his son on the shoulder. "I wouldn't be surprised if you could recite the entire thing by heart."
"It's a holiday classic!" protested Clark, as Kara and Harry sat on the couch, while Clark enjoyed the special from the chair. "It wouldn't hurt to watch a few minutes of it…you know for nostalgia purposes."
A few minutes meant the entire thing naturally.
"Dad used to read me the book version when I was little," said Tonks during one of the commercial breaks. "I actually read a lot of the author's books. The guy had some weird ideas. I wonder if he was a squib or something."
Everyone shrugged as they watched the animated version of the classic Doctor Seuss book come to life.
"I feel bad for comparing this guy to Snape," muttered Sirius in a somber voice when the special concluded. "He did learn his lesson. Snape never does, and likely never well."
A knock on the door had indicated some new arrivals. Dobby moved over, to let Alfred, Dick, Barbara, and Tim inside. Bruce followed a moment later, as he held a case in his hand.
"Bruce," said Clark reproachfully when he scanned the contents.
"It never hurts to be prepared, Kent," said Bruce as he moved into the house. "Nice décor, you two have fixed up this place nicely."
"Kara, Harry, you're house looks great," said Barbara as she moved around to greet her friends.
"How's your father, Barbara?" asked Kara.
"Oh, you know him, always busy," said Barbara. "We're doing the Gordon family Christmas thing a bit late, providing a gang war doesn't erupt in Gotham."
"So, how have you been holding up Harry?" asked Dick.
"I've been busy," said Harry, as Tim followed the two over as Kara and Barbara exchanged pleasantries.
"Things have been almost quiet in Gotham," inputted Tim. "Plus, there have been other things to do, people to see…"
"Oh, you mean like your girlfriend, what's her name…the Spoiler girl or something like that?" asked Barbara after she joined the conversation.
"Spoiler and I worked on one case together, it was to stop this Cluemaster guy," said Tim as he shook his head, as Dick just looked at him knowingly. "It was actually nice to do some detective work mostly by myself for a change. It's not like we're exchanging e-mails or anything."
"I should hope not, Tim," said Bruce as he walked over to join the conversation. "I would advise you to be discreet without a background check, or at least find out her secret identity before you tell her anything more."
Bruce walked over, and Dick remained calm, as he moved over into the area, where Harry introduced him to Sirius, Remus, and Tonks.
Christmas had been a bittersweet time for Dick Grayson. He had friends and family here, but many were lost. He allowed himself a few moments to reflect, but he noticed a rather amusing sight.
"Alright you little miscreant, I've been stewing about this for a long time!" said Alfred as he stared down Dobby. "You might have gotten the better of me once, but Alfred Pennyworth is not someone to be trifled with."
"Sir, wants another crack at Dobby?" asked the house elf with a slight grin.
"You guessed right, you little hobbit," said Alfred as he stood up proudly. "I challenge you to a duel."
Alfred paused for dramatic effect. "A gentlemanly battle, a dust off, to see who is better at the job."
"Would sir care to make it more interesting?" asked Dobby.
"The loser has to do the winner's duties for two weeks," suggested Alfred.
The house elf looked gleeful. "Then, sir, Dobby says it be on like Donkey Kong!"
"Oh it is on, it is on," said Alfred as he brandished a dust rag. "We shall dust until there is only one left standing. You will get to pick a judge, I will get to pick a judge, and we will have one impartial judge picked my Master Bruce. Are those terms adequate?"
"Dobby agrees, and he will await the date," said the house elf, as he shook hands with Alfred.
The challenge of the ages had been issued.
"Well there's something you don't see every day."
Dick turned around to see Raven. Kara and Harry noticed her too.
"Hi, Rachel, what brings you here?" asked Harry. "Do you want to join us…"
"I'd love to Harry, but I'm busy," said Raven, as she handed the couple a package in the shape of a book. "I've just decided to swing by and drop off your Christmas present. Also, Hermione has a clean bill of health, and she, Diana, and Hipployta will be stopping by in time for dinner."
"Okay," said Harry.
"Rachel, are you sure you don't want to stay?" asked Kara, but Raven shook her head.
"No, I'm just going to have a quick word with Dick about something," said Raven. "I'd advise reading that book at your earliest convenience; you might find some rather interesting information in there."
"Okay, we will," said Harry. "Thanks, Merry Christmas!"
"Thanks, Rachel," said Kara. "Have a Merry Christmas!"
"You too," said Raven, as she motioned for Dick to follow her outside.
The two former team mates stood outside, and away from prying ears.
"So, it's been a long time," said Dick as he looked at her.
"Yeah, it's been a long time," said Raven. "I know what happened seven years ago still weighs on you, how the entire team just broke apart after that bad series of circumstances. But the Titans had a great run. You should be thankful you kept us four in line for as long as you did. Not to mention when we expanded, and branched out."
Dick nodded, as he looked up. He remembered those final few months, and clenched his fist.
"You returned to do the Dynamic Duo thing with Batman," continued Raven. "I sealed myself into a dimensional void for about two years. I guess we both coped in our own ways."
"So, have you heard from any of the others?" asked Dick.
Raven looked at him. "Well, Beast Boy and Cyborg are out there, but they're out of the hero business. Aqualad returned to Atlantis. Speedy, or Red Arrow rather, is working with Green Arrow in Star City. Kid Flash became the Flash, and he's the beloved hero of Central City. As for the rest, well…it's hard to say."
There was one name missing that neither wanted to bring up right at the moment.
"Yeah, we know what happened," said Raven. "She was a hero; she saved us all in the end."
"We never found her body," muttered Dick. Bruce had practically beaten into his head that no remains meant death was not certain.
"It's great you're holding out hope after seven years," said Raven, her tone softening. "It means there is still hope for you. Her sister really sold her out that time. She's always been spiteful, but she crossed the line that last time. And Starfire's entire planet paid, when that menace Blackfire cut a deal with wiped them all out."
Dick opened his mouth, but Raven was not done yet.
"Jason Todd and the others that died, not your fault either," said Raven. "Slade might have gotten the final victory over the Teen Titans, but he hasn't beaten you completely. Well, unless you allow him to. "
"Yeah, I know," said Dick as he recalled the events of one of the doomed missions.
Slade had formed an alliance with a group called the Society of Shadows. Of course, Dick found out who their leader was years later, the immortal terrorist known as Ra's Al Ghul. Slade also cut a bargain with the Joker, to keep the Titans occupied while he unfolded his master plan. Red X, or Jason Todd, went in, but was over his head. He was beaten, and blown up by the sadistic clown.
The only managed to find his costume, and enough DNA to identify him. The costume was now restored in the Batcave.
"Well, just think about it," said Raven. "And try and have a Merry Christmas."
"Thanks, you too Rachel," said Dick as he turned, as Barbara stood on the porch outside. Others moved around in the background. "Just catching up with an old friend…"
"Yeah, well people are getting restless in there," said Barbara. "Lunch smells good so I think…"
Suddenly, the water began to bubble right above them. Kara and Harry bolted outdoors at the sound. Bruce and Clark followed behind them, bracing themselves for the worst.
"For the record, I did not even throw a bottle cap in that water," said Harry before Clark could say anything.
Aquaman arrived, with Queen Mera following behind him.
"I do decree that I smell a meal fit for a king!" declared Aquaman in a booming voice.
"Well, something does smell good," said Mera.
"King Arthur, Queen Mera, I hope you have been well," said Harry.
"Very much so, Lord and Lady Potter," said Aquaman in a boisterous tone of voice. "As always, a kingdom does not run itself. Yet when I had caught a whiff of the feast you had provided, I must sample it. It shall be a welcome change of pace, especially given the news myself and Mera have been blessed by."
Mera decided to give them the good news. "I'm currently with child, so needless to say I'm eating for two this holiday season."
Everyone outside offered their congratulations.
"Come on, let the poor lady breath," said Clark after few moments with a chuckle.
"So, do you want to join us for lunch?" asked Harry with a grin.
"I'd be delighted," said Aquaman as he walked inside. "I thought I'd have to invite myself in…"
Mera followed her husband with a fond smile. The feast did smell wonderful, and the Potters did have a lovely home.
"Arthur Curry, don't track seaweed on their carpet!" called Queen Mera, which caused much amusement from certain parties.
No one needed to fear the Hogwarts Killer, because Ron Weasley was on the case. Ron walked around the Great Hall. He wore a deer stalker hat and held a magnifying glass in his hand.
"Ron, what the bloody hell are you doing?" demanded Ginny.
"Ginny, I'm on the hunt for the Hogwarts Killer," said Ron with a smile. "Just think, it's going to be absolutely wicked when I find him. I'll get a statue built in my honor, maybe even a chocolate frog card. Or maybe even a supply of chocolate frogs?"
"That's nice Ron," said Ginny, who rolled her eyes. She could not see how someone could be that delusional.
She was over Harry Potter now. He could have his happy little life with his little Kansas farm girl. His happy little boring life that is, as Ginny frowned. She hoped he was suffering on Christmas now that he did not have her to build a life, and a family for him.
No one talked to her. Ginny felt like a social outcast. She was the most popular girl in the school last year and now everyone turned on her because they thought she was a killer.
Ginny shook her head. Her dad dying had really done a number of her. She had not even talked to him when she left for Hogwarts, because she was upset with him.
She walked off, unable to take any more of this. Ron continued his search around the Great Hall, but dinner distracted him.
Well, until someone screamed, and that caught his attention.
Ron bolted to his feet, as he nearly tripped over them. He saw a figure strung up by tinsel in the hallway leading up to Hogwarts. Snape, McGonagall, and Dumbledore showed up, and saw the strangled form of Cormac McClaggen.
"I just found him like this!" yelled Ron. "The killer, he's here…he's close…"
McGonagall and Snape moved off. Slughorn arrived a moment later.
"My word, first Zabini and then McClaggen," breathed Slughorn. "Could someone be after the Slug Club..."
"We should not rule that out as a possibility, Horace," said Dumbledore lightly, as he saw another package on the floor. "And it appears our Hogwarts Killer has left another message."
Snape and McGonagall returned. They shook their heads at Dumbledore's unasked question. Dumbledore gently pulled open the golden wrapping paper.
The stone dropped to the floor, and a ghostly image appeared. Snape heard the obviously distorted and altered voice.
"Are you taking this seriously yet, Dumbledore?" asked the Hogwarts Killer. "How many lambs are you willing to send to slaughter before the ends no longer justify the means? Your move, but you are nearly in checkmate, bumblebee. Sleep with one eye open, hold your pillow tight, and Merry Christmas. I could be watching you right now, and you'll never know it. Maybe I'm standing right beside you."
Dumbledore spun around, and drew a deep breath.
He hoped it was over, but his trouble has just begun.
Lois Lane walked up to the Potter Family home. She was curious about this hot tip that Harry had called her about. Even on the holidays, the news never stopped. Her Christmas would be rather quiet. The General was not too big on the holidays, and her sister was off doing her own thing.
She knocked on the door.
"So what was that…" started Lois, but she stopped when she saw Clark had been the one to answer the door.
Lois and Clark stared at each other, outside of the professional atmosphere, and the silence was awkward. Kara and Harry stood in the background, with calculating grins on their face.
Kara watched them stare awkwardly at each other. She and Harry did their part, now it was up to Lois and Clark what happened from there.
With a smile, Kara watched Harry move over to join the others for lunch. She thought about the Christmas gift she was about to give him after they were done eating.
Six weeks she researched the matter in whatever free time she had. After her conversation with Raven, the guilt she had for keeping this from Harry ate away at her.
Kara Potter was convinced she found the key to free Harry from the Horcrux, and her solution would allow him to keep his full powers.
It had to work.