Shattered Illusions
Magneto had managed to get her to admit everything she was holding back. It seems that being in the United States made her force the issues of the upcoming war into the back of her mind. Or perhaps, Charles did it for her. Either way, Magneto had managed to learn that the magical world was far from perfect. Just like the only world he's ever known, there were evident prejudices. This led him to her true motivation. At the heart of everything, she felt more aligned with the mutants than no-majs and wizards. This fact alone inspired him to give her a room at his underground base.
Hermione tossed and turned all night. The conversation she had with Magneto led to strange dreams. Dreams of him. She woke up a few times during the night to grab a glass of water. Each time she left her room she felt the hum of the metal rings come to life on her neck, wrist, ankles, thighs and biceps. Yet, Magneto never came out to meet her. He stayed behind the closed door of his bedroom.
Magneto sent Mystique to retrieve Senator Kelly with her team and Avalanche to retrieve a mutant from Alberta, Canada. He had an experiment he wished to perform on the man who showed bitter hatred towards mutants in the public eye. Mutants were not weapons to be controlled. They were the next step in evolution and he would prove it to them all.
Hermione laid in bed covered in piles of blankets. She was wearing the eggplant silk pajamas Mystique had given her to sleep in. She had her eyes closed, but she wasn't sleeping. She heard her door open and the rings hummed to let her know who entered her room but she made no move to greet him.
"I could feel your restlessness all night, lil miss." Magneto whispered in her ear.
Hermione shot up, when she felt his breath against her skin, "I couldn't sleep with the chains."
Magneto swiftly moved aside to avoid a head on collision. "They are hardly chains."
"Yet you continue to treat me like your marionette." Hermione pushed her curls behind her ears.
"For good reason," Magneto smirked as he felt the hum of the metal rings that encased her neck, biceps, wrists, thighs and ankles.
"For your own perverse motivation." Hermione moved to stand, but the metal rings kept her sitting in place.
"Perverse is it?" Magneto arched a brow as he knelt before her, placing his hands on either side of her thighs. His lips caressed her ear as he spoke. "Is it only perverse because you found yourself enjoying it?"
"Please Magneto." Hermione felt the burning embarrassment creep up her neck, cheeks and ears.
"Please, what? Let you go?" Magneto laughed directly into her ear, smirking as he watched her shiver. "We both know, you don't want that."
"I need to return to London." Hermione crossed her arms across her chest.
"Now that you got Charles out of your head," Magneto narrowed his eyes as he backed up into his full height. "You are dead set on returning to the people who would condemn you for existing?"
"It's not them…I am returning for," Hermione moved her hands to rest on either side of her thighs, clutching the edge of the bed with her fingers.
"And here I thought you wanted to help mutants." Magneto turned to face the door, as he raised a hand all the metal around them hummed in response, including the rings on her neck, biceps, wrists, thighs and ankles.
"I do want to help mutants." Hermione closed her eyes and swallowed hard as the rings started to rotate. "But I can't help them if our world is destroyed."
Magneto turned around and faced her with his arms now crossed. "I could care less if the world is destroyed, those homosapiens deserve to suffer for what they have done to us."
Hermione bit on her lower lip as she opened her eyes. Her pupils dilated and her irises started to rotate in search of Magneto's brain frequency. "If Voldemort has his way, your kind will suffer as well, Magneto."
"How can you be so sure? From what you told me, he recruits beings who have been oppressed by magicals. Why wouldn't he seek to recruit us?" Magneto was full blown smirking as he enjoyed seeing her quiver.
"First, your kind is unknown to the magicals. Second, your kind crops up from no-majs. He will see your kind the same way he sees muggle-borns, no-maj borns…he will not think twice before exterminating you. Mutants pose a threat to the belief that no-maj borns steal magic." Hermione kept her eyes locked on his as she braced herself when the rings started to tighten.
"You know,... I think I like it when you…panic," Magneto knelt to her level as he rested his hands on top of hers.
"You aren't planning to go to him, are you?" Hermione's irises kept turning, left and right, like a spinning lock pick, trying to find the correct code into Magneto's brain. A vision of a strange machine crossed her mind. She saw Magneto standing in the center of it with his hands grasping the controls as a giant light wave of energy spread across many different world leaders at a conference. The moment the energy engulfed a person, they would fall into themselves as the radiation from the wave activated something in their DNA, transforming them from ordinary human to mutant.
"No, I doubt he'd be as useful as I find you," Magneto whispered into her ear.
"That was a nasty dirty trick." Hermione whimpered, as the rings tightened more.
"It was necessary," Magneto leaned towards her.
"It was cruel." Hermione turned her head away from him, so when his lips touched her it would be on her cheek and not her lips.
"I never once said I was nice, lil miss." Magneto leaned his cheek against hers. "If you go to London,..you will not be going alone."
"I will be going and you will not stop me, Magneto." Hermione's eyes shined gold as the metal rings around her neck, biceps, wrists, thighs and ankles transfigured into animated snakes, hissing as they loosened their coils around her and slithered into her lap.
"And here, I thought you needed to wave your little wand in order to cast your spells." Magneto stood up to his full height and laughed full heartedly as he shook his head. "You shattered the illusion of control quite skillfully, my dear. I shall not underestimate you again."
"You best not," Hermione flicked her wrist and her wand appeared in her hand as she stood up, the snakes slid to the floor and slithered away. She then twirled and twisted her wand down the length of her silk eggplant pajamas. Smiling brightly as she transfigured them into a pair of tight fitted stretch-jeans and an orchid jumper. "Do you plan to proceed with your idiotic plan to transform no-majs into mutants?"
Magneto tilted his head as he narrowed his eyes. "How do you know of that, lil miss?"
"I saw it in your mind." Hermione licked her lips, "I can't lock on to your thoughts…exactly, but I caught a glimpse of your machine and what it could do."
"I have not derailed my plans for yours as of yet," Magneto walked over to the metal chair in the corner and sat down at the round table. "Would you like a spot of breakfast, while we wait for Mystique to bring Senator Kelly to us?"
"If you wouldn't mind, breakfast sounds divine." Hermione smiled as she took the seat across from him at the table.
Magneto pressed on the com in his ear, "Toad would you bring our trays in, the lil miss would like her breakfast now."
"Sure thing, boss." Toad replied to Magneto and a few minutes later came into the room with two trays and placed them on the table before them. "Anything else you need, coffee, tea?"
"Coffee would be appreciated, Toad." Hermione pulled the cover from her tray and leaned down into the food, as a wave of deliciousness hit her nose. "Oh..I haven't had potato pancakes in ages…oh fruit salad, yogurt and what's this…red stuff?"
"That's shakshuka, a spicy tomato dish with poached eggs." Magneto smiled as he used his abilities to serve himself. The metal tray cover lifted itself from his food. His fork and knife moved about his dish, cutting up his poached eggs in the shakshuka and potato pancakes. He then plucked the fork out of the air with his hand and took a chunk of potato pancake and dunked it into the shakshuka and took a greedy bite. Licking his lips clean of the sauce as he watched Hermione dig into her own plate. "Good, no?"
Hermione followed Magneto's lead as she dipped her potato pancake into the poached eggs and red sauce before taking a bite and experienced a flavorful mouthgasm. She moaned in blissful satisfaction. "Good, yes."
Charles was sitting at the controls of Cerebro, his fingers pressed against his temples as he continued to search for Hermione. He searched every nook and cranny, finding a few mutants in the abandoned sub tunnels, finding one mutant that kept vanishing and reappearing in other places, and watched as Storm went on a rampage tossing lightning around at the skyscrapers all night during her own search. None of his search led to the whereabouts of Hermione.
"You've been at Cerebro all night, Charles. You need to take a break. Go get some rest." Jean walked across the spherical platform and stopped just behind Xavier.
"Lil miss was my responsibility, I promised her parents that I would protect her–"
"And you believe Magneto would harm her?" Jean pushed his helmet. "Take it off, Charles."
"To be honest," Xavier sighed as he removed the helmet and handed it off to Jean, who hung it off the control panel. "I think Erik is more likely to recruit her than to cause her harm."
"And you believe she will join him?" Jean pulled Xavier's chair from Cerebro, leaving the spherical room behind. They went down the corridor and the elevator opened when they arrived.
"I believe she will do anything to return to London, and she will find a way to convince Erik to join her on her quest." Xavier closed his eyes, as he pressed his hand over his face.
"Quest, what quest?" Jean pushed the button to go up. The elevator doors closed and started to move.
"To end the magical war…I did my best to suppress-"
"ALERT ALERT" the alarm was blaring in the elevator as a battle appeared on the little screen above the buttons. Avalanche was causing trouble in Alberta, Canada. Attacking the locals at the bar who were picking on a petite female mutant.
"We will discuss your mind tampering tendencies later, Charles." Jean growled as she pressed the com on her wrist. "Summers, bring your team to the X-jet. We have trouble in Alberta, Canada we have to resolve."
"You want the pipsqueaks to come on mission, Jean?" Summers' voice came over the com.
"They need to start sometime," Jean sighed as the elevator opened to the mansion main floor. "Be sure to bring a couple of the more advanced students." Jean shook her head as she pushed Xavier's chair into his office. "Charles, get some rest. We'll be back as soon as we can." Jean then left him behind in his office. "I'll meet you in 15 minutes."
"15, got it. I'll bring Iceman, Colossus, Pyro and Shadowcat." Summers' voice came over the com.
"I'll get some rest now, but please fetch me when you return, Jean." Charles replied in her mind.
We will, Charles. Jean sent her thoughts to Charles' mind as she rushed upstairs to find more suitable clothes to wear on mission.
"Oi, wake up!"
Harry's eyes opened when he felt someone prodding at his side. He stared at the blurry form of Ron. He squinted his eyes as he sat up, sweat was dripping down his brow and his scar felt like it was burning.
"You were muttering in your sleep." Ron grumbled.
"Was I?" Harry scratched his head.
"Yea, just one name 'Gregorovich,' you kept saying it over and over." Ron swiped the back of his hand under his nose.
Harry rubbed his fingers along his scar. "Whose Gregorovich?"
Ron shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, mate. You were the one saying the name."
Harry had a small inkling he heard the name before, but he couldn't remember where he heard it. He continued to massage his fingers into his scar as he closed his eyes. "Whoever he is, I think Voldemort's looking for him."
"Poor bloke," Ron sat back down in his bed.
"I think he's abroad," Harry thought back to his dream.
"Who, Gregorovich?" Ron sneezed into his shirt.
"No, Voldemort. I think he's abroad looking for Gregorovich. It didn't look like he was anywhere in Britain." Harry cracked his neck.
"You reckon you were seeing into his mind again?" Ron's hand rested against his arm, a frown of concern appearing on his lips.
"Do me a favor and don't tell anyone." Harry sat up, and kicked his legs over the edge of his bed. "I think I'm better off knowing what Voldemort's up to…we will just have to be vigilant about what we believe…he may use our connection to set a trap again.."
"You best not let Ginny hear you say that," Ron tossed a red package at him. "Happy Birthday, Harry."
"Oh wow–I forgot I'm 17 today." Harry laughed as seized his wand off the nightstand. "Accio glasses." Even though they were only a foot away, it felt immensely satisfying to see them souring towards him. He caught them in his hand with his seeker reflexes before they poked him in the eye.
"Open your present Harry, it's not a book my mom should lay her eyes on." Ron smiled as he pointed to the package.
"You got me a book?" Harry arched a brow as he knocked his head back. "Sure, you didn't body swap with Hermione?"
"No, Harry. I'm Ron." Ron raised his hands in defeat, "This isn't your average book, Harry. It's pure gold. It explains everything you need to know about girls. If only I had this last year, I would have known how to get rid of Lavender." Ron laughed as he patted the package in Harry's lap. "Open it mate."
Harry shook his head as he tore open the wrapping and saw the title of the book: Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches. "What am I supposed to do with this? I doubt hunting for little scraps of Voldemort's soul will have the girls lining up to meet us."
Ron laughed. "It's just a bit of fun. Something to look forward to using after HIS defeat, ya know?"
"I think I get it. Thanks, Ron." Harry said as he placed the book on his nightstand and picked up the letter from Hermione. "Do you suppose Hermione would tell me where she is, and what she is up to?"
"Only one way to find out, mate." Ron signaled Harry to tear the envelope open.
Harry,
You're officially of age now and I hope you use the contents of the package to your advantage. I am no longer in London, an old friend came and helped me take my parents to safety. I am currently staying with them for the time being. I am safe. I will return to help you and Ron soon as I am able. But for now, I hope the contents inside the beaded bag will do.
Inside the beaded bag are the supplies I had gathered for our trip. Originally, I had planned to go with you and Ron. However, my plans drastically changed when I ended up across the pond. Please be sure to take care of yourself, Ronald and whoever else you may take with you on your quest to defeat the Dark Lord. Be sure to bring someone else, because you need someone that can keep you boys in line. A third, that will keep you out of trouble.
Before I can return to you, I have something I must do. I hope one day, you will understand. What I am working on is bigger than myself and my parents. I'll tell you more about it in person, I promise. For now, please take care of yourselves. I know the war is just around the corner and it's about to explode at any given moment. Hold on to happy moments, be sure to cherish them, so when the world goes to hell, it will actually mean something. Save me a cot in the tent, I'll be back before you know it.
Since I won't be with you when you start your journey, I left you the second best thing: my notes. They should prove useful for your quest to destroy the you-know-whats. Ask George how to read them. He will understand the moment you show my notes to him. Perhaps, ask the twins for advice on who you should bring with you. They may have someone in mind who could replace my brilliance. Don't get cocky without me. I love you both so much. I don't know if the world could survive without you in it. I don't know if I could either.
Stay safe and many happy returns,
Hermione J. Granger
Harry pulled the letter off the top of the huge stack of parchment. His eyes widened when examined the many written pages of notes in a language he didn't recognize. It wasn't runes, it wasn't English. But it appeared to have several different types of code, and none of it made a lick of sense. He could see patterns but nothing he could decipher on his own. "Is this some kind of code?...how are we ever going to be able to read this?"
Ron's eyes widened as he pulled the stack from him. "Did she say anything in the letter?"
"She told me to ask George, but how would he know how to read this?" Harry smacked the stack of notes with the back of his hand as he held them in his other.
"Why don't we go find him and ask him, Harry." Ron patted Harry on the back.