Reading Time: 40 Minutes
Title: An Exiled Necroscope
Author: sarhea
Fandom: Batman, Harry Potter
Genre: Action Adventure, BDSM, Crossover, Het, Romance
Relationship(s): Hermione Granger/Bruce Wayne
Content Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Hate Crimes/Hate Speech, Major Character Death, Rape/Non-con/Dub-con, Violence – Graphic , character bashing, explicit graphic sex
Word Count: 101,000
Summary: Parselmouths are not the only ones hated and feared by wand-users. What would a British witch find in Gotham? Home, Freedom, Purpose, Love, Family? How far will she go to protect what she finds?
Artist: spuddoc
Harvest – Intruders from the Past
Blaise Zabini frowned as he tilted his head back and inhaled deeply. Under the acrid tang of smog and dust he could taste a heavy spice, something he had only experienced in Hogwarts and certain temples in Italy and Greece… a pure clear node. He frowned and spun around trying to get a sense of where it was located. No matter how hard he tried he could not back track the source, it was too dissipated, over several tens of square kilometers of city blocks!
“This can’t be right!” He hissed as he wandered down Park Row, a section of Old Gotham that was once infamously known as Crime Alley. It was too peaceful and lively, the only hints of violence from exuberant drunks and rival teenage gangs out clubbing, and even that was mild compared to what it was two decades ago. Blaise remembered his uncle talking with his grandfather, discussing the decision to sell off the clan’s Gotham holdings right after Thomas Wayne died, remarking it was a wise decision given how much the violence and legal corruption had escalated in the years that followed. That was ten years ago. Uncle Tito never mentioned anything about a node on Gotham! The clan would have never sold the land if they had known.
He inhaled deeply and closed his eyes, sinking into a meditative state, trusting his senses to guide him as he blindly walked, trying to ‘feel’ out the node. After sometime he stopped. The cinnamon tang was almost physical, a sharp sweet burst on his tongue. He opened his eyes and froze. The garden before him was rich and fecund, and Wild, Forbidden Forest Wild. In the middle of an urban city. Blaise could easily see it expanding and attracting magical creatures and flora in just a few short years, a potent source of income and wealth.
Blaise cursed under his breath and wished Uncle Tito held onto a few holdings to use as a stake/claim. Despite the corruption and violence it was going to be expensive to purchase land in Gotham proper. He looked around and spotted an apartment building not too far away. It was close enough to be a good anchor point for a land claim. Possibly a good source of rental income even. It would need to be mixed to start off but eventually it could be converted to all-magical tenants. He wandered a little closer, to see if there was a groundskeeper who could answer a few questions when he spotted something carved into one the foundation cornerstones.
He dropped all pretense of indifference and ran across the grass and plunged through the low hedges to get a closer look. Rune wardings! The real potent enduring kind. The ones used in Wizarding construction of estates. And they were fully empowered!
“Are you okay man?”
Blaise was not sure of the answer. Was he okay? No. His world had just been turned upside down. Uncle Tito had stated Gotham was No-man’s land to wizards. And here was a Muggle building with fully charged protection runes. He froze when something else hit him. There was a wizard in Gotham confident enough to use runes in plain sight of the Muggles. There was a wizard who had laid claim in Gotham. Who was it?
Blaise ignored the teenager and turned to head downtown towards City Hall and the Land Registry Office. He needed to know who had laid claim in Gotham and how much. Gotham was a big city. The Zabinis could secure enough land to make a claim for themselves.
Blaise leaned over and picked up a local Muggle paper and began to peruse the society section. There were several mentions of the Waynes, a very social-minded couple who openly made investments with low or no expected profit margins that turned into real winners. Like the Park Row Consortium.
Bruce Wayne was a Muggle wastrel. A reformed wastrel given the recent positive press. Even the most strait-laced society matron admitted he had done a one-eighty after meeting and marrying his wife, even more so after he became a new father. His wife was even more popular among the lower-class.
Blaise frowned as he studied a static Muggle-picture in the newsprint. There was something vaguely familiar about the petite brunette woman standing next to the much taller, broad-shouldered man, both dressed in formal Muggle garb. He tossed the paper to one side and picked up his new cell phone and dialed a number.
“Hello, I’d like to purchase a ticket to the Gotham Natural History fund raising event, the one being sponsored by the Waynes.”
Perhaps an in-person meeting would give more insight. If she was Muggle he could try to purchase a few properties. If she was Magical a profitable partnership would be an acceptable substitute.
She bit her lip as she went through each letter, quickly scanning each item and sorting them into piles. She froze when she picked up one with more weight and thickness than paper. Parchment?!
Carefully she set it back down and cast diagnostic and curse-breaking charms. Once she was ninety-nine percent sure it was clean she unfolded the letter and smoothened out the creases. Alfred had already opened it but it didn’t hurt to be careful, in case it was booby-trapped to target anyone with magic.
I was visiting Gotham on behalf of my clan when I noticed the certain traces out in plain sight. You know it is contrary to our ways to be so public. I would like an in-person meeting to discuss the situation. I find myself curious to know how you survived and made your way to Gotham. I will be at The Emerald Gardens Restaurant Tuesday at twelve-thirty for lunch. You can refuse to meet me but please keep in mind I will be making a report to the MoM either way.
Blaise Zabini.
“Mia?”
She turned to her husband who was standing in the doorway with a concerned expression. He must have seen something in her expression because he hurried over.
“What’s wrong?”
Wordlessly she held out the letter.
Bruce quickly scanned it and frowned.
“Who is this Blaise Zabini?”
“A year mate from Hogwarts. Slytherin House.”
“Slytherin. Isn’t that the house with pureblood bigots?”
“Yes. But Blaise never expressed those views in public. He kept to himself mostly.”
“And they let him be?”
“His mother is a Black Widow. She has enough blackmail and leverage to get away with murdering purebloods. As long as he wasn’t publicly against them Malfoy and his goons probably ignored him.” Hermione frowned. “When the conflict became public he went abroad. Probably to family in Italy.”
“Will he tell Them?”
Hermione hesitated for a moment and nodded. “He has no reason not to. And if he doesn’t he’s breaking Enclave law.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Meet him.”
“Negotiate?”
Hermione’s expression hardened. “Never.”
“Granger.”
“It’s Wayne now,” she corrected him mildly with sharp undertones.
Zabini inclined his head. “Wayne. It was a surprise to see you. Married to a Muggle no less.”
Hermione raised a slim brow. “Shouldn’t it have been to see me alive?”
Zabini stifled a faint smile. “That too. But you and Potter tend to defy the odds. If anyone could have survived and circumvented a binding it would be you.” He leaned forward slightly. “How?” he asked intently.
“Why do you want to know?” she challenged.
Zabini hesitated before answering. “Necroscopes are not unknown in the Zabini line. I am not one but I have lost relatives.”
Hermione snorted softly. “Pointless deaths. Next time one emerges bring them to America, one of the Indigenous enclaves.”
“Redskins?”
“They find that label offensive,” she corrected him mildly. “Call them American Indians.”
Blaise frowned. “What can they do?”
“Teach one how not to go mad and crazy.”
“Did they teach you?”
“No, I learnt control long before I migrated to Gotham and met them.” She hesitated. “I can give you the contact information of a local Elder. He is a Tribal Shaman, slightly above squib level but knowledgeable.”
“I would appreciate that.”
Hermione removed a pen and small spiral notebook from her purse. She scribbled the contact information for William Hawk Eye and made a mental note to inform William that she had shared his contact information with a European magical. She was not so selfish that she would condemn a baby Necroscope when she could have helped. She tore the sheet out and pushed it across the table.
Zabini picked it up and examined the contents, memorizing it before tucking it up his sleeve. Probably a wrist cuff storage. Then he focused his attention on her.
“How did you manage?”
Hermione had no intention on sharing her personal experiences with anyone from her past. “I found something worth living for.”
“Wayne? Your husband?”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “I met him long after that.” She smiled faintly. “In fact I met him because of that.”
“Does he know?”
Hermione blinked mildly. “Know what?”
“About magic.”
“Of course. Anyone who pays attention to the news in America knows about Zatanna and Wonder Woman and magic.”
Zabini snorted softly. “Does he know you are a witch?”
“She would not have married me otherwise.”
Hermione relaxed at the familiar deep voice answering Zabini. She turned and smiled brilliantly. “Hello luv.” She reached out and squeezed his hand, drawing him down to sit beside her. “Zabini, meet Bruce Wayne, my husband. Bruce, meet Blaise Zabini, a schoolmate from when I was in boarding school.”
“Zabini.” Hermione grinned internally as Zabini shifted minutely under the intense penetrating eyes of the businessman. Not Batman. Zabini hadn’t done anything to earn His scrutiny.
Zabini inclined his head shallowly. “Wayne,” he stated brusquely.
“Let me be very clear; we have taken precautions against anyone modifying our memories. Certain files will automatically be sent to Interpol, the FBI, and several news agencies. It was child’s play to gather the information once I knew where to look. Very shoddy cover-up work. I’ve seen better planning from a mob boss.”
Zabini snorted softly. “Ministry pay. Very little incentive to do a thorough proper job.” He met the other man’s eyes squarely. “I will still be making a report to the Ministry. The best thing you can do is prepare for it.”
“We cannot change your mind?” Bruce asked in a deceptively mild voice.
Zabini was quiet as he formulated his response. “I believe this has been a long time coming. This year, next year, next decade… it has to come to pass.” He looked between the two of them. “I refuse to believe you do not have a contingency for this.”
Hermione looked at Bruce. “We do,” she replied.
“Then it’s time to put it into action.”
“How much time?”
“I’m going to be travelling down to Florida to visit Miskotek Academy before returning to England. Three weeks.”
Hermione smiled faintly. “I’ve worked with tighter timelines. Thank you Zabini.”
KS
The secretary looked up and nodded. “Go on in. He’s expecting you.”
Harry opened the door and entered the Minister of Magic’s private office. He was surprised to see Minerva McGonagall there.
“Good. Take a seat Harry.”
Harry nodded and did so. “What happened Kingsley?”
Kingsley came around with a grim drawn expression and sat in a visitor’s chair like Harry and Minerva, to put them on equal ground. This was not Ministry business.
“Hermione Granger is alive.”
Harry froze and turned to Minerva. “You said she was dead!” he half shouted.
Minerva frowned. “I thought she had passed.” She stared at Kingsley.
“Bindings always kill within a year. It was decided there was no reason to keep tabs on her.” Kingsley frowned. “There’s no way it could have been broken.”
Harry snorted. “Really? Then how’s she alive?”
Kingsley sighed. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “That’s why you’re here.”
Harry leaned back in his chair. “How do you know this isn’t a wild goose chase?”
“I’m certain it isn’t. Blaise Zabini made the report.” Kingsley hesitated.
Harry’s eyes narrowed. “Out with it Kingsley or you can send someone else. What else did Zabini tell you?”
“She’s in America. In Gotham City.”
Eyes widened. “No Mans Land?” Everyone knew of the city that was labelled as off bounds to all enclave residents, no matter what country.
Kingsley nodded sharply. “Yes. And she has claim over Gotham City. All of it.”
That was shocking news, to both Harry and Minerva.
“How?” The Scots witch gasped. “How could she afford to buy that much land in a Muggle city?”
Kingsley pulled a newspaper from a sideboard and tossed it on the desk. It was a Muggle newspaper, The Gotham Gazette. It was the society section. The headline was about a museum fund raiser.
“Bruce Wayne donates 50 million dollars to the Gotham Preservation Society.”
Harry pulled it closer and scanned the article. It was about a local business man and society scion. He was quoted as making the donation on the urging of his wife, to restore and preserve Old Gotham for future generations.
Harry frowned. “It’s about an American billionaire.” Even Harry had heard of Bruce Wayne, less so now that he lived a mostly magical life in the enclaves.
Kingsley’s eyes met his squarely. “His wife is Hermione Granger.” He pulled another paper and tossed it on the desk.
Front and center was a picture dominating the headline, a tall broad shouldered dark-haired Muggle man but the woman standing next to him was unmistakably Hermione Granger; older and dressed in an expensive-looking elegant black silk dress and a heavy antique-looking gold torque necklace. Her fingers were laced through the man’s hand, her head resting against his upper arm with a collected but unmistakably happy look.
“How did Zabini find her?”
“He wasn’t looking for her. He was in Gotham looking for potential investments.”
Harry’s eyes sharpened. “Is the ICW right? Is Gotham recovering?”
Kingsley shrugged. “I can’t confirm that. But the Zabinis thought so because they sent Blaise to have a look.”
“And what did he find?”
Kingsley frowned. “The report is right. The taint has decreased several fold. In a few years the effect will reach outside the city boundaries. Zabini was looking to invest but he couldn’t.”
Harry blinked. “What?”
“He found a Muggle apartment building with runic wardings in the foundations.”
Both Minerva and Harry hissed. “What?” “Impossible!”
Kingsley ignored their outburst and continued. “He looked into the building owner. The Eos Trust.” He met both their eyes squarely. “The trust is large and diverse enough to have a complete claim over all of Gotham City.”
Both rocked back in shock. The wealth required to build and maintain such a presence in a large Muggle city… “The owner?”
“The trustee is Bruce Wayne,” Kingsley corrected mildly before dropping his bombshell “The beneficiary is his wife, Mia Wayne, Hermione Granger.”
“She’s not a citizen!” Minerva hissed. “She has no rights.”
“As an enclave resident yes but this is not an enclave. This is free unclaimed land,” Kingsley pointed out. “She’s well within her right to make a claim. “What I don’t understand is how she met her husband. Her magic is bound but it’s still her.” He frowned. “She should be dead due to backlash by now.”
Harry snorted. “This is Hermione Granger. She probably figured out a way to avoid going insane.” He glared at Kingsley. “If you had just listened to me and given her some time to prove it we wouldn’t be in this situation!”
Minerva made a soft sound. “What do the Americans say about this?”
“Bruce Wayne is too rich, too public to manipulate. The man acts like a fool but he has sharp advisors who do not miss a thing.” Kingsley tapped the paper. “What we need is leverage on Granger. To get her to stop.”
Harry shook his head. “You have nothing. You exiled her. None of us supported her or tried to keep in touch. Her family is dead.”
“You just need to talk to her Harry—.”
“About what? That we’re sorry? Please sell us your land claim so we can have our own? So we can move in?” Harry’s eyes narrowed. “That’s what this is about isn’t it. The land.” Harry snorted. “Yeah right. I’m not your messenger boy Kingsley. Send your yes-sir lackeys.”
“I’ve tried that. So have the Americans. She had them deported or arrested.”
Harry blinked. “On what charges?”
Kingsley was embarrassed. “Corporate espionage.”
Harry shook his head. “I don’t even want to know what idiocy they attempted.”
“Will you do it?”
“No.”
Harry was currently sitting in a coach bus headed into Gotham. He had managed to secure a Portkey from New York to a small town just outside Gotham proper. From there it was a local train or bus into Gotham itself. He only wished it was just him instead of a small group made of junior Aurors and Ministry officials. They had almost zero knowledge of Muggle ways much less American Muggle ways. He sincerely hoped their cover of tourists would mask the expected gaffes.
When the bus pulled into the coach terminal he determinedly shepherded his group of four into a cab and gave the cabbie the destination.
“Holiday Inn please.”
It didn’t take long to reach it. Again he took care of registration, picking up the room keys and then herding the gawking magicals into the elevator and then into one of their rooms. It was safer to reserve two with twin beds than to use Confundus and magical tents in a single room. Harry did not want to risk getting noticed.
“I don’t want you cause trouble. Decide who is going to room up with whom and go to the other room if you want to unpack or wash up.” He looked each of them hard in the face. “Don’t cause trouble. Don’t do anything that will draw unwanted attention.”
Too bad his instructions fell on deaf ears.
Less than three hours later Harry and his group were evicted from Holiday Inn.
“I’m sorry sir, but your colleagues have been flagged as undesirables.” The shift manager looked Harry straight in the eye. “They have been quite vocal about their opinions. We are a respectable establishment and will not tolerate visible hints of illegal activity.”
Translation, if they berks had just kept their lips zipped and stayed put the hotel would have let them be. Harry did not even try to get the details. He was pretty sure it would be undeniably explicit on CCTV footage. Instead he hauled his group and tried to find another hotel. It was a futile attempt. Their names and faces were shared amongst the more respectable establishments and none were willing to let them book rooms.
Harry was forced to settle for a small non-descript hotel in the rougher side of town. Upon signing the reservation book and handing over the cash he got a warning from the middle-aged Latina woman manning the desk.
“Keep your head down and don’t do anything stupid.”
Harry stared. “Excuse me?”
The woman was old enough to be his mother and made him feel it with her look. “Do you honestly think you’re the first Brits to show up in town before getting kicked out?”
Harry stiffened. “Oh? What do you know?”
“Enough. The Batman and the Veiled Lady don’t want your kind in town. Wrap up your business and get out before you’re tossed out.”
Harry nodded shortly and shepherded his group up the stairs – the elevator was out of service – and set up alarm wards to alert him in case any of them tried whatever stunt they had done in Holiday Inn. He settled into his own room and pulled out his Muggle smartphone. It was a cheap one with the most basic data plan. Harry knew enough to run basic internet searches for information, use a site based email account, and subscriptions to several Muggle news outlets.
He needed to talk to Hermione and impossibility given the current social circles she ran in – Muggle or obscenely wealthy. He tried the places she was known to visit – libraries, schools, community centres, and Wayne Enterprises head office. Each and everyone was a fail. She either had a very extensive network keeping an eye out for Brits or someone scanning CCTV footage before she went anywhere. Harry found himself being politely escorted out by business owners and security before he even caught a glimpse of her.
He needed a better way to cross paths with Hermione Granger. He resorted to downloading a few apps that fans used to track and report on celebrities – Hermione counted as one now in Muggle Gotham. Most of her appearances were too random or reported late to be helpful but he managed to find one publicized event in her schedule – a fund raising party for the Thomas Wayne Cancer Care Unit at Gotham General. Kingsley would throw a fit at the cost of the tickets but it was the only way he could ensure he would not be escorted off the premises.
“You look stunning darling.”
Hermione snorted. “Given what this dress cost I better be.”
“There are going to be unwelcome guests,” Bruce murmured as he tugged a few strands back and adjusted the diamante pins in her hair.
Hermione met his eyes in the mirror. “Harry is a persistent idiot. He doesn’t know when to quit and step away.” Bruce arched a brow. Hermione huffed. “Yes I know, I’m stubborn as well!” She pressed her lips together. “I don’t want to talk to him,” she confessed. “We have history. Not romantic but still. And I pulled him out of a lot of scrapes. I don’t want to fall into that mind-set.”
“You don’t owe him anything,” Bruce told her firmly. “Whatever debts there were it’s gone in the wash. He didn’t support you when you needed him. You owe him nothing.”
Hermione pursed her lips and inhaled deeply before responding. “They’re not going to stop coming. But if I give Harry a hard enough pushback… maybe he’ll take the hint.”
“Doesn’t mean his boss will.”
“Perhaps.”
“What makes you think they’ll stop sending their people?”
“Oh, they’re not going to stop. They’re going to keep trying to force their way in and fail. Legally they don’t have a leg they can stand on using magical law. And they will never subject themselves to mundane law.”
“So they’re sending Potter hoping he’ll change your mind.”
“Yes.”
Bruce snorted softly. “They don’t know you at all.”
“Not as I am now. I’ve changed.”
He squeezed her shoulders. “You’re not going to give way. You are stronger than anyone I know. Even Zabini thinks so. He may not like you but he respects you.”
Hermione laughed softly. “True. I just need to get Harry to back off. If he doesn’t cooperate there is no one else they can send.”
“Then let him come.”
Harry winced, “Hermione.”
“No. You have no right to call me that.”
“Miss Gran—.”
“Mrs Wayne,” she corrected sharply. “Please tell whoever accompanied you to stay away from me or I’ll make sure they pay a heavy price.”
He collapsed on a chair and began searching twitter for anyone who might have posted something from the event. He winced as he scanned several posts. Public opinion was overwhelmingly on the side of Mia Wayne.
He really couldn’t see any way out of this, not without breaking the Statute of Secrecy.
Hoping for a fresh perspective in the morning he stripped down to his boxers and dropped into bed.
“What’s wrong… Jones?”
“It’s Johnson sir.”
“Johnson. What’s wrong?”
“It’s Eldbertski. He’s been fuming since the party. I’ve been ignoring him but he’s gotten the others riled up.”
The stone in his gut increased ten-fold.
“Where is he?”
“When I woke up I noticed they were gone.”
“Who?”
Johnson rattled off a string of names Harry did not recognize.
“Fuck it. Do you have any idea what they’re going to do?”
Johnson looked uneasy. “He said we should make Granger listen.”
Harry snorted. “How? Using Imperius? The moment she breaks it she’ll come down on us like a ton of rocks.”
“No sir. By taking one of the Wayne kids. So they sell out.”
Harry froze. “You mean kidnap and ransom an innocent child.”
“I thought it was just crazy talk until I saw the news sir.”
“What news?”
“It’s on the local channels.”
Harry grabbed his phone and quickly ran a search query getting numerous hits. He quickly opened and read the first one from a reputable news outlet. Then he played the video.
“This is Summer Gleason with Breaking News.
“GCPD has confirmed the identity of a two year old girl who was taken from a Gotham General Hospital daycare while her mother was visiting the Pediatric Cancer Ward. The Hospital PR office has confirmed Mia Wayne regularly visits the high-risk patients and usually is accompanied by one of her step-sons. Today she had brought her two-year old daughter and left her in the hospital daycare while she met with patient families. There was no sign of violence, only a knocked-out daycare worker and one missing child: Maretta Wayne. Our reporter on-site managed to get a statement from Mrs Wayne.
“Mr and Mrs Wayne, have the kidnappers contacted you? Do you have any idea about what they want? Who is responsible?”
Hermione looked like a mess, not the polished put-together socialite from last night. Her eyes were swollen, nose red, face blotchy from crying. Her husband was standing beside her, one arm around her shoulder, practically holding her up from what Harry could see. His expression was stony and resolute.
“No comment.”
Hermione shook her head and stepped up, away from her husband.
“No. I know exactly who is responsible and it is not any local Gothamite, not a criminal and not a Rogue,” she hissed. “Gotham has welcomed me and in any attacks I was a bystander or directly targeted. None of the Rogues target children let alone toddlers.”
“Mrs Wayne?” The reporter was confused but Harry was not.
“I have told the police certain foreign parties from Europe want Bruce to stop investing to rejuvenate Gotham, to liquidate the Eos Trust and sell out. Naturally we refused each time. And now they did this. I have no proof but I refuse to wait. I will pay a hundred thousand dollars for each and every tip that helps the police locate the British who caused a scene at last night’s gala.”
Her expression was filled with righteous rage as she stared straight at the camera.
“I’m warning you Harry Potter. Bring my daughter back and I might let you leave Gotham. Maledicta qui ceperint me. Ulcus sit sanguis tuus in venis. Numquam quiescas donec iaceas in tumulo tuo, vel quod tuum non est restituas.”
Harry did not know Latin but he knew enough to know it meant nothing good.
Johnson was mumbling something. Harry paused the video.
“What did you say?”
“A curse upon the ones who have taken who is mine. May your blood boil in your veins. May you never rest till you lie in your grave or returned what is not yours.” Johnson stared at Harry. “It’s not a spell.”
The communication mirror attached to the vest chain lying on the table chimed.
Harry snatched it up and accepted the call.
“Potter here.”
“Sir, Eldbertski Thomkins and Walters collapsed screaming about thirty minutes ago. We had to stun them but it’s not helping.”
Harry stared at the time stamp on the news video. It was released twenty minutes ago. He pressed the play button. The reporter was speaking now.
“GCPD has released these stills from The Mirage security cameras and personal cell phone images and videos that were sent in by concerned citizens.”
The video switched over to show several images of the British envoy including one Harry Potter.
“Pack up. We have to get out of here,” he ordered Johnson before focusing on the mirror. “Where are you idiots?”
“One of the warehouses. There are no readable signs.”
“Then activate one of the beacons and stay put.”
“You’re not joining us Damian.”
“Maretta is my responsibility!”
“We are also responsible for her Damian! You will run the comms with your mother,” Batman ordered. He looked up at Hermione. “Stay here and be ready to move once we have any new information.” He looked around the table. “We’ll work the streets.”
Red Hood shifted. “I’ll let the gangs know that Wayne is good for the money and up the ante. 100K for each Brit captured.”
“It will be dangerous for anyone who confronts them,” Hermione warned.
“They’re criminals Mia,” Nightwing scoffed. “They aren’t innocent or strangers to getting into tough spots.”
Hermione blinked back tears. “Please.”
“I’ll release the bounty on the Dark Web. It will get every local hacker and then some scouring for any trace of them.”
Tim looked up from his wrist console. “We already got our first hit. A local motel manager saw the news and called it in. GCPD police are on the way.”
“Let’s move.”
“Jason, Barbara, tell everyone they are metas. To snap the sticks.”
“Will do.”
“She’s breaking the Statute of Secrecy by telling the Muggles.”
“Eddie’s dying. And it’s her fault!”
Harry was furious. He wanted to drop kick every single one of them.
“You’re blaming her for defending herself, for protecting her child,” he spoke softly, dangerously. “And she hasn’t broken the Statute. The MACUSA has confirmed it.”
“Why aren’t they Obliviating the Muggles?”
“Because there is no breach!” Harry snarled. “You are the fuck-ups that caused this mess when you acted without orders!”
“Mr Potter is correct,” a cool crisp voice interjected. Harry glanced at the local Auror who did not look at all pleased. “I have my orders. MACUSA will not participate in any cover up unless there is an explicit breach in the Statute. And your Ministry is not sending any back-up. There has been too much media attention to cover this up. Whoever is caught is going to be charged and sentenced by the Muggles. Your best bet is to get out of the country, cross the border to Canada or Mexico and get to Britain. Stay out of North America until the Prime Minister can smooth things out with the Muggles.”
His colleague snorted. “Good luck with that. Wayne has called in favours and publicized your faces from here to the end of the world. Would recommend using Polyjuice if you have it. Certain types of security cameras can see through glamouries.”
“And it’s not just the public,” the first Auror added. “The bounty has been posted in the Dark Web as well. There has been an influx of bounty hunters and mercenaries into Gotham. It’s only a matter of time before you’re caught.”
“They won’t stop. Wayne has guaranteed payment.”
Harry shook his head. “We need them to call this manhunt off.”
“You can start by returning the kid,” The younger MACUSA added hostilely.
Everyone looked to the corner of the drafty room where a black-haired toddler was sleeping in a make shift blanket nest. They had to spell her to sleep, she wouldn’t stop crying and screaming for Mummy and Daddy.
“I need to talk to Hermione.”
The older one made a disgusted sound. “Do as you will Mr Potter. As far as I’m aware she and her husband are staying in the Wayne Towers Penthouse waiting for news.”
Harry nodded. “I’ll be back in half an hour,” he told the MACUSA Aurors before turning and Apparating away.
The glass doors slid open and Hermione stepped out. Harry stiffened. Was the rooftop covered in security sensors? Had he been spotted? But she wasn’t looking into the shadows. She was looking out into the skyline. Then he saw it. A black form dropping from the sky overhead, a stealth glider of some sort. Batman!
Hermione ran towards him and threw her arms around him. “B!”
He brought his arms up and hugged her in turn. “Shh, I’m here Mia. Just like I promised.”
“Have you found her?”
He shook his head. “Not yet. But we’re looking. We won’t stop until she’s home, safe and sound.”
Hermione burst into tears. “I know! I know! But it’s so hard to wait.”
“Your location ritual?”
“It didn’t work. Gotham is too densely saturated.” She bit back a choked sound. “I won’t protest if you want to use sub-dermal transmitters.”
“There’s no guarantee they would have worked either, not with magical saturation,” he assured her cupping the back of her head to hold her close.
“It’s my enemies that have her! Not yours!”
Harry stiffened. What?!?
“You didn’t ask for them, to chase you.”
“But I should have done something to stop them.”
“You did everything you could. I did not think they would kidnap Etta, they aren’t Rogues or criminals.”
“But they are fucking purebloods!” Hermione hissed. “Bloody arrogant bigots! I hate them B! I hate them! I hate them!”
Batman gripped her upper hands. “Stop it Mia,” he told her sternly. “You need to calm down or you’re going to blow. I’m going to bring our daughter home.” WTF?!?! “She will need her mother, not an enraged witch who wants to run out and kill her enemies.”
Hermione broke down and sank to her knees crying. “She’s my baby, she’s my baby.”
“She’s our baby. And I won’t stop until she’s home,” he told her.
Harry could not believe it. Hermione was cheating on her husband with Batman. He took a step back and Apparated away. Harry landed back in the abandoned warehouse base filled with horror and relief. Horror that someone he considered unshakable had broken her marriage vows. Relief that he finally had leverage to make Hermione back off.
If he had waited a fraction longer he would have seen Hermione turn around and stare at his vacated spot with sharp penetrating eyes.
“He?”
“Could be a she,” Hermione conceded before her expression turned worried. “He heard us talking.”
“Until we identify who and if the information was passed on we must wait.” There was a short tense silence. “I don’t think we’ll have to wait long.”
Hermione could not disagree.
“If someone contacts you let me know immediately,” he ordered. “Promise me Mia.”
“I promise.”
“Mia?”
“They delivered a note to reception.”
“Have you opened it?”
“I’m doing so. It’s clean.”
The note was brief.
“Gotham Docks. Pier 5-C. Eleven-thirty. Tonight.”
“It’s a trap!” Oracle must have linked the rest of them into the channel.
Hermione signed. “Of course.”
“You’re not going alone,” Jason ordered sharply.
“Of course not.” She glanced at the wall clock. “We have two hours.”
“Robin, Nightwing, scope out the site and wait for us,” Batman ordered.
“Roger.” “On it.”
“Oracle, lay a trail for the GCPD to discover one hour after.”
“Got it.”
“Mia… eat something and change into a dark comfortable clothes. I’ll pick you up shortly.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
The sound of an approaching car caught his attention. He could see the headlights as it drove along the private docks road. How did she get past the fence? Then he remembered who her lover was. But he couldn’t do anything, not unless he wanted Harry to tell every Muggle police officer and reporter that he was Mia Wayne’s lover, her daughter’s biological father.
He watched Hermione park the car. The door opened and she stepped out and shut it behind her. There was no one else in the car but Harry knew Batman and his team were most likely close by watching. He hoped to hell this mess could be resolved without too much violence and secrets kept.
“Show yourself Potter!”
Harry winced at the barely restrained rage in her voice but complied, Apparating to stand some distance away but in her line of sight. She did not jump or react.
“Where is my daughter?”
There was the faint sound of apparition pop. The senior MACUSA Auror holding a sleeping Maretta Wayne. “She’s here Mrs Wayne. Mr Potter insists on trying to negotiate an agreement. The President of MACUSA sent us to ensure there is no breach in the Statute and ensuring your daughter’s safe return plays a part in that.” Harry stiffened as the Auror approached Hermione and held out her daughter. That wasn’t part of the plan! “She has been spelled sleep for most of the time. No potions were used on her. The charms should break in three hours.”
Hermione nodded sharply. “Thank you Auror…?”
“Graves. Jeremiah Graves.”
“Related to Percival Graves?”
“Grand-uncle.”
Hermione took her daughter carefully and settled her on one forearm, cupping the small head against her shoulder.
“You are an honourable man Auror Graves.”
The wizard frowned. “Your daughter is a child and you have not committed any crime. If I had my way I would arrest and throw the lot of them into Alcatraz!”
Hermione shook her head. “Don’t bother. If you want to repay me tell your superiors to leave me and mine alone. We have a valid and legal claim to all of Gotham. Stay out. If you need to enter ask permission first.”
Graves nodded sharply. “I will pass on that information.”
Hermione turned to Harry, her soft expression hardening. “What do you want Potter?”
“Do you really want me talk about what I know?”
Her expression shifted. Not into worry or fear like Harry expected, but amused.
“Am I supposed to be grateful for your seeming concern?” She looked away.
There were several loud thuds; sounds a body would make hitting a hard surface. Too many of them. Small flash bangs and clouds of smoke.
Hermione turned to the MACUSA Auror. “Auror Graves I strongly recommend you and yours leave immediately. Unless you want to be knocked out.”
Graves smiled faintly. “I’m the only one here. I sent my partner to make a preliminary report, in case back-up was needed.” He hesitated briefly before continuing. “I am truly sorry for what you have experienced at the hands of the Brits Miss Granger.”
Hermione froze and shifted away, curling around her daughter defensively.
“I have relatives in the Seneca tribe. I do not follow all the tradition but I know enough. My employers unfortunately are not interested in listening to what I have to say about Necroscopes.”
Hermione stared at him with wide eyes. “You know?”
Graves inclined his head shallowly. “I know. And I wish you and your clan well. Please don’t leave any bodies in obvious places.”
Hermione shook her head. “I won’t. I promised my husband. And Batman doesn’t kill.”
Graves nodded and Apparated away leaving Harry feeling very alone and exposed. He was hundred-percent certain Batman and his associates had knocked out everyone else from the British envoy.
There was a rustle of clothing and a red-yellow-green clad figure landed lightly near Hermione. Robin. Hermione passed her daughter to the teen hero who shifted her onto one arm with practiced ease.
“Stay near the car with her,” she ordered him and Robin obeyed. Then she shifted her focus to Harry. “What do you want?” she asked harshly.
“I want you to drop the charges, withdraw the bounty.”
Hermione shook her head. “No.”
“Do you really want to do this?”
“Yes. I want every single one of you bastards in jail. Including you!” She glared at him. “You can run and get out of Gotham but the charges are staying. The Muggle government will continue to pursue extradition out of Britain so you should think about Argentina or some other non-extradition country.”
Harry frowned. “Do you really want your husband to find out?”
“Find out what?” Hermione lifted her chin, practically daring him to speak.
Harry lost his temper. “That you are cheating on him with Batman!”
A low sub-sonic growl made Harry jump and spin. How had Batman snuck up on him without making a sound?
“Tell me Potter, how can a man cheat on himself?” Harry stared wide eyed as Batman removed his cowl to reveal the very well-known face of Bruce Wayne.
Harry backed away as Batman-Bruce Wayne walked towards Hermione and wrapped his arm around her, drawing her against him. She sighed softly as she rested her head against his side, wrapping her arms around his waist. Her warm soft expression hardened when she focused on Harry.
“You will make an Unbreakable Vow before you leave Harry Potter. You will never talk or communicate what you know about me and mine; the Waynes and the Bats.”
Harry shook his head. “We don’t have a third for a Binder.”
“Don’t worry about that. My version doesn’t require Binder.” Hermione held up a hand palm up, a ball of golden lightening forming and sparking above it. “I learnt plenty of new spells since I left England.”
“I won’t do it.”
“You will unless you want to be Obliviated and tossed in jail,” Hermione countered. “And trust me, no Ministry lackey will be able to walk in and walk out with your idiots. Commissioner Gordon won’t allow it.” Her eyes gleamed. “You won’t find a single judge willing to go against the Waynes, not for this case, especially not in Gotham.”
Harry knew he could run, just Apparate out and leave the others to take the fall, but the fallout, the breach in Statute, it would be on his head.
“I’ll take the Vow.”
Hermione relaxed minutely. “Good.”
It wasn’t complicated on his end. He simply had to verbally consent to the wording. But the weight of it was an anvil in his magical core. The entire burden of the vow was on him and magic was not going to let him forget it.
“Leave Potter. Tell everyone to stay out of Gotham. If they step in Gotham uninvited they will be Obliviated and dumped in the closest jail with whatever charges that can be laid against them.”
Harry nodded sharply. “I will.”
“Now get out. Everyone around here has already been Portkeyed to the plaza outside the Primary Auror HQ in New York.”
“He’s gone.”
“Yes.”
“They’ll be back.”
“Not any time soon.”
Hermione nodded shuddering slightly. She relaxed and allowed him to pick her up bridal style. “Let’s go home.”
Home. Something she had not let herself hope for, not until Batman, not until he promised her a place in Gotham in exchange for cleansing the nodes. Now she had a family: a husband, a daughter, several step-sons, and a father-in-law.
“Let’s go home,” she echoed.
The only purely magical enclaves were in Japan that blended much better with the Muggles. Britain was the worst hit result in mass migrations of Muggleborns and halfbloods to other countries. The remaining magicals, mainly Purebloods, were penned up in the enclaves and strictly monitored whenever they stepped out. They could no longer disillusion and use Obliviate. The Muggle government imported hardware developed by Wayne Technologies that detected and blocked magic.
Even today Harry Potter could remember the moment everything changed with the Muggles. It began with a live broadcast interview Hermione gave twenty years ago.
A slim not too tall brunette woman dressed in an emerald green coat-style dress, and stylish black heels stepped out and walked up to the podium. The only visible jewellery were her wedding and engagement rings and the chandelier style emerald earrings.
She waited until there was silence before speaking. “Good evening everyone. Thank you for taking the time to attend this conference. Most of you know I have declined interviews and questions regarding my background, how Bruce and I met, and our personal lives. I wasn’t ready to share that for a long time due to personal trauma and legal reasons. But now I feel my family, we are in a good position to change that stance. Please hold questions until the end.” She paused, held out her hands palm up . “I am ready to make it known that I belong to a category of meta called magi. I am a witch.” A ball of fire flared above her palm before transmuting into a chunk of crystal that she set on the podium. She waited until the uproar subsided before continuing. “I am not the first one, I’m not even a new one. There have been magi in human history since humanity evolved. Most of us developed due to patronage of a pantheon and in those eras civilization rose to great heights. In recent times it is rare to claim a godly patron, most modern mage don’t believe in gods. I’m not one of them.” She picked up a glass of water and took a sip. “Most countries have a magical community that exists beside the non-magical one. This community is mostly self-governed though it does liaise with the primary non-magical government in power. I am holding this conference after much negotiation with MACUSA, the magical government in North America.
“First off let me say magi are not better or smarter than the average person on the street; in fact in most cases they are more ignorant. Prejudice, racism, bigotry, classism is the norm, not the exception. Most of you would say the most prejudice I’ve experienced is misogyny, because I’m a woman. I’ve experienced a lot more because I’m a first-generation witch with no known ancestors, basically a Jew in Nazi Germany. Bigots in power, ostriches who make up most of the population, a few Schindlers willing to risk their personal safety, but no one willing to make a public stand for real change.
“When I was a teenager there was a magical war in Britain. I fought in it and survived and thought the good guys have won so we’re safe. I was wrong. I found out I was basically the equivalent of a meta in the magical community, one with a very disliked power set. I have the power to speak to the dead. If I serve their cause they can choose to assist me. Most of the time it’s just memorials, protection for their families. Sometimes they need acknowledgment, proper burial rites to pass on. Europe has a very different experience of Necroscopes and I strongly recommend you don’t trust it. It’s basically the equivalent of Victorian anthropology that labels Africans as less intelligent and incompetent. The PR department has prepared packages of information and contacts about Necroscopes in American Indian tribes; here they are respected and honoured shamans. In the magical community I’m a priestess of Thoth, Egyptian god of learning, writing and magic. More information is in the packets.
“Magic is a tool like a gun or a knife. It can defend and protect, and it can kill. Unfortunately it’s too easily abused without building personal accountability, like martial arts sensei who focus on building discipline so their students don’t abuse their training and hurt others. And all mage are not suited for military life or public service so coercing us into government service is a Very Bad Idea. It’s not to say we won’t serve or aid in other ways. I chose to serve Gotham and helped bring the rebirth of this city – the reduced criminal activity and increased economic boom. My husband spent millions, billions of dollars in Gotham when there was no guarantee of success or profit because he wanted to make things better for those with fewer resources. I chose to make the magical effort cleanse Gotham ten years ago, to purify the tainted leylines, the primary cause for Gotham’s misfortunes – the depression, the violence, the corruption. It nearly killed me and there were no guarantees it would work but I needed to do it because Gotham was my home.
“My husband started the Eos Trust to consolidate land ownership and prevent magis from entering Gotham, to keep the magical enclaves out. Those communities have known about magic, the taint in Gotham, and they did nothing to help. The European enclaves sent their agents to force us to concede our claim; they kidnapped our daughter but she was rescued by Batman. I’m not saying that all magi are bad but in my experience the bad apples are in the top tier, in control of their government and law enforcement. My experience with the American enclaves have been neutral and positive. They have respected the Wayne claim on Gotham City and stayed out. We have formed alliances with the local American Indian tribes. I have with me LEO Percival Graves from the MACUSA and Steven Hawk Wing” she waved to two older men standing to the side, one wearing old-fashioned clothes under a greatcoat and a Native American Indian wearing a modern formal business suit. “They will be making statements and answering questions after I’ve finished. There is more information about the claim and treaty contracts in the information packets.
“Bruce and I have decided to go public at this point because we feel we are ready to publicly start a magical enclave in Gotham and open immigration to magical families provided they understand they will be subject to Wayne Enclave Rules which are basically Gotham City municipal law plus more. There will be a strict quota for the core and suburbs being allocated via the Eos Trust. If they choose they can apply to the Wayne Institute for Magic and Science.” She smiled softly. “Yes, it is the full and legal name of the private school I started after we married. I was pregnant and I knew I never would let my child get a traditional enclave education. I could home school them but I wanted to give them more, I wanted other first-generation magi in Gotham to have an opportunity that was denied to them because of the Taint. I want them to have a better experience than what I got as a teenager. I want them to know they can become rich and influential if they work hard, that the American Dream is a possibility, not an impossibility. America is the Land of Dreams, rags-to-riches stories. Gotham is rich with potential and I want to share it with honest folk who are willing to work with us.
“I know this is a lot of information I’ve just unloaded so I’m going to call for a thirty minute recess while you go through the packets. When we restart Steven and Auror Graves will make their statements and all three of us will be available for questions.”
“Marius Wayne is marrying Helena Kyle.” Harry started and stared at the speaker, his lover Gabriella Rossi nee Delacoeur.
Harry had separated from Ginny years ago, the moment his youngest child started Hogwarts. He had left her the moment he returned from America but only stayed to raise their children. Once Lily started Hogwarts there was no need to pretend. As much as the Weasleys screamed, shouted, and threatened, there was no secret mistress he was leaving Ginny for. He remained celibate until Lily graduated from Hogwarts. The day Lily completed her apprenticeship Harry resigned from the Aurors and immigrated to Majorca where he met Gabrielle. She had been a childless widow at the time, content with the live-in arrangement Harry had offered. Ginny had refused to agree to a divorce. Technically he was still married to her. Everyone in the Majorca enclave knew and ignored it. Most of them were exiles from traditional enclaves for similar reasons.
“Who is Helena Kyle?” Harry asked. He knew of Marius Wayne, Hermione’s second youngest son, her third child.
“Muggleborn. Father unknown. Mother is Selina Kyle, an old love interest of Bruce Wayne.”
Harry sniggered. “That must be awkward.”
“Not really. Everyone agrees Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne broke up long before Hermione entered the picture. And she did not try to restart something after.”
“Huh.” Harry wondered what it would be like to be in-laws with your spouse’s ex. He accepted the paper from Gabrielle and scanned the cover page story. “He looks young.”
“Marius Wayne?” Gabrielle was confused.
“No. His father.”
Gabrielle looked at the picture. The only hint of age was the heavy silvering at the temples and lines around the eyes and mouth.
“They say he has a true bonding with Hermione, they share a lifeline.” Gabrielle murmured. “Rumour claims she has discovered the secret to granting Muggles extended life spans.”
Harry would not be surprised in either case. He wondered what Hermione could have done if had defended her against the Ministry all those years ago, if she had stayed in England. How much could have changed. Then he mentally shook his head. Not much would have changed; Hermione would have been stifled and confined by Ministry rule and Pureblood Traditions. In Gotham she was free. In Gotham there were no rules so she created her own. She created her vision of Avalon.
Oh wow I loved this story! It was so good! Hermione’s powers were fascinating, and I loved her slow coming together with Bruce.
This was just outstanding. Thank you for sharing
This was amazing. I binge read the whole thing and I’m totally sick so that’s even more impressive. Thanks for a wonderful story.
I really enjoyed this story seeing Hermione and Bruce growing to love accept all aspects of the other. Harry was an idiot to conform to the British magical. He lost a true friend. I loved how Hermione’s magic worked.
Great story! I enjoyed it so much.
Thanks for sharing and crafting the tale! I was glad to find some of your choices surprising, and overall good follow-up on the fix-it elements.
Great story and ending.
What a great story—really epic and engaging! Thank you!
very engaging, thank you for such a wonderfull story. I am not familiar with the Batman fandom, but I was never confused reading this story.
This was absolutely amazing!
And to think I came so, so close to not reading it! I only know Batman and Co. by the Nolan Trilogy, Justice League movies and some fanfics of either of those, or Smallville. Bottom-line, there were a lot of characters and didn’t know. Yet as I soon realized, I didn’t need to! You did a marvelous job of taking us through things in such a way that, while I’m sure that knowing the fandom better would have been good, not knowing didn’t take away from the experience.
Perhaps the hardest thing for me was seeing Harry as a bad guy. Like, I’ll buy it from the Purebloods, the Weasleys, Britain’s magical society, even from Magical Society in general. But the idea that Harry might have betrayed Hermione. I mean, I think I know what pieces of canon might have lead you to that characterization, but still, it was hard for me. While I really don’t like Ron, Ginny, Molly, and at times the whole Weasley family, and can believe about anything from most characters. The idea of Harry going against Hermione was hard for me. Maybe because I’m such a huge Harmony fan, don’t know.
Regardless, your story was absolutely amazing. All characters so well done! The plot, the progression of events, and relationships. I loved it!
Awesome story. Thank you for sharing
A fantastic story.
This was fantastic! I love how badass Hermione was once the european magicals decided they wanted her land.
This was an intriguing premise and interesting crossover! Thank you for sharing!
A Batman story; how lovely! I’m a big Batman fan (Red Hood Jason Todd fan really, lol), so I know you fixed a ton of stuff in that fandom (no batarang to the neck, ftw!). I could also see this as a kind of fix for HP magicals too because coming out like this to the world had to be way better than how it could have happened. (And for Hermione personally because no Ron marriage to destroy her characterization.) I like your world building, and I’ve never heard of necroscopes before yet you did a great job explaining them in the story. I also really liked how comprehensive and overarching your plot was. Thanks for the unique read.
Just WOW. Loooooove this so much. Thanks
OUTSTANDING. All your stories are thus far.
THANKING YOU for that AMAZING imagination. Best ever…
This was really good. I really liked the idea that she had different abilities and used them to turn Gotham around. Her role as the veiled lady was awesome.
Thanks for writing and sharing your time and creativity.
Wow. Simply wow. I love this story. Thank you for sharing this amazing piece. It is amazing and beautiful and brilliant.
This has been super interesting! I burned through the whole thing in a night. I was hooked. This must have been a massive undertaking and you knocked it out of the park.
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Wow! This is one of the best stories I have read in a long time. Wonderfully written and the plot is great. Will definitely be rereading this one again.
Great story. I love Hermione changing the whole wizading world from the outside.
I stayed up very late finishing this and I regret nothing! I was glad to see Jason turn up, I’d thought you’d forgotten him.