Chapter Text
“Thank you, mom and dad.”
--- April 15th, 1998 (17 Years Old) ---
Moon
—————(Moon) 19:17
look what i can do!
(Moon) 19:17
“ψ (｀∇´) ψ
(Scourge) 19:18
wher did u get that
(Scourge) 19:19
wait dont tell me… dead?
(Moon) 19:20
he said you would like it
(Scourge) 19:21
i <3 it moonbeam
(Scourge) 19:21
uh do u kno what it means?
(Moon) 19:23
he said it was me cheering
(Scourge) 19:23
ah huh ok that means pure evil
(Moon) 19:24
oh like cheering for you!
(Scourge) 19:25
lol yep just like that
(Moon) 19:27
i will ask him to teach me more!
(Moon) 19:35
ʕ•̀ω•́ʔ****
(Moon) 19:35
so cute!
(Scourge) 19:36
sure is beam cutest ever
----------
- April 16th, 1998 (17 Years Old) -
- Lord Voldemort’s Office, Ministry of Magic -
Harry sat languidly in Tom’s office. Frank sat next to him, quietly supporting whatever he chose to do with his future plans. Harry tapped his fingers against his knee, trying to figure out the best way to explain what was going to happen with the upcoming changes in his life. He felt he owed an explanation to the man who had helped him out with his self-imposed quest for the past couple years. Who had helped him integrate into the wizarding world. Who had helped him finally put an end to the reign of a manipulative megalomaniac who thought he knew best for all those in his world.
He also needed some help to get all his plans in order before he left, and if anything, Tommy was good at planning. (See the Take Over the Wizarding World in 6 Easy Steps Over 20+ YearsTM plan that has been going on since before Harry was even born for reference.)
“So… I guess I’ll start?” Harry said slowly. Tom inclined his head in agreement and Frank just grunted then remained stoically silent while Harry talked.
“Well, your esteemed closeted Minister for Magic, sir. I’m so proud. Look at you go with being all sneaky and behind the scenes. It's actually kinda funny how people think that Lucy is in charge in the Ministry. Although, with his hair..." Harry gushed and pretended to swoon. Frank coughed pointedly, bringing him back on track.
Harry smirked at Tom and continued, "I can honestly say that this last couple ‘a years have been a fuckin’ trip. I’m glad that you’re all set up and runnin’ the world and all that shit.” He sent Tom a wink and cooed, “You fuckin’ dictator, you.”
Tom narrowed his eyes and waved imperious a hand at Harry. “Get on with it, Scourge. I do have minions to order about.”
Harry chortled at the pompous man. “Always with the fuckin’ jokes! I tell you Tommy, if this whole ruling the world thing ever falls through for you and Lucy, you could definitely take your show on the road. I'd buy tickets... front fuckin' row. I'd be president of your fan club. Buttons and everything! I bet you might even get Frank to crack a legit smile ‘n shit.”
Frank let out a light chuckle and knocked his knee against Harry’s to get him back on topic.
“But seriously, I think that we all knew that this was comin’. I’m not meant for this place. I don’t fit in. I will never fit into this ‘Lordship’ type of shit. I feel like I did give it a try. I mean, yeah, I was doin’ all that murdering and vengeance shit while I was tryin’. But still it’s the thought that counts, right?. Anyway, it’s just not me. I’m better off with Frank. We do things our way. I just want to go back to my normal, I think. I want to go where I fit in. Where I get to help out the good guys… sometimes, and I don’t have to care about what fuckin’ fork to use when I’m eating my Cup ‘o Noodle during a stakeout.” Harry shuddered internally at the thought of Narcissa making sure he was being proper in a sniper’s nest. No… thank… you.
Tom pursed his lips and tented his fingers in front of his chin as he scrutinized Harry. “So you are leaving before the end of term?”
Harry nodded.
Humming his understanding, Tom continued, “Although, with your history and interesting educational background, I understand that it is probably not that important for you to complete your year out at Hogwarts. So, what do you intend to do with your wizarding wealth, holdings and Lordship? I am not sure about the transfer of the wealth into muggle money. And, the holdings and Lordships? Well, those things will still need to be handled, even if you are no longer part of this world.”
Harry leaned back in his chair and interlocked his fingers behind his head, staring off in the distance at the wall behind Tom as he spoke. “Well, the Harry Potter ‘savior’ guy will never be back to help out in this world. Leave that to people who want that notoriety or whatnot. I'm plannin' on just divvyin' the rest of the wealth and holdings up. Maybe give the title to Sirius since he’s my godfather and all. But give it to him with a little asterisk at the bottom of whatever contract thingy saying that Severus and Remus help out and get some shit from it too? I spoke to Ragnok about all this shit the other day. He's got some things going for me already.”
Frank leaned over and nudged him, “You wanted to do that other thing too, remember?”
“Oh, yeah! Can we make, like, some sort of orphanage or something? I think that would be a decent use of a chunk of the money my biological parents left me. I mean, it would have been better for people like you and me to be able to have a place where we could grow up where we weren’t treated like absolute shit.”
Tom nodded, “There have already been plans set in motion to build better care facilities for abused, abandoned and orphaned witches and wizards. However, I would be happy to put it into a codicil, which is the ‘asterisk’ you spoke of earlier, that you want the majority of your fortune to be gifted to the cause.”
“That sounds good,” Harry nodded. “And the Lordship bit? You and Ragnok can get that taken’ care of too?”
Letting out a sigh, Tom slowly inclined his head in agreement. “Are you sure? If you sign this over through legal means there will be no going back.”
Harry glanced at Frank, who had a stoic expression (of course), then back at Tom. “Yeaaah, I’m pretty sure that’s what I want. This world doesn’t work for me. I just want to go back to who I was before I got to this crazy place.”
“Okay then, Scourge, we will ensure that what you want will happen. I do have to extend my gratitude for all of your help with the Dumbledore issue. It was a joy to watch the old goat be brought down in front of the world that he assumed followed only him. You have earned my thanks.” He removed his Gaunt ring from his finger and placed it and Dumbledore’s wand, the one that Lucius had confiscated after the trial, on the desk in front of Harry. Harry looked at him quizzically.
Tom explained, “The wand is yours, as you were the one who finally defeated the old goat. It will now respond to you as its rightful owner. And, I would like you to accept this ring as a token of my thanks. It is my family signet ring, but I would like you to have it as a reminder that you are always welcome to return to the wizarding world. Let it serve as a reminder that I have seen you as a part of my ‘family’, as it were. There will always be a place for you here, if you so choose to come back.”
Blushing a little at the praise, Harry reached out and took the wand and the ring, placing it on his left pinky finger. As he slipped it on, a settling magic flowed through his body. He glanced at the other two men in the room to see if they noticed anything, but neither of them seemed to be bothered. He just shrugged it off as inconsequential and continued his chat with Tom.
“I am sure that Lord Malfoy will want to give you a proper sendoff with all of the people you have become acquainted with during your time here,” Tom
Harry balked at that idea, thinking of all the horrible pretentious and highbrow conversations he would have to endure during his going away party if the Malfoys threw it. “Uh, is it cool if we just order some Domino’s and have a few people to chill with? I don’t need some big fuckin’ send off or nothing.”
Tom’s brow wrinkled in confusion before asking, “Domino’s?”
“Never mind, I doubt it would be up to your standards. It’s barely pizza anyway. Anyway, I’ll do somethin’ small with you guys, but only with the people I originally met when I got here. And Luna, of course.”
Giving a small wave of acceptance, Tom stated drolly, “Of course, we would never disclude your precious Ms. Lovegood. She is, after all, one of the main reasons that this whole plan came to fruition in the end, is she not?”
“Yeah, can’t forget Moon." Harry glanced at Frank, who gave him a sharp nod to signal that their time there had come to an end. "Anyway, we’re gonna bounce. Learn to use a fuckin’ phone, every once in a while, and send me a text. I did love sending you owls, but they’re pretty hard to come by in New York,” Harry snarked.
Tom rose as they started for the door. “Thank you again, Mr. Potter. The wizarding world really does owe you a debt of gratitude.”
“Eh, fuhgeddaboudit. Just worked well with my plans too.”
Harry and Frank both nodded their goodbyes and walked out of Tom’s office, happy to once again get back to a ‘normal’ life.
----------
Dead
—————(Scourge) 12:12
redy to peace ths place
(Dead) 12:14
baby scourge!! i miss ur face ;)
(Scourge) 12:14
it luks th same as last time fukr
(Dead) 12:16
tru but if you are close i can cover it with kisses
(Dead) 12:17
( ˘ ³˘)<3
(Scourge) 12:22
thers somthn wrong w/ u n stap teachn moon 2 txt
(Scourge) 12:23
anywy comin home soon
(Dead) 12:25
i’ll hide the strippers
(Dead) 12:26
or get some? are you old enough for that? virgin eyes!!!
(Dead) 12:26
maybe i should check with wolvie first before i book them
(Scourge) 12:29
yeaaaaa hold off 4 now
(Scourge) 12:30
i’ll c u in a cple days anywy
(Dead) 12:31
ok but epic welcome home partaaayy in NY
(Scourge) 12:31
cant wait
(Dead) 12:33
see you soon bitty baby scourge! hugs!!!
----------
- April 20th, 1998 (17 Years Old) -
- Little Whinging Library -
Harry sat on the steps of the Little Whinging Library, back where it had all started almost eleven years ago. Frank had gone to get the London house closed up and grab Wade and Logan, who were flying them back to New York in the X-plane. He stayed back though. He wanted to come here for a while to say his own goodbye to London first. And Frank, well he understood Harry’s need for a final goodbye to the place where it all started.
Harry, Sirius, Remus and Severus had their own little ‘farewell’ party at Grimmauld Place a couple evenings before. Sirius enjoyed a little too much Fire Whisky and started getting weepy about the fact that his pup was leaving yet again. Remus attempted to cheer him up by saying that Harry wasn’t really going away ‘forever’ and that they knew where he was going. Harry even let himself endure some very fuckin' awkward hugs from the man. But Sirius wasn’t calmed completely until Severus called him a ‘dunderheaded blundering fool’ and told him to calm himself because Harry was not dying, he was merely a message away.
Of the three men, Harry would have never guessed that Severus would be the one to embrace using a magically tweaked phone. Harry figured that it was because Sev had made that promise so long ago to specifically look out for Lily’s son. Harry was pretty much gearing himself up to be sent short dissertations on how he should be taking care of himself, studying further and ensuring that he was making something of his life.
Harry was pretty happy that he had met these guys. He may have never had a chance to meet his biological family, but he felt like he had added to his makeshift fucked-up one by getting to know these three. He doubted that they would ever join him and Frank on any 'adventures', but they might just jump over to New York every once in a while. Maybe pull themselves out of the 12th century and join the 20th. (Maybe even embrace lined paper and ink pens… oh my!) Only time would tell.
As he sat there waiting, flipping his knife in the air and ruminating on his past in the wizarding world, he considered how fuckin’ lucky he was that he happened to be in the library at the same time that a mercenary needed to slip in and take a break from a mission. He was so ridiculously fortunate that Frank just happened to need a place to stop before he went to his London safehouse, and that he just happened to see some small raggedy kid who he decided that he needed to help.
Harry couldn't imagine if he had been left to the fate of living with the Dursleys for the rest of his childhood. Or worse, what if he had been taken in by Dumbledore when he was eleven? Sure, he would have known about magic, but would he have bought into the insane propaganda that the man preached? Would he have been the sheep brought to slaughter?
And what about Tom? He was just as much a victim in all of this too. Fuckin' Frank saved them both without even really trying. It would have been weird if this past decade was all some fucked up dream that he woke from and he was back in that horrible house, back in his cupboard.
But it wasn't a dream. He was safe and sound. Happy. And Dumbledore was gone. Life would go on without an insane megalomaniac trying to take over the world and eradicate half of all its magic.
Shit, by that logic, Frank fuckin' saved magic! Harry snorted to himself. Figures. Frank didn't even like magic that much. He would have to point this whole thing out to him when they were on their way home. Oh, the fuckin' irony. Maybe he and Dr. Strange would be friends now. (Doubt it.)
Yeah, Harry was pretty fuckin’ lucky. And he couldn’t wait to continue on in their adventures.
He wasn’t sad that he was leaving, per se. In fact, if he didn’t come back for a long while that would be okay. But he would miss his Moon. He would miss seeing her every day and hearing about the weird Fizzlebibs that were sprouting hairs out of his ears to ward off the Warbleflubbs. (Or some such shit.) He would miss her bubbly smile and her ability to bring genuine joy to every situation, even a gruesome murder.
They had promised to keep in touch, though. So that was something. She loved texting already, and he had a feeling that his phone would be filled with observations of her last year of school, of her adventures, of all the silly things that she loved. (He told her to take pictures to prove she was wearing shoes. She now thought he had a bit of a shoe fetish, but he just wanted to make sure no one stole her shoes. *Shrug*)
So, yeah, he would fuckin’ miss her the most. Sure, he was happy to be leaving, but it almost felt like he had ripped out his heart and was leaving it here in her tiny sprite-like hands.
As if thinking of her made her appear, he saw a pixie-ish blond-haired girl skipping down the sidewalk toward him. Wand stuck in her bun, a bag slung over her shoulder. She had a giant smile on her face, and her shirt had a sparkly unicorn on it. (At least she was fuckin' wearing shoes. Not that he would bring that up… see ‘fetish’ comment above.)
Harry immediately jumped to his feet and hurried to meet her. “Moon! What the fuck are you doing here? We said goodbye! I don’t wanna say fuckin’ goodbye again. I don’t like that. It makes me feel like absolute shit to see you cry.”
She gave him a tight hug and leaned back to look into his eyes. “Well, I don’t have to say goodbye, silly. I talked to daddy and we agreed that I should start planning for my future. I needed to leave earlier than planned, and that was okay with him. He understands. Mum understands too. She told me in a dream.”
Scratching the back of his head in confusion, Harry asked, “What do you mean, ‘planning for your future’, Luna-beam?”
“Well, since you’re the Master of Death now, you will obviously need my help. I mean, you were chosen and everything, but you’re probably overwhelmed by the responsibility right now. I told you I would help out. Remember, silly? And, really, it’s part of my destiny to help you with your future quests. That is more important than finishing Hogwarts. Even daddy says so. I can go to school anywhere, but you're only where you are when you're there. And, so, that's where I need to be... where you are. It makes sense.”
“UHHhhhh, what?” Harry coughed out incredulously. “What are you talkin’ about Moon, and what the fuckin’ hell is the ‘Master of Death’???”
“Hmm? Oh, we’ll come back to all of that. It’s not that important, really. What are you planning to do now?” She asked as she fiddled with her beetle necklace.
“We’ll come back… okay,” He mumbled in confusion before huffing out an amused breath at his best friend’s ability to talk in circles while never really explaining anything. “Uh, well, I dunno, really. I guess Frank and I will probably do the same thing we do every day. Try to stop people from taking over the world. Travel to exotic, distant lands; meet exciting, unusual people... kill them.(1) You know, the usual.” Harry was still hung up on the ‘Master of Death’ thing, but he knew better than to rush his Moonbeam.
“That sounds fun. Can I join you guys?”
“Wait, what?? Can you join us? Are you seriously asking if you can join Frank and me over in New York and around the world on our missions?”
She spared him a slightly condescending look, “Well, yes, Scourge. I’m good at magic. I know your fighting style. And, I think we like each other so we could probably stand to be in each other’s company without anything bad happening.” She paused for a moment so that he could nod in agreement. “And, if I come with, I can help keep the Nargles away from you.”
“I guess maybe you can come with? I think that’s something Frank’ll have to agree on before I say a definite yes. But, uh, can we get back to this whole ‘Master of Death’ thing you’ve shackled me with?” Harry asked as he attempted to steer the conversation towards her random comment earlier.
“Oh, yes! Well, you have your invisibility cloak, when you toppled the old goat you got the Elder wand. And, if I am not mistaken, you are currently wearing the soul stone.(2) Your aura has gone distinctly darker. Not really a bad dark, but one that can commune with the other side. I know you will need someone who can interpret these things by your side. That’s why I told daddy that I was needed by you, and I wouldn’t be attending Hogwarts for my last year,” she informed him firmly. (Well, as firmly as she ever got with her whimsical ways.)
Harry’s eyes had widened through her explanation. “Ah huh. So, I have ‘mastered’ death now, have I? Am I like Wade? Can I just die and come back however much I want to? Moon, I genuinely love you so, but that’s even a bit of a stretch for you.”
Luna giggled and shook her head. “You’ll learn. It’s okay that you don’t understand right now. The important thing is that you learn before…”
They were interrupted by Frank walking up the sidewalk to collect Harry. “Hey kid, you ready? I want to get going soon. Logan ‘n Wade are waiting and we need to make good time back to New York.” He spared a quick glance for Luna and then asked Harry, “What’s Sprite doin’ here?”
Harry wrinkled his nose and lifted a shoulder in mystification, “She wants to come with?”
“Where? With who?” Frank grunted, glancing between the two kids in front of him.
“To New York… with us?”
“No,” Frank growled. “We’re not takin’ her on. She’s got no training. She doesn’t know the life.”
"Frank, please? You took me on when I wasn't trained. You took a chance on me... please take a chance on her? She says she wants to go. I can help her out. You know Wade will. Fuckin' please??" Harry begged Frank.
Luna piped in, “It’s ok with daddy if I come with you, Mr. Punisher, sir. He knows that I’ll be taken care of. He knows that this is what I’m supposed to do.” She opened her bag and reached in to get a folded letter. Handing it to Frank, she stood quietly while he read.
He looked at the letter, at Luna and then back at the letter.
Snorting quietly and shaking his head, Frank folded the letter and gave it back to Luna. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. (Harry figured there was a lot that Frank wanted to say about the situation in general, but he was holding back from sayin' it because he didn’t want to seriously hurt the feelings of the bubbly girl.) He scrutinized her for a moment and said, “You sure? You’ll need to fuckin’ train, and we’re not very good at girl crap. I’ll be fuckin’ pissed if you try to stick sequins on our gear or glitter up our weapons, or some shit. And I’m not volunteerin’ to get my damned nails painted. Kid ‘n you can do that crud.”
“That’s fine, Mr. Punisher. I will only paint things that talk to me and tell me to. And then only muted colors. Besides, Scourge doesn’t mind having pink fingernails. I’m sure about leaving with you. It’s what I’m supposed to do right now. And I’m good at training. I’ll just need to make sure to stay away from Heliopaths, since I’m having the biggest issue with those right now. Also, Mr. James said that there was always a spot in his school if I ever wanted to go there. I think that it sounds lovely there. I want to meet this blue man Hank, or maybe even play a game of poker with Mr. LeBeau.” She beamed at Frank throughout her speech then mused, “I wonder if he plays like we do.”
Harry was about bouncing on his toes in excitement at this point. He would need to dissuade her from playing poker games with Remy, especially since the man could literally blow things up and Moon had a small love of violence now, but holy crap!! Frank's resolve was visibly cracking. This was going to happen! His best fuckin’ friend in the whole world was going to come with them!!!
Frank sighed again, long and loud. (Harry could tell that he was already giving in. Frank only sighed like that when he gave in to Wade and Harry's bad ideas, letting the fallout happen as it would.) He glanced up at the library, perhaps also remembering the time when he rescued a small boy from a horrible life.
“Fine. Come on. I’m assuming you have all you need in that magic bag or some shit. Just make sure you keep up. We'll make sure that all the papers are taken care of before we get out of here.” He narrowed his eyes at Harry and growled, "She's your responsibility too. You have to look out for her and help her get all trained up. I expect you to actually work, and not just fuck off."
They both nodded at him excitedly, then Harry hugged Luna hard and spun her around a little.
“We’re goin’ to New York, Moon! You’re gonna love it!!! The pizza there is awesome! Not that shit that you order, but, like, legit shit. And, we’ll get you all trained up so you can fight with us. You’ll meet all the X-Guys. They’re pretty awesome. I mean, not as awesome as Frank and me, but still pretty cool. Shit, Moon! We’re gonna have so much fun and do so many awesome things!!!”
Luna laughed at Harry’s rambling and started walking toward the car with him and Frank. She hummed a little below her breath before saying, “Oh yes, I’ve seen that we’ll do many, many good things together.”
She linked her arms between Frank and Harry and grinned at them both.
“Just wait until we meet Thanos…”
~ Fin ~