As Harry's countdown reached zero, the familiar sensation of Portkey travel seized them all—that peculiar feeling of being yanked forward by an invisible hook behind the navel while the world dissolved into a whirlwind of color and motion.
After what felt like an eternity of spinning through magical space, their feet finally found purchase on solid ground.
Tony had developed some tolerance for Floo travel and managed to steady himself with considerable effort, though his complexion remained distinctly pale. Banner fared far worse—his face had taken on an unmistakably green tinge, and he collapsed to the grass the moment they landed, rolling in obvious distress. Without the protective amulet Gemini had provided, the Hulk would have emerged by now.
"Merlin's beard!" Tony breathed, taking in their surroundings. They stood on the shores of the Black Lake, with Hogwarts Castle rising majestically in the distance. Against the star-scattered night sky, the ancient fortress commanded awe with its towering spires and countless glowing windows—a testament to centuries of magical education.
"Indeed. Welcome to Hogwarts, everyone." The crisp, authoritative voice came from behind them. Tony spun around to discover an elderly witch observing them with sharp intelligence. She wore emerald-green robes that perfectly matched her stern expression, topped with a traditional pointed hat, her posture radiating decades of classroom authority.
"Professor McGonagall," Harry stepped forward respectfully. "Thank you for accommodating our unusual request."
Professor McGonagall's penetrating gaze settled on Gemini with the precision of a hawk spotting prey. "Miss Black. It has been... quite some time."
Gemini instinctively hunched her shoulders, suddenly feeling like a first-year caught after curfew. "Good evening, Headmistress McGonagall."
"You appear to be thriving, which is gratifying to observe." McGonagall's tone carried layers of meaning. "I trust you'll still sit your O.W.L.S. this year. Academic credentials remain essential, regardless of... alternative educational arrangements."
Gemini swallowed nervously. "Am I still eligible to take them?"
Professor McGonagall nodded with characteristic precision. "Naturally. You were never formally expelled, merely... relocated due to circumstances beyond your control. Your academic standing remains intact." She turned to Harry with the expression of someone assigning homework. "I expect you to fulfill your guardianship responsibilities properly. Ensure she returns for examinations. You'll find Hagrid waiting—he's been anticipating your arrival with considerable enthusiasm. Contact me via owl if complications arise."
With that dismissal, she turned and strode toward the castle with the measured pace of someone who had never hurried in her life.
Gemini watched her retreat with grudging admiration. McGonagall's ability to deliver complete fabrications with perfect sincerity was truly masterful. Thank Merlin she hadn't completely abandoned her textbooks—imagine the humiliation of returning only to earn Troll marks!
Harry clapped his hands briskly and helped Banner to his feet. "Right then, let's visit Hagrid."
Gemini had taken only a few steps when realization struck. She smacked her forehead, retrieved the watch from her bag, and activated the projection system. Miniature Sirius materialized on the display, immediately surveying their surroundings.
"Finally! Still looks exactly the same—brings back memories." Ignoring Sirius's nostalgic commentary, Gemini hurried to catch up with the group.
The walk to Hagrid's hut took them along the familiar path skirting the Black Lake. Five minutes of steady walking brought them to the gamekeeper's residence, where Hagrid's massive silhouette dominated the doorway. His towering frame nearly blocked the warm light spilling from within, creating an imposing shadow against the night.
Tony craned his neck to take in Hagrid's full height—the man stood nearly half again as tall as himself. "Christ! You're absolutely enormous!"
Hagrid boomed with laughter and delivered several hearty claps to Tony's shoulder. The Muggle genius immediately buckled under the friendly assault, collapsing to the ground with undignified haste. Before Tony could protest, Hagrid stepped over him and swept Gemini into a bone-crushing embrace.
"Gemini! You've finally come home! How have you been managing over there? I've been worried sick!" Hagrid's enthusiasm threatened to compress Gemini's ribcage beyond repair.
Gemini struggled desperately against the suffocating hug, convinced Hagrid was exacting revenge for her Acromantula extermination. She was going to die of asphyxiation!
Harry hauled Tony upright while patting Hagrid's massive arm. "Hagrid, release her before you cause permanent damage."
Breaking free from Hagrid's enthusiastic welcome, Gemini gasped for precious oxygen. "Hagrid! Are you attempting murder?!"
Hagrid chuckled and scratched his wild hair sheepishly. "Come inside! I've prepared proper refreshments!"
Entering Hagrid's hut felt like stepping through time itself. Harry marveled at the unchanged interior—every detail remained exactly as he remembered from his student days. Only Fang showed the passage of years. Though the boarhound possessed some magical creature heritage, he wasn't truly magical himself, and nearly two decades had taken their inevitable toll.
"Hagrid! Hagrid!" Sirius shouted from his five-centimeter height, waving frantically to attract attention.
"Eh? Who's calling me?" Hagrid blinked his beetle-black eyes in confusion, scanning the assembled group with genuine puzzlement.
Gemini resignedly raised her hand as Sirius performed increasingly dramatic gestures on the watch display. "Down here!"
Hagrid lumbered forward eagerly. "Sirius?! Merlin's beard! They actually managed to bring you back! I heard about those virtual portraits the Weasley twins developed and wondered if they'd create one of you!"
Just as the reunion threatened to devolve into extended reminiscence, Harry intervened diplomatically. "Hagrid, we're here on urgent business."
Hagrid immediately assumed a more serious demeanor, bustling to pour tea for everyone. "Right, of course! Forgive me—which situation did you mean? Here, try some rock cakes—made them fresh this morning!"
Harry indicated Banner with a subtle gesture. "Our friend here requires assistance. I'll have him undergo transformation shortly, but preliminary communication would be wise. Mr. Scamander should arrive momentarily—between you two, we hope to establish dialogue with the secondary consciousness."
Tony quietly set down his rock cake, fairly certain several teeth had loosened upon impact. Gemini pressed her hand to her mouth, stifling delighted giggles. Everyone required initiation via Hagrid's legendary rock cakes—how else could one claim authentic Hogwarts experience?
"Scamander? You mean Newt?" Hagrid asked with obvious excitement.
"Precisely. Professor Dumbledore arranged his consultation. He rarely ventures out these days—age has made him somewhat reclusive."
"The author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?" Tony inquired, his scientific curiosity overriding dental discomfort.
Harry nodded, but before he could elaborate, someone knocked on Hagrid's door with characteristic politeness.
Hagrid thumped across the room and opened the door to reveal a tall, thin elderly wizard clutching a modest leather case. His white hair curled softly around a face marked by few wrinkles, though nothing could hide the distinctive freckles dotting his nose. He appeared somewhat nervous, avoiding direct eye contact with practiced ease.
"Good evening. I'm Newt—Newt Scamander. Professor Dumbledore indicated someone required my particular expertise."
The assembled group immediately offered enthusiastic welcomes, ushering the legendary Magizoologist to Hagrid's table. Harry provided a comprehensive briefing on Banner's unique condition, explaining the soul separation and the emergence of an independent Hulk consciousness.
After confirming the magical diagnostics—complete soul division with the secondary personality achieving autonomous status—they finalized their approach.
The transformation would occur at the Forbidden Forest's edge, providing ample space while maintaining containment options. Harry led the group outside, positioning Banner at the treeline. Working in practiced synchronization, Harry and Gemini established a protective perimeter around their subject, weaving interlocking shield charms designed to prevent an uncontrolled Hulk from charging into the forest's dangerous depths.
Hagrid and Newt took positions within the magical barrier, ready to attempt communication the moment transformation occurred. Tony remained at a safe distance despite his protests—even wearing his armor, he represented the group's most vulnerable member.
The stage was set for an unprecedented experiment: the first recorded attempt at diplomatic contact with the Hulk.
Banner stood at the center of their preparations, his expression mixing resignation with desperate hope. After years of viewing his condition as purely destructive, the possibility of communication—of understanding—offered something he'd never dared imagine.
Gemini checked her protective amulet one final time, ensuring its power remained stable. Harry reviewed the containment spells with professional thoroughness. Hagrid cracked his massive knuckles in anticipation, while Newt adjusted his grip on the case containing decades of creature-handling expertise.
"Everyone ready?" Harry called out, his voice carrying across the moonlit clearing.
The moment of truth had arrived.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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