Talon chapter 11

Chapter 11 - Did I hear cats?

Harry let out a small yawn as his eyes slowly opened. He looked up and blinked, taking a moment to remember exactly why he wasn't in his room at the League's headquarters. He had to admit, this bed was soft. He let out a small sigh as he forced himself to sit up. As he did, he spotted Hedwig perched at the foot of his bed. It appeared that she had just woken up as well. Owls might be nocturnal, but Hedwig had long since been able to match her sleep schedule with his.

"Good night's sleep, Hedwig?" Harry asked as he let out another yawn before looking at a clock on the wall. If the time was right, then it was currently half-past ten. Usually, Harry didn't sleep past eight at max, but given that he had spent the last few days making a mockery of immigration protocols and customs, it had made sense that he'd sleep longer than normal. Hedwig hooted in confirmation as Harry got up, he walked over and greeted her with his hand, which she happily leaned into. He smiled warmly at her before heading into the bathroom connected to his room.

After performing his morning rituals, he walked out of the room with Hedwig on his left shoulder. Deciding to take some time to explore, Harry walked around the manor. More and more, he was reminded of Hogwarts; some hallways in this place even had suits of armour. One room was dedicated to some of the stuff that Harry's father had either inherited or brought from other countries. There was a khopesh, Roman armour, a sarcophagus, various weapons and even a set of samurai armour. After a bit of time, Harry began to wonder if this home had some magic in its setup up as there were a lot of rooms. He had discovered a home gym, a TV room, a luxury bathroom and more, just in the floor he was on. By the time he had finished exploring the top floor, Hedwig had gotten bored and had left his shoulder to go out hunting.

A short while later, Harry found himself on the stairs near the entrance hall. The entrance hall was as big as one would expect from the home of Bruce Wayne. A pair of solid wooden doors with two large windows on either side of the door, plus another one above the door. A red carpet extended from the doors, all the way to the feet of the steps that would lead to the next floor. In the centre of the hall, a large chandelier hung from the ceiling. What Harry was interested in was the people standing underneath the chandelier.

The first person he saw was Jason, with a smiling Alfred standing behind him. Jason had a small smile of his own; his eyes seemed more watery than usual as he talked with the two people in front of him. One of whom was a pretty red-headed woman. She had brown eyes and freckles; her hair was loose in curls that descended down to her midback. She wore black flattop shoes, grey trousers, a green checkered shirt and an open grey blazer. The woman was talking animatedly to Jason while the other new arrival watched on.

He was a man who looked to be in his early twenties. He was wearing black shoes, black jeans, a blue shirt and a matching black jacket. He had a handsome face with black hair and blue eyes, eyes that seemed to twinkle as he watched Jason. Reminding Harry a lot of Dumbledore, except this man's eyes didn't have the same creepiness that Dumbledore's had. The man's physique suggested he worked out. To Harry, the man reminded him of a springed coil. Every part of him looked like he was a moment away from jumping up in the air.

"We rushed straight here as soon as we found out, Jason," The woman had said as Harry made his way quietly down the stairs, so far unnoticed by everyone. "Well...as soon as we had our breakfast." She added sheepishly.

"Breakfast is important," The man said unapologetically, a wide smile on his face.

"You two are...you're both staying together now?" Jason asked slowly, sounding mildly surprised. "You're both together," He realised.

"Well, believe it or not, we only started dating a week ago." The woman said. "He just crashed at my place yesterday."

"Best sofa I ever slept on," The man grinned. "Woke up and found a quarter under one of the pillows." He added, earning a snort from Jason.

"You could do better," Jason told the woman, sounding half-serious.

"I know," The woman stated matter-of-factly.

"Yep," The man agreed easily. "But if we don't mind changing topics, who is this?" He turned to face Harry, who had been leaning against the railing of the stairs, waiting to be noticed.

"Hi," Harry said in a dry voice while giving everyone a small wave.

"Master Hadrian," Alfred greeted him first. "Forgive me for not waking you, I thought it'd be best that you rest after your trying voyage."

"Appreciated, Mr Pennyworth." Harry nodded his thanks as he walked up to the group. "I woke up not long ago and thought I'd take a walk and explore. But it appears we have guests." Harry said as he stopped in front of everyone. "Would I be correct in guessing that you're Mr Richard Grayson?" Harry asked the man, looking up at him. He was tall, nearly as tall as Harry's father.

"That I am," He confirmed, extending a hand out to Harry. "None of that 'Mr' stuff, though. Call me 'Dick'."

"Jason told me that you wanted to be known as that, got to confess that I wasn't sure if he was joking," Harry admitted as he shook Dick's hand. Dick chuckled at Harry's response.

"Don't worry, I've heard every possible joke about it. Besides, it's what my parents called me." He shrugged once they let go. Harry nodded solemnly in response before he turned to the woman who was staring at him curiously as if he were a puzzle. "And I suppose I would also be correct in assuming that you're Barbara Gordon?"

"That I am," The look on her face was still there, even as she gave him a small smile.

"I was led to believe that you were currently in a wheelchair," Harry said, giving her a curious look.

"I was," She confirmed. "I've undergone some experimental treatment, a nice little disk in my spine helps me stay standing."

"I'm glad for you," Harry told her genuinely. "Jason has told me much about both of you."

"He did?" Dick looked questioningly at Jason, who placed his hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Harry was with me after I woke up," Jason explained. "We've helped each other out."

"Oh my god!" Barbara suddenly gasped, looking as if she had just worked something out. She stared at Harry with shock.

"Babs?" Dick stared at her.

"He looks just like him, Dick!" Barbara told him before looking at Alfred.

"Yes, Miss Gordon." Alfred inclined his head slightly. "You are correct."

"Correct in what?" Dick cut in.

"Most likely the assumption that a significant quantity of my DNA was procured directly from Batman's Bat-genitals," Harry answered in a matter-of-fact voice, earning odd looks from everyone. "What?" He asked.

"Now that you mention it, he does look a lot like some of Bruce's old pictures." Dick hummed as he stared at Harry. "So to sum up, you're Bruce's kid and you were with Jason and you know about Bruce's nightly activities?"

"More or less," Harry replied. "I also know that you're 'Nightwing' and Barbara is 'Batgirl'."

"You told him?" Barbara asked Jason.

"I trust him," Jason responded. "He's a good kid. A little too blunt at times, but he's a good kid."

"Well, I'd like to hear more," Dick gestured for him to continue. "Tell us everything."

"A wonderful idea, Master Grayson." Alfred cut in. "But I think it could perhaps wait until we've all eaten. Last I checked, Master Hadrian and Master Jason have not had breakfast. I'd like to remedy that if you don't mind. And I trust the two of you know your way to the kitchen and will have no qualms about joining us."

"We already ate breakfast, Alfred." Barbara pointed out in an amused voice.

"I'll make you both something light," Alfred replied without missing a beat. Barbara gave Dick a questioning look.

"I can go for seconds," Dick said.

(.)

"So, to sum up," Dick said as they sat together in Harry's room. Harry was currently sitting on the edge of his bed while Jason, Barbara and Dick were all scattered around he floor in front of him. Alfred had chosen to leave them be and had opted not to join them. "Your name is Hadrian Al Ghul, you're the son of Talia Al Ghul and the Batman. You helped Jason escape the League of Shadows, which just went down because it was attacked by a former member. You, Hadrian Al Ghul, who goes by 'Harry', also happen to possess magical abilities."

"That is an accurate, if brief, summary of events, yes," Harry inclined his head.

"What kind of things can you do?" Barbara asked him curiously.

"A few spells," Harry shrugged. "I can summon things, blast things. Recently, I mastered producing fire."

"Up for a little demonstration?" Dick grinned at him. Harry couldn't help but smile slightly. There was something about the Grayson that he found to be utterly disarming. The man in many ways reminded him of Dumbledore with his constant smiling, but unlike Harry's former headmaster, Harry got the sense that Dick was being genuine. With that in mind, Harry raised his hand and a small flame formed above his palm. "Whoa," He breathed out, staring at Harry with a slightly surprised look. He had seen weirder, but it was still odd to see a child make fire with a thought.

"That's nothing," Jason told him. "When the league was attacked, I saw him blast an entire guy out of a building with much bigger flames. Not to mention that force field of his."

"What force field?" Barbara asked quickly. "You can create a force field?" She asked Harry.

"Yep," Jason answered on his behalf. "One strong enough to stop bullets and another that stopped a whole ass helicopter missile. What was that word you shouted, Harry? Protego?"

"Yeah," Harry replied. "It was the incantation for my shield spell."

"Isn't that Latin?" Barbara frowned thoughtfully.

"You know Latin?" Jason blinked.

"A bit," She said with a small smile.

"It is Latin," Harry confirmed. "The incantation isn't truly necessary for the spell; it just helps make things easier to cast. Associating words with an action helps make things easier. Protego equals shield, so it helps with the spell."

"Magic is cool," Dick commented. "So, you can just shoot out a dozen spells whenever you want?"

"No," Harry shook his head. "Magic consumes energy much like physical movements. The more complex and powerful spells require more energy. Even relatively simple spells will require energy equivalent to throwing several punches."

"So there are drawbacks," Dick summed up. "Shame,"

"Indeed," Harry agreed. "Out of curiosity, do any of you know where my father is?"

"Oh, right, Selina is probably coming back today." Barbara realised. "He might have gone to pick her up."

"Selina?" Two voices spoke up at the same time. Harry's came out curiously, while Jason's was tinted with disbelief. "As in Selina Kyle? The 'Catwoman'?" Jason asked incredulously.

"I like cats," Harry perked up.

"Same," Dick smiled at Harry, finding the younger boy to be quite adorable. Harry gave him a nod that seemed to convey the words 'I find you to be acceptable company'. "She has a cat of her own, you know."

"Harry," Jason sighed when he saw Harry's eyes light up. "Selina Kyle is a catburgular. Scratch that, she's THE catburgler. Talking about scratches, I'm pretty sure she left a couple on your dad over the years when he tried catching her."

"She's not like that anymore, Jason," Barbara said softly. "I get it, really, I do. Dick and I both had our doubts as well, but she's changed. Shortly after your..." She trailed off, trying to find the right words.

"Time away," Dick offered.

"Death," Jason said with a heavy sigh."Just call it 'my death'."

"I would have gone with unauthorised leave of absence, but sure, let's go with what you say," Harry commented airily.

"After your unauthorised leave of absence," Barbara said, shooting Harry a brief smile. "Bruce wasn't at his best. It was clear to us, all of us. I'm not really sure what happened, but one day the two spent the night together."

"Most likely coitus," Harry informed her.

"You are far too young to know about that," Barbara protested immediately.

"What the hell is coitus?" Jason frowned.

"He's trying to say that Bruce and Selina probably 'did it'," Dick explained to Jason.

"Oh," Jason's frown got bigger.

"Do you need me to explain what the phrase 'did it' means in this context?" Harry asked Jason genuinely.

"You are far too young to know about that," Barbara repeated herself before turning back to Jason. "Look, Jason, all I'm going to say is that Selina has been good for Bruce. She's become important to him. Alfred, Dick and I all kept our eyes on her. We've not found anything that suggests she's playing Bruce, nor did we find anything that suggests she's still stealing. She's given up that life; it took a long time for us to believe her, but we've come to trust her."

"So...she and Bruce are dating now?" Jason asked, his frown marginally smaller than it previously had been.

"Not quite," Dick shook his head. "They got married about a month ago."

"Beg your what?!" Jason blurted out."They're married?!"

"Yeah, they went abroad for their honeymoon," Dick explained. "I was watching Gotham for him, but Bruce came back earlier than her to help on some Justice League mission."

"Huh, so I suppose she would be my stepmom," Harry said thoughtfully. "Hopefully, my mother doesn't run into her; that could be awkward."

"With the greatest of respect, if Bruce had to get married wth someone, then I'm happy to have him take the master thief over your mother," Jason told him, managing to sound somewhat apologetic.

"Actually, same," Revealed Harry. "Mother doesn't have cats."