Shadowflame

So, there we were—stuck in another universe, with a magical lighter that could suck up light and, apparently, transport us back home if we gave it enough time to "absorb dimensional energy." Yeah, I wasn't sure what that meant either, but when you're dealing with magic, you get used to things sounding like they belong in a bad sci-fi movie.

Hermione, ever the encyclopedia of magical knowledge, was explaining the Deluminator to Zatanna and her dad, Giovanni Zatara. "It looks like a Muggle lighter," she said, holding up the little device, "but it's a lot more complicated. It can remove, store, and return light. Dumbledore—our old headmaster—also enchanted it to act as a beacon. Right now, it's linked to Remus here and Charlie Weasley back in our universe."

Zatanna nodded like she understood exactly what Hermione was talking about, which made sense—she was a magician herself. Giovanni, however, wasn't just going to take our word for it. He started muttering under his breath, which sounded like random gibberish, until I realized he was casting spells backward. That's how his magic worked, apparently. I was just glad I didn't have to do the same. I can barely handle the normal spells, thank you very much.

After a minute of mystical diagnostics, Giovanni looked up and nodded. "It will work," he said, his voice all serious and professional. "But it will take time—at least two weeks for the Deluminator to absorb enough dimensional energy."

Two weeks. Great. That was enough time for something to go terribly wrong. I glanced at Batman, who already looked like he was planning six different ways we could all be secretly evil.

"We can't just sit around for two weeks," Batman said, his voice dripping with suspicion. He crossed his arms, glaring at me like I was going to pull out a Dark Mark any second.

"We don't have much of a choice," Wonder Woman replied calmly, though I could tell she wasn't thrilled about it either. "The wizards need time, and we need to trust that their magic will work."

Trust. Yeah, that's Batman's favorite word. I was pretty sure if the man smiled, his face would crack.

"They've been running from a dark wizard who's destroyed most of their world," Zatanna added. "They've got nothing to gain from deceiving us."

Fred leaned over to George. "So, we're hanging out with superheroes for two weeks? This is the best vacation ever."

"Even if one of them looks like he wants to drop us off a cliff," George whispered back, nodding toward Batman.

Before anyone could argue further, Wonder Woman did the most logical thing—offering us sanctuary with the Justice League while we waited. Naturally, this annoyed Batman to no end. He glared at Wonder Woman like she'd just suggested hosting a tea party with Voldemort.

"Fine," Batman growled. "But I'm watching all of them."

"Oh, goodie," I muttered. "A bat-shaped babysitter."

Miss Martian, ever the sunshine in the room, suddenly perked up. "Hey, Harry! Isn't your 17th birthday next week?"

That got everyone's attention, especially the wizards. Hermione's brain started ticking, doing the math. "Wait, your birthday is next week? That means time is passing the same here as in our universe. Your 17th birthday was supposed to be about a week away when we jumped into the Veil."

"Good to know," Ron said. "So, no weird time-travel nonsense to worry about."

"Well, except the whole jumping into another dimension thing," I pointed out.

Wonder Woman smiled at me like I was the world's most adorable inter-dimensional refugee. "We'll make sure you have a safe place to celebrate."

I raised an eyebrow. "First birthday without the Dursleys? I'm counting that as a win, even if I'm stuck in another universe."

"You're welcome," Miss Martian beamed.

Fred smirked. "Could be worse. At least we get to spend the time with superheroes."

"Yeah, until someone tries to kill me again," I muttered, throwing a quick glance at Batman, who still looked like he was ready to pounce on us at any second.

"You say that like it's a regular occurrence," Robin said, grinning.

"It kinda is."

Everyone eventually agreed to wait out the two weeks—although I'm pretty sure Batman was plotting some sort of background check on all of us. As the meeting broke up, I couldn't help but think: two weeks with the Justice League. What could possibly go wrong?

Oh, right. Everything.

—

The moment we set foot on the Watchtower, Ron's eyes looked like they were about to fall out of his head.

"Blimey, Harry… this place is—"

"—a giant bloody spaceship!" Fred cut in, giving George a nudge. George, naturally, looked equally gobsmacked.

"Think we could launch a few fireworks from here? Maybe give Voldemort a real send-off?" George grinned, elbowing Fred back.

Ginny, meanwhile, had the look of someone who'd just seen a Nundu. "This… this is mental."

"This is the future!" Hermione's voice shot up an octave, her eyes practically sparkling. "We're on a technological marvel—a space station orbiting Earth! Oh, Harry, do you realize what this means?"

"Uh, yeah. No need for Floo Powder to travel in style?" I grinned, earning a playful smack on the arm from her.

"No, you dolt!" Hermione bounced over to Batman, her excitement practically radiating off her. "How do you maintain the energy grids up here? The gravitational stabilizers, the air filtration—oh, and do you use nanotechnology for the repairs?"

Classic Batman. Not a twitch. Just that brooding face with maybe, maybe, a flicker of amusement. "We manage."

Robin sidled up beside me, smirking. "Hermione might give Bats a run for his money in the tech department."

I grinned back. "If she had a utility belt, we'd all be out of a job."

Fred overheard and burst into laughter. "Hermione with a Bat-belt! She'd put Mad-Eye to shame!"

Meanwhile, Tonks was spinning in circles, eyes wide. "Wotcher, Harry! Didn't realize you had this kind of setup! Beats Grimmauld Place any day."

"Tell me about it," I muttered, scratching the back of my neck. "Weird to think of this place as home, though. I've spent the last day baking cookies with Miss Martian and binge-watching retro TV shows. Not exactly the grand adventure I expected after jumping through the Veil."

"Wait, you made cookies with a Martian?" Ginny arched an eyebrow.

At that exact moment, Miss Martian floated over, landing beside us with a beaming smile. "Yup! Best chocolate chip cookies ever! Harry's pretty good at mixing batter, even if he did make a bit of a mess."

"Did not," I protested. Okay, fine, I did, but still. "Strategic flour sprinkling. Adds character to the cookies."

Fred and George snickered. "Sounds like someone's found their inner house-elf," Fred quipped.

"Better watch it, Harry, or Hermione'll make you join SPEW," George added with a grin.

"Oh, I think Harry's done more than enough housework, don't you think?" Hermione shot me a knowing look, but before I could respond, Batman cleared his throat. It's amazing how the guy could silence an entire room with just a sound.

Zatanna, standing with her dad, tilted her head toward the rest of us. "So, this Deluminator thing… it's gonna take two weeks to power up?"

Giovanni Zatara nodded solemnly. "Yes, it requires time to absorb the dimensional energy here. At least a fortnight."

"A fortnight," Ron muttered under his breath. "Sounds like a vacation in space to me."

Wonder Woman—who, by the way, is about seven feet of pure intimidation—crossed her arms. "The Justice League will offer you sanctuary during this time. You'll be safe here."

George snorted. "Safe in a space fortress. Well, that's something I never thought I'd hear."

Batman's eyes narrowed. "Safety is not a guarantee."

Hermione muttered, "Yeah, we've noticed."

Tonks, still spinning around in awe, suddenly stopped and grinned at me. "So, Harry, dear… Seventeen, huh? That's a big deal. In both universes, apparently."

Fred and George exchanged their signature mischievous looks, and I knew I was in trouble. "We've got a few ideas brewing for a proper inter-dimensional birthday bash," Fred said, rubbing his hands together.

"Absolutely," George added with a smirk. "What better place to prank Harry than a space fortress?"

I groaned. "I'm afraid to ask."

"Don't worry, Shadowflame," Ginny teased. "We'll make sure it's a memorable seventeenth."

Hermione raised a finger like she was about to launch into a lecture. "Just no fireworks or explosions, please. The Watchtower's delicate systems can't—"

"Relax, Hermione." George waved her off. "We wouldn't dream of damaging anything. We're professionals."

"Right," Hermione muttered, clearly unconvinced.

Robin, who'd been listening in with a grin, chimed in. "A birthday party in space does sound kinda awesome. I'm in."

Wonder Woman raised an eyebrow, though there was a hint of a smile on her face. "As long as the festivities don't interfere with the League's operations."

"Of course not!" Fred said, hand over his heart in mock sincerity. "We're very respectful of superhero protocols."

Batman glanced over, his expression unreadable. "I'll hold you to that."

Fred and George both paled slightly. "On second thought," Fred muttered, "maybe we'll keep things low-key."

The rest of the group erupted into laughter, already discussing plans, potential pranks, and how exactly we were going to pull off the universe's first inter-dimensional birthday bash.

And as chaotic as it all sounded, for the first time in a while, I felt a weird sense of normalcy. Even if "normal" now involved space stations, superheroes, and the looming threat of Voldemort in another universe, it was still us—my friends, my family—planning something together.

Whatever comes next, at least we'd face it head-on. Probably with cake and fireworks. Because honestly, that's just how we roll.

—

In the fiery heart of his celestial forge, Hephaestus was hard at work—though calling it "work" might be an understatement. This was more like an epic quest, complete with glowing embers, magical materials, and enough divine energy to power a small city. The god of fire and craftsmanship was crafting something special for Diana's son, Harry, who had a knack for getting into trouble—and Hephaestus admired that kind of dedication.

Surrounded by a whirlwind of sparks, Hephaestus was deep in the creative zone, surrounded by blueprints sprawled out like a magical treasure map. "Okay, let's see what we've got here," he muttered, scratching his head as he scrutinized his sketches. He needed to design armor that would fit Harry like a glove—an epic glove that screamed, "I'm a demigod who can punch you into next week, and I do it with style!"

This was no ordinary armor. It had to be sleek, dark, and imbued with powers that would make even the gods raise an eyebrow. He pictured Harry wearing it, the armor's black surface shimmering with gold accents. "Too much gold? Nah, you can never have enough bling when you're a son of a demigod," he chuckled, recalling the last time he had tried to impress a certain goddess with a flashy shield. Spoiler: it didn't end well.

At the center of the armor's design was a massive crimson gem that looked like it was stolen straight from the treasure hoard of a dragon. This wasn't just for show; this gem had some serious magical chops. "This little beauty is going to absorb energy and magical abilities from anything it touches," Hephaestus mused, rubbing his hands together. "Harry will be able to take a spell right out of the air, channel it through this gem, and unleash it with a punch! Talk about a game changer."

But wait, there was more! He had a brilliant idea for Harry's gauntlets. These would be the pièce de résistance. "No need for a wand, Harry! Just punch your way through problems like a true hero!" He envisioned the gauntlets snug against Harry's forearms, covered in runes that practically screamed "magic at your fingertips!" With these bad boys, Harry could channel spells straight through his fists. He'd be a one-man wrecking crew with style points, too.

Hephaestus could practically hear the cheers of his fellow gods as Harry delivered a knockout punch, sending a blast of magic flying through the air. "You just can't lose when your armor is as cool as this," he said to himself, grinning like a kid in a candy store.

In his mind's eye, he pictured Harry on a battlefield, the gem glowing like a disco ball every time he absorbed an enemy's spell. "Bam! Take that, sorcerer!" he imagined Harry shouting, right before sending a wave of magic back at his opponent, who probably wasn't prepared for such a dramatic turn of events.

As he sketched away, Hephaestus added protective enchantments to the designs. This armor needed to withstand both physical attacks and magical blasts—like a superhero whose costume could survive a burst of flame without looking like last year's prom dress. "You can't have a demigod running around looking like a hot mess!" he said, shaking his head in disapproval.

With every strike of his hammer, Hephaestus poured divine energy into the design, imagining how the armor would resonate with Harry's spirit. He pictured Harry donning it for the first time, feeling the weight and power of it. "Dude, I'm about to become a legend," he imagined Harry saying, a smirk plastered on his face.

But this wasn't just armor; it was a legacy waiting to happen. With each piece forged, Hephaestus felt the excitement building. Harry was destined to be more than just a kid in a magical world; he was about to become a powerhouse. "Just wait until Diana sees this! She'll be over the moon, and Harry will be unstoppable!" he said, his heart swelling with pride.

As the flames danced around him, Hephaestus set to work, hammering and shaping the first piece of armor with a newfound enthusiasm. This wasn't just another job; it was a chance to craft a hero's fate. He smiled, thinking about the adventures that lay ahead for Harry, armor-clad and ready to take on anything life—or the gods—could throw at him. "Welcome to the family, kiddo," he said to himself, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Now let's make some magic."

—

Meanwhile, in the training room of the Watchtower, I was about to learn something that could either change my life or make me look like an absolute idiot. Diana—yes, the legendary Wonder Woman herself—was going to teach me Pankration. Now, when I heard "Pankration," I pictured something like a cross between a medieval tournament and a chaotic game of dodgeball. Apparently, it was a mix of wrestling and boxing, and let me tell you, my track record with self-defense wasn't exactly stellar.

See, my previous experience with fighting consisted of dodging the Dursleys' fists and getting my wand out to do some fancy spellwork. And honestly? The Wizarding World didn't prepare me for actual punches. I mean, they thought a simple Stunning Spell was enough to keep the bad guys at bay. Spoiler alert: it's not.

"Alright, Harry!" Diana said, her voice ringing with that same confidence that made her a legend. "Let's see what you've got!"

I nodded, pretending I wasn't terrified. "Right! I can totally do this!" I mean, how hard could it be? I had the strength of a demigod, the durability of a Basilisk, and the fiery spirit of a phoenix. I took a deep breath, pumped myself up, and lunged at her like I was going for a gold medal in a very confusing Olympic sport.

Bad move.

My fist went flying, and I ended up face-first on the mat, dust clouds swirling around me like a cartoon character who just hit a wall. I could almost hear my friends in the background stifling their laughter.

"Nice power! But remember, control is key!" Diana grinned at me. Honestly, I was half-tempted to get up, brush myself off, and declare that I was totally practicing my dramatic fall. "Try to use your legs next time."

"Got it! Less dramatic, more ninja!" I said, giving her a thumbs-up that probably looked more like a salute.

I felt like a total klutz, but then I remembered my friends were watching. Hermione's eyes were wide with excitement, Luna was… well, Luna, gazing dreamily, and Ginny looked like she might jump in any second to show me how it's done. Meanwhile, Fred and George were at the sidelines, cheering for me like I was their personal hero.

"Come on, Harry! Show her what you've got!" Fred yelled, practically dancing with excitement. "Just don't break anything… or yourself!"

"Yeah, mate! We need you in one piece for the next adventure!" George chimed in, and I could hear the teasing in his voice.

With renewed determination and a dash of bravado, I got back up, shaking off the embarrassment. I was not going to let a little tumble ruin my chance to learn from Diana. So, I focused on her movements, the way she shifted her weight, the fluidity of her strikes. It was mesmerizing.

"Okay, let's try again!" I said, adopting a battle stance that I hoped looked somewhat intimidating.

Diana nodded, a spark of encouragement in her eyes. "Good! Now remember, use your opponent's energy against them!"

I lunged again, this time channeling every ounce of that newfound strength. My punches felt sharper, more precise, and surprisingly powerful. I could sense my friends rallying behind me, their support wrapping around me like a warm, fuzzy blanket.

"Go, Harry!" Ginny shouted, and I felt my confidence swell. I was actually starting to get the hang of this. Maybe I wasn't destined to be the world's clumsiest hero after all!

"Remember to breathe!" Diana reminded me, her tone both serious and playful. "And try not to make that face when you punch. It's a bit scary."

I shot her a look, half-amused, half-embarrassed. "What? This face is my best feature!" But I took her advice to heart. Each punch felt stronger, fueled by my determination and the cheers of my friends. With each swing, I could almost feel the energy of the Phoenix stirring within me, mingling with the strength of a demigod.

As I executed a final series of punches, I realized something: I was no longer just Harry Potter, the kid who once hid under stairs. I was becoming something more—stronger, fiercer, ready to face whatever came next.

"Fantastic, Harry! You've got potential!" Diana praised, and I couldn't help but beam.

With a heart full of determination and a group of friends cheering me on, I was ready to embrace my new role as a warrior. The world was an adventure waiting to unfold, and I was finally ready to take it on, one punch at a time.

—

Meanwhile, in the dimly lit lab of the Watchtower, Remus Lupin and Giovanni Zatara were elbow-deep in a magical experiment with the Deluminator. The device sat between them like a shiny toy, full of potential yet weighed down by the urgent mission they were on. You'd think being wizards would mean they had all the time in the world, but no—time was slipping through their fingers like sand, and on the other side of the Veil, Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour were gearing up for an exodus. Goblins, Veela, and all sorts of magical creatures were waiting for the signal to escape Voldemort's grim clutches, and every second counted.

"Alright, Giovanni, let's brainstorm," Remus said, tapping his fingers against the table. You could practically hear the gears turning in his head, but the nervous energy radiating from him made it hard to focus. "If we can amplify the Deluminator's energy absorption, we might actually send a message across the Veil faster. Time is of the essence, my friend."

"Absolutely!" Giovanni replied, his eyes practically sparkling at the challenge ahead. "We can't leave them hanging like a bad cliffhanger. We need to turn this device into a magical vacuum cleaner for dimensional energy! Harnessing the magic of this universe could speed things up considerably."

He dove into a collection of colorful crystals and magical artifacts from the shelves, spreading them out like a kid in a candy store. Each item glimmered with possibilities, just waiting to be put to use. "Okay, here's the plan: what if we link the Deluminator to the ley lines of magic in this realm? If we tap into that energy, we'll boost absorption rates like crazy!"

Remus's excitement matched Giovanni's, his mind racing with possibilities. "That's a genius idea! If we synchronize the Deluminator with the ley lines, we're practically creating a magical power grid. It'll channel energy straight into it! This is a wizard-level power-up we're talking about!"

They sprang into action, rearranging crystals and murmuring incantations like a pair of mad scientists. The air around them hummed with energy, vibrating in tune with their combined efforts.

"Ah! This crystal right here!" Giovanni exclaimed, pointing to a large, shimmering gem. "This beauty is from the Dreaming Realm. It resonates with both magical and dimensional energies. Infusing it into the Deluminator will definitely enhance its absorption capacity!"

With a mix of nervous excitement and determination, they carefully placed the crystal into the Deluminator's core. The device responded with a soft glow, sending ripples of energy that danced in the air like tiny lightning bolts. Remus felt a rush of adrenaline, watching the Deluminator pulse with life.

"Now, let's see if we can amplify the signal," Giovanni declared, determination etched on his face. "We can't let Bill and Fleur down. They're counting on us to get this message through!"

Fueled by adrenaline and a shared sense of purpose, they launched into a series of incantations, pouring their magical energy into the Deluminator. The room crackled and popped with energy, every chant echoing with hope and urgency.

"Bill! Fleur!" Giovanni shouted, his voice rising above the crackling energy. "If you can hear us, gather everyone and get ready to cross over! The Deluminator is primed and ready to guide you!"

As his words filled the room, the Deluminator glowed brighter, bathing the lab in a radiant light. Remus and Giovanni exchanged glances, their hearts racing as they awaited a response, every second feeling like an eternity.

Just as doubt began to creep in, a shimmering portal began to form in front of them. "Look!" Remus exclaimed, his pulse quickening with excitement. "It's working!"

Giovanni grinned, practically bouncing on his feet. "Now we just have to keep it open long enough for them to respond! Let's channel everything we've got!"

With determination fueling their every word and gesture, they poured their magical energy into the Deluminator, the portal stabilizing before them. They could feel the weight of countless lives depending on their success. This was it—the moment they'd been working toward. Together, they were ready to bridge the gap between worlds, lighting the way for those desperate to escape the darkness.

—

So, picture this: I just survived a training session with Wonder Woman—Diana herself—and by survived, I mean I got my butt handed to me for a good half of it. She made me look like a kid trying to fight an angry rhino with a pool noodle. But then, out of nowhere, I started picking up her moves. And before I knew it, I was actually making her work for a win! Yeah, you heard me right—Wonder Woman had to try. Even I didn't see that coming. Honestly, neither did anyone else. You should've seen their faces. It was like I'd just pulled a rabbit out of my hat. Except the rabbit was my sudden ability to fight like a demigod.

Anyway, after that borderline-miraculous comeback, I headed to the showers. I was all sweaty, bruised, and pretty proud of myself. Time to rinse off the day and feel human again. Or, you know, as human as you can feel after getting drop-kicked by an Amazon.

So, I'm walking into the shower area, towel over my shoulder, when I push open the door and—BOOM—naked girl. Like, right there.

My brain immediately freezes. If you've ever seen a computer crash with the blue screen of death, that's what happened to me in that moment. The girl turns around, blonde hair wet, casually standing under the shower like this is the most normal thing ever. And I'm just... standing there. Towel in hand. Probably looking like a deer caught in headlights. Or worse, a deer that's forgotten how headlights even work.

"Uh... hi?" I manage to squeak out, because clearly, my social skills are on point today.

The girl doesn't even blink. Not a flicker of surprise or embarrassment. Just a friendly smile. "Oh, hi! You must be Harry Potter! Everyone in the Watchtower has been talking about you for the past day!" she says, like we're meeting at the coffee shop and not, you know, both naked in a communal shower. "I'm Kara. Kara Zor-El."

Okay, so now my brain has two things to process: (A) There's a completely naked girl in front of me, and (B) her last name is Zor-El. As in, Superman's cousin. Because clearly, my life isn't complicated enough.

"Kara... Zor-El?" I repeat, because apparently my brain thinks it's helpful to just parrot back the obvious.

She nods, still all smiles, completely oblivious to the fact that this is hands-down the most awkward situation I've been in all week. "Yeah! I landed here about a month ago. I'm still getting used to Earth stuff. Like gravity. And showers. Earth showers are really nice."

"Right," I say, still frozen in place. "Superman's cousin. In the shower. Naked."

She tilts her head at me like I've just said something super weird. "Yeah, that's correct. Is there a problem?"

At this point, it hits me—she's from Krypton. She has no concept of how awkward this is. Like, zilch. To her, this is probably the equivalent of saying, "Oh, hey, nice weather we're having."

"No, no problem," I squeak, my voice cracking like I'm a 12-year-old. "Just, uh, gonna go... find another shower. You know, one that's... not occupied."

Kara blinks at me, still totally calm. "Oh, do humans not like sharing showers? I've noticed you guys get shy about stuff like that. It's a cultural thing, right?"

Cultural thing. Right. I am definitely not explaining Earth teenage hormones to Superman's cousin.

"Yeah, it's... definitely a cultural thing," I mumble, backing out of the room like a total dork. "I'll, uh, leave you to it."

As soon as I'm out of the shower area, I lean against the wall and let out a huge breath I didn't even realize I was holding. My heart's still pounding, my face is probably red as a tomato, and Kara's still in there, humming some Kryptonian tune like nothing weird just happened.

First impressions, right? Nailed it.

—

After taking what could only be described as the world's coldest shower (because, you know, nothing screams awkward like walking in on a very naked, very Kryptonian girl mid-suds), I trudged down to the mess hall. Breakfast would help, I thought. Maybe eggs. Something normal. Something that would erase the memory of earlier from my brain.

I was wrong. So, so wrong.

Megan was valiantly trying to make breakfast, and by "valiantly," I mean it looked like a scene straight out of a cooking disaster show. Pancakes were burning, eggs were some shade of radioactive green, and the entire room smelled like defeat.

Across the table, Fred and George were whispering to each other, grins plastered on their faces like they'd just found their next victim. Ron was staring at the so-called food, pale as a ghost. Neville? The poor guy was trying to help, but he looked like he might pass out from the smell alone.

Robin was just watching the chaos unfold with that smug grin of his, like he knew something the rest of us didn't. Meanwhile, Wonder Woman looked totally calm. Like, of course, burnt pancakes and green eggs were a normal breakfast experience. And Superman—Superman—was sitting there, sipping coffee like it wasn't the most intimidating sight ever. Because, obviously, this is my life now.

Which, of course, was the exact moment Kara Zor-El walked in.

I froze mid-spoonful, praying to every god, wizard, and Kryptonian in the universe that she wouldn't say anything embarrassing. She was thankfully fully dressed, but my brain was still replaying, well, the earlier incident.

"Good morning, Kal-El! And good morning to you, friend from the shower!" Kara chirped, beaming like the sun itself.

Cue me choking on my cereal.

Fred and George's heads snapped up like they were synced to some invisible prank radar. Their grins stretched even wider (which I didn't think was possible), and Ron? Ron dropped his toast, eyes bugging out of his head.

"Friend from the what now?" Fred asked, his voice practically gleaming with mischief.

"Yeah, Harry," George chimed in, "anything you'd like to share with the class?"

I could feel my face turning a shade of red normally reserved for Weasley sweaters. "It's not—it's so not what it sounds like."

Naturally, this was the exact moment Superman decided to join the conversation.

"Kara, what do you mean by 'friend from the shower'?" he asked, voice calm but with that slight edge that could cut through steel. Uh-oh.

"Oh, right!" Kara said, still smiling like nothing in the world was wrong. "Harry walked in on me while I was showering earlier. It was a bit surprising, but he was really polite about it!"

Dead. Silence.

Ron's fork clattered to the floor. Fred and George just stared at me, jaws hanging open like they'd just won the prank lottery.

"Blimey, mate," Ron muttered, "how do you always end up in these situations?"

I opened my mouth to explain (bad idea, really), but Fred beat me to it.

"So, Harry," Fred began, barely containing his laughter, "you're saying you had a run-in with Superman's cousin..."

"In the shower?" George finished, looking far too delighted.

Neville, bless him, was trying to throw me a lifeline. "I'm sure it was just an accident, right, Harry?"

"Yeah," I muttered, heat creeping up my neck. "Total accident."

"An accident where you walked in on her naked, and she's just... fine with it?" Fred raised an eyebrow.

"You've got better luck than a leprechaun at a casino," George added with a wink.

Across the room, Superman put down his coffee. He was no longer sipping. He was staring. At me. Oh no.

"Kara, why exactly did Harry walk in on you in the shower?" he asked, jaw tightening ever so slightly.

Kara blinked, like she was confused why this was even a question. "Well, I didn't lock the door, so I guess that's why. But it's okay! We're friends now!"

The grin on Fred's face was so wide I thought his cheeks might split. "Friends, huh? That's one way to start a friendship, Harry."

"Oh yeah, I always make friends by walking in on them naked," George added, clearly loving this.

My face was now approximately the temperature of the sun. "Guys, it wasn't—nothing like that! It was a misunderstanding!"

Superman's eyes narrowed just a little. "Harry," he said slowly, "we're going to have a conversation about boundaries."

"Kal-El, it's really fine!" Kara insisted, still oblivious to the nuclear-level tension in the room. "Harry didn't do anything wrong. He's a good friend!"

Good friend. Yeah. Just let me crawl into the earth and disappear now, thanks.

Diana stepped in, ever the calm voice of reason. "Kal, it's just a misunderstanding. No harm done."

Superman exhaled through his nose, clearly not entirely convinced, but letting it go. "Fine. But no more... incidents."

Fred snorted. "Hear that, Harry? No more sneaky peeks."

George elbowed him. "Yeah, mate. Gotta leave some mystery!"

"Would you two please shut up?" I hissed, absolutely mortified.

Kara, still completely oblivious, gave a cheery thumbs-up. "Got it! No more naked human encounters."

Neville, bless his soul, tried one last time to change the subject. "Er, maybe we should... talk about something else?"

But Fred wasn't done. "So, Kara, what exactly did Harry say when he saw you?"

Superman's jaw clenched. Diana gave him a look that said, don't murder the child.

"Fred!" I groaned. "Just... stop, alright?"

Fred raised his hands in mock surrender. "Right, right. No need to embarrass you further."

I glanced at Superman. Yeah, he was done. Standing up abruptly, he gave me one last look before marching out of the room.

As soon as he was gone, Fred leaned in with a smirk. "Well, mate, at least you're making new friends. Naked ones, no less."

"Fred!" I groaned, burying my head in my hands.

Ron shook his head, still grinning. "Mate, you really need to work on your timing."

Neville gave me a sympathetic pat on the back. "It's alright, Harry. Could've been worse."

"Yeah?" I asked, peeking through my fingers.

He nodded. "You could've walked in on Superman instead."

And with that mental image, I decided it was time to excuse myself before my life got even weirder.

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Hey fellow fanfic enthusiasts!

I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Whether you loved it, hated it, or have some constructive criticism, your feedback is super important to me. Feel free to drop a comment or send me a message with your thoughts. Can't wait to hear from you!

If you're passionate about fanfiction and love discussing stories, characters, and plot twists, then you're in the right place! I've created a Discord server dedicated to diving deep into the world of fanfiction, especially my own stories. Whether you're a reader, a writer, or just someone who enjoys a good tale, I welcome you to join us for lively discussions, feedback sessions, and maybe even some sneak peeks into upcoming chapters, along with artwork related to the stories. Let's nerd out together over our favorite fandoms and explore the endless possibilities of storytelling!

Click the link below to join the conversation:

https://discord.com/invite/HHHwRsB6wd

Can't wait to see you there!

If you appreciate my work and want to support me, consider buying me a cup of coffee. Your support helps me keep writing and bringing more stories to you. You can do so via PayPal here:

https://www.paypal.me/VikrantUtekar007

Or through my Buy Me a Coffee page:

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vikired001s

Thank you for your support!