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Chapter 54 - Chapter 53

If you ever find yourself wandering through Hogwarts and stumble across a group of teenagers wearing outfits that look straight out of a superhero movie, don't panic. You haven't time-traveled to a dystopian future where wizards fight crime.

That's just MageX.

Currently, three of its founding members were loitering outside the Room of Requirement, dressed like they were about to either save the world or attend Comic-Con.

Jean Grey was leaning against the wall, rocking on her heels, arms crossed over her chest like she was the bouncer of the Cool Kids Club. Her new green bodysuit, courtesy of Harry, fit her like a dream, the golden Phoenix emblem practically glowing in the dim torchlight. She had no idea what material it was made from, but it was flexible, lightweight, and—most importantly—made her look hot.

Harry stood next to her, flipping a dagger between his fingers with casual ease. He was dressed in a red armored bodysuit with golden accents, the golden 'M' on his chest standing out like a beacon. His underarmor was brown and black, giving him the appearance of someone who took both fashion and combat seriously. His red hood was down for now, leaving his perpetually messy black hair free to look like it had fought (and lost) a battle against a hurricane.

Susan Bones, the third member of their 'we-definitely-know-how-to-punch-things' trio, was stretching her arms. Her suit looked like an upgraded version of her Hufflepuff Quidditch gear, reinforced with something a lot more durable. Black 'V' insignias were stitched across the chest and shoulders, because apparently, they were branding themselves now. Unlike the other two, she was actually warming up, because someone here had common sense.

"I swear, if they take any longer, I'm hexing someone," Jean muttered.

"They're only five minutes late," Susan pointed out.

"Yeah, and in five more minutes, they'll be dead to me," Jean shot back.

Harry snorted. "Wow. The patience of a saint."

Jean elbowed him. "Don't act like you're not annoyed, Potter."

"True," Harry admitted. "But unlike you, I have refined ways of dealing with my frustration."

To demonstrate, he flipped the dagger into the air, caught it effortlessly, and threw it without looking. It embedded itself perfectly in the stone wall, slicing through a torch bracket. The torch clattered to the floor.

Susan raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Uh-huh. Refined. That's definitely the word I'd use."

Jean smirked. "Please, he's just showing off because his girlfriend's here."

Harry turned his head slowly, giving her a flat look. "Girlfriend?"

Jean widened her eyes in mock innocence. "What? Did I say girlfriend? I meant co-leader. My bad."

Susan, absolute traitor that she was, laughed. "She's not wrong, though. You do act extra flashy when Jean's around."

Harry huffed. "That's ridiculous."

Jean grinned. "Uh-huh. Tell me, did you practice that knife flip in front of a mirror, or—"

Before she could finish, hurried footsteps echoed down the hall.

A group of students rounded the corner—Hermione, Ron, Fred, George, Percy, Ginny, Hannah, Luna, Daphne, Tracey, Neville, and Cedric—followed closely by the three new recruits: Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet, and Katie Bell.

The three Quidditch players skidded to a stop the moment they caught sight of them.

Angelina blinked. "Uh… did we just walk into a superhero audition?"

Alicia let out a low whistle. "Well, this is unexpected. I thought we were here for, I don't know, secret dueling club stuff. No one said anything about matching outfits."

Katie, the Muggleborn, tilted her head. "Okay, either you lot are superheroes, or you've been watching way too many Muggle action films."

Jean shot Harry a smug look. "See? Someone appreciates our aesthetic."

Harry smirked. "We are superheroes, technically."

Alicia scoffed. "Okay, sure. And I'm Merlin reincarnated."

Fred muttered, "Could be worse. She could be Dumbledore reincarnated."

George shuddered. "Please, one Dumbledore is enough."

Percy cleared his throat, looking as exasperated as ever. "Can we focus? We are here for a reason."

Jean rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine. We'll get to the actual meeting part of the meeting." She gestured toward the blank stretch of wall.

"Alright, everybody, pay attention. This is the Room of Requirement. It only appears when you need it, and since we need a private training space, it's about to give us one."

Harry stepped forward, closing his eyes and focusing.

We need a place to train.

The wall shimmered, and a door materialized before them. He pushed it open, revealing the most epic training facility Hogwarts had ever seen.

The floor was padded like a dueling ring, targets lined the walls, and training dummies stood at the ready. There were even a few obstacle courses, because why not?

Angelina, Alicia, and Katie stepped inside, eyes widening.

"Okay," Angelina said slowly. "This is actually cool."

Alicia whistled. "Alright, I'll admit it. I was expecting a dusty old storage room, but this? This is next-level."

Katie turned to Harry, Jean, and Susan. "Alright, spill. What exactly is MageX?"

Harry exchanged a glance with Jean before turning back to the newcomers.

"Simple," he said. "MageX is a team of magical heroes. We train, we protect, and we make sure the wizarding world doesn't get left behind in a world that's changing fast."

Jean grinned. "And now, you three are about to become part of it."

Alicia crossed her arms. "And if we say no?"

Harry smirked. "Then you leave, and you never speak of this again."

Angelina raised an eyebrow. "And if we say yes?"

Jean clapped her hands together. "Then welcome to the most badass club in Hogwarts."

Katie hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright. I'm in."

Angelina and Alicia exchanged glances before shrugging.

Alicia smirked. "I mean, if it means I get one of those cool suits, why not?"

Angelina grinned. "Yeah, okay. I'm in."

Harry clapped his hands together. "Brilliant. Now, let's get started. We've got training to do, and dinner's in an hour. Let's see if we can survive each other before then."

Jean smirked. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."

Susan cracked her knuckles. "Let's just hope no one ends up in the hospital wing this time."

Luna, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "I foresee an 87% chance that at least one of us will need medical attention."

Neville groaned. "Why do you always say stuff like that right before we start training?"

Luna beamed. "Would you prefer I say it after?"

And with that, MageX's newest members stepped onto the training floor, completely unaware of just how insane things were about to get.

The Room of Requirement was quickly shaping up to be the most real-life-action-movie set any of them had ever seen. The walls hummed with the energy of enchantments, and suddenly, out of thin air, training dummies and targets began appearing—looking like something straight out of a training montage. Harry, Jean, and Susan stood in the middle of it all, arms folded and looking very much like they had stepped out of a Marvel movie.

Angelina, Alicia, and Katie were trying very hard to look composed—well, as composed as you can look when you're faced with three teens who had obviously just finished filming an Avengers sequel.

"So… we're part of a superhero team now?" Angelina asked, eyebrow arched like she was trying to figure out whether this was an elaborate prank or the real deal. "And, no offense, but you three look like you're about to join a villain's league, not save the world."

Jean turned to her with an exaggerated frown, but her eyes twinkled with amusement. "Ouch, Angelina. I thought we were bonding over our matching outfits."

"Oh, sure, matching outfits," Alicia said, snickering. "If I wanted to be a walking billboard for Christmas, I'd wear what he's wearing." She gestured toward Harry, who was standing proudly in his red-and-gold armor that practically screamed heroic fashion statement.

"Hey, don't knock the suit," Harry said, puffing out his chest. "Red and gold. Powerful colors. Trust me, they never go out of style." He flashed a grin that could've lit up a small city. "And, for the record, Jean's suit's better than mine. If you're into matching outfits."

Jean shot him a mock glare, her smile betraying her. "Flattery will get you everywhere."

Angelina leaned over to Alicia. "Is that a competition between them?"

Alicia raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I don't know. But if it is, I bet Harry's losing."

Katie, who had been quietly absorbing everything like she was trying to decode a wizarding puzzle, finally spoke up. "Okay, okay, I've got to ask... What's MageX? And, uh, are you guys... mutants?"

The entire room froze for a second. Even Luna, who had been twirling around inspecting some invisible creature only she could see (the Nargles, of course), stopped mid-spin and cocked her head in curiosity.

"Mutants?" Harry repeated with a grin, as if the word were some kind of inside joke. He straightened up, his armor gleaming in the torchlight like it was made of enchanted fire. "Yeah, but not in the way you probably think. We're magical mutants."

Katie blinked. "Wait—so, you've got powers? Like X-Men?"

"Bingo," Harry said, tapping his chest like he was some kind of magical superhero on a mission to make all their lives very complicated. "Except, we didn't get our powers from some crazy accident with radiation or a gene splice. We were born with them. Well, some of us, at least."

Alicia gave him a sideways look. "Wait, so are you telling me you've got mutant powers, like teleporting or something?"

"Not quite," Jean chimed in, flashing a grin. "We're magical mutants. Some of us, like me, have telepathy and telekinesis. Which, by the way, is super handy if you want to make your annoying teammate spill their coffee across the room without them even realizing you did it." She winked at Harry. "I could totally do that, you know."

Harry raised his hands in mock defense. "I'm innocent here. I only drink coffee when absolutely necessary."

"And you," Jean said, pointing at Harry again, "have the ability to absorb powers from magical creatures and artifacts. It's like you're a walking, breathing magic sponge."

"I prefer 'power accumulator,'" Harry retorted, sounding annoyingly smug. "But, yeah. That's basically me. Want me to show you how it works? Just point me at a dragon, and—"

"Please don't," Susan cut in with a roll of her eyes. "We still haven't recovered from the last time Harry absorbed everything in sight, including a basilisk fang and a griffin's talon. Let's just say—we don't talk about it."

Katie was still processing. "So, wait, you're saying some of you have mutant powers too? Actual mutant powers?"

"Yep," Jean said, grinning wider now. "Some of us do. And some of us, like Harry, are a bit more complicated."

"Can I go next?" Neville said, raising his hand eagerly. "I have control over plants. Seriously, plants are awesome. They help with everything. And no, I don't just talk to them like a crazy plant lady. They help me with my fighting."

"That is a power?" Alicia asked skeptically.

"You'd be amazed what you can do with a few vines, a lot of patience, and a bit of plant magic," Neville said with a shy grin. "I once made a plant grow so fast, it knocked someone off their feet. It's... uh... surprisingly effective."

"I'm next!" Daphne called from across the room, freezing a target in an instant with a snap of her fingers. "Cryokinesis. Freezing things. Nothing too fancy, but it gets the job done."

"Like freezing people?" Katie asked, looking slightly unnerved.

Daphne winked. "Only if they've earned it."

Cedric stepped forward next, stretching his fingers dramatically. "Regeneration, enhanced reflexes, senses, and—" He tapped one of his fingers, and a retractable claw shot out from the tip of his finger. "Claws. Very useful for... everything else."

"Oh, so you're like a werewolf, but without the moon," Alicia said, grinning.

"Exactly," Cedric replied, a cocky grin forming on his face.

Luna, who had been inspecting a nearby air current as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world, finally looked up. "I talk to the forces of the universe. Sometimes they show up as invisible creatures. Like Nargles or Wrackspurts. The real ones, not the fake ones." She tilted her head, looking at them with dreamy eyes. "Oh, and the Crumpled-Horned Snorkack is real, too. I've seen it."

"That's... a lot," Katie muttered under her breath, still processing all the weirdness.

"Don't worry," Susan said with a smirk, "you'll get used to it. Or at least you'll learn to cope with it. Like the rest of us."

Harry clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. "Alright, so here's the deal. MageX isn't just some superhero group. We're here to protect the magical world. And we want you three to join us."

Angelina, clearly having worked through the initial shock, stepped forward. "So, we just—what? Join the team, get powers, and then you guys give us cool suits?"

"Yes! But only after you can prove you won't embarrass us," Harry grinned. "And trust me, the suit is worth it."

Alicia raised her hand like she was in a classroom. "But what if we don't have mutant powers? Is that... okay?"

"Doesn't matter," Jean said, giving Harry a look that made it clear she had already thought this through. "If you're magical, you're in. If your powers develop later, great. But even if not, we're all in this together."

Katie smiled. "I'm in. I've always wanted to be part of something bigger than me."

"I'm in, too," Alicia said, crossing her arms. "Might as well see where this goes."

Angelina nodded. "Yep, count me in."

"Perfect," Harry said, clapping his hands together. "Now, time to see how you handle a little training before dinner. Hope you're ready to get your butts kicked."

Jean flashed a mischievous grin. "And no one's leaving here without breaking a sweat. You've been warned."

"I'm sure you're all super excited about that," Susan said dryly. "Just don't end up in the hospital wing again. Last time, someone nearly gave Madam Pomfrey a nervous breakdown."

With that, the new recruits stood, staring wide-eyed at what was about to unfold. They were about to discover just how crazy their lives were about to become.

The moment Jean and Susan stepped onto the training field, you could practically hear the click as the gears in their heads shifted into full drill sergeant mode.

Jean was all legs, fire, and sass as she surveyed the group of teenagers, her hands confidently placed on her hips. Her signature smirk had that effect on people—it either made them want to get on her good side, or run for their lives. There was no in-between.

Susan, on the other hand, cracked her knuckles in a way that sounded suspiciously like the sound of a warning bell going off. She exuded that "I'm calm, but I will wreck you" energy that made you instantly question your life choices.

"Alright," Jean barked, her voice cutting through the group like a hot knife through butter, "You're not here to play nice and wave your wands around like it's a damn magic show! You're here to sweat, bleed, and maybe—just maybe—learn something about working together."

The group shifted uneasily, especially Fred and George, who were whispering to each other like a pair of villains plotting their next big heist.

"Is this where we run laps or—?" Fred started, but Jean's raised eyebrow was all it took to shut him down.

"Nope, no laps. But if you think running is your idea of a good time, I'll be happy to make it part of your punishment later."

George blinked. "Punishment? There was no mention of punishment when I signed up."

"Well, there's one now," Jean said with a grin. "And I'll bet you ten galleons you're gonna regret it."

Susan, who had been watching the whole exchange with amusement, took a step forward. "You all think you're hot stuff because you can wave your wands around and send curses flying. But if you're not working together, you're useless." Her eyes scanned the group, pausing on each of them as she spoke. "Today, it's all about physical skills. No magic. Just you and your brains, your muscles, and your ability to not screw up."

Ron's face went a little pale, and Hermione nudged him with a sarcastic look. "Stop looking like you're about to throw up, Ron. You knew this was coming."

"Yeah, well, I didn't know it would feel like this," Ron muttered.

"Don't worry, Weasley," Susan said, grinning like she had just discovered something delightful. "This is gonna be fun for me. Not so much for you."

As if on cue, a loud, collective groan echoed through the group. Jean was enjoying this way too much.

"Alright," Jean said, a dramatic pause following her words as she gestured to the obstacle course laid out in front of them. "First drill: you're gonna navigate this obstacle course. You'll dodge blasts from enchanted targets, avoid traps, and hit those damn dummies before they get a chance to hit you back."

Ginny raised a hand, her face full of skepticism. "And we can't use magic?"

"Nope," Jean replied, snapping her fingers for emphasis. "Not a single spell. The only magic you get is from your muscles. You're going to rely on your teamwork—or what's left of it after I'm done with you."

The Weasley twins exchanged an impressed look, then muttered something that could only have been a plot for a prank. Fred leaned toward George. "Can we make the obstacles... explode?"

Susan shot them a smirk. "You can, but if you blow up the room, I'll personally make sure you're cleaning it up for the next month."

"You heard her, George," Fred said with a glint of mischief. "Let's leave a few things standing... maybe."

"Five push-ups if you get hit," Jean continued, watching the group. "Ten if you hit someone on your team. And if you complain about this, you'll be doing a lot more than push-ups. Got it?"

A chorus of groans followed, but they all reluctantly nodded and prepared for what they were sure was about to be their worst hour in training yet.

Meanwhile, Harry was over on the side, arms folded, watching Cedric stretching with an expression that could only be described as "mischievous." He cracked his knuckles, a grin playing at his lips.

"Alright, Cedric," Harry called over to him, "you ready to stop being a Quidditch god and actually fight?"

Cedric shot Harry a cocky smile. "I'm not worried. You've seen me fight before, Harry. I don't exactly need a broomstick for this."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I'm aware. But remember, no magical tricks. This is straight-up hand-to-hand combat. No claws unless I give you the green light."

Cedric smirked. "Don't worry, mate. I've got a handle on things now."

"Sure you do," Harry said with a smirk of his own. "Let's see how well you do when I'm not about to hand you a golden Snitch."

They dropped into fighting stances, and Harry couldn't help but get a little excited. "Let's go then, pretty boy. I'm gonna make you regret all those mornings you spent flexing in the mirror."

Cedric chuckled, obviously not intimidated. "You're about to eat your words, Potter."

Harry winked. "You might wanna put some ice on those words after this."

They lunged at each other, the sound of their fists meeting air—and sometimes each other—filling the room. Cedric was fast, and Harry was faster, his movements smooth and calculated, but there was that element of surprise, that wild unpredictability Cedric had inherited from his time training with Logan.

Back on the obstacle course, the chaos was in full swing. Alicia and Angelina were darting through the dummies, doing their best to dodge the barrage of magical blasts being sent their way. Katie was making a valiant attempt at the obstacle course while on her broomstick, but it wasn't going quite as well as she'd hoped. One of the enchanted obstacles seemed determined to eat her broomstick, and she was this close to yelling at it.

Fred and George were, predictably, having the time of their lives, weaving in and out of obstacles while cracking jokes that had absolutely no business being funny at that moment. "So," Fred said with a grin, "you think we can set up a trap that will make them think we've rigged the whole thing with exploding chickens?"

"I'd say no, but then I remember who's in charge," George replied, giving Susan an exaggerated salute. "Maybe next time, though."

Susan just stared at them for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Fine. Go ahead. Make this fun. But if anyone ends up covered in feathers, I'm adding extra push-ups."

Ginny, who had been taking it all in from the sidelines, turned to Tracey. "This is going to be a nightmare, isn't it?"

Tracey, who was trying to maintain her usual stoic demeanor, sighed. "Yeah, but at least they'll learn something. I think."

Luna, on the other hand, had already floated past them all, lost in her own little world. "Oh, look at that," she said, her voice dreamy. "There's a Nargle in that target. See, it's smiling at me. It thinks I'm nice."

Tracey just blinked at her. "What in the world...?"

Luna simply smiled back. "They like when you talk to them."

"Right," Tracey said under her breath, "Nargles. Got it."

Meanwhile, Jean was watching the whole thing with an ever-present smirk. "Well, if they don't get it together soon, I might just start using them as target practice."

Susan raised an eyebrow. "You say that every time."

Jean grinned wider. "But this time, they're actually going to make me work for it."

The air crackled with tension, like a live wire waiting to snap. Cedric and Harry squared off in the makeshift training ring, eyes locked with the intensity of a couple of guys about to argue over the best way to eat a burrito (it's obviously from the top down, don't @ me). Harry was taking it easy—just enough to give Cedric a fighting chance—but, honestly, it was getting harder to hold back.

Harry casually adjusted his stance, hands in his pockets like he wasn't standing on the edge of a near-physical confrontation. His grin was about as innocent as a cat who'd just knocked over a vase and was pretending to be shocked by it. "Ready, pretty boy?"

Cedric, looking like he'd just had his second espresso of the morning, cracked his neck with a growl. "I'm always ready for a challenge, but don't go easy on me. If you do, I'll think less of you. And I'm already having a hard time liking you as it is."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Well, I wouldn't want to hurt your delicate ego."

"Oh, I'm sure it's already been shattered by my many, many flaws," Cedric said, tapping his temple. "But hey, I've been training with Logan. I can take a hit. Bring it."

There it was—the challenge Harry couldn't ignore. When someone pulls the "You're holding back" card, it's like they're daring you to unleash the beast. But Harry? He wasn't about to go full power on the guy. Not yet. Not when they were still trying to figure out how to keep from tripping over their own feet.

"Alright," Harry said with a fake sigh, like he'd been inconvenienced by the request. "Prepare to regret this."

And, without another word, they were at it.

Harry moved first—because, duh—his speed was like trying to catch a shadow on a sunny day. Cedric's eyes widened as Harry slid to the side, dodging the punch with the kind of grace you'd expect from someone who'd been training with a wizard who could levitate furniture for fun. But Cedric was quick, too, and his reflexes had improved leaps and bounds thanks to Logan's brutal sessions.

"Come on!" Cedric huffed, throwing another wild punch that Harry easily dodged. "You can't just keep moving around like that!"

Harry grinned. "Why not? It's working, isn't it?"

Cedric growled, his boots scraping against the floor as he adjusted his stance. He wasn't going to let Harry dance circles around him all day. "Stop trying to make me look bad, Potter. I know you've got more in you."

Harry raised his hands in mock surrender. "What? Who, me? I'm just getting started. But hey, you asked for it."

Before Cedric could respond, Harry was already on the move again. He darted forward this time, just as Cedric swung. Harry side-stepped, but this time, instead of dodging completely, he pivoted and tapped Cedric's ribs with an elbow that sent Cedric stumbling back.

"Oh, come on!" Cedric sputtered, clutching his side like he'd just been sucker-punched. "That actually hurt!"

Harry stepped back, pretending to be shocked. "What? No! I didn't think it'd work that well. You okay?"

Cedric shot him a glare. "I'll survive. But you'd better start taking this seriously, because I'm not gonna stop."

Harry smirked. "I'm not really going easy. But if it makes you feel better, I'll show you what it's like to fight a guy who doesn't need a broom to fly."

Cedric's jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with determination. "Bring it."

And that's when the tempo changed.

Cedric's footwork was sharper this time, his punches more controlled. He wasn't just reacting anymore; he was anticipating. Harry dodged a punch that nearly clipped his cheek, then slid into a low sweep that had Cedric jumping out of the way just in time.

"Hey! Watch it!" Cedric laughed, clearly enjoying himself now.

Harry raised his eyebrows. "I thought you said you wanted me to go full throttle. We can't all be delicate little flowers."

"Oh, shut it," Cedric shot back. "You've got it easy, speedster. I'm still getting used to this. But when I do..."

Harry just nodded. "Yeah, yeah. When you do, you'll be a force to be reckoned with. But, for now, it's my turn."

And with that, Harry stopped holding back—just a little. He closed the distance between them in an instant, faster than Cedric could blink. Before Cedric even knew what was happening, Harry's fist landed solidly on his shoulder, and it wasn't a light tap. Cedric went flying back, arms flailing like a ragdoll. He barely caught his balance before he fell.

"Woah, easy there, champ," Harry teased, flicking a bit of nonexistent dust from his shoulder. "You alright? You look a little wobbly."

Cedric's face was flushed with exertion, but his grin never wavered. "Damn, that was actually impressive. You could've taken my head off there."

"I could have," Harry said, his grin widening. "But where's the fun in that? Besides, I'm saving the real moves for later. You know, for when you really piss me off."

"Pfft. Oh, I'm scared," Cedric muttered, rubbing his shoulder as if trying to act like that hit didn't sting. "But it's all good. You think you've got me figured out?"

Harry tapped his chin. "You're getting closer, I'll give you that. But it's still too easy. You gotta keep your head in the game, mate. Don't let me be the game."

Cedric's eyes narrowed, his muscles tensing. "Alright, then. No more Mr. Nice Guy."

He lunged at Harry, faster this time, but Harry was already moving before Cedric had fully committed. It was like they were both playing chess—two steps ahead, thinking ahead of each other's moves. But this time, Cedric anticipated Harry's next move, blocking his punch with a surprising amount of force.

"Not bad," Harry said, clearly impressed. "You've improved. Just don't get cocky now."

Cedric, breathless but grinning, wiped sweat from his brow. "I'm just getting started. Don't think you've won yet."

Harry laughed. "Oh, I know. But this—this is fun."

Between rounds, Harry and Cedric took a breather, both of them panting, sweat dripping down their faces like they'd just run a marathon through a swamp. Cedric wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, his eyes still flashing with that competitive fire that made him look more like a lion than a Quidditch player. It had been a pretty intense round, with Harry holding back just enough to make Cedric feel like he had a fighting chance.

Harry leaned against the ring's edge, catching his breath and throwing a glance at the rest of the room. Fred and George were causing mayhem with their enchanted dummies, of course. Luna was still floating through the obstacle course, as if nothing could possibly get under her skin, and Tracey was—well, she was dodging explosions like it was her side job.

"Okay," Cedric said, slumping down onto a bench, still catching his breath. "I need to ask you something serious."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "What's up? You finally gonna admit I'm the better fighter, and you're just here for the pretty face?"

Cedric snorted, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Right, because I'm just dying to be your punching bag." He paused, looking down at his hands for a moment before meeting Harry's eyes. "No, actually, it's about… well, about the whole MageX thing."

Harry's attention piqued, his grin slipping into a more neutral expression. "What about it?"

Cedric shifted on the bench, clearly considering his words carefully. "So, you know how we brought in Angelina, Alicia, and Katie for this whole... well, let's call it 'secret superhero training'? I've been thinking. There's someone else I want to bring in. Someone I trust, someone who's, well—" He cut himself off, looking uncomfortable for the first time in their sparring session.

"Someone you want to be more than just friends with," Harry said, grinning like he'd figured out a puzzle. "Let me guess—Ravenclaw Seeker? Cho Chang?"

Cedric's face flushed, his eyes darting away like he'd just been caught in a very awkward moment. "You're a bloody genius, aren't you?" he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Yeah. Cho's one of my childhood friends. I want to tell her... well, I want to tell her about what's going on with me. About MageX. About my abilities. I mean, she's always been there for me, and—"

Harry held up a hand, stopping him before he could get any more sentimental. "Hold up, Cedric. I get it. You want to be able to tell her, but here's the thing. This isn't just your call." He glanced around at the others, who were still busy doing their thing. "It's not only about whether or not you trust Cho. Jean, Susan, and I are the ones who run this operation—so if you want to bring her into the fold, we all have to give the thumbs-up. It's not just about your feelings, mate."

Cedric's face hardened, his gaze flickering from Harry to the others. "You're saying I can't even tell her unless... what, you all agree?"

"Basically," Harry said with a shrug, trying to keep things light. "Look, I know it sounds a bit ridiculous, but it's how we keep things on the level. You've got to think about who's getting involved, and whether they're ready for the responsibility. It's not just about sharing mutant abilities, it's about keeping the whole thing secure. You saw how Katie handled the situation, right? Some people take it better than others."

Cedric clenched his jaw but nodded slowly. "Right. You're right. It's just... I don't want to keep this from her, especially when she's been a part of my life for so long."

Harry gave him a sympathetic look. "I get it, I do. But just give it some time, okay? We'll talk it over with Jean and Susan, and if they're on board, we'll figure out the best way to tell her."

"I'll hold off, then," Cedric said, exhaling slowly, trying to shake off his frustration. "Just... don't tell anyone about this, yeah? I don't want to make it weird."

Harry smirked, crossing his arms. "Mate, if you think I'm the one who's gonna tell people about your little crush, then I've got news for you. I'm far too busy looking after my own complicated life to add your love triangle to my list."

Cedric let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "I'm not the one who needs help there, Potter."

"Not yet, anyway," Harry shot back with a smirk, the usual cheekiness slipping back into his voice.

Cedric chuckled, looking more at ease now. "Alright, alright. I'll cool it for now. But you owe me a round where I actually get a punch in."

"Sure thing, pretty boy," Harry said, pushing off the bench and getting back into position. "But just know, you're not getting any sympathy punches from me. I play for keeps."

"Figures," Cedric grinned, rolling his shoulders again as he stood up. "Ready for round two?"

Harry nodded, a challenge lighting up his eyes. "Born ready. Let's see what you've really got."

---

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