Godfather Owl: Guardian of Batman [51]

Bruce returned to his dorm room with the gift Dumbledore had given him.

“Knew it! That Old Dumbledore didn’t get me cocoa!”

Kathoom grumbled right beside Bruce’s ear, making the young bat feel a bit helpless.

“You stuffed yourself at the feast just now. Even if he’d gotten you cocoa, you wouldn’t have had room for it.”

“Whether I drink it or not is my choice!”

The owl looked rather disgruntled. “I just want some respect!”

Bruce shook his head and ignored Kathoom’s ranting.

He dragged a box out from under his bed. Inside lay his Batman suit, the one he had crafted himself.

Bruce stared at it—stared for a long time.

Then, he extended one finger and whispered, “Diffindo.”

With a soft utterance of the spell, the suit inside the box was instantly shredded into countless strips of cloth.

Kathoom cocked his head. “What’s this? Decided not to be Batman anymore?”

Bruce shook his head. “It’s just a suit.”

He cleaned up the scraps of fabric and cleared out the box, preparing to pack up his things.

The school year was ending, and as soon as exam results were released, his first year at Hogwarts would officially conclude.

The day results were posted came quickly.

Bruce topped the year, with Hermione Granger close behind. Unexpectedly, Hermione didn’t sulk this time. On the contrary, she accepted the result with composure.

Even at her young age, Hermione had already learned that life was challenging enough without making it harder on herself.

Why compare grades with Bruce?

Even if he got first place, when it came time to leave school, wouldn’t he still be the one helping her with her luggage?

As the school year ended, Bruce left the castle and once again followed Hagrid onto the boats crossing the lake.

Only this time, there was no shadow of a giant squid swimming beneath the water.

The whistle of the Hogwarts Express sounded, and the train set off, passing through the wilderness, past towns and into bustling Muggle cities.

Platform 9 ¾ arrived.

Bruce and Hermione changed into Muggle clothing and stepped off the train.

“B-Bruce!” Neville stammered as he spoke, “I was hoping you could come over to my house this summer—I mean, you and Hermione too, if that’s okay?”

This wasn’t Neville’s first invitation.

Throughout the past year at Hogwarts, Neville had often been bullied.

It was always either Bruce helping him stand up for himself or Hermione lending him a hand.

Neville’s grandmother had sent letters several times, urging him to invite the two to their home.

For Bruce, it was no big deal, and he was just about to nod when Kathoom flapped onto his shoulder.

“Nope. Turn him down.”

Hm?

“Why not?” Bruce’s mind immediately jumped to the worst. “Is Neville plotting something?”

“Nope, plotting requires brains, which Neville can’t keep track of.”

Kathoom replied, “But we’re leaving here. Off to another world.”

Summers in the Harry Potter world were generally uneventful.

Especially the summer after first year—peaceful and uneventful.

Why waste two months here when he could take Bruce somewhere else for a change of scenery?

But the sudden news left Bruce stunned.

Leaving already?

Quite sudden.

“Are we coming back?” Bruce tried to sound casual. “If not, at least let me properly say goodbye to Aunt and the others.”

“What are you talking about? Of course, we’re coming back!”

Kathoom replied, “This world is on the brink of chaos. It’s an ideal place for you to grow. We’re just going on a little summer vacation…Wait, don’t tell me you’re getting sentimental?”

“No, I’m not.” Bruce quickly denied it.

“Admit it!”

The owl laughed. “Kid, didn’t you say before you didn’t need family, didn’t want any weaknesses?”

“I said I’m not!”

Bruce turned away, trying to change the topic calmly. “Since we’ll be back, what excuse should I use for leaving?”

Kathoom had already thought of it. “Just say you’re going to the States to handle some family inheritance. About a summer’s worth of time.”

That sounded reasonable enough.

So Bruce took a cue from Kathoom and, with a hint of regret, told Neville, “I’m really sorry, but I’ll be in the States this summer, dealing with some…family matters.”

Neville’s face fell. “Oh, well, safe travels, then.”

“No worries, Neville. There’ll be other chances.” Bruce gave him a pat on the shoulder. “I’ll bring you back something nice.”

—

When Bruce and Hermione stepped off the platform, the Grangers were already waiting.

On the ride back, Bruce repeated the story about his trip to America.

“It’s on my father’s side of the family, but don’t worry. They’ve already arranged everything.”

The news caught Hermione by surprise. She’d been hoping to take Bruce to the seaside.

Mrs. Granger, however, looked indignant. “As long as there’s someone to look after you, though I’m afraid if I went, I wouldn’t be able to hold back from giving them a piece of my mind.”

For Mrs. Granger, the family who’d abandoned her sister was nothing short of her lifelong nemesis.

Mr. Granger was more practical. “Remember to stay in touch while you’re there. And if anything happens, let us know.”

Bruce nodded reassuringly.

Keeping in touch wasn’t a problem; he still wrote to Alfred every week—though he couldn’t exactly get any replies.

A few days later, everything was set.

Bruce didn’t need to pack much; everything he needed was stuffed into Kathoom’s feathers.

“Let’s go!”

Just like last time, a portal opened up under Bruce’s feet, and he plunged through it.

It was the same otherworldly tunnel of light and color, with Kathoom’s talons gripping his shoulder as they flew toward an unfamiliar world.

This time, Bruce was prepared and wasn’t as panicked.

He calmed himself, passing countless worlds and faintly hearing voices from some of them.

“Ow! It hurts so much, Isolde, why did you—”

“Miska, Mooska, Mickey Mouse!”

“Anyone who encroaches on Wu territory—”

“Let’s go out for barbecue tonight!”

“Prepare for combat, now!”

Before long, Bruce realized they had traveled a considerable distance.

He finally couldn’t hold back and asked, “Which world are we heading to?”

“Where to, indeed?” Kathoom muttered, “I’m looking for the answer myself.”

Huh?

Bruce hadn’t expected that answer. You brought me out here, and you don’t even have a destination?

Just as he was about to speak, Kathoom chirped, “Oh, this world looks good! Let’s give you a taste of real adventure.”

And without waiting for Bruce’s reaction, the owl flapped his wings and dove toward one particular world.

—

The year: 2050.

Location: America, wasteland.

A great war had erupted, disbanding the X-Men and nearly annihilating the Avengers.

The world had fallen into the hands of supervillains.

It had been fifty years since a new hero had appeared.