Long before the sun rose above the Hudson River, a gentle mist drifted across the water, wrapping the island in a blanket of silver. The ancient ruins of Bannerman Castle emerged from the haze like the remains of some forgotten kingdom, their weathered stone walls glowing faintly beneath the pale light of dawn.
Usually, the island awakened early.
Today was different.
The island felt quieter.
Even the conversations seemed subdued.
It was almost as though the settlement itself understood that one of the people responsible for giving it a future was about to leave.
Only for a short while.
Yet even that felt significant.
Inside his small room near the eastern tower, Harry gave the room one final glance before closing the lid of his enchanted trunk.
Unlike most travelers, he needed very little.
The trunk already contained almost everything he could possibly require.
Several changes of clothes disappeared neatly into one compartment, while another held carefully labeled potion vials in padded racks. His wand rested inside its usual leather case, alongside several emergency ingredients that he never traveled without.
A thick notebook filled with sketches of magical wards, transportation circles, and increasingly complicated portal designs occupied another shelf entirely.
There were also several ward stones he had crafted during the past few weeks.
If South Dakota truly became their permanent settlement, those stones would become the foundation of its defenses.
Finally, Harry counted the bundle of American dollars and the pouch of Galleons he had prepared for the purchase.
Satisfied, he closed the trunk.
"I'm only going to buy land," he murmured to himself.
"It feels like I'm preparing for an expedition."
A knock echoed gently against the wooden door.
"Come in."
The door opened almost immediately.
Kurt stepped inside.
The young mutant smiled warmly, though there was unmistakable concern behind his yellow eyes.
"You packed already?" Kurt asked, glancing toward the trunk.
Harry nodded.
"I'm traveling light."
Kurt laughed softly.
"That depends on your definition of light."
He walked around the trunk once, examining its ordinary appearance with obvious curiosity.
"I still don't understand how you do it."
"Do what?"
"Carry an entire house inside something small enough to fit beneath your bed."
Harry smiled.
"Magic."
Kurt groaned dramatically.
"I really walked into that answer."
They both laughed.
Kurt rested one hand on the trunk.
"I'll never get used to this."
"You don't have to."
Kurt looked toward Harry again.
"But it still amazes me."
Before either of them could continue, another familiar voice interrupted from the hallway.
"You two done talking about impossible luggage?"
Pyro appeared in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame with his hands buried inside the pockets of his jacket.
Unlike Kurt, his expression was unusually serious.
Harry noticed immediately.
"You woke up early."
Pyro snorted.
"I never went to sleep."
Harry wasn't particularly surprised.
Ever since Gambit had called about the land in South Dakota, Pyro had become noticeably quieter.
"You still think I should come with you."
Pyro crossed his arms.
"I know you already said no."
"But yeah."
"I still think you should have someone watching your back."
Harry sighed good-naturedly.
"We've already had this conversation."
"We can have it again."
Harry shook his head.
"The journey itself isn't dangerous."
"You don't know that."
"No."
Harry admitted honestly.
"I don't."
Pyro stepped fully into the room.
"Then why take the chance?"
Harry walked over to the table and picked up his wand. He turned it slowly between his fingers before looking back at both boys.
"Because if something does happen..."
He met their eyes one after the other.
"...it's actually safer if I'm alone."
Kurt frowned.
"I don't understand."
Harry smiled patiently.
"If I'm traveling by myself..."
He twirled the wand once before slipping it into his sleeve.
"...I can use magic whenever I need to."
Realization immediately dawned on Pyro's face.
"If Kurt or I are there..."
Harry nodded.
"I'd have to think about witnesses."
"I'd have to worry about exposing the magical world."
"I'd have to protect both of you while also dealing with whatever caused the problem."
He shrugged lightly.
"But if I'm alone..."
"I only have to protect myself."
Neither Kurt nor Pyro particularly liked the explanation.
Unfortunately...
Neither could argue against it.
Harry smiled reassuringly.
"Besides..."
He looked toward Pyro.
"The island needs you."
Pyro frowned.
"There are older people."
"There are."
Harry agreed
"When something goes wrong..."
"When there's an argument..."
"When someone needs organizing..."
"Who do they come to?"
Pyro opened his mouth.
Then slowly closed it again.
"...Me."
"And?"
Harry looked toward Kurt.
Kurt gave an embarrassed smile.
"Sometimes... me."
"Most of the time," Pyro corrected.
Harry nodded.
"Exactly."
Kurt scratched behind one pointed ear.
"I still think that's strange."
"So do I."
Harry admitted with a laugh.
"But people trust you."
"They know you'll listen."
Kurt lowered his eyes modestly.
"I'll do my best."
"I know you will."
Harry looked toward Pyro again.
"And you."
Pyro raised an eyebrow.
"What about me?"
"Try not to set anything important on fire."
Pyro looked genuinely offended.
"They were accidents."
"The kitchen wasn't."
Kurt burst into laughter.
Pyro threw up his hands dramatically.
"It wasn't entirely my fault!"
"The pan exploded."
Harry grinned.
"Details."
The laughter eased the tension that had filled the room.
For a few precious moments, everything felt normal again.
Eventually Harry picked up the enchanted trunk.
"Come on."
"If we stay in here much longer, everyone outside is going to think I've changed my mind."
The three of them stepped into the corridor together.
As they descended the worn stone staircase toward the courtyard, the quiet murmur of dozens of voices gradually reached their ears.
Harry frowned slightly.
"That's..."
He looked toward Kurt.
"...more people than I expected."
Kurt smiled knowingly.
"I tried telling everyone you were only leaving for only couple of weeks."
"And?"
"No one listened."
Harry sighed.
The moment they stepped through the castle entrance, Harry stopped walking.
The entire courtyard was filled with people. Nearly every mutant living on Bannerman Island had gathered despite the early hour.
The moment Harry appeared...
Conversations stopped. Then smiles spread throughout the crowd.
Anna was the first to break away.
She ran across the courtyard as fast as her little legs could carry her.
"Harry!"
Before he could even set down the trunk, she wrapped both arms tightly around his waist.
He laughed softly and rested one hand gently upon her head.
"Good morning."
"You really have to go?"
"I do."
She leaned back just enough to look up at him.
"You'll come back?"
"Of course."
"You promise?"
Harry smiled.
"I promise."
Anna narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"You promised last time too."
"And I came back."
She considered that very carefully.
Finally she nodded.
"I believe you."
Harry ruffled her hair.
"Thank you."
As Anna reluctantly stepped aside, Michael approached with his wife and daughter beside him.
The former construction foreman extended his hand.
Harry accepted it without hesitation.
"We wanted to thank you."
Harry immediately shook his head.
"You've already thanked me enough."
Michael smiled warmly.
"I don't think we have."
He looked around the bustling courtyard.
"When you found us..."
"We were broken."
His wife quietly nodded.
"We thought our lives were over."
Michael continued.
"Now..."
He gestured toward the workshops beyond the castle walls.
"We have jobs."
"We sleep without fear."
He looked Harry directly in the eyes.
"You gave us that."
Harry smiled gently.
One by one, others stepped forward.
Each expressing gratitude in their own way.
"I'll only be gone a few weeks," he reminded them.
An elderly mutant laughed.
"That's no reason to travel hungry."
The warm laughter gradually faded as another figure emerged from the entrance of Bannerman Castle.
Jean.
She walked slowly across the courtyard, her auburn hair catching the first rays of the morning sun. Resting comfortably upon her shoulder was Fawkes, whose crimson and gold feathers shimmered brilliantly against the pale mist surrounding the island.
The ancient phoenix gave a soft, musical trill the moment he spotted Harry.
Harry couldn't help smiling.
"There you are."
Fawkes answered with another cheerful chirp before spreading his wings briefly, as if greeting an old friend.
Jean smiled knowingly.
"I think he knew you were leaving before anyone else did."
Harry reached up and gently scratched beneath the phoenix's beak.
"I wouldn't be surprised."
Fawkes closed his eyes in obvious contentment, leaning into Harry's hand like an affectionate pet despite being one of the oldest and most magical creatures in existence.
Several children nearby watched with open fascination.
No matter how many times they saw it, watching Harry casually interact with a phoenix never stopped feeling extraordinary.
Jean folded her arms.
"I removed another seal yesterday."
Harry looked toward her with genuine approval.
"There was... resistance."
"The Phoenix?"
"Yes."
Jean's expression became thoughtful.
"It didn't like losing another restriction."
Harry wasn't surprised.
"The seals were never meant to imprison it."
"They were meant to slow the amount of power reaching you."
She looked down at her own hands.
"But this time..."
"We actually talked."
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"And?"
Jean's smile widened.
"I think..."
"...it finally understands what we're trying to do."
Harry glanced toward Fawkes.
The ancient phoenix gave another soft trill before looking proudly at Jean.
"I think you're right."
Jean laughed quietly.
Harry gently stroked Fawkes' neck once more before looking directly into the phoenix's intelligent eyes.
"I need another favor."
Fawkes tilted his head.
"I'm going to be away for several weeks."
The phoenix chirped softly.
"I want you to stay with Jean."
Jean immediately shook her head.
"Harry..."
He held up a hand.
"I'm serious."
He looked from Jean to Fawkes and back again.
"If anything happens..."
"If another seal breaks unexpectedly..."
"If the Cosmic Phoenix becomes unstable..."
"I need someone I trust here."
Fawkes looked at Jean for several seconds.
Then, without hesitation, he stepped from Harry's arm onto Jean's shoulder before gently spreading one magnificent crimson wing around her.
The gesture made several nearby mutants smile.
"I think that's a yes."
Harry chuckled.
"I thought it might be."
She looked at him.
"You trust him that much?"
Harry blinked.
"I trust Fawkes more than I trust myself."
The phoenix gave an unmistakably smug trill.
Jean rolled her eyes.
"I think you just inflated his ego."
Harry laughed.
"I don't think that's possible."
The small moment of laughter eased the growing sadness hanging over the courtyard.
Eventually Harry picked up his trunk once again.
"I really should go."
Jean nodded, though her smile became noticeably smaller.
"I know."
She hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and embracing him.
It wasn't a long hug.
"Come back safely."
Harry returned the embrace gently.
"I will."
She stepped back.
"And don't try doing everything yourself."
Harry looked genuinely innocent.
"I never do."
Jean simply stared at him.
"...You infiltrated military bases."
Harry rubbed the back of his neck.
"Technically..."
"You fought Magneto."
"...That happened."
"You broke into a government prison."
"...Once."
"You keep provoking magical governments."
Harry thought about it for a moment.
"...All right."
"You've made your point."
A short time later, Harry, Kurt, and Pyro climbed aboard the small ferry that regularly connected Bannerman Island with the mainland.
The boat slowly drifted away from the dock.
Dozens of mutants remained standing along the shoreline, waving until the island itself gradually disappeared behind the morning mist.
The Hudson River was unusually calm, reflecting the golden sunrise like polished glass.
Harry rested both hands upon the railing, quietly watching Bannerman Island shrink into the distance.
"You've done good."
Harry turned slightly.
Pyro had walked over beside him.
"We all did."
Pyro shook his head.
"Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Try to share all the credit."
Harry laughed quietly.
"It isn't sharing credit."
Kurt joined them at the railing.
"Without you..."
"There wouldn't have been anything to build."
Harry looked out across the water again.
"Maybe."
"But without all of you..."
"It would've remained empty forever."
The ferry eventually bumped gently against the mainland dock. The three climbed onto the wooden pier together. Nearby, ordinary commuters barely spared them a glance as they hurried toward work.
Harry adjusted the strap holding his trunk.
"Well..."
"This is where we part."
Kurt suddenly stepped forward and hugged him. The unexpected gesture caught Harry by surprise for only a second before he smiled and returned it.
"I'll see you soon."
Kurt nodded.
"You'd better."
"I promised Anna."
"Good."
Pyro waited until Kurt stepped back.
Instead of offering a hug, he extended his hand with exaggerated seriousness.
Harry looked at it.
"Really?"
"What?"
"No hug?"
Pyro rolled his eyes dramatically.
"I'm trying to look cool."
"So that's what this is."
"Shake my hand."
Harry accepted it.
Pyro gripped it firmly.
Then smiled.
"Bring me something from South Dakota."
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"What exactly?"
"I don't know."
Pyro shrugged.
"A hat."
"A rock."
"A dinosaur."
Harry laughed.
"I'll keep an eye out for the dinosaur."
"I appreciate it."
They both grinned.
Then Harry looked at both of them.
"Take care of everyone."
Kurt nodded immediately.
"We will."
"And take care of yourselves."
"I'll be back before you know it."
With one final wave, he turned and walked toward the cab he booked.
The Railway station bustled with the usual morning rush. Businessmen hurried between platforms carrying briefcases. Families struggled with heavy luggage while children pointed excitedly at arriving locomotives. Vendors shouted the day's newspapers. Conductors called departures.
To everyone around him, Harry was simply another traveler beginning a long journey across America.
He purchased his ticket without difficulty.
The journey itself would be long.
First, a westbound train would carry him across several states. Then he would transfer to another railway heading farther inland. Eventually he would arrive in North Dakota. From there, he would rent a car and drive south into South Dakota, where Gambit was waiting.
It would take several days.
Far slower than magical travel.
Harry didn't mind.
He had considered every alternative before making his decision.
He couldn't Apparate.
He had never visited South Dakota before, making long-distance Apparition far too dangerous.
Creating a Portkey required familiarity with the destination.
He had none.
MACUSA could undoubtedly arrange magical transportation...
That was something he refused to do.
Especially now.
Ever since the events at the Statue of Liberty, Harry had become increasingly convinced that MACUSA was quietly investigating every unexplained burst of powerful magic across the country.
The fewer magical traces he left behind...
The safer everyone on Bannerman Island remained.
A distant whistle echoed through the station.
Harry looked up. His train had arrived. Passengers began boarding immediately.
Harry climbed aboard and found a quiet seat beside one of the windows.
The enchanted trunk slipped effortlessly into the overhead luggage rack despite containing far more than its appearance suggested.
Moments later, the conductor called for departure.
The train lurched gently.
Then slowly gathered speed.
Harry rested one arm against the window as New York gradually slid past outside.
Towering buildings.
Busy streets.
Factories.
Bridges.
Then suburbs.
Eventually, even those disappeared behind forests and open countryside.
For a long while, Harry simply watched the scenery pass.
His thoughts wandered back to Bannerman Island.
He pictured Anna chasing squirrels through the courtyard.
Pyro pretending he didn't enjoy teaching younger children how to make campfire safely.
Kurt patiently helping frightened mutants learn that they didn't have to hide who they were anymore.
Jean sitting beneath the trees with Fawkes nearby, carefully learning to work with the phoenix instead of fearing it.