3 Hearts

- Unknown-

Waking up was a pleasant surprise; the overwhelming pain retreating to a dull ache was secondarily but delightful.

As my eyes open I took stock of my situation and concluded that I was still in a jail cell, an impressive cell, books, a bed my size, and a handsome young black man just outside the bars.

A jail cell nonetheless.

With his vibrant green rodes, straight back, and focused look, he could have been me years ago. In truth, my body told more of the situation than my cell in Kamar-Taj did. I was treated yes but only by ordinary means, but even more revealing; They removed the corruption of the dark dimension from my system.

The scars remained, but someone took great care to remove every last trace of the rot from my system. If I were still the fool standing at the door, I would see this as a great gift.

The truth was far more candid.

The Ancient One would not take any risk revealed their secret. This fact is what leads me to relax into the mattress. The Ancient One was not lost, not yet.

There were also no wards, potions, or artifacts blocking my magic. As much as it shames me, there was no need for that kind of protection. The Ancient One was the most potent magic being on the planet, bar none.

For a creature like myself that studied countless hours and trained their body and mind daily, they were perfection. Every smile is a gift, every laugh a miracle. I was happy until the day I discover the hellspawn in my arms.

Could I defeat the Ancient One? Maybe, but I could never kill them.

I stood, neglecting the strain, and walk to the door, placing my hand on the bars. I felt no magic, test within test still after all these years.

The inexperienced hero did not look at me or move from his post. The sight of him sent raw memories flooded my mind. I turned away and returned to my old bed; nothing I could do but wait and heal.

- Three weeks later-

The Ancient One was mad, three-week time out mad. Most of that time was spent with the young hero in training patiently, keeping me company. Or with a master playing chess, not everyone in Kamar-Taj was a stick in the mud and some till reminder my time here.

I used the rest of my time to plan and train my body. The no magic rule was a given with the locked-in cell part of my stay. Though recovering from the dark dimensions, energy was a petty excuse, I am sure.

Whatever the reasoning, I was grateful because it gave me time to conclude Dumbledore's spell broke. No one should know of the tesseract, not even Jimmy, not after he took a bullet to the brain.

Still, Director Fury was looking for something that should have been burned from the very fabric of reality and moved to a higher plane. My thoughts are interrupted as the young hero slides food into the room without a word.

Standing, I walk over to the tray, pick it up, and, as has become routine, repeat," I am sorry." as I walk away, not expecting an answer. Setting my chow down on my bed, a massive rice bowl with flavoring same as every day this month, I eat without care for the taste.

If the tesseract was back in play, Dumbledore's sacrifice was meaningless. My old friend destroyed his very soul trivially.

No longer hungry, I place the blow on the ground and pace think about my options. The tesseract needs to get off earth along with each of the other infinity stones.

I would hand them to the mad titan myself so long as he spares my homeworld. Unfortunately, trusting the frantic was a non-starter.

With the odds of fourteen million to one, I needed to get them the hell out of our solar system. Fist them up Odin's ass and tell crazy Barney to get them.

The cell opening broke my thoughts. Looking over, I hear the hero speak for the first time, " The Ancient One will see you now."

Walking the path through the temple again leaves me troubled. My training here was delightful as I slowly fell in love.

I fucking hate Seers.

Looking over at my replacement, I still couldn't blame the Ancient One for find companionship the only way they could. Entering a small study, I kneel as the hero pours tea for the both of us.

My eye never leaves the being in front of me.

The hero finishes with practiced ease and leaves the room only to stand guard pointlessly. With an expression that seems lost, the Ancient One asks, "So you have recovered."

I take a drink to order my thoughts. "Mostly, thank you for the aid over the last few weeks." Silence fills the room as we taste and prepare our words.

" I am curious about how you found yourself in need of my help?"

A note of vulnerability overcomes me as I respond, " Enemies and stupidity." Their laugh echoes around the hall like fairies tittering.

"Come now; you're cruel to your old student." My smile is hollow.

" Yes, I have been cruel to you, haven't I?" They always did have a habit of asking not questions, drawing myself up," I understand, teacher." For a moment, the Ancient One looks their age.

"Do you?"

The energy of the dark domain is pain; nothing can maintain that level of pain and remain mentally healthy and whole.

" Completely."

The Ancient One smiles at what I do not know as we drink tea before the next round.

I begin this stage.

"Good tea." A smile and sip are my answer.

" You know, Hagrid, you always have a place here." Yes, you locked me away for three weeks to remind me.

"Of course, I simply have no desire to return."

The Ancient One looks at me like a child with a new toy. "Truly, at all?"

In all of Kamar-Taj, I only desired you, but I bow, " I learn my lessons well." We finish the tea, making light remarks about nothing.

A smile crosses their face as we stand, "Then your off again?"

"Yes, I need to find a very old friend of mine."

Facing me, The Ancient One holds out a sling ring," To help you across your travels." My smile freezes.

" Thank you, teacher, but I can manage without."

For the first time, a spark of anger enters their eyes, "I see."

We make our way out the door in silence. The hero waits outside as I apparition away.

Guilty rips at me as the cycle continues because if Dormammu needed to break another hero's heart to protect this plant, why would I stop them?

Even if I destroyed their human body, it would simply regrow in the dark domain.

Then I would lose whatever spot of trust these last three weeks regained me.

Ending an undying demon with an infinity stone and a split personality demands preparation.

-Three days later-

The mutation happening around the world are exciting case studies in the magical world. The American magi missed the signs, and by the time they got there, an American President was dead. English witches and wizards feared losing their powers by breeding with mutants.

In France, mutants are considered magical creatures and have protected categories, leading to their inability to tell other mutants about the haven without being expelled.

On the other hand, the middle east is a literal dead zone where the International Confederation of Wizards removes children at the first sign of magic.

Still, the mutant children are left behind because without a majority vote to protect them, something too little too late as the information is out, they are not magic or muggle.

I think the I.C.W is using mutants as a test for revealing policies. While at the same time using their unprotected status in the law to study them. Not muggle or magical, so open for study to any of the Departments of Mysteries.

Sincerely I would be surprised if every dead English mutant did not end up in our Department of Mysteries. So long as it did not have magic and was not used for necromancy, muggle bodies were fair game, so long as the magical kept the international statute of wizarding secrecy.

The worst part was that any discovery would not see the light of day for hundreds of years, so no help was incoming. My half-giant bloodline prevented me from taking any political office and voting because of a useless law.

Speaking of useless hundred-year-old things, my search for James has me running around the Canadian snow like a fool. However, thanks to his body, I was able to find him with an adjusted metal detection spell made infinitely more complex without my wand.

With that obstacle out of the way, I now have three problems.

My primary obstacle was that he did not remember me, the second was Max and Charles look ready to fight, and the last was what the F**k was with the child?