A/N: Another chapter, it's been a busy week for me and my beta.

Thank you all for reading and for the lovely reviews that make me so very happy.

I don't know what you do
But you do it well
I'm under your spell

Duffy - Mercy

Emma was enjoying a relaxed Sunday morning in early summer not long after the parking lot attack. She rarely got the opportunity to read but was finally catching up on the stack of books that had been waiting for months at her desk, it was a rare treat for her after working hard teaching throughout the school year.

The children were playing outside, through the open window laughter and splashes in the water echoed into the room. Emma sighed contentedly, Xavier's might be an odd place but it had certainly started to feel like home to her, especially after the staff was informed that she was a witch. She had no reason to hide anymore and it was liberating. Also the reveal had somehow moved Emma from the category of a normal person into a category akin to mutants in the eyes of the residents at the school.

A little while later there was a knock on Emma's door, she grudgingly stood up from her desk, completely immersed in the story she had not been ready to be disturbed. Outside was Ororo, her startled face the first thing that Emma noticed when she opened the door.

"Hi Ororo," Emma said smiling friendly at the woman in front of her. It didn't happen often that the goddess of weather looked startled but she certainly did standing outside Emma's door.

Ororo, always the direct one, went straight to the subject at hand, "There's a man asking for you downstairs."

"A man? Who is he?" Emma asked curiously as she stepped into the hallway and closed her door. Who could be asking for her? There had been absolutely no one to ask for her the entire year and Emma couldn't imagine who would be showing up at their doorstep for a social visit.

"I don't know how to say it, he looks like nothing I've ever seen before," Ororo whispered self-confidently.

"Hang on a second," Emma said as she went inside to get her wand just in case. She had promised herself she would always carry it and meeting a stranger at the door was more than requirement for taking her wand with her. After all the house was full of children that, even though they had some mutant powers, knew very little in using said powers.

Curiosity pushed Emma faster towards the foyer. By the look on Ororo's face it had to be a wizard, she couldn't think of anything else that would perplex her friend to that level.

As she reached the top of the stairs she saw her old guardian, Albus Dumbledore, standing below in the foyer. The old wizard stuck out like a sore thumb and it was certainly strange to see Dumbledore in his purple wizard robe in a modern home. It somehow didn't fit. As with most wizards, common muggle objects interested him greatly as was proven that he was intensely studying a toy of one of the children.

"Albus!" Emma called happily while running down the stairs towards the old wizard. It was a surprise to see him here, she never expected anyone to actually visit at Xavier's, let alone Dumbledore who always was so busy.

Dumbledore put down the toy and laughed merrily at the sight of the young witch. Emma looked as if she was about to fly down the stairs wearing the largest smile he had seen from her in years. Clearly being away had done her good, she looked happier than ever.

Emma ran towards the tall wizard and gave him a tight embrace showing the man clearly how much she had missed him. The wizard wrapped his long arms around her and squeezed her tightly, he was so happy to see his little wild cat back.

"Albus, I missed you!" she said snuggling her face into his wiry beard.

Emma breathed in deeply and the scents of her childhood flowed over her. It was amazing that most famous wizard in the world, apart from Harry Potter perhaps, smelled like cotton candy. Perhaps no surprise to those that knew his obsession with sweets but it made Emma feel momentarily nostalgic.

"Dear child," he said patting her lovingly on the back. It was indeed joyous to meet the young witch again and feel her so moved by his visit. Albus had wanted to give Emma a wide berth while she was finding her direction in life and had therefore not visited her earlier even though he had wanted to. The war had destroyed the spark of life in her, something he had never wished upon anyone, let alone the child he had raised as his own.

"Is everything all right back home? Minerva is...?" Emma asked as she released Dumbledore, it would be a cruel fate to meet again only to receive bad news from home.

"She's fine, we are all fine. In fact I came here because I was concerned about you."

"Me? Why?"

"Alas, not here. The walls have ears here with so many people with special abilities," Albus said, his eyes twinkling merrily at the sight of a few students that were curiously looking at the old man from the living room door.

"Come child. Let's take a walk," Dumbledore rumbled mysteriously and the two went arm in arm out the door. The old wizard steered her towards the vast grounds of the property and away from prying eyes.

When they had gotten quite far away from the house Dumbledore pointed towards a wooden bench where the two sat down. Dumbledore looked at Emma with a serious expression his blue eyes studying her carefully.

"The Fidelius charm changed its course to the next one in line and that only happens if the prior one dies. But here you are alive and seemingly very well."

"It did? I had no idea it would do that," she said trying unsuccessfully to hide her relief of having that burden lifted off her shoulders. It almost made the thing worth it just to get out of it, not really but close. The new secret keeper would be Dumbledore, he had been the only one in the room besides Harry and Emma.

"Indeed it did. Tell me what happened," Dumbledore pushed gently.

He had heard Minerva's story and was beyond curious about Emma's life and how it had changed in so little of a time. Never in a million years would he have believed that she would end up as a history teacher at a mutant school. Had she even known about mutants before arriving? Hardly, they were not discussed openly in the wizarding world.

Emma told him the story in as much detail as she could. She didn't want to stand in front of Dumbledore, a man she admired so much and be complaining about an attack that could have been thwarted if she had taken her wand with her. After the war with Voldemort, getting into an argument with people sounded so ridiculously trivial in the big scheme of things.

"So you did pass away? And the muggles managed to get you back? That is truly astounding that the muggles could keep you alive long enough for Minerva to arrive," Dumbledore said as if it had been an extraordinary fairy tale Emma was telling him and not an event that happened only few days prior.

"Muggles are not stupid Albus. They might not have your ability but they do well for themselves. Just see this," she said pulling her shirt down at the back enough to show him the beginning of the scars from the time that Logan injured her with his claws.

"Good heavens that's a ghastly thing. They sow the skin like they do clothing," Dumbledore said looking aghast at the sight of the raw scars that looked red and angry comparing to the otherwise milky white skin of Emma's back.

The young woman chuckled at Dumbledore's words, she understood why he was so shocked but it didn't matter at all to her. Those scars were simply a part of her story and she was not ashamed of them. The wizarding world was so used to potions and spells to heal that it was beyond them to stitch people up. It was not common to see scars on anyone within their community. Battles yes, but scars were a rarity.

"Why didn't you simply heal it yourself when you were better?" he asked curiously and was surprised to see a look of a very embarrassed looking Emma. There was indeed not only a sentimental reason why she had those scars.

"I think you don't remember but I failed my healing course. Seems my magical powers are not for healing. I am the only Hogwarts student who has failed Pomfrey's class."

"Ah yes I remember Poppy talking to me. We never understood how your magic seemed powerless when it came to healing. It certainly wasn't your strong side."

"If you want me in one piece Albus I better be subscribed frequently to Fawkes' tears since I am prone to trouble and have no ability to heal myself. Thank you so much for that dear Albus, you saved my life," She said winking at Dumbledore knowing well howlucky she was to be under the wing of Dumbledore, and Fawkes for that matter. If she had survived the attack, she would most likely still be in the infirmary making a very slow recovery.

"Oh you don't have to thank me dear one, we would do anything for you," Dumbledore said thoughtfully before looking curiously at her and adding, "But the muggles seem to be taking very good care of you, you are thriving well here."

Dumbledore wondered how long it would be until Emma would tell him about the mutant that Minerva had been preoccupied with when she returned. Apparently the mutant had made a lasting impression on the stern witch.

"They did the best they could and I'm still thriving," Emma said affectionately thinking of the friends she had acquired while staying at Xavier's. In many ways the year had been a difficult one but still one of the happiest ones she had ever lived thanks to a selective few that she adored. It was not easy to make new friends in a new place but little by little Emma had gotten the hang of letting people a little closer to herself.

"Indeed you are, I am immensely happy and thankful for that," Albus said smiling at her broadly. It gave him great joy to see his ward so content and peaceful. His little Emma had grown up into a charming woman that was bound to be a heartbreaker.

"However, I came here to tell you that you can now apparate and disapparate as you wish. You will be able to visit us at Hogwarts."

"I will one day," Emma said vaguely not wanting to admit to him that she was starting to enjoy it at Xavier's as she liked to live mostly as a muggle. It was different; it wasn't as stuffy as the magic community with its many rules and not as controlled by unwritten rules of society.

"You are happy here," Dumbledore stated sounding weary.

He had supported Emma wholeheartedly when she decided to leave for her own good but in his mind there had never been a question about her returning back to Hogwarts when she would be ready. Apparently that time was further away than he had originally thought. For most a year would have been more than enough time to gather one's thoughts. Harry and Ginny had returned months ago feeling strong of heart and ready to face again the difficulties of being renowned in the wizarding world. With Emma it seemed as if she wasn't sure if she would ever return and that hurt deeper than Dumbledore cared to admit.

"Yes, I am," she replied feeling quite guilty when she noticed the look of disappointment that had come over Dumbledore's face. The last thing she ever wanted was to disappoint the only father she had ever known.

"If you could be persuaded to come back to us at Hogwarts I would very much like to offer you the Defence against the dark arts position."

"But Albus why?" Emma asked startled. It was the teaching position she had always wanted and the temptation was so strong. Dumbledore knew how much she had wanted it, she had even requested it at some point but at that time Albus and Minerva had decided that Emma was not strong enough yet to take on such a difficult task.

"What do you mean?" he asked innocently, too innocently for someone who had lived for 150 years and seen as much as he had.

It was a lure, he knew that and clearly Emma realized that as well. He could also see the gleam of temptation in her eyes as soon as he mentioned the position. Emma would be the youngest teacher ever to teach that position if she agreed to it.

"You know what I mean. There is only one person in the faculty that has very much desired that position and he has certainly earned the rights to teach others to defend themselves from the dark arts."

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled merrily at her words and Emma knew instantly that she had walked straight into his trap.

"Ah yes, Severus. You personally would want him to get that post?" Albus asked cunningly not admitting that Severus had been offered the position and had suggested Emma for it. Somehow those two were trying to be civil to each other, a difficult task indeed after all that had happened between them.

"He is more than qualified Albus," she said reasonably and tried to keep her voice blasé knowing that the old man was fishing for something. What he was looking for was beyond her. Dumbledore's mind worked in mysterious ways and not many besides Minerva were lucky enough to be able to follow when he set his mind on something.

"Indeed he is. I will give it a thought my dear," he said mysteriously as someone who has already planned the entire thing and had just left to tell the pawns. The idea of Dumbledore trying to meddle in her future annoyed her, she was too old and had seen too much to allow him to manipulate her actions.

"Albus please no plotting or matchmaking. It won't work. That chapter is closed," she said warningly knowing how sneaky the headmaster could be. He had fit much more into Slytherin than she ever had. For the life of her she never understood why Albus Dumbledore had been sorted into Gryffindor.

"Me? I assure you I would do no such thing," he said chuckling merrily.

Dumbledore was highly entertained by the fact that Emma had never been afraid of calling him out on his scheming. It was rare that people did that and it was refreshing even though he would have to alter his plans a little in order to accommodate a slightly more difficult witch than he had anticipated.

"Of course not," she said sceptically trying not to fall for the headmaster's feigned innocence. Emma might be young in years but she was no idiot. It was never a good thing when Dumbledore's plots involved her.

"You look so much like you mother that it's sometimes painful to watch," Dumbledore said wistfully as he patted her shoulder affectionately.

"She was an eternal sceptic when it came to me."

"For the life of me I can't understand why," Emma said sardonically but smiling at the old man. After all she enjoyed his antics up to a point. As long as the old wizard wouldn't try to play matchmaker with Snape everything would be fine. That was a path she had no interest in revisiting.

That evening Dumbledore ate with the staff in the kitchen. Emma had introduced him to everyone before and like she knew would happen Dumbledore charmed everyone, including Xavier. The two men were so different on many levels but had in common of being leaders within their circle and relied upon to keep the youth safe while giving them time to develop their talents.

Logan had been silently observing Dumbledore for a while when the wizard looked at him with curiosity. Dumbledore had heard of Logan from Minerva and knew that somehow the mutant was very important to their Emma. It was also clear in the body language between the two that they were far beyond friendship even though the two didn't seem to understand it. Emma's inexperience would certainly be a factor as she had little or no experience with men and clearly the feral mutant was afraid he could scare her away.

Dumbledore had decided to try to push things onwards, the two needed a little push in the right direction. If they were meant to be, it would be but a little shove would simply hurry things along. Dumbledore didn't want the two to spend as much time on uncertainty as he and Minerva had done, spending decades wondering what could have been instead of being together.

When Dumbledore had thought of a future son in law he had never thought of a mutant as a possibility for the wild witch. Someone on the lines of Severus Snape had been more of what he had preferred and the old wizard had approved of the Slytherin marriage even though it was clear that it had not been a happy union.

Emma needed someone that was intellectually stimulating her, someone that challenged her and supported her. The young woman had not found that at Hogwarts but by some fortune it seemed that she had found it at Xavier's with a very rough mutant that looked more than a little tough. Logan certainly was more than capable to face whatever challenges that Emma would face in her future and Dumbledore knew for a fact that Emma's life would be filled with adventures.

The silence between the two pillars in Emma's life became electric as they sized each other up. The staff didn't seem to notice or were too polite to say anything but instead were busy chatting while eating.

"Nice outfit," Logan finally said scornfully looking at the purple robe with golden stars scattered haphazardly around the rich fabric. The old wizard was beyond strange to Logan and in all honesty the mutant wasn't so sure he liked Emma's guardian that much. The wizard knew how to work a room and charm people but for Logan that was not a plus. Being able to manipulate people into doing one's bidding was not an attractive quality.

"Thank you very much, it's my favourite," Dumbledore said happily ignoring that Logan had been sarcastic. The mutant snorted rudely at the wizard's words while chewing annoyed at his cigar, there were so many things he would love to say but it was not his place.

The wizard wasn't stupid, he knew very well from Minerva's stories that Logan might have a distorted view of him from Emma's past. It would take time for the two men to see eye to eye as so often with dominant characters but Dumbledore hoped with time that would change. After all, both of them had Emma's best interest at heart.

In fact, Albus didn't realize that he stuck out like a bull in a china store. The staff had problems not to stare at the wizard. Everything about him was odd to them. Everyone had been sneaking peeks from his wizard hat to the silken shoes that curled on the toe giving them a sideshow effect. They had never seen anything like Dumbledore before and he was simply too odd to ignore.

"So I was telling Emma that I offered her a position at Hogwarts next winter," Dumbledore said chattily to Xavier hoping that Logan would say something revealing but at no avail. The mutant didn't utter one word but the old wizard almost chuckled internally when he saw the livid scowl that came over the mutant's face. It was a good sign Dumbledore thought, perhaps with a little more nudging things would move along in the direction that Emma needed.

The young witch felt herself visibly shrink in the seat at his words, she was not ready to talk about it. Albus was not dim-witted; he never accidently said something aloud without a purpose. What Dumbledore was leading to was beyond her but Emma was simply not ready or willing to discuss her future, let alone in front of so many people.

Logan didn't comment on Dumbledore's merry announcement Emma noticed, he didn't even ask one question. Instead she saw him grind his teeth and give her a soul searching gaze that she disregarded. They needed to have a chat in private about her ideas of the future. Seeing Dumbledore looking at her with an amused grin and twinkling eyes did not ease her discomfort.

Dumbledore continued "...she always was wilful and not one for being told what to do. I wonder if there is some underlying reason why she doesn't want to come back to us at Hogwarts. We miss her all dearly."

"What could that be? She seems to have had a wonderful upbringing with you at Hogwarts," Xavier asked surprised hanging on Dumbledore's every word. Logan snorted rudely showing his annoyance and wondered if they were all blind or if he was simply unaffected by the wizard's charm. At least Emma looked highly uncomfortable at Dumbledore's words and her eyes were begging Logan to keep calm.

"Well..." the wizard said stroking his long beard for a dramatic effect and a ghost of a smile on his lips, there were few things he loved more in this world than to tease those he loved the most. The look on Emma's face was priceless, as if she expected the worst from him.

"... Perhaps a well-mannered American lad has captured her heart. I would..."

"Albus really!" Emma hissed shocked feeling her body let her down as an immense burning sensation came as a flush burst into her face. She could feel her face burning hot with the anger at the meddling old wizard that didn't know when to stop.

"I'm sorry my dear. Of course that's your private matter," Dumbledore said patting Emma's arm apologetically but still wearing an unrepentant smirk over the witch's discomfort.

The wizard knew he had hit a cord with the evasive witch and that did not happen often as she guarded her private life so passionately. Her reluctance to discuss matters verified to him that the mutant was indeed very important to Emma and therefore by proxy Logan was important to Dumbledore.

"Of course I am not getting any younger and would very much enjoy grandchildren to spoil," he finally said winking at Emma and received an amused snigger from Ororo at the other side of the table. Alas, Dumbledore didn't seem to be the only one at the school that had noticed the bond between the two reluctant friends.

Emma ignored Dumbledore's comment, too angry to answer, old wizard her foot. That meddling old fool always sticking his nose where it wasn't wanted she fumed internally. Looking across the table she saw Logan raise his eyebrow in question to Dumbledore's comment. His reaction made her blush even harder, Logan wasn't stupid. Surely he understood that Dumbledore was talking about him.

Then Ororo's thick, rich laughter boomed in the room as she had very much enjoyed Dumbledore's teasing. It was a rare treat to see Emma so flustered and speechless at the not so subtle teasing from her foster father.

Soon everyone joined in the laughter and even Emma, even if she was beyond insulted at that point, still saw the humour in the situation and joined in. The only one who didn't join is was Logan as his keen eyes observed at the witch in front of him with profound interest.

"Alas it is time for me to leave. It is late at Hogwarts," Dumbledore said shortly after dinner. He was needed elsewhere as there was a meeting the next morning and the time difference meant that he would not sleep much. First he would have to tell Minerva everything that occurred, knowing full well that the witch would reprimand him for being too abrasive and forceful with Emma and Logan.

"I enjoyed meeting you all," he said and smiled at the group of teachers and eyeing Logan with curiosity. How he wished he could have a one on one conversation with the mutant but it was not to be, at least for the time being. Perhaps later down the line if things went as Dumbledore hoped they would.

"And we you, remember you are welcome at any time," Xavier said saddened he couldn't spend a longer time with the strange wizard. He was an odd man but frighteningly intellectual who engaged all in stimulating chatter. In short, Dumbledore had come in like a breath of fresh air for the staff at Xavier's who had never seen a real wizard. Dumbledore hadn't disappointed them, he was everything they had imagined a real life wizard would be.

"Please take care of our Emma. She tends to be a magnet for trouble," Dumbledore said affectionately, looking pointedly at Logan while stroking Emma's hair lovingly.

Emma did not understand the not so subtle hint and if she had she would not be impressed. Logan on the other hand nodded faintly to the wizard who smiled kindly back at him. The two had reached a delicate understanding of sorts, at least when it came to the wellbeing of the young witch and that was all that really mattered to either of them.

"We will do our best," Xavier said smiling at the obvious bond between Emma and Dumbledore.

The old wizard was the only one that he had seen caress the young witch in public. What struck him was that she seemed to enjoy it even though she put up the armor of not needing anyone. Emma had always given off the air of as someone who didn't need anyone to thrive but of course she was human, like they all were with all the uncertainties that came with it.

"I bid you all farewell. Come child, walk with an old man," Dumbledore said locking arms with Emma and walking out of the front door. The staff watched the two leave, the old wizard towering over Emma though she was far from little.

"That was the weirdest man I've ever seen," Logan murmured to himself as he lit his cigar in the kitchen breaking house rules. However he was quite certain that Xavier wouldn't nag him this time. His assumption was correct, Xavier was too busy staring after the duo, his mind deep in thought.

"They are of another world Logan. To him we are just as strange," Xavier replied defensively. He was beyond curious to know more about the magical world and hoped one day he would have the chance to explore it further.

Logan's face turned into a frown at Xavier's words. Dumbledore was strange and otherworldly but Logan had long since stopped categorizing Emma as somehow different from the rest of them. He didn't want to think about her leaving to return to Hogwarts. If she did Logan wouldn't know how to survive the crushing heartbreak that was bound to follow.

"The young bearded man seems to have a soft spot for you and seems very protective," Dumbledore said merrily to Emma as they walked. He knew he was starting to annoy the witch but he simply couldn't stop asking. If the two were somehow connected Albus needed a little more information about the bond between the two friends.

"He is without a doubt, but so am I of him. However he is not young by any definition of the word as he is much older than you," Emma said cheekily hoping to silence him. Dumbledore was trying to ask her to define her relationship with Logan, something that was very difficult for her to do as both she and Logan seemed to be absolutely uncertain themselves how to define it.

"He must have found the fountain of youth then for he looks young and healthy to me," Dumbledore asked amazed at the various mutant abilities he had come across in one day. They were magical humans, a new more developed strand of humans that fascinated him greatly.

"It's just how the mutants are, their strength is immensely various and even dangerous," she tried to explain to the enthusiastic wizard. She knew her new home would have peaked his interest, how could it not when it was filled with wonders? Dumbledore had an ever curious mind, of course he reveled in the idea of mutants and personal powers.

Dumbledore was silent for a moment at Emma's words. It seemed she had someone particular in mind when she was talking about danger. Could it be her wild friend? He certainly looked like someone that could have problems with his temper.

"Even though I missed you more than I can say, I have to admit that you seem to have found some sort of peace here. You have grown up dear one," Dumbledore said smiling at her warmly. It was true. The child was gone and instead there was a young woman that was trying to find her own way in life. It made him proud to see how independent she was, it was a testament to her character that she had overcome her obstacles and become a force to be reckoned with.

"I have in a way. I needed to expand my mind and it's been stretched in all directions here. It's often been quite mindboggling to see the power of the mutants. It's also been quite an effort for me to be mostly without magic for a quite long time. It was odd in the beginning but it was also good for me to realize that not everything can be solved by foolish wand waving or silly incantations," Emma said and the both grinned at the Severus Snape quote but the potions master was famous for abhorring solving everyday problems with the use of wands.

"I have to admit that I am concerned about one thing. I know you were hurting immensely when you left Hogwarts. Nonetheless it is not healthy to run from one's problem. You can't hide from your dilemmas nor can you hide from us."

She sighed but admitted grudgingly that at some level Dumbledore was correct, "I know Albus, and I just needed to have a fresh start, to feel without burdens or be infamous as I was at Hogwarts. Here I was not known and that gave me the berth I needed to heal. I needed to discover myself and I did in the most unlikely of places."

"Alas normalcy does not seem to be written in your stars," Dumbledore said his eyes twinkling with humour wondering if she would catch up on his little hint. He had missed the teasing between them and the wild temper that sometimes exploded from the witch.

The young witch didn't disappoint him with her quick mind. She stared at him in horror, her dark eyes boring into his, "oh no Albus, tell me you didn't?"

"Did what dear?" Dumbledore said innocently hiding a smirk. He had indeed missed the delicious banter with the young witch.

"Trelawney? You went to her with questions about my future?" she asked suspicious with a tone of disgust. Dumbledore had to know what she felt about that crazy woman, everyone knew. It was no secret that Emma thought Trelawney was wholly foolish and certainly without any magical talent.

Emma had been excused from her Divination classes after a huge row after a dream interpreting that the young witch had been absolutely disgusted over. Ever the opinionated witch, Emma could not be silent about her opinion that started a serious fight with Trelawney in front of her class. It had been one of the more important bonding experiences with Hermione, the two of them being the only two to be loathed by Trelawney who was thought by many to be the most untalented seer in the world. Later it had come out that the woman had occasional burst of talent but Emma refused to acknowledge the woman's talent, pointing out simple luck when it came to her prophecies.

"I might have asked what your future had to hold," he said fleetingly sounding almost convincingly apologetic but Emma knew better. The wizard was uncontrollably curious when it came to those he loved and as much as she understood that it was still uncomfortable that someone had try to pry into her future.

"Just the way you say that sounds so morbid," she said sullenly.

"Don't worry dear. Your path is an interesting one but I will say no more since you don't believe in these things," Dumbledore said smiling teasingly at her a chuckling at the annoyed sigh that came from Emma.

She groaned inwardly in frustration. It was characteristic of Dumbledore, he waved a lure in her face and then snatched it away to see if Emma was willing to change her opinion. She wouldn't give in, her eternal stubbornness had kicked into overdrive. There was only so much pushing she could take in one day.

"That's right I don't believe in these things," she said stubbornly trying to hide the curiosity in her voice. Emma would never admit that a tiny part of her had gotten curious by Dumbledore's words.

Dumbledore chuckled, the young witch made him laugh often with her rebellious nature. How he had missed her and he hoped Emma would at least consider the job offer she had gotten. It would be joyous to have her back at Hogwarts.

"Is there something you need from home?" he asked as they approached the road that led to Logan's cottage.

"I don't think so but if I do then I will simply pop by to get it now that I'm from under the Fidelius charm," she said happily reveling in the new freedom she discovered. She could go wherever she wanted and didn't have to hide anymore.

"Please send my love to Minerva, the trio and Ginny."

"Of course my dear, that will be my pleasure," Dumbledore said fondly before he kissed her cheek as a farewell.

Emma smiled sadly at her guardian, it had been a pleasure to meet him again after almost a year apart. Dumbledore took a step away from her, a loud crack sounded and then he disappeared from sight as if he had never been there.

For a moment she stared deep in thought at the place where Dumbledore had stood mere moments before. She hadn't expected to feel such loneliness to see her old guardian leave and soon realized quite shocked that she missed Hogwarts and her friend in the magical world.

She had built a life at Xavier's but it had been built on deception. It was founded on her denying what she was and hiding away. Even though she had loved it at Xavier's she had always felt an outsider. The only person she really felt at ease with was Logan but in retrospective their bond had begun to grow because he was as much of an outsider at the mansion as she was.

There was no denying the fact that Logan and Emma had a great deal in common and were headed toward something akin to a relationship that was more profound than friendship. At times it scared Emma, the intensity was sometimes overwhelming to her and doubts in her mind crept in if she was capable to handle the undercurrent of passion. She was still so young and still needed to grow before settling down. Her life experiences were so few compared to Logan who had had such a long time to discover himself and the world around him.

It was getting dark and Emma wasn't ready to go home to face the questions from Logan or the staff. By instinct Emma walked down the path to Logan's cabin that was hidden in the woods. After going in to the familiar shelter away from it all, Emma made herself coffee and decided to spend the night there. It was almost bedtime at the mansion and she didn't have any classes as school was out for the summer.

She wrapped the old quilt tightly around her and laid down. Only a few moments later she was fast asleep.

"Do you miss where you come from?" Logan asked a few days after Dumbledore had left. His mind had been in turmoil ever since Dumbledore had visited them. He had realized that Emma had gotten a very tempting offer from home and that she might actually leave him. The mere thought was almost too much to bear. He was at loss to what to do to try to stop her and if he even had the right to do so. After all he had no idea if the same emotions were stirring in her heart as were in his.

"I didn't for the longest time because I was too happy to get away," Emma answered vaguely. She knew that Logan would at some point ask her if she was going but it was painful for her to have to admit to him that it was a possibility.

"And now? After the wizard came here?" Logan asked, his jaw tighter with annoyance at her words. He had hoped that she would make fun of the situation and tell him that he was being silly for worrying about her leaving.

"Yes I do miss it. I realized that happiness is not hiding from who you really are and I am doing that here. Even though I have been happy here I was still hiding from myself."

"You think you will go there in the fall to teach?" he asked carefully trying not to sound too clingy and desperate. Emma was not blinded by his detachment, the way Logan carried himself while asking showed exactly how much that question mattered to him.

"I might, this year or the next. There is still so much I need to learn about myself and about the magical world."

"I will miss you if you go," he said drinking the glass of whiskey in one large gulp before pouring himself another one. The burn of the alcohol was nothing compared to the burn in his heart faced with the reality that Emma might actually leave him.

"I will miss you too Logan," Emma said while fighting tears. It was as if she was being pulled in two different direction and the confusion was driving her mad. Ambition had always been a factor in Emma's life, she wanted to make a difference in the world but Logan pulled as well even though their connection was not officially defined more than a friendship.

Logan's hazel eyes burned with intensity as he looked at the woman that was battling her tears in front of him. It seemed she was not unaffected either by the confusion of their relationship or where they stood. It was the confusion that was driving both of them mad, but both of them were too cowardly to actually discuss their emotions aloud.

"… in fact you are the only one I will really miss from here. You and Scott of course," she drawled ironically knowing exactly how to push his buttons as she tried to lighten the situation. It was far too early to get emotional over a decision that was far away and uncertain.

"Yeah right," Logan snorted with humour, revealed that Emma had found a way to defuse a difficult situation. There was no doubt that they would talk better later but clearly neither of them was ready for it yet. There was too much emotional turmoil and uncertainty in their minds and hearts for a clear discussion.

"I am free to disapparate now as I see fit, any place special that you would like to go?" Emma winked at Logan who looked at her curiously. After Dumbledore came by she was free to apparate at will.

"The pub. We can grab something to eat there, ain't in the mood for the rabbit food that 'Ro is making in the kitchen," Logan said right away. Not surprisingly Logan refused to eat at the mansion when Ororo had her health fits. Dinner without some kind of meat in it was not a meal to him.

"Alright. Hold my hand and don't look at me like that," Emma said when Logan's eyebrow quirked up at the handholding comment. He wasn't used to holding her hands, they had showed affection in many ways but never had held each other hands.

Logan didn't reply and simply took her hand in his. Her skin was soft under his callused fingers and her long fingers intertwined with his own. Her thumb stroked over his in a loving caress that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up, she was driving him up the walls and had no idea that she was doing so.

He looked at her face and she smiled affectionately at him, "close your eyes Logan, most people get a little queasy the first time."

"I haven't heard that in years," he said attempting, very badly, at joke to distract his mind from the warm hand that was engulfed by his own.

A bright blush crept into Emma's face at his words, Logan's double-entendre made her feel like a young maiden that was about to be eaten alive by the big bad wolf.

She cleared her throat loudly and replied with a croaky voice, "You are impossible. Close your eyes!"

He did and a moment later the cinnamon scent he loved so much turned stronger and engulfed them. A second later he felt a tight pull through his navel before his entire body started to turn round and round in circles. The only stability though it all was Emma's hand in his, through the panic he could feel the witch squeeze his hand reassuringly.

Finally the spinning stopped, "Logan, you can open your eyes now."

Logan slowly peered one eye open and groaned painfully as everything seemed to be turning around him. The disapparition had gone well for Emma who looked absolutely fine kneeling next to Logan who was sprawled on the ground as if he had been hit by a giant bulldozer.

"Are you alright? Maybe this wasn't a good idea," Emma said worriedly as she loosened her poor mangled hand out of Logan's iron grip.

"Gimme a second, I´ll be ok," Logan said with a shaky voice. He hadn't realized how much spinning was involved in the travelling by magic, he wasn't sure he would want to try it again. Not even if he could hold hands with Emma.

His gaze landed upon Emma who knelt beside him disgustingly unaffected as if she had not been doing something that broke all laws of physics.

"Feel better?" she asked cheerily before ruffling his hair affectionately.

"A bit," Logan said and could finally hear jukebox music from the distance. He looked around and noticed they were in the back garden of their favourite pub.

"Good, get up. I'm hungry," Emma said mercilessly before standing up and looking around with a little smile on her face. It was fun to use magic again and even more enjoyable to be able to let Logan be a part of it.

Logan couldn't help laughing when the witch started to walk away towards the pub while he was still laying on the ground. If there was one thing that he could guarantee with Emma was that she had a monster of an appetite. Hamburgers at the local pub were clearly worth leaving Logan in the dirt after being dragged through magical hell ride.

The mutant grumbled as he stood up and sighed deeply as he followed Emma inside.