I’m Batman (HP Xover) C32 (Patreon)
Content
After every child was sorted, Headmaster Dumbledore announced the beginning of the feast, and each house's table was filled with all sorts of delicious-looking food.
“Thanks for the food.” Bruce muttered, hoping the elves could hear him.
A moment after he spoke, a cup appeared in front of him filled with golden liquid and a bit of foam on the top.
“Hmm, what's this?” Bruce asked as he took a sip, knowing it must be from the appreciative elves. ‘Hmm, tastes like cream soda. Not bad...’
“Huh? Where did you get butterbeer? No one else got any?” Ron asked jealously, drawing Harry and Hermione’s attention.
Bruce simply shrugged and took another sip, as everyone at the table began filling their stomachs. Especially Ron who ate as if the food would disappear at any moment like some sort of animal.
“Eww...” Hermione whispers, causing Bruce and Harry to nod in agreement.
Soon, the ghosts of Hogwarts fazed through the walls and floated all over the place, introducing themselves to the new students. Many of the muggle-born students screamed in fright while a few fainted upon seeing the gruesome sight of Nearly Headless Nick.
Once everyone calmed down and finished eating, schedules for classes were handed out and first years were getting in line based on houses to be shown to their common rooms.
As Bruce and his group were getting in line, Professor McGonagall walked to Harry with a stern yet disappointed look.
“Mr. Potter, please stay behind. We must speak about the language you used in the entrance hall.” She says and Bruce could see the same thing happening between Professor Snape and Draco in the Slytherin line.
“If you don’t mind, Professor, I’ll stay behind as a witness to what happened.” Bruce says as the lines of students begin to follow the older children out of the Great Hall.
“I’ll stay too.” “Yeah, me too!” Hermione and Ron try to stay as well, but Minerva waves them off.
“No, one witness is enough. Follow your housemates please.” She says, but Hermione and Ron reluctantly look towards Bruce.
“It’s fine, you can go. We all saw the same thing anyway. Wait for us in the common room.” Bruce says and motions for them to catch up with the other students, which reluctantly they do. ‘That was surprising...’
Bruce wasn’t surprised that Hermione looked at him before leaving as she was told, but Ron doing so as well was a bit of a shock.
He’s been doing his best to establish himself as the leader, but the only person he’s had time to really work with is Hermione. Bruce didn’t expect Ron and Harry to follow along after just a day, but maybe he overestimated them.
They are just children after all...
‘Maybe Ron Weasley actually has a chance to overcome his fictional counterpart?’ Bruce thought surprisingly.
After all of the students and most of the staff left, the only people left in the Great Hall were Albus, Minerva, Snape, Draco, Harry, and Bruce.
“What’s this I heard about a rule break so early in the year?” Dumbledore says as he motions everyone towards the staff table, where he’s seated on his throne-like chair.
Before anyone could speak, Bruce walked up to the Staff table and sat on the corner of it.
“Hello, Headmaster. I can tell you what happened if you like?” Bruce doesn’t bother introducing himself as they all should know his name from the sorting.
“Sure, go ahead.” Albus says with a smile.
“Headmaster, I must disagree...” Snape Interjects in an unpleasant tone. “Mr. Malfoy has no witness of his own. In the spirit of fairness, Mr. Wayne shouldn’t involve himself.”
Severus already got a brief rundown of what happened from Draco and is doing his best to cover his young god-child’s tracks.
“I have no problem with that as long as the portrait that reported this is allowed to speak in my stead.” Bruce says with a smirk towards the young and old Slytherin duo.
“That sounds fair. Thank you for understanding Mr. Wayne.” Albus says with a glint in his eyes.
Dumbledore was beginning to understand what Minerva saw in Bruce all those months ago. Not to mention the fact that he’s helping Harry Potter, which is Albus’ main objective as well.
Neither Slytherin liked the sound of that, yet they couldn’t do anything about it. Bruce and Albus agreed to their rebuttal, so they could only reluctantly agree as well.
Asking for any other accommodations would only hurt them at this point.
Soon, the portrait was brought forward and explained everything. Draco looked at the canvas with a hateful glare. He was ready to burn every painting in the castle after this incident.
“I understand what happened now.” Albus says as he strokes his beard with a contemplative look. “Seeing as the rules weren’t explained to either of you, whether you were simply repeating a word unknowingly-“ Albus looks towards Harry and then turns to Draco”-or purposefully using hate speech, no punishment will be given this time.”
Harry sighs in relief while Draco smirks like a robber that got away with his crime.
“However, I expect you both to read and understand the rules. I don’t want to see a repeat of this incident. Am I clear?” The Headmaster asks sternly.
“Yes sir.” Harry says respectfully, while Draco simply nods with a sneer.
“Good, consider this incident resolved. Professors escort your students to their common rooms.” Dumbledore orders as he stands and walks towards the exit.
“Headmaster, can you spare a moment of your time.” Bruce says as he falls in step next to Albus.
“Mr. Wayne, the Headmaster is a busy man. He doesn’t have...” Minerva calls out but Albus stops her.
“Hmm, sure. I wanted to have a talk with you anyway. Follow along.” Dumbledore agrees easily and leads Bruce to his office.
From everything Albus has seen today and heard about Bruce, he was fairly impressed by the boy, and he always has time to cultivate relationships with promising allies.
Especially after seeing the friendship Bruce has with Harry, which could come in handy when Voldemort rises again.