The eternal barrier and misunderstanding
Harry had been putting this off for a year before coming to Queens and for months after moving to Queens.
Ever since he discovering that Tony Stark was his biological father, he hadn’t known how to handle it.
So he did what he always did.
He waited. He planned. He thought things through.
(A bit too much if you asked anyone)
Now, at 16, with the British and American wizarding worlds stabilized, his government work finished, and Teddy happily growing up—
He decided it was time.
It wasn’t about wanting a father—he had zero expectations of that.
It was about giving Teddy more family—even if he himself never got anything from it.
So today, for the first time ever, Harry walked into Stark Industries.
It didn’t go well.
The receptionist, a polished, corporate woman, looked up as he approached.
“I’d like to speak with Tony Stark.”
She barely blinked. “Do you have an appointment?”
Harry exhaled. “No.”
Her expression didn’t change. “Mr. Stark only meets by appointment.”
Harry held back a sigh. “Is Pepper Potts in?”
The receptionist gave him a sharp look—because now, she was actually paying attention.
Few people outside the company ever called her that casually.
“I’m sorry,” she said, back to professional mode. “Ms. Potts is unavailable.”
Harry clenched his jaw.
“Then I’ll be going,” he said smoothly, turning toward the exit.
He didn’t push. Didn’t argue. Didn’t fight to make his presence known.
Because he had no right to expect anything.(He didn't want to)
So he left.
Fast.
Before anyone could question him further.
Harry had barely stepped out of Stark Tower when his phone buzzed.
He checked the notification—
And his blood ran cold.
Live News: Spider-Man seen climbing the Washington Monument!
Harry froze.
And for the first time in years, he nearly lost control.
Because there—on the news, in broad daylight—was Peter scaling the monument with his bare hands.
Harry cursed.
His instincts screamed at him to teleport straight there, to grab Peter and get him to safety.
The Statute of Secrecy be damned.
But he didn’t.
He held himself back, knuckles white, breath shaky.
And even though Harry wanted nothing more than to interfere, he forced himself to watch.
Because he trusts Peter.
(However his magic is ready at a thought away from apparting to Peter in any second)
And when Peter saved the falling elevator just in time?
Harry let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.
But his hands still shook.
This was going to kill him one day.
After his failed first attempt to meet Tony Stark, Harry had decided to wait.
But then, two weeks later, Harry had a free afternoon after work.
He had just picked up Teddy from daycare for the afternoon to spend time together and passed by Stark Tower.
And for some reason, Harry stopped.
He glanced down at Teddy, who was happily babbling about his day.
Then back up at the tower.
He decided to try again.
No appointment. No warning.
Just one more attempt.
If Stark didn’t want to meet him? That was fine.
So he walked inside with a toddler on his hip.
This visit ended up being worse than the first.
The moment Harry approached the reception desk, the woman from last time immediately recognized him.
Her expression barely shifted. “You again.”
Harry nodded politely. “I’d like to see Tony Stark.”
She exhaled. “Do you have an appointment this time?”
“No,” Harry admitted.
She looked unimpressed.
Then, before she could dismiss him—
A familiar voice interrupted.
“Hey, what’s going on here?”
Harry turned to see James Rhodes walking up.
And the moment Rhodes’ eyes landed on Harry and the toddler in his arms?
His entire expression shifted.
“Oh, hell no,” Rhodey muttered.
Harry blinked. “I—”
Rhodey pointed at him. “Let me guess. You’re here to talk to Tony?”
Harry hesitated. “Yes, but—”
“And you brought a baby?”
“…Yes.”
Rhodey sighed heavily.
He turned to the receptionist. “I’ve got this.”
Then he grabbed Harry’s arm and pulled him aside.
Harry, startled but still calm, allowed it.
Rhodey gave him a long, tired look.
“Look, kid, I don’t know what scam you’re trying to pull, but Tony has enough of these cases already. Besides this kid can't be Tony's because he was dating Pepper potts when this kid would have been born”
Harry frowned. “Excuse me?”
Rhodey folded his arms. “How much do you want?”
Harry stared. “…What?”
Rhodey sighed. “For the paternity case. How much?”
Harry’s brain broke.
“…Well, it’s similar but different.”
Rhodey squinted. “What does that mean?”
Harry adjusted Teddy on his hip and exhaled.
“Teddy isn’t Tony Stark’s son,” he clarified. “He’s mine.”
Rhodey froze.
His eyes snapped to Teddy.
Then back to Harry.
“…Daddy?”
Teddy, meanwhile, had been silently watching this exchange with wide, curious eyes.
he perked up and patted Harry’s shoulder.
“Daddy, what’s a patewnity case?”
Rhodey’s brain short-circuited.
Harry sighed. “Forget I said that.”
Rhodey stared. “You—you’re the dad?”
“Yes.”
“You, a Fourteen-Fifteen- something-year-old?”
Harry tilted his head. “Sixteen and Yes.”
Rhodey opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Then opened it again.
“…You know what? I don’t even wanna know.”
Harry smirked. “Good choice.”
(He was awful reminded of Tony with that trouble maker smirk)
Rhodey exhaled. “Fine. Then what are you here for?”
“I think I might be Tony Stark’s son.”
Rhodey froze.
“…What?”
Harry kept his expression calm, detached—neutral.
“I recently found out some information that suggests I might be Stark’s biological son,” he explained. “I came here to request a meeting.”
Rhodey stared hard at him.
Harry continued, “I don’t expect anything. No money, no acknowledgment—nothing. I just want a DNA test. If it’s negative, I walk away. If it’s positive… then Stark can decide whether or not he wants to meet me.”
He shrugged.
“If he doesn’t? That’s fine. I don’t need anything from him.”
Rhodey’s mind raced.
Because what the hell?
If this was any other person, he would have called security and kicked them out immediately.
This kid was too calm.
(Just like his best friend)
Too controlled.
There was no desperation, no expectation—just complete certainty.
Which meant two things:
- He believed what he was saying.
- This wasn’t about money.
Rhodey sighed.
Then he rubbed a hand down his face. “Alright, kid. Follow me.”
Harry raised an eyebrow but complied, adjusting Teddy on his hip as they walked deeper into the building.
After a few minutes, they stopped in front of a secure lab.
A sign outside read:
"CONFIDENTIAL TESTING FACILITY – PRIVATE DNA VERIFICATION"
Rhodey gestured toward it.
“This is where we do all the actual paternity tests,” he said. “It’s fast, efficient, and completely secure.”
Without another word, he stepped inside.
A tech specialist was already waiting.
Rhodey nodded toward Harry. “He needs a DNA test.”
The specialist nodded and turned to Harry. “Mouth swab or blood test?”
Harry’s expression didn’t change.
(Never blood)
“Mouth swab.”
The tech shrugged. “Alright.”
A few moments later, the test was done.
Rhodey exhaled. “Alright. The results will be ready in a couple of hours.”
Harry simply nodded.
“So, where do you study?”
Harry answered smoothly. “Edinburgh Academy for the Exceptionally Gifted.”
Rhodey frowned. “Never heard of it.”
Harry smirked. “Most people haven’t.”
(Rhodey feels a pang in his chest at the trouble maker smirk . He fears this might be a positive case)
Rhodey squinted at him. “That supposed to mean something?”
Harry shrugged. “It was exclusive.”
Rhodey muttered something under his breath but didn’t push.
“If you’re sixteen, you’re still in school, right?”
Harry shook his head. “I graduated last year.”
Rhodey froze. “At fifteen?”
“Yes.”
“…Right.”
Then he sighed. “What are you doing now?”
Harry answered just as smoothly.
“I work as a consultant to law enforcement.”
Rhodey stared.
“…You’re sixteen.”
Harry shrugged. “And?”
Rhodey just rubbed his face.
“…Right. And your parents?”
Harry’s expression didn’t change. “Dead.”
This kid was way too composed.
(Like a certain someone. Rhodies dread increased)
Harry adjusted Teddy on his hip and glanced at his watch.
“I need to get back to work,” he said simply. “I’ll return after I’m done.”
Rhodey blinked. “Wait—you’re leaving?”
Harry smirked faintly. “The test will take a while, won’t it?”
Rhodey couldn’t argue with that.
“…You really don’t waste time, huh?”
Harry nodded politely. “I’ll see you after work, Colonel Rhodes.”
He walked out.
Rhodey just stood there, watching him leave.
Then muttered—
“Tony’s gonna lose his damn mind. If this comes out positive”