The Spark of Belonging
Harry sat in the gaudy red tour bus, nervously counting the palm trees swaying lazily outside the window. The Malibu landscape, with its bright sun and golden beaches, was a stark contrast to the somber green of the English countryside he had left behind. Yet, the warmth did little to lift the weight pressing down on his chest. Sirius had curled up in Harry’s lap, his large black head resting heavily against his thigh. With each gentle stroke of his godfather's fur, Harry found momentary solace, but the anxious energy within him refused to dissipate.
What if he doesn’t want to meet me? The thought circled like a hawk in Harry’s mind. It had been a whirlwind of emotions since he discovered the truth about his father, Tony Stark. Just a few days earlier he had found a number online labeled ‘best contact information for Tony Stark’ and he had gathered the courage to call the man who was supposed to be his father. When he introduced himself, saying, “I’m Tony’s son,” the woman on the other end, Pepper, laughed and hung up, leaving Harry feeling more than a little ridiculous.
With a sigh, he ran his fingers through Sirius’s fur again, seeking comfort in the warmth and familiarity of his godfather’s Animagus form. Over the past few months, Sirius had retreated deeper into his canine self, and though Harry loved Padfoot fiercely, the absence of Sirius’s human presence weighed heavily on him. He missed their conversations, the laughter, and the guidance that came from their bond as a family.
“It’ll be fine,” he murmured to himself, though the words felt hollow. The tall guy a few seats behind him was doing nothing to alleviate his nerves. Harry could feel the stranger’s gaze resting on him, sending a shiver of unease through his already frazzled state. Why was he even on this bus? Harry had felt an unexplainable connection when their eyes had locked earlier, a spark that intrigued and terrified him in equal measure.
“I must be going mad,” Harry whispered, shaking his head. Guilt clawed at him, making him feel like a traitor to Fred’s memory. It was too soon to feel anything for someone new, even if it was just the heady rush of attraction. Fred’s laughter echoed in his mind, teasing him about his newfound feelings, but the reality of it all brought tears to Harry’s eyes.
The bus driver’s voice crackled over the speaker, breaking Harry from his spiral of thoughts. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are now approaching Stark Mansion! Get your cameras ready, you won’t want to miss this!”
His heart raced as he finally dared to glance out the window. Towering ahead was Stark Mansion, a grand structure of glass and steel glimmering under the California sun. It was breathtaking, an architectural marvel, and for a brief moment, Harry allowed himself to dream.
What would life have been like if he had grown up here? Would he have been different? Would he have had a chance to know his father? Harry pictured summers spent at the beach, evenings filled with laughter and stories shared over dinner. He thought about the bond they could have forged, the adventures they could have embarked on together. But as the mansion came into full view, a knot twisted in his stomach.
What if he didn’t want me?
Harry swallowed hard, his pulse quickening with anxiety. He felt Sirius shift slightly, nudging him with a gentle whine as if sensing his distress.
And then, just as the bus began to slow, the world exploded.
A deafening roar filled the air, drowning out the excited gasps of the tourists. The Stark Mansion, beautiful and glimmering just moments before, was now engulfed in a massive fireball, debris raining down like confetti from hell. The blast rocked the bus, glass flying everywhere, sending Harry’s heart into his throat as screams filled the air.
He clutched Sirius tighter, his mind racing as chaos erupted outside. The tall guy a few seats back eyes were wide with shock as he stared at the destruction. Harry caught his gaze again, that strange spark igniting anew between them, but there was no time for confusion or guilt now.
“Everyone, stay calm!” the tour bus driver yelled, but his voice was barely audible over the chaos.
As people began to scramble, something shifted inside Harry. This wasn’t just an explosion, it was a call to action. Instinct kicked in as adrenaline surged through his veins. Whatever was happening, he needed to figure it out.
With a determined nod to himself, he met the tall stranger’s eyes again. Unspoken energy passed between them and Harry knew in that moment that he needed to get to the bottom of this immediately. As the bus trembled beneath them, Harry threw caution to the wind, kicked out the emergency exit, and prayed to anyone listening that his father wasn’t hurt.