Chapter 64
Chapter : A Dangerous Intervention
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Alex's POV
The familiar hum of magic filled the air in my hidden lab, tucked away beneath layers of wards and enchantments. I had spent countless hours here, perfecting the Pensieve Projector—an invention that projected memories like holograms. Unlike the traditional Pensieve, where one could enter the memory, my version allowed others to observe without feeling as if they were inside the event. While not as immersive, it was safer and more practical for certain purposes.
The creation wasn’t without its challenges. The intricacies of magic required to bind runes, enchantments, and memory-preserving spells onto a single object had tested my limits. I had broken more prototypes than I could count, but finally, I held a polished device in my hands, flickering faintly with projected light. I could view my memories and record them—everything I’d need to recall from the Harry Potter universe, the Marvel world, and my own growing knowledge of magic.
But before I could experiment further, a sudden pop echoed through the lab. Tinny, my personal house-elf, appeared beside me, her eyes wide with urgency.
"Master Alex!" she squeaked. "There has been an accident—Howard Stark’s car, it crashed!"
My heart lurched in my chest. "Where?"
"In America, Master! Near the McMillon home, close to MACUSA!" Tinny’s voice trembled slightly, her loyalty to the Stark family evident.
I wasted no time. "Take me there, now," I ordered. Tinny grabbed my hand, and in an instant, we Disapparated to the location of the accident.
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The crash site
The cold air bit at my skin as we appeared at the side of a snow-covered road. Howard Stark’s car had skidded off the icy road, lying at a precarious angle on the edge of a mountain drop-off. Flickering headlights illuminated the dark night, and I could hear the distant sound of approaching sirens—MACUSA’s Aurors were on their way. But what sent a chill down my spine was the movement in the shadows: The Winter Soldier—Bucky Barnes—was stalking towards the car, gun in hand, with two HYDRA goons following closely.
I couldn’t let them succeed. I couldn’t let history repeat itself. Howard and Maria Stark were inside that car, destined to die tonight if I didn’t intervene.
I quickly cast an Invisibility Charm over myself and moved closer. The Winter Soldier raised his gun, aiming directly at Howard. I didn’t have much time. Without a second thought, I whispered, "Stupefy!" A red bolt of light shot from my wand, striking Bucky in the back, sending him crashing to the ground unconscious.
One of the HYDRA goons turned, his eyes wide in shock, but before he could react, I fired another Stupefy spell, hitting him squarely in the chest. The second goon managed to raise his weapon, but he didn’t stand a chance. My third Stupefy took him out as well, and the air was silent once more, save for the soft hum of the car engine still running.
I quickly rushed towards the Starks’ car. Just as I reached the driver’s side, a gunshot rang out—sharp, echoing through the mountains. My heart sank, but I found that Howard was still alive. He was unconscious, bleeding, but alive. Maria was beside him, unconscious as well, but there was still time to save them.
"Tinny!" I called quietly. The house-elf appeared beside me instantly.
"Take them to the secure location, now! The Starks, the Winter Soldier, and the HYDRA agents. Do it quickly!" I ordered, my heart pounding. I couldn’t afford any mistakes.
Tinny’s hands snapped, and with a few pops, she Disapparated them away, one by one, starting with Howard and Maria. My mind raced as I conjured an illusion—a convincing vision of the Starks’ car slipping over the edge of the mountain, tumbling into the abyss below. The crash was catastrophic, the illusion showing metal and glass being torn apart as the car hit the rocks at high speed before bursting into flames. To any observer, it would seem like a fatal accident.
As the fire burned, I heard the distinctive pop of Auror Apparition. MACUSA wizards appeared at the edge of the road, surveying the scene.
Time to go.
Without a moment’s hesitation, I cast a quick Disillusionment Charm over myself, blending seamlessly into the snow and shadows. I began to retreat, casting small Apparition hops from one location to the next, ensuring that my magical signature wouldn’t be traced.
My heart raced as I crossed the border into safer territory, but my mind buzzed with a strange sense of exhilaration. I had done it. I had saved the Starks. But the timeline had shifted, and with it, who knew what the consequences might be?
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The Hidden Safehouse
The safehouse was located deep in a magical pocket dimension, hidden from prying eyes and under the strictest wards I could manage. The Starks lay unconscious on conjured beds, while the Winter Soldier and the HYDRA agents were securely bound in magical restraints.
I didn’t waste time. I cast a Blood-Replenishing Charm on Howard and Maria, ensuring that their wounds wouldn’t worsen. A few careful Healing Charms stopped the bleeding, and a mild Sleeping Draught kept them resting peacefully. The sight of them, so vulnerable, reminded me just how fragile this all was. I wasn’t a healer, but my work was enough to keep them alive until I could get proper help.
The Winter Soldier stirred slightly, but the Stupefy I had used earlier would keep him out for a while longer. I needed to make sure that HYDRA wouldn’t come after them again. But for now, I had bought time.
Exhaustion washed over me, but I forced myself to focus. I had to think about the bigger picture. The timeline had been altered in a significant way. Howard and Maria Stark were supposed to die tonight, and I had changed that. Would there be consequences? Was I ready for what might come next?
I couldn’t dwell on it for long. I made my way back home, Apparating to my room, where I finally collapsed into bed.
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As I drifted off to sleep, one thought kept circling in my mind.
"What have I done?"
I just hoped no timeline enforcer—or some other cosmic entity—was on their way to visit me.
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End of Chapter