A Real American Summer
When it came between Loki and Sirius, Harry was sure that the two men were going to spend every waking moment of their lives trying to outdo each other.
“You should refrain from being in the kitchen at all Sirius, this is barely food,” Loki chided the man as they both stood in the kitchen, trying to cook breakfast for Harry.
“Looks good to me,” Sirius joked, earning him a pointed glare from Harry, one that the man could not see, “Besides, why go through all the effort of actually making food when you can just magic your way to a good breakfast,”
“I swear, if you two don’t stop bickering I’m going to come cook breakfast myself,” Harry groused as he scratched at the bandage wound around his neck
“Not happening,” Loki retorted, “And stop scratching at that, it’s still healing,”
“So, Sirius can be in the kitchen while blind, but I can’t even make myself a bowl of cereal,” Harry countered
“Only a little blind. Which means I can see just enough to make sure the best Godson in the world has a good breakfast before he goes flying to America,”
America. It was so weird to hear that. He was going to America. An entirely new country hundreds of kilometers away, with his parents, that he had only truly known for the better part of a month. If his life wasn’t already a cluster of madness, Harry would have been much more concerned.
Instead, he found himself just a little bit excited. Even if that excitement was buried under a mountain of guilt and trepidation.
His eyes flicked over to Sirius, watching as the man seemed to move with an almost jovial spirit about him. It had only been a few weeks since he had lost his sight, all thanks to Harry, and yet it seemed like he hadn’t changed at all. At least in the negative sense. There was this playfulness about him that Harry hadn’t seen before, as if the world was still bright and cheery even if he couldn’t see it again. Or ever would, if St. Mungos was to be believed. The magic from what Harry did had fried his optic nerves, leaving his Godfather only able to see the fuzziest of shapes among a sea of white.
Neither the Healer nor Sirius had blamed Harry, but the teen knew it was his fault.
Still, it didn’t damper a single spring in Sirius’ step. The man moved around with the aid of several sensory spells and still swore up and down that he didn’t need eyes to know when Harry was beating himself up over what happened.
Pup, you did more than save my life. You made me whole. You don’t have to hate yourself for that.
Those had been his Godfather's words the night he was released from St. Mungos. Tony had been insistent on throwing a party of sorts, really just his excuse to celebrate finally getting to go back to America now that everything was just about handled. All the same, Harry hadn’t felt like partying and had elected to be more of a wallflower while the others chatted in the hotel Tony had bought. Yes, the man bought an entire hotel just so they could be alone with each other for company.
He had been happily moping away when Sirius had walked over, using his Patronus as a seeing-eye dog. Considering it was a miniature Cerberus just made it all the funnier to most. For Harry though, it just was a sharp reminder about what the man had lost and the part Harry had played in it.
His Godfather, for the most part, kept insisting to Harry that he was fine and all the better for what happened. Yet the guilty just wouldn’t be so easily swayed. Even when Sirius reminded Harry that he had gone through hell and back before and that being blind did not compare to being around Dementors in Azkaban for so long.
Back in the present, Sirius had slid a plate of slightly burnt pancakes in front of Harry, drizzled in sparkling honey that Sirius said was harvested from a rare magical bee somewhere in the Amazon.
“What your dear dad doesn’t understand is that Aritaeus honey makes the most bitter of foods taste divine. It’s why the pancakes are burnt,” the man said with a smirk before he took a seat to the left of Harry.
“Your Midgardian honey does not compare to that which is harvested from bees that collect pollen from Dreamshade flowers. Nor shall it ever grace your tongue if you continue to carry on as you do,” Loki claimed the other side of Harry, his plate filled with a few slices of meat and fruit
“Asgard has flowers? I thought you said it just floated in space,” Harry questioned absently as he cut into one of the pancakes,
The moment the honey-soaked cake touched his tongue, Harry knew he had found a new replacement for his beloved treacle tart. The floral taste was delicate and the sweetness had depths of flavor. Even the bitter parts of the pancake were somehow elevated by the honey, adding a depth of complexity that Harry had never known.
“Fuck me that’s good,” he swore automatically, “Sorry,”
“No need to apologize Pup, I know my food is fucking delicious,”
“I do hope your crass nature isn’t passed down in your blood, Sirius,” Loki rounded on the man, though he had surreptitiously summoned over the small pot of honey and drizzled a bit of his cheese in it, “As for the Dawnbloom Harry, despite how Asgard rest within space, there is still fertile earth beneath it that can grow flowers. I’ll have to show you the royal gardens when we visit,”
That was another thing that Harry was trying to wrap his head around. Before now, Harry hadn’t spent much time thinking about his relation to Loki. Considering he had been in a coma when they first met and then been kidnapped after his trial, there hadn’t been much time to dwell on such things. Now that he wasn’t fearing for his life or freedom, the fact that Harry was a demi-god by all accounts took up a sizable portion of his thinking space.
He had written up an entire list of questions to ask about his biology and the history of Asgard. A number of them were also from Hermione, which wasn’t surprising in the least bit to him. The list was hastily scribbled on some spare parchment in his trunk and every time Harry thought he was ready to ask, he’d find himself stopping short. The list was exhaustive and Harry was worried that Loki would find it annoying. Would find him annoying at that.
“If we are going to Asgard, I am going to have to get my hands on some uru metal. Thor said that stuff was what made his hammer, and if it can channel a storm, I can only imagine what it would do with a suit,” Tony came yawning out of the bedroom, his eyes just a tad bit unfocused from the late night spent partying.
“If it works as an energy conductor, we may be able to get it to work with magic. I think PRONGS still has all my work on breaking down the energy signature of magic. If we can find a way to replicate it, think of all the ways we could integrate tech magical attributes and components,” Harry’s mind was already replete with visions of the applications that such a thing could have
“When we get PRONG de-fragged and implemented into the Mansion you and I are so having Father-Son time in the lab. If we work this right, we will be the first people to bring tech into the Wixen world. I’ll be famous,”
“If you can get those stuffy seats in the Wizengamot to accept technology you’ll probably be infamous. It took them almost a decade to approve a new type of quill. A decade,” Sirius admonished loudly
“That does remind me, I need to send Madame Bones a box of the Stark Pen. Maybe I’ll tell her to pass them around the Ministry, good old guerilla-style marketing,” Tony was all smiles as he talked and Harry couldn’t help but find that infectious.
Tony was just a lot easier to talk to and get along with. The man had a brain that was just like his, constantly in motion and probably in need of a good therapist. Harry played so well off of the man, that it was almost as if he had been doing it his entire life. More than once the two of them found themselves idly chatting about one subject, only to be up early into the morning scribbling away madly at parchment. Last time it was over the logistical nature of making a food complier. Harry had to explain why it wouldn’t work, while Tony argued that he had magic. It had been a fun time.
It also just highlighted his irrational hesitation in trying to connect with Loki. Harry just understood Tony and it seemed like it was mutual from his…well dad. Understanding Loki just didn’t come as easily and Harry would be lying if he didn’t admit part of him was afraid that the god would reject him.
As if reading his thoughts, which Harry hoped he wasn’t, Loki gave Harry a small smile before turning his focus to Tony,
“Anthony, I am not letting you build a flying war machine out of Uru. Midgard is not ready for the might that such metal can bring, let alone one forged by your hand,”
“Is Uru really that dangerous,” Harry asked, taking it as an opportunity to ask Loki questions
“Indeed, it is,” the God answered readily, “The metal itself is, for the most part, innocuous. It isn’t like adamantium, which is known for its intense durability. Nor its mailability, like with vibranium. What makes Uru so dangerous and powerful, is its almost insatiable consumption of magic,
“Uru absorbs magic and holds it within itself and, as far as the dwarves of Nivadaliar are considered, there is no limit to how much magic it can store. Once more, the more magic that Uru holds, the more powerful it becomes. It can store enchantments and spells and the wielder of the metal can cast them endlessly. My brother's hammer contains the magical power of the Goddess Tempest. It is why all weapons or items forged in Uru are charmed, to prevent their misuse by those who would seek to destroy with their power,”
Loki paused in his explanation for a sip of tea, paying no attention to the three sets of eyes that were hanging onto his every word. Well, two sets of seeing eyes, and another pair hidden behind enchanted glasses,
“And that is why, Anthony, I will be making sure my brother does not give you even a single sliver of Uru. There is no telling what could come of your tinkering with it. Besides, only the dwarves are skilled enough to forge the metal. To even heat the material requires the heat of the core of a dying star,”
“Or enough arc reactors until it finally gives in,” Tony muttered to Harry, who almost spit up his juice
“Can you imagine a wand made out of that? Would put the Elder Wand to shame, at least if it even existed,” Sirius commented, “I’d be able to out-fight Voldy with something like that,”
Harry tuned the conversation out as his mind drifted over to the Dark Lord. Tom hadn’t made an appearance in his dreams for a while now. He did not doubt that Malfoy had informed the man of the incident with Grimmauld Manor. While the rest of the Wixen population didn’t know the full details, the same couldn’t be said for the rest of the Ministry. Fudge had blamed it all on dark magic that had built up inside a house of generations. Just enough of the truth that the public bought it. Internally though, the truth was kept hushed.
Part of Harry wondered if Tom was busy, or if the man was giving him time to heal. The latter option would fit with the man's current outlook on Harry’s well-being, even if he just wanted him well enough to be of use. The former though was more likely. Still, part of him missed their conversations. A part that made his brain itch in the oddest way he couldn’t put his finger on, no matter how hard he tried to think about why.
“-heard me kiddo,” the voice of Tony cut through the mental noise and drew Harry’s attention
“Sorry, I wasn’t listening. What’s going on,”
“Just checking if you packed up and ready to roll. Happy is gonna be here in a bit to collect our stuff to get it loaded on the plane. So, if you had any magic dirty magazines, now is the time to go stuff them into the bottom of that trunk of yours,”
A bright red blush crawled across Harry’s face as he searched for a response. Sirius beat him to the punch though,
“Pretty sure that’s a Godfather's job to do. Besides, not like I can use mine anymore so I may as well pass them down to Harry,”
“Ew, Sirius, no,” Harry laughed
“I’m serious,” his Godfather barked in a laugh
“Yes, we know who you are. Talking in the third person is a sign of an unhealthy mind,” Loki muttered under his breath
“Anyway,” Sirius said just a shade louder, making Harry flinch slightly, “While it is your jobs to teach him about the birds and the bees, as Godfather it is my job to make sure he knows the more lurid details of what two to five people can do alone,”
“And with that, I’m leaving to go pack up,” Harry hurried down the last pancake and chased it with some juice before putting his dishes in the sink and escaping towards his room in the suite.
The moment the door shut behind him, Harry finally stopped blushing. Sure, he was almost fifteen, and occasionally his mind drifted to other people, specifically a certain wall-crawler he wasn’t ready to admit he liked. That didn’t mean he needed to know about the sordid details that came with it. Harry was fine just being as oblivious and innocent as possible, thank you very much. Even if a part of him was curious as to what Sirius may have had on hand.
Your hormones are out of control.
The familiar and warm hissing of Parseltongue slipped into his mind as the locket spoke up, having been in his room the entire time. Ever since that moment in his mind, Harry had found himself able to communicate with the locket without having to wear it all the time.
‘Hush you, I don’t need you joining in on this’ Harry replied mentally before he turned toward the pile of clothes that were waiting for him on the bed. He was going to get Tony for buying him so many new shirts and pants in an attempt to make up for missing so many birthdays. The man had threatened there would be more shopping in the future and it made Harry shudder.
‘Personally, I feel the less time spent talking about your…inane desires the better. We do have to share this mindscape after all’
The new voice, sounding more like an elegant hissing copy of his voice, was the doppelganger of Harry from the mindscape.
‘Hey, I didn’t want to think about it either. Besides, I thought you had your own room or something you could slither off to’ Harry retorted as he began to haphazardly toss clothing into his trunk
‘And yet here I am, overhearing and feeling your conflicting emotions over a boy. If I was able, I would save us both the time and ask him out for you. Also, do not throw your clothing with so little regard. We should treat it with the respect that they deserve’
With a groan, Harry caved to his mental doppelganger, the almost annoyed tone the voice had at the end guilting Harry into properly folding his clothes. He supposed the voice did have a point, these were the nicest clothes Harry had ever owned. They were not hand-me-downs from Dudley. Nor were they part of his collection of Weasley Sweaters, though he adored every last one from the last four years. They were clothes that had been bought for him, just for him. Not because there was some event and he needed to be presentable. Or that someone was trying to hide his less-than-stellar upbringing from the neighbors. No, they were his for no other reason than he deserved new clothing.
A hum of approval rang through his mind as he took a more tender and reverent approach with his clothes. It gave Harry pause as he thought about his mental passenger. There was something just off about him, but not in a negative way Harry figured. The way he carried himself was a far cry from how Harry ever presented himself, but there was also a hint of self-protection there. As if he was constantly trying to hide aspects of himself from Harry. The most pressing thing about him though, was the feeling of familiarity. Part of him wondered if it was how George and Fred felt at times. Standing next to someone who has been with them since birth. A connection that seemed to go deeper than words could give credit.
Harry was going to voice these thoughts to his doppel when the phone on his bedside began to ring. Yet another gift from Tony, though Harry had given him fair warning that his occasional magical outburst when he was emotional would fry it. That and there was no way it would make it to Hogwarts intact, let alone onto the train.
A glance at the caller I.D. raised an eyebrow from Harry but he answered it all the same.
“Dud-Dudley? Is this really you,” Harry asked warily, not even sure how his cousin would know he had a cellphone. Only Hermione did, as she had been there when Tony had picked it out for him.
“Hullo…Harry, can you hear me,” there seemed to be a lot of wind wherever Dudley was, making it just a touch harder to hear the boy, “Hey, hope this isn’t too weird but your dad had texted me your number. I don’t even know how he knew what mine was. Kinda scary, isn’t he,”
“Yeah, he can be,” Harry eyed the pile of clothing he was still folding, “A bit much I’m guessing. Where are you right now, I swear it sounds like you have your head out of a train,”
“You’ll never believe this, but I’m in a flying car,” Dudley all but hollered through the phone in excitement, “Mr. Weasley had come to pick me up,”
“Did you say you were with Mr. Weasley,” a dozen questions started to spiral in his brain, not limited to how Mr. Weasley had rescued his car from the Dark Forest
The sound of the wind died down and Dudley became much more audible,
“Yeah. He came to get me. Things kinda…went south after the trial,” the boys' voice became far too somber, “Mum and Dad are getting divorced for one. It isn’t finalized as they still have to face charges for…you know,” even if he couldn’t say, Harry knew what his cousin was alluding to, “So yeah. In the midst of them arguing about that, they blamed it all on you, not a shock. I got a bit angry and one thing led to another-,”
“Dudley, you didn’t,” Harry muttered, already having a hunch as to what took place
“I told them that if they loved one sort of magical child, then there was room for them to love you. Course Dad thought I was mental or that I caught some diseases. Mum though, she asked what I was, and I told her how I found out I was a Squib at the trial. They…they haven’t talked to me since,”
“Dudley, I…fuck I’m sorry to hear that,” Harry sighed, “I hope they were awful about it. Well, more than normal,”
“Well, Mum insisted that I go get tested or see if there was a cure. Dad on the other hand,” there was a pause that Harry didn’t like in the least bit. One that made him bristle with anger,
“What did he do Dudley,” Harry all but demanded
“He beat me,” the words were somber, filled with pain, “He just came in one night, drunk like he has been since the trial, and beat me. It wasn’t that bad, I can take a punch. Still, he bruised me up good. Said if I stayed he’d do far worse. That he wouldn’t have a son that was like the rest of the ‘magical filth’. So…I got in contact with Mr. Weasley. He gave me this green powder stuff and said if I ever needed help or anything, to throw it into the fireplace and say ‘The Burrow,”
The smile that came across Harry’s face was bright. Leave it to the Weasleys to see his cousin in a bad situation and willingly open their arms to him
“He stepped through the fireplace and waited till Mum and Dad got back from the lawyer that evening,” Dudley continued, “Course they freaked, but Mr. Weasley made it clear that he wasn’t going to let them talk. Told them that he was going to take me to his home and that they would care for me. Damn near chewed Dad a new one as he shouted at him about how to treat children,”
A soft chuckle that Harry recognized as Mr. Weasley came through the phone, warming Harry even more,
“Anyway, long story short, I’m going to be living with them from now on. At least till I can get a job and find a place of my own,”
“Even if you don’t Dudley, you are more than welcome to stay. The Burrow gets a bit empty once school time rolls around,” Harry could hear Mr. Weasley faintly saying.
“I…I couldn’t. Harry, tell him I can’t do that. I don’t want to be a burden or anything,” Dudley almost whispered into the phone,
“And why can’t you do it,” Harry wondered
“Because I talked to Mrs. Weasley and she is so nice. I swear if I end up staying my hair may turn red. Is that a thing in your- I mean our world,” Dudley asked, and that made Harry burst into laughter
“No, it isn’t, but may as well consider yourself a Weasley. Once Mrs. Weasley has adopted you, there is no going back. Still, I’m happy for you Dudley. And proud too,”
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other line,
“I…Harry, you can’t mean that. Even after-,”
“Dudley,” Harry spoke softly, “You were raised in a shit home with shit parents. Parents who told you that you were owed the world and that everyone else around you should bow to your every whim. Yeah, you made my life hell, but you were a kid. You got better though,
“The Dudley that you think you still are would have never helped me at my trial, or helped me feel better afterwards. You’ve changed Dudley, and you deserve a shot at something better. The Weasleys are going to love you. Just be ready to toss gnomes halfway across the yard,”
Though he wasn’t there, Harry could see the tears in Dudley’s eyes as his cousin sniffled over the phone.
“I…I’ll see you around Harry. You gotta come visit me after you get settled in America. I’ll probably know just as much about the magical world as you when you get here,”
“I’ll hold you to that, Big D,” Harry laughed
“Love you, Harry. You’re the best cousin ever,”
As the call came to an end, Harry just sat there for a moment, letting it wash over him. The moment hung in the air, a thick haze of emotions that Harry couldn’t name all at once. At the top of them all though, was gratitude.
Harry remembered so fondly wanting nothing more than to be part of the family when he was little. He would often watch out the corner of his eyes or listen through the walls of his (the) cupboard at Dudley, Petunia, and Vernon laughing and having a good time. He wanted a part of that so badly that it hurt. Even when he was old enough to know he was never going to get it, that he was destined to be unloved and unwanted, he still wanted someone in his family to recognize him. To say something as simple as I love you.
Harry promised himself that he would spend the rest of his life letting Dudley know how much those words meant to him at that moment.
It hadn’t taken them long to get to the airport. While the rest of the time jumped on a Quinjet to head back to the mansion, Tony opted for a bit more luxury.
“Nothing beats flying in your own personal jet kid, trust me,” Tony exclaimed as their car pulled onto the tarmac, many other plans taxing and taking off around them
“I have a broom that would beg to differ,” Harry shot back with a smirk all on his own. He had been goading Tony about how certain he was his Firebolt could out-speed the Iron Man armor. Of course, there was a race planned once they got settled, but it wasn’t going to stop Harry from taking shots where he could.
“And both of you are slow compared to how fast I can move between two points,” Loki added with a shallow smirk as he pretended to be more invested in that morning’s edition of the Prophet
“Sorry, any form of teleportation is hereby banned from this conversation. Just because you can open a hole between two points doesn’t mean you are fast,” Tony admonished with a simmering gaze
“If the point is to see who can arrive at any given point the fastest, then the method of traversal does not matter,” Loki sniped, but it was filled with a warmth that lacked any malice
“I feel like we are on the verge of a Millennium Falcon debate here. Traveling long distances in shorter distances or something,” Harry commented
“Nope. I already have to deal with one Star Wars-obsessed nerd, I will not be living with another,” Tony groaned.
While it would have been easier to tell Tony that he preferred Star Trek, it was enjoyable to watch the man lament in his over-dramatic fashion about losing yet another kid to the franchise. Looking over the paper, Loki shared a look with Harry and they both smirked slightly, with Loki rolling his eyes for added effect.
Eventually, the car came to a stop and Harry couldn’t help himself but roll down the window to get a better look at the plane that Tony had been hyping up since that morning. Instead of the glistening jet being the focus of his attention, it was the gaggle of redheads and one bushy-haired girl who stood in front of the jet that got the majority of his attention.
“You didn’t think you could leave without us saying goodbye did ya,” came the voice of Ron, and within a moment Harry had bolted out of the car and launched himself into the arms of his friends and family
“What…I had said goodbye over the floo. You all said you couldn’t make it,” Harry said exasperated as he was hugged from all sides by the Weasleys, minus Mr. Weasley.
“Well it was a bit last minute-,” Fred started
“When Hermione showed up saying she knew which airport you’d be leaving from-,” George continued
“And we couldn’t just let our honorary brother leave without a proper goodbye,” they both finished with a flourish, producing a basket of their tricks and pranks.
“Guys, you didn’t have to,” Harry groaned but took the basket all the same
“Consider it investor privileges,” George ruffled Harry’s hair playfully.
“Sorry Harry,” Hermione jumped in when the twins went to go talk to Loki when he started to walk over, “I heard how sad you were over the phone when you called last night so I figured I’d help a bit,”
“You’re my best mate, you know that, right,” he told her, before pulling her into a close hug
“Oi, what am I, dragon dung,” Ron joked before he too was pulled into the hug as well
“You my best mate too, just you know-,” Harry began
“It’s Hermione, don’t worry, I get it,” Ron finished with a good-natured tone to his voice, “Still healing up,” Ron gestured to the bandages around Harry’s neck.
Subconsciously, Harry’s hand drifted up to his neck as if he could feel the slowly fading imprint on his skin.
“Yeah. St. Mungo’s didn’t want to risk trying to heal something so delicate so it’s been slow going,”
“I would have figured you’d heal faster, being all part god and whatnot,” Ron said as the hug broke apart
“According to Loki, I got to wait until I turn fifteen before I see any potential boons from his side of the family. Considering I’ve got Asgardian, Wixen and human blood in my veins, there is no telling what will happen,”
“Don’t forget Joutun as well. We are the last of our people in that regard. Blast Odin and his ways,” Loki lamented as he joined the group with the twins in tow, “Also, it is wonderful to meet you, Mrs. Weasley. I have been told by many I have you and your family for keeping Harry as healthy as you could,”
“I wish we could have done more, dear,” Molly smiled before pulling Loki into a hug, one that made the god visibly melt from the embrace, “He is a good boy and I know you are going to do right by him. Because if not, I will find a way to make a god suffer before adopting Harry as one of my own,”
Despite the threat, Loki didn’t feel offended. If anything, he felt slightly terrified of the woman as she broke the hug and fixed him with a smile that reminded him far too much of his mother.
“I have the feeling you are most certainly blessed by my mother, Frigga,” Loki said warmly
“If I remind you of her, then she must truly love you. I’d love to meet her one day. You are part of the family now, and we would love to know the rest of yours,”
Loki cast his mind to Frigga, the woman still in healing after the attack from the Dark Elves.
“She would be honored to join you at your table,”
The conversations went on for just a bit longer before Happy, who looked ready to call it a day after getting the rest of the luggage in the boot of the plane, gave a rather loud cough.
“Not that I’m not enjoying the whole Brady Bunch vibe you got going on, but we have got a departure time to keep. I for one am not about to get on the bad side of the aviation department at this airport,”
“Brady Bunch, is that a Muggle thing,” Ginny questioned with her arms crossed and fixing Happy with a glare, “Because it doesn’t sound like it’s a nice Muggle thing,”
Happy looked taken aback by the small girl, muttering under his breath about there being another Pepper, before huffing and slumping up the stairs into the plane.
“Don’t worry, it’s a Muggle show, he doesn’t mean anything by it,” Harry reassured the Weasleys before he found himself yet again in a crushing hug.
It was as he was standing there, surrounded by loved ones, that it truly dawned on Harry what he was about to do. Sure, he would be coming back to Hogwarts in September, but he was leaving them. He was leaving the people that had made him feel loved. The first family that had truly taken him in, making him feel like he was a person who deserved to be loved. Like he belonged.
The tears that were flowing came fast and suddenly, Harry having no idea when they started.
“I’m going to miss you all,” he sniffled
At some point, Ron and Hermione were crying as well, even Fred wasn’t dry in the eyes.
“You aren’t leaving for good. This isn’t goodbye, just see you later” Ron reminded Harry
“And I’ve already asked Tony, he says he is going to fly us up to see you for your birthday,” Hermione added
“Pretty sure that was supposed to be a surprise ‘Moine,” Ron admonished, the bushy-haired girl punching him in response.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to act surprised. I’ll see you all soon,” Harry dried his eyes as best as he could.
“You better write me every day Harry James. You better not miss a day,” Hermione shouted after Harry as he walked to the steps.
“Wouldn’t dream of missing a single day ‘Moine,” Harry yelled back, as Tony and Loki joined him.
Tony draped his arm across Harry’s shoulders, pulling him close,
“Ready for your first real American Summer,” the man asked as they bounded up the steps.
“To be fair, I don’t think I’ve ever had a regular Summer here before either,” Harry responded
“Then we got a few years to make up for. Think we can hit up Malibu first, get rid of the British pale skin you have,” Tony ruffled his son’s hair as they boarded the plane.
“Ah yes, Malibu, I’m sure I will fit in just fine when I get-,” Loki’s word trailed off as his eyes locked on an unexpected guest on the plane, “Albus,” the god sneered.
“Loki, Tony. Harry, my boy,” Dumbledore nodded to each of them in turn as he sat in one of the plush seats, sucking on candy as he admired the cabin, “While I do admire that you have found your true family, I still must insist on you remaining here. It is far safer from-,”
“That’s it, shut it Saruman,” Tony growled, “Like I’ve told you, and what Loki has told. And, most importantly, what Harry has told you in every damn letter you have sent us for the last two weeks, my kid isn’t staying here. Don’t you dare feed me some mystical bullshit about Harry being safer here. You and I both know if that were true, then we wouldn’t be here,”
Harry found himself pushed behind both Tony and Loki, the two men letting their ire spill out from their eyes as they glared at Albus.
There was a moment, just a moment when the Headmaster caught eye with Harry that the teen could feel something probing at his brain. There was a hiss, like a strangled yell in Parseltongue, before the probing sensation was gone.
‘If he attempts that again, I will skin him alive’ the voice of his doppelganger snarled, and Harry was inclined to agree.
“I do apologize for the intrusion. I just merely want to ensure that Harry’s best interests are truly being kept in mind. I do hope that I will see you at the start of your Fifth Year Harry. I am looking forward to helping you learn what is needed to face what is coming,”
Before either one of his parents could make a retort, Dumbledore vanished with a soft crack, though it didn’t make the tension in the plane any less taut.
“Can you do some magic mojo to keep him from finding us at the Mansion,” Tony looked over at Loki, his shoulders sagging as the tension left his system
“I’ll call upon Heimdall to carve Asgardian sigils around the Mansion. It will keep any unwanted guest out,” Loki collapsed into one of the plush seats, “I swear, you and the Grandmaster have such similar taste,” he muttered
“Don’t know who that is, hopefully not some space sugar daddy,” Loki’s shiver went unnoticed as Tony made way for the cockpit, “Hey Happy, you ready to take off before we get any other magical stowaways,”
The door opened, revealing Happy in the co-pilot seat, while the pilot seat was empty.
“Yeah, Tony, I don’t know how I feel about letting this computer fly this thing,” Happy grumbled as he looked back at his boss
“Not to worry Happy, I’ve compiled over 4,000 hours of flight training into my matrix,” came the response of FRIDAY, though Happy still didn’t look impressed.
“Think of it as a driving test. You just gotta make sure she lands us safely and she passes,” Tony said as if it was the simplest thing in the world.
Happy, used to his bosses’ ways, just sighed before sitting back down in the seat, sending shifty looks at the pilot’s chair.
Turning back around, Tony was greeted by the sight of Harry, eyes closed and softly breathing as he fell asleep. Even with the bandage around his neck, Harry looked peaceful as he dozed silently. It was a relief to see. He recalled how tense Harry constantly looked for the past few weeks, the teen more often than not folded in on himself while he slept.
“Think this is the first time he can truly relax. Not have to sleep with one eye open or worry about something coming down the line,” Loki folded the paper closed, joining Tony in watching Harry.
“Yeah, think we had something to do with it,” Tony leaned over, carefully buckling his son into his seat before collapsing into his own as the engines roared to life, “Hopefully we can keep that streak going,”
“Well he is our son, chances are trouble is going to find him. We won’t let him face it alone though, never again,” Loki shared a look with Tony before getting out of his seat. With a wave of his hand, Tony’s chair elongated enough to fit the both of them.
Loki worked himself into Tony’s side, enjoying the warmth and the closeness of the man. Tony, even though he had a million and one comment ready to fire off, didn’t open his mouth. Instead, he pressed Loki closer to himself and let the vibration of the engines rock them both off to sleep.
Harry felt as if he had only been asleep for an hour or so before he found himself in what he was calling his dreamscape. As he spotted the familiar trappings of the DADA room, he wasn’t shocked when he spied Tom sitting atop the desk.
“You aren’t trying to run away from me, are you,” the Dark Lord asked, his voice low and dangerous
“Considering that you are only just one dream away from me at all times, doesn’t look like I could get far from you if I wanted,” Harry kicked back slightly in his desk, eyeing the older man
“I got your thanks from Lucius. He also let it slip that you have displayed quite a bit of power at your trial,” Tom moved on, conjuring a chair to sit directly in front of Harry, “I must say, I have picked the right person to help realize my goals,”
“Ah yes, the total domination of Wixen kind, right,” Harry rolled his eyes, “The lamentations of Muggles,”
“Lamentations. Such a large word for you. You are, of course, incorrect. Like I said last time, I have considered your words from before. I do see the merits in your point of view,”
“The Dark Lord capable of change. I’m sure you’ll easily be able to sway the public, being so trustworthy as you are,”
“It will be a lot easier when I have your endorsement,” Tom nonchalantly looked at his nail as he spoke
“You’re being serious. I don’t think the world is going to fall in line and back a man who has murdered countless lives,” Harry snapped back
“For one, I have counted. I regained parts of my soul, which requires one to feel remorse for their actions. I may not have atoned for them, but I remember every life I took, and I regret…most of them,”
“Well congratulations on your redemption arc, so proud of you,” came the biting sarcasm from Harry, only to find the slender hand of Tom gripping his chin harshly
“I would greatly appreciate it if you do not make light of my attempts to make up for my insanity. It may make me slip back into my old way,”
Harry scowled before swatting away the hand,
“As I was saying, I have made steps to atone for what I have done, and my plans for Wixen kind are included in that. While you are right, I cannot make a move as Voldemort, as far as the public and government are concerned, he is dead. Which only leaves me as you see before you. Tom Gaunt, the last of the Gaunt line, heir to Slytherin and the only known son of Tom Riddle,”
Harry wanted to say something back, his mind already thinking of a bunch of different jokes and quips he could level at Tom. However, he stopped for a moment and considered the man’s words. While he didn’t put much stock in his regrets over killing, that felt impossible for Harry personally, he had to admit that he did have a point. Despite his and Dumbledore’s insistence at the end of the Triwizard Tournament, no one truly believed Voldemort had come back. And it wasn’t as if the man had made any big moves since coming back, beyond doing some soul searching as it were. There were not many people, beyond maybe Dumbledore, who would connect the man Harry saw before him and the insanity-fueled Voldemort.
Most importantly, he did not want another war.
“This could go sideways so hard. Dumbledore is going to see right through you the moment you step into the public eye,” Harry countered
“And that man is nowhere near as popular as he once was, mostly thanks to how he played a part in your upbringing. Even if the public at large isn’t aware of the details of your trial, those with power are. The Hogwarts Board is already in the process of trying to get a new professor that aligns with their views into the school. If there was ever a time for me to attempt more political warfare for the betterment of our people, it is now,”
“One where Mugglebord and Half-Bloods can live in fear,” it was less of a statement and more of a question from Harry.
“No. One where everyone with a drop of magic has a say in what happens in our world. And, if you join with me, one where we can enter the world at large,”
Harry looked up at the man, those bright red eyes and his neatly trimmed hair. The posh suit he tended to wear. More importantly, that determined gleam in his eyes,
“You have time to consider my proposal but I expect an answer from you before Summer ends. For now, I will leave you to your own devices. Enjoy your time in America Harry, I will see you soon enough,”
Harry wanted to ask how he knew where he was headed, but darkness claimed the edges of his vision once more. As he began to drift off into a true slumber, Harry couldn’t help but wonder if Tom was right. If joining him, at least in a political sense, could be for the better. It would have to be a problem for future Harry to solve. For now, he let his mind truly rest. Soon he would be in a place he had never truly been before.
Harry Potter would be home.
It was the screams that struck a chord with him. The screams of pain. Screams of fear. Screams of those who did not what their deaths would eventually lead to. As he strode down the ruined path of what had once been a park, the Titian looked out on the people of Xander that had been assembled. Their population, at least those that occupied the main focus of his conquest, were split down the middle. An even number of screaming and fearful souls. However, they were not his focus.
There, in the center of all the destruction was a singular man and the body of Ronan at his feet. On either side of him, Thanos’ children held their weapons high, not allowing him to make a single move. Clutched in his hand was the Power Stone, the purple gem contained in a chunk of metal to prevent it from touching his hands.
“You have fought valiantly,” Thanos knew his voice would reach the masses easily, smirking when they all began to turn quiet, “You and your so-called Guardians have done well to defend this place. Those that remain will remember your efforts. However, the time for your rebellion is at an end,”
Before the man could utter a word, Ebony Maw has entombed him in the rubble at his feet, leaving his wide eyes and arm free. His sounds were nothing more than pathetic mewls as the stone was pulled from his fingertips with ease. Maw, with reverence he reserved only for Thanos, presented the gem to his master.
“For you, Thanos, I bring the stone of Power. May this fragment of the infinite creation be the first of many you claim to better our universe,” the frail-looking man whispered.
Reaching out, Thanos watched as the stone melded with the gauntlet in his hand. The moment this fragment of infinite power connected, the Titan was awash in its glory. He could feel its power coming from the gauntlet and empowering every atom of his being. It rolled across him in arcing waves, bringing with it the joy of accomplishing the first step in his plan to reset the balance.
His eyes drifted dispassionately to the man who had attempted to keep such an important item from him. He reached out, letting the Power Stone and its energies be guided by his intent. The power coursed through the rubble that trapped the man, his screams getting louder. Slowly, Thanos closed his hand, watching as the rubble began to compress in on itself. Slowly, it pressed inwards, crushing the man within before reducing it all down to almost nothing.
“Sire, what shall we do with the others? Your daughters are among the people of this planet,” Maw simpered as the pair walked away to be taken back to the ship.
Thanos looked out on the people, not seeing either Gamora or Nebula within them.
“Let them be left to fate, we have more pressing matters to attend to,” Thanos nodded to his children remaining, and paid no mind to the screams once more, as one-half of the gathered population were fired upon as he and Maw were transported back onto the ship.
“Sire, shall we move on the other stones? I do believe Asgard has the Space Stone,” Maw informed the Mad Titan as they returned to the throne room
“Yes, that will be most helpful on this pilgrimage of ours. And what of the others,” Thanos sat on his throne, admiring the gauntlet that now thrummed with cosmic power
“There are rumors of them being on Earth, Sire. Several of them are considered to be well protected by powerful forces,”
Thanos looked up at Ebony Maw, a grin spreading across his face.
“I shall take great joy in collecting those and correcting the failure of Loki. Set us on course for Asgard. And then, we shall make way for Earth”
HARRY POTTER WILL RETURN: Infinite Paths to a Finite End.