Chapter 7
AFTER RORY HAS BEEN INTRODUCED to all of the people in the tower, and there are a lot of them, she’s told rather rudely that she is to be interrogated.
So naturally, she argues. Tony does not seem to appreciate that. Which leads to more arguing.
It isn’t really arguing, it’s more just two stubborn assholes screaming at each other.
Pietro and his sister, along with Steve and Bucky, are trying to diffuse the situation but the billionaire and witch are ignoring them in favour of screaming at the other.
“It’s like watching toddlers fight.“
Bruce had commented when he made the mistake of stopping by to visit. He’d made a quick escape.
It’s Natasha that brings the argument to a close. She does a flawless takedown and has Tony begging for mercy in seconds. All she has to do is flick a cold glance in Rory’s direction and she’s standing down.
Natasha has them all sit in the lounge, since they clearly won’t get Rory anywhere near an interrogation room.
“Right. We’ll start easy. Can you tell us your name, age and nationality?”
Natasha starts off and Rory is quick to reply. Maybe it’s Wanda’s magic lingering but Rory likes the red headed assassin and doesn’t mind revealing her secrets.
“Astoria Primrose Weasley, I’m twenty two, and I have duel citizenship between the UK and France.”
“Right. And why are you in New York?”
Steve asks. Rory likes him too, he’s very patriotic
“To work. I’m an Auror, like a police officer for magic.”
“Why have we never seen your lot around? There’s been plenty of magical nonsense.”
Tony cuts in and Rory scowls at him. She doesn’t like him. Maybe in another life, they could’ve been great friends. But he’s not made the best impression and Rory wants to do everything possible to spite him.
“Just because it’s magic, doesn’t make it our magic.”
She scowls.
“What?”
“Well, you’ve got your own god. That’s nothing to do with our community.”
“Okay then, next question. How did you come to be involved with the Reeves’?”
Steve asks, taking the focus back from Tony.
“Who?”
“The people who held you captive.”
Natasha explains.
“Oh. Well we were after this guy who’s been attacking muggles and he gave us the name. We were just doing a basic sweep and I got hit with something. It took my magic away. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that scared in my entire life.”
“Who’s we?”
Bucky joins the questioning.
“My partner. We’re a nice little team.”
Rory smiles fondly. They’d had a rough start but they’ve proven themselves to each other in a very short time.
“Mr Stark, were we not working in the lab this afternoon?”
Comes Peter Parker’s voice from the elevator. The gathered group all turn to face him and he shies from the attention.
“Kid, head to the games room. I’ll be with you soon.”
Tony says and the boy is quick to disappear.
“Right. That’s all the question I will be answering. I have nothing that could possibly help you further. Can I go home now?”
Rory decides she’s had enough of superhero muggles and kidnappings and interview/interrogations. She wants to go home, drink the world largest cup of tea and pass out for ten hours, before reporting that she’s not dead to her boss.
“We just need to make a report. It shouldn’t take too long. Why don’t you join Peter in the games room?”
Steve suggests and points her down the hall. There are signs everywhere so she can’t get lost.
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AFTER A FEW HOURS STUCK in the games room, Rory is bored beyond belief.
"Hey, Speedy."
Rory calls, looking up from the book of physics that belongs to Peter. She’d absentmindedly picked it up because she remember her aunt lecturing about the subject.
"Yes, Rory?"
Pietro asks back quickly, like he was waiting for her to call on him. He’d joined Peter and Rory quite quickly and has been pacing holes in the floor.
"Do you think Stark will let me at least contact my people?"
Rory asks.
"Why?"
"So they know I'm not dead and also so my uncle doesn't start a war."
"Why would your uncle start a war?"
"He's head of the aurors back in the UK and he's visiting in about a day, and I'm supposedly missing."
"I see the predicament. Let us talk to Stark."
"Thank you."
Rory sighs in relief.
Their quest to find Stark is cut short as Peter drops, quite literally, in front of them.
"Hey Rory. You've got all your powers back right?"
Peter asks, hanging down from the literal ceiling.
Screw magic, what the hell is this kid?
"Uh, yes. Why?"
Rory asks.
"You should spar with me. It should be interesting to fight someone with magic and able to read my mind."
He suggests.
"But I..."
"Stark can wait. Ask him after we spar."
Pietro shrugs off and Rory lets out a huff.
"Okay, fine."
"Sweet!"
Peter grins like a child at Christmas and he ends up back on the ceiling.
"Calm down, kid."
Rory snorts at him.
And then it hits her, what this kid is...
"Oh sweet Merlin! You're a spider man!"
She yells with a wide toothy grin. Oh, this is brilliant.
"Yes. Have you heard of me?"
Peter asks hopefully.
"No. But my uncle is terrified of spiders, I definitely need to introduce you to him. Tell me, can you control spiders?"
Rory wonders.
"I don't think so but I have some mechanical ones that look real."
"Good enough!"
Rory grins. George is gonna love this idea.
•
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"HEY STARK."
"WHAT’S UP, KID? Want a blueberry?"
Tony offers. Apparently they’re friends now. She’s no longer the bane of his existence and an intruder in his tower.
"Uh no, I'm allergic to them. I was actually wondering if I would be allowed to contact my people, just to let them know I escaped, and I'm okay and safe and recovering."
Rory requests politely.
"No."
"No!? Why the bloody hell not?"
She seethes. Screw being polite, Rory might just hex the bastard.
"I can't risk losing you, not until we know all the risks your world poses."
Stark shrugs like it’s reasonable. And okay, maybe it is good to be cautious. But still, Rory wants to go home.
"Do you want to start a war?"
She asks, seriously.
"What? Of course not."
Stark is startled.
"Then I should mention that my uncle is visiting the states tomorrow and he's the head of aurors in the UK, also the saviour of the wizarding world like eight times. I'm his family, he's gonna be pissed that I'm a hostage slash bargaining chip."
Rory says it casually but even an idiot could notice the icy threat in her words.
"Are you threatening me, kid?"
Stark challenges.
"Not at all. I'm simply warning you."
She smiles serenely.
"Answer's still no."
"I demand that I am returned to my people."
Rory huffs. And thus starts the bickering.
"You're a kid, you don't get to demand anything of me around."
"I'm 22, so..."
"That's basically a kid."
"Nope, I'm an adult in both our world's."
"Well this is my world and..."
Rory cuts his off by casting a full body bind on him and removing his mouth.
"Do not test me Stark. You may be a saviour of your people, but so am I."
She warns lowly.
"What's going on here?"
"Oh, hi Cap. Hi Buck. Hi Speedy."
Rory smiles innocently.
"Ms Weasley, I'm going to need you to unleash Stark and return his mouth."
Steve says politely, like one would expect a gentleman from the 1930's to speak. Which makes sense, considering both Steve and Bucky are actually from the 30's.
"Does she really have to?"
Bucky asks cynically then apologises when his friend slaps his arm.
"Fine."
Rory huffs and reverses the curses.
"Lock her up!"
Tony yells once he has a mouth again.
Steve and Bucky share an uneasy look at the younger of the three. Pietro steps back and refuses to help, leaving the national hero and ex-assassin to escort the witch to a holding cell.
"Expecto Patronum!"
Rory whispers and catch the silvery falcon in the corner of her eye. Why didn’t she think of this sooner?
"Stark tower, Uncle Harry. Don't destroy it or bring reinforcements, I just need you to get me out."
She sends her message and smiles as the falcon screeches and disappears. Steve looks around for the bird but can’t find it.
•
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HARRY POTTER HAS JUST ARRIVED in New York with his family when he spots his niece's patronus.
"Ginny, I'll catch up."
The auror tells his wife, trying to avoid her seeing the patronus.
Unfortunately his attempts only end up bringing Ginny to spot the silvery falcon.
"That's Rory's patronus."
She says immediately, dread in her tone. Harry nods and raises an arm for the bird to land on.
"Stark tower, Uncle Harry. Don't destroy it or bring reinforcements, I just need you to get me out."
Rory's voice says quickly in a hiss then the falcon blows away like smoke.
"What the bloody hell is Stark Tower?"
Ginny demands.
"I don't know but I think I need to have a word with President Quahog about the fact my niece is being held captive and I wasn't informed."