Chapter 2
Soon after the interrogation, Harry was led through a series of halls, most likely longer than necessary to keep him from knowing a direct way out. The door they stopped at was large and imposing, though that could've been because of his short stature. The agent who brought him here was Coulson who opened the door and gently pushed him in. Harry looked around noticing how bare it was. The walls were an off-white and the floor marble. Inside, a bed was pushed into the corner and a wooden desk and chair across from it. He tested the padding of the bed, surprised at how cushiony it was. Clearly this was better than whatever the Dursleys gave him.
Coulson silently watched by the doorway, arms crossed and back to the frame. "We don't typically do this but you're an unusual case. Unfortunately you're also in a tight spot. You see Loki has taken something extremely dangerous from us and until we can get it back safely, you're going to have to stay here."
Harry eyed the man, "Right..."
Sighing Coulson rubbed his face tiredly, "Look, we don't want to hurt you but you're a variable in an large unknown scheme. Things are shaken and the world is at stake. Loki clearly wants to get you back but I'm not going to send a kid straight into the hands of a madman. We don't know if he'll try to manipulate you like he did my friend." He paused, watching as the words registered in the child's brain. "My team and I don't like going after children and we're honestly just trying to survive. Just stay out of trouble okay? We'll get some food and a little sweet for you, is that alright?"
Harry hesitantly nodded. He understood what he was trying to say, but could he really trust the words of a man he just met? And no offense to him, but Harry was also just trying to survive. He didn't really care per-say for the death of random agents but that didn't mean it wasn't sad either. He didn't know, he just couldn't trust them so quickly, especially when they shot at him. In the back of his brain, it whispered that Loki was also a stranger, if not more having had spent less time with him.
Coulson smiled weakly, "Glad that's settled. If there's anything else you need just press that button on the wall." He pointed to the area near the bed where a black button and what looked like a grate sat on the wall.
Harry nodded once more having nothing else to say.
He seems to be quite serious right now, Coulson noted. He wondered what it would take and how long it would take for the silly child to come out.
Coulson left Harry to his own devices. He laid on the bed, quickly shoving his shoes off before he got on and contemplated what to do. Well for one, he was stuck here with no way out. He didn't know when Loki would be able to get him--if he even kept his promise as many adults in his life never did. Except Ms. Weasley. She was a real one he knew. He frowned, the Weasley's. In all the mayhem that happened, the whole fiasco with Voldemort and Ginny escaped his mind.
In a panic he sat up. Was Ginny okay? Was Ron okay?? He didn't even remember how he was teleported into that strange laboratory looking room. He knew Fawkes was trying to heal him from the basilisk's wound but that was the last thing he remembered. The more he thought about it the more stupid he realized he was. First, why was he teleported to America? Or Canada? He couldn't tell since he hadn't seen any landscape he could identify any place to, however he did assume America given the last name 'Coulson' sounded so...American like. Second, what triggered the teleportation? Was it his magic seeking out safety knowing he was in mortal danger? Third, why not near Hogwarts?
He briefly wondered if anyone was looking for him. He hoped Ron and Hermione wouldn't freak out too bad but that was unlikely. Knowing them, they'd start some trouble just to get him back. He let out a little laugh of the mental image of Ron and Hermione waving their wands trying to summon him back. Wait. Wait, wait, wait.
Harry blinked. Forget teleportation, did he still even have his wand!? He patted himself down, thanking any higher being that there were no cameras inside the room to see him act like a frantic maniac. He let out a huff of relief and forcibly calmed himself down when he felt it in the pocket of his uniform. So that was sorted thank the lord, but the real problem arose. He was still underage and in the presence of muggles, meaning if he performed magic, the ministry of magic would find out and he'd be expelled faster than he could say quidditch.
He wasn't stupid, Harry knew he still had many enemies in the government that were followers of Voldemort. If Quirrell wasn't enough proof than Malfoy's father was enough. That wretched man had a lot of money and influence, his sly tongue so quick to stick itself into the minds of others, swaying them to his side.
He tapped on his lip absentmindedly, trying to recall all the laws regarding the use of underage magic. There was the one book in the library called "Laws about Underage Magic: Simplified" that he and Hermione had picked up when they had a rare time to sit in the library in peace. They had read it because Harry had lied to her about not wanting to get in trouble if he casted magic accidentally at he Dursleys. Truthfully, he was looking up ways to get back at them without his magic being detected. It honestly shouldn't haven been shocking, I mean they tormented him for gods sake! What was he supposed to do, continue on as they got to treat him however they wanted?
Harry snapped his fingers. Right! The radius of the trace charm only extended to the outskirts of Britain. The reason for this was because many newer wizarding families had moved out of Britain, however, magical families that moved were also required to register any underage children's wands--between the ages 11-16--with their new countries magical government ensuring they didn't break the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery.
Basically, because he never registered his wand with America's magical government, he had free rein. Giddy with excitement, he so desperately wanted try out all kinds of spells. Especially jinx's. The practice would be really helpful when he wants to use them in opportune times against the Dursley's.
A sharp knock on door heaved Harry from his thoughts and he put on a neutral face, "Come in." he called out.
The door was pushed open and a small cart of delicious smelling food rolled in. An agent, one he didn't recognize, took the cover. He looked like he didn't want to be here.
"This is just some cafeteria food, nothing special but it does taste better than other work place food," the agent admitted before pointing at each item, "We got some lasagna, broccoli and carrots, mash potatoes, and a slice of garlic bread. Didn't know what you wanted," he tapped the last plate. It had a chocolate cupcake. "As promised. When you're done, just leave the cart outside against the wall. Someone will pick it up. Enjoy kid."
The agent didn't spare him another glance and briskly walked back out the door, as if worried he'd ask any questions.
Harry didn't mind, he hadn't wanted to interact much either. He didn't bother checking if it was laced with anything since he knew for muggle laws it was heavily illegal, especially if it involved the government. He took a bite of the lasagna and savored it. Despite how shitty the situation was, this was a cuisine he'd never tried and to pass up on the opportunity? Heck no. At least the agent hadn't made a beans on toast joke.
Thinking back, he started to formulate a plan. First, he'd find a way out of the facility. Either Loki would come get him or he'd force his way out. He had to think of a way that would go undetected because as much as he was a wizard he was already bested by a single agent with a gun. His reaction time was to slow for him to put up a shield in time for a spray of bullets and unless he put one up at all times--which was virtually impossible, even the great Dumbledore had limits--he'd be dead before he knew it. That meant he'd have to outsmart those keeping him. Much more difficult to put in action than simply saying it. Loki was another factor that could get him out of this. He hadn't known why he trusted him so quickly, didn't even understand it himself when the man could potentially use him and throw him out just as fast. But he trusted his magic, it never lied. So he would give Loki the benefit of the doubt and if it turned out to be a waste, he'd simply rely on himself.
Second, he'd need a way to get back to Hogwarts. As much fun as it would be gallivanting across America, he'd really like to go back. In the short time he had been away, he felt a deep homesickness. Hogwarts was one of the few places that felt like home. He already missed Ron's laughter as he was once again defeated in a game of wizarding chess and Hermiones nonsensical comments on whatever book she was reading when she sat next to them in their cozy dorms. The reds and golds of his house color and not the boring off-white of this not-cell.
Having those close to his heart only for him to suddenly be ripped away...it was not pleasant. He'd have rather taken another beating from Vernon than stranded across the world with no clear way home.
He thought about contacting the American Branch but suspicion from the government on him and Harry somehow leading them to the wizarding world was too risky. Trying to contact his Ministry would simply not work as they were even more sworn to secrecy than any other country. Not to mention, you'd have to go through this long process of identity checks, foreign relations contact, and so much more to even touch the Ministry. They were annoying assholes for a reason.
Harry took a bite of the garlic bread and considered. Suppose he found a way out of this facility, had even found a way back home, what would be the consequences of him coming back. He knows that he'd be welcomed back, no doubt about that, but there were a couple things. He doesn't even pretend not to consider an interrogation, the ministry probing him to see if he revealed anything. He rolled his eyes. But the other thing: the Dursleys. He knows the events in the Chamber of Secrets happened at the end of the school year. He doesn't know how long or when he'll be able to get back so his stay with the Dursleys was definitely compromised. Dumbledore would never be able to convince them to take him back, especially if he went missing. It would pose as a way to rid of him with unnecessary involvement from them.
The more he thought about it the more his brain hurt. He needed some rest after the eventful day or two; he hadn't even had time to sleep since he made his way down the Chamber of Secrets. Even before that, he thought. It was a school day and he and Ron had waited all day before striking.
He groaned, shoulders slumping slightly. Yea, he was too tired to do this. Quickly scarfing down his food, he left the cart outside and pinged the button by the side of his bed.
He requested a toothbrush and was escorted to a bathroom, making due with what he got; it was decent toothpaste all things considered, he just wasn't used to the extreme mintyness. Rubbing his eyes, he placed his glasses at the desk and settled into the bed as comfortably as possible. He double checked to make sure his wand was next to him and closed his eyes. Thankfully, the lights were shut off. Rest was important he mused, it helped heal the brain and body. If he wanted to be in tip top shape tomorrow, he'd need all the energy--mental and physical--to get through it.
It seemed that he was more tired than he thought and drifted off to sleep in mere seconds.