Chapter 11
Despite the clusterfuck the last few Days have been for Tony, and the chaos waiting for him later today he wakes up surprisingly well rested and not because of nightmares. He’ll take what he can get while it lasts. As if warning him that the peace won’t last his insomniac child is also still asleep in his room as he walks past to go make the mandatory first pot of coffee. The upcoming meeting he’ll be having with the multiple headmasters that have nothing better to do than shit on a child that didn’t want any of this in the first place is already causing him migraines, he doesn’t need to add to it by forgetting to caffeinate. Sho heads out of his room as if summoned by the smell of coffee brewing, and honestly he probably was knowing the kid.
“Morning dad.” Shouta yawns while slumping down in a stool on the counter. “Did I miss much yesterday after I checked out?”
“Nah mostly just questions and catch up. Nothing you won’t pick up on while we go. How’s your head?”
“Not bad I took my meds before I came out here so hopefully I can take a second dose around lunch and it won’t be as bad as yesterday.”
“That’s good we’ve got a full day with meetings and planning so I need you at tip top shape. You and your rat god trained brain.”
“Using me for my training I knew it. Auntie Inko will take all your money in the custody battle.”
“As if it would be a battle. Please take my money I’m trying to beat Brucie in who can loose the Billionaire title first but somehow we just keep getting more money.”
“Ah then maybe when you finally call him and get me set up with my training course I can take his money for equipment modification.”
“Wow my own son betraying me this deep. My flesh and blood. You cut straight through me there. J call the hospital I think I’m having a heart attack from the pain.”
“Yes sir right after I have my morning tea.”
“Both of my children abandoning their old man what did I do to deserve this?”
“I don’t know maybe like 40 odd years being a complete asshole to everyone? You’ll be fine old man now pass the coffee I can’t think until the third pot you know this.”
“Pushy pushy child fine here the only thing I’m good for fancy coffee I see how it is. On a serious note though we will be seeing so many headmasters today and Dumbledore at the very least is a natural Legilimens so don’t make eye contact with any of them if you can help it. We’ll get you some occlumency lessons from Snape if I can bribe him enough but until then no eye contact with adults capiche?”
“Yeah dad got it. I’ve got some homework from Nedzu can I take it with us when we go?”
“Yeah of course might as well do something while the rest of us adults discuss boring topics. Try not to get lost in the castle the staircases move and not in any semblance of order you could track.”
“So sentient castle?”
“Sentient castle.”
“Good, there goes one question from the homework packet.”
“… So do I want to ask questions about what else is in that homework packet or should I just leave that comment alone.”
“I thought you wanted to know as little about Nedzu’s dominate the world plans as possible. If you’ve changed your mind I’d be happy to..”
“No no. No no no don’t tell me anything else just be discreet when writing. I don't know what languages the teachers can speak or read and it’s highly illegal to share this information outside the wizarding world if you know the laws. Which you don’t got it?”
Shouta gives a two finger salute,”No problem father our little secret. J add this to the blackmail folder when you get a chance?”
“Already done Master Shota.”
“You’re a godsend J.”
“Yes indeed. Wherever would you be without me.”
“In a cave” Tony and Shouta answer together.
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They finish their coffees and a light breakfast together before heading to the teleport spot outside just in time for the rest of the students to be leaving the great hall towards their classes. Dumbledore notices them walk in and ushers them into an office on the side of the great hall where the rest of the headmasters wait and the ministry fools. “Ah yes Mr. Stark as you remember these are the other headmasters I don’t think we got to do formal introductions yesterday. Madame Maxime from Beauxbatons in the Pyrenees. Their champion Fleur Delacour shall be along shortly I imagine. Igor Karkaroff from Durmstrang whose location as you may know is a carefully hidden secret. Champion Viktor Krum who is sitting there next to our own champion Mr. Cedric Diggory. And these gentleman are from the ministry, Barry Crouch and Ludo Bagman. Everyone this is Mr. Anthony Stark.”
“Actually it’s Lord Stark. If you insist on overt formalities it’s Lord Anthony Edward Carbonell-Stark but really just call me Tony.” Right as he finished speaking the door opened again and in walked Harry, a girl with blonde hair and a light blue outfit which must be Fleur Delacour, and Minnie wearing as stern an expression as always. “And this is Shouta Beaucroft, my son and heir. Harry, how'd you get on after we split ways yesterday?”
“Fine sir.”
“Harryyyy I thought we talked about this. I’m far too young to be called sir. Tony remember. Call me Tony.”
“Oh yeah. I forgot. Sorry sir.. er Tony.”
“We’ll workshop it. Anyways, is this everyone or are we expecting more people to shove in this tiny room?”
“This is everyone who required immediate notification as far as I’m aware. Did you have anyone specific you needed to inform?”
“No one specific but according to the amendments made to the magic contract every teacher present during the triwizard tournament must be available for aid excusing the headmasters since they are training their own school champions. Along with the main teachers who are here, the headmaster of the school Harry’s name was entered under has been invited to join us and has sent response that they’ll be here soon. I’d tell you who it is but I’d hate to spoil the surprise they’ve set up.”
“Ah in that case it’ll just be a minute I’ll have the prefects bring everyone to the library for a study hall with the house ghosts to help rally the younger students. Let me just send out a quick patronus.” Dumbledore shuffles out of the room raising his wand as the door closes behind him.
“Now that the buzzkill is gone. Shouta there’s some suspicious looking books here I bet if you pulled a couple some rooms would open. I don’t see your preferred method of vents but we’ll make do. Don’t get caught, don't get lost.” Shouta slides through the throngs of people in front of the fireplace before pulling various books down until one opens up a hallway behind the bookshelf. He salutes his father before slipping away through the tunnels marking things down in his notebook as he goes. “One problem child taken care of. Now onto you Harry go take a seat you look two seconds away from fainting at any second. Minnie can you ask an elf to bring some food for the child please?”
Crouch sputters next to him as Shouta disappears behind the bookshelf, “Lord Stark you can not let your underage child wander around the castle when he’s not a student here! It goes against every single bylaw we hold dear at Hogwarts!”
“You’ll find that’s not quite true Lord Crouch. Not only does Shouta have the right to walk through the halls as he pleases, you don’t have the kind of power needed to question me. Especially given how far your house fell after the war. You’d cause an international incident in the Italian and American wizarding communities if you tried to bring the point up against us. Besides Shouta is now foster brothers with Heir Potter who is currently a champion and therefore has familial privileges when it comes to Hogwarts. Anyone else have an issue with my kid?” Tony’s eyes are flinty cold and hard as steel as he stares down the various witches and wizards in the room as if daring them to mention Shouta again. “Good thought not. Now Madame Maxime wonderful to finally formally make your acquaintance if there’s time later I’d love to meet your Abraxans. I have a wonderful single malt that I break out for special occasions and meeting as fine a horse as that is as special as any could ask for I’d love to share it with them.”
“Ah you know your facts well Lord Stark. Oui if we have time I shall show you the stables and we shall all have a glass of your whiskey in celebration for our meeting. While there you will tell me how you managed to get your technology to work despite the magic interference yes?”
“Of course. A secret between drinking buddies yeah?” Tony winks at Maxime before flourishing his hand out toward Karkaroff, “And then there’s Lord Karkaroff you’ve fallen off the international radars for awhile. I know because they keep asking me to find you but honestly I have so many better things to be doing with my time than looking for a pardoned criminal. They couldn’t pay my consulting fees anyways, it’s nice to put a face to the name though.” They shake hands before Karkaroff mutters something in Bulgarian and tries to turn away. “Forgive me my Bulgarians a bit rusty did you honestly just try to call me a bastard twink to my face? Because we can totally settle our differences without the name calling in languages you don’t know I’m fluent in. Or you can try that introduction again with proper respect and I won’t financially and publically ruin you from ever leaving your cold wasteland again which isn’t that good of a hiding place considering how close it is to the Black Forest yeah?” Karkaroff now looking properly pale nods before slamming his cane into the ground and stomping to the chairs farthest from Tony. They all stayed in mostly silence for the next few minutes. The four champions all together in front of the fire having hushed discussions that none of the adults bothered to key into the only noise other than the crackling fire. Just as Tony was getting ready to open his mouth again the door opened and Dumbledore walked back in followed by the rest of the Hogwarts staff and a few teachers that came from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang.
“Now that we’re all here shall we take a seat and discuss what changes have been made for young Harry here?”
“Great idea. So chief among them is that Harry’s magic is no longer on the line. Not the way it was before at least. He won’t die from magical implosion if he chooses not to participate, his core will shrink to take the cost from the contract but as it’s still growing everyone involved was confident that it would grow back to its current size and maybe slightly larger. He’s chosen not to back out of the competition to avoid the mandatory bed rest he’d receive from backlash of his magic shrinking. It was also confirmed by Lady Magik that he didn’t enter his own name into the competition. If he did back out whoever entered his name would be taking the rest of the punishment for breaking contract most likely losing the ability to do any magic and possibly their life if Magik thought the price high enough. As we don’t know who the other person is or their intentions, Harry decided the risk of it being another student playing a prank was high enough that that’s part of why he decided to continue participating. However due to his age it was decided mandatory participation ends at him showing up to each competition and staying until each other champion finishes. If he chooses to participate beyond that he does get as much extra help, from every teacher at Hogwarts no matter which school they’re from, as he required to be as prepared as the elder students participating. It’s also required of the game master to inform Harry ahead of time about what the next trial will be so he has proper time to prepare. Madame Bones has stated that appropriate length of time depends on which trial and how difficult the clues given to the other competitors will be. As the first task has no clues given directly to champions he will be informed by the end of next week since the first trial will be held in a month. He also gets an emergency communicator on him at all times in case of emergencies and can pull out of the competition at any moment with the understanding that his core will shrink with the possibility of regrowth. The last major change that concerns all of you is his grading scale at school due to the demand of the tournament he does get mandatory extensions on assignments during any competition he chooses to participate in more than required and his scores for the challenges will be slightly skewed based off of how far ahead his competitors are compared to him. For example if you’re scoring them based off of how advanced a spell they’re using Harry doesn’t get negative marks if he can’t cast any higher than fourth year since he hasn’t even learned fourth year spells yet. I’d also like to remind everyone that Lady Magik found these to be fair rules for everyone involved and appropriate modifications due to him being underage. Any complaints filed will be going through Magik Rites to be judged by the Lady herself. That’s about it any other questions or concerns?”
“Yes who does the emergency communicator go to?”
“It connects to both me as his guardian and Madam Bones from the auror department. A secondary message will be sent out a few minutes later to his head of house and the Headmaster of the school he was entered under to make sure all important parties are informed. A tertiary message will be delivered if nobody responds to the first or second to the rest of the headmasters here and the teachers who came with you. That is a last resort if nobody answers within a reasonable amount of time first though.”
“How long will the mandatory extensions be for assignments?” That was a half goblin professor, Flitwick if he remembers correctly the Ravenclaw head of house.
“That will depend on what the assignment is, if Harry is having any difficulty in doing assignments correctly without extensions and how much other work he’ll be assigned during this period. We believe the easiest way to determine this would be a conference between all his teachers and a schedule for if he chooses to participate and if he doesn’t for each task. It can be adjusted every quarter if needed and the headmaster of his assigned school has offered their services in providing the schedule if you’d provide me with the lesson plans and assignments as we go through the year that I can send to them.”
“This is very thought out Monsieur. We do appreciate all the effort that went into coming up with a solution to this problem and how fast you provided it.”
“Well if I’d known sooner it wouldn’t have happened but c’est la vie this is the least I can do. It’ll have an adjustment period for sure and everything will be a bit rocky but it’s the best plan for now so Madam Bones and I expect everyone to follow the plan. If any issues or concerns arise to keep us informed I’ll be around campus everyday after breakfast until probably 9:30 every day in case anyone needs anything. We’re inspecting the grounds for safety purposes so Madam Bones will probably show up too. This was marginally less painful than I thought it would be and you all have students to get back to in order to avoid chaos so let’s end this here everyone. Good talk.” Tony gives his best playboy smile and wave as he pulls open the same book Shouta did earlier and leaves through the tunnel that opened slipping a note into Harry’s hand as he passed the fireplace about meeting him when he has lunch break out in the commons. “Now to find the wayward kid before he blows up the school.”
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After about an hour and a half of searching for his wandering child Tony gives up looking for him, blaming Nedzus cryptic training and leaving notes as he goes about meeting him and Harry for lunch in the commons. Tony climbs out of one of the offset tunnels and past a couple bookcases in what must be the main library for the school. “Alright J send a message to Rat God that our favorite hellspawn is working on his cryptic assignment but to keep results low key for legal reasons. I’ve got to see an elf about some food.”
What followed was a two hour conversation between Tony and the kitchen elves as they answered his questions on the eating habits of his new charge and what his favorite/least favorite foods were. They helped him prepare a meal for the three of them and then some, packing it away in a foraging basket that previously held carrots before sending Tony on his way. He made it outside with just enough time to start setting everything up before Shouta flipped out of a nearby tree landing beside him to help. As they were putting the last plates out they saw three figures walking towards them, two girls and a boy. As they got closer the boy was obviously Harry, the taller girl was the curly haired witch who Dumbledore called Hermione, and a smaller waif like girl with alabaster skin and platinum straight hair. The three were chatting together linked arm in arm Hermione laughing at something Harry was telling her and the other girl with a somewhat absent smile but an ear turned towards the conversation even as her eyes looked away. The conversation naturally drew to a close as they got close enough for Shouta and him to hear.
“Hey kid. Who’re these?”
“This is Hermione. She’s a Gryffindor like me in my year. She’s my best friend. This is Luna she’s a Ravenclaw a year below us. She’s closer to a sister. I hope you don’t mind I brought them Luna said you’d have enough food for extra people and we’ve learned to just listen to what she says most of the time.”
“Of course not the more the merrier. Good to meet you Hermione, Luna take a seat grab some food nothing formal here just getting everyone used to each other. Smart of you to listen to your friend Harry she looks like she’s got Seer blood in her. Which branch are you from?”
“The Lovegoods. There’s not many Nargles flying about your head daddy says that means you remember almost everything.”
“I haven’t talked to a Lovegood in ages. Are you from the main family line or one of the side ones?”
“Technically a side branch but none of my aunts or uncles survived the war so I’m next in line once my grandmother passes. Daddy’s taking us on vacation to look for Crumple Horned Snorklacks this summer since it may be the last free year before heirship training turns into semi-lordship.”
“That’s too bad I think I ran in the same circles as your aunt Delphine. She married into the Malfoy line right?”
“She did but she had strong Seer blood so she was turned over to the dark by Lord Malfoys father once her husband died.”
“That’s too bad. Anyways Hermione it’s good to officially meet you I know we saw each other the first day we came but we didn’t get to talk much. The names Tony Stark you guys can call me Tony this is my son Shouta he’s a little shy.”
“I’m not shy you’re just embarrassing. It’s nice to meet you guys.”
“It’s good to meet you as well. Are you from America? Your accents don’t sound the same.”
“No I grew up in Japan but we move back and forth when I’m not in school.”
“I’ve always wondered what schooling was like in other parts of the world. I’ve never left England really besides holidays to Nice and Nantes. My parents only speak English and French and refuse to go anywhere that they’ll seem like tourists. Is it much different there?”
“It’s completely different. A huge culture shock really but Dad prepared me really well on the flight over.”
“Your eyes must hurt. I wonder how bright I must glow. I can see it too not the same way you can but similar. If you were wondering you glow red they’re especially bright around your eyes. Like fire.”
“Based on the conversation you had with dad I’m guessing this is part of your Seer blood. They don’t hurt too bad right now they’re usually worse I’ve got medicine for it but I have to eat first. And since you were wondering it’s a pale purple. Like a periwinkle and it’s not too bright it’s really soft and calm. It almost looks like I could sink into it and it would wrap me up. By far the least offensive thing to look at around here if I’m being honest.”
Tony could see how the conversation lit up millions of questions in Hermiones mind about what they were talking about. A scientific urge to get to the bottom of the mystery that he is very familiar with. In order to put a pause to the experimenting until after they had lunch he pushes a sandwich into Shoutas mouth. As he did so Luna grabbed the strawberries from the basket and started feeding them to Hermione. “As fascinating as finding out the secrets of our situation are I’ve been told many times that brains work better when food is being put inside of us so lunch first then all the sciency stuff ok kids.”
“Alright who are you and what have you done with Mr. I Can Eat When I’m Dead?”
“Ha. Funny kid but you know Pep would maul me if I didn’t feed you children and set a bad example so feast away light topics at the.. picnic blanket I guess since we don’t have a convenient table around.”
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After they finished eating the quarter of school children took turns pushing each other down a small hill laughing and chatting about light topics. Tony had never seen Shouta as loose as he was right now when they weren’t at home with Hizashi and the rest of their family, it was a good look on his kid. Tony took the reprieve to just relax for a minute and watch the kids have what little joy they could since everyone knows it won’t last long. Soon enough they were all trudging back up the hill, Hermione having taken them all down with her the last time Harry had pushed her, arms wrapped around each other and heads thrown back in laughter while the wind carried the sounds of their delight back to him. The slightly setting sun making a picturesque backdrop behind the kids while also reminding him that they have to head back up to the school soon. Tony was hesitant to ruin the moment to remind the kids that they had more on their schedules today, and then Luna caught his eye and smiled while shaking her head and he knew that this was more important than any class they had to do tonight and decided to leave them be until they started falling asleep. By the time they made it back to where Tony was sitting on the blanket they were tripping over each other still giggling hair and clothes rumpled and stained with grass and dirt from their repeated trips down the hill.
“You look like you’ve been having fun. Great move by the way Hermione taking them all out with you on the way down. I had no idea that you could kick that far but it did the job.”
“You’re just saying that because she kicked me and you’re still mad I called out your hypocrisy earlier.”
“Now Sho I’m hurt. How could my own son believe I’d delight in his pain like that. But hypothetically you can’t prove it so HA!” Shota just rolled his eyes at his fathers dramatics. There was still a smile tugging his lips up at the corners proving that he was in fact having a great time with the new children he’d met even if they were younger than him by a few years.
“I was serious though it was a good kick. You seem to have the basics down for self defense. If you ever decide to train more you let me know any family of Harry’s is a family of mine and I take care of my people. I’d love to make sure you could protect yourself if you ever need to.”
“I don’t know how good I would be at trying to protect myself. My skillset lies more with my magic and my books than with any sort of physical ability. I’m afraid I’d be rather useless actually.”
“So was I before Afghanistan honestly. I never took training seriously until I’d gotten back and realized I needed to be more proactive about being able to defend myself. You just need to work a little more and not give up. At the very least you’ll be able to buy yourself some time to figure out a better solution. I’m not saying you have to I’m not your parent I can’t control you like that I’m just saying keep it in mind.”
“Thanks Mr. Stark I will.”
“Gah don’t call me that makes me sound like my father. I told you call me Tony.”
Shota looked on the conversation with intrest, putting his opinion in at the end, “I could help you know. I go to a school known for its rigorous self defense courses I’d be happy to lend a hand. Maybe the rat will give me extra credit too and I can reduce my hours in Menta’s class.”
“That dude is such a prick I don’t know why Nedzu lets him stay employed there.”
“You know it’s because of the HC sticking their fingers in the wrong pies. He’ll have enough blackmail to remove him from staff at the start of the new year but until then I’m stuck in his class for 8 hours a day. 8 whole HOURS Nedzu’s been freaking the fuck out because of the board requiring it since ‘I’m more likely to need the lessons he teaches than the practical lessons my peers receive’ quirkest assholes.”
“Breathe Sho it’s fine The Rat will take care of it eventually. For now let’s just enjoy the sunset with your new friends and wait for someone to notice the 3 missing students and come looking.”
“Actually they won’t notice at all.”
“It’s almost like you expect the teachers to be responsible adults.” Luna and Hermione say at the same time.
“Acca-scuse me. Pause and reverse. Did you just imply that your teachers at your boarding school won’t notice that 3 students missed half their classes, lunch, and dinner or that if they did they wouldn’t be freaking out trying to find you?”
“Exactly that Uncle Tony,” Luna said, “if they noticed we were gone, and it is an if, there’s an understanding that if Harry is in the group of missing children they’re not allowed to comment. Dumbledore has had a habit of reversing any punishments or awarding last minute points to keep Gryffindor in the lead for the house cup tournament. It leads to very poor inter house relations despite his professing to foster them.”
“Well all this information is well and concerning but I’d rather get back to the relaxation while we still can. Something tells me that starting tomorrow it’ll be a lot less peaceful around here.”
“It’s almost impressive honestly.”
“What is?”
“The Harry Effect.”
“The what?”
“The Harry Effect. It’s what we call it when you just start to realize that things never go quite right whenever Harry is directly involved. Like Murphys Law but worse honestly. Usually it takes at least a couple months of knowing him before the firsties understand but that you’ve only known him- what a day?-means that either you’re very perceptive or The Harry Effect is getting worse.”
“Ah that makes sense. I usually just call that a Tuesday but glad to know it runs in the family.”
“So he gets it from your shared family?”
“Probably. If he doesn’t then he’s being adopted into the perfect fit. We’re used to everything going wrong around here.”
“Glad it’s not just Luna and I then. It’ll help with preparing with more hands on deck to be honest.”
“Happy to be of service. Now where were we. Ah yes Luna now!” As soon as Tony says that Luna, who had been up to that point inching slightly forward toward Shota, darted past him grabbing his hand and rolling them both back down the hill. Tony starts laughing as this happens until he feels two sets of hands push him down while kicking his feet out underneath him causing him to follow his son tumbling down the hill. “Oh you brats it’s so on!”