Strange Potter

Having Wanda with everyone at the games was a big boost. Harry loved his family more than anything.

Wanda was a part of that family. She was, in ways, closer to him than anyone. It was a connection that only they understood.

Word must have gotten around that she was the Wanda he talked about. A lot of the kids were very uncomfortable around her. Dumbledore must have informed the staff too because you could see the uneasiness from them every time she showed up.

On a positive note, there were no more attempts to sabotage his broom and Gryffindor was currently in the lead to win the cup this year.

Wanda knew she was the center of attention when she came and she didn't care. She couldn't control their fears only her own.

She did feel an incredible amount of hate from the dark-haired man who is called a 'professor'. Every time she sat next to Remus and with Sirius beside Nat she would catch the man glaring at them.

She was tempted to tear into his mind but these people already had a fear of her. She was able to gather it was the fact Remus and Sirius were happy and with someone that drove the man crazy.

Natasha and her hair color were also a point of frustration for some reason.

He's always like that.

And he nearly hit you? I'm trying to understand why Nat has allowed him to keep breathing.

He always sits far away and leaves before you guys. He's both stupid and smart at the same time.

The man thrives on fear. If he isn't careful I'll show him something to be afraid of.

As fun as that would be it might bite me later.

Right. Speaking of which. Have you been doing your training?

Yes ma'am. Every Saturday and Sunday at home. Less likely to be seen there.

Smart.

Well yeah. Do you think mum would let me be lazy? 

Wanda smirked at that. Confident you'll continue your winning streak on your broom?

Of course. I was born to fly. I own these skies.

Careful. Confidence...

Not arrogance. I know...I'm still one of the best on the field.

That you are. Wanda looked up at him flying and winked.

Harry returned it and got back to the game.

As with everything time did what it always does and it was soon Christmas time.

Hogwarts was slowly emptying with students going home for the holiday. 

Hagrid was at the train waiting when the three came down.

"Harry." The man smiled. "Got ye something." He handed him a wrapped present. 

"You didn't have to Hagrid."

"Ey wanted to." He chuckled. "Oh." He pulled out two smaller ones. "Can't forget about ye two." He gave Neville and Hermione theirs.

"Thank you, Hagrid, but I didn't..."

"Hermione, did you forget?" Harry interrupted her. "Your bag. The gift you got him is in there remember." He gave her a wink.

Hermione knew there was no gift in there but Harry was very pleased with himself. She pulled the bag out and inside was a small package she knew wasn't there before.

"Right. Must have slipped my mind." She stammered and handed it to the man.

"No harm done." Hagrid smiled as Neville pulled another out of his bag. 

"Here you are Hagrid." Neville also didn't remember getting the man a gift but Harry thought of that.

"Hagrid." Harry pulled out a slightly bigger package and gave it to him.

"Thank ye three." He smiled. "Ey know it's not time yet but ye think ye could open yers now?"

Harry pulled off the wrap and saw a photo album. Inside he found a lot of pictures of his parents. Them together. A few from when they were his age. A group one with James, Sirius, and Remus (Peter had been cut out). His mum with his dad behind her holding her close.

"Hagrid...thank you." 

"Took me ages to find all those." The man smiled. 

Harry smiled back and flipped to the last photo. It wasn't one of his parents. It was Hagrid standing in front of a reserve. A dragon reserve. 

"Added that for yea mum." He explained. "She left me some gallons to go to see them. Had to let ye know I did just that. Great holiday that."

"I'm glad you had fun Hagrid." Harry put the book in his bag. "Seriously thank you for this."

"Happy Christmas Harry." He smiled and looked at the other two. "Ye two as well."

"You too Hagrid."

"Happy Christ Hagrid."

"Take care." 

Hagrid carried their gifts back to his hut as they went into the train.

"How did you get that in there?" Hermione asked as they loaded into their compartment.

Harry's eyes glowed red and he smiled. "Magic."

"Prat." She laughed.

"What did you get him?"

"Some small things he likes. And I gave him a wine he enjoyed."

"Hagrid likes wine?" Neville couldn't hide his surprise.

"I know, shocked me too. One of the better aspects of reading minds is I can always get the best gifts to give out."

"I thought you didn't do that, that much?" Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"This was something I found when I went looking in his head a while back. I haven't read it since."

"Did you use it on me to find out what I want for Christmas?"

"Books," Neville said. "Don't need to read your mind to know that."

"He's not wrong is he?" Harry chuckled.

"Ha ha." She sat. "So broom polishing for you and maybe a toad cleaner for you?" She smirked back.

"Trevor's clean!" Neville pulled out the small toad from his cage. "Right boy?"

"Ribit." The toad croaked.

"That's a yes," Harry said. "And I'll never turn down anything for my broom." He said to Hermione.

Hermione snickered and pulled out one of her many books as the boys decided to play a game of exploding sap.

After a tie-breaker, which Neville declared the winner, Harry asked her. "Excited to be going home?" 

"Yes. We're going skiing." Hermione said. "What about you?"

"Big family dinner and snowboarding. Then snowball fighting with Reg and Nate. Probably have my cousin Tonks join in too but she's more of a shield than a player."

"You going to tell her that?" Neville laughed.

"And get hexed? The less she knows the better."

"Good because I'm usually her fourth target."

"Forth?" Hermione asked.

"Harry, Sirius, Regulus, then she usually sees me laughing so I get it too."

"You know she loves you like a little brother too." Harry smiled.

"That's exactly the problem."

"We'll see at the dinner," Harry said. "Did Sirius send your parents the word that it's at my house this year?"

"Yeah, but you have to tell us the secret."

"Secret?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, my home is hidden under a spell. Only the secret keeper can tell someone about it. Since it's my house that's me."

"I read about that." She remembered. "Isn't that the same one that your parents were under?" She asked carefully.

"Yeah. They just made the mistake of choosing the wrong guy. Plus it's just the first defense. Doc put a lot more on it." He leaned over and whispered something in Neville's ear then pulled back. "I'll tell your parents at the station."

"You better. Mum will be very upset if she isn't invited."

"Like I would do that to her," Harry smirked then got up and sat next to Hermione and whispered the secret to her. "In case you ever want to drop by."

"Thank you." She smiled back.

"You still having dinner with the Bartons first?" Neville asked.

"Yeah. Theirs on Christmas Eve and my place Christmas afternoon."

"Sound nice," Hermione said.

"And filling!" Neville rubbed his stomach. "Hogwarts is great but my mum's goose beats them all."

"I have to agree. Alice is a fantastic cook. The best part is she doesn't use magic to cook. Only to clean up the mess afterward."

"Well go ahead and give away all the secrets mate," Neville said in a fake dramatic way.

"What? The secret is love." Harry smirked. "Any chance you'll be seeing your uncle this year?"

Neville shook his head. "He's still too afraid of coming near mum. Almost ten years and he's still terrified of her."

"What did your mum do?" Hermione asked. It was confusing to hear that Alice Longbottom did anything that would make someone that scared. She was an Auror once after all.

"The mental idiot thought I was a squib and wanted to force magic out of me. When mum wasn't looking he held me out a window and 'accidentally' dropped me."

"No..." Hemione gasped.

"Accidental magic saved me but mum was furious! She hit him with a spell that sent him out the window. Broke both his legs. She told him if he ever came around again she'd make sure he landed on his head next time."

"It's a funnier story now," Harry said.

"Now, back then mum and dad were furious."

"I imagine. That's horrible."

"That's one of the problems with those who stay in the magical world too long. Some don't even see what Alice was so mad about."

"She might be a pureblood but she's a mum first. She didn't care if I was a squib or not, but I am happy to be able to use magic."

"Not drop a baby happy I hope." Harry chuckled.

"I would hope not." Hermione laughed too.

"Be back in a sec." Neville stood with a chuckle. "Need to use the loo." And exited.

"Hey, there's an early present for you if you want it." Harry got up and pulled out a package. "You can open it now if you want."

Hermione took it and decided to see what it was. She wasn't expecting a mirror.

Harry pulled out one of his own. "Neville has one, my friend Nate does, and so does Reg. They let us talk to each other anywhere. Just say my name and it will call me." Harry explained. "And here's these two." He had another package out. "For your parents. So you can talk anytime you three want."

"Harry... thank you." She rose and hugged him. "You can open yours if you want." He quickly pulled out his.

Harry took him and pulled out a fountain pen. It had Gryffindor colors and a seeker snitch at the top. "Woo, where did you find this?"

Regular pens were still not used in Hogwarts but the introduction of fountain pens had taken off. The anit-cheating quill was still the mandatory thing for tests though.

"Magazine. I wasn't sure it would get here on time but it did. It's self-filling so it will never run out."

"Thank Hermione."

"Happy Christmas Harry."

"Happy Christmas."

When the train pulled into the station Hermione looked out and saw everyone waiting. The three grabbed their things and exited.

"Mum! Dad!" The girl ran to her parents. 

Both of them embraced her as she began rambling on about the spells she learned and other things. The fact that Richard and Jean could keep up meant they were very used to it.

Neville went to his parents as Harry joined his family.

"No trolls this time?" Frank smiled.

"No trolls." Neville then whispered. "No Fluffy either." 

"What about you?" Sirius asked Harry.

"What have you heard?" He grinned. "I'll confess to nothing unless you have evidence. Even then I will contest it."

"He gets that from you." Sirius looked at Natasha.

"And?" She shrugged.

"Did you ever figure out the jerk who hexed....!" Regulus stopped when his mouth didn't say any words.

Harry motioned to the Grangers as his eyes were red. He put his finger to his lips.

Regulus glared but didn't say anything else.

"Everyone ready?" Stephen asked.

"I believe so Doctor." Richard picked up Hermione's luggage.

"See you guys later." Hermione waved.

"Take care!" 

The groups separated as Stephen took the Grangers out of the platform. 

Harry ran over to Alice and Frank and whispered the secret to them. "See your Christmas day. Oh, will I need to tell Augusta too?"

"Mum going to be with us that morning until noon. Said she had an old friend that wasn't doing so well she was going to visit afterward." Frank said.

"Okay. Take care guys." Harry ran back to his family. "No Wanda?" He could ask her directly but they both liked to have their privacy too.

"She said she had some business with Tony and Bruce," Remus answered. "I'm supposed to join them later."

"Is it what I think?" Sirius asked.

"I won't get my hopes up." Remus sighed.

"Don't worry Uncle Remus," Regulus said. "Don't forget The Hulk and Ironman are on this. You're going to be fine." He smiled.

"Stay positive Reg." Remus rubbed the boy's head.

"Ahh. I just had it how I like it!" The boy groaned.

"It was a mess," Natasha said.

"Exactly!"

Once they were sure no one was watching Harry opened a portal back to Potter Manor. 

"Oh before I forget I'm going to pop over to the Tonks and tell them," Harry said.

"Make sure the room is clear before you do." Sirius reminded him. 

Harry nodded and opened another portal and slipped into the Tonks residence. 

Just a few seconds later he came back and ran into the house. He was both pale and blushing.

"Harry?" Natasha saw his complexion.

"They know!" He said fast as he shut the portal.

"What happened?" Sirius asked.

"Oh...nothing dangerous. Well...I'm going to my room." And took off.

"What was that about?" Remus asked.

"I have a feeling we'll find out at the dinner," Natasha said.

A little while later at the Compound.

"Are you positive?" 

"No, we like to screw with you for fun," Tony replied. "Well that's partly true for me but this is the real deal, Wanda."

"No more false hopes?" 

"Not according to my findings," Bruce said. "I wanted to be as sure as I could before even telling you."

She looked over the results. It was the best one she had seen. "Alright."

A red portal opened and Remus stepped out to join her.

"Bruce. Tony." He nodded at them. "You said it was important?"

Tony smiled. "Merry Christmas Wolfy."

Bruce brought the screen over and showed him what they had.

Remus had been here so many times he had learned to understand what they were saying. In simpler ways... he wasn't a stupid man but these guys were on a completely different level to him. He took some fun in knowing he knew more about magic than them.

He read over the findings and was getting wider eyes as he read. "Are...are you sure?"

"We ran every test. It all checked out. The only thing left is we need to fully test it on a living person."

Remus couldn't believe what he was hearing. Years of failure and he could be looking at a cure? Hope started to fill him. Hope he hadn't felt since he was ten years old. But he couldn't let that seed grow. If it didn't work...

"When do you want to test it?"

"Based on the results it has to be administrated when you fully transform. So whichever full moon you want."

Remus nodded. "We...we can do it after the holidays."

"Of course."

"Another thing. There can't be anything that might alter the results." Bruce knew Remus wouldn't like the next part. "You can't take any Wolfsbane that day."

"That's dangerous."

"We've done it before."

"Yes, but...How do we know this is the one?"

"We don't," Bruce said. "But I was very thorough with all the tests. Even with that, the only true way is through you."

"Remus." Wanda put her hand on his shoulder. "Have faith."

Faith was something he didn't have a lot of anymore. But as he took her hand he always felt some. Just having her around was a boost to that.

"Alright. Set it up."

"Already ahead of you." Tony pulled up the lunar cycle. 

"We'll get everything ready and in place. You two go and be with your family for the holidays." Bruce said with a smile.

"You still coming over for ours?" Tony asked him. "Morgan will be upset if her Uncle Huce isn't there."

Bruce had a smile as he rolled his eyes at the girl's nickname for him. Hulk and Bruce together. Could have been worse...Brulk

Natasha smiled at the sight. All her friends and family are together at Clint's house. 

Harry and the rest gathered around Barton's enlarged table.  He was telling the older children about his time at Hogwarts. Including the battle with the troll.

Something Natasha wished he wouldn't have done but he couldn't stop himself. 

Regulus sitting and frantically telling Steve about the most recent battle with Morgan. And wondering when they could join the Avengers. Not that he said that loud enough to be heard by Natasha.

Sirius and Clint arguing over American football. Sirius was a diehard Quidditch fan but he had grown to like the non-magical sport too.

Remus wasn't as into it. He still believed that soccer was real football. But that didn't stop him from chiming in and a fee phase debates going. It was sort of nice to discuss something other than magic all the time.

Wanda and Laura were in their conversation.

"So you got on the team?" Nate finally asked Harry.

"Seeker just like I wanted. I would have called and told you but the time difference and the classes made me forget."

"It's fine." Nate waved off.

"Youngest player in a century," Sirius said with pride.

"Like they wouldn't put him on the team." Nate laughed. 

"Then someone tried to take him off the team," Regulus said.

"What?" Steve asked.

"Reg..."Harry groaned.

"Someone hexed Harry's broom and a few of the Bludgers," Sirius explained. "Luckily they failed and Harry won the game."

"Did they find the guy?" Laura asked.

"Not yet. Too many people there to get a good suspect, but let's not talk about that right now." Natasha said.

"Right. There's a feast on the table and I am staving." Clint said.

"I call a leg!" Regulus said.

"Arm wrestle for it." Steve countered.

"You're on!"

Yeah, Natasha was pretty content and happy about her life.

She felt Sirius take her and squeeze then give her a wink.

She smiled back.

It was one of the better care facilities in the country. A nice place to put a family member you either were unable to take care of or didn't want to. Which one depends on the type of family.

That was what Stephen thought as he waited for the audience he requested.

"Dr. Strange. This way please."

Stephen followed behind the orderly. 

He had spent years just looking for someone who could give him a better understanding of Riddle but his options were limited. But he had found a bit of luck in the daughter of an old 'friend'.

"She is in a better mood today but it could change quickly. So please make it quick and do not upset her." The woman stopped them outside the room.

"I understand."

"Celestina." The orderly said gently.

The woman looked...well. Well for someone suffering from a degenerative disease.

"Hello dear." She turned in her bed slightly.

"You have a visitor."

"Hello, ma'am my name is Stephen. I was wondering if I could ask you something about your mother."

My mum...whatever do you want to know?"

"Her history. I'm conducting some research into older families."

"That's nice. I wish I had her journal with me but I can't remember where I put it."

"I would have loved to see it."

Stephen sat and listened to the elderly woman tell tales of her mother. What the woman could remember. He waited until she seemed to be pretty sure of her information until he asked.

"Did your mother know anyone named Riddle? 

"Tom? Tom Riddle? Yes. My mother wrote of him a little. Said he was very handsome but married someone else. A strange named woman.

"Merope Gaunt."

"Yes, she said she was a tramp."

Stephen raised his eyebrow at that. 

"But he left her. Ran home. She wrote that the girl manipulated him but I can't verify that."

"Where did your mother grow up?"

"Little Hangleton. Yes. That's it." She looked pleased to remember. "That disgusting snake on the door. Mum drew it in her journal..."

"Snake?"

She looked lost and then around the room frantically. She stopped when she landed on Stephen. "Hello...what were we talking about?"

"It's nothing you need to worry about." He stood and gently patted her shoulder. "You look tired I'll leave you to rest. Thank you for your time ma'am."

I have a place to go now. Merope lived in a cottage near Little Hangleton. Now I need to find a door with a snake...I doubt it will be as simple as I hope.

The next day the group arrived at Potter Manor to have their big dinner with the rest of the families.

"Kreacher," Sirius called.

"Master." The old elf popped in.

"Did you have any issues setting up the meal?"

"No Master." You could tell it was still an odd thing for Kreacher to call Sirius.

"Thanks for doing this Kreacher," Natasha said.

The elf still stiffened when she said anything. A muggle speaking to him was wrong but he didn't say anything. 

"Alright, boys." She looked at them. "You go see if there's anything you can do to help. If not I'll think of something."

"Mummmm." Regulus groaned.

"Come on Reg." Harry pulled the boy into the kitchen.

"And for you." She looked at Sirius.

"What?" 

She smirked and pinned him against the wall. "I think we have some free time." With the boys busy in the kitchen. She felt a need to thank him for all of this.

"Oh? Whatever do you want to do with it?" He smiled deviously.

She answered by kissing him hard.

They managed to not get caught as the guest began to arrive a short time later.

"Mum! Dad!" Regulus called. "They're here!"

The couple slipped out and saw the Longbottoms at the doorway.

"Frank, Alice." Natasha greeted them.

"Tell me you brought that bread and butter pudding," Sirius said frantically.

"Of course," Alice said.

"Yes!" Both Sirius and Regulus said at the same time.

Both Harry and Natasha rolled their eyes but were smiling.

"Hello?!" A new voice called from the door.

"Dora." Regulus ran over and tackled the junior Auror.

"Hey, squirt." Nymphadora hugged back but saw Harry, hiding behind Natasha, looking at her. "You!"

"Hey, I didn't see anything that wouldn't scar me forever!"

"What?" Sirius looked at them in confusion.

"Well, when I went to tell the secret to the Tonks..."

"And he decided to portal directly into Nymphadora's room. While she was changing." Ted chuckled.

"We heard her screams from the other side of the house," Andromeda said.

"Then the brat froze me!"

"You were going to hex me!"

"Bloody right I was!!"

"I didn't mean to!"

"Alright, that's enough." Andromeda got between them. "Harry managed to shout the secret to us then portaled out."

Both Remus and Sirius were trying to stand as they laughed at the story. Regulus was not being so contained. He was on the ground.

Nymphadora went red in the hair as she glared at them. 

Harry came out from behind Nat. "You don't hex me I won't freeze you. Deal?"

"You're lucky your still adorable." She glared.

"Hey! I have graduated to handsome." He glared back.

They both stopped and hugged each other.

"Next time just wait until I'm here," Wanda said. "If one of us had to shock her it would be better for it to be me."

"True." 

"Only a little," Nymphadora said. "Hey, Remus."

"Dora." He nodded back. "Congratulations on making it onto the force. I hear Amelia is a great but tough boss."

"Thanks, and yes she is."

"She's better than Crouch was." Frank agreed.

"Any chance you two will be partners?" Remus smiled.

"Not likely. Right now I'm still a newbie."

"You're going to be fine," Alice reassured her. "I think I know a good Auror when I see one and I have complete faith in you."

"Thanks, Alice." Nymphadora grinned at the reassurance.

"Alright the dinners on the table," Natasha announced. "Before we begin everyone give Kreacher a thank you for setting it all up."

Again this was something the small elf watching didn't feel comfortable with. But he gave his best grateful nod before popping away.

Everyone sat at the table as the food was passed and floated around. Conversations were going and different topics were being joked about.

Sirius looked around. Harry and Neville talked over with Frank and Alice as they passed around a side.

Regulus and Dora laughed at one of Regulus's jokes while Dora's hair was turning several different shades.

Remus and Wanda telling Andromeda and Ted about all the work happening in the Stark industry. Officially Remus was an employee. Genie Pig by technical terms according to Tony.

The only thing he was missing was James and Lily...

Prongs you would be proud of your son. Lily, I hope I'm doing right by you.

Harry looked back at Sirius as he heard that and smiled at him. You're doing great Sirius.

Sirius didn't hear him but smiled back at him with a nod of understanding. He then felt a hand take his.

Natasha gave him the same smile and wink he had given her.

Yeah, Sirius Black was enjoying his life right now.

That night, after everyone was gone and Sirius 'washed' dishes with the rest helping Kreacher put them away, Harry and Regulus were in the game room.

Regulus had been waiting all afternoon to get to play but Natasha made him want it unit after dinner.

They were only a few minutes into the game when Harry felt his mirror go off.

"Hey, guys!" Hermione's face appeared.

"Hi, Hermione." Harry smiled.

"Hello." Regulus acknowledged but immediately went back to his new game.

"He's been wanting to play all day but mum held it until about five minutes ago."

"Ahh. Well, I only got a minute but I wanted to say my parents were very grateful for the mirrors."

"Happy to help. How's the skiing?"

"Brilliant and the lodge is perfect."

"Better than flying?" He smirked.

She glared back. "Much." Then she heard her parents call. "Got to go thanks again."

"Have fun." Harry put the mirror away. "Ready to lose?" He looked at Regulus.

"Bring it Scarlet." The boy grinned.

Harry glared back and picked up the controller.

Back a the Lodge Hermione put her mirror away and went to join her parents by the fireplace.

She didn't see the red magic around her bag or the book that was placed in the bottom of its unit after the trip. 

Albus looked into the fire as the Christmas season was in full swing over the school.

The feast was enjoyable as always and he had already exchanged gifts with his colleagues. 

Always more books and sweets. Not that I mind but a few warm socks would be a welcome change. He chuckled to himself.

But even the festive atmosphere wasn't enough to keep his mind from going back to the main point.

Harry Potter.

The boy was such a wonderful and infuriating child. He was brilliant like his parents. He was respectful and caring. All good aspects for a young adult.

But at the same time, he was not as curious as he would like. He hoped the draw of the corridor would peak the boy, but all his monitors said Harry never came near there. He even charmed one of the statues to alert him if an invisibility cloak was used. 

Unfortunately, I have no way of knowing if that cloak would even be detected by the charm. How I wish I could have placed proper spells on it. 

He did follow through with his word of removing Fluffy and placed some charms that would dissuade any other curious children. But a determined person would be able to get past them easily enough.

However, Harry wasn't that person. 

He knew that Hagrid had slipped to the boy about bringing something to Hogwarts but Harry shrugged it off as not his concern.

Any other child would be fine but Harry had to be tested.

Now it seemed Tom is waiting. Most likely for a time when I'm not around. Even if that comes to pass the stone will be unavailable for him now that it is safe in the mirror.

Quirinus is continuing to act oddly too. Ever since he returned from his travels. Could he be Tom's servant? It seems unlikely but I can't rule out the possibility. I'll have Severus check that for me.

Time was against him right now. Tom will eventually go for the stone. That he knew but he still couldn't find a way to get Harry to understand the dangers. 

Hagrid It's having issues finding the murderer of those unicorns... that certainly fits Tom's selfishness. But there's no way to get Harry into the forest to see that the dark lord was still around. Detention might be effective...no the boy has had one the entire time here. He's not the troublemaker his father was.

Dumbledore didn't know if he should be pleased or upset at that. 

Now all he could do was wait and try to steer the boy. How? He wasn't sure.

A person not having a good Christmas was the current Minister. 

Fudge went over the Non-Magical Protection Act with a fine comb and knew there was no way to get the funding to the Aurors department with it still in effect. 

And repealing it was a battle he knew he couldn't win. Not with Black and the Longbottoms. 

He didn't oppose the law in its purest form. It just went way too far now, in his opinion. The same level of protection as a wizard to a muggle?! Ridiculous. Sure he didn't want some of the lesser individuals of their society attacking the muggles and risking the Statute but this was too much.

His floo came to life and he knew he had a call waiting.

"Yes?" He stuck his head in.

"Cornelius." Umbridge smiled sweetly. "I believe I have some good news."

"I welcome it."

"I have found a way to remove Dr. Strange from interfering with our world."

That surprised Cornelius. "Really?! How?"

"Be undoing the agreement we have with his order."

"That was signed by all the different magical governments. How in the world would we be able to remove it?"

"We don't need everyone just a majority. I don't think I have to tell you how unpopular Strange has become?"

It was true. There were a lot of people in the government across the world who were over his involvement. Him forcing these changes and undoing their way of life.

"Do you believe we can get enough of the members of the ICW to support the dissolving of the agreement?"

She smiled bigger. "I have already taken the liberty to send owls. A few have returned and it looks promising."

"Excellent!" Fudge smiled. "But wait." The smile left. "How do we know Strange will honor it if we succeed? The last thing I want is to make an enemy of him."

"Cornelius my dear. If he doesn't then he will be declaring war on our world. His act will seem like a tyrant demanding control. Who do you think the public will support? Provided we use the media properly."

"Very clever my dear." Fudge felt some relief in his shoulders. "We have to tread carefully though. If we don't get the votes then we'll be targets to him."

"We certainly won't put forth the vote." She answered. "Some others are already putting the proposal on paper. We'll just agree with the majority vote. And with him no longer allowed to involve himself with us we can remove those contracts without issue."

"Good. Very good. With him gone we can begin undoing his mistakes. This is good news. But will we be able to get Dumbledore to vote for it?"

Dumbledore did hold the representation of magical Britain in the ICW. It didn't interfere with his job as Headmaster since the meetings happened only a few times a year unless it was an emergency.

"I believe he is no fan of Strange either and if he doesn't? Then you can simply replace him." She shrugged.

"And risk having both of them against me?! I'll never survive. No, I'm sure we can get Albus to go along with everyone."

"I'll take care of the details. We will take back our ministry soon my dear."

"This is a very good Christmas gift, Dolores."

She smiled back thinking the same thing. "So it is. Happy Christmas Cornelius."

Remus lay on the table. He had gotten used to the feeling of the chains on his arms and legs. Wanda stood next to him as she always did during these moments.

Bruce carried in the serum and a very large syringe. "All set Tony."

"Alright. Show time!" Tony rolled over in full Ironman suit, minus the helmet for now. "F.R.I.D.A.Y set for full dog containment mode."

Walls came down all around the room locking the occupants inside.

"Remus." Wanda cupped his face. "I'm right here. You won't hurt anyone."

Remus exhaled and nodded.

"F.R.I.D.A.Y. Open the top." 

The large shutter in the ceiling slid bag and the spell Wanda was using to block the effects disappeared.

Remus growled and thrashed as the wolf began to take over. Snarls and howls filled the lab.

Wanda watched as the beast struggled against the chain. They wouldn't break this time. Tony had reinforced them to hold even the Hulk, well for a time.

"Bruce?"

"Not yet. He's still not fully transformed yet."

A few seconds later the full Moony was now on the table fighting and trying to break the chains as the wolf snarled at Wanda.

"Now Tony!"

Tony grabbed the serum and his helmet came over his head. "Alright, you might feel a small prick." And jammed the syringe into the bound werewolf's thigh.

The howl broke the glass on the nearest monitor as Moony desperately tried to bite Tony's head off.

"See all over." Tony slid back. "How long Bruce?"

"Give it time to go threw his system. At the rate, his heart is pumping not long." Bruce answered as he watched the monitor.

To Wanda, it was some of the longest few minutes she had gone through. Watching him wasn't easy. Not that she pitied him. No, she was fighting the urge to use her magic to calm him and make him sleep rather than being a chained animal.

Suddenly the howls shifted until it was pained screams. A very human scream.

Bruce and Tony both were shocked by this transformation. They had seen him form the wolf but this...this was his body forcing it through something else. Like his body was forcing it out.

Wanda saw the fur slowly fade and his bones shifted back to human. She had seen it many times but this...this was different. She could feel it.

Moony was gone. Remus screamed as his mind came back. The pain was so much. He couldn't handle it. He passed out next.

"Remus!" Wanda tore off the chains and grabbed his head. "Remus...talk to me."

Tony and Bruce ran over.

"His pulse is strong. Tony?"

"All readings on the rest of him are normal. Well as normal as he is." Tony looked over the screen.

"Remus." Wanda tried again.

Slowly his eyes opened. "Wanda..."

"You're okay." She reassured him as she cupped his head.

Remus would normally be enchanted by her smile but what was behind her had his full attention.

The moon was shining down.

"I..." He raised his hand and saw it was normal. "I..." He started laughing.

Bruce and Tony smiled at each other as the man realized what this meant.

Remus laughed until it started to become tears. For the first time since he was four years old...he could see the moon.

Wanda held him as he broke down. Happiness. Sadness. Relief. It all flooded him.

"It's...it's..."

"I know." She knew what he wanted to say.

Tony patted Bruce on the shoulder. "Congrats Dr. Banner. You just cured lycanthropy."

Bruce felt the tension in his shoulders lift. His problems were still inside but for now. For now, he let out a relieved laugh as a small weight was lifted.