Chapter 10
Harry could barely contain his excitement. Dragons were so cool. He’d wanted to see one since forever, and Norbert didn’t count.
“This is a Welsh Green, right, Newt?” Harry asked, thrilled, as he slowly made his way forward. The tellingly green dragon watched him carefully, but Newt could see her amusement.
Then Harry started to speak - but his words weren’t English.
The dragon focused fully on Harry then, lowering its great head down until they were eye level, and grumbled a response back before puffing him up with hot air.
Harry burst out laughing, hair standing up on end and glasses steaming, turning to Newt with a wide grin.
Harry turned back then, moving closer until he could reach out, waiting until the dragon nudged him, its massive head nearly the size of his body.
“Beautiful.” Harry murmured, nuzzling in. Then he murmured in the same tone but different language again.
“I had no idea dragons understood Parseltongue.” Newt admitted, and Harry looked back in surprise.
“I - I didn’t realize I’d switched.” He admitted. The Welsh Green nudged him again, huffing, and Harry laughed, wrapping his arms around the dragon’s neck. He said one last thing in Parseltongue before stepping back.
Newt smiled at him, patting him on the shoulder before he offered the dragon a deferential nod and turned his attention to the rest of the reserve.
Even from here he could see a Swedish short-snout and a Chinese fireball, neither of which should’ve been kept in a reserve such as this one.
That’s when he heard the roar. Both him and Harry turned as one, just in time to see a Hungarian Horntail of all things, spitting fire at the reserve workers. Newt grabbed Harry’s shoulder, apparating them both across the reserve in a few jumps. They got close enough to see a handler hit by the flames and Newt cast aguamenti, putting out the flames even as he stepped forward and in the way.
“Wands down.” His voice was sharp as a whip and had people listening before they’d even registered what he’d said or who he was. The awed murmur followed shortly after, but Newt blocked it out, focusing solely on the dragon.
He could feel Harry at his side, a calm pool of energy.
The dragon reared again, snapping its jaws, but Newt just grabbed Harry and apparated them a few feet to the left.
He spun out, jacket flaring, and caught the dragon’s eye. The dragon roared at him again, but he didn’t even blink, flaring his coat again as he quickstepped back to the front.
“Harry,” He requested, keeping his voice soft and his eyes on the dragon. “I want you to speak to her.”
Harry, bless him, didn’t even hesitate. The soft sounds of Parseltongue slipped through the air, slicing through the dragon’s anger, and Newt watched as the Horntail swung down onto all fours, unblinking eyes on Harry. There was a rage there that Newt didn’t understand, because even in the wrong part of the world there shouldn’t be this level of upset - especially if it was in order to protect or heal the dragon.
He watched, poised for action, as the dragon stared at Harry, before finally hissing a furious response, sparks shooting from its snout.
That calm energy that Harry had whipped around him in a sudden matching fury to the dragon’s as he turned those green eyes, now unnaturally bright, to Newt.
“They took her from her eggs.”
Newt turned on the handlers just as quickly as he’d moved to help them.
“Where are they?”
One of the handlers steps forward, looking shaky under the angry gazes of the dragon and two wizards. From his hip he took a pouch, and with a flick of his wand, the eggs, shrunk down, floated out. Newt took over the spell almost immediately, aware of the rumbling dragon at his back, and returned the cement coloured eggs to the mother dragon.
She grumbled again, those sparks still present as the yellow eyes fixed once more on Newt.
Newt remained physically relaxed, even as he prepared to apparate.
Hungarian Horntails were also notorious for being some of the most dangerous of all dragons, and he’d written himself that they liked to eat humans whenever possible.
Harry’s voice cut in again, Parseltongue stealing the dragon’s attention once more.
The dragon puffed up and Newt could tell she was preparing to spit fire. He turned, reading to reach out for Harry - what he wasn’t prepared for was for Harry to throw up a hand to stop him, never looking away from the dragon.
There was a test of wills between the two; dragon and boy staring at each other.
Newt stared in open mouthed shock when it was the dragon that turned away, grumbling before focusing on its eggs.
“Merlin Harry,”
“Who knew”
“You were a proper”
“Dragon handler!”
The twin speak had Harry finally turning to see the twins standing a few feet behind all of the handlers, an older redhead standing with them, watching the events with approval.
“Fred! George!” The electric energy that had betrayed Harry’s strength disappeared in the blink of an eye as the youthful grin replaced the ageless stare. He hurried forward, launching himself at the twins who both hugged him back tightly.
“Newt.” They greeted in unison, offering cheeky grins over Harry’s head. When Harry stepped back, Fred waved at the elder redhead with them with a flourish.
“Meet our brother, Charlie.”
“He’s here to make sure the dragons are treated properly since they’ve been dragged all this way for the tournament.”
The wicked look in their eyes said they weren’t supposed to share the information, but their brother, Charlie, didn’t even bat an eye. Instead, he offered his hand.
“Pleasure to meet you, sorry about the circumstances.” Newt accepted the hand, but he frowned.
“I’m not sure I understand the circumstances. What tournament?”
There was a moment of hesitation before Charlie sighed.
“They’ve decided to host a Triwizard Tournament between Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang.” His mouth twisted with an unhappy sneer, and Newt braced for the bad news, hand on Harry’s shoulder. “They’ve decided to use dragon’s for the first task.”
Harry bristled, outraged.
“What do you mean using the dragons?”
“The tournament is an antiquated way for the schools to prove their superiority.” Newt’s voice was dangerously calm. “Each task is usually more dangerous than the last, and there’s a reason it was stopped. It’s not uncommon for contestants to die during the challenges.”
Newt shook his head, squeezing Harry’s shoulder.
“It seems you chose well in not returning to Hogwarts this year.”
There was a split second of silence where Newt realized Harry hadn’t told the others yet. His smile was apologetic even as the twins both stared in shock.
“What?!”
>>>
Tony wondered what the turning point was; when he preferred having more children in the house as opposed to less. He watched as all the kids Harry had become friends with chattered and laughed, and felt the warmth of it all echo in his own chest.
20 years ago he never would’ve guessed this would be his life. 20 years ago he was too drunk to even really consider what his life would look like - but now - now here he was, and he loved every second of it.
“Any tears yet?” Clint asked, sidling up to Tony, and the genius shook his head.
“Not yet. Almost at one point, but Harry defused it pretty well. Everyone’s pretty upset he won’t be at Hogwarts.”
“I mean, fair enough. They’re all used to hanging out of each other’s pockets 24/7.”
Tony snorted out a laugh and just barely dodged Clint’s elbow.
“Yeah, yeah, I know we’re not any better.” Clint muttered. Then he stilled, and Tony immediately shifted to follow his gaze to where Sirius and Natasha were standing, and where Narcissa had approached.
“Jarvis.” Tony murmured, and both he and Clint immediately had the murmur of the conversation across the room in their ears.
“Narcissa, glad you and Draco could make it.” Natasha greeted, and Narcissa inclined her head.
“As am I. Draco’s rather disappointed Harry won’t be at school this year.”
Natasha offered a smile.
“You know how boys are. When Mr. Scamander offered to teach him, he just couldn’t resist. Being able to travel to remote locations for your studies can be quite illuminating.”
“Quite.” Narcissa agreed. Then she turned to Sirius. “Your treatment from the Ministry of Magic has been a point of protest in many families within the Wizengamot as of late.” She noted, much to Sirius’ surprise. Her smile was fleeting. “I hope the politics haven’t made you too busy for tea.”
“Bet that he chokes.” Clint murmured to Tony, but the billionaire had already caught sight of James cutting towards the conversation.
“I’ll bet you your next trip to medical James gets himself invited along.” Clint snickered.
“Not a chance.” But he didn’t follow up because James had reached the group.
“You must be Mrs. Malfoy.” James began, offering a charming smile. Narcissa’s gaze swept over him before she nodded.
“Indeed. And you are?”
“James Barnes, ma’am. A friend of the family.” He put a hand on Sirius’ back, a motion of comfort, and though they knew most wouldn’t see it, everyone watching her saw something in her eyes soften at the act of kindness for her cousin.
“It’s a pleasure.” She offered her hand and James immediately brought it to his lips.
“The pleasure’s all mine.” Then he released her hand to turn a look at Sirius. “I’m so glad the two of you will have a chance to catch up. Sirius was just saying the other day how he was hoping for a chance to get to know his nephew a little better.” He told her with a smile, but also smoothly accepting the invitation on Sirius’ behalf. There was no missing Narcissa’s amusement now as she inclined her head in acceptance.
“Of course. Draco will be thrilled. After all, Harry has many kind things to say about his family.” There was a light in her eyes that, on anyone else, would’ve been called mischief. “You are, of course, welcome to join us.”
James inclined his head, looking bashful, and Tony rolled his eyes so hard it almost hurt. Clint was fighting laughter behind his glass.
“That’s very kind of you, and I’d be honoured. You can just let us know when, and we’ll be there.”
“How about next Thursday?”
“That’s just perfect.”
“Feel free to bring Harry along too, I’m sure Draco would appreciate it.”
“As long as it’s alright with Natalia, we’ll bring him along.”
Narcissa’s only reaction to the different name was the slightest twitch of a finger. It also clued Tony and Clint in to the fact that the spy was no longer with the group they’d been eavesdropping on.
“You boys have no shame.”
They both froze at her voice right behind them and turned as one, grins in place.
“Come on, Nat, it was too perfect. Did you see Sirius’ face?”
Natasha’s lips twitched briefly into a smile before she smacked them both over the head.
“Be nice. Mingle.”
Clint pouted but obediently made his way further into the room, slipping into a conversation with Charlie and Newt. Tony just rolled his eyes again.
“Come on. As if you don’t think it’s funny that good old muggle James’ just charmed his way into one of the most pureblood houses in Britain.”
Natasha smirked.
“Oh, I do. I think it’ll be even more interesting to see how Sirius reacts when Narcissa makes inquiries about their relationship.”
Tony’s expression went blank before he laughed.
“God. What I would pay to see that.” He chuckled further, looking back across the room at where it was only Sirius and James now, the former spy with his hand still on Sirius’ back, and Sirius staring up at him in absolute shock still.
Even Tony could admit that James cleaned up well, and he’d certainly cleaned up for this event. He looked as charming as in any of the old reels, though there was a wickedness to that smile that was sharper than it had been. In Tony’s opinion, that only added to the appeal.
He looked back at Natasha who’d been watching the pair as well, and slipped an arm around her in support.
“Come on. Time for more mock mojitos before the twins spike it.”
Natasha quirked a brow at him, sliding an arm around him in return.
“Who says they haven’t already?”