Chapter 28
Harry found Newt standing in the field behind the house, staring up at the stars. Things had been tense in the house lately - not because anybody was angry - but the last few days had been rough on everyone, and it was showing. It had taken Sirius more than a day to speak again once he'd heard that Pettigrew was finally dead.
He came to a stop next to the man, looking up at the stars as well. They stood like that, in silent companionship, until Harry’s curiosity got the better of him.
“Why did you tell me to give it freely?” Why didn’t you stop it from happening? Remained unspoken but not unheard.
“Did you know there’s a story about Stars who fall to earth?” Newt asked without looking away from the sky. Harry shook his head.
“No,” but he waited, knowing Newt would tell him.
“It’s an old muggle story, you know. About a Star who fell to earth, and walked among people.” He sighed, and with a wave of his hand, the light from the house behind them dims, and the stars seems to brighten above them.
“It’s said starlight is a powerful thing. Strong enough to power a whole city for years. But there are those who crave it, who want to consume it to keep themselves young, and beautiful, and of course, powerful.”
Harry looked at Newt, who, despite his age, still held the body of a man in his 30s at most.
“The thing is, a Star's power is more powerful if given freely. Stolen, it loses the majority of its magic.” Newt looked down to meet his gaze then, tired smile filling his features. “You’re like one of those Stars, Harry.”
Harry stared, and couldn’t even be embarrassed, because from Newt it wasn’t said like a compliment, but a fact.
“I don’t understand.”
Newt nodded, reaching out to put a hand on Harry’s shoulder, even as he looked back up at the sky.
“Giving it freely will have changed the nature of the potion; will change what happens to the one who uses it. It’ll be near impossible to know just yet what the effects will be, but I can guarantee you, the Voldemort that’s risen is not the same that fell. You’re powerful Harry - and I don’t just mean the strength of your magic - I mean the strength of your emotions. Your empathy - love.”
Harry found himself staring out at the stars once more, trying to wrap his mind around just what Newt was saying. He leaned into the man, and Newt’s arm went comfortably around his shoulders.
>>>
Natasha stood in the window, one of Steve’s hoodies dwarfing her and helping her fight the chill she just couldn’t seem to shake. Even as she watched Newt and Harry standing together in the field, she caught sight of her own reflection.
She looked tired, even she could see it.
She toyed with the zipper, revealing the edge of Tony's t-shirt she’d appropriated. It reminded her to keep out of Clint’s way since she was wearing the sweatpants he’d been looking for.
She sighed, the sound barely audible.
She hadn’t felt the need for this in ages - not that she didn’t still mooch clothing, but she hadn’t needed the reminder that these people were on her side, physically and mentally.
She watched Harry lean into Newt and realized she’d spent far too long by herself these last few days, because just the sight sent an ache through her chest.
“He’s recovering quickly.” James voice interrupted, though he kept his voice pitched low. Though she kept herself perfectly still, he’d still startled her. She offered a hum, not yet trusting her voice with her heart still beating a frantic pace in her throat, and felt him move across the room until he was next to her at the window.
She could feel his eyes on her, but didn’t look away from the window, terrified of what she’d see if she did.
“Sirius says the imperious curse is impossible to fight off.” He told her conversationally, but she stiffened all the same. “You fought it off, Natalia.”
“Not at first.” Her voice was barely a whisper, but she knew he heard it, and he kept silent, waiting. “It emptied me out and I could do nothing.”
“идиот.” He murmured. She spun on him, hands in fists.
“You have no idea-”
“I have every idea.” He snarled back, grabbing her shoulders. “Listen to me.”
She jabbed at him, twisting free and lashing out, but he avoided the blows with ease, stepping back in to grab her once more and give her a shake.
“Listen to me.” And the tone of his voice had her going very still, eyes wide on his. “I know, Natalia. Better than anyone else, I know.”
It shook her how much she knew that to be true. When she didn’t immediately argue, he continued, tone softer, but with no less steel.
“He may have taken your control, but you took it back. When nobody else could, you did. Do you understand me?”
Her whole body shuddered, the tension that had been keeping her going for days finally draining out of her and she closed her eyes.
His arms came around her, with none of the hesitation they usually held around each other. She lifted her own arms in turn.
When she opened her eyes, they stood together and watched Newt and Harry, and even when those two retired back inside, they continued to stand together.
Neither noticed grey eyes watching from the shadow of the doorway.
>>>
“I want to move back to New York.”
Everyone’s gaze shot to Harry and where he stood in the doorway. They were all gathered in the same room, arguing about dinner and the end of the year party for Harry’s friends they’d agreed to host, but everyone fell silent at the proclamation.
Harry stepped further in the room, chin up.
“I want to move back to New York.” He repeated. “With portkeys, all of my friends can still visit, but there’s no reason to stay here.” He looked at Newt, who’d been writing off to the side, and who smiled in encouragement.
“I can still travel with Newt based out of there, and we’d get to see more of aunt Pepper and Uncle Phil. I could even actually go to Ilvermory.” He took a deep breath. “You all moved here for me so I could be closer to my parents, but I don’t need it anymore. I want - I want to go home.”
There was a moment of silence as everyone exchanged glances before Natasha stood, moving to wrap her arms around Harry.
“All in favour of moving back to New York?” She asked, and watched as every hand in the room shot up except the three wizards. Sirius rolled his eyes when James lifted his arm for him, but didn’t put it back down, then stared down Remus until he sighed and raised his hand as well.
All eyes turned to Newt who just huffed out a laugh.
“I don’t live anywhere permanently, really. But I’ll certainly come along for now.” He allowed.
Tony let out a whoop as he hopped to his feet.
“Oh baby this is going to be great. You think your friends like this house? Just wait until they see the tower. Jarvis? Let’s get packing!”
As the others trickled out of the room to get a head start on preparations, Natasha turned to Harry, hands on his shoulders.
“You’re sure?” She asked, watching him carefully.
Harry stared right back. He knew she’d been having a hard time ever since the tournament - and nobody gave him enough credit but he could tell something was going on between her and James, but also James and Sirius, and the whole thing was weird and complicated and he knew that was probably only half of it.
Because he’d also seen the blood when she’d sprinted towards him after the tournament, holding on to him so tightly it had hurt. He’d seen the shock in her eyes even through his own, and it worried him.
Moving back was just as much about his family as it was about him.
She must have seen something of it in his face, because her own look softened, and she pushed the hair from his face and kissed his forehead.
“Alright then. Why don’t you write to your friends? Give them the news.”
When he opened his mouth, she just tapped his chin.
“Yes, you can invite the twins for the summer. After all, starting a business will be easiest with your aunt Pepper on hand, don’t you think?”
He had no idea how she knew about that. The twins had only just told him, and it had even been in person so there was no physical evidence - but then again, everyone had known about the prize money since the beginning, and since Cedric had insisted they split it, and he’d never made any mention of his portion, it clearly had to have gone somewhere.
He shook his head and just grinned up at her.
“I bet you pizza for a week that aunt Pepper tells uncle Tony she wishes he was back in Scotland within the first 24 hours.”
“I’ll take that bet, but I say 12 hours.”
Harry laughed, absolutely delighted. He couldn’t wait to go home.