Chapter 7
“What was that?” Natasha’s voice made Pepper jump. “Sorry, I figured I could come back once Harry left.”
Pepper sat on the couch rubbing her eyes. “No, it’s fine. He’s just going through something.”
“Seems like a big something.” The spy was good at prying, but Pepper didn’t feel like talking about it.
“Just a family issue. Nothing to worry about.” Natasha picked up on her tone and didn’t push farther. “Where were we?”
“Right,” Natasha took a seat. “Fury wanted me to ask you about any leftover projects that Stark might have been working on before the battle.”
Pepper almost laughed. “Is that it?” Of course, Shield would only come back around to check on Tony’s family just for his technology.
They were good at false goodwill. Natasha simply shrugged, but kept an earnest look. Pepper was rather offended. “No. Any blueprints left from Tony are currently being used at Stark Industries.”
“Ok.”
“The last things he worked on were all green energy technology, why would Shield have any interest in it?” Her tone turned a bit hostile.
“Fury has reason to believe that Stark might have withheld more time travel theories from them, and just wanted to check-“
“Check what? Check to see if he could weaponize time travel?” Pepper had reached beyond a bit hostile. “My husband saved the damn world, and you're still asking for him to do more?”
Natasha recoiled. “Pepper, I am sorry. I had no intention of upsetting you.”
“But you did.”
“And I am sorry.” There was a long pause, before Natasha attempted again, “please, Pepper, Clint, Steve, and I worried about you.”
Pepper simply rolled her eyes. “It’s just none of us know this man you let move in. He’s a stranger that began showing up to meetings, and we’re just supposed to be okay with it? We couldn’t find a single record of him past his employment as Shield, or anything that came after his elementary school records.”
“You tried to background check Harry?” Pepper bemused. He’s a wizard, obviously he wouldn’t have a record, she thought to herself.
“You’re not going to find anything on him. I could’ve told you that.”
“Pepper, it’s alarming.”
“What’s alarming is none of you thought to come to me first.” She spat back. “When’s the last time any of you have visited us since Tony died? When was the last time you saw Morgan? Because Harry is here everyday. He takes her to school, he helps me cook and clean, and honestly, he has been the only thing keeping me afloat this past year.” She took a breath. “I don’t care what the Avengers think about him. He is a necessary asset to Shield, and in mine and Morgan’s life, and he has been around a lot longer than any of you think.” Shit, went a bit too far.
Natasha perked up a bit, finding a way into getting information. “How long has Harry been living with you?”
“Well,” Pepper thought for a moment, picking her words wisely. “Six years, not consecutively. Because of the war, we lost touch due to work, but he’s a part of our family.”
“Oh.” Natasha got it now. She understood the relationship.
“Yeah.” Pepper felt a little embarrassed from how she was practically forced to deliver the news, but she was certain it was bound to happen eventually.
“And why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“Please, our entire lives are plastered across every magazine in America. Some things need to be kept away from the headlines, especially if it’s special to you. Even you have to understand that.”
And she did. The special agent couldn’t count the amount of times she had used evasive maneuvers on paparazzi instead of actual villains. “It’s exhausting.” And for a spy, having your name and face plastered on t-shirts was practically your worst nightmare. “And a liability.”
Pepper nodded in response.
“I still want to know more about Harry.”
“I know.” She knew there was no avoiding it. “We just need a bit more time. We’re handling some things, right now.”
“Is that what all that was about?” Natasha gestured to the odd behavior she observed earlier.
Pepper responded smoothly, “we all grieve differently.”
It wasn’t the answer Natasha wanted, but she settled for it now. Concluding her visit, Pepper walked her to the door and expressed that maybe the group could get together and visit sometime. Morgan really would love to see them all again on a happier occasion. Natasha agreed and promptly left. Pepper watched as the other woman drove off, sighing in relief. She had forgotten how difficult it was to uphold the statute of secrecy. Everything in her heart wanted to explain Harry’s behavior, and possibly get another person to help their situation. Maybe that was the answer. She made a mental note to send a letter that might just help.
Far below the home, Harry descended into the dark dust covered lab. The lights flickered on detecting his movement, and everything inside lied exactly how he remembered. The room was lined with sleek metal walls and transparent computers. There was only a singular wall that was bare brick, a building block for the cabin. Harry ran his fingers over the rough brick, finding the right one, and pressing it to pull it out. Inside sat the wand case to the cause of all his problems. The Elder Wand radiated a warmth to it’s holder.
Harry turned back to the lab. Opening the box, he stood before the last suit Tony had made. Gripping the wand in one hand, Harry admired the glistening red and gold metal. It was going to be a surprise for his fans, modeled after his first suit, and would’ve been worn for the anniversary of him revealing himself as Iron Man. The three of them had been planning the event for what felt like years, but Tony never got to see it. Instead a memorial was held in its place, and the suit laid underground, forgotten.
Not anymore, Harry thought. Leveling the wand in front of him, Harry could feel the immense power washing through him. He felt Death on his right side guiding his arm. He of course didn’t see it but knew it’s presence. It guided the spell, an intricate pattern of gold light, finished in a circle before disappearing as soon as it appeared.
At first, there was nothing. Then, there was light. The Iron Man suit booted itself up from the boots, gloves, chest, and finally, the eyes.
“Harry?”