My Dad, the Boy (*Man) Who Lives

April 1996

There were many perks of being the Master of Death, such as easier access to magic around him and stronger magic core. Therefore, of course, certain duties and responsibilities were expected as well. One of them was to guide the souls that have been embraced by death towards their final resting place.

The first time he met Death, he thought it was a dementor. The whole tall figure in a black robe was very mysterious, eerie and quite traumatic for him after being involved in a war and reminded him of that time so long ago in the third year.

The British wizarding hero was chuffed that he managed to hold his ground. That was until he saw a creepy boneless finger appeared from the robe’s sleeve and reached out towards his temple, then it all went to pot.

Then the next thing he knew, he was consumed by a blinding white hot pain. It’s like his head has been forced to receive so many data at once, like a computer. It was probably just a few minutes but to Harry, it felt like decades. It was quite disturbing being given so many information and connection to many living beings through a single touch from Death. And when it was over, the pain disappeared as if it wasn’t there, to begin with.

Let’s just say that he was still wary of the mistress of Death (his subordinate? Co-worker? Partner? Servant?), because of the incursion.

Harry was given a few tasks, but the major task happened once every 9 years.

There was a sacred meaning behind number 9, which also revolved around the 9 major realms in the universe, Asgard, Midgard (Earth), Alfheim, and the rest.

The first time he had to ‘ferried’ (guided?) the souls, it was a mess. There were so many souls. Mug… No-majs, wizards, werewolves, vampires and even aliens, such as Jotnars and Asgardians, and many more. The master of Death needed a couple of months to finish his duty before coming back to his family’s side. He almost missed Orion’s birthday.

As the master of Death, there were no rules prohibiting him from telling others about his title, but the need to be discreet and secretive were very important in the world nowadays. What he learned from the war was that information was very sacred and you cannot trust many people, including the people that you loved. They could be harmful because of their knowledge and will be better protected by not knowing.

On the other hand, his son was the most important and protected person in the world because of his parents and godmother. He never hid anything from his son. Most importantly, he couldn’t think of any reason to give to his little genius about his absence during that last two months.

Harry learned to lie with such an ease to many people including his foster parents, but when he was being faced with those pair of big brown eyes, his mask just broke and he quietly rattled the truth.

And now, the cycle came back to pull him out of the world. He would be out of communication with everybody besides Death and she was all about the propriety of guiding the departure to the next plane. No disruption or disturbance allowed.

Thankfully the first time he was incommunicado, there was no dire or pressing matters happening around. But the former DADA teacher still felt the butterflies on his stomach. What if something did happen to his family? That was Harry’s biggest concern so far.

“Dad, I’ll be fine.” Tony uttered from his MIT dorm room. His son was sitting down on a black swivel desk chair while tinkering on a sort of robotic hand with three claws for robotic fingers.

“Father is fine, too you know.” He raised an eyebrow, challenging him to bring out the old argument. “We had Obie in the net now. He’s going down soon for the double-dealing. We’re fine, dad.”

After almost two decades, Howard and with the help of Peggy finally found enough evidences to bring charges against Tony’s godfather. That’s one of the perks of the revolution of modern techs. It’s so much more easier to find dirts on people.

“I’m not worried about Howard, neither am I worried about Maria.” Harry took the other empty chair in the room. Appariting from New York to Massachusetts didn’t put a dent in his power, but it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park.

Tony’s whole posture went rigid and tense and his eyes were looking down on his project. “So it’s me? You’re seriously worried about me?”

Saturday, December 6th 1995

As the head of Potter and Black house, Harry had two seats and two votes in wizengamot and sometimes there were unique matters that needed the full members of wizengamot to be present.

“It’s been a while, Lord Potter-Black,” Kingsley Shacklebolt, the current minister of magic greeted him after the meeting that was overdue to finish after a couple of days.

“Just Harry, minister. After all we were both in the order of the Phoenix,” Harry shrugged and smiled. “We are not exactly strangers.”

“Then, please call me Kingsley, Harry,” the other man said. After a quiet minute, he asked. “How is Anthony? It’s been almost 5 years since we heard from you, besides the occasional letters.”

Every time he went to his home country, he would bring Anthony around to visit some of his old friends, not just Andromeda and Teddy. They didn’t know about their adopted parents. It’s not a secret but Harry didn’t fell like broadcasting it around.

But since Andromeda moved to America, Harry didn’t really have a reason to visit his old friends in England. The last time he visited was five years ago, and he only met with some of them.

“He has graduated from Ilvermony and he’s currently studying at a university,” Harry answered proudly. “He even aced all subjects for his NEWT. I didn’t know where he got all his intelligence from.”

He should have a get-together with the whole Weasley clan and the others. Invited Andromeda and Teddy as well. Tony would be happy to see them all again after so long.

“His thirst for knowledge reminds me so much of our own bookworm,” the older wizard immediately sealed up his mouth. “I’m sorry Harry. I didn’t mean to bring up the painful memories.”

Harry had met Hermione and Ron along with Lupin and the rest of the good people who died when he did his first guiding with Death. They didn’t blame him. It was war and there was bound to be casualties. It was just a shame that they were one of those casualties. They were happy that he continued his life and hearing about Tony and the rest of their living friends.

Death thought meeting them was an unnecessary disturbance to Harry’s job, but for Harry, it was the happiest he had been since Tony came into the world. Meeting them was like a great burden that has been lifted off of his shoulders.

Their memories no longer weighed on his mind so much, and after five years, stepping foot in England didn’t bring that sense of dread and guilt anymore. He only felt a sense of longing to go home, back to his family. England was no longer his home. America was.

“It’s alright,” the young lord (in his defense, he was the youngest lord in wizengamot) said reassurance. “I think they would want me to move on. And I think Tony would be happy if he could meet Hermione. Ron and I would have a hard time to take them away from their discussion for meal time.”

At this, Kingsley chuckled together with Harry at the depiction.

“Are you happy Harry?” the minister asked with a tranquil look on his face.

He didn’t need to think for a second. The answer was…

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the room. They looked at each other and hurried outside. It seemed that several wizards and witches were chasing after an owl.

“How did that owl get inside? There’s a powerful ward in here to prevent things such as these from happening,” expressed Kingsley clearly upset and perplexed.

Looking closely, Harry recognized that owl. “Malcolm? Malcolm! Please step away from that owl. I know him.”

Without the mob chasing after him, the owl flew to the wizard at ease. For an Owl, Malcolm was very smart, like Hedwig. And he could be quite expressive, but only when he’s around Jarvis. However, the owl looked rather odd somehow. He was lacking a certain overbearing pompousness.

There was a letter tied to his foot with SI symbol on it. After reading the letter, Harry immediately excused himself. He apparated into the night.

‘Harry, I asked Malcolm to deliver this letter as soon as possible. I hope it reached you by now. Jeeves Edwin passed away in his sleep, this Saturday morning. One of the housemaid found his body in the bed when he didn’t come out of his bedroom. We were in shock and still are.

After I finished writing this letter, I’m going to call Tony. I don’t think our boy will be strong enough to deal with Edwin’s death. I wish we could go there but there was the funeral arrangement to think about and your mom needs me right now. She just lost Anna and with Edwin’s sudden depart not a month after Anna’s, I think Tony will need one of his parents around. The funeral will be on Monday.

Tell Tony that Edwin is in a better place now. With Anna. And that he loved  him very much. And Harry, he adored you as well. I hope you know that. He hoped you know that.’

The news wasn’t a surprise, since Jarvis hasn’t been the same since his wife passed away. And with his age, it was just a matter of time for Death to arrive by his side. Nonetheless, it was still a shock that his mentor has left this world.

Death wasn’t an emotional sort of being. She has a logical cool calculated mind of her own. Since Anna and Jarvis weren’t an immediate family, she probably didn’t feel the need to inform Harry of their immediate passing.

Harry had lost so many loved ones before; still, it didn’t numb him from the feelings of hurt. On the other hand, he learned how to take a step back from his grieve and think about others first. Harry was devastated, but he knew that his son must have been more crushed than he was.

After all, Tony was very closed to Jarvis. He was practically his honorary grandfather.

The brit used up his magic and connection to get to MIT as soon as he can. And after he slipped passed the university security guard, he went straight towards his son’s dorm room.

The second he arrived at Tony’s room, the healer was surprised that the door was slightly ajar. Harry listened carefully to a murmur of voice from inside.

“… He’s dead, Rhodey,” cried Tony quietly in the middle of sobbing. His voice sounded rough and cracked. “He’s like… He’s my teacher. My ve… Very first teacher. All that table manners shi… Shit and proper speaking was a…all him.”

The concerned father peered inside through the door. There on the bed, he saw his son being held in a hug by his roommate, James Rhodes. The young man was slowly rubbing Tony’s back in a circular motion, looking slightly upset and worried. His boy scooted closer into the embrace.

Tony has always been a tactile person, but he was very cautious in his affection. Fortunately, Rhodey was one of that lucky person. Harry had never met the young man before, but his son talked about his ‘second best friend’ so much, he felt like he knew him, himself. And now, seeing the MIT student comforted his grieving son with his own eyes and the genuine worried expression on his face, it confirmed what Tony saw in the young man. A true friend.

“I loved my parents,” he continued softly. “But Jarvis… He was discipline with me. He was ne…never harsh. Just stern and he always hugged me after… after I did something bad. He… He has the best hug.”

“Yeah?”

“When I think about not having those hugs again, I…i…” his little genius was chocking on his own voice. Harry felt a need to comfort his son so much. Yet, he felt like leaving Rhodes to it.

“I know I’m not the best hugger, little man.” He patted Tony on the head gently and with a small smile on his face. “But I can try.”

“Maybe after a few bottles of beer or something, I could pretend you’re Jarvis, Rho…”

Sternly, Rhodes rebutted. “No, Tony. I know you’re sad but alcohol is never the answer. And I’m going to introduce you to Rhodes style of hug.”

If Harry didn’t notice the strewn bottles near the bed before, now he certainly took a notice of them. He felt rather helpless, but Jarvis wouldn’t want their boy to be like this. He needed to have a talk with Tony about grievance and alcohol. Though, right now, Harry was relieved that his son has a wonderful friend to help him get through his grief.

“The beer was just one time, Dad,” Tony appealed to his dad quietly. “I’ll touch alcohol when I’m of age. Not 21, okay? That’s too long and as long as I don’t go over the top with drinking, which I’m not going to, it’s safe to say that it’s okay. And I'm half English, so my final offer is 18, which is going to be next year. But I think the occasional sip is fine right?”

His dad gave him a stern look. Tony shrugged and sighed At his reaction. “Next year then.” He put his hand on his chest mockingly. “Be still my heart.”

A tiny smile tugged on Harry’s lips.

“Anyway, Rhodey has been watching me carefully since that first time. He’s worst than you, mom, father or Jarvis, dad.” Tony complained good naturedly.

“He cares about you, Tony,” Harry smiled.

“Yeah,” his son smiled thoughtfully. “Have I ever told you how we first met?”

Harry nodded.

“There was something about him that reminded me of Jarvis.” Tony rubbed the robotic arm softly with such a care. “He emanated dependability and respect from people. He seemed like a no-nonsense type of guy, yet he seemed kind and genuine. In my head, I felt like Jarvis was telling me to hold onto this guy. Like he was telling me that Rhodey and I would be the best friend ever. Like me and Teddy.”

“So, is he?”

Tony smiled that genuine smile he reserved for the people that he loved towards Harry. “Yeah, dad. No doubt.”

“Just… He’s not Jarvis.” The healer said gingerly. “I don’t want you to substitute him for our dear friend. It wouldn’t be fair for young master Rhodes or you and Mr. Jarvis for that matter.”

“No, dad.” Tony soon rebutted, looking slightly hurt. “Jarvis is Jarvis. No one can replace him. And Rhodey, he’s like a big brother that I never had?”

“Not like Teddy?”

“Teddy is my best friend.” Tony scrunched up his nose in that cute unique way. “I do love him like a brother, but he’s my equal. We watch each other's backs,” Then he sheepishly said. “But, Rhodey. He’s different. When he is around, I don’t feel the need to be tough. I was me. I don’t need to prove myself to him. He already knows who I am and what I’m capable of. He protected me from bullies but he didn’t try to belittle me. Does it make sense?”

Harry tugged his lips up a little. “Yes. Yes, it does.”

Then Tony stood up with a hand on his hip and the other hand holding a wrench pointed at him coupled with a stern look. “Then I’m fine. Rhodey would watch over me. You don’t have to worry about me.”

The brit rubbed the back of his neck timidly. “Yes. I guess I will be counting on your roommate.”

The genius just waved his hand off, making a shooing motion. “He is so responsible, I don’t know how to corrupt him. It’s going to be a long road, but I’ll never give up.”

Harry couldn’t help himself from smiling at his son’s antics. “Alright then, I trust you to behave nicely and do you still have your satchel? The one with all those potions?”

“Yes, dad.” The teenager rolled his eyes at his father’s motherhenning.

Harry stood and embraced his son tightly, getting a surprised squawk out of Tony.

“Daaaaad,” his genius whined in embarrassment. “I’m too old for this.”

“No, you’re not.” He stroked his son’s hair softly. “Take care, Orion. I’ll try to come back earlier. Hopefully before your birthday.”

His son slowly put his hands on his back and gripped Harry’s traveling jacket. He clenched and unclenched his hands on the jacket in hesitation. “A… are you going to see them? Anna and Jarvis?”

It didn’t surprise Harry even one bit that his son was thinking about the Jarvises with Harry’s upcoming plan. “I think so.”

“Could… Could you tell them I miss them? And that I love them and it doesn’t feel the same without them here in this world?” He said with a hopeful yet sad voice.

“I will.”

“And, if you see Malcolm,” Tony whispered throatily. “Tell him that I’m glad that he’s not sad anymore and he’s with Jarvis now. I hope he’s happy now. And make sure that he will not be separated from Jarvis, okay Dad?”

Malcolm might be Tony’s pet bird, but the owl had already created a bond with the old man. Peculiar as it was, Malcolm had chosen a no-maj as his master and made a familiar of himself for the old man. In turns, Jarvis was very fond of the bird. There were times when Harry caught his mentor chatting amicably with the giant owl and the big bird would bite the man’s finger affectionately.

A familiar only has one master in their lives and since old butler died, it wasn’t long before the bird followed his human companion.

Harry chocked a little at his own memory and grief of losing his mentor and friend. “I will, Tony. I will. I promise.”

“And don’t forget to tell mom and father that you’ll be gone for a while.” His son reminded him.

“I’m planning on it,” Harry let go of his boy.

Howard and Maria’s were currently staying in Manhattan at their holiday home They didn’t know about his secretive role as the master of Death, but he would tell them there were something urgent he needed to do that required him to be out of reach for a month or two. And if later they think it was something that has to do with the wizarding world, Harry wouldn’t correct them. Less details the better.

“Since we’re talking about father, he said that he has a plan to go showcasing the newest Stark weapon in Afghanistan.” Tony informed him. “After he come back to the country, he and aunt Peg would press charges against him.”

“Hm, well then I need to hurry up and said my farewell before he go.” The older wizard stood up straight, tidying up his clothes before looking at his boy once more. His boy was as tall as he was. How time flew.

Smirking, Tony caught his dad watching him and losing some more precious time. “Go away already, dad. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry too much.”

With a tiny nod, Harry apparated away from his son’s dorm room with a hope that everything would be fine while he was away.

***