Interlude, When Howard met Arthur
After having the photographer (the one with a magical camera, not the normal boring camera that produced 2D’s pics) took many wedding pictures of the couple with their family and guests, Howard immediately cornered the man.
“So, tell me all about the camera.” He asked, sounded more demanding rather than requesting. He got to know how it worked. It’s intriguing and interesting.
There were so many things he wanted to know about the magical world of wizards and witches since the first time he went shopping for Tony’s Ilvermony’s list with his family all those years ago. Too many things and subjects to choose, made him confused. So simple things such as magical camera and wizarding chess were things he thought were too general and normal (boring stuff).
Since he still had SHIELD and his company to think about, he couldn’t indulge himself with all things magic and satisfy his curiosity. But with his retirement, he had more spare time to learn about what’s ordinary in the wizarding world but extraordinary or what he dubbed ‘Holy shit, it could do that’ stuffs in the real world.
And when he found out about moving photos and painting, his inner little girl voice squealed in excitement. He even pouted at his sons when their only reaction was ‘Oh yeah, we have that. Here, I even have a photo of me and my friends back at school. Do you want to see?’ (Harry) and ‘Pst, old news. I thought you knew about it, father. It was one of the first thing I found out when I started at Ilvermony’ (Tony).
In his defense, there were too many things to learn about wizards and their culture. He pushed the whole knowledge regarding mundane things in wizarding culture away to the back of his mind and started with something more intriguing like potions and magical beasts.
And since the camera was a mundane stuff to the wizarding world (normal for Harry and Tony), he felt rather embarrassed to ask his sons about how it worked. There were no specific things said in the books either about the workings of the camera. So, when Andromeda hired a wizard photographer to come to the wedding to commemorate the wedding in pictures, Howard was so happy that he threw a fist in the air.
“Excuse me?” The photographer looked at him nervously with wide eyes.
“I just want to know how…”
“It’s simple. To make the photos move, we only need to use a specific potion when we create the pictures, “ the old red-headed man Howard knew as Mr. Weasley answered.
The photographer took that as a cue to slowly removed himself from his spot and thus, away from Howard.
“Oh?” the billionaire looked intrigued.
“Yes, it’s very simple, I tell you, “ He smiled. “Oh, where are my manners?! I’m Arthur Weasley, Harry’s friend from England.”
“I’m…”
“I know who you are, “ The wizard smiled.
Ugh, everybody knew him. For once, it would be nice to find someone who didn’t know him. Or recognized his face.
“You’re Howard Stark, Harry’s adopted father, “ the redhead took Howard’s hand and shook it. “I’m thankful to you and your wife. Since being in your care, Harry seems happier. That boy has been through a lot. “
Arthur’s eyes were shining with unshed tears. “He and Ron, one of my boys were like brothers and losing him broke all of our hearts, especially Harry. That boy felt guilty for not being able to save my son. We, me and my family never blamed him, but Harry always had that weight of the world on his shoulders. But since moving to America, he has been… Lighter?” It sounded more like a statement than a question. “I’m grateful. So grateful for you and your wife, Mr. Stark.”
“Hm, thank you,“ Howard fidgeted, uncomfortable with the gratitude. “So I guess you don’t know me in England?”
The man looked confused.
“No matter, “ Howard shook his head, not disappointed at all for not being recognized by his fame.
Then Weasley looked serious all of a sudden. “I heard from Harry that you’re an inventor like Tony.”
“Um, yes.”
“Since I have answered your question about the camera, “ he took a step closer to Howard and whispered secretively. “Can you tell me what is the function of play-doh?”
***
“Oh no, I think Arthur is bothering your father with his questions of muggle things, “ Molly Weasley, wife of Arthur said nervously. “I should drag him by the ear for bothering that good man on such a happy occasion.”
Before the witch could go straight to his husband, Harry put his arm around her shoulder and stopped her. “It’s alright, Molly. He’s not bothering Howard at all.”
“Are you sure, dear?” Molly looked up at Harry, still looking concerned.
“Yes.”
Looking at the two men, Harry was sure that leaving them to their discussion would be a wonderful choice. The two men looked so excited with their discussion and they were both grinning from ear to ear like schoolboys getting a bag full of chocolates from Honeydukes. Harry couldn't help but smiled fondly at those two.
The wizard who had twice defeated Voldemort answered with a mysterious smile. “I think they have more things in common than we know.”
After all, Howard did love to know all things magic as much as Arthur loved all things muggle.
***