Chapter 8
The moment Natasha Romanoff stepped into the room was the moment that Harry realized that he might just be in over his head with his disguise. He eyes continued to stare straight at him, but the way she moved around the furniture and unpacked boxes told Harry that she was very much aware of her surroundings. It was unnerving, it made him feel like an open book, and he hated it. How could this be one of Clint's friends?
"Mister Stark." She held out her hand and Harry hesitated before shaking it. "My name is Agent Romanoff and this is Doctor Bruce Banner."
Harry glanced behind her, finally noticing a timid man just barely in the room. He was constantly wringing his hands and his eyes darted to every corner of the room. Harry felt himself soften a bit; he knew that look well enough since he had seen it every day on Remus. He had a right to look nervous since he also had a "monster" living inside him – Harry read the reports, made sure Edwin had found everything he could on the doctor. When Jarvis finally gets installed, Harry was going to run another search just in case they missed something.
"It's nice to meet you both." Harry gave Romanoff a smile before motioning to his friends. "This is Happy, my driver." Neville gave a nod. "Rhodey is my liaison with the military."
"Rhodes," Blaise corrected. "And I haven't been acting in that official capacity since Mister Stark stopped making us weapons."
"Really? Damn, and I still pay you…"
Blaise smirked as Hermione stepped forward, holding her hand out. "Pepper Potts, Stark Industries current CEO. We're happy to have you both here."
Romanoff quickly dropped the hand and looked back to Harry. "We have cut down the amount of appearances that you will be making at the expo—"
Harry stepped forward, frowning. "Hold on now."
"—And it would be in your best interest to follow orders until it ends. Miss Potts, I need to speak with you about the security of this building as well as the measures you have in place for defense."
Blaise crossed his arms. "This place is more secure than you think it is, Agent. This is private property once you get past the first half of the building, so I would watch your step."
"My priorities—"
"Don't fuck with us," Blaise said, his voice low. "Your boss might have told you to protect Tony's ass, but he doesn't need it. He let Barton do it because he's a friend, not because it was required. I hope you remember that."
Romanoff pursed her lips and Harry held back a shiver as she looked over them. She reminded him of McGonagall a little. A really pissed off and Slytherin McGonagall. Any minute now, he expected her to dock points to hand out detentions. He just hoped that her look could stop whatever evil thing Fury thought was going to go after him. She looked barely able enough to punch someone.
"Agent Romanoff, Happy will show you to your room. My butler, Edwin, makes dinner around six and I suggest you don't be late." Harry motioned for her to go to Neville. "We won't be discussing anything about the tower with you. You want that privilege, you have to earn it."
"Did Barton earn that?"
"Jealous?"
Romanoff shot him a look before stepping beside Neville. Thankfully, Neville had gotten his fear of intimidating people (war did that more than anything) and simply led her from the room. Blaise shut the door after them and then turned to the other new person in the room.
"Are you here to spy on us, too?" he asked.
The man flinched and Harry sighed. "Lay off, Rhodes. Think of him as our little Lupin and we'll all get along fine."
Both Hermione and Blaise gave him a pointed look. Blaise looked away first, offering Banner a smile. "Sorry, I'm lacking in information about you."
"Yeah, they told me they tried to keep what happened under wraps."
"Doctor Banner—"
"Please, call me Bruce."
Hermione hesitated, then smiled. "All right, Bruce. Why don't you tell us about yourself?"
"Pepper, your manners are horrible." Harry motioned toward the couches. "Have a seat, Bruce. Want anything to drink?
"Water is fine." Bruce settled as far away from them as he could, on the edge of his seat. "Thank you."
Harry shrugged and went to grab some water for all of them. "Sorry if we seem a bit on edge here."
"It's understandable."
Harry smiled and handed Bruce his drink before taking a seat straight on the coffee table. Blaise still stood off to the side, but Hermione at least was sitting on the couch behind Harry. He hoped that this was comfortable enough for the man, especially since he wasn't sure how to make it more comfortable at the moment. He wished he still had Remus around to talk to.
"Fury didn't tell us exactly what you're here for," Harry told him. "Got any insight on that?"
Bruce stared down at the water, shrugging. "Honestly? I'm not sure. He said that you might need my help on a project, but he didn't tell me what. Are you experimenting with the human body, Mister Stark?"
"I don't remember starting one." Harry looked back to Hermione. "Pepper, am I—"
"Unless you're doing it secretly, then no." Hermione picked up a tablet and flipped through a few things. "Your last project written here was about your suits."
"See, no human bodies. Why?"
Bruce let out a breath. "He gave me a list of elements and told me to study how they affect the human body. Mercury, palladium—"
"Seriously?" Harry gripped his glass tighter. "Well that's interesting. I'm assuming you'll need a lab?"
"And materials."
Harry nodded. "Yeah, sure. Pepper, get him settled in a lab?"
"Any lab?"
"One he feels comfortable in, just…" Just not his personal lab.
"Of course, Mister Stark." Hermione stood and motioned for Bruce to follow her. "You remember what time dinner is?"
"Six sharp," Bruce said, stepping up next to her. "I don't mind helping…"
"Nonsense. Edwin would be insulted."
"Oh, all right."
The elevator doors shut and Harry let out a breath. Studying Palladium and the effects on the human body. Did Fury know? The psycho at the race knew, so of course Fury did. Harry rubbed his face and stood.
"I think I'm going to—"
"Don't, Harry." Blaise stepped closer, putting a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Just don't say anything. I don't want to hear it."
"What?"
"Tell me when you're ready." Blaise patted Harry's shoulder once before turning toward the elevators. "I'm a Slytherin, Harry. I can tell when you're hiding something from me."
Harry could do nothing but watch him leave.