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19 Wrap Up
🕑 Added 2024-08-26 18:15:01 +0000 UTCHarry Potter woke up to the glaring brightness of the ceiling lights and the steady, rhythmic beeping of hospital equipment. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air, and as the haze of sleep cleared, the memories of his confrontation with Stane atop the Arc Reactor facility rushed back to him. Startled, Harry jerked upright, his eyes scanning the room frantically. Instead of the chaos he half-expected, he found himself in a surprisingly elegant hospital room. The walls were painted a soothing pale blue, and the furniture was sleek and modern, with large windows allowing soft sunlight from the morning sun to stream in, casting a warm glow over the pristine white bedding and state-of-the-art medical devices surrounding him.
Next to him, Natasha was seated by his bedside, her head resting against his arm, her hand gently intertwined with his. Seeing her there, Harry felt a wave of relief. Knowing she was beside him reassured him that everything had gone well, and the immediate threat was taken care of. He thought about the fight with Stane, the fear he had felt not for himself, but for her and the others. Fighting such advanced mech suits was not something anyone was trained for. What if something had gone wrong? That is why he had asked Phil to keep her away.
He gently shook her awake. From being with her for a long time, Harry knew that Natasha was a light sleeper and that the many times he had woken up before her were mostly due to the sleeping charms he had placed on her to ensure she got some rest. As her eyes fluttered open, he couldn't help but think about the mental stress she must have gone through seeing him unconscious.
Harry sighed internally, wishing he could take some of that burden from her, not just looking after him but the inner demons that she faced. When he had met her, all those years ago, he knew that he had to give her time. She was going through a lot, and he had to believe that she would come back, that’s why he had been patient with her. Seeing how their relationship had developed, he knew that it had been the right call then.
One gentle nudge was enough to wake Natasha. At first, she smiled at him, a soft, familiar smile that he loved seeing every morning. It was the smile of someone waking up next to the person they cared about most. But as the haze of sleep lifted and the events of the previous night came rushing back to her, her expression shifted dramatically. Her eyes darkened with worry, her brow furrowed, and her lips pressed into a tight line.
Harry gulped. He knew that look all too well—Natasha was furious, and he was the target. He tried to prepare himself for what was coming but didn't know exactly what he had done wrong. The fight with Stane had been chaotic, and in the heat of the moment, he might have made decisions that Natasha disagreed with. Whatever it was, he was certain it wouldn't be an easy conversation.
"If you ever pull a stunt like that again, I swear to God, no matter who you're fighting, I'll kick their ass first, then I'll kick yours so hard you'll regret even being born," Natasha's voice trembled with a mix of anger and worry.
Knowing Natasha's skills, Harry knew her threat was not an idle one. She was more than capable of following through, and Harry could sense the gravity of her words. He nodded his head vigorously, trying to show he understood.
Natasha huffed at his reaction. "Do you even know what I'm talking about?" she demanded. Her eyes blazed with a mix of frustration and fear. She knew her boyfriend too well; he was too well-trained and would agree to everything that she would tell him to do. But she needed him to truly understand what she meant.
Harry blinked, trying to piece together the source of her anger. There were so many incidents during the fight, so many moments where things could have gone wrong. His confusion was evident on his face, but his eyes conveyed a sincere apology.
Natasha's frustration bubbled over. She huffed again, louder this time. "If you ever tell me to stay away from a fight where you're in serious danger, I will break every bone in your body. Got it?"
Harry could see the pain behind her anger, the fear of losing him. He nodded again, more slowly this time, understanding the depth of her worry.
Natasha's eyes softened slightly, though the anger was still there, simmering just beneath the surface. "I can't lose you, Harry," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I won't stand by while you put yourself in danger without backup. We're a team, remember? You don't get to make those decisions alone."
Now that Harry understood what Natasha was angry about, he gently took her hand in his, feeling the warmth and strength in her grip. He knew that she was worried, and she was always used to being the alpha. Not being able to be part of the fight would have been very difficult for her.
"I was afraid," Harry admitted, his voice soft but earnest. "I know how skilled you are, Natasha. You're an incredible agent and assassin, but the fight against Stane was... different. It was not something anyone would be prepared against. I was terrified that you might get hurt in the crossfire. That's why I asked Phil to keep you back. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you."
Natasha's stern expression softened as she listened. She squeezed his hand reassuringly. "I know why you did it, Harry. That's why none of your bones are broken," she said with a small, wry smile. "But if you ever do it again..."
Harry cut her off, his voice hurried but sincere. "Yes, yes, I know. I’ll do better in the future. I promise."
Natasha leaned in, her forehead resting against his. "Just remember, Harry. We face things together. Always."
He nodded, feeling the weight of her words and the bond they shared. "Always," he echoed, sealing his promise with a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Natasha gently kissed the back of Harry's hand, her expression softening, but her eyes still clouded with concern. “Harry, why didn’t you use your magic against Stane? You would have fared better if you’d used it.”
Harry's face took on a sheepish look as he rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s not that I don’t want to use magic; it’s just that without my wand, it’s quite draining.”
Natasha tilted her head, confusion evident in her gaze. “But I’ve never seen you use a wand. I didn’t even know you had one.”
Harry nodded. “I know, I didn’t have a wand when I woke up in this world. I had nothing but the clothes I was wearing. The magic I use comes from what we call a magical core. However, only very strong and capable wizards and witches can do magic wandlessly. Wizards and witches can channel their magic through a wand, which makes the process much more efficient. After waking up here, I have felt my magic to be more responsive, allowing me to use my magic wandlessly but I can only do very simple things with it. Without one, the magic is still there, but it's less controlled and more exhausting.”
Natasha’s brow furrowed as she tried to grasp the concept. “So, what you’re saying is that using magic without a wand is draining?”
“Exactly,” Harry said, relieved that she was starting to understand. “When I first arrived, I could only manage simple spells—lumos, confundus, levitation. The more advanced spells require more focus and energy, and even then, they leave me completely exhausted.”
“But why didn’t you use it against Stane, then?” Natasha pressed; her concern palpable.
“By the time I was fighting Stane, I had already hit my limit for the day,” Harry explained, his voice tinged with frustration. “I had been apparating all around LA, reading the minds of the assailants that we faced and knocking them out. Then there was healing all the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. By the time I reached Stane, my magical core was completely drained and couldn’t use it again.”
Natasha’s expression softened as she processed his explanation. “I guess I didn’t understand how your magic works. It’s like in video games, where you have a ‘mana bar’. Once it’s depleted, you either need to rest or use potions to restore it.”
Harry’s face brightened with a hint of a smile. “That’s a pretty good analogy. Yes, it’s very much like that. My ‘mana’ gets used up, and it takes time to recharge.”
Natasha nodded, absorbing his explanation. “Okay, I understand that. But why don’t you use more magic spells? I mean, whenever you do use magic, it’s always the same ones. Why not expand your arsenal?”
Harry chuckled; a bit embarrassed. “Well, that’s because I never really learned many offensive or defensive spells. Our Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers at Hogwarts were so bad that I ended up teaching my classmates more than the teachers ever did. And wizards, in general, aren’t very creative in combat. They rely heavily on spells and spell shields, without much physical engagement. Our duels were more about casting and counter-casting spells, with the occasional dodge. The only variety came from chaining spells together.”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I never formally finished my schooling. Maybe if I’d joined the Aurors, I would’ve learned more advanced combat techniques. But with just my Hogwarts education, I wasn’t prepared to face enemies with advanced mech suits capable of literally splitting a person in half.”
Natasha considered his words, then suggested, “I think you should talk to Yao. She’s the Sorcerer Supreme of this world. I’m sure she could teach you a lot and help improve your magic. When we fought her, it didn’t seem like she needed a wand to cast spells.”
Harry’s eyes widened in realization. “Why didn’t I think of that?” He smacked his forehead lightly. “Yao could help me. She’s incredibly powerful and skilled. Maybe she can teach me how to channel my magic more efficiently and expand my spell repertoire.”
Natasha smiled, relieved that Harry was open to the idea. “It’s worth a try. You’ve already got a lot of raw power, Harry. With the right guidance, you could become even more formidable.”
Harry nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. “You’re right. I’ll reach out to her as soon as I can. Thanks for the suggestion, Natasha. It means a lot.”
As Harry and Natasha's conversation ended, the room's atmosphere began to lighten. They shared a quiet moment together, both feeling a sense of relief that they had talked things through. Harry was just about to make a light-hearted comment when the sound of the door creaking open caught their attention. Harry turned his head to see Phil Coulson standing in the doorway, with an expression that was a mix of professionalism and concern. Harry found it funny that Phil could pull off work and out of work so effortlessly.
"Looks like our quality time is over," Natasha murmured, her eyes narrowing slightly as she observed Coulson's serious demeanour.
Phil gave a genuine smile when he saw Harry awake. "Well, look who's finally decided to join us. You had us all worried there for a while, especially Natasha. I don't think I've ever seen her quite so...frantic."
Natasha shot Phil a sharp glare, clearly not appreciating him, revealing her vulnerable side. "Phil..."
Phil raised his hands in mock surrender, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Hey, I'm just saying, it was touching. She hardly left your side. Even Director Fury was impressed with her dedication."
Harry chuckled softly, his eyes filled with warmth as he looked at Natasha and then back at Phil. "I appreciate the concern, Phil. It's good to see you too."
Phil's smile widened, a hint of relief in his eyes. "It's good to see you up and about, Harry. We were all rooting for you."
Harry appreciated Natasha’s concern for him, but Harry's mind drifted off to think about the others involved in the fight. "What about the rest? The S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, Tony, Stane? How are they doing?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.
Phil sighed, his expression turning serious. "The SHIELD agents and Tony are doing fine. But Stane... he didn't make it."
Harry's heart sank a bit. Despite everything, death was never something he wished upon anyone. "What happened?" he asked, bracing himself for the answer.
"After the EMP blast that Miss Potts helped engineer by overloading the Arc Reactor, all three of you—Mr. Stark, Mr. Stane, and yourself—fell unconscious. However, due to the malfunctioning mech suit, Mr. Stane fell into the Arc Reactor, causing it to explode. Sadly, he did not survive. We were only able to extract some remains of Mr. Stane; his mech suit could protect him only so much,” Phil explained, a hint of sadness in his voice.
Harry's feelings were mixed. He had always valued life, even that of his enemies, but Stane had tried to take his, Pepper’s and Tony’s life just yesterday. "That's... tragic, but I won't be losing any sleep over him," Harry commented, his tone reflecting his inner conflict.
"And what about Tony?" he asked, his concern shifting to his friend.
Phil's expression softened slightly. "He's doing fine. He has yet to regain consciousness, but there aren’t any complications beyond those he already faces. He's on the floor above you, being looked after by Miss Potts."
Relief washed over Harry, knowing that Tony was safe. He glanced at Natasha, whose expression mirrored his own feelings of relief and lingering concern. "Thanks for the update, Phil. It means a lot to know they're okay."
“So, what’s the story you guys have spun up to cover all of this?” Harry asked, his curiosity piqued.
Phil took a deep breath before responding. “The story goes that a prototype robot went rogue, and a member of Tony Stark’s security team stepped in to stop it. Meanwhile, Tony himself would be on his yacht in Avalon with around fifty guests. As for Stane, he’s conveniently on vacation. The malfunction of a small aircraft will explain his absence, causing it to crash.”
Harry frowned, considering the implications. “If everything goes according to plan, we’ll be making a statement by this evening,” Phil added.
Harry shook his head, his scepticism evident. “I don’t think that’s going to be a good idea,” he remarked. “Tony Stark is a wild card and too easily manipulated by the media. They know how to push his buttons. If you make a statement, let Pepper or any PR person in Stark Industries do it. Just keep Tony away from the press.”
Phil’s lips curled into a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Harry, this isn’t my first rodeo. We’ve got it covered.”
“Just remember, I warned you,” Harry said, a hint of concern in his voice.
The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a doctor, clipboard in hand. “Mr. Potter how are you feeling?” the doctor asked, his tone professional but warm.
Harry nodded. “Better, thanks. Just a bit sore.”
The doctor performed a quick but thorough examination, checking Harry’s vitals and ensuring there were no lingering effects from the previous night’s events. “Everything seems to be in order,” the doctor concluded, a hint of relief in his voice. “You’re free to leave but take it easy for a few days.”
Harry thanked the doctor as he left the room. He then turned to Phil, who was waiting patiently by the door. “I need to check on Tony,” Harry said, determination in his eyes.
Phil nodded in understanding. “Follow me. He’s just a floor above, being looked after by Pepper.”
Bidding farewell to Natasha, who did not want to introduce herself to Tony Stark just yet, Harry and Phil made their way to Tony’s room. As they walked through the hospital corridors, Harry couldn’t help but reflect on the whirlwind of events he had been through. Harry resolved to get stronger, if this was the beginning of something bigger that Yao had told him about, then he had to level up his magic skills too.
As Harry and Phil made their way to Tony’s room, they could hear the soft murmur of conversation from inside. Pushing the door open, Harry was greeted by the sight of Tony sitting up in bed, looking a bit pale but very much awake. Pepper was seated by his side, her hand gently resting on Tony’s arm, while Rhodey stood nearby, his expression a mix of concern and relief. A doctor was just finishing up his check-up, adjusting Tony’s IV drip before nodding to Pepper and Rhodey, and then exiting the room.
As soon as Harry stepped into the room, Pepper’s head snapped up. She rushed over to him, wrapping him in a tight hug. “Are you okay? I tried coming to your room, but Agent Coulson’s team wouldn’t let me in. I thought something serious had happened,” she said, her voice laced with worry.
Harry returned the hug, patting her back reassuringly. “I’m fine, Pepper. Phil’s just being a bit overprotective. I’ve known him for a while now, and he wanted to make sure I was safe after yesterday’s... events.”
Pepper pulled back slightly, her eyes scanning Harry’s face for any signs of injury. “Thank God you’re safe,” she said with a sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing visibly.
Harry shrugged nonchalantly, offering her a reassuring smile. “It’s just a precaution. Plus, after having a few people try to kill me yesterday, I think Phil wanted to make sure everything was alright.”
Tony, looking slightly amused, chimed in from his bed. “You’re a magnet for trouble, Potter. But I’m glad to see you in one piece.”
Harry turned to Tony, a grin spreading across his face. “Look who’s talking. You look like you’ve been through the wringer.”
Tony smirked, his usual bravado shining through despite his exhaustion. “Just another day at the office.”
Rhodey stepped forward, clapping Harry on the shoulder. “Good to see you, man. You really gave us a scare.”
Harry smiled at Rhodey, appreciating the gesture. “Glad to see you too, Rhodey. How’s Tony doing?”
Rhodey glanced back at Tony, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “He’s tough. He’ll pull through.”
Tony’s lips twisted into a wry smile as he glanced at Harry. “Why does the sidekick get all the love?” he grumbled, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice.
Harry chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Because I’m very lovable and you, my friend, are not.” Harry's expression softened, his gaze steady and empathetic. “I’m sorry for the loss, Tony. I know by the end, Stane had become a real piece of work, and he tried to kill you. But he was still family to you. That kind of betrayal cuts deep.”
Tony’s shoulders slumped slightly, and he looked away for a moment, his fingers gripping the edge of the bed. “Yeah, he was family. A messed-up, twisted version of it, but still...” His voice trailed off, and he swallowed hard. “It’s a hell of a thing to grapple with. You think you know someone, and then...”
He turned back to Harry, his expression one of regret and introspection. “I should have listened to you when you had your doubts about Obie. I was so caught up in my own world, chasing after whatever was next, that I didn’t see the signs. If I’d done more to investigate his dealings, maybe we wouldn’t have ended up in this mess. Maybe... maybe we wouldn’t have had to go through all of this.”
There was a rawness in Tony’s voice, a rare moment of vulnerability that contrasted sharply with his usual bravado. The weight of responsibility and guilt was evident in his eyes, and Harry could see how deeply this ordeal had affected him.
Harry placed a reassuring hand on Tony’s shoulder, his tone gentle. “You can’t change the past, Tony. What’s important now is that you’re here, and we’re going to get through this. You’re not alone in this. We’re all in this together.”
Tony exhaled a deep breath, trying to find some semblance of normalcy amidst the aftermath, he had never been good at dealing with emotions. As he looked around at his friends, a flicker of gratitude and fatigue played across his face. Before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, Pepper broke the silence, her tone shifting from concern to professionalism.
“Well, all’s well that ends well,” she said, her gaze settling on Coulson. “When will you be briefing us about the press conference, Agent Coulson?”
Coulson gave a nod, his expression serious but not without a hint of reassurance. “I’d like Mr. Stark and Colonel Rhodes to follow us now. We need to discuss a few final details about the incident. That’s also when we’ll go over the cover story.”
Rhodey, standing beside Tony, raised an eyebrow. “Where are you taking us? And why isn’t Harry coming along?”
Coulson met Rhodey’s question with a calm, authoritative demeanour. “We’ve already covered most of this with Harry. We just need you two for now. Additionally, I’ve received word from a reliable source that Harry must visit family in Ohio. He’ll be heading there soon.”
Harry blinked at Phil, a look of confusion momentarily clouding his face. “I do?” he repeated, his tone a mix of surprise and confusion.
As the realization dawned on him, his expression shifted to one of mild panic. The image of Laura Barton flashed in his mind—a formidable woman with a reputation for being fiercely protective of her family. “Oh, right. Laura!” he muttered, his voice betraying a hint of dread. He could almost hear her in his head, her voice echoing with that combination of exasperation and concern that made him feel like a schoolboy caught sneaking out.
Harry let out a nervous chuckle, attempting to lighten his mood. “Hahahaha… yeah, I remember now,” he said, though his laughter sounded more like a nervous cough. His mind raced, picturing the inevitable conversation with Laura—a mix of worry, scolding, and probably a lecture on how reckless he’d been.
Harry sighed, shaking his head slightly. He realized he was in for an in-depth recount of his latest misadventures, and he had a feeling that Laura’s version of the “talk” was going to be more of a thorough interrogation than a casual chat. “Well, here’s hoping she’ll be more forgiving than she sounds,” he thought to himself, already bracing for the inevitable.
“Alright then, Harry, have a safe trip to Ohio,” Tony said with a nod, as Harry bid his farewells to everyone and began to make his way out of the hospital room.
Harry gave him a wry smile. “Thanks, Tony. And what about you? What are you going to do afterwards?”
Tony paused, a mischievous glint in his eye as he looked at Harry. “Me? Oh, I’m just going to try my hand at privatizing world peace,” he quipped with a smirk.
Comments
Andrew Houghton
Very nice alsmoat wrapped up
