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16 Fund Raiser
🕑 Added 2024-08-16 18:15:01 +0000 UTCThe annual Stark Industries Charity Ball was a grand affair, held in the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Every year, it brought together the city's elite, celebrities, and influential figures, all gathered to support a noble cause—the brave firefighters who risked their lives daily to keep the city safe. This year's theme was "A Night of Heroes," and the decorations reflected the spirit of heroism and gratitude.
The ballroom was transformed into a dazzling spectacle. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a warm, golden glow over the room. Tall, elegantly arranged floral centrepieces adorned each table, their vibrant hues adding a touch of colour to the otherwise sophisticated ambience. The walls were draped in rich, deep blue velvet, creating a luxurious backdrop for the evening's festivities.
A live orchestra played soft, melodic tunes, their music filling the air with an atmosphere of sophistication and charm. Waiters in crisp, white uniforms moved gracefully through the crowd, offering trays of exquisite hors d'oeuvres and champagne. The guests, dressed in their finest evening attire, mingled and conversed, the room abuzz with laughter and the clinking of glasses.
In a quiet corner, Harry Potter, dressed in an elegant tuxedo, was talking on the phone with Natasha. The lively atmosphere of the Charity Ball seemed distant as he focused on her voice, a smile tugging at his lips.
“Why do you have to go with her?” Natasha asked with a huff. Though she was miles away, Harry could vividly picture her face scrunching up in jealousy. The image made him chuckle softly; he knew how possessive Natasha could be, and it warmed his heart to see her care in such a way.
“Because you aren’t here,” Harry replied gently. “When will you be coming home?”
“In a few days. Do you want me to get you something from Jamaica?” Natasha’s voice softened, the jealousy giving way to affection.
“Can you get me a few bags of Blue Mountain Coffee for the shop? I want to try the brew to see if we should sell it in the café,” Harry said, his voice tinged with excitement.
Natasha giggled at Harry’s request. “Alright. I’ll get you some of those. I miss you. See you soon and don’t get too comfy in her company,” she mockingly threatened.
Harry's heart swelled with affection. “I miss you too. And get back safely,” he replied, his voice tender as he ended the call.
As he slipped the phone back into his pocket, Harry glanced at Pepper, who was approaching him with a knowing smile on her face. She was wearing a stunning backless dress, her beauty accentuated by the elegant surroundings. With Tony laying low for a while, Pepper had asked Harry to accompany her to the ball. Despite the glamour and grandeur around him, Harry’s thoughts lingered on Natasha, and he felt a pang of longing for her to be by his side.
“Natalie?” Pepper asked with a bit of mischief in her voice, her eyes dancing with curiosity. She approached Harry, holding two flutes of champagne. Harry took one gratefully, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Yes,” Harry confirmed, taking a sip from his glass.
“You still haven't introduced us,” Pepper complained, pouting slightly. Harry shrugged, a small, apologetic smile on his face. “Anyway, what did she say?”
Harry took a sip of champagne, feeling the effervescent bubbles dance on his palate before replying. “She asked me to keep my distance from you,” Harry replied honestly, amusement evident in his tone.
Pepper laughed, a melodic sound that blended with the background music. “Sure,” she replied doubtfully, her eyes sparkling with humor. “I’m sure that’s exactly what she said.”
Harry chuckled along with her, feeling a sense of ease. “Well, not in so many words. She did say she misses me and will be home soon, though.”
“That’s more like it,” Pepper said with a grin. “But she really should meet me. I promise I’m not that intimidating.”
"How has Tony been holding up?" Harry asked, his tone laced with curiosity, smoothly changing the topic as he sipped his champagne.
"I think he's building a flying device," Pepper replied with a hint of amusement, recalling her recent visit to Tony's workshop. "A few days ago, when I went to drop off the Arc Reactor memento that I had made, he mentioned something about working on a flight stabilizer."
"A flight stabilizer?" Harry echoed, a touch of bemusement in his voice as he processed the information. "Guess being cooped up in his house has made him feel like he wants to spread his wings and fly, literally," Harry mused, picturing Tony's restless energy finding an outlet in yet another ambitious project.
Pepper chuckled softly, nodding in agreement. "That sounds like Tony, always pushing the boundaries of what's possible," she remarked fondly, her gaze briefly drifting towards where Tony was engaged in conversation across the room.
"I wonder what he's planning this time," Harry mused aloud, his curiosity piqued by Tony's latest endeavour. Despite the occasional chaos and unpredictability that came with Tony Stark's brilliance, Harry couldn't help but admire his friend's relentless spirit and determination.
"He'll probably unveil it when he's ready to make an entrance," Pepper replied with a knowing smile, her eyes sparkling with affectionate amusement.
"Pepper," Tony's voice cut through their conversation, startling both Harry and Pepper. They turned to see Tony, unexpectedly present at the fundraiser and seemingly enamoured with Pepper, oblivious to Harry's presence.
"Tony, what are you doing here?" Harry and Pepper exclaimed simultaneously, but Tony's attention remained solely on Pepper.
"Just avoiding government agents," Tony replied nonchalantly, his gaze fixed on Pepper. "You look amazing, by the way. Where did you get that dress?" He blurted out, a hint of genuine curiosity in his voice. Harry couldn't help but stifle a chuckle at the unexpected turn of events.
"Thanks. It was a birthday present – from you, actually," Pepper replied with a warm smile, subtly reminding Tony of the thoughtful gesture.
"I have great taste. How about a dance?" Tony asked eagerly, already leading Pepper towards the dancefloor, brushing aside any objections Pepper might have had.
Harry couldn't help but be amused by the scene unfolding before him. Tony Stark, ever the charismatic showman, had swept Pepper off her feet without a second thought, leaving Harry momentarily forgotten. As he made his way to the bar, Harry chuckled softly to himself, shaking his head in fond exasperation. It was classic Tony—impulsive, charming, and utterly focused when he wanted to be.
At the bar, Harry found Phil giving Tony a death stare. "Two Glen's on the rocks," Harry ordered the bartender, acknowledging Coulson's presence beside him
"I'm on duty," Coulson replied stiffly, his eyes still fixed on Tony.
"I know, but having one drink with me won't make a difference," Harry persisted, gesturing towards the glasses being prepared.
"I didn't think you wanted to grab drinks with me," Coulson replied cautiously, still mindful of their strained relationship.
Harry's expression softened slightly as he looked at Coulson. "I'm still angry with you," Harry admitted bluntly, his voice carrying a hint of lingering resentment.
"I said I'm sorry. It won't happen again," Coulson assured him earnestly, his voice tinged with regret.
Harry sighed, accepting Coulson's apology but not ready to let go of his anger just yet. "I know it won't. But that doesn't mean my anger will just disappear. Give it a few more days," Harry responded.
"How can I make it up to you?" Coulson asked earnestly.
"You can start by having a few drinks with me," Harry replied, handing Coulson a glass of whiskey as a peace offering. Coulson accepted it with a grateful smile, recognizing Harry's willingness to mend their fractured trust, even if slowly.
"Tony still ghosting you?" Harry asked with a hint of amusement, earning a pointed look from Coulson. "What, it's true. His playboy habits die hard, even after Afghanistan. He'll always be a bit of a narcissist that lacks empathy."
Phil sighed heavily. "Fury's patience with Stark is wearing thin, and it's making my job more troublesome."
"Well, at least we know he hasn't bought his way out of trouble” Harry replied, trying to find a silver lining.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Phil countered, causing Harry to sit up straight, his expression shifting to one of confusion. "Our intel indicates a fresh shipment of Stark weapons has made its way to the Ten Rings. They're wreaking havoc in Gulmira and surrounding areas, reportedly using Jericho Missiles."
"What?" Harry exclaimed incredulously; disbelief etched on his face. "But that makes no sense. Tony's been holed up at home ever since the press conference, tinkering in his workshop. He hasn't been making any decisions for the company. In fact, he's in a precarious position where he could be ousted from his own company."
Both Harry and Coulson lapsed into a pensive silence, their minds engaged in a game of deduction.
"What if," Harry mused, his voice low yet filled with conviction, "we're looking at this from the wrong perspective? What if the animosity between Tony and Stane didn't originate with Tony's return, but was orchestrated long before that?"
Coulson's demeanour turned attentive, prompting Harry to elaborate further.
"Consider this," Harry continued, his thoughts forming into a coherent theory, "What if Stane initially commissioned the Ten Rings to attack Tony without giving the details on who their target was, but when they discovered Tony Stark was their mark, The Ten Rings saw an opportunity for a more substantial reward?"
Coulson nodded thoughtfully, signalling Harry to proceed.
"With Tony being a man with a silver spoon, Stane thought that Tony would either die or stay captive of the Ten Rings." Harry hypothesized, his words measured and deliberate. "However, Tony's unexpected escape thwarted those plans. However, upon his return, Tony's immediate action was to shut down the weapons division. For Stane, this could be seen as a silver lining and still fell into his plans to capitalize on Tony's vulnerability and oust him from Stark Industries."
"Bit farfetched, don't you think?" Phil asked, arching an eyebrow sceptically as he glanced at Harry.
"Indeed," Harry agreed. "But it fits the pieces we have. Stane has always been ambitious, driven by profit and power. If Stark Industries' weapons are finding their way into the black market, Stane would undoubtedly have a hand in it."
"I'll look into Stane's activities over the past six months," Phil promised, his tone serious. "If there's any truth to this, we need to act swiftly."
They shook hands firmly, sealing the agreement. As Phil turned to leave, Harry found himself lost in thought. The revelation from Coulson about Stark Industries' weapons being used in Gulmira hit him like a thunderbolt. It wasn't just the betrayal of trust that shook him; it was the implications of what this meant for Tony and for everyone involved. He felt a surge of frustration that despite his suspicions about Stane, the reality of Stane’s ambition still managed to blindside him.
He cursed himself inwardly for overlooking such a critical angle. He'd learned from past experiences, particularly dealing with Barty Crouch Jr., about questioning those who appear to be allies. How had he let himself miss such an obvious possibility? He couldn't afford to be blindsided again.
"Two Vodka Martinis, extra dry, extra olives, extra fast. Make one of them dirty, will you?" The familiar voice cut through the ambient hum of the ballroom, commanding attention. Harry turned to see Tony Stark at the bar, his presence exuding a mix of urgency and agitation.
"Why are you so flustered?" Harry inquired with a knowing smile, his eyes assessing Tony's demeanour.
Tony blinked, momentarily thrown off guard. "Harry, what are you doing here?" His voice carried a hint of perplexity, indicating he hadn't expected to see Harry at the event.
Harry motioned to the bartender for their drinks, then turned back to Tony, leaning casually against the bar. "Pepper invited me," he explained, observing Tony closely. "She thought it might do me good to step out for a change."
Tony nodded, taking a sip of his martini as he glanced around the room, his eyes scanning the crowd with a hint of restlessness. "Right," he muttered, his mind clearly preoccupied with thoughts beyond the charity ball's festivities.
"Wow. Tony Stark," a voice behind Tony called out, drawing his attention away from the conversation with Harry.
Tony turned, his discomfort evident in his face. "Oh, hey."
"Fancy seeing you here," the woman continued a hint of accusation in her tone. Tony strained to place her face.
"Christine," The woman introduced herself.
“That’s Right,” Tony replied awkwardly.
"You have a lot of nerve showing up here tonight. Can I at least get a reaction from you?" She asked
"Panic, I would say panic is my reaction," Tony quipped, attempting to deflect.
"Because I was referring to your company's involvement in the latest atrocity," Christine pressed on, her voice cutting through the polite façade.
"Yeah, they just put my name on the invitation. I don't know what to tell you," Tony responded defensively, his tone tightening.
"I actually almost bought it, hook, line, and sinker," Christine retorted.
“I was out of town for a couple of months, in case you didn't hear.” Tony defended.
“Is this what you call accountability?” Christine asked forcefully pushing a few photographs into Tony's hands. Harry leaned in beside Tony to examine the pictures, his expression darkening as he recognized the scenes from Gulmira that Phil had mentioned moments ago.
"It's a town called Gulmira. Heard of it?" Christine's words were sharp, accusing.
Tony's eyes flickered over the images, his earlier nervousness evaporating into grim determination. "When were these taken?" he demanded, his voice now firm and resolute.
"Yesterday," Christine confirmed, her gaze unwavering. Tony looked up, meeting Harry's gaze, a silent exchange passing between them.
"I didn't approve any shipment," Tony stated firmly, his jaw set.
"Well, your company did," Christine rebutted, unmoved.
"Well, I am not my company," Tony shot back, his frustration evident. "I need to find Obie."
With that, Tony turned away, striding purposefully through the crowd, with Harry and Christine following behind. A concerned glance followed him, his mind racing with the implications of what he had just witnessed.
Harry couldn't shake off the images of destruction in Gulmira, brought vividly to life by Christine's photographs. It wasn't just business; lives were at stake, and Harry couldn't bear the thought that his friend Tony, albeit indirectly, was involved in such atrocities. His hands clenched into fists as he thought about the innocent people caught in the crossfire of greed and power.
"Damn it," Harry muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing with resolve. He knew he had to do something, to help Tony uncover the truth and to confront Stane about his treachery. But even as he prepared himself mentally for the storm that was about to come, a pang of guilt gnawed at him.
Tony, Christina, and Harry marched determinedly towards the entrance of the grand hall where Stane was still exchanging pleasantries with late-arriving guests. Tony's steps were purposeful, his expression a mix of anger and disbelief.
"Have you seen these pictures?" Tony confronted Stane as soon as they reached him. "What's going on in Gulmira?"
Stane turned to face Tony, his expression unreadable for a moment before settling into a calm demeanor. "Tony, you can't afford to be this naive."
"You know what? I was naive before," Tony shot back, his voice rising with frustration. "When they said 'here's the line, we don't cross it, this is how we do business'. If we're double-dealing under the table... Are we?"
Stane's response was unexpectedly casual. "Let's take a picture," he suggested, pulling Tony into a mock embrace for the benefit of the nearby cameras. "Tony, who do you think locked you out? I was the one who filed the injunction against you. It was the only way I could protect you."
With those cryptic words, Stane turned and walked away, leaving Tony seething with anger and confusion. Christina, frustrated with the lack of answers, followed suit and left the venue.
Harry's heart pounded with a mix of vindication and dread as Stane confirmed his worst suspicions. Standing amidst the lingering echoes of the confrontation, Harry struggled to contain the torrent of emotions swirling within him. Stane's admission felt like a betrayal of everything Tony had stood for. The weight of Tony's trust in Stane now felt like a heavy burden Harry had failed to help shoulder. Despite his inner turmoil, Harry knew that this moment was a turning point, a catalyst for deeper revelations and perhaps even greater challenges to come.
Harry, feeling the tension and betrayal in the air, reached out and grabbed Tony's shoulder, his touch meant to offer support and solidarity in the face of uncertainty.
"Don't do anything rash," Harry warned Tony, his voice low but firm, trying to steady his friend's escalating emotions. They stood amidst the reporters who were unaware of what had just happened. The air was thick with tension and Tony's palpable anger.
Tony's jaw tensed, his eyes fixed on the spot where Stane had disappeared into the crowd. The betrayal cut deep, mingling with the weight of responsibility for Stark Industries' actions. "He's playing us," Tony muttered, more to himself than to Harry.
Harry tightened his grip on Tony's shoulder, urging him to think clearly amidst the storm of emotions. "We need to handle this strategically," he continued, his tone earnest. "There are ways to expose this without risking everything."
Tony exhaled sharply, his mind racing through options and consequences. "You're right," he finally acknowledged, though his voice still crackled with restrained fury. "I won't give him the satisfaction of reacting recklessly."
Comments
Sky Pheonix
Okay done
Woolleymammoth
I need a I told you so moment to both Tony and pepper. A moment where Harry goes who could have seen this coming and raises his hand.
