Chapter 1


Harry hated Monday morning classes. Not only was the teacher – - as boring as watching paint dry, he also had the tendency of speaking in such a low voice that sometimes not even the students at the first row could understand him. But since Harry hated sitting at the first row (besides, he never gets to school early enough to grab a seat) he tends to spend his weekly session of "AP physics" either doodling aimlessly in his notebook or staring blankly out the window. It didn't worry him that he doesn't understand a thing they saw that day because the book was surprisingly helpful and all he needed was to read it to do the exercises. Jake had once asked Harry why he never complained to the direction about this, but Harry just answered it wasn't worth it. Complaining to the direction would involve being singled out and there was no way he was running that risk. So instead of actually learning in physics, Harry did other things. It was really too bad that Mr. Bray never cancelled his classes for anything.

So imagine his surprise when on this particular Monday, Harry entered the classroom a little later than usual – Dudley had decided it would be funny to turn off his alarm and making him miss the bus. At least his uncle yelled at him for it and Dudley was grounded for a weekend - expecting a full house but found himself being the only person in the room.

He blinked in surprise, checked the clock, making sure he didn't get the time wrong, before doing the only thing that made sense; He called Jake. Which in retrospective didn't make much sense since his best friend wasn't in the same classes as him. But Harry had been so used to calling him in his times of need that it had become a reflex.

Luckily for him, Jake answered on the first ring.

"Mate, where are you?" He asked, "the assembly is about to start!"

"What assembly?" Harry asked, incredulous, "I haven't heard there was going to be an assembly. Did the school send out a notice I haven't read?"

"It's only for AP physics students," Jake explained, "apparently your teacher told you about it last class."

Oh that made sense; of course Harry wouldn't know about the assembly since he spent the whole period drawing the latest episode of his Iron Man inspired comics, but the question is, how did Jake, who doesn't even take AP physics know about it?

"And how do you know about it?" Harry asked even as he hurried out of the classroom towards the gym where all assemblies were held, "you don't even take AP physics."

"Melissa told me," was the answer.

Melissa Pringles - yes, like the chips, much to her eternal embarrassment - was a classmate of Harry's. She also happens to have a crush on Jake the size of the Grand Canyon. Harry had once tried I convince her to confess to him instead of stalking him but the glass of water thrown in his face discouraged him from ever sticking his nose in her business ever again.

"And how did you get permission to go to this conference?"

"My teacher for this morning's class, Mrs. Lemon? She's bloody obsessed with science. So when I told her there was a conference organized by the physics class that I was interested in, she immediately told me to go. It was easier than taking candy from a baby."

Harry snorted but didn't say more because he had arrived and could see Jake waving his left hand enthusiastically in his direction; his right still holding his cell. Harry hung up before making his way over.

"Melissa," he greeted the girl, who looked especially disappointed to see him. Harry resisted the urge to smirk. She had probably thought he had forgotten about the conference and would get the chance of spending some time along with Jake without Harry or Sam. It didn't matter there would no talking, it was still a first contact. Seeing Harry must be like witnessing all your plans fall and Harry wasn't nice enough to feel sorry for her.
Things only got better when Jake, innocent boy he was, actually asked Melissa if she would mind moving a seat so he could sit next to Harry. Melissa gave Jake a betrayed look before sulkingly made the change.

Jake turned to Harry once he sat down, was about to say something when the microphone cracked to life.

"Attention, attention," the headmaster called out, "the conference is about to begin."

A second later, Mr. Bray took the headmaster place, for once his life, looking beyond excited.

"I'm sure you all remember how last week I have informed you that a representative of Stark Enterprises will be coming to our high school to talk about future careers in engineering. Unfortunately, Mr. Tyson, who was scheduled to come, had a little problem and couldn't make it. Instead, to my greatest astounishment, Mr. Stark himself have agreed to replace Mr. Tyson. So today, we will have the great honor of meeting the CEO of stark enterprises, Mr. Tony Stark himself. Please give a hand of applause to Mr. Stark!"

The issuing cacophony of noises of students gasping, girls squealing, staff members politely applauding would usually gave Harry a headache. But at that moment, he didn't care, he was about to meet Tony Stark! This morning is turning out to be better than expected. Harry had idolized Mr. Stark for as long as he can remember. Not only did the man that revolutionized modern engineering but he was also the face behind his favorite superhero of all times: Iron Man. Up to this day, Harry never actually expected to ever see the man in person; sure he had fantasized about it but seeing this fantasy about to come true made his heart beat faster.

When Tony Stark finally strode on to the stage, looking extremely comfortable under the watchful gaze of 60 students and 4 faculty members, Harry resisted the urge to squeal like Melissa had done. It really wasn't his fault; despite his short stature, Tony Stark was probably the most charismatic man he had ever met. There was just something about him; something that actually didn't have anything to do with his money of fame, that attracted people to him like bees to honey. Although Tony Stark was already pushing 35, Harry was sure he was still the sexual fantasy of many teenagers, including himself. Despite knowing that the possibility of that ever happening was next to none, it didn't stop Harry's many jerk-off fantasies involving the man and that gorgeous armor of his. How that would work in reality, Harry wasn't sure.

When Stark started to talk, his voice a smooth tenor that made Harry shiver, the boy forced himself to listen to what the man was saying and not spend the next hour staring dreamingly at him. If Harry wanted to keep his sexuality a secret, acting like a love-struck fanboy was the worse way to do it.

"Thank you, Thank you," Mr. Stark started by saying, "I'm honored by your warm reception. Actually this is the best welcome I have received in a long time. No one appreciate me in my company anymore. When I show up for board of director meetings, they would all stare blankly at me and then ask where my assistant was."

Tony Stark pointed to his left, right at a redhead, dressed to impress in a designed suit ensemble and treacherous high heels which could probably be used as a deadly weapon. The woman smiled at them.

"She's hot," Jake hissed in to Harry's ear, making the boy chuckle.

"Keep it in your pants Jake, we wouldn't want a repeat of last year's Carol incident."

At the reminder of what was probably his most embarrassing moment up to date, Jake grimaced and leaned back in to his seat once more.

Harry returned his attention to the front as Stark started what was definitely the main focus of the presentation.

For the next hour, Stark talked about his company, about how it started and how it was doing now. He also talked about the different departments at Stark Enterprises and showed off some of his future products. It was obvious the man loved his company and knew everything from head to bottom. He cared about its success and Harry had to smile at the passion.

Finally, the presentation was over and the period of questions started.

Stark's assistant, Ms. Pepper Potts, took center stage while Stark took her place, half hidden in the wings. And that's well the problem started.

Ms. Kimpling, the young and pretty librarian, came to join the party about two questions in. Mr. Stark immediately saw her and headed towards where she was standing. From his vintage point near the side where his seat was situated, Harry watched as Mr. Stark introduced himself. Ms. Kimpling smiled and shook his hand before returning her attention to Mrs. Potts, obviously interested by what she was saying. That however didn't seem to satisfy the man because for the next minutes, he would try over and over again to engage the shy woman in conversation. Harry could see that Ms. Kimpling was getting extremely uncomfortable and every time she tried to move away, Mr. Stark would move even closer, blocking any chance to escape. And what's worse, no one seemed to have noticed them yet, everyone concentrated on Pepper's adminttingly brilliant answers.

Harry knew he had to do something. Even if the villain in this case is his idol, seing an innocent and defenless victim in trouble without helping them went against everything Harry believed. Sure he knew interferring would drag attention on himself, but right now, it was a risk he was willing to take.

So, he took breath and raised his hand.

And Ms. Potts called upon him a second later, he said in a clear voice: "I would like to tell Mr. Stark to stop harrasing Ms. Kimpling. She is obviously extremely uncomfortable with his advances so he should desist before she decides to sue him for sexual harassment."

The following silence after his statement was so absolute that the sound of Ms. Potts' microphone falling to the ground echoed through the gymnasium.

Cheeks burning, Harry sat down and refused to look at anyone else. Now that his good deed of the day was done, all he wants to do was run away.

"Mate," Jake gasped, sounding more than a little impressed, "That was incredible."

Even Melissa clapped him on the shoulders.

"That was very brave of you Harry," she said a little bit shyly, "I hadn't even notice the problem."

Harry flushed even more. He really hoped this didn't get out because his uncle would freak if he ended up being the news of the town or something. It would be so ironic that his good intentions would end up with him being punished.

When no one spoke for some time after this, Harry looked up in confusion, and found Tony Stark staring right at him from the stage. His gaze was boring in to him, unrelenting and Harry resisted the urge to look away. Mr. Bray had actually risen from his seat and was now talking to Ms. Potts in hushed voices. Ms. Kimpling had left.

Horrible, horrible scenarios began crowding Harry's mind as the rest of the trio on the stage suddenly looked at him and despite all that, Harry couldn't bring himself to regret his actions. He had done the right thing.

Finally Mr. Bray made a gesture for Harry to stand up.

Harry did with trembling legs, wondering what was going to happen to him.

"What's your name?" was the first thing Mr. Stark asked him.

"Harry Dursley, sir," Harry replied as confidently as possible. Mr. Stark was obviously a predator with his sharp gaze and sharper smile but Harry wasn't a helpless rabbit. He refused to show fear.

"Well then Mr. Dursley; I have to say, what you did took a lot of courage."

"I believed it was the right thing to do sir," Harry replied.

Tony nodded.

"You know what? I think I like you. I'll tell you all a secret; I was supposed to come here today to give a conference, yes, but also find candidates for an internship I'm offering. I think my search is over. Mr. Dursley, I'm offering you a summer internship at my company if, of course, you accept."

Harry gaped.

What?