Chapter Eleven: Project 'G'

My life was never easy...I accepted that a long time ago. I got over it when I was a kid though. Life had to be discouraging in order for you to find the good in life. One of the best people to ever enter my life was you. I know that you'd probably prefer to hear this said to you in person, but I think this is the best way for me to explain how I feel.

Before you came into my life I didn't understand what people meant when they said a person could brighten your day more than anything else in life. Now, now I understand.

When I first came to Hogwarts I was just a scared kid who was afraid it'd be like Surrey all over again. Privet Drive was never a home to me, though I feel like Hogwarts, the Penthouse and Tony's house in L.A. are just as futile to consider a home. You and Ron embraced me in friendship, and that feeling in my heart is what I consider to be my home.

You are the light in my life, Hermione. I know you hate being called Mione, but to me that's just my special name for you. I want to thank you and Ron for joining this 'school' with me. If you need to find me, I'm in the main lab.

Yours forever,

Harry James Potter

Hermione smiled as she re-read the note for the third time since she woke up. Her heart soared as she read what Harry thought about her. She dressed in her casual clothes. Apparently Mr Stark was getting uniforms made for the three of them. She chuckled at the enthusiasm the man had for the idea of having his own school. She walked to the lab, seeing Harry tinker with several different gadgets. "What are you doing?"

Harry smiled. "Tony gave me full access to the lab as long as he can incorporate anything he finds useful into the Iron Man project." He picked up a small pistol, handing it to her. "Shoot me."

Hermione frowned. "Have you been drinking?!"

Harry shook his head. "Just trust me."

Hermione handed the gun over to him. "You're insane."

Harry sighed. "It's filled with a potion that renders the victim unconscious for a minute. It'll also cover them in fake blood. Good for whenever you need fake your death."

Hermione took it in her hands again. "How long have you been down here?"

Harry checked the computer. "Fifty hours." He said, chuckling.

Hermione rubbed her forehead. "You need to sleep. Have you even seen Maria today?"

Harry shook his head, downing another cup of coffee. "I've been working." He opened a large drawer. "Experimental high voltage energy blasts. It's got a five foot radius and can down Fluffy."

"I thought Fluffy was sent back to Greece?" Hermione took one of the discs in her free hand. "Harry this is military grade stuff. You made all this?"

Harry shook his head. "The potion is my design. The gun is owned by Stark Industries, as does the discs. I'm tweaking the internals to work with magic." He ran a hand through his hair.

Hermione sighed. "J.A.R.V.I.S, is there a bed in the lab?"

"No ma'am. But Mr Potter's day is empty. I'll inform Mrs Stark that he is expected to rise late this afternoon."

Hermione smiled. "Thank you." She dragged him out of the lab, bringing him to his room. "Sleep." She said sternly.

Harry chuckled. "Merlin help when you become a mother." He closed his eyes, relaxing against the pillow.

Hermione fixed the covers over him. "Trying to tie me down already Potter?" She teased, kissing his cheek. She made her way to the Hospital Wing, checking in on the little baby. "How's Maria?"

Lily glanced over at Hermione, smiling. "She's doing well. Madam Pomfrey is going to give her the potion tonight." She sat on the bed, staring in at the little baby. "Harry spent fifty hours in the lab?" She asked curiously.

Hermione frowned. "Do you use J.A.R.V.I.S to spy on Harry?"

Lily shook her head. "No. But he does tell me when he thinks that Harry needs to rest." She explained, folding the baby grows. "He's starting to retreat into himself again..."

Hermione sighed. "He's warming up to you a lot more now, Mrs Stark. He just needs to move past this and you'll be stronger than ever."

Lily laughed softly. "I'm being reassured about a Potter by a fourteen year old girl. All you need is bleached blonde hair and fake nails and you'd be a dead ringer for Marlene."

Hermione thought about the name. "Sirius dated her, didn't he?"

Lily smirked. "They had a more...intimate relationship than that."

Hermione stared at her. "So they were just bed buddies?"

Lily nodded, chuckling to herself. "Yeah. Marlene and Sirius were the bane of many professors during their Hogwarts years. They both matured early and found themselves...having too much fun." She smiled. "The best thing ever had to have been when McGonagall caught the two of them, butt naked, going at it in the Great Hall at midnight."

Hermione laughed softly as she thought about the stern professor finding the two. She watched Maria closely. "It must be awful not being able to hold her."

Lily shrugged. "As long as she's healthy when I do hold her, I'll be ok with that." She smiled, fixing her hair. "So what's Harry working on?"

"Anything he can I suppose." Hermione replied honestly. "He's scared. I can see it in his eyes, Mrs Stark. He's trying to act like he's not letting it get to him, but he's freaking the hell out."

Lily frowned. "I'm going to have to speak to him when he wakes up. The first task is in nineteen days." She ran her hand through her hair.

Hermione smiled. "You have the same habit as Harry."

Lily smiled softly. "I suppose I do. James used to love playing with my hair." She whispered longingly. "It's weird, knowing that he truly loved me. It also makes it harder for me to forgive myself. It was my insecurities that cost James and Rachel their lives." She turned to Maria. "But I'm going to make sure I make up for those insecurities and fight to ensure my son survives."

Hermione smiled at her. "And I'm going to help you."

"In that case, enough with the Mrs Stark shite. Call me Lily." She chuckled.

-HS-

Nicolas Fury was not a man known for his sense of humour. He was currently working on an old project designed by a reclusive wizard from Columbia. Not many non-magicals knew about the Wizarding World, but S.H.I.E.L.D wasn't run by idiots. He knew that the Statutes of Secrecy were in place to ensure that the barrier between magical and muggle continued to exist. He frowned as he read the report beside him for the second time. "You're sure about this, Romanoff?" He asked sternly.

She nodded. "Her blood is magical. Pepper Potts is really Lily Evans nee Potter." She frowned. "Apparently her and Stark are in England right now. They're married now, Fury. Legally, we can have him work it out."

Nick stared at the components in front of him. "I don't want Stark near this." He chuckled. "Harry Potter is Tony Stark's stepson...this could be big." He turned to Romanoff. "You're going to shadow Stark for a few months. Tell him that we'd like to talk to him about his stepson."

Natasha nodded. "Will I be placed back as an aid?"

"No. You're going to be Potter's bodyguard." He took up the file. "Project G is finally going to be reinstated."

-HS-

Harry woke up at the sound of the alarm clock. The few hours sleep had helped to rest his mind. He stretched his arms, heading towards the Hospital Wing. As he opened the door, he noticed a woman standing near the bed. She had blood red hair and a slim figure. He could feel himself blush slightly as he stared at her. He cleared his throat, staring at his mother.

Lily smiled, though he could see that it was strained. "Harry, meet Agent Romanoff...she's from S.H.I.E.L.D and well, she's apparently going to be your bodyguard."

Harry frowned. He'd read Tony's field reports on S.H.I.E.L.D and how they worked. "So, you're the one they called Black Widow?"

Natasha stared at the young man in front of her. "Agent Romanoff will do." She tapped a tablet. "We've been watching you for years Harry, keeping tabs on you."

Harry stared at her. "I don't want a babysitter."

Natasha crossed her arms. "Well you don't get a choice in the matter, little boy." She said sternly. "S.H.I.E.L.D has a vested interest in the Magical World." She glared at him. "You've to be in the lab in ten minutes."

Harry frowned. "I came here to see my mother and sister." He said coldly.

Natasha pulled out a gun. "This is a high powered taser gun. You're going to the lab, one way or another."

Lily frowned at her. "You attempt to harm my son, and they'll be cleaning pieces of skull from the fucking walls!" She growled, jabbing her wand into the back of her neck. "All it takes is one word."

Natasha placed her gun back into its holster. "I don't want to hurt you, Mrs Stark."

Lily smiled sweetly. "If you ever point a weapon at either of my kids again, Fury will need DNA specialists in order to identify the small pool of goo that'll remain." She removed her wand, looking at Harry. "We'll be here when you come back." She promised. "Tony said Director Fury wanted to speak with you about some apparently magic tech." She gave him a hug. "It's just as painful to be kicked in the crotch for a woman." She whispered softly. "If she pulls that again, kick as hard as you can."

Harry stared at his mother in shock before following Romanoff to the lab. He stared at the man beside Tony. "So you're Nick Fury?" He asked curiously. "You're a lot shorter than I expected."

Fury turned around, smirking at him. "Most people think I'm the size of a tank." He made his way over to Harry. "Did Agent Romanoff give you any trouble?"

Harry frowned. "I'd keep your little attack dog on a shorter lease if I was you." He said coldly. He didn't like the idea of S.H.I.E.L.D knowing anything about him.

Natasha cocked the hammer of the gun. "What did you call me?"

Harry remained calm. "Natasha Romanoff, birth name and date unknown. At age two you were taken by the Soviet Union into their Black Widow program. Your training ended in '93 at the tender age of seventeen. You made your mark by killing Agent Alexander Farthing. In '99 you were approached by Agent Clinton 'Clint' Barton, alias Hawkeye." He turned to her. "Since working for S.H.I.E.L.D you've earned the title of Fury's number one. Did I miss anything?"

Natasha took her finger off the trigger, placing the gun on her belt. "That's classified information."

Harry smirked. "Well, you shouldn't use Stark Industries tech to encrypt your files in future." He turned to Fury. "This is about Project G, isn't it?" He asked.

Fury laughed lightly. "I like this kid!" He grinned. "Yeah. Project G is one of the biggest enigmas I've ever seen in my life. We're not actually allowed to open the damn thing."

Harry walked to the box on the table. "Then why do you need my help?" He asked curiously.

Fury sighed, rubbing his forehead. "S.H.I.E.L.D has known about the Magical World since the early stages of its founding. We've worked with the I.C.W since day one of our establishment." He motioned his hand to the box. "The rules were simple...we can't employ magicals unless they're related to employees, or legacy members."

Harry sighed. "I'm available because my stepfather is the son of one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D, right?"

Fury nodded. "Your mother isn't as skilled in Technomancy as you are. Tony here has been filling us in on the situation."

Harry frowned at Tony. "I see. Has he explained my current situation?"

Fury nodded again. "We're offering a deal. You finish Project G, and we'll allow you to use it for the duration of the Tri-Wizard Tournament."

Harry opened the box, grabbing some blueprints. "It's complicated. There's a rune array, storage crystals, focusing crystals and warding crystals." He ran a hand through his hair. "My girlfriend has a good knowledge of runes. I can tweak the rest to work. But I have one more condition."

"Name it." Fury shrugged.

"She's not allowed any weapons!" Harry said sternly.

Fury nodded. "You got it, kid. First Task is in nineteen days. Good luck." He tapped a button, vanishing from view.

"That was a really good hologram." Harry commented.

-HS-

Harry placed the first of the blueprints on to his workstation, finishing his fifth cup of coffee. "J, beginning recording audio."

"Ready when you are."

"November 3rd, Director Fury has placed me in charge of an old project from the early sixties known to S.H.I.E.L.D only as Project G. The wizard who created the schematics seemed to be attempting warding, blood and runic magic within one vessel. Hermione has politely declined to help me with this, saying that she'd prefer to stay under S.H.I.E.L.D's radar, which is understandable." He paused to check the blueprints. "The basic design seems to require metallic, organic and magical properties in order to work. If what this man's research notes say is true, this gauntlet as he calls it, could be an impressive aid." He glanced at the clock. "J.A.R.V.I.S, I want you to encrypt these recordings with the highest level of security you have. Set a password only I can say."

"It has been done sir."

Harry smiled. "Thanks J.A.R.V.I.S." He said softly. He made his way to the materials left in the box. "Resume recording. The contents of the box held five small crystals, each embedded with immense energy, one focusing crystal and a vial of what I imagine was once the man's blood." He grabbed another blueprint, placing it beside the other one. "In theory, the gauntlet will form the rune on the back of the hand, causing a charge of magic from the appropriate crystal to channel its power to the focusing crystal located in the palm of the hand." He scanned the blueprints with the system. "J.A.R.V.I.S, give me some 3D views of the blueprints."

"Processing now."

Harry poured himself another cup of coffee as he examined the design. "Load one of the suit's arms." He watched one of the gauntlets from the Mark VI appear. "J.A.R.V.I.S, how long would it take you to fabricate all the equipment needed to make a gauntlet?"

"Eight hours and fifty minutes."

"Do it. Make it for my right arm and leave out all the unnecessary circuitry. Carve five small holes for the knuckles, one medium one on the palm and a large dial one for the back of the hand." Harry smirked. "Paint it with subtle colours. I'm thinking ash gray and jet black."

"Of course, sir."

"Lock the lab and place it under serious protections. Even Tony's not allowed in while you're working on the gauntlet." Harry finished his coffee. "We're going to need a lot of coffee to do this." He checked the crystals. Each one was glowing with a different kind of magic. He reached into the box, pulling out some research notes.

To whom it may concern,

When I was a boy, a mysterious visitor came to my village. This Visitor told me about a legend from his land. A man who held a powerful gauntlet which contained six stones. I did not believe such power could be created, but in the years since then I have begun to work on my own version of this gauntlet. I have written my notes in English, as the Columbian Ministry of Magic has deemed my work illegal.

The theory behind this magic is one of power. My blood shall mix with the focusing crystal so only I may use the gauntlet's power. The five smaller crystals shall be placed where my knuckles and thumb rest, which will charge the magical energy of the runes.

Unfortunately this will limit the ability of casting to only five spells. I have chosen five that will protect me from a variety of threats.

The blue crystal contains the energy of the Aquamenti charm.

The red crystal holds the power of Incendio.

The green is a spell of my own invention. It allows the earth around me to form a protective shell.

The yellow is pure lightning, not the easiest spell to master.

The black one is one I pray never to need. It contains an ancient spell known as the Legion. If I ever use it, it'll create a shadow copy of my person.

The clear crystal is the reverse of that. In essence it is the embodiment of the Patronus charm. My memories still need to be happy in order to harness it.

If you're reading this journal, it means that I was executed for my project. Please, continue my work. I left no widow behind, nor children without a father. All I left was this blasted gauntlet.

Pablo.

Harry frowned as he read the letter. "We need to finish this. J.A.R.V.I.S, get to work." He sat down, opening the research notes.

-HS-

Hermione knocked on the door, hearing the intercom buzz. "Harry it's me. You've been working in here for hours." She heard the door open slowly. Once she entered she saw him asleep at the table, snoring loudly. "Harry!"

Harry jumped up from his spot. "I'm awake."

Hermione frowned. "How long have you been working on this bloody thing?"

Harry yawned, checking the clock. "Ten hours." He muttered, pouring a cup of coffee. "The gauntlet's power is charging. I had to bloody wire it manually." He kissed her cheek, smiling. "J.A.R.V.I.S and I have been working on the paint job since seven in the morning." He tapped a button, revealing the gauntlet.

The system was obviously designed to be worn from the shoulder to the arm, though she could notice that the upper part was able to retract into the main part of the gauntlet. She licked her lip a little, grinning at the invention in front of her. "Show me how it works."

Harry took a deep breath. "We're actually about to do a proper field test with it. I've to contact Fury though..."

Hermione frowned. "Be careful." She whispered. Like Harry, Hermione didn't fully trust Director Fury or S.H.I.E.L.D completely. Any organisation that hoarded knowledge for themselves wasn't one she wanted to be associated with.

Harry nodded, kissing her nose playfully. "I'm always careful. J.A.R.V.I.S, activate the gauntlet's locks."

"Password?"

Harry sighed. "Mione." He said softly.

Hermione blushed slightly when she heard the password, smiling to herself.

Harry locked his arm into place, feeling the metal seal around his flesh. "J.A.R.V.I.S, how's the system on your end?"

"Systems are online, Mr Potter."

Harry closed his hand into a fist, smiling to himself. "Hydraulics are good. Time to give this baby a good field test. Where's Director Fury and Tony?"

"At the southeast corner of the grounds, sir."

Harry nodded, kissing Hermione once more before going to the rendezvous point. "Well, what'd you think?"

Tony crossed his arms, clicking his tongue as he examined the gauntlet. "Why did you design it to go to the shoulder?"

Harry smirked. "Well, the designs Pablo left behind were spotty at best. I took the liberty of tweaking them with some of our ideas for the suits." He chuckled, staring at the Mark VI. "Time for a test?"

Tony smirked, suiting up. "In a manner of speaking. I'm going to use the forest as my cover. Your job is to shoot me out of the sky." He flew around a little. "Lils and I modified the repulsors to fire mild stinging hexes. I've been instructed to kick your ass in order to ensure a proper training session."

Harry took a deep breath. "Ok, but I get the use of J.A.R.V.I.S, you fly solo."

"Agreed." Tony flew above the forest, using the foliage for cover.

Harry raised his hand. "Aquamenti!" He shouted. The runic array on the back of his hand began to rotate its different discs until it formed the runes of water, pressure and control. A large blast of water appeared from the focusing crystal, moving most of the foliage away. "Gotcha!" He grinned, sprinting forward. One of the main problems with the gauntlet was the ability to alter the way to focus the magic. He wracked his brain around it until he made one big change to it. "Aquamenti, Incendio!" The two spells began to combine their runes. The runes mixed together, causing an explosion of steam. He was pushed back, screaming in pain as his skin began to blister and swell. "Eject the gauntlet." He shouted. The gauntlet landed beside him.

Tony flew over, grabbing him. "We gotta get you to Madam Pomfrey." He said sternly. Tank flew behind him, holding the gauntlet in its arm.

A/N: Starting next chapter I want to start a Q&A session at the end of every chapter. So please leave any questions you have about the story in the reviews. I would love to know what you guys think and your curiosities about the story.