A/N: So I'm only just getting this weeks updates in, it's been a hectic week! The puppy is a handful, work has been monotonous, and I swear I need an extra ten hours sleep. Thank God for coffee! I'm also trying to resurrect my other crossover that has been abandoned for almost two years.
But anyway, here is this weeks update. And I shall post next weeks perhaps this evening too while I have the time, I have Cubs, a meeting, and babysitting this week!
Chapter Twenty Eight - Quidditch
November the 17th dawned and the Ravenclaw's were treated to a rather grey outlook from their tower. Mateo was not overly concerned with the conditions, it would be cold and the ground would be soggy from the last week of rain but there was no wind and very little chance of precipitation. He would prefer it to be warmer, but there was no sun to blind them so at least the cloudy conditions were beneficial in that sense. He had taken to wearing a t-shirt under his shirt and cloak at the end of the last month so the cold held no worry for him.
Typically each team would eat breakfast together before going out to pace the pitch and get psyched in their changing rooms. Despite the fact that Mateo would very likely spend the match on the ground he was feeling as nervous as the rest of the team because this was his first match. He managed to eat enough to pacify Roger Davies, but far too much for his stomach to enjoy.
The walk around the pitch helped him quieten his nerves and settle his stomach, so Mateo was once again at a decent equilibrium by the time he was changed and waiting for the rest of the team to be ready. Grant, the keeper, was surprisingly ready next despite his extra padding and the two of them walked over to the gate to inspect the crowd.
"Hey, is that your Dad and his friends?" Grant pointed to one of the towers across from them.
Mateo's smile was bright enough to rival the sun as he saw the sight. Where the rest of the stands and towers were filled with people dressed in robes and undeniably wizard styled clothing, the indicated tower was occupied by six obvious muggles. Although it was difficult to see much detail from this far away, it looked like each of them was enjoying the sights around them.
Knowing that his family was less than half a kilometre from him sent Mateo's excitement and nerves through the roof and he felt the sudden spike of adrenaline. Sitting through the last minute tactic review and pep talk was a nightmare for him, but five minutes later the team was filing to the gate. They had heard that Wood, the Gryffindor Captain, had a habit of giving long speeches before each match, and everyone was glad that Davies wasn't the same as they didn't have to wait long to kick off.
As a reserve Mateo was not allowed onto the field during the handshake and kick-off so he stood next to Alice by the gate to the changing rooms and waited patiently as the niceties were observed. The teams were soon in the air and play began at the tossing of the quaffle, which Ravenclaw quickly gained control of.
Mateo kept half an eye on the game and half on his Dad. They had exchanged waves at the very start during the handshake, but now everyone seemed to be transfixed by the game. Bruce had reassured his son that Tony had bought a book on the sport and everyone was familiar with the purpose of each ball, the player positions, and the scoring of the game. He had voiced his concern when Tony had revealed how violent the sport could get, but Mateo had quickly explained that Ravenclaw were often seen as the gentlemen of the four houses. Their games rarely got bloody beyond the occasional accident, and even rarer was the case of a player being purposefully fouled.
However it was typical that the first game that his father would see would include an injury. The teams had barely been going for more than five minutes when Madam Hooch blew her whistle for a time out. Mateo had been busy alternating his concentration between the opposing team, looking for the snitch, and watching his family that he had neglected to keep an eye on his own team. He was unprepared for Roger to shout his name and beckon him onto the pitch.
Cho was leaning heavily on Grant as blood poured from her nose. Madam Hooch had her wand lit and was trying to get Cho to follow its path with her eyes.
"It's quite badly broken and she has grade 1 concussion likely, however I do not feel it is severe enough to force her to drop out. I can fix it and Miss Chang can carry on playing if she wishes," Madam Hooch decided.
"Mateo can take a turn, I reckon he can handle this well enough," Cho mumbled from behind a thick wad of tissue which was already mostly red.
"You heard the girl, mount up Mateo," Roger said and clapped the boy on the shoulder.
"It looks like Ravenclaw is switching players as Chang is too injured to continue. Taking her place is reserve seeker Mateo Banner!" Mateo heard a young voice announce from above.
The sounds of cheering was slightly less enthusiastic than at the beginning of the game, but Mateo spotted a number of first years trying to make up for the relatively muted reaction. Some of the Ravenclaws were holding some kind of banner, but Mateo had very little time before play began to go investigate. Whilst Cho was still walking off the pitch the players returned to the starting positions to reset after the disruption, and Mateo purposefully took a slightly curving path up to his point so that he could swing past his family.
"Knock 'em dead Kid!" Clint yelled.
"That's not sporting!" Mateo shouted with a grin.
The whistle was blown once more and Hufflepuff resumed play with the quaffle, although Jeremy quickly stole it from them once more. From his observation whilst at ground level Mateo could tell that Roger was a good captain and strategist. He had accurately predicted the kinds of formations that the 'Puffs would use, and had come up with very effective countermeasures.
The house of badgers had a solid defence that was difficult to crack at times, and they were good at the safer types of moves. However they rarely took chances so Roger was able to put more of their riskier plays into their set which paid off. He had been adamant that if you were to charge one of them head on then they would crack first, and he was right.
Mateo turned his focus on the other seeker and watched him carefully. Cedric Diggory was a fourth year and as such was carrying a lot more weight than Mateo, but he had had a lot more practice at the sport. Roger had warned him that often seekers tailed each other to ensure that even if they couldn't find the snitch they still had a chance when the other did. Thankfully Cedric seemed to not feel that Mateo was worth tailing and was completing his own lazy circles high above the pitch.
A shrill whistle had Mateo looking down, and he spotted a manically waving Clint. Once he had Mateo's attention the archer pointed down to close to the Hufflepuff posts where he had apparently spotted the snitch. Mateo rolled his eyes and shook his head at the man. If he was to win this game he wanted it to be on his terms.
In comparison to the many practices they had had over the past few months, this game was shaping up to be a very slow one for Mateo. Whilst the players below battled furiously for the quaffle, or desperately whacked the bludgers, the two seekers above were still without sight of the small golden ball. Twenty minutes of circling had passed and there had yet to be one decent attempt at chasing the elusive piece.
Mateo was not overly concerned about the lack of sightings of the snitch, he was enjoying the freedom of being far above the ground where the faint wind played with his hair. The goggles he wore helped to pin his slightly long hair back from his face, even if the weather was fair enough to not require them. He thought he had seen Cedric look at his choice in using the goggles with bemusement but Mateo had ignored him. The Hufflepuff players were trying hard, but they were still almost a hundred points down from Ravenclaw's total as Roger tore through the air with Jeremy and Randolph flitting behind him to back him up.
Half an hour into the game and Mateo finally spotted a glimmer of gold on his own. The ball was flitting around the flag above the teacher's tower, surprisingly high up in the pitch. Making sure that he looked like he was lazily shifting position Mateo flew closer to it. As if sensing that it had been spotted the snitch sped off at top speed. Mateo flattened himself to his broom and shot after it, with Cedric following a few seconds and twenty metres behind him.
"It looks like the seekers have finally had a bit of luck!" the boy on the microphone shouted excitedly.
Mateo tore after the snitch as it executed numerous twists in an attempt to lose him. The only time he deviated from the course that the snitch set was when there was a large obstacle in the way, like a tower or a player. He was so intent on following the ball that he didn't realise how low he was flying until the screams of the Gryffindors ahead of him broke his concentration. He was flying low enough that his broom was aimed directly at the face of Ron Weasley.
Through the power of desperation and adrenaline Mateo managed to wrench his broom up slightly so that the twigs on the end would just brush the ginger's head. He slung his legs up and over the top of the broom so that he was planking on the wooden object and managed to skim over the Gryffindors, who wisely ducked to increase the clearance. Once safely past them Mateo slung his legs down and carried on chasing the snitch.
Despite his broom being the fastest on the pitch Mateo was forced to work hard to beat Cedric to the snitch, and after a tense two minute chase he eventually managed get close enough to catch it. After executing a roll Mateo righted himself with the gold ball raised in triumph in his fist.
Mateo Banner has caught the snitch!" the voice announced, rather redundantly. "Ravenclaw win! Two hundred and thirty points to forty!"
The Ravenclaw proceeded to execute a victory lap at top speed, the six original players creating an arrow formation whilst Mateo flew in the middle of the wedge. After their lap they landed next to Cho and Alice, and formally traded handshakes with the other team.
"That was a good chase, I'm going to have to up my game next year," Cedric said warmly as the seekers met.
"I'd say that would be pretty difficult to achieve seeing as you are already a superb player," Mateo complimented.
Once the handshakes were over and formalities observed the team merged into a massive group hug, with Mateo in the middle. By the time they had disengaged the rest of their house had come out onto the field to cheer them and the swarm of students was turning the field to mud. However Mateo ignored anyone else in the crowd as he saw the small huddle of adults at the edge of the pitch. As politely but as forcefully as he could Mateo shoved his way through the hundred Ravenclaws and was soon running across the pitch to the Avengers.
As out of place as the group looked, they were looking at ease with each other and were smiling at the boy as he approached. Mateo registered that they were all in informal clothing, Tony in one of his favourite Black Sabbath t-shirts with a jacket slung over the top. Clint was in black jeans and a black hoodie, whilst Natasha was in similar jeans, but with a light blue t-shirt and leather jacket. Steve was in his customary jeans and thick smart shirt with brown jacket, and Pepper was smartest dressed in more like office wear. But Mateo only had eyes for one man dressed in his customary purple shirt and grey suit.
"Dad!" he shouted as he neared the group.
Shamelessly he flung himself into his dad's arms, thankful that all he held was the snitch as Grant had relieved him of his broom before he tore off.
"Nice going son!" Bruce said proudly as he gratefully cradled the boy in a hug and burrowed his face into his hair.
"Were you intentionally aiming for that ginger kid earlier?" Clint asked once they separated.
"No, however that was a pretty good accident!" Mateo chuckled.
"We should celebrate your win," Tony grinned mischievously.
"Kids aren't allowed alcohol Tony, so your kind of partying is definitely out," Natasha said lightly.
"Unless the students have smuggled Butterbeer in. Thankfully the alcohol percentage in it is so low there is no chance of drunken antics at the party this evening," a voice spoke from behind Mateo.
"Professor Flitwick, may I introduce you to my family: Bruce Banner, Tony Stark and Pepper Potts, Clint Barton and Natasha Romanoff, and Steve Rogers," Mateo introduced the short man to the assembled group. "Professor Flitwick is my Charms teacher and head of Ravenclaw house. It is thanks to him that I am on the team."
"And it is thanks to him that we were able to get here," Bruce said. "He organised everything for us to be here, from the portkey to walking us in from the gates."
"Well then, thank you Professor," Mateo said happily.
"It is nothing, and you deserve to have your family here to celebrate your win," Professor Flitwick waved it off.
"It is a shame Cho was invalided off, but I'm glad you guys got to see me fly," Mateo said.
"With the kind of play we saw today I can see why Quidditch is a popular sport. The book made it sound rather dull," Tony said. "I take it there's no chance of muggles being able to ride brooms?"
"I'm afraid they only work when they can be powered by someone's magical core," Flitwick explained.
"Well it was worth a shot," Clint looked as disappointed as Tony at the news.
"Anyway, perhaps you would like to take lunch in the Great Hall? It is tradition for the winning team to celebrate in their common room so the Ravenclaw table would be mostly empty," Filius revealed.
"If you want to go celebrate with your house then you don't need to hang around with us," Bruce said nervously.
"Hey, I joined the Quidditch team so that I could see you guys quicker than Christmas. Besides you guys are pretty famous in Hogwarts too because of the number of muggle-raised students, so we could probably gate crash the festivities if we want," Mateo smiled.
The group finally started to wander up from the Quidditch pitch, studiously ignoring the whispering and pointing of the students that had lingered. Mateo barely registered the other students as he happily caught up with the Avengers and laughed along with tales of their exploits around the tower. It seemed that in the two-and-a-bit months that he had been away the team had become even closer than before, and the worst of the conflict between individuals had ceased. Apparently the Other Guy was becoming more reliable as a comrade in arms, and showed signs of being more inclined to think and work as part of a team.
Mateo happily paused at the doors to the Great Hall as the group stopped to gape at the ceiling. He eventually started nudging them to the empty table where he got to enjoy their look of shock as food appeared down the centre of the table. Mateo failed to miss the glare that Tony shot at the headmaster, but then the group ignored everyone else and settled down to eat.
To the other students in the hall the group of adults were completely not what they expected. The Purebloods had based their opinions of the fabled Avengers on whatever rumours they caught from the Muggle-born or Muggle-raised amongst them. The Slytherins were rather limited in their information as a result of their house demographic, and so they were stumped as they surreptitiously watched the group.
The snakes were mainly under the impression that the group was some kind of coalition of unwilling soldiers and master assassins that were walking weapons of war. Those Muggleborns who had watched American TV were under more of an accurate illusion of the team's interactions, but they were still surprised as they too expected a more formal group.
In reality the team acted as they would at any meal at the tower, including all the jokes and games. Dishes were passed around in a seemingly disorganised pattern to those that watched, but in reality the family knew exactly who would want what and wordlessly passed them to the next person in the chain. As a result the majority of the meat platters passed over Mateo and Bruce, except when they were needed to pass on the dish. However both of them were quite amused to learn that the other had started eating a few select meat dishes so they did try a few of the ones on offer at the school. The wide variety of dishes that seemed to never empty meant everyone had something they favoured, and didn't have to worry about sharing overly much.
Clint occasionally stole food off of Natasha's plate, who also did the same from Tony's plate. Tony would retaliate by flicking humbugs into her food, the adults had been just as confused as Mateo had been at his first meal. Pepper's glares did stop their antics occasionally but she was more distracted by the magical tricks around them, like the floating candles and enchanted ceiling.
To the watching students Bruce was the most surprising as he seemed to be the odd one out of the group, apart from Pepper. In comparison to the other Avengers he wasn't muscular or dangerous looking, which confused some of the uneducated students. But the whispers of a supposed monster had meant that more than a few wondered whether this was the man behind the myth. However the other Avengers certainly looked more than capable of holding their own in a fight, even if Tony was slightly less muscly than the others, and the students were wary of them as a result.
Conversation flowed freely and the sound of the chattering adults filled the hall, covering for the lack of conversations in the hall as the children preferred to watch the adults. Said adults did not care overly about the attention seeing as it was similar to that which they received from the public when out and about in New York. Mateo was enjoying the attention not being directed solely at him for once, and that he fitted straight back into the group like he had not been away. The assassins and Steve had quizzed him on his practice, and Clint demanded a retelling of his escapade that led to him climbing to the rafters.
"Are they always like this?"Bruce asked in Malayalam as he caught the gaze of another staring child who quickly looked away. Of all the assembled people, Bruce was the one who was still most ill at ease with the public attention.
"Not so much, but they can be rather unsubtle after something interesting has happened. Like the dare with Malfoy, and the troll," Mateo explained.
"A troll?!" Bruce asked abruptly, and the harsh words caught the attention of the other adults around them.
"Ah, I may have forgotten to tell you about that," Mateo said hesitantly.
"Did we miss something?" Tony asked as the group paused to look at Bruce's angry and worried face.
"Nothing much, I just need to have a word with my son," Bruce said calmly.
"Perhaps outside might be the best idea," Natasha suggested as she caught the tiny hint of green in the veins of Bruce's eyes.
"It isn't that bad Dad, a troll got in at Halloween and I accidentally found it. I outran it and the teachers stunned it. That is all that happened," Mateo explained hurriedly.
"I thought you would be safe at this school. Is it normal for a troll to wander around the corridors?" Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose and attempted to stay calm.
"No, there is something much more going on at the school than anyone could guess. Well, I guessed but only through trial and error and having the teacher's faces to gauge my accuracy," Mateo revealed.
"I'm going to kill that man," Bruce snarled. "I thought you would be safe here."
"Dad it's alright, I'm safe and the other teachers are not so corrupt," Mateo said very quickly and desperately.
"Bruce, I really think we should move this outside," Natasha said in warning.
"Dad and I are going, you guys stay here and carry on eating," Mateo said and he tugged Bruce's hand whilst rising himself.
"Is everything alright Master Banner?" Albus said in a concerned tone, his voice carrying sufficiently that everyone heard him.
Mateo winced at the man's idiocy for sticking his nose in. Bruce whirled and glared at the man and let out a loud rumbling growl that echoed in the cavernous room, his eyes flashing emerald while the arteries in his neck pulsed increasingly with a green tinge.
The entire hall ceased moving and talking at the sound and every student looked fearfully at the rather short man. The teachers immediately reached for their wands, certain that the man was dangerous and prepared to act in the defence of the students. To those who had met a troll before, they recognised the growl as being equal in pitch and tone as one of the beasts. Most of the students had never heard the sound before and were worriedly whispering of it sounding more akin to a lion crossed with a bear. Everyone's concern was heightened when the Avengers all stopped their joking and half rose, looking at Mateo's father uncertainly.
"Not here Dad, there are too many innocents to lose control. Come on," Mateo grabbed his Dad's hand and dragged him from the room.
The fresh air hit Mateo and made him realise the season once more. He was glad that he was still in his thick Quidditch robes, but the cold temperature seemed to barely register to Bruce who was still shaking in rage.
"Dad, it's okay," Mateo murmured and wriggled into the man's arms for a hug.
"No it's not, that man is threatening your life with his idiotic games and he has the gall to act like everything is alright with the world?" Bruce growled.
The situation was rapidly spiralling out of control, and Mateo could see that a transformation was very close to occurring unless he found some way of changing that.
"It doesn't matter what that idiot does, I am safe as I have you and there is no one who can overcome that level of protection," Mateo smiled into his father's chest. "Besides, if anything does happen Tony is quite prepared to utterly destroy that man, both his body and his reputation. I don't think even Albus Dumbledore is idiotic enough to test Tony's resolve."
Bruce seemed to relax a bit, and Mateo thought he had achieved his goal. It felt like his father's pulse was slowing, and he relaxed slightly and returned the hug. However as his hand went upwards to ruffle Mateo's hair they encountered something. Mateo froze as he felt his Dad's hand brush over the cut on the back of his head.
"What is that?" Bruce asked in a very sharp voice.
"It's nothing," Mateo said vaguely.
"Mateo," Bruce growled.
"I may have been hit by a few bits of rock when the troll chased me. It is nothing though, it didn't get me with its club, and the bleeding stopped before the troll was caught," Mateo replied hurriedly.
He knew that the battle was lost as soon as the words left his lips. The way that Bruce dropped his arms and gave Mateo an escape route away from him was quite a major hint. The fact that his eyes snapped shut and the rest of his body tensed was also an even bigger dead giveaway.
"Well this isn't good," Mateo muttered to himself before he turned his attention back to his father. "Dad, don't freak out Dad I'm safe and it didn't hurt at all."
Any further pleas Mateo was going to say were cut off by Bruce sinking to his knees and letting out a noise that was a half groan and a half growl. Mateo went backed a safe distance away from his dad to wait out the transformation, now that he knew it was inevitable. He just hoped that the Other Guy was more in the 'protective' mood than the 'crushing his enemies' mood when the change was over. Mateo had found that the Other Guy would quite happily listen to him, but he really didn't fancy trying to stop him from killing Dumbledore. Especially when he secretly would rather like to see the Hulk make craters in the grass of Hogwart's lawns like he did with Loki.
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The remaining Avengers in the hall had returned to talking amongst themselves, although Minerva noticed they were much more tense and alert than before. None of them looked overly concerned; however there was no denying that they were definitely prepared for something. The only comparison that she could make was to the Order of the Phoenix at meetings in the last Wizarding War, although they were on down time they were prepared to act at a seconds notice.
The something seemed to be a loud and angry roar that rattled through the hall and caused the windows to vibrate in their frames. It had barely been two minutes since Mateo and his father had left the hall, and she was worried about what had happened. Before the sound had fully died away four of the remaining five had leapt to their feet and were sprinting from the hall, in the direction of the roar. The brief glimpse she got of their faces before they were up and running almost surprised her, the cheerfulness that had been there a second before was gone and each of them seemed to be ready for battle. While her four companions sprinted from the room the remaining woman stood and followed at a much more sedate pace carrying a bag that had been inconspicuously carried with them.
"Miss Potts, what is going on?" Flitwick called worriedly as he raced to her side.
"I'm afraid that it seems that Bruce has lost his calm, the others have gone to ensure that no damage comes to the school. I would suggest that everyone stays inside until he calms down again," Pepper explained, her tone matching her business-like pace as she strode to the door.
Every student promptly ignored her advice and hurried to catch up with her to see what the commotion was. As all their charges were charging out the door the professors were forced to also join them outside. Thankfully the sight that greeted them was sufficient to freeze the students on the steps. Five metres from where they stopped were the shredded remains of some shoes and a shirt, but that was not what caught their gaze.
A further ten metres away down the lawn was where a huge green man was pacing angrily around in a large circle. The Avengers had created a wide line between the green giant and the school, not bunched enough to bar his way but close enough that at least one of them could interrupt his progress. They stood with their backs fully to the building and the students, which showed what they felt the biggest threat to them was at that moment. Minerva had noticed that two of their number, the lethal looking woman and the shorter of the two blond men, had seemed uncomfortable showing anyone their back at the meal. Now they were ignoring that feeling o face the greater danger to them, and that worried her.
As she took in the situation McGonagall was surprised to note that the hulking green man was not alone down on the lawn. The small figure of a child could be seen running around in front of the beast and seemed to be trying to reason with it. However from the pacing, constant deep rumbling growl, and clenching fists showed how ineffective the child's efforts were.
Tony, once he saw the group, ran up to them. "Ah you brought the bag, thanks Pepper!"
"Why do you need the bag? We brought it in case he transformed and for afterwards. It's not of any use right now," Pepper asked.
"There is a bit more in there than just clothes for Bruce, I wanted to try some stuff out and now is a good opportunity. Plus Clint never feels safe without his bow," Tony grinned and started rummaging in the bag.
"Mister Stark, what is that?" Professor McGonagall asked as she stared at the green beast.
To her it looked vaguely human, more so than a troll ever did because everything limb was in proportion. However no human was ever ten foot tall and green, even Hagrid looked more normal than the thing pacing the lawn did. Although it wasn't talking its whole demeanour suggested a greater intelligence than other huge humanoids like trolls and giants. The fact that Mateo was trying to reason with it as well was absurd but showed that the Avengers were used to the beast.
"That is the Hulk, more commonly known as Bruce Banner. He has a bit of an anger problem. Don't worry, we have a plan," Tony explained quickly as he pulled a red and gold metal case from the bag.
"Seriously Tony, you brought a suit with you?" Pepper rolled her eyes, ignoring the excited chatter of some students.
It was extremely obvious that the current situation was not a good time for the students to be getting an up close view of the Hulk, and possibly Iron Man if Tony had fixed the incompatibility of electricity and magic. However that didn't seem to deter the student's excitement, and those that knew what was going on were explaining loudly to those who were ignorant.
The Slytherins were not very subtly listening in to the excited explanations going on around them, seeing as they were too proud to ask directly and none of the other houses would talk to them they resorted to what they did best. Even Draco was failing to hide his curiosity as he subtly half hid behind a seventh year.
"I've been making modifications and I need to see if they work, this is just a good chance to try them out without having to cut family time short," Tony pouted.
Before Pepper could reply he dashed back to the line of Avengers, his briefcase tucked under one arm, and a slim black case under the other. As soon as he got close enough he threw the black one to his comrade who easily caught it. Just as carelessly Clint pulled his bow and quiver out of the case before discarding the box. Most Muggleborn students' attention were fixed on Tony who, in an almost careless gesture, dropped his case on the floor and jumped on it, which caused some people to snort amusedly before gasping in amazement. The suitcase buckled, seemingly from his weight, before it rippled and started to curl up his legs and body, and soon he was encased in a gold and red suit. Although the mechanics were very similar to the suit he had used to defeat Vanko the first time, the suit itself was a heavily upgraded version. After apparently examining himself and flexing his hands the suited man suddenly stiffened and started to rise into the air.
The crowd gasped and cheered, the Muggleborns were ecstatic to see Iron Man in action. In comparison the Wizard raised students were shocked to see a Muggle flying in what looked merely like a metal body suit. Even Wizards were rarely able to fly without a broom, so to see a Muggle do it amazed them. However their vocal responses caught the attention of the green behemoth and he snorted angrily.
"That's all we need," Clint shouted to them, although he didn't turn around as he had an arrow nocked and aimed at the Hulk.
Their green comrade had been growling constantly, but the growl turned into a roar as he caught sight of one particular wizard. With the object of his anger now in sight and within crushing distance he started to stomp towards the group of magic users.
The cheers turned into screams as the beast approached, the floor vibrating with his stamping feet. Pepper held her ground, and the teachers drew their wands. Quite a few of the Gryffindors did the same, while some seventh year Slytherin and Hufflepuff students followed a beat behind them. This formed a wall of older people with the intention of blocking the Hulk's progress from the younger students. Clint hesitated in firing his arrow, knowing that would likely start a full on Hulk tantrum, but Steve didn't hesitate. Even without his shield he wasn't unarmed, and he ran forward with his fists clenched with the idea of distracting the Hulk. His plan didn't work and he was sent flying to the left by a careless flick of the Hulk's arm.
The line of Avengers and cluster of armed wizards did nothing to deter the Hulk's progress towards Dumbledore. For a second the situation looked like it could deteriorate into a political nightmare and many could get hurt. It was only when a blue robed boy appeared in front of him that the Hulk halted his relentless stomping up the lawn and focussed on something other than Dumbledore.
"Dad! Stop it right now! I know that you hate the man but crushing him is not the answer! You're supposed to set a good example to me, remember?" Mateo said boldly.
The Hulk stared down at the boy for a few seconds as if contemplating his choices before harrumphing in acceptance. Albus looked rather shocked and almost a bit terrified as the beast glared and rumbled at him from less than five metres away. The Hulk glared at him for a bit longer as if ensuring that the man knew his displeasure but then took a pace back and merely stood there, his chest heaving.
"Good going Big Green," Tony swooped in close to him, the joy and relief evident in his voice.
However before anyone could speak further the Hulk flexed an arm and casually batted at the red and gold figure hovering to his right. Iron Man went sailing backwards, accompanied by the screams of many female students. However his suit was unharmed as the Hulk was merely expressing his frustration rather than intending to cause damage.
"Tag's a good idea!" Clint shouted and ran from the Hulk as Tony righted himself in the suit. "Hulk's it!"
"Fancy giving me a boost? Iron Man can catch me and then I get a head start," Mateo grinned at the green face looming above him.
"TIN MAN CATCH!" Hulk shouted as he carefully scooped up Mateo and launched him.
Every magical person gaped as Mateo went flying through the air at a speed and distance that would cause serious injury when he landed. However Tony in his suit sped after him and easily caught the boy before the pair shot off.
What had been an extremely tense and dangerous situation suddenly dissolved into a massive game as Steve, Clint and Natasha fled downhill after Tony and Mateo whilst the Hulk charged after them. Iron Man dropped Mateo, who was caught by Clint, before circling back and zipping around the Hulk as if teasing him.
"Oi, flying is against the rules! We established this last time!" Clint shouted. "Not all of us can do that!"
"Alright, no higher than three feet wasn't the rule?" Tony called back and promptly dropped in height.
The assembled group on the stairs watched in bemused amazement as the five adults and Mateo chased each other around. Whilst the Hulk had speed and reach, he had to exercise caution when he went to tag anyone so it was a good exercise in restraint for him. Clint, Natasha and Steve had to rely on speed and flexibility to avoid being tagged, and did a good job of darting around. Tony kept low as he was told and zipped around them all, getting caught out when he was pounced on by one of the assassins. Mateo was the one severely outstripped by the others but he put in a good effort, staying well out of reach of some of them for a while. Eventually he gave in from exhaustion and was scooped onto the Hulk's shoulders, where he gripped on tight and could be heard giggling insanely.
Ten minutes passed and the game was still continuing, although everyone was looking decidedly puffed out and ready to drop. The Hulk paused as Mateo patted his shoulder, and nodded at the unheard question before placing Mateo down. Tony shot up the field, which was now looking like a rugby scrum had occurred on it, and retrieved the bag from Pepper.
Two hundred metres away the green mass was shrinking and turning pale while the Avengers created a physical screen from their bodies. Three minutes later they split again and Bruce was once more human sized, dressed, and had an arm slung around Mateo's shoulders. The group wandered back up the field, all looking red faced and giddy from laughing.
"What exactly just happened?" Professor Sprout asked faintly. Pretty much everyone who had been watching the activity was sporting the same baffled and slightly worried looks.
"Mateo was the first to suggest that distracting Bruce was enough to stop some of his changes, and recently the rest of them realised that the tactic worked on the Hulk too. He doesn't have much patience for delicate or calming tasks, but he enjoys tag as that allows him chance to stretch and react. The only other option is to allow him to vent his anger on whatever drew his ire, which seems to be you, Headmaster, for some reason," Pepper replied mildly. "Seeing as the last time the Hulk acted in anger he levelled an entire neighbourhood in Manhattan. So distraction was obviously the safer choice in this instance."
When the group was back at the buildings some of the youths drew away in fear of the unassuming man in the middle of the group. Mateo glared at them but did not speak up, while the others ignored them completely.
"For once it seems to have been useful to lose my shirt during a transformation," Bruce said mildly as he realised the state the others were in.
The other Avengers were rather muddy from slipping over or tackling each other, including Mateo in his once blue robes. Clint was the muddiest as Tony had mostly gone after the archer, and he had either been tackled into the mud or had dove out of the way. Bruce had mud in his hair and smears of it on his hands from where the Other Guy had grabbed the others. Only Tony stood cleanly to one side as the Iron Man suit, now once more in its more inconspicuous form of a brief case, had protected him from the dirt. Mateo noticed this as he traced the stares of the other students, and grinned evilly.
The tension slowly dissipated from the assembled teachers and students as the Avengers chatted as if nothing had happened, although Albus remained wary. Flitwick offered to help the group, and he quickly cast a spell that had the mud vanishing from their bodies. Another flick of his wand later and he had fixed Bruce's old clothes, watch and glasses. Bruce gratefully accepted them back, and then accidentally made eye contact with Albus.
Being within five metres of the man this time round, Albus got a very good view of his eyes flashing green as his lips pulled back in a silent snarl. Thankfully it seemed like the beast was satisfied with only voicing its discontent and Bruce's angry eyes soon faded back to a warm brown. As foolish as the man had been in the past, he was quickly learning the safest way of dealing with the Avengers. So he nodded to the group and beat a hasty retreat to his office.
With the Headmaster out of sight and mind the rest of the trip was enjoyable for everyone. Mateo showed them some of the castle, introduced them to his friends, let them join in the Ravenclaw party for a short while, and caught up completely on the goings on of the team. By the evening he was tired but content as he walked them to the doors of the castle. Flitwick had appeared to guide them back to the gate, and waited patiently as they said their goodbyes.
"Sorry I lost it earlier," Bruce apologised to his son.
"I understand Dad, at least you seem to be having some good influence on the Other Guy like everyone says. Please don't beat yourself up about it," Mateo hugged him.
"We won't let him, don't worry kid," Clint interrupted.
"Especially as it ended up being quite a fun time," Steve smiled.
"I'll see you guys in five weeks then," Mateo stepped back and breathed deeply.
"We will come and pick you up from the station, and we can do some shopping before we fly back," Pepper promised.
Mateo remained in the doorway of the castle watching the group of people heading out with a wistful look on his face. Once the glimmer of Professor Flitwick's lamp was out of sight he sighed and headed inside, determined to join in whatever festivities were still ongoing.
"Ah, here is the man of the hour!" Roger shouted above the chattering going on in the room.
All eyes turned on Mateo and he blushed faintly. Soon everyone was cheering him again as he was pushed towards the rest of the Quidditch team.
"Didn't you guys do enough of this earlier?" Mateo asked, remembering the cheers from the last time they had entered the common room.
"Yeah but this is for just you, before was for the entire team. We thought you deserved it, you went out today not expecting to play and then managed to pull off a pretty spectacular win. We need to work on your awareness of your surroundings, but you are shaping up to be a brilliant player," Roger explained.
"Slytherin and Gryffindor better watch out, they've got some stiff competition this year!" A seventh year shouted from a corner, and the entire common room roared in agreement.
When Mateo finally escaped to his bed later that evening he couldn't help but feel that it was worth coming to Hogwarts simply for days like that one had been.
