Disclaimer – Anything you see and recognise does not belong to me. Harry Potter is JK Rowling's; The Avengers and other related characters belong to Marvel. I'm simply playing in their sandboxes.

ooo00ooo

Heroes Assemble!

Chapter 54 – We Lost Our Wizards

Surprisingly, Harry had only been waiting in the small lounge area set outside the Office of the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizardry in the Woolworth Building of New York City for five minutes before he was ushered inside. The fact that he'd arrived slightly early and consequently, was inside the office early, didn't make sense to Harry; bureaucracies – and especially magical ones – were never on time and especially never early.

Having been summoned to the ICW, Harry expected that he was to be questioned about his role in the Battle at the Triskelion and the downfall of S.H.I.E.L.D., just as he had been at the US government hearing. Instead, he found only four wizards seated in comfortable-looking chairs around a coffee table. At his entrance, the four rose and turned to face him.

"Mister Potter, thank you for coming," the wizard wearing the most expensive-looking robes said, holding out his hand.

The man's coffee-coloured skin and snow-white hair, not to mention the many laugh lines on his face was one that Harry'd seen many times before in every wizarding newspaper that he'd read over the past few years.

"Supreme Mugwump Jakande. It's an honour, Sir," Harry replied, shaking the offered hand.

"May I present the ICW Delegate from America, Lonefeather," Jakande said, indicating the Native American to his left.

"Delegate Lonefeather," Harry said, copying the man's bow.

"The ICW Delegate from Greece, Alexander Sarris," Jakande continued. "And finally, Delegate Horatio Moon from Great Britain."

"It's nice to finally meet you, Mister Potter, I've heard a lot about you," Moon stated, shaking Harry's hand. "Mostly from my daughter."

"Moon?" Harry asked, rapidly searching his memory before locking on to a girl he'd gone through Hogwarts with. "As in Lilith Moon?"

"My daughter," Moon beamed.

"Gentlemen?" Jakande said, indicating the seats.

As each settled down, a house elf popped into being and poured each of them a cup of tea.

"I'm sure that you're wondering why we asked you here," Jakande said to Harry.

"I'm assuming that it's got something to do with what happened at the Triskelion," Harry replied warily.

"In part, yes," Jakande replied.

"It is our understanding that you and the Avengers released copious amounts of S.H.I.E.L.D. intelligence to the world," Lonefeather stated.

"We did," Harry acknowledged before elaborating. "S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't what we thought it was. It had been infiltrated by HYDRA and a lot of its secrets were actually HYDRA secrets. By releasing those files, we hoped to undermine what they were trying to do and to get the rest of the world to see the threat that they posed."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. had a lot of … sensitive files. Is there anything that we should be concerned about?" Sarris asked.

"If you're asking if there are files out there about the magical world, then the answer is no," Harry assured them. "We made sure to erase any files that even hinted at our existence before anything was released."

"We thank you and your team for upholding the Statute of Secrecy," Jakande said solemnly.

"How many know about the magical world?" Moon asked.

"Not as many as there used to be," Harry replied. "Only the agents with top S.H.I.E.L.D. clearance or the members of the World Security Council knew of the existence of the magical world and most of them were killed in HYDRA's uprising."

"Thank you, that tallies with our own information," Jakande nodded. "Actually, that brings us to the main purpose of our inviting you here."

Harry quirked an eyebrow at the man.

"What you are not aware of is the fact that the ICW had its own operatives within S.H.I.E.L.D. keeping tabs on the organisation," Jakande stated.

"Let me guess, you've lost contact with your wizards?" Harry half-asked, half-stated. "And you'd like me to go in and find them and bring them home?"

"Indeed," Moon nodded.

Harry took a breath as he processed the request. He, a known magic user to the world, was much less likely to set off any alarms doing this than a team of Hit Wizards would. The problem was the fact that S.H.I.E.L.D. had lost control of so much that it was even doubtful that he'd be able to find the missing operatives, let alone find them alive.

"How many? Where were they based? And what was their mission?" he asked.

"Their mission was simple: keep an eye on S.H.I.E.L.D. and any other no-maj agencies to ensure that the magical world is not exposed," Jakande said, as he picked up a folder from beside his chair. "You will find everything you need to know in there."

"Thank you," Harry replied, taking the folder and beginning to flip through it.

"There are ten wizards in total, under the command of Daimon Mavrodi," Jakande continued. "All are either able Hit Wizards or have Auror training. Their last communication stated that all ten were based at S.H.I.E.L.D. Base Kratos."

Harry looked up in surprise. "All ten at the same location? That seems a little … redundant. Wouldn't having them spread out across S.H.I.E.L.D. bases make more sense? For nothing else than to keep a wider eye on things."

"That is how they were originally placed," Lonefeather agreed. "However, over the past nine months or so, they each received orders to report to Kratos Base."

Harry frowned at that. One or two, he could understand. But all ten? No. There was something else at play here, something that the ICW was unaware of.

"Kratos Base is located in northern Greece, not far from the border to Macedonia," Sarris said and coincidentally explaining his presence at the meeting. "My Ministry, Aurors and Hit Wizards stand ready to assist you if and when necessary."

"Thank you," Harry nodded.

"The sooner that you can assure us that our operatives haven't been compromised or forced to give up intelligence that should remain secret, the better we will feel," Jakande said.

"Don't worry, Supreme Mugwump, I'll read through the files today and expect to be heading to Kratos either tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest," Harry assured him.

"You have our thanks," Jakande replied as he stood.

Harry shook each of their hands, gave one final nod and then, with the file tucked under one arm, strode from the room.

ooo00ooo

"Gandalf! Your survived," Tony exclaimed, swivelling about on his bar stool as Harry exited the elevator in Avengers Tower.

"There was some doubt?" Harry retorted.

"Well, who knows what you magic folk'll get up to when you all get together. For all we know, this whole get up thing you lot have got is just a cover for sacrificing goats and dancing naked on deserted islands while drinking cocktails."

"We do not do such a thing!" an indignant Daphne spluttered from where she'd been quietly talking with Pepper and Jane.

"Ignore him. He knows better," Harry replied, flicking a finger in Tony's direction.

"OW! Hey! What was that for?" Tony yelped as he jumped off of the stool and began hopping about and rubbing his butt.

"Stinging hex?" Daphne asked.

"Seemed appropriate," Harry shrugged.

"I should have you over more often," Jane called. "Perhaps he'd learn to think before he talks."

"Oi! No picking on the guy who owns the place. That's a rule here, you know," Tony groused.

"No, it's not," Darcy replied, sitting up from the couch that she'd been laying on.

"Well, it should be," Tony sulked.

"How'd it go?" Steve asked.

"Not as I was expecting," Harry replied, taking a seat. "They didn't seem to care too much about what went down at the Triskelion. Although, they did thank us for protecting the secret of the magical world before we released the data."

"And so they should," Tony nodded. "Then what'd the big wigs of the magical world want?"

"Seems they've lost some of their wizards," Harry said, placing the folder that he'd been given on the coffee table.

"Lost some wizards?" Daphne repeated.

"Yeah. Ten wizards posing as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents that they haven't heard from since HYDRA attacked," Harry elaborated.

"Are you telling me S.H.I.E.L.D. was infiltrated by not only HYDRA but wizards as well?" Sam asked. "So much for being the epitome of a secret spy agency."

"I'm guessing that their mission was to protect the secrets of your world?" Steve asked.

"Yep," Harry confirmed. "But get this, all ten were based at the same location."

"That's not a sound strategy for gathering the most information," Steve frowned and glanced at Bucky who was leaning against the far wall.

"That's what I thought," Harry nodded, noting Bucky's nod of agreement.

"You are going to find the missing wizards, aren't you?" Daphne asked.

"Of course I am," Harry replied. "I'll head out tomorrow after I've been through these files."

"Where are they supposed to be?" Tony asked.

"Kratos Base," Harry replied.

"Northern Greece," Steve added before Harry could. "That's one of the ones that HYDRA took control of after the dust settled. You can count me in."

Harry looked up in surprise.

"What?" he asked.

"You're not going alone into a HYDRA base," Steve elaborated. "You'll need back up and no one knows HYDRA like I do."

"I do," Bucky corrected grimly. "I'll go too."

"You will not," Daphne counted. "As your Healer, I get to say when you're cleared to leave this Tower and right now, you're not ready. Yes, we've begun making some progress, but it's no where near as much as I'd like. And I definitely do not want you in a situation that may see you regress."

"She's right, Buck," Steve said. "And you know the rules, Doc's get to overrule us mere soldiers."

"Don't worry, man; I'll watch his back for you," Sam added.

For a moment, it looked as though Bucky was about to rebel but, after a fierce glare at everyone, he sighed and gave a singular nod.

"Make sure you do. I'm only just starting to remember him, I'd hate for him to be killed before I understand what I'd be missing," Bucky stated.

"Take Thor with you," Jane piped up. "He's getting restless cooped up here; an outing with some smiting might be just what he needs."

"Well, sounds like you don't need me then," Tony stated. "Which is good, 'cause Bruce and I are in the midst of developing some stuff that'll help us in the long run."

"Care to share?" Steve asked.

"Nope. It's not ready yet. You're just gonna have to be patient," Tony replied.

"What about the squirts? You're not thinking of leaving them alone at your place are you?" Darcy asked.

"A fifteen year old boy and a sixteen year old girl alone in an apartment for however long this takes?" Harry said. "Not on your life. I was hoping that I could have Teddy and Doreen move in here for a couple of days."

"We'd be delighted to have them," Pepper said.

"I'll look after them," Darcy volunteered eagerly.

Harry's panicky eyes darted to Jane and Pepper and only settled when both women gave an almost imperceptible nod indicating that they'd watch all three.

"Thanks, Darcy, I appreciate it," Harry said.

"If we've got a mission, then we'd better go over the particulars," Steve said, moving to sit beside Harry.

"I have informed Thor that his presence is requested," Jarvis stated out of nowhere.

"Thanks," Harry absently as he opened the folder so that he, Steve and Sam could read the files that it contained.

ooo00ooo

"What do you think of the recruits?" Clint asked from where he leant against the side of the great window looking down into the Danger Room.

Bobbi stood in near identical pose to Nat, both in the centre of the room, their legs wide for balance and their arms crossed. Even their facial expressions were similar – a slight frown as their eyes tracked the four working out below.

"Parker has potential," Bobbi allowed. "Walters, too, if she ever let herself go – regardless of what form she's in."

"Jennifer is trying to keep a tight lid on her emotions so that she doesn't 'Hulk out'," Clint commented.

"Something that she's going to have to learn to how to relax; it could save her life sometime," Nat stated.

"Not to mention whoever she's teamed up with," Bobbi added.

"And the others?" Clint asked.

"The kids?" Bobbi asked, glancing across at her fellow ex-S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. "They're just kids, playing at being a 'hero' right now. Yes, Green's got something, what with her reflexes, strength and agility, but she's still just a kid without anything that really matters. Up here," she tapped her head in emphasis. "As for Potter's godson, it's a game. He's got magic, but no idea how to use it. And he's still in magic school, isn't he? So, his repertoire is probably still very limited."

"What would you say if I told you that Potter and Murdock have been going out on patrol with Parker and Green and fighting bad guys a few times a week?" Clint asked lightly.

"Really?" Bobbi asked.

Her renewed interest in the two was shown by the way that her body instantly tilted forward slightly as she looked down and Clint smiled. He might just get her yet.

As the three watched, Peter shot a web straight up towards them to stick on the wall just above their window. With a jump, he swung up, flattening his body as his swinging arc reached its apex and shot between the spinning discs that threatened to cut him to pieces. Doreen, meanwhile, also leapt high, almost straight up in the air and over a passing piece of machinery spraying flames from one end of it.

Bobbi's eyebrows rose in shock as Doreen reached down as the machine passed underneath her, grabbed it and brought it up and over her head. Her legs tucked up under her in a squat as she headed back towards the ground. The machine was slammed into the ground seconds before Doren landed. Sparks erupted from it along with enough smoke to nearly hide her from view. The outcome, though, was assured – Doreen 1, machine, 0.

"Maybe she's got a bit more potential than she first showed," Bobbi allowed.

Clint couldn't help but laugh.

"Now, imagine what she'd be like with a bit of proper training. Hell, imagine what all of them would be like with some training," he said.

Bobbi's eyes flicked about the room below, taking in Peter using his webbing to gum up the spinning blades and Jennifer and Lupin working their way through the obstacle course at ground level.

"Avengers Academy, huh?" Bobbi said.

"Technically, Lupin's not a part of that," Nat stated. "He's simply having 'fun' with his friends while Potter's off at that meeting of his."

Clint couldn't help but snort.

"How long do you think it'll be before he throws on some kind of suit and joins that lot properly?" he asked.

"According to Potter, he's got another three years at that magic school of his," Nat stated.

"Yeah and you can bet anything that he'll be here every holiday wanting to suit up with the rest of them," Clint remarked.

"There's rules about magicals using wands outside of school before they reach their majority," Nat countered. "Which is why he's not using his now."

"Won't stop him," Clint predicted.

"Better he get some proper training in now, then; to use his hands, feet and brain before he trusts that wand of his too much," Bobbi stated.

"Couldn't agree more," Clint beamed. "So, you up for the job?"

"Yes. Yes, I think I am," she replied, her eyes still focussed on the four below.

"You know, there's no time like the present," Nat suggested.

Bobbi looked between the two for a moment before grinning.

"You're right. They want to be in Avengers Academy? Let's show them what it means to be an Avenger," she said.

Together, the three moved towards the door and the stairs beyond.

ooo00ooo

The foursome didn't quite tumble out of the elevator when it appeared but it was a very near thing. Teddy and Doreen were definitely leaning on each other as they limped across the room, one arm draped around the other for support. Peter's walk looked incredibly stiff, as though he was trying extremely hard not to bend his left knee. As for Jennifer, her hair had come loose from its customary ponytail and now hung lank, loose and damp around her shoulders. All four were breathing hard, their clothes plastered to their body with sweat.

"What happened to you?" Darcy asked, wrinkling her nose at the first waft of body odour reached her.

"Us," a happy-sounding Clint beamed as he, Nat and Bobbi emerged from the elevator behind them.

"You?" Harry asked flatly from where he sat with Steve, Sam and Thor going over the last of the files for their upcoming mission to northern Greece. "And what exactly have you been up to?"

"The Avengers Academy just had their first training session with their new instructor," Clint replied.

"You've agreed?" Pepper asked excitedly.

"I have," Bobbi replied.

"And what's your assessment of those three?" Tony asked.

"Four," Bobbi countered.

"Wait? What? Four?" a startled Harry exclaimed. His eyes darted from the exhausted four to Bobbi and back. "Teddy's not in the Academy."

"Not yet," Clint replied, waving off the objection.

"Clint's right, Uncle Harry," Teddy said, straightening slightly from where he'd slumped onto the lounge beside Doreen. "After this last week with you and Doreen and Peter and the rest of the Avengers, I want to join too."

"You're not old enough," Harry stated, grasping the first thing that came to mind.

Daphne's snort ripped his head around.

"What?" he asked.

"Philosopher's stone. Chamber of Secrets. Basilisk," she said simply. "How old were you again?"

"Knew I shouldn't have let Luna print those articles," Harry groused. Then, "but that was different!"

"You're right. It was. You did that stuff without training. At least your godson is going to get some training to make sure that he doesn't kill himself," Daphne replied.

"Wait a minute!" Tony called, waving his hands about. "Articles? What articles?"

"By basilisk, do you mean one of those imaginary snake creature things that can kill with a single glance?" Jane asked.

"They're not imaginary," Harry stated.

"No, they're not," Daphne agreed before asking in the most polite voice possible. "How big was the one you fought again?"

Harry scowled at her all the more when he realised that everyone in the room was looking at him, most of them leaning forward in eagerness. Apparently, that's what came from glossing over most of his background – it made people far too inquisitive for Harry's own good.

"Sixty feet," Harry said before quickly trying to change the topic. "But we were talking about Teddy being too young to be in the Academy."

"Sixty feet," Teddy breathed wide-eyed. "How old were you?"

"It was the end of second year," Harry sighed, "so, twelve."

"What in the world caused you to fight a sixty foot snake when you were twelve?" Sam asked.

"I wasn't given much choice in the matter," Harry replied. "It was trying to kill me, after all."

"Good thing you have magic, hey, magic man?" Darcy grinned.

Once again, Harry sighed.

"I didn't kill it with magic," he said and then answered the question that he knew was coming. "I used a sword."

"A sword, you say? A tale worthy of a warrior, then," Thor laughed. "You must tell us and spare no detail."

"It was no big deal," Harry tried to pass off the entire thing.

"I want copies of those articles," Tony stated, pointing at Daphne. "Everything about him that there is that he's not telling. I suspect that he's been keeping all the good stuff to himself for far too long."

"There's whole books about Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, The-Man-Who-Conquered, The TriWizard Champion," Daphne added helpfully.

"Are you finished?" Harry growled.

"For now," Daphne replied sweetly.

"Yep, I want them all," Tony stated, a sentiment that was echoed all around the room.

"Getting back to the matter at hand?" Harry said. "Avengers Academy, Teddy?"

"Yeah. Come on, Uncle Harry. You know it'll be good for me. Think of all the things I'll learn. Not to mention getting to have fun with Doreen and Peter," Teddy replied.

"Fun?" Bobbi repeated, one eye-brow raised.

"I would have thought this morning would have taught you something, kid," Clint snorted.

"Today was just a warm-up session, to see what you could do and for me to work out the best way to train you up properly," Bobbi stated.

"Warm up?" Jennifer asked, sounding as though she wanted to pass out.

Harry's eyes were held by Teddy's pleading ones for a minute until, with a sigh, he relented.

"Fine. But you get to tell your grandmother," he said.

"Thanks, Uncle Harry," Teddy beamed.

"Knew he'd agree," Doreen stated, giving Teddy a hug. "He's really just a big softy."

Harry couldn't help but groan as Teddy morphed his face into an exact replica of Harry's, albeit a sweaty, tired-looking one.

"Hey, how'd you do that?" Tony asked. "I didn't see you use a wand."

Teddy looked between Harry and Tony with confusion.

"I'm a metamorphmagus. Didn't Uncle Harry tell you?" Teddy asked.

"No he did not," Tony replied, sending a scowl in Harry's direction. "So, metamorphmagus. What's that mean, exactly?"

"It means that I can change any part of my body to look like something or someone else," Teddy replied.

"It's a rather rare magical ability; there's only been a handful worldwide in the past century," Daphne supplied.

"My mum was one," Teddy stated.

"How's it work?" Tony asked.

Teddy shrugged and morphed his face to a copy of Tony's own.

"I just concentrate and make it happen," he said.

"Are you altering your very genes or simply structure?" Tony mused, staring intently, his face now mere inches from the copy of his own. "You'll give me a blood sample so that I can run some tests, won't you?"

"No blood samples," Daphne stated.

"Excuse me, Healer Greengrass," Harry said, raising one hand, "but as far as I understood it, you are only here to help Bucky there; not to be the Healer for all of us."

He paused for a second, judging his moment. Just as she was opening her mouth to retort, Harry threw down his challenge.

"Unless you're willing to become the Avengers Healer on record full-time, I'm going to have to ask you to stop giving out unsolicited Healing instructions."

This time it was Daphne's turn to glare.

"If you think I'm going to let you use that to start giving out potions any time you please again, you've got another thing coming, Potter," she stated forcefully. "Fine. Until such time as Bucky's mind is completely healed, I will take on the role of Healer to … to whatever this is."

"You said it yourself, that could take months, possibly years," Harry said slyly.

"A Greengrass does not go back on her word," Daphne preened.

"Great. Glad that that's settled. Good to have you on board," Harry grinned.

Daphne's eyes narrowed at him.

"You planned that, didn't you?" she accused.

"The Hat did want to place me in Slytherin," Harry replied lightly.

"What!" Daphne all-but-yelled.

"Um, us mere mortals have no idea what you two are on about," Tony stated. "I think we really need to get copies of those books and whatever here pronto."

"Jarvis, put in a call to Hermione, would you?" Pepper said. "Somehow, I suspect that she can get every single one of them to us before the day is out."

"Traitor," Harry said, looking at the red-haired woman.

Pepper's answer was simply an innocent smile and a shrug.

ooo00ooo

Gaining access to the airport without untoward attention was a simple matter – the name 'Osborn' had doors being opened immediately. That same name had heads being turned away and blind eyes become the norm, despite Norman's unusual appearance – the trench coat that he wore, completely buttoned as it was, only reached to mid-calf, leaving the man's metallic green exoskeleton still somewhat visible. Thankfully, Sterns' own distinctive appearance was likewise ignored.

Their path through the airport towards Norman's private jet took them through the less travelled areas, the areas that usually only the staff inhabited. Sterns took an interest in everything, this being new to him. At each open doorway, he would glance in curiously, letting his eyes rove over what was inside in the seconds that he had before he passed.

Just as he passed the security office, Sterns froze. There was something …

Closing his eyes, he allowed his eidetic memory free reign. The last few seconds replayed themselves in his mind. A slight frown appeared on his face as he replayed the scene a second time, this time at a much reduced speed.

There! The third monitor from the top, two in from the right.

The face that had glanced up at the camera was one that he knew and one that he needed. He was in the file. His presence here was most unexpected, indeed the odds … No, Sterns knew that he had no time to calculate them if he wanted to intercept this most fortuitous occurrence before it slipped from his grasp.

Stepping back, Sterns searched the monitors again, finding his quarry with ease. As he passed from screen to screen, his path became obvious.

"I will catch up with you at the plane," he stated to Osborn. "There's a man here that will be of use to us."

Norman simply shrugged. "As you wish; it'll take a bit for them to load my cargo anyway."

With that, Stern strode away.

He emerged into the main part of the airport from a side door and paused as he looked over the crowd.

A smile appeared as he recognised the long, grey overcoat and distinctive walk of his quarry.

With hurried steps, Sterns walked after him, catching up with him just as he'd turned into a slightly less crowded part of the airport.

"Mister Myers," Sterns called.

Instantly, Myers spun around.

"Sorry, mate, you've got the wrong bloke. My name's Fred Slade," Myers replied quickly with a distinctive drawl that Sterns placed as 'Australian'.

"That is one of the aliases that you are fond of using, Mister Myers," Sterns replied, "and there's no need for you to use that boomerang here, I am not your enemy."

Slowly, Myers' hand emerged from inside his coat. His very demeanour screamed caution and that he was ready to either fight or flee, depending on the next words out of Sterns' mouth.

"I understand your particular talents and believe that I have the perfect way for you to utilise them," Sterns said.

"Yeah, what's that?" Myers asked.

"There was a special group being put together, one that you were considered to be a prime candidate for," Sterns began.

"Sinister," Myers interrupted. "Yeah, I was briefed. Thought that that would have been nixed with the guys in charge running afoul of those bloody Avengers, though."

Sterns smiled. "Yes, well, let's just say that I don't believe we need their oversight to have some fun, shall we?"

"Mate, I like the way you think," Myers smiled and finally seemed to relax. "So, what's the plan?"

"If you'll follow me, we have a jet awaiting," Sterns replied.

"Righto," Myers nodded before falling in step with Sterns.

They'd barely gone a dozen metres when the questions that Sterns could see building finally burst from Myers.

"Look, I just gotta ask. Where we off to anyway? And what happened to yer noggin? You take a nasty bump of something?"

"Or something, Mister Myers. Or something," Sterns replied with a smile.