Chapter 19 -
"Time to go now" Harry said to Natasha as she packed her things, the two were enjoying a rather relaxing vacation together. The two had decided to spend the time travelling through various countries. The pair had just spent three days in France and were now ready to go again.
"Are you ready?" He asked before taking one last look around the hotel room he and her had stayed in for the past few days.
"Yep" Natasha smiled as she picked up her handbag which held all of her vacation clothes and necessities along with various other things. "I got to say, the expansion charm is one of the best things you wizards have ever came up with."
"Actually that particular charm was made by a witch" Harry couldn't help but point out. "Alright so I've sent a message down to management and told them that we're leaving. So grab on." Natasha grinned and looped one arm around his, Harry teleported the two and seconds later they were in London, or more specifically a small alley in London. "Tada" Harry said dramatically.
"Yes, yes you're impressive" Natasha rolled her eyes, the two walked out of the alley and found themselves in a town centre, there were plenty of people walking around. Some wore suits, some wore tracksuits, others had simple jeans and shirts and there quite a lot of people smoking. Harry waved his hand over Natasha and she went from wearing a sundress to wearing shoes, jeans, a t-shirt and a hoodie. His own clothes transformed into the same.
The two began walking around, looking through various shops and all sorts of products from clothes to game consoles. Natasha took some pictures of some of the clothes that she liked, causing Harry to roll his eyes, he knew that she would eventually have him create those for her using magic. Not that he didn't mind doing so, she knew he didn't mind, but occasionally he'd like it if she asked him to magic up something different, like chocolate.
"Why should I spend money when I can have you magic me up some clothes?" She grinned at him.
"Careful Romanoff" Harry said in a fake serious voice "if you make me angry enough then I might just vanish those clothes you're wearing now, how'd you like running around London naked?"
"You could do that" Natasha shrugged and leaned into him, her lips near his ears and her breath warming him up "or you could make it so you're the only one who can see me naked by taking me to a hotel later and ripping them off."
"Damn" Harry groaned "there is no winning with you, is there?"
"Nope" She smirked and kissed him on the cheek.
The couple had spent a lot of time going around London, seeing the sites. Harry even stopped at the old entrance of the leaky cauldron, he knew it wasn't there but he couldn't help wanting to look. While he didn't miss the people, he did miss parts of the wizarding world. The excitement and cheeriness when visiting Diagon alley was one of them.
Harry was glad that his vacation was going so good, or at least it was until...something...happened. Harry didn't know what it was but he could sense it, his magic felt weird for some reason. It was still controllable, it just felt more...different. Harry wasn't sure how he was going to explain it. He wasn't sure what was happening but he knew he'd probably have to investigate. He told Natasha and offered to leave her at a hotel room while he checked it out. She naturally refused and that was how Harry and Natasha ended up going together.
From what Harry could tell, portal were forming, taking things from one place to another, they were all over. Now Harry only knew a little bit about this sort of thing, they reminded him of the portal that you had to take to get on the Hogwarts express. But these portals were different and Harry wasn't sure how much similar they were. Harry used his magic to guide him towards the centre of the disturbance.
He and Natasha arrived at a warehouse area, and it was raining, though Harry was British so he wasn't that surprised. It's always raining here. They walked around for several minutes before they found that they weren't the first ones here. There appeared to be a few police cars and police men, one truck was turned on its side and there was one red car. But that wasn't what caught their eye.
"Look" Natasha said and pointed to two adult women who were talking, but the interesting part was the fact that the rain seemed to be circling around the women and not touching them. All of a sudden Harry felt a familiar presence.
"Thor" He whispered to Natasha and pointed in the direction where Thor was standing, the two noticed that he was staring at the women. It was at this point that one of the women walked towards Thor, it appeared that she is the one affecting the rain as the other women began getting soaked. The couple watched as the woman walked up to Thor and then surprised the both of them by slapping him.
"Did she just..." Natasha said began but was interrupted by the woman slapping Thor again.
"She just." Harry nodded in confirmation just as he began hearing Jason Segel's voice singing 'you just got slapped' in his head. "I think we should go and say..." Harry stopped when he saw Thor place a hand on the woman's cheek, they appeared to be having a romantic moment. "...Perhaps we should wait, don't really want to interrupt the moment"
"That's a nice thought but it looks to me like it's already getting interrupted." Natasha said as the other women, who had placed her jacket over her head to protect against the rain walked up to Thor. Effectively interrupting the moment.
"Come on then" Harry sighed and the two walked towards them, Harry noted that the rain stopped for some reason, probably Thor's fault. "Thor" Harry called just as they neared. The three turned to them.
"Harry! Natasha!" Thor said with some surprise in his voice "What are you doing here?"
"Something felt off and I came to investigate, Natasha tagged along. So how about some introductions and explanations? In whatever order you think is best."
"I'm Darcy Lewis" The black haired girl with her jacket over her head introduced herself.
"Jane, Jane Foster" The other woman, brown haired, introduced herself.
"Oh right, Thor mentioned you" Natasha replied. Harry and Natasha did remember Thor speaking about how he met her in his story where he fought the destroyer. He always spoke in a fond voice when Jane was mentioned.
"How do you guys know each other?" Jane asked.
"Hold on a sec, aren't you the Black Widow?" Darcy said excitedly as she stared at Natasha who nodded, she rather reminded Harry of an excited Luna. "That means you're a member too?"
"I trust them" Thor said when Harry seemed to not want to tell them.
"It's fine" Harry said, he then looked at Darcy "yes, I am"
"Oh, are you that big green guy?!" She asked hopefully.
"No, that's Banner. Don't you know what he looks like?"
"Got to be honest, kind of stopped paying attention after hearing him turn into a giant green guy so didn't really look him up" Darcy confessed "I mean I did but I..."
I am Raven" Harry said interrupting, he didn't want to appear rude but he was slightly worried about what would happen if he let her talk without stopping her.
"The magic guy?!"
"Yes, the magic guy" Harry resisted the urge to sigh and roll his eyes, the only people he allowed to call him the 'magic guy' were Barton's kids. Truthfully he was thinking about his secret identity, pretty much all of the Avengers were known. Thor didn't have a secret identity, everyone knew Captain America was Steve Rogers, Barton and Natasha were now well known along with Banner and Tony was also well known. The fact that he basically told the world may have factored into it. As of the moment Harry was the only one who had a secret identity, Raven was well known but not many knew who he really was.
Though if Harry was being honest it had been a while since he had been famous, he hated his fame, partly because he was never used to it and also because he never thought that he had earned it. Though here if he did become famous he would have earned it, plus he wouldn't have to worry too much about fans as he could probably have security like Stark or just change his appearance when he went out or cast spells to keep people from bothering. It was something he'd at least think about.
"I'm sorry but we were kind of having a moment" Janes said as she gestured between herself and Thor, clearly not happy that they were being interrupted.
"Hey" Natasha raised her hands in surrender "we only interrupted because she interrupted." Natasha finished and pointed at Darcy.
"Hey" Darcy complained before turning to Jane "anyway, I think the police are going to arrest us." She gestured with her head to the policemen around the area.
"Oh god" Jane sighed "I'll be right back" She said to the group though it was mostly directed at Thor.
"So Thor, why are you here" Harry asked curiously.
"I came to see Jane" Thor began explaining "Heimdall couldn't see her"
"Heimdall? Isn't he supposed to have 'all seeing eyes'?" Harry asked.
"Yes" Thor nodded.
"So when you couldn't see her you were worried and came over?" Natasha asked.
"Yes"
"But what about..." Harry was suddenly interrupted by a loud explosion, a strange and red energy had shot through the air and caused some damage as car windows were damaged as a few cars flipped over while all the policemen fell on the ground. The energy had appeared to have come from Jane who had collapsed and was now on her back.
"Jane!" Thor rushed over to her with Harry and Natasha following behind him and Darcy following behind them. Thor kneeled down next to her.
"I don't know what that was" Harry said as Thor checked her "but it's not magic, or at least not any magic that I am familiar with."
"But I thought that we came here because your magic felt weird" Natasha said with a questioning look.
"My magic felt weird, yes, but that doesn't mean that the reason for it is magical. My magic would feel weird if I was emotional, if I had lost someone or any other number of reasons. We came here because I wasn't sure of the reason, like I said, this seems magical but it doesn't feel magical. It looks like some kind of energy, what happened when it erupted?" Harry asked Jane.
"Uh...the police officer touched me..." Jane blinked as she tried to remember while Thor helped her up "...then I am on the floor...and now you're helping me up and talking to me"
"So touching her caused that?" Natasha asked.
"Not when Thor touches her apparently" Harry noted "we need to get her someplace safe"
"I'm taking her to Asgard" Thor replied "the healers should be able to heal her".
"We'll come with you" Harry said "you may need the help" Thor merely nodded in agreement. By this point the police had gotten to their feet and approached, aiming their weapons at the group while they did so.
"Put your hands on your heads and step back" One officer ordered.
"She is unwell" Thor responded.
"Step back, she is dangerous" The officer replied.
"So are we" Harry said, glaring at the officer with glowing green eyes, the officer had taken a few seconds before he realised that he had taken a step back when Harry looked at him.
"Hold on to me" Thor said.
"What are you doing?" Jane asked as she grabbed on to him, Harry could feel his magic reacting slightly to something, he stepped next to Thor and grabbed his shoulder and Natasha grabbed onto Harry's arm. A second later they were covered in bright light and began experiencing something that was a lot like apparition except more colourful and less horrible.
Seconds later they landed in a large and gold room, Thor managed it without any difficulties even though the others stumbled slightly. In the centre of the room was a tall black man in golden armour, he had a helmet with two gold horns and a big sword. He raised his sword before slamming it down, causing the vortex behind them to close. It didn't take a genius to deduce that he was in charge of the portal.
"We have to do that again!" Jane smiled, having clearly enjoyed her experience, it was then that she noticed the big black man in the centre of the room "oh, hi" She said.
"Welcome to Asgard Jane Foster." The man smiled, he then turned to Harry and Natasha "You are also welcome Natasha Romanoff, and Harry Black, that is your preferred name isn't?"
"Would I be correct if I guessed that you were Heimdall?" Harry asked, ignoring his question.
"You would" Heimdall nodded.
"I apologise Heimdall but we must leave" Thor said "you know where we are going"
"I do" Heimdall nodded "I wish fortune upon your journey, to all of you". Thor gestured the others to follow him, it was then that they saw Asgard and it was all Harry could do to stop his jaw from dropping. He thought that Hogwarts looked beautiful when he first saw it, but it was nothing compared to this. Clear and blue sky's on top of a world that looked to be a perfect blend of man and nature with an enormous gold building in the centre which Harry guessed to be Thor's home seeing as he was the prince of Asgard.
Harry was so caught up in looking that h only just managed to start paying attention again when he noticed a carriage arrive, it was horseless and Harry was positive that there were no thestrals here. Harry was delighted and surprised to find out the carriage flied, something that Natasha seemed to be enjoying too. He and Natasha continued looking around until they arrived at their destination.
A few minutes later the group was in the palaces healing ward with Jane resting on a table as Asgardian healers began looking at her. A few seconds later the group was treated to an orange image above Jane, it was an image of her body and it revealed that something was in Jane's body. Harry wasn't sure what it was but all he could see was that it was red and it was moving around Jane's body so it was probably alive.
"That is not of Midgard" Thor said as he looked at it "what is it?" He asked, the question was directed at the healers but open for others in the room to answer.
"We do not know" The lead healer confessed in a sad and disappointed voice "but she will not survive the amount of energy surging through her"
"It's a parasite" Harry said, attracting the attention of the room "it makes sense, I mean it's in her body so it might be living off of her or using her in some way. Plus earlier when the police officer grabbed her it reacted, but when Thor grabbed her it didn't do anything. If I had to guess then I would hypothesise that it believed the officer was going to harm Jane and therefore itself but didn't have that belief when it came to Thor who wanted to protect Jane and therefore it."
"That does make sense" Natasha nodded in agreement "I mean what's a parasite to do without it's host?"
"It'll either suffer and die or get a new one" Harry guessed.
"Is it intelligent?" Natasha asked "And if so then how intelligent?"
"Intelligent enough to realise threats towards it" Thor commented.
"Yeah" Harry said "I think we're fine but the moment any of us do anything that could physically harm her or threaten her in anyway then it will react"
"So it's like a bodyguard?" Jane asked.
"A bodyguard that will eventually kill you" Harry replied in a serious voice.
"That...is not good" Jane spoke slowly, struggling with coming up with something to say.
"Though there is still a big chance of you surviving" Natasha added, nudging Harry with her foot.
"Um...yeah" Harry quickly agreed "don't worry about it, you'll get through it."
"Uh...thanks...I guess. That's a quantum field generator, isn't it?" She said to the healer, trying to change the subject and brighten her mood, in fact it rather amazed Harry how she went from serious to excited so fast.
"It is a soul forge" The head healer replied, not seeming bothered at all by the question.
"Does a soul forge transfer molecular energy from one place to another?" Jane asked.
"Yes" The head healer said, surprise in her voice clearly showing that she didn't expect a Midgardian to be so intelligent.
"Quantum field generator" Jane mouthed to Thor with a smile that caused Thor to develop one of his own.
"Are my words mere noises that you ignore them completely?" Someone said, everyone turned to see someone walk into the room. It was an old man followed by a bunch of guards, he didn't look as old as Dumbledore but you could tell that he was old. In fact he was probably older than Dumbledore could ever hope to reach considering he was an Asgardian. He had a white beard, shoulder length white hair, gold armour and a gold eye patch on his right eye, reminding Harry and Natasha a little bit of Fury. Both could tell that he was someone of importance judging by the state of his armour, the way he talked to Thor who was a prince and the fact that they were in a palace. It allowed them to narrow it down quite easily.
"She is ill" Thor said in response.
"She is mortal" Odin waved his hand, causing the orange image to disappear as he spoke as if his son had just brought back a dying insect "illness is their defining trait"
"I brought here because we can help her"
"She does not belong in Asgard any more than a goat belongs on a banquet table"
"Hey! Who do you think you are?!" Jane demanded, obviously not liking the way she was being talked to.
"I am Odin, leader of Asgard" Odin said surprising Jane who hadn't yet made the connection.
"There is something in her father, something I haven't seen before" Thor was about to say more when all of a sudden his father interrupted.
"Her world has it's healers, they are called doctors"
"If this was the sort of thing that could be healed in our world then we would've taken a five minute walk to a doctor, not travel across into another world" Harry interrupted, Odin turned to him and Natasha.
"Who are you?" Odin asked.
"This is Natasha Romanoff" Harry gestured to Natasha "I am Harry Black"
"Father, these two fought alongside me against Loki and his army" Thor added "Natasha is a skilled fighter and Harry is not only skilled in combat but he is also a powerful wizard"
"Hmm" Odin looked at the two, he didn't seem very impressed. "And you are here because..." He left the question hanging in the air.
"Because Thor is not just our ally, but also our friend" Harry replied, staring Odin directly in the eyes...eye. "We are here to provide support and help if possible, if this was a fixable problem then I would've dealt with it already or taken her to someone on Earth who could."
"That may be, however it is not my concern nor is it something I find myself caring about. You will..."
"And if it was your wife?" Harry cut him off, causing Odin's attention to remain on him "if your wife or child was dying, wouldn't you want to save them? She is mortal, but it somehow escaped your minds that you Asgardians are mortal as well, you just last longer. Death will come for all of these people in this room eventually, except me because unlike you I am a true immortal. She needs help, yes you live longer but that doesn't mean her life has no value. She has friends, maybe even a family, it's obvious your son cares about her and..."
"Be careful how you speak!" Odin cut him off "My son may have brought you to Asgard but I am still its king, I will not be lectured by the likes of you. Guards! Take them back to Midgard" The guards began moving towards Harry and Natasha, but they didn't get to do much because a couple of guards tried to grab Jane.
"No I wouldn't..." Thor tried to stop them but he didn't manage it, as they touched her. When they did a red blast shot out from her body throwing everyone back apart from Thor and Odin. Harry and Natasha were also left standing because Harry managed to put up a shield in time. "Touch her" Thor finished, he decided to ignore the healers and guards who were standing up after the blast and went to Jane "are you alright?" he asked softly. Jane didn't respond, at least not verbally, she just gave him a soft moan and kept her eyes closed, the red stuff had made her very tired.
"That was...interesting" Natasha commented. Odin ignored her and waved his hand around over Jane.
"Nice to know that it takes an explosion to get an Asgardian to listen" Harry said, but once again Odin ignored them.
"That's impossible" Odin said in a quiet voice as he looked at the red stuff in her body.
"It's defending her" The head healer said.
"It's defending itself" Thor said
"And therefore her" Harry added.
"Guys, I'm no expert in any of this but it seems to me like we need to get it out of here before it kills her" Natasha said with a little worry in her voice.
"You're right" Harry agreed "not sure how much time she has" Harry said, resisting the urge to touch his forehead. This situation reminded him far too much of Voldemort's horcrux.
"Come with me" Odin said to Thor, he then glanced at Harry "you as well wizard"
Odin walked out of the room, Thor followed along with Natasha and Harry.
"Where are we going?" Natasha asked.
"I do not recall saying you could accompany us" Odin said to Natasha
"She's with me" Harry said in Natasha's defense "deal with it" Odin stopped and turned around to look at Harry, as he did so Thor looked uncomfortable and Natasha looked nervous. Thor because Odin was his father yet Harry was his friend, as for Natasha she knew how powerful Asgardians are and didn't really look forward to seeing Harry fight one. Especially when the Asgardian in question was not only a legend, but also the king who could have the two of them executed. And while Harry was immortal, she was positive that she wasn't.
"Do you not realise who I am?" Odin gave Harry a look that would have made any other Asgardian afraid and tremble "I am Odin, king of Asgard."
"I am Harry Black, defeater of dark lords and master of the impossible." Harry stared back, not showing the slightest bit of fear.
"That is irrelevant, you WILL show me the proper respect"
"In that case you WILL earn it"
"Earn it?"
"When I was a child I respected any and everyone with an important position, I grew up and realised that their positions didn't mean they should have my respect, it doesn't mean that they deserve it. If you want my respect then you will prove that you as a person deserve my respect, then we will decide if you deserve it as a king. As of the moment you may be a powerful king, you may be a good king, but you do not have my respect as a person."
"You do not judge me wizard!" Odin hissed at him, taking a step towards him.
"Or what?!" Harry took a step towards him and the two were a second away from their heads touching "All I have seen so far is a man who does not listen to his son about something that is clearly important to him and a man who easily disregards an intelligent being simply because she doesn't live as long as you and is not as powerful! You may be a king but do not expect me to treat you like one."
"You know nothing about being a ruler"
"No, I just know about being a good person" Harry shot back
"Father, Harry" Thor interrupted "please, we need to work together. Father, I trust them. Harry, my father is a good man, I promise. If you both just give the other a chance then I am sure that you'll surprise each other"
"Follow me" Odin said, giving Harry on last glare before he walked away. Thor let out a small sigh of relief at the fact that there would be no more fighting and followed after his father, Harry and Natasha followed after him.
"Are you alright?" Natasha whispered to Harry.
"Yes" He answered, but she didn't look like she believed him. "Really, I am. The old guy just...he just reminds me of someone." Harry said, images of Dumbledore coming into his head.