Two apologies to start with: First, that posting this took longer than I expected; Mom was transferred to skilled nursing last Sunday, so I was occupied with that rather than posting. Unfortunately, instead of getting better, it seems to be a one step forward, two steps back kind of thing. I'm now expecting her to pass on to her next great adventure much sooner than I would like (though I've expected that a couple of times before in her life, and she's surprised me then; maybe she will now, too).

Second, for disrespecting AC/DC last chapter. Hard rock/metal isn't my preferred genre of music (though I like most), but even I know they, not Black Sabbath, did "Back in Black." SIGH. I can only assume these stories are going to require one mistake like that per story - last time, I called Sir Arthur C. Clarke an American, after all. GRIN (It didn't help that I had the image of Tony Stark wearing a Black Sabbath T-shirt in my had as I wrote.) Fixed it!

HP HP HP HP HP HP HP HP HP HP

15 June 2014

When Tony was finally ready to leave Thor's place, it was late enough that rather than make his way back to Grimmauld Place and call Sirius or Harry to be brought in, he simply called for, "Dobby."

The little elf popped into view, bouncing on his toes and his ears flopping softly. "Yes, Tony sir?"

"What is this?!" Thor demanded before Tony could answer, and Dobby cringed away.

"Dobby's not a what, he's a who," Tony corrected. "Unless you mean his species - he's a house-elf."

"'Tis no elf I know of," Thor replied, then apparently noticed Dobby's fearful posture. "My apologies, friend elf. I have no wish to alarm you."

"Tony sir's friend apologizes to Dobby?" Dobby's eyes widened, making them seem even larger than they already were. "Dobby knew that Harry Potter sir and Tony sir were great - but their friend apologizes? Dobby is the most honored elf ever!"

"Yeah, Dobby," Tony cut in to what was sure to be a long ramble. "We know you're great, too." Then he turned to Thor with a raised eyebrow.

"Elves are … majestic beings," Thor said. "Every elf species."

"How many elf species are there?" Tony asked, uncertain he would like the answer, but certain that he needed to know.

"In the nine realms? Uncounted," Thor replied. "On Midgard? Only two remained. To see one of them reduced to such a state…" he trailed off, shaking his head.

"Can anything be done for them?" Tony asked. His mind was whirling with the implications of Thor's comments, but at the moment, he focused on practicalities.

"'Tis not my specialty," Thor replied. "But perhaps the healers on Asgard will know." He turned to Dobby. "Will you come with me, friend elf?"

Dobby's gaze - more interested now than frightened, Tony noted with some relief - flicked between him and Thor. "Dobby works for Tony sir and Harry Potter sir. Dobby will not shirk his duties."

"Dobby." Tony dropped to one knee to be closer to eye level with the little creature. "If you're ill, Harry and I both want you to be healed."

Dobby threw his arms around Tony. "Dobby has never worked for such kind masters!" Then he stepped back. "But Dobby not as ill as Kreacher. Kreacher be needing help more."

"Who is this creature?" Thor asked.

"Sirius' house-elf," Tony replied. "I don't know that he'd come if I called, and we shouldn't take him without talking to Sirius first anyway."

Thor thought about that for a moment before nodding once. "Still, I like not seeing this. Best this creature is brought to me sooner than later."

"Tomorrow morning?" Tony asked. "Or, later this morning, I guess."

"Aye." Thor nodded again before addressing Dobby once more. "You have my word, elf. I will see your friend and your entire species healed if the knowledge to do so exists anywhere in the nine realms."

"Don't cry, Dobby," Tony said sharply. "I get that you're happy, but please, don't cry."

Dobby turned tear-filled eyes to Tony. "Dobby can cry when Dobby being alone?"

"Of course," Tony replied, giving a mental sigh at the elf's literal-mindedness. "I meant, please don't cry in front of me."

"Dobby won't, Tony sir," Dobby promised. "But Tony sir called for Dobby. How can Dobby help?"

"Can you take me back to Sirius' place?" Tony asked.

"Of course, Tony sir."

Tony looked back at Thor. "Thanks for the hospitality. I'll call after I talk to Sirius."

Thor wished him a good night, Dobby took Tony's hand, and a moment later, they were standing in the foyer of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place.

"Thanks, Dobby," Tony murmured, and the elf disappeared.

Tony found himself wandering back into the lounge, a drink before bed sounding like a good idea. Well, not the drink so much as the chance to sit and reflect on the day's events.

A shot of Macallan wouldn't have been his first choice, but it's what Sirius had on a bar cart - probably for guests he didn't particularly care to impress, Tony thought with amusement.

He'd just poured two fingers when he heard a feminine voice. "Tony?"

Damn. He'd forgotten about the portrait. Deliberately so. Just as deliberately, he re-corked the bottle, put it back in its place, and picked up his glass before turning to see portrait-Lily looking hesitant.

"You realize this is freaky as hell, right?" Tony said. "I mean, you're dead, and much as I wish I could talk to you again, the portrait isn't really you."

Lily laughed a little. "There were a lot of things that freaked me out when I first entered the magical world. Portraits were one of them. But James finds comfort in being able to speak to his parents and grandparents."

"I'll take your word for it." Tony refrained from correcting her verb tense by taking a sip of The Macallan, allowing it to burn smoothly down his throat. "Speaking of James, where is he?"

"Getting to know some of the other portraits here."

Tony blinked. "That's a thing? I mean, people in portraits can visit other portraits?"

Lily chuckled. "Yes, though I suggested that one of us stay in this portrait for now, at least until you and Harry are more accustomed to us."

Tony doubted he'd ever get accustomed to talking to a portrait of a dead woman.

"Speaking of that," Lily continued, "how is it that you can see us? Sirius and Harry didn't say, and we forgot to ask."

Tony held up his scotch, at the same time displaying the narrow silver-toned band around his wrist. "Enchanted bracelet. Lets me see magical people and places. Look-" he broke off and swallowed - not the scotch, this time, but to help brace himself for what he had to say next "-I'm sorry I yelled at you."

"You only asked the same questions I did at the time," Lily said ruefully.

"Still, you made the decision, and if I'm honest, I'm more angry at what happened afterward than I am at you and James."

Lily's expression slid into a scowl. "If I weren't a portrait, I'd make them all regret their decisions."

"Working on it." Tony took another swallow of scotch.

"What do you mean?" Lily asked.

Tony gave her a conspiratorial grin. "I've had a legal team preparing all the lawsuits."

She matched his grin. "When are you filing them?"

"When Harry's ready to. Or, if he isn't ready by then, six months before he comes of age."

"Why wait?" Lily demanded.

"Because Harry's the one who was hurt. He should have some say in when his life gets turned upside down by lawsuits and press."

"But you don't want them to fall by the wayside."

"More that Harry mostly wants to be done with it all," Tony said. "I don't want him to let them get away with it because he can't be bothered. Filing six months before his birthday means that by the time they're done, he'll be of age and whatever we recover will go straight to him."

"You've got a lawsuit ready for Vernon, correct?"

"First one," Tony assured her.

"Good." Lily gave a vicious smile, and Tony realized he was still a little in love with her. Then she sobered. "You live in the Muggle world, right?"

"Yeah, though I prefer non-magical world."

She frowned. "It's going to be hard."

"What?" Tony took another swallow.

"Being away from Harry so much," Lily replied. "Not that we don't love Sirius - James more than me, but still - but Harry's my son."

Tony frowned, momentarily uncertain of her meaning. When he got it, he laughed aloud. "C'mon, Lily - you're smarter than that."

She shook her head. "As smart as I am, I'm sure the Statute of Secrecy is still in effect."

"Harry's my son, too. There's an exception for immediate family." He grinned at her exasperated expression - with herself, no doubt. "And I got special dispensation for my teammates."

"Teammates?"

"Avengers." Tony waved it away. "I'll show you when we get you back to the States."

She bit her lip. Honestly, the portrait acted so real that Tony almost forgot he wasn't talking to her through a monitor. "About that - it'll be very boring with no other portraits to talk to. I mean, you have your work, and Harry has school…."

Tony grinned. "And I have portraits."

"Sorry?"

"Long story short, I talked with a portrait at Hogwarts. She said she was bored, and I promised to find her some place more interesting." Tony held back a laugh at Lily's open-mouthed surprise. "So I've had people looking for portraits for sale - including the one from Hogwarts - and they've picked up a few. With them and a few actual people, you'll have plenty of people to talk to."

"How many do you have?"

"So far? Seven."

Her jaw dropped again, and he laughed out loud, which made her smile, too.

"I always loved your laugh," she said. Before the moment could turn awkward, she said, "Seven, eh? Anyone I'd know?"

He couldn't resist - and honestly didn't want to. "Mary, Queen of Scots."

Her jaw dropped a third time, and it took a moment for her to recover this time. When she did, she gave him a wry grin. "Should I just leave my mouth open? And how did you get a portrait of Mary Stuart?"

"She was the one at Hogwarts. I asked her for directions, chatted a moment because it seemed rude not to, and found out who she was. I promised to try to find her a more interesting place to hang." Tony frowned then. "Huh - not sure if she can actually leave her frame. Have to ask her."

"As old as her painting is, maybe not," Lily said. "I studied the magic involved before this painting was created, but I don't know the history of the process. You got six more to keep her company?"

"Not just her," Tony corrected. "And the portraits all offer additional perspectives for the kids' history classes, at least."

"Don't think you'll distract me from asking who the others are."

Tony grinned. "Maybe I want to surprise you."

She huffed. "I've never liked surprises, unless I was the one planning them."

Whatever Tony might have said in reply was replaced by a jaw-stretching yawn. Must be later than I thought.

"Go to bed, Tony." Lily's tone was laced with affection.