Taking Chances

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Avengers. All recognisable characters, content or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Summary: Once is coincidence. Twice is happenstance. Thrice is… fate? Tony Stark, Beth Potter, and a bad guy in want of world domination. Naturally. Post Deathly Hallows AU. Tony/fem!Harry.

Rating: M for language, violence, mild adult themes, and references to character death.

Author: tlyxor1.

Prologue

She caught his eye as soon as she'd entered the bar. A slinky black dress, curves in all the right places, and legs that seemed to go on for miles. porcelain complexion, dark red curls, and a Mona Lisa smile, she was a wonder, and Tony Stark was captivated.

"You're next conquest?"

He looked away, to Pepper, leant comfortably against Rhodey's side. The latter nursed a whisky, Pepper a fruity concoction he couldn't remember the name of, and Tony shook his head, no.

"Does she look like a 'love 'em and leave 'em' type?I was just… appreciating the view."

Pepper looked at him, aghast, and smiled. "Is that maturity I'm hearing?"

Tony drained the last of his whiskey, and pointed a finger at her, jesting smile on his face. "Remember who pays you, Red."

Pepper threw her hands up in mock surrender, and Rhodey looked up from his scrutiny of the girl in question. "You should ask her to dance."

The industrial engineer rolled his eyes, exasperated. It had taken Rhodey and Pepper years, but the pair were finally blissfully, sickeningly in love, and they suddenly felt the need to make sure everyone they knew was feeling the good vibes, too.

As their mutual best friend, it went without saying that Tony was their favourite victim. It also went without saying that the gesture, as well-intentioned as it was, was also unappreciated.

"What is this? Prom? I'm sorry, but I don't dance."

"You never went to prom, dumbass," Rhodey answered. "That analogy is redundant."

"Your face is redundant," Tony replied, the height of childish wit. He flipped his friend the bird, got to his feet, and approached the bar with his empty glass in hand. He was in need of a top up, and a glimpse of his friends' drinks had showed the same.

The club itself was a high end establishment, a bar and grill with the best steaks he'd eaten in years. They'd foregone dinner, however, for celebratory drinks, and as he leant heavily against the bar top, he concluded that it hadn't been the brightest of ideas. Movement beside him caught his attention, though, and he turned, mildly surprised to see the girl with the legs up to her armpits..

She acknowledge his attention with another of her enigmatic smiles, ordered a tray of drinks, and walked away.

He watched her go, and thought he'd never seen a girl with eyes so green.

he was strangely breathless.

Author's Note: I quite like this one. I'll probably continue it… eventually.