Disclaimer: I own nothing and this is just for the sheer joy of writing. Read author's note at the end of the chapter.
-5min later, Strategy Room, New Avengers Facility-
Harry strode through the doors of the strategy room closely followed by Strange, Stark, and Vision, startling the occupants.
Steve was the first to recover, "You ok?"
Harry gave Steve a tired smile, "I'm fine. Right now we need to try and figure out this prophecy and why Death is being a dick and ignoring me."
"According to that prophecy you spouted, something big is coming. Just what it is or how soon, we don't know," Tony added, taking a seat.
"We also have that meeting with the UN."
"What meeting?" Harry asked.
Rogers tossed a thick booklet that had lain on the table to the wizard. Harry caught the unexpected projectile and read the cover.
"The Sokovia Accords?"
"They want to have us at the politicians beck and call. Like their personal guard dogs," Rogers grounded out behind clenched teeth.
Harry's face went blank. He opened the cover and began reading the booklet. Everyone watched the wizard, waiting for his response. Only the sound of flipping pages filled the room. As soon as he finished, he closed the cover and placed the booklet on the table.
"Steve, I know how you feel about this. What about the rest of you? How do you feel about this legislation?" Harry asked quietly, pointing down at the booklet with a jab of his finger.
Tony spoke up, face thoughtful, "We need supervision. We need to be able to answer for our mistakes. Sokovia can't happen again."
"Is this pretty much what everyone feels? That either this is a gross overstep of authority by the politicians or that this is necessary for the well-being of the planet?" Harry asked, receiving nods from those around the table.
"What about you, Harry? What do you think is right?" Steve asked, obviously leading him with his question.
"It's not a matter of right and wrong, Steve. You should know better than anyone that nothing is black and white. Nothing is perfectly good or bad. I laid the foundation for SHIELD and the Avengers so I had to answer to someone when I got out of hand. But I have also been the tool of politicians and those in charge. I have been a pariah and a scapegoat more times than I can count and then a martyr who had to sacrifice my mortality to save a people I wasn't always sure I wanted to save. So I am wary of politicians and their wavering loyalties and changeable opinions when it suits them to toe the line to get more power or wealth or to change their public image. But I also have time on my side. I just outlast whoever I need to. There is no easy answer," Harry said, pacing once again, face thoughtful. He had a bad feeling about this but he can't figure out why.
Then it hit him. "What if we split the Avengers?" Harry didn't need to turn around and face them to know that they were all confused. "Have one half on the inside working with the politicians and the other half free to do what is needed without answering to anyone? That way those of you who think you need supervision get it and those of you who don't are free to do what you need to do." Harry tilted his head to the side, staring at the wall with a wry smirk. "I would recommend keeping each other in the loop, though. Think about it."
Natasha tapped her fingers on the table. "One team to deal with the people and the press, restricted and supervised-they would deal with what the people think is necessary. And the other would operate… behind the scenes? Like SHIELD?"
"Exactly. If one team got out of hand, the other could reel them in. It's like how your government was supposed to be run-checks and balances." Harry waved his hand. "Say there was a-terrorist attack, or violent uprising. The country in question could deny Avengers entry into their country by the Accords. However, the… Rogue Avengers could still go in and take care of business if necessary."
Tony seemed lost in thought, and Steve was looking at Harry with suspicion.
"How come I have the feeling you have done something like this before?" Steve asked.
Harry grinned. "I led and taught an army of students when I was 17. A lot of the adults and most of the politicians had their heads in the sand about a very powerful evil wizard coming back. They were more worried about a nonexistent political coup than a coming war. They didn't want students to be prepared. My friends and I made sure they were. It saved lives. I have no regrets."
"So you would side with the...how did you put it? Rogue Avengers?" Steve asked, looking hopeful.
Harry sighed, "Steve, I'm not a hero. I cannot be widely known by the public. If it wasn't for the fact that technology malfunctions around me when I use magic, I would have to be invisible 24/7."
At Cap's disappointed expression, Harry added, "I will help where I am needed. Regardless of differences of opinion."
Harry turned his attention to Tony, "Perhaps they need to be reminded that the USA's Mutant Registration Act only brought more violence than peace due to the discrimination mutants faced after being outed by the government. After all, the road to hell is paved with good intentions."
Tony turned thoughtful at that remark. The X-Men had been trying to get that particular piece of legislation overturned for years with little success despite them trying to go through official channels. Still Harry's plan had merit.
"I think it would be a good idea if you came with us in disguise, Harry. I want to make sure that we don't get duped while playing their game. You would be a neutral outsider to this whole thing. You would be able to give us perspectives and angles that we might miss," Tony said, rubbing his hand over his tired looking eyes. Things were getting complicated but with help, there may be hope for the unity of the Avengers and in turn the planet.
"I think that is an acceptable compromise. I will be one of your legal advisors or something. We'll figure it out." Harry smiled, "Let's go over the Accords thoroughly and see what counter arguments we may need to bring up. After all, one thing I do know is that laws have tons of loopholes. We just need to make the loopholes work for the future rather than just the present."
"Let's do it," Steve said, pulling the Accord towards the center of the table ready for more studying than when he was trying to figure out Tony's entertainment system.
Author's Note: Hello everyone. I know it has been years since I last updated. I had a very difficult pregnancy in 2017 into 2018 with a job that would have literally killed me if I stayed. After I gave birth, I was suffering from pretty severe postpartum depression and lost a lot of interest in things I once loved. My laptop died during this period and I isolated myself from things that once brought me joy. To combat this we moved to a new house closer to family just before the pandemic, I started a new job that I love, and now we are expecting another child. (Our last child by mutual agreement and hopefully now that we know I am prone to severe postpartum depression, I can get help a lot sooner and not suffer in silence like I did before). Things are looking up and I am feeling the urge to write again. My husband caught on and surprised me this week with a brand new laptop and told me to get writing as it was what made me happy. I do not know how often I will post as I will be giving birth next month but I hope to get more written and posted soon. I logged into my old account today and was reading messages and reviews and was overwhelmed with your support and love. I never knew that my writing would have any kind of impact. You all restored a lot of lost faith in humanity. Thank you for checking on me even though I didn't see much of it until now. I have to catch up with the Marvel Universe this weekend and will hopefully have chapter 4 out soon.