AUGUST 13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TONY STARK WELCOMES SON HOME

Child's Guardian Killed in Car Accident

New York, New York - August 13, 2013

Tony Stark is pleased to announce that his son, Harry Potter, will be joining him in New York and in his life.

In a private arrangement, Mr. Stark donated genetic material to James and Lily Potter, who were unable to conceive naturally. Per the terms of the arrangement, Mr. Stark would have no contact with the resulting child so long as the Potters lived.

The Potters were killed in a car accident when the child, Harry, was only 15 months old. Through bureaucratic error, Harry was placed with his maternal aunt and uncle. His aunt, sister of Lily Potter, was recently killed in a car accident that also injured Harry.

Upon becoming aware of the accident, Mr. Stark departed immediately for England, where the Potters and their family lived, to take custody of Harry, now 13.

Father and son will be returning from England in the next few days and ask that journalists respect their privacy as they get to know each other.

###

Harry looked up from the press release at his father. "Are you sure we need to do this?"

"Unfortunately, yes," Tony replied. "Better to release the news on our terms than have it splashed across the tabloids in the most lurid manner imaginable."

"If you're sure," Harry said, though he couldn't keep the uncertainty from his voice.

"Very sure," Tony declared. "Fame sucks, sometimes - and this is one of those times. People will get all up in your business thinking they have a right to. The best counter to that is to give them only what you want them to know and then stand firm in the face of questions."

"They won't ask me any questions, will they?" Harry's throat closed at just the thought.

"You should probably have a short statement ready," Tony replied. "A couple of sentences about surprised, pleased, whatever. Don't say anything bad about your aunt and uncle, though."

"Why not?" Harry asked.

"I don't want him to see it coming."

"See what coming? Or do I not want to know?"

Tony's expression held grim satisfaction. "Justice."

HP | HP |HP | HP | HP

Dear Professor McGonagall,

Thank you and the rest of the staff for taking the time to speak with me about Harry's schooling this past Friday. The school itself is breathtaking, and flying with Harry made the day special for both of us.

However, as impressive as the school is, given the safety concerns we discussed, it is my decision to withdraw Harry from Hogwarts for the coming school year.

When we spoke, you and the rest of the staff indicated that those concerns will be addressed. If they are, then I will consider re-enrolling Harry at Hogwarts.

Thank you again for the time you spent with us on Friday.

Sincerely,

Tony Stark

HP | HP |HP | HP | HP

Tony wasn't surprised to see a small crowd of reporters waiting on the far side of the Customs checkpoint for private flights arriving at LaGuardia. Beside him, Harry's pace slowed.

"Relax, kiddo," Tony murmured as the Homeland Security agent scanned their passports. "We talked about this, remember? Short statement, surprise, looking forward to your new life, that kind of thing."

Harry nodded, but Tony could almost hear his son's heart pounding, and so he squeezed Harry's shoulder in silent support.

Then he and Harry were through the checkpoint, and he paused to wait for Hermione, her parents, and Steve. Paddington Bear had stayed behind with Sirius, but both of them would come to America once Sirius' trial concluded. Tony hoped, for Harry's sake as much as Sirius', that the process didn't take very long.

When everyone had cleared Customs, Tony led the way to where Happy waited, having apparently appointed himself the barrier between the reporters and Tony's party.

"Welcome home, Boss," Happy said. "I have a limo waiting. Couldn't do anything about the reporters, though."

"I'll handle them," Tony said and turned to his companions. "Doctors Granger, Hermione - Happy will get you into the car. Ignore the press. If anyone asks, I'll give them the basics - friend from school, offering moral support, that kind of thing. Capsicle - guard duty, please. Not that I think anyone will get crazy, but you never know."

He turned back, summoned one of his public smiles., and started toward the reporters. "Hi, guys. Guess the press release wasn't enough?"

That started a clamor of questions, which he allowed to continue until he got within comfortable speaking distance, but still allowing enough room to respond to an attack - not that he expected one, but the Battle of New York had made him a little paranoid.

When he was close enough, he held up a hand and, eventually, the reporters settled down.

"There's not much more I'm willing to say," Tony said. "Unlike all those other women who claim to have had my secret love child - that is what the tabloids call it, isn't it? - I knew about Harry. His mom sent me a picture shortly after he was born. Now he's with me. What else is there to say?"

"Does he take after your intelligence?" someone shouted.

"He's doing well in school, if that's what you mean," Tony replied. "And before you ask, I'm hiring tutors for him this year. He has a lot to adjust to, and there's no sense adding the stress of a new school on top of it."

"What about the girl?" This questioner was definitely male, and Tony sent him a glare that made him swallow hard.

"She's Harry's best friend," Tony said. "I asked her and her parents to join us until the start of the school year, to make the transition easier for Harry. That's the only question I will entertain about her - and if I ever do take another one, it'd better be more politely phrased."

"Will you be answering questions?" a female reporter - Tony thought he remembered her from Vanity Fair - asked, her tone gentle.

Harry stepped forward. "No, but I'll say that it was a huge surprise when Tony Stark showed up at hospital. I suppose it would be a dream come true for anyone - finding out that he's your father. I'm looking forward to getting to know him. But right now, I'm still recovering from the accident, and really tired from the flight." He looked up at Tony. "I'm ready to go home now, Dad."