It had been almost two months since Hermione and Ron had left for Britain to learn magic for the second year. Bruce had taken some time to himself, often quietly traveling and not drawing attention to himself until Hermione was scheduled to return. Clint and Natasha had thrown themselves more into their work, or so Tony assumed. Natasha was everywhere, and nowhere. Clint was out doing whatever missions were needed. And if it were anything like the past year, he would be free most of the summer.
Tony was, for the most part, alone with his exhaustion. The little wake up calls he had been suffering from in the middle of the night kept him up and drinking far more coffee than what Pepper liked to see. Then again, he could always get under her skin with his general "Tony Stark-ness".
He hadn't quite hit the hard stuff yet, but with how well it could knock him out, he seriously considered grabbing a bottle.
"Sir, the documents you requested," Jarvis interrupted the alcoholic train of thought. An unamused expression turned towards the usual spot Jarvis would display, well, whatever Tony wanted to see.
"You better have something more for me Jarvis."
"I do sir."
"Lay it on me."
"Harry James Potter. Born in Surrey..."
Peter Pettigrew couldn't recall the last time he felt so, relaxed. And clean. And well fed! Linda Langsbury was such a remarkably kind woman. And her daughter Dorothy was pleasant as well.
"I'm so sorry how you must've been treated before Mister Pettigrew," Linda had often said as he regaled the two of the life he had over the ocean in Britian. The battles and the forced hiding he had to go in because of one Sirius Black. The life as a small rat, struggling to survive.
Extravegent tales of woe and the difficulty woven with the complexity of ideals and basic human acceptance and survival. Speaking of his Lord and Master wanting a more beneficial life for those who have magic, for those who had held magic for generations. Words the two ladies held onto and were wonderfully agreeable with.
"It's not better her persay, but you're out of danger here."
"Is it because of all the muggles running around?" he asked in an innocent tone.
"If only that were the only issue," Linda commented dryly, "There are problems far closer to home than some non magic floozies."
"Oh?" It was then Peter focused on the mother. He was always a good listener back in school. It helped him pick up on things. It helped him find his master.
"You've mentioned magic in Britian is highly regulated, kept away from non magical folk and a uniformity in school," she began.
"Of course my dear Linda, how else would it be done?"
"Well, here in the "Great" US of A, we have Ilvermorny. A perfectly fine school for wizarding youths, at least when it comes to teaching spells," she growled, "It's their more, "adult" program that is unacceptable."
"Adult program?"
"They teach any person willing with the faintest trace of magic. Even those who can't even use a wand are walking those halls. They go around talking about interacting with non magic folk, even going as far as making potions or casting spells for them. They encourage children that they are all the same when they aren't. My baby is a beautiful girl ostracized because she's quiet and knows to stay away from a bad crowd. She has magic and is better than them-"
"Mom?" Dorothy interrupted, "Can I go to my room? I have homework."
"Oh. Of course you can dear," Linda answered sweetly, pulling her daughter into a hug. Her daughter hugged back before leaving the room to work on her schoolwork. Linda's gaze went back to Peter.
"America is going to shit because of these acceptance people won't say no to people who don't have real magic. People who are no doubt these, powered freaks who only bring damage and destruction. But no, the school accepts them. Just like the government."
"It sounds like it has been difficult for you and Dorothy."
"Well it hasn't been easy. Thankfully the floo system allows Dorothy to live at home rather than rely on the dorms there. Who knows how they would brainwash her?"
"You know, I do know a few individuals in Britain who would be willing to sponser her transferring to Hogwarts if you would like. Only wizards and witches, none of the freaks learning there."
"Oh, you are so sweet to think of that Peter, but she is the only family I have left. I couldn't stand the thought of her being so far away from home without me."
"Of course."
"More tea Peter?"
"I would love some."
"You know, Halloween is kind of odd," Ron commented midday as he, Harry, Hermione and Neville began their trek to Transfiguration class.
The three stared at their red haired friend with questioning looks.
"Ron, you do know the importance of Halloween don't you?" Hermione asked incrudeously. She had made sure Ron did the history homework involving the holiday.
"Yeah I know the magical aspects of it, but you know how kids celebrate in back in the states?" he responded with a slightly humorous expression. Hermione and Harry looked stumped and a look of epiphany came to Neville.
"They dress in costumes and demand candy right?"
"Mmhm. Trick or treak, or is it Beggar's night? Thinking about it is kind of funny when we're wizards and witch, so those make believe costumes are real."
"Dress in costumes and demand candy? My parents would have thought the first part funny, but the candy may have been a bit much," Hermione admitted. Ron's eyes then widened. It was incredibly rare when Hermione would speak about her parents, especially since no one had asked her about them.
"Why's that Hermione?" Harry asked.
"They were dentists."
"So... did they clean each other's teeth when they had to get an exam done or did they see a different dentist?" Ron pondered aloud. Neville discreetly shoved Ron. Ron's head snapped to face Neville to ask why he had done that. He saw Neville give a motion to not say anything more.
Ron got what Neville meant. Hermione was more likely to be sad or withdrawn with the topic of her dead parents brought up.
"No they'd check each other. Kind of hard to bill yourself afterall."
"Guess that's true," Harry replied. Neville and Ron let out a short sigh of relief. Halloween feast was going to be fun. And while Harry did lose his parents on the day a little over a decade ago and Neville seemed a bit melancholic for some reason, Ron was hoping for the day to be fun. Better than last year with the odd troll in the school.
*Throws chapter in and runs in awkward waddle that is fast for her*
Mysticarts: Mel! Why was this chapter so late?!
Melancholy's Sunshine: No time!
Mysticarts: Dammit get back here!