AN: I do not own Harry Potter or the Marvel Universe. They belong to their respective authors and writers.
I would like to apologize for any mistakes in advance. Please do not copy this story.
They were both wide awake, lying on their cots, staring at the ceiling of the cave. Dorea felt tired. How could someone be tired when they sat all day and did practically nothing? It had been days since she saw Phineas and she still didn't know what to do! Despite shaking hands with the 'leader' the other day, Stark had categorically refused to work for these terrorists. Since then, it had been a routine – they came every morning, asked him the same question and when he refused, dragged him out to torture him. As days passed, the haunted look in his eyes grew and it was clear that he had lost all hope. They didn't speak. Her routine consisted of cooking, checking on Draco and falling back to sleep. Dorea didn't know what to do because, for the first time, she was really scared… scared for Draco and scared for herself. When she had voluntarily walked into the forest all those years ago, she hadn't been afraid. She was alone and had no one, but now… someone was depending on her and she didn't want to die.
True to word, Yinsen had been here to check on Draco twice now. He seemed satisfied and had told her that 'Draco's injuries were healing nicely and he was out of imminent danger.' She was thankful that the man had given her information which she couldn't have gotten otherwise – about the Ten Rings or that they used weapons made by Stark Industries to terrorize the world. And that explained loads, like why Stark himself was here. If Phineas, really was a Black, then he wouldn't do things in half. He would want the best for his plans and from what Yinsen had told her, Stark was the best.
She wanted to ask him so many things, but the man hadn't spoken since their last talk and she didn't want to intrude. He'd been dealing with God knows what daily, while she was locked in here. He seemed sad and worn-out, so she had left him at that, not wanting to disturb the little peace that they had. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize that he must be starving until she heard his stomach rumble, though he didn't pay attention. So, she gave him an extra portion of food. It wasn't as if they would stop providing them food, even if it was some canned shit… not if they wanted their machinery. This time, he gave a nod of thanks, surprising her and ate like a starving man, which possibly he was. She left him alone despite her burning questions. After all, they had all the time in the world.
It was always dark here, but right now the only source of light was the fire and a couple of bulbs. It was also turning cold and she realised that it might be late in the night when she heard the man shuffling and turned her head to see that he was staring at her. She too sat up, feeling at disadvantage and more than uncomfortable lying down, especially when Malfoy was right there and couldn't defend himself, just in case.
It looked like he was contemplating something and she wasn't wrong. His eyes landed on her, glaring at her as if it was her fault that he was locked here before asking snappishly, "Do you know these people? That guy the other day… do you know him? Are you related? Then why did he lock the two of you in here? Is this some kind of a game?"
Dorea flinched, feeling betrayed for some odd reason, which was ridiculous. She didn't even know the guy and to her horror, she felt her eyes stinging. She had been locked here for more than three weeks now, with no sign of knowing if they'll get out of here or about Malfoy's condition. That had been the first day they had taken her out of this dark cave, only to come across Sirius's evil older brother who looked exactly like her godfather. She might regret later, but right now the only thing she felt was anger and she shouted, "Does it look like I know him or these people? Did you not hear him threatening to pass me as a toy to his men or killing Malfoy? Or do you need a demonstration?"
He blinked at her, looking flummoxed before raising his hands in surrender. She huffed and turned away from him. It might be childish, but she didn't want to talk to him anymore.
"Hey." He spoke after sometime, but this time his voice was soft. "I'm sorry. I've had a couple of rough days, shouldn't have taken it out on you."
Dorea snorted despite herself. Yeah… 'rough days' was an understatement. She peaked at him and couldn't help but nod. How could she not with his mouth twisted in a sad smile, eyes earnest, looking like a kicked puppy?
He stood suddenly, the battery in hand and walked over to her cot. She stiffened, eyes on him, wanting nothing more than to take Draco and vanish from here, but she couldn't. He stopped near the foot of her bed and held his hand out, "Let's start anew, shall we? Tony Stark."
Dorea looked at him and swallowed hard. Introducing herself… what harm could it do? Not in the situation she was in. So, she shook his hand and introduced herself, "Dorea Potter."
He smiled awkwardly, shuffling around before going back to his cot and settled the battery down.
She didn't know why she spoke, maybe it had been days since she had a civil conversation with someone or maybe just to keep her mind calm or maybe to find out how this one muggle can create the machine without magic. So, she said, "Uh… Mr Stark?"
He looked at her and spoke quietly, "Its Tony."
She gave him a nod and asked the most burning question, "Tony, are you an engineer?"
His eyes widened and he gaped at her like she had grown another head before asking incredulously, "You don't know who I am?!"
She winced. So, he was famous… to the extent that he was shocked to find out that he would probably have an aneurysm when he'll find out that there were whole societies out there who don't know him. Also, she couldn't help but wonder how he and Draco would react to each other. They seem to be cut from the same piece of cloth.
"I'm afraid not. I've heard the name 'Stark' before, but I have no idea what is it that you do." She told him.
He didn't say a word, just gawked at her for a long – long time before blinking out of whatever daze he was in and mumbled curiously, "I, Tony Stark, son of Howard Stark? Is it because you live on the other side of the pond? That can't be it. You said you work for the government? How can you not know who I am?"
She shrugged uncomfortably as he stared at her like she was some sort of a puzzle. She didn't know what to tell him… or how?
"Huh." He mumbled something to himself, too low for her to hear before asking, "Where do you live?"
She bit her lower lip, eyes filtered towards the fire, unsure and wary how much to tell him. At last, she decided to tell him the truth and replied, "London."
"How did you end up here?" he asked again.
"We were sent to investigate the recent terrorist attacks in Istanbul. I think they drugged us and I woke up here." She told him with a sigh. Why lie when he'll be finding out about everything soon enough. If he was as smart and clever as these people claimed, then it wouldn't take him much time to understand what they were working on.
"How long has it been?" He asked softly.
Her eyes went to the door and lingered there longingly as if it would somehow open and let them out before mumbling quietly, "I don't exactly know, but I'm sure it has been almost 25 days."
He didn't speak, just stared at her for a long time before closing his eyes and sighing tiredly. When he opened them again, he seemed calm, but if the naked fear in his eyes was anything to go by, Dorea could tell he wasn't as calm as he was trying to portray.
"Do you have a family?" he asked.
She looked at him before nodding her head in yes.
He motioned towards Draco and asked tentatively, "Your… partner?"
Dorea couldn't help the un-ladylike snort that escaped her, because her and Draco together? That would be 'the day' the world would come to an end. At Tony's arched eyebrow she answered, "We've known each other ever since we were 11 and have been working together for almost 7 years now, but that's it."
He looked at her sceptically, but decided to leave it at that and asked instead, "And you work for the British government?"
She took a moment before replying hesitantly, "You could say that… yeah."
His brown eyes stared right at her and he pointed towards her bracelet. "What are those? Both of you have them."
"It's something to keep us on a leash." She stated darkly.
"What is this?" It took her a moment to register that he was holding a piece of paper. 'The paper' which held the design and information about the machine Phineas wanted to use on 'purebloods'. He must've taken it while she was asleep or distracted. He was the one who had to build it, so she didn't see anything wrong with him taking it. She stared at it before meeting those brown eyes and said, "It is something which will be the end of my people."
He leaned forward, a strange expression crossed his face which reminded her of times when either Hermione or Draco were about to solve some mystery. "Your people?"
"Yes." She didn't elaborate, leaving it for later. If she didn't have to, she wasn't going to explain the intricates of what the machine did. It was too big-a-risk, she wasn't willing to take. So, before he could ask any more questions, she asked him one. "Why were you here?"
"Weapons demonstration," he said before clenching his jaw. "I had no idea they had my weapons."
"They used your weapons to kill all those people." She whispered, more to herself than him, but he heard her. She could tell by the way he glared at the door before shaking his head and closed his eyes with a loud exhale.
Dorea wasn't sure what to make of him. He seemed to be telling the truth, but right now, there was another burning matter at hand. The important thing was their current situation. She cleared her throat and asked, "Are you going to build it? The missile?"
He didn't look at her and stared into the fire, seemingly lost in thoughts. "No, and why should I? They're going to kill me, you, us… either way. And even if they didn't, I'll be dead in another week."
"Well, if you die, they'll kill us all, Mr Stark." She looked at him beseechingly.
For a moment he looked at her confused until she added, "Once they were sure they'll get you, they attracted us by killing the wi… those people. They knew the ministry will send me and Draco. He knew that Draco will be perfect for runes and me… They had it all planned. It's gonna be an important week, isn't it?"
He stared at her like it hadn't crossed his mind, not missing her slip of the tongue and opened his mouth to ask something when a groan from the corner of the cave caught them off guard.
Eyes wide, Dorea flew from her bed to Draco's side. For the first time in days, he was moving slightly, possibly from pain and discomfort. She prayed and it was answered as his grey eyes opened and he squinted at her.
"Draco." She whispered, relieved. A hand on his forehead, while the other was on his chest, trying to comfort him.
"Pot'r. 'Wha 'ave 'u gotn' us into ths' time?" He croaked out.
His words were slurred, but he was alive, so she did the only thing she hadn't in days.
She burst into tears.
EN: Hope you're liking it. Positive Criticism is always appreciated unless it is rude or insulting. Have a nice day everyone.
Next update: August 19th 2020
August 12th, 2020