Before I start this chapter, go and check out the fantastic story, 'A Happy Accident: 70 Years,' by the wonderful Njchrispatrick. It is where the inspiration for this story came from. If you notice any similarities between the stories, I do have permission to use them

Harry dug around in his pocket, searching for his shrunken trunk. Ever since he'd asked Hermione to place an extension charm on it, sticking his hand into it was a bit daunting. Just knowing he had a void in his pants made his laugh slightly. Finally, his hands closed around it and he drew it out. It wasn't similar to his Hogwarts trunk in the slightest, which he was no longer using. This one was quite a bit smaller but had more room inside, thank to the multiple extension charms place upon it (they needed to be replaced every few months, due to the volatile nature of the spells). It was covered in a dark brown leather, with vine like designs pressed into it. It was also the shape of a briefcase, which was very handy for traveling. A feather-light charm completed it.

Harry placed it down on the coffee table and flicked the latches up, with a little 'click.' Inside, was a jumble of unfolded, wrinkles clothes, mostly grey and black t-shirts, with the odd pair of worn, ripped jeans and sneakers thrown in for good measure. However, the mess was organised. Harry happened to know where everything was, which he was very proud of. What he was looking for wasn't secreted away within the tangled mess of garments. It was held safely in a small pocket on the lid; tickets to Washington D.C, where he was going to visit the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum to find out more about Steve Rogers. There was only so much you could find online and in libraries. He also needed to be speedy about it, as his plane was leaving quite soon.

Muffled footsteps, belonging to a woman wearing heels, sounded outside of the door to the apartment. Without even turning around, and before the key even turned in the lock, Harry knew it was Peggy, returning from her errands. He snapped his trunk shut and stood to face her. She smiled slightly.

"I see finding a wand was a success." Peggy moved into the kitchen and started making a cup of tea, delicate china clinking. Harry followed her and casually leaned against the doorframe. He was far more comfortable in her presence than he was a few weeks ago. He was even considering visiting again, after he left America, is she was alright with it.

"Yeah, it was." He fingered the new, unfamiliar wand in his pocket. It was going to take a lot of getting used to.

"You going somewhere?" She plopped a cube of sugar into her tea.

"Washington."

"May I ask why?"

"Smithsonian." She raised her head and smiled proudly at him. Harry found himself glowering. He could just hear the encouraging words about to come out of her mouth. Instead, to his surprise, she said:

"I see. I wish you well."

"I thought you would say more."

"Who am I to keep you here?"

"I see your point." He stood up straight, no longer using the doorframe. The time on his battered gold watch was ominously ticking forward. Missing his plane was the last thing he needed right now. "Thank you for putting me up for a few weeks. I don't know what I would have done otherwise."

"Didn't you have another place to stay?"

"Yeah." Harry paused, biting his lip. "I should probably pay them off. That's a thought. Forgot to contact them."

"I can take care of that for you, just go get your flight?"

"Really?"

"Of course. After all I've put you through, it's that last I could do."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." She smiled sadly at him, then suddenly said, "Steve wasn't a bad guy. You don't need to be ashamed to wear your true appearance."

"It's a more personal issue," said Harry. "I'm working through it."

"Good."

"I really need to go." Harry paused by the door, turning back to face Peggy. "Thank you, so much. You gave me...you gave me the wake up call I needed, even though I didn't think I needed it."

She waved goodbye. "Go and get your plane, you silly boy."

"Right. Bye!"

The plane trip went well, if not being a bit nerve wracking for Harry. He would never admit it, but it was his first time on a plane. The landing was the worst, with his ears popping all over the place. You would think with all the time he spent zipping around the skies on his broom he would be more used to it by now. After he landed, he made his way through throngs of people and was about to get into a taxi take him to hit accommodation. Unfortunately, he was stopped by a middle aged man with a beak like nose and receding hairline.

"Excuse me, are you Harry Potter?"

"Who wants to know?" Harry didn't bother looking at him. If this was someone who had followed from New York, he swore...

"My name is Phil Coulson, and I'm with the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division." Harry blinked twice, totally bamboozled.

"Come again."

"You can call us SHIELD for short." Coulson looked relatively pleased with himself. "We would like to speak to you."

"About what?"

"That is classified information at this point in time."

"What happens if I don't come with you?"

"We may be forced to make you cooperate."

"You know what?" Harry turned to face Coulson. "I just came here to research my fa―" He cut himself off, swallowing the words that wormed out of his throat. Coulson gave him a strange look. "Look, I'm just here to visit the Smithsonian. I don't need more randoms approaching me in public."

"I assure you, I am far from a random."

"Yeah, you aren't the first to say that." He made to leave, but was stopped.

"My boss would like to meet with you. He has an offer for you."

"Okay, fine." Harry stopped, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow. "What makes this offer different than all the others I get? Before you ask, I'm not promoting a product."

"We have no products to promote." Inwardly, Harry sagged in relief.

"You know what, I'll humour you people, just this once. Doesn't mean I have to be nice." Perhaps, he was just feeling nice today. Well, niceish. Nice, served with a side dish of bitter ginger.

"Good. Our car is waiting just down there."

Harry followed Coulson quite a way down the footpath. Eventually, they reached a sleek black SUV. Harry sardonically raised an eyebrow.

"Well, you've certainly got quite the operation going."

"You have no idea."

They rode in silence. After a short ride, they reached a fairly large, nondescript building. Harry was escorted to an office, where a black man with a patch over his eye sat. He wore a black turtleneck and leather eye patch. For some reason, he reminded Harry of a grungy pirate. Coulson left, quietly shutting the door behind him.

"Mr. Potter. Welcome. Please, take a seat."

"You can't be that polite." The words just didn't match the image the man had going on.

"You would be right."

"Well, what do you want?"

"To ask you to join a team I'm putting together."

"Yeah, no can do."

"I haven't even explained what it's about."

"Look, I don't want to hear it. I'm sick of being asked to do things I don't want to."

Fury sighed and pulled out a card. "Alright, I understand. But keep this card, if you ever want to get in contact with us." He watched intently until Harry put it away.

"Thanks, I guess."

He was promptly shown out by Coulson, his face looking slightly more stony than it did before.

Later that day, he took an international portkey back to London, disappearing in a swirl of glittering rainbow colours.

Sorry for the huge delay. Schoolwork is a bitch right now, and passing this year is more important than this story, sorry. The reason it is so short is because I was only able to just squeeze this in. Anyway, SHIELD is now involved in the story. Woohoo! Things will be picking up soon, with Steve getting involved in around 4-7 chapters. I haven't quite mapped it out yet.

For those of you who are wondering, this story is currently in June/July on 1999. A time jump/skip is coming up soon.

If you want to, you can join my discord server. You can talk further about my stories with me, if you like, and I give out previews to the next chapter around three hours before I update. Link is below and the server is about everything fanfiction. It's set to never expire, you just have to type it in.

/Kb9zJgV

Sincerely,
Mariadoria