Standard Disclaimer: I own nothing in regards to Harry Potter or the MCU. All properties therein are those of their creators. I am just a simple writer working on my skills with worlds and characters that I love.
Part Nine - Ramifications
"Fuck!" The moment Harry appeared in his oval office he let loose all of his pent up aggression, grabbed the nearest chair, and took an unholy delight in watching it shatter against the nearest wall after throwing it. This continued for several minutes. His friends and family staring in shock as he decimated his office furniture.
Odin and Frigga meanwhile contented themselves by conjuring a pair of chairs and chatting about their days as all around them devastation rained.
When he finally wound himself down, the prince found himself in the middle of another group hug by his women, and facing a worried Peggy Carter.
"What was that about, Harry?"
Odin spoke up for him. "That was a normal reaction to acting as a king. Many times have I destroyed mine own throne room in such a manner."
Carter turned to face the older monarch. "What do you mean?"
"I have learned the laws of this world, Lady Carter. The biggest issue for executing that deplorable Dumbledore was that he had diplomatic immunity. However, do you really think it couldn't have been rescinded?"
"Queen Elizabeth said-"
"Exactly what she needed to." Frigga spoke up this time. "The immunity status was agreed upon by three countries including her own. She could not unilaterally revoke it without the agreement of the other countries leaders. To do otherwise would be illegal as a result of their agreement. So if Harry had taken the bastard's head anyway conflict would once more have followed, and not just with her country but Norway and France, who would be honor bound to join the fray as a result."
"Conquering one country was enough." Harry, now much more relaxed in a female heavy dog pile, said. "I have no urge to take anymore, but still, I came close to making it happen anyway."
"Nonsense, grandson." Odin boomed. "As a true ruler should, you saw the line available to you and acted upon it. What is more, you came out ahead for your efforts and now hold near sole command of your orbital defense fleet. Between them and Asgard's army you are setting yourself up to become one of the top powers in the cosmos."
A haunted look passed over Harry's face at those words. "More power makes us more of a target. I never wanted that. I only wanted to find a way to live in peace with you, my people, and the women I love." He smiled at his girls, and they happily smiled back. "It just kind of turned out this way."
"These things tend to, son." Loki placed a hand on his boy's shoulder. "But I am proud of how you comported yourself after calming down. You're a better man than I am that's for sure. I can't say I would've been able to stop myself from taking the bearded fuck's head."
"Right, so what does this mean now for us all?" Peggy asked.
Loki answered, "It all comes down to that bloody tournament. You see, typically an artifact like that shouldn't have been powerful enough to entrap someone of Harry's bloodline and strength, but somehow Dumblefuck got his hands on his blood. Blood is one of the most powerful mediums for magic in existence and it did its job in this case. Harry must compete in this tournament, but he does not have to win. Furthermore, he does not even really need to try. Just showing up and performing a paltry show of effort will be enough to satisfy that goblet. It's three tasks spread over the course of the year, and one or two other events mixed in for filler as it was explained to me by that slightly helpful Scottish professor. Other than that, we can go back to business as usual."
"Business as usual?" Peggy asked disbelievingly.
"Well, with the added job of trying to find the best way to get back at everyone involved in this fiasco. At the least I think we should sanction trade with Britain until they get their magicals in line. Too many of them seemed, what's the word…"
"Elitist?" Peggy offered.
"Stuck up?" Laura piped in.
"Assholeish?" Luna said.
"Disrespectful?" Frigga chuckled.
"Like mewling quims?" Odin thought out loud.
"Holier than thou?" Harry put in.
"Yes, yes, all of those and more." Loki waved a hand.
"Alright, dad." Harry agreed. "I'll order the senate to begin the sanctions, and I'll attend an interview with Jameson tonight."
"Whatever for, son?" The god of mischief asked.
"That whole fiasco was live streaming throughout the carnage. That means the whole world saw me go off the rails, our forces destroy a castle full of children, and me basically making the queen of England my bitch. I need to address that and make the people understand what all went down so they can be put at ease. The last thing they need is to think their prince is losing it."
"A good plan, grandson." Odin stood, and his chair disappeared after him. "For my part, I must leave for a time."
"Where are you going, Gramps?"
"A personal matter. Our family has been doing well, and I think a great deal of that has been how… open, we all are now with each other." He gave Loki a long look as he said that. "There is another member of this family that has been banished for far too long. I wish to speak with her, and perhaps see if some common ground might be reached."
"Are you sure, husband?" Frigga placed a hand on his arm. "You know how she is."
"I do, my love, but was I any different? Was not Thor on the same path before being turned away? My conscience says I must at least try." So saying he turned to regard the rest of his family, "I know you have questions about this, but please, hold them until I return. If I know Hela as well as I used to then I imagine I'm in for a very long conversation, most of which shall be ranting and her trying to stab out my one good eye. Heimdall!" A burst of rainbow light briefly lit up the room and he was gone.
Harry stared at his grandmother with wide eyes, "Did he just say Hela? As in the Norse goddess of death?"
"Your aunt always did have a flare for the dramatic. Oh that headdress of hers was just garish to behold." The stoic woman sighed. "All shall be revealed later, young one. Now, how about we pry those girls off of you and get you properly dressed? You can't go for an interview on national television like that."
The suddenly growling group of woman on his arms seemed to disagree.
That Evening
True to form, his girls had not left him alone for a moment since they returned from his abduction. And that included the time he spent washing and changing into a fine suit. Harry still quivered at the memory of Luna licking her lips at the sight of him walking out of the shower.
Now he was seated on a lengthened couch on a soundstage awaiting the countdown that would signal they were live. Jean sat to his right, Laura his left, Luna on his lap, and Shuri stood behind him with her hands on his shoulders. On the immediate edge of the stage, just out of camera range, stood a stoic Yuriko. A long bladed katana held sheathed but ready in her hands. J. Jonah Jameson sat behind his desk with a list of notes and questions immediately at hand.
As they all watched, the cameraman's fingers started counting down. Five. Four. Three. Two. One.
"Good evening folks, I am J. Jonah Jameson, and tonight I want to welcome you all to a very special interview." The newsman began, "I'm joined here on my stage by Prince Harry of Asgard and America, and several others. Care to introduce them Your Majesty?"
"Of course, Mr. Jameson." Harry began moving his hand to each woman in turn. "These are my lovely girlfriends. Jean Grey, Laura Kinney, Luna Lovegood, and Princess Shuri of Wakanda."
"Wakanda?" Jameson asked, surprise clear on his face.
"Oh yes, we never formally announced this did we, Shuri?" Harry looked back and up at the beautiful African girl.
She shook her head in the negative. "No, but allow me." She looked directly into the camera, "A short time ago Prince Harry and I were betrothed. It was only recently however that our families finalized the agreements on our behalves. A formal declaration will be announced within the week."
"Well, congratulations, Your Majesties." This wasn't the info Jameson expected to be airing, but he'd take it regardless.
"Thanks, Jonah." Harry smiled. "But that's not why we're here. I wanted to take this chance to address the nation and answer any questions they may have about what happened today. I know everything in England was streamed out live and the events in question can be easily taken in multiple directions. So as in the past, here I am. Full transparency."
Jonah organized his notes and said, "Just so the viewers at home know nothing is off the table here, can I just ask… Is it strange to be dating multiple women at once? Or is that an accepted relationship status on Asgard?"
"It is actually very common on Asgard. The men and women there are very strong of mind and body, as well as will. They have found over the centuries that sharing their beloveds can be preferable to fighting over them and ruining friendships." Harry answered. "My own grandmother shared her husband with her shield-sisters for many decades before war took them to Valhalla. Though I will admit, as I was raised human it was a bit of a personal struggle to make that choice. But my mother convinced me that I had enough love in my heart for all of them, and they for me. So we decided to give it a shot, and I'm forever glad we did."
"As are we." All the girls agreed.
"There you have it folks. Now, on to business. Prince Harry, what exactly happened today, in your own words."
The prince took a deep breath, squeezed his girl's hands for support, and began. "This morning I was having a lovely date with Shuri when a portal opened in my office and transported me to a castle in England. We now know this place to have been the local magic school, Hogwarts. Apparently my name was written in blood and entered into a magical artifact that chose me to compete in their tournament. Their very deadly tournament with a vast history of killing selected champions."
"And that worked?"
"Blood is one of the strongest magical mediums in existence, Jonah. With it you can do almost anything. Anyway, I arrived there, having been kidnapped, and it brought forth…. memories of the last time I was taken against my will." Harry looked directly into the cameras then, "I would like to apologize to any viewers that were frightened or traumatized by the sight of how I reacted there. The stress of a second kidnapping sent my body into a berserk state and I temporarily lost control of myself. Let me be clear, I do not regret the damage I caused. I was taken against my will and as far as I'm concerned I reacted accordingly, but I do regret the fear it may have caused you. I care for each and every citizen under my aegis and it pains me to know I might have caused any of you any amount of distress."
He silently held his position for three more seconds before continuing. "It didn't take long for the forces of Asgard and our Guardians to arrive in my defense. As you all saw they made short work of the castle defenses, calmed me down, and aided in pacifying the defending elements. What came next was negotiations for peace with Britain."
Jonah folded his hands and stared at the young prince. "As I recall, the last time this happened you conquered our country. Why was England not the next to fall?"
"Several reasons, Jonah. The first time it happened the mission was authorized by the president himself. The head of a nation approved it so his nation faced the consequences. In this case, we know that the head of Hogwarts is the one that set up my kidnapping, not Queen Elizabeth. My top telepath confirmed it."
"That would be me." Jean waved to the cameras.
"Right, well why has the headmaster," the reporter eyed his notes, "Albus Dumbledore not been arrested for his actions then?"
"Because the leaders of the three schools participating in the tournament and the government officials that run it have been granted diplomatic immunity by the three countries that are sponsoring it. I could have just taken his head, but that would have meant war with England, France, and Norway. That being said, I have been assured by Queen Elizabeth that he is going to be charged for his crimes after the tournament ends. She says there are circumstances that will allow it. Dead or alive his days are numbered."
Jameson could only stare at that. "You are saying that you had the opportunity to add three more nations to your rule and didn't take it? I think I speak for our audience when I say how shocked I am at that. We all know the power of your army. You could have ended a conflict of that size in a matter of days."
"That's not the point." It was Shuri that spoke this time. "My betrothed does not want war with anyone else. He does not want to rule more subjects. He has no wish to be an emperor. Harry only wants to live in peace. It is the machinations of others that deny him this."
Laura spoke up next. "That is right. Mi corazón has done only what he can to help others in his life. It hurts us all that people still plot against him."
Luna added her own two cents then, "The ones at fault are not England, Norway, or France, but the wizards that organized this tournament and those that support and defend their actions even when they are shown to be malicious and unlawful."
"That is an interesting mindset to have, Ms. Lovegood. However, now that we are back on the topic of magicals, I have to wonder, what will your involvement in this tournament be, Prince Harry?"
"As minimal as possible, Jonah. I was entered into this tournament against my will, the prize money would be a drop in the bucket compared to my current wealth, and the supposed prestige is useless considering the world already knows my face. No, I intend to show up, give a passing effort to meet the magical requirements, and then stand to the side to cheer on the actual competitors that wanted to be there. As far as I am concerned there aren't four champions as Magical England has been advertising since this afternoon. There are three, plus me. If I place on the podium at the end then there is something seriously wrong going on."
"There is also the fact that it wouldn't really be fair to the others to seriously compete right? You being a god and all."
"Half-god, Jonah, but yes. If I put in actual effort I imagine I would very likely decimate any challenges brought before me."
"It's why Asgardians don't participate in the olympics." Jean laughed.
"Well, I can only speak for myself, but I am certainly glad to have that matter cleared up. And though you do not intend to win, I at least will be cheering you on, Prince Harry. On a different note, We've been receiving reports of heightened activity at NASA and the British Space Programme. Is there something going on we as a nation should know?"
Harry took a moment to think about how best to answer that question, and finally settled on a small amount of the truth. "Much of that information is still classified, but I can tell you a couple things. First, I and a few others are galvanizing this planet's space forces for further exploration and expansion into our solar system and beyond. In the time between setting a man on the moon and now we could have already set up colonies on several worlds, and it is insulting to us as a species that we have not done so. Second, I and several other nations have pooled our resources in an effort to create an orbital defense measure. After all, alien forces have attacked our world before. That is all I can say."
Jonah was all set to start his next line of questioning when Yuriko rushed on stage, whispered something in the prince's ear, and rushed back off. Harry was smiling as he brought up something else.
"Mr. Jameson, your son is an astronaut is he not?"
Jameson nodded warily. "Yes. Why do you ask?"
"Oh no reason really, to be honest I already knew. In fact, I was hoping to make an announcement about him in a few minutes if you would oblige me. I was just informed of some information that you might find interesting."
Considering he had a veritably unlimited amount of airtime for this interview, the reporter saw no harm. So it was that ten minutes later Yuriko returned to whisper something else in her prince's ear, and Harry reached into his suit coat to remove his phone. It was an advanced model made specially by Tony Stark, and it was equipped with a holographic projector.
"Earlier today a new model of spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It's mission was to deliver a forward operating and research base to Mars. Said base was shrunk and stored by way of a combination of magic and runes. I have just gotten confirmation of its arrival and setup."
Jonah was shocked. "You mean to tell me that a new form of spacecraft made it from earth to Mars in a single day?"
"I'm telling you that it technically made it there in less than eight hours. And now that life support is active on the base I can officially introduce you, and the American people, to the commander of this mission."
The hologram spun to life above their heads, and a massive image of Colonel John Jameson came to life. Behind him were his crew, moving boxes to and fro.
"Colonel, you're live on the air. Perhaps a show out the window would be warranted." Harry spoke clearly, earning a crisp salute for his words.
"Yes, sir." John took in hand what everyone viewing probably assumed was a handheld camera, and moved the vision to the right until all the viewers at home became subject to the view outside a reinforced window of the portable habitat. A view of vast rocky plains absolutely coated in red sand.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Harry looked into the cameras, "I give you the first man on Mars."
The crowd in the studio went wild, and those on the stage could only assume viewers all over the world were doing the same. For five solid minutes men and women applauded and clapped before order was once more restored. Jameson hadn't looked away from his son's face for even a second. Pride clear for all to see on his own.
"As I said, I cannot tell you everything, but this seemed too good a chance to waste. This is a mere taste of the moves and advancements we are currently making at NASA." Harry's voice was full and regal, and none present could doubt the passion inside him. "I believe in our people. I believe in the dream we once held for space and what lies beyond it, and I know that our future lies out there waiting for us to take it. This is what I want to focus my time and effort on. Not some tournament in England."
The prince looked his host directly in the eye, "Your son has made history today. Be proud."
"I am." For a moment Jameson seemed to be on the verge of tears, but he masterfully drew them back in. "Can I ask your crew here some questions for the people at home?"
Harry gestured to the still projecting hologram. "By all means. We have all night."
So they did. For the next three hours the crew was questioned about their mission and what it felt like to be the first humans on the red planet. Then things came back to Harry. It was a long night, but by the end the American people were reassured and once more held faith in their sovereign.
Meanwhile back in England several individuals were trying to devise ways to get rid of him.