Theo was holding my hand tightly as I marvelled at the building we were led into by Happy, my father and his friends. It was dressed lavishly, as if Tony wanted people to see how much money he owned.

"Good afternoon, sir. I assume everything went well?" A voice spoke loudly and I looked around, startled. I felt Theo squeeze my hand tightly and I return the gesture, doing my best to comfort him as surely he was just as confused as I.

"Splendid, thank you, JARVIS." Answered Tony as he led us all to a pair of metal doors which opened to reveal a large yet empty elevator.

Theo and I follow everyone else inside it and I watch as Clint quickly presses the sixth button, which lights up in a luminous green after he had done so. The metal doors quickly shut and soon we are zooming off to another floor in the tower.

"I see you have newcomers with you, sir. Would you like me to give notice to the rest of the team?" The voice, JARVIS, asks.

"That won't be necessary. I rather like surprises," Tony answers. Nat and Clint roll their eyes and I stifle a laugh. "Oh, and JARVIS, please allow Mariana Stark and Theodore Nott unrestricted access from the ground floor to floor 10. I believe they'll be staying with us for a while." Tony winks and I smile shyly at him. I felt reassured that he seemingly wanted a relationship with me.

"Access granted, sir. Should I set up the WiFi password, social and streaming accounts for them?"

Tony turns to us.

"You guys have Netflix, right?"

We both stare at him confused, Theo being the first answer him.

"Should we know what that is?" Tony frowns before waving his hand at us and responding to JARVIS.

"Yeah, go ahead JAR. I have a feeling they're like Capsicle, so give them the essentials. Don't forget to add them to our group-chat, either."

I had absolutely no idea what Tony was going on about, but decided to let it go for now. Soon enough, the elevator dinged and the doors opened up to reveal an expensive, cosy entertainment room complete with a massive TV and three leather couches. I peered around the room curiously, taking in the multiple bodies of strangers I did not know rather than the rest of the furniture or features of the room.

We walk out of the elevator, a blonde-haired man meeting us half way across the room. He was dressed casually, a blue shirt and jeans with a brown leather watch around this wrist.

"Tony, I thought we agreed you'd let us know if they were a threat. Instead, you let us sit here for an hour questioning the mission--"

"Oh, come off it Capiscle. I'd like you to meet Mariana, my daughter, and her friend Theodore."

The man turns to us, observing us with a stoic look on his face. "Nice to meet you both," he says before turning back to Tony.

"Can I speak to you, alone?" The man grits out and I can feel my anxiety brew. Clearly, he was upset with us being here.

Theo seems to notice, because he turns to Nat and asks if there's anywhere we can get something to drink. She nods and leads us away from everyone and towards a pair of frosted, sliding doors. She opens them to reveal a black, white and red kitchen, complete with all the needed essentials and a few extras. There is even a large, black glass table for everyone to sit and eat at.

"I'm going to go and check on those two before either of them lose their temper. Glasses are in the cupboard above the sink. Feel free to have a look in the other cupboards if you're both feeling hungry, hopefully Thor's left something." Nat says before leaving the room, closing the doors beside her.

I look to Theo nervously, "I don't think they like us very much."

Theo laughs softly and shakes his head. "And when have you ever worried about if somebody likes you, love?"

I frown at him, "not since my first year..." I sigh softly. "I guess you're right. I'm being silly."

Theo gently brings a surprisingly soft hand to my face and cups my right cheek. "That you are, but I can understand your fear. I used to be the same way. You still have me, even if they do reject us which seems like the last thing your father will ever do. I promise you, we'll figure something out if all goes wrong."

"I'm grateful to have met you, Theo." I smile before leaving his touch and looking for a glass inside the cupboard Nat said. I quickly fish one out and begin to fill it with cold water. I take a sip as Theo sits down on one of the black, leather chairs.

It didn't take me long to finish the water, however, it seemed like whatever I drank wasn't enough. I was parched, like a fish out of water.

I lick my lips in attempt to give them some moisture and turn around to fill my glass again. I noticed the slight tremor in my hand as I did so and tears begin filled my eyes. The adrenline from our adventure to Gringrotts wore off and I felt so ill, so... I can't even begin to explain. Instead, I blame the Dursleys and my own ignorance.

The glass falls into the sink with a clang, a large crack going throughout it as I grip the counter with shaking hands. I hear Theo's chair screech behind me.

"Mari?" He asks cautiously.

"Get Mr Stark," I croak out as I foolishly let go of the sink and attempt to make it to one of the chairs to sit down. I don't even make it half way across before my body meets the laminate flooring, my vision prickling with a darkness that accompanys the dizziness I was currently feeling.

Suddenly, my eyes begin to sting and my breaths come out raggard and heavy. What was happening to me? A pain shoots through the scar above my left eyebrow and I let out a pained cry.

"STARK!" Theo bellows as he rushes to help me up, with no avail. My body felt like lead and my lungs felt breathless.

Everything goes hazy and my gaze on the white ceiling of Tony's kitchen grows black as I sink into the torment my body was under.

~

A/N: Oh, poor Mari (and Theo). I wonder what's caused this to happen? You're welcome to take a guess! The next chapter should be out within the next few days, so you won't be in suspense for long! - Seraphic