Disclaimer: I own nothing, nada, nil, need I say more? All belongs to J.K Rowling, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Marvel, and Disney
Warning: Some cussing because Tony, Clint, and Logan have potty mouths. Not to mention crude language in general.
A/N: Also I was kind of in two minds about the repost I didn't want to mix the old and the new because then nothing would make sense and I didn't want anyone to have to wait any longer so I just deleted everything and started over perhaps this was not the best method. I had a review because I pulled the story down while someone was in the middle of rereading the story (sorry librarycat9). To be fair though I could hardly stand to read this story once, let alone twice; hence the rewrites. So I have reposted the old chapters under Finding Family original. This can also be read as an alternate start because even though I have changed some things the story is still fundamentally the same so it should still work. The only differences will be Neo and all the background info as I have changed how the Final Battle went some people who died in the last version didn't in this one.
There is a minor time skip between this chapter and the last one but the important bits will be covered in flashbacks also Harry's past has been altered slightly which will also be addressed in flashbacks. Also this story will be told in multiple POV because I found it was too complicated to try and tell it from a 3rd person omniscient POV. For the most part this story will be told from Harry's perspective though I will label changes. All POVS will be done from a 3rd person perspective. Also sorry if the airport terms are not entirely accurate I had to secondhand all my knowledge as I've only ever been on a plane once and that was a long time ago
I realize I have made some radical changes in the storyline but I know have an actual idea where I'm going with this story. I am keeping Wasp and Ant-man after all as they are going to play an important part in future chapters; however I have changed it so they will be introduced with a backstory. Also which do you guys prefer short chapters with faster updates or longer chapters with slower updates? (for when I get to the actual chapters as the rewrites are half done)
Sorry this was late the next two chapters will be out together though I'm not exactly sure when because work has been crazy lately.
Harry was looking out the airplane window, and watched as the plane descended onto the tarmac below. He found that the airplane, while slower than wizard methods of international travel, was far more comfortable. Plus the time in the air had given his some time to sort through his muddled thoughts. The days following his meeting with Welker had been chaotic at best as he was being prepared for his vacation.
A small part of Harry thought that a vacation might be good though it went ignored as Harry was still resenting being forced into a vacation in the first place. He'd decided to just go with it after a rather odd letter from Luna who hinted that the vacation would help. It helped that he'd been given the same advice by several others.
After much debate it was decided that the only minimal changes were necessary. So his scar was now hidden and his eyes were now hazel instead of Lily Potter's brilliant green. His hair had refused to cooperate so it had been left as it was. The changes would make it hard for anyone to recognize him as Harry Potter unless they knew him well.
His entire background had been fabricated by the Ministry. It was mostly the same though all references to magic had been replaced with believable non-magical ones. As long as he stayed away from too much scrutiny he should be fine. He was also not allowed to use his magic unless the circumstances were dire, and to ensure this Welker had outfitted him with bracelets that would suppress his magic and hide it from any magically sensitive beings. Harry didn't see the point as he was highly doubted that this would be an issue as he was to be living in a muggle area.
"We are on final approach." announced the pilot, "We hope you have enjoyed your trip with Northeast Airlines."
Harry watched as they landed and taxied to a stop on the runway. He fingered the mokeskin pouch he wore around his neck; it was disillusioned so only he knew it was there. It also had an undetectable extension charm on it like Hermione's beaded bag. He had enchanted it shortly before the end of the war. In order to keep up appearances though Harry had packed a carry-on bag and two suitcases with the standard necessities.
Harry was jostled from his thoughts by a young mother dropping her luggage on his head as she attempted to quiet her wailing child. The baby was red-faced as it continued to cry with fists waving wildly in the air. She was standing in the aisle behind him and her expression was apologetic.
"Oops, I'm so sorry about that. Are you ok?" she asked with concern.
""Yeah I'm fine I've been hit things a lot harder than that" answered Harry. He grinned ruefully and held out the bag to her.
"Oh well sorry again" said the woman as she grabbed the bag shooting him a grateful smile.
"No problems" said Harry.
He watched wistfully as she proceeded to disembark the plane. He thought the baby looked a good deal like Teddy without turquoise hair. His godson was currently staying with Andromeda, his only living family member. Harry had visited Andromeda immediately after seeing the Minister. Harry had been contemplating mutiny and outright refusing to leave Britain when Andy talked him out of it. She convinced Harry to take some time for himself and New York might be a good change of pace. She'd hinted that she would probably make a visit with Teddy as the Blacks had a few properties in New York. Harry was sure she would whether or not the Minister let her too; the woman wasn't a Black for nothing. Harry saw that he was one of the last remaining passengers so he stood up and removed his carry-on bags from the overhead compartments.
As soon as he was off the plane Harry looked around the terminal. He had been informed that he was to wait for his escort, and that if he made a run for it he would regret it. He saw that a few people were holding up signs with names on them but his name wasn't among them. His attention was diverted by a crowd that seemed to be gathering to his right. His curiosity getting the better of him, Harry migrated towards the crowd. As he drew closer he notice the crowd had gathered around two men.
The man on the left was taller and he was glaring at the man next to him. The shorter man had black hair and he was wearing dark sunglasses. Both men were wearing casual clothes. The blonde was looking around, obviously searching for something while the other man glanced around lazily. The blonde turned his head and looked directly at him.
Harry could see that they were talking to each other but he couldn't hear what they were saying over the chattering crowd. He knew that they were talking about him though because they kept glancing in his direction and the shorter man pointed directly at him before the other man swatted his arm down. He watched the crowd disperse after a few words from the dark-haired man and both men walked towards him.
"Hello, are you Harry Potter?" asked the blonde who was now standing a few feet in front of Harry.
"Yes" answered Harry in an amused tone. Harry was so used to people already knowing his name it was a novelty to hear someone actually ask for it. It was a feeling that he could get used to.
"We found him. See I told you we didn't need a sign." said the man wearing sunglasses smugly.
"Fury's not going to be happy." said the blonde.
"Don't mind him he's just jealous of my awesomeness. Our ride is waiting, come on kid" said Sunglasses.
"Err are you my escorts?" asked Harry. He was wary with the idea of going anywhere with a stranger and he wanted to make sure these two were the right people. It would his luck if they turned out to be disguised Death Eaters or something.
"Yes," said the blonde. He seemed to have noticed Harry's apprehension because he added, "I'm sure your stay will be brilliant. New York is a fun place with lots of interesting sights. We'll probably pass by Central Park it's a really great place."
"Yeah just magical." said Sunglasses jokingly.
Harry relaxed slightly as he recognized the code in their words that confirmed their identities. He doubted that the men even knew exactly what they just said. Though it struck him as odd because he was quite sure that the code wasn't something that Neo would do, and this was the work of a certain pair of tricksters he knew. It was something he could look into later, he would probably send them a letter. After all Neo had not forbidden him from contacting his friends, so he would write them once Hedwig arrived. He hadn't wanted to make her ride on the plane so she was flying from England on her own. He hoped she arrived soon.
"I'm Steve Rogers" said the blonde and offered Harry his hand which Harry shook briskly.
"Skip the introductions Stars and Stripes, he doesn't need them." said Sunglasses.
"Fine then let's go." said Steve
Harry could see Steve was making an effort not to roll his eyes. Harry examined both men as they left the airport and felt the searching looks that both directed at him. He ignored this as he evaluated the men who would most likely be his guides for the rest of his vacation. Neither man was what he expected though, to be fair, he hadn't been entirely sure what to expect.
The man Harry had temporarily dubbed Sunglasses was cocky, arrogant and a bit of a joker. Thinking about it the man was strikingly similar to Sirius. In fact this man acted a lot like what Harry imagined that Sirius had in his prime; a person that Harry had only seen pieces of because Azkaban had changed Sirius so much. Steve was different from Tony, more serious and less confident. Harry could tell that there was a lot more to both men because despite their difference both were well-experienced fighters.
Steve and Tony POV
Steve and Tony were making their way through the airport which was not easy as several people stopped to gawk at the two heroes. They were making their way towards the gate so they could pick the kid up when his plane landed. Steve thought they were being too conspicuous as he saw all the attention they were drawing, but Tony waved his worries aside.
"Come on let's find the kid." said Tony.
"Shouldn't we have a sign so he can see us?" asked Steve.
"Nah, see I'm drawing a crowd," said Tony motioning towards the people who were approaching them and taking pictures with their phones, "the kid will see the crowd and find us."
"I don't think we should do this, Fury said we needed to be discreet." said Steve.
"No he said not to draw attention to ourselves and we aren't, they're giving us their attention without us asking. He only suggested that we be discreet. This would get any kid's attention." said Tony.
Steve just gave an exasperated sigh and started looking around trying to spot the boy. The crowd made it difficult to move around so he ended up swiveling his head back and forth. Next to him Tony looked around in between smiling charmingly at the crowd that swarmed around them. Steve was scanning the crowd for a third time when he saw the boy. He was standing to his right just outside of the crowd.
"I've spotted him" said Steve.
"Where?" asked Tony.
"To your right, he's standing about twenty feet away from us" responded Steve.
"Oh there?" asked Tony pointing to a kid with messy black hair standing just out of the crowd's range.
"Stop pointing" said Steve pushing Tony's arm down, "and yes I think that's him but we need to get closer."
"All right everybody time to go back to your regularly scheduled lives if you want autographs you can call and make an appointment with my secretary." said Tony making shooing motions with his hands.
The crowd dispersed going back to their business though a few people would turn to look at gawk at both men or take a quick picture. Tony and Steve walked towards the boy who was still standing in the same spot. He looked similar to the boy in the picture, but Steve noted there were several differences. This boy was older than the one in the picture, his face was more angular and he was slightly taller. His demeanor was quite different in the picture he seemed happy and carefree, but the boy in front of him was resigned and wary.
Tony was drawing conclusions similar to Steve's as he also examined the kid. He also noticed that the kid was wearing rather inexpensive clothes despite being loaded, if the file was to be believed at any rate. The lack of information in the file grated on his nerves, he had read the entire thing back to front but there hadn't been all that much information in it. Frustrated at not having enough information Tony had hacked SHIELD's files again to try and find out more. He had been shocked to find that there was not much extra information on the kid even in SHIELDs most heavily encrypted files, though there had been some interesting things in there that he would peruse later. Well he would just go to the source and ask the kid.
"Hello, are you Harry Potter?" asked Steve. He wanted to make sure the boy in front of him was the right person though he was fairly certain this was the right boy.
"Yes" Harry answered looking slightly amused.
"We found him. See I told you we didn't need a sign" said Tony smugly.
"Fury's not going to be happy" said Steve shooting Tony a glare.
"Don't mind him he just jealous of my awesomeness. Our ride is waiting come on kid" said Tony ignoring Steve's glare.
"Err are you my escorts?" asked Harry warily. Steve could tell that he was edgy about going with them. Unlike Tony, Steve didn't take being recognized for granted and realized that Harry didn't seem to have any idea who they were.
"Yes," said Steve. He noticed that Harry still looked apprehensive so he wracked his brain for something he could say to reassure him. A few things from the file floated into his mind so he added, "I'm sure your stay will be brilliant. New York is a fun place with lots of interesting sights. We'll probably pass by Central Park it's a really great place."
"Yeah just magical" said Tony jokingly.
Both men saw Harry relax slightly, and then narrow his eyes in thought. After a second his expression turned wistful. Tony shrugged it off but filed the odd reaction in the back of his mind to examine later. Steve also noted the odd reaction then decided to think about it later and introduced himself.
"I'm Steve Rogers" he said holding his hand out for Harry to shake. Steve knew that people said you could tell a lot about a person from their handshake and he agreed so he was slightly surprised by Harry's handshake. It was with a brisk with a firmness that wasn't usually found in someone so young.
"Skip the introductions Stars and Stripes, he doesn't need them" said Tony. He wanted to get back to the tower as he had a date with Pepper in a few hours and he wanted to be ready.
"Fine then let's go." said Steve forcing himself not to roll his eyes at the impatient billionaire. He knew that Tony wanted to be back early so he could spend hours preparing for a date with Pepper which was one of the only things Tony was ever on time for. He wished again that he had ended up with someone else. Though he supposed the mission had been a bit short notice.
FLASHBACK
The Avengers were gathered in the Helicarrier, waiting for the meeting to start. Clint was leaning against his chair easily and drumming his fingers against the table. Natasha sat next to him her arms crossed as she glared at her partner. Bruce was slumped over in his seat, dozing lightly. Steve was sitting at attention and glancing at the clock. Thor was entertaining himself with a stapler. Logan sat in his chair scowling at Fury who stood at the head of the table. There were two extra people as well a petite woman with auburn hair sat next to a man with sandy blonde hair both looked slightly out of place.
"I'm here" announced Tony as he strode casually into the conference room. Most of the room's occupants turned and glared at the billionaire. And if looks could kill Tony would have been six feet under even with his armor. Studiously ignoring everyone's glares he sat at the end of the table closest with his back to the door.
"We can see that Stark." said Natasha dryly.
"Where the hell were you? We've been sitting here for forty minutes." said Clint.
"It's not like the world is ending or anything, I checked. Besides I was working on something important" said Tony.
"I have a life tin head." said Clint.
"Could have fooled me birdbrain." said Tony
"Banner why didn't you bring him with you?" asked Steve.
"I tried, but he insisted on finishing his project" muttered Bruce. He was now sitting in a more upright position with his head off the table.
"What are bumblebee and bugboy doing here?" asked Tony pointing at a petite woman with auburn hair and the man with sandy blonde hair sitting next to her.
"Didn't anyone teach you it's rude to point." snapped the woman, "and it's Wasp."
"Tony it's good to see you again, I didn't get a chance to speak with you after the last Science Conference." said the man completely unfazed by Tony's remarks.
"Henry you really shouldn't let him talk to you like that." said Wasp.
"It's all right Janet that's just how he is." said Hank.
"You know Tony I'm surprised this thing can still fly with your giant ego on board." said Janet
"Ouch! She stings." said Tony.
"Stark cut it out." barked Fury.
"Yeah quit harassing the trainees." added Clint.
"We're not trainees we are reserve Avengers!" interjected Janet.
"Technically we're not reserve members yet dear, SHIELD is still processing us I believe. So our membership is currently pending" said Hank.
"And SHIELD doesn't have the final say on Avengers they just vet the potential members" said Tony.
"I guess the final say lies with you then?" asked Wasp.
"My tower, my choice though the others get a partial vote. Shouldn't we get to the reason we're here. Some of us have better things to do."
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but Stark has a point." said Natasha.
"See? Someone agrees with me." said Tony.
"Oh stuff it Stark" said Clint.
"Both of ya cork it your worse than the kids." grunted Logan. Tony and Clint shot him offended looks but Fury intervened before an argument could get started.
"Quiet!" shouted Fury, "Now I have called you here because you have a new mission you will be guarding Harry Potter-Black and hosting him while he stays in New York. This is him."
He slid manila folders to each Avenger. The folders were very thin containing a picture and a few sparse documents on Harry James Potter-Black. Everyone looked through the files though some of the members were obviously surprised by the lack of information. Even more surprising though was the picture which Tony was the first to comment on.
"It's a kid!" exclaimed Tony. He was pointing at the photo which was slightly blurry though it was easy to tell that the person in it was young given their height and the boyish shape of his face. It was impossible to tell the color of his eyes as the photo was in black and white and he was wearing circular wire-rimmed glasses. The boy was looking slightly away from the camera and appeared to be laughing at something off screen. If Tony had to guess he would say the kid wasn't older than thirteen at the most.
"Yes and he's also your next mission." said Fury.
The Avengers were staring at Nick Fury with varying expressions from disbelief to shock, though some were less obvious than others. It was silent enough that a person with average hearing would have been able to hear a pin drop which had never before happened, at least not when all the Avengers were in one room together.
"I'm sorry I could have just sworn you said our next assignment was a babysitting job." said Clint.
"Yeah I thought the Avengers were all about saving the world from real threats not some kid in a diaper" added Tony.
"Unfortunately things are not that simple. I sincerely doubt your capabilities to watch any child, but the British government specifically requested the Avengers and they made their request through the council, my hands are tied." replied Fury.
"Why the Avengers specifically?" asked Natasha.
"That's above your pay grade agent." responded Fury.
"So we're stuck babysittin' some kid?" asked Logan.
"Yes, and this is not just some kid, Harry James Potter-Black, holds two lordships, a knighthood, and has been awarded St. George's medal of valor." answered Fury.
"Great, he's a rich kid, so now we'll have two Tony's running around." groaned Clint.
"I disagree," said Janet which caused Tony to shoot her a surprised smile which turned into a pout when she added, "I'm sure your guest will be more mature than Tony."
There were several mutters of agreement as Tony pouted at all of them. Fury rolled his eye at them and decided to continue the conversation, "While he is here Harry will be staying at Avengers Tower."
"What?" cried Tony.
"Really Stark where did you think he'd be staying?" asked Natasha.
"At a hotel or something I don't want a kid running loose in my tower. Besides it's starting to get a bit crowded" said Tony.
"Crowded? I'm pretty sure that are still several empty rooms in the tower." said Clint
"Stark I'm sure you have plenty of room." said Steve.
"Yes well I don't want him in my tower" repeated Tony
"I thought it was the Avengers Tower now anyways so you really have no room to complain Tony" said Janet.
"It is but it's still my tower." said Tony.
"He's probably just worried that having a kid round will kill his sex life" said Clint.
"Am not!" cried Tony indignantly.
"Are too" said Clint.
"Am not"
"Are too"
"Am not"
"Are too"
"Am not"
"Shut it!" shouted Logan breaking off the argument though Clint and Tony continued to glare at each other across the table. The other members just shook their heads at Clint and Tony's immaturity.
"This is not negotiable Stark so you will do this or I will make your life very unpleasant. His plane arrives tomorrow and I want at least two of you to pick him up and don't draw attention to yourselves. Make sure to read the files thoroughly." said Fury.
"But there's barely anything here" said Tony.
"Pym and Van Dyne follow me. The rest of you leave" ordered Fury. He turned and left the conference room with Janet and Hank trailing behind him. The rest of the Avengers stayed behind to figure out who would pick the kid up from the airport. The ensuing argument lasted for nearly two hours. In the end it was Tony who ended it by suggesting they all act like adults and draw straws for it. Everybody except for Bruce participated, in the end Tony and Steve had drawn the short sticks.
END FLASHBACK
Steve knew that this was surprisingly good behavior as far as Tony was concerned. He was not looking forward to his next meeting with Fury though. Steve was quite certain that Tony's antics had drawn some media attention and the director of SHIELD would not be pleased.
Back to Harry POV
"Don't worry about your luggage, I already had someone get it. So kid how come you don't look like your picture?" asked Sunglasses as they were leaving. Harry could hear Steve groan quietly at the question.
"Don't you have any manners?" asked Steve.
"Nope so while we're on it your file was very odd any reason why?" asked Sunglasses completely unfazed by the glare being sent his way by the irritated blonde.
"No idea do you have the photo with you?" asked Harry. He was curious about the file as well since he had a sneaking suspicion the real files had been intercepted at some point and replaced. He needed to see the file in question in order to confirm his suspicions though.
"Yep" said Sunglasses pulling the picture from his pocket and handing it over. Harry looked at the picture and examined it. The photo confirmed his suspicions as only his friends had a copy of this photo. It was taken during Christmas of break of his fourth year, he had been laughing at a prank the twins had pulled on Seamus. It had been one of the few times that year that he had been so carefree. He was also a few centimeters taller now and his features were slightly less boyish. He decided that he might as well tell Tony the truth, or parts of it, as he was certain someone would eventually notice the dummy files and change them. Not to mention it the trouble it would cause Minister Welker.
"Well I'm not sure but I think you ended up with a dummy file." said Harry
"A dummy file? Why would Fury give us a dummy file?"
"Well I imagine he didn't know it was a dummy file I think the problem originated on our end. I can't be absolutely certain until I've seen the file." said Harry.
"Well we should get in. We're taking you back to Avengers Tower, where you'll be staying" inserted Steve before Tony could continue his line of questioning. He was curious about the supposed dummy files as well but he didn't think it was right to interrogate Harry about it.
"I'm guessing that's not a hotel, is it?" asked Harry dryly.
"Nope, sorry kid but you're stuck with us. We've been ordered to watch you like dogs" said Tony.
'Well at least he's being honest about it', thought Harry wryly. That didn't mean he had to like it though it was a nice change. He was used to people watching him for his own good without telling him. Like the Order had; skulking around and trailing his every move without his knowledge. He could sneak away if he really wanted to after all, he still had his invisibility cloak. The Minister probably should have been a bit more specific when he said no magic. Harry found there were several loopholes in the Minister's orders.
"Come on the car's right outside." said Sunglasses.
Harry followed Tony out the door with Steve trailing behind them. His eyes widened slightly when he saw which car Tony approached. It was a black stretch limo that was larger than any limo he had seen before. Though to be fair he had only seen limos on the telly whenever Dudley was watching one of his programs. He saw a driver in a trim black uniform hold the door open for Sunglasses. He knew that Sunglasses was quite well-known and from everything he'd seen so far the man seemed to bask in the attention, at least if his attitude and car were any indicators. He wondered how the man would react if he found out that not only did Harry not know his name but had even temporarily dubbed him Sunglasses. It promised to be amusing and something Harry was looking forward to.
A/N (10/21/13): Updated