Standard Disclaimer: I own nothing in regards to Harry Potter or Marvel. All properties therein are those of their creators. I am only a writer working on my skills with worlds and characters that I love.

Chapter Eight - Finding the Pieces

"That makes four." Victor noted as he pocketed the green locket beside the ring box, goblet, and snake head. What idiot willingly put a piece of themselves in a living creature? It was bound to their lifespan and thus easily lost.

"Yes, that leaves two more. Another object and the living receptacle if I had to guess." Yao agreed as her eyes perused the large mansion they currently found themselves in. It had been a bit of a shock after a night of soul hunting to arrive that morning at a location out of phase with the universe, but even more shocking had been her apprentice literally tearing reality apart with his gauntleted hands to open a path to their goal for them. She would have likely chosen an avenue with more finesse, but his methods worked as well.

Their entry had been blocked for a moment by an ancient elfish creature but Doom had snapped its neck the moment it threatened them with a handful of fire. From there it had been a clear path to an old broom closet where the locket in question was stuffed down and hidden beneath a pile of old rags.

"Shall we go for the next?" She queried.

"Yes. The sooner we are done the sooner I can get back. Where to next?"

"Hm." Yao examined her compass once more. "It looks like Scotland." Her apprentice opened a gateway and gestured with his hand in a noble gesture. "Ladies first."

They emerged on a grand lawn leading up to a castle unlike any either had seen before. That was mainly because its design made absolutely no sense. "Are those crenelated towers?" Doom guffawed, "An entry bridge, no mote, no serious walls and balustrades… were they ever planning to actually defend themselves?"

Yao opened her third eye and commented, "I think their defense was always intended to be more magical in nature. Though at the moment the wards seem to be dropped down to their lowest setting. Strange that. I can tell they are meant to dissuade those with evil intent from entering the facility in the first place, but that function is being suppressed."

"Wait just a minute." Doom's gaze swept from one corner of the structure to the other, taking in the building, the lake, the hut in the distance, and what looked like some kind of sport's structure even further away. "Son of a bitch, this is Hogwarts."

"Hogwarts?"

"The school my son's mother attended. Based on the things she told me, those wards are probably down because of the headmaster."

"Oh," Yao's eyebrow raised, "do tell."

"Lily always said that the headmaster refused to punish, expel, or bar the way to this school for death eaters and their ilk. She claimed he wanted to give them every chance to repent and be redeemed, no matter how many people suffered at their hands in the meanwhile. Blocking evil intent would dissuade over a third of his students from even attending the school."

"Death Eaters?"

"Blood purist racists. They actually just lost a war the year I took my son, but my spies have informed me that their presence is still strong in the magical government."

"I guess racism is the universal constant. But let us move away from such disgusting topics. We have a shard to discover. Can you make us unseen?" She could easily do it herself, but part of the reason for this trip was also to see just how much her student could actually do himself. It was a good baseline for what he'd need to learn next.

To her shock, he didn't cast a spell. Instead he tossed a small metal ball her way. The moment she caught it she beheld the air seem to ripple and shift before her eyes and then she looked down and found herself without a body. "What is this?"

"Light refracting technology. Magic is not always the answer for everything, Yao."

Looking up, the woman beheld only the outline of the armored man with none of his features. "I can still see you, though."

"Only we can see each other. Our orbs are paired after all. Now lead the way."

And lead she did. For the next twenty-five minutes the two stealthily made their way through the bustling halls of the magical fortress, blithely dodging running children and magical familiars as they did. "All these children," Yao mused, "And practically no adults. How strange." And indeed it was. The entire time they walked the sorcerers only really saw two adults, and one was a greasy haired man actively snapping at the children like a rabid dog.

"It's not our problem." Victor responded before stopping in front of a wall. "This appears to be the place, but how do we enter?"

Yao opened her sight and grinned widely. How marvelous a design this was. Even after all this time she was still finding herself surprised by the ingenuity of the human race. "I think your third eye shall be your first lesson once we get started. Had you been able to open your own you'd have seen how this charm structure was put together. We must simply walk past this wall three times and think of what we wish the room inside to be. In this case, we want the room holding the phylactery shard." And so saying, the woman strutted by proudly thrice and watched triumphantly as a steel reinforced door came into being.

"Show off." Doom muttered before shouldering his way inside. From there it was a simple matter to find what appeared to be an old tiara. "This object seems… useful." Victor couldn't put his finger on it, but the diadem practically reeked of knowledge."

"Then it's a good thing it is now in our hands." Yao agreed. "One left to go." Checking her compass she mused, "Albania… who in their right mind would ever go to Albania?"

"One trying to disappear I imagine. Let's put an end to this."

Norway

Valeria hummed happily along with the radio as Susan sang out loud the lyrics to Sweet Caroline. Her blond friend had come running when she explained what Harry needed, and the queen was glad for it as she knew her husband would throw a fit if she left Latveria without any protection. The Fantastic Four had long ago upgraded their jets to make a series of personal aircraft and the Invisible Woman's personal craft had made the trip to Latveria in record time. From there it was a pretty quick hop over to Norway, the location of the address Harry had provided.

In the end they found themselves hovering over a secluded island off the coast before coasting down to land right outside a rather tastefully designed log cabin. Their arrival was not ignored, and the moment the women exited their vehicle they found themselves surrounded by no less than eight stone golems. Of course the things couldn't touch them beneath Susan's forcefield and after a few minutes of them uselessly pounding away at seemingly nothing the door finally opened and out walked an absolutely stunning redhead in black pants and a white cardigan accompanied by a dark haired man in a gray suit.

"Who are you and why have you invaded our home?" The woman demanded after coming to a stop before them.

They seemed harmless enough, but Valeria was far from foolish enough to believe that people as old and wise as this didn't have other defenses in place than just the golems. So she decided to be respectful. "Mr. and Mrs. Flamel I presume?"

The couple shared an odd look before shrugging and nodding. As before the woman took the lead. "If you made it all the way here then it seems foolish to think you wouldn't be aware of who we truly are. I'll ask again, why are you here?"

Valeria took a deep breath and said, "My name is Valeria Von Doom, Queen of Latveria, and I am here to offer Perenelle Flamel a job."

The woman smirked and took a long look around the visible grounds of her property. "Does it look like I need a job?"

"Perhaps not, but I am willing to pay any price you set."

"A queen is offering me anything?" Her gaze panned to the second intruder, "And you brought a member of the Fantastic Four with you as well. Whatever could be so important to you?"

"Not to me. My son." The queen's gaze was level and regal as she said, "The prince of Latveria requires a tutor in alchemy, and it is only right that he receives the best of the best. We have it on good authority that it is you."

"Me? Not my husband?"

"Our sources were very clear. You are the one we want."

"How old is your son?"

"Eight."

That raised some brows. "Eight years old and already an aspiring alchemist? Interesting. He must be quite the advanced child. What does he look like?" The woman held out her hand to accept a picture taken from the queen's purse of a little boy with black hair and blue eyes. He was absolutely adorable! "Come, you have my attention." And so saying, Perenelle Flamel led the way back into her house.

Albania

The last remaining shard of Voldemort flitted through the trees of the Albanian forest as it desperately sought escape. His plan had been to await the arrival of one of his followers, for surely one of his inner circle would know to seek him out here. Yet the first to find him had been a bald woman and a metal man with a ward of binding flashing in his palm instead. The dark lord didn't know who they were, but they clearly wished him ill, so he'd taken off running in a tactical retreat.

The one good thing about being stuck as a lucid spirit was that he could phase through the trees, but sadly they were proving no obstruction as the woman was still right on his metaphysical heels. He didn't know why, but something deep and primal inside him was screaming that being caught by her would be a fate worse than death.

Suddenly his motion ceased and he found himself held fast in the air with a steel gauntlet latched around his throat. His intangible throat. The metal man had returned, but before Voldemort had a chance to even scream his spectral body was sucked into the vortex of his cloak, and the world as he knew it disappeared.

"Well," Doom commented, "That was anticlimactic."

"Most situations like these are." Yao agreed as she strolled easily up to him. "So what happens now?"

"Now I go back to my country and complete this bargain. What of you?"

"I'll handle a few things that cannot wait for me back at Kamer Taj, and then I will relocate to the outskirts of your country where you first found me so I might be available for your training. Of course I'll still need to handle my regular duties but it won't be a bother to do it from that location. Can you handle Mephisto without me?"

"I have no doubt."

"Good. Though if you want my advice, do not speak when you summon him. He made the terms of the deal, and thus he is aware of his due. Simply present him with the shards and he will need to give you your mother. If you say anything at all he will try to find a way to twist things back to his own advantage."

Doom thought about that for a moment and nodded his thanks. "I will come to you tomorrow then to begin instruction."

"Bring tea. I adore morning tea."

Biting back a response about how kings do not serve, even tea, the ruler of Latveria rose into the sky and took his leave.

Approaching The Monastery

"Penny!" Nicholas moaned for the hundredth time in the back seat of the hovercraft. "Are we there yet?"

"We'll get there when we get there." The annoyed redhead pinched the bridge of her nose and addressed the smirking duo of modern women. "Let this be a lesson to you both, no matter how old they get, boys will still be troublesome boys."

It had taken a while, but the group had finally settled on a deal that satisfied both parties. It helped that Valeria had kept the photo of her son out for the old alchemist to see the entire time. She well knew the power of Harry's cuteness. In return for training the prince in alchemy Latveria would sponsor the home office, and initial costs, of a new start up company the Flamels were setting up with additional tax breaks to represent their appreciation for their work. It seemed the immortals were fond of shaking up the global economy with their inventions every other century or so and they were about due for their latest attempt.

"Well, annoying boy toys aside," Susan shared a knowing nod with the alchemist, "I think this is where we all get off." The snow crunched beneath them as she landed in front of the monastery.

"Well then we thank you for the lift." Perenelle shook the blonde's hand and followed the queen down the ramp with her husband. They'd shrunken their bags into their pockets back on the island before opening up the defenses and settling the place down for an extended time without them.

What they all beheld was a massive structure built into the mountain face and extending over the cliff for what had to be an amazing view for all inside.

"How has someplace like this never been found?" Susan gasped.

"Magic!" Nicholas, Perenelle, and Valeria laughed as they marched up to the door. They were let inside by a reverent elder monk who bowed profusely and grandly before leading them all down several flights of stairs into the bowels of the structure, where the deep cold of the stone began to build into and seep into their bones. Then… it stopped, and a deep warmth began to build all around them as they came to the final large door. It was round for some reason and the heat was emanating from within.

Their guide bowed again and said, "Mistress Doom, the young master made it clear that no one among us was to disturb him inside. If you are to do so, it must be your decision and you must lead."

"That's odd." Perenelle commented at the monk's behavior.

"Not really." Valeria shrugged as reached for the door handle and pulled it open. "Victor always said they took the orders of their masters as law and for some reason they decided my husband was the one to follow."

Inside was a laboratory that practically had the alchemists drooling with the sheer variety of tools, equipment, and material on display. But farther in was a massive full depth wall embedded forge. And working together before it was a young boy with two girls and six monks wearing leather aprons and wielding tongs and other tools. They seemed to be working on something important based on their revarant expressions, so the four adults decided to take some seats and watch.

Thirty minutes later they drew forth from the fire a long length of gleaming metal. One that was promptly handed to an awed Harry. He inspected it for a few moments before nodding and handing it to another of the monks who bustled it from the room. Only then did he notice his guests.

"Mom!" He charged around the others and nearly tackle-hugged the chuckling woman with great zeal for several moments before stepping aside to allow Illyana to do the same. While the blonde girl snuggled into her, the queen shared a fond nod with the stoic looking Laura, who had remained to the side before, but was now standing beside her son.

"Laura, your mother sends her love."

For her part, the Weapon X program survivor still didn't know what she felt for the woman that had created her, so she merely said, "Tell her I am reading her letters, and that I am… trying to understand why she did the things she did."

"I will." Pulling back slightly from the affectionate Russian, Valeria asked, what is all of this?" She gestured to the forge.

"Oh, while I was waiting for some materials I decided to do something about my focus." Harry replied with an easy smile. "Dad always said simplicity and reliability were important in combat and two wands seemed like a bit of a hassle in the long run." As he spoke, the door opened once more and the same monk that had left with the steel came back with a long box in his hands. "Ah, perfect. I already had all the other pieces ready so assembly was a piece of cake from there."

"Magical creation spells helped." Illyana chirped.

"Magical creation spells helped." Harry agreed as he opened the box and pulled out the weapon stored inside.

Nicholas blinked at the sight. "Is that a basket hilted broadsword?"

"Indeed it is." Harry smiled at a job well done as he hefted it in his hands before handing it off to his mother for inspection. "I read up on all the books in our library about magical foci and wandmaking and discovered that certain materials can be combined with metal in interesting ways. This seems more useful than trying to alternate wands all the time like I used to."

"It's beautiful, Harry." Valeria praised as she ran her fingers down the blade. She was not a warrior, but even she could appreciate the fine craftsmanship on display. Her fingertips stopped on the wooden grip wrapped in a layer of what seemed to be sharkskin. "How did you make this? And isn't it a little big for you?"

"I made it to last so it had to be full sized. Don't worry, I'll grow into it, and I can still wear it and use it as a magical focus in the meanwhile. Its composition is Damascus Steel combined with Uru." Harry said proudly before pointing at the grip, "And I refashioned my wands into the grip. The cores are weaved together between that and the pommel. Plus, since it has two phoenix feathers inside it, I can do this." The boy quickly grabbed the weapon, turned, and slashed at the nearest stone wall. A blade of fire shot off from the razor sharp edge and left a black sear against the surface after making contact.

His mother clapped appreciatively at the sight while Perenelle was confused about something she'd heard. "You said you had two wands?"

"Yeah. One was my birth mother's, and the other belonged to a deadly foe she conquered. One she died defending me from. My dad thought it was important I have them both to remember her and what she did for me."

The young man turned back to her, and the alchemist had to stop herself from cooing at once. Damn children and their inherent cuteness. That photo on the island had not done the boy justice. It was a little known fact that imbibing the essence of the Philosopher's Stone had granted Nick and Penny, as they were often called by their friends, immortal life but at the cost of any chance of having children of their own. As such, they had an incredibly soft spot in their hearts for all children, and tended to dote on any students they took on as a result.

He was looking up at her now as if he'd only just realized she was there. "Who are you, anyway?"

"I'm Perenelle Flamel." she spoke proudly, delighting in the drop of the jaw her words elicited from the young one. "Your mom here said you needed an alchemy teacher and I'm here to fill the role, but I warn you now, I'm a bit of a strict teacher."

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Harry grinned triumphantly before turning to her husband, "So this must be Nicholas?"

"Aye, I am." For his part Nicholas' eyes were locked on a still happily humming Illyana, who was locked to the queen's side. "Why didn't you tell me you had a burgeoning soul mage here?"

"Soul mage?" Valeria cocked her head.

"Her." Nick pointed at the blonde. "I can feel it. Her soul is incredibly powerful and already partially molded."

Perenelle looked at all the shocked faces and offered, "Darling, you're confusing them. Just show off like I know you want to."

Nick grinned, slammed his palm to his chest, and pulled it away. With the motion of his hand came free a massive glowing scythe of energy. "This is my soul blade. The living and physical personification of my soul and magic made manifest upon the world. Only those who have experienced the soul altering power of the void can manifest these weapons. I can feel that you have the talent, where were you taken?" he was shocked as tears began to build in the girl's eyes and the prince quickly crossed the floor to pull her into a hug.

"She was abducted to Limbo." He answered for her.

"You poor child, I am so sorry." Nick spoke with true remorse. He'd had the misfortune of running into Belasco once and he could safely say the demon was a monster that he had no wish to ever meet again. "But that doesn't change the power and the potential you now wield. I can teach you if you want."

Illyana pulled her head free and nodded, much to her friend's surprise.

"Illyana, are you sure-" Harry was stopped by her finger pressing into his lips.

"We are here to learn and get stronger. I cannot just ignore something like this." Her fingers rose to his scars, "If you can accept this part of yourself, I can do the same."

In the back of the group, Susan was touched by the sight. Perhaps she should bring little Valeria by. Just to visit. For a bit. Her daughter had been very good lately, though the blonde attributed that to Ben wearing her out so often in the training room and leaving her too exhausted to cause mischief.

"Alright then, enough with the touchy feely stuff." Perenelle grinned as she pulled her cardigan off to reveal a purple tank top that bared two incredibly strong looking arms covered in swirling green tattoos. "You hired us to teach you so that is what we'll do. Queen Valeria if you want to stay you can, but get out of the way. Now, alchemy was invented in ancient Egypt, but my people, the Celts, perfected it. You've hired the best of the best, boy, so let's see what you're made of."

Basement of Doom Castle

Doctor Doom floated above the sweet fumes as he did every year around this time, breathing in the aroma and mind altering compounds until at last he opened his eyes and beheld a world on fire. He wasn't really surprised to find Mephisto already waiting for him, his massive body leveled even with his own, no doubt in an attempt to force a shocked reaction. Of course it failed. The demon was bound for more than one disappointment this day it seemed.

"You have what I asked for?" It rumbled.

Instead of providing it, Doom raised a hand and pulled his fingers toward him.

"Yes, yes, I have her right here." Mephisto opened one clawed palm and revealed the chained form of his mother, Cynthia Von Doom. "Now show me."

Victor reached into his cloak and pulled out the six marbles he'd trapped the shards inside. The original relics bound to them were safe in his treasury. The demon inhaled deeply and practically snatched them out of his hand, dropping the woman he'd held in the process. Only by merit of his masterful reflexes did the king of Latveria catch her before she could fall once more into the abyss. The moment she was in his arms he cut the connection, leaving the demon lord cackling maniacally in his domain, alone once more.