A/N: I've had some bullet points for this fic written down for years but I'm finally getting around to actually writing it! Here's part one :)
Tony's birthday: May 27, 1970; Hermione's birthday: Sept 19, 1979; Sharon Carter's birthday: Dec 19, 1976
i.
Anthony Stark builds his first circuit board at age four.
Tony Stark becomes an older cousin at age six, and a big brother at age nine.
He knows what it's like to grow up with parents that are right out of the pages of a history book. He knows what it feels like to have the weight of impossible expectations on his shoulders, with only the care of surrogate parents available to help carry the burden from time to time.
He refuses to have Sharon and Hermione grow up as alone as he had.
Tony becomes a protector. Their protector.
ii.
They're playing tag throughout the manor when Hermione trips on the cord of Ana Jarvis' vacuum cleaner at the top of the stairs.
Sharon screams, and Tony knows he won't be able to make it in time to catch her, but he still races as fast as his twelve-year-old legs can carry him.
He doesn't need to make it in time, because Hermione never falls down the stairs.
Hermione floats.
She remains suspended, hovering in the air about three feet above the steps as they all look on in dead silence. Her curly hair reaches out around her head like a halo– or more accurately, like the arms of an octopus with the way each curl clumps together– and her legs kick in the air slowly.
Hermione's surprised giggles break the quiet. Sharon's blue eyes are wide in awe and delight, Mrs. Jarvis has her mouth covered with both hands in shock, and Tony can no longer stop his own grin from spreading.
The Stark family– no, because that does not truly exist, what with an absent father and neglectful mother– Stark Industries is built on one fundamental: science is God. Tony is the heir, and he knows the importance his father's company has in ushering in this new era of technology. It is what his entire existence is leading to. Even without the need to continue such a legacy, Tony does truly enjoy science, enjoys the hunt to discover and build new things.
And yet, he cannot find any other way to describe what Hermione's done than with the word magic.
Hermione slowly sinks to land gently at the middle of the stairs. "Tony, Share! I fly! Didja see?" She skips back to them, her jumps filled with joy.
Tony pulls her into a tight hug, lifting her off her feet and causing her to squeal with laughter. "I did, princess. You were amazing."
Tony would always protect his sister. Now, he simply would need to protect her from far more people than he ever expected to.
iii.
Tony erases the manor's camera footage of that day and then arranges for a blackout to hit their entire neighborhood. No one is the wiser to the events that have gone missing from the security footage.
He speaks to Sharon before she goes back home. She may only be six, but she knows their shared family history. Aunt Peggy has already taught them both the importance of keeping secrets.
Hermione becomes their secret.
When he approaches his par– the Jarvises, though, Ana whispers to him half-forgotten memories of her Hungarian hometown in the hills outside of Budapest. Of seeing children in blood-red robes during the holidays, of winged creatures in the sky much larger than any bird, of medicinal potions her grandmother would make that cleared any fever in a matter of minutes.
"My grandmother was a boszorkány," Ana tells him, eyes bright and piercing as she leans forward and grasps Tony's hands. "She was a witch, and now I wish I remembered more so I could tell you children of her. But I do remember two things…"
"Tell me, please," Tony begs. Any information is helpful to start his quest into Hermione's powers.
Ana smiles slightly at his insistence. "You are a good brother, Antal," she says proudly, using the version of his name from her homeland. "Two things. My grandmother did not have a small stick, like in all these American movies of witches. She had a staff, carved with ancient letters I could not read. And the school she went to– it had a funny name, but it is why I still recall it– Durmstrang. She went to Durmstrang."
It's not much, but it's a start.
iv.
Anthony Stark begins classes at MIT at age 14.
Tony Stark enters MIT at 14, knowing the majority of his peers will either hate him or want something from him.
James Rhodes falls into neither category, and so Tony clings tightly to his new friend and privately swears to never let go.
He doesn't understand Tony's quiet obsession with Massachusetts history, but merely shakes his head with a chuckle before agreeing to tag along when Tony asks him if he wants to visit Salem.
Tony's sister is a witch, and thus he can think of no better place to start his search than in the most infamous spot for magic in the United States.
It turns out to be a good decision to have dragged Rhodey along with him. Tony had plotted where a magical community was most likely to be, thanks to a combination of public records, local legends and statistics. Still, his eyes slide right over the location and he has the sudden urge to turn around and go shopping until Rhodey grabs his wrist and asks why he's stopped when the school is right there.
Tony sees the sign for theSalem Witches' Academy the moment Rhodey's skin touches his.
Suddenly, this becomes more complicated that he thought.
v.
Tony always lived two lives when he returned home for the holidays. There was Anthony Stark, who attended all of the public events at his father's side, acting as the perfect rich boy genius in an attempt to keep everyone's eyes away from his sister.
Then there was Tony Stark, who would return to the private wing tired but with a smile ready for his sister and the Jarvises as they had their private, family-only celebration.
This year, he'd convinced Aunt Peggy to let Sharon visit as his Christmas present. Peggy Carter had examined him with a shrewd gaze (perhaps he should check the manor again for bugs) before agreeing, but it's all worth it when he sees Hermione's excitement when Tony steps through the doorway to reveal Sharon's smaller form hiding behind him.
This year is special for another reason. When he gathers his small family around the tree, it is to finally tell them of his 18 months-long search into magic in the Americas.
Hermione and Sharon stare at him with wonder, listening eagerly to every word that falls from his tongue. Edwin Jarvis as well seems intrigued by it, but Ana watches him with well-hidden concern.
The United States are split into Magical territories, most larger than lone states and each with unique cultures. Salem Witches Academy is the premier seat of education within the New England Prefecture, and from there Tony's knowledge of the Magical community had expanded.
Hermione had many options for her future, and he makes sure to include them all in his descriptions. Their mother was Italian, and so she would be welcomed in the New England Prefecture. She lived in New York, and would be welcome either in Upstate or in the Tri-State Prefectures. Their family also had a home in California, and thus she could study in the Southwest Rancheria.
If she sought to study specific areas of magic, the Louisiana Parish and Comuna de Miami was a mecca of Caribbean and African magic, and the Midwest and Rockies were divided into many tribal lands. There was a small Alaskan Oblast on the southern coast with other tribal lands covering the rest of the state, while Cascadia Territory stretched from British Columbia down to California.
And Texas was, well, Texas.
There were also Magical communities in other countries, but Tony needed to research more before broaching that.
Tony also tells them of the most common areas of magic, although most lead to his personal frustration as he seeks in the wee hours of the night to discover their why's and how's. Transfiguration and charms, defensive and offensive spells, potions and Magical creatures…
He hands his neatly wrapped (thanks to Rhodey) presents to Hermione and Sharon now, and they waste no time in opening up the books he'd brought them. Even at age seven, Hermione is an avid reader. She'll have them all finished within the week.
The shopkeeper had assured him the subject matter was safe for children, but Tony had gone over each book twice just in case. They told fairytales and histories of the Magical communities, with some age-appropriate introductions to magical creatures and plants.
When Hermione drops her books to give him the tightest hug her small arms can muster, Tony knows his efforts have been worthwhile.
vi.
Ana pulls him aside once the girls have drifted off to sleep.
"I asked around if there were any boszorkány left in the city," she tells him. "I did not realize I could still see."
Tony's curiosity is piqued. "See? See what, Néni?"
"The entrance to 13th Avenue. We'll be going there tomorrow with Edwin and the girls."
"Néni Ana, there is no 13th Ave," Tony says slowly, brow furrowed. Is Ana alright?
She smirks at him slyly, and not for the first time does Tony wonder if she is who he learned that expression from.
"You will see, Antal."
vii.
13th Avenue was the Hudson River.
Or rather, 13th Avenue was underwater in the Hudson River.
As he looks up at the shimmering forcefield (magical barrier? He would have to research more) that surrounded the district and kept the water out, Tony's scientific brain cannot believe what he is seeing.
The side of him that has been forced to accept the existence of things he does not yet fully understand finds it amazing.
Hermione is so excited that she accidentally turns Sharon's hair pink.
Tony laughs until she turns his hair pink, too.
viii.
Tony knows he and Hermione live a privileged life. He'll never deny it.
However, he is so supremely grateful for their wealth during their visit because he does not need to deny Hermione any of the books she asks to purchase.
He does veto the puffskein that Sharon tries to buy at the pet store. He was not going to try to explain to Aunt Peggy what it was if she tried to smuggle it home.
It is the information Edwin Jarvis comes across that puts him on edge.
They are in a bookstore, perusing while Ana watches the girls. It is there that they come across the international newspapers and history books.
It is there that Tony learns of the Magical war that mirrored World War II, of the war that rocked Wizarding Britain and ended only two years after Hermione's birth, of the strict non-interaction laws between Magicals and non-Magicals that exist in some international communities.
In some countries, Hermione would've been taken from their home the moment she first displayed magic.
Tony clenches his jaw but buys the book anyways. Forewarned is forearmed.
He also asks the shopkeeper about what other stores are on 13th Avenue, specifically when it comes time to purchase wands or staffs.
The man behind the counter raises a brow curiously as he packs up the books Tony has bought. "A staff, eh? You aren't one of those Commies, are you?"
Lovely. So those attitudes existed here as well. Tony rolls his eyes, pulls down the hood of his sweater, and takes off his sunglasses. "If you know what a Commie is, you probably recognize me," he says dryly.
The man's eyes widen and his hands freeze. "My word… you're the Stark boy!"
Tony winks at him and puts his disguise back in place. "It's my first time here and I know that both wands and staffs are used as magical amplifiers, but I was wondering if there was any resource to learn about other varieties."
"Ah, you've been misinformed, Mr. Stark," the man says as he rounds the counter and beckons Tony to follow him into a row of dusty books. Tony glances over his shoulder to make sure Edwin's still with him, and he's reassured by the butler's slight nod. "Wands aren't amplifiers at all! They're more… to make your magic more precise and controlled. Most types are associated with specific countries, but sometimes a person will seek out other types if their magic isn't controlled well by their cultural wand."
"And if a person doesn't have a specific culture?" Tony hedged, watching as the man pulled a thick book from the top shelf.
He shrugged and handed the book to Tony, who cringed slightly before passing it off to Jarvis. "I'd say you're in the right place, then. You can find everything you need in New York, and if certain shops aren't here on 13th, you'll likely find them in their own neighborhoods." He gestured at the book. "This'll give you a good start. It goes through the history, strengths, and weaknesses of each style."
Tony opens the book, and it just clicks. This is what he's been searching for. The pages hold diagrams of the different designs, charting the magical veins and cores within each.
This is something he can work with.
ix.
Hermione and Sharon both come to his graduation. Tony waves at them when he crosses the stage.
It's worth the admonishment he gets from Howard afterward.
x.
Tony has read up on the laws within the Tri-State Prefecture. It's not technically illegal for him to try making a conduit for Hermione's magic, but that's because he's a non-Magical and their laws do not apply to him.
He's willing to take advantage of loopholes where they exist.
He's used a mixture of materials, but the one thing he's discovered is that pure materials work best. Alloys are out, and the only metals that he's included in the staff are the purest samples he can find.
Tony also hypothesizes that magic is simply a different method of harnessing energy, and so the metals he uses are also all conductors of electricity.
However, one thing had been clear in his research: magic harnesses the energy still within lifeforms. This was the reason for the centuries of wands using wooden bodies and cores from magical creatures.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. (But do improve on it.)
The body of the staff is still wood. Tony chose ebony. Logical and practically, it was an incredibly dense hardwood that could withstand the metal veins he made to best conduct Hermione's magic. According to the Magical research, it was additionally best for Transfiguration and courageous individuals.
Now, there was nothing logical about such a description, but Tony didn't yet know enough to counter centuries of Magical practices either.
The fauna core is a White River Monster spine. The bone was strong enough to withstand the molten metal (not logical, but Tony wasn't about to throw a fit since it worked) and fit snugly within the hollowed center of the staff.
Finally, all staffs needed a focus. Tony's research led him to believe it was always a stone or gem, but not what was the best choice for a staff. It had required a trip back to 13th Avenue with Hermione and Edwin Jarvis, and he'd let Hermione wander in a jewelry shop until she stopped before a row of crystal quartz pieces and said they "just felt right."
Tony had bought her a necklace and earring set as an excuse to privately ask the jeweler if he could purchase a large, intact crystal.
Now, on the eve of Hermione's ninth birthday, he's ready to give it to her.
God, he hopes it works.
xi.
It is only Hermione and the Jarvises present when Tony gifts his sister the staff he's made her.
"I know we aren't looking at sending you away for school until next year, but… I wanted to see if I could make something for you," Tony explains. "Something to help with your magic. Ah," he sighs, "I'll just explain after." He reaches behind the couch and pulls out the long, rectangular package. "Hopefully you'll grow into it," he jokes as he hands it to his little sister.
Hermione does her best not to bounce excitedly as she opens the present.
The moment her fingers touch the head of the staff, a bright light shines from the focal quartz and has them all shielding their eyes from the glare.
All except Hermione, who gazes at her new staff with tears in her eyes.
When Tony looks up, he's thrilled to see the light has dimmed enough for him to notice that the metal veins wrapping around and through the ebony staff have also illuminated. He was correct! It acts as one large conductor for Hermione's energy.
Hermione now openly cries as she watches the result of her power burst free. "It feels so… right," she says. "My magic– it's so happy."
"Are you happy?" Tony asks.
"You're my brother," she replies. "I couldn't be happier."
xii.
Hermione's party is the next day. Because of Tony's successes, Hermione is treated as the spare and kept further out of the limelight. Her birthday functions as the one Hermione–centric public outing a year, however, and it appears that Howard decided to completely thrust her into the media now that she's nine.
At least cousin Sharon had been allowed to attend, and the two manage to find the only other girl their age at the event. Hope van Dyne is the daughter of Hank Pym, founder of Pym Technologies. On the surface, they were a competitor of Stark Industries, but Tony knows that Hank, Howard, and Aunt Peggy are all involved in more secret dealings together.
Hope van Dyne, Sharon Carter, and Hermione Stark. The paparazzo that snapped that photo is going to make their entire year's salary in one night.
Tony watches them giggle amongst themselves from the corner he's found himself leaning against, a martini in his hand.
He's glad his sister has such close friends.
"Don't you go being all maudlin on me, Tony." Rhodey's voice is like a breath of fresh air, and Tony feels some of the tension leave his shoulders as his friend stands next to him.
"Me, maudlin? On a national holiday?" Tony grins and Rhodey rolls his eyes but can't fight his own smile.
"Did she like her birthday gift?" Rhodey asks. He's in the know, especially seeing as his own latent magic had been how Tony was able to first enter the Magical world. Rhodey had even let Tony use some of his blood for a Magical amplifier, allowing Tony to be able to access Magical sites on his own now.
"It worked. She loved it," Tony sums up succinctly. Any unwanted ears listening in won't be able to read into what he's said.
"Awesome," Rhodey fist bumps him. "I'll be right back– gonna tell the birthday girl congrats."
"Cheers," Tony salutes him with his glass. Tonight isn't so bad after all.
xiii.
The next day, Howard tells them they're relocating to London for the foreseeable future.
Tony holds Hermione's hand and wills her to be strong.