Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. This is just for fun and I hope you enjoy reading it.
Child of Silence
By Angelwings Sorrow
Chapter 18 "And the Mask Fades Away."
"Well that was a waste of time" Tony huffed as he removed his Iron Man suit allowing it to return to its case form.
"It wasn't a waste, Tony. We were able to arrest a lot of Mandarin operatives." Steve countered.
"But the leader got away. We didn't even get a good look at their face, it was all covered with a hood and they were surrounded armed guards." Tony griped. He had hoped that this was the final battle with Mandarin so he could go back to focusing on Harry and the Crazy Old Man out to get him.
"Rogers' is right though we didn't get the whole organization, but we did get some major players and a large stock of that 'Regeneration Serum'. I'm sure once we question them we'll find where the Leader is hiding out." Fury stated from his place at the War Table.
"That maybe good enough for you but it's not for me. He went after my son and traumatized him. I want this guy caught if not dead. My son already has a mad man after him he doesn't need to worry about this shit when he comes home next week." Tony snarled as stood opposite the SHIELD Director with the war table between them.
"Look Stark, I understand this is personal for you but we're all working hard to end this. You got to be patient even in the face of some failures." Nick stared at the Genius turned Father.
"He's right Tony. What happened today was no one's fault as they were better prepared than we expected. Plus there was just the three of us down in the raid with SHIELD as back up. It was supposed a simple take down but it went sideways and we were out manned and out gunned. We were lucky that there were only a few injuries on our side and that we were able to capture almost half of their forces." Steve tried to reason. He, Tony and Bucky went on the mission to take down the Mandarin Group and what they hoped was a small group turned out to be bigger and more protected than intel lead them to believe. Bruce had hung back at the tower because the Hulk would be more hindrance than help and Natasha and Clint were on there own mission half way around the world. So it was Three Avengers or none at all. Mandarin was waiting for them and had at least two hundred meta-humans ready for a fight.
"Whatever; what's a next move?" Tony conceded.
"We send out fresh faces to gather more intel and track down the rest of the group. Until then I suggest you go back to Stark Tower and get ready for Harry's return. Oh and here you go, his semester grades were posted online and he got all 'A's'." Fury stated sliding a file over to the two Avengers.
"Wait, are you tell me that Harry is still taking his College courses along with his Magical school work?" Steve asked reading the file over Tony's shoulder.
"Yeah, Eye Patch, I thought he put those studies on hold." Tony scanned the file taking note of the six classes and the grades on all assignments were at eighty-five percent or higher.
"I was going to withdrawal him but he insisted not wanting to fall behind and wanting to catch up to Stark Standards." Fury shrugged. He knew the little wizard was pushing himself a bit hard but it wasn't his place to tell him that. He would leave it for the boy's parents.
"I swear if Howard is haunting my tower I'm going to kill his dead ass." Tony swore. This was exactly what he didn't want to happen when had children. He didn't want his father's quest for perfection be the sole focus of his kid's life. He wanted Harry to have fun and carefree life just being a child. It looks like Howard still got his way despite his effort to raise Harry differently.
"Tony, I doubt your dad's haunting anything, and even if he was he would have shown up long before now." Steve rolled his eyes. "When Harry gets home, we'll all have a talk with him about his study habits. Until then just be proud at what he has managed to accomplish while still at Magic school."
"Of Course I'm proud Capsicle. I couldn't be more proud of Harry even though he is not my son by blood. What I have a problem with him spreading himself thin to fulfill unreasonable expectations. It would be just like Howard to push and push until Harry broke from the strain." Tony ranted throwing the file away from him.
"Tony, he's not here. Howard is gone and he can no longer force you to be perfect." Steve said is a soft voice gently placing a hand on the upset man. He had heard how his old friend was tough on his only son and heir but he didn't think it was this bad. He could now see why Tony hated him when they first met. He had been the embodiment of Howard Stark's genius and unreasonable expectations that was shoved so far down his son's throat until he was choking on it desperate for air.
"I know that logically but sometimes it feels like he's still standing over critiquing my every movement from my projects to how I'm raising my son. Nothing was ever good enough for that man and I swore I would never be like him. Harry is enough and I will never demand that he be more than he is, because he is already the best god damn thing that has ever happen to me, us, the Avengers. I have never seen Loki so happy and unguarded since we brought Harry home. That kid deserves to be happy and carefree not working himself into the ground."
"Stark, I know Howard didn't win any father of the year awards, but he did care for you. He knew you would do what he couldn't with that big brain of yours. You have exceeded your father in more ways than anyone thought possible despite your reckless youth. Harry is happy and doing anything he can to make you proud of him. I agree that the boy is pushing himself a bit hard. That is something that needs to be worked out because all these years he's had HYDRA's high standards of accomplishments drilled into his head. Until he is fully deprogrammed this will be how he shows his affection for you and Loki." Fury stated as he gathered the fallen file. "So what I suggest is you fly back to your tower and get your head out of the past and focus on the here and now. I'll call you when we get another lead."
"Fine, this place is boring anyways. Come on Cap your boy toy is probably wondering why this debriefing is taking so long." The genius said grabbing his Suit Case and headed to the Quinjet that was waiting on the Helicarrier's flight deck. Tony gave up the argument, because they were just talking in circles. Past, present or future, Howard Stark will always be in the shadows of his mind.
"Right behind you, Tony." Steve nodded to Fury before falling into step with the angry Stark. Silently he prayed for the week to pass quickly for Tony's sake. Harry and Loki were the ones that could chase away the ghosts that haunted his friend.
XxXxXxXxXx
"Well done Mr. Lokison." Professor Flitwick said as he handed back the midterm final before moving on to the next student. Once again he received the highest mark in the class. Gigi decided that it would be the perfect time to drop from the air landing on the table in front of the Demi-God.
Harry rolled his eyes at the cat's antics but gave in to her demands of some cuddles. She tended to favor the young prince out of all the students. The students around him seemed to distance themselves a little more from the cat. While Gigi was not as big as Shadow she was double that of a regular cat and had large teeth as well.
"Bloody kiss up." Boot muttered as he glared at his own grade which was only Acceptable seventy percent.
"You're just jealous because you're not as smart." Snorted Susan Bones who was seated between the two boys stated.
"He can't bloody speak, there is no way he's as smart as the professor's think he is. He must be cheating; he just hasn't been caught yet." Terry ranted to the Hufflepuff.
"He said his voice was taken not his brain. Unlike you, Lokison obviously knows how to use his brain. Ekk!" Susan had been busy telling the Ravenclaw off that she didn't see the Jinx walk up to her until she was licked in the face.
"Sorry, but Gigi likes you." Harry tapped out with an amused smile.
"Oh, is it alright if I pet her?" The Hufflepuff asked hesitantly offering her hand to the jinx to sniff.
"Sure, she is Professor Flitwick's familiar and she is very nice."
"Her fur is so soft." Susan smiled as she petted the Jinx who began to purr under such attentions.
"That cat is just like the beast Lokison keeps in our dorms." Boot sneered.
"Can't you go five minutes without complaining?" Susan rolled her eyes but did not stop in her attentions to the cat. Before the Ravenclaw could respond Flitwick called their attention.
"Now during Winter Break I want you all to find a charm you have learned this semester and write a two foot essay on its evolution since its creation." The professor ignored the groans of the students as he heard it every semester's end when he assigned homework for the break. "Next year when you return you will be paired with a student from either Gryffindor or Slytherin in a charms project that will span both classes and their will be a competition before the Easter Holidays."
The class irrupted into a low chatter at the idea of competition. While they were the two houses not really into competing their interest was definitely peaked. Harry on the other hand felt a headache brewing. The Red Lion and the Blond Snake were going to do whatever it took to be paired with him. He didn't know if he could work with either one of them. One was trying to bully him while the other was annoying with his nosy questions and random statements.
"Before you leave I will give you the name of your signed partner so you can communicate over the holidays if you so choose." Flitwick smiled as he began to wave his wand sending slips of paper to the students.
Harry was hesitant to look at the paper afraid of who his partner was and instead continued play with the jinx that rolled on her back between Susan and Harry getting much loved belly rubs.
"Looks like I got Malfoy." Susan sighed. "Well not too bad he doesn't seem to be scary like his dad."
"You met his dad?" Harry asked.
"My aunt works at the Ministry with Lord Malfoy. I've seen him when I visit her so I know he looks really Scary." The Hufflepuff shuttered. "Who did you get?"
Harry knew he couldn't put off looking at the paper forever. He turned over the paper and his whole body relaxed and a small smile appeared on his face. "I got Neville Longbottom."
"Lucky, he's really nice." Susan smiled. "We used to have play dates when my Aunt and his Grandmother had tea together. He can be a bit shy but he once we started talking about plants and Herbology he opens up."
"Sounds like you really like him." Harry teased smiling as the Hufflepuff's cheeks turn a bright red.
"I do not. I just know he's nice and a friend." Susan denied.
"Will you both shut up? You both are annoying with your pointless chatter." Boot snapped. The jinx took offence at the tone and was growling at the rude Ravenclaw, which had Boot paling.
"Terry I think you should mind your own business. You wouldn't want to get scratched up that pretty face that your mommy loves so much." Susan glared, as she petted the jinx to calm the cat.
"Leave your homework on your desk and class is dismissed." Flitwick announced.
"Whatever Bones." Boot sneered still pale as he left the class as fast as humanly possible.
"Do you know everyone?" Harry asked laughing at his housemate's quick retreat.
"I don't know everyone, but Purebloods tend to keep in a close circle of society. So we grew up knowing one another or knowing of other purebloods. My Aunt actually went school with James Potter and they grew up knowing one another. Like I said Purebloods are a small circle." Susan smiled gently before packing up her supplies.
"Well if I had grown up with my dad I think would have we also would have continued the cycle." Harry stated thoughtfully, giving the grey jinx one last scratch behind the ear.
"Well, we can't change the past Lokison but we can build a future." Susan held out a hand in offer friendship which Harry took.
"You're alright Bones have a happy Holiday."
"You too, see you we get back from break."
Harry watched the Hufflepuff leave before turning to the tapestry at the back of the classroom. "You can come out Malfoy."
"How did you know I was here?"
"You're not as subtle as you think. Why are you here should you be getting ready for dinner?"
"You haven't owled me and we leave for Christmas Day after tomorrow."
"I know but I haven't had a lot of time with exams and homework. But I am free tomorrow as I already finished my packing. We can meet in the morning at the Owlery."
"That's acceptable. See you there Lokison." Malfoy nodded and he stalked off leaving Harry alone with the jinx.
"Meow."
"You know Gigi some times I wish I was a cat like you and not have to worry about the crazy people in my life." Harry thought as the cat licked his face in sympathy.
XxXxXxXxXx
Snow covered the ground and parents gather on the platform. Loki stood with Thor waiting for the train's arrival. He looked over the crowd and had a wave of nostalgia. James would take him to Diagon Alley and they would people watch from either an out door café or at the window seats of Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. He knew a lot of these purebloods from when James pointed them out during their outings.
"So these are the mages of Midgard. They look the same as when I was last here, centuries ago."
"Well in this part of Midgard their fashion has not changed much but they are witches and wizards no where near the level of mage as James was. They are weak and small minded so they will never reach the level of power James and Haraldr have. The Purebloods think that they are stronger than that of Muggleborns but they are wrong. It is the Mother Earth that gives them their power but if they are not one with their magic they will never grow stronger than what they currently are." Loki informed the Thunder God.
"It hurts you to be here brother." Thor looked to his brother who showed no visible of emotion but he knew better.
"Old memories of my time here, saddens my heart but I must move on for Haraldr's sake. The train has arrived." The train pulled in the station and parents began to cluster around the Platform but the gods kept their distance. They watched as the train emptied and parents greet and take their Children home. As the station emptied Loki watched the train. He knew his son was waiting for the train to be empty before he disembarks.
"Excuse me but are you waiting for a student?" a voice asked the waiting gods. But before they respond another voice cut in.
"Headmaster what are you doing here?"
"Harry I am here to ensure your safety. Your Father and mother entrusted me with you safety when they died. I am your magical guardian." Dumbledore turn to the Ravenclaw trying to act as a grandfather figure.
"So you are the wizard who stole my son and placed him with that Mortal woman that abused him before selling him to 'That' place." Loki's eyes began to glow and Thor begun to give off sparks.
"Headmaster, I will not tell you again Lily was my Step mother. We have no blood between us."
"Harry, who ever told you that lied to you; Lily was your mother." Dumbledore was trying to convince the boy to trust him but was failing. He needed to control Potter so he could control the wizarding world.
"I do not lie to my child Mortal. James never lied to our child. You Mortal, are trying my Patience." Loki stepped closer to the man trying to take his son.
"Who are you that you would speak to me so. I am,"
"Spare us the Speech Mortal we know who you are. What you don't know is who we are." Loki sneered.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, may I introduce you to My Father Loki Prince of Asgard and My Uncle Thor the Crown Prince of Asgard. James Potter was my barer and you are not my Guardian." Harry and Shadow moved to stand between the gods.
"Asgard? Impossible, the gods have not been to earth in centuries." The Old wizard paled.
"We have been coming to Midgard for years but we only inter act with those we find worthy. James Potter was one of those worthy of such attentions. You on the other hand are not. The only reason my son is attending your school is the blood contract you force James to sign. Should anything befall my son then the wrath of Asgard rain down upon you and your precious school with the full blessing of Odin the All Father." As the God of Mischief spoke his mortal Muggle clothes changed to that of his Asgard armor complete with Helmet. He was not the only one to change Thor and Harry let their clothes fade to Armor as well.
"Brother, it is time we left; Mother and Father await our return." Thor said as he glared at the old wizard before them then the trio stepped back and way from the wizard.
"Yes, they are. Good bye Headmaster, Haraldr will see you upon his return. Heimdall Open the gate." The gods were enveloped by the rainbow light that was the Bi-Frost. When the light was gone so were the gods, leaving a behind a visibly shaken wizard.
XxXxXxXxXx
"There's My Mini Merlin!" Tony ran and scooped up his little Hare-Bare. "Oh I missed you."
"Hey, Stark, quick hoggin' our boy." Clint shouted as the rest of the Avengers gathered around duo.
"Yeah, Tony, share the love." Pepper laughed before stealing the little wizard. Soon Harry was passed around the room to receive hugs from every one of his family members even from his normally super serious Uncle Phil.
The Avengers celebrated being together and feasting the night away. Harry tried but he couldn't keep his eyes open and fell asleep on the floor cuddled with shadow. Thor took the boy and cat back to their floor and put him to bed. After that everyone began to head to their own beds for the night. Now the couple was curled up on the floor in Tony's room watching the fire light play about the room.
"So Bambi, why did you decide to travel by Asgard means rather than take the jet?" Tony asked.
"It wasn't planned but, we were confronted by Dumbledore who tried to convince Haraldr that he was not my son that I had lied to him. I wanted to kill that mortal where he stood, but then my sister would kill me for interfering with Haraldr's path and disrupting the balance of the Universe. So the best way to get away and show him we are who we say we are was to have Heimdall Bring us to Asgard. Mother was happy for our unexpected visit and insisted we at least have lunch at the palace before coming to New York." Loki explained as he let his head rest over his lover's heart. "They will join us tomorrow with my sister."
"Oh goodie the 'in-laws' are coming for Christmas. Well we all knew that the crazy magic man would find out whose Harry's daddy was eventually. I hope you scared him so bad that he wet himself." The billionaire wrapped his arms around his Frost Giant.
"I'm sure he did; he was extremely shaken and pale when we showed him who we really were, especially when we shifted to our full armor." Loki smirked.
"That's my Chaos God. I'm glad you had more luck than I did. The Mission was somewhat a bust we only got half of the group and the leader got away; so back to square one."
"Half is better than none. Think of it no more my love we are home and our family is together once again."
"And Harry is now sleeping in his own room on Thor's floor leaving us to our own extremely comfortable bed with silk sheets that feel really good on bare skin."
"Why Anthony, are you trying to seduce me into your bed?" the raven haired purred enjoying the attention of his lover bestowing upon his neck.
"It's our bed, and if it's working than that is exactly what I'm doing. As you say you are a God and it my job to worship you." Tony gently scrapped his teeth down that pale neck while unbuttoning the green silk pajama shirt exposing more of that creamy skin he loved so much.
"Hmm, I like this attitude you have developed. I grant you permission to continue your worshipping." The god leaned into his lover's embrace and closer to the worshiping lips.
"Yes, my Chaos God, it is good to have you home." Tony whispered before kissing those soft pink lips.
XxXxXxXxXx
Harry was in the gym doing his exercises and stretches thinking about his day with Malfoy before they left Hogwarts. It was a day that made him think about how messed up it was in England. Malfoy did confess to his father wanting him to befriend Harry Potter but instead he befriended Haraldr Lokison. The Friendship was still pending in Harry's mind. The Slytherin also said that his father works in the ministry and that they were trying to make it stronger with a total pureblood society. Which, would actually make them weak, as Magic grows from fresh blood put into the magic society. When Harry pointed out this fact Malfoy had to stop and think over that.
The young Pureblood went on to talk about how his father and his friends had been gathering to talk of the war the Dark Lord lost long ago. Some one had been owling them all lately hence the more frequent meetings. Harry had the feeling he knew who the one stirring the evil pot but he kept that information to himself. He left the Slytherin vent his woes and frustrations before offering advice on how to deal with it without drawing attention to his rebellion to his father beliefs.
Harry was reluctant to share any thing about himself because he was sure if he could trust the Slytherin. To be fair he did talk about how he felt under his own self pressure to please his Parents. How his parents were really smart and had Made Friday for him so he wanted to prove that he could meet standards. Malfoy totally understood his plight but he was pressured by his father rather than his own mind. He suggested that they should write one another when they got over whelmed at home. Harry was quick to shoot that idea down as he was going overseas for the holidays but he did say if Malfoy really needed to get in touch than him that he could send and owl to Gringotts and his godfather would make sure he got it.
"You're thinking rather hard nephew." A voice called breaking him from his thoughts. Harry smiled at the visitor and opened his locket.
"Hi Aunt Hela I thought you went out with Grandmother."
"I was going to but I convinced her to take the old Oxnard instead. Now what do you say to a little spar Nephew?" Hela smirked changing into her armor and her hair turned to a French braid.
"Alright." Harry gulped before shifting to his own armor. He was extremely nervous to spar with his Aunt after last year when she took Uncle Thor down with a love tap to the face.
"Now since this is just for fun I won't you use my full size swords, but my much smaller daggers. Show me your weapons of choice."
Harry nodded and created two long Ice Daggers. Normally he made them smaller for close combat but with the height difference between the two of them he had to make up for it. He went to his starting position watching his aunt take her place with her weapons in hand.
"Interesting weapons Haraldr. Your Jotun blood servers you well. Shall we begin? Hela didn't wait for an answer and started attacking.
Harry had to be quick in his block and flipping back and out of the way of the other blade. Using the momentum of his flip he upswing his dagger almost nicking the goddess' chin, then spun and sliced her armor on the stomach before dodge rolling away from the left dagger.
"Well played Nephew but you can do better." Hela then kicked Harry in the chest throwing him again the wall making his daggers fall from his grip winding him a bit.
"Yes, Aunt Hela." He coughed as he got up and faced his aunt. She threw a dagger at him and he conjured up and Ice shield. It only stopped the flying weapon half way through the shield and an inch from his face. He tossed the shield away and threw a dagger at the goddess for the sake of misdirection and then conjured a Mjolnir shaped Ice Weapon and swung it at Hela's back as he ran past her sending the Goddess of Daeth to the floor.
"Very good Haraldr," Hela smirked after getting up. She went very easy on the child but was please with his improvement. "But you need to make your ice hard more dense. I am very proud of how strong you have gotten over the past year."
"Sister, what in the Nine are you doing with My son?!" Loki ran in to the room and directly to the small prince checking him for injuries.
"Oh we were just having a little spar Baby Brother. You worry too much; he's fine and strong as a young prince should be."
"Haraldr this is truly a work of art." Thor picked up the ice made weapon and marveled at the Ice Mjolnir. "Your Ice abilities have greatly improved."
"That they have brother but his shields need work." Hela agreed. "You should tested him as well."
"How about you both leave my son alone this is not Asgard he does not need to be a warrior." Loki snapped holding Harry close.
"Father I want train. I want be able to use my ice properly and fight when I need to protect my friends and Family."
"Haraldr,"
"Father I know you want to protect me but I'm not as I once was. I faced a Mountain Troll two months ago and I barely made it with Shadow's help. I am seeing that I am more than a Pawn in this game, I am a knight and I must be armed."
"He is right my Son." The gods turn to the two new guests. Odin came over to his children and laid a hand upon his grandson's shoulder. "Young Haraldr is caught between two worlds but is the Key to keeping them both safe."
"Like you Loki he was born of two destinies and like you the fates thrust him to where he would most impact the worlds around him. Your path was difficult and filled with hardships some by our own hands. Haraldr also faced much in his young life but all these events shaped him, as yours have shaped you." Frigga smiled sadly taking the hand of her youngest child.
"Son, Haraldr is your child but you must listen when he speaks. It was my failing as a father that I do not wish to pass on to you." The All father said softly with centuries of regret displayed over his aged face.
Loki swallowed hard before taking a deep breath and facing his son. He knew Odin was right but it was just hard to let go of his only child. "Haraldr is this truly what you want? Do you want to Train in the ways of an Asgard Warrior and Mage?"
"Yes Father, it is. I train with Aunt Tasha and Clint but it wasn't enough. I need to be able to handle anything that wizard will throw at me, whether it is magical or Physical."
"Very well my son, you will start Train with your Uncle and I, after Christmas."
"Thank you Father." Harry smiled and hugged his worried father. He saw how hard this was on his dad, so he had to reassure him that he still loved him even if he was growing up faster than the God was comfortable with. Harry wasn't going to ask to be trained for another year maybe two but after the Troll and Dumbledore ambushing them at the Train Station he needed to be Prepared.
A/N: The Plot Bunnies are almost rabid wanting me to write, write, and write. So I'm trying to keep up with them while trying to keep up with everything else that's going on in our crazy world. Well good news is the Asgardians have made their presence known to the Mad Dumbledore, Bad News Mandarin is Smarter than the Avengers gave them credit for. So the Plot Bunnies need some food to catch the bad guys. Thanks for Reading Keep Reviewing.