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 43 "Here's to the New Year"
The stars were infinite and beautiful. Harry walked slowly among the branches of the Yggdrasil. It was his first Astral walk by himself before today he had been accompanied by Doctor Strange for short outings as he was too young and there was a chance his soul might get lost to far from his body. He was older now and with the Mind Stone and being guardian of the Yggdrasil he would always find his way home. Suddenly he felt a coldness that shouldn't have been possible in his current state. He turn around to a woman dressed in a golden yellow outfit that looked similar to Mater Strange and her head was completely shaved. He had never seen her before but somehow she seemed familiar.
"I was wondering if you would notice me you were very deep in thought."
"Yes but the chill of the darkness is very distracting." Harry walked closer to the woman.
"Ah, I see Stephen has found a strong and powerful pupil. Tell me child is your Master still driven by ego or has he found a purpose beyond himself?"
"You're the Ancient One." Harry's eyes widen with the realization of who he was talking to.
"And smart too, it seems Stephen has done well for himself at least in this possibility. This reality new to me, never have I seen you before when peering through time." The Ancient One smiled softly the eye of Agamotto glowing softly from her chest.
"The Norns say my existence changed the fate of those who I call family including Doctor Strange. He is my teacher but also my uncle. He is a great Sorcerer Supreme and has helped save many of the Multiverses."
"Yes, that would explain this new universe. Your connection to Strange is what has led me here to you. Nothing is set in stone but this does give me hope for his future." The Ancient One began to walk again and Harry fell in step with her.
"Is Your Universe in danger?"
"You are young, too young to realize that every Universe is always in some kind of danger. We only act if the danger is within our control. Your Master will soon come to me and find himself within the realm of magic but I know I will not be there to see the outcome of his journey."
"Because of Dormammu."
"Like Master, like student. I see you are studying beyond your teachings." The Ancient One chuckled. "Yes in part my connection with the dark dimension is what keeps me alive but the events with another student, is what will be my downfall. I could prevent it as I have seen many out comes to my death but I will not. I will lower my guard because it is my time and I must pay for the stolen centuries I have taken to get to this point. Your presence has reassured my own soul of the future of Magic and Stephen's path. So I shall give you a warning of your World of Magic. I saw the darkness building with in the natural wizards and to save the magic of the universes I cut the ties with the Wizarding World within all dimensions. At the time there was no hope of balance and the wizards would have destroyed themselves and all earth magic as we know it. Now meeting with you I see glimpses of a future out of the shadows of Dark Magic."
"That is a relief to know. I have been worrying that I haven't been doing enough. I wasn't sure I was following right path." Harry admitted.
"I can understand that but you are lucky young Sorcerer. You have people around you to help you and guide you and tons of love to keep you protected from the darkness. Speaking of the darkness, the sun is about to rise and your parents will wake soon and you still have work to do as your schooling will resume soon."
"Yeah, I know." Harry sulked moodily.
"Ah, the mood of children." The ancient Once gave a hearty laugh hugging the young god. "Cheer up young one; it is not the end of the Universe because you have a tiff with your parents. Just relax and enjoy today because it is not everyday you turn thirteen."
"I'll try, thank you Ancient One. I am glad to have met you."
"And I you, Young Sorcerer." The Sorcerer Supreme faded from the dreamscape of the Yggdrasil.
Harry came back to his body and slowly opened his eyes to see the sun rising over the city roof tops. He was now thirteen, but all the anxiety that had been building had been washed away by the reassurance of the Ancient One's words. He would enjoy the day with his family and new friend Peter. Even though his Dad was still a bit upset with him, Tony planned a huge celebration for Harry. He invited Peter and his Aunt May to the party so Harry was looking forward to seeing them. Since that late night meet up Peter and Harry had become very good friends and spent hours in the lab at SHEILD Headquarters going over tech and Magic. Pushing himself up from bed to start his day Harry stretched and smiled. Today was his birthday and it was going to be the best day ever.
XxXxXxXxXx
"Damn Bones won the Ministry!"
"Are you surprised? Fudge was highly incompetent. Lucius why are you here and not with your family? I have better things to do than listen to you whine." Snape sneered as he stirred the potion counting the strokes in his head despite the interruption.
"They are failing in their duties and they refuse to even try to fix their failings. I couldn't stand watching the boy fail spell after spell any longer. I should have stood firm against my father that Narcissa was an unsuitable match. But no, my father wanted their bloodline and her dowry. Narcissa was the only blond daughter they had born into the Black family the rest of them are ravens. Rumor was she was the bastard daughter of a powerful Pure-Blood but I have me doubts as Draco came out tiny and sickly. He has grown into a weak willed boy not worthy of the Malfoy name. After he graduates I will disown him and start again with another pureblood witch once Narcissa fades away. She has always been of a weak constitution." The blond lord paced the room as his madness ran ramped.
"I see. Do you expect the arrival of our Lord to be in the coming year?" Severus kept his voice calm and even. He knew that Lucius just told him he plans to kill his wife and son once Draco leaves school. This was not man he went to school with; this man was a cold blooded murderer with no sense of remorse. His late father killed the kind boy he once knew the moment he forced Lucius to take the Dark Mark. Then he lost the rest of his soul with his first casting of the Killing curse. Severus will forever morn the lost of his friend.
"No our contacts over seas has assured me that our Master will return in grand fashion soon but this year we must free his most loyal followers starting with the Rat."
"Are you sure that is wise? He is an idiot that will be more of a hindrance than a help. I have enough on my plate with teaching dunderheads and spying on the old man along with tutoring Draco." Snape pointed out as he lowered the flame on the cauldron and over turned a near by hour glass.
"I will give him instructions but you will find a place to keep him. Also if Draco does not perform up to Malfoy standards then I refuse to have him back at the manor next Summer. You will keep the boy out of sight until I am can legally disown him per the rules of the Malfoy trust. Damn Ancestors and the first born heir rule."
"Every thing will be taken care of but how are you going to free the followers? They have been Azkaban for twelve years they won't be sane."
"That is why we start with the rat. You and I know his mind is still in tact due to his special abilities. So he will be the starting point. If we are successful then I can work on freeing the others. But it might take longer than I would like because Bones is now the Minister. The good news is that Fudge managed to make sure certain deals are set in stone that will aid our cause and bring The Dark Lord back to England faster." Lucius took out his watch to see he had another appointment to attend. "I must go I have an appointment with the goblins. This is the third time I have been denied an audience with the king and have been passed off to another manager."
"The Goblin King rarely handles personal accounts unless his intervention is needed. Just because you are a Malfoy does not grant you an audience with the King he doesn't care about Wizard society. He is a powerful being centuries old with Powerful Allies we do not even dare to come close to his realm of Power and notice."
"He should notice me I am a Pure-Blood with money power and a Lordship. I am ten times the man that half breed is. If I could I would never have them touch my gold the filthy creatures. Once the Dark Lord returns things will change and we shall see who is worthy of my time. I must go we shall speak again once I have things in motion. One last thing do you think you can take the boy for his supplies? I need to take Narcissa to the Ministry for the ceremony of Bones taking office. Things will get a bit harder but we'll manage our goals."
"That is fine send him over when ever I shall be here." Severus nodded to the blond watching him leave in a huff. The Potion Master set a shield over the potion and headed to his office. He pulled out the phone that he had hidden in his desk and placed a call to Kingsley.
"Severus I didn't think you would actually use the cellphone. What can I do for you?"
"I have no cause not to use the phone other than I have few people to call. The Internet uses on the other are vast and more helpful to my work. I am calling because Lucius just left and something is wrong. I felt dark magic on him which isn't surprising since he practices Dark Magic a lot more so since Draco started school, but this time it felt different yet the same. I believe that he has had some recent contact with the headmaster. The last time I met with the headmaster he was covered in the dark magic that filled the office. If we could prove it then we can link Dumbledore to the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord's soul shards popping up everywhere."
"It would give us probable cause to remove him from the castle but we can't move on just the feeling of Dark Magic."
"That is true but we can take precautions to protect ourselves and others against the leeching dark magic. That is what this magic is and I have powerful wards around my home which suppressed the dark magic influence. You should suggest to Madame Bones to have the wards on the Ministry rechecked. I believe that Fudge let them lax as the headmaster has spread his influence through out the ministry."
"That's a good idea, I'll get started on the paperwork and give it to Amelia the moment she takes office. Is there anything else I should be aware of?"
"Lucius is descending into madness and his family is at risk. There is nothing that can be done now due to his pride wants to keep up appearances and The Malfoy trust will not allow him to harm Draco until his 17th birthday. Lucius is however going to work on freeing the Dark Lords faithful followers. I am not sure how but he has a plan."
"All the followers are in Azkaban. It should be impossible for any type of escape."
"I understand that but Lucius is not to be deterred by the obvious. I will be on guard at every hour this coming year and I fear for Draco and his friends." Severus pointed out truly distressed for his godson.
"I am sure they will endure this year just as they did the last. My Brother sends me reports on Harry and his studies. But I would suggest that Draco talk to Harry his godfather is the Goblin King and they can deter Lucius in his disownment. Other than that as long as they band together they shall prevail and we will to our best to detour the Death Eaters trying to take over the rest of our world." Kingsley reassured. "By the way rumor has it the new Defense Teacher is a Strong Force to be dealt with."
"I wouldn't know as Albus refuses to say who this new Professor is. I will meet them just before the students arrive. Hopeful he is not as stupid as Lockhart was. I must go my potion needs stirring."
"Alright we'll meet up next week until then constant vigilance."
"Kingsley, that is getting old. See you next week." Severus hung up to attend his potion but he did wonder who the new teacher was hopefully they would prove to be an ally against the headmaster.
XxXxXxXxXx
"I'm sorry Tony but you are going to have to split your time between Scotland and New York. I have been keeping the board members at bay but since your marriage to Loki they have been demanding your presence in meetings to see that you are not mind controlled and that you are still dedicated to this company." Pepper felt bad having to deliver the news to Tony because she knew how much he was looking forward to returning to Scotland. Things were still a bit tense between him and Harry since his midnight wanderings. Fury had been just as upset and had Natasha put a tracker in Harry's new gear for his, I mean SHIELD's peace of mind.
"Damn it those old farts can just Shove it where the sun…"
"Don't finish that sentence, Anthony. You know that they are a necessary evil to keep your company running. Just like the elders in Asgard everyone has a function or the whole system collapses. You already had a loss from the ones that had to be removed when Fury arrested six members for fraudulent contracts. Stark Industries took a massive stock hit because of it. Now you have to make the company strong again. This is not only for you but Haraldr's future as well." Loki stopped his lover rant and explained why he had to bend to the will of the board.
"Dad I have a project to keep you busy here in New York." The three adults turned to the newcomers.
"Hey Hare-Bear, I thought you were in the gym showing Under-Roos the ropes."
"Dad, that is a terrible nick name. Anyways Peter needs guidance in his role as Spiderman."
"Hey I'm doing okay as a superhero." Peter protested.
"Pete it took both of us to take down Mandarin and last week you got a concussion dealing with Sandman. Your fighting style needs work mostly on your defense not just offence. Also you suit needs a bit of an upgrade." Harry countered.
"Okay, okay, I get it but your Dad doesn't need to go to any trouble on my account."
"No, it's fine Peter. Actually I've been working with Harry on some new suit designs for you." Tony's heart softened at the older teen. He knew the boy lost his Uncle just months ago to a carjacker and it was just him and his Aunt. He was just trying to find out where he belong with his new found powers and finding out his aunt was a real witch. They were right he was needed here in New York and Peter was a rookie Hero in need of a mentor. As much as he wanted to go and be there for Harry in his fight against the Old DumbleFuck Peter needed him more right now.
"Really? You have been working on a suit for me?" Peter's eyes went widen his head turning from Tony to Harry repeatedly.
"Of course Pete. You're my friend and I do everything I can to keep my friends and family safe. That suit of yours was not cutting it." Harry signed. He and Peter had close and Harry found another older brother in the new hero. He was worried what would happen to the older teen when he was at school. It was true that he and his Dad were still butting heads a little but he still loved the man. He wasn't pushing Tony away but pushing him to another that needed his time and care. Tony would always be his Dad that would never change but Peter needed an anchor to curb his reckless hero work. His Dad needed in anchor to New York as not to over worry while he was far away at school. Truth was when he was at school there was little his parents or The Avengers could do to help him.
"Yeah we have a mock up in Harry's lab but we need a full scan of you to make adjustments. Harry tells me you are very smart and that you designed your own web shooters. I'd like to hear more about your process." Tony smiled as the though of talking science and engineering got his mood up.
"Sure Mr. Stark."
"You're really going to like what we came up with Pete." Harry signed as he led the two to the elevator. "Dad even wrote an AI for the suit."
"Really?" Peter was bouncing on his toes now.
"Kid you are about to enter Candy Land." Tony laughed just before Jarvis closed the elevator doors.
"Loki, will he be alright? Tony has really changed since Harry came to the tower four years ago and then him getting hurt in Wakanda, well you know he nearly went off the rails." Pepper was deeply concerned with her best friend's mental health.
"He'll be alright. Haraldr has found a kinder soul for Anthony. They are both geniuses with a loss they must deal with while Peter's is bit more permanent than Anthony's, they can help each other adjust and heal. I agree with my son though, Young Peter is reckless with his hero work and will get seriously hurt without proper support of a mentor." The god reasoned.
"I could see that the night I picked them up in Queens. It was like they were teens on a joy ride in their dad's car only these are super powered teens and it was the Avenger's car they were driving. I'll try and keep the board under control with their demands and as long as Tony attends some meetings then he will be available to mentor Peter."
"Thank you Virginia, Anthony may not say it enough but we do appreciate everything you do for us and SI." Loki smiled.
"You're Welcome. Harry even sends me flowers at least once a month to say thank you and that he misses me. He really is the sweetest kid. Oh I better head back downstairs I have a press conference in twenty. Stark industries are launching their new line of Laptops and tablets in time for school. Also can you owl this to Jareth. The magic proof phones are ready for sale and his non-magic employees can pick them up whenever he's ready." Pepper handed a letter to the Loki before rushing to the elevator.
"No worries, I'll send Nátt out right away." The god called out now alone in the common room. The silence was deafening, but he would have to get use to it once he returned to Scotland. Maybe his brother would have time to visit him for a week or two. Then he snapped his head up as he realized what he was just thinking. "Oh Norns, I must truly be desperate to want Thor's company."
"There is nothing wrong with wanting to spend time with your brother my son."
"Mother, I did not know you were here."
"I just arrived. This year I would like to take Haraldr to get his schooling supplies. I had Heimdall send me here and I will return to your father in a week. Now what is this of wanting to have Thor's company?"
"It's nothing Mother. I was just thinking about the coming school year Anthony has to stay here for work and to help the Spiderling in his hero work. Haraldr will be away at school, so I will be alone in Scotland is all." Loki shrugged as he sent Nátt off with Pepper's letter.
"Ah, I understand. I felt the same when Odin would spend all day with the council and you and your siblings had grown and left the nest as it were. I think it is a grand idea to invite Thor to stay with you awhile. You both had grown apart these past centuries it will do you both good to reconnect." The Queen Goddess smiled at her youngest child.
"If we don't kill each other first." Loki muttered causing his mother to laugh before pulling him into a hug.
"You will be fine. Now let's go bake some cookies for my grandson. He will be hungry when he returns from his lab work." Frigga chuckled and glided to the kitchen knowing Loki would follow, he always did like baking with her since he was a child.
XxXxXxXxXx
"Grandmother, I'll be fine. I am just meeting my friends." Harry signed trying to reassure the queen that he was fine in Diagon Alley with his mates.
"Very well Haraldr, I shall take you supplies back to the Manor. Your father will have dinner ready by 7:30 Midgard time." Frigga, relented giving Harry a kiss on the forehead before vanishing in a flash of white light.
"Harry!" the demi-god turned to the shout to find his friends running towards him. He was soon bowled over by the girls of MAGIC all jumping in to his arms. His mates just stood over them laughing.
"Well Prince Firsty looks like you need to hit the gym." Laughed Fred.
"Yeah last year you could lift at least three girls." George smirked.
Harry glared at them as he was stuck on the ground with four girls on top of him babbling how much they missed him. There was a crowd of witches and wizard gathering around the spectacle. After about five minutes the lads freed their fearless leader from the girls' hold.
"Come on you lot we got plans!" Neville chuckled helping Susan and Luna up. Fred helped up Hermione up letting his hold on her hand linger a bit while George gave Daphne a hand up.
"You too Lokison, no lying down on the job." Draco hauled the demi-god to his feet.
"Thanks, but I wasn't lying down; I was the victim of a stampede. Now that we're all here let's head out. Master Wong said he'd have lunch set up for us at the Sanctum. We have a lot to talk about and we need total security." Harry signed as he lead them to a hidden passage that he and his Master Dr. Strange installed after last Spring they though he should have away to get to the London Sanctum in case of trouble or he needed to a place to meet. Within moments they were all in the London Sanctum surrounded by magical artifacts and Sorcerers milling about. Suddenly out of nowhere a blurred of red flew past MAGIC and Harry disappeared.
"Harry where are you?" Hermione panicked.
"He's flying up there." Luna pointed to the ceiling. Harry was wheezing his laugh as the Cloak of Levitation flew around the ceiling tickling him.
"Cloak that's enough. Harry has guests to host for lunch." Dr. Strange called out as he and Wong entered the main hall. The cloak lower Harry to the ground before reluctantly letting the boy go before returning to the Sorcerer Supreme. "Sorry about that Harry, cloak heard you come in and I couldn't stop it from finding you."
"That's okay Master." Harry smiled with his locket opened. "I've been a bit busy this summer. But I promise to spend a day with cloak before I have to go to school. This way MAGIC Lunch is in the Butterfly garden on the roof."
The group was in awe of the rooftop garden and the butterflies were all magical in nature. They took their seats at the formally set table. Tea was piping hot and the sandwiches were perfectly cut. Wong really out did himself for their luncheon.
"This is really lovely, Big Brother." Luna said dreamily sipping her tea.
"Good, I am glad you're happy. How has everyone's summer been?"
"Well, I go first. My Aunt was elected The Minister of Magic! She was sworn in this morning." Susan gushed.
"That's amazing Susan. I am so happy for you and the Ministry they needed this change." Hermione cheered. "I completed my courses for Muggle School and kept up my training."
"I have as well. I took some lessons when I was in Japan with my parents this summer." Daphne replied.
"We can't wait to return to group training." Fred agreed.
"Yeah Fred and I always tie in our spars." George sighed.
"I found a weapons smith through a distant uncle of mine. He's agreed to do a commission for us this year. He said he'll meet with us on the first Hogsmeade weekend. Did everyone get their permission slip signed?" Neville asked.
"I had to get mine signed and then notarized by the goblins, because the headmaster didn't believe that my parents are my parents." Harry rolled his eyes.
"My Godfather signed mine. Lucius I believe has given up on me and my training. He is focusing on his plans to bring his Lord back to England. His mind is officially gone and Mother fears for my safety. She has place an ally within the school to help us against what ever Lucius and his fellow Death Eaters have planned for this year."
"Really, who is that?" Daphne asked pouring more tea for her and Luna.
"My Mother's cousin who will be our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Lord Regulus Black. He was the younger brother your late godfather Sirius Black." Draco said solemnly to Harry.
"My Godfather Jareth told me that he took the title of Lord Black because I was too young and because I was place with my Step-Mother's family. I have yet to meet him though." Harry's voice seemed to get quieter in their heads all of the teens realizing they hit a spot of deep pain with their Princely leader.
"He's eager to meet you Harry. When you're ready he would like to tell you about Sirius and the other Marauders." Draco said softly but Harry seemed lost in thought. "Harry?"
"Oh yeah, I'll think about it." Harry shook off the gloom that was trying to cloud his thoughts. He needed a clear head this year was important because the Norms had sent him visions of dark creatures following them and a White Stag protecting him. "What else do we have to look forward to this year?"
"Well, we have a slight problem but it is workable." George put in.
"The headmaster made Hagrid the Professor of Magical Creatures."
"Well he does know a lot about Magical Creatures, but I'm not sure his idea of cute animals, are safe animals." Susan pointed out.
"That is true but he has a good heart." Luna put in.
"Okay Hermione I think we will have revised his lesson plans once we get to school." Harry winced.
"Way ahead of you." The Gryffindor began type notes down on her phone.
"Also Ron and Ginny were sent away with Mum."
"They are coming back tomorrow."
"And we don't know what to expect." The twins relayed. It had been such a crazy summer that all of them forgot about the two Weasleys that had been making their lives miserable.
"So hopefully time away made their obsession with Harry fade away?" Neville winced.
"Not likely." everyone chorused.
"Well then here's to our Third Year and the twins Fifth Year." Draco raised his tea cup and the other's joined in.
"To next year." They all took a deep drink of their tea and thought of the coming year.
XxXxXxXxXx
"Sir, The Stark Child has escaped our men. Shield now has them in custody."
"Fools! Can you not capture a small child?!" The leader snarled.
"I told you to send our top fighters not the newly injected muscle." The assistant retorted.
"He's a child how hard could it be to take a child?"
"Well, obviously real hard for these guys. I gave them a fool proof plan but they screwed up. Now Stark will have sent his son away to school we won't have another chance until next summer. You also have to realize that Stark and his husband have started training the boy. So I think that you had better find smarter minions."
"Yes we will find better recruits but until then I think that you should send in someone to infiltrate Stark Industries. We need to get closer since Starks AI has learned to lock me out."
"Maybe we can use a way in through his rival Hammer. Rumor has it that he has a plan to disrupt the next Stark Expo."
"Really I think that is something that we use to our advantage." The boss grinned as ideas began form in his head. He would get Stark and his son they will pay for their transgressions against Mandarin.
A/N: Good News Bad News. Good News I got another chapter out! And I am working on the others the best that I can with time that I got on the Laptop. Bad News is that there is a delay with getting my new Laptop. So Yes the Plot Bunnies are writing but things are still going slow. Please have Patience we have not Abandon this Universe. Thanks for Reading and Keep Reviewing.