November 2012, Avenger's Tower
"I present to you the new Stark Industries product, with help from my partner in Magic Innovations, Stark Phones!" Tony said as he stepped away from the podium and a demo reel of the new phones played out on a screen behind him. Tony moved over next to Harry who was shifting slightly. Tony gave him an odd look, "What's wrong with you? Nervous?"
"Ugh, you know I hate the spotlight." Harry said with a bit of whine in his voice. Harry had never really moved past being a very private person. It didn't help that most of the world's population died out within a year or two of the demon summoning.
"Suck it up buttercup. You're gonna be world news now." Tony said with a smug look. Harry glared at him before he smirked. Tony suddenly didn't feel that smug anymore. He didn't know what happened but he knew it wouldn't be great. Soon enough the demo reel was over and the reporters started shouting questions. Tony moved forward to the podium and got them all to quiet down before taking questions. "Yes, you." Tony said, pointing at a man in the front row.
"John Garrison, New York Times. What did you use to create the new batteries powering the Stark Phones?" He asked.
"The new technology behind these batteries is proprietary. This technology isn't even owned by Stark Industries, but our new partners over at Magic Innovations." Tony said as he waved his hand to the side highlighting Harry standing there. Harry had a small pleasant smile on his face, but anyone who knew him could see the uncomfortable strain in his cheeks. "This is Harry Potter, CEO and Inventor at Magic Innovations."
"How long have you worked with Tony?" "What else is Magic Innovations working on?" "Are you single?" "Why is it called Magic Innovations?" From there the crowd just got louder causing Tony to grow more irritated along with Harry. Eventually he just got annoyed with the group talking over one another that he pulled out his phone and pretended to play something but in reality he created a loud, ear piercing, noise. The group quieted down after that.
"He will answer a few questions, but no more. If this gets out of hand again I'll be forced to stop the press release." Tony said with a glare at the chided audience. He had seen some events like this, but not since he shut down weapons manufacturing.
Harry then took the podium and started answering questions. Most of them were about his company and the work he did with Tony Stark. He told them about some of the more public projects that had already been seen but not widely known, such as Dr. Connors arm. Some were a little too personal, but they were quickly overlooked and ignored. 30 minutes later Harry and Tony were walking through the hallways of Avengers Tower and headed back to the living area on the top floors. Stepping into the living room Harry fell onto the couch and moaned as his face was buried in the pillows.
"Chin up. It wasn't that bad." Tony said as he removed his tie and jacket. Harry just flipped him the bird as he continued to lay there. Pepper walked into the living room and found Tony drinking one of those Butterbeers and goading Harry, who was still face down on the couch.
"What's wrong with him? Also why is your hair pink?" She asked as she took a seat next to Tony.
"My hair is pink?!" Tony said as he got up and looked in a mirror huffing when it proved true. Glaring at the wizard on his couch he sat back down. Answering Pepper's question. "Harry here isn't much for the spotlight." Tony said with some humor returning to his tone. as the man in question finally sat up.
"Don't like public speaking?" Pepper asked.
"It's more like I don't care for public admiration or acknowledgment." Pepper seemed confused by the statement so he clarified. "When I was younger I was branded a hero for the part my parents played in the end of a civil war. I found out I was famous when I was young and had to deal with the trappings of fame with having no idea about the consequences of being so. One moment I was reviled for some slight or circumstance, the next I was once again their savior." Harry shrugged after the explanation as he sat back on the couch, "I never really got over how the public could switch stances on me so easily and now don't care for fame of any type."
While Tony knew Harry's history, having it pointed out like that made much more sense. Pepper nodded along, she had seen her own brand of this while working for Tony and when she took over. "Well don't let it get you down, everyone goes through this when they get acclaim." Tony nodded sagely beside her, having dealt with the trappings of fame since his parents died.
"I know. Doesn't mean I have to like it." Harry said as he laid his head back. He was only leaning back for a moment before he was up and moving. "I'm going to the resort. I could use a soak." Harry didn't look back and just left leaving an amused couple watching him.
/OO-HP•SoS-OO\
Harry sat in his kitchen reading a book when he was informed that classes would be canceled the next week for Thanksgiving by the twins so Harry decided to get his new 'family' together for the holiday. "What do you two think about doing something this year? I was thinking at the resort we have a big dinner."
"Who are you going to invite?" Pietro asked as he slumped sideways in his chair. Wanda smacked him on the head and told him to sit up which he did so reluctantly. Smiling, Harry just watched with mirth at how they had changed from the small scared kids they were a few years ago. Pietro was allowed to let his immaturity show as Harry stepped in to take care of them and Wanda was allowed to release the burden she felt about getting revenge.
"I was thinking about the whole team and their family." Harry answered Pietro's question. Nodding in agreement Pietro sped away.
"No running in the house!" Wanda called after him. Harry could hear the slight mocking version of Wanda's voice being mimicked and smirked when Wanda's eyes narrowed and she used a bit of the magic Harry had taught her. Next thing Harry heard was a very unmanly scream before Pietro came flying back in the room without any hair, anywhere. Harry guffawed as he hit the table with his hand. Wanda stood with a smirk.
"Sister, what did you do?!" Pietro freaked out as he patted his head and face. "My eyebrows are gone?!" Watching Pietro's face morph around without eyebrows was both creepy and hilarious. This caused both Harry and Wanda to laugh again. Pietro started getting genuinely upset though so Harry removed the magic and Pietro sighed in relief.
"Maybe you'll eventually learn not to piss off your sister." Harry said, a smile still tugging at the corner of his mouth. Pietro rolled his eyes but wisely kept his mouth shut.
After that it calmed down and Harry got to planning. He first sent out the invites for a week away at the resort with friends and family included. Tony and Pepper were first to reply positively and Rhodey decided to join this time as well. Steve, of course, agreed happily. Betty and Bruce had plans with a few of his colleagues though. Thor was happy to 'feast' as he called it and Harry let him invite Jane. Harry did ask the X-Men, but they said they do the same thing every year with all their students and declined.
Harry went and found Nat working on a computer on the helicarrier, "Hey there handsome." Nat greeted as she noticed him leaning on the frame of her door. He quickly stepped through the room and pulled her up and greeted her with a kiss.
"Hey beautiful." Harry said with a smile. He looked at her computer and saw a debriefing report. "What are you doing?"
"Well ever since that episode a month ago, where my cover was blown, Fury realized that my name and face were too well known to continue undercover operations. So he has me trying to find people talented in the field to train up." Nat explained as she sat back down. Harry nodded along as he studied the file. "So what brought you here?"
"What makes you think I didn't come to see you?" Harry asked with a smile. When all he got was an unimpressed look he laughed, "Fine. I came to see if you wanted to join me in inviting Clint and the 'family' out to the resort. I want to host Thanksgiving this year." Nat immediately shut down her computer and stood up dragging Harry towards the door. Harry chuckled in response as he followed along. He had noticed that Nat was getting more expressive the longer they were together. Of course when she was near anyone she worked with or didn't know, she was mostly false smiles and bland expressions. She would only be this way with Harry, Clint, and Clint's family. The Avengers were shortlisted though.
Natasha and Harry eventually found Clint on the deck shooting at floating targets a hundred to two hundred yards out. Harry watched for a moment as Clint spun the bow string once and quickly released his magical arrow causing it to spin as it flew straight and true through the bullseye. "Nice shot." Harry said, pulling Clint away from his practice.
"Thanks." Clint said as he laid his bow along the quiver, allowing it to snap into place. "What can I do for you two?"
"I'm hosting Thanksgiving and decided to invite the family. Want to go?" Harry explained before asking Clint if he was willing to introduce his family in subtler terms. Clint took a while to think it over but realized that his family was extremely safe now that Harry had warded the property. This would be a good chance to make introductions and allow his kids to meet 'The Avengers' So he nodded. "Excellent! Let's go!" Clint didn't even have time to ask where before Harry grabbed him and pushed him through a portal. Clint stumbled as his feet hit the ground before his house.
"You couldn't just ask if I was ready to go?" Clint said grumpy. He was interrupted from saying more as two small children came rushing out of the house with an older woman walking behind them. She looked to be in her late twenties early thirties with brown hair and hazel eyes. Nat rushed past him as the kids screamed, 'Aunt Nat!'. Harry chuckled at the heartbroken look on Clint's face.
"What are you standing around moping for? Isn't she waiting for something?" Harry asked as he bumped Clint's shoulder and nodded at Laura who smiled softly at her husband as he broke out of his pout and greeted his wife. After that they had a pleasant visit, with Harry being forced to use all sorts of magic to entertain the children. Harry wasn't one to complain.
When Nat explained that Harry was throwing a Thanksgiving dinner, she of course agreed and they were all slated to come and join them on that Thursday and stay for the weekend. They stayed long enough to eat before they both used another portal to return to Harry's house.
Now that everyone was invited Harry really got into the planning phase. First he set up the menu; turkey and ham, broccoli and cheese casserole, shepherd's pie, mixed veggies, yams, stuffing, and desert in the form of apple, pecan, and pumpkin pies. Next was the activities, of course there were all the things already present at the resort slash campgrounds, but he wanted more. So he started crafting and inventing. His first idea worked well, it was an interactive table that projected several sports games with controllable players. He even added quidditch after it was finished. Working on improving rather than inventing he upgraded the bowling lanes to use enchanted pins that set off effects when they were hit, the billiards tables were enchanted to show the likely path of the ball you hit, and pinball machines were added, that Harry enchanted to be silent after stepping away from them.
From there it all moved quite quickly. With no one to curb his enthusiasm though, Harry ended up going a little overboard with the amount of food and activities he had planned. Harry ended up making something new though and was quite happy with it. He called them Hoverboards, and they worked like floating skateboards. They could even traverse water, be used in tricks, and accelerate quite fast.
/OO-HP•SoS-OO\
Thanksgiving day, Nat found him flying across the cold lake on a slim metallic board, large wakes of water spilling out behind him. She ended up having to whistle to grab his attention. Soon he was floating in front of her standing on the board he created, "What's up?"
"Did you forget that you have guests incoming today?" Nat asked with a raised eyebrow and folded arms. Harry chuckled lightly as he realized he might have been playing around longer than he thought.
"Don't worry, the food is almost ready." Harry answered as he cleaned himself up with a wave of his hand. He picked up the board and followed Nat back up to the resort's main building. Walking through the front doors he saw some of his guests sitting around. Waving at them Harry moved through the lounge area into the kitchens in the back. Walking in Nat was surprised to see several pots stirring themselves and timers littering the free counter space. "Told you I had it all in hand." Harry said with a sly grin. He moved across the room to check the dishes but everything was cooking itself.
"Why don't you always cook like this?" Natasha asked as she came up behind him wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I enjoy cooking. Why would I shortcut that process? Especially for only a few people." Harry said. They spent more time watching the controlled chaos of magical pots and pans cooking by themselves before she was called away to help Thor and Jane find their rooms. Harry watched her go with a smile before he turned back and just leaned back waiting for the food to finish.
"Jeez you don't do things by half do you?" Clint said as he walked into the kitchen.
"Nope." Harry said, popping the 'p'. "Did you get Laura and the kids settled in?"
"Yeah Nat stole them away quickly. I'm assuming she's showing off the hot springs in the basement." Clint said as Harry handed him a Butterbeer.
"Lila and Cooper?" Harry asked. Clint waved his hand.
"Pietro took them down to the RoR to show it off." Clint answered. They spent the next hour talking as Tony and Steve joined them. When Harry started talking about his new Hoverboards they were interrupted by the timers all going off within minutes of each other.
"Go let everyone know food is ready. Take them to the big dining room." Harry said as he started levitating plates, bowls, pots, and pans. When Tony almost got nailed in the head they all decided to leave quickly. Harry chuckled before finishing up the preparations.
Dinner went well and everyone was now sitting around with full stomachs chatting. The twins and the Barton kids were in the entertainment room watching movies, while the adults were all having an after dinner drink. Harry watched the group interact and how happy everyone was. It was unfortunate that Bruce couldn't make it but he would be there tomorrow. He listened to Thor's booming voice and Tony's sarcastic quips, both having women nearby who chastised them. Harry's eyes closed as he basked in the feeling he hadn't had in so many years. Some sat next to him and a soft hand, smaller than his own, grabbed his hand, "You okay?"
Harry opened his eyes and looked at Nat with a smile, "I'm great."