"Lady Black! I'm so glad that you could join us." The occupants of the room stand from their seats around the oblong table as Harriet enters and she does her best to will the flush creeping up her neck away. It's rare for anyone other than Kreacher to use that particular title. President Quahog grins brightly at her, gesturing at the empty chair to his right.
"Please, just Harri is fine, Mr. President." Her smile is tight as she takes the open seat, giving a short nod to the others present.
"Only if you call me Samuel." The wizard gives her a bright smile before turning toward the other occupants of the room. "Allow me to introduce our colleagues here. You of course know Department Head Grunson," the wizard in question gives a stilted nod in her direction, though the downward twitch of his lips betray his urge to scowl at her. Harri offers a bright smile in return, deciding that if she has to endure this meeting, she may as well relish how uncomfortable her established relationship with the President makes her supervisor. "Then we have Head Hitwizard Debra Jones and Head Auror Matthew Matthis." An older witch with wildly curly and bright purple hair merely blinks at her stoically as the wizard beside her, who looks remarkably similar to Kingsley (minus the British Minister's ever-present gold earring) grins sharply at her. Her eyes drag on the man for a moment before moving on, Matthis may look similar to her war comrade, but he is decidedly more attractive. Her gaze moves to the four men and women sitting on the opposite side of the table.
"Also joining us are Vice President Rosa Hyatt, General Thaddeus Ross, Colonel James Rhodes, and Special Agent Maria Hill." Expressions vary between the four as she observes them. Vice President Hyatt stares at her with a curious expression while General Ross outright glares at her. Agent Hill seems more neutral, an almost bored look on her face. Colonel Rhodes, though, something in his expression causes the skin on the back of Harriet's neck to prickle. Rhodes stares at her as if trying to put together a puzzle but not being able to fit the pieces together. She resists the urge to summon a wand from her holster, instead nodding politely to each one in turn. "These are some of our nomaj counterparts. They have agreed to meet with us today to discuss the growing issue of the extraterrestrials invading our planet."
Harri manages to pull her attention away from the colonel's searching gaze, focusing on the issue at hand. As the meeting begins, packets are handed out, detailing what is known of the situation so far. She keeps half of her attention on the conversation around her as she flips through the pages, reading up on the now multiple attacks that have taken place. The alien species has not presented a reason for their attacks but the damage they have caused has been significant. The attacks seem to be random, varying from military bases to university campuses to entire cities. While they have been solely on the North American continent so far, that's not to say that the rest of the world isn't in danger. Starting in the western states, the species seems to be moving slowly toward the eastern part of the country. Harriet has seen some news coverage of the attacks, but nothing to the extent that the information in front of her provides.
"What are your thoughts, Ms. Potter?" She tears her attention from the documents, finding her colleagues watching her expectantly, though Grunson looks especially disgruntled.
"Sorry, could you repeat that?"
Colonel Rhodes clears his throat. "Your thoughts on a defense plan?"
Pursing her lips, Harri furrows her brows in thought, glancing at the papers once more. "It seems obvious that they are coming closer to this end of the country. I would suggest preparing and stationing both mu- nomaj and magical troops through the eastern states," She pauses, looking between President Quahog and the muggle vice president for a moment. "Especially around the capital cities. I wouldn't be surprised if both D.C. and New York became targets. New York in particular if the invaders realize how large the magical populace is here."
Rhodes, Jones, and Matthis nod in agreement as Ross and Grunson scoff in tandem. Harriet politely chooses to ignore their inherent rudeness. The discussion continues in the same vein, going over past attacks and possible defense and battle tactics. The group spends more than a few hours in the conference room before President Quahog calls the meeting to an end, at least temporarily.
"Thank you all for joining me today. I believe we have made significant progress here. I'd like us to reconvene later next week, possibly with more joining us, to discuss the matter further. Perhaps we will be able to devise an offensive strategy as well."
"Thank you for hosting us, Samuel. I'm sure we will be seeing you soon." Hyatt nods as she stands. The rest of the table follows suit. Surprisingly, General Ross and Grunson leave the room together, murmuring with almost identical scowls on their faces. Quahog and Hyatt exit side by side as well, discussing details of future meetings. Harri makes to follow after her colleagues, mind already on the case files stacked on her desk, when a hand to her shoulder stops her. She reacts without thought, twisting out of the person's grip, a wand shooting into each hand. Her heart rate skyrockets as her body moves on autopilot.
Colonel Rhodes takes a step back, raising his hands into the air in the universal sign of surrender. It takes a few deep breaths and scanning the room for threats several times before Harriet is able to holster her wands once more.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." Rhodes grimaces, looking genuinely remorseful. He takes a step back, giving Harriet a bit of space that she's grateful for. Another look around the conference room shows that they are now alone, the door having shut behind their fellows. She straightens, setting her shoulders back before nodding at the man.
"No worries. I shouldn't have reacted so harshly." It's been rather difficult to not be on edge since her shopping-trip-gone-wrong a few weeks prior.
"Still, it would have been better for me to speak rather than to grab you like that. I was hoping to speak with you before leaving." The man gives her a sheepish expression. Harriet considers him for a moment. What could the colonel possibly need to speak to her about? They don't know each other in any capacity other than the meeting they just shared. Is he another Girl-Who-Lived fanatic? She has been accosted nearly as much since moving to America, but there are always those that can't help stopping her for questions, photographs, or signatures. Finally, she gives a curt nod for him to continue. Rhodes clears his throat awkwardly. "I have no right asking this of you, especially, since you don't know me, but I-," He cuts himself off, hesitating before huffing a breath and continuing. "I'm a friend of Tony's."
Harri immediately takes a step back toward the door, eyes narrowing. "I don't appreciate you bringing such issues into my place of work, Colonel Rhodes."
He winces, clearing his throat again. "Look, I don't know why you're avoiding him, but it's driving Tony insane. He doesn't know I'm here, hell I didn't know I would be meeting you until you walked through the door. Still, he's spent weeks trying to track you down and learn more about you. When he told me your name, I didn't believe him. Why and how would Tony be the father of Harri Potter ? And why would the Girl-Who-Lived be in Stark Tower? But seeing you now, it's so obvious that I'm surprised no one has pegged you for a Stark before. I'm not asking you to play house with him, but an explanation would go a long way in keeping him from hacking international databases for any information on you."
Harriet purses her lips as Rhodes releases all of the information in one breath, as if trying to say everything he can before she inevitably walks out. His words give her pause at least, gears in her brain turning as she takes his spiel in. "Have you told him what you know?" She finally asks, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I'm not the one legally allowed to tell him about magic." He says, looking at her pointedly.
"Keep it that way." Even as she makes the demand, something twinges in her chest. She tries to ignore the odd feeling of guilt, taking another step back and toward the door. Rhodes follows.
"He just wants to know you."
The statement makes Harri hesitate, resolve faltering in a way it hasn't before. "A lot of people have wanted that. They died for it." Her response surprises even herself, making her that her expression must match the one of shocked confusion on Rhodes' face. She cuts him off as his mouth opens to respond. "I will see you at our next meeting, Colonel Rhodes. Have a good afternoon." She sweeps from the room before has a chance to respond. Mind whirring long after she has locked herself back in her office. As she eventually lays down to sleep that night, Rhodes' words echo through her head. Why is Stark so desperate to know her? It makes no sense to her. No adult in her life has ever tried so hard, not even Sirius when he was alive. The question plagues her into her dreams.
-
By the time the weekend rolls around, Harriet has spent several restless nights dwelling on her conversation with Rhodes. Her thoughts are mostly taken up by wondering why Tony Stark, who has a family of his own, is so wrapped up in trying to find her. On Saturday, she decides to take Teddy out in an attempt to distract herself. Thus, this is how she finds herself chasing a squealing toddler through the park, silently praying that the glamour she placed upon her son doesn't fail. All she needs is Teddy's hair to begin changing to every color of the rainbow in front of countless muggles.
Her son lets out a string of giggles as she snatches him from the ground, swinging him into her arms as she spins them in a circle a few times. "Dizzy, Mummy!"
Harriet lets out a laugh of her own as she settles him upon her hip. "You're a speedy little bugger, you know that?" Teddy giggles louder as her fingers tickle his side, struggling to get back to the ground.
"I go play?" The little boy asks once his feet are solidly on the grass once more. He points to the play structure just ahead of them, bouncing in place. Harri ruffles his currently brown curls with a smile, nodding.
"You can go play, Teddy Bear. Just stay where Mumma can see you." Small arms are thrown around her knees in a quick hug before a Teddy shaped blur darts off to the playground, making a beeline for the slides. Harri huffs a laugh at her son, keeping a careful eye on him as she makes her own way to the closest bench. She spends several minutes watching Teddy climb the slide and zip down repeatedly, screaming with joy each time.
"Which one is yours?" Dragging her gaze away from her son, Harri absentmindedly adjusts the cap on her head to ensure that it's still obscuring her scar from view. She had already charmed her glasses to be tinted like shades. Turning her attention to the right, she's greeted by a red headed woman with a friendly smile and a killer sense of style. She looks vaguely familiar but Harri's not sure where she would have seen her before.
"The one hogging the slide." Harriet offers a smile of her own, not sensing any immediate threat from the muggle woman.
The bench's other occupant glances over toward the play structure, smile widening as she takes in the sight. "That was my daughter's favorite at that age," She reaches out a hand toward Harriet. "I'm Pepper."
She considers the hand for a moment before giving it a short shake. "Lily." Harri nods. The woman may not pose a threat, but that's no reason for her to fully let her guard down.
"You don't sound like you're from around here?" Pepper tilts her head questioningly.
"I'd hope not!" Harriet laughs before she can stop herself. "No offense, but I'd rather not be mistaken for an American."
Her companion chuckles in response, nodding. She turns so she faces Harri more than the park. "I wish I could say the same for myself. Have you been in the country long?"
"A few years." Harriet answers vaguely, trying to keep one eye on her wayward toddler as she converses with the other woman. "Though, I doubt a lifetime would get me used to some of the eccentricities of the States."
"It wouldn't." Pepper agrees with false solemnity, causing them both to giggle. Relaxing, Harri turns to face Pepper more directly.
"Who are you here with?"
The red head gestures off toward the structure again. "The eleven that has declared herself queen of the castle." Harriet easily finds the young girl standing on the top level of the structure, brown waves blowing in the breeze as she speaks to the other children around her. The girl's back is to them, but Harri is surprised to find Teddy standing beside the other child, holding her hand and listening with rapt attention. "She's rather headstrong and even more charismatic than her father thinks himself to be."
"How old is she?" Harriet chews the inside of her cheeks absently as she watches the children. Something about the girl is familiar. As if she knows her. Oddly enough, her magic knows her. She shifts uncomfortably on the bench.
"Mo's eight, almost nine, though sometimes you would think she's twenty-nine the way she talks. I swear she's the smartest child I've ever met." Pepper smiles softly as she watches her daughter. Harri tries to push away the uneasiness that is suddenly clinging to her. Their conversation continues on in the same vein, talking about their respective children and laughing about their antics. Eventually, Harri relaxes once more and finds herself enjoying the woman's company. When she thinks about it, she's surprised to find that this may be the longest conversation she's willingly had with anyone other than Azzy, Kreacher, or Teddy since the end of the war. An odd sense of warmth fills her chest at the thought. She hasn't laughed so much since Fred was alive.
"Mom! Can me and my friend get ice cream?" An excitable voice tears the women away from their conversation. Harri and Pepper turn simultaneously to find two children before them. Two very familiar children. Harriet's eyes widen at the sight of Teddy standing hand in hand with Morgan Stark.
"Ice cream, Mummy!" Her son grins brightly, bouncing on his toes beside Harri's little sister.
"Is this your mom, Teddy Bear?" Morgan turns from Pepper, looking at Harri with a curious gaze. Light green eyes examine her critically. Harriet can tell the exact moment that the younger girl recognizes her, letting go of Teddy's hand and launching herself at Harri.
"Morgan!" Pepper exclaims in shock, making an aborted motion to grab her daughter. Harri wraps her arms around her sister instinctually, returning the hug in the same way she would if it were Teddy despite her surprise.
The girl pulls back with a large grin, practically jumping in place. "I found you! Mommy, this is my big sister!" Morgan presents Harriet to her mother proudly, keeping a tight grip on Harri's hands. A moment later, she gasps and releases Harri, spinning back around to Teddy. "Teddy Bear, this means I'm your Auntie Morgan!"
Harriet feels frozen in place, stuck to the bench and somewhere between fight or flight. Pepper glances between her and her daughter in confusion as Harri realizes why the woman is so familiar. This is Pepper Potts, CEO of Stark Industries and wife of Tony Stark.
"Morgan, honey, I think you might be confused." Pepper finally says, though her words are unsure, eyes narrowing as she looks at Harriet more closely than before.
"Nuh uh!" Morgan scowls at her mother from where she is now hugging Teddy. "Petey saved Harriet while you were away and then her friend appeared with Teddy and told Daddy that she's my sister. Dad told you that he tested my sister's blood!"
The woman's eyes widen. "You're Harriet."
"I-I-," Harri stutters eloquently. Her heart stutters in tandem as she takes in the mention of somehow having her blood.
Pepper's features soften as she takes in Harri's obvious anxiety. "I can't believe I didn't see it before. I've always told Tony a hat and sunglasses is a horrible disguise and yet here I am, falling for it." She shakes her head with a wry smile, holding out her hand as she did in the beginning of their conversation. "Let's start again. I'm Pepper Potts-Stark."
Harriet hesitates, heart pounding as her eyes flit from her step-mother to her sister to her son to possible escape routes.
"Mummy?" A small hand on her knee is what grounds her to the moment. Swinging her little boy up into her lap, Harriet makes note that his glamour is fading from the ways his eye color changes with every blink.
"I'm sorry. We should go." Just as with her conversation with Colonel Rhodes, her chest twinges with guilt, amplified by the identical expressions of disappointment on Pepper and Morgan's faces.
"Wait, Harriet," Pepper lays a gentle hand on her arm, digging into her purse with her free hand. She pulls out a card, holding it out to her. "Take this. For when you're ready."
The guilt sitting heavily upon her is what causes Harri to take the card, noting the phone number inscribed upon it. Standing, she shoves the card into the pocket of her jeans. Arms wrap around her waist before she can move further.
"See you soon?" Morgan pouts up at her, chin resting on Harri's stomach. She pats the girl on the back with a tight smile.
"It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Potts." She nods to the woman before adjusting Teddy. "Say goodbye to Morgan, Teddy."
The toddler waves to both Starks, Harri noticing his hair beginning to take on a blue tinge. Spinning on the ball of her foot, she quickly begins making her way back through the park and towards the closest public apparition point.
"We play with Morgan again?" Teddy tugs on her hair in an attempt to get her attention. The roots of his own hair are obviously teal now and the color is spreading throughout his curls quicker by the second.
"Maybe one day, darling." She resists the urge to cringe at her words, not wanting to make her son a promise that she can't keep. Bouncing him in her arms, she forces a smile. "How about we go home and sweet talk Kreacher into helping us bake some cookies?"
"Choccy chip?" Teddy's eyes sparkle, his melancholy at leaving his new friend forgotten.
"Of course, Teddy Bear."
The toddler squeals in delight before beginning to ramble on about his time at the park. Harriet tries to devote her attention to her son but her thoughts keep drifting back to her own interactions at the playground. Her sister had seemed so happy to see her and Pepper had been so nice even before she knew who Harri was. Is this really what she's been so afraid of?
In a crack, her and Teddy snap out of existence, still chattering about the cookies they're going to bake.