The car ride was quiet. Harry sat beside Tony, Hedwig perched silently in the back with her head slightly tilted, watching him like she understood this wasn't just a drive — it was a return to the past, even if only briefly.
Harry's hands clenched on his jeans. "How'd you get Hedwig and my trunk, by the way?"
Tony glanced at him. "Amelia and Moody," he said, tone casual but sharp around the edges. "Apparently, they had to stop themselves from hexing your relatives. One-eye Moody especially. He looked like he wanted to turn your uncle into a toad."
Tony is too much relief to get the new clothes for Harry, He looks good in hoodie and jeans. Harry requested to have hoodie when Tony asked him what he likes to wear and he didn't hesitate to get comfortable hoodies and other stuff for him.
Still, Later he has to cut his hair, they were a bit longer and get new glasses for him.
Harry gave a small, almost surprised smile. "I would've paid to see that."
"Don't tempt me," Tony muttered with a smirk. But even his humor had an edge.
They pulled up outside Number 4, Privet Drive. The same perfectly trimmed lawn, the same beige curtains in the windows, hiding the secrets behind the smiles.
They got out of the car once it stops, Tony gets out first, hold the door and Harry come out while telling Hedwig to stay there, he be back.
He stand still, stared at the door. His throat felt dry.
"You okay?" Tony asked quietly.
Harry gave a slow nod. "Yeah. Just… one last time."
Tony didn't follow him in, not yet. He gave the boy space, standing just outside the door, arms crossed but alert, like a sentry.
Harry stepped inside.
The house was quiet — eerily so. It always felt sterile, cold, like he wasn't meant to be a part of it. He moved past the stairs, straight to the little door beneath them.
The cupboard.
The door was open. The old locks still clung to the wood, rusting from years of use. But he didn't flinch this time. He knelt, pushed the door wider, and reached in.
Tony leaned a little to peer inside — eyes narrowing.
Harry carefully shifted a piece of the thin, creaky floorboard, revealing a small cavity. Inside were bundles wrapped in cloth and small personal items hidden like treasure.
Tony let out a low whistle. "Damn, kid… you had a whole vault down there."
Harry gave him a sheepish look. "Didn't have much choice."
He pulled out an old, worn blanket. It was faded, the stitching loose, but it smelled faintly like something warm — something that once felt like home. Next came a small plushie — a stag, its button eyes uneven, antlers bent, a few stitches frayed.
Tony tilted his head. "That… Prongs?"
Harry blinked and looked at him surprised "How do you…?" There was a tag attached to stag plushie, Once Harry had learned to read and write, He had read the word 'Prongs' on the tag.
"Amelia mentioned some stuff. Code names. That one looked familiar," Tony said softly half lie and half truth. Honestly, He had a conversation with Remus Lupin that Amelia found him with the help of Moody, He had a conversation with the man, that's how he knew like few things that is. A lot things.
Even about the fact he told himself why he couldn't take Harry with him.
Tony had heard sobs after he had revealed what happened to Harry and how he's taking him away to America, Remus can join them if he wants but Remus refused, feeling shame of himself or something.
Surprisingly, Remus didn't knew about James Potter little secret that he and Lily couldn't had kids, When Amelia told him and show him proof did he agreed to speak with Tony.
After Tony takes Harry to America, He swore he finds a way for Remus to join them, Even if Tony had to wear his Iron suit to drag him here, For Harry he do anything.
Harry gave a faint smile. Then pulled out a few broken toy soldiers — mended over and over, bits glued, others held with tape and thread. And finally, a bundle of colored pencils, worn down nearly to stubs.
He held them like glass — as if afraid they might disappear now that he was free.
Wrapping them in the blanket gently, he glanced around the tiny space one last time. His eyes rested on the walls — scratched names, small tally marks, faded doodles. He reached out, fingers brushing lightly over the name he had carved himself.
Harry Potter.
He stared at it a moment longer, then nodded to himself.
Goodbye.
He backed out of the cupboard, holding the bundle close.
Tony hadn't moved, but his eyes followed every motion. His jaw clenched when he saw the name on the wall. Fist tight at his side, he didn't say anything for a moment.
Finally, he exhaled. "Let's get out of here."
Harry nodded.
As they stepped outside, the door creaked shut behind them. Harry didn't look back.
He didn't need to.
That chapter was over.
And this time… he had someone waiting for him on the next page.
The car rumbled gently as it sped along the motorway, the London airport not too far ahead. Harry sat beside Tony in the backseat, Hedwig calmly perched in her travel cage, watching the road with her golden eyes. Happy Hogan was at the wheel, ever alert, sunglasses on despite the clouds.
Tony glanced sideways at Harry. "Hey, quick question. You ever heard the name 'Stark' before?"
Harry blinked. "No. Should I have?"
Tony exhaled dramatically, clutching his chest like he'd been stabbed. "Oof. That's a hit to the ego."
Harry looked alarmed for a second before realizing Tony was joking.
"Let me fill you in," Tony said, grinning. "I'm kind of a big deal in the Muggle—non-magical world. Billionaire, genius, inventor. Owner of Stark Industries. Also… I moonlight as a superhero. Name's Iron Man."
Harry's eyes widened, mouth falling slightly open. "You're a… what?"
Tony smirked, clearly enjoying the reaction. "Metal suit. Fly around. Blast bad guys. The usual."
Harry blinked again, trying to process that. "That's… that's actually real?"
Tony chuckled. "Very real. You've been living under a staircase, so I'll forgive the surprise. I'll tell you all about it when we get home, promise. It's a bit much to drop all at once."
Harry nodded slowly, still wrapping his head around it. "Okay. That's… cool."
"But," Tony added, his tone growing more serious, "when we get to the airport, we're going separate ways for a bit."
Harry frowned, puzzled. "Why?"
Tony leaned back in the seat. "Because the moment I land in New York, there's gonna be press, cameras, nosy people. And I don't want them anywhere near you. Your existence is… sensitive. Not just because of the magic thing, but because you're my brother. People will start poking, asking questions, and you don't need that kind of chaos right now."
Harry's expression eased. "That's… yeah. I understand. I get enough stares as it is."
Tony glanced at him. "Yeah, Amelia mentioned something about you being a celebrity on the wizarding side. What's that about?"
Harry gave a small sigh. "They call me 'The Boy Who Lived.' I survived a killing curse as a baby. Everyone in the magical world seems to think I'm the next Merlin or something."
Tony whistled low. "Wow. Guess Starks aren't the only ones who attract headlines."
From the front seat, Happy grumbled without looking back, "That's all on you, boss. Leave the kid out of your narcissism."
Tony smirked, unbothered. "Relax, Happy. I'm trying to bond."
Harry gave a quiet laugh, the first in a while that sounded truly genuine. The tension in his shoulders eased a little, and for a moment, things felt lighter — like this whole strange journey was leading somewhere better.
Tony nudged him gently. "Hey. Once you get settled, we'll figure everything out. Press, school, magic, the works. You're not alone anymore, Harry. That's the difference."
Harry met his eyes, a flicker of warmth in his own. "Thanks, Tony. Really."
Tony nodded once. "Yeah. You're a Stark now. Comes with headaches, but also perks."