The sun gleamed off the glass edges of Stark Tower as Amelia and Sirius landed on the rooftop via a secure portkey. Sirius stumbled slightly upon landing—Azkaban had done no favors for his balance—but Amelia steadied him.
"Bloody hell... this tower touches the clouds." Sirius looked around in shock. It was so windy up here.
Amelia snorted. "Tony Stark doesn't know how to not be dramatic." The more she got to know him, the more she understood what kind of man he was.
Sirius chuckled weakly as he followed Amelia. "He must be loaded."
"You've got no idea."
Sirius adjusted his black jacket—a borrowed one, far better than hospital robes—and followed Amelia into the top floor of the tower. Meanwhile, JARVIS gave a soft chime to alert Tony, who had been waiting for them inside.
"Sir, Miss Bones and Mister Black have arrived."
Tony looked up from the tablet where he was finalizing an arc reactor simulation and stood.
"Finally. JARVIS, keep running the scans and repeat our tests. Let me know if there are any results, all right?"
"Of course, Sir."
Later, Tony met up with Amelia and the man he had been curious to meet—Sirius Black, Harry's godfather.
"You must be Sirius Black." He extended his hand. "Heard so much about you from a werewolf."
Sirius's eyes widened slightly. "R-Remus?"
Tony nodded. "Yeah. I got in contact with him with Amelia's help. Wouldn't have even known he existed if it weren't for the will the Potters left behind… and, of course, my honey bear Rhodey, who already knew about the existence of magic."
Amelia looked amused. "Still salty about it?"
Tony pouted. "You have no idea."
Sirius hesitated, then shook Tony's hand and gave an awkward smile. "Can't say I've heard much about you… except that you're my godson's half-brother."
Tony looked at Amelia, mock-betrayed. "How could you?"
She rolled her eyes. "Move along, Stark. Black. I have no time for jokes—I'm serious for once."
"Hey, I am Sirius!"
"Ooh, the pun—love it."
Finally, they stopped their conversation. Tony led them toward the living room where Harry was. Sirius's nerves suddenly swarmed him. His chest tightened — the moment he had been dreading had arrived. Harry. His godson.
Amelia gave him a nudge on the back after noticing his expression. "He's not a baby anymore, Sirius. Just talk to him."
"Easy for you to say... I only remember him as a baby. This Harry... he's a whole new upgrade. I know nothing about him…"
"And that's why we're here, Sirius — to get to know him."
Tony opened the door to the lounge, where Harry sat on the couch, hunched over a book and sipping juice from a Stark Industries mug. Sure, there were fancy glasses around, but the mug seemed better to him. He looked up as the door opened and blinked at the two people entering — one familiar, one not.
Tony walked over to him and smiled. "Hey, kiddo. There's someone I want you to meet."
Harry set the mug down and stood, blinking curiously at the stranger with long dark hair and tired eyes.
Sirius froze. His breath hitched. The boy had James's messy hair — but Lily's eyes. Green, kind, and guarded. And now that he really looked, there was a hint of Stark in him too.
"Harry?"
Harry had heard about him. Tony had told him everything about the will — where he was supposed to go if the Potters died. Harry had been shocked to hear "Longbottom." There was only one Longbottom he knew — Neville. Were they close?
Why hadn't Neville ever told him?
Harry stood up from his seat, putting his things aside. "You're… Sirius Black."
"Yeah. I… I am. I'm your godfather."
A heavy pause fell between them. Harry took a small step forward. "I've heard about you. I… I didn't think I'd ever get to meet you."
Sirius blinked the tears away. "Neither did I. But I'm here. And I'd… like to get to know you. If you'll let me."
Harry hesitated, then slowly walked forward. He didn't jump into Sirius's arms — it was all still too much — but he stood close, his eyes searching for Sirius's face for truth, warmth, and maybe… safety.
"Okay."
Sirius smiled, relief trembling in his chest. He reached out gently and ruffled Harry's hair, just slightly.
"You look like your mother... You've got James's hair, but your whole face belongs to your mum. And those eyes…"
It was the first time someone had said he looked like his mum instead of his dad. It felt… nice. He smiled.
Meanwhile, in the hallway outside the lounge, Tony and Amelia stepped aside to give them space.
Tony chuckled. "He's nervous."
Amelia was relieved to see Harry and Sirius not uncomfortable with each other — well, at least Harry wasn't, thankfully. "So is Sirius. They both are. But this was overdue."
Tony rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "Listen, Harry's going to get his second-year Hogwarts letter soon. You said he'll need new books and supplies…"
"We'll have to take him to Diagon Alley. I'll make arrangements, find the right time. Preferably quietly — I don't want word getting out that he's with you."
"Let me know when. I'm coming with."
Amelia raised an eyebrow. "You'll stand out in a wizarding street, Stark."
Tony grinned. "I'm used to standing out. Besides… he's my little brother. I'm not letting him shop for cauldrons alone."
Amelia gave him a look of quiet respect. Tony Stark might not be a wizard, but he was something better — family.
Then, her gaze fell to his neck, noticing something off. "Is that… normal?"
Tony cursed internally, realizing the makeup must have worn off due to sweat. He had used it to hide the veins on the side of his neck. It looked like he was caught — and he knew he wasn't getting out of this one.
"Okay… this is a bit of a crazy story…"
Amelia crossed her arms and frowned. "A Muggle wearing armor that flies and creates destructive weapons beyond the magical community's imagination? Yes, I can handle crazy stories, Tony. I've seen them."
Tony shook his head. "Not this one… Come on, let's get a little comfy." Oh boy, he thought, what a mess I've gotten myself into.