Harry had been working with Tony and Bruce on their respective projects. Both of them had gone further than Harry had expected possible in the fields they had chosen to pursue. Their extreme pace was personally motivated and their successes bolstered their efforts. Before giving them their mastery level texts, Harry had a conversation with them and they agreed to Contract the knowledge they had been receiving for the safety of those around them and the general public.
If someone was able to capture them, the secrets of magic would be very bad in the wrong hands. Harry worked the Contracts to only block the knowledge temporarily, though, so that would not be a problem.
Tony was still going through the mastery books for runes as they were meant to be studied over many years, for just one of them. The sheer versatility of the rune intent carving methods was mind numbing. Harry had long since stopped trying to keep up. Tony had taken his advice to heart and only experimented on runes by remote laser, taking a two way portkey to the remote secret location only when the runes had proven stable.
Harry had to power the runes when they became too power-hungry for the schema to take from the environment. Explosions and strange side-effects did sometimes happen, but Harry had started apparating out the minute he added power to the rune cluster, until Tony figured out a way to add a delay into his runes. Since then Harry had been reasonably safe.
Tony was currently working on creating a buffered rune cluster, so that Harry could power that and Tony could then release the energy into his runes as necessary. It would be a while yet before that was complete. Tony was also working on improving his Iron Man suits with almost wild abandon, but having a couple of friends nearby to talk to was keeping him reasonably grounded.
Harry had had to stop him from using calming draughts when he found out Bruce had been supplying him with them. Long term potion use was bad for the health. He had noticed that Tony was jumpy at times since he went through the portal and once even had a panic attack. Harry was unable to get Tony to tell him what was going on and he was worried for his friend. Harry had started showing up daily to find out how he was doing and what he was working on. It seemed having Harry there calmed him some. Tony had also started coming to Harry's house and was often found resting in Backup Plan while Fawkes was sitting on his perch.
Harry had one day handed him a book on Occlumency, knowing it was an art that required magic to really be effective, but the meditation techniques and mental disciplines would allow him better emotional control. Bruce had even joined him with his study of that book, often in the presence of Fawkes as it seemed to help them focus on the emotions without letting them affect them.
As for their power project, Harry and Tony had worked together on a prototype. At first the magical interference from the rotations was too much, until Tony had created a modified rune that blocked all magical energy from leaking out of the protective shell, but not inside. This had the side effect of having the rotation increase exponentially until the levitation runes burned out.
They had more success when Tony modified the levitation rune scheme to also not allow outside magic from adding to the scheme. But that had another side effect of having the magic build up inside the casing until the entire device spontaneously melted. They were stuck until Harry made the suggestion that they convert the built up energy into electrical energy.
It took some time, but when Tony succeeded in creating a rune scheme to convert the magic to the correct energy, it made the device stable with the fringe benefit of doubling its power production. The best part was that the scheme would activate itself when enough magic was built up, so Harry didn't need to power the scheme and Tony could start production on the first ever self-sustaining power reactor, named the Perpetual Motion Generator, or PMG for short.
Tony was also considering using some of Harry's adamantite to power his runes with the generator's excess magic, but that project was put on a shelf, when Harry insisted they try to make their own first. The little bit of adamantite he had was a precious commodity and Harry was not willing to use it if they couldn't produce or procure more.
Harry had suggested that before they started production of the PMG, Tony should create a rune cluster that would destroy all the runes, should someone open the PMG to see how it works. This was a big task, but Tony was certain he could do it, eventually. They'd wait for that to be completed before sending their patented technology out into the world. It didn't stop them from installing the prototype at Harry's house to power their needs. Bruce did not complain. The device was also small enough to fit inside one shelf of a cupboard, so powering everything from there was up to Harry and Bruce.
Bruce in the meanwhile had not needed to use another calming draught. Apparently having a couple of friends around that the Hulk actually liked, along with a phoenix, had him calm more often than not. Harry had gotten permission from him once to enter Bruce's mind to see if he could speak with Hulk, not read his mind, but speak with him. While Harry was in there, Bruce had discovered a connection with Hulk and had started speaking to him. It wasn't control, but he suspected he'd be able to keep the line open when Hulk was out as long as he voluntarily changed.
That started, if not a friendship, at least a form of understanding and partial partnership. Harry had transported Bruce to a desert, where Bruce had told Hulk he could come out, and it actually worked! Hulk was happy to be able to come out at will without a trigger and his connection with Bruce grew stronger. When Harry spoke to Hulk, they had decided that whenever Bruce was feeling cooped up, Hulk would get some time to relieve his stress.
Harry would create targets and Hulk made a game of destroying targets faster and faster. When they changed back, Bruce was elated. He had been able to follow everything and got some satisfaction from watching Hulk destroy targets that were made for the purpose. Apparently Hulk liked Bruce's and his new friend and was, for the first time, content to rest inside Bruce, knowing he wasn't being suppressed any more.
Bruce was studying the potions he was currently capable of at their different stages of completion, under electron microscope and with other devices, so that he could see the interaction and energy readings. His own equipment was far too sophisticated for Harry to understand everything, but was all shielded from magic so Bruce was happily making breakthroughs on an almost daily basis.
His primary focus was to modify potions to work with only what he could produce, rather than dipping into Harry's stores of magical animal ingredients. Sometimes he'd need to see a reaction using the actual ingredient, so he'd know how to modify things, but so far he'd had some success. Bruce would study the reactions and record everything so that he could go over his findings again when necessary.
He would carefully study the animals, whose parts they had, taking care to study their habits, diet and their life cycles from Harry's library. When he knew everything about them that he could, he would try and find out what about their nature affected their magic and potency in potions. Harry had even let him use some of his blood for potions, but would not allow it unless he understood what Bruce was doing, or trying to do, so he ended up learning quite a bit more about potions himself.
Tony had long since asked for a bottle of firewhiskey to analyse and had come back the next day slightly tipsy, with the process that was involved. Correct aging, what kind of wood the barrels had to be and what distillation processes to use. He'd even started the process of getting the required hardware and purchased a distillery. If he was going to have access to the best whiskey, if not alcohol in general, in existence that would just be a perk.
In the end it took Harry only a couple of days to get the enchantment right. It didn't even take a lot of effort. After all, the Ogden's would need to cast it and Harry was very capable. The only problem was that there was something special in the brewing process they had yet to find. He suspected a magical ingredient was the cause. Bruce was still analysing the ingredients they had for their unique properties in multiple devices and spectrometers. Magic immune of course. When Harry refused to give another bottle to Tony, he started helping Bruce.
That ended up doing the trick. Bruce and Tony had finally observed enough to come to the conclusion that it was two ingredients a plant that they were already using and traces of crushed Ashwinder eggshells. Fortunately Harry had a bit to spare before his stocks started running too low for comfort. Bruce then went to the books and found out what amount of ingredient per barrel as it was one you'd add after the whiskey was made and it was left standing to age.
Harry's hunch had been correct and they were able to produce a couple of Ashwinders. They were serpentine, so Harry had been able to speak to them and control them. Their stock of Ashwinder eggshells and ingredients had been slowly rising as the population grew. Bruce was ecstatic. He'd had some success at modifying some potions to work with the new magical ingredients as well.
Harry was then called in to work on a quicker aging process. This was a very delicate job as it required very exact casting. And isolation for the barrel for at least a day as the barrel would age a year in an hour. Fortunately it only worked on inanimate objects. Bruce actually found it. The spell was found in a potions book where an ingredient needed to age before use.
The next day they gathered their ladies and Bruce and went for a taste test. Well, Harry brought the barrel to his house. No way was he leaving it at Tony's. They opened the barrel and Harry scooped out a glass for everyone.
"To making Firewhiskey!" Tony said excitedly.
They all toasted and took a sip. And winced. It was too strong! Somewhere in the distillation process they must have made it too strong, that or the magical ingredients affected the alcohol level. The taste was right, but the alcohol content was too high. Tony had the solution of course. He'd simply heat it up and run it through a process to get rid of some of the alcohol. Harry had a better idea.
"You remember how Asgardians tend to think our alcohol isn't strong enough? Harry asked.
"You're going to send the barrel to Asgard?" Natasha asked. Then she nodded, "That's actually a good idea. Thor should get a kick out of it."
"I was actually thinking of giving it to Odin. He'd be more responsible with it. Thor might actually die from alcohol poisoning with this stuff. Odin savours the flavour while Thor chugs." Harry said.
"That's a smart idea. You wouldn't want to be accused of attempted murder." Pepper said
"Hey, this is our first batch! I wanted to at least keep the Barrel for posterity!" Tony said.
Harry thought about it and said, with a nod, "I like it. We should put it in bottles anyway. And you can keep one so you can figure out how to refine the process so that the proper amount of alcohol is made in the end result." Harry said.
Tony smirked and reached into his pouch. When his hand came out, he held in his hand a bottle marked: 'SPB - Firewhiskey' and a small label at the bottom: 'Aged 24-years'. It had a fire motif with the Avengers' faces on a crest. "Stark, Potter, Banner Firewhiskey sounded too long, so SPB."
"Why not BPS or PBS?" Harry asked.
"Acronyms for other things." Bruce supplied. "I don't mind. Technically we're stealing the recipe anyway."
"From who? Bring them here and have them sue me." Tony said belligerently.
"Tony! That's crass. You know they can't." Pepper said looking at Harry wondering how he'd react.
"Screw them! We've got Firewhiskey!" Harry said joyfully.
"Yeah, screw them!" Tony cheered and took another sip, which he almost spat out. "That's really too strong." he said sadly.
Tony took out all the bottles he had stored and gave them to Harry who transplanted the magical liquor. 174 bottles. Apparently Tony had done the math, and brought 175 bottles. Harry had to erase the alcohol content labels, but doubted Asgardians cared about that. Tony and Pepper left with a bottle from Harry's stores and the barrel. Then Harry asked his two house-mates. "Who wants to go to Asgard?"
Bruce begged off, saying he'd rather not take the Hulk to a culture of violence. Harry thought it was a fair point. Natasha, however loved the idea. Harry didn't know, but she wanted to make sure the ladies kept away from her new boyfriend. Had he known, he might have actually liked it, but he hadn't gotten around to asking yet and she respected him enough to wait, though her patience was running thin. Their sparring had already become harder on Harry as a result.
"Okay then, let's just…" Harry created a large crate, used a large sticking charm on the bottom, transported the bottles inside and closed it up, before shrinking the crate and slipping it in a pocket. Then he froze. "Oh, we might want to get dressed up. Asgardians celebrate gifts with feasts and this might get a bit rowdy with what we are bringing."
"What should I wear?" Natasha asked.
"I'd suggest armour, but let's go with our battle attire. They'd respect that, I think. Maybe I should go into my stores one of these days and make you a dragon hide armour… Wait!" Harry rushed off and went into his trunk. When he came out, he had a green dragon hide outfit, which he had forgotten about. It was from when he was younger and a bit less muscular. He was a bit bigger than Natasha after all, maybe it would fit. Maybe the enchantments for comfort would hold up.
Natasha took the armour to her flat and a minute later called Harry. "I need your help. Magical armour seems to work differently."
Harry went to her door and asked, "Are you decent?"
"No, but come in anyway." she answered.
Harry braced himself and walked in. She was struggling to get the armour to go over her underwear. "Oh, damn. Forgot about that. You'll have to remove the underwear. It functions like a second skin. You would technically look like you have scales. That model was meant to be worn under your clothes." Harry blushed slightly and turned to leave.
"Stay won't you? Don't you like seeing me?" She asked softly.
"You know I do. And I could look at you all day. But I know you are more than your looks. I didn't like when girls ogled me like a piece of meat. And I show the same respect I feel I deserve. Can you understand that? When we are intimate, that's something we share. When you are getting dressed, I know what I want to do is look, but then I feel dirty." Harry tried to explain as best he could.
"I sometimes forget you are a gentleman. And I appreciate that Harry. If it makes you feel better, I will try to respect that. Though to be honest, a little dirty is fine." He could hear the smirk in her voice, even with his back turned.
After a minute or two she said, "You can look now." and Harry turned around.
It was snug, much like her body-suite, but the lines had somehow changed. There was a definite femininity to it and her chest, while hugged by the scales, made her seem… firmer. And she was not exposed in any way that would be considered indecent. She looked leaner, more athletic. That was actually a good thing as Asgardians were a strong people. "You look, really good." Harry finished in a whisper. "How does it feel?" Harry then asked.
"It's strangely very flexible, almost like I'm not wearing anything at all." Natasha flexed and squatted and twisted. "It's somehow, comfortable."
"Magical Armour does that. It should help against extreme temperatures as well." Harry said, still looking at her. "Maybe just add a leather jacket and a belt for effect. That's what I'd do anyway. There are seems for a belt."
She looked down, but couldn't see them, but her fingers felt them. She quickly added a belt and a jacket. That perfected it. The green worked well with her hair and her eyes. The jacket broke the singularity of the outfit and the belt made it look like the outfit hadn't simply melded to her skin. "Perfect," he said. "Go check the mirror." She did.
"Oh, yeah." Harry heard Mirror Natasha say. "I'm looking good. You and lover-boy going out? People are going to be jealous of him!"
Harry had almost forgotten to don his own armour, but by this point it was second nature to him and he summoned it onto himself in seconds.
When Natasha came out her grin was infectious. "I really like that mirror. Sometimes it says exactly how I feel and I didn't even know the words. I should have shown it to Pepper. Probably a good idea to keep Tony away from it, though." Natasha had finally started referring to Tony by his first name. Probably the friendships between the couples.
"Okay, I think we're ready to go." Harry said tapping his pocket to ensure his gift was still in place.
"Let's go then." Natasha said.
"Fawkes!" Harry called and the phoenix appeared. He looked at them and nodded his head. A small warble and Harry replied. "Yes, we're going to deliver a gift. And I'm showing off Natasha so that Frigga can stop trying to set me up."
"Wait, what?" Natasha asked, her eyes suddenly hard on Harry. Fawkes let out what could only be a laugh and landed on Harry's shoulder.
Soon they appeared by Heimdall. "Greetings, Harry Potter and Natasha Romanoff." He greeted with a half-smile. "I'm afraid you missed the messenger. He's probably already informing Odin of your coming." now he smiled properly.
"Damn it! I wanted to surprise them, that's why I left as soon as I could!" Harry stared at Heimdall. "Hi." he finished grumpily.
"Greetings, Heimdall of the all-seeing eye." Natasha said.
"You didn't spoil my other surprise too, did you?" Harry asked suddenly.
"I have not. Your gifts are yours to give, but my duty is to ensure no visitor arrives unannounced." Heimdall said. He then looked towards the citadel and back at them. He had obviously been informed to send them on. "You may away. You are expected. Odin has called up quite a gathering. Many wanted to see you and your phoenix." Heimdall said.
Natasha started walking, when Harry picked her up bridal style and started flying towards to citadel. Natasha wondered at the beauty of the place. There was just so much to behold. When they landed, the guards opened the door for them and, this time, they were not greeted by the Warriors Three. Harry walked in confidently with Natasha by his side.
When they reached the throne room, they waited to be announced. The doors swung open and this time, there were many more faces in the crowd. Apparently people wanted to meet the wizard that bested Loki in his own game, among others. Odin spoke up, "Greetings, Harry Potter. You are welcomed back to the halls of Asgard as friend. Come forth so that we may greet you properly." he boomed.
They walked up to the Throne and Harry bowed deeply. "Greetings, your Majesties, King Odin and Queen Frigga." Harry looked at Thor who was standing next to his father's throne. "And to you Prince Thor." Harry turned back to the King and Queen. "This is Natasha of the Romanoff's. She was one of our number when we defeated the army that sought to take Midgard for themselves. I hope that finds your approval as I realize that I had not discussed guests at our last meeting?"
"You speak well, as normally we would not allow a mortal in our halls, and fortunately we still do not. Your companion's life flows much like your own. And as such no law has been broken. I do however, request that you speak to us should the desire strike you to bring one such as the mortals of your realm." Odin spoke loudly. "Welcome Natasha Romanoff, guest of Asgard. You are a Warrior and as such our people will show you the proper respect." He then turned to the crowd, "You may begin the celebrations!"
Music flared up and people started talking. Harry and Natasha were looking at each other and at the same time said, "Harry?" "Natasha?"
"Come, Dear Harry, Lovely Natasha. You will sit by us. We have much to discuss." Frigga said.
Harry shook himself, and said, "I almost forgot! I come baring gifts!" Harry produced the small package from his pocket. He laid it on the floor and un-shrunk it. He then vanished the lid and cancelled the sticking charm. He reached down and picked up a bottle, which he handed to Odin. "One hundred and seventy-three bottles of our first batch of Firewhiskey. Watch out, for this one's much stronger than the last!" Harry said with a smile.
At the display of the magical drink, Odin's smile grew wide. "You bring us a precious gift and so much of it! You will be richly rewarded!"
"I would prefer that you taste it, before you think of reward, for it may fall on an unworthy man." Harry said solemnly. "It is my and my partners' first endeavour into this enterprise, after all, Majesty."
Thor looked hungrily at the many bottles, but knew to wait for his father's judgement. He'd need permission as well as it was not a gift for him but his father.
"Your words are wise and well thought out as always. I shall taste this drink before we celebrate its success." Odin said. Many had stopped to watch as Odin spoke to the crowd again.
He opened the bottle and sniffed it, smiling at the aroma. "Indeed it does smell like the previous nectar, but the proof is in the taste!" He poured a drink in a glass that was brought to him on a platter. He looked at it first and swilled it around in the glass, letting the tension in the hall grow. Harry thought he knew where Loki got his flair for the dramatic. He then lifted it to his lips and took a small sip. His eyes closed and he let out a breath, the fire flowing from his mouth as the last remnants of the liquid in his mouth allowed the enchantment to activate. "Harry Potter," he paused, "I'm afraid that when you set out to replicate the wonder of the firewhiskey, you failed." he paused again as if in thought or trying to come up with some advice. "Instead, you have improved upon it!" he finally said loudly.
The crowd cheered and Thor's smile threatened to split his face. He came up behind Harry and slapped him on the back for his success.
"Indeed, this wonder must be shared. Take some bottles and set it among the tables and let all here pour a glass and toast to the creator of this marvellous drink, which lifts spirits and burns away weariness!" he intoned.
A couple of bottles were quickly spread through the hall and everyone soon had a drink in hand. "To the wizard and his Firewhiskey!" Odin cheered.
They all toasted and had a drink. There was a chorus of sighs and then a roar of approval as everyone's moods lifted with the enchantment. There was wonder in the eyes of most as they looked at their cups and glasses. Many deciding to sit down and enjoy what they had slowly.
"I will need to commission much more of this drink from you as it seems many will despair when I store the vast majority of this in my personal stores for the right occasion." Odin said more quietly to Harry. "Indeed, I already see jealous eyes on my prize from some few. I fear an insurrection, should I not find adequate supply." he chuckled.
"Maybe I can help quell some of the tension? If I may?" Harry offered.
"Please," Odin replied. Harry nodded and conjured twenty large glass water pitchers and filled them with water. He then made it into butterbeer. Lastly, he floated the pitchers to the tables so that there was some to drink near everyone. "That was a good idea. Tempers seem calmed already. Maybe we can discuss a supply of butterbeer as well at some point?"
"I'm afraid we don't have any of the original left for my partners to analyse. The only copy of the original taste exists in my memory and enchantments. I have recently been commissioned to enchant a tap to produce what I have here, but the result is still temporary and turns back to water after consumption." Harry explained.
"Perhaps Asgardian magic holds the solution? I myself have command of an affinity for enchantment." Odin said, thinking of when he set an enchantment on Thor's hammer to only be lifted by the worthy.
Harry was dumbfounded. "That actually sounds amazing! Do you own a library where I might find information about such things?"
"I'm afraid the magics of Asgard is a strictly verbal tradition. If you prove worthy of it, I might find time to instruct you in such matters at a later date." Odin said. He knew well that their relationship is currently rather one-sided. A little bait might yet catch this fish.
Thor then picked up a bottle and looked at his father hopefully. "Very well. But that is the only one you get. Until we can start supplying more, this will be the only stock we have. Our wizard friend here may not be strong enough to carry the gold we pay him for this and what we order from him." Odin chuckled.
"These here are a gift to you, Majesty. I would not take payment for it. You are my friends and I have mere chance to thank for the strength of the drink." Harry intoned.
"What do you mean?" Odin asked.
"In our preparations we made a calculation error and this is much too strong for mortal stomachs. Take heed. It is just as magical as the previous bottle, if not more so, and as such, does not quickly dissipate. I fear over-indulgence in this could be harmful to one's health. Even to those such as the Aesir." Harry cautioned.
"I shall take your counsel to heart, but I must contest one of your statements. You will take payment for the gift, as the value of what you have given us is great. Should I accept it for nothing, it will be worth nothing. We must always remember, the worth we set for our services today, sets our worth in the future for rendering the same." Odin said wisely.
"You sound like a good friend of mine, Tony Stark. He is a businessman and he gave me much the same advice." Harry said. He had noticed Frigga chatting to Natasha.
"Ah, yes, the Iron Man. He does sound like the clever sort." Odin smiled over his glass. "Now go, join the ladies and let an old man enjoy the comradery of his drink and the laughter of the hall."
"Thank you, Majesty." Harry bowed and left to go sit by Frigga and Natasha.
"Hello Harry. Welcome back and thank you for your gifts. It makes me happy to see Odin so content. It is seldom that someone brings us something so well suited to our tastes." Frigga said.
"You are welcome, I enjoy being able to supply something that brings you so much enjoyment." Harry replied.
"Enough with the pleasantries." Frigga suddenly said. "We must converse of something important."
"Of course, Queen Frigga. What can I do to help?" Harry said seriously.
"You can make up your mind!" Frigga said angrily. "You are young and noble. Natasha here informs me of your gentle heart and fierce protectiveness. From where you hail, you were lorded many times over and you have yet to fail when you meet your enemy in battle. There are those who would fight for the honour of being by your side. And since you have chosen this exceptional Midgardian Ascended as your chosen companion and you are as yet un-betrothed, many will see her as an inconvenience and challenge her right to your heart."
"What?" Harry asked. He had many questions from her statements, but couldn't decide which statement to start with.
"Natasha will need to inform you of her situation in her own time, as must you your own. Are you ready to propose marriage to Natasha? I can feel your burgeoning love for each other, but is that enough for you to propose?" Frigga asked.
"I am not ready to propose, but I will admit I am falling in love with her." Harry said with a faint blush. "I will not give her up. And I do not need anyone else." Harry said vehemently and his eyes flashed.
"Calm yourself Harry." Frigga said calmly. "You do not need to choose marriage now, but a betrothal will save her from challenge."
"She doesn't need saving. She is the strongest woman I know." Harry said with a smile at her. "And if it's such a problem I will simply not return. Not until we are engaged. Simple."
"You profess you are merely falling in love, but you would spurn Asgard for her?" Frigga asked, a sudden smile on her face.
"If I had to choose, yes." Harry said simply.
"You have chosen wisely, my dear." Frigga said turning to Natasha. "Come, we have much to do." With that Natasha and Frigga stood up.
"What just happened?" Harry asked of nobody.
"I believe mother has done what she has done for so many before. You might as well start looking for a ring." Thor said with a chuckle as he sat down next to Harry. Odin chuckled too.
"Does everyone know what is going on except for me?" Harry asked.
At least ten people around the hall answered, "Yes."
Suddenly the Warriors Three and Sif trotted up to Harry. All but Sif were smiling. Volstagg was carrying a bunch of ingredients. Harry just looked at him and asked, "Pizza?" and Volstagg smiled.
Harry noticed a movement and saw Odin had an index finger up. Huh, looks like he liked the Pizza too. Harry just sighed and looked up. "Okay, let's make this fun." First off Harry waved his hand in the air and added charm after charm and when the hall's ceiling started lighting up he released it. A great fireworks display started in the vaulted hall. As everyone looked up at the spectacle, Harry spread out his magic and started chopping up the ingredients, transfiguring them, left right and centre.
More ingredients came flying in as Harry suspended the sliced and transfigured bread in the air. He had his magic go wild to get rid of the nervous tension. When he felt the fireworks were going to stop he'd add another that looked like a phoenix that sparked and left a trail in its wake as it flew, and Fawkes started chasing it around. Then a miniature dragon that followed after him along with a host of magical creatures, unicorns, sphinxes and gryphons. When he felt he had enough magic in the air to distract a while longer, he finished his Pizzas off with cheese and started baking them. He added a final big explosion that would end with little fairies made of light seemingly falling out of the air wounded only to flitter around the crowd as they watched in amazement, before vanishing.
When it was over, there was a massive applause and when they looked back at Harry, there were fifty Pizza's arranged in front of him on a conjured long table. He took one slice of each kind and levitated them onto the table in front of Odin. Odin smiled and boomed, "Thank you Harry, for a marvellous display, wonderful drink and exquisite food!"
The crowd chorused Odin and toasted him.
Then, to Volstagg's horror, there was a mad rush as everyone seemed to want to try the Pizza as Harry just stood back and smiled, catching his breath. Too much was going on tonight that he did not understand. Magic, though. He understood magic.
There was loud celebrations and the music picked up and people were merry. As the Warriors Three moved on, Sif stayed behind. "Do you find strong women unappealing?" she asked, not looking at him.
"I do not. In fact Natasha is one of the strongest women I know." Harry said.
"Then why is it that every time I show interest in a man they go out of their way to find someone else?" She asked. She said it emotionlessly.
"Let me tell you a story, and then you answer your own question." when she made to speak, Harry silenced her. He walked around her so he could look her in the eyes and sat down on a bench. He pointed and a chair appeared behind her. He waited and she sat.
"There once was a young boy. His relatives hated him and made him work like a slave. One day he found out he had a way to get away from them, so when the chance came, he jumped at it. He ran away to a far off land, where he found out that he was famous for deeds not his own. His parents had died when he was just a small child, defeating a great evil and everybody accredited the feat to him.
"When he arrived at this new land, he found he had admirers and when he grew old enough, girls started flocking to him, wanting to be close to the person who they thought saved them all. He had tried connecting with some of them, but he couldn't really trust them because they weren't after him. They were after his perceived power.
"One of these girls decided he was her man and ended up following him hoping to catch his eye. When she finally realized his eyes were never going to be on her, she decided to play tricks to draw his attention. When that didn't work she finally gave up. What happened next is the important part. The boy, having stopped having to hide from her, one day saw her smile as she toiled at a difficult task.
"She was suddenly beautiful. She didn't need anyone to make her happy. And suddenly he wanted to know her. It took a while, but they started a friendship and as she got to know him, she learned of his flaws and fears and that he was just like her. When she realised that, she understood for the first time what real love was. It's not for the achievements and the glory and being able to tell others of her conquest. The flaws that only she knew and accepted, connected them deeper than he had ever connected with anyone in his miserable life. And he loved her in return.
"Do you understand now?" Harry said.
Sif shook her head wondering if he thought she was after prestige.
"The boy was lonely even with so much attention because none of it was real. The girl couldn't make him happy until she knew what happiness was." came a deep voice from behind him. Harry spun and realised Odin had walked up to them. He looked at Harry, "Was she your first love?" he asked.
"Yes, she was." Harry said solemnly. He cancelled the silencing spell on Sif, excused himself and walked out of the hall. He was standing on a balcony overlooking the starry sky, when Sif found him again.
"You weren't just talking about your first love." Sif said.
"No, I wasn't." Harry said not even looking up.
"You were talking about loneliness. You knew me because you know loneliness." she said again.
"Yes, I do." he said solemnly.
"Does the pain ever fade?" she asked.
"One can distract oneself from it. It is very productive with anything else than the actual problem." Harry said.
"How does one overcome it?" she asked.
"You don't. You accept it and try to be happy anyway. You strive to a goal that help others without expecting gains for yourself. Only when you achieve true selfless happiness, will others notice it and be drawn to it." He then looked at her. "Do you know what I saw when I looked at you the first time?"
"What?" she asked.
"How can such a beautiful woman be so unhappy? If I knew her I'd want to see her smile." Harry said.
She smiled for a moment and then looked off into the distance again. "Where do I start?" she then asked.
"A change is as good as a holiday. Take a break, go somewhere new. See how other people make themselves happy and try what they do for a while. Somewhere along the way, you will discover something about yourself. And then another. At some point, you'll share those things with someone and they will know you better than anyone." Harry said, looking up at the stars again himself.
They stood there for a couple of minutes. And then, "Thank you. For trying to help me, even if I am a pretty face with no substance."
"Oh quit fishing for a compliment. You're more than pretty and have more than enough substance. You just don't know it. Find that out for yourself. Let me tell you a little secret, people can see their own pain and problems in others. When you see someone struggling with something obvious, look inside yourself and see if it isn't you struggling with it. And then help them if they are willing. That way you'll know how to help yourself." Harry said.
"The Allfather is right. You are wise." Sif said.
"Bad experiences teach us all the same lessons. We must just learn to look to see them. I once heard it said that a wise man learns from his mistakes. A truly wise man learns from others'. I'm afraid I'm not truly wise." He said with a smirk.
"And what about women?" Sif asked with a straight face.
"Did you just make a joke?! That's progress already!" Harry said. Sif actually smiled this time. "And that is the smile that will get you noticed." Harry said with a smirk.
They laughed and walked back to the Hall. People were still partying and dancing and telling stories and reminiscing. It was a great atmosphere. "Harry?" Sif asked.
"Yes, lady Sif?" Harry asked.
"Can we… be friends?" She asked, haltingly.
"We are friends, Sif, but if you try and steal my Natasha, I'll fight you!" he warned with raised hands and a mocking smile on his lips.
"Oh you wish you could take me!" Sif said.
"Well, probably not in a fair fight, but I cheat." He said pointing at her arm and hitting it with a stinging hex.
"Ouch! That hurt!" she rubbed her arm and hit him playfully on his arm. She smiled though and walked off to the Warriors Three.
Harry went to re-join Thor at one of the front tables. "Hey Harry! Come, sit!" Thor invited. "I was wondering. Could I, perhaps sneak to Midgard with you?" he said, he was pretty drunk and only half the bottle was gone. "I'd come right back, of course, if you let me use your phoenix, but I really would like to go visit Jane for a couple of hours."
"You do realise that it's so late there, you'd definitely have to wake her up and that women are seldom in the mood for intimacy when they are woken up by a drunk partner, right?" Harry asked.
"Really?" he asked blurrily. "It would probably be best if I don't do it then. Wait! What about that spell you did to wake us up from drunkenness?"
"Do you mean 'sober us up'? I could do that, but then she'd still be asleep and you'd still be waking her up…" Harry reminded him.
"You are right, of course. I just never get to see her anymore. I'm stuck here in Asgard. The bifrost isn't fixed yet and I just want to go visit her. Hey, what about that spell to wake us up from drunkenness?" Thor repeated himself.
"Thor, you are drunk. Go to bed before you do something you might regret." Harry told him.
Thor just waved him off and walked over to the Warriors Three and Sif. Harry could hear from where he was sitting, "Hey Sif! That's a good smile. You should wear it more!" Harry just smiled. He decided to check on Odin.
"Majesty. Are you enjoying the feast?" Harry asked as he walked up beside him.
"Very much so, Harry. Very much so. Everybody is in good spirit, there seems to be more energy than normal and it has been a while since I saw Sif look quite so energetic. Did you stray, or did you give her some advice?" Odin asked with a smile, already knowing the answer.
"I told her some more of my experiences. She seems to think there's hope now that she might not end up alone." Harry said.
"Oh, and how did you do that?" Odin asked.
"I may have convinced her to go on a vacation to see how other people enjoy their lives." Harry said.
"That might actually help, thank you." Odin said with a smile.
"It's no problem. I just hope she finds a good place without too much violence. She's been up to her eyebrows in that for a long time as I understand it." Harry said.
"I'm sure you can keep her out of trouble." Odin said.
"I'm sorry, but what?" Harry asked.
Odin chuckled. "Have you not noticed she keeps looking at you and talking to the Warriors Three? She's making plans to leave with you."
"Oh, my day just keeps getting better." Harry sighed.
"Could I ask a question?" Odin asked.
"Or course, Majesty." Harry said.
"Where did you encounter Monoceros?" Odin asked.
"Monoceros?" Harry asked.
"Yes, the horse with the horn. They are native to Alfheim as I recall." Odin explained.
"There's unicorns on Alfheim!" Harry crowed. "Magical creatures already exist here!"
"I'm assuming you would like some?" Odin asked.
"Do you have any?" Harry asked, in a whisper.
"No, but I could have some rounded up. Why though? They are useless as mounts." Odin asked.
"Because they are potions ingredients. Their hair is anyway. When I came to this world, I didn't bring any magical creatures. I brought lots of plants, but no creatures. If I could find some of the ones we need, we could make many more potions!" Harry exclaimed.
"Then you are in luck. The Lady Sif knows most of the creatures of the realms. She might be able to find some for you, if you can describe them to her." Odin said.
"I can do better. I can show her my memories of them!" Harry continued enthusing.
"It is then fortuitous that you have had this misunderstanding. She can help you as you help her." Odin smiled and took a small sip of his Firewhiskey. Harry looked at his bottle and realised he'd only had two or three glasses worth, small ones. He really enjoyed the drink. This made Harry even happier that he had made the split-second decision to bring it.
Spotting Thor as he talked to Volstagg, who had a heaping plate of pizza still, he said, "I'm afraid your son has disregarded my suggestion that he take it easy on the drink. Last time I checked he had drunk half his bottle and was slurring slightly. Do the Aesir get hang-overs?" Harry asked.
"Not normally, but with this, I suspect he might. It will be a humbling experience for him. It is too bad you will be back on Midgard and unable to use your magic to help him." Odin said chuckling and nodding at the door to the hall.
Frigga and Natasha walked in and Natasha was smiling brightly when she saw Harry. More so than Harry could ever remember. Frigga looked rather pleased as well. When they reached them, Frigga sat next to her husband and hugged him. Natasha came to stand by Harry. "I'm ready to go home," she said.
Harry looked at her. "We may have a new house-mate." he said, and at her frown, "I'll explain later." Harry then went to go stand in front of the King and bowed, "King Odin, I believe we are ready to depart."
Instantly Sif stood up and walked over to them before bending on one knee and addressing her monarch. "My King, the Wizard has given me instruction on how to resolve a personal inadequacy I find most vexing. He has offered to take me to Midgard to learn what is needed. If I may have your permission to accompany him this evening, I would be deeply grateful."
"And how say you Wizard and Counsel to the Royal Family. Do you agree to care for my subject as one of your own house?" Odin said loudly. There were gasps and murmurs of "Counsel to the Royal Family?"
"You honour me with such prestige, Majesty. I will of course fulfil your subjects' request and my friend's need." Harry looked and smiled at Sif, who smiled back.
"And how long do you expect this task will take." Odin asked.
"There is no certain way to tell, I'm afraid. The process will proceed faster with less pressure to perform it. As such, I request an indeterminate period assigned to my house so that we may best address the problem at hand."
"Granted." Odin said after some thought. "Lady Sif, you are remanded into the hands of our Council of Midgard. Should he fail in his duties to supply for you a healthy and worthwhile experience to combat the inadequacy you find in yourself, you have our permission to return home. Though I highly doubt that he will fail. He has proven time and again that he does what he sets out to do. I expect you to give your best efforts."
"Of course, my King." Sif said and got up.
"Before you leave, Counsel. There is the matter of your payment for what you have brought and offered us. Along with payment for three more such deliveries as soon as it is manageable." As Odin said it, two men walked in with what looked like a small mountain of gold carried on a metallic framework between them. They deposited it before Harry and he kept his face passive.
Not wanting to give insult by refusing, he said, "Thank you, Majesty. I will assure that your order is placed and delivered as soon as it is ready. Would you prefer it in Barrels, or bottles?"
"I rather like the bottles, it makes it easier to quantify and use sparingly." Odin replied with a small smile.
"As you wish, Majesty. Farewell, King Odin, Queen Frigga." He looked around but could not spot Thor. "If you would pass my greetings on to Prince Thor that would be greatly appreciated." Harry then lifted his hand and the gold lifted up and streamed into his bag. "Lady Sif, Lady Natasha, if you would please grab hold of me?" They each took hold of an arm. "Fawkes!"
The phoenix dropped down and stood on his shoulder before letting out a song of exquisite beauty and flamed away with his passengers, just as Thor jumped at them from behind Volstagg. He missed. They landed in Harry's house laughing at Thor's drunken attempt to hitch a ride.
"Thank you, Fawkes." Harry thanked the phoenix. Just before he disappeared to his perch, though, he let out a chirp and Harry blushed, but said nothing.
Natasha looked at him and asked, "What did he say?"
"He asked if I have another mate. Apparently phoenixes don't do monogamy." Harry sighed.
"Makes sense." Natasha said. "He is a male after all." Sif actually laughed.
"You do realise he doesn't need to make a sound to speak to me. He wanted you to ask." Harry said.
"Are you saying the phoenix was making fun of you?" Sif asked.
"Exactly." Natasha interjected. She and Sif laughed more. Harry scowled, but took the laughter good-humouredly.
"Natasha, would you please show her the lower east wing and tell her how to work her lights and fire? I have to go deliver a pile of gold to Tony's living room floor. He'll have to handle conversion in the morning."
"Okay. Does her room have a mirror?" Natasha asked.
"Not an enchanted one, but it's a good idea. I'll set one up in the next couple of days, but we'll have to get her situated first and get her the essentials. She'll need normal clothes and accessories. Getting used to the normal way of doing things here might not come naturally at first, but I suspect she will adjust just fine." Harry said.
"Come to my rooms first. I can show you what you have to look forward to." Natasha said.
Harry apparated to Tony's house and went to the living room. He upturned the bag, since it only contained gold anyway and waited for it to finish. Just as the last coins fell on the floor, a disgruntled Tony walked in looking like hell. "What the hell Harry, I'm trying…" He spotted the gold. "What's that?"
"Payment from Odin for the current and next three deliveries. He prefers bottled, by the way." Harry informed him, "Can we actually use this?" Harry asked looking at the gold.
"Sure, we'll have to do it slowly over time, but we'll get our money. That's a lot of gold." Tony said wide awake.
"Apparently our mistake counts as an improvement in Asgard. Thor was drunk off his ass by half a bottle, within an hour." Harry smirked.
"Profit wise, Asgard just paid for our first distillery and the ingredients and the materials. We're looking good so far."
"We don't need more distilleries. Once we start selling magic infused alcohol, people will be vying for the stuff. I might have to change the enchantments for the general public, though. We can't have normal people breathing fire, after all. If they can afford it and we've got stock, we're making money. This is a luxury commodity, they can pay. With things we do to help people, different story. What's that saying? Exclusivity creates demand?" Harry asked.
"That's right! Okay, we'll stick with the one, I can't have you spending all day enchanting, after all. I'll handle the gold and payments will come to you and Bruce tomorrow. I'll just say I'm playing in the gold market when people ask what happened to the money." Tony said.
"Okay, thanks." Harry said. "Listen, I've got to go. We'll chat in the morning okay?" Harry said.
"Hey, what am I supposed to do with all this gold on my living room floor?!" Tony asked. Harry just smiled and disapparated. Tony was a smart man, he'd figure it out.
--- Meanwhile, back at Casa Del Potter ---
Sif was following Harry's chosen companion down the hall to her private residence. Harry had gifted it to her apparently. Natasha was telling her that Harry intended to make the house into a home and training ground for the Avengers. She was at first shocked that they were not sharing a bed at all times. Natasha informed her that Harry was far too noble and gentle hearted to expect such a thing on a regular basis. And she respected him all the more for it. Her respect also grudgingly increased for Natasha.
When she had first heard that Harry had shown up on Asgard, she was happy, hoping that this time they would get an opportunity to speak alone, but when she heard he had come with a woman, her spirits had fallen. And then she saw the woman. She could not fault Harry for his choice. She was a warrior, slim built, but you could see in her gait and armour that she was a coiled spring. And beautiful. Pure femininity in her every movement and curve. More so than she thought of herself.
She had feared all hope lost, before she had spoken to him and he told her a tale of his own experience. When Odin had turned up during the telling she was shocked to see a passing emotion of sympathy on his face before he explained the meaning to Harry's words and then confirmed that Harry had suffered a great loss. She felt shame for her anger at him, for his supposed slight, when he was merely trying to help her.
When his sadness took him from the hall, the Allfather had told her to give him a bit of time before following to ensure he was not lost in grief. He was a friend to Asgard and they would care for him in times of need. When she went to him, he pushed his grief away selflessly and continued sharing his wisdom. She was touched by his offer and vowed to herself to live up to his expectations that she merely needed to free herself of her preconceptions to achieve her own happiness.
Harry was a wise man, far beyond his seeming paltry years, and why would he not be? He was a wizard. Didn't the word mean wise man?
Now she was being shown the feats of magic Harry had seemingly left for other's convenience spread throughout his house. Lights would activate by words and fires would spring up without the need for tinder in seemingly never-ending fireplaces. Marvels of art adorned his halls, which Natasha informed her were of significant value to him and from his old home.
There were even a couple of portraits that would wave and attempt to speak to them. Strangely garbed people and flying creatures she had seen in the other realms mounted by knights with swords raised. Gem encrusted eggs covered in gold, with the finest of details, carved in a hand that would put the Dwarves of Nidavellir to shame in their exquisite intricacy and of which would be worth a king's ransom, stood in plain view in glass display cases.
When they reached Natasha's place of residence, she was asked to enter, so she did. Inside was a neatly designed room with comfortable seats, covered in what looked to her to be the softest man made materials. She was shown the small kitchen with a cabinet that kept things cold and in stasis so that nothing ever spoiled.
There were also implements and a stove and oven for cooking, with comfortable benches around a counter, where she said one could eat. The facilities were small but efficient. The shower seemed a convenient way to clean up and she would enjoy trying that before bed tonight. Then she was shown to Natasha's bedroom, where a large, comfortable looking bed took up a large portion of the equally large room.
There were more seats, some made for more than one person and they were arranged around another enchanted fireplace. She could see the convenience and comfort intended. Indeed it seemed that the mortals had come up with many ways to convenience themselves and see to their own comfort and efficiency.
Then Natasha led her to a closet. It was larger than she had thought and contained so many clothes! Who could need this much clothes? But Natasha drew her attention to a mirror saying it was an enchanted one, which would speak as a reflection of ones' own perceptions. Natasha excused herself quickly so that Sif may be left with her reflection, stating that Harry had warned that the mirror could reveal things about oneself that one would rather not speak aloud.
"You are looking good today," Mirror Sif said. "Better than normal. You have a look of hope to you that I never thought I'd see again. That is good, but you must get something new to wear, these mortals seldom wear the same clothes twice in a row if they can help it."
"Thank you," Sif said not knowing what else to say. It was as if the mirror knew her heart.
"Thank yourself. I am a reflection. You know what I say is true because you believe it yourself. My primary purpose is to see you beautiful and happy." Mirror Sif said.
Sif stepped out of the closet and closed the door. Natasha was waiting for her. "Thank you. You have shown me much tonight. Perhaps we too, will become friends while I am here."
"I hope so," Natasha stated, "It's just us two women in a house that would soon otherwise be overrun with men." Natasha then smirked, "I could also use a strong sparring partner. Harry is good, but he does not test my limits as often as I'm sure the Lady Sif of Asgard could."
"That would be a nice change for me as well." Sif replied with a grin. It had been a while since she had a worthy female opponent.
"Come, I'll take you to your room. We usually have breakfast together. I'll quickly go see if Bruce is awake and inform him of our new house-mate. He likes to do the cooking, so it would be best if he's aware of you, so he can prepare extra." Natasha said. "In the morning, you can join Harry and me in our morning workout and then we'll go get you some new clothes. Harry can create something for you in the meanwhile."
Natasha smirked and led her to the other wing of the house where she entered her own rooms to find it was very similarly decorated but with slightly different furnishings and a different colour scheme. Where Natasha's were green, hers was in a pale yellow. She bid Natasha good night and looked through her rooms before taking a shower. It felt very relaxing being sprayed by the hot water and washing the unsightly grime and sweat from her body.
Once done, she dried herself with the soft towel and got in bed. The bed was soft and comfortable and somehow supported her body like no other bed ever had. She was asleep in under a minute.