Harry Potter: The Revenant

Howard Stark leaned back in his chair, the soft hum of the holographic interface from the communication mirrors filling the room. His fingers drummed rhythmically against the desk as he replayed the footage for the umpteenth time. Harry had shown up at the fight in a suit of armor that looked like it had been designed by a collaboration between Merlin and an over-caffeinated Stark Industries engineer.

Taking a deep breath, Howard tapped the controls, initiating a call to Lily Potter. The mirror shimmered with a faint golden light before her face came into view. She was hunched over her workspace, her fiery hair tied back messily, and the sharp clinks of potion vials could be heard in the background.

"Howard," Lily said without looking up. "If this is about you needing help to find another one of your 'misplaced' inventions—"

Howard interrupted, his tone serious. "Lily, this is important. You're going to want to see this."

She paused, her hands stilling mid-motion. Turning to face the mirror fully, her brow furrowed in concern. "What is it?"

Without a word, Howard tapped a key, and the footage began playing in the holographic display. It showed Harry stepping through a glowing golden portal, his new armor catching the light. The red and gold suit gleamed like fire, with intricate etchings along the pauldrons and chestplate. Vibranium claws extended from his gauntlets, glowing faintly with some kind of energy as he launched himself into battle with a ferocity that even Howard hadn't anticipated.

Lily's eyes widened. "Howard... what the hell am I looking at?"

"Your son," Howard replied, leaning forward. "Apparently, our carefully designed suit wasn't good enough for him. He's gone and upgraded it. Without telling us, might I add."

Lily gawked at the footage as Harry took down three Hydra operatives with a single fluid motion. "Upgraded it? Howard, that's not an upgrade—that's... that's a complete overhaul! Where did he even get this?"

"That," Howard said, pointing to the hologram, "is the million-dollar question. Or maybe billion-dollar, considering the tech and magic involved."

Before Lily could respond, the door to her workspace swung open with its usual lack of ceremony. James Potter strolled in, a Quidditch playbook in one hand and a smirk on his face. Sirius Black followed, twirling a wand between his fingers like it was a drumstick.

"Oi, Lily," James started. "Do you know where I—" He stopped mid-sentence, noticing the tense atmosphere and the glowing hologram. His smirk morphed into curiosity. "What's all this, then?"

"Howard called," Lily said, her tone clipped. "Apparently, our son has decided to... upgrade his armor."

"Upgrade?" Sirius asked, stepping closer and peering at the hologram. His eyes widened as the footage played. "Bloody hell! Is that Harry?"

James squinted at the hologram, his jaw dropping as he took in the sight of the crimson and gold armor, the glowing claws, and Harry moving like a seasoned warrior. "What in Merlin's name is he wearing? That's... that's Gryffindor colors, isn't it?"

Sirius grinned. "Oh, it's definitely Gryffindor colors. Red, gold, and extra dramatic flair. He's clearly your son, James."

James chuckled, crossing his arms. "Well, he always did have good taste."

"Watch this part." Howard interjected. He fast-forwarded to the scene where Harry slashed through a Hydra wizard's shield like it was parchment.

Sirius let out a low whistle. "Impressive. Kid's been taking notes from me."

James snorted. "Please, Padfoot. If Harry's learned anything from you, it's how to cause chaos and look good doing it."

"Exactly my point," Sirius said, grinning.

Lily held up a hand, silencing their banter. "Focus, you two. Harry left for Bleeker Street two days ago. He was supposed to be learning the basics of mystical arts from the Ancient One—not coming back with a fully enchanted, battle-ready suit of armor."

"Wait," James said, raising an eyebrow. "Are you saying the Ancient One might've done this? Isn't she supposed to be all about inner peace and chakras and whatever?"

Howard shook his head. "If she's involved, it's not her style. This armor—it's something else. It's almost... personal, like it was custom-built for him."

"Can't argue with that," Sirius said, leaning closer to the hologram. "Look at the detail on the chestplate—there's a bloody phoenix engraved on it. And the claws? Pure Gryffindor drama. This is Harry saying, 'Look at me, I'm here to save the day.'"

James grinned proudly. "That's my boy."

Lily, however, wasn't smiling. She tapped her fingers against the table, deep in thought. "Howard, send me everything you've got on this. If Harry's using this kind of gear, we need to know where it came from and how it works. I'm going to try reaching him through the mirrors."

"And if he doesn't answer?" James asked.

"Then we go to Bleeker Street and have a little chat with the Ancient One," Lily replied firmly.

Sirius smirked. "I call dibs on asking her if Harry's been sneaking extra lessons in badassery."

Lily shot him a look, but even she couldn't suppress a small smile. "Let's just hope Harry knows what he's doing."

James clapped her on the shoulder. "He's a Potter. Of course, he doesn't. But he'll figure it out."

Sirius grinned. "And if not, at least he'll look damn good while making it up as he goes."

—

James Potter strolled down the safehouse corridors, whistling innocently as he carried a tiny, enchanted projector tucked under his arm. Sirius followed close behind, his expression a picture of mischief, holding what looked like a hastily scrawled sign that read, "Come See Harry's Epic Glow-Up: Gryffindor Edition."

"You sure Lily won't murder us for this?" Sirius asked, clearly not worried in the slightest.

James grinned. "Oh, she definitely will. But it's worth it. Everyone deserves to see what our boy's been up to."

The two marauders burst into the common area, where Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes were seated at a table, engaged in a quiet game of chess. Peggy Carter stood nearby, flipping through mission reports while sipping a cup of tea. Natasha Romanoff lounged on the couch, cleaning her Glock with a methodical precision that somehow didn't diminish her air of quiet menace.

"Ladies, gentlemen, and supersoldiers," James began, setting the projector on the coffee table. "Prepare yourselves for a show."

Peggy raised an eyebrow. "What sort of show, Potter?"

"Only the greatest spectacle of heroics, Gryffindor style," Sirius said with a flourish. "Featuring our very own Harry Potter aka the Revenant."

Natasha perked up at the mention of Harry's name, her fingers stilling on the gun. "Harry? What did he do now?"

"Nothing too crazy," James said, his tone dripping with faux casualness as he activated the projector. The hologram sprang to life, displaying the now-familiar footage of Harry in his new red-and-gold armor, taking down Hydra operatives like he was born for it.

Steve sat up straighter, his eyes narrowing as he studied the footage. "That's... Harry? Since when does he move like that?"

"Since apparently two days ago," Sirius quipped, plopping onto the couch. "Kid's been holding out on us. Look at that armor. Red and gold. Gryffindor through and through."

"Looks like he's borrowing a bit of flair from you two," Bucky noted, leaning forward to get a better view.

"Yup," James said, clearly relishing the reactions. "Howard says he's never seen anything like it."

Peggy set her teacup down, her sharp eyes glued to the hologram. "Where did he even get this armor? This isn't standard tech."

"Exactly what we've been wondering," Sirius said. "Kid sneaks off to Bleeker Street to 'learn mystical arts' from the Ancient One, and two days later, he's out there fighting Hydra in what looks like Merlin's combat-ready dream wardrobe."

Natasha's lips pressed into a thin line, though her gaze was glued to the footage. When Harry blocked a blast of energy with a perfectly timed shield spell, her expression softened just a fraction. "Of course he'd upgrade himself. Always has to be the hero."

James smirked. "He did kiss you before he left, didn't he, Natasha?"

Natasha shot him a pointed glare that could've frozen fire. "Do you want to lose your teeth, Potter?"

Before James could respond, the Tonks family wandered in. Andromeda and Ted were deep in conversation, while 12-year-old Tonks was busy flicking through her wand movements like she was practicing dueling techniques.

"What's all the commotion?" Ted asked, noticing the gathered group.

"Harry's latest escapade," Bucky replied, jerking his thumb toward the hologram.

The Tonks family moved closer, their eyes widening as they watched Harry's armor shimmer with magic and vibranium enhancements.

"Blimey," said young Tonks, her hair shifting to a fiery red in what was clearly unconscious mimicry. "That's Harry? He looks like a knight out of a storybook!"

"A very dramatic knight," Andromeda commented, though there was pride in her voice.

"Looks like something Dad would wear if he had magic armor," Tonks teased, earning a good-natured eye roll from her father.

Meanwhile, 6-year-old Rose Potter bolted into the room, her small wooden sword clutched in one hand and a makeshift shield strapped to her arm. "Dragons and knights!" she yelled, clearly mid-roleplay with Phil Coulson and Billy Koenig, who followed her with equally ridiculous props.

"What's this?" Coulson asked, adjusting the cardboard dragon wings on his back.

"Harry!" Rose said excitedly, pointing at the hologram. "Look, Uncle Phil, he's a real knight now! Just like me!"

Coulson crouched beside her, his eyes lighting up as he watched the footage. "Not bad, kiddo. I'd say your brother's got the whole knight-in-shining-armor thing down."

Billy Koenig, wearing a tin foil crown for reasons no one questioned, nodded sagely. "Solid execution. Great color scheme."

Rose puffed up her chest. "I'm gonna be a knight, too! With a sword! And I'll fight bad guys with Harry!"

James chuckled, ruffling her hair. "That's the spirit, Rosie. Just don't let him hog all the glory."

Sirius grinned, watching as the room buzzed with excitement. "Looks like the kid's got himself a fan club."

Peggy, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "We should keep an eye on him. If Harry's stepping up like this, it means trouble's coming."

"Trouble always finds him," Natasha said quietly, her eyes still on the footage.

Andromeda nodded in agreement. "But he always rises to meet it. That's what makes him who he is."

James clapped his hands together. "Exactly. And with us watching his back, he'll be unstoppable."

Sirius smirked. "Unstoppable? Mate, he's already unstoppable. He's a Potter."

The room filled with laughter and pride as the footage replayed, a reminder that no matter how far Harry went or how much he grew, he'd always have his family—both blood and chosen—cheering him on.

—

The shimmering portal opened within the Triskelion's operations bay, crackling faintly with residual magic. Harry—or Revenant—stepped through first, his red and gold armor gleaming under the harsh fluorescent lights, his cloak fluttering in the wind. Behind him came Nick Fury, his left eye concealed under a bloodied cloth, flanked by Clint Barton, Melinda May, and Ghost. They guided a gaggle of bound and gagged prisoners, among whom Alexander Pierce glared daggers at Harry despite his inability to speak or move.

The SHIELD medical team rushed forward at the sight of Fury's condition, but he waved them off sharply with his uninjured hand.

"Not now," Fury growled, his voice iron-hard despite his evident pain. "I've got business to finish."

The agents hesitated but backed off reluctantly, casting wary glances at the prisoners Harry had delivered. A pair of SHIELD operatives moved forward to take custody of the prisoners as Fury barked out his next orders.

"Detain them," Fury commanded. "Separate holding cells. High security. And for God's sake, make sure none of them gets so much as a whisper of unauthorized communication."

The agents saluted and dragged the captives away. Pierce struggled briefly, but Harry flicked his fingers, tightening the magical bindings. Pierce's muffled protests ceased instantly, and the Hydra-allied wizards whimpered as they were hauled off.

Howard Stark's voice crackled over the intercom, and his image soon appeared on one of the large monitors in the control room overlooking the operations bay. "Harry, I've got to ask. Where the hell did you get that armor upgrade? That's not just Stark tech anymore, is it?"

Harry tilted his head, the glowing eyes of his helmet narrowing slightly in amusement. "A little stopover at Bleeker Street," he said cryptically, his voice carrying through the speakers with an eerie calm. "You know, picked up a few new tricks."

Howard muttered something under his breath, rubbing his temples. "Of course. Magic. Just when I thought I was starting to understand you."

Ignoring Howard's exasperation, Harry turned to Fury. "We need to get to Maria Hill. Now."

Fury nodded grimly, motioning for Clint, May, and Ghost to follow. The group moved swiftly down the corridors, passing rows of bustling SHIELD agents, many of whom paused to stare at the armored figure leading the Director.

When they reached Hill's office, the tension in the air was palpable. The door slid open with a hiss, revealing Maria Hill seated at her desk, her expression unnaturally blank. Harry's eyes narrowed behind his helmet, and he stepped forward.

"Director Hill," he said evenly, his tone masking his suspicions. "We need to talk."

Hill's gaze flickered briefly, and for a moment, her hand twitched as if she might reach for the sidearm holstered at her hip. That was all Harry needed.

"Stupefy," he said, his wand flicking out from his armor's gauntlet. The Stunning Spell hit Hill square in the chest, and she slumped forward onto her desk.

"What the hell, Potter?" Fury growled, stepping forward, but Harry raised a hand to stop him.

"She's been compromised," Harry said firmly, already running his hand over her prone form in a series of intricate diagnostics. The golden light flared red briefly, confirming his suspicions.

"Imperius Curse," Harry said grimly, straightening. "A strong one. She's been under for days, maybe weeks."

Clint swore under his breath, and Melinda's expression darkened as she glanced at Hill.

"Can you break it?" Ghost asked, her voice calm but edged with worry.

"Not here," Harry replied, already pulling out a small medallion from his belt. "She needs specialized care, and I know just the person. Andromeda Tonks. She's one of the best Healers to go to inorder to deal with this."

"Tonks?" Fury asked, narrowing his good eye.

"She's in the New York safehouse," Harry explained. "Trust me, Fury, she's the best chance Hill has. And while you're there, you should let her look at your eye. She'll do a better job than anyone else you've got here."

Fury grumbled but didn't argue, nodding in agreement. "Fine. But Hill better be back in action soon. We need her."

Harry handed the medallion to Melinda. "This will activate a portkey directly to the safehouse. Tell Andromeda everything. She'll know what to do. The activation code is 'Marauders'."

Melinda nodded, taking the medallion with a firm grip.

"Let's hope you're right about this, Potter," Fury said, his tone softer than before.

Harry's helmet retracted just enough for him to smirk. "I usually am."

—

The swirling vortex of the portkey deposited Fury, Melinda May, Clint Barton, Howard Stark, and the unconscious Maria Hill into the living room of the New York safehouse. The place was buzzing with activity: the sound of laughter from a nearby room, faintly audible music, and the distinct aroma of something baking in the kitchen. Fury took a moment to orient himself before waving off May's attempt to steady him.

"Where's Andromeda Tonks?" Fury barked, his gruff tone immediately silencing the room.

Andromeda appeared from the adjoining hallway, her sharp gaze assessing the scene. She carried an air of authority, her Healer's robes pristine despite the chaos around her. "Director Fury," she said crisply. "Harry's message reached me. Lay her down on the couch; I'll take it from here."

Fury nodded, gesturing to Clint and May, who gently placed Maria Hill on the plush couch. As Andromeda knelt beside Hill, her wand already glowing faintly, Ted Tonks entered the room with his medical kit in hand.

"And you," Andromeda said, sparing Fury a glance, "need to sit down and let Ted check that eye. If what Harry said is true, there's magical damage that needs immediate attention."

"I'm fine," Fury grumbled, but Ted grabbed his arm with surprising strength and guided him to a chair.

"You're not fine," Ted said firmly, pulling on a pair of enchanted gloves. "If the magical damage spreads, it'll be more than your eye you lose."

As Ted worked on Fury, Howard made his way to the other side of the room, where Lily, James, and Sirius were waiting. He flopped into an armchair and ran a hand through his hair.

"Well, I've seen some things in my time," Howard began, shaking his head. "But your kid's armor? That's something else entirely. You wouldn't believe the specs on it. Magic and tech interwoven like I've never seen before. Bleeker Street really knows their stuff."

James leaned forward, grinning. "Didn't I tell you, Lily? Gryffindor colors. Red and gold, bold as hell. That's our boy. Charging into battle like a knight."

"More like a flying tank," Howard corrected, gesturing wildly. "Do you even know what he's got in that thing? Repulsors, arcane shielding, and something that looked like a damned miniature sun embedded in the chest plate. I mean, I get Stark tech. It's my tech. But the way he's fused it with… what, enchanted materials? It's unreal."

Sirius leaned back, smirking. "That's my godson for you. Subtle as a Bludger to the face."

Meanwhile, Clint stood rooted to the spot, his eyes darting around the room. His gaze landed on Steve Rogers—Captain America—leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed.

"No way," Clint muttered, shaking his head. "This… this can't be real. Captain America? Alive? In this room?"

Steve raised an eyebrow, smiling slightly. "Alive and well, kid. And who might you be?"

"I—uh—I'm Clint Barton, sir. Hawkeye. Just started at SHIELD," Clint stammered, clearly overwhelmed. His eyes shifted again, this time landing on Peggy Carter, who was speaking softly with Natasha Romanoff in the corner.

"Wait," Clint said, his voice rising slightly. "Peggy Carter? The Peggy Carter? Isn't she supposed to be, like, seventy? Why does she look like… that?"

Peggy glanced over, smirking. "Good genes and better science," she said wryly, clearly amused by Clint's reaction. Natasha, standing beside her, chuckled softly.

Clint's brain struggled to process everything when Melinda May came up beside him, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Breathe, Barton," she said dryly. "This is just another day in SHIELD."

"Yeah, sure," Clint muttered, still gawking. "Totally normal. Captain America, Peggy Carter, and… wait, is that a six-year-old pretending to fight dragons?"

Melinda followed his gaze to the training room, where Phil Coulson and Billy Koenig were crouched on the floor, playing an intense game of dragons and knights with Rose Potter and a 12-year-old Tonks. Rose, clad in makeshift armor fashioned from foam pads and a colander, swung a plastic sword valiantly at Phil, who had donned a cape and was roaring like a dragon.

"Prepare to meet your doom, foul beast!" Rose shouted, charging at Phil, who obligingly collapsed in an exaggerated heap.

Tonks, who was currently sporting bubblegum-pink hair and dragon-like scales on her arms, cheered and transformed back into her usual self in a blink. "Victory is ours, Knight Rose!"

Melinda blinked. "Phil Coulson. Playing dragons. With kids. And Billy Koenig. I… have no words."

"I do," Clint muttered. "I've joined a circus."

Howard snorted. "Get used to it, kid. This is the calm before the storm."

In the corner, Bucky Barnes leaned against the wall, his expression unreadable as he watched the lively scene

—

The portal shimmered and crackled as Harry stepped back into Kamar-Taj. The golden, glowing edges of the gateway dimmed as it closed behind him, leaving the stillness of the temple to envelop him. As soon as he crossed the threshold, the armor he had been wearing—gleaming red and gold with intricate arcane runes—seemed to ripple like liquid. In an almost organic motion, it flowed off his body, retracting and morphing seamlessly into the familiar fabric of the Cloak of Levitation draped around his shoulders. The transition was so smooth that it seemed alive, the material settling lightly as though it had always been part of him.

Harry let out a long breath, feeling the weight of the battle and the adrenaline finally beginning to ebb. His hands flexed unconsciously, feeling the absence of the gauntlets that had just moments ago hummed with power.

From across the training hall, the Ancient One emerged from the shadows. She walked with her usual serenity, her hands folded in front of her, but there was something different in her expression. For the first time in Harry's short stay at Kamar-Taj, she looked genuinely surprised.

"Well," she said, stopping a few paces from him, her voice calm but tinged with curiosity. "That was… unexpected."

Harry gave a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "Yeah, no kidding. I didn't exactly plan for my armor to go all... magic symbiote on me."

The Ancient One's gaze was piercing as she studied him, her sharp eyes glinting with intrigue. "Tell me, Harry," she said, tilting her head slightly. "How did it feel?"

Harry paused, considering the question. "It felt…" He hesitated, searching for the right words. "Right. Like it wasn't just armor anymore. It wasn't something I was wearing. It was… part of me. It moved with me, responded to me, like it knew what I needed before I even did."

The Ancient One nodded slowly, her expression contemplative. "Fascinating," she murmured. "The Cloak of Levitation has always been unique, a relic of immense power and sentience. But for it to merge with your armor… and for the result to be what I just witnessed…" She trailed off, her words heavy with meaning.

Harry frowned. "You're saying you didn't expect this?"

The Ancient One gave him a rare smile. "Not at all. I've lived many lifetimes, Harry, and while I've seen countless miracles, this… this is unprecedented. Your armor was already a marvel, forged from Vibranium and enhanced with magic. But the Cloak…" She stepped closer, reaching out a hand to lightly touch the fabric on his shoulder. "It didn't just merge with your armor. It transformed it. Enhanced it in ways even I cannot fully comprehend."

Harry looked down at the Cloak, his mind racing. "So what does that mean for me?"

The Ancient One stepped back, her hands folding once more. "It means that you are now bound to the Cloak in a way that no one has ever been. It is no longer just a relic; it is a part of you, just as much as your magic or your will. But," she added, her tone turning serious, "such power comes with its own challenges. You must learn to master this new connection, to understand it. Otherwise, it could overwhelm you."

Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Great. As if I didn't have enough on my plate already."

The Ancient One chuckled softly. "Such is the burden of greatness, Mr. Potter."

Before Harry could respond, Wong appeared at the edge of the hall, his arms crossed and an unimpressed look on his face. "You're back sooner than I expected," he said dryly. "And from the looks of it, you've already caused a stir."

Harry smirked. "What can I say? It's a gift."

Wong rolled his eyes but said nothing, though Harry thought he detected a hint of amusement in his expression.

The Ancient One turned to Wong. "Prepare the training room," she instructed. "Harry has much to learn if he's to control this new… evolution."

As Wong walked off, muttering under his breath about overachieving apprentices, the Ancient One turned back to Harry. "You've taken your first step into a larger world, Harry. But be mindful. Power, even one as unique as this, is a tool. It is how you wield it that will determine your path."

Harry nodded, his expression determined. "Then I guess it's time to start training."

—

In a rare quiet corner of the safehouse, Lily Potter and Natasha Romanoff found themselves leaning against the kitchen counter, cups of tea in hand. The noise and chaos of the house—Steve and Peggy strategizing, Clint gushing about Captain America while Bucky tried to hide his amusement, Ted still treating Fury's injuries, and Rose's overly enthusiastic knightly proclamations—felt worlds away here.

Lily stared down into her tea, swirling the liquid absentmindedly. A frown tugged at her lips, her green eyes clouded with a mixture of frustration and concern.

Natasha, perched on the counter beside her, took a sip of her own tea and raised an eyebrow. "You're brooding," she observed, her tone light but knowing.

Lily sighed heavily. "Of course, I'm brooding. Harry's been gone two days, Nat. Two days. And in that time, he's apparently unlocked the ability to open portals across continents, fought Hydra wizards, saved Fury, and somehow upgraded his armor into… whatever that was." She gestured vaguely, as if trying to encapsulate Harry's overwhelming growth in a single motion.

Natasha nodded slowly. "It is... a lot," she admitted. "Even for him."

"And yet," Lily continued, her tone growing sharper, "he didn't think to stop here. Not even for a moment."

Natasha set her cup down and crossed her arms. "I won't lie. That stung a bit. Especially since he—" She paused, hesitating before pushing forward. "Since he and I kissed before he left."

That caught Lily's attention, her head snapping up to look at Natasha. "You what?"

Natasha gave a small, self-deprecating laugh. "It was… a moment. Before he left for Kamar-Taj. I kissed him. And I thought maybe… I don't know. I thought it might mean something."

Lily's expression softened, her irritation melting into understanding. "Natasha…"

Natasha shrugged, brushing it off. "It's fine. He has a lot on his plate. Bigger things to worry about than—"

"Than the people who care about him?" Lily interrupted sharply. "No. That's exactly the kind of thing he should be worrying about. Harry's always been like this—throwing himself headfirst into danger, thinking he has to carry the weight of the world alone. It's infuriating."

Natasha chuckled dryly. "Sounds familiar. Maybe that's why I like him."

Lily smirked despite herself, then sobered again. "I know he's trying to protect us, to keep us out of harm's way. But it feels like he's putting up walls, even with me. And now this whole portal thing… It's like he's accelerating so fast, I'm afraid we'll lose him."

Natasha's gaze turned thoughtful. "He's not just accelerating, Lily. He's adapting. Faster than anyone I've ever seen. Two days with the Ancient One, and he's already mastered techniques most sorcerers spend years trying to understand. That's not normal."

"Nothing about Harry's life has ever been normal," Lily muttered. "But you're right. This… this is different. And it scares me."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared concern hanging in the air. Finally, Natasha broke the quiet.

"So what do we do?" she asked.

Lily's grip on her cup tightened. "We remind him that he's not alone. That no matter how strong or capable he gets, he has people here who care about him—who want to be a part of his life, not just spectators to his heroics."

Natasha nodded, her resolve hardening. "Agreed. Next time he shows up, portal or not, he's not getting off so easy."

Lily chuckled, the sound tinged with both amusement and determination. "You're damn right he's not."

Unbeknownst to them, Rose Potter peeked around the corner, her wide eyes filled with curiosity. She had caught bits and pieces of the conversation and immediately resolved to ask her big brother why he didn't visit. She might only be six, but she was determined to make Harry understand that he had a family waiting for him—one that wasn't going anywhere.

—

The courtyard of Kamar-Taj was eerily quiet, the only sounds being the faint hum of the wards and the soft rustle of the Cloak of Levitation as it floated around Harry's shoulders, adjusting itself almost impatiently. Across from him stood the Ancient One, serene and composed, her expression betraying no emotion save for the faintest hint of expectation.

Harry's heart raced as he sized her up. He was no stranger to sparring, but this was different. This wasn't a training session against his friends or a duel in a Hogwarts classroom. This was her. The Sorcerer Supreme. And she wasn't holding back.

"Ready yourself, Mr. Potter," she said, her tone calm but commanding.

The air around Harry shimmered as he activated his Vibranium-enhanced skeleton, the faint hum of absorbed kinetic energy radiating through his frame. He flexed his fingers, the claws extending with a metallic snikt. These weren't just weapons—they were tools, conduits for his magic.

Without warning, the Ancient One struck.

Her movements were a blur, a seamless blend of martial arts and mystical arts. Spells lashed out like whips, glyphs materialized in the air, and her strikes were precise, each one aimed to disrupt his balance or break through his defenses.

Harry barely had time to react. He sidestepped a blast of golden energy, his claws slashing through a glyph that tried to trap him. He absorbed the impact of a spinning kick with his Vibranium skeleton, redirecting the energy into his magical core. With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a shield of pure energy, deflecting another spell.

"You're quick," the Ancient One remarked, her tone almost conversational. "But you're reacting, not anticipating."

Harry gritted his teeth, lunging forward. He slashed with his claws, sending a wave of kinetic energy forward as he released what he had absorbed. The Ancient One simply waved a hand, the energy dispersing into harmless sparks.

She countered with a portal, stepping through it to appear behind him. Before Harry could turn, a spell struck his back, sending him sprawling.

"Focus, Harry," she chided. "Adapt. Think beyond what you've been taught."

Harry pushed himself up, his mind racing. She was faster, more skilled, and always one step ahead. He needed to do something different.

Drawing on his magical core, he conjured a burst of Wizarding Magic, transfiguring the stones beneath her feet into vines that lashed out to entangle her. At the same time, he used the Mystical Arts to summon a mirror dimension fragment, creating a jagged terrain to limit her movement.

The Ancient One smiled faintly. "Better."

She shattered the vines with a single motion and leapt gracefully over the jagged terrain. Harry was ready this time. He funneled the kinetic energy absorbed by his skeleton into a wandless Stupefy, combining it with a Mystical Arts glyph to amplify its power. The spell shot forward, faster and stronger than before.

For the first time, the Ancient One blocked instead of dodging, a golden shield absorbing the impact. "Interesting," she mused, her tone approving.

Harry pressed his advantage, combining elements of both disciplines. He conjured illusions with the Mystical Arts to distract her while using Wizarding Magic to launch precise attacks. His claws slashed through the air, releasing bursts of kinetic energy, and he manipulated the terrain with transfiguration to keep her on the defensive.

The Ancient One moved like a dancer, fluid and unyielding, but even she began to acknowledge his creativity. When he used his claws as wands, casting a dual spell of Expelliarmus and a binding charm, she was briefly caught off guard, though she countered it a moment later.

"Excellent," she said, her voice carrying over the din of their sparring. "You're learning."

Harry was panting, sweat dripping down his face, but he didn't let up. He pushed harder, combining everything he had learned—his Vibranium-enhanced abilities, Wizarding Magic, and the Mystical Arts—into a seamless offensive.

He absorbed a blast of energy, redirected it into a spell-enhanced punch, and then conjured a shield to deflect her counterattack. With a flick of his claws, he opened a portal behind her, forcing her to pivot and face him from an awkward angle.

The sparring session continued for what felt like hours, Harry giving everything he had to match her. Finally, the Ancient One raised a hand, signaling a halt.

"Enough," she said, her tone firm but approving. "You've proven your potential, Harry. You're not just adapting—you're innovating. That is the mark of a true sorcerer."

Harry lowered his hands, breathing heavily. The Cloak of Levitation fluttered around him as if congratulating him on surviving.

"Thanks," he said, his voice hoarse. "But I think I need a nap."

The Ancient One chuckled softly. "Rest is wise. You've taken your first step into a larger world, Harry Potter. But remember, this is only the beginning."

As she turned and walked away, Harry couldn't help but smile, despite his exhaustion. For the first time, he felt like he wasn't just a student—he was becoming something greater.

---

Hey fellow fanfic enthusiasts!

I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Whether you loved it, hated it, or have some constructive criticism, your feedback is super important to me. Feel free to drop a comment or send me a message with your thoughts. Can't wait to hear from you!

If you're passionate about fanfiction and love discussing stories, characters, and plot twists, then you're in the right place! I've created a Discord server dedicated to diving deep into the world of fanfiction, especially my own stories. Whether you're a reader, a writer, or just someone who enjoys a good tale, I welcome you to join us for lively discussions, feedback sessions, and maybe even some sneak peeks into upcoming chapters, along with artwork related to the stories. Let's nerd out together over our favorite fandoms and explore the endless possibilities of storytelling!

Click the link below to join the conversation:

https://discord.com/invite/HHHwRsB6wd

Can't wait to see you there!

If you appreciate my work and want to support me, consider buying me a cup of coffee. Your support helps me keep writing and bringing more stories to you. You can do so via PayPal here:

https://www.paypal.me/VikrantUtekar007

Or through my Buy Me a Coffee page:

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vikired001s

Thank you for your support!