The Quinjet touched down at Avengers Tower with all the subtlety of a freight train. As soon as the engines shut off, Tony was on his phone faster than you could say "Iron Man," dialing Pepper with the kind of urgency you don't normally associate with your Monday morning coffee order.
"Hey, Pep," Tony said, voice smooth as always but with a hint of underlying tension. "I've got a bit of a situation here. It's... big. Darkhold big. You know, the book of ancient evil and soul-destroying curses? Yeah, that one. Get your best 'I can handle the apocalypse' face on and head over here, ASAP."
Pepper's voice came through the phone clear and direct, a mix of concern and that no-nonsense attitude that could probably take down a rampaging Hulk if she set her mind to it. "On my way," she said, and that was the end of it. No questions, just action.
As Pepper entered the Tower a short while later, she was all business. The kind of business that involved saving the world without breaking a sweat. She gave Harry a quick once-over, eyes flicking to the Darkhold, then back to him. "What am I doing?" she asked, sounding like she was preparing to handle a particularly tricky corporate merger.
Harry gave her a look like, Oh, you have no idea what you're in for. "So, here's the deal. You're going to be the Secret Keeper of this lovely little book. Which means... no one, not even me, will be able to find it once I cast the Fidelius Charm. It's basically the magical equivalent of hiding your secrets inside a black hole."
Pepper raised an eyebrow, but not in a way that said, This is ridiculous—more like Okay, let's do this. "What's the catch? And don't tell me there's no catch, because we both know that's never true."
"Well, technically," Harry said, hands in his pockets like he was just waiting for the right dramatic pause, "it's not going to be a cakewalk. There's a serious mental lock involved. You'll be the only one who can access it. And that means you'll have to remember where it is. Forever. Without losing your mind. No pressure."
"No pressure, huh?" Pepper replied dryly, "And when you say 'lose my mind,' are we talking about a minor inconvenience or more of a 'get a one-way ticket to crazy town' situation?"
"Definitely 'crazy town,'" Harry said, his tone as light as a feather. "But, hey, you'll get used to it. Probably. Just think of it as a sort of... mental gym session. Only instead of getting abs, you'll be keeping your brain intact while carrying around the world's most dangerous artifact."
Pepper didn't even blink. "Okay, let's do this," she said, rolling up her sleeves like she was about to solve the most complex calculus equation in history.
Tony leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, his usual smirk firmly in place. "Well, don't say I didn't warn you, Pep," he quipped, voice dripping with mock concern. "If you start speaking in Latin or developing an unhealthy obsession with world domination, I'll take it as a personal failure."
Harry shot him a glare. "Wouldn't be the first time," he muttered, turning back to Pepper. "Alright, let's get this over with before Tony decides to buy you a thousand-dollar therapist to deal with it."
With that, Harry raised his hand and muttered the incantation, weaving his magic around Pepper like a silky, invisible web. It was like he was tying a knot in space and time itself, locking away the Darkhold in a magical cage that only Pepper could hold the key to. Her eyes widened slightly as the charm took hold—she was feeling it, no doubt about that.
When the spell was complete, Harry exhaled. For once, everything felt... still. The usual hum of anxiety and danger that surrounded the Darkhold had vanished. It was safely locked away, hidden from even Harry himself.
"Alright, Pep," Harry said, letting out a sigh of relief that sounded suspiciously like a guy who'd just avoided a deadly curse. "You're officially the Secret Keeper. Congratulations, you now hold the fate of the universe in your hands. No pressure."
Pepper gave him a deadpan look. "If I don't make it out of here sane, you're paying for my therapy."
Tony piped up from the doorway. "Oh, don't worry. I'll cover it. But if she starts talking to herself in ancient tongues, you're footing the bill, Harry."
"Deal," Harry said without missing a beat. "At least if she goes all 'Darkhold-crazy,' it'll be way more entertaining than watching Clint try to figure out how to use a smartphone."
Clint, who had been lurking by the window and quietly trying to act like he wasn't eavesdropping, scoffed. "Hey, I resent that. I'll have you know, I'm excellent with technology—sometimes."
"Right," Tony said, raising an eyebrow. "Sure, Clint. And that one time you tried to use the microwave as a phone charger? Total accident."
"Okay, okay," Harry said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "We'll save the Clint roast for later. For now, let's just all be thankful we got the Darkhold out of play before things got even more... well, complicated."
JARVIS's voice rang through the room, smooth and reassuring. "The Darkhold is now safely hidden, and the Fidelius Charm has been successfully cast. It is now completely invisible to all but Ms. Potts."
"Well, there you go," Tony said, clapping his hands together. "Mission accomplished. And hey, at least we didn't all end up possessed by ancient evil... today."
Harry smirked. "Give it time. This is a weird world. Something always goes wrong."
—
As the door clicked shut behind Pepper, Harry finally let out the breath he'd been holding. The Darkhold was locked away, buried deep in the recesses of Pepper's mind, where no one—not even the most devious of Hydra agents—could get to it. Mission accomplished, for now.
Clint was already halfway to the snacks table (because of course he was), but Steve Rogers was the first to approach Harry. His hand landed on Harry's shoulder with the weight of a guy who probably spends way too much time reading motivational posters. "You've done us a great service, Harry. Thank you."
Harry smirked, shrugging like this wasn't a big deal. "Hey, it's just one battle. We've still got a marathon to run here."
Clint, who'd just grabbed what looked like an obscene amount of chips, chimed in from across the room, "Yeah, except in this marathon, the track is on fire, the pit stops are booby-trapped, and we're racing against a bunch of psycho supervillains with a really bad attitude. So, no biggie."
Steve gave Clint a look—the one that said, "I'm trying to be motivational here, and you're about to ruin it."
Clint grinned, popping a chip into his mouth. "What? I'm just keeping it real."
Tony, looking like someone who'd just had the idea to build a new suit that could also make pizza (why not, right?), stood up straight, all business. "And we'll face it together. HYDRA's about to get a serious wake-up call."
Harry gave Tony a dry look. "You mean another 'I'm Iron Man, fear me' speech, right? Can we skip the grand finale and go straight to the punching part?"
"Absolutely not," Tony said, his smirk turning mischievous. "I've got at least three hours of 'we're the heroes' speeches stored up in my head. It's practically a national treasure."
Natasha Romanoff, who had been lurking in the corner like some kind of super stealthy ninja, rolled her eyes. "And don't forget the dramatic pauses. Those really add to the impact."
"Thank you, Natasha," Tony said with a flourish. "See? My speeches have depth. They're like a fine wine."
Bruce, who had been quietly observing the entire interaction from a safe distance (because dealing with Tony's chaos is usually a one-man job), raised an eyebrow. "Are we... are we really talking about speeches right now? Because, you know, if we're all done with the motivational stuff, we've got a real Hydra problem coming up."
"Right," Steve said, pulling himself back into Captain America Mode. "HYDRA. The organization that doesn't know when to quit."
Clint leaned back in his chair, munching on another handful of chips. "Which, to be honest, is kind of impressive. If you think about it. I mean, I've tried to quit a lot of things. Beer. Poker. Pizza on Thursday nights. But HYDRA? They're like a bad rash—they just keep showing up."
Natasha crossed her arms, looking like she was trying to mentally prepare herself for whatever mess they were about to dive into next. "We should probably stop letting them build up to this level of... complicated. The more time they have, the worse it's going to get."
JARVIS's voice interrupted the moment, calm and measured as always. "Indeed, Ms. Romanoff. If I may interject, I have just completed a full scan of Hydra's current activity. It appears they are gathering forces. I would recommend immediate counteraction."
Tony, now clearly in his I'm-a-genius mode, straightened up, adjusting his cuffs. "Alright, team, listen up. We've got one job now: making sure Hydra regrets ever thinking they could mess with us. And trust me, that's going to involve some seriously over-the-top theatrics."
Harry chuckled, adjusting the collar of his own jacket, feeling a familiar thrill. "Over-the-top? Now that sounds like my kind of plan."
"Don't encourage him," Steve muttered under his breath, glancing at Harry like they both knew what was about to go down.
"Hey, Steve," Clint called over, raising an eyebrow, "since we're apparently making speeches now, you wanna give us your best 'We can do this together, we're stronger as a team' speech? Maybe add in some old-timey war quotes? Or... no? Too much?"
Steve shot Clint a look that could probably stop a freight train in its tracks. "We don't need a speech, Clint. We need action."
"Ugh, fine," Clint grumbled, "ruin all the fun."
"Clint, let's be real," Harry said, grinning. "Your idea of action is probably just running around with a bow and making sarcastic comments. Not that I'm complaining, but I'm more of the 'punch first, ask questions later' type."
Clint threw up his hands. "Hey, I'm versatile," he said, deadpan. "I can do both: kill people and make witty comments. It's a talent."
Bruce cleared his throat. "Alright, jokes aside, what's the real plan? I'm not much of a 'punch first' kind of guy. But I'll do it if I have to."
"Don't worry, Bruce," Harry said, rolling his eyes. "We've all seen what happens when you 'don't punch first.' You turn into Hulk, and that's a whole different kind of problem."
Tony raised his hand like he was about to impart some great wisdom. "So, here's the real plan: We take the fight to Hydra before they can make a move. We hit them hard, hit them fast, and make sure they don't have time to—"
"—recuperate?" Natasha interjected, finishing Tony's sentence.
Tony snapped his fingers, grinning. "Exactly. See? We're all on the same page here."
"Yeah, yeah, that's cute," Harry said with a wicked grin. "But let's be real. I'm the one with the magic powers here. When it comes to blowing things up, I'll probably steal the show."
Tony's smirk shifted into something like respect. "Magic. I love it. You keep bringing that up like I'm supposed to be intimidated, but honestly, I'm just impressed."
Steve gave a short nod, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "We're in this together. No matter what happens, we face it as a team."
With that, the Avengers were ready. They had the Darkhold locked away. They had each other. And, most importantly, they had a plan that would make Hydra regret even thinking they could get the upper hand. This was their world, and anyone foolish enough to mess with it was about to get a front-row seat to the kind of reckoning only the Avengers could deliver.
And Harry? He was just glad he didn't have to do it alone. After all, as much as he liked blowing things up with his magic, there was something satisfying about knowing that, this time, he'd have backup—lots and lots of it.
—
Harry arrived at the Sanctum Sanctorum in London, feeling a little out of place. The building's ancient façade looked like something straight out of a spooky horror film. Seriously, if this place had a creepy laugh track, it would be complete. But hey, it wasn't like he had time for a haunted house tour. No, today he had business with the Ancient One. And considering his current life, "business" was one way of saying it. The Darkhold was on the table, and that thing made Voldemort look like a bunny rabbit.
He stepped inside, and the air felt different. Serene. Almost peaceful. It was like someone had wrapped the whole place in a mystical cocoon of chill. Harry couldn't help but let out a sigh. After the chaos he'd been through, this was practically a spa day.
The Ancient One, of course, was already waiting in the central chamber. Her calm demeanor was so... ancient—but also timelessly cool, like someone who had an answer for everything without even breaking a sweat.
"Ah, Harry," she greeted, her voice smooth and knowing. "What brings you to my neck of the mystical woods today?"
Harry didn't waste time. He had bigger things to tackle than small talk. "The Darkhold," he said flatly, knowing this conversation was going to be as uncomfortable as explaining why he wasn't wearing his uniform in a superhero meeting. "We got it away from HYDRA, but it's got... vibes. Dark ones. And frankly, it's scaring the hell out of me."
The Ancient One's smile dropped, and for a split second, the room felt about ten degrees colder. "Ah. The Darkhold. A very dangerous artifact. Its dark magic has corrupted many a soul in the past." She raised an eyebrow, eyeing him like he'd just brought her a half-eaten sandwich. "And what steps have you taken to keep it from doing the same to you?"
Harry puffed out his chest, feeling a weird sense of pride. "We've hidden it with a Fidelius Charm. Pepper Potts is the Secret Keeper. She's solid, and we're confident we can keep it under wraps." He paused. "But... I'm worried. This thing is evil. It's not like we're dealing with the Cruciatus Curse here."
The Ancient One nodded slowly, as if she was trying to decide whether Harry was talking about a magical artifact or a bad burrito. "The Fidelius Charm is... adequate," she said. "But it's not foolproof. The Darkhold's magic is insidious—it doesn't just attack directly. It seeps in, like water through cracks in a wall."
Harry winced. He didn't like the sound of that. "So, you're saying Pepper could—?"
"The Darkhold doesn't care about a person's strength," she interrupted, her gaze sharp. "It's about their mind. Their spirit. The more susceptible they are to darkness, the more likely they are to fall under its influence."
Harry was about to comment on how that sounded like an existential crisis waiting to happen, but instead, he just nodded. "Got it. So, we need more than just a good charm and a strong Secret Keeper. We need constant backup."
"Exactly," the Ancient One agreed. "Pepper must be surrounded by powerful protections—both magical and emotional. Ensure that everyone who knows about it remains steadfast and unyielding in their resolve."
"Understood," Harry said. "And, uh, I'll keep an eye on her. Just in case."
The Ancient One's expression softened, like she was holding back an eyebrow raise. "How did your date with Sersi go?"
Harry's face immediately turned the color of a traffic light. "It was... great," he said, desperately trying to seem casual, like he wasn't internally panicking about the fact that the Ancient One just brought up his love life in the middle of a conversation about magical doom. "She's... awesome. A great conversationalist. Very, um, illuminating. You know. Not that I'm implying anything. Just... enlightening."
The Ancient One gave him a look that made Harry feel like she was channeling all the wisdom of the universe just to give him that subtle look. "It's important to surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you," she said sagely. "I'm glad to hear you're finding such company."
"Yeah, well," Harry muttered, shuffling his feet. "She's... different. In the best way."
The Ancient One nodded knowingly. "Different people are often the ones who open new doors within us. But you're still not talking about your feelings, are you?"
Harry could only sigh in response. "If you're trying to get me to talk, Ancient One, you'll have to add 'mind reading' to your list of talents."
She gave him a small, amused smile. "I don't need to read your mind, Harry. It's written all over your face."
"Great. Now I'm an open book," Harry muttered, rubbing his forehead. "I'll... make sure Pepper's protected. Thanks for the advice, though. I'll need it."
"You always need it," the Ancient One said dryly, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "But that's what makes you interesting, Harry. Keep the world on its toes."
"Yeah, I'm basically a walking disaster with a good heart," he replied with a grin. "And hey, it seems to be working so far."
The Ancient One gave a soft chuckle, her expression almost fond. "Just remember, not everything can be solved with a charm or a clever plan. Sometimes, the greatest power lies within the ability to change and adapt."
With that, Harry gave her a small salute and turned to leave. The weight of the Darkhold still hung over him, but he felt a little better equipped to handle it. At least now he knew that his friends, particularly Pepper, would have a better shot at resisting the creeping darkness. He had his work cut out for him, but it felt like maybe—just maybe—he wasn't totally out of his depth.
As he left the Sanctum, the cool evening air hit his face, and for the first time in what felt like ages, Harry couldn't help but smile. Life wasn't perfect, but it was interesting. And honestly, he wouldn't have it any other way.
—
Harry's heart was doing somersaults as he made his way through the streets, heading towards his date with Sersi. Normally, he'd be calm and collected like a wizard who had already beaten the Dark Lord, but today? Today, his nerves were more on edge than a Seeker in a Quidditch final. His thoughts kept bouncing between, Am I really doing this? and I hope I don't trip on the way there, which, honestly, wasn't the best internal monologue to have when preparing to meet a literal immortal.
The Sanctum was quiet, but the energy in the air was electric. Every time Sersi's name popped into his head, it felt like someone had just set off fireworks inside his chest. He knew she was beautiful—everyone did—but there was something about her that made Harry feel like he was seeing the world for the first time.
When he stepped into the cafe and spotted her sitting at a table, looking like she'd just walked off the set of some blockbuster movie, his heart did a weird little tap-dance in his chest. She smiled when she saw him, that knowing, amused smile that made Harry's knees feel a bit weak, like someone had replaced his legs with wet noodles.
"Hey there, Potter," she greeted, her voice like liquid gold, smooth and warm, with just a hint of something mischievous. It was the kind of voice that made him feel like he could do anything—like maybe he could solve world peace just by looking at her.
"Hi," Harry said, trying to sound cool, but it came out more like he'd just choked on a lemon. Smooth, mate, he thought, Real smooth.
Sersi arched an eyebrow, clearly amused by his awkwardness. "So, what's the plan, Mr. Potter? A quiet chat? Or are you trying to sweep me off my feet already?"
Harry couldn't help but grin. "Well, I was planning on a casual dinner, but I could be convinced to skip the formalities if you're up for it."
Sersi laughed, low and sultry, the kind of laugh that made Harry think maybe he'd just walked into a scene from an action movie and was about to get wrapped up in something way more intense than he'd signed up for. "Oh, you're bold. I like that."
Before Harry could say anything else (probably something very clever and totally not nervous), he did what any brave, courageous, and totally-not-awkward Gryffindor would do. He kissed her.
It wasn't planned, not in the slightest. It was more like the universe decided to press play on a romance movie where Harry was the reluctant hero. But the moment his lips met hers, everything else seemed to disappear. The sounds of the cafe faded into nothingness, and all that was left was the electric connection between them, sending jolts of warmth through his whole body.
Sersi was, well, exactly what you'd expect from someone who's been alive longer than most ancient civilizations: she was cool. Not the "too chill to care" cool, but the "I've seen the rise and fall of empires and still haven't let the nonsense get to me" cool. For a second, Harry thought maybe he'd just made an embarrassing fool of himself. But then, much to his relief (and unspoken pride), Sersi leaned in closer, matching his intensity, her fingers lightly brushing his neck as she deepened the kiss.
It was like someone had just turned the volume up on every sensation—his pulse, the air, the ground beneath his feet—and for a moment, Harry forgot all about being the guy who could level mountains with his fists or cast spells that would make Dumbledore proud. All he could think about was the fact that this was happening.
When they finally pulled away, Harry's breath was a little ragged, and his mind was doing somersaults. Did I just kiss an immortal being? The answer was yes, yes he did.
Sersi gave him a look—half surprise, half amusement—that made him feel like she'd just caught him stealing the crown jewels. "Well, that was unexpected," she said, voice thick with something that definitely wasn't just surprise.
"Sorry," Harry stammered, hoping he didn't look as ridiculous as he felt. "I just— I mean, I didn't—"
Sersi cut him off, her fingers gently brushing his jaw, sending a chill down his spine. "Don't apologize. I've been waiting for that for ages." She smiled again, and Harry swore he saw the world tilt a little to the side.
"I—what?" Harry managed to say, his brain clearly short-circuiting from the whole kiss-and-surprise confession combo.
"You really think I didn't notice?" she teased, stepping closer. "The way you look at me, Potter. How your eyes linger just a second too long."
He couldn't help but laugh, though it was a little shaky. "You've been watching me, huh?"
Sersi smiled wickedly. "What's life without a little observation? Besides, you are quite entertaining."
Harry chuckled. "Glad I could provide some entertainment."
She leaned in, her breath warm against his ear, and Harry's pulse shot up a few more notches. "So, about continuing this in a more private setting…" she said, her voice dropping lower, like a whispered dare.
Harry grinned, his confidence surging back. "Lead the way," he said, feeling suddenly like he'd just won a championship, but maybe with a slightly more complicated trophy than he was used to.
As they left the cafe, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. And, for once, he wasn't afraid of what came next. He had a feeling that Sersi was going to make sure he didn't forget any of this.
—
As Harry walked beside Sersi toward her apartment, he felt like a teenager on his first date, except with a few extra perks—like being an immortal sorcerer with a thing for strong, mysterious women. Every glance Sersi shot his way made his stomach flip. Every laugh that escaped her lips felt like he'd just won a battle he hadn't realized was happening.
She was talking to him, but Harry's brain was too busy trying to process the magic in the air to actually listen. His thoughts kept going back to that kiss at the cafe, the one where it felt like they had both broken every rule, like the universe itself had given them a one-time pass to do something wild.
"So," Sersi said, pulling him from his thoughts, her voice teasing, "I've got to admit, I wasn't expecting that little stunt back there."
Harry grinned, deciding to embrace his inner badass. "Well, I like to keep people on their toes." He gave her a sidelong glance. "You've got a lot to live up to with the whole 'immortal sorceress' thing. Figured I'd surprise you."
Sersi's eyes sparkled, her lips curling into a playful smirk. "Oh, trust me, Harry. You've definitely surprised me." She leaned in just enough to make his heart race. "But I'll be the judge of who's keeping who on their toes."
If that wasn't a challenge, Harry didn't know what was.
When they finally reached her apartment, Harry had to admit he was a little impressed. The place had a kind of quiet luxury about it, not flashy but definitely expensive. The lighting was soft, warm, the kind of glow that made everything feel more intimate. And as they stepped inside, the air felt charged, like the room had been waiting for them to enter. It was a shift, a change from playful teasing to something more, something deeper.
Sersi didn't waste any time. She was efficient. One second, she was standing in front of him, and the next, she was untying his tie with the ease of someone who'd done it a thousand times before. Harry's breath hitched as the cool air of the apartment brushed over his exposed neck, but he wasn't sure if it was the temperature or her touch that made him shiver.
"Do you always wear ties for casual meetups, or is this a special occasion?" she teased, her voice low, full of intrigue.
"Maybe I just wanted an excuse to see how good you are with your hands," Harry shot back, raising an eyebrow, his grin wide and unrepentant.
Sersi didn't miss a beat. "I'm exceptionally good with my hands, Potter," she replied, her voice silky, her fingers pausing just above his collarbone before continuing their descent down the tie. "But you'll find that out soon enough."
Harry's heart skipped, his pulse beating in time with the energy crackling between them. "Can't wait." His voice was quieter now, the usual swagger replaced by something more genuine, more real. Because, truth be told, he did want to find out what it would be like to be with someone like Sersi.
The tie came off in a smooth motion, and Harry could feel his heart beat faster with each step that took them closer to something more than just playful banter. It was like they were both on the edge of a cliff, neither wanting to look down but both itching to take the leap.
She reached for the buttons on his shirt then, the touch lingering on his skin just long enough to make his breath catch. "I like the confidence," she murmured, her voice rich with satisfaction. "But you should know, Harry, I've been around for a long time. Confidence doesn't always win the day."
Harry chuckled, feeling the familiar thrill of being challenged. "Funny you should say that. I've been known to make things interesting."
Sersi's smile deepened, and she took a step closer, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered, "Then let's make this interesting."
The room seemed to pulse around them as they continued to shed their barriers—clothes, distance, hesitations—all falling away until all that was left was them, wrapped up in the space they'd created between each other. Harry had to admit, she was right. There was something exhilarating about the way they fit together, like they'd both been built for moments just like this.
"Don't think you're getting off that easy, Potter," Sersi whispered, her voice low and teasing as her hands slid around his waist. "There's more to me than you're probably ready for."
Harry's grin was devil-may-care, as always. "Good. I'm not looking for easy. Never have been." He pulled her closer, the chemistry between them crackling like a spell waiting to be cast.
As their lips met again, this time it wasn't about surprise or playful banter. It was deeper, more urgent—real. Their kiss was slow but intense, like a story unfolding between them. Every touch, every press of their bodies was a word in that story, a line in a poem they were writing together.
For once, it wasn't about magic or saving the world—it was about something much simpler, yet far more complex. And Harry, in that moment, was more than happy to leave the rest of the world behind. Because right now, Sersi was his universe. And if he could, he'd probably never let her go.
—
Harry woke up to the kind of morning that felt like the universe had hit the "pause" button. The sun was filtering in through the curtains in Sersi's apartment, casting everything in a warm, golden glow. For a second, he considered just staying in bed all day—because, hey, if the universe decided to be nice for once, who was he to argue?
Then, he turned his head, and—oh yeah—Sersi. She was lying next to him, still asleep, her hair a wild halo of soft waves around her. It was one of those rare moments where the chaos of everything felt miles away. He was supposed to be saving the world or stopping evil organizations, but for now, he'd settle for savoring this rare pocket of peace.
She stirred, blinking sleepily before her gaze locked onto his. Harry grinned. Even half-asleep, she was a whole mood.
"Morning, Harry," she murmured, her voice sounding like honey mixed with a dash of morning sunlight. Honestly, how did she make morning sound like an invitation?
"Morning," he replied, his voice still a little hoarse, like he had spent the night fighting off bad guys—and in a way, he kind of had. But right now, it was more about not being able to stop thinking about how good last night had been. "Last night was… well, unforgettable."
Sersi smiled, but there was a knowing edge to it, like she was already about ten steps ahead of him. "It was," she said, stretching lazily, pulling the covers up to her chin like a queen surveying her kingdom. "But we've got bigger fish to fry. The Darkhold isn't our only worry."
He raised an eyebrow at that. Wasn't it always the case that, just when you thought you had a night of peaceful, no-strings-attached fun, you were reminded that the world was on the verge of ending? "Yeah, I was kinda thinking the same thing," he said, his voice turning more serious. "What's the plan for the Eternals? Any chance they'd help us take down HYDRA and their dark magic obsession?"
Sersi sighed, her face taking on that faraway look as she thought about her immortal buddies. Harry could practically hear the gears turning in her head—because, let's face it, Sersi didn't do anything without overthinking it first. "It's possible. Ikaris could give us strength and flight, Phastos can work his tech magic, and Druig's... well, mind control could be pretty handy if we want to put the squeeze on HYDRA's lackeys."
"Druig's mind control?" Harry's smirk was lethal. "I mean, if that doesn't make HYDRA sweat, I don't know what will."
"Yeah, well, it's not exactly a fun time. The Eternals have their own agenda," Sersi said, her gaze darkening a little. "Getting them to care about a human problem—especially one as messy as HYDRA—isn't going to be easy. They've got rules. Boundaries."
Harry's lips twitched. "Yeah, boundaries. I get that. But, uh, last I checked, the whole world was at stake. Maybe it's time they bent a little. Besides," he said with a mischievous grin, "it's not like I'm asking them to join a yoga class."
Sersi rolled her eyes, but there was affection behind it. "If only it were that simple, Harry. But I'll reach out to them. If anyone can convince them, it's me."
Harry reached for her hand, the casual moment stretching out between them. Her fingers felt warm against his skin, and for a second, he didn't want to think about anything beyond the fact that Sersi was here. Right now, they had this. The world could wait a little longer.
"I'm not saying this because I'm totally incapable of doing anything on my own," Harry began, his voice light, "but I'm really glad I've got you on this."
Sersi gave him a knowing look, as if she was already aware of how much her presence calmed him. "Of course you are. I'm the best thing that's ever happened to you, Potter."
"Oh, I know," he shot back, his grin widening into a smirk that could've melted stone. "You've got that whole 'saving the world' vibe down pat. Seriously though, thanks, Sersi."
She squeezed his hand, her smile both soft and teasing. "Anytime. But we've got a war to fight, so you'd better make sure you're still up for this." Her eyes twinkled, and Harry could practically hear the challenge in her tone.
"I've been up for worse," he replied smoothly, feeling the playful tension spark between them again. "But no one's going to out-badass me when I've got you by my side."
Sersi chuckled, leaning in just close enough for Harry to feel the warmth of her breath. "Good. Because I think we're going to need all the badass we can get."
And that was all the motivation Harry needed. He wasn't sure what came next—whether it was fighting HYDRA, convincing the Eternals, or somehow managing to keep his heart from exploding out of his chest from the magnetic pull between him and Sersi—but for the first time in a long time, he felt ready for it. Ready to take on whatever came next, as long as she was by his side.
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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!