Chapter 18

Tony's brows furrowed in confusion as he struggled to process the information. "A seer?! Are you saying that my mother is a witch like you?"

As if responding to Tony's thoughts, Maria gracefully waved the wand, conjuring a shimmering silver light that danced around her before vanishing into thin air. Within moments, an elderly woman apparated into the room, causing Jamie's eyes to widen in recognition.

It was none other than Seraphina Picquery herself, a prominent figure in the annals of modern wizarding history— the former President of the Magical Congress of the United States of America. Though time had taken its toll on her appearance, she still carried an air of wisdom and power.

"Maria, have you figured it out?" Seraphina's sudden words jolted Maria, causing her to spin around, her wand pointing towards the source of the sound. Realizing who it was, she lowered her wand, a mixture of relief visible on her face.

"Rappaport's Law has been repealed, Aunt Seraphina," Maria explained, her voice filled with a mix of exhaustion and hope. "My family and I are safe. I don't believe it was a mistake."

Curiosity flickered in Tony's eyes as he heard the unfamiliar term. "What is this Rappaport's Law they are talking about?"

Sensing the growing tension between the two older women, Jamie placed a hand on Tony's arm, urging him to be patient. In a hushed voice, she replied, "Hold your questions for now, Tony. Let's watch and listen. I have a feeling this is going to be important."

Seraphina, moving with deliberate steps, approached the edge of the sofa and took a seat. "You know, Maria, you've been out of touch with your family for nearly five years, all because of your marriage to that No-Maj."

Maria, seemingly unfazed by Seraphina's remark, walked over to a nearby cabinet, retrieved two wine glasses and a bottle of red wine. However, Seraphina's anger flared up, and she snapped, "Look at you! Must you now pour the wine yourself? You're behaving as if you're a No-Maj."

In response, Maria waved her wand with force, causing the cork of the wine bottle to pop open, hovering in the air. She skillfully poured the wine into the glasses, which then floated into Seraphina's waiting hand. "Apologies, I just..." Maria's voice trailed off as she paused, finally deciding to take a sip from her own glass of wine.

Seraphina's gaze bore into Maria's eyes, her voice laced with urgency. "Tell me, what did you see? As the only seer in the United States for the past thirty years, you wouldn't have reached out if you hadn't foreseen something of great consequence."

Maria wandered aimlessly around the room, her mind clouded with confusion. Finally, she drained the remaining wine from her glass and mustered the courage to speak, "I want to sever the ties between my son and the magical world completely."

Seraphina shot up from her seat, her face a mix of shock and disbelief. "Say that again!"

The scene suddenly blurred before Tony's eyes, prompting him to step forward in an attempt to see better. In the blink of an eye, the surroundings changed. Now they were in what appeared to be a baby's room. Model airplanes and flying stuffed animals hung from the ceiling around the room, and in the center stood a crib with a sleeping baby. Tony's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the room as his own baby's nursery.

Little Tony was lying peacefully in the crib, his small frame rising and falling with each breath. Maria and Seraphina stood silently beside him, their expressions filled with concern and determination. Seraphina looked at the sleeping Tony, her voice filled with uncertainty as she asked once again, "Are you really sure?"

Tears welled up in Maria's eyes as she nodded, her voice choked with emotion. "We have no choice. Until Tony is thirty years old, he cannot enter the magical world. Forgive me, my son."

Seraphina sighed heavily, understanding the weight of the decision they were about to make. She retrieved her wand, holding it carefully above the crib. Maria, trembling with a mix of fear and resolve, bent down and kissed Tony's forehead before standing upright and retrieving her own wand. The two women crossed their wands, their hands trembling but resolute.

In unison, they began to chant a spell, their words resonating in the room. As their voices rose, the chamber filled with a soft, ethereal light. Little Tony stirred awake, his innocent eyes widening in confusion and fear as he started to cry. Undeterred, Maria and Seraphina continued their incantation, their determination unwavering. The radiant light gradually coalesced into a shimmering chain that wrapped around Little Tony's tiny body, and then, in a moment, it vanished, leaving no trace.

Maria dropped her wand and reached down to pick up her sobbing child, cradling him gently in her arms. She glanced at Seraphina, gratitude and sadness mingling in her eyes. "Thank you, Auntie," she whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of relief and sorrow.

Seraphina gave a solemn nod. "I must return and make the necessary arrangements. If your visions are true, the Congress will ensure Tony's safety. You have my word." With that, she turned and teleported away, leaving Maria alone in the room with her thoughts.

Maria's gaze shifted to the spot where Tony had been standing, her heart heavy with the weight of her decision. "Forgive me, Tony," she murmured softly, her voice filled with a mix of guilt and love. "I had no choice. I know you will eventually learn the truth, but promise me, my dear child, that you will never venture into the magical world until you're older."

Lost in his thoughts, Tony took a couple of dazed steps forward, his mind reeling with questions. Had Maria seen him? The scene before him blurred once again, and the setting shifted to a room that felt oddly familiar. Howard, his father, was fiddling with a camera, and a grand model of a stadium stood behind him.

"Ah, perfect! Honey, come and take a look!" Howard called out excitedly.

Maria walked into the room, carrying a three-year-old Tony in her arms. Her voice was filled with anticipation as she inquired, "Is it ready? Have you thought of something to leave Tony?"

Howard playfully feigned seriousness, his eyes twinkling as he teased his young son. "Of course! This is my boy we're talking about!"

Tony watched, captivated, as Howard positioned himself in front of the camera and began recording. He saw his younger self mischievously causing a commotion and playfully snatching objects from the model. He witnessed his father, Howard Stark, looking directly into the camera after Maria chased after Tony, saying, "My proudest creation is you, Tony."

Once again, the scene shifted, and Tony found himself looking at a different setting, his voice filled with disbelief and denial. "No, no, this can't be happening."

He observed his younger self lounging on the sofa, engaged in an argument with Maria and Howard, who were preparing to leave. In a moment hidden from his view, Tony noticed Maria and Howard embracing each other, casting a reluctant glance in his direction before stepping out of the house. He followed, accompanied by Jamie, and witnessed his parents walking out of the manor. At the gate, Maria retrieved a silver basswood wand from her sleeve.

"Is it tonight?" Howard asked, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at the wand.

Maria smiled back, tears shimmering in her eyes. "Yes, tonight. I'm sorry, honey."

Howard gently wiped away her tears with a tender gesture. "Don't apologize. This is the path we must take, isn't it?" Their eyes met, and they shared a bittersweet smile. Maria raised her hand, using the wand to extract a memory, which she then placed into a silver necklace.

"Jarvis!" Howard's voice broke the silence, and an elderly man dressed in a distinguished tuxedo, named Jarvis, approached from behind. "Please return this to the safe."

Jarvis nodded, his countenance serious as he received the necklace. "Safe travels, sir, madam," he said, his words carrying a sense of reverence and well-wishes.

Once again, the scene dissolved, and Tony found himself back in Jamie's living room. His mind was a whirlwind of questions, and he instinctively gripped Jamie's arm tightly, his urgency evident in his voice as he began bombarding her with questions. "What was all that? What does Rappaport's Law mean? And those chains... who was that woman? Is she my mother's relative? Seems like you know her!"

Jamie met Tony's gaze, her eyes filled with empathy. She knew it was time to provide him with answers.

. . .

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