Chapter 12

Location: Hotel – A Private Sitting Room, Later That Evening

The atmosphere had shifted. The light-hearted picnic in the park earlier felt like a distant memory. Now, in the dimly lit private room Tony had cleared out for privacy, Harry sat on a cushioned chair, his hands clutching a warm cup of tea that Rohedy gave him.

Across from him sat Amelia Bones, her demeanor calm and open, with Kingsley and Moody standing nearby. Tony and Rhodey lingered behind them, silent but alert. Everyone knew not to rush the boy.

Tony would kick everyone expect Rohedy out if they make him uncomfortable.

Amelia finally broke the silence, her voice low but filled with quiet strength. "Harry," she began gently, "You don't have to tell us everything. Not if you're uncomfortable. But... the more we know, the better we can protect you. We need to make sure you're never sent back there."

Harry stared into his tea. His eyes were tired—older than they should be for a twelve-year-old soon to be.

He didn't speak for a long moment.

Then, in a quiet, wavering voice:

"They always said I was a freak. That I was lucky they took me in."

The words seemed to pour out after that, like a dam cracking.

"I slept in the cupboard under the stairs until my Hogwarts letter came. They only gave me Dudley's old clothes. I—I wasn't allowed to ask questions. Or speak back. My uncle… he hit me a few times. Usually when he'd been drinking. Aunt Petunia... hit me if I ever make a mistake, They usually find any sort of smallest things to make me suffer... Dudley, my cousin... He beats me all the time, get me in trouble, told the neighbour children If anyone befriends me, they will be hurt. Even my Uncle and Aunt spread words that I am mental... Pick up fights and bad boy..."

Tony's hands clenched at his sides, but he stayed quiet.

"They locked Hedwig in her cage when I got back. Said no letters in or out. My friends probably think I'm ignoring them. I'm only allowed outside if I finish all the chores. I mop, clean, cook... and they eat in front of me. Sometimes I get bread. Or scraps."

He looked up, eyes bright and wet. "But I don't care what they did. Just… please. Don't make me go back."

Amelia didn't move. But her expression hardened, her jaw tense.

"You won't," she said firmly.

Harry blinked at her. "You promise?"

"On my life and magic," Amelia said. "They'll never touch you again."

Moody muttered a curse under his breath and paced like a restless storm. Kingsley's expression was unreadable, but his hand flexed near his wand. If they should had throw hexes before handing those pigs over to police.

Tony finally stepped forward, kneeling beside the boy.

"Kid," he said, trying to keep his voice light, "You're not going back. We've got you now. And let me tell you… nobody messes with a Stark."

Harry gave him a small, uncertain smile—like someone who'd never had anyone fight for him before and didn't quite believe it yet.

But he wanted to.

And that was enough to spark something new in everyone present:

Resolve.

Later That Night, Harry had gone to rest in a separate room—Tony made sure he had a full meal, fresh clothes, and a proper bed, with Happy standing guard like a silent sentinel outside the door.

In the sitting room, the discussion continued.

Amelia Bones, seated with a heavy folder in front of her, looked from Tony to Rhodey, then to Moody and Kingsley, both of whom had stayed behind after Harry's statement.

"Now comes the hard part," Amelia said, adjusting her monocle. "Ensuring Harry is protected legally and magically—permanently."

Tony leaned forward. "I want custody."

Kingsley blinked. "You?"

Moody snorted. "No offense, Stark, but are you even a wizard?"

Tony raised an eyebrow. "Wizard or not, I have the resources to give that kid everything he needs. And I'm not letting him go back to people who starve him and lock up his owl."

Amelia held up a hand. "Easy, gentlemen. There's more to this than you know."

She reached into the folder and pulled out the document—the Potter Will, as verified by Gringotts.

"Harry isn't just some orphan Stark took pity on," she said quietly. "He's family. Half-brother."

The room went dead silent.

Moody's magical eye stopped spinning. "What?!"

Kingsley's brows shot up. "That's not possible. James Potter only had one child."

"That's what we all believed," Amelia said. "But according to the Gringotts files and this will… Howard Stark, Tony's father, helped James and Lily Potter conceive through magical means. A ritualized blood donation—Potter blood mingled with Stark's. The agreement was sealed magically. In return, Howard requested to have no contact with the child, by James' insistence."

Moody growled. "That's dark magic. Old magic."

"Not necessarily dark, but definitely ancient," Amelia admitted. "Harry was adopted by blood—formally. That's why he looks like James Potter. But he is Tony's half-brother. The goblins confirmed it with a blood test."

Tony folded his arms. "I didn't believe it either. But the results were clear. The kid's mine—as much as anyone could be."

Kingsley let out a long breath, running a hand over his bald head. "So you're saying the Boy-Who-Lived is heir to both the Potter and Stark lines?"

Amelia nodded. "Exactly. Which is why we have to proceed carefully. If this gets out too fast—especially in the magical world—it could explode. Dumbledore, the Ministry, even the press. And Harry's safety could be compromised again."

Moody looked troubled. "And Dumbledore was the one who placed him with those Muggles?"

"Yes," Amelia confirmed coldly. "Against the Will. He never submitted it to Gringotts, likely because it would've put Sirius Black or Remus Lupin in charge of Harry—not him."

"Black?" Kingsley said, narrowing his eyes. "But—"

"He's innocent," Tony interrupted. "That came out at the bank too."

Moody swore again, louder this time. "Everything's been twisted. Merlin's bones…" Then looks at Kingsley. "Did you forgot the short version Bones gave us??"

Rhodey finally spoke. "So, what's the plan? How do we make sure Harry stays protected and this doesn't blow up in everyone's faces?"

Amelia straightened. "We file for magical custody under Tony Stark's name, backed by blood relation and the Potter Will. I'll push it through the Wizengamot myself. Then we begin a quiet investigation into Dumbledore's actions. Discreetly. For now… Harry stays hidden, under Tony's protection. If he doesn't get magically then I be damn sure he gets Muggle custody"

"And if Dumbledore comes poking around?" Tony asked.

Moody chuckled darkly. "Let him try"