Chapter Thirty-Five

Harry had asked all the Avengers with their loved ones, Fury, Coulson and Maria Hill to join them for the evening. He had called it a year-end function of sorts. It was a couple of months after the one-year anniversary of Harry having come to this reality and he thought it was a good way to get everyone together.

Fury had actually shown up, by means of the Avengers' House Portkey, along with Coulson, Hill, Steve and Clint and his family. The kids were really excited to come, as they had been promised that Harry would show them some of the magical creatures sometime. Fortunately the event fell on a Saturday. Harry would only need to go back and get to work on Monday.

Harry smiled as he looked over everybody from his place behind the bar. Fury was in discussion with Erik about possibly working together again in the future, while he kept an eye on Loki and asking Erik how he had been handling Loki's presence. Erik was happy to report about their initial meeting and Fury actually smiled. He even looked slightly envious. He wouldn't try anything in front of Odin, though Harry had had to promise that Loki wouldn't leave the island.

Clint was showing Puppy, who was bathing again, to his children. From a distance of course, with Laura keeping a strict eye on them while she was talking to Natasha. Natasha had no idea what Harry had called them all together for, but had a suspicion it wasn't just for a get together.

Logan, Steve, Bruce, Sif and Thor were discussing the creatures while making plans for possible future excursions to more dangerous locations. Sif and Thor were quite looking forward to a bit of action and Harry was considering sending them into the ocean for underwater creatures.

Logan was just happy to not have to lead those missions, when Steve was around. Their friendship had become a strong one, once Logan remembered all of their shared past. His memories had started coming back on their own and Logan no longer needed to use the Pensieve to recall them. Bruce thought he'd have all his memories back in the next couple of months. He and Steve were often seen discussing what he had remembered most recently.

As for Bruce, he was happily speaking for Hulk, when the big guy had something to say. He was just happy to be included in the planning process as the creatures they brought back would help him to make more potions.

Jane and Darcy were also around. Speaking to the guests. Jane looked slightly uncomfortable, while Darcy was enjoying meeting the Avengers and their friends. She was slightly upset that she couldn't tell anyone, but resolved to enjoy it anyway.

Coulson was discussing something with Pepper, while Tony hovered, since they seemed to be on friendly terms. Apparently Tony was trying to irritate Phil, but he just smiled that patient smile of his, as always. Pepper would smile warmly when Tony got frustrated by that and just continue her conversation. Apparently Phil had not had the chance to see his girlfriend too much after he started working with his team, even with the portkey Harry had provided.

Odin, Frigga and Loki had decided to stay with Harry at the bar. "Come now, Harry. You and I both know a setup when we see one. What do you have planned?" Loki asked.

"It's a surprise. Telling anyone would spoil it." Harry said.

"Very well, but you'll remember that we are on a truce for the duration of this evening only." Loki said.

"Not a problem." Harry said distractedly, looking over at Natasha, before looking at Frigga. Frigga must have sensed something, because Harry could see surprise and excitement, before she quickly hid it. He nodded at her unasked question and turned back to the guests.

Everyone had enjoyed the pre-meal snacks and drinks, which Harry had ordered from a catering company. He had had them explain how everything was to be served and made some trays that floated around so that everybody had a chance to sample everything. People were in smart casual clothing and were expecting some sort of speech from Harry. So when the time came, he started floating in the tables and chairs.

People started taking seats wherever they felt comfortable and Harry got Natasha's attention, once everyone was seated and had their drinks. She came up to him as he walked to the place he had decided would be the front, right beside the pool, so that he was slightly illuminated by the glowing water behind himself.

When he and Natasha were standing in front of everyone, Harry lifted a hand and a platform appeared underneath them and lifted them up a couple of feet, so everyone could see. "Good evening, my friends." Harry started. "I'm very happy you could all be here tonight. First off, let's start with how things will work from here on in. If you look in front of you, you will find a menu with some dishes that you can choose from. All you need to do to receive your meal is pick it up and say what you want from the menu.

"But before all that starts, I'd like to quickly just thank a couple of people, who has made this last year one of the better ones of my life." he said. He looked over at Phil and lifted his glass, "To Phil Coulson. I am very grateful that you were the first person I met. Without your friendship and support, I doubt I'd have been able to do as much as I have or be the person I am now."

The people gathered toasted and Phil stood up. "You're the one that offered me the opportunity. I am lucky to call you a friend." he said modestly. "You chose to trust me when you had no reason to believe in me and the people I represented."

There were some nods and Harry continued, "You earned that trust anyway." Then Harry turned to Fury, "Thank you director Fury, for giving me the chance. I doubt you know how much I appreciate everything you did for me as well."

Harry then turned to Bruce and Tony, who were sitting at the same table. "I must also thank Bruce and Tony, for their support and friendship, from the moment they met me. Bruce has always been supportive of me and I appreciate his efforts in the field of potions. Without those efforts, our future would be a much darker place. Tony, you've quickly become one of my best friends. Thank you for not killing yourself and Pepper, while you did your research into Runes. Both of you have astounded me with what you have achieved in such a short amount of time." He raised his glass again in toast and the guests followed suit.

"Don't sell yourself short, Harry. You may not know as much as we do now, but you started us out on these roads. Without you, we'd not have the security we do now. The possibilities you have opened for us, changed our lives as well." Bruce spoke up. Then, "Hulk agrees. And let's not forget; without you, I'd probably still be fighting him daily." There was another toast to that.

Harry thanked Bruce and continued, "To the rest of the team and my friends. Thank you for making me feel welcome and deciding to be part of my life. Each of you have made it a joy to wake up in the morning. Whether it's a walk on the beach, to infiltrating enemy territory. You've always had my back and I hope to always call you friends.

"To my new family. King Odin, Queen Frigga, Thor and even Loki. Thank you for welcoming me into your lives. It has been a genuine pleasure getting to know each of you." Harry then paused, "Well maybe not so much Loki…" he said with a smile. Thankfully some people laughed. "But seriously, I've not felt as welcomed as I have been in Asgard in years. Maybe it's the fact that every time I show up, you guys decide to throw a party." Harry smiled at them.

Odin stood up, "Do not feel too honoured. We enjoy a feast as much as anyone and make use of any excuse to be merry. Maybe even more now that we've got the drink you supply." He said with a smile.

People laughed and cheered, considering most of them were drinking butterbeer and firewhiskey, they understood the sentiment.

Harry smiled as well, and continued, "I have been working to ensure peoples safety and health wherever I can. Bruce and Tony have been helping me extend that help to far more places than I thought possible. I was even able to help Asgard protect their people and a couple of the other realms. I've been doing as much as I can and support for me has sprung up every step along the way. For that, I thank all of you." Harry said sincerely.

"But, I must thank someone else, who has stood by me for a while, as well." Harry said as he turned to Natasha. "Natasha, when we met, I knew there was something special about you. Never mind that you gave me the wrong name and acted like a dainty flower." People chuckled, knowing she was anything but. "Over the last couple of months, you've stood by me and taken care of me, even when I didn't know I needed taking care of."

Harry looked her straight in the eye. "You have opened up to me and showed me that my first instinct was right. You are a wonderful person, even when you don't see it yourself. You have worked your way into my heart and I can honestly say I love you more than I thought possible."

Harry's hand waved and some soft music started playing. He conjured some fairies to float through the air around them as the lights dimmed ever so slightly and lit candles appeared on every table.

He took her hands in his, "Thank you, Natasha Romanoff, for giving me a glimmer of hope, that all the pain I've gone through so far in my life, might have had a purpose, despite the mistakes I've made." he said.

Then he went down on one knee. The moment he did that, there were some squeals of delight from some of the ladies in attendance (Frigga and Pepper, mostly), but neither Harry nor Natasha noticed as Harry's eyes seemed locked to hers as much as hers was to his. "And that's why I've decided to ask you, Natasha Romanoff, would you do me the great honour of becoming my wife?" he asked nervously. He flicked a finger, while he still held her hands and the box in his pocket flew out and opened in front of her, so that she could see the ring.

It was stylish and looked delicate with all the details making it look like a bouquet of flowers. A gold band with small rubies, sapphires and emeralds arranged around a slightly larger diamond in the middle. The one his mother had been given. Apparently it had been in the family for generations. It was not enchanted when he found it, as apparently every Potter man was expected to add their own enchantments for it.

There was utter silence as everybody strained their ears to hear how she would answer. Harry's heart felt like it could give out at any moment, so hard was it beating. He did not know if she was ready for it, but once she had seen some of his worst, and still accepted him, he knew he was.

Natasha looked at him for a moment. She could not believe it. This was what he had been keeping secret! She knew she loved him, more so than she could believe her heart capable of. The only question that mattered to her though, was if she saw herself by his side for the rest of her life. When she thought of that, she smiled, knowing there could only be one answer to that question. "Yes, I will marry you." she said softly, her decision only having shown for a split second in her eyes beforehand.

Her answer was meant only for him, but that did not stop everyone from hearing anyway. Harry's answering smile, as the ring lifted from the box and hovered in front of her, was so radiant, it made her feel guilty for the extra second she had taken to answer, before she too smiled equally happily. Harry let go of her hand to grasp the ring and slipped it onto the offered finger.

The moment the ring was on her finger, Harry got up and kissed her as hard as he thought appropriate in front of the children in attendance. The guests applauded as loud as they could. His family were the first to reach him just as he let her out of his embrace. He was soon grabbed by his family for hugs of congratulations.

As Frigga approached her, Natasha's eyes showed only shock, while she looked at her hand. "Is everything alright, my dear?" she asked worriedly.

"I… don't know." Natasha said in confusion. "The ring is doing something. I feel like it's trying to connect with me."

Frigga just smiled at her, "Do not worry. Knowing Harry, it's probably something special just for you." Then she embraced the girl. "You will be the most envied woman in any world, for the heart you have stolen and I welcome you to the family. Our Harry could not have made a wiser decision or made me happier."

Natasha smiled back. She had not even considered it, yet. She had been an orphan all her life. The idea of now being welcomed into a family touched her deeply. Being accepted by this woman into her family was one of the most wonderful feelings she could have imagined. Tears were soon welling up in her eyes as the pure joy filled her heart. She could not remember ever being so happy. She had lost so much in her life, that the idea of being so loved was something she had never expected. "Thank you." is all she managed to say.

She was soon embraced by all the guests and given congratulations while Harry was experiencing much the same treatment. All the women wanted to see the ring and mentioned how beautiful it was. "It is a family heirloom. Harry once mentioned it. It was his mothers." Natasha said with a soft smile.

"Then his family had good taste." Darcy said. "You're a lucky girl." She then turned to Frigga, "Did you know that Harry is considered the most eligible bachelor in the world?"

"I did not, but it is not unexpected." Frigga said fondly. "Many of the ladies of Asgard will be quite upset when they hear of his proposal. It was very beautifully done. Many were saddened to hear that he already had a paramour."

"Yes, these fairies were a nice touch." Pepper said as she looked around them, where the fairies still hovered around Natasha, tinkling like little bells.

Harry, in the meanwhile, was being slapped on the back and toasted by the men. Logan handed out cigars and lit one for himself. "If this isn't the occasion for a cigar, I don't know what is." he said.

"Considering your healing factor, you probably don't even have to worry about cancer either." Harry chuckled. "I know of a couple of spells for smokers, if you're interested? I think they were designed for pipes, though." he offered.

"Nah. I only smoke on occasion. The animals don't like it." Logan explained.

"What kind of spells?" Tony asked, interestedly, puffing on his own cigar.

"Oh, things like flavour enhancement, extending its life, making it so you don't need to worry about the ash or the odour it leaves in a room. Things like that." Harry supplied.

"The ash and the odour is part of the experience, though." Tony said.

"So, you're the youngest and already engaged." Loki spoke up. "You do realise that's going to make mother unbearable from now on, right?"

"She's hardly going to give me a hard time about it." Harry said easily.

"Harry is right, of course. The only people who will suffer are you and your brother." Odin spoke up with a smile. He was looking at his own cigar, wondering if he'd like to try it. Not wanting to give offense, he put it in his mouth and lit it like he had seen the others do. "Of course, if you don't start looking soon, they will probably have children by the time you found your own companions. Imagine your mother's reaction when that happens." he said. He liked the taste of this cigar, it was much the same as the pipe. Maybe Harry could get them some of these as well.

"You will just have to wait before making me an uncle, then." Thor smiled at him.

"Is this what I have to look forward to?" Harry asked. "Now that we're engaged, you're going to expect us to start producing children once we're married?"

"You have plenty of time, my son. Frigga and I waited a couple of thousand years before Thor came along." Odin placated him.

"Well, I don't know that I'll wait that long." Harry replied.

"You better not!" Tony spoke up. "I'd like to meet your magical little monsters in my lifetime still."

"If you're so worried about that, maybe you should start helping Bruce with that transmutation potion of his. I suspect he could use your help to turn gold into Adamantite." Harry said with a little smile. "And just imagine, he could one day maybe even figure out how to make a Sorcerer's Stone. It is down the same path of study he's going, after all."

"Sorcerer's Stone?" Tony asked.

"Also known as the Philosopher's Stone. It can reputedly transmute any metal to gold and produces the elixir of life, which makes the drinker immortal. Only one alchemist has ever achieved the feat back in my home world." Harry shrugged, knowing it would catch Tony's interest.

"Gold, Immortal?!" Tony gaped.

"Wait, why haven't I seen any references to it in the library?" Bruce asked.

Harry actually laughed. "You don't think I gave you access to everything did you?" he asked Bruce. "You can only see about a fifth of the whole library."

"There's more?!" Bruce asked incredulously.

Harry looked him straight in the eye. "It's magic. The fields of study can take even you years. The one man that ever made the Sorcerer's Stone was also a genius, so you might never be able to figure it out on your own. What Tony is studying might just help you achieve something only one man ever has before."

Bruce and Tony looked at each other, with a gleam he had never before seen in their eyes. Then they walked away and started discussing what they had just heard.

"Are you so intent on saving everyone that you would turn all of mankind immortal?" Odin asked with a calculating look. "It might not be a wise course of action to take." he warned.

"Oh, I know that." Harry said. "I'm not certain, but I suspect that immortality comes with a price. The alchemist Nicholas Flamel and his wife, never had any children. Besides, I'm more interested in the life-saving effects of the elixir, not the life-sustaining effects."

Odin had a thoughtful look. "You've already thought this through." he stated. "You're actually hoping that they decide to help each other become more than their sum total. You're not really interested in immortality at all, are you?" he asked shrewdly.

"Nope." Harry said with a smirk.

"We trained you too well." Fury stated. "You pulled that manipulation off masterfully." he complimented.

Harry got a hard look in his eyes. "I did not manipulate them. I may be leading them to something, but I'm simply offering them opportunities." he said emphatically. "I've just noticed that, as they went into their studies, they stopped spending much time together. They started off so well, and they respect each other. So I just want them to continue their friendship. Cooperating on a project would help build that friendship back up."

It's not like they had stopped hanging out, but Harry had noted that they spent a lot less time together as the difficulty of their work increased. Once they got into such fine details, that they could not convey everything they were working on easily, they had started drifting apart.

"I'm trying to say you did well, not that you're a bad friend." Fury assured him. "God knows, you've been a good friend to plenty of us. I was just thinking, it's a shame you're not a full agent anymore. We could use more people like you on active duty."

"I'm too busy for that. You've seen my reports on what Potter Innovations is doing. We've probably saved more lives than SHIELD in the last year alone. Once Bruce figures out how to get the potions to the people that need them, we'll save even more than that." Harry said.

"And that's why I don't call on you anymore these days. Not unless there's absolutely no other option." Fury said.

That's about when Natasha made her way back to them. "And I thank you for that. My fiancé is too valuable where he is. Better to keep him here where I can keep an eye on him." she said as Harry put his arm around her and smiled.

"Harry, make some time to speak with me before I leave. Your latest gift to me has me concerned about some things. There's a likelihood of a Pettigrew situation developing." Fury whispered to them, before leaving to go speak to Bruce. Harry and Natasha understood what that meant. A spy, or a mole in SHIELD.

"I'll make sure we have the time." Harry promised.

Then they went to his family, who were discussing something. He looked at Frigga when they suddenly went quiet at his approach. "What are you up to?" he asked.

"I do not know to what you are referring." Frigga replied innocently.

"Don't lie to me, I know that look. It's the same look Loki gets just before pulling a prank." Harry said with a knowing smile.

"It seems it was foolish to discuss it here." Odin said with a chuckle. "How do you wish to handle it?" he asked Frigga.

Frigga looked only slightly upset. "Will you never let us surprise you?"

"Not if I can help it." Harry chuckled.

"Harry likes surprises, he just doesn't like being caught off guard." Natasha informed them. "So long as he knows when and where, he won't mind you planning something."

"You might as well tell him mother. He already knows that there will be a feast to celebrate their engagement." Thor said.

Frigga looked torn, but then relented. "We are discussing an engagement gift of sorts. I will not tell you more, as we are still discussing the specifics." she said evasively.

"Gifts always makes for a welcome surprise." Harry said with a smile. "Now I'll just have to think of something to bring for you." he finished with a thoughtful look.

"You will do no such thing!" Odin interrupted. "You will accept the gifts you receive and not bring any of your own." he said vehemently.

"Speaking of gifts," Natasha said, "What is the ring doing? I can feel it connecting to me, somehow, but can't figure out what it's trying to do."

Harry got a sheepish look on his face before replying, "About that… It's my magic."

"I realise it's magical, Harry. I want to know what exactly it's doing." Natasha asked.

"That's just it. I only gave it security enchantments to keep it from being taken from you. Besides that, I connected it to my magical core." Harry said. At her confused look he said, "I wanted it to be able to offer you protection, and get you from place to place, and make it so I can find you if you're ever taken and many other things. Too many for one enchantment, so I decided to give it access to me. My magic is in constant connection with it. While you have that on you, you'll always be connected to me." he said.

"How will it do those things if it's just connected to you?" Natasha asked confused.

Loki and Frigga had looked amused until Harry's explanation. Then they looked shocked. Loki spoke up first. "You mean to say that you've found a way to give her permanent access to your stores of magical power?!" he asked incredulously.

Harry shrugged. "Sure. How else could I share my life more completely?" he asked.

"But it is your very essence!" Loki said. "Your magic is your life, nobody has ever done such a thing!"

"Are you sure that is wise?" Frigga asked with concern.

"It is the only thing I could think of. Anything less would be an insult to how I feel about her." Harry explained.

Odin had been considering this. It seemed his new son had taken a step not even he had considered possible. He looked closely at Harry and Natasha and was shocked at what he saw. Then he laughed. "You are indeed a master of enchantment! I see your magic even now trying to find a home in her. She has no magical core though, so it's still looking for a place to deposit some of your excess. That's what she is feeling." He said with a smile.

"Really? I thought it might give her some protections and I'd probably be able to give her limited access to magic. I didn't know it would try to deposit my magic in her!" Harry exclaimed. He then turned to her, "Is it hurting you?" he asked.

Natasha shook her head, "No, it feels like it's looking for something, much like your father has described it. It's more of a warm feeling running through me…" she explained. "It's like it's alive."

"Magic is alive. That's how he can create things that live." Odin said, then looked at Harry. "I can see there is Intent in the ring. I take it that you used Asgardian magic to forge the connection?" he asked.

"Yes. It's the best kind of magic I know of. With this, I hoped a piece of me will always be there for her." Harry confirmed.

"You have thusly created one of your most powerful magical artefacts to date." Odin said with a proud smile. "For the intent carries with it all of your magical power and potential. I would not be surprised if, with time, she actually develops magical powers much like your own. Even without the ring."

"What!?" Harry exclaimed. He then turned to Natasha. "I didn't even know that. Is that something you would like, or should I rather enchant it with something else?" he asked concerned.

Natasha was shocked to say the least, but she pulled herself together to answer him with a small smile, "You mean, something better than possibly being capable of being your equal one day?" she asked incredulously. "Of course not! This is the most amazing gift anyone could have ever given me!" she said before jumping on Harry and giving him a kiss of pure passion and love. When she broke the kiss, she said, "And I will probably spend the rest of my life trying to pay you back for it…" Then she leaned in and whispered so only he could hear, "… starting tonight."

The tone and promise in her voice had Harry going through the rest of the night in a daze. When the party broke up, Harry had to promise to meet with Fury in the coming week. There was no chance he could give him his full attention just then. Fury wasn't happy, but didn't complain, either. Instead, he said they'd meet in the usual place, Monday evening. Harry quickly agreed and opened a portal for Fury to go directly to his office. Fury was shocked, but added it to the list of things to discuss on Monday.

That evening, Harry didn't sleep a whole lot. There were far too many pepper-up potions in stock and a very grateful Natasha to please. Fortunately he could conjure water, because on many occasions they almost had to stop to re-hydrate. By the end of their evening, Harry had worked through half of the books' worth of tricks and Natasha fell into a coma-like sleep, a smile of pure pleasure firmly attached to her face. Harry wasn't far behind.