11 11. STARK MALFOY.

(POV - Mrs. Thompson's Aggressor)

"Where am I?" I wondered, surrounded by skeletons as far as my eyes could reach. Suddenly, a voice that sounds like it comes from far away but is also near me entered my ears and sent shivers down my spine.

"Laurence."

The gender-neutral voice chilled me to the bone, leaving me too scared to turn around and face whatever being was behind me because I am not sure I will remain alive after that.

"You're already dead, Laurence," the voice said, sending a wave of fear through me.

"I must be going crazy. This dream feels too real," I thought, attempting to flee from the haunting voice. But before I could escape, I was yanked back as if pulled by an unseen force, like a Frisbee returning to its path.

A crushing sensation struck my head, and I saw a spooky, goth-dressed skeletal figure gripping my skull with surprising strength. My screams filled the air.

"You naughty pedophile. You think you can escape what you've done?" the voice accused. "No chance. You're in for a special kind of torment in this hell I've designed just for you. Look!"

I glanced around at the graveyard scene with maggots crawling over the tombstones, my screams dying in my throat. I had no idea what this voice had planned, and I definitely didn't want to find out.

"You're probably curious about my plans for you. Truth is, I don't care much about mortals. I collect souls and guide them to their next life, based on their sins. Some get fortunate, some don't," said the skeletal figure, peering into my eyes.

"But you, my dear, are marked for something special," it continued.

"What will you do to me?" I managed to ask, gathering what little courage I had left.

"Ah, finally showing some bravery, huh? But you might regret asking," it replied.

"First, I'll make you immortal, with powers to heal like no one's ever seen," it declared. I wondered, was this a punishment or a reward? But the next words made me wish I hadn't asked.

"Then, I'll bury you deep in this graveyard, so these creatures can feast. And for a twist, I've made your skin sweet-tasting and your body super weak to put up any resistance."

I wanted to escape, to flee from this crazy skeletal figure, but she caught me from my head, and her grasp on me was unyielding, making me squirm in disbelief.

"Did you enjoy that? Am I not a genius? I call this 'life cycle of the damned,'" she asked, seemingly pleased. "Don't worry, it's only for a century. You'll also endure being violated by horses with thorny penises for another hundred years. AND I'll give you breaks so you don't get too used to my 'genius' ideas."

I tried to resist and protest, but she threw me into a pit. Sand piled on top of me, pressing down heavily. Before I knew it, I felt something crawling all over my body, and the hot sensation of being bitten started.

"No, no, no, no, NOOOOOOOOOOO."

(Lady Death's POV)

After giving the punishment to that pedophile, I turned my spooky goth appearance to my original shape.

"All done," I thought to myself, waiting for my Harry to come and give me my reward.

"All that's left is changing his punishment century after century."

"Hehe, punishing can be quite fun. I should create my version of hell for souls like these."

*Scene Change*

"This suit costs more than all my other clothes combined," grumbled Harry as they exited the rented limo into the chilly November night.

He wore a personally tailored three-piece suit, insisted upon by Domino, who also demanded an equally extravagant dress for herself.

Domino's dress, a modest one in a purple shade similar to her freshly styled hair, complemented her figure while concealing some of the marks from months on the streets and in captivity.

"Don't whine. You didn't have to learn to walk again. I know these heels make my legs look great, but they're so annoying. I'd prefer Doc Martens or any comfy shoes," she replied.

They headed to a fancy hotel in Manhattan, joining a mix of older wealthy New Yorkers, young celebrities, and a few reporters in the reception hall. Harry didn't recognize anyone, but Domino was thrilled.

"Hello?" called out a friendly red-haired woman with a clipboard and a smile.

"I don't think we've met yet. I'm Natalie Rushman," she introduced herself, extending her hand to Harry.

"I'm Harry Potter, and this is my friend and assistant, Domino," Harry replied, shaking the woman's hand.

"I don't recall your names on the guest list," she remarked.

"One of our clients couldn't make it due to illness and offered us their invitations. Hope that's alright," Harry explained, while Domino retrieved the invitations from her purse.

"Great! I'll take those. Please enjoy some drinks and mingle," the woman said, taking the invitations. She then had a quick conversation with her associate before swiftly leaving, while a guard awkwardly pretended not to watch them.

"Let's grab a drink or two before we're tossed out," Domino murmured disappointedly, taking two champagne glasses from a server.

"I don't mind leaving. These events aren't my thing," Harry admitted as they headed to a balcony. "Who's our shadow?" Domino inquired.

Harry adjusted his glasses, activating the name identification function. "Harold Joseph Hogan. Does that sound familiar?"

A quick phone search provided an answer. "Tony Stark's bodyguard, I think? But I haven't seen Tony Stark around."

As if on cue, a bright light in the sky approached rapidly, accompanied by loud rock music.

Harry and Domino reentered the gathering just as a Gryffindor-themed set of red and gold armor landed on the balcony with a heavy thud.

"Hello, everyone! Hope I'm not too late," greeted the man who casually stepped out of the armor as it seemed to fold to let him out.

He wore a suit that made Harry's look ordinary, despite its slight rumpled appearance from being inside high-tech armor.

Internally, Harry groaned. This man reminded him of a more confident Draco Malfoy—rich, arrogant, but seemingly backed by intelligence and skill.

"No, you're actually early," another red-headed woman greeted him.

Harry's glasses revealed her name as Virginia Potts.

Behind Ms. Potts stood the woman who greeted Harry earlier, identified by Harry's glasses as Black Widow, rather than Natalie Rushman.

"Well, that's rare... I could head back out," the man joked. "Don't you dare!" Ms. Potts scolded playfully, handing him a drink.

"Oh, hold on." He fetched a small remote from his pocket, pressing a button to lock up the armor, its lights blinking.

"Did he just lock his armor with a remote?" Domino asked, astonished.

Ms. Potts and Mr. Stark exchanged quiet words before Stark addressed the crowd.

"Hello, everyone. Welcome! Tonight's about something special, and I'll let the CEO of Stark Industries fill you in. Ms. Potts?"

"Thank you all for being here. I'm Virginia Potts from Stark Industries, and I'm thrilled you could join us. Tonight, we're changing New York," Ms. Potts began, casting a slightly annoyed glance at Tony Stark.

"First, I'm happy to say Stark Industries covered all damage from the Stark Expo incident," she announced, prompting Harry's confusion. He glanced at Domino, equally puzzled. It seemed they were the only ones unaware.

"Now, Stark's long relationship with New York is turning toward the future. I present to you: Stark Tower."

As she spoke, the lights dimmed, revealing a 3D holographic display of a massive tower in midair. "It's the first clean-energy-powered skyscraper in Manhattan—a blueprint for the city's future," she explained.

Harry couldn't decipher the floating plans, but the crowd buzzed with excitement, captivated by the vision.

Members of the press bombarded Ms. Potts with technical questions about the new tower. Feeling lost in the crowd, Harry wandered away toward the Iron Man armor.

The technology amazed him, and he reached out to touch it but was stopped. "Don't touch my stuff," came a soft command from behind.

Turning, Harry found Tony Stark standing there, giving him an intense look.

"Apologies. It's just incredible tech. What's it made of? Definitely not iron," Harry inquired, eyeing the armor.

"95.5% Titanium, 4.5% Gold Alloy, a bit of ceramic, some silicone-infused steel," Stark answered. "Now, who are you?"

"I'm Harry Potter," Harry replied, offering his hand, but Stark declined.

"Not a fan of handshakes," Stark grimaced, and Harry withdrew his hand, refocusing on the armor. "Not really into the presentation?" Stark asked, moving closer to Harry.

"I'll be honest, I barely understand a fraction of what they're saying. Your tower runs on some kind of electricity, right?" Harry asked.

"Well, you're not far off," the man replied, smiling tensely.

"If you're not into tech, why are you here? What does a 'wizard for hire' want from Stark Industries?" he added, emphasizing the word 'wizard' with air quotes.

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(edited chapter.)

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