Chapter 23

The Woolworth Building, a historic architectural gem in New York City, served as the headquarters of the Magical Congress of the United States of America. Tony, Jamie, and Seraphina stepped out of the fireplace and found themselves in a magnificent atrium. The grand space boasted high ceilings adorned with intricate designs, and the air buzzed with the bustling activity of wizards and witches going about their business.

Seraphina led the way, her confident stride cutting through the crowd as she navigated towards a set of ornate golden elevators. They stepped inside, and Seraphina pressed a button that would take them to the highly restricted level below.

This entire time, Tony held onto his wand, keeping it securely in his pocket. In this unfamiliar place, he found solace in the presence of his wand, even though he possessed only limited knowledge of spells. The absence of any communication from his AI assistant, JARVIS, since arriving added to his unease.

"You're too nervous. Relax," Jamie whispered after noticing Tony's state. Tony nodded in acknowledgment, taking a deep breath to steady himself.

Exiting the elevator, they found themselves in a quiet corridor adorned with portraits of past presidents. The walls seemed to echo with a sense of history and authority. Moving forward, they approached a grand set of double doors, imposing in their size and adorned with the emblem of MACUSA—a majestic bird with the flag of the United States hanging upside down from its torso.

"We've arrived," Seraphina announced, halting in front of the door and facing the group. "Once you hear a sound, proceed through this door, and I'll be waiting inside."

Tony's expression shifted to surprise, and he directed a slightly anxious glance at Jamie. "You're not joining us?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

Jamie nodded respectfully and displayed understanding through a small bow. "Understood, ma'am. We'll remain here."

Affirming Jamie's response with a nod, Seraphina then gave Tony an encouraging smile. She gave one last nod before turning away, her figure gradually fading into the distance as she made her way towards the corridor's corner and eventually disappeared from sight.

Tony's irritation was palpable as he tugged at his sleeve, his frustration evident in his words. "What are we even here for?" he asked irritatedly. This place felt entirely foreign to him, leaving him with a sense of uncertainty. The only glimmer of hope he had was the teenage girl standing in front of him. But even the thought of relying on her only served to exacerbate his agitation.

Seeing Tony in distress, Jamie interjected, her tone tinged with impatience, "Calm down already will you? Seraphina wouldn't have brought us all the way here if it wasn't important."

Jamie's assurance had a calming effect on Tony, alleviating some of his anxiety. While waiting in the corridor, Tony and Jamie took the opportunity to observe their surroundings. The portraits hanging on the walls seemed to come to life as the figures within them occasionally shifted or blinked. Tony found himself captivated by the intricate details and lifelike quality of the artwork.

As they waited, Jamie leaned against the wall and crossed her arms, her eyes scanning the corridor. "I wonder what's behind those doors," she mused, her voice filled with curiosity.

Tony looked at the imposing double doors in front of them, his mind racing with questions. "Maybe it's some sort of meeting room or a place where important decisions are made," he speculated, trying to envision what lay beyond.

The minutes ticked by, and Tony's impatience started to resurface. He began pacing back and forth, his mind filled with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. "I just hope this isn't some wild goose chase," he muttered under his breath.

Jamie glanced at Tony and sighed. "Look, I get it. This is all new to you. But trust me on this, you'll be fine. I swear."

Tony stopped his pacing and turned to face Jamie. He took a deep breath, trying to collect his thoughts. "You're right."

Just as Tony finished speaking, a sudden creaking sound came from the door in front of them, revealing a narrow gap. "Mr. Stark and Miss Black, please proceed," a voice echoed from behind the doors.

Tony glanced at Jamie, seeking reassurance, and found her gaze filled with confidence. With a nod from her, he gathered his resolve and took the lead, pushing open the door with Jamie following him.

As they stepped into the room, darkness enveloped them, leaving them barely able to discern their surroundings. Once both of them were inside, the heavy door closed on its own with a loud thud, causing Tony to jump in surprise, and the room was silent for a moment.

Together, they ventured deeper into the room, their tentative steps echoing in the vast darkness. Just as uncertainty began to gnaw at them, the chamber suddenly erupted in light, illuminating their surroundings. Before them stretched a spacious chamber, its walls lined with tiered seats, creating an amphitheater-like arrangement. The center of the room remained empty, save for two chairs.

"Please have a seat, both of you," the same voice echoed through the room once more. Startled, Jamie lifted her gaze and locked eyes with a middle-aged wizard positioned in the front row. Although she couldn't quite place him among her acquaintances, a wave of reassurance washed over her as she noticed Seraphina sitting nearby.

"Let us begin then," the middle-aged wizard cleared his throat, retrieving a paper from the table before him, and initiated the conversation.

"Allow me to introduce myself first. I am Samuel G. Kohag, the current President of the Magical Congress of the United States of America," Samuel introduced himself with an air of authority. "May I confirm that I am speaking to Anthony Stark?" he inquired, adopting an official tone.

"I believe you've got the right person, unless you've mistaken me for someone else," Tony said with a shrug, settling back in his chair. He had been through enough inquiry situations to handle this one with ease.

A few stifled laughs and murmurs rippled through the audience, but Samuel quickly picked up a gavel and brought it down with a resounding bang, silencing the room. "Apologies for any misunderstanding. We just want to ensure we have the correct individual before proceeding," Samuel clarified.

Tony nodded in understanding. "No problem. I'm Tony Stark, and I'm here to see what this is all about."

"Very well, Mr. Stark," Samuel continued. "What was your mother's maiden name before she got married?"

Tony paused for a moment, recalling the information. "I believe it was Picquery."

Samuel peered at the paper in his grasp, his brows knitting together in a contemplative expression. "And were you aware of her being a witch beforehand?" he inquired with a hint of skepticism.

Tony's recollection remained vivid as he responded with certainty. "It was only two days ago. I stumbled upon the memories she had intentionally left for me, and that's when I discovered that she was a witch."

A disdainful voice abruptly interjected, slicing through their conversation like a sharpened blade. "Bah! Who's to say he's not spinning a web of lies?" The words hung in the air, causing Jamie's face to contort into a deep frown. Seated on the front row, an elderly woman with a severe expression and sharp features had spoken up, her gaze fixed on Tony.

Clearly irritated by the interruption, Samuel retorted sharply, "Ms. Lestrange, it is not your turn to speak!"

Jamie could sense a strong hostility towards Tony coming from the old witch. The name Lestrange struck a familiar chord within her mind, instantly drawing a connection to the pureblood families she herself belonged to. It was no wonder this witch harbored such deep-rooted prejudice against muggles; it seemed to be an affliction that plagued many purebloods.

Yet, Jamie refused to succumb to such narrow-mindedness. Her time in America had opened her eyes to a new perspective, one that shattered the barriers of ignorance and arrogance that had confined her thinking for so long. She had witnessed firsthand what technology could achieve and the danger it posed to them. The wizarding world, secluded and resistant to change, was oblivious to the advancements happening beyond their realm.

The allure of magic had always captivated Jamie, but she had come to realize that it was not the sole source of wonder in the world. Through her scientific pursuits, she had encountered muggle inventions and discoveries that astounded her—feats of ingenuity and innovation that left her humbled. From the marvels of electricity to the intricacies of medicine, muggles had proven themselves as pioneers, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and capability.

"As a member of this body, I have every right to voice my opinions! Answer me, Squib! What means did you use to view the memory?" Lestrange's voice thundered through the room as she rose from her seat, forcefully striking the table with her palm and fixing a piercing gaze upon Tony at the opposite end. The chamber erupted once more in a chorus of hushed conversations, and amid the clamor, Jamie's keen ears caught the murmurs of dissenting witches.

Sensing an opportune moment, Jamie promptly interjected, her voice cutting through the commotion. "Ahem, pardon me?" All eyes turned toward her, their attention captured by the sudden interruption. "I am Jamie Black, heir to the esteemed Black family. May I be granted a few moments to address the matter?" Jamie inclined her head in a respectful bow, simultaneously casting a discreet spell to ensure her words reached every ear in the room.