12. AN EVENING FULL OF PLEASURE.

Harry was surprised by the man's comment.

"Don't act surprised. You have a website! By the way, it looks like it was made by a very confused monkey," the man teased.

"Don't say that around Domino, she'll be crushed. She put a lot of effort into it," Harry chuckled.

"The cute girl handing out homemade business cards? Her real name's Neena Thuman. Dad died in Iraq, mom of an overdose. She did time in juvie for assault. Disappeared for a while, then reappeared," the man shared.

"Wow, that's impressive," Harry replied, surprised.

"I'm into info. You, on the other hand, are a mystery. No passport, birth certificate, or records. No social media or news photos. You emerged a few months ago, dropped millions into a bank, and opened an account without a trace. They should've checked you thoroughly, but they didn't. So, who's pulling your strings?" the man inquired, leaning casually on his armor.

"I'm not controlled by anyone," Harry responded, his tone dark.

In his final year at Hogwarts, Harry had broken free from manipulation. No Dark Lord, no spies, no attempts on his life, not even a corrupt Minister of Magic. Even the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher hadn't tried to harm him, though she'd left in disgrace for having an inappropriate relationship with a fifth-year Ravenclaw just before final exams.

Harry realized Dumbledore, whom he believed cared for him, had manipulated him since the night his parents died, and even beyond his own death.

The placement with the Dursleys and insistence he return every summer.

Hagrid fetching him instead of a teacher, unlike what Hermione experienced with Professor McGonagall.

Childish defenses guarding the Philosopher's Stone, easily bypassed by first-year students.

Receiving his father's cloak with a note hinting at rule-breaking.

Lack of effort to withdraw his name from the Triwizard Tournament or support against school bullies.

Slow release of information about the Horcruxes.

Harry being pushed for Snape's Occlumency lessons.

He even harbored suspicions about meeting the Weasleys at King's Cross before his first year, but out of respect for their genuine care, he kept quiet about it.

Stark seemed surprised by Harry's sudden intensity.

The applause from the crowd interrupted the tension between them.

Ms. Potts signaled for Stark to head to the podium.

"Remember, Pinocchio, hands off my gear," Stark whispered as he passed Harry.

"Wow, that got intense," Domino remarked, joining Harry.

"Yeah, he's a bit intimidating. I thought he was just showing off, but he's incredibly smart," Harry replied, turning to gaze at the armor's glowing eyes.

"I meant you," Domino whispered back.

"He raised valid points. Things I should've noticed but was too distracted to. How did I open that bank account without any paperwork or history?" Harry pondered.

Domino simply shrugged in response.

Harry scanned the room, sipping champagne, and noticed Natalie Rushman talking to Mrs. Potts.

"I have a suspicion. Stark might have a spy in his company. That redhead who greeted us? Her real name is 'Black Widow,'" Harry whispered.

"Does her name translate to that, or..." Mrs. Potts inquired.

"No, it's deeper. She identifies herself as Black Widow, not by her real name," Harry clarified.

"Could it be a mistake?" Mrs. Potts asked.

"No, Emily's name appeared as her married one, even yours comes up as Amanda, not Domino. She doesn't connect with her real name but a code name. It's strange," Harry explained, recalling how even 'Scabbers' showed up as Peter Pettigrew on the Marauder's Map.

"Should we inform Mr. Stark?" she questioned.

Harry thought for a moment. "We'll send an anonymous tip. He probably won't value my input, but for now, steer clear of her, just in case. Actually, here."

He discreetly cast a spell on Domino.

"What did that do?" she asked.

"It'll help keep you safe," Harry replied vaguely.

"Monitoring charm. Usually used for infants or patients in hospitals. It'll alert me if something happens to you and give me a general sense of your location, at least the distance and direction," Harry clarified.

"Why not have that on me all the time? Seems like a reasonable security measure," Domino wondered.

"I'd rather not intrude on your private moments, like when you need the loo or, um, reach a certain peak," Harry stumbled over his words, blushing. "It's invasive and distracting on my end. For instance, I can sense when you need to pee."

Domino planted a kiss on his cheek before heading off for drinks and the restroom.

"I've verified your story with the Thompsons, so feel free to stay and enjoy the party," Natasha said, Harry turned around to find 'Black Widow' standing behind him, offering drinks. "Drink?"

"No, thanks. Still sipping on this, and sorry for the trouble," Harry declined, wary of the glass offered to him.

"No worries. With Stark and Potts in a public venue, it's about being cautious. Stark's made powerful enemies, especially as Iron Man," she explained, taking a sip from her own glass.

"What do you do?" she inquired, eyeing Harry.

"I'm a sort of private investigator," Harry replied cautiously, not wanting to reveal too much. "And you?""I was Mr. Stark's assistant for a very brief period, and until Monday, I'm Ms. Potts' assistant," the woman explained.

Surprised, Harry inquired, "Why only until Monday?"

"I'm returning to a previous job. Working for Stark Enterprises was interesting, but Mr. Stark can be challenging to work with," she admitted.

Harry felt a sudden warmth and loosened his tie. "Yeah, he can be a bit intense."

"Are you alright?" she asked, noticing Harry's flushed appearance and heavy breathing.

"Yeah, it's just warm in here, or maybe it's just me," Harry replied, feeling flushed.

"Let's step out to the balcony," she suggested, guiding Harry with a hand on his back.

Harry nodded in agreement, trying to hide his rapidly developing erection and they made their way to the balcony.

'I can't believe this!' Harry thought to himself. 'She's attractive, but...'

His thoughts were interrupted as he felt a surge of discomfort. 'No! Oh no! She didn't!'

"So, you're returning to your previous job?" Harry asked, hoping to steer the conversation. "Yes well my old employer called me …" the woman's voice simply stopped registering as Harry fought to remain in control over ever increasing waves of pleasure until they mounted to a crescendo and a release. Thankfully Harry did not achieve a release himself but collapsed limply against the railing.

"Oh my goodness! Are you okay?" she exclaimed in concern.

"Yeah... yes. It passed. Maybe something I ate... feeling better now," Harry replied, regaining control. "Let me just take a seat."

As he sat down, he noticed genuine concern in her expression.

"So, what do you do at this other job?" she inquired, taking a seat herself.

"Pretty much the same as my role here at Stark Industries," she replied with a hint of a smirk, as if sharing an inside joke. "And you? Private detective work sounds interesting."

"Handled a few cases. Can't spill details due to confidentiality, but a lot's mundane—like investigating cheating spouses," Harry explained.

"What's the most fascinating case you've had?"

"I dealt with a stalker targeting my clients. Figured out who he was and persuaded him to leave my clients alone. That one was quite challenging," Harry simplified the Thompsons' case. 

Domino returned from the bathrooms, casting pleased glances at Harry, who responded with an annoyed shake of his head.

Black Widow noticed Harry's glance. "Am I boring you?" she inquired, following his gaze.

"No, sorry. I'm keeping an eye on Domino . She tends to be impulsive," Harry explained.

"What's your relationship with her?" Black Widow probed.

"It's complicated. I helped her out of a tough situation, offered her a job and a place to stay. But she feels indebted—it's a bit awkward," Harry replied, distractedly watching Domino mingle with local celebrities.

"So, nothing romantic between you two?" the woman asked, giving Harry a flirtatious look.

At some point, the woman had unbuttoned her blouse, revealing ample cleavage as she leaned forward.

"No... she keeps trying, but I think it's out of obligation, and that doesn't feel right. Besides, I recently lost my long-term girlfriend, and I'm not ready to move on," Harry explained, hoping to deter the woman's increasingly obvious flirtations.

"Did you two break up, or..." the woman leaned back in her chair, prompting Harry to look away to mask his lingering pain from the separation with Ginny. "She's gone," Harry replied quietly.

When he glanced back at her, the woman had mysteriously re-buttoned her shirt, looking at him with something other than pity.

"I'm sorry to hear that," she offered sincerely.

Harry just shrugged, taking another sip of his drink.

"Well, break time's over," she remarked after a brief silence. "They're ready for us in the dining room."

Harry nodded, observing her carefully as she headed toward the dining area through the double doors.

As the dinner announcement sounded, Harry found a table and was soon joined by a smug-looking Domino .

"What were you thinking?" Harry hissed at her, clearly annoyed.

"What? When?" she asked confusedly. 

"When you went to the bathroom! You …" Harry faltered in his explanation.

"You are so cute and so British." Domino whispered gleefully "It's called 'Rubbing one out' or 'Flicking the bean', 'Diddle the Skittle', 'Doing the Taco handshake', 'Stroking the beaver'. I think I once heard that you Brits call it 'Jilling off'?"

"I know what it's called, I'm not that bloody clueless. What were you thinking! I was talking to that Black Widow woman when I suddenly started feeling your … arousal!"

"Wait!" the girl interrupted, her expression going from gleeful to incredulous in a flash. "Are you telling me you FELT everything I did?"

"Yes!" Harry whispered back harshly. "I told you I'd know what your condition was and that it could be distracting and invasive!"

"There's a huge fucking difference between knowing I'm playing with myself and feeling me cum to a messy orgasm. I thought you'd know what I was doing, not that you'd feel it! I thought I was just going to make you a little uncomfortable." she finished with a giggle.

"It's not funny." Harry whispered fiercely.

"Come on, it's fucking hillarious and honestly it was just a mistake on my part. If I knew that that's how that worked, I would NOT have done that here."

The conversation stopped momentarily as a waiter arrived and asked for their meal choice.

"So … you felt that?" Domino asked as she took a sip of her fresh glass of wine.

"Not at full strength... it's like a phantom feeling, just an echo."

"That could be interesting in the bedroom. Both partners do that beforehand."

"No!" Harry quickly replied. "It could drive both people crazy. It's a warning in the spell's description. Normally, warnings come at the end, but not this one."

"Well, worse ways to go than by having a, literally, mind blowing orgasm."

Reflecting on it, Harry acknowledged that he should have anticipated Domino 's reaction when he cast the spell. In less serious situations, it might have been a crude but effective prank.

"I hope you washed your hands after that," Harry whispered calmly. Domino took a large sip from her glass, causing her to sputter in surprise.

"Did you just crack a joke?" she asked.

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(edited chapter.)

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