Warning: Unedited. Short. Set up for Part II. Cop Out.

Note: Sorry for the lack of updates for so long. CA:CW has me all soured on some very key characters. (I think we can agree that no matter which team we're on -Iron Man, Cap, Neutral - that Clint's characterization was not.)

Chapter Twenty Five : As Much As Things Change

Hadrian barely noticed how fast the summer raced by.

The first week after he got home was spent being forced by Agent Uncle and his mom to write out a detailed report on his time at Hogwarts - he had to redo the whole thing because he misspelled 'transfiguration' one time in the whole thing.

Thankfully after he finished it and was brought up to speed on what they had been doing from their side he had been set free.

Only to immediately be captured by Pepper, Bruce and Remus and made to study for his non-magical exams as well as the magical exams on subjects Hogwarts didn't comfort. He was pretty sure that the whole of Ravenclaw didn't spend as much of their summer doing schoolwork.

"Stop pouting, Hadrian, we're almost finished," Bruce admonished.

"Of course, once we're done with this you have to go take the aptitude test to be considered for a Mentor," Remus added with a grin.

Hadrian groaned and let his head drop on the table. Pepper just reached over, lifted his head up by his hair and slid his notebook under him before letting his head drop back down.

He thought he was finally free when he took his exams and aptitude test only to turn around and find Tony and Jane staring at him with identical creepy smiles.

"What do you mean you're making me work directly under you and Auntie Jane? I thought I was gonna be with the newbies! Now all I'm gonna be doing is fetching coffee!"

"No son of mine is going to go through his life not knowing how the components needed to build a cell phone that doubles as a laser," Tony waved off his indignance.

"I already know how to make a phone into a stun gun, doesn't that count?" Hadrian paused. "And I'm not your son!"

Tony ruffled the boy's hair. "Says who?"

"I'm telling Mom!" Hadrian knocked Tony's hand away and ran off in search of his mother. It took a moment for Tony to realize the danger he was in before he started chasing after the eleven year old.

"Happy birthday, Hadrian!" Lisa, Terry, Neville and Wayne chorused.

They were crowded around Wayne's laptop in the Hufflepuff's bedroom. Lisa was wearing her usual braids but strand of shocking red ran was weaved into one of them. Neville's hair had lightened, looking more like it did when he was a baby. Terry had grown even more and had been put slightly to the back so that he didn't block anyone. Wayne's eyes looked closer to silver than grey and his hair had gotten longer.

"Did you get our presents?" Lisa asked, leaning forward so her face took up most of Hadrian's screen.

Hadrian chuckled. "Yeah, they got here yesterday. So..." He reached over to pick up a sheet of paper off his desk. He adjusted his glasses in a pompous manner, straightened his back in a pompous manner and cleared his throat in a pompous manner before he began to speak... pompously.

"Thank you, Lisa Ann Turpin, for your thoughtful gift of a dueling book about dueling rules from around the world and throughout history. Please pass along my thanks to your sister and parents as well for their participation," Hadrian read, his voice reminding Neville of his Uncle Algie.

Lisa rolled her eyes at the performance while Wayne was fighting a smile as he tried to keep Terry from knocking them both to the floor from laughing too hard.

"I would also like to give thanks to Terrence Benjamin Boot the Second for his wonderful gift in the form of a magical poker set. My mother would also like to give thanks." Hadrian winked at the boy. "In addition to the already given thanks I would also like to give thanks to Neville Franklin Longbottom for his gift of a book about Russian magical clans. I shall endeavor to use this in some way against Draco Lucius Malfoy."

Wayne let out a howl of laughter before he caught himself. It only made Terry laugh harder and Lisa started hiccuping.

"And to Wayne John Hopkins," Hadrian lifted his eyebrow in the Lythari's direction. Wayne shrugged. "I say thank you for your gift of a T-shirt with the image of a wolf on it."

With a smirk Hadrian crumpled up the paper and tossed it over his shoulder. "You guys are awesome."

"Well, yeah," Lisa said obviously. Wayne rolled his eyes and Neville gave a toothy smile.

"Now in honor of it being exactly six years since the infamous sixth birthday you should tell us what happened," Terry declared.

"Ha! Nice try."

Terry pointed at the webcam. "Mark my words, Romanoff, I will find out what happened!"

Hadrian blinked slowly then turned his attention away. "So, Neville, how are things going with you?"

Lisa snorted. "Well, we know who your favorite is."

"I know what Wayne's been up to, I'm ignoring Terry and you're a girl going through puberty... I don't want to know."

Lisa's face flushed in anger and embarrassment. She itched to reach for her wand even though it wouldn't do her any good.

Somewhere Natasha and Pepper felt a disturbance in the Force.

Somewhere elsewhere Darcy nearly fell out of her seat laughing.

Elsewhere somewhere Jane reached for another cup of coffee.

Terry laughed. "I'll speak at your funeral, mate."

"Gran ordered me merlily seeds for doing well on the exams and next week will be the perfect time to plant them in the greenhouse," Neville said, hoping to defuse the situation.

"Merlily?" Wayne questioned.

"Flowers that when ground up can be added to certain potions to make them taste better - but only if they're in the proper bloom, which is when they're a certain shade of green. They're also medicinal herbs for merfolk which is where they got their name," Neville explained.

Terry clasped a hand on Neville's shoulder. "Way to go, dude. Just think of what she's going to get you for your birthday."

At that Hadrian, Neville and Wayne shared a look.

Lisa - the gracious person that she was - decided to ignore that for the moment. "I just hope she didn't get you the same thing I did."

Terry snorted softly. "I doubt his Gran knows anything about comic books, Lees."

"How'd you know?" Lisa asked, sounding scandalized. Hadrian smothered a bark of laughter.

Terry blinked. "Know what?"

"Terry, you're so weird." Wayne shook his head.

Hadrian absently waved goodbye to Loki and Remus - they were going to pick up Wayne and take a trip to the some magic forest to go on a run.

He would've stopped and said a proper goodbye but he was balancing a tray of scalding hot coffee that he needed to get to Jane as soon as possible.

A smaller tray for the other scientists was floating behind him.

Charlotte Hopkins ushered the two men into her home.

"Wayne is just finishing up. He'll be down in a moment," Charlotte said.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Mrs. Hopkins," Remus said with a smile.

Charlotte smacked her forehead. "Oh, where are my manners? It's good to see you as well and please call me Charlotte."

"Well, Charlotte-"

"Oh! My brownies!"

Remus watched as the woman scurried off to the kitchen. "You know, I don't think I've ever actually completed a conversation with her."

"What's on your agenda for today?" Bruce asked as he placed a plate of eggs and bacon in front of Hadrian. A plate with easily three times as much was put in front of Steve.

"Neville spent the night with Wayne so I'm gonna video chat with them after I eat," Hadrian answered as he popped the yoke and dipped his bacon in it.

"Why didn't Terry or Lisa stay the night?" Steve asked politely, even though the thought of a young girl staying over at her male friend's place was odd to him.

"Terry's dad took them out to London yesterday and they ended up crashing at Terry's before they could make it to Wayne's," Hadrian explained.

Bruce nodded. "And after you talk to them?"

Hadrian shrugged. "I have a clear schedule for a change. It's weird."

Bruce sent Steve a pointed look over Hadrian's head. Steve looked confused. Bruce gestured at Hadrian and realization filled Steve's face.

"Oh, uh, Hadrian?"

"Yeah?" Hadrian asked around a mouthful of bacon.

"Maybe you and I could go for a walk? I could show you the old hangouts," Steve ventured hesitantly. He was sure that a twelve year old boy wouldn't want to waste his precious free day listening to a twenty five year old man talk about the old days.

"Sure!" Hadrian chirped, surprising Steve and making Bruce smirk. "Can we get ice cream?"

"Uh, yeah."

Bruce laughed at the blond man's lost look. "No matter how much time has passed one thing has stayed the same. Kids will do almost anything for a chance of ice cream."

"Hey, you helped Uncle Steve trick me!"

"You tricked yourself. Now finish your breakfast then go wash your hands and face."

"Do you think Uncle Tony would've called Uncle Steve 'Uncle Steve' if Uncle Steve hadn't gone down in that plane?" Hadrian asked brightly.

"How many times can someone say 'Uncle Steve' in a single sentence?" Steve wondered aloud.

Bruce grinned. "I don't know, Hadrian, why don't you ask him next time you see him."

Hadrian threw his head back and cackled.

Albus reread the letter he had received for the third time despite already knowing what it said.

He had sent Remus a letter in which he had offered the man a job as the defense professor now that the position was once again open. Albus had figured with the discriminatory legislation and general prejudice against the younger man's affliction that he would be in desperate search of work.

Sirius may have inherited the vast Black fortune upon taking up the mantle of Lord Black and as such have the ability to support the two of them several lifetimes over but Albus was certain that Remus still had a problem with accepting what he would view as charity.

With this it was a surprise when the man declined his rather generous offer. Remus explained that he was already under the employ of another academic institute and the pay was more than sufficient. He hadn't told Albus the name of the school he worked for - which would have at least given Albus a more accurate understanding of where the werewolf was living.

He hadn't even answered Albus' casual wondering of how Sirius was faring.

After first reading the letter Albus had considered offering the position to Sirius - who would surely have brought Remus along with him - but he wasn't sure if the reckless man would be a proper professor, despite having been a reputable Hit Wizard in his younger days. Even now Albus was sure the man preferred the life of carefree bachelor and he wouldn't be able to take his teachings as seriously as he should - if he accepted at all.

Now Albus was left with hiring someone less than qualified for the position as he couldn't risk Severus falling victim to the unconfirmed curse.

Gilderoy Lockheart was an extravagant man with an empty smile and an even emptier head. Albus had always wondered how the man had been sorted into Ravenclaw - he certainly had enough cunning for Slytherin if he could fool so many people into thinking he was capable of higher thought.

The man had actually written Albus to generously offer his services after word had gotten out that Quirrell had disappeared without a trace.

With Remus declining and Severus being a non-option Albus had no choice but to hire the fraud lest he wanted to deal with whoever the Ministry would try to foist on him.

Albus hoped the man's reputation would be enough to keep people's attention away from the disasters of the previous year. The students might even be blinded enough by Lockheart's glamorized adventures to put an end to that blasted club of theirs.

He still couldn't believe Minerva had allowed it to happen - letting the houses interact so freely without proper supervision by one of the staff. Surely having the club split between each house would be a better idea - to keep the children of less than reputable families from gettng the wrong ideas.

Regardless he was left with hiring Lockheart.

It frustrated him more than it should. Hiring Remus would have meant more than keeping that outrageous man out of his school for at least another year - he would've been that much closer to figuring out where Harry Potter was.

Albus was no longer certain that Sirius and Remus had taken the boy themselves - though he thought it unlikely - but he was certain that Sirius' role as the boy's godfather would allow him to make great strides toward finding him.

It seemed that now he had to try a more direct approach and find another way to bring the two to him.

Perhaps he could call for a meeting with the old crowd. He would have to let them know about Voldemort's undead status much sooner than he wanted to but it would be worth it to finally have Harry Potter back in his grasp.

Once again he cursed himself for never bothering to check the Dursley house not even one time during all those years. At the very least he should've stayed behind to ensure Petunia had found the boy on her front step and taken him in. Then he would've known that Harry Potter was where he should be and that the wards had been raised properly.

Muggles did say that hindsight was twenty twenty. He supposed they got a few things right after all.

Lucius sat alone in the reading room, Narcissa having gone off to yet another meeting with Amelia Bones. The women weren't going to leave anything to chance, especially as they both had personal stakes in it.

Lucius had at first scoffed at his wife's proposed legislation. Dumbledore's admirers wouldn't possibly take any affront to the man's reputation as the greatest of all the headmasters. Then she had joined forces with the formidable Amelia Bones, who had her own backers. The rumors and gossip steadily spreading had been another point in their favor as with enough worry and fear even a blood traitor would agree.

He would support his wife's plan, if only to shame Dumbledore and further his own goals. Dumbledore would have no choice but to fall in line should a true disaster happen in his school walls and he had no way of stopping or controlling it. Even the most light-aligned of families would rally against the old man if it meant protecting their heirs. Lucius knew that there were few things all wizarding families agreed on and one of them was that children were precious.

If the legislation passed then it would be a great blow to both Dumbledore's reputation but his political standing which would only prove to be good things in Lucius' future.

He needed to create enough chaos to have the public call for Dumbledore's head without risking it being potentially compromised before it was time.

And he had the perfect way of doing it.

"Welcome back," Filius greeted his colleague happily when she walked into the teacher's lounge where he and Pomona were having tea.

"Thank you, Filius," Minerva took a seat at the round table and nodded to Pomona who poured another cup for her friend.

"How did it go?" Pomona asked as she passed the cup.

Minerva took a slow sip before answering. "I was able to meet with Headmistress Dawson who was more than willing to help in our endeavor. She and the Deputy Headmaster explained the logistics of changing a curriculum much like she had done when she took over for her predecessor. We had a long conversation on what classes should be introduced first, what years they should be avaiable to, which should be mandatory and which should electives."

Here she paused to pull a shrunken package from her robe pocket and set it on the table. She unshrunk it and opened it before sliding it towards Filius and Pomona.

"She was kind enough to give basic lesson plans and costs for each class we spoke about so that we could make decisions that the budget would allow. Her deputy, Professor Thompson, referred several qualified witches and wizards who would be willing to take a teaching position should we choose."

"Merlin knows there's more than enough space for more classes." Pomona said. "And last I checked the school vault is quite filled."

"Between having the staff reduced, having the students buy their own supplies each year, and the house elves helping you and Hagrid grow our own produce, we have enough to introduce a minimum of six new classes." Minerva explained.

"There are donations to consider as well as the added tuition we'll get within the next few years thanks to the... 'baby boom'... that happened after the war to be taken into account." Filius added.

Minerva tipped her head. "I was hoping that you two would be willing to help me decide which classes to instate and who to hire once that is done."

Filius and Pomona agreed easily, more than excited to improve Hogwarts' standards.

"And what does Albus say to this?" Filius asked while Pomona skimmed through the list. Some of the classes she remembered being offered when she was a student but there were several she had never heard of. Mandatory wizarding and muggle customs were surely needed at the school though.

Minerva took another drink of her tea. "I have yet to speak with Albus about this. His mind is on another matter at the moment and I would be remiss to further burden him."

Filius sent her a sly grin. "How generous of you, Minerva."

"I do try," Her dark brown eyes sparkled in mirth.

"Mirth. Weird word. Sounds like merc. Sort of. A merc with mirth. Ha!"

"Wade, what are you doing?"

Wade Wilson dropped his head back to look at his confused (friend-almost boyfriend-frenemy.)

"Ah, baby boy, there you are. You're missing storytime!" Wade gestured grandly to the several stuffed animals he had arranged in front of him on the bed.

Peter sent them a strange look - he wouldn't put it past Wade to have carnivorous stuffed toys.

"What story are you reading them?" Peter had long since learned to just go along with Wade sometimes - it made things a lot less blood or burrito splattered.

"Blood and Burritos sounds like an awesome band name," Wade announced.

"Or the headline of a shoot up at Taco Bell."

Wade gazed at Peter adoringly.

"So what story were you telling them?" Peter asked, moving to sit on the bed. He picked up the closest toy - a cute little lamb - and put it in his lap. "Wade?"

Wade's head snapped up from where he was trying to set the lamb on fire with his gaze.

(If it caught on fire then so would Petey's pants and then baby boy would have walk around pantsless. Yummy.)

"I was just telling them all about Hadrian's summer. You know, to move the timeline along and get to his second year already. We've already had to deal with a re-write that didn't really change things."

Peter stared blankly at his friend.

"Wanna go grab something to eat?"

"Chimis!" Wade jumped up, slicing through the air with the katana that was suddenly in his hand.

The poor little lamb's head fell to the floor.