Unchanging

Chapter 1

I own nothing, but an imagination.

"Pepper! Why is there a teenager in my new lobby," Tony asked, while staring at a computer monitor which clearly showed a lithe young man standing uncomfortably in the otherwise empty lobby. Tony was a tad confused. The tower had only recently been completed and while staffing the tower was currently being reviewed, no one was due to arrive anytime soon. Honestly, he was enjoying the peace and quiet in the research labs, aka no interruptions from overly curious lab assistants.

"Oh! He's already here?" Pepper exclaimed. The surprise brought forth from Tony's question was evident on her face along with a hint of guilt. Before Tony could call her out on the suspicious expression on her face, she hurried towards the elevator which quickly opened to let her in.

"Wait! Pepper you never told me why he was here," Tony ran to make it in the elevator before the door shut and Pepper escaped. As the elevator descended towards the lobby he immediately started pestering her for answers.

"Tony you need help in the lab, plain and simple especially since you no longer have a secretary. I would feel better if someone was around since in my current position doesn't allow me to supervise you as much as I would like." The guilty look was now replaced by a semi-confident glare from Pepper directed straight at Tony. "So, I set up an online competition for an assistant. I will be honest, I was not expecting someone so young to win, but to be truthful he must be extremely good."

Tony looked at Pepper with a strongly displeased expression on his face.

"Don't give me that look Tony. Please, just give him a chance. You might be surprised by him," Pepper said, her face softening into a small, pleading smile.

The elevator opened shortly after, showing for the first time the young winner of the competition. Tony noticed immediately the uncomfortable stance of the young man, but the overall lack of nervousness in a situation that for many would be absolutely nail biting. The large majority of the people Tony Stark met couldn't control themselves at all upon meeting him, and yet this young man seemed more bothered by the wide open lobby than the famous people walking towards him.

"Mr. Harry Potter? Pepper Pots, it is a pleasure to finally meet you." She extended her hand in greeting with a broad, inviting smile stretched across her face. Then motioning next to her at Tony added, "And this is Mr. Stark."

Harry shifted his feet slightly before extending his hand to both Pepper and Tony to shake. Then without the slightest change in his completely neutral facial expression, Harry finally opened his mouth in front of the billionaire, "I am very grateful for this opportunity to work in the best labs in the world. I hope I will be of help to you, Mr. Stark."

Tony was momentarily startled by the strong British accent, the overall lack of inflection in the words, and the completely polite, yet blank look directed towards him by his new assistant. He gave the young man a slightly suspicious look before whispering to Pepper with a raised eyebrow, "Are you sure he isn't another SHIELD spy?"

"Well Harry, looks like it's just you and me in the tower today," Tony said as he walked towards the table Harry was working at. They had been working together for a few days, and Tony refused to admit to Pepper that he was surprised by Harry's helpfulness and knowledge. He kept this bit of insight to himself; Pepper would never let him live it down if he told her.

"Oh! Where has Ms. Pots gone?" Harry asked looking up curiously from the piece of technology he was fiddling with.

"She ran away to Dubai for a vacation, leaving me all of the work." Tony was obviously being dramatic and stretching the truth quite a bit. Harry quickly came to the conclusion that Pepper had gone to make a business negotiation. Tony noticed Harry was giving him a hard look that required no words to interpret, it clearly stated that he was not impressed by the billionaire's dramatics.

Harry would never tell Mr. Stark, but he was being kept highly amused and entertained both with his work and Tony's humor. In his many wandering years he had tried numerous jobs, but none had held his interest like the sciences particularly engineering. Harry had lost contact with the magic society worlds ago, but with engineering he found something similar to magic; the impossibilities he could overcome.

"What are you working on there? Is it something I gave you or another project?" Tony glanced down at the technology before quickly plucking it from Harry's workspace, earning a small glare from his new assistant. Tony examined the round object before voicing his conclusion, "This is a reactor, but not the same as the ones I use."

"It was just a fun idea I had for a clean energy generator," Harry said with a small shrug of his shoulders. Tony continued examining the new reactor with great interest. The design was completely different from his personal reactors, and to Tony seemed wholly different from any published technology ideas. He quickly handed the reactor back to Harry before pulling up other companies' energy designs to compare the reactor to.

While he was satiating one curiosity, another popped into Tony's head. "So Harry, you're a young, good looking man. What do you do for fun in you free time? Have any ladies occupying your time?" he asked with a slight waggle of his eyebrows. Tony found the prospect of uncovering the mystery behind his quiet, new assistant a tad more interesting at the moment, though he would be more thoroughly researcher that reactor idea later.

"What I am doing right now is fun," Harry politely replied. He was so focused on the recently returned reactor that he nearly slipped saying quidditch. A particular slip up he had not made in over 80 years. That was also the last time he let someone get close to him.

"Ah! Come on. You aren't in this lab all day, which means you must do something else." Tony was truly starting to wonder if his SHIELD spy idea was not so far off. He had looked for records on a Mr. Harry Potter and found a depressingly small amount of information. Seriously, he was Tony Stark and all he could find was a few apartment rentals and a couple of jobs in Harry's history. He found nothing at all like what he should have on someone Harry's age, especially with his level of skill in engineering. Though he had chalked that up as a result of what appeared to be self-taught knowledge since he found no school documents past a simple bachelor's degree in the most basic engineering. In the hopes of getting a better response, Tony grabbed the now open reactor off the table holding it away from Harry.

"Well I do love long walks on the beach." Tony could just see the sarcasm dripping off Harry's words, but Tony was ecstatic anyway. This was the closest he had been to getting an emotion out of the stoic young man. He was starting to think Harry was an offspring of the unshakeable Agent Coulsen.

"Hmm…I never saw you as the romantic type Harry. You seemed more like a sports man to me. Now be honest, what do you when you leave my lab," Tony said, with the smallest amount of mischief he could manage while dangling a piece of technology out of reach from a slightly irate man. Harry continued to stare at Tony with mild disapproval at the childish actions of the older appearing man. He would give Tony one thing he was definitely persistent. Most people gave up after three days of indirect answers to personal questions, but Tony had been at it for a good five. Finally, Harry decided on another sarcastic remark, but as he was opening his mouth to fire back his reply a disembodied voice interrupted.

"Master Stark I believe the core you are holding is about to explode," Jarvis stated plainly. Harry reacted immediately grabbing the small sphere in Tony's hands and raced towards a containment chamber in the lab. The door opened automatically as Harry moved towards it. Then with very little time Harry tossed the core inside. The doors started closing as soon as the sphere passed the motion sensor, but before the door could completely seal the core exploded sending a hot blast of flame and metal through the small opening that was stopped quickly by the door sealing. Harry brought his hand down quickly and pulled his rolled sleeve down before turning back around. Tony watched everything in barely concealed shock.

"You are a spy aren't you," Tony said pointing his finger accusingly.

"What! I save your life and you accuse me of being a spy. Truly Tony, where do you get your crazy ideas?" Tony was still analyzing everything that had happened, running it over and over inside his head, when he realized what Harry said.

"You called me Tony. You never call me Tony. Are you alright? Did you get hurt?" Tony asked in rapid fire succession as he stepped towards Harry, who responded instinctively by turning his right side away from Tony.

"No I'm fine," Harry said barely keeping his voice even.

"You are hurt. Is it your arm? Is that why you are hiding it? Here let me see it. The explosion was my fault… well more yours for distracting me but—"

"My fault? You were the one holding the core away from me like a child," Harry said to Tony, raising his arms in exasperation, only to flinch when the material of his sleeve shifted over his arm.

"I knew you were injured," Tony said as he took one final stride towards Harry before grabbing his left arm.

"It's fine don't worry about it. I just singed some hair." Harry's voice now had a tint of worry seeping into it that confused and worried Tony even more. Tony immediately pulled the sleeve up on Harry's arm, eliciting a hiss from said person. Tony was amazed by Harry's pain tolerance. The arm was already red and blistering with a few pieces of shrapnel lodged in the skin.

"Nothing to worry about he says," Tony mumbled to himself before raising his voice to speak aloud, "Jarvis, please do a scan on Harry's arm and start treatment."

"Yes, Master Stark. Mr. Potter please place your arm on the table so I may begin." Harry slowly walked towards the table and placed his right arm above it. The only thing he could hope for now was that Jarvis's scans wouldn't find anything to reveal his unusual origins.

"I am finished Mr. Potter. You may remove your arm from the table," Jarvis stated. Harry let out a small sigh of relief. He was almost certain if Jarvis had found something peculiar, Tony would have known immediately.

"Jarvis will you need to look at Harry's arm tomorrow?" Tony asked. Half of his mind was focused on making sure Harry was alright, but the other half of his mind was speeding through questions. How had Harry acted so fast? Why did he try to hide the injury? What else was his young employee possibly hiding?

"Mr. Stark, I can treat the burn myself from now on. It's only a second degree burn and the lacerations have already received stitches, so until the stitches need removed further care is not needed for them," Harry said confidently. In the back of his mind, he was worried that if Jarvis saw his arm the next day, questions would be asked that he didn't want to answer. Particularly why his burn would look weeks old in two days and why he would no longer have stitches under his bandages. Having skin grow over stitches was definitely an unpleasant experience Harry would not like to repeat.

Tony looked hard at him before adding in a slightly pouty voice "Mr. Stark, really? I thought we were past this point in our relationship, and what makes you think you can take care of that burn on your arm?"

Harry was bewildered. He should have been use to the billionaire's behavior, but he was still thrown off by the joke and serious question all in one sentence. He swore Tony did that just to throw people off, so they would accidentally answer his questions. However, more than 80 years and four wars had made Harry a master of his mind and not one to be easily tricked into answers.

Harry knew, even if he didn't have accelerated healing, he could take care of his burns. Seven years as a combat medic gave you quite a bit of experience. Though in hindsight, he should have made his documents with at least one medical degree and avoided this whole mess. That was definitely a blunder on his part! Honestly if he was injured in previous years he simply left. It was easier that way, even if he did have people who would miss him, better that they didn't get overly attached. Maybe that was his answer to this situation...leave? He enjoyed working with Tony but was it worth his secret. He had to wonder what he had done to irritate the Three Witches this time.

"Harry, oh Harry! Are you still in there?" Tony said waving his hand in front of a now annoyed looking Harry. Well, Tony hoped annoyed was all that was being displayed on his young assistant's face and not his future murder.

"Tony," Harry said drawing out the name for emphasis, "It is my arm, and I will choose who treats my arm. I am an adult who, contrary to your apparent belief, can look after himself."

Tony looked at Harry slightly shocked. He was not overly use to people refusing him. The billionaire smiled from ear to ear, he always knew he liked the kid for a reason. Harry definitely had guts! Working for Tony Stark could get you a job almost anywhere and quitting could get you blackballed almost everywhere. Tony just couldn't bring himself to ruin such a young, brilliant mind's opportunity.

"Fine! Treat yourself, but I want a trade. You have to thoroughly explain the reactor you designed and any other new designs you create," Tony said with a smirk. Behind his smirk was a calculating gaze which was watching Harry very closely. He just knew the black-haired young man was hiding something, but he also knew if he pushed too hard for answers, Harry would leave. He noticed Harry's face had smoothed back out to a more relaxed expression and waited as patiently as Tony Stark could for a reply.

"I don't see how my situation puts ME in a position that I owe YOU something, but I will show you all my designs as long as I am not forced to appear for any possible debuts," Harry said with a tad bit of force to get his point across. Harry knew Tony was very curious about him and was fairly confident in his background, but Tony wasn't known as a genius for nothing. Another blunder on his part Harry thought, spending almost all his time with said genius was not his smartest move. Though he would have to be careful which designs Tony saw and which Harry kept to himself, especially since some were decidedly…alien.

"Great! Why don't you stay in the tower starting next week? I do some of my best work in the middle of the night and it would be more convenient if you are around to bounce ideas off of. Also, if you have an idea we can talk about it immediately."

"Tony, you know they have these things called phones. Why don't we just use those?" Harry asked seeing a sly gleam in Tony's eyes. He just knew Tony was just waiting to tear into Harry's past and dig up any secrets he could.

"What if there is a bad connection or someone hacks into our talk? No, our ideas must be more secure, face to face," Tony said with a smile. He hoped he wasn't misjudging Harry's trust in him. Though he was pretty much lying through his teeth, no phones were more secure than Tony Stark's he thought smugly.

Harry gave a slight chuckle. He knew Tony was persistent, but to actually call fault to his own product, even if he knew it was false, took a lot of conviction. This probably wasn't his best idea, Harry thought, but if Tony was close to the truth he could always leave.

"Alright Tony, face to face it is, but you have to swear I will have some privacy," Harry said sternly.

"I swear! I will even help you pack up and move over here tomorrow," Tony replied. He was as excited as a little kid on a sugar high. Now he had all the time in the day to figure out the mystery that was Harry Potter. Harry saw Tony's eyes glint and began questioning his most recent decision immediately. Well, Harry thought, the last few lives had been a tad boring some excitement might be nice.

"When you said you didn't live in the best place, I assumed you meant small apartment, not the dark side of Manhattan!"

"Well, I did tell you to not bring such a flashy car," Harry said coolly as he lounged comfortably in the passenger seat of Tony's quote "flashy car."

"I thought you were just being your normal charming self and just didn't want me to spend time with one of my babies," Tony said in a completely reasonable tone and all blame pointed directly at Harry.

"No, I was trying to save your "baby" from the loss of its father," his tone held no sympathy for Tony whatsoever.

"Well they'll have to get through Jarvis first." Tony had a very clear smirk on his face and his tone was definitely smug.

"Why am I not surprised you gave your car an A.I.?" Harry said in a sinking tone. "Still don't blame me if your car drives off without you. Most of these kids are brighter than your giving them credit for."

After this comment Tony looked at Harry for a brief moment. Tony of course immediately began to wonder why someone on his payroll would live in this…slum. Had Harry grown up in a similar place? That was definitely something to look into later tonight.

"Here it is," Harry said breaking the short silence. Tony pulled to the right side of the street slowly in front of a small white house that looked a tad worse for wear with a large wrap around porch. He noted curiously a group of teens loitering on the house's porch like a small wolf pack.

"Jarvis start dialing the authorities about a public dis…"

"Stop it, Tony. They are just some of my friendly neighbors waiting for me to get back. I told them I was coming; they must have just been waiting."

Harry quickly stepped out of the expensive car and headed towards his house and the group of boys. Tony peered at the group again and before he stepped out, added to Jarvis, "Be ready for my call."

"Of course Mr. Stark."

Harry had already begun chatting with the young, well built, Tony noted, man who seemed to be slightly on edge and glancing heatedly at Tony as he walked up. He was beginning to think he should have worn the suit.

"Hey, are you the guy making Harry move out," shouted the same tall, dark, young man.

"Harry, you told them I was making you move out…you make it sound like I'm blackmailing you," Tony said in a hurt, whiny voice. He could just barely make out a mumbled "close enough" from Harry's general direction.

"You can't force Harry to do anything!"

Tony looked over to where the outburst had come from and saw probably the youngest kid in the whole group, not more than nine years old. The kid had his arms crossed in front of him and was now standing between him and Harry. Harry smiled sadly before grabbing the boy's shoulder.

"Jacin, it's okay, I won't be gone forever. I'll visit you guys when I can until I am back." Harry said kindly reaching for the boy in front of him, but the boy jerked away turning his body.

"No you won't! Once someone leaves here, they never come back," Jacin said loudly, turning red faced and moving to leave. However, before the boy could jump from the porch, an arm reached out and grabbed the boy's shoulder turning him around.

"I haven't known Harry very long, but I do know he always keeps his promises," Tony said very calmly. The boy looked up at him and then glanced at Harry. As he looked at Harry something must have been resolved in his mind in that short glance because he then began to smile.

"Your right," the boy said to Tony. He put a large smile on his face and walked back towards the other boys before asking another of the younger looking boys if he wanted to go play basketball and with a nod they both ran off the porch with loud yells of see you later Harry.

Harry gave a small chuckle and turned towards his door reaching for the knob. Kids, he thought, always are the best entertainment and ice breakers.

"Harry! You're still not locking your door! Are you crazy?" the dark youth said voicing his clear disbelief and disapproval. Harry continued to open the door, without a key, and step inside.

"Wait, you don't lock your door…in this neighborhood," Tony said appalled, "I agree with him, are you crazy. No, someone who works for me could not be that stupid. You must have a really high tech security system, right?" Tony thought honestly who leaves their house unlocked anywhere!

"You could say that, I mainly just leave it open so if any of the neighbors or kids need something, they can come in and get it. And Tony this neighborhood may look bad, but don't judge a book by its cover," Harry said with a small wave of his hand.

"Yah, key word there any as in anyone could come in and steal something or even a murdering lunatic," Tony said in exasperation, while the group of boys slowly nodded in agreement behind him. Harry's thoughts turned slightly dark at this statement, I don't have to worry about killers they have to worry about me, he thought, but on the outside he just grinned.

"I've got a few security measures don't worry," like wards that since intention, he thought, "my cat for one," he quietly added as he saw the solid white sneak creeping up on Tony's pant leg. Before Tony could question his quiet statement a row of needle-like pains blossomed on the unsuspecting Tony's leg.

"Ahh! What the heck," Tony shouted looking down to find the demon, only to see nothing. The group of boys were snickering in the back though a select few looked extremely sympathetic. Tony began glancing around for the culprit, when he heard Harry chuckling. He looked at him suspiciously only to find said demon happily perched in Harry's arms. He very firmly stated while glaring at the cat, "that devil is not coming to the tower."

"I can't leave him," Harry said stroking the cat's white fur, "You want me, the cat comes too. Now stop being dramatic about a cute kitty and help me grab my bags."

Tony stood behind with his mouth hanging open.

"Do you need our help with your stuff," one of the boys asked.

"Nah, I just have the duffel and Tony can take the backpack," Harry said walking around his couch to grab the duffel and throw the backpack at the still gawking Tony. His cat left his arms to stand on his shoulder where the padded duffel strap lay. "Also, feel free to use the house while I'm gone, just make sure you clean up any messes you make." He then grabbed Tony and started shoving him out the door.

"Hold up! You're just gonna trust us with your house?" the dark youth asked with a confused expression, no one ever trusted them.

"Of course I am Duan, who else could use it the most and keep it the way I like it while I'm gone. Even if I'm not here it can still function as your safe place just like it always has. Look after everyone!" Harry said with a smile now standing by Tony's car. The now named Duan still stood on the porch with a shocked face which soon changed to a smile.

"Don't worry about us, you just watch yourself with that rich sleaze."

"Hey, who are you calling a sleaze, you hoodlum," Tony shouted trying to pull away from Harry's grip.

"Tony, leave the kid alone and get in your car," He said shoving the man towards said car with a glare that was only reinforced by the gleaming cat eyes from his shoulder. Tony gave one glance to the cat and jumped in.

"Keep that devil cat away from me," Tony said from the driver's side.

"Tony, don't call little Lucy a devil."

"More like Lucifer," Tony added in a hushed voice.

"See you guys!" Harry yelled, waving at the boys as Tony began to pull away from the curb.

"Bye Harry, take care of yourself," they shouted as the car drove off.

The car remained quiet for a little bit as Tony drove back towards the tower. Both parties' minds in different places.

"Are you sure leaving your house to those kids was a good idea?"

"I'm not worried about the house, it'll be fine. It's the kids that concern me, that's why I told them to use the house," Harry said while thinking he wouldn't be there to watch them, but that house has enough wards to keep them safe if they did get into trouble while he was away.

"Have I ever told you how weird you are," Tony said in a deadpan. The more I learn about you the less sense you make, he thought, "and we really need to talk about Lucifer…"

"Lucy, Tony, Lucy," Harry said while stroking said cat's fur.

"Same thing," Tony mumbled.

So yah if you have seen this story previously I just tortured you with the smallest rewrite in history, but I do plan to update a few chapters over the summer since I have some free time.

Thanks - Blaise