After the warmth of Christmas, Stark Tower returned to a quieter rhythm.
Harry had returned to Hogwarts with Sirius, waving goodbye with that same boyish grin that made Tony's heart twist a little—both in affection and guilt. Sirius had promised to keep an eye on the boy and subtly watch for any signs of magical backlash from Grindelwald's increasing presence.
Tony felt even more guilty for not telling them about Grindlewald.
Remus had decided to stay behind for a few days. He claimed it was for shopping, sightseeing, and perhaps visiting the magical district hidden deep within New York's cityscape. But Tony could see through it. The man wanted to keep an eye on him too. Not that Tony minded. Having someone who wasn't afraid to talk about the uncomfortable things was… grounding.
Right now, though, Remus was out. And Tony?
Tony was at his lab console, hunched over multiple holographic screens as magical runes and digital code danced together in chaotic harmony. An elegant mess. Jarvis had resorted to playing low instrumental music in the background, probably in an attempt to prevent Tony from spiraling into another 18-hour work marathon.
"Let me guess," Tony muttered, dragging a glowing glyph into a circuit diagram, "this rune triggers elemental energy release but only if the mana node is stabilized... which it won't be unless I sacrifice a thumb or sing in Elvish."
He paused. "Is Elvish even a real language here?"
Jarvis responded in his smooth, ever-patient voice, "There are indeed magical dialects bearing resemblance to Elvish across various planes of existence. I've compiled cross-references if you'd like to study—"
Tony groaned. "Nope. Nope, no thanks!" As much as he was glad Jarvis scan the books to help Tony, It was a huge headache.
He leaned back in his chair and exhaled. The magic stuff was fascinating, but it was also frustrating. Because sooner or later, that glowing bald woman with the cryptic smile—yes, The Ancient One—was going to whisk him away to some Kamar-Taj dungeon and start teaching him how to fold space with his brain. He could already hear her in his head:
"Time is a construct, Mr. Stark."
"Lady, everything is a construct if you throw enough sarcasm at it," he muttered.
He ran a hand through his hair. Another thought tugged at his mind.
Grindelwald.
He cursed under his breath.
"I forgot to give him a phone," Tony muttered aloud. "How the hell am I supposed to contact a 130-year-old wizard who thinks a radio is a demonic artifact?"
"Would you like me to have one delivered to his safe house?" Jarvis asked helpfully.
Tony considered it, then shook his head. "Nah. The last time I introduced him to an electric kettle, he thought it was some kind of potion bomb."
He looks at the desk where he got a letter, He didn't had a time to check it out as he was busy, Now, He can check it. He grabs it, opened it and scanned it quickly.
It was from Percival.
The Auror had written in that neat, strict handwriting that reminded Tony of old calligraphy schools. He said he'd be visiting New York in February. Apparently, there were reported sightings of Grindelwald in Britain and Percival was heading there next. The irony made Tony snort into his coffee.
"I mean, you're chasing ghosts, Percival. The guy's in Queens, snuggling into my imported couch pillows." Even Percival knows that, He was just making fake investigation.
Still, Tony had to admit… he was surprised. Percival hadn't told anyone about Grindelwald being here. He hadn't exposed Tony's strange familial connection, hadn't stormed back with backup. Maybe it was professional restraint. Maybe personal. Either way, Tony was kind of grateful.
He made a mental note: Buy Percival a bottle of ridiculously overpriced wine. The good stuff.
————
Tony groaned as the elevator doors slid open to the living room, the weight of a long day dragging at his shoulders. He tossed his jacket over the back of a chair and rubbed at his neck.
"Home, sweet home," he muttered to himself, only to pause at the unexpected sound of familiar voices drifting in from the lounge.
"—told you we should wait," came Sirius's voice, exasperated but amused.
"You were the one pacing like a hippogriff in a thunderstorm," Remus responded dryly.
Tony blinked.
He turned the corner and stared. "Well, well, if it isn't the Grim and the Bookworm. When'd you two break in?"
Sirius Black, lounging with a crooked smile on the edge of the couch, gave a dramatic wave. "Hours ago. We used the secret passage behind the bookcase. Obviously." He jokes.
Remus rolled his eyes but gave Tony a smile that was equal parts sheepish and sincere. "We came by to talk. Figured you'd want to sit down for this."
Tony arched a brow, instantly intrigued and suspicious. "Oh no. If this is about magical taxes again, I'm not responsible for any enchanted vending machines that exploded."
He dropped into the armchair across from them with a sigh. "Wine?" he offered.
"Sure," Sirius said.
Remus politely declined.
Tony got up and went to fetch it. He returns back, with bottle and two glasses, He pour wine into a glass hand it over to Sirius and pour other glass for himself, Tony leaned back, swirling the wine in his glass. He could feel it in the air—something was off. Not in the "You are doom" kind of way. More like the "we're-about-to-change-your-life-without-warning" vibe that he'd grown far too familiar with since entering the magical world.
He narrowed his eyes. "Alright. What's the deal?"
Sirius cleared his throat. "Well… we have news."
Remus gave Sirius a meaningful glance, then—without preamble—slapped him lightly on the back of the head.
"Oi!" Sirius hissed.
"Just tell him."
Tony snorted into his glass. "Please don't tell me you got caught hexing someone again, Sirius. Or worse, you've decided to grow a man-bun."
"Tony—" Sirius drawled dramatically, reaching into his jacket pocket. "How dare you insult my non-existent hair decisions. And no, it's far worse than hexing."
He pulled out a small, velvet ring box and popped it open.
Tony blinked.
Then blinked again.
"…Is this the part where you propose to me?" Tony asked dryly. "Because I gotta be honest, Sirius, you're charming and all, but you're really not my type."
Sirius gasped, clutching his heart like he'd been shot. "How dare you, Anthony Edward Stark. I come to you with my heart—my very soul—in a velvet box, and you spit on it!"
Remus, trying not to laugh, reached over and pushed Sirius gently aside. "It's not for you, you narcissist. It's for me."
Tony blinked again.
Then slowly turned to Remus. "Wait… you're getting married?"
Jarvis's voice chimed in with sass-laced amusement, "Congratulations, sir. It only took you five full minutes and one mock proposal to figure it out."
Tony groaned. "One day, Jarvis… one day I will build you a body just so I can kick your digital ass."
Jarvis was smug. "Duly noted. I'll begin work on shin reinforcements immediately."
Tony turned back to the wizards, jaw slightly slack. "Okay. Okay, wait. Hold up. Rewind. You two? You two are getting married?"
Sirius grinned, clearly enjoying the dramatic reveal. "Future tense, but yes. Moony and I are finally tying the knot."
Tony pointed at them in turn. "You—and you? But… how?! You've never acted like a couple! No hand-holding, no weird tension, not even meaningful glances over tea!"
Remus chuckled. "That's because we're not teenagers anymore. We don't need to make googly eyes at each other in public."
Sirius muttered, "Speak for yourself. I make plenty of googly eyes."
Tony rubbed his temples. "This is breaking my brain."
Remus smiled patiently. "It started back at Hogwarts. In Sixth year, to be exact. We were just… close"
Sirius's grin faded a little, replaced by a more thoughtful expression. "But then… things got complicated."
He looked at Remus, then back at Tony.
"I was an idiot," Sirius admitted. "I let doubt creep in. Moony's condition…"
Remus's smile tightened a fraction. "Peter started stirring things. Whispering to James and Sirius that I might be passing secrets to Greyback. That I was using my status as a prefect to gather intel."
Tony stiffened. "Peter Pettigrew? That bastard?"
Sirius nodded, voice hardening. "Yeah. The traitor. He planted seeds of doubt. Said all the right things to make us question Remus—never directly, just hints. He drove a wedge between us."
Tony stood, pacing now. "Why the hell hasn't he been caught yet? You'd think a rat with that much history would've been stomped by now. I'd pay money to be first in line to kick his miserable ass."
Remus gave a tired smile. "We've tried. But he's slippery. He knows how we think. And he's terrified now. Hiding."
Tony looked between the two of them and—after a long silence—his features finally softened.
"Well, damn," he muttered. "I guess I'm gonna have to plan a wedding now."
Sirius's eyes lit up. "Oh, you are absolutely doing the bachelor party."
Remus groaned. "Dear Merlin, no."
Tony laughed, shaking his head. "You guys better not regret dragging me into your domestic wizard soap opera. Because I'm in it now. And if I don't get to wear a tux with runes and laser trim, I'm suing."
Sirius grinned. "Done. You're the best man."
Tony froze. "Wait. What?"
Remus sipped his tea and said calmly, "You heard him."
Tony groaned again and dropped back into his chair. "I'm never getting a normal life again, am I?"
But, He's excited and happy for the couple. Tony wasn't gonna hold back to make a best blast wedding ever.
He better call Pepper too.