"Where have you been these days? I couldn't reach you by phone or get any messages back!" Pepper exclaimed, holding Hermione tightly.
"Of course, I've been at school!"
"But I've checked all the schools in New York..."
"I don't go to school in New York; I'm at Hogwarts," Hermione clarified, adding after a moment, "It's a wizarding school."
"Oh... a wizarding school..." Pepper nodded, then suddenly realized, "Wait, a wizarding school?!"
Hermione tilted her head, "I'm a wizard. Of course, I go to wizarding school. Where else would I learn magic?"
Pepper was baffled.
At S.H.I.E.L.D., she'd called Hermione "Miss Wizard" because her attire resembled TV wizards, not because she truly believed Hermione was one.
She'd assumed Hermione was just a child with some superpowers, who called it "magic" because kids love fantasy.
But now... could it be real?
"You're not joking, are you? Are there really wizards?!" Pepper asked, incredulous.
Hermione sighed.
After performing a few magic tricks, Pepper finally accepted the truth.
"So, you're usually at... um... Hogwarts, and you come back only when you're not in class?"
Hermione nodded, then explained the basics of the wizarding world and its hidden aspects. It was similar to what she'd told S.H.I.E.L.D., but more detailed.
"Phew..."
Pepper absorbed this worldview-changing information.
After a while, she remembered something, her expression turning apologetic.
"I'm sorry, little Hermione. I should've brought Tony to thank you in person once he returned safely, but I couldn't contact you. Also, Tony doesn't believe in predictions. He thinks S.H.I.E.L.D. tricked me somehow, and he's been focused on developing some armor in the lab, so he hasn't had the chance to thank you."
Hermione nodded.
That sounded like Tony Stark.
But she wasn't upset, even understanding his perspective, because she hadn't really done anything.
From Tony's point of view, he'd been kidnapped, suffered, and finally escaped with his armor and Ethan's help—Ethan, who didn't survive.
Then someone told him he only got out because someone predicted it, and his safety had nothing to do with his actions, so he should be grateful.
She wouldn't accept that either.
"Since you're back, when Tony returns from testing the armor in the Middle East, I'll have him thank you personally..."
Pepper's face showed clear frustration.
During Tony's disappearance, she'd worried constantly, working hard to keep the company running. She hoped Tony would settle down upon returning. Instead, he'd shut down the weapons division and delved into armor development, leaving her to handle the chaos.
It left her more stressed than ever.
She understood the armor saved his life, but enough was enough.
"I'm just your assistant, not your nanny!"
"Wait!"
Pepper's words struck a chord.
"Stark went to the Middle East?" Hermione asked suddenly.
Pepper nodded, "Yes, I don't know what got into him today. He just escaped, and now he's going back!"
Hermione understood.
The plot had progressed to this point.
When Tony was captured, he saw terrorists using Stark Industries' weapons, realizing they'd been misused to kill. So, he shut down the weapons division.
This affected many, especially his uncle, Obadiah Stane.
Stane secretly continued selling weapons, and when Tony discovered terrorists still had Stark arms, he became Iron Man, using Mark 3 for a direct strike.
Hermione's eyes twinkled, "Sister Pepper, I have something to do. I'll be back later."
Before Pepper could react, Hermione mounted her broom and disappeared in an instant.
Pepper: "..."
---
After taking off, Hermione flew at full speed, circling the city before heading in a specific direction.
Soon, she spotted a golden figure soaring through the sky towards her.
Hermione's eyes lit up.
It was Iron Man.
Thanks to the Disillusionment Charm, Tony Stark couldn't see her.
Adjusting her broom to fly parallel to the armor, Hermione couldn't resist reaching out to touch it.
In her previous life, she'd bought Iron Man figures and dreamed of wearing the suit to fly. Now, seeing the real thing was thrilling.
Despite gaining new powers, her love for mecha remained undiminished.
After all, mechas are every child's dream!
Inside the suit, Tony pondered improvements.
Testing it in a terrorist camp had gone well, achieving the desired outcome, but there was room for improvement.
Then, AI Jarvis's voice interrupted.
"Sir, the sensors might be off, but I need to inform you."
Tony was puzzled, "What?"
"Something seemed to be stroking the suit's exterior."
"Uh?"
Tony was bemused, "Are you sure it wasn't a bird?"
Jarvis replied, "No, based on temperature and shape, it seemed to be..."
"What?"
Tony was impatient. He'd never heard Jarvis hesitate like this.
"...a hand!"
"What?!" Tony was startled, then relaxed, "Impossible. There's no way a hand could reach me at this altitude."
"Besides, I'm not blind. If someone were here, I'd see them."
Jarvis persisted, "But that's what the data shows."
"It's a data error," Tony said calmly. "Probably some component issue during the fight."
Jarvis fell silent.
After a pause, the voice returned.
"Sir, while that makes sense, it's just that..."
"What now?"
Tony frowned.
What was wrong with Jarvis today?
Was the suit malfunctioning, or was it Jarvis?
"But... the hand seemed to be touching all over, from head to toe, nearly taking off the suit."
Tony: ???
What nonsense was this?
"Yes, it's your problem, Jarvis. I'll check your code when I get back," Tony sighed.
Yet, the next moment made his heart race and his breath catch.
A clear voice sounded beside him.
"Jarvis is right—I'm right here next to you."
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