Tony turned his head stiffly, his pupils widening in disbelief.
Beside him flew a little girl in a black robe, riding a broomstick, matching his speed. Her clothes billowed in the wind as she waved.
Jarvis chimed in, "Sir, a heat source has been detected. There's a humanoid figure to your right..."
"I've seen it!" Tony murmured.
"Sir, analysis suggests this is the creature that touched your suit earlier..."
"Okay, enough," Tony sighed, overwhelmed by Jarvis's commentary.
Even as he stared at the reality before him, it was hard to believe. An eleven or twelve-year-old girl, dressed like a wizard from a cosplay, flying on a broomstick, had been touching his armor?
And he'd been oblivious!?
"Hi!"
Hermione waved cheerfully.
Taking a deep breath, Tony needed a full minute to process the sight and asked, "Who are you?"
"Hmm..."
Hermione poked a finger to her cheek, glancing upward as if in thought.
"That's a tough question."
"Do you want to know my name, my identity, or why I'm here...?"
I want to know everything! Tony thought fervently.
"My name is Hermione Granger. I'm twelve years old, live in suburban North London, and I'm a wizard. I attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I return to my dormitory by eight every night, don't eat sweets, occasionally drink soda, go to bed by eleven, and ensure eight hours of sleep. I drink hot milk before bed and practice spells for twenty minutes. My professors all say I'm normal..."
Hermione began her introduction.
What gibberish? Tony was bewildered.
Hermione... the name seemed familiar, as if he'd heard it somewhere...
And wizards...
Wait!
Wasn't she the S.H.I.E.L.D. "forecaster" Pepper mentioned?!
Seeing Hermione flying casually beside him, Tony's worldview wavered.
Could magic be real?
Even a genius like him needed high-tech armor to fly. How was this girl doing it?
"No..." Tony shook his head. "There must be a scientific explanation. Magic can't be real. I've overlooked something!"
His gaze landed on Hermione's broom, and realization dawned.
Of course!
This broom must be a secret high-tech flying device, cleverly disguised as a broomstick to fool people.
So that's it—magic is fake.
However, some aspects remained puzzling. How was she withstanding such fierce winds at this altitude and speed, speaking and breathing so calmly, her voice crystal clear?
And what technology masked her heat signature earlier?
Watching Tony muttering to himself, Hermione knew he was flustered.
"Hey, hey?"
Hermione waved a hand in front of Tony's face.
Tony snapped back to reality, scrutinizing Hermione.
"Are you an agent S.H.I.E.L.D. trained from childhood? The government does some despicable things, making a kid like you do their dirty work," Tony sighed, continuing, "You shouldn't be doing this at your age. Pepper speaks fondly of you. Why not quit S.H.I.E.L.D.? Stark Industries can fund your education and find you a school."
Hermione scoffed, "S.H.I.E.L.D.? They can't afford me."
Tony had more to say, but Jarvis, silent until now, interrupted.
"Sir, Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes is calling about an emergency."
Tony paused, then relented, "Connect."
"Tony."
It was his good friend, Air Force Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes.
"Rhodey."
"What are you doing? Why's it so noisy?"
"I'm driving a convertible. What's up?"
"A terrorist stronghold was destroyed, just kilometers from where you were held. Know anything?"
"Seems someone's avenging you."
Rhodey sensed something amiss, "Is there anything I should know?"
"No, why?"
"Because something's about to blow away right in front of me."
As Rhodey finished, a roaring sound approached from behind Tony.
"Sir, two F-22 fighter jets are closing in," Jarvis warned timely.
"Thanks for the late reminder!"
Tony panicked, accelerating to evade the jets.
The next moment, each jet fired a missile, homing in on him.
"Missiles incoming!"
A glaring red alert flashed on his suit's HUD.
Tony moved to deploy countermeasures but remembered Hermione's presence. He turned back, planning to lure the missiles away.
Hermione watched supersonic Tony speed away, puffing her cheeks in annoyance.
Fast, wasn't he!
The Nimbus 2000 was the latest broom, maxing at 200 kilometers per hour. Fast, but nowhere near the suit's speed.
As she raised her wand to trip Tony, he suddenly turned back, gesturing for her to move aside.
Realizing something was behind her, Hermione glanced back to see a missile closing in!
Unfazed, she quickly deduced the situation.
Tony intended to escape but returned out of concern for her safety.
Hmph, a good heart. For Pepper's sake, I'll help you out!
Hermione accelerated, overtaking Tony, positioning behind him.
Tony saw Hermione safe and prepared to flee, but the missile was nearly upon them, too late to evade!
Damn, this girl doomed me! Tony despaired.
The Mark 3 could withstand tank shells, but the shockwave from a missile blast or a direct hit was another matter.
Damn it, here goes!
As Tony braced for impact, he heard a shout from behind:
"Protego!"
Tony turned, seeing Hermione close behind, her wand glowing faintly. A shimmering spherical shield enveloped them both.
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