It was pure chance, really. Tony had suggested they grab a quick coffee after a long day, Johnny went ahead to check in the hotel and Sirius had tagged along with Tony as he's craving some fresh air and a proper espresso. Neither of them had expected to run into Remus in that tiny café, but there he'd been—pale and worn but still unmistakably Remus.
After the shock and the hugs, Remus greeted Tony. They'd exchanged letters now and then, and Remus was quietly amazed that the famous Tony Stark—who was practically a legend even among Muggles—was here.
Oh and the fact he was Harry's half brother.
Although Tony did insisted him to buy a phone that way they stay connected, Remus refused.
"Come on," he'd said. "Let's get you back to the hotel. We'll catch up properly."
Remus had nodded, still a bit stunned.
Back at the hotel, Tony had booked himself a separate room—he'd learned the hard way that Sirius tended to talk all night if he shared. Johnny already was in his own room doing who knows what, Tony was gonna ask him to play some cards but he decided he should probably do his own work first, Sirius, meanwhile, had practically bounced down the hall with Remus in tow, eager to make up for lost time.
Tony was just settling into the plush armchair in his suite, enjoying the quiet, when his phone buzzed. He grabbed it, smiling as he saw the name.
Harry.
"Hey, kid," Tony answered, leaning back. "Good to hear from you. Everything alright?" Good to know, Bracelet worked.
They talked for a bit—Harry telling him about classes and the castle, and Tony offering encouragement. But Tony noticed the hesitations in Harry's voice, the pauses that said more than the words did.
"Harry," Tony said, his voice dropping a notch. "What's going on?"
There was a pause on the line, and then Harry's voice came through, quiet but steady. "It's Lockhart. He keeps… pulling me aside after class. Talking about my… fame. Like he wants to— I dunno, mentor me or something. He's weird, Tony. I don't like it."
Tony's jaw tightened. "That fraud," he muttered under his breath. "Thinks he can—ugh." He let out a sigh, trying to calm down. "Okay. Listen to me, Harry. Don't worry about him, alright? You're not alone. Sirius and I—we'll handle this. You just keep your head down and let Hermione watch your back."
Harry hesitated again, then quietly added, "Christmas is coming up. I—I don't know if I'm allowed to come see you guys... what if Dumbledore stops me?"
Tony's eyes narrowed. "That's nonsense. You have family—us. You're always welcome here, no matter what Dumbledore says. You hear me, Harry? Besides he can't stop you..."
"Yeah," Harry said, sounding a little brighter. "Thanks, Tony. I'll see what I can do."
"You bet," Tony said, forcing a smile. "We'll talk again soon. And don't let that con artist get to you. We'll fix this."
As the call ended, Tony leaned back in his chair, his expression hardening.
He wasn't going to let anyone mess with Harry—especially not that Lockhart clown.
———
Maybe it was finally time Albus Dumbledore met him face to face.
Tony snap out of his thoughts and hearing footsteps, It wasn't technically breakfast, more like brunch. Sirius had stayed up late talking with Remus, both of them alternating between laughter, guilt, and long-overdue healing. When the two finally wandered into the hotel dining room around eleven, they looked like they'd survived a hangover of emotions.
Tony had put the cup away and grab himself a plate of scrambled eggs and toast. He looked at their way and greeted them with a dry smile. "Nice of you two to join the land of the living."
Sirius grunted, still rubbing sleep from his eyes. Remus gave a small, apologetic smile and sat down.
Once everyone had food in front of them, Tony got straight to the point. "I had a call with Harry last night."
Sirius froze with a fork halfway to his mouth. "What happened?"
Tony leaned back, expression serious. "He says Lockhart's been pulling him aside in class. Talking to him about fame. Says he wants to mentor him."
The fork dropped with a loud clatter.
"I'm going to kill him," Sirius said, standing up in a flash. "I swear, I'll storm Hogwarts, wand blazing—"
"Sit down," Tony cut in firmly. "We're not setting the castle on fire. Yet."
Remus, blinking, looked between the two. "Lockhart? Gilderoy Lockhart? That moron?"
Sirius scoffed. "I didn't tell you? He's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
Remus groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I thought the Ministry banned him from teaching after he… what was it? Tried to 'tame' a banshee and nearly got a department head killed?"
"Sounds like a guy with a sparkling résumé," Tony muttered.
Sirius snorted but his eyes were still burning with anger.
Remus, frowning, added quietly, "He was in the year below us. I remember him now. He was… a flirt. Always chasing girls. Thought Lily Evans was his soulmate or something."
Tony's eyes widened. "Wait—that's why you didn't tell Harry about him, isn't it?"
Sirius shot him a dark look, reluctantly sitting down again. "Even if I only know Harry for a few months, I can already tell… he's got Lily's fire. If he found out some peacock was making him uncomfortable and used to flirt with his mum? He'd hex Lockhart's hair off."
"Can't say I'd blame him," Remus said dryly.
Tony sighed and tapped his fingers on the table. "This is getting out of hand. The professors know about it and are doing nothing. Dumbledore let this guy into the school. And no one's protecting Harry?"
He glanced at both wizards. "I think it's time I paid the Headmaster a visit. In person."
Remus blinked. "You mean—go to Hogwarts?"
Tony smirked. "With style."
Sirius grinned. "Can I come?"
Remus raised a brow. "You're not worried about stepping into magical territory, Tony?"
Tony stood, already pulling his jacket on. "I'm a Stark. An old man with a beard isn't going to scare me." He paused. "Though I'll be taking a few precautions."
Yeah, He definitely call Amelia and her two knights. That guy Alastor is the best option to first Amelia and Third Shacklebolt.