Chapter Text
Tony came to in a dark cave, something metal embedded in his chest, attached to a Muggle battery covered in runes, of all things.
"Careful," a voice said as Tony scrambled to get up. "Don't disconnect it; it's what's keeping you alive."
Tony sat up cautiously and glared at the thin, frail-looking man sitting next to him. "What do you want?" He tried to ignore how his voice chose right then to crack mid-sentence.
"At the moment, for you to not die."
Tony straightened up and tried to look less like a frightened kid and more like the Stark patriach that Obie kept reminding him he was now. "Whoever you are, the Stark family doesn't submit to threats."
"You don't recognize me, do you." It was not a question, and despite the situation, the man sounded almost amused.
Tony frowned. "Should I?"
The older wizard's eyes crinkled a bit. "Ho Yinsen. I was the head of the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts until a year ago, when I was... aggressively headhunted by our gracious hosts." He gestured at the dark, dank cavern they were currently ensconced in. "I believe you paid me a visit a time or two, what with all your creative experiments."
"My projects do not send me to the Hospital Wing," Tony said. "Much. But, uh, nice to meet you? And thanks for saving my life." He gingerly touched the spell--machine--thing, in the middle of his chest. Then he glanced up and saw Yinsen's expression. It was now the opposite of amused. "What?"
"Don't thank me yet," Yinsen whispered. "Not until you learn what I've saved your life for."