Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The irony was as cruel as a comic book villain…

Harry Potter had survived the murder of his parents at the hands of a dark wizard; he had been the orphan abandoned in a cold orphanage, dismissed by an aunt who feared the abnormal. His destiny, written in blood and ash, had been rewritten when the wheel of fortune spun with the force of an Arc reactor.

Now, he lived in a bubble of high-tech and unconditional love. His parents were Anthony Stark and Steve Rogers, and his older brother was Peter Parker. In the living room, he debated quantum physics with Uncle Bruce, and at dinner, he exchanged cosmic jokes with Uncle Thor. If the universe had a Sorcerer Supreme, it was Uncle
Stephen. If there was a god of mischief, it was Uncle Loki.

At eleven years old, Harry was, essentially, superhero royalty.

However, destiny, that sadistic writer, had just made an unexpected cameo.

It hadn’t been a dimensional portal, nor an urgent holographic message, nor even a visit from Uncle Fury. It was an owl. A brown owl, as traditional and absurd as an old fairy tale, that burst into the Manhattan penthouse, bypassing all of Stark's security systems.

The letter, sealed with an incomprehensible coat of arms, informed Harry—the son of Iron Man and Captain America—that he was a wizard. A real wizard. Of wand, cauldron, broomstick, and leather-bound books. And he was invited to study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Peter, who had stopped trains and saved cities, looked at his younger brother, holding the parchment with the same astonishment with which one would watch Uncle Bucky's practice combat against his husband, King T'Challa.

“What are you going to do, baby brother?” Peter asked, completely dumbfounded.

Harry, who had grown up learning not to be surprised by anything, looked at the letter, then at New York City through the window, and finally, at the stupid owl that was still pecking at the fruit bowl.
He was eleven years old, history had chosen him, and the high-tech superhero universe was no longer enough.

Chapter Text

Life can change in an instant. That's something Tony Stark has learned in many ways throughout his life, starting with the tragic news of his parents' passing, delivered by his loyal butler Jarvis.

From then on, his life was engulfed in a whirlwind of scandals, sex, drugs, and rock and roll Being the world's number one egomaniac womanizer required a twenty-four-seven commitment. He had no time for mundane things like taking care of his health, starting a family, being more careful with his statements to the press, or overseeing the arms sales and purchases at Stark Industries. This spiral of traumatic and chaotic events led him to become Iron Man, New York's favorite superhero, genius, playboy, billionaire, and philanthropist—or at least that's how he saw himself.

Pepper and Rhodey’s opinions and advice, he might have avoided some of the trouble he got into when he decided to wear his armor. But there was no time for regrets, not when he suddenly found himself thrust into the greatest superhero team of all time: the Avengers.

As if things hadn't already gone too far, on top of everything else, he had to run into his childhood idol: Steve Rogers, aka Captain America. The greatest soldier of World War II, who ended up frozen after crashing his plane in the Arctic at the end of the war, which put him in a state of suspended animation until he was thawed out by SHIELD.

At first, Tony couldn't stand Steve Rogers. Too different in personality and way of thinking, they would get into fights at every team meeting. Their shouting and arguments were a daily occurrence at Stark Tower, to the point that the other team members didn't even bother to mediate; they simply left the room as soon as the argument started. This went on for a while, until Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, sarcastically suggested they continue their fight in a hotel room.

No one knew whether they followed the advice or not, but what was certain was that both leaders stopped arguing heatedly every time they saw each other. The insults and recriminations were replaced by sidelong glances and attempts to reconcile their opinions. Sometimes Tony would give in to the Captain's plans, and sometimes Steve would accept that Tony had a better plan of action.

Now the other members watched their leaders' behavior with confusion, and it could be said that nothing pleased them, because they complained whether they fought or not. But everything made sense one morning, before coffee, when they all saw Steve preparing breakfast just for Tony and affectionately kissing him on the forehead after a long night in the lab, where Tony was improving his armor.

The idea of Tony Stark and Steve Rogers being a couple was completely unexpected, and everyone had their own opinion about it, including the new members who were gradually joining the team. Natasha, Bruce, Pepper, and, surprisingly, Loki firmly believed they were a good match and would be together for a long time. Others, like Clint, Sam, and Nick Fury, bet they wouldn't last a month. There were also those who kept their thoughts to themselves, like T'Challa, because they didn't know them very well, or Dr. Strange, who simply stated he had absolutely no interest in the matter. Thor just laughed and said he saw it coming. Rhodey and Happy were glad they were no longer the only ones keeping an eye on Tony's bad sleeping and eating habits. Wanda and Vision were too busy being a happy couple themselves to pay attention to others.

The truth is that their relationship didn't just last much longer than a month; it grew stronger over time, culminating in marriage. However, it wasn't all perfect. There was a time when it seemed everything would fall apart when James Buchanan Barnes ”Bucky" Steve's best friend and the man responsible for the death of Tony's parents, appeared on the scene. It was almost certain that the arguments that began to erupt in Avengers Tower were just a prelude to a civil war, but that wasn't the case.

It wasn't easy, but Tony had to accept the fact that Bucky did what he did because a global, paramilitary terrorist organization known as HYDRA brainwashed him and forced him to be their weapon through the Winter Soldier program, run by Armin Zola in the 1940s. Bucky was used as a puppet to assassinate several people, including the Stark couple.

Watching those video clips became a recurring nightmare for Tony, but the culprits were HYDRA and Zola, not James. That notion nearly cost Tony not only his marriage to Steve but also nearly broke up the entire team, which would have led to a crisis in their fight against the villains. In the end, everything worked out: there were shouts, tears, and a few punches thrown, but they ultimately made it through. Now James has the opportunity to start over, attend therapy, and recover from the aftereffects of Zola's treatment. Add to that his settling in Wakanda as the sovereign's partner, and it hasn't all been bad.

The Avengers family grew, and things only got better when Tony and Steve decided to take a smart, resourceful, brave kid with spider powers under their wing. I'm talking about Peter Parker, known as Spider-Man, the friendly neighborhood defender in Queens. He was just fifteen years old when a radioactive spider accidentally bit him during a walk through the science lab at Columbia University.

Spider-Man became a superhero with a thirst for knowledge and self-improvement. On one occasion, he was caught up in a fight where the Avengers appeared. Upon learning his story and identity, they decided to take him in, especially Steve and Tony, who treated him like a son. Peter lived with his Aunt May Parker, a loving and kind woman, who allowed her nephew to gradually become involved with the Avengers to the point that the boy practically lived in the tower and called Tony and Steve ”Dad. “

Life was wonderful and Tony didn't think he could be any happier, or so it was until the day he took a trip to London accompanied by Steve.

“This is the first time I’ve traveled abroad without a mission,” Steve remarked, excited to be flying on Stark Industries’ private ship. He was amazed to have such a wide seat with plenty of room all to himself. ”So, what are we going to London for? I know it’s for work, but I don’t know the details,” he asked, watching Tony review some data on his tablet.

“They’re just boring business for the Carbonell Foundation, but they won’t take up much of my time. Once I finish them, we can go for a walk and do some sightseeing,” Tony replied.

“Carbonell was your mother’s maiden name, right?” Steve asked with a smile. He knew how much Tony had loved his mother and it warmed his heart to see him doing charity work in her name.

“That’s her maiden name,” Tony confirmed. Once the information was verified, he put away the tablet and picked up the glass of orange juice on his small table. ”This foundation raises money and other resources for children’s and senior citizens’ homes in various cities around the world. There are several of these places in London where they’ve established various donation agreements, and it’s important to visit them regularly.“

“I thought Miss Potts took care of those things.“

"That's usually the case, but Stark Industries has grown exponentially, and Pepper has her hands full as CEO. Ideally, more staff should be hired, but I wanted to do my part with these visits.“

"Is that it, or did you just want an excuse to go on vacation?" Steve smiled mockingly; he knew Tony was always looking for reasons not to do office work.

“I won’t deny it, darling, if I had to choose between boring meetings with those fossilized investors or having you all to myself in a luxury suite at the best hotel in London, I’d prefer the latter,” Tony remarked. Those words made Steve burst out laughing before he kissed Tony sweetly.

“Well, I’ll sacrifice myself for you.“

“Don’t lie, you love being kidnapped.“

“I will neither deny nor confirm anything… It’s a shame Peter couldn’t join us.“

“Yes, I would have liked her to come too, but Aunt May was adamant that she couldn’t miss school days.“

"Oh well, maybe we can do something during summer vacation.“

“That would be good, I’ll ask FRIDAY to suggest some suitable places for family vacations.“
________________________________________

Once in London, the itinerary began with a visit to an educational support center for children and teenagers, a place specializing in providing free academic and vocational guidance and support to underprivileged students. At this first stop, Tony used his charm and charisma to attract the attention of the youngsters interested in studying science or perhaps engineering in the future.

The second stop was a veterans' home, where Steve spoke at length about interacting with the elderly residents, listening to them and, in turn, sharing his own war stories. Although they hadn't served at the same time, as soldiers they shared many similarities in their experiences, resulting in a pleasant conversation always focused on the positive aspects.

The last place was a children's home for orphans or abandoned children, which not only provided shelter and food, but also took care of giving all the children a good education, so that they would have the necessary tools to face the world, in case they were not adopted.

“This is the last one, right?” Steve asked, admiring the pretty white entrance with the sign ”Mrs. Bingley’s Children Home” on it.

“Yes, this place has been operating for several years and was one of the first to benefit from the Carbonell Foundation.“

“The property looks large and well-maintained,” Steve remarked. At that moment, the door was opened by a middle-aged woman in a vermilion dress.

“What can we offer you?”

“Good morning, ma’am, I’m Tony Stark and I’m here on behalf of the Carbonell Foundation to discuss donation agreements with the director.“

“Ah, of course, Mr. Stark, we were expecting you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m Larissa Maguire,” the woman said, shaking hands with both heroes and offering a sweet, motherly smile. ”Please come in, I’ll show you to Mrs. Bingley’s office. “

Once inside the children's home, they both realized it was even bigger than it looked from the outside. First, they crossed a large garden that led to the main house, a clearly old but well-maintained building, painted white with large windows that let in plenty of light. In the garden, they could see children of various ages playing and running around, from seven years old and up, including a few teenagers helping to supervise the younger ones.

“As you can see, our children’s home shelters many children; some arrived with us as babies, and others came to us due to cases of abuse.“

Despite being superheroes who had fought crime and crossed paths with truly cruel and ruthless villains, there were still notions of human nature that continued to trouble people like Steve. One of them was the notion of a father abusing his children. He wasn't one to judge; only God knew what those children's parents had endured, but he could never fathom anyone harming a defenseless being, innocent of adult problems.

“How many children live here?” Tony asked.

“At this time, we have a population of seventy minors, ranging from newborns to young people of seventeen years old.“

“Do you also take care of babies?” Steve asked this time.

“Yes, there are about twelve babies with us, hopefully they will be adopted.“

“What is the adoption rate per year?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know that information, Mr. Stark, but the headmistress will surely be able to provide it. “ With that, the three of them reached a wooden door bearing the sign Headmistress Bingley. Give me a moment, please,” Larissa said, knocking softly on the door as she peeked into the office. ”Please come in.“

“Thank you for your time, madam,” Steve took Larissa’s hand to place a gentlemanly kiss on the back, which earned a giggle from the blushing woman who then proceeded to withdraw.

"Flirting in front of me, Rogers, I didn't think you were capable," Tony mocked as he entered the office, leaving an amused Steve behind.

“Come in, gentlemen, please, my name is Jane Bingley and it is a pleasure to meet you,” Jane Bingley was a woman in her thirties, tall, with white skin, a slim build and wavy blonde hair, with blue eyes that gave an air of innocence and honesty.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Bingley,” Tony greeted with a gentle handshake, as did his partner.

“Madam, please. Bingley is my husband’s surname, and he inherited the management of this nursing home. When we married, I took his surname and started working here as the director. Would you like some tea?” The woman invited them to sit down at her desk, where she had a teapot ready with cups and some documents.

“Yes, I appreciate it,” Steve replied, as Tony declined the invitation with a wave of his hand.

“Being the director of a children’s home can’t be an easy task.“

“I won’t deny it has its demands,” Jane said, handing Steve a mug of hot tea and pouring herself one. ”But I believe it’s important work we do here. I love children, which is why I pursued a degree in education with a specialization in educational administration and management. That’s why my husband suggested I come and grow here.“

“But her husband owns the place, right?”

“That’s right, Mr. Stark. This house was created as a children’s home at the initiative of my husband’s great-great-grandmother. At that time, her husband provided the necessary funding and property to fulfill her dream. Since then, the Bingley family has struggled to keep this place afloat; it hasn’t always been easy, and it’s important to seek sources of income and donations.“

“That is why they partnered with the Carbonell Foundation since it was founded.“

“That’s right, thanks to the Carbonell Foundation we have been able to make many improvements and renovations that are essential for the care of the children.“

"I understand. In that case, what do you think about us proceeding to review the current agreements and donations?"

From then on, the conversation turned to numbers, accounts, invoices, and future donations. A bit tedious, if you ask Steve, but Mrs. Bingley's knowledge and handling of the administration were so well organized that they didn't spend any more time than necessary, which was much appreciated; Steve didn't know how many more cups of tea he could endure.

“I think that would be all, Mr. Stark.“

“Perfect, congratulations, you steer this ship with great skill.“

“Thank you, and I also appreciate you coming in person; it means a lot to us. Before you leave, would you like to give us a tour of the facilities? I know it's taking advantage of me, but I think the children would love to be able to greet you; many of them admire you so much.“

“It would be an honor, Mrs. Bingley, but we don’t bring our suits,” Steve replied.

“Speak for yourself, Rogers, I always rely on mine,” Tony remarked, tapping his chest reactor.

“Well, I didn’t come prepared, I didn’t even bring my shield.“

"Don't worry about it, the children recognize them very well and it wouldn't take much time, just a quick greeting. “ Despite the woman's insistence, Steve didn't have the heart to refuse, especially since he really liked children.

“What do you say?” He looked at Tony, waiting for his reaction.

“I don’t think we’ve lost anything, and we’ll have time to go for dinner.“

“Okay, let’s do the tour then.“
________________________________________

With each area they visited, Jane Bingley explained whether it was an original part of the property or one of the renovations that had been done over time. The children present were thrilled to see them and asked for autographs; some requested photographs, and the more daring ones begged for a hug or to be lifted up. With Tony's armor, there was no problem at all, and Steve, with his super strength, was able to fulfill every request.

Both Tony and Steve were warmed by the sight of the smiles on those children's faces. Despite the hardships in their lives, they looked happy and well cared for, a testament to the hard work everyone did at the children's home. The last place they visited was the nursery.

“Finally, here we take care of babies, some are newborns and others range from a few months to two years old.“

Tony's contact with babies throughout his life has been very limited. Aside from the emergency pregnancy tests he's taken on some of his one-night stands, the idea of having a child has never really crossed his mind. It's not as if the desire for fatherhood is a driving force in his life; married to a man and with a teenager who's almost like a son to him, he felt that part of his life was more than settled, but he wouldn't deny that it saddened him to see those babies without a family of their own.

“Are any of them up for adoption?” he asked Jane as he looked at all the babies in their cribs.

“We have a couple of couples who are going through the adoption process. The girl to your right will be officially adopted in two days.“

“They are all so cute,” Steve commented, admiring the little ones equally.

“Yes, they are. I pray that they can all find a family.“

As Jane explained to Steve how the babies were being cared for, Tony was drawn to a crib at the far end of the room. It was unremarkable, exactly like the others, but something felt different about it. Peeking inside, he saw a small baby boy, perhaps a year old, with jet-black hair, awake and happily cooing while holding a blue rattle.

“Hello, little man,” Tony greeted, trying to get his attention. Then, when the baby looked directly at him, he saw a pair of incredible green eyes. ”What beautiful eyes you have there, you’re so cute, aren’t you?” Without quite knowing why, Tony was tempted to pick him up, which he did, and the baby seemed comfortable enough to smile at him without showing any sign of wanting to cry.

“I see you met baby Harry,” Jane was heard saying, as she approached along with Steve, who was looking curiously at Tony.

“Is his name Harry?” Tony asked, paying little attention to Steve’s stares.

“Yes, according to the records his name is Harry James Potter, but we call him baby Harry.“

“He’s not a newborn,” Tony said, noticing a scar on the baby’s forehead, a curious lightning bolt-shaped mark. ”What’s that scar?”

“He had it when they left him with us about a week ago; his aunt brought him. She said it was a birthmark, but the pediatrician mentioned that it's from a wound, although he couldn't determine how it could have been caused to have that shape. He's about one year and three months old.“

“His aunt? And his parents?” Steve asked curiously, starting to make faces at the boy to make him smile more.

“That woman told us that his parents had passed away, that she was his only living relative, but that she couldn’t take care of him.“

“Couldn’t he or didn’t he want to take care of him?” Tony continued with a hint of sarcasm, still staring at the scar on the small forehead.

"It's hard to say, but the hurry I sensed from her when she left him, and the fact that she didn't even want to say goodbye, makes me think she didn't want him in her house. She mentioned being a married woman with her own young child; that may have been the reason.“

“Poor baby,” Steve whispered. Tony said nothing, still lost in thought, admiring the infant. ”Tony, it’s time to go.“

“What? Oh… yes, of course,” she said, carefully placing Harry in his crib, and the two men proceeded to leave. ”Thank you for your attention, Mrs. Bingley.“

“On the contrary, I am extremely grateful for your help and we continue to count on you.“

________________________________________

Once inside the rental car, with Steve driving, he recounted the details that had touched him most about the visit and how it made him feel to have been able to bring a moment of fun to all the children at the orphanage. But after a while, he realized he was being completely ignored. Tony was strangely serious and quiet, his mind far away.

“Tony, honey, is something wrong? You haven’t said a word since we got in the car. “ Still receiving no response, she decided to shake her partner’s hand. ”Tony!” That was when he finally showed any sign of reaction.

"What? What's wrong?"

"Is something wrong? I was talking to you and you weren't answering.“

“I’m sorry, it’s just that… I was thinking about that boy.“

“Which one?”

"In baby Harry.“

“What’s wrong with him?”

“It’s strange, I can’t get it out of my mind, it’s… like a strange feeling or premonition that’s warning me.“

"What? You're not one to be influenced by hunches; that's far beyond your realm of reasoning.“

“I know, but I feel a pressure in my chest, I can’t explain it, but thinking about that baby all alone there… makes me sad.“

“Tony, it’s not just that baby, all the children in that orphanage have had hard lives, it’s normal that it affects you.“

“But it’s not just that… it’s not pity or sorrow, it’s different. It’s like an urgent need to protect him from everything and everyone.“

By this point, Steve was worried. He had never heard Tony talk like this. His husband, who had always been guided by reason and logical thinking, was suddenly talking to him about imaginary feelings and apprehensions, about a baby they had just met.

“I think I want to adopt him.“

“WHAT!” Shocked, Steve nearly swerved. Luckily, they didn't hit the car next to them, although the driver honked his horn loudly in indignation.

“Rogers, what are you doing? You almost killed us.“

"You're the one who needs to explain this to me. Did you just say you want to adopt a baby?"

“Yes, that’s exactly what I want to do.“

“Tony… look… we need to calm down. It’s best if we go back to the hotel and talk calmly; I don’t think having this conversation while we’re on the move is the best idea.“

No sooner said than done. Back in their suite, the two men sat down on the enormous king -size bed, facing each other. First, Steve tried to convince Tony that what he was saying was complete madness. Not only was it a completely spontaneous decision, but it would also affect their lives in a colossal way, both their civic and superhero lives. Furthermore, it was highly unlikely they would be allowed to adopt an English child when they were both American citizens.

Meanwhile, Tony, with each passing minute, became more convinced that this was the right thing to do. He couldn't even explain what compelled him to want to care for this particular child, but he desired it; he was adamant that it had to be Harry and no one else.

“It’s not a whim, Steve. You know me, you know that starting a family or having children was never one of my top priorities in life, especially after I became Iron Man. When we got married, I was aware that our family would be the two of us and Peter as a sort of stepson, and that was fine, but this is something more, I can’t get this idea out of my head.“

“I’m trying to understand, Tony, but I think it’s crazy. Our lives are dangerous enough as it is; adopting a baby would just give villains an easy target, letting them know where to hit us.“

“I know, I know, but I think we can do it. There’s no place on the planet safer than Avengers Tower, and I’ll make sure to upgrade the defense and surveillance systems. Money’s no problem; we can give him a comfortable and stable life. Maybe it’ll be difficult at first, but I bet everyone will grow fond of the little one. There won’t be a more spoiled and protected child in the whole world, in the whole universe.” Seeing his husband’s uneasy face, Tony pondered the possible reasons why Steve was resisting the idea. “Is it that you don’t want children? I know it hasn’t been one of the topics we’ve focused on most, but I figured…”

“No, that’s not it. There was a time when I thought I would get married and become a father, living a normal life as a family man”

“With Aunt Peggy…” Margaret Carter has always been a somewhat complicated subject for the two men, especially because Tony feels irrational jealousy over the memory of the woman.

“Yes, with Peggy, I won’t deny it. After ending up frozen and suddenly waking up in the 21st century, besides forming the team, those ideas were buried in my mind. I didn’t think I’d ever have that opportunity again, not even with Sharon, and then you showed up with that arrogant smile that made me want to punch you in the face.“

“I love you too, Cap …”

“But, little did I know, that you would become the love of my life, and that I could no longer conceive of life without you by my side,” along with these words, Steve squeezed Tony’s hand with his right and with his left gave him a tender caress on the face, without taking his eyes off him, earning a huge smile from his husband.

“You sure know how to make a guy feel special,” Tony said, looking away, not wanting the other to see his blushing face, although it was no use, Steve never missed that kind of thing.

“You are my life, Tony, but I confess that it never crossed my mind that we could have children, not only because we are both men, but the idea of adoption never even crossed my mind. It's not that I don't want children with you, it's just that I hadn't considered it, and it's not an excuse when I tell you that I fear what could happen to that baby or anyone else in our care.“

“I understand your reservations, but I know we can do this. Something inside me is urging me to care for him and love him. I don’t know, maybe it’s one of those psychological quirks of seeing myself reflected in an abandoned child, someone I want to compensate for childhood traumas… I don’t know, but I have to do it, and I need your support.“

Disagreements and opposing viewpoints have always been a part of the dynamic in their relationship. Many times, Steve has found himself on the opposite side of Tony's ideas, whether for an attack plan or to resolve a crisis without resorting to violence. But Steve also knows that there have been times when he has to support Tony because what he defends is right or just, and on those occasions, Tony always wears a look full of determination and longing. The same look he sees in that very moment. So, after letting out a long sigh that helped him accept the reality they were about to face, he said:

"Alright.“

“Yes?” Tony asked excitedly.

“Yes, let’s do it, let’s adopt baby Harry.“

“Oh, I love you, Rogers!” Tony exclaimed before knocking his husband down onto the bed and kissing him until he was satisfied.
________________________________________

The following morning, after a heated night of activity where they gave free rein to the passion they felt for each other, they returned to Mrs. Bingley's Home, where they were greeted by a surprised Jane who, evidently, did not expect to see them so soon, much less for what they were proposing.

“To be frank, Mr. Stark, I was hoping you’d say anything but this.“

"I wouldn't understand why; it seems to me that a request like ours must be something commonplace for him.“

“True, but not under these conditions.“

"What does he mean?"

“Mr. Stark, I think it’s wonderful that you want to give a home and shelter to an orphaned child, but I’m afraid I must decline your request.“

“But why? We are an internationally recognized couple, not to mention the more than stable financial stability we enjoy.“

“I understand, but legally adopting a child in this country requires meeting certain criteria. For starters, the couple must be British citizens, and you are not. Assuming you went through the entire adoption process, that would be the primary reason why your application would be denied.“

“Mrs. Bingley, we understand, and believe me, Tony and I have discussed this, but there must be something we can do. I'm not asking you to break the rules or anything like that, but I want to believe there must be some alternative way to make it happen.“

“If it’s an authorization or whatever, tell me who we need to contact to get the document. If necessary, I’ll go right now and find Queen Elizabeth herself to get her to sign whatever paper I want; that woman owes me a couple of favors,” Tony argued, fully intending to go to the palace to find the royal family.

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Jane Bingley said, unsure how seriously to take the previous words, but knowing Anthony Stark’s reputation, he might not have been bluffing . “Let’s do this: I’m not promising anything, but I’ll speak with the relevant authorities to see how I can help. You must understand that adoption is an extremely delicate matter. Our authorities take compliance with certain guidelines very seriously, and it won’t be easy.“

“I understand, but I can’t give up. Whatever needs to be done, rest assured I won’t stop until the end.“

"I'm curious, why do they want to adopt baby Harry? I understand there are countless children in the United States who could also be part of their family.“

“Indeed, this issue might be simpler for us in our country, starting with the matter of nationality. My husband mentioned it yesterday when we were discussing it, but it's not just adopting a child that motivates me; it's that particular child who drives me to do all of this… When I held him in my arms, when I felt his warm little body and saw those green eyes, I felt a connection that goes beyond what I can explain… which is a miracle because I'd never experienced anything like it before. I rationalize everything and try to find the objective side of things, even though I've been in situations beyond human comprehension—fights against robots, encounters with beings from space, I've even visited places outside this dimension—and nothing has made me feel the same as when I held that baby. It might sound crazy, but I want to watch over him, love him, and give him a good home. “

Steve had known since the previous day how much Tony longed to adopt the child, but hearing him speak like this warmed his heart. It moved him so deeply that his eyes shone with emotion, an emotion he shared with Jane Bingley upon learning of the two men's feelings.

“I understand, it’s a kind sentiment, Mr. Stark, and I appreciate your honesty. I stand by what I said; I’ll discuss it with the relevant authorities today and let you know. Does that sound alright?”

“Of course, and we greatly appreciate your support. “

“You’re welcome, Mr. Rogers.“

“Before we go, could we see Harry for a moment?” Tony asked anxiously.

“Of course, I’ll accompany you.“

Twenty-four hours later, during which Tony felt consumed by anxiety and nerves, they finally received news from Jane, who summoned them back to her office with the results of her consultation. They didn't want to get their hopes up, but given the woman's cheerful tone, Steve commented that they should be optimistic.

“Okay, gentlemen, after an intense discussion with those in charge of the process, they finally gave me the information we needed.“

“So, will we be able to adopt Harry?” Steve asked, as Tony seemed somewhat agitated.

“First and foremost, it is essential that you obtain a Certificate of Suitability for International Adoption. Under normal circumstances, this certificate takes months to process, but in your case, you can expedite the process as long as you complete the necessary steps: these include passing a series of evaluations to ensure your emotional and socioeconomic stability and commitment to the child's well-being, taking a training course that will prepare you for the challenges of adoption, and filling out the corresponding application forms. If everything is in order and there are no setbacks, you will be able to legally adopt baby Harry.“

“So, if it’s possible, is there any way they could give us Harry?” Tony remarked, making sure he understood what they had just heard.

“Yes, it is possible, Mr. Stark,” the woman’s encouraging words led the couple to smile hopefully and hug each other tightly.

“We’ll do it, Tony, we’ll get them to let us adopt Harry.“

“Yes, we will.
“
Their happiness was contagious, so much so that Jane smiled too at their overwhelming joy. She didn't know what would come of it all, but she was convinced that the two men would do whatever it took to reach their goal.

No sooner said than done, Tony and Steve fully committed to the mission, one that required time, patience, and dedication. Despite being certain of the process's efficiency, the bureaucracy remained a thorn in their side, or at least that's what Tony expressed every time he saw the numerous forms to fill out and all the tests they had to pass.

It wasn't easy, especially since everyone at home kept asking them why they hadn't returned to New York yet. Both Natasha and Pepper suspected the two men were up to something, but they said nothing, only making excuses that they'd be back soon, without specifying exactly when. Tony attributed their absence to a sort of second honeymoon, which could last a few months, but nothing to worry about.

There were tense days when the process seemed to be going nowhere, and others when it seemed like it would all end at any moment. Jane always told them that everything was going smoothly and faster than average, but for someone like Tony Stark, for whom speed is essential in all his projects, the wait was agonizing. Steve, on the other hand, was more measured than Tony, but he was also excited about what they were experiencing. At first, he had his doubts, but little by little, his heart filled with the idea of becoming a father, and he felt thrilled.

It was all worth it one morning when the process finally came to an end. All the signatures were in order, all the paperwork had been processed, and all the arrangements were complete. All that remained was to pick up the little baby so they could go home.

With no time to lose, Tony and Steve rushed to the orphanage, where Jane Bingley had all the paperwork ready stipulating that custody of Harry Potter was being transferred to Tony Stark and Steve Rogers. Furthermore, his name would be changed to Harry James Stark-Rogers. They decided to change his last name to show they were a family, but agreed to keep ”Harry James" as a legacy from his previous family.

“Here he is, congratulations and I wish you luck,” Jane exclaimed joyfully as she passed the little baby from her arms to Tony’s.

“Thank you for everything,” Steve said, admiring the baby and Tony, who couldn't take his eyes off his new son. “Welcome, son. “

“Yes, welcome to the family, Harry Stark-Rogers. “

To be continued...