Harry Potter: The Revenant

The sunlight filtered through the windows of the compound as Janet Van Dyne walked briskly down the hallway, her heels clicking on the polished floor. She was dressed impeccably, as always, in a tailored beige jacket over a simple black blouse and fitted pants, her blonde hair framing her face in soft waves. Her expression was a blend of curiosity and determination, the kind of look that meant she wasn't about to take no for an answer.

She spotted Lily Potter in the distance, a stark contrast to her own polished demeanor. Lily, with her auburn hair tied in a messy bun and wearing a comfortable sweater and jeans, had a clipboard balanced precariously in one hand and a coffee mug in the other. She looked like she hadn't slept much, but her green eyes sparkled with energy nonetheless.

"Janet," Lily greeted warmly, setting the coffee mug down on a nearby table. "You're up early. What can I do for you?"

Janet gave her a wry smile. "I could say the same about you, but I have a feeling you haven't actually gone to bed yet."

Lily chuckled, not denying it. "The Quinjet project's been keeping me busy. Gideon and I are running some final tests today. Why, are you curious?"

"Curious?" Janet tilted her head, her smile widening. "That's putting it lightly. I've been hearing nothing but glowing reports about the work you and your 'partner-in-crime' have been doing. Merging magic and technology? It's practically revolutionary. I need to see it for myself."

Lily raised an eyebrow, but there was a playful glint in her eye. "Alright. But don't say I didn't warn you. Gideon can be... intense in the mornings. And by intense, I mean borderline insufferable."

"Oh, I remember Gideon," Janet said, her tone pointed. "Though the last time I saw him, he looked about a hundred years older and went by Gellert Grindelwald. I trust he's better company now that he's had a magical makeover?"

Lily laughed. "He's still Gideon. You'll see."

The two women made their way to the workshop, the buzz of activity in the compound fading as they entered a quieter, more focused space. The workshop was a perfect blend of futuristic technology and something almost ancient. Holographic displays hummed alongside walls inscribed with glowing runes. In the center of the room stood the Quinjet prototype, its sleek design enhanced by intricate magical etchings that shimmered faintly in the light.

Gideon Adler was hunched over a console, his pale blond hair now streaked with only the faintest hint of silver, falling just past his shoulders. He looked far younger than Janet remembered, his striking features sharp and angular, his expression one of deep concentration. His long, dark coat swept the floor as he turned to face them, his mismatched eyes—one icy blue, the other faintly golden—lighting up with recognition.

"Janet Van Dyne," Gideon drawled, his voice smooth and rich with a faint accent. "It's been some time."

Janet crossed her arms, her lips curving into a smirk. "Almost a year, if memory serves. You look… different."

"Ah, yes." Gideon spread his arms theatrically. "Youth is wasted on the young, they say. But in my case, I'd argue it's quite an improvement, wouldn't you?"

Janet raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "I'll let you know once I decide if the attitude has improved along with the looks."

Lily snorted, clearly enjoying the exchange. "Alright, you two, play nice. Janet's here to see the Quinjet, not to relive your past lives."

"Is she, now?" Gideon's gaze shifted to the Quinjet, his tone suddenly more serious. "Then I hope you're ready to be impressed, Janet. This is no ordinary machine."

Janet stepped forward, her sharp eyes taking in every detail. She ran her fingers lightly along the edge of the jet, her touch reverent. "The design is stunning. But what's really catching my eye are these—" She gestured to the glowing runes. "—the magical enhancements. How exactly are you making this work without everything exploding?"

"That," Gideon said with a sly smile, "is the art of it. Technology and magic are natural enemies, you see. Like oil and water. It takes a delicate touch—an understanding of both worlds—to blend them seamlessly."

"And a lot of arguing," Lily added dryly. "Gideon insists on his 'artistic vision,' and Howard wants precision. I'm the one stuck in the middle."

Janet smirked, turning to Lily. "You poor thing. It must be exhausting being the most reasonable person in the room."

"You have no idea," Lily replied, her tone playful but edged with truth.

Gideon interrupted their banter with a wave of his hand. "Enough chatter. We're about to test the new stabilization matrix. Janet, you may want to stand back. Unless, of course, you're feeling brave."

Janet didn't move. "Please. I didn't come here to play it safe."

Gideon chuckled, clearly amused, and turned back to the controls. As he began the test, Janet leaned closer to Lily, her tone quieter but no less direct. "So, about Hank…"

Lily hesitated, glancing at Gideon to make sure he was focused elsewhere. "I've noticed," she admitted softly. "The drinking, the temper… I wasn't sure if you wanted to talk about it."

Janet sighed, her polished exterior cracking just a little. "It's complicated. Hank's always been… passionate. But lately, that passion's been eating him alive. I don't know how to help him anymore."

Lily placed a hand on Janet's arm, her green eyes filled with understanding. "You don't have to do it alone. If you ever need someone to talk to—or anything else—you know where to find me."

Janet gave her a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Lily."

Before they could continue, the Quinjet hummed to life, its magical and technological components syncing together in a display of glowing light and gentle vibrations. Gideon turned to them, his expression triumphant. "Ladies, behold: the future."

Janet's breath caught for just a moment. "It's… incredible."

Lily grinned. "Welcome to the new world, Janet. Think you're ready to join us?"

Janet smiled, feeling a flicker of excitement and hope. "Oh, I think I'll manage."

—

The low hum of the Quinjet's magical stabilization matrix was interrupted as the door to the workshop swung open with a clang that echoed off the walls. Hank Pym strode in, his presence commanding yet off-putting, like a storm that couldn't help but tear through everything in its path. His once-pristine suit jacket was rumpled and clung to his frame, the tie loosely hanging around his neck like an afterthought. His face was gaunt and pale, his eyes bloodshot and rimmed with dark circles, unmistakable signs of a hangover still taking its toll. There was no mistaking his mood—impatience radiated from him like heat off a furnace.

"Janet," he barked, his voice sharp and unrelenting, cutting through the calm atmosphere of the workshop. "Enough sightseeing. We've got work to do. Pack it up. We're going back to the lab. Now."

Janet, who had been standing beside Lily and inspecting the magical runes etched into the Quinjet's hull, didn't flinch. She took a slow breath, keeping her gaze on the ship as if Hank hadn't just walked in like an angry bull on a rampage. After a beat, she turned to face him, her posture cool and unyielding.

"Good morning to you, too, Hank," Janet said, her voice calm but cutting, her lips twitching in amusement. "You're just in time to see some groundbreaking work happening here. Maybe you'll actually learn something new today."

Hank's lip curled into a sneer, and he waved his hand dismissively at the Quinjet. "Groundbreaking? This is Stark-tech, Janet. Flashy toys and gimmicks—nothing more. I don't have time for this overpriced nonsense." His voice was thick with disdain.

Janet crossed her arms, not budging from where she stood. "You know, Hank, sometimes I wonder if you even want to see innovation. It's always 'too flashy,' 'too unnecessary.' Have you considered that maybe it's because you're too afraid to try something new, that maybe you're a little too comfortable in your own rut?"

Lily, who had been quietly observing, raised an eyebrow at Hank's tone. Her eyes, normally warm, now flashed with subtle irritation as she stepped forward. "Flashy and unnecessary, is it? Funny, because this 'overpriced toy,' as you call it, combines cutting-edge technology with magical advancements. You've seen the same thing with us, haven't you, Hank? Or does the idea of blending magic and science still elude you?"

Gideon, who had been intently tracing his fingers over the glowing runes on the Quinjet's hull, looked up at Hank, his gaze sharp and filled with an air of quiet amusement. "Ah, Dr. Pym," he said, his voice smooth like honey and coated in sarcasm. "Always a pleasure to meet a man so confident in his ignorance. Please, enlighten us—what great feats of modern science do you bring to the table today?"

Hank's eyes narrowed, his expression one of barely concealed disgust. "I'm not here for a debate, Grindelwald," he shot back, the name a clear jab, his tone venomous. "I've got real work to do, ones that actually matter. Janet, we leave in ten minutes. I'm not saying it again."

Janet's expression hardened, her eyes flashing as she squared her shoulders. She exhaled sharply, and then with a small smirk, she addressed him with ice in her voice. "You're not going to say it again? Fine. Let me say it once: I'm not leaving until I'm ready. And if you think you're dragging me back to the lab like some lab rat in your experiments, you're sorely mistaken."

Hank's lip curled in contempt as he gestured dismissively at the Quinjet. "Groundbreaking, right. You really believe in this junk? This thing is going to fall apart the second it's off the ground. I don't have time for it."

Janet stepped closer, her eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and disbelief. "That's rich, coming from the guy who almost blew up half his lab trying to stabilize a particle. This isn't about the Quinjet, Hank," she shot back, her voice rising. "This is about you. You can't stand the idea that someone else might do something groundbreaking for once, especially if it's not you!"

Lily, sensing the rising tension, stepped between them with a calming presence. Her voice was gentle, yet there was an undeniable firmness that cut through Hank's stubbornness. "Dr. Pym, with all due respect, this project is about more than just Stark or magic. It's about pushing boundaries, finding new ways to protect people. If you could take a moment to look past your own bias, you might actually see the value in what we're doing here."

Hank's nostrils flared, his jaw tightening with disdain. He glanced at Lily with a sneer. "Sales pitch, Mrs. Potter. I've heard it all before. Janet," he practically spat her name, "I'll be in the car. You've got ten minutes. If you're not there, I'm leaving without you."

Without waiting for a response, Hank spun on his heel and stormed out of the room, the door slamming shut behind him with an almost theatrical finality.

The room fell into a heavy silence, the energy now shifted from frustration to quiet tension. Janet let out a slow breath, her arms dropping to her sides. She turned to Lily and Gideon, her shoulders sagging as the tension of the confrontation drained from her body.

"Well," she said, her voice tinged with a forced lightness, "That was charming." She rolled her eyes as she mimicked Hank's tone with a sarcastic lilt. "Ten minutes. I'd be impressed if he could make it anywhere in that time frame."

Gideon leaned against the console, a half-smile playing at the corner of his lips. "Charming? You're being generous, Janet. The man's a walking monument to arrogance. But I do enjoy watching you handle him."

Lily placed a gentle hand on Janet's shoulder, her touch offering reassurance. "Are you okay?"

Janet nodded, though her jaw was tight. "I'm fine. He's just… Hank." She straightened up, her posture resolute once more as she forced a smile. "Now, where were we? Oh, right. You were going to show me how you merged magic with Stark's propulsion system."

Gideon gave her a knowing smile, the corners of his lips curling with a mixture of amusement and admiration. "Ah, yes. Allow me to demonstrate this 'flash and no substance' for our esteemed guest," he said, gesturing grandly toward the Quinjet's hull. His eyes danced with a wicked gleam, enjoying the chance to prove Hank wrong.

Janet, now thoroughly restored, chuckled softly. "Lead the way, Gideon. I'm all ears."

As they moved forward, the tension in the room evaporated, and the air buzzed with an exciting energy—one fueled by progress, innovation, and the spark of creative minds pushing boundaries.

—

The soft hum of the Quinjet's magical stabilization matrix seemed to resonate with the energy in the room, a faint background to the flurry of activity as Janet and Gideon continued their work. They were absorbed in their task, their minds focused on the intricate blending of Stark's technology and magical theory, unaware of the figure that quietly entered the room.

Harry stepped through the door, his eyes scanning the scene before him. There was something familiar in the chaos of the lab, a reminder of the countless hours he'd spent alongside Lily, Natasha, and the rest of his family—building, learning, experimenting. But today, there was something different in the air. The weight of his next journey hung heavy on him, and for a moment, he considered just turning around and leaving without saying a word. After all, he had said his goodbyes to Natasha, Sirius, Rose, and even his dad. But no. Not without Lily. Not without Adler. God help him if he left without saying goodbye to the people who meant the most to him.

"Hey, Mom," Harry said, his voice cutting through the silence of the lab. Janet glanced up from her work, her face breaking into a small, knowing smile.

"Harry," she said, her tone light but with an underlying curiosity. "What brings you here? I thought you were already out the door."

Harry grinned, the mischievous twinkle in his eye betraying the anxiety simmering underneath. "Yeah, well, I was going to leave, but then I realized I'd be in deep trouble with you if I didn't say goodbye. I'd rather face a Hydra base than leave without telling you."

Lily's lips quirked upward in that familiar smile, the one she always wore when Harry managed to surprise her, even though it was rarely anything out of the ordinary. "You're lucky, you know. If you hadn't come to say goodbye, I'd have hunted you down."

"Ah, well, I couldn't risk that," Harry teased, stepping further into the room. "And I have something else to tell you, too." He hesitated, the words catching in his throat.

Lily raised an eyebrow, sensing the change in his demeanor. "What's going on, Harry?"

Harry took a breath, running a hand through his hair. "I've got to head back to Kamar-Taj. There's a project I need to start, something I can't really explain right now. But I'll need Wong's help with it." His eyes flickered with a mixture of excitement and exasperation at the thought of Wong. "Let's just say I love to prank him, and he… well, he doesn't exactly appreciate my sense of humor."

Janet chuckled, her posture relaxing as she crossed her arms. "Oh, I've seen you two in action before. It's like a master class in chaos and resentment. But why Kamar-Taj? What's this project about?"

"I can't say, not yet," Harry answered quickly, his voice low and serious. "But you know I wouldn't leave unless it was important." His gaze softened as he looked at Lily. "I've already said goodbye to Natasha, Sirius, and Rose. Dad, too. But leaving without telling you and Adler goodbye? Not happening."

Lily took a step toward him, her hands on her hips as she regarded him closely. "What are you planning, Harry? I know you. You're not one to do anything without a good reason. You might not want to tell me, but I can sense that you're about to step into something big."

Harry offered a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his neck. "I swear, Mom, sometimes you read me like a book." His tone softened as he continued, his voice quieter now. "I'm not going to be gone forever. Just a little while. But I'll miss you. A lot."

Lily's expression softened, her gaze warm with understanding. "I'll miss you too, Harry. But you have to do what you think is right. Just promise me you won't get yourself into too much trouble." She stepped forward, pulling him into a brief but tight hug.

Harry chuckled as he pulled away, already half-embarrassed. "Me? Trouble? Never." But there was a spark of mischief in his eyes that suggested he might be lying.

Before Lily could respond, the sound of footsteps approaching interrupted them. Adler entered the lab, his familiar presence filling the room with a comforting air of wisdom. He gave Harry a knowing look, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses.

"Ah, Harry. Off again, are you?" Adler's voice was rich with affection, but there was an undercurrent of something deeper, something almost fatherly. "I suppose I should've known you'd be slipping off without so much as a proper goodbye." He offered a smile, but it was tinged with a hint of sadness.

Harry grinned sheepishly. "You know me too well, Adler. I just didn't want to leave without—"

Adler raised a hand, cutting him off with a light chuckle. "Yes, yes. You've already said goodbye to Natasha and the others. But you're family, Harry. And family always comes first." He stepped forward, clasping Harry's shoulder with a gentle but firm hand. "Whatever this secret project of yours is, I trust you'll handle it well. But remember, if you need any advice—or even just someone to listen—I'm here."

Harry's heart warmed at the words, his throat tightening for a moment. "Thanks, Adler. I'll keep that in mind."

Janet, watching the exchange, raised an eyebrow. "All this emotional bonding, and here I thought I was the one who raised you right."

Harry shot her a playful grin. "You did. You both did. But if you think I'm not going to prank Wong just a little while I'm there, you're sorely mistaken."

Lily laughed softly, but there was a tinge of sadness behind her smile. "Just don't cause too much chaos, Harry. I don't want to hear about it in the next report."

As Harry turned to leave, he paused for a moment, glancing back at the two figures who had shaped his life more than anyone else. "I'll be back soon, I promise. Just… take care of yourselves."

With one last nod to the two most important people in his life, Harry slipped out of the workshop, the door closing softly behind him. He felt a pang of bittersweetness in his chest, but it was quickly replaced with determination. He had work to do—and wherever his journey led, he knew he had a family who would always be there to help him find his way back.

—

Harry stepped through the shimmering portal with the practiced ease of someone who had made this journey more times than he cared to admit. The air around him hummed with ancient power, and the familiar scent of incense and old tomes instantly greeted him as he landed in the hallowed grounds of Kamar-Taj. It was like stepping into another world—one where time felt less like a ticking clock and more like an ever-expanding river, flowing freely, unaffected by the mundane.

He took a moment, letting the energy of the place wash over him, before walking toward the central courtyard. Despite everything he'd learned over the years—magic, alternate realities, and even dealing with Hydra—there was still something profoundly awe-inspiring about Kamar-Taj. But today, there was no time to linger in admiration. He had a plan. He needed Wong's help to make it work, but first, he had to have a little chat with the Ancient One.

Harry had barely crossed the threshold into the grand, open courtyard when he felt that unmistakable presence. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was. She was always there, watching, waiting, understanding more than he ever could—or wanted to, sometimes.

The Ancient One stood at the far end of the courtyard, her back straight, a serene expression on her face. Her robes billowed slightly in the breeze, and her pale, ageless face looked almost too perfect to belong to someone who had seen as much as she had. She regarded Harry with those piercing eyes, the kind that seemed to look through him as much as at him, as though she was already a step ahead in the conversation.

"Harry Potter," she greeted, her voice carrying the weight of centuries without a hint of strain. It was as though every word she spoke was infused with the timeless wisdom she had accumulated. "It's been some time since I last saw you. How are you faring with your... latest endeavor?"

Harry grinned, though it was the kind of grin that betrayed a little discomfort. "Oh, you know me. Can't stay out of trouble for long. I was just off dealing with some Hydra shenanigans. Nothing too dangerous, just a young Tony Stark getting into some rather sticky situations. You'd be surprised how easy it is to ruin a Stark's life with a little well-placed manipulation."

The Ancient One's lips quirked in a ghost of a smile, the faintest hint of amusement touching her eyes. "Ah, yes. A 16-year-old Tony Stark and his tendency to attract trouble. I suppose I should've known you were involved." Her gaze turned thoughtful, as though she was tracing the threads of time that connected him to the situation. "I trust you handled it well?"

"I've handled worse," Harry said casually, though his thoughts lingered on the peculiar intricacies of his latest encounter with Stark. "But enough about that. I'm here to talk about something a little more pressing."

The Ancient One tilted her head ever so slightly, an almost imperceptible motion that spoke volumes. "I'm sure you are. And I imagine you've come to see Wong? He's in the library, as usual, buried in scrolls he'll never finish reading."

"Right where I left him, I assume," Harry said with a knowing smirk. "I have a feeling Wong will be the key to what I need next."

The Ancient One's gaze flickered with amusement, her smile broadening. "You forget, Harry, I know of your 'secret project' long before you decided to bring it to Wong. In fact, I'm quite curious to see how this turns out."

Harry raised an eyebrow, a little taken aback but not at all surprised. "You already know what it is? Of course you do. You're the Ancient One. You probably know what I'm going to have for lunch tomorrow too."

She regarded him with that calm, knowing gaze, as though she was observing a particularly entertaining puzzle. "It's not the details that intrigue me, but the potential of what you're trying to accomplish. I believe you are on the cusp of something... momentous, Harry. But, as you are well aware, these things never come easily."

"I've never been one to shy away from a challenge," Harry said, though his tone had a hint of caution in it. The Ancient One wasn't one to throw around words like "momentous" lightly. "But you're right about one thing. I'm going to need Wong's help. I'd rather not face whatever it is I'm about to face alone."

"Wise," she said, her voice steady and warm, but with a thread of underlying power. "But remember, even with Wong's aid, this path you are treading could lead you into unknown realms. Be careful where you step, Harry. Not all is as it seems."

Harry nodded slowly, understanding the weight behind her words. "I'll keep that in mind. I'm not here to make a mess of things. I just want to get this right." He gave her a final glance, noting the ever-present glint of ancient wisdom in her eyes. "Thanks for the heads-up."

She smiled, her expression unreadable, before offering him a soft, almost imperceptible nod. "Good luck, Harry. You'll need it."

With that, Harry turned and made his way toward the library, the air growing quieter as he walked deeper into the sanctum of Kamar-Taj. He couldn't help but feel that the Ancient One's words were still echoing in his head, lingering like a faint hum of caution. It wasn't the first time she'd given him advice that sounded like a warning wrapped in encouragement. He'd learned to listen to her, even if he didn't always heed her every word.

As he entered the library, the familiar scent of aged parchment and incense filled his lungs, and he immediately spotted Wong sitting at one of the long tables, his hands buried in a pile of thick, dusty books. Wong was muttering to himself in that low, deliberate tone, his focus intense and unwavering. The mystical knowledge of the library was vast, and Wong was often its most ardent student.

"Still buried in the old stuff, Wong?" Harry asked, his voice loud enough to break the intense silence that surrounded them.

Wong looked up, eyes narrowing behind his glasses. The sharp, no-nonsense gaze was immediately at odds with the calm of the library, and Harry grinned, knowing that Wong wasn't in the mood for distractions. "You again, Potter," Wong said, his voice dry, though there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I assume you're not here to ask me for another magical favor, are you? I've already helped you with your last experiment—if I recall correctly, it nearly set fire to half of Kamar-Taj."

Harry put up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, that was an accident! I didn't mean for the room to implode, it just... happened."

Wong's unimpressed look deepened, but there was no real anger behind it—just resignation, as though he had long since come to accept that Harry's magical mishaps were simply part of life.

"Fine, fine. But what is it this time?" Wong asked, setting his books aside. "You look like you're up to something, and I know better than to let you run off without some explanation."

Harry leaned against a nearby bookshelf, crossing his arms. "You could say that. I've been working on something... a project. I'm gonna need your help to finish it."

Wong gave him an appraising look, the kind of look that suggested he wasn't sure whether Harry was about to get them both into trouble or if he was truly onto something important. "I don't know whether to be concerned or intrigued. But, considering who's asking, I suppose I'll bite. What's the project?"

Harry paused, letting the suspense hang in the air for just a beat longer before giving Wong a small, almost wicked grin. "Well, Wong, it's nothing small. But I'll say this—it's big enough that if it works, it could change everything."

Wong didn't seem to buy the mystery for a second. "I don't know whether that's a good thing or a terrible thing, Potter. But, I suppose we'll find out soon enough, won't we?"

"That's the idea," Harry said, nodding. "So, what do you say? Ready to help me make some magic happen?"

Wong sighed, rubbing his temples as though preparing for another of Harry's chaotic plans. "Just try not to burn down the library this time, and maybe we can get to work."

And just like that, the two of them were off—ready to dive into whatever "big" project Harry had up his sleeve, fully aware that the journey was likely to be as unpredictable as ever.

—

Harry sat across from Wong in the quiet, dust-choked library of Kamar-Taj, his mind racing with excitement as he pulled a thick, weathered book from his bag. It wasn't just any old tome—it was the Marauder's Journal, an heirloom given to him on his last birthday by his father, James Potter, and Sirius Black. The leather cover was worn and soft, a testament to the many hands it had passed through over the years, but it still radiated with the energy of countless adventures and secrets.

Wong, ever the skeptic, arched an eyebrow as Harry slid the journal across the table toward him. "What's this? Another one of your... 'magical experiments,' Potter?"

Harry gave him a sly smile. "Well, it's a bit more than that. This is something I've been thinking about for a while, and I need your expertise to make it work. It's something my dad and Sirius worked on—becoming Animagi."

Wong raised an eyebrow, skepticism written all over his face. "Animagi? You mean the transformation where wizards can turn into animals at will? That sounds... dangerous."

"Oh, it is. And complicated." Harry gave a small laugh, the memories of his own experiences with transforming into a stag flashing through his mind. "But the process itself is one for the books, and I think it could be a perfect challenge for Kamar-Taj magic."

He flipped open the journal to a page near the back, marked by a dark, dried stain—presumably from a spill of some kind, though he never asked what it was. The page detailed the intricate, dangerous procedure that his father and Sirius had followed to become Animagi during their time at Hogwarts, a feat that had taken years to complete.

Wong glanced down at the page and his face hardened with suspicion. "This looks... painful. And unnecessarily complicated."

Harry nodded, knowing full well that Wong was no fan of convoluted or reckless spells. The procedure was detailed, and Harry understood the risks firsthand. He had tried it himself, back in his fifth year, only to discover how hard it was to swallow a Mandrake leaf, let alone keep one under your tongue for an entire month.

"Yeah, well, it's a nightmare of a process. It starts with the Mandrake leaf—the one thing that makes it all work," Harry said, leaning forward to tap the page. "You have to keep a leaf under your tongue for a month. It's incredibly difficult, and if you swallow it even once, the whole thing is ruined."

Wong looked at him with a raised eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "And let me guess, the leaf's not the end of it?"

Harry grinned. "Of course not. The Mandrake leaf is just the first step. Once you've kept it under your tongue for the whole month, you use the leaf as the final ingredient in brewing something called the Animagus Reveal Potion."

Wong's gaze hardened. "And let me guess—the brewing process takes another month, and there are more dangerous requirements along the way?"

"Exactly," Harry said with a dry laugh. "The potion takes a month to brew, but here's the catch—you can only add the Mandrake leaf during a thunderstorm. It's... tricky, to say the least."

Wong leaned back in his chair, clearly processing the complexity of the task Harry was describing. "This sounds like an ordeal. And dangerous, even for a wizard. How do you expect me to help with this?"

Harry's eyes sparkled with a mix of mischief and genuine curiosity. "That's where you come in, Wong. I need your help to... well, to Sorcerer-ify the process."

Wong blinked, clearly unsure of what Harry was proposing. "Sorcerer-ify? You're asking me to adapt a centuries-old magical process into something... more 'Kamar-Taj-friendly'? You're joking."

Harry shook his head quickly. "No, I'm serious. I've been thinking about this for a while, and if anyone can help me take this ridiculously complicated, old-school, wizarding magic and make it—well, more manageable and even more effective—it's Kamar-Taj. We can create a Kamar-Taj version of the Animagus transformation, something more refined, using your knowledge of the mystic arts."

Wong leaned forward slightly, his interest piqued, but the skepticism was still there. "You want to combine Animagus magic with the mystic arts? I'm assuming you've thought through the consequences of blending such fundamentally different forms of magic."

"Of course I have!" Harry said, a touch of impatience creeping into his voice. "Well, mostly. But that's where you come in. I want to make this work without causing... well, a disaster. You've seen what happens when a spell goes wrong in this place."

Wong gave a small grunt of acknowledgment, clearly not forgetting the numerous times Harry had turned a simple spell into a potential catastrophe. He flipped through the journal, eyes scanning the pages in disbelief.

"I don't know, Potter. The Mandrake leaf and thunderstorm conditions are tied to the wizarding world's fundamental nature. We can't just 'replace' them with something Kamar-Taj-based without risking—" Wong hesitated. "We're talking about a transformation that's tied to a person's magical essence. Changing that... it's not something I'd take lightly."

Harry leaned back, meeting Wong's gaze with a mixture of determination and hope. "I know it sounds insane, but I trust that you can find a way to make this work. With your knowledge of the mystic arts, you can alter the process. You've already adapted magic in ways that wizarding folk wouldn't even dream of. You've taught me that magic isn't just about casting spells—it's about intention, adaptation, and understanding."

Wong studied Harry closely for a long moment, his gaze unwavering. Finally, he sighed, closing the journal gently. "You do realize, Potter, that you're asking me to literally rewrite the rules of magic. If something goes wrong—"

"I get it," Harry interrupted, raising a hand. "I know the stakes. But think about it, Wong. If we pull this off, if we make this Kamar-Taj version of the Animagus transformation work, it could change everything. The ability to transform, adapt, learn new things—hell, it could even make us more attuned to the magical energies around us. And if I can turn into an animal at will... well, I think that'd be pretty useful when dealing with Hydra."

Wong folded his arms across his chest, looking at Harry as though trying to measure just how far this idea might go. "And you think this will work? Even with the risks involved?"

Harry gave a firm nod. "I do. I've come this far. I've dealt with worse."

Wong gave him a sideways look, muttering to himself as if contemplating all the ways this could go wrong. "Fine," he said after a moment, his voice resigned but still with an undercurrent of curiosity. "We'll try it your way. But I'm not promising anything. If we're going to modify the Animagus process, we need to respect its origins. And if anything goes wrong, you'll take full responsibility."

Harry grinned, relieved. "Deal. I'll take the fall if it blows up in our faces. But with your help, I think we can do this right."

Wong gave him a final, long look before nodding. "You'd better not get us into any more trouble, Potter. But for now, I'll begin the work. You should prepare yourself for a lot of reading. This will take time."

"Sounds like a plan," Harry said, a spark of excitement in his voice. "We've got ourselves a project, Wong."

Wong simply gave a weary sigh, knowing all too well what that meant. As he got up to gather the necessary texts, Harry couldn't help but feel that this could be the start of something monumental. He was on the verge of something bigger than just turning into a stag. And with Wong's help, the mystical arts were about to unlock a new kind of magic—one that fused the ancient with the new.

---

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