Grim: Last Hope (HP/DC/Marvel)

The Star

The Star, in his three decades of life, had witnessed numerous magical outbursts and battles among the most powerful mages alive. Many of these occurred after his enrollment with the Department of Mysteries (DOM) in the last decade. However, it was the first time he had come across a scene like the one on Privet Drive, Surrey.

When the well-hidden location of Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, showed signs of heavy magical destruction akin to a bomb going off, every sensor in the Ministry wailed louder than during the days of the Dark Lord's reign. The Star had been sent to the muggle emergency services to act as one of them and gather intelligence. Unfortunately, he arrived late, with the second round of deployment.

DOM had tried many methods to contravene the blood wards, but the combined intelligence of Lily Potter and Albus Dumbledore couldn't be bypassed without alerting the most powerful mage alive and inciting a war to recover Harry. The Director knew that Dumbledore would arrive shortly and any overt magical activity would be detected immediately. The Star was sent to be covert, using magic only after aurors and obliviators had already deployed theirs.

As he used his enchanted robes to blend in and observe, he saw through the muggle-repelling ward as Albus met two very interesting parties. He didn't recognize the feral man and the bald man in a wheelchair who arrived in an ultra-modern invisible black jet, but he gasped when he saw a young teen with a striking resemblance to Lily Potter. He committed their faces to memory to later search for them through muggle records. The second party, who arrived moments later, made him lose his breath. He had only seen the Sorceress Supreme, the Ancient One, in books until now. He knew that whatever happened here must be reported to the Director immediately, as it even brought the dreaded muggle mage here. Even through his enchanted robes that maintained temperature, he sweated in tension, fearing the powerful magical users might find him in his hiding spot. He knew that as long as he didn't use active magic, he should appear as just another muggle to them, but one could never be sure when dealing with such people.

For his heart's sake, the meeting between them ended quickly and both parties vanished. He stayed in his hiding spot for five more minutes before finally relaxing. He sighed as he got up, his wand appearing in his hand, and he became invisible to the eye, sound, and smell. Magic flowed around him as he used newly developed spells to analyze energy based on the latest muggle sciences. These spells were developed by their ace R&D girl, Love. She was brilliant with ideas and had joined around the same time as he did at DOM. He often wondered how many brilliant strays the Director picked up during all the wars that had happened.

The answers from his spell confirmed something he suspected: there was another type of energy besides pure magical energy, heavily based on mental magics. The Director needed to know what happened here and should start looking for Potter. His surface scans showed that no one knew anything about Harry, and whoever wiped their memories did a very thorough job. He confirmed there was nothing more to be done and was about to apparate out when he saw a pair of Special Agents in suits with an eagle emblem. Every British agency was giving them a wide berth and not getting in their way. One was an average-looking man with a smile and a calming presence, and the other a redhead. Intrigued, he moved closer to scan them and lost his breath at the sight of the redhead. He had seen Veelas and many beautiful witches, but it seemed every redhead from the muggle world was a knockout.

He was nearing them when the redhead turned around, looking for something. He froze as her eyes, oozing sensuality, searched with a frown on her face. Many times, her eyes passed over his own invisible ones, and the only thought he could pick up was "little boy" and "what the fuck happened here." He was intrigued as this person knew the name Harry Potter, and whatever technology they had showed his file.

As the balding agent decided to approach the leading local agent on site and started walking forward, he looked back as his partner was still looking around.

"Agent Romanoff, come with me. What are you looking at?"

The redhead, apparently named Romanoff, looked around one last time. She sighed hard, and the Star could see her voluptuous chest vibrating in the tight black suit.

She turned around and walked with a hip swish that is given only when there is a witness and reached the balding man.

"Sir, I was looking around as I felt someone. I know when I'm under the observing presence of a killer or being looked at with lust. I felt it here as someone dangerous observed me. I looked for any reflecting light of binoculars or telescopes but couldn't see anything."

The balding man looked around and nodded. The Star was still distant from them even though he could see and hear them under the supersensory charm.

"Oh, now that you mention it, I can feel it too. Good work, Romanoff, and there is no need for 'sir,' call me Coulson," the balding man said with a smile and returned to approach the leading officer on site. Even the Star was taken aback by the charming smile, feeling like he could trust the guy with anything.

The Star decided to observe as the agents introduced themselves as Agents of SHIELD, an organization investigating extraordinary events.

"So you're saying that this is not terrorism but something else and is under your jurisdiction? I can't see how you can already say this is not a bombing since even the preliminary forensic is ongoing," the local officer asked.

Agent Coulson nodded. "We cannot say how we know this, but let me ask you a question. The origin of the blast was Privet Drive 4, correct?"

"Yes, it is actually confusing as there is a crater right in the middle of what used to be 4 Privet Drive, and there are pieces of a burned-down cot there when everything else is ashes and vanished by the force of the blast."

Romanoff frowned hearing the devastating attack. "So, according to all the survivors, was there anything suspicious mentioned?"

"No, there was nothing suspicious. It was a usual family: a husband, wife, and a 10-year-old child. No one else lived there according to the people and our own social service agent of this area."

Both agents' eyes widened minutely in surprise.

"I see, officer, here is the problem. According to our digital records, there is another child living in that household. The nephew of the Dursleys and a person of interest. Your own digital and physical records should show it if you look it up."

"Let me call it up," the local officer replied, intrigued.

Two days later.

Star had reported to the Director what he had seen and heard on Privet Drive.

For the first time, The Director looked clueless in Star's eyes. Even when the news of the Dark Lord's supposed death at the hands of a baby arrived in DOM 10 years ago, the Director only smirked with a knowing smile. Nothing more.

"Star, make the memories available at the forefront of your mind. Let me see," the Director said after a few minutes of thinking.

After a short Legilimens session and a couple of minutes of silence, the Director spoke.

"This is most troublesome, Star. The bald man in the wheelchair is Charles Xavier, a mutant, and one of the most powerful telepaths on the planet. He detected a mutant awakening all the way from the Americas. It means Harry is either a squib who has now become an insanely powerful mutant or he has achieved the impossible for the second time. He is a magical mutant, and his body is truly supporting both sets of powers. Increase the threat rating of Harry Potter to Class 2. The amount of magic you detected could not be thrown around by someone ordinary. Our fears have come true. Harry Potter is a Lord of Magic, just like the last five born in Europe. He cannot be easily killed by anything simple, and he is even more dangerous as it seems his magic protected him from awakening the X-Gene that powers the mutant ability."

Star frowned at the thought of a 10-year-old child being such a threat to their goals. Seeing the frown on his face, the Director chided,

"Oh, don't be like that, Star. Magical lords are the greatest threat to our aims and the security of this world. The last century is proof enough of that. The world war unleashed by Gellert Grindelwald and the muggle organization Hydra made the muggles more aware of the supernatural world. The number of mutants who awakened and the creation of a super soldier was just the icing on the cake. Even though limited to one power, there are mutants with no known upper limits in that one power, which makes them very dangerous. Similarly, magical lords are at the opposite end. Their knowledge and practice make them jack-of-all-trades and truly troublesome to prepare against, as magic itself is like clay in their hands. Now, there may be someone with both abilities, and if it is true, we must do everything to make Harry Potter submit to our goals. The American muggle agents had digital proof of Harry's existence, and the local records were destroyed or claimed that only the Dursleys lived there, correct?"

Star, who had absorbed the new information, replied, "Yes, Director. It was truly mind-boggling for them how no one remembers Harry or how every single digital or physical record of Harry was expunged. There was some trail that someone accessed the records and destroyed or deleted them."

"Interesting, very interesting. And you are saying there was no magic involved in those places?"

"Yes, I visited several of them to make sure. There was no trace of magic there. The agents had a theory that Xavier or another telepath made everyone forget and planted the thoughts to delete the records," Star said.

The Director thought for a second and frowned. "It is not Xavier. I am sure if it was, Dumbledore would not have allowed them to leave there unharmed. It is imperative that we find the kid before Dumbledore. The muggle agents seem more competent than the aurors and muggle police. Star, go and tail them as they continue the investigation. This is the only lead we have, and when they find the person who assisted in deleting the records, make sure you get the answers first."

Star nodded in acceptance.

"Also, keep your distance. The redhead is not normal. She knew she was being observed, and the only way is because of her own killer instinct. She identified when another soul who had killed was in her presence. I suggest you use full Occlumency shields to calm yourself when observing her. SHIELD is not some petty organization that will dismiss the unseen. They are the ones who investigate the unseen, and the Director is someone very dangerous for a muggle, a Nicholas Fury. Personally, they are all ants under our wands, but the damage to the wizarding world will be great as they have influence over a large group of leaders."

Star decided to be cautious, as it was not every day the Director cautioned against threats.

"Do they have knowledge of the magical world?" Star inquired curiously.

"No," the Director said. "SHIELD is under the Security Council, and they don't know about us. Only the leader of a country gets introduced to the wizarding world, and SHIELD doesn't answer to any single leader. Star, you are more valuable than any damage to the wizarding world, so feel free to let go of your restraints if they detect you in their base. Even if we try to keep abreast of technology, it is only with the commonly available or locally developed ones, so they may have something that can detect your presence."

Shield base

UK

Two days after the blast, the SHIELD UK base still buzzed with the aftermath of the explosion at Privet Drive. Phil Coulson and Natasha Romanoff sat in the briefing room, analyzing the latest reports on the mysterious event. The door swung open, and Nick Fury strode in, his expression grim.

"Director, this is a surprise, you arriving here to personally oversee the situation," Coulson said curiously.

Fury scowled, knowing it was the truth and hoping that the Security Council wouldn't look too closely into this.

Fury closed the door behind him, his presence commanding immediate attention. "Coulson, Romanoff, this situation is more fucked up than you initially thought."

Coulson glanced up from his tablet, frowning. "We've gathered all available data, but nothing makes sense. The energy readings are off the charts, but we can't pinpoint the source."

Natasha leaned back in her chair, her eyes sharp and focused. "And there's no trace of the boy who lived there, Harry Potter. It's like he vanished into thin air. Moreover, we know Potter lived with his aunt and uncle, but no survivors or school children remember him. Every physical and digital record about him in the UK was destroyed by random people who had access to it, and anyone caught doing it couldn't remember even doing it or why they did it."

Fury took a seat at the head of the table, his gaze intense. "That's because he did, in a way. There are things you both need to know, but I am hesitant to inform you. This is a secret that only the leader of a country knows, and even I was informed only by the previous Director, Peggy Carter, because of our personal relationship. Not even the Security Council, our overseers, know this."

Natasha and Coulson exchanged puzzled glances. "Our world is more than just mutants and experiments gone wrong; magic is also a force that exists in this world. Harry Potter isn't just a kid," Fury continued. "He's a wizard and part of a hidden world—a world of magic."

Coulson raised an eyebrow. "Magic? As in... real magic? The wand-waving, potion-making hocus pocus and the abracadabra kind?"

Fury grimaced hearing that, and both agents noticed the unusual expression. "Don't say that, Coulson. That is derived gibberish from a dangerous spell that even the collective magic enacting the Statute of Secrecy, which made us muggles forget and disbelieve magic, couldn't erase from our memory. The unstoppable killing curse, Avada Kedavra, a curse that couldn't be stopped by any magical shields and assured death when hit, is known throughout history. An Unforgivable curse, as per Wizarding law, punishable by a lifetime in prison for only the last couple of centuries. Our ancestors lost many to that spell, and we still have a subconscious memory of it."

Even though Natasha and Coulson tried to be nonchalant, there was no mistaking the surprise on their faces.

"That is a lot to digest, Director," Coulson said hesitantly.

Fury smirked, seeing the ever-smiling Coulson looking serious. "I see. So what have you dug up on Harry Potter and his history? Let me see what I need to inform you."

"Director, what is the connection with this incident? We did detect esoteric energy, but the primary energy was psychic, similar to mutants. Moreover, Harry Potter, the person of interest as per SHIELD records, has no details or even blacked-out data, just that he is a POI. The file is so bare it almost doesn't exist. I have dug up some history on the Potters. They are old nobility in the UK but lost their lands centuries ago. The only notable one among them was Harry's grandfather, Charlus Potter, who fought in WW2 with the SSR and his own gang, which has no name in our records. There are no details of what or when they fought, but there is a medal from the Queen for services rendered. Additionally, Charlus Potter was given 5% shares in Stark Industries by Howard Stark and was one of the first investors. Any Potter has not attended a single meeting, and control is still given to Stark through a Power of Attorney. The next significant member was Harry's mother, Lily Potter, born Evans, a prodigy if records are to be believed. She was invited to a private institution at age 11 but still attended school exams and college exams during summer vacations and passed with flying colors. There is no data on what she learned at the institution, though."

Fury's expression turned to one of respect. "I see you are as thorough as ever, Coulson. You find no additional details because the Potters are a magical family. Lily Evans was also magical, although born to muggles. At the same time we fought the Nazis and Hydra, there were many hidden wars. One of them was the Wizarding World War started by a Dark Lord, Gellert Grindelwald, and his followers. It is unknown whether he started the World War or not, but it is known that he and his followers benefited the most. His aim was to subjugate us muggles and be the ruler of this world, with wizards at the top."

Natasha scoffed. "Men, arrogant as always. No one could achieve that and stay at the top. Foolishness at best."

Fury grimaced hearing that. "Ah! This is where you are wrong, Romanoff."

"What?" Coulson gasped. "We even had Captain America at that time. How could they have won?"

"I'm not saying they would have won in the end, I'm saying it's not arrogance. We, normal humans, have fixed limits. Even the most skilled can be matched with numbers. Now, we have intellectuals among us that are out of the league for any normal geniuses and cannot be matched by even a group of scientists. Hank Pym, Bruce Banner, Tony Stark, Reed Richards, Lex Luthor, Bruce Wayne—they are examples. Even then, they can be physically beaten and disposed of if needed, but magic is not like that. As was explained to me, 'magic exists, and it is not equal. Magic is selfish and has its own beloveds, maybe because of their fate or their time of birth, but no one knows the reasons. They are the Lords of Magic. When they speak, people follow, and when they use magic, the world obeys.' Gellert was one such person that normal wizards couldn't match and was stopped only because of another titan, Albus Dumbledore."

Natasha frowned at the thought of people who could still kill her like a fly. Ever since her defection and the destruction of the Red Room, she thought that only a small number of normal people could kill her, but now the number had risen to uncertain degrees.

"So this Dumbledore was the good lord and defeated this Dark Lord," Coulson said. "Well, there will always be good people standing up for what is right."

"And what do you mean by Bruce Wayne? I have already submitted the report that Bruce Wayne is not the being known as Batman. He is a playboy more than Stark and hasn't even completed any degrees despite entering many of the greatest universities by money. It's a wonder that Wayne Enterprises has not gone bankrupt from the amount of fines, penalties, and bribes he has paid to get away with everything," Natasha inquired.

Fury smirked as he answered, "Well, that is where you are wrong, Romanoff. Wayne may be an arrogant playboy asshole who even overshines Stark in that department, but his business acumen has been proven since he took back the company all those years ago. All the new inventions and patents of Wayne Enterprises are credited to Lucius Fox, but every single one has an assistant named Bruce Wayne. It is not mentioned in any documents, but the truth is even we don't know how much Bruce contributed or how much Lucius did. The IQ test of Bruce before the tragedy is still one of the highest recorded. Despite all the evidence to the contrary, my gut tells me there has to be some relation between Batman and Bruce Wayne. Maybe he is the money behind the myth."

Natasha nodded.

Fury turned to Coulson. "There were good people standing up, but not Dumbledore. There is no good lord and dark lord as far as we mundane people are concerned. One side wants us as slaves and their playthings; the other wants to be on the moral high ground and see us as invalids that need protection like pets. Dumbledore sat in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for most of the war and only intervened when the entire world begged him to. There were good people fighting, and Dumbledore became the most powerful man politically and magically by defeating Grindelwald in a fight that destroyed Berlin."

Both agents paled at the thought of the damage a single battle caused.

"Peace was not long-standing, however, as another Dark Lord rose in Britain—a Lord Voldemort who could not be defeated even by Dumbledore, as the Dark Lord always ran from a prolonged fight. The guerrilla war of their ideology of killing muggleborn wizards and subjugating them and later the muggle world almost won when, in October 1981, Lord Voldemort decided to kill the Potters. He killed the Potters and turned his wand on 1-year-old Harry, firing the killing curse. For the first time in recorded history, the curse failed and rebounded, destroying Voldemort. Harry became the 'Boy Who Lived' and an international celebrity overnight. Dumbledore hid Harry with his muggle aunt, and now 10 years later, this happened. I had a talk with Xavier, and he confirmed that Harry survived and is an omega-level mutant. He also mentioned that Dumbledore insisted Harry still had his magic, which is said to be impossible as the human body couldn't sustain both sets of power."

"So, we're dealing with a kid who's potentially one of the most powerful beings on the planet and doesn't know how to control his powers or is a walking bomb of esoteric energies," Coulson summarized.

"Exactly," Fury said. "We need to find him before he causes more unintentional damage or falls into the wrong hands."

DOM

"Well, well. That was a very interesting conversation."

Star was surprised that the muggle spy agency director knew so much about their world. He patted himself on the back for managing to smuggle an enchanted listening stone into the room. The Director must be informed about this immediately.

Authors Note: Looking forward to the reactions and comments!!!

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