 💎 WEEKLY POWER GOALS 💎🔥 30→2ch | 60→5ch | 100→8ch | 200→15ch | 400→25ch⏰ Resets Monday!
"This is absolutely magnificent! Just a few minor modifications and it'll be flawless!" Tony stood beside the restored Iron Man suit, his face radiating pure satisfaction.
"This contraption of yours—does it have a proper name?" Gemini approached, studying the gleaming silver armor with professional curiosity. "Can you cast magic while wearing this? What's the underlying principle? Is this alchemical work?"
"What?! Alchemy is actually real?!" Tony recoiled in shock, his eyes widening with manic excitement. "Can you literally transmute base metals into gold?!"
Gemini fought every instinct to smack Tony upside the head. "What exactly have you been studying these past few days? I distinctly remember purchasing books covering this subject for you! You should genuinely thank Merlin you don't attend Hogwarts—otherwise you'd be the laughingstock of your entire year!"
Tony grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I've only been studying for one week! I was completely focused on mastering spells—I haven't reached this theoretical knowledge yet. I swear I'll study it immediately!"
Gemini rolled her eyes with theatrical exasperation. "Study or don't study—your choice entirely. I'm not your guardian. However, alchemical enhancement could improve your Iron... suit? by exponentially more than 'a little bit.'"
She paused thoughtfully before continuing: "Alchemy isn't simply transmuting stones into precious metals. It involves the fundamental Principle of Equivalent Exchange—far too complex to explain briefly. My understanding remains limited to academic texts. If you maintain interest after reading Introduction to Alchemy, I could arrange proper instruction."
Without hesitation, Tony strode directly to the laboratory's specially installed bookshelf, scanning the titles methodically before extracting Gemini's recommended volume. He devoured the preface and overview with superhuman speed, his eyes immediately blazing with intellectual hunger as he dove into the main content.
"So... is he always like this?" The completely forgotten Gemini stared in disbelief. "Did he just erase us from existence?"
"I believe that assessment is accurate," Ethan concluded, adjusting his glasses while carefully holding Maria's portrait.
"Sigh... My son excels in every conceivable way except for this particular trait—it's absolutely maddening," Maria observed from within her painted frame, gazing at the absorbed Tony with maternal affection mixed with exasperation. "Strangers would assume he's completely antisocial, but he simply becomes obsessed with acquiring new knowledge."
"Well, apparently I'm surplus to requirements here. I'm returning home—this evening has provided quite enough excitement for one night." Gemini covered her mouth, releasing a delicate yawn. "Ethan, are you departing as well?"
Ethan positioned Maria's portrait carefully on the desk's only undamaged surface. "Certainly. Dawn approaches, and I must open the All-Purpose Shop tomorrow."
Both bid Tony farewell and departed, though whether the literature-entranced Tony registered their words remained questionable.
When Tony finally extracted himself from his reading, dawn light was filtering through the mansion's damaged ceiling. "Mom? Where did everyone disappear to?"
Maria released a long-suffering sigh. "Perhaps you should observe the current time! You've spent another entire night without sleep, Tony. I really must tell you..."
Before Maria could complete her maternal lecture, Tony immediately raised both hands in theatrical surrender. "Understood completely, Mom! I promise—no more all-nighters!"
Maria studied Tony's expression, struggling to contain her legendary temper. Thank Merlin she'd died young—otherwise this impossible child would have been her literal death! "Then rest immediately! I don't wish to see you for several hours!" With that declaration, Maria pivoted and vanished from her portrait entirely.
Tony examined the gaping crater in his ceiling, where morning light was steadily brightening, and asked casually, "FRIDAY, current time status?"
"Current time: 05:32 hours. Weather conditions: clear skies, light breeze..."
"Stop there!" Tony interrupted FRIDAY's comprehensive report. "Do we maintain sufficient materials for Mark II construction? I've developed some revolutionary concepts."
"Affirmative, Sir. Current inventory supports construction of two complete Mark II units."
"Excellent—fabricate one foundational model immediately. Color scheme: crimson and gold! Leave the finger and wrist armor sections uninstalled for now. Also, what's today's schedule?" Tony gestured enthusiastically at his holographic displays.
"No scheduled appointments, Sir. However, in fifteen hours there is a charity gala being conducted in your name, though you have received no invitation."
"A gala in MY name and I wasn't invited?!" Tony paused his work, looking genuinely bewildered. "Set a reminder—if it's held in my honor, why shouldn't I attend?"
"Understood, Sir."
Tony rapidly resolved the system configurations. While his new armor underwent fabrication, he traveled via Floo Network to The Copper Oak. Pearson's construction crew remained present as expected. Tony approached them directly, arranging immediate ceiling repairs at daybreak, then departed for the wizarding district.
"Let me locate it... I remember it should be somewhere around here." Tony walked methodically while scanning shop signage. "Aha! Found it!" Tony stopped before a establishment dominated by crimson décor, reading the overhead sign: "Weasley's Alchemy Workshop."
The hour hadn't yet reached six o'clock, so the shop remained securely locked. Tony pressed his face against the glass entrance, squinting as he peered into the darkened interior, completely disregarding the posted 09:00-19:00 business hours.
Tony couldn't discern anything through the glass, so he knocked tentatively. "Anyone present? Proprietor?! Hello there?!"
"I suspect no one is currently inside," a warm voice observed from behind him.
Tony spun around dramatically. Behind him stood a wizard appearing roughly his age—tall and lean, with spectacular red hair and notably missing one ear, leaving only a dark cavity that he displayed without self-consciousness.
"Greetings, I'm George Weasley, proprietor of this establishment. British," George extended his hand with a welcoming smile.
Tony grinned and reached out reciprocally. "Hello, I'm Tony Stark. I'm here to..."
Before he could complete his introduction, a loud POP erupted accompanied by billowing white smoke. When it cleared, Tony had transformed into an enormous canary, staring bewildered at the red-haired wizard. "Tweet tweet tweet?"
"HAHAHAHA!" George exploded with delighted laughter. "New product! Canary Handshake Gloves! When worn, they transform anyone you greet into a giant canary! Five Galleons per pair! Duration: two minutes!"
The two minutes elapsed swiftly. Another thunderous bang, white smoke dissipated, and Tony stood at the shop entrance conducting a thorough self-examination. After confirming he possessed all original body parts without unwanted additions, he exhaled with relief.
"Hey! That device is absolutely brilliant! I'll take a complete set!"
George laughed appreciatively. "Aha, I think I genuinely like you! Originally I intended opening a Weasley's Wizard Wheezes branch here, but the local wizarding community proved insufferably conservative—I had to rebrand as an alchemy workshop instead! You realize this is America! I'm British, so how are they more stuffy than me?!"
As George spoke, he approached the shop entrance and tapped it with his wand. The door opened automatically while interior lighting blazed to life. "Enter, my friend. Tell me exactly what you're seeking."
Tony examined the shop entrance cautiously, ensuring no additional prank devices awaited before stepping inside. While he genuinely appreciated George's sense of humor, that didn't mean he wished to become the target of further magical mischief.
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