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Chapter Text

It was a dreary night outside and the rain was drizzling down on the darkened streets. The heavy doors to a bar on a corner street opened with a creek and a tall man stepped out with a tired sigh. He glanced up at the cloudy sky and the pattering rain and closed the door behind him. Going out into the cold and dark was the last thing Steve Rogers wished to do but he could no longer ignore the stares of the other patrons wishing to get a look at the Captain America. He really shouldn’t have decided to try out a new bar for drinks. He should have stuck to the old place which was also much closer to his current place of residence. To his great disappointment, that was in the Stark Tower or the Avenger Tower as it was called now. As a commander, Steve knew living together with his teammates was strategically wise but he still had a hard time accepting Tony and his flamboyant character.

The wind and drizzle picked up, making Steve hunch down into his old leather jacket and hasten his pace. Now he had to walk across a few blocks to get back home and the weather was against him. He considered hailing a taxi but then thought better of it. He’d rather walk. Sadly, luck was not on his side and soon Steve found himself alone on the street in a pouring rain. Now he was really returning to the tempting thought of taxi but his eyes caught a poster on the wall of the building he was walking past. ‘Wizard Harry invites you on an enchanting journey of magic,’ it said and Steve halted in his steps. Magic? An illusionist? He could recall seeing one when he was a child. Getting plastic flowers from long sleeves and taking bunnies out of a hat. It was a mesmerizing sight for a child. He knew, of course, it was all smoke and mirrors but back then he was naïve and ignorant, believing in innocent miracles.

The rain was getting heavier and on strange impulse Steve pushed the door open and walked in. It was a small pub with round tables for couples or small parties. A stage was situated at the far wall of the hall but no one was on it apart from a wooden stand and heavy curtains which were pulled aside. Steve looked around and shrugged off his wet jacket opting to sit at the corner table. A waitress soon came to him and flashed a smile.

“What will you have?”

“A beer, please,” Steve replied as he put his jacket around the back of the chair to dry. “Is the magic show over?”

“Oh, no,” the waitress smiled warmly. “Wizard Harry’s only taking a break for a few minutes.”

Steve thanked her and the girl went away to get his order. Meanwhile, the recent hero took a look at the other patrons. There were families with children and couples, old and young. Everyone was chatting in high spirits and the atmosphere was cozy. The tables had candles on them, creating a warm and homely atmosphere. Steve leaned back into the chair and waited for his beer, watching the candles on the table flicker in the draft. His beer arrived shortly and Steve took a sip finding it cool and rich in taste.

The lights dimmed slightly and Steve got more comfortable, nursing the beer in his hand. Despite his previously bad mood, he found himself anticipating the show. He missed the times when everything was so easy. The only magic he now believed in was that of lies, malevolent mischief and the destructive power of alien gods. Perhaps, some childish tricks would lift his mood up.

Soon, the stage was alight and a man walked to the center of it. He was short but lithe, black-haired and fair-skinned. Even from afar, Steve could see the bright green orbs of the man who looked to be barely above legal age. He was wearing a black suit with a similarly black cloak upon his shoulders. The man, Wizard Harry, took a slight bow and smiled in warm welcome, his eyes skimming through the spectators.

“Welcome back to the show of pure magic,” he said, his voice reverberating in the hall. “I hope you’ve enjoyed the tale I told you moments ago and now, for this part, I will be in need of a helper.”

As soon as the words were said, there was a forest of hands in the air and Steve was slightly taken aback by the enthusiasm of the people around him.

“My, so many volunteers,” Harry smiled. “And you don’t even know what you’ll have to do, yet.”

People chuckled around Steve and the man smiled softly, relaxing more. Meanwhile, Harry walked to the nearby stand and took off the cloak of his shoulders to cover it. His hands moved around the stand in circles, a mystic smile on his lips. Curious, Steve watched the dark cloth rise up forming into something. Harry took it off in a flash, revealing a black magician’s hat.

“And now, my dear guests,” Harry’s smile grew ever so bigger and his eyes glistened with mischief, “I will need that helping hand.”

The arms rose up in the air once again and Steve watched curiously as the Wizard walked to the edge of the stage and mulled over his choices. In the end, a girl of around six or seven years old was chosen and Steve watched her practically run towards the stage, her mother following after, unwilling to let the child go alone.

Harry smiled at the girl and squatted down to her eye level.

“Hello, I’m Harry. What’s your name?”

“Emma,” the girl smiled shyly and Harry grinned at her happily in return.

“Do you know how magic works, Emma?” he asked and the girl shook her head.

“Well, it’s very simple. You need to gift her with something and then Lady Magic will also give you a gift,” the magician explained patiently and smiled warmly.

The girl nodded her head quietly, her eyes attentive. Her mother stood beside her, smiling benignly, her hand resting on the shoulder of the child.

“Now then,” Harry rose up. “What would you like to give to Lady Magic as a token of good will?”

The girl looked pensive for a moment and then her lip trembled slightly, “Bu-but… I don’t have anything.”

The wizard smiled again and shook his head, “That’s alright, it doesn’t need to be anything of value. A little token will do.”

Seeing the girl think harder, Harry offered, “What about your ribbon?”

The girl’s eyes sparkled and she took the ribbon out of her hair enthusiastically, thrusting it at Harry. The illusionist simply shook his head and led the girl to the hat.

“Now, you need to put this ribbon into the hat.”

Emma did so and then turned to Harry again, who smiled, “So then, Emma, what would you like to receive from Lady Magic in return for your ribbon?”

The girl’s eyes widened for a bit and then she gripped her mother’s hand shyly.

“I… I’m not sure,” she whispered and Harry nodded.

“Well, is there something you’ve always wanted, perhaps?”

“Um,” the girl looked at her mother, biting her lower lip, and then replied, “a kitty.”

“A kitty?” the wizard looked surprised and then nodded his head, “then a kitty it shall be.”

The girl looked awed as Harry turned to the hat and then took his cloak. With a wide gesture of his arm, the wizard covered the hat with the cloak and Steve watched as he once again began moving his arms in wide circles. The man was also murmuring something but Steve was too far to hear anything.

The girl stood to the side fascinated and when Harry stopped and took the cloak off again, she stared at the hat with unhidden anticipation. Harry walked to the stand and leaned forth towards his hat. Steve watched the wizard’s hands disappear within and then, in a moment, he was pulling a white kitten out of it. It was a small and puffy looking creature, mewing pathetically in the hands of the magician.

The girl’s smile threatened to split her face apart as she carefully pressed the white kitten to her chest.

Wizard Harry smiled at her warmly and asked for another volunteer. A few more people went up the stage and Steve was surprised to see the magician fulfill their wishes without even so much as a blink of an eye. Glittering watches of gold, puppies, parrots and pumpkin pies came out of the hat within the next half an hour and Steve Rogers had to admit he was impressed. The man who desired a parrot was sitting merely a few tables away from him and the superhero could watch the bird twitter and chatter all evening. It certainly did not seem to be made out of smoke and mirrors. Steve decided the selected people were most definitely paid to ask for such bizarre items. He supposed it livened up the show for the applause at the end of it was ear deafening.

“Well then, perhaps that is enough for the magic hat,” the wizard smiled at the public. “It’s had quite a day, I must admit. Fear not, though, I do have one more magical trick for tonight.”

Steve took a sip from his third glass of beer and got more comfortable as the illusionist made the hat and the small table disappear from the stage in a puff of white smoke. Despite knowing everything here was just a well-orchestrated mixture of technology and acting, Steve found himself enjoying every minute of it.

Meanwhile, Wizard Harry took a slight bow, “There are many things humans fear in this world. Sometimes, this fear is well based and necessary to survive; at other times, it is unsubstantiated and biased. Tonight, I wish to show you a rare friendship born out of understanding and hard work.”

He stood calmly, outstretching his arm to the side. After a moment of suspense, Wizard Harry snapped his fingers, stating “Ignis” and with a wild gasp the crowd watched as a small flame sprang to life, soon devouring his whole hand. The magician did not seem to be fazed as he rolled his palm this way and that, making the fire grow larger and spread around. Steve watched along with the other spectators, transfixed, as the flames did not seem to burn the man. On the contrary, they seemed to dance along the movements of the illusionist’s arm as he waved it in a wide arch. It was a mesmerizing sight, captivating in its unearthly beauty.

“Fire is one of the most dangerous elements on Earth,” the magician said. “However, if you know how to ask politely, it will play nicely with you.”

He smiled, covering his burning palm with his other hand, muffling the flames, and then suddenly opened them up in a wide arch, releasing a roar of fire which spread up in the air and soon disintegrated into smaller flames. To Steve’s surprise, the flames took shape and he held in a gasp as he realized hundreds of small and larger butterflies of pure red flames were fluttering above them, their wings glittering with amber fire under the dim lights of the hall.

The butterflies soon disintegrated into thin air and the crowd in the hall rose to give their applause. The noise was roaring and Wizard Harry took another low bow, “Thank you for coming tonight and I hope you’ve enjoyed the show! Come back again when you need just a small miracle to brighten up your day.”

With a slight pop he was gone from the stage and soon a few more puffs of smoke followed around the hall. Surprised, Steve took a look around to realize the various objects and animals the illusionist had magicked out of his hat had now been turned back to the same items put in the hat by their owners. Steve smiled and settled down to finish his drink. All in all, it turned out to be a good night.

Later on, he found out Wizard Harry performed every Friday and he came back to immerse himself in a world of childish magic which never seemed to fail to amaze him and make him wonder. It was an innocent and good-willed magic, tricks designed to make others laugh and sigh in awe, and Steve found himself enjoying his Friday evenings more and more. The illusionist seemed to offer new tricks every now and then, ranging from conjuring small animals and objects, floating items around the stage and the hall, changing beer into pumpkin juice, levitating himself or small children, bending spoons and metal forks, playing around with the four elements and even going so far as guessing certain events in the personal lives of his spectators. Steve never participated in the shows and Wizard Harry never chose him, naturally. It was all smoke and mirrors, after all.

But then, one Friday evening, as Steve was getting ready to head out to his now usual place, Tony Stark deemed it a suitable moment to inquire as to his evening plans.

“I am sorry, Tony,” Steve shook his head as he put on his trusty leather jacket. “I already have something planned for tonight.”

The Iron Man spluttered indignantly, “What can be more exciting than getting smashed with all of us together? Come on, Captain, we haven’t had an evening out for almost a month now.”

“Two weeks,” Steve corrected him as he glanced at the mirror to make sure he looked alright.

“Aw, who counts,” Tony waved his hand and grinned, “Come now, Captain, even Bruce is willing to go.”

“I wouldn’t really call it willing,” Bruce muttered in response but was soon quelled by a glare from Stark.

“Look, Tony, I am sure it would be great and fun but I do need to be somewhere,” Steve turned to face the millionaire.

“Ooooh, I get it now, oh I dooo,” Tony grinned like a Cheshire cat. “Why didn’t you just say that you had a date, huh? Is she hot? Blonde? Brunette? Red-headed?”

Steve rolled his eyes and pushed through Tony towards the doors, “It’s not a girl, Stark.”

Tony seemed stumped for a moment and a small flush covered his cheeks as he covered it up quickly, “Ah, I wasn’t aware that you swung that way, but, hey, no worries!”

Steve groaned in exasperation and turned to Stark, “It’s not a guy either! I’m merely going to this show I enjoy watching every Friday.”

“Ah, a show,” Tony perked up once again. “Well, maybe Bruce and I would enjoy that show too, no?”

“No,” Steve sighed, giving up. “It’s a magical show, Tony, I doubt you would find it very interesting.”

“Magical?” Bruce came up, his brows furrowed.

“Magical like pulling white rabid rabbits out of hats, that sort of magical?” Tony seemed to be as confused as his scientist friend. Steve nodded his head, a small smile pulling at the corners of his lips.

“Well, I haven’t seen the man pull out any rabbits, yet, but I’m sure he has a few somewhere.”

“What, no rabbits? Well, that is just a crime,” Tony stated and grabbed his coat from the rack by the door. “We just need to remedy that.”

“Tony,” with an exasperated sigh Steve tried to stop his colleague. “What are you doing?”

“Why, coming with you, of course!”

Steve soon regretted telling Tony and Bruce about the magic show as the eccentric billionaire decided to tag along and no force on Earth could stop him now. As a result, the two bickered for another half an hour while Bruce sat on the couch rather calmly and waited for Steve to lose.

Needless to say, Steve lost and the three of them made it to the bar to watch the grand magical show of Wizard Harry together. To Steve’s chagrin, they were a bit late and the show had already started. Luckily, his usual corner table was free and the waitress smiled in a friendly manner, recognizing him from before.

“Ooh, is that him?” Tony whispered, leaning forth to get a better look at the stage and Steve inwardly sighed, preparing for a long evening. “Doesn’t look like much.”

Bruce merely grabbed the glass of beer and took a large gulp. The hall was crowded like any other evening and the attention of the audience was riveted to the lone man on the stage. He was taking a large bowl full of water from a waitress. Interested, Steve watched the illusionist put the bowl with water on a low stand and smile at the audience. Steve could not remember seeing this trick before and was glad they made it in time to see it.

“What’s he doing?” Tony was puzzled and Steve shrugged.

“I don’t know, it’s a new trick, I think,” the Captain replied in a low whisper. “He likes to include something new every other night.”

Tony nodded and the three watched as Wizard Harry took a small bow.

“Tonight, I decided to show you a play of elements. Enjoy,” he said and turned to the bowl. His hand hovered above it and in a few seconds, the water stirred. Even from his corner, Steve could see a trickle of transparent water rise above and stretch towards the illusionist’s hand.

“Impressive,” Bruce commented to his side but what followed was an even more amazing sight which brought upon gasps and claps from the audience. Wizard Harry spent the next few minutes manipulating water in all imaginable ways, forming it into a shape that somewhat resembled a slightly disfigured tree. Riveted, Steve watched as with another slow wave of the man’s hand, the trickling water started to freeze over, gaining a sharply cut and precise form of a cherry tree with leaves and intricate flowers. It was a piece of art, nothing less and nothing more.

“There must be some kind of a holo projection screen,” Steve could hear Tony’s silent mutters as he stared at the icy tree in disbelief.

“Now then,” Wizard Harry smirked, “what would a tree be without a bird among its branches?”

A snap of his fingers and fiery flames rose above his hand to form into a shape of a bird. It was made of blazing fire and as it flapped its wings and took flight above the hall, Steve could swear he felt the warmth of fire radiating off it. The bird landed on the icy tree with a soft trill and started preening its bright red feathers. Steve could see the icy branch melt slightly under the talons of the bird and wondered just how detailed the entire show could get.

Soon, though, the curtains were drawn and a break of fifteen minutes followed, leaving the audience to chatter and speculate among themselves. Those fifteen minutes turned to be the longest in Steve’s life as Tony launched into a variety of theories how the trick could have been achieved and seemed rather indignant that the people in the hall actually believed this to be magic. Steve merely rolled his eyes and Bruce nodded his head, pitching in here and there to dispute Tony’s theories. In the end, none of the theories proved to be credible as the stage lacked certain elements and technology to make it work but Tony was adamant it was all smoke and mirrors.

The second part of the show soon started and this time Steve recognized the set up. With a smirk he glanced at Tony, “Well then, seems like your wish will come true. Maybe he will get you a rabid rabbit out of the hat.”

“What do you mean?” Tony asked and Steve explained that this part was largely dedicated to magical hat tricks.

This seemed to bring a malicious glint to the eyes of Tony.

“Tony,” Steve started to have a bad feeling, all of a sudden, and Bruce’s worried expression joined his when one billionaire and playboy Tony Stark let out a soft cackle sounding much too evil for his friends’ liking.

“Tony?” Bruce asked questioningly but the Iron Man merely shrugged his shoulders and grinned.

“Now then, I will need a volunteer,” Harry’s voice reached them and as if on cue, Tony’s hand shot up enthusiastically.

Steve groaned and Bruce sighed, picking up his glass.

“Mmm, I think,” Wizard Harry made a small pause, “I think I will choose the boy in the blue shirt over there.”

The said boy got up, his face alight with joy and ran towards the stage.

“Aw, too bad,” Bruce grinned and took a sip of his beer.

Tony merely frowned, “You’re right, the chance of being chosen is close to zero. After all, the volunteers are usually accomplices.”

Steve merely shook his head in desperation, “He most often selects children.”

“Of course, they’re easy to bribe,” Tony smiled as he watched the illusionist pull out a light brown teddy bear with a hat on top of one of his ears. The boy went back to his parents clutching at the teddy with the widest smile Steve had ever seen. Tony snorted.

“A teddy bear, of course.”

As Wizard Harry called for another volunteer, Tony jumped up from the chair and stalked forth towards the stage. Both confused and alarmed, Steve followed after him, hissing for Tony to stop. Bruce gave a forlorn glance at his beer and went after the two wondering what Tony was up to.

Apparently, Tony’s plan was as simplest as it could be as his fast walk attracted the attention of both the audience and Wizard Harry. He watched the three men curiously as Tony ran up towards the stage.

“I dare you to pick me!” Tony said out loud and the hall was quiet for a small moment before it erupted into murmurs. The illusionist looked confused for a moment and he watched as Steve and Bruce caught up to the flamboyant man.

Bruce started tugging Tony away, whispering harshly, and Steve smiled apologetically at Harry, “I’m so sorry, please, just ignore him.”

“No, no, no,” Tony was adamant as he grinned at Wizard Harry. “Come on, why don’t you choose me as a volunteer? I bet you can’t, cause I’m not bribed like the others, am I?”

Finally, realization seemed to dawn on the face of the illusionist and he chuckled, “I assure you, good sir, none of my spectators are bribed.”

“Oh, really, prove it then,” Tony smirked.

“Tony, please,” Steve tried to pull him away but then, Wizard Harry laughed and merely nodded his head.

“Fine by me, come on up the stage, Mr.?..”

“Tony,” the billionaire gave him a wink, “Tony Stark.”

He jumped up the stage and there were gasps around him as people finally recognized the man. He gave a few bows and waved as the people settled down. Harry remained unfazed and merely smiled benignly at the worried-looking Steve. For his part, Steve Rogers was sinking into deeper and deeper depression cursing his bad luck for bringing Tony along. He was pretty sure this evening would soon turn into a tragedy, all with the help of Tony.

“Why don’t your friends come along, as well?” Harry smiled and motioned to Bruce and Steve who glanced at each other unsurely. “Surely, you trust your friends not to be bribed, right?”

Steve winced at the slight mock in the Wizard’s voice but Tony merely grinned and waved to his two friends who climbed onto the stage shyly.

“Well then, I am Wizard Harry, as you know,” the illusionist smiled. “To whom do I owe the pleasure?”

“I am Steve, Steve Rogers,” Captain stretched his hand to shake and was mildly surprised by the firm and warm handshake.

“Uh, Bruce,” the scientist introduced himself briefly, trying to remain calm. He did not enjoy being in the spotlight. Damn Tony and his bravado. The curious gaze of the Wizard who seemed to have deep and sharp green eyes did nothing to soothe his nerves, either.

“And I’m Tony Stark,” Tony did not miss the chance to reintroduce himself once again. “Billionaire, hero, scientist, genius, philanthropist, you name it.”

Wizard Harry grinned and added, “A non-believer.”

Tony chuckled in response and Harry glanced back at Steve. “Why don’t we start with you, Mr. Steve. I believe I’ve seen you here a few times before so I am sure you know how magic works.”

Steve nodded, embarrassed, his cheeks hot and reddish.

“What would you like to give to Lady Magic?”

Steve shrugged and got his wristwatch off, walking towards the magical hat.

“For those of you who are unaware,” Harry smiled at Tony, “you must give something of value, a token of your good will, for the miracle to happen.”

He walked to Steve who had already put the watch inside and asked, “What would you like to receive, Mr. Steve?”

“Oh, oh, ask for a bat, a bat!” Tony whispered harshly and Steve glared at him once before smirking.

He wanted something easy, something the man had already prepared. He wanted to retain the magic of Wizard Harry no matter how fake it was.

“A white rabbit, please.”

“Oh, funny, very funny…” Tony gave Steve a look but Wizard Harry merely chuckled gaily.

“But of course,” he smiled at Steve and after a small swish of his black cloak, a white rabbit was pulled out of the hat.

Steve cradled the animal in his arms as he stepped away. It was fluffy and real, trembling slightly in the man’s hands. Steve held it gently, petting the animal’s soft head.

“Ok, ok, my turn now,” Tony called but Harry merely smiled.

“Why don’t we leave the best for last,” the illusionist motioned to Bruce. “Mr. Bruce, if you will?”

“Uh, I’m fine, really…”

At the imploring stare of Tony who adamantly told him to choose something outlandish, though, Bruce relented and walked to place his old pen inside. Thinking of something to receive was more problematic, however, as Bruce didn’t really want to ruin the magical show. He rather enjoyed it and his Hulk side was strangely calm throughout, compared to how he usually felt. He had felt the Other One stir when he went up the stage and then, magically, it receded back without even so much as a grunt.

“Um, a book, perhaps?”

“What kind of a book?” Harry wanted to be precise ignoring the angry rant of Tony who seemed very disappointed in the choice of his friend.

“Well, any book will do,” Bruce shrugged, deciding not to ruin the show. He was sure if he were to demand something specific, it would be near to impossible to achieve. Sure, the show holders must have had some rabbits prepared for the show and any old book would fit his order. He was rather worried about Tony’s upcoming request, however.

Lost in his musings, Bruce missed the entire cloak swishing part and came to himself only when he was handed a small book in hard cover. Jekyll and Hyde, it read. Bruce stared, flummox. And then raised his head to stare at Wizard Harry.

“How did you-”

The man merely smiled mysteriously and winked at him.

“What, what?” Tony peered at the book and glanced at Bruce questioningly. The scientist evaded his eyes and clutched the book to his chest in wonder. Did the man know? But then why? He refused to admit to Tony that Jekyll and Hyde used to be his favorite story when he was but a child. It lost its magic after the Hulk incident. The story hit far too close to home, to his liking. Yet, Bruce said nothing, hiding the title away from Tony and stepped away to stand next to Steve who looked worried.

“Well then, I believe it would be only fair to fulfill your request now, Mr. Tony,” Wizard Harry smiled. “But first, a token.”

Tony was quick to relinquish one of his golden rings into the hat and smirked at the illusionist.

“I won’t show any mercy, you know,” the billionaire said and Harry shrugged in response.

“Surely not. What would like to receive from Lady Magic?”

“Mmm, let me think,” Tony pretended to ponder for a moment and then grinned maniacally. “Oh, I know, how about a golden lion wearing a pink tutu and a fluffy feathered hat… oh, oh, and his claws painted red!”

Tony smirked satisfied with his request as the hall roared with laughter, his friends stared at him incredulously and Wizard Harry seemed both bemused and slightly alarmed.

“Ah, perhaps, something smaller?” the illusionist eyed the magical hat warily. “And less dangerous?”

“Nope, I want what I said,” Tony looked pretty much victorious and Wizard Harry turned to stare at him in wonderment.

“Tony, please,” Steve seemed to beg with his eyes, as he held onto the white rabbit. Meanwhile, Wizard Harry scanned the audience which watched on riveted and sighed.

“Alright then,” it was the illusionists turn to smirk as Tony blinked in disbelief. “One golden lion in pink tutu, feathered hat and red painted claws, coming right up.”

With the same small smirk on his lips, Wizard Harry got the ring out of the hat and let it roll across the floor. The golden band made a few full circles before coming to a stop with a tinkling clatter. Then, the young illusionist took the cloak and threw it elegantly to cover the ring lying on the floor of the stage.

“Please, step back a little,” he asked and Tony retreated backwards to stand next to Steve, confused and bewildered. Surely, no smokes and mirrors could produce his rather specific and exotic request?

However, the illusionist seemed pretty sure of himself as he waved his hands, making the cloak shift and rise up as if something was forming underneath. The irregular looking shape was growing rapidly, until, suddenly, Wizard Harry grabbed one edge of the dark cloak and pulled it firmly up and to the side. The material fluttered out of sight and the crowd gasped, both frightened and surprised. A large lion with a golden mane sat on the stage, his body wrapped in a pink tutu. A hat with fluffy large feathers was on his head and the animal shook it off in his apparent confusion. The large golden mane shook as the feline opened its jaw to let out a roar and jumped to his paws to turn and try pull the tutu off.

“What the…” Tony was staring with his jaw opened as the lion seemed to grow angrier and turned his head to the new sound.

A low growl and the lion lowered on its haunches in preparation of attack. That was the moment that Wizard Harry stepped up and Tony could see him throw some type of glittering powder. A puff of smoke covered the stage and when it was gone, only the fluffy hat and the pink tutu remained.

“How… what… that…” Tony was gob smacked but Harry merely walked to the remnants of the clothing and leaned down to pick something up.

He turned back to Tony and the billionaire soon found himself with an armful of a lion cub. It mewled and the sharp claws dug into the sleeve of Tony’s jacket.

“I’m afraid an adult lion is a bit too dangerous to have around,” Wizard Harry winked and Tony’s ears were soon flooded by a deafening roar of applause from the hall.

The sharp little claws of the cub dug in deeper and Tony looked down only to find them painted red. He missed the ending of the show that followed and the drawing of the curtains as he still gaped at the lion cub in his arms. It was kneading the flesh of his arm riveted on the material. And then, the feline was gone in a puff of smoke and a loud popping sound, leaving a golden ring in its stead.

“What-” Tony was unable to voice his thoughts as Steve patted his shoulder.

“They always turn back to whatever you give Lady Magic at the end of the show. It’s just a trick, Tony,” Steve smiled, putting on his watch.

“No magic trick can do THAT,” Tony hissed as he looked around. The stage was empty now, the curtains drawn and hiding them from the public. “That lion cub, it felt real, it was real!”

Steve merely shrugged in response and Bruce seemed to be deep in thought.

“Look,” Tony gritted his teeth. “I can understand the rabbit, he must have a dozen of those ready, and a book is hardly difficult to find, but a lion cub? How would he even know I’d ask for one? Hell, I didn’t even know it until I had the idea at the last moment!”

“Just leave it, Tony,” Steve rolled his eyes. “It’s just a magic show, nothing more and nothing less.”

“Oh, I am not gonna leave this,” Tony shook his head as he headed towards the doors in the back of the stage. “I’ll figure this one out even if it’s the last thing I do!”

However, during the upcoming weeks neither Tony nor Bruce were able to crack the mystery that was Harry the Wizard. Countless theories and practical experiments in the privacy of Tony’s lab, yet, the Iron Man was nowhere close to the answers he was seeking.

“Oh, please, Tony, would you just leave it?” Steve sighed in exasperation as yet another attempt at making an illusion of a lion blew up in the genius’ face. “It’s all smoke and mirrors, Tony.”

“No, no, no,” the Iron Man shook his head and Bruce rolled his eyes behind him. “I’ve tried anything and everything I could think of and there was no way to make such a realistic illusion, or-or what? Transport a lion cub from out of nowhere? It’s impossible and unplausible! There is only one explanation to that and we all know it.”

“Tony, please…”

“Face it, Steve, your little subject of affection is either more technologically advanced than humanly possible or… magical.”

Steve pressed his lips together in a thin line of disapproval as he glared at Tony. The latter continued undisturbed, “And we all know what happens when a magical creature comes down upon Earth.”

Disheartened, Steve glanced back to his other friend, hoping the scientist could disprove Tony’s theory.

Bruce sighed heavily as he took off his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose. “He is right, Steve, I cannot think of any way to do the tricks he did. It is… a bit suspicious.”

“Even if he is… magical,” Steve frowned at the word. “Maybe he’s not bent on world domination. I’ve been going there for almost a few months now and nothing particularly evil has happened.”

“Yet,” added Tony gravely.

Steve merely sighed glancing at the billionaire genius reproachfully, “So what do you want to do? Go and tell Fury?”

“What? Of course not!” Tony hollered waving his hands enthusiastically. “We will apprehend the man ourselves! Why let the SHIELD have all the fun and glory?”

“Need I remind you, Tony, that Steve is somewhat right and nothing particularly menacing has yet happened. Maybe we should just try talking to the man first?” Bruce tried to intervene but was waved away by Iron Man on a mission.

And that was exactly how Steve Rogers found himself back in the little bar looking for the owner together with Tony and Bruce. However, as usual, nothing went according to plan.

“Wizard Harry?” The owner seemed to think really hard upon the question and then continued unsurely, “I think he… yes, I think he went away on some tour. I don’t quite recall… Hm, well, he no longer performs here, that I can tell you.”

“Did he say where he was going?” Bruce asked but the owner merely shook his head after a brief contemplation.

“When did he leave?” Tony asked next and the owner told them it was but a few weeks ago. Even Steve had to admit it was somewhat suspicious, the man leaving straight after the show they visited.

“Can you perhaps track him down, Tony?” Steve asked reluctantly as he watched the genius mechanic saunter beside him deep in thought.

“Tony?” Bruce nudged him and the Iron Man only nodded his head.

“Oh, that is exactly what we are gonna do, my friends,” the determined glint in Tony’s eyes did nothing to alleviate the worry Steve suddenly felt.

And yet, even with Tony’s technology and the assistance of Jarvis, they were unable to find anything even remotely related to Wizard Harry. There were no records, no ads of upcoming shows or tours matching the one they have watched and no camera recordings or facial recognition matches.

It was as if Wizard Harry was never there to begin with.