The Cold Soldier.

Harry watched cloaked invisibly as the ship left the atmosphere. He heard a snap and fizzle from behind him so he spun his magic pooling in his hand pulsating white orbs.

"There is no need for that here Master of Death" a feminine voice said with an amused tone "I am the Sorcerer Supreme I guard this reality from incursions from other dimensions. You however are not from another dimension at all. No you are from an entirely different reality. The question is do you seek to help or harm."

Harry finished his spin and was surprised to see a short bald woman who positively glowed with power and he paused 'I do not want to start my time here with violence Natasha said I need to heal' with that thought he dropped his hand and looked at the what would best be described as a portal "that is an interesting piece of magic. I am Harry Potter I prefer to be called Harry as opposed to my title"

The woman glanced at him with shrewd eyes "Your coming here has changed many things Harry, I have for some time known that my time as the Sorcerer Supreme would be ending violently in the next few years. The ripple of your arrival has changed that as you are now the likely choice to replace me."

"I am sorry I cannot be your apprentice or whatever you want to call it. The short version is I was sent by a higher power something is coming and I am here to assist with stopping it else the multiverse is in danger besides I know what resides in your amulet I am already responsible for one of infinity stones I do not wish to be responsible for another now you gave me your title I would like to know your name and how you make that because that is travelling in style."

"Master Potter, My name is Yao and if you would not mind studying for a bit I could instruct you." She said beckoning him. Harry accepting her invitation stepped through "Welcome to Kamar Taj"

Harry looked around seeing the various monks training. "Well I can stay for a bit but, I would like to see the world a little bit and there is a lady I would like to see even though she won't know me from Adam for another nine years."

"Ah yes the lovely Natasha Romanov, hero and avenger in all the futures I have seen you are in each other's sphere of influence. Sometimes as a hero, sometimes a watcher, or sometimes a lover you could choose much worse I suppose. Which path are you leaning toward?"

"Well given that the universe I am from I was the chosen one, I am leaning toward her and by extension the universes guardian." Harry said gravely "I have it on the best authority that I could find love again and then I felt it the moment she stepped into my arms."

"yes they retrieved the time stone from me two years ago for their time heist as it were from what I understand half the universe dies in one moment and another quarter in the aftermath they seek to reverse that which should have never occurred" the ancient ones tone matching Harry's "And while you cannot stop that which is to come you have already saved the one you care for perhaps you can save a few more. Have you thought of name you will give to her when you meet?"

"Well I cannot use Merlin due to the fact it would be sacrilegious I am thinking going with my roots Dewin, which is welsh for wizard"

"Fitting name, you will however not be able to do this wearing your own face. How do you plan and obscuring your face and explaining why when the time comes?"

"That will actually be the easy part" Harry said pulling up his cloak and cast concealing spells "I can do by either casting this spell over and over again each time I need it or I can enchant the robe. The hard part is going to be seeing her and not being with her."

"Why do you think you cannot be with her?" the ancient one asked

Harry looked down for a moment then raked his hands through his hair "I am guessing she has to change and grow to get to the point she could let me in"

The ancient one smiled at his answer "and what is preventing you from being part of that."

"Fear, Fear that it might not work out and that I would lose her before she will ever remember me." Harry said in a small voice.

'You are not alone we are always with you' he heard Hermione's voice in mind his resolve hardened
"I cannot sit here and mope. I cannot do nothing at all for nine years."

"then don't; spend a few months at Kamar Taj, train and heal then go to where she is,use your power and your skill to help earth and those who defend it. " Yao said seriously before smiling now come let's see if we cannot find you a trinket to use and here is a sling ring tomorrow morning you start training Mordo here will see you to your room and show you around."

Mordo bowed and nodded his head and Harry offered him his hand as they left the courtyard.

Four months later

"You have improved greatly Dewin" Yao said a smile gracing her face "Now it is time for you to take a turn around the world I understand that Washington DC has many fine sights that you could see here is a note that will get you to see someone close to Miss Romanoff"

Harry looked at her then at the card then back to her "you are not kicking me out for good are you I can come back right?"

"You will always have a home here for as long as I live and beyond" she said gravely before smiling gently "Go have a vacation"

Two days later

Harry stared at the Triskelion and wondered what manner of man worked in this place as he approached the door he was surprised to see her exit the door confident dressed in a skin tight body suit talking with a tall blond guy who was in a word perfect 'must be her boyfriend of the time 'he thought "Steve, did you even give that Gina in logistics a call?" 'So not the boyfriend' Harry thought to himself

"Nat come on you know I don't have time to date my mission schedule is way too hectic" Said the blond guy. The exasperation very evident in his voice "What about you and Dr. Banner you guys seem cozy"

She turned and started walking backwards deliberately ribbing him about his apparent datelessness

Harry could tell the guy was getting uncomfortable so he approached them and cast a tripping jinx at her feet causing her to fall back toward Harry who deftly caught her "Excuse miss but are you okay did you turn your ankle." She felt light in his arms, in a word she felt perfect.

Steve smirked a little seeing the confused look on Nat's face as the man stood here up walked her over to a bench and proceeded to do a range of motion test after which Nat looked at the man " I am sorry I fell into you. I am Natasha Romanoff and this is my partner Steve Rogers" she said as she stood and Harry grinned as he inclined his head

"No harm, no foul miss I am just glad I could keep you from getting injured" He said a gentle smile gracing his face turning her hand over and kissing her knuckles 'and I got to hold you again even if it were only for a moment' passed through his mind. "I am Harry Potter and know who you both are, the invasion of New York nasty business that. Thank you for all that you did there had they broken out I shudder to think what it would mean for the world."

"You are welcome Sir" Steve said solemnly stopping to think about his conversation with Natasha Harry caught a brief look in Steve's eyes and saw everything that was going on in his head and was reminded of his own loss.

Natasha noticed both of the guys suddenly lost in thought "you guys could be twins with how lost you both look right now." She snarked with a laugh "So Mr. Potter when you are not saving damsels in distress what do you do?"

Harry had initially thought to work as a cook in the cafeteria however the ancient one convinced him that would not be a good use of his skills "My mentor Anya Eithne reached out to the director hoping he could use someone with my skills."

Natasha's eyebrow arched "You are one Anya's? I thought she retired"

Harry chuckled "She found me fresh off the bus as it were and took me in. Augmenting my own skills with some of her teachings"

Steve looked confused "Who is Anya Eithne?"

"A very wise old woman who is also very gifted in the martial arts" Natasha spoke quietly "I would put any person she trained against the entire strike team and give them even odds of winning. Good luck on your meeting Mr. Potter. Steve why don't you head home I will be over later to help you your problem."

"Problem what problem" Steve said confusion evident on his face.

"Your girl problem Steve" Natasha laughed and motioned toward Harry "Come on I will take you to the Directors office."

Elsewhere in the triskelion Jasper Sitwell was watching Romanoff bring the directors appointment in upon doing a background check he noted that the man's record was clean his school transcripts were nothing to write home over. He was an orphan who was independently wealthy. Came with a recommendation from Anya which meant he was good probably very good. He could see no angle to apply the kind of pressure Hydra would need to get him onside he picked up a phone "Fury has an afternoon appointment a recommendation from Anya, Observe; do not approach." Hanging up the phone he watched as he passed into the director's office when suddenly he lost both sight and sound capability.

Director Fury's office

His phone buzzed and he lazily reached for the speaker button "yes?"

"Director, Agent Romanoff is here with your 1:30!"

"Send them in Hill." He answered gruffly and smiled as they entered with a practiced eye he noted that was not like many of the people Anya had sent his way the last few decades. "Thank you for escorting him agent Romanoff. Please report back to my office tonight at 19:00 for a briefing I have a possible assignment for you and Captain Rogers. "She smiled and shook Harry's hand

"See you around Agent Romanoff" Harry said by way of being polite his eyes glued onto her form silently he cast an intent based charm that would let him know if she were in mortal peril.

Fury for his part noted how his interviewee watched the Widow "braver men have tried. I would love to see her reaction when you hit on her."

"Who is to say I have not already done so" Harry quipped knowing he already loved her and had willingly given her his heart

"The fact that you are coming to me from Anya tells me there is more to you than meets the eye. Six months ago you did not exist or let me rephrase that you Harry James potter born to lily and James potter in 1980 seem awfully spry for a dead toddler given that your family was killed by Thomas Riddle an international terrorist with a flair for impossible kills."

Harry began to sweat a little then remember what Yao said to him "I will level with you director Fury while I am a Harry James Potter I am not the Harry James Potter who is native to this universe. 6 months ago I met Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton on a planet called Vormir. They had travelled back in time to retrieve the soulstone one of the six infinity stone to undo the murder of half the universe. I was sent by a being who is on a completely different scale of power to this universe in order to aid against that event. I arrived just in time to save Natasha from dying for no reason at all as one of my ancestor's has been in this universe for several eons he had corrupted both himself and the soul stone. I stopped him and as a thank you the two of them brought me back to earth I was not expecting to see Natasha for another 9 years but then Anya got her claws into me and pointed out some flaws in my thinking."

"So you are one of her sorcerers now? Her apprentice perhaps?" Fury Queried after receiving a negative shake of the head fury sighed "So how can you help keep the world let alone the Universe safe?"

"They are sorcerers they deal with the mystical and they defend our world from the forces of other dimensions" Harry started explaining "I am a Wizard. The forces of the universe are at my beck and call. And while I may not be one of her sorcerers I am trained by them so I can help them if I need to. However in order to show you we will have to not be here. How do you feel about having dinner an early dinner?"

"I could eat" Fury responded with a smile "what time?"

Harry looked as his watch "Say 6:30 you can come to my place. You may bring a guests."

"Just to be clear I would like to hire you on S.H.I.E.L.D. can use a person with your talents given who you are and where you come from I would be stupid not to. So consider yourself hired report for training two weeks from now" Fury reached into his desk pulling out a small stack of papers "Please fill these out"

Harry looked at the small pile of documents focused his magic and thought of what he wanted there was a small flash of light nothing intense but enough to garner attention from and another person Fury quirked an eyebrow "Can you show me how to do that."

Harry barked out a laugh "Maybe I can make an item that will dictate what you want"

Fury was grinning at the thought of that "While we have no regs against dating in the ranks. Are you sure about chasing the widow

Harry laugh quieted "The powers that be have placed me at this time and place for a reason and they gave us each other. I am not chasing per se more along the lines of a nudging things here and there. See you for dinner tonight." With that he stood up and left the director's office.

"Yes Sir we have discovered the new recruits name Mr. Secretary. Harry James Potter." Jasper Sitwell said confident that the secretary's next question would "He was sent to us by Anya, I do not think we could recruit him in the time frame. If I may Mr. Secretary I suggest deploying the asset and remove him from the equation. Very good Sir." He smiled happily while sending the command to have the asset track and eliminate Harry Potter only to frown at what the Secretary said next "The Lemurian Star? No sir I had not but I will leave within the hour"

The assets eyes opened "I am ready to comply"

"Here is your target. He is an enemy and must be dealt with appropriately" the man said to the asset "now go!"

-
Harry left the triskelion on foot going toward the nearest subway terminal he felt the eyes on him as he left the building he could feel the ill intent getting closer stopped at the stiles and was pulling his wallet to get out his subway pass when the malevolence spiked and he felt the tip of the knife touch his back. Spinning he knocked the knife away and cast a Petrificus spell catching his assailant by surprise focusing on an overhead light causing a shower of smoke and sparks grabbing the assailant he apparated to his home and thought of opening a sling portal to Kamar-Taj.

Harry ruled that out. With a grim eye he removed the lower mask and goggles by vanishing them he saw the man's dead eyes and wondered what hell he had been put through to look like that 'only one way to find out' "Legillimens". The things Harry saw revolted him he watched almost 70 years' worth of torture and countless deaths caused by that man known as the asset he saw snippets of him with Natasha, and a whole lifetime of memories with Steve Rogers that he could not quite wrap his head around Steve as a little guy.

He also got the man's identity The Winter Soldier or as he was once known as James Buchanan Barnes he had to pause take a breath. When he felt a portal open behind him and the ancient one stepped through "I could feel your rage in Kamar-Taj, was your meeting with Nicholas not profitable"

"Profitable?" Harry snorted and began to laugh softly "I am provisionally a shield agent however after the meeting someone tried to give me the Cold Soldier." Harry said pointing to the unconscious man

The ancient one's jaw dropped her eyes growing wide "He was not to be in play yet I saw him coming a few days. But not yet."

"So my being here has changed the timeline" Harry mused "So much for keeping a low profile!"

"What will you do?" Yao asked him a curious look marring her normally serene countenance.

"Well the way I see it I have a few options. I can wipe his memory and implant one where he killed me and send him back to hydra and shield will fall. I can wipe his mind of the triggers and give him back to his best friend and shield. Or I can use him to take hydra down from the inside" harry looked thoughtful for a moment "Or maybe just this once you could make a suggestion"

Yao did not look impressed but as she thought of his request "This man is responsible for the deaths of countless good people. However it was not always thus he is a friend of the good captain however he did the kill Howard and Maria Stark and if not handled correctly will cause a rift in the avengers" she paused "Tried to give you the cold soldier" she snorted trying to contain the laugh until she could barely breathe "Free his mind, and show Tony stark what you have seen lastly heal him and return him to his friend. You will have a busy week Dewin. Stop by when you are done" she said turning into the portal she seamlessly opened and was gone from his sight seconds later.

Harry then picked up his phone scrolled through the numbers until he got the number Fury had given him "Director Fury about dinner tonight I was wondering if we could open it up to a few more people."
Hearing the man's affirmative and follow on question took a breath and answered "The Captain, the Widow and Iron Man

Director Fury was looking through the upcoming missions and noticed that Jasper Sitwell was being deployed to the south pacific 'that bears watching' he thought to himself when a knock on his door broke his reverie "Come" he snapped.

The door opened revealing Natasha Romanov "you wanted to see me Director?"

"Yes this will take only a moment of your time and you get back to mocking your partners lack of a love life." Fury said plainly "I am assigning you and Steve rogers to assess and train our newest recruit."

"Boss I am barely able to help Rogers function in this century and you want us both to train someone Anya has trained?" Natasha asked before continuing "Not a good use of either of our time we will likely have little to teach him"

Fury smiled "Well I have already called Rogers in we have been invited to Potters for dinner. I also have to invite Stark"

Natasha could not understand why Fury was asking and reading her face Nick quietly spoke "Natasha in years to come you will thank me for having you come tonight. Please trust me tonight will be enlightening from what I have been told."

Natasha nodded as her phone buzzed seeing who it was from she answered "Hi Steve, I am in the director's office right now yeah we will be having dinner with our new partner and apparently he has invited Tony as well." She listened to his responses before speaking "we will meet you out front in a"

Tony Stark was having a good day he had been over the financials for the Stark Relief Foundation, the September Foundation, and the Maria Stark Memorial Fund the last had been headed by his mother prior to his parents death and had been a force in the fight against human trafficking, child and spousal abuse it was also the one that hurt him the most. While he had thought he never lived up to his father's expectations he adored his mother even when she disapproved of his actions. His thoughts were interrupted

"Sir, Director Fury is on the line asking for a moment of your time" Jarvis his constant companion said "Would like to accept or should I send him to voicemail?"

'As much as it might entertain me' Tony thought to himself "He is asking? Not Telling? That is a novel approach let's see what the cyclops wants." He pause before tapping the earpiece "Yes Director how I can help you."

His eyes opened and he found himself laying on a very comfortable couch. The last time he was this comfortable had been right before he shipped out. Then his thoughts accelerated as his mind tried to reconcile everything he had done since the early fifties then he felt a hand rest on his shoulders causing him to roll away coming up in combat crouch

"Sgt Barnes there are no words I can utter that would bring justice to what you have done and what has been done to you. I have taken the liberty of freeing you from the bondage Hydra kept you tethered in. I have also taken steps to reunite you with two old friends and the son of another" Harry held his hands up to show he was unarmed "They sent you to kill me earlier today."

"You… you are a threat to them." Bucky whispered looking down "so many deaths, so many people. Howard and his wife."

"It will take time but you will get through this" Harry chuckled "Steve, Natalia, Fury and stark will be here for dinner. We are having Italian and dinner is in an hour want to help me?"

"Stevie is coming? He must be really old" Bucky asked assuming wrongly that Steve would age normally but when harry shook his head "It cannot have just been the serum"

"No, from what I understand he spent 70 years on ice after he crashed the Valkyrie in the arctic." Harry stopped and thought back to when he met the Captain "However I think the serums used on you, Natasha and Steve unlocked something greater so far as I know none of you can die from old age. Which is odd and very concerning considering who sent me here. Although maybe not as odd now that I think about it."

They worked in silence just enjoying the normalcy and quiet they had just finished setting the table and bringing the food out when there was a knock on the door Harry went to answer it seeing that three of the four people he invited were there "I assume Mr. Stark could not make it tonight?" Harry asked

Fury smiled "we had a small change of plans I hope it will not be too much of a problem to seat an additional two people given what you alluded to over the phone I thought it might be best if tony had some support other than a team mate." Harry nodded and Fury dialed a number and the whine of repulsors filled the air as both Iron man, War machine and third suit that was definitely female shaped descended Harry stood to the side and motioned everyone in as he did he noted several vehicles that were not native to his neighborhood were there he paused Fury for last .

"Director, I could not help but notice that there might be some unwelcome elements watching us" as he discretely pointed out the three vehicles "Are they with you or …." Leaving the or not unsaid

"The one furthest away is mine that's Agent Barton and My XO Maria Hill" he looked at the other two and a chill went up his spine "the other two are the Strike team and I did not okay them to go into the field"

"That's what I thought" harry looked thoughtful for a moment "let's have dinner. Do I have a whopper of tale for you and the others?"

As Harry Ushered everyone into the dining room taking time to pull out a chair for both Natasha and Pepper leaving both the other three men slack jawed Harry Called out James you want to bring out the bread. Steve and Natasha an old friend of yours was sent to give me the cold soldier today. As I understand he was your best friend" pointing at Steve "and he was both a trainer and romantic interest at one point for you Natasha."

Bucky came out of the kitchen slowly the bread in his hand he slowly looked up making eye contact with both Steve and Natasha "Hey punk heard you did something stupid and got iced for 70 years" he stated a smile on his face before he stepped up to Natasha and whispered something into her ears while giving her a hug that made her gasp and made harry more than a little jealous.

"They lied about the graduation" Natasha exclaimed "Why do that?"

"They did not want you breeding with just anyone Natalia" James said quietly "They wanted to breed super soldiers to deal with threat of America making another Captain America. Psychology won out over biology in this case because you believed so it was."

Steve had been stunned silent and finally snapped out of it "Buck, is that really you."

"The last thing you said to me before I shipped out was and I quote how I can, you're taking all the stupid with you." Bucky said with a smile. "Come here Punk" was all he said opening his other arm the two friends embraced.

"Not that this is not nice or anything" Tony Stark snarked a wry smile crossed his lips "Why am I here?"

Harry looked at the man getting his measure "You really have no empathy do you? Don't bother to answer. You are here because Hydra tortured, brainwashed and mind controlled James Barnes over the last 70 year used him to eliminate targets that could impede their goals. Targets like your parents Mr. Stark." He deadpanned the information gauging his reaction and as Tony got up to go get his suit with Rhodey right behind him Harry continued "Hydra grew within shield and they have been using and abusing that man for a long time and if you have revenge on your mind why don't you point your anger and hatred at those who are truly culpable" the two came back in their suits. Pepper was quietly talking with Natasha trying desperately to understand.

"He killed my mom. That cannot go unanswered!" Tony said tears streaming down his face "It can't go unpunished"

"Mr. Stark, I knew your father, considered him a friend. They used me to kill a friend and your mother was collateral damage in their eyes. It is one of the few times where my conditioning broke so completely that I went through quite a few agents of Hydra before they recaptured me. The persons who ordered the hit still lives.

"I want a name" both Fury and Tony said at the same time only Tony's anger caused him to power up his repulsors.

James Barnes grimaced "Alexander Pierce"

"Son of a bitch" Fury cursed

"I take it that is not a good thing" Harry asked only to receive looks that made him feel stupid from Natasha, Rhodey and Tony "Look guys I am going to level with you I am not from this reality. There is no good way to deal with this so I will just rip the scab off. Four years from now something bad is going to happen to the entire universe, five years after that your team will be able to fix the damage but the price would have been higher. I have only been here four months and a couple of days so who in Merlin's name is Alexander Pierce?"

A/N The chapter title and the term are joyfully stolen from Burnable /s/13326497/1/Post-Apocalyptic-Potter-from-a-Parallel-Universe