GotSIS Ch.16: I Scry with My Little Eye (Patreon)

11th January 2007

Kamar Taj, Kathmandu

The amulet slung around Harry’s neck glowed with a golden hue, the rings on the amulet moving slowly around the small center orb. Harry’s eyes were shut closed, scrunched in concentration, his breathing even while the Ancient One observed him carefully.

“Concentrate on where you want to look, Mr. Potter,” the Ancient One murmured. “Like opening a portal but not to travel, only to see. The Eye of Agamotto gives you the power of sight— to see the world through means only a few others can. Now, all you need to do… is see.”

The rings on the amulet stopped, locking with a click and Harry sucked in a sharp breath as the darkness faded away to reveal a huge white building that rose from the gleaming waters of the Potomac River, a chopper hovering over its top, the golden SHIELD eagle shining on its black exterior. 

‘The Triskelion.’ Harry felt a surge of triumph. ‘I did it. I got the power of sight of the eye of Agamotto to work.’

Harry felt excitement bloom and willed himself away from the SHIELD headquarters. In an instant, the view dissolved, amber light flaring in front of his eyes as a beautiful white palace stretched in front of him, as far as Harry could see. Roses bloomed in the gardens, a golden statue gleaming in the light of the setting sun in front of the gates. 

Atop the palace, the British flag waved in the wind, fluttering merrily.

“Can you see, Mr. Potter?” The Ancient One’s soft voice rang through his vision. “Try to shift the view slowly. Your imagination is the limit. The eye of—”

The voice drowned out as Harry dipped into his own mind, the view of the Buckingham Palace dissolving in amber light that burst around him, flecked with a rainbow of colors. The edges of his vision blurred until it was blinded by the glaring golden palace that touched the heavens, his vision thrumming with power.

Birds like Harry had never seen soared through the sky, alongside a large hammer that flew toward the palace in a gray blur, punching through pinkish-white clouds on its way. Below him, a rainbow stretched like a bridge of colored glass, connecting to the golden palace.

‘The Bifrost.’ Harry felt his breath hitch. ‘I am in the realm eternal. Asgard. I can see anything in—’

The view around him shifted and he found himself in a domed room made of gold and silver. Huge, intricate rings stretched all around, revolving like the rings in his amulet. On a raised dais in the center of the room, a dark-skinned man in golden armor stood an elaborate sword hilt clutched in his large hands, his amber eyes staring straight into Harry’s.

“Welcome, Sorcerer.” Harry felt his heart clench as the man twisted his sword and the rings around them moved. Suddenly, a tingle raced down Harry’s body like an electric current and he looked down, to see himself floating off the floor like a hologram, dressed in the clothes he had been wearing. “I am Heimdall. The Gatekeeper of the nine realms. The eternal guardian of the Bifrost.”

“Um… I am Harry. Harry Potter.” Harry said, waving his translucent hand slightly. 

‘I am like a ghost but more… alive? What is happening?’

“I am aware of who you are, Sorcerer.” Heimdall smiled. “I have, from time to time, gazed at you despite your tendency to avoid my sight.”

“I am sorry, what?” Harry blinked.

“Something or someone shields you from my gaze, Harry Potter.” Herimdall’s amber eyes glowed like the heat of a furnace. “I see all. I hear all. And since the time my watch began, only a handful of beings have been capable of concealing themselves from my sight within the nine realms. You, one of them.”

Harry frowned. ‘I didn’t even know he was keeping an eye on me. I had only read about him till now.’ Harry’s eyes flicked to the Gatekeeper. ‘I shouldn’t probably mess around. Not with someone who’s likely a god. A god whose territory I am trespassing.’

“I assure you, if any such thing has happened, it was unintentional.” Harry raised his hands placatingly. “And I was not trying to sneak here either if that’s what you’re thinking. I was just practicing using a relic and I stumbled here.”

“Agamotto’s eye, I am aware.” Heimdall glanced pointedly at his chest where the outline of his amulet was visible through his hoodie even in this form. 

“I am sorry to interrupt but what is this form?” Harry asked before Heimdall could continue. “Because I have never felt something like this before. It doesn’t seem to be an illusion nor am I in the astral plane. Also, as far as scrying goes, I have never heard of anything like this.”

“What you are experiencing is a little Asgardian magic coupled with my own power,” Heimdall stepped off the dais and walked closer to him. “We of the Aesir have the power of Ygddgarsil flowing through us. To each, it manifests differently. My powers manifested in the form of true sight.”

“Your godly powers, I know.” Harry nodded. “It is said that you can see any part of the universe and experience it if you wish. Your gaze penetrates through all.”

Heimdall inclined his head, the horns of his golden helmet casting a long shadow. “I am glad the knowledge that the Sorcerers possessed hasn’t been lost to time, especially for someone who wears an object forged with Asgard’s power.”

“The Eye of Agamotto.” Harry whispered. “So the records are correct.”

“I would hope so,” Heimdall said. “Now, if you would, kindly end the spell. Your Sorcerer Supreme grows worried seeing you talking to someone whom she is unaware of. It is not something that has happened with her before, I believe.”

“Right. Sorry for disturbing you.” Harry muttered.

“You are most welcome to visit me anytime you wish.” Heimdall bowed his head. “My watch is unending and often grows monotonous. A rare visit like this is often cherished by me. And with what all stirs on Midgard and the meddling of higher powers… we never know what might prove beneficial.”

“Well, feel free to call me too, I suppose.” Harry gave him a smile. 

“Farewell, Harry Potter.” Heimdall said and with a wave of his hand, Harry found himself back in Kamar Taj, staring into the worried eyes of the Ancient One.

“Mr. Potter! What—”

“Well, you might want to sit down for this.” Harry coughed. “I think I made a new friend, that too with a god.”

“Of course you did.” She sighed. “Go on. I want to hear about this.”

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14th April 2007

The Triskelion, Washington DC

The silver gun gleamed in the light of the room, weighing down in Harry’s hands as he examined it. Sharon leaned forward over her desk, her blonde hair hanging down the sides of her face like golden curtains, her blue eyes watching him curiously.

“Heavier than I expected.” Harry commented, tugging at the top of the gun, and pulling the chamber back before releasing it. 

“Why are you cocking the hammer?” Sharon raised an eyebrow. “There’s no magazine.”

“Isn’t that how— well, never mind.” Harry placed the firearm back on the table. “This is the first time I touched a gun. I have no bloody idea how to handle one. I just did what I saw in the movies.” 

“What would you ever do with a gun anyway?” Sharon took her gun back and pushed the magazine in, cocking it. “Don’t you have magic spells that can have lightning strike someone from the sky?”

“I mean, it seemed wise to know the weapons everyone around you uses.” Harry studied the grain of the table, his eyes trailing toward the gleaming nozzle of Sharon’s gun. “Also, having lightning strike someone from the sky is way too time-consuming and dramatic. There are simpler spells.”

“Wait, you could really do that?” Sharon blinked. “Lord of the Rings style?”

“I can do many things, Sharon.” Harry’s lips curled into a grin. “And I am pretty certain that I can emulate anything they showed in Lord of the Rings.” Harry’s forehead creased. “Except for foresight, that is. I suck at divination.”

“Divination… as in there are people who can see the future?” Sharon goggled. “People like you?”

“The future is not concrete.” Harry shook his head. “A few things are, but most vary with even the slightest change in human action. It gets to a point where a lot of it is practically useless.”

“So, it is useful in some cases.” Sharon prodded.

“Not… the way you probably think.” Harry rubbed his jaw. “Let me put it this way. If Fury or Coulson sets you on a mission to, say, capture me, you will have to come for me. Yes, the stuff before the order was given could’ve changed. What you do when you meet me can change. But as you are now set on the mission, you will come for me. Finding me, confronting me, and even capturing me is another matter. But, you will come for me, no matter what. That is set in concrete. And if I can see that you are coming for me—”

“You will be forewarned and can prepare accordingly.” Sharon nodded. “You will put the odds in your favor. Like if SHIELD gets some intel, we can act on it to prevent something bad from happening.”

“Exactly.” Harry said. “Divination is a rare skill, but one that comes in handy in protecting the Earth. If some disaster is en route, we will know and can prevent or mitigate it.”

“It sounds like a very useful skill despite the way you put it.”

Harry smiled wryly. “An old friend once told me, what is coming will come and we'll just have to meet it when it does.”

“That’s… something.” Sharon blew out a huff of air. “So, do you want to learn how to shoot a gun?”

“Sure. I mean, it couldn’t hurt, could it?” Harry said. “Not here where the gun laws are so lax, at least.”

“You can get an Asset Defense Course from SHIELD.” Sharon typed something on her computer. “It is meant for non-combatant assets that we have in case they need it.”

“Non-combatant assets?” Harry frowned.

“People like you.” Sharon’s printer beeped and whirled, printing out a page. “People who are of high use to SHIELD despite not being employed within the institution. This includes a lot of billionaires from Silicon Valley, believe it or not.”

Sharon plucked the page from the printer and slid it toward Harry.

“Basic self-defense, defensive driving, shooting, and gun handling, a crash course on survival and hiding.” Harry read off the sheet. “And… miscellaneous.”

“It is a need-based course, honestly.” Sharon brushed her hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ears. “Some assets aren't in constant danger or in enemy territory. But, some parties may take an interest in them and come for them.”

“Like me?”

“Not really.” Sharon shook her head. “No offense but we think you are a relative unknown and you can handle yourself. This course is usually to train people like nuclear scientists, cyber-security experts, and engineers working in the development of cutting-edge technology… people whom terrorists may find a vested interest in. With this training, if they implement it right, they might survive long enough for SHIELD to arrive and extract them from the location to a safe house.”

Harry nodded contemplatively, his eyes running down the length of the paper.

“Honestly, defensive driving and survival and hiding are pretty much useless for me.” Harry let the paper drop onto Sharon’s desk. “What’s the point in driving when you can teleport? And if I seriously want to hide, no one, not even SHIELD would ever find me.”

“So, you don’t need it.” Sharon took a pen and canceled off the two items. “And your file shows that you are a purple belt in jiu-jitsu. So, that cuts most of the self-defense down but does leave a few things.”

“Like?”

“If someone has a gun pointed at your head at point blank range, how to take the gun from them and turn the tables on them.” Sharon smirked. “I did that one recently.”

“Want to share?”

“It was a thug with no real experience. I handled him just fine.” Sharon waved him off. “Didn’t even need to shoot a bullet. Or break a sweat.”

“I would say it was very brave.” Harry smiled at her. “You had a bloody gun pointed at your head. Most people would’ve shat their pants at that point itself.”

“If I did that, I would probably have been disavowed.” Sharon joked. “And disowned too, if I come to think of it.”

“Harsh, innit?”

“You know my aunt is the Peggy Carter.” Sharon’s eyes sparkled. “Whenever I am in her presence nowadays I feel like she’d whip my ass despite being like eighty-five. And the scary part is, she probably could. You know a couple of years back, she took out an armed burglar with her walking stick. Didn’t even take a single scratch. I think she was more irate about the fact that her favorite walking stick cracked.”

“Seriously?”

“Yep.” Sharon twirled a lock of her hair around her finger. “I wasn’t in the house when it happened but I saw the burglar being arrested by Deputy Director Hill before we both were airlifted to a safe house. And this was when I was midway through my S.H.I.E.L.D academy, having come back for a break. It is also when I first met Coulson.”

“Who took you under his wing, I’m guessing?”

“That was several months later, but I’d say it might’ve helped that he knew me.” Sharon bobbed her head. “But you should’ve seen Coulson when he was in front of her. Looked like he was about to faint.”

“He is a huge Captain America fan and he met his girlfriend.” Harry snorted. “Did he have her sign his trading cards?”

“No, but he did have her autograph a picture of the Howling Commandos which he had.” Sharon leaned forward conspiratorially. “Honestly, when I first saw Coulson, I thought he was like a low-level, sad agent who had been sent to guard us just in case. I saw him and I thought— I never want to be him. Boy, and was I wrong.”

“He does look harmless and way too friendly for his own good.” Harry agreed quietly. “No one would ever give him a second glance, I reckon. If I wouldn’t have known he’s an agent— and one of the best at that, I would’ve never guessed it by myself.”

“It is part of his charm, my aunt Peggy says.” Sharon said. “She liked Coulson, I think. Approved of him at least. At that time, I didn’t know what he was.”

“You must’ve been disappointed when he took you on then.” Harry snorted.

“Actually, no.” Sharon shook her head. “Word spread about him before he came. Hitting a mentorship under a level eight agent is a big thing at the academy. Only three top candidates get it, and that too before everyone else does. And getting Phil Coulson? That’s apparently a goldmine for anyone at the Academy nowadays. Every single agent he has trained has had some of the best records in SHIELD. And he only takes the best of the best.”

“Makes sense. He’s Fury’s left hand after all.” Harry hummed. “What all do they teach you there, at the academy, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Everything, honestly.” Sharon shrugged. “Field agents are trained to handle any and all combat situations that come their way. The subjects range from psychology to MMA to paragliding, skiing, and underwater diving. We are trained to survive and do anything that work demands of us.”

“That’s interesting.” Harry hummed. “How long is the training?”

“Fifteen months to three years.” Sharon said. “Depends on what all you're training for and how good you are. I stayed for almost three years. You have to if you want to get the aviation license too.”

“Wait. You can fly a plane?” Harry gave her an impressed look. “That’s brilliant.”

“Yes, I can.” Sharon beamed. “I can fly planes and choppers both. Of course, just because you can handle one model doesn’t mean you can take up any of them. But, the basics do stay similar.”

“Can you teach me?” Harry hesitated. “To fly a plane. Or put it in this course.”

“Harry, I am not even remotely qualified to teach you how to fly an airplane.” Sharon’s eyes widened. “Also, I only know how to fly models that SHIELD employs. And, as for the course… Even the most basic training to fly an airplane takes about twenty to thirty weeks of dedicated learning. At least.”

“Oh.” Harry smothered his disappointment. “Anyhow, how long is this… course? The normal one.”

“The Asset Defense Course?” Sharon pointed at the form. “Four weeks, two hours a day. We could probably have it done for you in two weeks since you don’t need two of the main courses it offers.”

Harry hummed. “Why not? I can spare a couple of hours or so for a few days. Who knows? Might come useful someday.”

“With your jiu-jitsu training and magic? The chance is very low.” Sharon said truthfully. “But I will enroll you if you want. Are you sure you don’t want defensive driving? Because it is a great skill to know if you are ever being followed.”

“Positive.” Harry snorted. 

“Great. I will mail you the dates when the response comes through.” Sharon typed something on her computer. “You might have to visit here again later this week to sign some stuff.”

“Not a problem. I’ll get to meet you again.” Harry’s lips tugged into a grin.

Sharon raised an eyebrow. “Flirting, are we?”

“That depends on whether you like it or not.” Harry felt heat bloom in his chest, like a red rose from its bud.

“If I am?”

“I’d say let’s get some dinner together.” Harry gave her a brilliant smile. “I will pick you up at eight?”

Sharon blinked. “Wait, you’re serious.”

Harry felt a sharp sting beneath his ribs, like a sharp dagger sinking into his heart.

“Just playing along.” Harry waved her off, crumpling the feelings that rose. “But I’d seriously love to have dinner with a friend. Been some time since I did that.”

“Well… if you pay.” Sharon’s lips quivered into a soft smile. “It will save me the effort of making dinner if nothing else.”

“Done.” Harry smiled. “See you at eight, I suppose.”

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14th April 2007

The Triskelion, Washington DC

Harry’s heart drummed in his chest as he ruffled through his closet, furiously taking out clothes and putting them onto his bed.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” he muttered. “You couldn’t invite her on a date and yet you managed to get her for dinner. Bloody idiot you are, Potter.”

Hermione giggled from the photo next to the mirror while Ron guffawed, clutching his sides.

“Yeah yeah, laugh it up, you two.” Harry muttered. “Alright, trousers and a… formal shirt. But which one? I don’t even know what color she likes.”

Hermione waved at him from the frame, jabbing her hand toward the bed where the shirts were spread out.

“The blue one?”  Harry asked and she shook her head, waving her finger in circles. “The… black one?”

Hermione beamed and nodded from the photo.

“Right.” Harry unbuttoned the collar, and the sleeves before putting the shirt on. “Thanks, Hermione. Even from beyond this world, you’re still helping me.”

With a wave of his hand, the shirts and trousers flew back into the cupboard, hanging themselves back neatly as he rolled up his sleeves, neatly tucking them into each other. A pair of socks flew out and hit his bed while Harry glanced at the clock which ticked near to eight with each passing second.

‘Shit.’ Harry scrambled to get dressed, flinging off the jeans he was wearing, and pulling on the trousers. 

A couple of minutes later, he stood in front of the mirror, running a comb through his hair, trying to flatten it. From the frame, Hermione shook her head in exasperation while Ron sniggered over her shoulder.

“Fuck this.” Harry flung the comb onto his bed, running to his cupboard. “Watch, watch— ah, here.”

The leather shone in the light of the room as Harry tightened the watch around his left wrist, its silver dial glinting like the edge of a dagger. The hands in the clock inched toward eight, only a few minutes away.

“Accio shoes.” A pair of black leather shoes flew out of his cupboard as Harry tugged a sock onto his feet before moving to the other. “Accio wallet, Accio keys.”

Harry snatched the two objects as they soared toward him, dropping them into his pockets before pulling his boots up and tying the black laces. Standing up, he strode to the side table, grabbing his phone as his fingers moved in a circular motion, golden sparks curling into a portal in an empty alley.

Harry stepped through, glancing around as the portal vanished, dissolving into sparks. A moment later, he twisted on his heel, vanishing with a sharp crack that echoed through the empty alley.

The world swirled with colors before he appeared in front of a tall building with a slight pop. Magic sparked between his fingers as he walked toward the entrance, glancing at the security guard who rose from his chair.

“Where to, son?” The security guard called. 

“Err… Sharon Carter.” Harry said. “I am here to pick her up for dinner.”

“Ah, date, I am assuming,” The man smiled, picking up the telephone at the desk and dialing something. “Your name?”

“Harry. Harry Potter.”

The security guard nodded, leaning onto the receiver. “Hey, Miss Carter. There is a Harry Potter here to pick— yes, I will tell him that. Yes.” The guard put the receiver down and turned to Harry. “She will be down in a few minutes, son.”

“Thanks.” Harry nodded. 

“Good luck, son. God knows she works too much for her own good.” The guard sat back behind his desk. “Going out early every day and coming back late. Sometimes, she’ll disappear for days on a foreign trip for her boss. But let me tell you, she’ll be successful in doing what she does. Dedication always rewards.”

“That it does.” Harry agreed.

“You work with her?”

“Not… exactly.” Harry coughed. “I am more of a business partner with her boss.”

“Ah,” The guard nodded. “Well—”

The lift dinged, its doors sliding open to reveal Sharon, dressed in an ankle-length striped yellow dress and a heavy overcoat. 

“Have fun, son.” The guard tipped his cap.

“Hey, Harry. Hey, Sam.” Sharon greeted them both, turning to Harry, her eyes trailing up his form. “Did you dress up?”

“If anything, I feel underdressed in your presence, right now.” Harry offered her his arm with a grin. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you. You clean up well too.” Sharon’s cheeks pinkened. “Shall we?”

“Where to?” Harry led her through the gates of the building, onto the street outside.

“You didn’t pick a place?”

“I thought you would.” Harry glanced at her. “You know DC better than I do. If you want to go eat somewhere in Manhattan, I can take you there. There’s a couple of great pizza places and even a few good restaurants we can eat in depending on what you’d like.”

Sharon hummed thoughtfully. “I am in the mood for something that is not pizza or cheap Chinese. Maybe something continental? Or maybe Indian?”

Harry checked his watch. “I could’ve taken you straight to the country you wanted to eat from, but it is the middle of the night about everywhere right now.”

“Have you ever done that before?” Sharon asked. “Gone to the country you wanted to eat the food of and come back?”

“Couple of times, yeah.” Harry’s lips curled into a smirk. “Teleportation does have its uses.”

“We just chose the wrong time of the day to go out, didn’t we?” Sharon grimaced. “Damn, I could’ve been in another country right now enjoying food.”

“I can still take you anywhere in the United States. Or Canada.” Harry suggested. 

“You know? There’s this great place in Denver where I once ate a Cuban sandwich. Maybe we can go there?”

“As you wish.” Harry said. “What’s the place?”

“230, hundred and seventh avenue.” Sharon said and Harry twisted his fingers, a ripple of magic washing around him. A moment later, he opened a portal. 

“After you,” Harry grinned as Sharon looked around wildly.

“Why is no one paying attention to us?”

“Magic.” Harry’s grin broadened. “But it won’t last long so you might want to get moving.”

“Right.” Sharon stepped through the portal, Harry following her. 

The portal collapsed behind them, and they walked together, down the street. Suddenly, Sharon’s pockets buzzed, and she stopped mid stride.

“Sorry, it is my mom.” Sharon cut the call. “She usually never—”

The phone rang again.

“You should pick it up, Sharon.” Harry said quietly. “I don’t mind. It might be something urgent.”

“Right.” Sharon pressed the phone to her ear. “Yes Mo— what? Where? Shit. Shit. Don’t worry, I am on my way. No, no, I am nearby. Give me a few minutes.”

“Something the matter?” Harry asked as Sharon cut the call and turned to him.

“Yes. We need to go to Newark now. Aunt Peggy has collapsed.” Sharon breathed. “They have taken her to the city hospital. Can you—”

Before she could finish, Harry had already twisted his fingers and opened another portal.

“Family first, Sharon. Always.” Harry said. “Let’s go.”

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AND… DONE! Hope you all liked the chapter!

So, yes. We saw Heimdall in this chapter. He is one of my personal favorite characters and I think he has a lot of potential. 

Also yes, the eye has its own powers which the Ancient One is slowly teaching Harry. It can act like a scrying device to help Harry look anywhere around the Universe. (Unless the place or the person has been shielded, of course.) It is kind of a lite version of Heimdall’s gaze. Nowhere near as powerful as Heimdall but could work just fine.

The next chapter will see the happening of the first canon-based Marvel event alongside meeting Peggy-I-am-the-badass-whom-badasses-look-up-to-Carter, of course. Yes, I am spoiling a bit, but at this point, the Peggy part can and will be guessed by most of you, I feel. The last line made it pretty clear.

A huge thanks to Mughil, Nanu, and Anax for betaing this chapter.

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Stay Happy! Stay Safe! Keep Smiling! Keep Reading!

HPfanfictioner66