Marvel's Hogwarts Professor

Anger.

An endless, seething fury surged within him.

For six long months, Bruce Banner had fought tirelessly to keep his emotions under control, trying to contain the beast within. But every attempt felt like trying to douse a raging fire with gasoline. The angrier he became, the stronger the flames roared, devouring his efforts to stay calm, intensifying with every heartbeat.

The sensation of swelling strength returned, a familiar yet terrifying reminder of his own instability. He felt his muscles harden, his skin prickle as if it were about to burst, and the darkness of rage crept into his vision, casting a sickly green tint over everything he saw. The raw power of the Hulk loomed, waiting to be unleashed. And with it came an overwhelming sense of dread.

"Hulk… Hulk… not now," Bruce muttered internally, his voice trembling with desperation. "Just give me a little more time, and I promise I'll let you out."

Inside his mind, Bruce pleaded with the Hulk, trying to stave off the inevitable. The emergence of the Hulk, here and now, unprepared, would be a catastrophe. But something felt different this time. Perhaps it was the months of suppression that had fueled the Hulk's frustration, or maybe that strange magic from moments earlier had crossed some unseen line, triggering the monster's fury.

As despair settled in his chest, Bruce felt himself losing the battle. He knew he was out of time. But then, amid the rising darkness, a soft, calming voice broke through.

"Be still. Focus. Take a deep breath and follow my lead," the voice said with a kindness that seemed to seep directly into his core. "Let me help you regain control."

The words were a lifeline, and Bruce grasped them instinctively. Almost immediately, he felt a wave of coolness wash through his veins, like a soothing balm over a burn. The fiery anger that had once threatened to consume him now dulled, pacified by the unfamiliar calm.

With renewed hope, Bruce drew upon his past experiences, inhaling deeply, allowing the peace to settle within him. Gradually, the fog of rage dissipated, and his mind cleared. He could even sense the Hulk's rage, but it felt distant now, muffled, like a fading echo.

In a final, guttural roar, the Hulk seemed to withdraw, leaving Bruce standing on solid ground once more.

To Natasha, watching from nearby, the transformation was astonishing. Lockhart's presence had materialized in the blink of an eye—a dark silhouette against the dim lighting. Bruce's skin, once tinged with an unmistakable green hue, had begun to return to its normal color. His muscles, which had stretched the fabric of his clothes to the breaking point, slowly relaxed, and his breaths steadied as he regained control.

Seeing Bruce calm, Natasha felt a rush of relief and a hint of embarrassment. She approached Lockhart with a slight bow of her head, her tone respectful but apologetic. "Professor Lockhart, I'm so sorry for the disruption, and thank you for your assistance just now."

After a brief pause, she continued, "This is my colleague from SHIELD, Dr. Bruce Banner. He holds multiple doctorates and is exceptionally bright. His curiosity about magic brought him here, but due to his… unique condition, it appears the magic may have triggered a reaction."

Natasha's words carried a subtle grace as she downplayed Bruce's near-transformation, carefully attempting to adjust her previous assumptions.

Lockhart smiled, his tone light and friendly. "Natasha, it's been a while. And thank you again for your help in finding my student, Wanda, last time." His eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief. "If I remember correctly, the first time we met was during your undercover mission at the book café. You've seen how the Vientiane Book Café has evolved since then. Perhaps you'll enjoy it more now."

Natasha let out a soft laugh, though an awkward smile tugged at her lips. Ah, yes, she recalled. Back then, she'd been assigned to blend in among book lovers for a covert mission. The memory brought a flicker of embarrassment, though she brushed it aside, her response smooth. "Indeed, Professor Lockhart. The changes here are truly remarkable—it's beyond what I'd imagined. Part of me regrets not pursuing that interview. Working in such a place would have been… a privilege."

Lockhart chuckled warmly, clearly pleased by her praise. A true agent, he thought. She knows exactly what to say to keep the conversation pleasant.

"If you ever have the chance, Natasha, I'd love for you to visit more often," Lockhart replied, his voice as soothing as his presence.

By now, Bruce had regained his composure and opened his eyes to see the face of the man who had aided him. Standing before him was a striking figure—blond, blue-eyed, dressed in a dark green robe that exuded an aura of mystique and confidence.

"Hello, Dr. Banner," Lockhart greeted him with a slight bow and an outstretched hand. "I'm Gilderoy Lockhart."

Bruce, still reeling from the recent experience, quickly shook his hand, nodding in gratitude. "Hello, Professor Lockhart. I… appreciate your help. That could have gone very badly."

Lockhart's expression softened, his tone carrying both concern and wisdom. "Dr. Banner, based on what I just witnessed, it seems your talents have awakened, but they're not yet fully under your control. Unstable talents can be both dangerous and limiting. Regular practice will help you harness them so they become your true strength."

Bruce's eyes lit up, his curiosity piqued. "Professor, when you say 'talent awakening,' are you referring to what happened just now?" His words tumbled out in a rush. "Do you know why I lose control? And is there… a way to reverse it? To make me… normal again?"

Lockhart raised a hand gently, stopping Bruce's questions with a patient smile. "Dr. Banner, the awakening of one's talents is a complex matter. While the soundproofing spell protects us here, perhaps my tea room would be a better place to discuss it in detail."

Turning to Natasha, he added, "Natasha, would you care to join us for tea?"

Natasha exchanged a glance with Bruce, sensing the eagerness in his eyes. With a sigh, she agreed, knowing she couldn't prevent Bruce from seeking answers, especially on Lockhart's grounds. "Thank you, Professor Lockhart," she said politely, resigned to the unfolding situation.

I wonder if Bruce's transformation really was an accident, she thought, casting a wary eye around. How did Lockhart arrive so perfectly on time? A flicker of suspicion crossed her mind. Where are Coulson and Rumlow when I need them?

Following Lockhart's lead, the two SHIELD agents entered Room 101, Lockhart's private tea room. The three of them settled around a small table at the center of the room, its surface adorned with an elegant tea set. At a wave of Lockhart's hand, the cups, pots, and tea leaves floated gracefully into the air, an ethereal dance that captivated Bruce and Natasha's gaze.

Hot water defied gravity, lifting from its vessel to hover mid-air before gracefully pouring into the cups. The tea leaves swirled, encased in a small orb of hot water, as if performing a delicate ritual of their own. Watching the magical brewing process unfold, Bruce and Natasha felt as if they were witnessing a spell brought to life.

Soon, a light, refreshing fragrance filled the room. Pale green tea appeared in their cups, glistening like morning dew under the soft lighting.

"Please, try my blend," Lockhart said, lifting his cup with an inviting smile.

Bruce stared at the tea, intrigued. Though he'd heard of it as a drink popular in Eastern cultures, he'd never tasted it himself. Taking a tentative sip, he found the flavor subtle but pleasing, though his mind was too preoccupied to savor it fully. Setting the cup down, he turned to Lockhart, his voice carrying a hint of urgency.

"Professor, you mentioned the awakening of talents," he began. "Does my transformation have something to do with that? Can you explain?"

Lockhart chuckled, raising his hand in a calming gesture. "Patience, Dr. Banner. We have plenty of time to discuss," he said, refilling Bruce's cup with a smooth motion. "The phenomenon of talent awakening has ancient roots. Though rare, it has existed since time immemorial. Heroes of legend, such as Xiang Yu in the East or King Arthur in Britain, are believed to have awakened their own talents."

Bruce's eyes widened in surprise. "So… you're saying there could be something in my ancestry—maybe even gods or sorcerers—that triggered this?"

"It's possible," Lockhart acknowledged, nodding thoughtfully. "Or, your awakening could stem from changes at the soul level, as was the case with my student, Wanda." He gave Natasha a small nod, a gesture of acknowledgment. "And I must thank SHIELD again for their assistance in helping me locate her."

Natasha offered a polite smile, though inwardly she felt a twinge of frustration. "We're just glad to help, Professor," she replied smoothly. "Without your assistance, we'd all be in a much tougher spot."

Bruce, his curiosity far from sated, pressed on. "Professor, is there a way to control it? Every time my anger rises, I lose myself to a… a monster. It's endless destruction, an existence driven by rage and violence. Each transformation is… torture."

The weight of his words hung in the air, and for a moment, Lockhart's expression turned pensive. He thought of the Hulk's remarkable potential—how the creature's strength grew exponentially with anger, an ability so many would envy. Such power in a heartbeat, he mused, and yet Bruce despises it.

"Dr. Banner," he began gently, "your concern is understandable. Talent awakening can indeed be challenging, even overwhelming, without proper guidance. But with regular practice and self-acceptance, these issues are avoidable."

He placed a reassuring hand on Bruce's shoulder. "Remember, talent awakening is a gift, one that allows you to glimpse beyond the ordinary and into the extraordinary. Embrace your potential. The world you're stepping into holds far more than just your own struggles."

Lockhart's words resonated deeply with Bruce, stirring a small but steady resolve within him. This journey was far from over, but for the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope.

"Welcome, Dr. Banner," Lockhart concluded, "to the extraordinary world."

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