"And even if I had enough ingredients, I wouldn't keep brewing it for you indefinitely."
Hermione's voice sounded rather cold.
"Why not?"
This time, Tony genuinely didn't understand.
"You think palladium poisoning counts as poisoning, but magical poisoning doesn't?"
Hermione said evenly:
"Wizards can drink potions without side effects because their bodies are vessels for magic and don't reject it. But your Muggle bodies are different. Drink too many potions, and before your illness is cured, the magic you can't process will kill you."
"So the Elixir of Life can't keep Muggles alive forever, and the Antidote can't cure poisoning indefinitely, either."
Hermione began making things up.
So that was it!
Understanding dawned on everyone.
"So all I can do is buy you enough time to keep you from dying before you find a solution."
Hermione pointed at Tony.
"Now behave yourself and go find a way. Stop moping around waiting to die and wasting my potions!"
Looking at everyone's expectant faces and thinking of the potions Hermione had already used up, Tony took a deep breath. His gaze gradually grew resolute, and hope sprang up again.
He had the motivation now, but how could he find a new element to replace palladium...
The practical problem still stood before him.
Seeing Tony's predicament, Fury stepped forward and said:
"Your father, Howard Stark, left you some things. They're at S.H.I.E.L.D. right now. Our scientists haven't managed to get any results from them, but you might be able to."
"That's precisely why I came to see you today."
Tony nodded, suddenly brimming with drive.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
After Tony and Nick Fury left, an awkward atmosphere settled over the remaining three. No one spoke.
"Little Hermione."
"Little Hermione."
After a long silence, Pepper and Natasha spoke at