DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything from the Marvel Cinematic Universe or Harry Potter.
A/N: Hi guys! Welcome to the next installment of my Hermione in the MCU series. In case any of you are unaware, this is the FIFTH part of the series. The previous one: Hermione Granger: Guardian of the Galaxy was listed as a crossover between HP and GotG so some of you may not have read it yet. I highly urge you to go and read it (or any of the fics in the series that you've missed) because otherwise this story will be quite confusing.
I am SO excited to share this new fic with you and I know lots of you have been waiting patiently for the next part. I wasn't actually going to post this today because it's a busy weekend but, as it's the incomparable Emma Watson's birthday today, I felt like it was almost a sign that I should!
Dear Hermione,
It's been three days since you disappeared. The constant fear of not knowing what's happening to you, where you are, whether you're all right or what I can do to help you has been suffocating me. I don't think I've ever felt so helpless in my life. All I want to do is talk to you. But I can't. This is the next best thing.
These past few days have been like a nightmare but I am, at least, thankful for the special dial you made for me on my watch. Without that, I probably would have been scouring Earth for you instead of turning my attention to the stars – especially as Natasha has no recollection of the event. She's fine, by the way, but she had to spend a bit of time under J.A.R.V.I.S's close supervision after we found her unconscious in your apartment.
Tony was in DC within twenty minutes of me telling him that you were gone, and he's been so worried about you that he's only complained twice about being ditched from our attempted spur-of-the-moment wedding.
Our first thought was that perhaps you had been embroiled in another Thor-related drama but Tony was able to use his technology to prove that there have been no recent readings that would indicate somebody has used the Bifrost. Since then, Tony's been using J.A.R.V.I.S and his many contacts to find out if there have been any indications that an alien ship has been near Earth in the last few days. In the wake of S.H.I.E.L.D's fall, the world seems to be in a bit of chaos and it's clear that no one is going to take our claim that you've been abducted by aliens seriously unless we have harder evidence than the dial of a watch.
Even though we don't think he's involved in your disappearance, we still want to get in touch with Thor because his knowledge of space could be invaluable. We just don't know how to contact him. I had hoped that he might become aware of what was going on down here because you said his gatekeeper watches over us. But then I also remembered you saying that your magic prevented the gatekeeper from seeing you and I have a feeling that might be obscuring his 'vision' when he's watching us. Or perhaps it's your 'secret' spell that has prevented Thor from learning about your disappearance. It's certainly made things confusing when letting some of our friends know the situation. Pepper doesn't know that you're the Sorceress anymore so we had to tell her that both Hermione and the Sorceress were abducted together. I contacted your Ministry as per the emergency protocol that we had in place but I haven't heard anything official back. Harry, however, has been requesting updates every couple of hours.
I have no choice but to be positive and I'm hopeful that every hour will bring some sort of news to help us get you back.
Be strong, my love, as I will try to be for you.
Steve
Dear Hermione,
It's been five days since you disappeared.
Tony came in while I was signing off your letter yesterday. He looked to be on the verge of unleashing one of his infamous witty remarks but he somehow managed to choke it down. I wonder how long this mindful and restrained version of Tony will last before he cracks and spends a solid hour ridiculing everyone and everything in sight. What he did say was that it would be a lot easier to record my messages to you on a video camera instead. I considered his suggestion but putting pen to paper feels a lot more comfortable for me.
During the war, I was actually jealous of the men who wrote letters home because at least they had someone to write to. I can't believe how naïve I was because, as I've discovered, having someone to pour your heart out to makes it so much easier for it to be broken. What makes it even more painful is being unable to even send my words to you or hope to receive anything in return.
The only reassurance I have that you're alive is the dial on my watch. Sam says I've got a trace of an obsessive compulsive disorder because he's clocked me checking my watch at least twice a minute since you left. The split second between when I press the button and your dial appearing is utterly terrifying in case that dial doesn't appear and I'll know then that you're dead. It's a good thing that I've got a medically advanced body because otherwise I don't think my heart would be able to take the stress that I keep putting it through.
I had word from your Ministry today that they would be sending a representative to meet with me in the next couple of days. I sincerely hope that it's Harry because otherwise it's going to take a very long time to explain everything.
Tony hasn't been able to find any evidence of an alien ship that's been in Earth's vicinity recently so either the ship had incredibly advanced technology to cloak itself, or they transported you off the planet another way. Tony's rather downbeat about the results and, to be honest, I haven't got much of an idea of what to do next.
Be strong, my love, as I will try to be for you.
Steve
Dear Hermione,
It's been seven days since you disappeared.
For months, you and I had been looking forward to this day because it would finally be the one when we got married. I can't deny that has made today a little harder.
One person who didn't get the message that our wedding was postponed was Thor. After a week of waiting and hoping for him to arrive, Thor turned up at Avengers Tower full of apologies. Apparently, he had arrived at the Bifrost Bridge all ready to attend our wedding only for Heimdall to tell him that it appeared something had gone amiss. It seems your magic really does affect his vision but at least your 'secret' spell didn't travel as far as Asgard. Thor was shocked and disturbed when we told him what had happened to you. At first he didn't believe that someone had taken you off world and I had to show him my watch to prove it. However, he wasn't surprised to hear that you've been constantly travelling for the last seven days because, according to him, there is nowhere near Earth that's a short journey away. We briefed him on everything we know (as little as it is) and then he left to conduct his own investigations with a promise to be back in the next few days to update us on his progress.
It turns out that Thor wasn't the only visitor I had today. Harry and I met over coffee this afternoon. He said he was there as his role as backup liaison with S.H.I.E.L.D but chiefly as a concerned friend. I told him all that I could about our battle with HYDRA, your disappearance and what efforts have been made to find you. Harry told me that the Minister is very concerned but will do his best to hide your missing status for as long as he can. Also, as long as you're alive, Harry's role will still be that as a backup. He can discuss events in the world with me but he's not allowed to take an active role. It's for the best because I can only imagine how annoyed you'd be if you came back home and discovered that magic had been revealed.
Harry's going to stay in the city for a few days until I hear back from Thor. Let's just hope the Asgardians can come through for us.
Be strong, my love, as I will try to be for you.
Steve
Dear Hermione,
It's been fifteen days since you disappeared.
As you know, the last few days have been uneventful since Thor returned to Asgard but today we finally heard back from him. Unfortunately, he was only able to pass on frustrating news.
The Asgardians still rely on their gatekeeper for all their surveillance which obviously doesn't help us at all because he knows nothing about what happened to you. Thor asked his father if there was anyone he could think of that would have reason to abduct you but Odin couldn't offer any answers. Judging by Thor's demeanour, the king of Asgard is not being as helpful as we'd hoped even though you saved the Nine Realms just a few months ago! Despite Odin's claims that searching the galaxy for you would be a fruitless endeavour, Thor has organised a handful of ships to start looking for any clues that might point to your whereabouts or tell us about your captors.
Waste of time or not, that's the first thing to be done that might actually bring me closer to you so I told Thor that I was going on one of those ships. He didn't look convinced that what I said was a good idea but I pointed out that my watch means that I'm the only person we know that has any tangible connection with you right now. Thor mulled things over for a few minutes and then agreed that I could come – maybe he could see just how desperate I was to do something that might actually mean we get closer to finding you. I'm so sick of just milling around, hoping for news, that I fear for the state of my sanity if I don't do something – even if it's just a change of scenery.
Thor says we'll leave tomorrow, which is perfect because it means I can talk to Harry, Tony, Sam and Natasha before I go.
So, although today was frustrating in terms of news, I can't help but feel excited that I'm doing something proactive to find you.
Be strong, my love, as I will try to be for you.
Steve
Dear Hermione,
It's been thirty-five days since you disappeared.
You've finally stopped travelling.
You're still in mortal peril according to your dial but hopefully you'll stay put from now on and then we'll have a better chance of finding you. This news was met with celebration on the ship because it's the first piece of new information we've had about you since we started our journey. I know I've already spoken to you of my frustration about this in my last few letters and I suppose I shouldn't have been so naïve to think that the species living in the galaxy should know each other's business.
We're going to run some models to see where someone would end up if they travelled for thirty-four days straight from Earth. It might turn out to be irrelevant to your actual location but, if there's a chance that it isn't, it's worth doing.
Be strong, my love, as I will try to be for you.
Steve
Dear Hermione,
It's been fifty-four days since you disappeared.
Happy Thanksgiving.
It would be very easy for me to scoff at this holiday – what have I got to be thankful for?!
A lot, actually.
I'm thankful for every moment you've been a part of my life and I count my blessings for every second that ticks by while you're still alive, because it still gives us the chance of a future together. That in itself would see me through a lifetime of Thanksgivings. But, of course, I'm also incredibly thankful for the friends who've supported us through this hellish time.
I told Thor how grateful I was and he seemed bemused by my comment until I explain that it was a custom of my culture. He then proceeded to list all of the things he, too, was grateful for. It was a very long (and somewhat revealing) list. I, for one, had no idea he was so thankful for the existence of peanut butter but then he showed me a pot from the secret supply he'd smuggled to Asgard after his last trip to Earth.
We're due to arrive at a new space port tomorrow so hopefully we'll be able to hear some hint of you – not that I can understand what any of these other species are saying! It really does put me into my place in terms of my insignificance in the wider universe.
After the outing of our relationship last Thanksgiving and us both being in deep space this year, here's hoping that next Thanksgiving is more conventional.
Be strong, my love, as I will try to be for you.
Steve
Dear Hermione,
It's been one hundred days since you disappeared.
A whole century of days in this nightmare. I can readily believe it's been that long since I've seen your smile or heard your laugh or even felt the way your fingers twined so perfectly between my own…
We're heading back to Asgard.
Odin gave Thor permission to be away from the realm for a hundred days and by the time we get there, his limit will be up. It is unbelievably disappointing to be returning with so little to show for it. We've put the word out in as many places as possible (and we've covered quite a range with the different ships under Thor's command) but there's simply been no sign of you from anyone. I can only assume that your captors still have you hidden away somewhere out of sight of other life.
Thor suggested that I continue the search aboard one of the other ships; he's not going to stop the hunt just because he's got to be back on Asgard. I'll think about it but I feel like some time on Earth would be best. I haven't heard any news from home since I left and I owe our friends an update. I also feel guilty about how I left when HYDRA had just come to the fore again. And what about Bucky? What if he's been found and I haven't been there to make sure he's OK? What if someone else has gone missing and your abduction isn't just an isolated incident?
I guess I should stop with that line of thinking because it's starting to make me anxious and there's no way I can know the answers to any of my questions for another few days yet…
Be strong, my love, as I will try to be for you.
Steve
Dear Hermione,
It's been 117 days since you disappeared.
I have just arrived back on Earth and, so far, everything seems to be much like it was before I left a hundred days ago. It's pretty late right now so I expect I'll be able to get more of a feel of the current state of affairs tomorrow.
Before I left Asgard a few hours ago, Odin joined Thor in coming to see me off. It was the first time I've seen the king and I must admit to being a little surprised by his presence, knowing how he had disapproved of our search for you. He spoke with an air of inevitability about our failure to locate you, though his words weren't unkind despite his being proven right so far. Odin spoke of his pain at the loss of his wife, how her death haunted him and he advised me to move on before I've wasted my life on a fruitless endeavour. I told him that, while I knew you were still alive, I would never lose hope – would he give up if he knew his wife was still out there? Odin avoided my query and instead posed the question of what exactly I would find if I did somehow manage to have you back in my life? He said that you had most likely been taken by people who don't have the best intentions. Odin explained that he has seen much in his long life and he has witnessed how a long time held in darkness can change and ruin a person until they are unrecognisable. He told me to be satisfied with the person I remember; be grateful for the pleasant memories I have of you. Hopefully, it would not surprise you that I rejected his suggestion with a vow that I would always be there for you in whatever capacity you need me.
However, in some ways, he is right because I've been so focused on getting you back that I haven't really considered what I will find when I do. Part of the reason for this is that my mind is terrified at the thought of what could be happening to you. Odin's seen a lot in all his years but so have I and it makes me sick that I can't protect you from any of the nightmares that my brain creates…
But I know you are strong. You are so strong that it astonishes me. You are brave, exceptionally clever and resourceful, determined to the point of stubbornness and you have the fighting instinct to survive even in the face of death. When I see you again – and that is a when and not an if – no matter what you've been through or how you have changed, I will be here for you. Whatever you need from me, I will gladly give it. However long it takes, I will wait, I swear it to you.
Be strong, my love, as I will try to be for you.
Steve
Dear Hermione,
It's been 118 days since you disappeared.
When I signed off your letter last night, I was still aggravated by Odin's words and somewhat overwhelmed to be back on Earth that I finished in a hurry. I forgot to mention that Odin had (seemingly reluctantly) agreed to finance a reward for information about your whereabouts. Thor is hopeful that this new tactic will produce fresh leads as there's nothing like money to get people to start paying attention. I just wish we could have used the lure of money while Thor and I were hunting for you.
Today I got in contact with our friends to update them on my journey. Avengers Tower was empty when I got in last night but J.A.R.V.I.S must have informed Tony I was back because he was here when I woke up. He seemed quite agitated as I briefly informed him of the main events of my trip and how we weren't much closer to finding you. He slammed his fist down on the counter when I told him that and, although he denied it, I know that he did it hard enough to hurt himself. He also muttered a few choice words that would even make some of my grittier army buddies raise an eyebrow.
Unsurprisingly, the disappointment was a common theme when I spoke to Sam and Natasha. They're both out of the country at the moment but said they'd be back soon. I messaged Harry last night and he appeared this afternoon. He was very quiet. He and Ginny got married a couple of weeks ago but even talking about that hardly raised Harry's spirits. He reassured me that your world was still unaware of your disappearance.
I spent the rest of the day catching up on what's been happening in the world since I've been away. There's been absolutely no sign of Bucky and I'm conflicted over whether that's good or not. HYDRA, on the other hand, are everywhere and a decent percentage of people don't think that's a bad thing. They've almost become a legitimate corporation; can you believe that?! Unfortunately, S.H.I.E.L.D's name isn't seen in much better light than HYDRA's. I know we sought to take S.H.I.E.L.D down when we found out how it had been infiltrated by HYDRA but there seems to be a pretty gaping hole where it once stood. Maria Hill is working for Tony now and they're seeking to take on a little of what S.H.I.E.L.D left behind but it seems that the world is in a more vulnerable state. Neither Maria nor Tony have heard anything from Fury, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
It definitely feels strange to be back on Earth after the confines of space travel. Despite the depressing nature of the days as a whole, I can't deny that the freedom of being able to go and do whatever I want without Thor and his team being a factor has been a welcome change. Undoubtedly, I owe them a huge debt, but I feel like I can breathe a little easier.
Be strong, my love, as I will try to be for you.
Steve
Dear Hermione,
It's been 208 days since you disappeared.
Happy Anniversary, my love. It's been two years since we first met and a whole year since we got engaged. I would say that time has flown since then but the last few months have crawled by at a snail's pace. Today wasn't exactly the worst of days but here's hoping that we actually get to celebrate our third anniversary together.
I managed to pay a visit to Peggy this morning. It's been a couple of months since I've seen her because I was trying to deny something, but today I could avoid the truth no longer – Peggy's mind is deteriorating. Deep down, I always knew that would be a possible consequence when she's not been able to take your potion anymore, but it's truly heart-breaking to witness it come true. Our conversation kept going around in circles as she forgot things we'd talked about only a few minutes earlier. She was such an extraordinarily clever and vibrant person that it kills me to see her become such a shadow of herself. The health workers are taken aback by her sudden decline and their best estimate is that she only has a few months left. I know Peggy's a fighter but if she'd become too dependent on your potion then I don't know if she's going to be able to prove them wrong.
There was one bit of good news today though; Harry sent me a message to say that he and Ginny are expecting a child due in October. I can picture the delighted grin on your face at that news. Harry certainly seems very excited and I'm really pleased that somebody's happy at the moment.
Be strong, my love, as I will try to be for you.
Steve
Dear Hermione,
It's been 359 days since you disappeared.
Thor brought some very interesting news with him today. The Asgardians that are still trawling the galaxy reported a strange rumour back to him that Earth had been destroyed. I know from my own travels that 'Terra' is not even a blip on most alien species' map because we're so out of the way for them but the fact that another person is even mentioning Earth is very interesting. The Asgardians are going to try and dig more into this rumour just in case it has some connection to you.
We had a mini-Avengers gathering as Natasha and Tony were in town too and it was nice to have their companionship even if it felt like there was a massive hole in the room without you there. Tony asked Nat if she was interested in doing a bit of recon on a facility that was suspected of having dodgy dealings with HYDRA. She practically jumped at the offer and then Tony asked me if I wanted to join her. I haven't carried out an op in a while because I've been focusing on my searches for you and Bucky but I figured that it couldn't hurt to get in the game again so I accepted. And, with it being nearly a whole year since you disappeared, I guess a job is exactly what I need to keep my mind busy.
Be strong, my love, as I will try to be for you.
Steve
Dear Hermione,
It's been 446 days since you disappeared.
Merry Christmas.
I have to admit, the holiday season was much easier to cope with when on a spaceship in deep space. Even Thanksgiving was easier to avoid this year when I was chasing that disappointing Bucky lead in Morocco with Sam. For the last couple of weeks, you could hardly turn your head without having some gaudy, over-sentimental holiday trash burned into your vision and it's been all over the television and radio too. I know that if you were with me, I wouldn't feel this negatively but that's little comfort right now. I had planned on trying to pretend that this day was just like any other but Pepper insisted that I join her and Tony for dinner. I know she was being nice but I honestly don't understand why she would want my gloomy, brooding presence bringing down everyone's spirits on the most festive day of the year. Tony was drunk for the entire proceedings and I probably would've joined him if it wouldn't have been rude to Pepper – and if I actually had the capability to become intoxicated without one of your special brews.
I know that today is about spreading love to mankind but, when my love is going through some unknown hell a million miles away, I just feel a deep anger that I don't know how to handle. In many ways I'm a lucky guy, I know that and I don't want to complain, but all I actually wanted to do today was scream about my frustration that I'm not with you and how it feels like I can't do anything to bring this torturous time to an end. The unbreakable punchbag that you bewitched for me got a serious pounding tonight, yet that could only sate a small portion of my anger. And I wish that I could say that the moving photograph that Harry and Ginny sent me of little James sleeping peacefully in a Santa hat blew away my ire but it didn't.
I'm allowed to feel furious about this situation, aren't I? Nobody could be expected to keep a level head at a time like this; I'm no different from anyone else. Regardless, I hope it's just a symptom of the season because I hate to feel this way.
Be strong, my love, as I will try to be for you.
Steve
Dear Hermione,
It's been 473 days since you disappeared.
I finally had an update from Thor today. The rumour about Earth's destruction is more widespread now and the inhabitants of the galaxy seem to think it was an intentional act of warfare. The name being bandied around as responsible for destroying the planet is some guy called Thanos. The Asgardians asked around about Thanos and they discovered that he is an incredibly powerful being that would be truly capable of genocide like that – apparently he's wiped out civilizations before. We don't know whether Thanos started the rumour or if someone else is responsible or even why that rumour was started in the first place. The Asgardians attempted to dispel the myth about Earth's destruction to whoever they met but it seems everyone prefers the version where a planet gets blown up. Incidentally, a footnote of Earth's destruction is that the area is unsafe for space travel because the area is now extremely unstable. Thor believes that it's just because whoever started the rumour doesn't want people travelling to Earth and discovering that it's very much intact. He also said that he'd like to investigate Thanos further but the Asgardians don't have as much influence in the wider galaxy. If Thanos is as powerful as people say he is, it would be unwise to get on his bad side when he may have done nothing against us in the first place. And, of course, the frustrating thing is there's still no link between your disappearance and this rumour.
Your dial is still showing you as travelling for long periods of time and then simply showing you as in mortal peril and offworld for a few hours. I hope that this means you are exploring different planets and star systems which can only mean that there's a greater chance of you being recognised by somebody.
Be strong, my love, as I will try to be for you.
Steve
Dear Hermione,
It's been 564 days since you disappeared.
Natasha called us in early this morning to assist her with the Op in Sudan. She'd discovered a whole army of HYDRA soldiers in Port Sudan so we got on the quinjet straight away and, if we'd just had you back, we would've been a full strength team. The soldiers were led by a scientist named Jensen and she'd managed to get hold of Chitauri technology which she'd developed into weapons. Long story short, we won, but it was a close run thing because her weapons were incredibly powerful. Clint was the hero of the day because he managed to destroy her laser pack with an incredible shot with one of his arrows.
Everyone on our side is fine but Bruce is a little shaken up after having transformed into the Other Guy as he'd been hoping to avoid it. It's been a long day and I'm writing to you whilst on the Quinjet because it's actually very close to midnight and if I don't write now then I'll have missed a day for the very first time and there's no way that's going to happen.
Steve put his pen down to check his watch so he could check how Hermione was getting on but Clint yelled that they were docking at Avengers Tower and Steve carefully tucked the letter away before it got lost in the hustle and bustle as they disembarked.
"Did you tell her how awesome I was today?" Tony asked, noticing Steve hiding the paper away.
"Do you mean: did I tell her that Jensen nearly brought you down with her laser?" he retorted and Tony looked mock-offended. "No, I didn't tell her, but I haven't finished writing it yet so there's still time to add that in since you asked to be included."
Together, they made light work of unloading the Quinjet and Tony disappeared for a moment before returning with Maria and an eight-pack of beer. "To a job well done," he announced, starting to pass them round.
Clint frowned down at his beer. "Is this all we get?" he asked in disappointment. "What about the good stuff?"
"I'm not giving the single malts out after every job," Tony scoffed and he held out his hand. "If you're not grateful for the beer then I'll just take it back."
Clint used the edge of the counter to make the beer cap pop off and took a large swig. "Nah," he sighed, "You're good."
Steve accepted his beer with a nod of thanks and pulled the cap off effortlessly as the others took theirs too.
Tony took one for himself then put the remaining bottle on the side; everyone's eyes involuntarily drawn to the solemn sight and the atmosphere dipped.
"She hates beer anyway," Steve said, attempting to make light of the situation and a couple of people smiled.
Bruce held his bottle aloft. "To friends, whether they be near or far," he toasted.
"Friends," the others repeated, followed by a number of clinks as the bottles were tapped against each other. Steve's throat tightened with emotion and he spluttered a little as he struggled to swallow the liquid.
The first he knew that something was wrong was when one of the bottles of beer slipped from someone's grip and smashed into the floor. Steve glanced up quickly and saw that everyone's gaze was occupied by something behind him and they looked utterly stunned by what they saw. He turned around and his mind went blank as it struggled to process what was before him.
"…Hermione?"
A/N: Happy Cliffhanger!