Brothers of Liberty
Ch. 1 Memories and Magic
I do not own The Avengers or Harry Potter
Marvel and J. K. Rowling do.
Positive reviews are welcome.
Ch. 1 Memories and Magic-enhancements
July 4th, 1918
Brooklyn, New York
The next time Harry opened his eyes was when he gazed into a set of eyes that reminded him of the bluest waters of the world. They belonged to a woman with long blonde hair and pale skin, "Joseph." she called out a name as she stroked his right cheek. Not a word. A name. His name.
"His name shall be Joseph, just like his daddy." she said with a tearful smile. Harry tried to turn his head left to look where she now turned, but could not. He then found his hand and arms were incapable of moving as they were wrapped in close to his body as his whole body too was wrapped tightly.
He couldn't focus his mind at the time and felt too tired to think, and so, he fell unconscious. Years would pass as he would grow and memories and information came back to him at a steady pace. He remembered his old name, Harry James Potter, and learned his new name, Joseph Christopher Rogers, after he accepted that he had died and was somehow reborn in a different life, in a different world, a different time, and now with a different name. When he could think like an adult that he once was, he found even with his new name being Joseph Christopher Rogers, he was also a younger brother to Steven George Rogers and his new parents were Joseph and Sarah Rogers.
Harry, now known as Joseph Jr. fell in love with and accepted his parents and brother over time, though he often wondered what became of his family in his old world. He never told or revealed the truth of his past or his magic powers to Joe or Sarah.
Merlin, he missed his wife and children. If only they could see him now. Being in this time period of course, if his memory was intact and on track on the events of this time, the life and times he was about to experience was going to be hard for many a people and his new family. This era was the era of the 'Prohibition'. The Rogers were not well off as money was not easy to come by in this time.
He'd been reincarnated in the late 1910's-early 1920's as a fraternal twin to Steven. He'd later learn where his magic, though it had followed him, had allowed him to be born healthy and strong. He'd retrain his body, mind, and his magical skills as he aged. Wandless magic, though hard as it was in his home universe except to a few, became somewhat easy to him in this universe. He'd have to look into why, if he could at a later date. His dueling skills was as sharp as ever as he was able to make it due to his constant training and need to keep in shape.
Steven was not so lucky where his health was concerned, even if he was the first born. From what Joseph deduced, Steven had somehow inherited an illness due to their fathers time as a soldier when exposed to chemical warfare, or in this case, mustard gas. Whatever else Joseph was exposed to in the field of battle, Steven inherited and suffered the after-affects with illnesses too many to count as well as having his growth stunted.
Joseph, though younger, doted on his older brother and though he would over tower him due to his being healthy and strong thanks to his still growing magical core and powers, he and Steve held a bond that could not and would not be broken.
Joseph learned his and Stevens parents were Irish Immigrants and were currently undergoing hard times. Joseph did what he could as he joined the Army at an early age to support Sarah after they married. Unfortunately, the war, which Harry learned was World War 1, took its toll on the twins father physically and physiologically, and through him, Steven in a very bad way.
Joseph often wondered about his people of the magical realm. He also wondered if they still lived in this world and time. He even wondered if he had to worry about Gellert Grindewald. When he was able to get away, and after gathering himself some decent clothes and warming himself with warming charms, he concentrated and apparated to Europe alone. After finding himself in front of where the 'Leaky Cauldron' should have been, he looked and was shocked to find nothing but a brick wall. Seeing it was late at night where he currently was and not wanting to chance being caught, he cast 'Notice-me-not' charms around the area before he began to scan the brick wall. Touching it and not feeling any magic, he looked behind himself to be sure no one was around or looking, he vanished a small section of the wall and stepped through before replacing the section he vanished.
On the other side was just another 'Alley' filled with the back ends of homes, nothing more. Not even Gringotts stood where it should have been. Having learned the charm for 'Mage Sight' from Albus Dumbledores portrait, he went up to and stopped before where Gringotts originally was and looked down. As was the Alley that was supposed to be Diagon Alley wasn't there, so too was there was not only no underground cave systems or magic, but there was also no magical life beneath his feet, meaning no Goblins. He sensed this as he knelt and touched the ground, not sensing any magic or life whatsoever. He could feel his emotions getting the better of him, so he quickly apparated to where Hogsmeade and Hogwarts was located in Scotland. All he found was ruins of an long abandoned town that would most likely never see occupation ever again, overgrown marshes and grass. He walked forward as there was what appeared to be what used to be houses all around him, so badly damaged and falling apart due to abandonment and time, the walls barely stood, if at all. He found Hogwarts, but it too barely stood. There was practically only a single floor, everything else was gone and or crumbling. He attempted to persuade himself the image he was gazing on was something that wasn't real or that made him see otherwise, so when he knelt and touched the ground again, he then sent just a tendril of magic into the grounds, but it was for naught as nothing happened. It was then he realized this world was merely just another world within another reality. He searched what was supposed to be the Forbidden Forest for any signs of life as he summoned a stone into his hand that he transfigured into a small black arrow, not unlike that that you would find in a compass. He then used it as he cast a 'Point me charm', looking for Centaurs, Unicorns, and Acromantulas, but the arrow, when it rose only spun round and round, never stopping. Canceling the charm, he ended the transfigured stone and dropped it as he sat on a log and began to breathe heavy as the tears fell. Balling his hands, he silently wept and trembled as his emotions just took over for a bit.
Hermione always hinted at the possibilities of other worlds, other Earths that were different based on the choices of people, events, and time. This just proved her theory.
Sparks began to dance around him as he began to hyperventilate and become more than emotional. Not wanting to attract unwanted attention, he took the time to fall to his knees again and breathe. This allowed him to remember his Occlumency and slowly and softly bring his mental shields down as his magic finally began to calm itself. When he was sure his magic and emotions were where he wanted them, he stood and apparated all over various locations of where his family and friends would have existed over time in his world as he knew, but sadly, it was not to be. There were people who lived in those locations, but it was not who he was looking for. No Potters, Weasley's, Lovegoods, Blacks, or Longbottoms. He did find an Evans family and a Granger family, but they were not his people. He'd make sure to keep an eye on these families as he secretly cast protection charms on the two families as they went about their daily lives. The charms would protect their families current members and eventually their descendants, unless Joseph found reason to undo the charm if necessary.
He tried looking for one more place and apparated again. Where the Ministry of Magic should have been, there was nothing but a cave system. Normally, one couldn't apparate within the Ministry due to the extensive wards that layered all over the place, but he tried it anyway, due to how everything he thought he found so far on this world, would be no different. And he was right.
Meanwhile at the same time
On Asgard
The being known as Heimdall the All-seer was in conflict with himself as he had watched from within the dome that controlled the Bifrost Bridge. The traveler that was Joseph Rogers, once known as Harry Potter, was in a word, intriguing. The young Seidmenn was in full control of himself and his magic now. He was strong, skilled, very powerful, and only going to get stronger. He knew his King, Odin All-Father should be informed about this recent revelation. The Seidmenns and Volurs, or Wizards and Witches, was all destroyed centuries ago, but somehow this one had found his way to this universe via death and reincarnation in this life and was trying to find his way back to his people, only to find his people no longer existed. The Seidr's were allies of Asgard for a long time until their extinction due to infighting amongst each other and inbreeding. Those who were not eliminated by these events were hunted and destroyed by the mortals who found the weaknesses and ways around the magic that hid them from the mortals. Young Rogers could not even find any other sign of magical life. The young Seidmenn was beside himself, weeping in grief at this revelation. Heimdall was more than surprised to see the young Mage reign in his anger, grief, and magic due to whatever training he had from whoever taught him. Decision made, he'd wait until an event occurred that would force him to inform Odin of the young magician.
Meanwhile
Back on Midgard (Earth)
Joseph apparated home with his head hung low, and covered in dirt that was all over his clothing. With a thought and a push of magic, he stripped from a now clean set of cloths that he folded via a snap of his fingers and entered the shower where he merely remained standing as his mind drifted on the many reasons why his people were gone. He found that they existed at one point in time, but were now no more, and all there was was a crumbling castle and deteriorating former cottages. After an half hour shower, the moment he was finished cleaning himself and drying off, he entered the kitchen where Steve saw his look of disappointment. Steve and Joe always had a special bond when it comes to sensing one another, and this was no different as Steve sensed his brothers angst. Steve tried to talk to Joe, but was kindly asked to let it go until Joe was ready to talk about it. Steve didn't push as his twin could only pull him into a brotherly hug for a few moments before going to bed that night. Later, an idea about the Hogsmeade and Hogwarts grounds came to mind that he would act on later in life.
Joseph Sr. passed away first due to his increasing sickness that eventually took his life while the Rogers brothers were still young men. Sarah, their mother who also a TB nurse at one point in time as she too was in active duty of service for the armed forces, would also be affected during her time within the service and would follow her husband in death after the twins neared manhood.
Though Joseph and Sarah would never know young Joseph Jr.'s secret, Steven would find out at a earlier period after Joe found the strength to tell his brother his secret. It wasn't about trust. Joseph trusted Steve, it was about hope. Hope that Steve would not see him any different or any more special than Steve was as Joe considered Steve special to him in his own way. Even when Joseph explained everything about his past life and magic, as well as his theory of having been given a new life in this new world. Steven took it in stride and accepted his brother as they never lied to one another before, and he'd doubted his brother would lie about such things, even now, when Joseph performed some magical skills in conjuration and transfiguration in front of his brother. The ideas of Parallel Worlds was still nothing more than a theory as far as Steven knew that some scientists at the school he and Joe went to spoke about and theorized, at least until now.
Before Sarah's illness took hold, the brothers would eventually meet up with and befriend James Barnes who would take up the name 'Bucky' based off of Buck Rogers stories and short films.
Both brothers and Bucky of course, had their own skills that they enjoyed outside of Josephs magic. Both brothers and Bucky were fluent in Italian, French, and Latin due to the other immigrants from their respective countries that they lived side by side with. They were influential students, very intelligent. Steve's loves were for the arts. But thanks to his once father-in-law, Arthur Weasley and his once Godfather Sirius Black sparking his interest in mixing magic with muggle vehicles in his past life, Harry Potter found himself having a love for automotive mechanics and motorcycles and modifying them with magic, an experience that carried through to his new life, but without bringing magic into the mix this time. He supposed that getting his hands dirty in engines again without magic was still a fulfilling experience, especially in this time periods model of vehicles. Secretly though, without Steve or Bucky's knowledge, he did have a hidden magical garage hidden under a 'Fedileous Charm' with a special Model-T Ford inside that not only had a 'Preservation Charm' on it, but was a vehicle he took apart and put back together with Magical enhancements. Ever since he rediscovered his magical core and abilities in this life, he found wandless magic for some reason came easy to him. He had no need for a focus. This would suit him just fine down the road as he had to relearn everything he knew all over again throughout his time in this life.
For Bucky, it was in being a fighter. If there were bullies hurting the young and innocent, up to and including hurting Steve, Bucky and/or Joe was there to put a stop to it, even though Steve never won even one of the fights, forcing Bucky and/or Steve's brother Joe to end it before Steve was hurt too badly. A good percent of the time, Joe was forced to use 'stunners' on Steve's opponents, that way in no way actually harmed his brothers opponents. just knocked them out.
So much of what Joe did for peoples vehicles began to spread, it allowed him and Steve to open a small business that provided a little bit of money to survive on. Joe created a makeshift garage in the back of their apartment building and fixed their friends and customers cars that were either broke down, or damaged, getting him the neighborhood nickname, 'The Mechanic'.
The trio found themselves in many fights throughout their years, all of which they did not instigate, but also would not put up with. Sarah, sick as she was at the time, welcomed Bucky into the family. When she passed, it was the hardest day of the trio's life. By this time, Bucky had been let in on Joseph's secret and promised to not abuse the trust the brothers gave him. Burying Sarah Rogers hurt the brothers and Bucky, but knowing she was in a better place next to Joseph Sr. and no longer in pain, gave them some sense of peace.
Time passed as the brothers finished with High-School and looking into going into College, but before they could, World War 2 had begun. America had finally entered the War against Hitler. The Brothers and Bucky attempted to enlist, but only Joseph and Bucky succeeded. The reason Steve was rejected was due to his many illnesses and short height. Not having any medical skills from his past life minus the basic healing skills he learned during his own war against Tom Riddle and his forces, Joseph was never able to find a way to better take care of his brother and enhance his health. Joseph found this to be a personal failure in his life as he did when his and Steve's parents died as they did. Shutting down his business was not an easy thing to do. With his garage, he placed a 'preservation charm' and 'Fidelius Charm' on for when he should return or needed to use as a safe house in the future. But he made more than enough money to see Steve through for more than a few years so long as Steve remembered to spend it wisely. It was hidden inside his hidden, 'Fidelius Charmed' garage and multi-room compartment. Something only he, Steve, and Bucky knew the 'Secret' to.
When the 'War' broke out, things began to look dim for the world. Joe knew it was coming, having studied as much as possible about W.W.2 in his first life, something Hermione made sure he and the others knew of when they finished their muggle education.
Even at times, Joe was tempted to end Adolph Hitler on his own, but he wasn't sure how it would affect the time-line or this world. Just thinking about it when he did, there were always rumble of thunder over head above the Rogers home, as if to warn Joe not to try it. That rumble was the only thing to stay his hand from killing the Nazi dictator.
March 1942
Bootcamp was no picnic. Joseph thought Auror training back in his original dimension was hard, but it had nothing on muggle Military Boot-camp training. To put it simply, it was hell, but to Joe, it was worth it. He made sure to keep a tight hold over his magic as he wanted to experience everything without depending on his magic to see him through. Running, shooting, crawling through mud, exercises, to survive under any circumstances. No matter what training Joe and Bucky went through, to Harry, he felt he was in his element and right at home since it was something he, in a way, had already had similarly experienced when he sought to end Voldemort. His strength, hand to hand combat, and survival skills improved greatly. All of the training , even with the guns and knives part as well as the exercising was something that the magical world in Europe was incapable of. But this was something he could identify with.
He and Bucky had just finished basic training, graduated at the top of their classes, and left the Bootcamp with their to be brother soldiers to celebrate. Bucky had gone from a Private First Class to a Sergeant, while Joseph made Lieutenant. They had sought out Steve to celebrate. After checking himself in the mirror, more than hoping the ladies was impressed, Bucky turned to see Joe waiting for him, leaning against the cabins doorway, in his own uniform with a smirk at Bucky's antics. When they got to the Rogers residence in their two room apartment, they learned Steve was not home. With Bucky being his lookout within the still brightly lit day, Joe created a magical arrow born from whisps of smoke in the upturned palm of his left hand and had it point in Stevens direction.
Twenty minutes later, the duo found Steve being assaulted behind a back alley lot of the local theater. Joe quickly walked up to the punk that was punching his brother, grabbing the guys left arm as it was raised to strike Steve again. Twisting his arm back, Joe used his bodies magically charged supernatural strength to spin the guy backwards and away from his brother.
When he hit the ground and wall, the dirty blond thug got back up and charged Joe, who kicked the guy in his chest, sending him back into the wall again. He must have hit the back of his head pretty hard as he slumped on the ground with his head down, eyes closed. Walking up and kneeling to check the guys neck, Joe was thankful to find a pulse as the guy was merely unconscious. Slapping the guy in the head as well as applying a sleeping charm with the slap, Joe said, "Sleep tight, pal."
"You know, sometimes, I think you like getting punched." Bucky stated as he helped Steve to his feet.
Steve was bent over as he wiped his mouth, "I had him on the ropes."
Joe looked at his brother when a card on the ground near Steves foot caught his attention. Picking it up, he looked at it, and then rolled his eyes as Bucky gave Joe a questioning look. Handing the card over, Bucky looked at Steve as Harry applied a 'Healing charm' to his brothers chin after applying a 'numbing charm' on him. "You're not giving this up, are you big brother?" Joe asked.
"Did you?" Steve shot back.
Joe winced as he got the hint to Steve's appropriate, yet rude answer. Nodding as he sighed, the brothers turned to Bucky as he asked, "How many times is this, Steve. And really, Paramus?", he finished, raising an eyebrow.
"He's right, Steve. It's illegal to lie on an enlistment form." Joe said.
"Yeah, and seriously, Jersey?" Bucky continued.
Spitting out the blood from his mouth as he dusted off his hands from the back alleys gunk and garbage, Steve looked at Joe and then Bucky and noticed their uniforms for the first time, "You get your orders?"
"The 107th, Sergeant James Barnes and Lieutenant Joseph Rogers." Bucky nodded with a small yet sad-like smile. "We're shipping out for England first thing tomorrow."
"You gonna be alright while there, Joe?" Steve asked.
Sighing, his brother answered, "I'll be fine. I can adapt. The problem is not being able to reveal my magic in order to help the other soldiers."
"I know what you mean, but you know the world isn't ready for what you can do, Joe. At least not yet." his brother said as he gave his Joe a sympathetic look. "I should be going with you."
Joe nodded at that as he, Steve, and Bucky were a team. Not a golden trio, but just three sons of Brooklyn, New York.
Bucky snorted and then chuckled as he and Joe took Steve by the shoulders and began to walk out of the alley, "Come on, man. It's our last night, gotta get you cleaned up."
"Why, where are we going?" Steve asked.
Bucky handed over a newspaper that Steve took and opened, reading the byline inside a picture of a metal world globe with a rail train speeding around it, "The future." he said.
The byline read as, "WORLD EXPOSITION OF TOMORROW!" Underneath the Globe on the bottom right side was the date in bold numbers, "1943".
The next half hour later found the brothers plus Bucky at the Stark Expo. Joe had never seen such a thing. Normal people had big dreams back in this time. He figured that a good portion of what he gazed at within the Expo would come to exist as some of what he saw did exist in his first life ranging from fast rail trains, planes, robots, etc. Bucky had found a pair of girls that seemed to have stuck themselves pretty close to Bucky. To Joe, they were attractive, but he just didn't feel a pull to them as he did Ginny. He wasn't sure anybody could amount up to his 'Ginny'! Of course, Bucky realized that Joe wasn't interested in the girls he brought after first glance.
Bucky, the girls and he were watching as a Howard Stark was revealing an attempt at a flying car when it malfunctioned and thumped back to the stage. At the same time, Joe turned and followed as Steve walked up to a recruitment area and watched as his brother walked up to a mirror-like recruitment poster that allowed ones self to see themselves in said poster, dressed as a soldier. Steve was standing behind a couple as the guy in front of him stepped up to the mirror poster.
Joe remained quiet as Steve took his chance at the mirror. He knew his brother was not healthy enough to serve, and he wished there was something he could do to help. "He's doing it again?" Bucky's voice said as he stepped up next to Joe.
"There was a time I was in his place, looking the way he does. I fought my war with the same physique, same height, scared out of my mind. But like him, I had conviction to want to do what was right." Joe said.
"You were also a Wizard, Joe. In a Wizarding War." Bucky stated in a whisper as fact, looking to the girls and then around to the fellow people to make sure he wasn't overheard.
"But what if he somehow makes it Bucky?"
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know." Joe said with a sigh as he put his hands in his pants pocket. "It's just this feeling I have. When I look at Steve, I feel like he was meant for more." he then turned to Bucky. "It's the same with you. Whatever the reasons I am here for, whatever the fates have in store for us, it's going to make a difference in this world." Steve must have seen them through the mirrors reflection as he turned to look at them. Bucky didn't know what to say about that as he stood gaping for a bit before he and Steve began to argue as Steve walked to them. He turned to them as Bucky began to rebuke Steve while Joe defended his reasons for wanting to keep trying. Unbeknownst to the trio, an old man with graying hair and glasses in a brown civilian suit managed to get close enough while to overhear Steve defended his reasons for wanting to enlist as a soldier.
"Bucky, Bucky, come on. There are men laying down their lives. I got no right to do any less than them. That's what you don't understand. This isn't about me." Steve said desperately, trying to get his point across.
"Right, cause you got nothing to prove." Bucky sadly shot back.
"Hey Sarge, are we going dancing?" One of the girls called out behind the two friends.
Turning and holding his hands out, he answered the girls, "Yes we are." Turning back to his friend/adopted brother and walking backwards a few steps, "Don't do anything stupid till we get back." he said looking back and forth between Joe and Steve.
"How can I? You and Joe are taking all the stupid with you." Steve humorously rebuked.
Bucky snorted as He went back to his adopted brother and hugged him while at the same time jokingly calling him a Punk.
"Jerk." Steve said as he returned the embrace.
When they released one another, Bucky turned to Joe, "You coming?"
"No, I'm going to spend what little time I have with Steve." Bucky nodded in understanding as he turned and joined the girls. He always had a way with the girls. For Joe and Steve, they just haven't found the right partners. Joe didn't think he could let go of Ginny, his wife from his former life that easily.
"You going to be okay?" Joe asked as he and Steve took the time to remain together as brothers should.
Sighing, his brother nodded, "Yeah, I'll be fine."
"Listen, if there is a chance..."
"Joe,"
"No, just listen. If you enlist and make it, promise me something."
Sighing tiredly, Steve asked, "What's that?"
"Promise me that if you succeed on enlisting, that you don't try to get yourself killed. Do what you feel is right, and not easy. Continue being the good man you are. And if things get too rough, get out of there, ok?"
Steve looked up at his brother with an even greater amount of respect, nodded. They then embraced one last time, "Take care of yourself Joe."
"You too, big brother." Joe said as he smiled and lightly smacked Steve's left cheek playfully before he began to back up a few steps, turned, and began his trek to head back to base to turn in for the night. He was emotionally and mentally exhausted. Little did he know that his feelings about what the fates had in store for his brother and Bucky was about to come to pass and Steve would be the one who would have to rescue his brother in a little over a year. And he be using a different moniker when they next meet. Steve watched Joe leave, and then watched as he disappeared into the crowd, sighed again, and turned around to retry his chances at enlistment.
When Steve went to attempt to enlist yet again, he unknowingly was followed by a man who watched the interactions between brothers and friend and would be the a part of the reason why Joe's predictions about his brother and Bucky's future would come to pass.
For a Dr. Abraham Erskine, this frail young man whom watched his brother walk away to rest up for the war against the Nazi's, may have presented him with a chance to right a terrible wrong forced upon him and the world a few years ago, and so followed Steven Rogers to the Enlistment Recruitment station.
Here's another chapter for this reboot. Read and review. Until next time.
