CHAPTER TWO: OF MEETINGS AND FRIENDSHIP

The first time Charlie met Pepper Potts was an accident.

She was running around a street corner, attempting to make it to her job on time, and managed to plow straight into the famous secretary. It wasn't too bad a collision, just some bruises and maybe a small scrap or two. To her credit at least, Charlie did jump up right away and apologize, handing the lady back her fallen planner and Blackberry.

Unfortunately, neither had the time to start a real conversation since Pepper had an important meeting she needed to drag Tony Stark to and Charlie had less than a minute to make her shift in time; so the first meeting ended with a simple, "I'm sorry!" and "Goodbye."

It was the second run in with Ms. Potts that led to their imminent friendship.

The General had given Charlie the day off so she decided it was the perfect time to check out the Topanga State Beach. She thought she picked an un-hailed taxi, yet she realized her mistake when a voice simultaneously stated with hers, "Stark Industries if you wouldn't mind!" "The Topanga State Beach please!"

That meeting would have ended right then and there if the greedy driver hadn't managed to convince Charlie to stay, arguing Stark Industries was on the way to the beach anyway.

It took five minutes of uncomfortable silence for Charlie to finally call upon her Gryffindor bravery and introduce herself, saying, "Hi, I'm Charlie."

"Virginia Potts," the secretary nodded in greeting. "But you can call me Pepper."

Charlie tilted her head, "Pepper?"

"It's a nickname my boss gave me," the strawberry-blonde smiled. "He had made a mistake on his accounting document and I went to his office to inform him of it. When his bodyguards wouldn't let me in the room, I threatened them with pepper spray."

Charlie laughed at the lady's sheepish expression. "That's brilliant! I've never had much luck with nicknames myself," she admitted, thinking back to her Hogwarts's life. "The-Girl-Who-Lived", "Undesirable No. 1", "The Chosen One", and "Scarhead" were not names she really appreciated.

"Wouldn't Charlie come from something?" Pepper wondered.

"Charlotte," the 18 year old grimaced, "way too girly of a name if you ask me! Fortunately, one of my best friends bequeathed 'Charlie' to me; found it hilarious especially whenever his older brother Charlie was in the same room as us."

"Charlotte's a nice name," Virginia Potts disagreed. "Though I can see how Charlie suits you. You look more like the adventure type girl than anything."

The witch shot her a deadpanned look. "You have no idea."

The rest of the conversation continued along similar lines and, to their surprise, both were dismayed when the yellow car arrived at Stark Industries.

"You should visit The General's Café," Charlie told Pepper as the secretary moved to get out of the vehicle.

"The General's Café?" Pepper repeated, internally making a note to remember the name.

"Yes ma'am," the girl nodded. "And I would recommend Thursday's around 2 o'clock because that's when Happy Hour begins."

Pepper Potts's grinned. "I'll have to check that out then."

~HP~AVENGERS~HP~

"I don't understand why we're here," Charlie complained from outside Tony Stark's house. She lent uncomfortably against the side of the open door, making her height of 5'4 appear quite shorter. "I thought we were going shopping?"

Since that ride in the back of the taxicab, Charlie and Pepper had become great friends. Both knew it looked a bit weird, seeing how Charlie was only a little older than half Pepper's age, but neither cared. The two ladies found somebody they could easily talk with and get along with, someone they were comfortable around. Rarely did they find areas of controversy.

"I told you," Pepper called from one of the inside rooms, "I forgot some paperwork that I'll need to look over later tonight."

"This lady needs to get her priorities straight," Charlie muttered to herself, fully aware that Pepper was like Hermione before Charlie and Ron got their hands on her. "Can't you just take one night off? I don't see how it could hurt."

Pepper's redhead popped around a corner to shoot the girl an indignant glare.

"Right," Charlie appeased. "My bad."

The secretary studied her for a few more seconds before stating, "I'll be a couple more minutes. Why don't you come in?"

"Right," Charlie repeated. She watched as Pepper disappeared again and looked down at her feet. Walking into Mr. Stark's threshold seemed worrisome to the girl.

She had heard a lot about the man from watching the news, listening to Pepper's complains, and trying to ignore Mr. Hayes's singing praises, and overall, the way people described the genius's attitude seemed eerily similar to the way people described her father's own attitude before her mom got to him: pompous, clever, boastful, rebellious, and somewhat of a bully; because so, she decided to save judgment until she met the man face to face herself.

"Mr. Stark's not here," she heard Pepper say, as though somehow reading Charlie's mind. "He's at a Board of Director's meeting and won't be back until late tonight."

Instead of thanking Pepper for clearing her troubled mind, Charlie instead answered, "Ok, ok you troublesome woman! Don't get your knickers in a twist!"

Laughing at the anticipated disgruntled shout, the witch calmly stepped over through the front door. "Good afternoon Ms. Potter. Welcome to the home of Tony Stark."

Charlie jumped a mile into the air, glancing nervously around her. Spotting no one, she hesitantly called out, "Pepper… no one's here besides us right?"

"There shouldn't be," Pepper answered, confusion coloring her voice. "Why?"

"I beg your pardon ma'am. It was not my intention to scare you." The British accented voice spoke yet again. "My name is JARVIS. I'm an AI developed by Mr. Stark to help run the house."

Moving her hand away from a bracelet that hung a shrunken wand, Charlie casually wiped some beading sweat off her forehead. "Of course, AI, I knew that."

"Certainly ma'am." Charlie couldn't tell if the program was mocking her or not.

"Ah," Pepper stated, coming into the room when her last question went unanswered. "I see you've met JARVIS."

"Yes," Charlie nodded, running a hand through her long black hair. "He caught me by surprise."

"Ok," Pepper said dubiously, shifting the papers cradled in her arms. "Well give me five more minutes then we'll hit the Aventura Mall." She headed back through an open doorway, leaving Charlie alone once again.

Not one to not take advantage of exploration, Charlie gave a marauder worthy grin and shot out to see what made Mr. Stark tick.

Walking around, she had to admit Mr. Stark had a pretty fine taste in art and decorum, though she knew Pepper had something to do with the design. The home setting seemed very open and free flowing, but the lack of personal pictures had Charlie wondering upon Stark's family life. And as glorious the marble flooring was, the girl imagined it could get quite cold and lonely inside this home of his.

"I am sorry ma'am," JARVIS spoke up as Charlie headed toward some step leading downstairs, "but you are unauthorized to be in that area."

Sighing, Charlie nodded in acceptance and instead took a careful seat on a section of the couch. "Hey JARVIS," she spoke up a minute later, "can I ask you a question?"

"If it's within my parameters to answer."

Taking his response as a yes, the green-eyed witch continued, "What are your thoughts on Tony Stark?"

There was an obvious pause before JARVIS said, "I think he is a stubborn, sometimes questionable genius, who tries to do what's best for his father's company."

"So he's just trying to fit into his father's shoes," Charlie read between the lines.

"Precisely Ms. Potter," JARVIS agreed. "Can I ask a question myself?"

"Sure," Charlie smiled, finding amusement in conversing with a virtual being; she could only imagine if Mr. Weasley was there with her now.

"There are no records of a 'Charlie Potter', none that match your profile anyway." A feeling a dread ran down Charlie's spine as a worried expression filled her face.

"Who are you really?"

Shaking her head, Charlie started to respond, but luckily Pepper saved her day.

"Charlie, I'm ready to go now!"

"Coming!" Charlie rushed to her savior. The two quickly left the house, but not before Charlie called over her shoulder with a huge grin on her face, "Talk to you later JARVIS!"

~HP~AVENGERS~HP~

"Happy Birthday Miss Pepper Potts!" Charlie joyously shouted out, catching the attention of all customers in The General's Café. Heedless of the redhead's embarrassment, she placed a cup of Zebra Mocha in front of her as well as a slice of red velvet cake with a single candle on top. "Don't forget to make a wish!"

Blushing lightly, Pepper did as she was told. Closing her eyes, solely for the benefit of Charlie, she scrunched her face before quickly blowing out the candles.

Charlie then led a precession of claps, smirking at her friend's obvious discomfort. "So what did the old lady wish for?"

"Better friends," Pepper sarcastically remarked.

"Ouch!" Charlie cried, clutching a hand to her heart. "That hurts Pepper, that really hurts." A slap on the teenager's head, courtesy of Chris Hayes, brought the girl out of her skit. "Hey!"

Mr. Hayes ignored his annoying employee and smiled kindly at the birthday girl. "Happy Birthday Ms. Potts. I hope you're having a great day."

Pepper grinned back. "No complaints yet."

"I hope you don't mind, but I got you something," Mr. Hayes said, bringing a small wrapped box out from behind his back. "And your meal of course is on the house."

"You really didn't have to," Pepper shook her head, hesitating to take it from his grasp.

"Nonsense. And if it makes you feel any better, I didn't pay anything for it."

"Cheapskate!" Charlie coughed behind his back, earning another slap on the head in response. But she shook it off and held her breath, watching with avid eyes as Pepper uncovered a dazzling necklace. The chain was a simple sterling silver, but the three diamonds that hung from it were anything but.

"Wow," Charlie managed to get out. "I take back my last comment."

Hearing Charlie's voice brought Pepper out of her stupor and she very carefully, and very quickly, returned the necklace to its box. "I can't accept this."

"Sure you can," the General rebutted. "It's easy."

"But it much have cost a fortune!"

Mr. Hayes eyes just twinkled. "I gave that necklace to Sarah on our 20th anniversary. It's been collecting dust for years. I know you'll put it to good use."

"But—"

"It was either you or Little Lotte over here," Mr. Hayes gave the final word, "and I doubt she'd even know how to wear it."

"I resent that," Charlie pouted.

"Well then… thank you," Pepper said appreciatively, getting up to give the barista a heartfelt hug.

"Well, I have more people to greet, coffee to serve, but Happy Birthday once again Ms. Potts," Mr. Hayes said before leaving the two ladies.

"That was awfully kind of him," Pepper told Charlie as they both sat down in their usual seats.

Charlie pondered the thought and replied, "Nah. He just has a soft spot for Tony Stark and every who associates with him."

"Right…" Pepper slowly nodded her head. After four months of knowing the two of them, she still didn't understand the relationship Charlie and Mr. Hayes had. And she thought her own relationship with her boss was complicated.

"So what have you done today?" Charlie asked as she drank some of her green tea.

"Bought that dress I was eyeing the last time we went shopping, took out Mr. Stark's trash, finalized some of his things, then sent him off to Afghanistan for a weapons presentation. Nothing too strenuous," Pepper informed her friend, silently moaning with the deliciousness of the cake.

Charlie frowned, "Weapon presentation?"

Pepper, in turn, placed her fork down, "You really don't like his job do you?"

"Sorry."

This wasn't the first time Pepper noticed her friend dishearten. It happened every time weapons or the fighting overseas was brought up; which was more often than not considering Charlie's boss is a retired general and her own is Tony Stark.

"Its no problem," Pepper tried to cheer her friend up. She heard a little of her worn-torn history from Mr. Hayes and understood how a past like that could haunt a person. "I don't always appreciate his work either." She took another bite of her cake and changed the subject, "So what's in that package you're hiding under your chair?"

Charlie's emerald eyes vividly lightened as she said, "You'll never guess!"

"Is it a pair of those navy blue shoes you saw me looking at the other day; the one with the 3" diamond littered black heels; the one that costs more money than I've ever spent on myself," Pepper glared at the girl.

"…no…"

"Charlie! Those were really expensive!"

"Money isn't really a problem for me," Charlie stated not immodestly.

"That's no excuse!" Pepper complained.

"Deal with it."

Pepper's crystal blue eyes glared fiercely, but she eventually sighed in defeat. "Thank you very much then. I shall get you something just as good for your birthday in July."

"You can try," Charlie said, laughing and stealing a piece of the delectable cake.

As far as birthdays went, at the end of the day Pepper would admit her 34th had been one of her greatest.

~HP~AVENGERS~HP~

The next night, Charlie awoke to Pepper's face looming above hers. "How long have you been here Charlie?" Confusion flashed across the teen's face before the day's earlier events caught up to her mind. Tony Stark had gone missing.

Groaning as she stood up from her bent position by Pepper's apartment door, she gave a weak smile, "Does it matter?"

The strong façade Pepper maintained throughout the day quickly crumbled away as the tears she'd been holding back poured out. "They… They said the convoy was attacked. No… No survivors."

"But they didn't find Mr. Stark," Charlie pointed out.

"The company believes, they believe Tony's probably been taken captive… none of them think he's going to make it out alive."

"Mr. Stark will be fine," Charlie countered, gently taking the keys from Pepper's hand to unlock the door. "He's too hard-headed not too. Now come on, I'll make you a cup of tea."

But as a month passed with no sign of the weapons inventor, the rescue missions and scouts went out less and less; and to Charlie's displeasure, Pepper become more despondent with every bit of bad news.

"If I had the power to do something about this I would," Pepper confided to Charlie one afternoon. "But I don't, and Rhodey says he's not sure how much longer he can convince his superiors to continue searching. I don't want to give up, but as of right now I feel as if I have no choice but to."

Charlie felt a stab at her heart. She had the power to do something, she always had the power to do something… so why wasn't she?

"Charlie… Charlie are you ok?" Pepper asked worriedly, noticing the sudden guilt-ridden look on her friend's face.

"Yes…" Charlie answered slowly. She looked around as if in a daze before standing up. "I'm really sorry Pepper, but I have to, I need to go." And Charlotte Potter left with her mind torn asunder.

~HP~AVENGERS~HP~

"Hey Hermione," Charlie spoke softly, grabbing her friend's attention. "Why are we doing this again?" She sat huddled with her knees pressed against her chest while resting her back on the tree behind her.

The pair of witches had arrived in the Forest of Dean the night before, barely escaping the clutches of Nagini. It had been months since Bill and Fleur's wedding and weeks since Ron had deserted the supposedly Golden Trio.

Charlie watched with weary eyes as Hermione took a kneeling position in front of her, concern coloring her best friend's face. "I'm tired Hermione. I'm tired of running, of fighting… of death." She released a heavy sigh and ducked her head. "I'm just so tired."

A moment of silence passed before the bushy-haired brunette answered, "Then let's just stay here." Hermione smiled at Charlie's shocked look.

"I mean it," Hermione continued. "My parents are safe in Australia, we both know that Ron's going to eventually come back, and Kreacher practically loves us knowing that we're going to destroy that cursed necklace. Let's ignore our 'destinies' and just live for ourselves."

"Huh?"

"Let's do it!" Hermione reiterated, her voice growing stronger with passion. "Who cares about everyone else! After all those times they turned their back on you—who needs them! They don't deserve you!"

"What are you talking about?!" Charlie shot up from her pity party, anger blushing her cheeks. "What about Remus, Tonks, little Teddy! What about all those people still fighting and resisting at Hogwarts! Neville, George, Ginny, Luna! Are you crazy Hermione!?"

Hermione just gave her a cheeky smile and settled down as Charlie had her epiphany.

Chest heaving, Charlie's heart slowed in rhythm and she slid down the tree trunk saying, "I really don't like you right now."

"Well that's not very nice."

"I just—"

"Honestly," Hermione interrupted, "I was waiting for you to break down."

"Really?" Charlie's voice broke.

"No one, not even Professor Dumbledore, could handle what's on your shoulders," the wisest witch of her age stated.

"So what now?"

"Now? Now, we keep on protecting and fighting for our friends," Hermione pulled the smaller girl into her arms, "Just like we've always done."

"Protect our friends."

"And when this is all over, you, Ron, and I will all go to Australia. And my parents will get their memories back, and Ron will finally get his act together and ask me to be his girlfriend, and we will relax and have fun," Hermione smiled at her honorary little sister, "and you will finally meet that man who will sweep you off your feet… and who will somehow survive your overprotective mix-matched family."

And Charlotte Lily Potter woke up to her past sorrowful laughter ringing in her ears.

Her pure emerald orbs pierced the blackness, and for the first time since she landed in the new land, she cried. She cried helplessly, she cried heartbreakingly, and she cried for lost friends.

For the rest of that night she would stay curled up in her queen sized bed reminiscing and missing her past life, but in the morning her tears would have ceased and a newfound determination would have encompassed her entire being.

Next destination: Afghanistan.

~HP~AVENGERS~HP~

It was Chris Hayes who found Charlie. She was caught in the act of leaving a note on his café's counter. "Leaving are you?"

Charlie swung around in defense, but relaxed at the familiar form. "I have something I need to take care of," she informed him, tightening the grip on her red backpack.

"Is that right," Mr. Hayes drawled, leaning against one of the many tables and crossing his arms over his chest.

"It is," the vivid eyes grew hard. "Are you going to try and stop me?"

Mr. Hayes shook his balding head. "I believe you should leave Mr. Stark to the government," he stated, rightfully guessing her self-assigned mission.

"If I have the power to make a difference, then I should put it to good use shouldn't I?" Charlie argued, fists clenching tight.

"Sometimes the toughest fight is to stand down and let others take the lead."

"I'm not good with taking orders," Charlie smirked, remembering prior escapades.

Mr. Hayes paused his debate, eyeing the stubborn girl in front of him. "Why is this so important to you anyway? Last I heard you weren't the biggest fan of Mr. Stark."

"I would do anything for my friends," Charlie stated heavily.

"Even if it costs you your own life?"

"It's my life to give," Charlie gave the older man a faint smile. "A friend once told me that death is simply the next great adventure. I don't fear death. And besides, if I didn't do anything, because I believed it wouldn't help, then I'd end up doing less than nothing, for nothing would change. It never hurts to at least try."

She watched as Mr. Hayes absorbed what she said, tensed when he began walking near, but grinned when her employer tore up her Letter of Resignation. "You're on a leave for vacation," he practically growled at her. "I expect you back here at least in time for your birthday."

Charlie laughed out loud and smiled wickedly. "Whatever you say old man!"

The very next second she apparated on the spot, leaving a flabbergasted café owner in her wake. "…I think I need a drink…"


Sorry for the wait, but I hope you guys liked Chapter Two! =] Unfortunately, I was unable to squeeze Stark's introduction in here, but I promise you he'll make his debut next chapter!

Thanks for giving this story a chance, and any reviews with comments or suggestions are always welcome!