Preparation
All too soon, Hermione was awakened by a tap on the door. She had never lost the habit she acquired during the war, especially when they were on the run, of being a light sleeper. However, she could tell that Bruce didn't have that issue. She could hear his gentle snores from behind her and his arm was still draped over her, so she knew that he was fast asleep. Therefore, she slipped out of bed silently before turning around to look at him. Her heart gave a little flip as she saw the man, who was beginning to mean so much to her, lying there asleep. He looked so relaxed and comfortable that she decided that she would let him stay that way for as long as she could. Just then, the tap sounded at the door again, so Hermione went to it and opened it warily to reveal a woman dressed in the typical SHIELD black jumpsuit.
"Ms. Granger, I'm Agent Maria Hill. Director Fury asked me to help you get some gear together for the upcoming mission since you don't have an established kit, yet." The newcomer stated all of this in a very matter-of-fact way while her eyes flicked over Hermione's exposed scars. Even though her professional demeanor never changed, Hermione thought that her eyes softened and her voice was a little less brisk when she continued. "You don't have to get dressed, if you don't want to, since you will be able to pick out a general outfit from our supply room that is suitable for your special skill set…which I understand includes physical transformation…until we can get something custom made for you. We have bathroom and shower facilities there, as well." She saw Hermione glance behind her back towards the bed. "Don't worry about Dr. Banner. Someone will be along later to assist him, since he doesn't really require much in the way of special equipment."
"Except maybe some stretchy pants," Hermione said with a smile which was unexpectedly returned by the other woman.
"Believe it or not, we have been working on that," Agent Hill replied with a light laugh, "but we just haven't perfected it, yet…and until we get it right, we don't think that either Dr. Banner or the Big Green Guy would appreciate having his pants completely ripped off."
"Not in public, at any rate," Hermione snickered and the agent laughed again as she proceeded to lead the way to Supply.
By the time that they reached their destination, the two women were on a first name basis and it was obvious that they were going to be friends. Once in Supply, Hermione took advantage of the bathroom facilities there to freshen up and to take care of her basic morning hygiene. Once she emerged in the supplied dressing gown, Maria led her over to a rack of the basic jumpsuits similar to what she herself wore…and Natasha, as well…if Hermione remembered correctly from the few pictures that she had seen.
"Will these work?" Maria asked. "We also have some separated two pieces, if those would suit your needs better. Your file said that one of your skills was animal transformation, but it didn't give any extra details. Do you need to undress for that?"
Hermione smirked. "I have a file? That was fast – especially since I have only been an Avenger for a few hours."
"Well, to be honest, your file itself is about two years old. It was started when you moved to New York from England, I believe." Maria stated apologetically. "However, the animal transformation part was just included as an addendum."
"Two years!" murmured Hermione with a resigned sigh as she remembered Fury's persistence since her arrival in NY. Then she took a deep breath and shifted into her lioness form without warning. At Maria's gasp of surprise, she rubbed her head against the woman's hand and then transformed back. "No need to undress."
"Indeed!" agreed the suitably impressed agent. "Will the jumpsuit work for you then?"
Hermione agreed that it would. She picked out one and made some modifications with transfiguration while her companion watched the proceedings with interest. After cargo pockets were added – complete with expansion charms, of course – the color was contemplated. "Natasha is the Black Widow…and wears black. That makes sense. However, I don't want to copy her look, so I need to make mine a little more Lioness-y." Hermione stated as she flicked the suit through a few color choices before she tried a deep and rich tawny honey hue.
"That's the one!" Maria insisted. It's perfect with your hair and eyes…not to mention that it matches the coloring of your lion form."
Hermione tried it on and had to agree with Maria as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Under the lights, the color was almost golden. She was never one to think much about her looks, but even she had to admit that the suit complemented both her figure and her coloring well. She moved away from the mirror then to also select a pair of boots. She placed a cushioning charm on them and color-changed them to match the snug fitting jumpsuit, as well. Finally, Maria helped her to French braid her hair tightly. Some of it immediately escaped, of course. However, the loose tendrils actually framed her face attractively, so she found that she couldn't complain. Overall, the look was perfect…especially since someone would have to look very closely to recognize this attractive and formidable woman as the conservative Hermione Granger, Bookworm Extraordinaire.
First, she stuffed her ever-present tote bag into one of her expanded pockets and smiled at the fact that no bulge could be seen or felt from the outside. That meant that her spellwork was holding up nicely. Then, after refusing a visit to the armory with a simple, "Thanks, but all I need are my hands, Maria," she was ready to rejoin the men. She had been informed that they were all awake, and had retrieved their normal kits while she was putting one together for herself. She thanked her new friend for her help with a hug, and received one in return. She then found the rest of the team all waiting for her in the same conference room as the night before.
As she entered the room, she had to pause when she saw the men suited up in the iconic outfits with the weapons that they had made famous. It took her breath away all of a sudden when it hit her that she really was about to go into battle with them…on purpose this time. Before she could process how she felt about this, though, Fury saw her and immediately gave her a frank look of approval from his one discerning eye. Understandably, Clint, who was talking quietly with Fury, was harder to read. Regardless, he still gave her a nod of acknowledgement…even while he fidgeted with his bow. Bruce, however, was standing on the other side of the room with his back to her while he spoke with Tony and Steve. Hermione winked at Tony whose eyes bugged in appreciation as he saw her. Before, he could say anything Tony-ish, however, Steve also sent an admiring smile her way while he nudged Bruce. The doctor turned around to see the Lioness standing there and his jaw just dropped. Words seemed to fail him, until Tony laughed and gave his friend a small push.
"Go to her, Man, before Cap decides to take your place. He is the only one without a gal pal now, you know!"
The Other Guy pushed his way up to admire her, too. Pretty Witch is gold– just like big Lion kitty! the alter-ego exclaimed, even though only Bruce could hear him. Bruce had to agree with him as the lights reflected off of the form-fitting honey-colored suit that enhanced her feminine shape – even through its obvious utility. He was reminded of his reaction to her the night before. Beautiful…but tough! he thought. This seemed to motivate Bruce's feet and he crossed the room to join her. "You look…fantastic!" he muttered, a bit uncertainly, since he was well aware that they were being watched by the rest of the team.
"So do you," she answered, obviously pleased with his approval while she returned it with a frank appraisal of her own.
"I look exactly the same," he answered and a bit of self-deprecation crept into his voice while he shook his head.
"Exactly!" Hermione exclaimed and then Bruce could not stop the grin that then threatened to take over his face. This beautiful woman made him feel a confidence that had been lacking in his life for a very long time…and he really liked it – just like he really liked her. In fact, he was even beginning to suspect that his feelings already went so far beyond mere like that it was a bit scary to consider. After all, they had not really known each other very long. It did not seem to matter, though. Something special had already happened between them. In fact, Bruce realized that all he wanted to do at that moment was to take her into his arms and explore those feelings…and a few other ones, as well!
The two of them had work to do first, however, and a rescue to mount. Therefore, he forced himself to be content with holding her hand as he led her over to the conference table and took a seat beside her. There they both smiled in thanks at Maria, who had returned with a sandwich for her since the men had already eaten a quick meal of their own. The group then had their final briefing and before they knew it, it was time to go.
Tony used the Iron Man suit to fly down first and scope out the area. He found an isolated space in the nearby forest for the others to set down. Once they were all assembled, Bruce turned to Hermione with concern. His second thoughts were written all over his face.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked. "Everything moved so fast…but you don't have to do this, you know." He then added in a lower tone, "Not for me…I'm just not worth it."
The look Hermione gave him in return bordered on righteous anger. "First of all, you are worth so much more…but I am not doing this just for you. I have never turned my back on a friend…and I am not going to start now. I may not know Nat personally, but all of you do…and you are all my friends now…and I hope that she soon will be one, too! First, we have to rescue her, though. Therefore, you need to stop this nonsense. I know that you mean well, but you have to let me do my job!"
He was so surprised at this unexpectedly vehement side of her that he could only nod his head in agreement. Her look softened immediately and she rushed to give him a sweet kiss that turned quite passionate before she pulled away slightly to whisper in his ear.
"Let's go save the world. It is what we do best, you know." Then she paused to look him straight in the eyes before murmuring in a low voice meant for his ears only, "However, when we are done with that, I plan to show you exactly how much you are worth to me as we finish what we started earlier!" The quiet promise in those words set him on fire, almost as much as the accompanying smoldering look did before she detached from him completely. The heat turned momentarily into confusion then as she winked…and immediately disappeared from view. He registered the look of surprise on the faces of the others, as well, until he clearly heard her voice say, "Alright, Boys, I'm going in. Good luck…and be careful!" He then realized that she had simply disillusioned herself. Even though he longed to grab onto her and hold her safely in his arms, he simply looked in the direction that he knew she had gone – off to complete her part of the mission. He could feel the Other Guy come up to the surface in concern, as well, and realized that he could change right then and there, if he wasn't careful.
"I know that you are worried about her, but try to hold on for a few more minutes before letting the Hulk out. We need to retain the element of surprise." The Captain said understandingly as he patted Bruce on the shoulder before turning to catch up with Clint and Tony. Soon all of the men had followed Hermione's lead and were headed in the direction of the factory.
The Rescue
Just a few moments after entering the building herself, Hermione could hear the crashing, smashing, and explosive sounds that she knew signaled the arrival of the rest of the group…including the Big Guy, who had become so near and dear to her, along with his smaller alter-ego. As she thought about Bruce, she remembered the exciting promise that she had made to him and she smiled to herself as she continued her search for Natasha. The sooner that the Black Widow was safely back with her friends, the sooner that particular promise could be fulfilled! Hermione flushed to think about it, as she continued to wind her disillusioned self around the labyrinth of corridors looking for the missing woman. After covering most of the building without any results, however, she soon decided to change her tactics. She just was not making any progress this way. Therefore, she found a hidden alcove, removed her disillusionment spell, and shifted into her lioness form instead.
Almost immediately she caught a whiff in the air that was completely different than the distinctly masculine scents around her and her feline mouth stretched into a wide toothy grin. Natasha was nearby. Gotcha! she thought triumphantly as she changed back into her disillusioned human self once more and strode unerringly into the right direction this time with confidence.
Natasha also heard the noises from below and could guess that the rest of the team had finally arrived. Her friends weren't really subtle when it came down to business and often advertised their presence – especially the Hulk. She grinned secretly to herself as she thought about the rampaging green giant as she strained at her bonds again, but there was still no give. Her captors had taken full advantage of her drugged stupor to restrain her so thoroughly that she couldn't free herself – even though she was usually quite talented in that area. The three men on guard laughed as they watched her struggle in vain. One even spoke to her in same local dialect that she had been using before her cover was blown.
"Your friends won't be able to help you. We are ready for them!" He then cocked his gun to prove his point. Natasha snorted in derision at how clueless he was, if he thought that his bullets would do anything against the Hulk's hide, the Captain's shield, or Iron Man's armor. He didn't take kindly to her mirth, however, and backhanded her hard. The large ostentatious ring on his hand left a gash across her cheekbone as he smirked at her and his eyes raked down her body.
"You would do well to learn your place, woman! Perhaps I will teach you another lesson once we dispose of your friends." Her only response to this obviously lecherous comment was a murderous look. She knew that she would not regret the loss of this cocky one at all, if it came down to that.
She then watched with disbelief as the man who had struck her suddenly froze in midair and hit the floor – as straight and stiff as a plank. He wasn't dead, however, because his eyes still moved furiously – even as ropes appeared out of nowhere to bind his hands and feet. Nat looked at the door to see that it was open now, even though she clearly remembered seeing it closed right before the guard hit her. Nobody had entered or left, though – at least not anybody that she could actually see. Just then the second guard hit the floor in the same fashion as the first one had. The third guard did not seem to take kindly to the invisible attacker, however, and sent several shots into the seemingly empty room.
"Bloody hell, man. Put that away before you hurt yourself!" exclaimed a feminine voice with a distinctive British accent, even though she spoke in clear Bulgarian. It wasn't exactly the local dialect, but the meaning was very clear – especially when the golden woman suddenly popped into view.
"Who the hell are you?" Natasha could not help but to ask and Hermione just sighed.
"You and Robin Hood out there must make the perfect couple. Those were his first words to me, too!" she replied while she also threw a Stupefy and then an Incarcerus at the remaining guard. Then she paused when she realized what she had said. "Damn! I sounded just like Tony right then, didn't I?" she asked before she murmured a spell to magically release the restraints that held the woman.
"You did a bit, actually!" Natasha admitted grudgingly as she reached up with her newly released hand to gingerly touch the gash on her cheek while she eyed the apparent witch with a touch of disbelief…and quite a bit of distrust, as well. (After all, just like Clint, she remembered Loki and his actions all too well!) However, the unknown woman obviously knew Clint and Tony…and sounded as if she was there at the factory with them! Her next words seemed to confirm that fact.
"Well, let me introduce myself. I'm Hermione and you must be the very popular Natasha to have inspired that particular group of very good-looking and muscular men downstairs to come all the way from New York to rescue you! Here, let me get that for you." Hermione said and then muttered a light healing spell that cleared up the gash instantly - leaving just a streak of blood behind – which she also removed.
"Nice to meet you, Hermione," Natasha muttered while rubbing some feeling back into her recently freed ankles and wrists and purposely not taking her eyes off of the other woman. She needed to be ready to attack the stranger, if necessary. "Now, not to sound too ungrateful for your help, but I think I need to ask again. Who…are…you?"
"Well, we have not actually had a chance to finish defining our relationship yet or anything. You really did get captured at the most inconvenient time, you know," Hermione sighed again as she spared a moment to remember what had been happening on her lounge floor when Bruce received the call to arms. "At the very least, however, I guess that you could call me Bruce's girlfriend."
"Bruce's what …?" the other woman started to ask, obviously shocked. Bruce had a girlfriend? When..how…had that happened? What about the Hulk? However, her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden arrival of another big burly man who had come to warn his colleagues about the imminent Avenger invasion.
Natasha immediately noted two things - the surprise on his face when he saw the two women in the room and the gun in his hand that was pointed directly at the witch. "This one is mine!" She informed Hermione as she quickly launched herself into the air with a spinning kick that sent the gun flying out of his hand. Then a second lower kick knocked his legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the floor. Hermione took that opportunity to Accio the gun and handed it to the other woman before she cast another Incarcerus to bind the newly prone man, as well.
Even though she was far from powerless without it, Natasha savored the feel of the weapon in her hand for just a moment until she was distracted by Hermione's slightly amused statement. "Well, I take that impressive display to mean that you are not hurt anywhere else." Nat only had time to shake her head to confirm that she was fine before Hermione touched her earpod and announced to the team that their friend had been released, the guards had been immobilized, and their location was secure. She also took a moment to assure them that Nat was apparently healthy, unharmed, and still able to kick arse - since she knew how worried that they had all been. She then received Clint's quiet but fervent "Thank you!" before Tony cut in. "Good work, Glinda! We've made a bit of a mess down here so the Big Guy is on his way now to give you two delicate ladies a ride out of there. We would hate for either of you to break a nail or anything!" Hermione only had time to give him a small snort of derision for his sexist comments before both she and Natasha turned towards the loud crashing sounds that came from the corridor outside the room. Just a moment later, the Hulk smashed right through the wall.
"Well, speak of the big, handsome, green devil!" Hermione said with a grin and she reached for the other woman's hand to pull her towards the largest member of their team. It was a testament to the bewildering chain of events that the infamous and deadly Black Widow, who was normally prepared for anything and everything, just stood there with her mouth open in shock. She could do nothing but watch in amazement as the giant rage beast, the one who had even tried to smash her once before, gently picked up the petite witch with obvious delight - and, for lack of a better word, cuddled her.
"Pretty Witch!" the Hulk exclaimed as he buried his nose in Hermione's hair.
"I'm alright, Big Guy," she giggled. "We both are!" He turned at that moment and grinned happily at Natasha before he patted her on the head like a puppy. Natasha could only blink in surprise. Did the Hulk just pet me? she thought with wonder as Hermione started to speak again. "Where are the others?" the witch asked the big green man. He simply pointed behind him - just as the rest of the team burst in through the new opening in the wall. Clint immediately pushed his way in to the front of the group and headed directly for Tasha. He gathered her up in his arms and kissed her with both relief and passion. Hermione watched their reunion with satisfaction for a just a moment, before she followed his lead and kissed the Hulk – whose big face grinned with uncharacteristic delight.
"Now, there's something that you don't see every day." Steve commented as he saw the two couples as soon as he entered the room.
"Not that this isn't a charming…if somewhat disturbing, sight…" Tony exclaimed, as he entered the room behind the Captain. "However, I need for all of the lovebirds in the immediate vicinity to cease in their mating dances so that we can get the hell out of here. The local authorities will be swarming this place any moment now – and we don't want to get caught up in that circus! Fury has people to deal with that kind of stuff instead, you know." He paused, however, when he saw the neatly trussed up guards in the room. "Well, damn, Lioness, you actually do have some claws on those pretty little paws of yours!"
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Iron Man," Hermione remarked in a matching tone as she patted the Hulk's cheek and prompted him to set her down.
"Hulk lead the way! Get Pretty Witch and friends out safe!" the big man grunted as he put his mate down carefully.
"Wait a moment. Let me send a quick message first," she responded as soon as they were clear of the room. Then the rest of the team watched in confused amazement as she conjured a large misty lioness and told it to "Please deliver this urgent message to Viktor Krum at the Bulgarian Auror Headquarters - or wherever he is located at this moment." She then proceeded to record her message.
"Hello Viktor. You might want to send your best Muggle liaison to this location. Be prepared to deal with law enforcement. It's a long story that I will explain later, but I am working with the Avengers now. We stopped some big world domination kind of stuff here tonight and you might want to check it out. I didn't detect any magical activity…but you never know. I was on rescue detail and did not have time to inspect the whole facility. Therefore, you may want to follow up - just in case. At any rate, please give Ana and your little Tsveta my love, as well. I hope to see all of you soon."
With a flick of her wrist, the misty lioness then glided away to deliver the message. As one, the rest of the team turned to her for an explanation. Hermione just laughed before clarifying.
"Viktor is an old boyfriend," she stated before she turned towards the Hulk who had growled at this information. "Hush you! I already told Bruce when we were in the pub, so I know you heard about him, as well. It was a long time ago and he is now married with a child…and with another on the way, as well." After she had chastised the now jealous and sulky big green man, to the combined amusement and astonishment of the others, she turned back to the rest of the team. "At any rate, even though he used to be a professional Quidditch player while we were dating, he is now the head Auror in this region…just like my best friend, Harry, is in the UK. I thought that this would be something that he might need to check out – just in case someone in the magical world is mixed up in it." She shrugged and continued to walk through the building after gesturing for the Hulk to lead the way.
"What's an auror?" asked Steve, following her.
"And what was with that ghost lion thing?" Tony asked, coming up behind Steve. At this point, the whole team was conversing via earpods – including a still very confused Natasha, who had received one of the devices from Clint soon after their affectionate reunion.
"An auror is like magical law enforcement. They hunt down the bad guys of our world – like the dark wizards that I told you about earlier. Fury's cousin, Kingsley, was one during our war, before he became the Minister of Magic," she explained before continuing. "That ghost lion, Tony, was my patronus. Think of it as my spirit animal, if you like. It's a complex bit of magic that can provide protection against certain dark creatures. It can also deliver messages, as well…since most people in the European magical communities don't carry mobiles…I mean…cell phones." After a few more questions and answers about everything from the Ministry to Quidditch, they had pushed their way through the building and out to the clearing where they had landed earlier.
"Ahh, here comes my answer," Hermione exclaimed as the large misty shape of Viktor's brown bear patronus lumbered through the trees towards her. As soon as it reached her, it opened it's maw and the familiar sound of Viktor's slightly amused and heavily accented English issued forth.
"Herm-Own-Ninny, what haff you done now? Why are you wiff Avengers? Dis is a story I need to hear – soon! Come dis Sunday, we will haff dinner with family and talk like old times. At any rate, I will send best Muggleborn gendarme out there now – not as smart as my Herm-Own-Ninny, but he will do fine job! Many fanks for your…what do you call it…ahh…heads up, my skŭp priyatel.*
"Message received," Hermione acknowledged and the bear faded away. She then turned towards the group. "That's it then. Let's get out of here." She looked meaningfully at the Hulk. "I am so ready to get home!" she exclaimed as she walked back over to him and grinned as he picked her up again. She then kissed him and reassured him that she (and everyone else) was alright and that she would see him again soon – in one way or the other. "Therefore, it's time for Bruce to come back now, Big Guy," she murmured. After their affectionate moment, she found herself on the ground again, but in a smaller set of arms this time. When the transformation was complete, Steve dug his friend's tattered clothes out of his pack and passed them over to Hermione. After thanking him profusely for his thoughtfulness, she expertly transfigured them into their original condition and spelled them back onto Bruce's nearly naked person. Then, she giggled and he looked at her a little sheepishly as she handed him his shoes - since they both remembered how the exact same thing had happened in her store on the previous day. Natasha, who had been watching their interaction intently from the sidelines, finally could not take it anymore and suddenly exclaimed out in a tone crossed between the surprise and irritation of someone who had not been caught up to speed…
"Now that that is all settled…could someone please tell me what in the hell happened while I was gone?"
* skup priyatel = Bulgarian for "dear friend"