DISCLAIMER: If you recognize it, then it isn't mine. I just play with the characters. Sadly my bank account does not show any influx from my works.
AUTHOR NOTE: Holy Crow! I am so blessed to see over 1,000 follows! That is insane for me! Thank you all so much! A GIGANTIC thank you to the Panda Mafia for all their support and encouragement!
Valkyrie
Chapter 15: Rituals and Kidnappings
Clint awoke sitting on a bench in Central Park. He couldn't remember how he got there. But he must have been worn out after his last mission if he didn't even make it home. He leaned forward and braced his head in his hands. He had a headache that was driving him crazy. His eyes opened and looked at his feet.
He peered closer. Tilting his head. What the?! He was missing a boot. One. Not both. Did someone steal it? Why only take one? It made no sense. He made a mental note to check in with Nat later. Shaking his head he gathered himself up and made his way towards home.
XXXX
Natasha had the nagging in her head. After her experiences in the Red Room, she trusted her instincts. Something just didn't add up. She was sitting in a cafe with a cup of coffee in front of her. She didn't drink coffee. She had found she preferred tea after….wait why did she like tea? She had a vague memory of tea with Helen before the memory was obscured by feathers. That didn't make sense. Why would she be here and with coffee?
Natasha looked for other clues. Her clothes and boots were dusty. But that could have happened walking through the city. Beside her foot was a single feather. It was much bigger than birds that frequented the city. She picked it up and a buzzing feeling swept through her fingertips. That was odd. Her brain tried to make her remember where she had felt that before. It didn't come to her but she knew she would keep trying to figure it out. She paid for the coffee and left the cafe, her mind turning the puzzle over in her mind.
XXXX
"Hey Buddy. You got any change?"
Nick Fury awoke with a start. He turned to the man talking.
"Whoa! Whoa! Do I look like an atm? No? Then back the hell off."
He was at Grand Central Station. Why was he here? And why was it so dark in here? He blinked and realised he had he was wearing sunglasses. What the hell? Why would he be wearing sunglasses? His fingers traced his patch. No. Still there. Someone must be having a go at him. One of the S.H.I.E.L.D operatives.
He checked his phone to see a set of coordinates. He remembered the electro-magnetic disturbance that S.H.I.E.L.D had registered. As he had been unable to reach either Barton or Romanov he had gone to check the situation himself. It turned out to be nothing. The computer must have had a glitch. He shook his head and headed back to headquarters.
XXXX
Hermione held the compact in her hand gathering her thoughts before calling Bill and Fleur.
"Petite Colombe! What happened? We were at the Burrow when we felt our necklaces pulse. Is everything alright?"
"I-I'm not sure. I mean yes and no. There was an incident."
At this point Bill's face filled the compact.
"What sort of incident? Do I need to come to you? Tell me where you are and I will be there as quick as I can."
"No Bill. It's sweet of you to offer but there isn't much you can do now."
He grunted and handed the compact back to his wife.
"Ignore him Petite Colombe, the full moon is close and he is feeling the pull. Now tell us what happened."
"Well, I told you about the self defense classes I have been taking. Our instructor was gone. And friend Nat, who is my usual partner had to miss this week too. So we had someone fill in. She had us working a different hold and then we switched to practice the escape. My partner was practicing the hold but couldn't quite get it. The instructor stepped in to demonstrate to her."
"She had me resume the position and….and one minute she was just the instructor. The next, I was back in Malfoy Manor and Bellatrix had me pinned to the floor. All I could think was I couldn't let it happen again. I fought back."
She could hear Fleur gasp.
"I-I don't know how it happened. But somehow I reversed our positions and had my hands around her throat. Someone pulled me off. Apparently our regular instructor had returned. It was him that pulled me off. He held me down until I came back to myself somewhat. Somehow he managed to get me home. I don't know how."
"He must have put me in bed. He took off my suppression cuffs. He didn't know not to. If I had been able to get out this week and expel the excess magic it would be ok. But with the stress of finals I wasn't able to. The magic forced itself out."
"Oh Petite Colombe. It was an accident. We know how you get when buried in research or work. Was he harmed?"
"I'm not entirely sure. I blacked out. When I woke up there was a wizard pointing his wand at me. Apparently the magic pulse was large and MACUSA registered it. They sent Aurors to investigate. It might not have been so bad if there hadn't been two muggles and a wand not registered to me. I have never been so happy to have diplomatic immunity."
Bill growled and snatched the compact back.
"Wait, two muggles? Who else was there? What happened with the Aurors?"
"Well. Diplomatic immunity saved me from being arrested. Some time between getting home and waking up, Nat showed up. I think Clint called her. I have a wand I bought after leaving Britain. I used a new identity to purchase it and it was registered to that name."
Bill snorted.
"Can't say I blame you there. The way people treated you was terrible. And those who didn't know you by face, knew you by name. It was impossible to have privacy."
"That was why I haven't used my real name or wand since leaving Britain. Well that and I knew Harry would attempt to track me down and drag me back."
"That's an understatement. He and Remus both showed up here demanding we go get you. Remus even used his Alpha voice, thank Merlin for the vow protecting anything we knew about where you may be."
"I love Harry. And I do miss him. But right now he is just determined to drag me back and I can't deal with that right now."
"You'll get there one day. Just take it at your pace. So what happened to the muggles?"
"Oh! All three were obliviated. And I was given a strict warning to stay away."
"THREE! Where did the third one come in?"
"Apparently some secret government agency registered the backlash as an electro-magnetic phenomena. The third muggle was an agent who showed up to investigate."
"Merlin's saggy drawers. That's a hell of a day."
"It is. The worst part is that now I have lost two good friends. Clint and Nat were really becoming good friends. They even helped with my PTSD. I know they suspected something was different about me. I honestly was going to tell them. I trusted them, I think they would have kept my secrets. It would've been nice to have someone close know about me."
Fleur took the compact back from Bill and with a slight smirk offered her a solution.
"Oh who do we know who knows anything about reversing curses and things? I think we can arrange a port key to help with that."
A large grin lit Hermione's face. If Bill came and helped her, MACUSA wouldn't know. She could tell him where to find them and she couldn't be connected should their memories happen to return. He could even arrange for them to meet her somewhere. That way if MACUSA was watching her, they wouldn't know what had happened.
"Why Fleur you are positively Slytherin my dear! What do you say big brother? Feel like helping me out?"
His grin was absolutely feral.
"Of course. I do believe I can even get George to make a few portkeys to arrange a reunion for you."
A few minutes was all it took to get plans set in motion. It was agreed that Hermione would apply for a portkey through proper methods so that it would appear as if she had gone home to visit. The next day, Bill would be tracking Clint and Nat and port keying them back once he restored their memories. Thank Merlin George had figured out how to make portkeys during the war and still helped out on occasion. She would have to thank him.
XXXX
Almost two weeks later found Hermione walking the path to Shell Cottage. She was only part way up the path when Bill met her and asked the security question.
"What was the name of the Goblin that helped you escape Malfoy Manor?"
"It was a house elf and his name was Dobby."
Bill turned to look back and Fleur came flying down the path. They took turns hugging Hermione before pulling her inside. It was during dinner they made a slight change in plans. Bill sent a quick patronus to Harry to urge him to visit.
XXXX
Harry had just finished eating dinner and washing dishes when Bill's patronus showed up urging him to visit. What an odd way to word it. Urge. Wait was he trying to tell him it was URGENT? Were he and Fleur in trouble? Harry abandoned the dishes and apparated to Shell Cottage.
Bill was waiting for him at the end of the path to the cottage.
"When the snatchers caught you, what name did you give them?"
"Vernon Dudley."
A nod and a gesture toward the cottage was his reply. Fleur stepped out followed by another girl.
"HERMIONE!"
He ran to her, picked her up, swung her around while squeezing the life out of her.
"Merlin Harry, can't breathe!"
"I'm not sorry. You are lucky I don't use a permanent sticking charm so you can't get away again. I missed you. I didn't even know you were coming home."
"I'm not here long. But I could use your help while I am."
"Anything. Just name it."
"Well you see…"
They spent the evening filling Harry in on what happened. Harry insisted on going with Bill to find Clint and Nat. He stayed at Shell Cottage that night. He and Hermione stayed up late catching up and enjoying each others company.
She had drifted off to sleep by the fire, but he couldn't sleep. He kept worrying he would go to sleep and wake up to find out it was just a dream and that his best friend wasn't there. He couldn't lose her again. Going this long without knowing where she was, not being able to talk, it was unacceptable to him.
Sometime around 3 am he gave up and woke her up.
"Mione. Wake up Mione."
"Harry? What's wrong?"
"I can't sleep until I do something I should have done a long time ago."
"What's that?"
"Hermione Jean Granger, you have been my best friend since we were eleven, my sister in soul. Will you please do the ritual with me and become my sister in magic?"
"Now? You want to do the ritual right now?"
"Yes right now. No chance of you disappearing again."
"I don't even know if we have everything we need."
"Ah but I do."
The two turned to Fleur in surprise.
"Petite Colombe, I had intended to ask you tomorrow. Now it seems like it will be happening tonight instead. Will you do me the honor of becoming my little sister?"
Tears welled in Hermione's eyes.
"Are you sure, Fleur? Is that what you want?"
"Of course! Bill and I already consider you family. Why not make it so?"
"If that's what you want Fleur. I would be honored to have you as a sister."
"Let me go wake Bill and he can help us."
XXXX
Bill had been woken up to officiate the ritual. Before drawing the ritual circle he had cleansed the area with sage. Fleur, Harry and Hermione had each taken turns to prepare the items needed to complete the ritual.
Since Fleur had already prepared the potion they split it in half and added a strands of their hair. One for Hermione and Fleur. One for Hermione and Harry. They took the time to prepare their personal vows. The rest of the preparation consisted of drawing the circle, runes and lighting the candles.
The chalk outline was drawn with care, the runes exact for what they wanted. Hermione used a combination of runes in elder futhark. Ones for protection, family, love, clarity and forever. Once the candles had been placed at their appropriate spots and lit, Bill held a small bowl in hand and starting clockwise used the smudgings to close the circle.
"Now I close the Sacred Circle. The Circle is closed so that only love may enter or leave its field. As I will it, so mote it be."
Hermione entered the circle in the middle of Fleur and Harry, their hands clasped in hers. In their opposite hands they held the ribbons they would use to bind themselves to her.
They knelt in the center and took a deep breath. Hands still holding Hermione's tight, they closed their eyes. Harry and Fleur let the love they had for Hermione fill them as she focused on her love for them.
Bill's hands held the cups containing the potion steady as he entered the ritual circle. His deep voice filled the room as he began. He poured half of one cup on Harry's head, anointing him with the potion.
"Harry James Potter, do you take Hermione Jean Granger as your sister?"
"I do."
"Do you promise to share your magic with her as you would a sibling?"
"Yes, I do."
He anointed Hermione with the rest of the potion.
"Hermione Jean Granger do you take Harry James Potter as your brother?"
"I do."
"Do you promise to share your magic with him as you would a sibling?"
"I do."
"Speak your vow now."
Harry wrapped their hands in the ribbons. Purple for loyalty, grey for security, white for clarity, and gold for familial love. He looked into her eyes as he spoke.
"I, Harry James Potter take you Hermione Jean Granger as my sister in magic from this day forward. I vow to love you. I vow to protect you in times of strife. I pledge my life and magic for your cause. So mote it be."
Hermione smiled as she began her vows.
"I, Hermione Jean Granger take you Harry James Potter as my brother in magic from this day forward. I vow to always stand by your side. I vow to love you unconditionally. I pledge my life and my magic for your cause. So mote it be."
There was a flash of golden light as the ribbons bound the two as siblings and the magic entwined their cores.
Next he turned to Fleur and anointed her with half the other cup of potion.
"Do you Fleur Delacour Weasley take Hermione Jean Granger as your sister?"
"I do."
"Do you promise to share your magic with her as you would a sibling?"
"I do."
He anointed Hermione again with the rest of the second cup of potion.
"Hermione Jean Granger do you take Fleur Delacour Weasley as your sister?"
"I do."
"Do you promise to share your magic with her as you would a sibling?"
"I do."
"Speak your vow now."
Fleur wrapped the same colored ribbons around their joined hands.
"I Fleur Delacour Weasley take you Hermione Jean Granger as my sister in magic from this day forward. I vow to give you shelter in times of need. I vow to be your confidant in all things. I vow to love you whole heartedly. I pledge my life and my magic to your cause. So mote it be."
Hermione smiled through the tears threatening to fall.
"I, Hermione Jean Granger take you Fleur Delacour Weasley as my sister in magic from this day forward. I vow to honor your family in all endeavors. I vow to provide protection for you and your future children. I vow to stand beside you in times of strife. I pledge my life and my magic to your cause. So mote it be."
Another flash of gold, and the bonds entwined in their cores. Bill finished the bindings.
"So they have sought, and magic blessed. From this day forth you are siblings in magic. So mote it be."
Bill finished the ritual. Counter clockwise this time. He used the smudgings as he said the prayer.
"The Circle is open, but remains unbroken. Everything comes back to what it was before. May this space and those who inhabit it stay protected forever. Merry met, merry part, and merry meet again.
The runes around the circle glowed brightly, a wind swept around the circle extinguishing the candles.
The new siblings hugged each other, shed a few tears and celebrated with a glass of wine each.
XXXX
Bill Weasley wasn't used to this type of mission persay. But he would do anything for his family, including newly adopted sister in law. That was how he found himself enrolling both him and Harry in a self defense class in America.
Oh sure they could have just waited outside. But listening to the things Hermione had talked about, he decided to check it out. After all if he lost his wand he wanted to still be able to protect himself and his family. Most wizards would be completely caught off guard by a muggle tactic. Plus if he got up close they could plant the portkeys on their targets.
Both he and Harry were clumsily warming up as he kept one hand on the compact. The was to discreetly show the people he thought were Clint and Natasha to Hermione, who would nod if they were correct. She had already confirmed Clint. They were just hoping Natasha would show.
Beside him Harry had suddenly stiffened. He turned his head to check on him. Harry was struck still, his mouth gaping open. Oh he knew that look. It was how he had first looked at Fleur.
"Alright there Harry?"
A sputtered sound was his reply. He followed Harry's gaze to the red headed woman. Oh Hagrid's Hairy Sac! She had to be Natasha. A quick flip of his wrist showed the mirror. Hermione's nod was all the confirmation he got before he snapped it shut and stored it in his pocket.
Leave it to the Golden Boy to find another red head. He nudged Harry to get him to focus. His mouth snapped shut and he shook his head. Originally Harry was supposed to plant the portkeys. But seeing him now, Bill decided he better be the one to do it.
He only understood parts of what Clint was describing, the unfamiliar muggle terms tripping him up. The hands on demonstration was a whole other story. Bill was a hands on wizard, it was one of the reasons he had gone into curse breaking. He excelled at the maneuvers. Though he wondered if some of it wasn't due to the touch of lupine traits he had.
He planted the first portkey on Clint easily when he came over to correct Harry's form. Getting one on Natasha was harder. He only managed a chance when they took a water break. He brushed by her to head to the water fountain, slipping the portkey on her. He secured it with a quick sticking charm.
XXXX
Harry was struggling. He remembered Remus and Sirius telling stories of how tongue tied his father had been around his mother early on. It wasn't something Harry could really see. Sure, when he was a younger wizard he had his issues talking to girls. Merlin the Yule Ball had been close to a disaster. He still felt bad for Pavarti. But he had grown more confident. He could talk to a woman. He could. Just apparently not this one.
And of course she had to be a redhead. What was it with Potter men and redheads? He had tried to speak to her early only to choke on the words. His blush reached his ears as he turned and fled. Natasha's eyebrow rose in amusement.
When the class was over, he and Bill waited around. Natasha and Clint were quietly talking in a corner. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but Bill's hearing was better. He nudged Harry toward the two and gestured towards the door. A flick of his wrist locked the door, and a quick muffilato secured the upcoming conversation.
XXXX
Clint had enjoyed this class. Perhaps it was the amusement he got out of watching the dark haired man struggle to keep from looking at Nat. He had seen many men look at her. She was a rather beautiful woman. But those others were looking at her with lust.
This man. Harry, he heard his companion call him, it was different. Harry was looking at Natasha as if she had hung the moon and stars. He had discreetly kept an eye on Harry. He noticed that while he had admired Nat. He never once did the slow look to take in her body. He was focused solely on her face.
Perhaps he should have been worried, but for some reason there was something familiar feeling about Harry. And Bill for that matter. He couldn't put his finger on it. But he could feel power. Oddly enough while Bill was the larger of the two, it was Harry who exuded the most power.
When class was over, he had given Nat a good ribbing about her fan club. In a surprising turn of events, a faint blush crossed her cheeks. He didn't think he had ever seen her blush. For a moment he was speechless. Thankfully he recovered quickly.
They were just discussing the missing Helen. Neither had heard from her in almost 2 weeks. She hadn't returned any phone calls, or come to last week's class. Natasha had even gone by her apartment, yesterday but her knocking had gone unanswered. It was definitely odd behavior for her. Their discussion was interrupted by Bill and Harry.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't help but overhear. You mentioned a young woman named Helen?"
"What's it to you?" Clint asked defensively.
"What if we told you we knew where she was?" Bill asked with a mischievous look.
Cautiously Clint asked, "Who are you and how do you know Helen?"
"She's my sister!" Harry blurted out.
"Wait, sister? I didn't know she had a brother."
"Oh that's because we just did the ritual last night."
"HARRY!"
The dark haired man looked chastised, his cheeks blossoming in a bright red.
"Listen. I know it sounds odd and we promise to explain. But what if you could see Helen again, would you?"
"Of course. What kind of question is that?"
Bill and Harry shared a look before stepping closer to them. All of a sudden Bill grabbed his arm as Bill yelled home! There was an odd sensation of being squeezed and twisted. The next instance found him face down in sand trying not to lose the contents of his stomach.
XXXX
When Clint and Bill had disappeared, she stood completely still. Her brain couldn't quite comprehend exactly what she had seen. Harry grabbed her arm before she snapped out of her stupor.
"I'm sorry about this by the way. Home!"
A terrible tightening robbed her of her breath. Just when she was sure she would pass out the squeezing was gone. She sucked in a breath and tried not to vomit. Her knees buckled and hit sand.
"What the hell was that? And where in the hell are we?" She rasped out.
"Hello Nat. Good to see you again. Clint, it appears for once you are the one caught off guard." Hermione chuckled.
"Helen?"
"Actually, it's Hermione. Hermione Granger."
AUTHOR NOTE: Hope you enjoyed! Be sure to read and review! Next up is the big reveal!