DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter or anything Marvel. Obviously!

AUTHOR NOTE: Sorry it has been a minute since I got to write! With this Quarantine, and my kiddo home from school, it has been all hands on deck. But my Alpha/Beta has kicked my butt and possibly threatened to kick my plot bunnies in the teeth until they drive me insane. So here I am!

The Valkyrie

Chapter 21: Connections

Hermione returned from her trip, overloaded with her thoughts. She kept thinking about what she had read concerning Valkyries. The idea that she could potentially communicate with Thor was exciting. If only she knew what to do. She had tried mediating and focusing solely on Thor. But her thoughts kept getting distracted with one Steven Grant Rogers. Thinking of him, made her think of James Buchanan Barnes. Between the two, it was safe to say meditation was a fail. She tried to shake off thoughts of the two men. It wasn't like she would ever meet them anyways.

XXXX

Tony was sure that the bookworm would come back from her vacation weekend refreshed and ready to get going. He had not expected her to be so distracted. She tried to hide it, but when she brought him his morning coffee and it turned out to be her damn tea instead, he paid closer attention. By mid afternoon he knew he had to interfere.

"Hey Helen, come join me a second."

"Hhm? Oh of course Tony. I'll get right on that," she answered.

Tony arched an eyebrow before he rolled his eyes. He approached her, took her by the shoulders and walked her to his desk. Once there he made her sit in the chair while he leaned on the desk.

Crossing his arms, he gave his command, "Ok. Spill. I know something is obviously on that mind of yours."

"What? What are you talking about? I'm fine Tony," she said.

"Uh no, you are most definitely not fine. You are distracted, and this lab is most definitely not a safe place to be when distracted."

"I'm fine Tony. I can do my job!"

He stared at her imperiously. "Sweetheart, you just brought me the dry cleaning."

Her nose crinkled in that adorable way, "What? That's what you asked me to do, isn't it?"

"Yes. But you didn't bring me MY dry cleaning. Instead you brought me yours, and told me to drop it off when it was done."

Her eyes shot wide, "I did what?"

He reached behind him, pulled the garments off the desk and laid them over her lap.

"Not sure why you need a bunch of graduation robes dry cleaned, but that's what you brought me."

He carefully watched her face as she looked at the robes and promptly went into panic mode. Placing his hands on her shoulders he did his best to calm her down.

"Hey. It's ok. Just tell me what's going on. I will do what I can to help you," he offered.

He wasn't really great with emotions, but he genuinely cared for the woman. In many ways he could say she was like his little sister. He just hoped she didn't cry. Or want to talk about mother nature. A shiver went down his spine at the thought. There was absolutely no way he was going to talk about that. EVER.

Her hands knotted the robes up as she looked at him as if evaluating him. Apparently she approved of whatever it was because after a deep breath she began talking.

"Honestly, I am fine. Just tired. I just have alot on my mind. I am sorry if I have been distracted. I tend to get that way when I am thinking about something. You do it too you know? Just last week you called me Pepper and told me you would see me at dinner before kissing me," she said amused.

His mind tried to recall the incident, but for the life of him couldn't. "Ok perhaps we shouldn't tell Pepper that one," he said a bit uncomfortably. He hadn't meant to kiss her. And as comfortable as he was with Pepper. It had been a long fight to get her to agree to give him a chance and he didn't want to mess it up.

Helen laughed, "Too late. I passed the message on to Pepper for you. We had a good laugh."

For a moment his brain short circuited at the thought of her kissing Pepper. While he may not be attracted to Helen, he could appreciate her beauty. And the picture in his mind of the beautiful redhead locking lips with her made his eyes glaze over. He was a guy. It wasn't like he could help it. He didn't get to imagine it long before he was attacked. Helen had rolled up the newspaper and was hitting him with it.

"Hey! Not like that you perv! Stop thinking about it!" She yelled as she pelted him with the paper.

"Oh come on! I'm a guy! The idea of two very beautiful women together is very appealing," he said fighting off the newspaper. When the attack stopped suddenly he looked at her confused. She was staring at the ground looking upset.

"Don't say things like that. You don't have to lie to me."

He knelt down to her level totally confused. "What are you talking about? What did I lie about?"

"Oh come on Tony. I'm not an idiot. I know how I look, you don't have to pretend otherwise."

"Whoa! Whoa! Are you telling me you don't think you're beautiful?" He asked incredulously.

"Use your eyes! Bushy hair, ink stains, nothing more than brains and books. I am not exactly model material. I have heard it enough."

Tony was outraged. Who could possibly have put those ideas in her brain? He could tell she genuinely believed she was unattractive. No! He couldn't allow the lie to continue. He stood. Grabbed her hand and tugged her to the elevator.

"What?! Tony where are we going?"

"To fix this."

When the elevator reached the floor he wanted he pulled her out, and down the hall. Passing Pepper, he snagged her wrist too. He pulled them both into his room and over to the full length mirror he had in the corner. Stopping he put Helen in front of it and stood behind her. Pepper stood nearby a bit confused.

"Look at yourself. Look good and hard," he said.

Helen's eyes looked in the mirror and scanned herself, looking less than impressed.

XXXX

"Stop it! I don't know what idiot made you think you aren't attractive, but they need to be dropped off the tower. You are a beautiful woman. Anyone who says otherwise is a fool. Pepper, when you look at Helen, what do you see?" Tony asked.

Pepper took one of Helen's hands in hers as she looked at her. Smiling softly she said, "I see a beautiful woman. With eyes that sparkle, long eyelashes that every woman envies. A face that is naturally beautiful without the need for makeup. Long, curly hair that suits you. You are beautiful Helen."

"See?" Tony said looking at Helen.

Helen was chewing her bottom lip as she looked at her reflection. Her arms crossed her stomach defensively. Pepper watched as Tony fought with himself for a moment. He looked her way for a brief moment.

"Pepper, forgive me," he said as he turned back to Helen. Standing behind her he put his hands on her arms, pulling them to her sides. His eyes made contact with hers in the mirror. "I see all that too. Your eyes do sparkle. They show the considerable knowledge hidden in their depths. and hint at your sassy side. Your lips are full and pouty, and call to a man, especially when you nibble them. And your body is quite lovely. Nice hand sized breasts, flat stomach, curved hips, toned legs, and a nice ass." He said frankly.

Helen looked at Pepper fearfully. But she just smiled. Her heart fluttered when she saw what Tony was trying to do. She knew Tony wasn't hitting on Helen. Just stating things about her that a man appreciated. A plan started to formulate in her mind.

"Honestly if I didn't have Pepper. I would be interested. Now, I am a man and I know how we think. So stop these ridiculous doubts. You are beautiful. End of story. Got it?" Tony finished.

"I have an idea," Pepper said mischievously. "Tony, Helen and I are taking the day off! You'll have to fetch your own coffee!"

With that she wrapped her arms around him, and put her lips near his ear. "You sweet, sweet man. You did a wonderful thing." She said before kissing his lips. Then she grabbed Helen's hand and started to walk down the hall calling orders to Jarvis.

"Where are we going?" Helen asked wide eyed.

"When I feel down about myself I pamper myself. So today we are taking the day off. We'll start with a spa treatment, followed by a hair appointment and finally shopping. By the time we are done, you will feel much more confident," Pepper said.

XXXX

Hermione had never really had many girlfriends. She had never been the girly, fashion, makeup, boy obsessed type like her peers. Sure she had Fleur, and she was definitely a girly girl and she helped. Then there was Nat. Natasha was beautiful, there was no doubt. But she wasn't exactly fashion oriented.

Having spent the day with Pepper, she had to admit she did feel much more confident. Her hair was now tamed into relaxed curls that almost reached her waist. Seeing it like that, she couldn't bear to part with the length, so she had only had it trimmed. A couple new outfits picked by a personal shopper were laying across her bed. She smiled as she started to hang them in the closet.

XXXX

Phil Coulson had returned from his mission more than successful. No one could have anticipated that Captain America had been found. Found and apparently cryogenically frozen. The experts had been able to bring him back, and all of S.H.I.E.L.D were anxiously waiting for him to wake up.

Phil literally was on pins and needles. He couldn't believe that he would be able to meet his hero. He made sure to check in at least twice a day. This morning he had finally received word that he was awake. Since returning all thoughts of his odd incident in New Mexico had been practically forgotten. He smiled as he placed the cigar box with his collection of Captain America cards in his work locker. If he was lucky maybe Captain Rogers would autograph them for him.

XXXX

He woke slowly, his eyes blinking several times. Somewhere nearby he could hear the droning of a first thing he saw was the fan above him. He watched it for a moment as he took stock in his surroundings. Sitting up slowly he looked around. He didn't recognize the room. The radio caught his attention. It was a broadcast of a baseball game. He recognized it, but that wasn't right. He stared at the radio confused. Something was wrong. Had he been captured? The door opened and a young woman walked in.

"Afternoon Captain Rogers."

Steve blinked. "Where am I?"

"A recovery room in New York " she said calmly with a smile.

Steve looked at the radio again. "No. Where am I really?"

Her smile faltered, "I am not sure what you mean."

"The game. I know that game. I was there, last May with Buck. It wouldn't be broadcasting now. So where am I really?"

The woman was trying to reassure him when the door burst open and two armed soldiers in odd uniforms came in. He didn't hesitate to defend himself, he sent the men flying through the wall. He jumped through the hole and looked around for an escape. There! A door! He burst through into a crowded hall. Not hesitating he took off at a run. He had to get out. Somehow he had to find a way to get in touch with Peggy. She would know what was going on.

His heart flipped at the thought of Peggy. She was the first woman who was attracted to him. She was brilliant. He wasn't sure they were completely compatible but he had been looking forward to their date. A date he had obviously missed. He pushed past anyone in his way and exited the building.

His fight or flight mode had come to a complete halt. Where the hell was he? There were bright lights, unfamiliar buildings, signs that lit up everywhere, some of which moved. He spun around taking it in. Horns honked from cars whose model he had never seen. He was surrounded by more of the men in odd uniforms.

"Easy Captain. No need to fight." A deep voice said.

He spun around to see a bald, dark skinned man with an eye patch and long leather coat.

"Where am I? What happened?" Steve demanded.

"New York. We thought the room would be best. A way to ease you into things."

"Ease me into what?" Steve asked. His heart raced, chest heaving in his panic.

"Ever heard of Rip Van Winkle? It's like that. You've been asleep a very long time. Nearly 70 years Captain."

Steve was floored, his stomach plummeted. 70 years. Long enough for everything he knew to have changed. Long enough for everyone he knew to be gone. He thought of Bucky. Of the last horrible memory he had of him. How his fingers had slipped through his, and he fell from the train. Steve had barely been able to keep going, so deep was his grief. What had happened to the Howling Commandos? Had they all come through alive? And Peggy. Had she gone on a date with someone else in his place? A moment of jealousy flared. Idiot. It's been 70 years. She was a smart, beautiful woman. Of course she had gone on other dates. He just hoped she had found happiness.

"You going to be alright?" Eyepatch asked.

Was he? He honestly didn't know. He answered something as he found himself being escorted to a car. "Yeah. I just- I had a date," he finished lamely.

XXXX

The next morning dawned. Hermione pulled herself out of bed and stumbled to the kitchen. Tea. She needed tea. Her dreams had been plagued by two handsome men, and a feeling that something bad was coming. The sense of foreboding didn't ease upon waking. She had dreamed about Loki again. First she saw him in front of a museum, then in a forest. Both times Tony had been there in his Iron Man suit. Stranger still. Steve Rogers had been there too. What did that even mean? She glanced at the clock. She had an hour to spare, maybe she could figure out what this pull was leading her to.

She hurried through her morning routine. She cast a few spells before she stowed her wand in her arm bracer. Instinct telling her to grab it. She had only done this once before, when it led her to Thor. She had cast a quick disillusionment and notice-me-not before she stuffed her beaded bag in her pocket. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the pull she felt deep inside. She felt her body being squeezed as her living room disappeared. It felt similar to apparition, but slightly different. There was no focus on a specific destination. The first time it had happened she was terrified of splinching. But somehow she had been completely fine.

She expected to find herself in front of the museum. Or even the forest. She had not expected to find herself on top of a building in the middle of New York. Had something gone wrong? She searched inside. No. The Valkyrie had led her here. Oh Merlin. What was going to happen?

The foreboding was ten times worse than it had been in New Mexico. The area was heavily populated. If Loki showed up with that Destroyer it would be a catastrophe. How many would be hurt? Godric she wished she could figure out this mental link thing the old Valkyries had. She thought about the Valkyrior; how she wished she could have one too.

She had to try again. She needed help. Thor could help her. On instinct, she reached into her beaded bag and pulled the Valkyrie Circlet out. She knelt on the roof, and placed the circlet on her brow. Maybe it would help. She tried to block out everything around her and focus on making a connection. She focused on her breathing. Deep breaths in and slowly releasing, and repeating.

She could feel her heart. Lub dub, lub dub. Calmly it beat. Lub dub, LUB DUB. She sensed a second heartbeat, Harry. LUB DUB. LUB DUB, LUB DUB. And a third joined them, Fleur. Not wanting to involve them in this just yet, she bypassed the bonds connecting them and reached out farther, subconsciously reaching for others. A fourth, fifth and sixth joined in. All known to her, Natasha, Clint, Tony. Then two fainter heartbeats joined, followed by a tiny flicker of one. All unfamiliar. Tentatively she tried to test the link.

'Hello?'

No sign anyone heard the call. She pressed on.

'Are you there?'

Again silence. Not giving up she tried again.

'Can you hear me?'

Frustration filled her when again no one answered. Could they even hear her?

'Please. I need your help!'

Silence was her answer. Overwhelmed and scared of what the dreams and pull were trying to tell her, she began to cry. Sobs wracked her as she felt whatever connection she had managed to tentatively forge fade away. There had been no Thor, no Loki. Asgard must be too far away. The others that she knew were muggles. The three others she didn't know. She just knew she hadn't met them yet. One thing was evident for now. She was on her own.

XXXX

Clint was spending the rare morning at home with his wife and kids. At present the kids were building legos while Laura washed up from breakfast. He had been doing a bit of target practice when he heard it.

'Hello?'

He paused. Back straightening. Had he actually heard that? He shook his head, notching his arrow and readying his bow.

'Are you there?'

He definitely heard that. Startled, he let go of the string. For the first time in a very long time, he completely missed the target he had been aiming at.

'Can you hear me?'

Mouth gaping, doing a pretty damn good impression of a fish, he tried to think. He knew that voice.

'Please. I need your help!'

Was it really Hermione? Could magic do such a thing? The sounds of her crying stirred him into action. He rushed back into the house to grab his cell phone.

XXXX

Natasha had just gotten back from her latest mission. She was standing before Fury as he briefed her on her next mission, bringing in Bruce Banner.

'Hello?'

She struggled to keep her face blank. That didn't just happen did it?

'Are you there?'

Okay. That did happen. The voice sounded just like Hermione's. What was the witch up to now?

'Can you hear me?'

Nat kept her face blank, completely not hearing what Fury was saying.

'Please. I need your help!'

Finding herself excused. She walked down the hall and out of headquarters as quickly as she could without drawing suspicion. Once outside and away from headquarters she pulled her phone and dialed Hermione. Something had obviously happened.

XXXX

Tony had just poured himself a cup of coffee. He had pulled an all nighter working on his suit upgrades.

'Hello?'

He had just taken a drink, and found himself doing a spit take. What the hell was that?

'Are you there?'

"Jarvis! Run a scan and find where that voice is coming from."

"What voice sir? I detect no others in the building." Jarvis answered.

"Run it again!" Tony demanded.

Again Jarvis answered the same. Oh lord, was he losing his mind? Hearing voices was a very bad thing.

'Can you hear me?'

The coffee mug slipped through his fingers, and shattered on the floor. Yep. He was definitely losing it. Especially since the voice sounded like Helen's.

'Please. I need your help!'

Oh hell, we both need help he thought.

"Jarvis I am going to lay down. I'm not feeling so great."

XXXX

Steve had spent the morning taking out his feelings on the punching bags. THUD, That was for Bucky. THUD, THUD for Peggy. THUD, the Howling Commandos. THUD, THUD, Bucky again. He was on his third hanging bag when he heard a soft voice.

'Hello?'

He faltered in his next hit.

'Are you there?'

It was a woman's voice. A British one, that briefly reminded him of Peggy. Was he hearing things now? He looked around the gym, no one was there.

'Can you hear me?'

Again he heard it. But realised it was in his head. What was going on? He didn't understand.

'Please, I need your help!'

The voice called to him again. A lump formed in his throat as the voice dissolved into tears. He would help, if only he knew who, what, where, and how he was able to hear her.

XXXX

'Hello?'

'Are you there?'

'Can you hear me?'

'Please. I need your help!'

A woman's voice broke through the mindlessness of cryosleep. He didn't recognize the voice. And it issued no commands. Unable to wake, Bucky listened helplessly as her sobs echoed in his head.

XXXX

Far away, in a small village, Bruce Banner was doing his washing at the local watering hole. He was sure the stress of keeping the other guy at bay was wearing on him. He was hearing things now.

'Hello?'

'Are you there?'

'Can you hear me?'

'Please. I need your help!'

XXXX

Hearing her phone ring, she pulled herself together. Apparently it had worked at least on their end. Both Clint and Nat had heard her. They agreed to meet to discuss what was going on. She didn't have time to get into it now. They agreed to meet up at Clint's to ensure privacy. Clint had asked Hermione about meeting his family. She agreed, and promised no magic around his family. Better they not know just what she was.

They had joined Clint's family for dinner that evening. Hermione couldn't help but smile at the love and warmth of his family. His wife Laura was incredibly sweet, and his children were darling. After they had gone to bed, Hermione sat down to fill in Nat and Clint. They all agreed that if they could figure out the mind link that it could be incredibly helpful.

Nat had confirmed that she was leaving the next evening on a mission to "convince" Bruce Banner to return with her to S.H.I.E.L.D Headquarters. She was nervous about possibly finding herself facing the bug angry green version of Banner. Hermione once again thought about how she had dealt with Grawp. While she encouraged Natasha to try and keep him calm if possible, she assured her that she would be tagging along, just in case he did make an appearance. There was no way she could let Natasha walk into a situation like that. They made plans for Hermione to join her under a disillusionment charm.

XXXX

The next morning, she rose early. She passed on breakfast. She had the worst feeling something was wrong. She shook it off while showering and getting ready. Happy would be here to pick her up any minute. She just needed to get through today. Tonight she would be going with Natasha as backup in case Banner became the big angry green version of himself.

Entering Tony's lab always brought a smile to her face. The things he was able to create were incredible. She would have to tell him again later. Not that he needed anyone inflating his ego. She slipped in quietly. Jarvis had let her know Tony wasn't feeling well, and she didn't want to disturb him if she could help it.

She settled herself down at her desk and began looking over Tony's schedule. A meeting was scheduled for later this morning. The name put her on guard. Nick Fury. What was the director of S.H.I.E.L.D wanting a meeting with Tony for? He had already turned him down as a consultant several times. Maybe she should listen in.

XXXX

She was just returning with their lunch when Jarvis informed her that Nick Fury was there.

"Jarvis?"

"Yes Miss?" Jarvis' posh accent made her smile.

"If I asked you to avoid recording anything you see with me for the next few minutes, would it be a problem?" She questioned.

"As long as you are doing no harm, I don't see why it would. I have been given orders to obey your commands after all," Jarvis replied.

"Excellent. I promise I am not causing any harm. Thank you Jarvis. I will let you know when it is clear," she said.

"I'll be listening Miss."

Once she was assured that Jarvis wouldn't record her, she reached into her beaded bag and retrieved a pair of extendable ears. She fed them through a vent near the top of the door. She could pick up the conversation clearly.

"Stark. This is serious. I need you. The team needs you."

"What makes you even think any of these others will join? I mean, come on you have Steve Rogers on this list. He's been gone a very long time. Perhaps you need to update your list," Tony said.

She heard the rustling of paper as Tony tossed a file on his desk. She made a note to copy it. If Tony was on their she could be sure Natasha and Clint probably were too.

"Actually. Captain Rogers has been retrieved and successfully unfrozen." Fury said.

"Unfrozen? What was he, a Capsicle?" Tony snarked.

Hermione's heart skipped. Steve Rogers was alive? Oh Merlin.

"When he crashed, his body went into cryosleep. Preserving body and mind. He is adjusting. The world has changed a lot in 70 years."

"No kidding. My father never gave up hope of finding him. I hear you found the tesseract, and then lost said tesseract."

"Now how the hell do you know that?" Fury demanded.

"Please. Like it was hard to find. You really need to upgrade your defense system. It was child's play," Tony smirked.

Hermione remembered reading about the tesseract. Could that have something to do with whatever she sensed was coming? She was pretty certain it did.

"Of course you already hacked it. Yes, Loki opened a portal, stole the tesseract and kidnapped a scientist and a S.H.I.E.L.D agent." Fury said.

"Who?" Tony asked.

"The scientist is an astrophysicist, Erik Selvig. He was one of the ones who first investigated the electromagnetic disturbances in New Mexico."

"The name sounded familiar. And the agent? How worried should we be?"

"Agent Barton. Loki used the tesseract's energy to power his scepter. Which he then used to somehow hijack the minds of anyone he touched with it. Including Selvig and Barton."

Hermione's stomach dropped. Somehow Clint was being controlled by Loki. Oh Godric! She had to help him! Natasha must be going spare.

What do you say Stark? Join us? The others will come when the world needs them."

"Fine. Count me in. I'll need access to a lab though."

"Not a problem. Pack what you need and report to headquarters tomorrow morning."

"Anything I need?" Tony clarified.

"Yes. Whatever you need."

The men exchanged goodbyes. Hermione quickly reeled in the extendable ears and tucked them back in her purse. She cast a quick disillusionment to be sure Fury didn't spot her.

When the door opened, she slipped in and made a quick copy of the file. She would study it tonight. She just had to keep it together and get through the day so she could help Nat and maybe figure out to help Clint.