Their Little Witch
Chapter 25
They'd arrived back in Wakanda a few hours ago, Hermione had been whisked off immediately by Shuri for a medical check and Bucky hadn't seen her since. He'd spent his time with Harry, allowing Luna and Steve some privacy.
Harry was good company, he'd decided.
They'd practiced some more with the gun, Bucky had shown him how to safely carry it on him, the different precautions that he should take if outnumbered and where was best to store a hidden firearm on his person in the event of a capture or hostage scenario. The boy was picking it up quickly, and in return, he'd shown Bucky some more magic, he'd spoken to him about the different families that made up the wizarding government, how easily corrupted any minister of magic could become. In their world, Bucky was coming to realize, name and money bought you more power than anything else.
As the afternoon faded into evening, Bucky became more agitated and restless. Hermione had been with Shuri for a long time, now. And after informing their friends of their new relationship, they hadn't actually spoken about what it really meant for them. He'd wanted to take her for a walk, discuss things together, work out a plan and boundaries, and she still hadn't come back yet.
After the events of the last few weeks, he knew that there was nothing more important than Hermione's health, and he knew that Shuri wouldn't let her go until she'd deemed her strong enough to manage without round-the-clock care. He also knew that Hermione was stronger, her body was healing well. The nanites had performed admirably, they were treating her injuries much faster than her body would have been able to otherwise, and physically she was fine. It was the mental part of her health that worried him and Shuri the most, sometimes she seemed fine, strong and happy and yet it was becoming evident that some of the horrors she had faced were taking their toll.
He knew better than anyone how devastating depression could be, how destabilizing anxiety could become. He knew what it was to have your brain scrambled and then not be sure how to fit the puzzle together again.
He could see the slight pressure that Luna and Harry were putting on her to be 'Their Hermione' again, he could see the cracks that each little jibe created. Steve had been the same with him, he'd expected Bucky to bounce back and be the same man that Steve had grown up with, but the trauma had changed him, his personality had shifted and he hadn't wanted, nor had he been able, to be the person that Steve craved. Eventually, they'd reached an understanding, and had learned to appreciate the differences in each other. It hadn't been easy, but Steve had taken the time to get to know Bucky as he was now, and they'd stayed close.
Harry and Luna would have to do the same for Hermione. To Bucky, Hermione was perfect as she was. He'd only known this version of her, the Hermione who didn't back down from a fight, who had a darker, more protective streak that had allowed her to kill Dolohov with only moment of hesitation when he'd threatened someone she cared for. This Hermione was strong, but not perfect. Her brief time away from her own mind confirmed that, she hadn't been ready for war, for facing her tormentors and she'd paid the price for that. Harry and Luna knew this, logically, and they knew that Hermione was still herself, still a genius who valued their friendship deeply, but they'd both been affected when they'd gone to retrieve Dolohov's body, they hadn't faced the same evils as Hermione, they hadn't suffered her trauma and they couldn't understand how their precious, sweet friend could be a killer outside of war.
Luna would learn quick enough, Bucky muses, with her having joined the Avengers. It was likely that she'd lose that spark of innocence that had originally drawn Steve to her. Steve, who now adored her for just being Luna.
He doubted, seriously, that Harry would ever truly understand. The boy had been through a lot, there was no mistaking that, but his experiences had just made him soft. He wanted to make a better life, settle down with a good woman.
Harry was soft, like a calm breeze on a summer day, his presence alone could soothe tempers and lower weapons, if he wanted to.
Hermione, on the other hand, was a blizzard. Beautiful, for sure, but with the promise of being deadly.
Bucky wouldn't have her any other way.
Harry and Luna had collected Dolohov's body while Bucky and Hermione had been on their date. Luna had decided to take it to a field, somewhere in Somerset, and she'd left it there. Harry hadn't been able to stomach moving the dead man. They'd both agreed, however, that the last thing Hermione needed was another murder charge, and so the body had been moved.
They'd both told Hermione how sorry they were about her house, but Hermione had shaken her head at them both, a soft smile on her face,
"I found what I was looking for, anyway. I'll fix the house up, one day and sell it on."
Bucky was currently sat in his room; he'd chosen not to have dinner with the others. Instead, he'd showered and changed into a comfortable pair of slacks and a grey vest.
He was reading Hogwarts, A History from Hermione's bag. Growing up, he'd been very interested in science and technology, but he found magic to come in at a close second. He knew it was out of his reach, he'd never be able to wield a wand like Hermione, but he could absorb the textbooks and study everything he could get his hands on. The very idea, the concept of magic, filled him with excitement. This copy of the book was old, the pages were frayed from use and there were small ink stand on some of them and he pictured Hermione, young and innocent, reading this before starting school, her head filled with possibilities and excitement. Harry had told him that this was Hermione's favourite book, and he'd chosen this one first because of that small fact.
He could understand her infatuation with the text; it was likely her first introduction to magic, so what her school would be like. The book did a good job of describing the magic around the school, how complex the wards were for student's protection. The founders were also fascinating.
He was so wrapped up in the book, he didn't notice when his door slid open.
Hermione observed him with a fond smile, Shuri had given her a clean bill of health after testing the nanites. She would be working with Shuri in the lab tomorrow, and she had been hoping to convince Bucky into accompanying her, he could help with the potions, she thought. And she was sure he'd enjoy watching Shuri work, as well. She'd also been hoping to be invited to spend the night, she slept better with him in the room.
She hadn't expected to come in and find him reading her book, her favourite book, with a little frown of concentration on his face. Her bag was placed on the table beside him, and he was on the right side of the bed.
For a minute, she just stood there and watched him read. She still couldn't believe how well their date had gone, it had been everything she'd never thought to dream of. He'd thought of everything.
She approaches him slowly, sliding her shoes off her feet quietly. He is as absorbed in the book as she knew she could be, and he still hadn't noticed her. Gently, she slid onto the bed. He did notice that, his eyes snapping to hers with a dangerous glint for just a second before he relaxed, smiling lazily at her,
"Hello, Doll."
She smiles at him, gently pushing his hair out of his eyes,
"Having fun?"
He lifted the book up to her,
"There's a lot of information to take in, they should make this compulsory reading for first year students."
She grins at him, her eyes sparkling as her mind filled with memories from school, of quoting that book at the boys every time they suggested something stupid.
"I agree completely."
He slid the book closed, making a note of the page number before pulling her into his arms,
"How did it go with Shuri?"
Hermione hums,
"She's going to help me bridge some neural connections, but other than that I'm as well as can be expected," She lifts her eyes up to meet his, a gentle smile on her face, "I'm working with her in the lab tomorrow, I was wondering if you wanted to come, too? I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to, obviously, but I thought I'd-"
He cuts her off with a kiss that takes her by surprise, his lips are warm against hers and she almost melts into him before he breaks it,
"I'd love to. I enjoy watching you work."
She smiles up at him, biting her lip until his thumb comes up and swipes it out from her teeth, his eyes darkening slightly,
"Doll, are you staying with me tonight?"
Hermione nods hopefully and he smirks,
"Then you'll have to stop biting this lip. Otherwise, I can't be held accountable for my actions."
She blushes deeply, ignoring the slight thrill that his words gave her. He places a soft kiss on her temple, filling her stomach with butterflies,
"Go change, Doll. I'll wait here for you."
She grabs a set of PJ's from her bag, flashing Bucky a smile before heading into the bathroom. She washes her face quickly, scrubbing off her make up with just a pang of regret. She changes faster than she ever has before, yanking her hair free from the style she'd been wearing for her date and when she looked in the mirror, she felt a bit more like herself.
She grabbed her clothes, folding them delicately, ready to be handed back to Luna tomorrow.
She padded out of the bathroom with bare feet and Bucky grins when he sees her,
"There's my girl."
Hermione blushes at him, sliding into the bed next to him, placing the clothes for Luna on the table her side,
"What are we, Bucky?"
He crosses his legs, turning directly to her and taking her hands in his,
"What do we call it, now? In my day it was courting."
Hermione smiles,
"Generally, I'd call you my boyfriend, I'd be your girlfriend. If that's what you want."
He nods slowly,
"My girlfriend?"
"And you're my boyfriend."
Bucky grins,
"As long as I'm yours, Doll, I don't mind what we call it."
Hermione knows she's blushing, she also knows there is nothing she can do to stop it.
"I really enjoyed our date, today."
"I did, too. Next time, I'll take you out properly."
Hermione places a soft kiss on Bucky's neck, where his shoulder meets his throat, and she feels him moan softly as a little vibration where her lips are, making her smile against his skin.
When they lay down that night to go to sleep, Hermione feels light and Bucky thinks his evil little witch will be the death of him, for sure.
A.N. Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Marvel. Please review! Please remember that this doesn't follow canon at all, so some of the characters may behave a bit differently to what you are used to! If anyone wants to design me a cover, please feel free!