N- Oh wow I have just over 100 follows. *happy dance.* Oh wow I have over 100 people who are waiting for my next chapter. *Mild panic attack.* I did want to get this out sooner I promise. I just had trouble with the fight scene rewrote it three times once because I lost track of where everyone was then because I remembered the invisibility cloak was a thing. Then had to change some of the spells around.
AN- HYDRA attacks the golden trio snaps back and things do not go AT ALL the way HYDRA planned. Actually MACUSA seems to be more of a threat but don't forget HYDRA didn't know until now that there where witches with the Avengers. Insert evil laugh here.
AN- gingin Steve and Juniper's bond is pretty vital in this chapter so I hope you enjoy. candinaru25, and Pixiecropse hope your still reading thanks for your encouragement.
CHAPTER SEVEN
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Juniper was pretty sure she hadn't blacked out for more than a few minutes. After being hit by the Cruciatus curse in the graveyard 4th year her pain tolerance, hell her entire concept of what pain was had changed. If you could pass out from it it wasn't real pain you couldn't escape the Cruciatus by passing out only by the caster releasing you, falling into insanity, or death which Juniper had been ready to beg for by the end.
When awareness returned she didn't open her eyes. The sound had stopped having done what it was meant to and she could catch snatches of conversation through the ringing in her ears. She heard her father's name, a mention of the Winter soldier, then one of them moved closer to her looking down at her and let out a snort. "Must be Stark's newest little toy. Didn't know he liked 'um so young. Shes nothing just leave her and bring Stark. Once Barnes is reactivated he can take her out with the others. Hes good with witnesses."
Fury washed over Juniper. Oh hell no they where not gonna take her...boyfriend? flirtation? friend? well whatever it was he was hers and they weren't gonna take him over again. And they sure as bloody hell where not gonna use him as a weapon to kill her dad and their other friends. She didn't move though. Didn't give a hint that she was actually awake and aware not even flickering a eyelash. She listened forcing herself to remain perfectly still as she heard them drag Tony's limp body from the room. As soon as the door swung closed behind them her eyes opened scanned and upon ensuring the room was empty she raised a hand to her hair finding her wand had gone flying when she'd fell and swore softly under her breathe so angry it came out as a hiss in Parseltongue. Oh course this would happen the very night she'd decided to give into the urge to indulge in a fit of Luna-like whimsy.
"Accio Wand." She whispered and luckily the wand was close enough that it flew into her hand. She quickly checked it over to make sure it wasn't damaged and let out a soft breathe of relief. She sat up slowly she had a few shallow cuts from flying glass but Tony had turned at the last minute so he'd blocked her with his body taking the bulk of any damage. "Jarvis." She whispered. "Jarvis." Nothing. Okay so she was on her own and had to assume everyone else was disabled in some way including Ron and Hermione. It may have been a bit cold blooded but if she could have picked one ally in the tower for this situation it would have been Jarvis. Knowledge was power here. She didn't know who'd been taken, where they where, how many enemies their where, their weapons and capabilities. Damn it she was completely blind without the AI's help. She stood slowly and looked over the glass covered floor once again having cause to curse her stupid Luna-like impulse. Her bare feet would be sliced to ribbons. She muttered under her breathe but unwrapped the ace bandage around her arm and wrapped her feet instead. She'd still likely have pricks but not like it would have been if they where totally unprotected. She looked over to the keyboard, computer interface she'd heard Hermione call it but she had no idea how to even turn it on let alone use it to revive Jarvis and she may just make it worse.
Then she heard the screams. They where Bucky's. She wasn't sure how she knew as she'd never heard him so much as raise his voice but she knew it was Bucky screaming and begging. Begging someone to stop. Rage washed over her she almost literally saw red. Any thoughts of stopping the intruders vanished. There was no more stopping them only destroying them. The Rage washed away any doubts any hesitation replacing it with ruthless determination. She crossed to the door her steps soundless even though a few pieces of glass worked through the bandages around her feet she didn't even feel it just noted it as something to think of later.
Juniper pushed the door open just enough to peek through. Bucky was in the middle of the room chained up. There was a man in front of him reading what sounded like Russian from a red book he was holding as Bucky screamed. Natasha, Clint, and Tony where to the side handcuffed on their knees with men in some kind of uniforms standing behind them guns to their heads. Steve chained up like Bucky was closer to the kitchen door two men opposite him with machine guns aimed at his chest one of them with his shield on one arm. She didn't see Bruce, Pepper, Ron or Hermione at first but something made her look at the stairs and she caught sight of Ron peeking around the corner at the top. He looked over as if sensing her and their eyes met.
A look of relief came over Ron's face and he held up all 10 fingers then another 2. Juniper nodded knowing he had a better view of the room than she did. 12 a good sized attack force. She never needed more than 6 but she was humbly speaking a magical powerhouse, and Ginny Weasley being a 7th child meant she was extremely powerful as well even if she wasn't on Juniper's level as well as creative with nasty hexes the two of them on the same team was a sure recipe for success with Ron's strategic thinking, Hermione's brilliance, Neville's dedication, and Luna's natural instincts they where now near unbeatable. If the battle of the ministry was reenacted now it would have ended much differently.
Juniper shifted her eyes to the far side of the room near the door that lead to the hallway and he nodded in understanding. If he positioned himself there and Hermione stayed on the stairs as Juniper was assuming she was behind Ron they would be in a triangle around the HYDRA agents and all have escape routes Hermione upstairs, Ron the hallway, and Juniper the kitchen. Then Juniper lifted her hand and waved it over her face Ron looked confused for a moment then comprehension dawned and he nodded ducking back into the hallway.
Juniper slammed the kitchen door open drawing every eye too her. "Sectumsempra." And it was Bucky's attacker that was on the floor screaming as blood poured from slash wounds all over his body the hand that held the red book nearly severed. There was a thump behind them that drew the attention of everyone not turning their guns toward Juniper but they saw nothing. She heard Ron's "Stupefy." Which took out two opponents as the bullets started flying.
Trusting that Ron under the invisibility cloak had already moved to dodge before the guns had been fired Juniper didn't duck instead casting. "Protego." betting on her shield charm being strong enough to stop the bullets and giving the shooters a evil grin when it worked. "See Hermione I was right Protego does work against bullets."
"Thats not how you test a theory Juniper." Hermione yelled back from the stairs where she peeked down to cast a Petrificus Totalus that brought down another man. 4 men down in minutes.
Juniper's eyes quickly scanned the Avengers finding Steve and Natasha the most aware her dad and Bucky both looking unconscious causing fear to momentarily try to rise up but she fought it back down clinging to the coldness and the fury the things she needed to cast the curses seen as more grey than the stunning and petrification spells her friends where using. They didn't want to actually hurt anyone Juniper at the moment was past that. She was not losing ONE MORE PERSON. NOT ONE. She aimed her wand at the chains around Steve's body locked by what locked like a simple padlock. "Alohomora." The lock fell open the chains unravelling as she darted in front of him her Protego still holding although the machine guns blast had her recasting it as the power with which they hit her shield had her skidding backwards into Steve. He put his hands on her shoulders steading her and she jerked away her concentration nearly falling from his touch. "Accio Cap's shield." She was close enough and the summoning charm powerful enough that the shield ripped itself from the arm of the man holding it snapping it in at least two pieces as it zoomed towards them and he fell to the ground screaming. Juniper ducked dropping her own shield as Steve caught his.
"Thanks darlin'." Steve said with a relieved grin.
"They got witches." One of the men yelled. "Snap their wands and they will be helpless. Take them alive if you can."
Something about that seemed to revive Tony with a speed that made Juniper think he'd been playing possum a bit. "Stay the hell away from my kid." He snarled throwing himself backwards into one of the men holding a gun on him. At the same time Natasha did some kind of impressive back kick over that ended with her legs locked around the neck of the one aiming a gun at her, and Steve flung his shield at the man with his gun on Clint.
A spell came from behind the couch hitting the man who'd spoken with a "Silencio." That shut up any more orders or information he might have provided. Then "Epoximise" to stick him to the nearest wall and finally a "Expelliarmus." That had his gun flying to land near Natasha's feet. Less than three seconds for three spells.
Hermione poked her head out and shot off 3 Alohomora's Juniper's training paying off she hit each set of handcuffs on Tony, Natasha, and Clint freeing them allowing Natasha and Tony free to supply the beatdown the HYDRA assassins deserved.
Nine out of commission only 3 men left. Juniper looked up at then raising a eyebrow. "You heard him. Go ahead take the witch." She dared but all three froze looking at each other wearily. "Lacarnum Inflamari." None of them where wearing cloaks but it seemed their HYDRA uniforms where close enough as the short jackets of two of them burst into flames screaming in agony both of them dropping to the floor rolling around trying to put the fire out Juniper watching them eyes cold.
"Locomotor Mortis." The fight ending curse came from Ron the last HYDRA member's legs locked together and he fell over frantically trying to wiggle away from his teammates who where still burning.
Ron whipped off the invisibility cloak nearly giving Tony a heart attack. "Juniper, Juniper they are still burning put them out!" He yelled at her. Then she looked over at him and his heart sank. That was not Juniper Potter that was Juniper Black. He'd seen that look in those familiar green eyes it was a look he'd never wanted to see again. Iced over but with a swelling tide of rage, magic and madness behind them. It was a eerily similar look to the one Bellatrix Lestrange had.
"No let them burn. They came here to kill us all." Juniper answered.
"JUNIPER ARE YOU CRAZY? There is no evidence to suggest a Protego can stop a bullet." Hermione yelled hurrying down the stairs eyes scanning the room. "Are you trying to get yourself killed? Aguamenti." The spell she aimed at the men who where still shrieking and on fire shot out a jet of water that extinguished the flame as well as a Finite Incantatem would have. Proof once again that a muggleborn witch saw solutions that wouldn't occur to a Pure blood.
"Depends who you ask." Juniper answered both of Hermione's question with one answer. "And it worked didn't it." She scanned the room herself. Bucky was still unconscious Steve kneeling to check his vitals. Natasha and Tony where handcuffing or otherwise restraining the HYDRA members. Not one of them she had taken down was dead to her disappointment although the ones with the burns and the one still shuddering and bleeding from her Sectumsempra may not make it from the looks of it. And she had suspicions the one Tony had beaten and Natasha had strangled may be dead. There where two stupified, one Petrified, and one leg locked victim lying in the floor. The man Steve had taken out with the shield had a bleeding head wound, the one whos arm Juniper had shattered to retrieve Steve's shield was whimpering on the ground and then there was the leader of the crew Silenced and stuck to the wall. 12 all accounted for and she was still nearly shaking with excessive adrenaline. Looking for another enemy to attack. Her eyes focused on the man stuck to the wall.
"No. Juni No." Ron said moving in front of her. Behind her he could see the others where starting to pay attention.
"He knows about witches Ron. I wanna know how." Juniper said her voice colder than he'd ever heard it directed at him. She saw Steve helping Bucky sit up out of the corner of her eye but was to focused on the HYDRA leader to acknowledge the relief that tried to come over her at the sight.
"Fine thats fine but let Hermione do it. Shes better with mind magic. She can do it without turning his brain to mush." Ron answered backing up as Juniper advanced. He was afraid. Afraid of Juniper, or for her, or for the man she was advancing on it wasn't clear but fear was clear in his face.
"Not really caring about preserving his fine motor functions at the moment Ron."
Hermione was standing at the bottom of the staircase eyes wide and alarmed then she jumped and quickly pulled what looked like a oversized glowing gold coin out of her pocket and read it letting out a sigh. Looking a bit frantic she pulled out the wizarding wireless put it on the table turning it on drawing everyones attention including Ron and even Juniper's and taped it once. "Stark."
"Juniper Maria Potter you are scaring Ron and Hermione now stop whatever your doing." It was the flighty floaty voice they had identified as Luna, their seer, Juniper's anchor the first night. Juniper froze but still had that predatory glint in her eyes locked on the man pinned to the wall. "Captain Rogers could you please put your hands on Juniper's shoulders again."
"How does she do that?" Ron muttered even as the memory of Juniper's eyes snapping to Steve's earlier that night when he'd told her too look at him, and the way she'd pulled away from him during the battle jumped to the forefront of his mind. Because oh course the calm, responsible, and mature Avenger who'd already pulled his brain washed friend back from the edge would be the one most suited to being a anchor.
Steve glanced at the radio then stood and put his hands on Juniper's shoulders in front of her this time. Looking into her eyes and seeing what had scared Ron. The fury, the madness, and the power there was intimidating but Steve was more than use to facing those arguably stronger than him without flinching. "Its over Juniper. The fights over. We won. Look at me not him." Juniper's eyes flicked away from the HYDRA leader to Steve's face. "We aren't them. We don't kill or torture captures after we've won." He watched as Juniper's eyes cleared and she nodded stepping backwards.
"Had a real wicked witch vibe going for a minute there babe you sure your good?" Natasha asked her expression more cautious than it had been a few minutes ago. Juniper felt a pang of regret.
"I'm fine now." Juniper answered.
"MACUSA will be there soon. Stay calm listen to what they aren't saying and Hermione you know the law use it. PotterWatch will be off the air for awhile for awhile due to Deatheater raids. Watch the coins. Keep each other safe. To the end." Luna's voice interrupted then the station lapsed into static.
"If anyone else heard that they'll know we're in America." Ron said looking alarmed.
"Single coin message." Hermione said holding up the gold coin she was holding the message on it read WIRELESS STARK RABBIT. "No one else would guess Stark as a password especially not in those few minutes. MACUSAs coming."
"Whos Macusa?" Tony asked with a frown.
"Not who what The Magical Congress of the United States of America." Hermione said. "As a whole they have a reputation of being less...corrupt than the British ministry, but quicker and more...brutal in dealing with law breakers."
"Like us." Ron said and threw Juniper the invisibility cloak.
"Uhuh." Juniper answered tossing it to Hermione who stuffed it in her bag.
Then there was a series of loud pops. Eight people of various ages and races just appeared in the room wands drawn and pointed at them.
Steve pulled Juniper back towards the others and Bucky was there at her other side Tony and Ron at her back.
"AURORS. Drop the wands now. NOW." One of the men snapped. Hermione dropped her wand immediately. Juniper hesitated. It was instinct to refuse. Her wand had been her lifeline so many times that dropping it went against her very nature. But she ultimately was not going to fight Aurors she had to much respect for them so she did and Ron followed her lead. "I wouldn't Agent Romanoff. What you saw from these three where talented but ultimately teenage witches and a wizard who never even finished their version of high school we are battle trained Aurors." Juniper wasn't able to see what Natasha had done to get that reprimand but a few moments later his attention switched back to Juniper.
"So Juniper Potter the girl who lived graces us with her presence." The Auror said reaching out with his free hand to push her hair away from her face to study her scar. His tone and arrogance reminded her of a mix of Snape and Lucius Malfoy not a pleasant combo.
Bucky let out a sound that was almost a growl. Tony's voice came from right behind her. "Get your hand off of her now." His voice hard and cold. Juniper only glared at him he wasn't the first to be fascinated by her scar.
"Manners Graves we don't manhandle teenagers." A woman a few years older said firmly coming to his side. He took a step back but wasn't happy about it. "This conversation shouldn't be happening in front of the no-majs but as they will be obliviated by the end I suppose theres no harm."
"Actually Auror..." Hermione said pushing through the Avengers and positioning herself between Steve and Juniper. After that growl she wasn't about to get between her and Bucky.
"Wixington. Mariela Wixington."
"Auror Wixington thats not gonna happen. Tony Stark is Juniper's biological father and as such is not subject to the statute of secrecy and as the other Avengers live with him they fall under the MACUSA's amended definition of family signed into law in 1985." Hermione said her eyes near glittering in victory. She did love using her knowledge. She wasn't as magically strong as Juniper but she wasn't called the brightest witch of her age for nothing.
"Don't be ridiculous everyone knows James Potter is the father of Juniper Potter." The Auror who'd been identified as Graves grumbled.
"And a few hundred years ago everyone knew the earth was the center of the universe." Hermione said in her snotty know it all voice. Ron and Juniper knew it was a defense mechanism but it did give others the urge to smack her. Something Graves seemed to consider before Steve shifted slightly in front of her.
"Theres a spell the Paternus Revelio." Hermione said gesturing towards Juniper who gave her a dirty look obviously not comfortable with her friend encouraging aurors to point their wands at her.
Auror Wixington looked over at her raising a eyebrow. "Fine." Juniper muttered. "But you not him." Her eyes where narrowed as Graves had gathered their wands and she didn't like the way he was handling hers.
Auror Wixington frowned at Graves then turned to Juniper. "Hold still this will only take a moment." She said and with a wave of her wand cast the spell Hermione had mentioned. She also noticed the girl's flinch. It wasn't overly obvious the only other one who noticed it was Bucky but unlike him Wixington knew what it meant.
The spell only gave her a slight feeling of warmth then glowing letters appeared in midair beside her. Two names two father's JAMES CHARLUS POTTER-ADOPTED FATHER / ANTHONY EDWARD STARK-BIOLOGICAL FATHER. She'd known it. She'd heard what Tony had told her but had never looked at the muggle paperwork so seeing it confirmed by magic was somehow surprisingly comforting.
Auror Wixington cursed under her breathe realizing this case already one of the most complicated she'd ever worked had just gotten worse. Now the Avengers had a valid reason to know about the magical world and everybody knew they especially Tony Stark where shit at keeping secrets. Just what they needed the biggest heroes of the no maj world getting involved with Britain's beloved, or hated depending on the time of year it seemed girl who lived and her golden trio.
"Give her the wand back Graves." She said he looked at her in disbelief. "I said give it back." He frowned deeply but handed Juniper her wand jumping slightly and practically dropping it into her grip as it shocked him just as he was handing it over.
"It doesn't like you." Juniper said with a smirk that really highlighted her resemblance to her biological father as she used her t-shirt to wipe her wand as if the remove any hint of Graves touch.
"Its Holly wood isn't it? Thats a rare choice. Whats the core?"
"Phoenix feather."
Surprise flashed in the Auror's eyes. "Thats a volatile combo. I don't think anyone but Ollivander would have attempted it."
"It suits me." Was Juniper's only answer.
"I can see that." Wixington answered glancing at Graves red hand.
"Are you going to try and have us extradited back home?" Hermione asked inpatient with the talk of wandlore. A subject which didn't interest her so much as it seemed a very wooly area.
"Kingsley was right about you three." Wixington said giving each of the teens a hard look.
"You know Shacklebolt?" Juniper asked.
"Aurors are a small community and I did a tour in Britain when they requested extra security during the Quidditch cup and the triwizard tournament a few years ago. I saw you fly against that dragon. You did things on that broom I didn't know where possible. I kept in touch with Shack afterwards. He told me you where a pain in the ass to try and keep out of trouble when you where alone but when the three of you got together you caused absolute havoc." Wixington answered amusement now dancing in her eyes.
"Thats not..." Juniper trailed off then shrugged. "Well okay fair. But its not entirely our fault. People keep trying to kill us."
Wixington looked at the bodies of the handcuffed HYDRA team the leader still stuck to the wall. "Yes evidentially Deatheaters aren't enough. Now you've decided to poke HYDRA with a stick too hmmm?"
"What else did Shack say about us?" Juniper asked suspiciously.
"That Hermione was the brains of the group but doesn't know when to shut up and listen, that you had more power than sense and where going to get all three of you killed tilting at windmills, and the Ron needed to get over his jealousy grow a backbone and stand up to the two of you. He also said he hadn't seen a group so tight since your father and his marauders and if you got your act together and lived long enough to grow up you where not only going to save the world you where going to as great as the founders themselves." Wixington asked raising one eyebrow.
"Shacks a ass." Hermione grumbled.
"Never said he wasn't. The American Magical government has made the executive decision that the British ministry as it stands now is invalid and in violation of more than a few international laws and treaties. No extradition requests from them will be considered. No information regarding refugees will be shared with them. As Tony Stark is Juniper's biological father there is no violation of the statue of secrecy. No dark spells where cast although that one..." She paused to point at the man oozing blood and moaning. "comes very very close. But as we recognize Hydra as a terrorist organization in both the magical and no-maj worlds no charges would hold up. More than a few of our people would really like to know how you managed to apparate so far but we can't force you to undergo questioning on this subject. The only violation that would be valid is the three of you not presenting yourself at MACUSA headquarters when you arrived but as you haven't been here longer than a few days and you are technically visiting family I think we can overlook that."
As she spoke one of the other aurors took Ron and Hermione's wands from Graves handing them back. Juniper's eyes had widened as Wixington had spoke not use to a adult in authority actually being helpful instead of accusatory. "So your saying..."
"Shes saying that the American magical world doesn't go handing kids back to mass murderers, or supporting the use of school children as soldiers." One of the other aurors a young man in his early thirties interrupted. "The British ministry has been pushing the line even before this. We can't officially go to war against them especially as any magical war always spills over into the no-maj world as well but that doesn't mean we support or aid them."
"I've been in charge of your case in this country since you where 14, since the triwizard tournament. Shack introduced me to your godfather then. We offered to get him refugee status on the basis of his lack or trial but he refused as..."
"As he wouldn't have been able to come back to Britain. To me." Juniper said her voice soft.
"Yes. You where his priority. He asked me instead to start a file for you in case you ever came here. He did hint that you had family links in America but we thought he meant Abraham Potter. Not anything so recent as a father." Wixington answered. Juniper nodded she knew about Abraham Potter one of America's first 12 aurors back in the day before he died horribly and his family returned to England. Sirius had loved to tell her about famous family members. "I tried to contact you after his murder but all owls returned. Shack said access to you was severely restricted and he doubted you would leave in any case."
"I wouldn't have. I never actually meant too." Juniper answered but it showed in her eyes how much Sirius's actions meant to her. "He never told me."
"So I assume you also don't know about the others?" Wixington asked.
Juniper gave her a questioning look. "The other asylum offers." A file appeared from nowhere in her hand. "From India because your Parseltongue abilities. Its considered a gift of divinity there. Sponsored by Rajesh Patil I believe you go to school with his nieces. From France due to life debts owed to you from Fleur and Gabrielle Delacour sponsored by their father whos a member of their magical parliament, from Bulgaria due to a life debt owed to you by Viktor Krum sponsored by Mr Krum himself, from a Romanian dragon reserve due to family ties sponsored by Charles Weasley and from Australia because and I quote 'fuck Voldemort thats why.' Sponsored by their magical president Aaron Kade." She watched the absolute shock register on Juniper's face.
"Didn't realize you had so many friends and supporters in the international scene Lady Potter?"
"Never had time or reason to consider it." Juniper answered her voice weak as Tony put a supportive hand on her shoulder. "And my friends?"
Wixington laughed. "I think everyone understands by now the three of you are a package deal Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger are included. People outside of Britain have been paying attention. People who don't hide behind prophecy and orphan children. You are welcome to stay in America as long as you wish. Any Deatheaters who come here to try and reclaim you will be considered a threat to the peace of the American Magical community and dealt with accordingly."
Juniper paused for a moment remembering what Luna had told her. Listen to what they aren't saying. "But once I go back to Britain I can't expect any help from outside."
The male auror who'd spoken before replied. "Why on earth would you go back. Makes more sense to try and smuggle any friends you have there out to safer climates. They turned their backs on you while Voldemort..." He paused glancing at Ron who flinched at the name and rolled his eyes. "Tried to kill you for years then called you a liar and a dangerous lunatic when you tried to tell them he was back. Let them burn."
"Because its what I was born to do. Just because Fate dealt me a shit hand doesn't mean I don't have to play it." Juniper answered.
"And maybe you just got a redeal." Wixington said holding up the file.
Juniper shook her head. "I know what I have to do. Its not like he'll be satisifed with just Britain. Its just a jumping off point for him. He wants the world."
Wixington sighed. "No none of us can help you once you go back. It would touch off another war possibly another world war."
"Sounds like the same thing will happen if she doesn't stop him. In the end your counting on her to end him just like the Brits." Steve said a bit of bite in his tone. At first he'd obviously been proud of the way America was responding to what was going on his patriotic nature pleased that they where stepping up to protect his friends child but now was a little deflated.
"We can only do so much. You've seen war Captain Rogers and now the weapons that would be used are more powerful more destructive just ask Mr Stark as he seems to have designed most of them. As cold and cruel as it sounds if we have to sacrifice one girl no matter how powerful no matter how special to prevent that from happening again we will." Wixington answered. Juniper stiffened slightly and Tony's arm tightened pulling her backwards to his side as Steve, Bucky and Ron faced the auror all with furious faces. "Sorry."
"Its alright. I'm use to it." Juniper answered no particular emotion in her voice.
"Wait what if she had said she was staying here. What if she'd refused to go back?" Clint asked. His expression was a little hazy but he seemed to be following along pretty well.
"They knew she wouldn't." Tony said the anger Juniper wasn't showing in his voice. "Because Junipers a hero and they are just a bunch of cowards."
"Test of character." Ron said softly. "You wanted to see what she would say. Why do I suspect if she'd accepted the offer to stay permanently she would have mysteriously disappeared and popped up back at Hogwarts."
"We can offer you training before you go back. Auror level combat training, spells you have never heard of, potions to boost your stamina and strength..."
"Training." A soft brittle laugh came from Juniper. "A few weeks maybe a month of training and a few potions. Hes over 70 years old hes been studying, training, killing for decades. He came up with the plan to kill Albus Dumbledore, he murdered Mad-eye Moody himself. They where undefeated master wizards. Mad-eye was so strong he needed a staff to use his full power. Not to mention hes insane and has been plotting to kill me since before I was even born. Keep your training and your potions I'll depend on my friends and my family."
"I think that may be unwise." Wixington said softly.
"I don't care what you think. They've kept me alive so far. You and Shacklebolt can say what you want about how much trouble we are but I'm willing to bet my entire fortune that you don't have one auror on your team as smart as Hermione or as loyal as Ron. thats where I'll put my faith Auror Wixington. On them on the others of the ministry six, on the DA still fighting back at Hogwarts and on my...my father and his family." Tony's arm tightened around her for a second at her words.
"You heard my daughter. You can show yourselves out." Tony said coldly.
"Fine. Take this my cards included you can call me if you change your mind." Wixington said holding out the file.
"I don't like people handing me things." Juniper said as neither she nor Tony reached to take it.
"Oh my god there really are two of them." Clint muttered and Natasha made a noise making it obvious she was suppressing laughter. Hermione with a exasperated sigh took the file.
"We can take your prisoners. They will be processed as attempted murderers and punished according to MACUSA standards."
"Wait how did they know? About witches and wizards?" Hermione asked.
"They're HYDRA." Wixington answered. Then at the teens blank look she shook her head. "Oh for the love of Merlin...Do they still not teach any history but goblin rebellions at that school?"
"The teacher is literally a ghost." Hermione answered dryly.
Wixington sighed. "You know who Gellert Grindelwald was at least yes?"
"Yeah the last Dark Lord the one Dumbledore defeated in a duel that got him proclaimed leader of the light." Hermione answered.
"Yes him. Grindelwald worked with or for or possibly above Hitler in the great war. It was after Grindelwald's capture that Hitler started to fall apart. Hydra started off as a joint venture between Hitler's SS torturers and Grindelwald's Knights of Walpurgis. The worst butchers of each group looking for ways to marry magic and technology for greater power. There are witches and wizards in Hydra. There always have been. Johann Schmidt the original leader was even a Squib. His first experimental subjects where the magical members of his family. He had...issues."
"You have no idea." Steve said gruffly the name bringing back memories he'd worked hard to bury.
"You would know." Wixington said with a slight smirk. "We will ensure that the prisoners will be held where they can't be retrieved by magic. Which is as I understand what usually happens when SHIELD takes HYDRA prisoners."
Juniper saw Graves reaching for the red book the man who'd been trying to take Bucky had been reading from and whipped her wand around. "Accio book." It flew to her hand and she glared at Graves. "Didn't you mum ever teach you not to touch things that don't belong to you?"
"Didn't yours ever teach you to mind your own business? Oh thats right she was dead before you where old enough to wipe your own drool off your chin." Graves growled.
Oh and Ron and Hermione knew what kind of response that would draw. Hermione snatched Juniper's wand out of her hand and Ron grabbed her around the waist when she lunged for him.
"Graves what have I told you about provoking witches strong enough to turn you into a smear on the wall." Wixington sighed. She waved her wand at the HYDRA prisoners and the bodies of those who where no longer breathing and they where just suddenly gone. "As I said call if you change your mind. We'll be in touch."
"Don't. Stay the hell away from my kid." Tony snarled.
"Think you can make me Stark? Your technical toys are nothing to true witchcraft." Wixington almost purred.
"Keep pushing me and we'll test that theory." Tony answered. A soft hummm buzzed through the tower and the computer screens started lighting up.
"Sir Sir? Is everyone alright should I contact Agents Fury and Coulson?" Juniper actually smiled as Ron released her. Jarvis was back.
"No. Not yet. I assume Pepper and Brucie got you back online?" Tony asked.
"Yes sir Pepper was able to lock herself in the safe room before she was taken and HYDRA agents secured Mr Banner in the Hulk chamber. Pepper released him and they brought me back on-line." Jarvis answered as Bruce and Pepper both appeared on the stairs Bruce looking a little worse for wear while Pepper looked like she was resisting the impulse to run to Tony and make sure he was okay.
"Another time Stark. It was despite the outcome nice to finally meet you Juniper." Wixington raised her wand and waved it all eight aurors popped out of existence leaving behind the Avengers and the Golden trio.
Ron let out a sighed and wrapped arms around both Juniper and Hermione. "Well...so...that was a thing." Hermione let out a laugh that sounded just a bit hysterical and Juniper just snorted and shook her head.
"I wish Professor McGonagall was here she would have slapped the shit out of that witch." Hermione said with another laugh.
"I would have payed to see that. I don't know why we expected anything else." Juniper said.
"You expected more because you deserve more." Tony said softly.
Juniper just shook her head then looked over to Bucky. "Are you okay?" She asked her voice small. He'd seen her go Black. They all had but for some reason it bothered her the most that Bucky had. Instead of answering Bucky held out his hand. Assuming he wanted the book she held it out to him but instead he took her wrist tugging her closer. Thats when she realized his eyes where on her arm. Her left arm. Her bare uncovered arm. He held her wrist very gently in his metal hand and raised his right hand carefully running his hand over the scar the ran from wrist in elbow on the inside of her arm in some kind of pattern he couldn't quite figure out. "Does it hurt?" He asked his voice sounded a bit pained.
"Not so much anymore." Juniper said softly. "Its been three years."
"It looks inflamed." Natasha said softly.
"Enchanted knife. Its not meant to heal completely. Not until I kill the rat who did it." Juniper answered a bit of venom creeping into her voice. She meant it every word. She didn't need to go into any kind of Black madness to be determined to carve out Peter's heart. He was responsible for her parent and Sirius's deaths, Sirius's imprisonment, her own exile to the Dursleys and had personally murdered Cedric and raised Tom Riddle.
"Hey Tom, Peter, Snape, Fenrir and Bellatrix I assume leave some deatheaters for the rest of us will ya." Ron said softly teasingly. "I want Snape."
"Speaking of Snape you promised me you wouldn't do that spell anymore." Hermione said putting her hands on her hips giving her a glare that was wasted as Juniper was to busy looking at Bucky to notice.
"No I didn't you asked me to promise. I never did." She answered.
"Thats...Well...Thats downright Slytherin of you." Hermione coughed out realizing Juniper was right.
"HEY! Theres no reason to get insulting." Juniper protested looking over at her and turning as Bucky released her wrist. "Its a dead useful spell and as only two people know it theres no counter-spell."
"Snape invented it!" Hermione protested.
"Yes intending to use it on my dad which makes it..." Juniper trailed off.
"Alright everybody enough." Pepper said. "We've all had a really really bad night. We need to all get some sleep or at least rest. We may need to get some hotel rooms as there are holes in the tower. Again."
"Jarvis can you show us the damage on the screen?" Juniper asked. The huge screen TV lit up showing 4 different spots where windows and mortar had been blasted through one in the kitchen, another in what looked like a gym, and two more in what looked like hallways outside bedrooms.
Juniper eyes locked on the screen she raised her wand and her eyes gleamed for a moment as she seemed to be gathering her magic around her. "Reparo." They watched on screen as the glass and mortar shards flew back and seemed to replace themselves. Broken furniture and exercise equipment righted inside and knitted back together torn blinds pulling back together the chips gorged out of the floors and counters sealed up even Ron and Hermione looked surprised and impressed. When Juniper finally lowered her wand there was no trace that there had been gaping holes in the side of the tower moments ago. She took two staggering steps back and would have fallen if Bucky hadn't been there his arm around her waist as she leaned back against him. "I've got ya doll." He whispered in her ear.
"Did you see that?" Tony asked a note of pride in his voice. "Bet Wix's kid can't do that. Do you know how much you just saved me in repair bills?"
"Didn't really think money was a big concern for you Tony." Ron said brightly.
"Are you kidding I got 17 years worth of Christmas, birthday, and just because presents to catch up on." Tony answered. "Hey Kiddo what kind of car you want?"
"I don't even have a license Tony." Juniper said with a grin. "Why drive when you can fly?"
"Hey Juni get into the spirit of the thing huh. You got a guy here who wants to buy your love I say let him." Ron suggested brightly.
"Thank you Juniper." Pepper said softly reaching over to brush her hair off her face tucking it behind her ear a warm look on her face. She didn't pull away. Hermione wondered if Pepper understood what a accomplishment it was for her than Juniper didn't pull away. She was running low on magic which meant her defenses where down and that would always put a witch or wizard on high guard. Bucky was different the two of them had some kind of connection at first sight but she'd barely met Pepper and she didn't pull away. It was as good as a declaration that she would try to have some kind of relationship with her future stepmother. "Alright everyone to bed." She said clapping her hands lightly reminding all three of Molly Weasley.
"Yes mum." Clint and Ron chorused together then shared a grin.
"Great they've bonded." Hermione muttered then grabbed both Juniper and Ron's arms and glanced at Bucky. "Its okay we've been taking care of her for 7 years now we got it." And dragging them both up the stairs.
They could hear Juniper protesting even as they went up. "What do you mean you've been taking care of me? Thats not how I remember it."
"Whoever this Shack guy is he had that right at least. Havoc." Natasha said glancing up the stairs worry in her normally expressionless eyes.
"They took out a 12 man HYDRA swat team with almost no help from us. I get the feeling if we hadn't been in the middle of the room Juniper would have plowed them all under in minutes." Clint said softly. "Can we help them in this war? If all wizards and witches are that powerful..."
"They aren't." Bruce said joining them. "Hermione made it clear Juniper is way way above the normal power level."
"There was a diffrence in her spells and her friends." Tony said.
"You mean other than the obvious fact that Hermione and Ron where trying not to do permanent damage and Juniper was going for kill shots?" Natasha asked.
"I don't think it was really her. Not anymore than the Winter Soldier is really Bucky. She has a dark side the Black madness is a real thing I looked in her eyes. I saw it." Steve told her. "Her trigger is danger to people she cares about so tonight must have set her off big time."
"And you pulled her back. Why you? Why not me or that one?" Tony asked gesturing at Bucky who also gave Steve a frown.
"How am I suppose to know. Ask one of her friends, or better yet Luna shes the one who picked me. I have no idea." Steve answered.
Natasha snorted. "Oh course you don't. Think for a moment about the way the kids described the two anchors we know of Luna Lovegood and Remus Lupin. Kind, calm, smart, stable, almost always in control, never raising their voices, giving advice, and support in a warm supportive way. Who here fits that description?"
"She has a point." Bucky admitted glancing at Tony.
"And Steve has a brand new half rabid puppy to babysit. Congrats you got the set now." Natasha told him with a wry smile.
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AN- Poor poor Steve. I did consider making Bucky or possibly Natasha her anchor but Steve seemed to fit the mold I'd made better. Also one of my reviewers commented she hoped Steve and Juniper bonded ;). I hope everyone liked then hated Wix as much as I did. I don't think even I realize how hard she was propping Juniper up just to knock her back down until I did it.
AN- Next chapter should have some sweet moments with Bucky and Juniper understanding each others dark sides and if all goes to plan some familar faces. Should be a bit of a breather chapter. Cause if once again all things go to plan nines gonna be brutal.
Love you all.