AN-I don't have a set schedule but this took longer then my chapters usually do because I had a infected tooth that got into my jaw and once the infection was cleared I had the tooth pulled. Between Pain, antibiotics and pain meds I had trouble doing the late night writes I usually do. Hopefully there will be no more big gaps.
We got Wards, we got bonding, we got making up, we got Ron kiss blocking, we even get a appearance by our friendly neighborhood Spiderman. Don't worry I'll get back to torturing them next chapter :).
AN-Pixiecropse ohhh tomatoes? My favorite! but look I fixed it.
n7kairos- Oh there will be a mental battle coming up but it won't be the Horcrux leading her into the darkness. I'm actually going back and forth between the cannon destruction of the last Horcrux just because ohhhh the drama of Bucky and Tony seeing her apparently dead in Hagrid's arms and doing something I've never seen. Leaning more and more in that direction. The love as a weapon will be coming back later in a big way. *Covers my own mouth.* no giving away too much.
BioHazard82- Thank you so much. I try to update once a week but sometimes real life insists on getting in the way but it will be as often as I possible can.
gingin1975- Yeah too bad theres no curse breaker around who might start seeing signs of something more going on with Juniper huh? *winks* Bill is very handy. That is kinda my view on the argument. If it never happens its not very real and thats the whole reason I'm not going hard into instalove realism. Although I think they both might be a little more hooked that they wanna admit.
CHAPTER 11
Juniper had never liked taking Dreamless sleep or any potions really with the exception of pepper-up. The ingredients tended to be measured on a base scale using the average size and magical power of the normal witch or wizard and Juniper was smaller and stronger than average so her reactions could be skewed. Madam Pomfrey had explained it to her when she'd asked why she always had to stay in the hospital wing so long. It was so she could be watched in case of reactions to the healing potions. In addition Dreamless sleep could trap her in a vision if one came while she was asleep under the effects of the potion. Oh course she knew Tom well enough to know he would be feeling humiliated and furious but not willing to try again at least not so soon. So knowing she needed the sleep but not the dreams she took it and was out so fast she didn't even remember laying down afterwards.
She woke briefly when Natasha slipped away. Then heard Hermione and Pepper speaking briefly before Pepper left as well and Hermione took her place. Ron joined them a few minutes later. It wasn't the first time the three of them had slept in the same bed, or rather cot when they'd been staying in the tent on the run but it was the first time Juniper had been in the middle. Usually she was on the outside nearest the entrance ready to wake and defend if they where found. This time though she awoke warm for a change snuggled against Hermoine's back her friends bushy brown hair in her face, with Ron curled up at her back closest to the door one arm thrown protectively around both of them.
Juniper nudged Ron lightly and he made a soft noise before rolling onto his back. Juniper followed suit then Hermione as well.
"Nice big beds your dad has. Make you wonder what he expects is going on in these guests rooms huh." Ron said after a yawn grinning over at Juniper.
"Eww Ron not first thing in the morning." Hermione whined.
Juniper couldn't help the grin taking her by surprise considering how miserable she'd been last night. "You okay 'Mione?" She asked her friend holding out a hand which the other girl took.
"No. I'm no where near okay. I can't even see okay from where I am right now. But at least we know so we can start to deal right." Hermione said softly. "Ya know until yesterday I thought it was a bit of a reach when people called Tom genocidal but its not is it. He really does intend to completely wipe out at least muggleborns."
"Muggleborns are just the start. He can quietly get rid of the ones who haven't been publicly identified and started school, and we saw what he was trying at the ministry rounding up the muggleborn workers having them arrested and tried. Its only gonna get worse. He'll go after muggles as soon as he has a stable enough power base and it'll be all out war." Juniper said softly.
"He can't win. Theres too many muggles, and the auror was right about the muggle weapons. The wizarding world is use to close combat, guerilla tactics, ground warfare. They'll never be able to defeat a real army using missiles, and fighter jets and stuff." Hermione answered.
"Either way thousands, millions will die. Wizard and muggle." Juniper answered. "We can't let it happen."
"We won't." Ron assured her taking her other hand. "Everything else aside you did something amazing yesterday Juni. You beat him at his own game. You took control and you said George realized it which means it'll be all over the alley by now. Everyone will know you took over and took out some of his minions. Theres no way to spin that no way he can avoid the embarrassment of being bested by a 17 year old girl again. And we now know where the horcruxes are. Thanks to your pet snake and Dobby we even have a way to destroy them. The end is in sight."
The thought may have been a bit more attractive if Juniper hadn't known what the end would be. At the same time she knew that was a selfish attitude. The longer this lasted the more people died, the more people suffered.
"It did feel good to be on the offence for once." She admitted then gave a deep sigh. "We got so much to do today. We got a ward to build, a brain-washing to reverse, and a horcrux to destroy."
"How are you feeling?" Hermione asked. "I know your magic tends to rebound pretty quick but are you up to powering a ward?" The initial powering of a ward could take a pretty substantial chunk of power but afterwards as long as it wasn't triggered it was a loop that could last for centuries with no drain on the caster. If it was triggered not only would it repel any attackers and keep them out until and unless they brought it down it would also alert anyone whos power was in the ward that it was being attacked.
"As long as Bill casts it I'll be fine powering it." Juniper answered. "I won't be doing anything with the brain-washing part thats completely Bill and Remus no way I'm trying to mess with Bucky's mind and hopefully this horcrux won't be able to fight back like the diary. It doesn't have as big of a soul piece as it did. The diary was a full half I think thats why it had a physical manifestation. The locket should be a piece of cake."
"Why would you say something like that?" Hermione almost wailed looking over at her accusingly. "Merlin, Juniper now we're all gonna get killed by a stupid necklace." Ron tried not to snicker but failed miserably breaking out into full and loud laughter that had both girls glaring at him.
"I've missed this. I like your dad and his friends and all and Merlin knows we needed some time apart after all those months hiding in the woods but I missed it being the three of us." Ron said as his laughter calmed.
"I miss Ginny, Luna, and Neville but this really does feel like the old days." Hermione said.
"Wanna go find a troll to fight just for nostalgias sake?" Juniper asked sweetly leaning her head against Hermione's shoulder for a moment. Ron and Hermione exchanged a glance then pounced as one tickling her until tears where running down her face along with the laughter.
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Juniper was about to open the kitchen door and enter to find something to eat when a light hand touched her shoulder. She looked up in surprise to see Clint looking at her with amusement twinkling in his eyes and he put a finger to his mouth in a shhh motion. She stayed silent but confused as she'd barely interacted with this particular Avenger but Ron had practically adopted him as another brother so she didn't distrust him any more than she did any other male. He leaned around her to push the swinging door just barely open and motioned for her to peek in.
Still confused Juniper did so and was a bit surprised to see Steve and Remus both still in the same clothes they'd been wearing the night before sitting across from each other at the kitchen table talking happily. Remus was smiling a more genuine smile than she'd seen from him since Sirius had died. And was he drinking...coffee?
Juniper took a step back and looked up at Clint. "Have they been in there talking all night?" She asked.
Clint smiled looking pleased. "Yup. I'm pretty sure Nat owes me 20 bucks. Shes being trying to set Cap up with some pretty little girls for months. I told her she should be trying older guys."
"But...but..." Juniper glanced back at the kitchen door still feeling confused. She'd never imagined Remus so much as looking at anyone besides Sirius. They'd been joined at the hip since they where eleven years old for Merlin's sake.
"I know its weird when a parent type starts looking at someone new but I also know you want him to be happy. Its a good thing." Clint said softly a hand on her shoulder. And Juniper suddenly knew this was why Clint had stopped her from going into the kitchen. To give her a chance to see and adjust a bit before reacting in front of Remus and Steve. If she'd reacted badly they both would have pulled back. That was just the kind of men both of them where.
Steve was a good man and yes she did want Remus to be happy. Even if nothing came from this night but friendship it was good for him. Especially if something happened to her. She looked up at Clint. "Thanks."
He nodded not even pretending he didn't know what she was talking about. "Where are the other two?" He asked putting a arm around her shoulders steering her towards the front door.
"Ron went back to sleep, and Hermiones eating down in the lab with Bruce. I think hes considering adopting her." Juniper replied her lips twitching. "Where are we going?"
"Rhodey and I are taking you out for breakfast. He already went to get the car." Clint answered pausing by the front door to grab his own jacket then the one Bucky had given Juniper's as her own from the first night they'd come to the tower had been bloody and cut up from being used for blood samples anyway.
"How did...Dobby." Juniper answered her own half asked question rolling her eyes pulling the jacket on. The little elf had a habit of putting her things away for her anytime he was in her vicinity. A hold over from when he'd belonged to the Malfoys and had done to same for Draco. "And why are you and Rhodey taking me out for breakfast?"
"Cause its a uncle kinda thing to do." Clint answered with a shrug.
Juniper shrugged as well. "Okay sounds legit." She said not knowing if that was true or not. The only uncle she'd had before she'd met Tony had been Vernon and he'd certainly never taken her to breakfast, hell he resented her eating a apple or a peanut butter sandwich he'd paid for but she wasn't dumb enough to believe the Dursleys where the correct model for family relationships.
"Jarvis if Tony or Bucky start looking for Juniper please tell them shes been kidnapped by a assassin and a soldier and you don't know where they took her." Clint told the AI as they stepped into the elevator.
"Very good Agent Barton and I assume you'll pay for repairs when they rip the city apart looking for her." Jarvis asked calmly.
"Oh course not thats what Pepper is for. Stepping on her toes like that would be highly insensitive." Clint answered giving Juniper a mischievous grin. She was starting to see why Ron liked him.
"Don't think Buckys gonna be looking for me." Juniper said with a shrug.
"I'd be shocked if he doesn't. Hes crazy about you Bambi." Clint answered his grin widening when Juniper grimaced slightly at the nickname as she remembered Remus using it the day before.
"That was a childhood nickname. Siri use to call me that." Juniper said softly.
"Does it bother you?" Clint asked his own grin turning to a grimace as well.
"No not really. Sirius was one of the few adults in my life I could actually depend on. Hes not a bad memory. I won't let him be a bad memory." Juniper answered.
"Your a good kid Juniper." Clint said. "I hope pretty soon I'll make it on to that list as well." He said as they stepped off the elevator and he opened the door of the car sitting by the elevator Rhodey behind the wheel.
"Feeding me is a good start." Juniper answered.
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"Have you two been in here all night?" Steve and Remus both looked up in surprise when Tony entered the kitchen Bill trailing behind. The two of them had been up almost all night as well but down in Tony's lab where Tony had been showing the wizard his newest inventions and Bill had been telling him tales of Juniper's childhood. Eventually Bill had fallen asleep on the couch and Tony had just woken him with a offer of breakfast and coffee.
"Is is morning already?" Steve asked grinning at Remus. "I didn't even notice."
Tony looked at them for a minute then grinned as well shaking his head. "Come on Capsicle lets get our guests some breakfast." Steve stood and moved over to the food preparation area with Tony
Bill sat with Remus and gave him a grin almost a smirk. "Nice evening Moony?" he asked keeping his voice low.
"Don't start. Its just nice talking to a mature adult whos interested in some of the same things I am." Remus answered giving the younger man a frown. It was true he and Steve had started talking about the respective wars they had fought in and then comparing muggle and wizarding history and how they crossed and affected each other. Sirius and Juniper had always listened to him talk about history but it had been more them humoring him and not contributing than a actual conversation. Oh course he did...had done the same when Sirius talked about motorcycles and Juniper about wand lore so fair enough. He and Steve had a lot in common and the fact that he was attractive wasn't something that had escaped his attention but he was also more than 10 years his junior in practical experience and appearance if not actual years.
"Whatever you say Remus." Bill replied. The conversation ended when Bucky walked in his eyes scanning the room obviously looking for someone he didn't find.
"Junipers not here? Ron said she was getting breakfast."
"Why didn't you just ask Jarvis?" Tony asked with a sigh. He'd reminded the soldier about the AI more than a few times but he always seemed to need to do things the hard way. "Jarvis wheres my kid?"
"Agent Barton wished me to tell you that Juniper was kidnapped by a assassin and a soldier and I don't know where they took her." Jarvis answered. Alarm flashed across the wizards faces and even Bucky's for a second.
"And where did Clint and Rhodey actually take her?"
"Out for breakfast. Agent Barton and Colonel Rhodes phones are located at Rosie's café at the moment. I believe they've both decided to embrace the uncle role." Jarvis replied.
"Why didn't you just tell Bucky when he asked Ron where she was." Steve asked curiously.
There was silence for a moment then Jarvis answered in a voice that in a human might have been considered sulky. "He upset Ms Juniper."
Tony couldn't decide if he should be alarmed or amused. AIs weren't suppose to have emotions. Jarvis had always been far more advanced than any other system ever created but developing protective instincts towards a person living in the tower wasn't something he'd anticipated.
Remus chuckled softly. "Juniper has always been good with buildings. I remember once during 3rd year she and Ron had done something to annoy the twins and they where chasing them through the hallways at Hogwarts. The castle shifted the stairs so she and Ron ended up on the ground floor near the exit doors and the twins on the ninth."
"Juniper has a talent for sparking protective instincts. At least in those capable of it." Bill said his face darkened for a moment as he thought of her detestable relatives then his gaze shifted to Bucky. "As for you..."
"Let me guess I should stay away from her, I'm not good enough for her, I'm too old for her, and if I don't leave her alone your gonna curse me." Bucky asked a sneer twisted his face.
"No. Your not good enough for her that I agree with but if she waits around for someone who is its gonna be a hell of a long wait. I suppose someone whos willing to stand between her and a werewolf and hold her as she does mental battle with a dark lord isn't a bad compromise. But you do need to understand shes never been in a relationship before and those relatives of hers messed her up. Dumbledore didn't help either Rons not wrong about that. Shes gone through hell and shes not come out the other side yet. Even after Tom Riddle is dead chances are there will be other wanna-be dark lords who will want to use her to make a name for themselves and death eaters who will want revenge. Its going to be a long time before she'll feel safe and until then she is gonna be tossing herself into danger because its who she is. Shes a leader a protector and shes saved a hell of a lot of lives already. If your gonna be with her your gonna have to accept that. She will never be a easy girlfriend who'll sit in the corner while you fight the great bad thing on her behalf. In fact yesterday will probably not be the last time you will be helpless to do anything but be there because shes fighting a battle on a level you can't reach. If you can't accept that walk away now because if you hurt her again it won't be me who comes for you. It'll be Charlie. He trains dragons he knows what to do with the body." Bill sipped the coffee Tony handed him as he talked but his eyes never left Bucky.
Dragons. He'd been threatened a lot of different ways over the years but that was the first time he'd been threatened with dragons. "I'm not walking away." It would be easier he knew that but the thought of never holding Juniper again, never kissing her, never looking into those emerald eyes dancing with amusement at something one of her friends had said or did or cuddling with her while watching a movie...that was more than hard that was impossible. He'd only met her a few days ago but the 6 months before that since he'd broken free of HYDRA he'd been just surviving, fighting when he had to, adjusting to a new grey world but Juniper had brought color back, brought fire back. She gave him a reason to live instead of survive. Something worth fighting for. Hope for the future. She'd given him back the things HYDRA had stolen from him and he was not going to loose her. Not to a insane dark lord, not to a overprotective father or surrogate brothers and not to the demons in either of their heads.
"Good." Bill said to his surprise. "Welcome to the family. We need to get this ward up then we'll see if we can get HYDRA out of your head. Ward first just in cause their witches feel what we're trying to do and decide to interfere. Eat you'll need your strength."
"You gonna let Juniper power the whole thing?" Remus asked.
Bill snorted. "No we got 3 wizards and 2 witches in this tower at the moment. Theres no reason for her to power the whole thing alone. Shes strong but 5 layers will be stronger than 1 no matter how strong and it will also allow all 5 of us to respond if the wards are attacked. Its safer and less draining for her."
"Has she done this before?" Tony asked.
"Helped power a ward?" At Tonys nod Bill nodded as well. "Yeah at Weasley's wizarding wheezes, The Burrow, The Tonks, and The Rookery. Safe houses. The others Longbottom manor, The Bones estate, and The Diggorys are old light family homes with ancient layered wards that are still strong enough to stand until they can be evacuated if it becomes necessary. Shes good at it if she wanted to put in the effort she could be a ward master as well in 5 or 6 years."
Remus shook his head. "She has the power but she doesn't like dealing with the Arithmancy involved. She and Ron intentionally took Divination and Care of magical creatures third year so Hermione didn't drag them into Arithmancy or Ancient Runes classes."
"What does she want to do?" Tony asked realizing they'd heard quite a bit about Juniper's past, about her fights but not so much about plans for the future.
"The last time we talked about it she wanted to join the Aurors but that had a lot to do with following in James footsteps. She enjoys wand lore its something shes studied on her own after spending some time with Ollivander when she was staying in Diagon alley when she was thirteen." Remus answered.
"She could play professional Quidditch too shes more than good enough. Honestly though she'll probably be forced into politics in some capacity." Bill said.
"No ones going to force her into anything." Steve said surprising them all as he handed Bucky a plate of eggs sausage and pancakes. "Once this war is over its her turn to make her own choices. Shes been forced into enough."
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Clint and Rhodey where sweet and well meaning Juniper decided but not as subtle and slick as they thought they where. But if this was what having uncles would be like she could get use to it.
They had talked up New York on the drive to the dinner as if they where trying to sell her on the city. Juniper could have told them she'd fallen in love with New York the first time Natasha had taken her out but it was more fun listening to them talking about the restaurants, museums, theatres, parks, and land marks. Then the colleges that would oh course be eager to enroll the daughter of genius billionaire Tony Stark you know if she ever decided she wanted a muggle education.
Rosie's café was a small place locally owned Clint informed her with the best crepes in the state. Which Juniper did order on his recommendation. They weren't bad although they weren't as good as Bucky's pancakes. She'd just taken her first bite when Clint asked the question that left her in no doubt about exactly what they where about.
"So Juniper what are your plans for after the war?"
Juniper couldn't help it. She knew they where trying to help but she was a Potter and a Stark after all. "Shawarma. I think I'll try some shawarma then maybe a nap."
Rhodey glanced over at Clint. "Is it genetic or has she already spent too much time with Tony?"
"Genetic definitely genetic." Clint answered with a nod.
"My turn. Did you talk to a mind healer, a psychologist, or just a counselor? Cause you know Bill and Charlie went with a mind healer before their little talk with me." She took a sip of the tea she'd ordered pleased at how strong it was.
"A counselor. Sam hes a friend of Steves." Rhodey admitted as Clint just slid down in his seat a little.
"Cool so is this the part where your trying to decide if I'm suicidal by finding out if I have plans for the future or the part where you try to make me find things to look forward too?" Juniper asked.
The two men exchanged glances. "Your suppose to be a super spy assassin shouldn't you be better at this?" Rhodey asked Clint.
"Nats more the spy part of the team. Anyway shes Tony's kid which means shes like a genius right."
"Look not that I don't appreciate this little intervention or whatever but its not necessary. I know I'm screwed up. I know I probably got PTSD, a savior complex, anxiety, and I guess paranoia except people really are out to get me, and I know I can be reckless but I'm not suicidal. I do have things I wanna do beyond the war. I want to have a family. I want to get to know Tony and go to his and Pepper's wedding. I want to see what happens between Remus and Steve. I really want to see what Hermione comes up with after the war cause I think shes going to be amazing once she has the power to change things. I want to see the ocean and go on a proper vacation and learn how Jarvis works. But I've also faced the fact that there is a chance I will have to die to destroy Tom. To save the wizarding world of Britain at the least, to stop another war and save millions of lives. Its the last resort but if it comes to that I will do what I have too. Wix was right one life to stop a war to save millions is a small price to pay and you both know you'd do it if you had too. Sometimes the greater good requires sacrifice." Juniper's voice was soft but strong but she didn't mention Bucky because if she did she knew she would crack and she didn't want that. She also wanted to know what she could have with him because she had a feeling it could have been something special.
Rhody leaned forward slightly reaching across the table to put a hand on her cheek. "Theres a diffrence peanut. We aren't seventeen. We've both had a chance to live. You haven't."
"I've fought a dragon, saved a damsel in distress, flown a broom, saved my godfather from prison and soul sucking demons, had a part in unseating a corrupt minister and freed a truly pure soul from slavery you done any of that?" Juniper asked giving him a weak smile.
"Shit I think I need to go back and make your dad tell me more of the story here." Rhody said eyes widening slightly sitting back.
"Yeah yeah our niece is a hero like capital H hero." Clint said then met Juniper's eyes. "Theres always another way. You find it we'll make it happen got it?"
"Got it." Juniper answered hoping Clint was right hoping Hermione found something in one of her books or Luna had a genius vision. At the moment her entire hope of still being among the living this time next year hung on her two best female friends. No more fair than anything else in her or life or any less true.
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"Jarvis is Ron here?" Juniper asked as she walked into the suite she'd been sharing with her two friends a hour or so later her 3rd cup of tea in her hand.
"He is downstairs with his brother. I believe he was drafted to assist him in carving runes into stones for the wards." Jarvis answered.
"Ugh glad I missed that." Juniper said pretending to shudder. She liked runes better than arithmancy but it still wasn't her favorite thing. It was so dry so...certain. She liked a little unpredictability in her magic. She picked up her sketch pad and pencil's and sat in the window seat with her tea. "Could you not tell Bill I'm back until that parts done?"
"I'm well practiced in protecting Starks from those who want them to do work they aren't interested in." Jarvis answered making Juniper laugh.
"I suppose you probably are. Can I have some music Jarvis. Just something calm and relaxing." She requested.
"Oh course Ms Juniper." Knowing she liked classical music he started another piano piece she was silent listening for a moment then asked. "Mozart?"
"Yes Ms Juniper Lacrimosa." He answered.
"Thank you Jarvis."
Juniper sat quietly drawing and listening to the music Jarvis chose for her sipping her tea for about 20 minutes before Jarvis spoke again. "Ms Juniper Mr Barnes is coming to speak with you should I allow him entrance?"
Juniper froze for a moment then sighed. "Yeah okay." She said softly continuing to draw as the door opened and Bucky entered bringing with him the scent of leather, his aftershave and the slightest hint of gunpowder. She didn't look up until he had crossed over and knelt beside her. She looked over at him with a almost unbearable sadness in her big green eyes that nearly broke his heart. "Still mad at me?"
"Oh doll I was never mad at you. I was scared for you." Bucky said softly reaching out to gently caress her cheek. He could never be so close to her without touching her. She put her own hand over his holding it too her cheek. "You where hurting you where dying..." He seemed to choke on the word before clearing his throat. "And I couldn't do a damn thing. I'm not use to being helpless. I'm use to being one of the strongest in the room being able to beat or shoot the enemy into submission but I can't protect you when the fights in here." He touched her temple lightly.
"But you did." Juniper said softly. "Dobby kept me breathing kept my heart beating but it was your arms that kept me safe and your heartbeat that led me back. You where my beacon and my safe place. Thats why I asked you not to let me go and you didn't. I can't change who I am Bucky not even for you. I can't be a observer I'm a fighter and I can't spend the fight worrying if your going to be waiting to snap at me for being reckless and stupid."
"I didn't..." He paused for a moment considering his next words carefully. "mean to do that. Your not stupid your far from stupid and I'm sorry If I...That I snapped at you. I would never hurt you on purpose. I'm not going to lie you are reckless and you know it. I want to protect you I don't want to loose you and knowing theres a group of Nazi wizards who want you dead is infuriating. I don't want you to change who you are. Your the girl I'm falling for every reckless, heroic, impulsive, protective inch of you. This is my problem not yours I'll handle it. Are you gonna forgive me doll? Give me another chance?"
Juniper's eyes searched his face for a moment then she smiled softly. "If you dance with me."
Surprise flashed over Buckys face and he smiled ruefully as he stood upright. "I hope you know your putting your feet at risk. Its been a very long time since I danced." He said giving a slight bow and holding his hand out to her as Jarvis switched the song from Fur elise to the song from the dance scene in Labyrinth to his amusement. Juniper stood and moved into his arms. She was wearing jeans and a green sweatshirt two sizes to big for her that he suspected had originally been Ron's but she moved as gracefully as if she wearing a ballgown.
It only took seconds for Bucky to remember why he'd always had a habit of taking the girls he dated back in the old days dancing. Holding Juniper close in his arms looking down into those emerald eyes. She knew how to dance formally properly as well which surprised him a bit as from what he'd seen dancing was alot different now than it was back when the old fashion Waltz was popular. Maybe the yule ball they'd mentioned a few times was more formal than he'd known. Juniper knew exactly why she'd asked for a dance. The yule ball had been one of the only times in her life when she'd felt normal like just a girl on a date with a guy she liked and the music had reminded her of it. She wanted to pretend just for a moment that her life could be like that again. Just a normal girl dancing with the guy she liked. The guy she was falling in love with.
"Your so beautiful." Bucky whispered softly leaning over slightly to rest his forehead against hers. Usually Juniper would have protested. She was cute at best. Too small, too thin, too pale her hair a mess as usual, with scarred arms and hand me down clothes but when Bucky looked at her she felt beautiful. His lips where just about to touch hers when the door opened and Ron entered.
"Oh come on." Juniper complained her frustration obvious Bucky would probably have been just as annoyed if he hadn't found Juniper's reaction so adorable as it was he had to hide his grin smothering a chuckle.
"Oh great you made up. I was so hoping you two would make it work." Ron said his deadpan delivery making the lie obvious.
"What do you want?" Juniper asked scowling at him and not stepping away from Bucky.
"The prep is done we're all ready to put up the wards."
"Right the wards." Juniper said with a sigh. Then looked up at Bucky. "Wanna see some magic?"
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Everyone else was already gathered on the roof of the tower when they arrived. Most of them smiled at least a little to see Bucky and Juniper where holding hands again even Tony only sighed while Rhodey rolled his eyes.
"We're doing a layered ward..." Bill started.
"I can do it Bill." Juniper interrupted.
"But you don't have to brat. There are 5 magicals in this tower who all want it protected. Layered wards are more complicated to unravel."
"A solid ward would stand up better to powerful blasts."
"Not enough to make a huge diffrence with you anchoring it and me casting. HYDRA and MACUSA are both more likely to try to pull it apart before using blasts."
"But deatheaters..."
"Are less likely to even be here and from what Tony said the American aurors would take care of them soon as they realized they where. Stop assuming your the smartest person in the room." Bill answered smirking slightly.
"Why? Its usually true." Juniper asked smirking right back. A few of the Avengers had to avert their eyes to keep from laughing at that. Sometimes she sounded so much like Tony it was spooky.
"Not this time. This is my specialty. That is why you called me remember. Now behave or I'll anchor it myself."
"Fine." Juniper said with a huff.
"How does he win a argument with her?" Hermione asked Ron.
"Oldest brother power. Its a mysterious and little know branch of ancient magic." Ron told her with a serious nod.
"Ya know it'd be a real shame if you two fell off the edge up here." Juniper told them eyes narrowed as she released Bucky's hand moving closer to the main ward stone set into the roof where Bill, and Remus where already standing.
"Awww Juni you'd never do that. You know you couldn't manage without us." Ron answered with a snicker even as Hermione paled slightly. Even though she knew good and well Juniper would never carry out the implied threat the thought was enough to make her stomach flip. She'd never been good with heights.
"Okay everyone on this roof will be keyed into the wards and capable of moving through with no issues. I'll give you ward keys to give to anyone else they'll be capable of letting one person through the wards." Bill said.
"And it won't mess with the tech in the tower?" Hermione asked for clarification.
"No its not the presence of magic that messes up tech its high concentrations. If it was just magic in general childens accidental magics would be blowing things out constantly. Hogwarts, Hogsmede, and Diagon are all soaked in magic to the point that it affects the nature of reality in those spots. Wards are perfectly safe." Bill assured her. "Is everyone here?"
"Almost just waiting on..." Hermione let out a small shriek as a figure dressed in what looked like a red and blue bodysuit complete with a mask and a spider on the chest landed next to her with barely a sound. "Peter." Pepper finished holding up at hand as Juniper, Bill, and Remus's wands where immediately leveled at the boy.
"Hi Mr Stark. Got here as soon as I could had to sneak out of class don't tell Aunt May." He said brightly pulling off the mask to reveal a cute guy a year or so younger than Juniper with bright friendly eyes and a almost bashful smile. He glanced over at the new people having been briefed about what was going on by Tony when he'd called him to come over so he could be keyed into the wards. His eyes found the girl who had to be Mr Stark's daughter the one who looked a bit like him. "Hi I'm Peter...Parker."
"Thrilled." Juniper answered her voice sounding anything but. She knew it was irrational but just the name Peter gave her anxiety even though his looks and attitude so far where more Neville than Wormtail. "Just stand over there with the others." She waved a hand as if shooing him away.
"Uhh yeah yeah right." Peter answered backing up to stand beside Tony and Pepper.
"Okay then. wards are essential magic so your probably gonna be seeing colors, lights, maybe smell things, feel things. Its all normal as your all being keyed in nobody outside will see hear or feel any of it. Junipers gonna anchor the wards with her power, then I'll add the next layer, then Remus, Hermione and finally Ron. That makes the center the strongest so the closer they get the more power they have to expend to try to break it. The wards stones we sank into the floors on each level will let it flow through to each floor and center the wards." Bill explained then nodded at Juniper. "Ready?"
Juniper nodded and lifted her wand she took a deep breathe and let the magic come. For this there was no incantation she just more or less let her magic know what she wanted it to do and she made the motions half on her own half letting her wand do what it wanted too directing the magic. Juniper's magic was red and gold Gryffindor colors not much surprise to the witch or wizards. Juniper was Gryffindor to the core. There was a smell of the coming storm along with the colors and the smell of fire and a feeling a impression of the fire holding back a darkness. It all went into the wards the red and gold magic, the storm, the fire, and even the darkness soaring out to surround and protect the top 10 floors of Avenger's tower. It all faded as Juniper lowered her wand and stepped a few steps back from the main ward stone.
Bill was next his colors where gold and silver and they could smell the scents of the desert sand and heat they could smell what seemed to be hot metal it didn't feel as over powering as Juniper's magic but there was almost a wildness to it a different kind of strength that also went in the wards binding with and covering Juniper's part. His wand lowered.
Remus stepped up next. His colors where brown and green bringing with it the smells of wet earth and forest, mountains and streams all the scents of the wild places a wolf might roam. There was a hard core of control to his magic and a sense of warm protection. That added to the ward.
Hermione stepped forward as Remus stepped back. The scent of water came even before the blue and white colors this time. The scent of parchment and books swept over them next. Logic cool logic, devotion, determination. Hermione feed it into the ward instead of gathering and pushing it as the others had so that it flowed over more slowly and she seemed a bit more drained as she stepped back.
Ron was the last. If anyone was surprised that his colors where the same as Juniper's red and gold none of them showed it. Wind whipped up from seemingly nowhere carrying the scent of fire with it. Wind feeding the fire. Nobility bone deep. A born hero content to play the side kick from loyalty. That finished off the ward sealing it.
Bill raised his wand a incantation in Latin falling from his lips and then he brought both arms down sharply. There was a boom like thunder and to those able to see the magic that had just been woven the top 10 floors of the Avengers towers lit up like a lighthouse for a few moments then it faded taking with it all the scents and feelings the magic had brought.
Bill smiled over at Juniper. "Now thats how you build a stronger ward."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
"So red and gold?" Tony asked as they all sat in the family room again for a breather before the anti-brain washing started. When Juniper looked at him in question he clarified. "Your power. Rons too red and gold."
"Oh Gryffindor colors." Juniper said with a grin leaning back against Bucky on the couch as he slid a arm around her waist.
"Only makes sense. She has Gryffindor's sword, shes the current leader of the house, Shes the most Gryffindory student the school has had since Godric himself." Ron said brightly.
"The hat almost put me in Slytherin."
Ron's reaction was immediate and dramatic. The sip of soda he'd taken after speaking spewing across the room as he nearly choked, coughing, hand to his chest as Bill reached over to pat him on the back. "THE HAT WHAT?" he yelled as soon as he regained his breathe.
"Nearly put me in Slytherin. Did I stutter?"
"And you just never mentioned it for seven years?"
"Maybe she thought you'd react badly." Hermione stated dryly not nearly as surprised as Ron. They'd both seen Juniper's Slytherin side peek out occasionally but Ron would never admit it unless Juniper started killing puppies. To Ron Slytherin equaled evil.
"Just been waiting for the right time. I've always wanted to see a spit take live and in person." Juniper said.
"But...but your not evil." Ron said actually looking a little betrayed.
"Oh honestly Ron grow up." Bill sighed. "Not every Slytherin is evil. In fact most abused children do go to Slytherin. The qualities they developed to survive that kind of home life is the same ones Slytherin valued."
"None of the Slytherins in our year..."
"Theo Notts father beat the hell out of him, Daphne Greenglass's step mother hated her and her sister, and Blaise Merlin Ron you really think a mom whos murdered eight husbands is all warm and cuddly to her son. Even Draco his parents loved him but they where cold as ice. The only Slytherins in our year that have a decent home life are Parkinson, and Bulstrode." Hermione informed him.
"How do you know all that?" Ron glanced at Juniper. "How is it she knows everything."
Juniper shrugged. "Shes Hermione thats what she does she reads alot and she knows things." Her eyes where guarded as she watched Ron waiting to see what he was going to do with the new information she'd just dumped on him. It wasn't something she'd ever intended to tell him but listening to him say how Gryffindor she was it had just kinda slipped out.
"Why did the hat put you in Gryffindor instead?" Remus asked even as Bill, Tony, Hermione and Bucky where glaring daggers at Ron because of his reaction.
"Because I asked it too. I'd already met Draco and didn't wanna spend seven years in a house with him and I had also met Ron and he was the first friend I ever had and he'd already made it clear he hated Slytherins." Juniper answered.
"Don't be dumb Juni we would have been friends anyway. It may have taken longer if you where in Slytherin but we where always gonna be best friends." Ron snorted.
The tension draining from Juniper's shoulders was so obvious even Ron noticed. "Even if I'd been evil?"
"I'd have saved you from yourself dragged you over to the light side. It would have been very dramatic and moving. Seriously everyone would have had tears in their eyes at my heroic actions." Ron answered nodding.
"Your such a idiot." Juniper said laughter in her voice.
"This is the thanks I get for saving you from being forced to wear green and silver and live in the dungeon dorms for seven years. Not to mention having Snape as a head of house." Juniper made a face at his words shuddering.
"I'm sure shes very grateful for the save Won-Won." Hermione who's started sorting through the letters Dobby had brought them said not looking up from the stack of light purple parchment papers she'd come too.
"What?" Ron asked looking over at her in surprise. Only one person had ever called him that.
"Dobby brought you letters from Lavender. She must have been writting one at least once a week. There some from your family too but mostly Lavender." Hermione answered holding out the stack.
"Merlin." Rom muttered taking the stack and leaning back in his chair studying the parchment but not opening them.
Hermione had her own stack in her lap and Juniper could see Viktor's spidery writing on one and Ginny's more blocky printing on another. She handed the biggest stack to Juniper. "You got stuff from Neville, Ginny, Luna, all the Weasleys, Viktor, Susan, Terry, Draco and Blaise, heck everybody."
"Everyones been sending things to Neville assuming you'd eventually figure out a way to get it touch. There should be a few letters from Fleur for both of you but I want to talk to you privately before you open them." Bill said.
Juniper nodded but her attention was on the letters. Two in particular the one from Neville and the one from Luna. She took a deep breathe and opened the one from Neville. "Read it aloud Juni." Hermione near ordered.
"Dear, Juni I can't tell you how good it is to finally hear from you three, At first I was skeptical when Dobby popped up but once he mentioned the map I knew it was really from you. First off Luna had a vision I know by the time you get this my parents will finally be at peace. Its okay Juni. Its not on you. We tried to get word to Kingsley but all forms of communications in and out of Hogwarts has been cut except apparently elf-post. They even found a way to block patronuses. As for your order to stand down keep our heads down and not provoke the death eaters I, Terry, Susan, Ginny, and Luna have considered it and have decided as its a dumb-ass order that you yourself wouldn't obey we're gonna ignore it." Juniper paused momentarily to mutter under her breathe about stubborn idiots. "Our new Slytherin members have been extremely helpful in our campaign of harassment especially Pansy as Draco and Blaise have been distracted. We don't really see alot of Snape hes left the school mostly to the Carrows our new dark arts professors. They've dropped the Defense against entirely. No students have been killed as of yet but... Oh Merlin, They've been trying to force us to practice the Cruciatus Curse on first years. We the schools older years as a group have refused so far. Punishments have been handed out harsher for the Gryffindors oh course as they say we are instigators. They aren't wrong. Last week one of the Carrows was bad mouthing you in ear shot of Collin Creevey. I think you can guess what happened. Terry stepped in to protect the kid and..." Juniper stopped reading entirely her face going pale as she closed her eyes.
Bucky took the parchment from her hand and continued for her. "Amycus Carrow nearly took his sight. He did loose one eye but Madame Pomfrey was able to save most of the sight in the other. Terry says hes cool because now he can wear a eyepatch and girls are turned on by pirates. The rest of the Ravenclaws are enraged and any who where on the fence are now firmly with us. The teachers are doing the best they can but they are preforming a balancing act they don't want to be expelled from the school because the Carrows would surely replace them with more deatheaters but they are doing their best to protect the students as best they can. Professor McGonagall has nearly come to blows with Alecto Carrow a few times. Hagrid had to flee complete after throwing a support Juniper Potter party. Hes fine though he and Fang have disappeared into the forbidden forest. They have sent Death eaters in to try and find him but the bodies have been returned riddled with arrows, ripped into pieces or in one case chewed up in really disturbing ways. I guess we can't make fun of his preference for dangerous pets anymore. It also seems even Deatheaters are intimidated by Madam Pince as the library has become a safe zone. The Carrows don't go there. If you have any more orders that don't involve us acting like cowards let us know and we'll get it done. On a more personal level don't forget that our families have been allies since before recorded history and no Potter or Longbottom have ever went into battle without the other at their back. We're not going to break that tradition this generation. You call I come. I will always find a way to your side. To the end. Your Godbrother and loyal servant Lord Neville Longbottom."
"That sounds like Terry." Hermione said tears shining in her eyes.
"Hes fine." Ron said softly. "Terrys strong, smart and super charming this won't even slow him down."
"Are all your people that loyal?" Steve asked.
"Most are." Hermione said before Juniper could answer. "They know what Junipers capable of. They've been watching her do stuff everyone said couldn't be done for seven years, protect the school and them for seven years. They know how strong her magic is and what shes like."
"They know what Toms trying to do and that I'm meant to stop him." Juniper broke in.
"Oh please. How many in the DA do you honestly think would have joined Dumbledore's Order? The Gryffindors probably but thats it. Which was one of the reasons the order wasn't more effective. We got members from all four houses now." Ron said. "Most of then don't even know the prophecy. Its you Juniper."
"Okay alright enough of this. You three go read your letters and you can share anything we need to know later. Just none of Lavender cooing over her precious Won-won if you don't mind my stomach couldn't take it." Bill said then looked over at Bucky. "Do you want to do this here or would you be more comfortable in another room?"
Bucky's arm tightened around Juniper's waist for a moment. "Heres good."
"I want to stay." Juniper said.
"Absolutely not." Remus answered and held up a hand as she started to object. "Your magic acts up when you get emotional and we don't know whats going to happen once we start. Steve can stay and Hermione if its okay with Bucky shes got some knowledge of mind magics and her magic is much more logic based than yours."
"Its fine." Bucky told her and gave her a gentle kiss ignoring everyone else watching. "I'll come find you after."
"You'll be exhausted after I'll come find you." Juniper promised caressing his face cheek lightly and leaned closer whispering in his ear. "Just trust them. It'll be okay I promise." she said then stood and followed the others out.
"Steve if you could sit next to Bucky, Hermione stay where you are." Remus said his voice confidant and warm. As Steve moved to the couch and Hermione stayed in the chair where she was sitting Remus and Bill pulled over chairs to face Bucky's spot on the couch.
"I know its not going to be easy but the less you resist the easier this will be. Its normal to push back at someone trying to look into your brain. Especially when you've already experienced it in a painful manner. We're going to go slow and easy and do our best to make sure it doesn't hurt. If your not sure you want this done tell us now. It will be more difficult to stop once we start." Bill said softly.
"Will you see my memories when you do this?" Bucky asked he himself wasn't comfortable knowing what he'd done as the Winter Soldier and he wasn't sure if he wanted them to see it especially since they where Juniper's family. Maybe it was pathetic but he know Tony and Rhodey already didn't care for their relationship and he seemed to have at least tentative approval from Bill and Remus he wanted to keep it.
"Possibly. It wasn't your fault. Nothing you did was under your control. If we're right about what they've done the fact that you broke their control is massively impressive. I've only heard of 3 people being able to shake off the imperious curse Merlin, Dumbledore, and Juniper and that has more to do with magical power than will power. To break that kind of control without any magic is unheard of." Bill said softly.
"I know what it is to do things you never would have under your own control. I would have killed Juniper, Ron and Hermione if it wasn't for Sirius, and Hagrid's Hippogriff and never even remembered it." Remus said. That night back in Juniper's 3rd year still haunted him. It had been both one of the best and one of the worst nights in his life. "After the first war I worked with imperious survivors. Ordinary good men who'd raped, tortured, and murdered under the curse. I've come to believe its worse that the killing curse by far and even the torture curse. Nothing we see nothing we hear will leave this room. Hermione won't see anything shes just here to observe. What you do or don't tell Juniper is up to you." Remus told him gently. "I understand you not quite trusting either of us yet but believe we'd never hurt Juniper and at the moment hurting you would amount to the same thing."
Bucky took a deep breathe and nodded. "Lets get it over with."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Not being able to do anything was driving Juniper crazy within minutes. She and Ron had retreated to their rooms and Juniper had already dug her snitch out of Hermione's bag tossing it up and catching it pacing as Ron sat on the small couch reading his letters. Juniper knew she should be doing the same thing but she couldn't calm herself down enough to concentrate.
"They'll take care of him you know." Ron said softly.
"I know." Juniper answered but it didn't help. She was use to being to one to fix stuff doing nothing while other people did the work practically made her skin itch.
"I love ya Juni but your kinda a control freak." Ron informed her. "We could always handle destroying the Horcrux while they are occupied.
"Oh yeah that wouldn't make Bill and Hermiones heads explode at all." Juniper snorted plopping down beside him and leaning her head on his shoulder. Ron shifted to give her a quick hug. "Whats Lavender got to say."
"Oh the usual. She loves me. She waiting for me. All the things we're gonna do when I get back." Ron said with a deep sigh.
"Ron either you love the girl or you don't. If you don't break up with her If you do stop acting like your ashamed of her. Lavender is who she is and you knew it when you got with her." Juniper said with a sigh of her own.
"I know I just didn't expect it to get so intense so fast. And I'm suppose to want a girlfriend right?" Ron asked.
"Don't let other people tell you what your suppose to do Ron. If you want a girlfriend great, if you want a boyfriend great, If you want one of both great, if you want neither great. Those of us who love you just want you happy however that looks too you." Juniper told him. Ron turned his head to lay a kiss on Juniper's dark curls.
"What would I do without you?" Ron asked fondly.
"Marry Lavender and have a dozen kids probably." Juniper answered.
"Ugh." Ron said making a face making Juniper laugh. "You should probably open Susan's letter. According to Lavender theres something special included."
Juniper stood and walked over to where she dropped the letters on a table and sorted through finding the letter from Susan Bones. Susan was the other possible child of prophecy the one who Tom hadn't chosen but her parents had died to death eaters and she'd been raised by her aunt as well anyway. She now led Hufflepuff the way Juniper did Gryffindor and Amelia Bones was dead. It was agreed that Amelia Bones death had been necessary for Tom to take the ministry. The powerful head Auror would have decimated half of Tom's death eaters in straight out battle instead she'd been ambushed attacked from behind most likely by traitors within the ranks of her own Aurors.
Juniper opened the parchment and caught the small palm sized flat package that tumbled out. She sat putting it on her knee turning her attention to the letter. "Juniper, This was a gift from my aunt. It belonged to her when she first joined the aurors and she was having it resized and the color changed when she died. She meant it for you but knowing you you'll have to resize it again as I expect you've dropped another 10 pounds." Juniper could almost hear her exasperated tone in the last part. "Its not only functional but it will convey the proper image. Especially if you get the Sword of Gryffindor as I expect you well and with Hedwig on your shoulder. Image goes a long way. The key phrase to return it to proper size is Black and Bones. To the End. Lady Susan Bones."
"Lady of few words. Well lets see then." Ron said. Juniper twirled her wand and tapped the package. "Black and Bones." The package resized to quite a sizeable one wrapped in brown parchment. Juniper ripped it open and let out a breathe of awe as she withdrew the garments within. Black pants that would be skintight knee high matching black boots the tunic like top with wrist long clinging sleeves. The top was Gryffindor red with gold trim the Black family crest on one breast the family motto Toujours pur wisely omitted as Juniper wouldn't have worn anything with the foul sentiment on it. It was a shield with greyhounds rearing up on either side of a shield with 2 five-pointed stars and a short sword on it. on the other breast was the Potter family crest. It was similar but with stags on either side of the shield which showed a crossed wand and broom. The Potter family Motto was included underneath Ad caelos volans flying to the heaven. and when she turned it over on the back was a glorious golden Phoenix. There was also a belt and scabbard which would fit the sword of Gryffindor perfectly. None of it was fabric is was all scales locked tight and fine the colors and design carefully brushed on instead of embroidered no seams as it was a specialized magic that had pieced it together as no needle would ever be able to pierce this particular material.
Ron stepped forward and ran a finger over the tunic. "Juni thats Dragonhide. Thats auror level armor. Restricted to Auror use only. It'll turn aside, or shatter any blade, and most spells depending on the power of the caster oh course but most of the death eaters wouldn't be able to curse you in this."
Juniper seemed speechless. She'd never worn anything so fine. Even her Yule ball gown which had seemed a work of art at the time couldn't compare and not only because of how absolutely gorgeous it was but because of what it represented. Not only safety but care. Care from someone who didn't have to, wasn't family, had nothing to gain by giving her such a gift. This armor increased her chances of surviving any battle with the deatheaters by at least 70% it may not stand up to curses from Tom, Bellatrix, or Snape but most of the others would have to hit her in the face or hand necessarily bare for contact with her wand to cause any damage.
"Ms Juniper Sir wished to know if he can come in." Jarvis chimed in.
"Oh course Jarvis." Juniper answered. Tony entered giving them a smile surprised but pleased to see Juniper smiling. "Tony look." She said holding up the tunic top. "Susan Bones sent it its dragonhide. Use to belong to her aunt Amelia. You literally can't buy armor like this its reserved for aurors only."
"Its beautiful." Tony said reaching out to touch the sleeve. "Seems thin for armor."
"Its dragonhide." Juniper repeated. "It doesn't have to be thick."
"Can I see it in training before you wear it in battle?" Tony asked. He didn't want Juniper to get defensive but at the same time the 'armor' looked like a regular if very pretty shirt to his nonmagical eyes.
"Sure Tony." Juniper answered with the air of someone humoring a kid.
Tony gave a smirk. "You should hang it in your closet."
"I should?" Juniper asked raising a eyebrow in question.
"Absolutely." Tony answered with a nod.
"Ohkay." Juniper picked up the garments and went back into the bedroom she'd been using and opened the closet door and gasped. It had been empty before as she'd just pretty much been living out of Hermione's bag but now the huge walk-in closet was filled with sweaters, shirts, pants, jeans, skirts and dresses shoes that matched lined up on the floor of the closet. She looked over at Tony eyes wide. "When?"
"When you where out with Clint and Rhodey. Pepper brought them in." Ron said from the doorway. "He did the same for me and Hermione too. I think I'm gonna head downstairs. I feel a father daughter type bonding moment coming on."
Juniper barely paid attention to Ron heading out as she put the armor down on the small dresser at the back of the closet that she was fairly sure would now hold undergarments' and socks. "Tony you didn't have too..."
"Oh course I didn't have too but I wanted to Kiddo. I got seventeen years of spoiling to catch up on." Juniper nearly teared up remembering Sirius had said something similar when he gotten her her precious Firebolt.
"Thank you." Juniper said.
"Thank me by never wearing these horrible oversized sweatshirts again." Tony answered wrinkling his nose as he linked a arm through hers and tugged her back into the main room. "Except for the Weasley sweaters those I like. I'm considering how much I need to bribe Ron's mother with to make me one."
"Not sure bribery would work she only makes them for family." Juniper answered as he tugged her to sit with him on the couch.
"Well I am her daughter's father." Tony replied then at Juniper's look seemed to consider his phrasing. "Maybe I shouldn't put it like that in front of her husband."
"Maybe not." Juniper agreed with a grin. "But I doubt your sudden longing for a Weasley sweater is what you wanted to talk to me about." Her nerves where only made obvious by the way she was playing with the snitch she'd put down to open Susan's letter.
Tony reached over taking her hand to make her stop. "Why are you fidgety all the sudden kiddo? I've never made you nervous before."
"You've never had serious father face before at least not since you told me you where my father." Juniper answered.
"Serious father face." Tony repeated. "I look like a father? Oh god do I have grey hair?" He asked and hurried over to the wall mirror pretending to worriedly examine his hair to Juniper's giggles. "Nope nope still as gloriously handsome and youthful as always." He gave a mock sigh of relief.
"You really do remind me of Sirius sometimes." Juniper said softly smiling as he rejoined her.
"I'll take that as a compliment." He said then looked over at her. "About yesterday..." He paused for a second he'd learned from Remus and Buckys experiences and had no intention of repeating their mistakes. "I hate what you had to do but I do understand why you did it." The grateful relieved look on her face let him know he'd made the right call. "Just be as careful as you can. Just because I don't have grey hairs yet doesn't mean you didn't nearly give me a few. Now with that out of the way. Do you have plans for after the war."
"This again?" Juniper asked with a sigh. "Did you talk to the same counselor as Clint and Rhodey?"
"They what? No I was just talking to Bill and Remus. Bill said you could be a ward master or a professional quidditch player and Remus said you wanted to be a Auror once and you were interested in ward lore I was wondering if you'd thought about what the rest of your life would be after the war." Tony answered. "I will be talking to your uncles. If you wanna talk to someone I'll find you someone but they shouldn't be trying to sneak analyze you."
"Its okay." Juniper said. "Its kinda nice they cared enough. Bill and Charlie tried the same type of thing once." Juniper slipped her shoes off and put her feet up on the table and looked over to Tony. "I...can't be a auror."
"You can if you want too. You can do anything you want." Tony said reaching over to catch the snitch she'd started tossing and catching again.
Juniper shook her head. "No. I talked to Madame Pomfrey the school nurse and Moody. There are physical requirements to be a Auror. I was...hit by a curse that can cause nerve damage sometimes. If umm you get a potion and treatment from a healer promptly the damage can be negated but all I had was Madam Pomfrey and she wasn't qualified to treat it properly and Dumbledore decided it was too dangerous for me to see a professional healer at the time. My hands shake sometimes or feel numb. It might get worse." She shrugged. "Might even get better. No one can say for sure but its dangerous to have a Auror who might at any point be dropping their wand or be unable to aim properly. At this point its not bad but yeah might get worse."
Tony had to struggle to hide his fury. He'd been reserving judgement on Dumbledore. Ron thought he was a manipulative jerk while Juniper and Hermione thought he was a wonderful and wise teacher but with this he was now firmly on Ron's side. What kind of headmaster withheld medical treatment from a injuried child. The man was damn lucky he was already dead. "I'm sorry Juni. That wasn't fair to you. When did this happen? The curse?" He said softly putting a arm around her shoulders.
Juniper leaned against Tony accepting the comfort even though this was something she'd accepted and honestly once she'd had time to think it over the thought that it gave her a excuse not to become a auror was almost a relief. She'd wanted to honor her father, James and Sirius by following in their footsteps but she was so tired of fighting. The nerve damage sucked but it was manageable as long as she avoided getting hit by any more crucios. "Fourth year after the final task. I assume Ron told you about that."
"Some of it. He couldn't tell us what happened afterwards in the graveyard or with the fake Moody. Juniper..."
"I don't wanna talk about it." Juniper broke in. "I don't want to be a ward master. You need a lot of arithmancy to figure placement of ward stones and ley lines and things like that. Also you pretty much have to work for the goblins and I don't care for them that much." Her voice trembled slightly as she returned to their former subject but Tony ignored it.
"What about quidditch?" He asked holding the snitch out to her.
"I love quidditch. I love flying, the bonding of the team, winning is a major high. We only lost twice the whole time I was playing and both times I was injuried out of the game. Sometimes I like the attention. Its nice to have people looking at me because of something I did something I'm good at instead of because of something that happened to me. I'm not crazy about the thought of all the travelling. Viktor does it and he hates that part. Plus you got maybe 10 good playing years after graduation if you don't get injuried. There are no professional quidditch players over 30 so if I do that I'd need a fallback plan." Juniper took the snitch back and tossed it catching it again. The way Juniper talked about quidditch her voice brightening made Tony want to see her in a game. She loved it that much was obvious. It also sounded almost as dangerous as being a auror.
"I love wands too. Figuring out how the cores and the woods fit together. Which wands fit which personalities." She pulled out her own wand holding it up as she sat up from Tony. "The wand choses the wizard you know. Mine waited for me for over 8o-years. Every one is unique. As unique as the tree and the creature that donated the components. The phoenix tail feather in my wand belonged to Fawkes Dumbledore's phoenix. The one who saved me in the chamber. I love it as a hobby maybe as something part time but I'm not sure I want to make it my whole life. Professional wand makers like Ollivander are completely consumed and dedicated. They devote their whole lives to the wands and I don't want that."
"Theres something else." Tony said looking at her face. "I can see it. You know what you want to do. After or in addition to quidditch maybe but theres something else."
"During fifth year we started a Defense club of sorts. It became the DA. They asked me to teach because I was the most advanced student. It was...I don't know sometimes it was frustrating but when I was able to explain something and the others started to understand it, where able to do things...I remember how Neville's face just lit up first time he cast a shield charm strong enough to stand up to Hermione's blasts and Luna's delight when she found her rabbit Patronus. I had them doing spells the teachers would never dream of having them attempt because they where so advanced but I knew which of them where best suited to which spells. It felt like I was doing something important. I think I'd like to teach." Juniper's eyes where anxious as she studied Tony's expression. She'd never told anybody that. Not Hermione, or Remus not even Sirius or Ron and it felt a little like she was holding a part of herself out to Tony and was waiting to see if he'd accept it or if he'd toss it in the dirt.
"I think thats a wonderful plan. I can see just from your expression how much you love it and it sounds like your good at it. I think you should do it. We can find out what kind of credentials you need and do whats necessary to happen. And if you like... I mean...Hermione said there are magic schools here in America a few not far from her. So if you worked at one of them you could stay here. You know if you wanted too." The brilliant smile Juniper gave him was worth every cent Tony Stark had in his considerably large bank accounts.
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Bucky sat back with a hard breathe as Remus removed his hands from his face feeling his presence retreat from his mind and he sat back as well. Both of them where sweaty and exhausted and this had just been the first step according to him and Bill. Bucky wasn't even sure how long it had taken it had felt both like hours and minutes.
Remus gave him a comforting smile. "Okay here is where we are. HYDRA used a combo of spells, potions, and muggle technology on you. Shock treatment and memory charms where used to wipe your memory, loyalty potions where in every bit of food and drink you consumed, the imperious curse was used before each mission the words trigger the curse so that even muggles could use it and anytime you tried to resist it would trip another trigger setting off the Confundus Charm which would cause you to become confused. Basically your only still sane because of the super soldier serum. Any normal muggles brain would have been damaged to the point of nonfunctional after 6 or 7 years of that kind of treatment. I think when they put you in stasis it was to give your brain time to heal between assassinations." He paused to take a sip of the fire whiskey Bill had handed him.
"Heres where it gets interesting though. This I've never seen before. Its like someone went into your brain and picked out the things they wanted, needed to make the perfect assassin ruthlessness, strength, determination, bravery, devotion to duty, detachment, the things that made you a good soldier and sniper and pushed them all to the front of your brain. Everything else empath, kindness, love, compassion. The ablity to form attachments was walled off in the back so you couldn't reach it. The wall is still there its cracked but its the 2nd side thats in charge now the Bucky side instead of the winter soldier side." Remus explained.
"Sounds like split personality." Hermione said.
"Exactly." Remus agreed. "The Winter Soldier is not a separate entity. Its a part of you thats now locked down."
"How do I get rid of that part completely." Bucky asked taking the glass Bill passed him.
"You can't." Remus answered. "Well maybe you could but if you did you'd never be a full person. You need those things they aren't bad things when tempered by what HYDRA locked away. You've felt something missing I've no doubt about that."
"Yeah, but since I met Juniper its been coming back." Bucky answered sounding a bit hoarse after a sip of the fire whiskey.
Remus and Bill exchanged looks. "The Winter Soldier is reacting to her then. Shes pulling at those strings. Emotions that belong to your other half are responding. Part of you wants to be her soldier."
"If we pull that wall down the imperius will break and be useless. I can give you protection to make sure they can't put you under again. It will make you a honorary member of the Weasley family in the eyes of the Goblins but If your that protective of Juniper you already are like it or not." Bill said softly. "HYDRA will no longer have a hold on you. The trigger words will only be words. They'll be some confusion and you'll have a killer headache but once that clears I believe you'll feel more clear than you have in a long time."
Bucky looked over at Steve. "What do you think?"
"I can't make this choice for you Buck. I know you've seen more yourself since Juniper came." Steve answered.
Bucky nodded. "Do it."
AN-Next chapter we put poor Bucky back together again, the Horcrux destruction goes WAYYYY worse than Juniper expects as my version really goes for the throat and doesn't confine itself to Ron and Bill starts to figure out something is going on with Juniper he hadn't expected. Also Remus and Steve are cute and clueless because oh course they are.
