bahnannah- Sebastian Stan's abs. *dreamy sigh* Ohh sorry where was I? Right, thank you for the support. I considered having Grandma taking care of Walburga but having her destroyed by muggle means was sooo appealing to me. I also loved calling THE Tony Stark a prude I mean playboy is one of his self descriptors.
n7kairos- Arrghh throw my own words back at me why don't ya. I'll try to do better next time. As it won't be their first time maybe it won't feel so awkward to write. I know I promised Leta in this chapter, but I didn't realize how much other stuff had to come first. I swear on Godric Gryffindor she will appear in the next chapter. To put her in this one would have made it too stuffed and rushed.
BioHazard82- Thank you so much.
KnowInsight- Yeah being so open was a bit odd but they were in a bad spot, magic was already exposed, the horcrux was beating on them and as Sam says later, they were subconsciously just so relieved to fight other fighters that where outside the politics and double crosses of the wizarding world that they could trust. So glad you're enjoying it and hope you continue to do so. :)
AN- They finally make it to the alley and Tony gets to meet Molly Weasley. And she just as scary as advertised. The Weasley family is mostly reunited, and we get to check in with Katie Bell and Alicia Spinett much nicer than the last older Gryffindor girls they met as well as a few other members of the wizarding world. They now know how to get into Hogwarts and finally Grindelwald makes a move. Hi Barty! Ohh and the Knight bus that was fun.
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CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
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When Juniper woke up, she was surprised when she glanced at the window and realized the sun was already up meaning it was later than she'd slept in quite a while. They'd wanted to get to Diagon alley early as Juniper felt like she had a lot of things to do, a lot of people to check in with, and they had to be sure to get back before nightfall. Unfortunately Remus with his usual stubbornness still hadn't dipped into the money Sirius had left him even for Wolfsbane and as it had to be taken every night for a week prior to the full moon taking it now would do him no good. He had done his best to convince the others to cast spells on the house to soundproof it lock him in the dungeon and leave him so they would not be even that close to him, but Juniper, Steve, and Hermione just reacted if he'd lost his mind for even making the suggestion.
She glanced over and for a moment was tempted to snuggle back down into Bucky's arms at the sight of him lying on his back face relaxed in sleep his metal arm stretched above his head his other arm around her waist. She had to remind herself firmly that they had important stuff to do today and satisfied herself with caressing his cheek lightly making his eyelids flutter open as she sat up. He reached out for her, but she slipped away. "We're running late." She told him motioning towards the window.
Bucky glanced over at the window groaned then gave her a cocky grin. "Wore you out huh?"
Juniper grinned back. "You slept late too soldier boy." She reminded him. "I think Kretcher put your stuff in the consort's room." She told him motioning towards the door to one side that she knew somehow would lead to another room identical to this one complete with bathroom. How she knew she didn't question. It would just lead to questions about the abilities that came with being head of house which were better left alone until she had someone else who was also a head to consult with.
"How do you feel?" Bucky asked her as she crossed towards the bathroom sheet wrapped around herself as if some of her previous shyness had returned with the morning light.
Juniper gave him a sweet smile. "Really really good. A little sore maybe but regreting we didn't wake up a hour or two ago."
"Tease." Bucky accused playfully.
"Yeah yeah. Go make yourself pretty for your first appearance in the wizarding world as the boyfriend of the Girl who Lived." Juniper answered before backing into the bathroom closing the door behind her.
Bucky's grin turned a little darker as he remembered his conversation with Hermione when Juniper was unconscious. He was more than willing to play the big bad Winter Soldier to make things easier for his girl. Might even being fun keeping count of how many bigoted wizards he made pee their robes.
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It was almost a race. Both Bucky and Juniper were determined to be the first downstairs to deal with Tony but in the end, they were ready at the same time. The also looked almost like they'd dressed to match. Bucky in his black tach pants and leather vest straps across the chest his silver arm with the red star emblazoned on the shoulder clearly on display. Juniper in black wizard's robes with red, and gold trim dark curls pulled back away from her face and round rimmed glasses now with plain glass perched on her nose.
"Is that comfortable?" Juniper asked adjusting the collar of Bucky's vest.
"Are those?" Bucky replied gently pushing her glasses up on her nose a bit. "You play your part I'll play mine." Juniper nodded and Bucky offered her his arm. "Shall we Lady Potter Black?"
"Such a gentleman." Juniper said taking his arm.
"Shhh don't spread it around you'll ruin my reputation." Bucky whispered loudly then smiled at her giggle. They were silent as they left the suite and headed downstairs relishing the last few moments of it just being the two of them.
Everyone else was waiting for them dressed and looking ready to go in the kitchen. Ron, Hermione, and Remus where in wizarding robes like Juniper's but the others were wearing regular muggle street clothes. Tony was sitting at the table between Steve and Pepper giving them both slightly pouty speculative looks.
Tony knew Juniper was a adult. He knew Bucky loved her and she loved him. He knew that unless something major happened the chances that Bucky would be his son in law much sooner than he would probably be comfortable with was likely. It was also true he was usually the first person to encourage people to have fun, loosen up he'd tried to set both Steve and Bruce up with different women and even introduced Natasha to more than one guy who he knew would never be good for anything but a fun night or two. And yet...
Christ there were just so many things in Juniper's life he hadn't been able to protect her from. Tom Riddle, The Dursleys, Dumbledore, having to kill a man at eleven, basilisks, dementors, insane tournaments with dragons, dark rituals, smear campaigns, abusive teachers, watching people she loved murdered in front of her eyes, running for her life, for her friends lives, and the betrayal of her mentor. And he could have. That may be the part that burned the most. He was convinced he could have protected her from if not all at least some of the hell she'd gone through in her life. But at this point things had gone so far that the battle they were now headed into was inevitable. As long as Tom Riddle and Gellert Grindelwald lived they would be a threat to Juniper and there wasn't a lot he could do about them. He had no illusions that when the fight came, he and the rest of his team would be fighting Deatheaters and Hydra, but it would be his kid, her ministry six and her DA who'd be facing the most dangerous of the magic users. Bucky on the other hand represented something he could protect her from. SEE! He didn't need therapy at all he could figure out his own issues.
Juniper's soft voice interrupted his musings. "Dad we, okay?"
Tony looked at her in surprise and his expression softened and he stood crossing to her and pulling her into a hug which she returned looking relieved. "Always kid always." He glanced at Bucky over her head forcing a neutral look on his face. "I'm not hugging you."
"Thanks for that." Bucky answered with a nod as Juniper stepped back looking more relaxed.
"Juniper." Hermione said softly drawing her attention putting two ring boxes on the table one red and black. Juniper's eyes locked on them letting out a breath that wasn't quite a sigh. "I get it Juni but people want to see Lady Potter Black, and these are part of that."
"Yeah, I know." Juniper muttered and reached out picking up the red box first. opening it. Hermione looked a bit relieved that it opened. It meant she was still accepted as the head of house even if her bloodline was in fact Stark instead of Potter the magic still accepted her. The ring inside was large a man's ring gold with a square red stone rearing stags inscribed on either side.
"The Potter family ring." Remus said softly. "James was the last to wear it. It will resize itself when you put it on."
"I know." Juniper answered then as it wanting to get it over with as quickly as possible, she picked up the ring and slid it onto the middle finger of her right hand. The ring glowed for a moment resizing as Remus had said shrinking down to fit Juniper's small hand the stone even becoming rounder the ring more delicate looking. A halo of fire seemed to surround her hand for a moment then vanished.
The black box opened just as easily. The ring wasn't quite as large as Sirius Black the last owner's hands had been slimmer than James Potters it was silver with a black stone with hounds on the sides like the stags on the Potter ring. She picked it up holding it tightly for a moment then put in on her left middle finger. Like the Potter ring it resized to fit but none of the other features changed the stone staying square the band wide so that it looked like a small man's ring instead of a woman's ring like the Potter ring now resembled. What looked like a dark cloud surrounded her hand for a moment then was gone.
"And now its official." Remus said. "Congratulations Bambi."
"Yeah, yayy for me. I managed to live longer than my father and godfather." Juniper said then looked up from the rings to see the look on Remus's face. "I'm sorry Remy." She said quickly. "I didn't mean to be a brat. Not to you. Thank you."
"Does that mean your intentionally a brat to people who aren't Remus?" Hermione asked raising a eyebrow.
"Now would I do that?" Juniper asked sweetly.
"Yes. Yes, you totally would." Nat interjected earning her a grin from Juniper.
"One more thing before we go." Remus held up a parchment Dobby had brought him earlier. "It's from Neville. Tonight's the full moon. Draco has been on Wolfsbane but he is still rather new to being a werewolf. Being stuck in the room of requirement with a bunch of scared young students would be unbearable to even a experienced werewolf even with Wolfsbane. We don't know which safehouses are still open and the forest wouldn't be safe for him since the other werewolves there are likely to resent him for being a Malfoy."
"If he could get to the whomping willow he could take the secret passage to the shrieking shack if it was good enough for Remus its good enough for Malfoy." Ron said a stubborn look coming over his face.
"Huge if. He'd have to go through the entire castle and across the grounds without getting caught and even then, if they hear him screaming they'll catch him in the shack." Juniper pointed out then looked over to Dobby who for once wasn't jumping up and down in eagerness to assist Juniper.
Juniper sat on the floor and held out a hand to the little elf. "Dobby." He came to her taking her hand looking up at her with his huge blue eyes. "You know you can always tell me no right. I know Draco was cruel to you and I would never ask you if there was any choice..."
"Dobby can bring old bad master here to be safe for moon." Dobby said softly even though it was obvious he didn't like it.
"Thank you, Dobby." Juniper said hugging him.
"Will the wards allow that?" Hermione asked.
"Dobby is a free elf and a Hogwarts elf." Dobby told her. "Dobby can take of age students for visits and bring them back. Dobby cannot bring nonstudents or teachers onto Hogwarts grounds or take underage students through the wards."
"Remus can you write Draco. Tell him he's invited and he can bring two people with him. I expect at least two of his hanger-ons are anchors for him like Luna and Steve are for me. Make it clear to him if he's cruel to Dobby he'll be a guest in the dungeon much longer than the one night. And maybe remind him as the head of House Black I now have more than a little leverage on him if I need it." Juniper requested Remus was already writing as Juniper stood.
"You're not wearing your armor?" Ron asked Juniper as Hermione handed her one of the potion vials from Andi.
"No. First off, I don't want to go in looking like I expect trouble. I need them to trust me, so I have to trust them as well, right? Also, I don't want anyone to know about it before the final battle. I don't know if the Deatheaters or Hydra could find a way to damage it, but I don't want to give them a chance to figure something out." Juniper answered before gulping down her potions. "Eat breakfast?"
Ron grinned. "Hell, no Juni I know what method of transport you have in mind. We can eat at the Leaky after we arrive. Better to do this on a empty stomach."
Juniper looked up at him with a similar grin. "Oh. oh no. You guys no." Hermione whined.
"Floos are locked down and there are probably anti-apparition wards up in the alley. Having the elves take us would announce our presence before we're ready. Muggle transport is slow." Juniper told Hermione trying to look serious but there was a sparkle in her eyes.
"Your evil. Both of you." Hermione announced crossing her arms in a pout.
"Should we be afraid?" Clint asked Remus as he handed Dobby the note and the little elf popped away and they grabbed bags weapons and jackets Hedwig settling on Juniper's shoulder.
"Yes." Remus affirmed having just figured out as Hermione had what their gruesome twosome had planned.
"It'll be fun." Juniper promised.
"For whom?" Hermione asked. Ron and Juniper exchanged a look and then flanked her pulling up their own hoods then hers masking their identities and hooked her arms in theirs' almost dragging her out the door and over to the roadside the others followed. Remus looked resigned and the other's wore mixed expression of amusement and apprehension and watched as Juniper held out her right hand.
Moments later there was a whoosh and what looked like a triple decker purple bus pulled up to the curb and the door creaked open. "Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just stick out your wand hand, step on board, and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name is Aleric Conrad, and I will be your conductor this morn..." The sallow looking young man in his early twenties broke off his obviously well-rehearsed speech and looked at them suspiciously. "Oi, you're not all wizards." He accused. "No muggles on the Knight bus."
"Not even for a damsel in distress?" Juniper asked stepping forward and pushing her hood back enough so that he could see her face.
He inhaled sharply eyes flying to the scar on her forehead, then to Hedwig on her shoulder. A tiny ancient looking man with glasses thick as coke bottles peered around him. "Pottah?" He croaked. "Let them on Al." The young man still staring at Juniper like a muggle seeing...well seeing Tony Stark stepped out of the way hurriedly. "Quick like now." The old man ordered. Juniper waved for them all to get on the bus and they all obeyed Juniper entering last pausing to squeeze the old man's shoulder.
"Thank you, Ern." He grunted but pinked slightly in obvious pleasure before flipping the handle to close the doors.
The only passenger on the bus was a old man who was curled up in one of the seats snoring lightly most likely sleeping off a drunk. There where seats here and there none of them looking as if they were fastened or secured in any way and there were no seatbelts or other safety measures.
"Honey are you sure this is safe." Pepper asked Juniper softly.
"Compared to what?" Juniper asked her then looked over to Peter. "Peter can you like web one of the seats to the wall for Pepper?"
"Me too please." Hermione requested quickly as Juniper counted out a handful of gold coins to Al paying for them all.
"You have no sense of adventure." Juniper informed Hermione.
"I've been on this ride before, and I didn't enjoy it then." Hermione answered.
"Just ignore her Ern. Shes a spoiled sport." Juniper said as Peter did as asked and webbed two of the seats securely to one of the walls earning a scowl from Al that faded when he glanced at Juniper again.
"Anyone else?" Peter asked. the rest of the group still looked anxious, but they all shook their heads taking seats.
"The Leaky Cauldron please Ern." Juniper requested.
"The Leaky Cauldron. If you have the pea soup, make sure you eat it before it eats you." A shrunken head hanging from the rearview mirror piped up giving a chortling laugh at the shocked looks he got from the muggles.
Juniper gave the head a grin and sat pulling her legs up to sit cross legged and after seeing Ron and Remus doing the same the others followed suit a bit confused as to the whys. Hedwig fluttered from Juniper's shoulder to her lap where Juniper put her hands on her to hold her steady.
"I got a bad feeling about this." Rhodey told Steve who nodded.
"5 ,4, 3, 3½, 2, GO". The bus went from 0 to around 90 in seconds the seats slid around and slammed together as the driver the old man with the super thick glasses leaned close to the windshield swinging the wheel around wildly seeming to barely miss most obstacles others almost seeming to jump out of the way. The shrunken head was being a massive but seemingly much needed back seat driver yelling guidance to Ern about dodging things and people.
Pepper gasped loudly grabbing Hermione's arm. Hermione looked over to her, rolled her eyes and nodded towards Juniper and Ron. The two where grinning and seemed to be holding back laughter like kids on a roller coaster. Remus had grabbed hold of one of the poles in the bus to hold his seat mostly still and seeing this most of the others followed his example, but Ron, Juniper, Clint and Peter seemed to be enjoying the wild sliding around.
"No more wizards transportation Juniper! I mean it I'm buying you a car." Tony told her sternly. She just grinned at him and seemed to lean to one side to intentionally slide her seat up closer to Al who was leaning casually against a pole near the front reading a paper, but he looked up quick enough when Juniper grabbed the pole.
"Hey Al, any news about Stan?" She asked him a bit anxiously. She would never admit it to anyone else but asking about Stan was part of the reason she wanted to take the bus. She could still remember the look in his eyes during the battle on her birthday and she couldn't help but be concerned about him. Imperioused and forced to fight with the Deatheaters after being falsely imprisoned by the ministry on suspicion of being a Deatheater. None of it was fair. Stan's false imprisonment was part of the reason she'd refused to stand with Rufus Scrimgeour.
"He was found wandering the streets in Knockturn alley not long after the Battle of the seven Potters wasn't he. Confused he was. Didn't seem to know how he'd gotten there." Al answered. "He was taken to Saint Mungos. He wasn't in the lists of deaths from the razing of the alley, so I'd expect he's still there."
Juniper nodded in relief. "Good good." She said making a note to make a donation to the hospital separate from what she'd already intended specfically for his care. The bus suddenly jerked to a stop so quickly and violently that for a second it seemed Ern was going to go through the windshield. Juniper looked over to see they were parked perfectly in front of The Leaky Cauldron.
"Thank you for riding The Knight Bus." Al said as Ern pulled the lever opening the doors. Juniper shot him a grin and stood stepping back to take her dad's arm when his legs seemed to wobble a bit steading him as they stepped off the bus Hedwig back in place on her shoulder.
"Hey Pottah." Ern called after her and she glanced back at him. "Kick his arse."
"My pleasure." Juniper answered giving him a grin. The doors swung closed and in a flash the bus was gone. Juniper whispered something to Hedwig, and she took flight.
"That was awesome can we do it again?" Peter asked excitedly.
"No. No, we cannot. Never again." Tony answered shaking his head then turned to the building they had stopped in front of. He couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed at what looked like a rather broken-down store front. "Thats it? The entrance to a magical world?"
"You were expecting a wardrobe maybe?" Hermione asked with a smirk. "It can't look too out of place and also can't look too inviting to muggles. Therefore, its perfect."
Juniper, Hermione, and Ron pulled the hoods over their heads again the charm on the cloak obscuring their faces. "Tom, the Tom who runs the Leaky is a friend. I stayed here when I was thirteen, he was my de facto guardian for a short time."
"How'd that happen?" Tony asked frowning.
"Blew up Uncle Vernon's sister, ran away, and since everyone thought, Sirius was trying to kill me, they decided I was safer here than in the muggle world." Juniper answered.
"Blew up. Like boom?" Steve asked with a frown.
"Noo, like a balloon. She floated away but they got her back. It's a long story but trust me she had it coming." She took Bucky's arm and tugged him into the Leaky cauldron.
Clint looked over at Steve the expression on his face one of someone just barely holding in his laughter. "Like a balloon." He repeated and followed them.
"You know I'm starting to miss the days when a conversation like that would seem odd." Rhodey muttered before entering as well the rest trailing behind.
It looked like a stereotypical English pub a large roaring fireplace, long trestle tables down the middle of the rooms with smaller tables around the outskirts of the room. A bar across the side of the room. It wasn't terribly crowded a few groups of people, a single man sipping tea while reading A Brief History of Time. Two men playing chess near the fire. several men and a few women sitting at the bar. The kid's attention seemed to be drawn to a table with two young women not much older than they were.
"Is that...?
"Katie Bell, and Alicia Spinnet." Juniper whispered. The two girls had been on the Quidditch team with Juniper and Ron.
"Alicia graduated last year but what is Katie doing here? She should be at school." Ron replied.
"Katies a half-blood I imagine her parents decided Hogwarts was too dangerous for her this year." Hermione sighed.
"Come on let's talk to Tom then we can check in with Katie and Alicia if it seems safe." Juniper nudged them towards the bar.
There was a old, bald man behind the bar who gave them a suspicious look as they approached. Juniper motioned him over and when he did, she leaned over slightly and snapped her fingers letting the charm hiding her face fade slightly. "Can you turn on the light for me one more time Tom?" She asked speaking the code words they'd come up with for just such a situation years ago.
The man's face lit up and a wobbly smile curved his lips he seemed almost on the verge of tears. "Juniper. Never turned it out." He answered with the words to let her know it was safe and stepped back and waved for them to follow him. "Come. Come." He led them into a backroom and closed the door behind them. "We thought you three where dead for a while there Juniper. Percy was in here drinking almost every night until his dad or Charlie would drag him home. The twins, and Lee Jordan stomping around the alley trying to start fights with anyone they suspected to be a deatheater like madmen. Ollivander wouldn't talk to anyone at all. Florean, Oliver, and Kingsley trying to plan a raid on Hogswart to get your friends out. We had no clue until the three of you attacked the ministry that you were alive."
"I'm sorry Tom. It couldn't be helped. We were hiding out in the woods running from snatchers most of the time. We couldn't even get a message to the Weasleys or Neville." Juniper answered that she actually looked sorry probably helped. "Tom, we read the article in the Quibbler two that Percy wrote is it true? Does the Order of the Phoenix hold the alley?"
"Aye. As much the DA as the Order though. The twins have taken over leadership of the DA in the alley. From what I've heard almost every member who'd graduated or didn't return to Hogwarts is here. You've got a army waiting for you Juniper." Tom affirmed.
Juniper felt a bit intimidated by that. Despite what she'd been told she still didn't think of herself as a leader. No matter how many people seemed determined to follow her.
"Juniper, are you aware that that is Captain America?" Tom asked in a almost hiss pointing at Steve.
"I believe he may have mentioned that." Juniper whispered back. "Apparently he thinks he's a pretty good fighter. What ya reckon?"
Tom gave a cackle and reached out patting Juniper's head. "Only you would run off and hide in the woods only to return with a American war hero. Are you hungry? No don't answer that if I let you wander off without eating Molly Weasley would skin me alive. I can't have that."
"No pea soup." Juniper said quickly. "And can you tell Molly and Arthur we're back here when they get here."
"Of course of course." Tom said seeming extremely cheerfully as he left them.
"Thats where you sent Hedwig?" Ron asked in reference to her mentioning Molly and Arthur his face paling slightly.
"Have to get it over with eventually Ron." Juniper said. "If you mom finds out we didn't contact her as soon as we arrived well..." She trailed off.
Ron gulped and nodded. They both knew it was likely the Weasley parents where in the alley somewhere. As key members of The Order as well as close associates of Junipers chances where Kingsley and the twins had urged them to move to the alley. If they had was the question. They had between 15 minutes if they were in the alley or maybe a little over a hour if they were at the burrow before they would have to face Molly Weasley's wrath. No doubt it would end in a smothering hug but they were going to get a tongue lashing first.
"I am really looking forward to meeting Molly Weasley." Tony said with a grin. "Interesting that the old man recognized Steve."
"Not really." Hermione said. "The Wizarding world did pretty much keep track of the war because of Grindelwald's connections to Hitler and with Wizard's lifespans and slower aging its likely Tom was around for the majority of the war. I would expect Steve will be recognized by quite a few older wizards."
Tom reentered with what looked to be one platter but when he put it down it immediately multiplied. Eggs, bacon, sausage, fruits, and oatmeal. A snap of his fingers and both a pot of coffee and one of tea appeared. "Be sure to eat your porridge. It'll put some meat on your bones. You're not much bigger than the first time you came through here as a wee little eleven-year-old with Hagrid. Ah If we'd only known then what we know now ehh."
"Would have saved us a bit of bother." Hermione agreed.
"Tom, could you ask Katie Bell and Alicia Spinnet to join us but not tell them it's us?" Juniper asked with a grin.
He chuckled softly. "You're as bad as your father ever was." He said ruffling her hair. "Potters troublemakers all."
"Yup I'm just like my father." Juniper said winking at Tony as Tom left them again.
"Are you going to tell people about...you know?" Ron asked.
"Yes, but there are people who deserve to know before Tom. Hes a good guy and all but I don't want say McGonagall, Slughorn, or Hagrid for example finding out from anyone but me. I don't want it being turned into some nasty story about Mum cheating on my...other dad." Juniper answered pouring herself a cup of tea.
"There are people who are going to believe that no matter what you do ya know." Hermione pointed out gently.
"I don't care so much what the general public thinks as long as the people who loved her know the truth. I learned after 4th year it's not what strangers believe that hurts it's what the people you thought where friends do." Juniper answered.
Ron glanced over at Hermione. "Remind me to punch Percy and Seamus when we see them."
"You'll do no such thing. It'd make me look petty when I tell them I told them so." Juniper answered with a grin. Then turned as the door opened and the two girls who'd been sitting out in the pub entered wands in their hands. Both of them looked shocked at seeing Juniper, Ron, and Hermione but it didn't stop them from whipping their wands up pointing them at the group.
"Good girls." Juniper said seeming pleased to find two wands aimed at them.
"If your Juniper Potter what was the conversation, we had with Oliver Wood before our first Quidditch match?" Alicia asked there was a tremble in her voice as she desperately wanted to believe these three where their missing heroes.
Juniper actually laughed. "Oliver asked if we were nervous. You nodded I said a little. He said he was during his first match too. You asked what happened and he said he didn't actually remember as he'd taken a bludger to the head two minutes in and spent the next two weeks unconscious in Saint Mungos. Wasn't really that comforting but then that's Ooofff..." Juniper's words were cut off as she was practically tackled by both girls the slightly smaller girl who'd asked the question seemed to be babbling about how glad she was to see her and crying, while the taller girl seemed to be half scolding her for disappearing and laughing. Juniper was laughing as well as she hugged her two friends. The two girls held on too her for several minutes then Hermione and Ron both got the same treatment.
"Lavender has been so worried about you." The taller girl who Juniper identified as Katie Bell as she introduced them a moment later told Ron patting his cheek making him blush. Juniper quickly introduced everybody as they sat to eat telling them Katie had been in the same dorm room with her and Hermione for the last six years and she and Alicia who was a year older had joined the Quidditch team the same year.
At the last bit of news Clint glanced over at her in question. "You didn't you join your first year?"
"First years generally aren't allowed." Alicia answered smirking at Juniper. "Juni was the youngest seeker in a century. Most first years don't even know how to fly properly but first time she got on a broom it was obvious she'd been born to fly. Professor McGonagall bent the rules because she knew with Juniper on the team, we would finally be able to beat the Slytherins and win the house cup back."
"And we did." Juniper said with a matching smirk. "Six years running." Then her expression shifted slightly. "I've had some contact with Neville and the others, and it sounds like it's gotten bad at Hogwarts have either of you heard anything?"
"I was there for the first few months." Katie said softly. "You know Snape was made headmaster?" They nodded. "He brought in the Carrows brother and sister deatheaters Amycus teaches Dark arts." She pushed up her sleeves to show scars on her left forearm most likely made by the cutting curse. "He had all the halfbloods marked his first class. They took five Muggleborns that we didn't get hidden in time. We don't know where they took them." Her voice trembled a bit on the last words and Juniper reached over taking her hand. "Alecto teaches Muggle Studies, which is compulsory for everyone. We've all got to listen to her explain how Muggles are like animals, stupid and dirty, and how they drive wizards into hiding by being vicious toward them, and how the natural order is being re-established."
"They were at the astronomy tower when Dumbledore was killed. He spoke to them." Juniper said softly. "The others are hidden in the Room? How did you get out Katie?"
"I had somewhere safe to go. My Grandmother's house is warded to the heavens and my whole family was there most of the other half bloods have no safe place to go and the purebloods in the DA are staying to protect the younger years and the half bloods and Muggleborns and to fight. Once I heard what had happened here, I came to help protect the alley. Maybe I was a coward for leaving Hogwarts..."
"No. Katie you're not a coward. After what you went through last year with Draco and that bloody necklace your more than entitled to choose where, how and if you fight." Juniper said giving her a quick hug. "But I really need to know HOW you got out."
"There's a secret passage between The Room and the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade. Aberforth smuggles anyone who comes through out." Katie answered softly leaning her head on Juniper's shoulder.
"They haven't gone after Aberforth?" Hermione asked in surprise.
Alicia snorted. "Would you? I know he wears the front of a bitter old drunk but he's still a Dumbledore. I think it's kind of like with the Goblins they don't know how powerful he truly is so as long as he's not obviously defying them they leave him alone."
"Thats our way into Hogwarts." Juniper said looking over to Steve. "We don't know how safe the One-eyed witch passage is and even if we took it we'd still have to get to the 7th floor without getting caught so the Hog's head passage is the safest path."
Steve nodded to her in agreement remembering the map of Hogwarts. They had to get to Hogsmeade anyway all the secret passages into Hogwarts came from Hogsmeade. They'd been trying to decide between the one-eyed witch passage which at least came out inside the castle or the Shrieking shack passage which was safer entering on the edge of Hogsmeade but came out on the ground of Hogwarts leaving them in the open as they moved to get inside.
"Just be careful when you speak with Aberforth. He still hates the former headmaster brother or no. Hes constantly muttering about him being a manipulative old bastard and that he's going to destroy you like he did their sister Arianna." Katie told her.
"Yeah well..." Before Juniper could complete her thought the door burst open and there were three men standing there two with their wands pointed at them the third in the middle holding a young girl no more than four or so his wand pointed at her head as tears poured down her face her cries silenced.
Weapons and wands were aimed at them immediately but no one fired none of them willing to risk the little girl.
"Let her go." Juniper ordered voice cold.
"Yup. See what did I tell you? Heros got a soft spot for the little ones ain't that right chosen one? Now put those wands down 'less you want to see this little one's brains splattered on that wall." The man holding the little girl attempted to growl. He wasn't good at it. He didn't seem like a death eater but that wouldn't make the little girl any less dead if he carried through with his threat.
"Matthias what are you doing?" Alicia asked her voice hard. "You took the oath."
"That was before the bounty on little Ms. Potter there was raised again." The man answered. "Do you have any idea what she's worth. The moment I saw that pretty little white owl of hers flying over to the Weasley's rooms I knew she was here. And I'm pretty sure I know how to get around that oath Kingsley had us take too. Now PUT DOWN YOUR WANDS!" A look of pain passed over the child's face as he gripped her tighter.
"Okay okay. We're going to put them down now alright." Juniper assured him eyes on the child. He wasn't going to be able to take her. The very fact that he was focusing on the wands and totally ignoring the guns Bucky, Natasha, and Clint were aiming at him along with Tony and Rhody's gauntlets was a sign that he was a idiot who disregarded muggles and their weapon's. Not to mention she didn't necessarily need her wand to use her magic.
Just as she was about to place her wand down the door the men had pulled almost closed was blasted completely off its hinges and the three men were thrown against the wall all clawing desperately at their throats as if there was a hand clutched there cutting off their breathing. The little girl fell to the floor letting out a loud wail.
All eyes went to the doorway to the woman there holding the wand pinning the three men against the wall. Molly Weasley had arrived. She was short only a few inches taller than Juniper and slightly plump with curly flame red hair and amber brown eyes that at the moment where practically blazing with fury at the three men who her wand was pointed at holding them pinned to the wall. They were dead men. There was no doubt of that in any of the observers minds and no one had the courage to try and stop her. Not even Steve was about to step between this woman and her targets.
"Did you just threaten my children?" She asked her voice almost pleasant. "Did you just point a wand at my babies?"
The leader of the men Matthias shook his head frantically as Steve who was closest bend to scoop up the small little girl who clung to him crying hiding her face in his neck. "Only wanted the girl Juniper. Not Ron." He finally got out panting.
"Not my daughter." Molly snarled and there was a sharp crack as his head was wrenched to the side violently and his body dropped to the floor. She turned her eyes to the other two men. "Now have you two learned your lessons about threatening my children." Both men did their best to nod frantically. "Good because if you come near them again, I might lose my temper." Another flick of her wand and they fell to the ground unconscious. "Charlie take care of them please."
It wasn't until she spoke that any of them noticed the two men behind her and as one could rival Steve in muscle mass if not height that was saying something. The second oldest Weasley brother glanced at Juniper and Ron mouthed 'good luck' and grabbed the two unconscious men by the back of their collars in one hand waving his wand at the dead body and hauled all three out the door. The other man had to be Arthur the father of the Weasley brood tall and thin with reddish blond hair thinning on top a bit a condition Tony had no doubt his children and Juniper had contributed too and light green eyes. The look of relief in his eyes when he looked at Ron, Juniper, and Hermione could not have been faked.
Molly Weasley's eyes scanned the group and lit on each of the trio. "Come. Here."
Juniper glanced over at Tony pleadingly. He glanced at Molly then shook his head. "Thanks dad." She muttered just loud enough for him to hear and joined Ron in going to Molly.
"You too Hermione Granger. Don't think I don't see you trying to hide behind that young man." Molly said firmly making Bruce look amused at being called a young man. Hermione dragging her feet joined her two friends in front of Molly Weasley. Alicia and Katie looking almost more alarmed than they had when the armed men had burst in edged backwards behind the Avengers.
"You three...You three...Worse than the twins...I swear...MERLIN. You could have been killed. We thought you had been. Then you show up at the ministry acting like fools! What were you thinking!? Were you thinking at all!? I expect better of you three! Why on Earth didn't you apperate to one of the safe houses like everyone else when the wedding was attacked? We were expecting you at the Longbottom's. We waited and waited." Molly's face actually turned red as she yelled at the three looking as if she was torn between hugging them and cursing them not even pausing to take a breath let alone let them answer her questions.
"We couldn't the Death eaters where targeted on me. They could have traced me and put everyone in danger and the two of them wouldn't leave me." Juniper almost whispered head down when the woman paused.
"Well thank Merlin they didn't! If you'd been out there all alone...Do you think any of us would have wanted that, Juni? That the three of you were together was the only comfort we had!" Molly sputtered. "Family doesn't desert family. We would have protected you to our last breath. Don't you know that by now?"
"And I didn't want that! Especially with Ginny, Luna, and Gabrielle there. Besides Dumbledore had given us a mission a way to end the war we had to follow his plans." Juniper answered her voice slightly louder now.
"To hell with Dumbledore and his bloody plans! That man put you in danger enough when he was alive, and it stops now!" Molly yelled.
"NO, IT DOESN'T! You know the prophecy it doesn't stop. It never stops until I'm dead or he is." Juniper yelled tears in her eyes she refused to let fall. "Do you think I like this. Do you think I want this? My parents died to protect me, Cedric, Siri, Mad-eye. George lost his ear trying to protect me. Ron and Hermione have both been hurt. Luna was injured at the ministry. Neville nearly died. All I ever wanted was a normal life. Merlin I would have settled for a normal year."
Tony and Bucky both stepped forward Tony only reaching her first because he'd been closer and putting his hands on her shoulder's while Bucky took her hand in his. "Don't yell at my kid. Shes already had a rough week."
"Your...your kid?" Molly asked looking shocked. Her eyes narrowed and she studied Tony's face closely and obviously saw the resemblance and took a deep breathe. "Then where have you been? Do you know what her relatives where like?"
"I didn't know about her and yes I know. I will spend the rest of my life making it up to her." Tony answered. The look in his eyes seemed to completely take the wind out of her sails and she sighed took one last hard look at all three of the kids then her expression seemed to morph into the warmest most motherly look any of them had ever seen and she opened her arms.
Ron, Juniper, and Hermione all almost fell into her embrace. it didn't seem the woman should be able to hug all three of them at once but then for a woman with 7...8 kids hugging three at once must have seemed a small feat. Arthur stepped forward hugging them as well.
Bucky happened to look behind them and saw Charlie the second Weasley son had returned. The one Bill had warned was even more protective of Juniper than he was. The one who had dragons he could feed people too. The one who he'd just watched lift two men with one arm and use wordless magic to move the body of a third as if was as commonplace a chore as sweeping the floor. The man glanced at the hand he still had wrapped around Juniper's and then smiled at him. A smile that seemed made of too sharp teeth. Yeah, Bucky decided the Weasley family was terrifying.
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Tony found himself liking the newest Weasleys although maybe not as much as Ron and Bill. Molly Weasley was every bit as terrifying as everyones reaction to her name had led him to believe but at the same time she loved her children including Juniper so much it practically glowed from her face everytime she looked at one of them. The almost casual way she had snapped the neck of the one would be kidnapper Matthias would have been disconcerting if Tony hadn't been almost certain he would have done the same if he'd had his hands around his throat knowing what he'd planned to do to Juniper. She had spared his accomplices however and Charlie Weasley had turned them over to someone they called Shacklebolt who seemed to be the Order of the Phoenix's man in the alley. If Tony remembered correctly, he was the man, the American Auror Wixington had mentioned.
Charlie Weasley was one of those big strong men who moved way faster and with more agility than should have been possible. Seemed a bit unfair that he was both that strong and that fast but maybe it came from working with dragons. He was quieter than his brothers and may have come off as the strong stupid type if it wasn't for the keen intelligence in his eyes and the almost predatory way, he was watching Bucky. He almost seemed to have more in common with the animals Bill had described him working with than anything. He had the same red hair and brown eyes as his mother but like his brothers shared his father's more rugged facial features and he had burn scars on his hands and arms that resembled the one he'd seen on Juniper's arm. The most emotion he'd shown had been when he pulled his younger brother and his little sister in all but blood into a tight hug the moment his parents had released them. If there was one thing all the Weasleys had in common to this point it was their fierce love for their family both blood and chosen.
Arthur Weasley was completely different from his wife and second son seeming more like Ron than anything. A seemingly kind man who was ruled by his wife the moment Juniper had told him with a wicked grin that Tony was a inventor he'd showered him with questions about how so many muggle things worked so quickly that even Tony and Bruce together had trouble keeping up and all the while his daughter just grinned at him. He had to figure out how to join Remus on Juniper's people not to be a brat towards list.
They had just finished eating when Steve who'd gone with Alicia and Katie to find the little girl Sara's family as the child had refused to release her new protector returned a thoughtful look on his face that Tony made a mental note to question him about later. At the moment however it was time for the Wizarding world's hero to return to them. Juniper looked every bit the part in her black red and gold robes, Head of house rings on her hands, her famous holly wand holstered on her arm Hedwig perched on her shoulder a serene look on her feathered face flanked by Ron on her right and Hermione on her left. None of the three had any doubt on their faces. No fear, no weakness. Three young warriors ready to take on the world. Tony couldn't help feeling proud not only of Juniper but of all three of them. He glanced over and Molly Weasley caught his eye as they stepped out into the courtyard behind the pub, she gave him a smile and a approving nod and he almost felt as if she'd just welcomed him into the parents of heros club.
Remus stepped forward and tapped the bricks in the wall in a very specific pattern and the wall seemed to open up into the street they'd only seen so far in pictures in the daily prophet.
"Diagon Alley." Juniper said with a smile as if she had come home as she led her family into the heart of the British wizarding world.
It took a few minutes. Then they heard the first whispers. 'Blimey that's Juniper Potter.' Then they came faster. 'Ron that's Weasley in't it.' 'Hermione Granger the muggleborn.' '...the Golden Trio.' '...back they really came back!'
"JUNI, RON, HERMIONE." It was three voices calling out and anyone looking would have seen Juniper close her eyes bracing for impact. And a impact it was as two more red heads these two identical except that one seemed to be short a ear and only a few years older than Ron collided with Juniper and Ron pulling them into hugs, and a tall handsome black boy with dreadlocks and a huge grin did the same with Hermione.
The Weasley twins and their friend Lee Jordan no doubt. Juniper's partners in crimes and pranks and their alibi from the stories Bill had told.
"George, George breathing becoming a issue." Juniper gasped out and he grinned releasing her only for Fred to snatch her up and George to hug both Ron and Hermione as Fred and Lee Jordan hoisted Juniper up to sit on their shoulders. A position she was not unfamiliar with as they had done the same after numerous Quidditch games. Hedwig fluttered her wings slightly to maintain her position and gave the boys a threatening bark even as Juniper laughed.
"SHES BACK!" Lee Jordan yelled to the crowd in his best radio announcer voice. "Kicked you-know-who's arse out of our alley even when she wasn't physically here. Just let him try that shit again now!" The crowd cheered in approval. Several others who obviously knew Juniper, Ron, and Hermione joined the group along with Katie and Alicia. Tony heard several names Oliver Wood, Angelina Johnson, Cho Chang, Penelope Clearwater, Maisy Reynolds, Luca Caruso, Dedalus Diggle, Delores Crockford.
Then a group of three approached that had Juniper banging on Fred's shoulder demanding to be put down immediately. A tall broad shouldered intimidating looking black man with colorful robes that for some reason reminded Tony of Fury, a man that looked in his late fifty's early sixties with careful cut light brown greying hair and mustache who was was pushing a chair with the third a ancient looking man with longish shaggy white hair, pale silvery eyes and skin nearly as pale. Bucky stepped over and held up his arms lifting Juniper down setting her on her feet reaching up as he did brushing her hair off her cheek behind her ear. He heard the mummer it caused through the crowd just as he'd intended. It could have been a gesture between friends it wasn't incredibly intimate, but it could also be perceived as a possessive gesture to those who were paying attention. He heard the twins let out a "ohhh." together and knew they would be teasing Juniper about it later. Juniper gave him a smile before turning to the three men.
"Kingsley." She nodded to the first man then stepped forward to the second. "Florean." Of, course Bucky remembered the Ice cream parlor owner she'd been so worried about. The one who'd defeated the Deatheater known as the executioner.
"Knew you'd get back around to us eventually Luv." Florean said as if he at least had never doubted her survival reaching out to pat her cheek like a affectionate uncle. Juniper beamed at him then turned to the last man.
Without a thought for her robes Juniper knelt next to the wheelchair further endearing herself to some in the crowd as many of them had developed protective feelings for the old man after they'd all banded together to save him during the attack. He held out a hand which she took. "Ollivander are you alright?"
"Much better now." He told her a glint in his eyes. "You know what he wanted from me?" He asked her his voice thin and reedy.
"I know. Hes not going to get it." Juniper promised.
"Good girl." Ollivander said raising her hand and kissing it. "I'm glad I lasted long enough to see you again. My dear child. My favorite student."
"Your going to last long enough to make wands for my children." Juniper answered.
"Another generation of Potter Black children laying waste to my shop." Ollivander said with a soft chuckle. "I think I may retire." Several of those in the crowd laughed. The story of the length of and the havoc caused by Juniper's search for her wand wasn't a secret. "Alexander take me back to my shop please. We'll let these young people talk and plan." He called to a man that looked pretty close to his age who stepped forward and took the chair from Florean turning to wheel him back towards his shop one of the first that had been restored.
"Kingsley." Juniper repeated turning back to the large man.
"We need to talk privately. You, me, and the twins." He said softly.
"Yes." Juniper replied. "Give me a bit first." She nodded towards the crowd who all where obviously eager to hear something, anything from their hero. He nodded. She turned and was about to speak when one final red head arrived. This one tall as Ron and thinner than any of his brothers, with his mother's more delicate features and curls, a pair of glasses perched on his nose.
"Juniper, Ronald." He started then stopped looking at them his eyes wide as if not sure what kind of welcome to expect. "Juniper. I'm sorry." His voice was strained as he said the words.
"Percy, we came here because of the article you wrote in the paper. Because we trusted you. If we hadn't already forgiven you, we wouldn't trust you." Juniper told him with a exaggerated air of patience. This time she was the one who stepped forward hugging him as if knowing he wouldn't. Percy made a sound they all pretended they didn't recognize as him holding back a sob and hugged her back tightly before Ron hugged him as well. Molly pressing her lips together to hold back tears to see her children together. All that was missing was Bill and Ginny.
Juniper turned back to the crowd, and they all fell quiet eager to hear whatever she had to say. "I can't even tell you all how much this all means to me. Your support has reminded me or everything I love about the wizarding world and why I've been fighting to be part of it and protect it. I may have been able to scare Tom off momentarily but you all of you are the ones who said enough and stood up to protect yourselves and each other. That is the courage and strength that is going to win this war." More than a few of them looked confused by the name Tom but for the most part they all shook it off and cheered until Juniper started talking again.
"This is a truth some would very much like to keep hidden but all of you deserve to know it the man who is referred to as You Know Who and has dubbed himself Lord Voldemort..." She paused to let the gasps of shock at her use of his name pass. "Is actually a half blood named Tom Riddle." There were shocked exclamations but no one seemed to doubt her. "Some of you may even remember him as he attended Hogwarts. He was in Slytherin. He was Head boy and a prefect. He committed his first crime against the wizarding world when he was only 15 or 16 by opening the Chamber of secrets when he was a student resulting in the murder of Myrtle Warren and false accusations against Rubeus Hagrid that resulted in his expulsion." This time some of the voices held anger. Even those who didn't recognize Tom's name remembered either or both Moaning Myrtle the pitiful ghost that haunted the second-floor girl's bathroom at Hogwarts or the much beloved Keeper of keys and grounds, and later Care of magical creatures teacher Hagrid.
"He is a descendant of Salazar Slytherin through his mother who was a squib from the Gaunt family, but he is not Lord of anything. Hes only a man. A man who meddled with dark and dangerous magics that should never have been explored but still just a man. He only holds the power we give to him, and we proved that when he came here and tried to enforce his will on the entire world. If we stand aside and let him succeed he will have all of the sons and daughters of pure blood families branded with his mark, he will have all half-bloods herded into camps used for breeding or menial labor, and he will have all Muggleborns murdered. When he has the wizarding world broken, he will turn his attention to the muggle world. There will be another War. We cannot allow that. This is beyond being a British wizarding world problem that ended when the ministry fell, and the minister was murdered. This is no longer only a wizarding world problem that ended when Tom stole the book of names from Hogwarts and murdered not only all muggleborns under the age of eleven but their entire families." And that enraged the crowd. The wizarding world cherished their children especially since birth rates had fallen since the old days making families like the Weasley a rarity and creating more families that had only one precious child. They may expect their children to be stronger and grow up faster than muggles did but the wholesale slaughter of so many children, so many families had them practically howling for Tom Riddles blood.
Juniper held up he hands for attention, and they quieted again. "We can expect some backup from the Romanians, we can expect some help from the French. I have received letters from both Viktor Krum and Fleur Delacour pledging small but gifted groups of fighters ready to come when we call. From the muggle world we will have a force of soldiers mostly squibs from a American group called SHIELD that even now Bill Weasley is working with. And here with me are the Avengers. An American team of superheroes." Some of the Muggleborns and half bloods in the crowd and even a few of the pure bloods finally started to realize who Juniper had brought with her. Gasps and squeals of their names this time Juniper just talked over them. "Captain America Steve Rogers, Tony Stark Iron man, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Bruce Banner, James Rhodes War Machine, and Bucky Barnes the Winter Soldier." A cheer went up through the crowd even those not familiar with them willing to give them the benefit of the doubt on Juniper's word and the reaction of those who were.
"We will be moving soon we have one more piece we need to ensure our sucess in the final battle, but I assure you any who wants a chance to fight will most likely get it. I know quite a few of the former DA members here still have their coins?" There were many glints as more than a few in the crowd held up gold coins in response. "Good. Keep them close that is how the call will come. Be ready. I will have to ask some of you to stay here and hold Diagon alley just in case. It may not come to that hopefully we'll be able to engage all the enemies at the site of the final battle, but we have to keep Diagon alley safe if we need a fallback position. I'm going to consult with Kingsley, the twins and the Avengers and we will let everyone know if there's anything else you need to be informed of."
Sensing that she was done talking some of the crowd started to disperse. Others moved forward to shake her hand, or for those she knew give her hugs, but none lingered too long considering Charlie Weasley and Bucky Barnes where hovering behind her protectively.
"They love her." Pepper whispered to Tony watching Juniper with the people. She was good. She seemed to know how much time to give each person. Who needed just a handshake and who needed to actually have a few words with the girl they considered their savior. Who needed her to listen to her and which ones just needed to hear a few encouraging words or to express sympathy for their losses. He heard more than one person thanking her, apologizing for not believing her and surprisingly expressing their sorry for the loss of Dumbledore. The man had definitely set himself up as Juniper's mentor and guide in more eyes than just hers.
Remus and Hermione where deep in conversation with Kingsley and Juniper's cousin Dora who'd appeared a few minutes ago and the other Avengers especially Steve where surrounded by other members of the wizarding community. But Tony had stepped back with Pepper to avoid the attention for a bit just wanting to watch instead of soaking up the attention himself for a change. "Of course they do. Shes like Steve she cares, and they can tell." Tony said softly. He was so proud of his daughter.
"Mr. Stark." Tony looked over to see the twins Juniper was so fond of looking at him with undisguised delight.
"Yes, Mr. Weasleys?" He responded cautiously.
"I don't know if Juniper told you, but we have been coming up with some little toys that may be helpful in upcoming battles." The one with the ear which would make him Fred started.
"We were hoping that you being the expert and all would be willing to take a look at them?" George finished.
A slow smile appeared on Tony's face, and he glanced over at Pepper. She gave a sigh and a smile. "Go on go play. I'll stay with Nat and Clint." she promised he turned and followed the twins eagerly.
Juniper had seen the man as she'd started speaking. She wasn't sure at first what it was about him that caught her attention he looked like just any of the others in the crowd, but her eyes kept returning to him. Average in every way weight, height sandy haired, hazel eyes, brown robes of decent quality. Not someone who would generally draw attention. But about halfway through her revelations about Tom she realized exactly what it was and had to struggle not to react. No one noticed. The only person who would have Ron was too deeply involved in whispering with his brothers to pay attention. As she finished her talk and spoke to those in the crowd, he moved over to the mouth of one of the alleys glancing back at her once.
When she took a step towards him both Charlie and Bucky started to follow her, she turned to give them a bit of a glare. "No stay here. I just need a minute."
"Juniper..." Charlie started and Juniper held up a finger.
"No Charlie I'm not in danger at the moment just stay here." Juniper answered.
"Doll..." Bucky started.
"Charlie remember what I told you about being overprotective this past summer?" Juniper asked.
"Yes." Charlie answered softly.
"Good tell Bucky." Juniper ordered. "And stay both of you. DON'T piss me off." She turned and slipped through the people who had gathered around the Avengers disappearing from their view.
"What did she tell you?" Bucky asked his voice tense staring after her.
Charlie snorted reached up and smacked the taller man in the back of the head and said, "Stop it."
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She wouldn't have followed him all the way to the back of the alley where no one would hear her if she yelled or see spell fire but he was smart enough to know that and had stopped halfway down.
"Hello Barty." Juniper said softly.
"Hiya Juni." He answered giving her that slightly psychotic grin of his. "That was quick. I honestly didn't think you'd catch on. Thought I'd have to follow you to catch you alone. How'd you know it was me?"
"You have certain mannerisms even when you're under polyjuice. First time around I just thought it was normal for Moody as I'd never met him before. Now I know it's you." Juniper answered.
Barty Crouch Junior snickered slightly. "You always were bright. Maybe not as book smart as your friend Hermione but you apply lessons better. Constant vigilance."
"You shouldn't be here Barty." Juniper warned. "I'd any of the others catch you..."
"What your boyfriend and big brother will play tug-of-war using my arms as rope?"
"Possibly whatever they do it would not be fun for you. They aren't as...forgiving as I am." Juniper answered.
"And why are you Juniper? You don't forgive Peter, or Bella, or even Snape. Why do you forgive me?" Barty asked. He hadn't intended to ask but for some reason he wanted to know.
Juniper shrugged a bit. "Maybe because you didn't kill me when you had a chance. That I believe when you were pretending to be Moody that you started to believe it and you really started to truly become my friend. Maybe because I know what it's like to be so desperate for any semblance of family that you'll try to hold on to it where you find it no matter what, or because I know what its liked to be locked up and mistreated by people who are supposed to care about you. Possibly because you were just a teenager when Bellatrix and Rabastan dragged you with them to go after the Longbottoms and you were just the lookout but got punished just as harshly as they did. Maybe because I see the potential for more in you Barty. You don't have to follow him, Barty. You don't have to be a deatheater."
"I'm not. Not anymore. I'm no longer a Deatheater Juniper. I no longer follow the Dark Lord. I'm a Knight now. A Knight of Walpurgis. One of Grindelwald's Knights." Barty answered his eyes brightening as he grinned proudly.
"Merlin Barty it's the same bloody thing. You don't have to choose between one madman or another. You are capable of thinking for yourself. Being your own man and making your own choices." Juniper said with a sigh.
"You sound like him." Barty said sounding happy about it.
Juniper rolled her eyes. "What do you want Barty?"
"I brought you a gift from Lord Grindelwald." Barty answered.
"I don't want a thing from him, and I'm not dumb enough to take anything from you. The King of the portkeys."
Barty actually kind of snickered. "Yeah, that was a nifty bit of charm work huh?" He forced himself under control as they sight of Juniper's glare. "You'll want this. I'll put it over here you can cast all the detection spells you want on it and I give you my word that it's not spelled in any way but the obvious ones."
He seemed to pull the item out of thin air, and she gasped her eyes focusing on it with a intensity that made it obvious that yes, she did want it. Very very much. Barty careful sat it on a dustbin and backed away. "We'll be in touch later Juniper but that is a gift. No strings, no tricks, no promises. I don't want to see you dead Juniper. When you face him listen to what he says." Juniper nodded but it was more to get Barty to leave than anything. Barty nodded as well and turned strolling away whistling.
Juniper approached the item and cast all the detection spells she could think of on it, and nothing happened. She picked up a rock and cautiously pushed it to touch it. Nothing. She bit her lip took off her cloak and tossed it over the thing before picking it up. Still nothing.
Charlie and Bucky where still standing where she left them when she came back out of the alley and they both hurried over to her seeing the pale shocky look on her face and that she was carrying something cover by her cloak. "Doll?" Bucky asked softly.
"Where's Remus?" She asked him her voice a bit shaky.
"Hes over there. Everyone is but you da...Tony he went with the twins to his shop." Bucky answered.
"Charlie grab the others and meet me at the shop. You guys aren't going to believe this."
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AN- Anybody want to guess with ole Gellert gifted Juniper with? Next chapter Juniper got something this chapter so has to lose something next. She is not going to be a happy little witch. And Leta FINALLY makes her appearance.