Chapter 8

"It's going to feel rather unpleasant," Lavender answered pulling out a small keychain. "Just don't let go." She laughed at her boss' skeptical look and said, "Grab on." Watching Director Fury narrow his eyes at her and reach out for the key chain as though she was pulling an elaborate prank on him was highly amusing. So was his landing after the portkey pulled them from the airship and deposited in London. Lavender landed smoothly on her feet from years of practice traveling this way. Her normally graceful, to the point of irritation, boss barely avoided landing on his face. He did manage to remain on all fours. It was a memory she was definitely showing Dean.

"You're right," Fury told her as he straightened up. "That was unpleasant. Where the hell are we?"

"Ministry of Magic," she answered fighting to keep a straight face at her boss. "London, England. Please try to hide your astonishment Director." Her stoic boss glared at her.

"Come on, we're going to be late."

"Late for what?" Director Fury asked following her further into the ornate atrium they had arrived in. She knew that he was busy taking in his surroundings and planning to hoard the information for later.

"Hermione has a penchant for attracting trouble. One that she's perfected since the age of eleven" Lavender answered as she directed him to the reception desk. She paused to pull her Auror badge and then greeted the ministry employee.

"Good morning. Auror Lavender Brown escorting SHIELD Director Fury for the emergency convening of the International Confederation of Wizards." Her boss' contained any surprise at her secondary title, although she knew he would demand an explanation later. Lavender handed over her wand for identification, and then passed him a badge with his name on it. After they were through reception she continued as she pocketed her badge and wand.

"What kind of trouble?" Director Fury asked watching as memos flew over their heads down the corridor.

"She fought a troll at the age of eleven, and won," Lavender answered with a shrug. "Use that as your scale and raise it for each year she ages." The groan that escaped her boss surprised her.

"I'm going to regret meeting her aren't I?" Fury asked glancing over at Lavender. "Occasionally," Lavender agreed. "She's a dangerous combination of Stark's curiosity and intelligence, Captain America's sense of righteousness, and Romanov's stealth. Add to that impulsivity and sheer determination."

Lavender's description was interrupted by Director Fury swearing under his breath. Her lycan hearing enabled her to pick up most of his mutterings including key phrases of, "perfect storm," and "time for retirement."

"You're far better off with her on the team. I've been pestering Kings, our Prime Minister, to read you in for years. Hermione's been involved only since Loki's temper tantrum in Germany and you've been summoned. Witch is efficient."

"What exactly am I being brought in for?" Fury asked as he followed her into one of the lifts. Lavender punched the necessary floor as the doors shut.

"You'll be speaking to an international coalition of witches and wizards. Similar to the council, except much larger."

"How many of there are you?" Director Fury asked.

"I'm not entirely sure. We're spread throughout the world, but muggles out number us. The Statute of Secrecy was put in place to prevent witch hunts."

"So what is the goal here? What am I trying to accomplish with this group?" Fury asked.

"You have to justify why you need to know about magic. Specifically, why we should allow SHIELD to have any information at all rather than simply continuing to hide," she answered. Director Fury looked affronted at the answer, and Lavender had no doubt he was about to demand she explain her choice of the word "allow." Looking over at her boss, she smiled when she saw him open his mouth.

"You don't have to convince me," Lavender said. "Remember I work for you. I'm more than aware why isolation policies do not work, especially with aliens and Norse Gods showing up. However, they don't. The majority of our citizens are completely ignorant of your world."

"What's the worst that could happen?" the director asked, which caused Lavender to pause midstep. "What?"

"You are about to face a group of people who are overwhelmingly racist and bigoted. They will sneer and mock you for not having magic. Many of them hate Hermione for having nonmagical parents. Do not lower yourself to their tactics. Ignore their insults and derision." She finished escorting him to the doors of the meeting hall.

"Alright, once we walk in here, they will call your name. Go to the podium in the center. Oh and remember, Muggle simply means non-magical." As the doors opened, it allowed an outpouring of noise, giving them their first glimpse of the group who had summoned Director Fury. They slipped into the seats arranged for viewing the group, although primarily it was empty. In front of the podium stood Hermione Granger. She was wearing the same clothes that Lavender had seen her in earlier, although they wer ripped and covered in copious amounts of blood.

"...trust a mudblood's judgement? What's the harm in the deaths of a few dirty muggles?"

"Ambassador Croyne you will refrain from using such language," Supreme Mugwump Akingbade said gaveling the other one down. "Ms. Granger has repeatedly proved her magical worth with her heroic actions and derogatory comments towards her parentage will not be tolerated."

"She broke the Statute of Secrecy!" Ambassador Croyne snarled.

"That is not at issue here, and has already been previously settled," Supreme Mugwump Akingbade said. "Do you have a relevant question?" Before the man could answer, Akingbade spoke again, "Excellent. Ms. Granger, you are dismissed. Thank you so very much for attending today's hearing and testifying before the International Confederation." The brunette witch promptly thanked the Supreme Mugwump and turned towards Lavender.

"Director Fury," she greeted.

"Granger," he answered. "Your motivation visual was exceedingly well played."

"Thank you Director," she said clearly pleased. "Good luck to you." His name was called seconds later and he headed towards the podium. He had a feeling he'd need a glass of whiskey after this "hearing."

"Muggles are mindless beasts," yet another idiot announced. Fury had long lost what little patience he possessed. He wasn't even bothering to keep track of their names now, and instead referred to them with a variety of insults in his head. It was worse than dealing with the council. He was sorely tempted to shoot all of them. He was grateful that he had years of experience handling these types of morons.

"Why should we care?"

Yes, he definitely needed a glass of whiskey...good whiskey to soothe his mind after this moronic debate.

"Considering that you're vastly outnumbered," he answered, "there's the fact that we are facing enemies hell bent on destroying the entire planet. Surely, you realize that if they are successful, by proxy the magical community will perish as well."

"Aliens have already proven that they failed to find our people," the wizard insisted.

"Actually, they never had a chance to look for any of your people, as SHIELD and the Avengers battled them in New York and won. Are you so willing to allow a threat the option of time and curiosity?" Silence reigned over the hall at his question, and Director Fury finally felt a spark of hope that logic might actually succeed.

"I'm not suggesting you reveal any of your communities," he said. "Simply that you cooperate with our organization."

"How many will be aware of our existence?" The British Minister, Kingsley Shacklebolt asked . "You must understand that we have valid concerns about the safety of our citizens, especially considering that muggles have already proven capable of persecution."

"I agree that the public would be better off in ignorance," Fury said. "It would be me, and the Aurors you've already had infiltrate SHIELD. Personally, I believe we can coordinate far more efficiently to protect both the magical and muggle community, regardless of how we view each other."

"Muggles are weak," Ambassador Croyne declared dismissively. "Why should we lend our power to you?"

"Ambassador are you familiar with an atomic weapon?" Fury asked smirking. When the wizard shook his head the Director continued, "It is a weapon of mass destruction. Two were dropped in the middle of the 20th century, and it obliterated Japan. Residual radiation ultimately killed thousands of muggles. These are weapons that your wards will not protect you against."

"Are you threatening us?" Ambassador Croyne demanded.

"I am merely explaining why you should be slow to antagonize muggles, especially considering we have common enemies," Director Fury answered. "It makes little sense to fight each other, when our entire planet is under threat of destruction." His comments set off a wave of discussion amongst the international body, which dismissed him shortly after. Agent Brown met him outside of the chamber, and led him out while ignoring all of his questions. She shoved him into a fireplace while yelling out a name of a saint.

It wasn't until he was looking at an unconscious Phil, that she started speaking to him.

"You did well," Agent Brown said. "They'll dither for the next several days before we're told of their decision."

"Meanwhile, Loki wreaks havoc," Director Fury responded. "The damage will be catastrophic."

"Hermione is in play," Brown answered dismissively. "Besides, you have several Aurors at your disposal. We're not just going to abandon SHIELD. Honestly, this is all more of a formality than anything. We've given them a great cover by pretending Hermione is unique. They'll never deny that."

"You're surprisingly confident," Fury said.

"With good reason," Lavender answered as she picked up Phil's chart and read it. "His prognosis is good. Although it'll take a lot of recovery."

"Who will they contact?" Fury asked unsurprised that his agent had kept her answers succinct. He'd trained her well, and now that he knew she also worked for the magical government he assumed she had been trained by them.

"Hermione or myself," she answered. "Most likely whomever Kingsley reaches first. According to these notes, Padma was able to dismantle the spell combination, which is the most volatile part. Honestly, the fact that he doesn't have a magical core is probably why she was successful."

"Lasting consequences?"

"Too soon to tell," Lavender answered before meeting his eye, "Although a scepter to the chest isn't a flesh wound. I'm still shocked he's alive even with Hermione's interference." Fury looked at her thoughtfully before asking the question on his mind.

"When you say volatile.." he said trailing off. The grim smile Agent Brown gave did not comfort him.

"It could cause a minor explosion," she answered. The emphasis she used on the word minor did not go unnoticed, and Fury imagined she was underselling exactly how small of an explosion it could cause. He needed to have Agent Brown and Granger provide a demonstration after they had taken care of Loki.

"We need to head back soon. No doubt the team is scrambling in your absence." Fury couldn't help the small smile at her insinuation. Despite his irritation at the antics the Avengers constantly performed, he did have a soft spot for them.

"You're sure about Granger?" He asked warily. Despite his irritation at his agent keeping a secret identity and community from him, he still trusted her implicitly.

"Hermione's moral compass is rather impressive. As I mentioned earlier, it's on par with Captain America's," Brown answered before hesitating.

"What is it?" Director Fury asked.

"Hermione was involved in the war before it technically became one. She spent her childhood on the front lines because a madman insisted that she and every other muggle born needed to be exterminated. Her regard for her own life, but never her reasons. You will question her methods, and the risks she takes, but never forget that she's focused on the bigger picture."

"Well..that's something," Fury said. "She seemed capable of putting the Avenger's in their place."

"I trust her with my life," Agent Brown said. "She's capable of making the decisions no one else can."

"That's all well and good," Fury said weighing his agent's words. "The real question is, do we want her to?" Lavender raised her chin and met his gaze.

"Yes."