Hello all!
First and foremost! Thank you to the 32 people who have joined us on the tumblr blog! It will stay open! Feel free to ask questions there, I will answer as quickly as possible! For those of you who haven't joined, your welcome to! I will be posting news about my writing and sneak peaks there, go to tumblr and search thisgonnabegoodfic!
Second, many of you were unhappy about Harri even considering that Sirius would go back to Dumbledore. OBVIOUSLY he wouldn't do something like that but she has to cover ALL her bases. Not just the more likely ones.
Third, a few of you wanted to know about the Elder swear I threatened you with last time if you didn't comment. There is no good way for me to explain it here. Go to youtube and search Potter Puppet Pals: Wizard Swears. You'll see what I mean. ;)
The word of the week is foreshadowing!
Enjoy!
Disclaimer in Chapter 1. I also don't own Doctor Who or the Back to the Future Trilogy.
Flying over the expansive LeFay grounds on the back of the Abraxans was a real treat. Griphook had declined and left, saying that Goblins weren't meant to leave the ground, but Sleipnir took to the enormous equines with a childlike excitement, especially after they bowed to him a few seconds after inspecting him. Everyone had mounted up and they had taken off as a group. Harriet pointed out the different parts of the property as they flew; from the forest that was filled with magical creatures to the mountain with an alter for rituals situated on the top, the barracks that were separate from the castle to the cabins along the beach. The castle itself was sitting on top of a cliff, tall and proud but with a slightly whimsical look.
It was after the group had spent four exciting hours flying, eaten lunch, and Harri had started a tour of the interior of the castle that Loki pulled Tony aside. In fact, he drug Tony all the way back to the family wing and into his room. Tony eyed Loki warily, he trusted Harriet who said that they had been family in the previous timeline but he hadn't built up that trust with Loki quite yet. "What's this about Loki?"
Loki turned at his door and leaned back against it, "We have to do something about Harriet's fathers."
"Yes!" Tony exclaimed, throwing up his hands, "Yes, thank you! Could you see her face when she proposed breaking it off with them? And earlier when she suggested that Sirius might go back to that meddling old man? We totally have to do something!"
Loki's lips quirked up, "Indeed. They seem to have a misunderstanding of the power held by the non-magical Midgardians. I hope to talk to them about war but can you come up with something about the power of Midgard's weaponry? Maybe the damage it can do?"
Tony nodded seriously, "I can do that. I can have Jarvis compile videos of my weapons tests and some war reels. I should also be able to get Daisy to bring me some of the guns I still have and my suit so they can see just how dangerous we muggles can get."
"Good, I will attempt to ascertain their true issues with her killing and address them along with some other things." Loki said, he crossed his arms over his chest. "Harriet slipped into step with me flawlessly in battle so we had no trouble dispatching those agents yesterday but we would have been able take care of those first guards with less of a mess had we caught them unawares which would have happened if James had kept watch as she ordered."
Tony huffed, "Harri said James and Sirius were Aurors. I expected them to be able to at least understand even if they weren't happy about it and Harriet has never been shy about her end goal of killing Dumbles. Did they think she was just joking about that?"
"They seem to be having trouble balancing her original and continuing status as their daughter with her more prominent and obvious status as their leader." Loki muttered, "She told me another of our family was considered our leader most of the time but she so clearly has a handle on the role." Tony nodded in agreement, Loki gave Tony a cautious smile, "I think we should start with just getting them to understand for now. I don't think Harriet will be able to handle it if she loses them."
Tony looked grim, "I doubt it."
"Alright. We should go in the morning. Harriet will be busy with Barnes and we can make excuses that will leave us time to act. I will say I am going after Jörmungandr. I can take us to Potter Manor."
Tony nodded, "I can say I need to go back to the Expo, I will need to anyway to make sure everything is going alright."
Loki nodded in acceptance, "Very well. We should get back to the group before Harriet gets too suspicious of our disappearance." Tony gave a small snort but followed Loki from his room.
They found everyone else walking through one of the many halls with Harriet walking backward like a museum tour guide as she talked about the castle. They caught up just as Harriet pushed open a set of double doors, "This is the throne room." She said with a grin, "For when I'm feeling like being a bit pretentious."
"Sweet Merlin!" Charlie exclaimed as they stepped into the enormous room. It had glittering floors done in black marble with green swirls through it that seemed to be lit from within. Pillars with torches on them created shadows toward the edges of the room, partially hiding grand tapestries that all showed witches casting powerful magics. High vaulted ceilings were enchanted much like the ceiling at Hogwarts but this didn't show the sky just outside, this one showed a gently moving starcapes with a few swirled galaxies dotted among them.
"Shouldn't there only be one throne?" Percy asked, drawing everyone's attention up to the head of the room. There on a dais was eleven thrones, the three thrones in the center were raised just a bit higher than the others, light seemed to halo the area.
Harriet smiled, "That's another part of my preferences. Morgana was a Queen at a couple points in her life so she insisted on a throne room where she could show that with only her soulmate being on the same level with her. So I can't change the fact that there is a throne room but I can change the room itself based on the fact that I don't think I could ever 'rule' anything without my family with me." Harri said, throwing in air quotes around the word rule. "We used this castle in a time of war, we had many people who were fighting under us but we were the leading group. So we actually used this room to give out information and gather information from everyone, especially when we wanted to show a united front on something."
"I never thought I would have a throne." Tony said, wiping a fake tear from his eye as he headed over to the simple gold throne with red accents that had his arc reactor symbol at the top in glowing blue gems. Tony sat down easily before rearranging himself with one leg thrown over an arm and wide grin, "Oh yeah, this is nice."
Harriet rolled her eyes but tugged Fred and George with her gently up to their three thrones which were situated in the center of the lineup. George was sat in the throne to the right of Harriet's and Fred in the throne to her left. Their three thrones matched for the most part, they were ornate gold chairs with red cushions that had the Gryffindor lion embroidered in the back. A ruby fox was set in the top of each of the twins thrones, Fred's with an onyx tipped tail and George's with a pearl tipped tail. Harriet's throne had a phoenix with its wings arched up done in emerald. Fred and George threw themselves into the thrones cockily while Harriet sat on her throne primly with one leg crossed over the other.
Loki made his way to his throne that sat next to George and one away from Tony. His throne was more simple like Tony's and was gold with green cushions. At the top was his intertwined snake symbol in onyx and emerald. Loki sat himself easily in the throne and nodded as he relaxed into it, "It will do I suppose." He said lightly.
Harriet shot him a grin, "Not all thrones can be Hliðskjálf Loki." She teased before looking down at the rest of the group who was looking them over with amusement.
"Well you look…off balance." Lee said.
Harriet laughed, "Yeah, you don't get the full effect until we're all here and in full gear or court dress." Harriet said, her voice echoing in the empty chamber.
"What's this places fascination with emerald green?" Bill asked, looking at the glowing swirls in the floor. "It's in the floors, on the walls, everywhere. It's like people had a fascination with Slytherin."
"Ah, that." Harri said, she stood and waved to everyone, "Come on. I'll show you." Everyone followed her from the throne room and she led them to a small room a few doors down. "Stay quiet. Just listen and let me do the talking." She instructed. Harri opened it and everyone followed her into the almost eerily quiet room that had curtains over all of its walls. Harriet tugged on a velvet rope and the curtains pulled up to show the walls covered with portraits of witches of all types. However, one things unified them, their emerald green eyes, eyes that Harriet shared. Harri dipped in a curtsey to the portrait at the head of the room, "Lady LeFay." She intoned, bowing her head. The group focused on the moving portrait.
This woman was slim and dainty with elegant almost elf like features, raven black hair that shimmered even in the oil paints, and pouty cupid's bow lips. Her green eyes looked Harriet over, "Lady LeFay." She answered back, her voice low but musical. Her eyes flicked to the group behind her, narrowing slightly until she reached Luna and relaxed a bit. "Why have you brought all of these males into this chamber?"
"Apologies Mother Morgana. I know you do not like males in here. They wished to know the connection emerald has with our line and by extension our castle and who better to tell them of our great history than the founder of our house herself." Harri said.
Morgana seemed to consider this, "Very well daughter." She looked to the rest, "The magic of the LeFay line manifests as our unique emerald eyes. If they are a true LeFay, one who was born with our large power cores, our eyes with turn to the green of the killing curse when we are angered or when we attempt powerful magics. With such a direct connection to our strong magic emerald is woven into this castle more and more with each powerful Lady who takes on the mantle of LeFay." Morgana's eyes landed on Harriet again, "Have you manifested fully daughter?"
Harriet allowed her magic to pool in her eyes, the emerald immediately glowing the color of the killing curse, "Yes Mother." Harriet answered solemnly.
Morgana tilted her head back so she was looking down her nose at Harri, "And have you already begun expanding our legacy? Completed grand feats to add to the name LeFay?"
"Yes Mother." Harri said, clasping her hands behind her, "I have a magical animagi, have time traveled a great period, and managed to complete the requirements set forth by Merlin to gain his estate."
Morgana's eyebrows rose and her lips quirked up slightly, "Well done my daughter. You are a credit to the house LeFay." She dropped her head a bit, "Return later without your male followers so I may hear more." With a wave of her hand the curtains all dropped again.
Everyone quickly exited and turned to Harri as she closed the door quietly. "What does she have against men?" Tony huffed.
"Morgana was a very powerful witch in the middle ages when women were seen as lower life forms." Harri explained, "It didn't help that she had an inherently dark magic core and that her half-brother was King Arthur. She had to fight for recognition and respect. So she doesn't really like men. The only ones I've known her to be kind to are Loki and the portrait of her soul mate, Accolon."
"Me?" Loki asked, "Why didn't you introduce us then?"
Harri giggled, "When I introduced you last time you spent four hours talking. Did you see an empty portrait frame in your room?" Loki nodded, "I had that put in there so you guys could talk. Its connected to Morgana. Just knock on the frame and introduce yourself when she shows up."
"I will do so later then." Loki said, looking pleased.
"So what was with"
"the mother, daughter thing?" Fred and George asked.
"The LeFay line is strictly matriarchal because of Morgana's hatred of men." Harriet said, "Only women are allowed to inherit the title and head up the family unlike most families these days that allow both. With that in mind, all of the older Lady LeFays are addressed as Mother and the younger as daughter depending on who is speaking. Since that is the way the succession falls."
"I thought that Morgana only had one child though." Percy threw in, "In the stories Ywain is the only one talked about."
Harri nodded, "Yes, he's the only one talked about but Morgana disowned him once he proved that he had no magic and preferred his father's profession. When Morgana bonded with Accolon they had a little girl, Morgan, who was the first to inherit the green eyes and the larger magical core. Morgana kept her daughter out of the spot light, especially after Accolon was killed by a wound Arthur inflicted."
"Wow." Percy said, "I would love to see the rest of the real history."
Harri gave him a knowing smile and began to lead them through the halls again, "Yes, it's quite fascinating."
"So why would Loki get preferential treatment from her?" Tony asked.
"I'm a God." Loki said cockily.
Harri nodded, "Yes, he is one of the Gods that Dark Wizards tend to worship or swear allegiance to. That and the fact that he is comfortable with turning himself into a woman makes him acceptable to talk to in Morgana's mind."
"You can seriously turn yourself into a woman?" Tony exclaimed.
"It can't be real." Percy huffed, "Probably illusions or a deep glamour."
"Don't underestimate mother." Sleipnir warned.
"But it's not possible!" Percy exclaimed, "Even magic has rules."
"Ah, but I've never been good at following rules." Loki said, in a flash of green he was in his female form, looking almost like an older and bustier version of Harriet, her face still held more of an angular appearance as well so she looked more like Harriet's long lost sister. Tony choked and Bill, Charlie, Percy, and Lee's mouthes dropped open as they took in the busty female who was wearing a tight green and gold dress, her hair falling wildly down her shoulders, held back only a little by a gold head band with tiny horns on it. "And yeah." She purred as she tucked her arms around her stomach, effectively pushing her breasts up more, "These are real."
Harriet cackled at the four's dumbfounded expressions, Fred and George were laughing at their brothers as well. "Sweet Merlin their faces!" George laughed.
Fred's laughs died into more hysterical giggles, he stopped just long enough to lean around Loki's shoulder and tease them with a quick, "You guys have got a little drool right…" he tapped to the corner of his mouth. The three eldest Prewetts scrambled to wipe at their mouths, blushing the whole way. Lee just shook himself and looked away.
Sleipnir grinned and threw his arms around his mother's waist, "I told you not to underestimate her!" he crowed happily.
Loki patted her son's head before transforming back into his male form. "Indeed." He said with a smile.
Harriet settled down and continued on, "Alright, we'll go to the library next." Percy and Loki both perked up the most but everyone seemed genuinely excited for it, they had seen some of it during their fly over after all. It had been a glass dome that looked down into a comfortable seating area centered around what seemed to be a pillow pit with a just a glimpse of book shelves around the edge of the area. They came to yet another set of double doors and Harriet pushed them open to reveal a grand library. It was enormous and two stories high. Sunlight streamed through the shelves from the dome that was at the very back of the very deep room, "This is the largest magical library in the world." Harri said with a satisfied smile at her surroundings, she looked back to the gaping group of males, Luna stood among them as well but she didn't seem all that surprised. Harriet noticed Percy was developing a slight twitch in his left eyes, Loki's eyes were darting from row to row, and the twins were slowly clenching and unclenching their hands. "I think we'll spend some time in here for the rest of the afternoon." Everyone looked to her quickly, "We can stay in here until dinner, then we'll head to the family common room for movies and food. And yes, you can take books with you to your rooms, they just can't leave the castle." Their eyes lit up but they didn't move, she gave them a shooing motion, "Well go on. Before your heads explode." The group broke in a mad dash to be the first at the shelves.
Luna was the only who stayed with Harriet, she looked to her sister, "Can you summon my book please?" she asked softly.
"Of course." Harriet said, she held out a hand and a book flew from a nearby shelf, Harri handed it to her sister, ignoring the shout of protest. Harri and Luna made their way over to the reading area and settled in the pillow pit together with Harri propped up against one side and Luna lying next to her with her head in Harri's lap. Harriet summoned Dianna to bring her a large scroll of parchment so Harri could make up a catalog of Fred and George's products and what they did.
Soon everyone started showing up with books and settling into the reading area. Sleipnir climbed into the pillow pit and sat next to Luna's legs with a book about Midgardian magical horses, Luna almost immediately shifted over to lay on his lap. Fred and George joined them a moment later and curled up with Harriet, each with four books a piece. Lee also joined them in the pillow pit, sitting across from Harriet and the twins. Everyone else settled up on the couches that surrounded the pit, Percy and Loki having the biggest piles. Harriet almost snorted when she saw that even Tony had a couple books, she had very rarely seen him with a physical book in his hands. Content, Harri let Glacia sing from within, relaxing everyone as they sank into their own worlds to read.
Harriet was just getting to the Wonder Witch product line with their descriptions when her Clint bracelet began to burn. Glacia stopped singing and, though it wasn't out loud, everyone immediately took note of its absence, even more so when Harriet snapped her fingers for Dianna while she rolled up the half done scroll.
"Can I help you Lady LeFay." Dianna asked politely.
"I need my battle suit, jacket, and boots and my bag from my trunk. As quickly as possible." Harri said, she put down her scroll before sliding from under Fred and George and out of the pillow pit as Dianna popped away.
"What's wrong?" Fred and George asked at once.
"My brother needs me." Harri said, gesturing at the bracelet that was glowing. Dianna showed up with Harriet's clothes, "Thank you Dianna." Harriet did a quick switching spell so she was in her mission clothes.
"What's wrong?" Tony asked, genuinely worried.
"Which one." Loki questioned.
"The archer. And I don't know." Harri said as she adjusted her clothes so they were laying correctly before pulling up her deep hood. "If I need help I'll come back and get you." She took her bag and slid it over her shoulder, only pulling out her gun to holster it in place, her wand was already in its thigh holster. Harri cast a quick wandless tempus, "We have about an hour and a half until dinner time. If I don't come back before that then somethings wrong."
"What?!" Fred and George exclaimed, but Harriet disappeared in flames before they could finish.
Harriet appeared a little way away from where Clint's signal was, she didn't want to appear too close in case there were enemies or he shot her in surprise. Harriet turned to Glacia and took to the air. As she approached Clint's signal she found herself looking at a looking at a Shield base, not the Helicarrier thankfully but still a rather well appointed base. The signal was leading her toward a high up watch tower. As she approached she saw Clint, Natasha, and another agent who she could only assume was Phil Coulson if this truly was one of Clint's nests. They were all looking at something on the floor of the nest, Clint looking devastated as he continued to rub at his bracelet fiercely.
"You called her for this?!" Natasha hissed, "Here? At the base?"
"What was I supposed to do?!" Clint exclaimed, "We don't have a vet on staff and I don't know how to help her! And there was no time to move her somewhere else! My baby is dying!"
"Clint we would have done all we could to keep Artemis stable until we could get to a more neutral place." Phil was saying gently, Harri instantly liked him.
Glacia dove toward the nest and alighted on one of the arrows that was lining the edge, she trilled and instantly had two guns and an arrow aimed at her. Glacia kept her wings half spread and focused on Clint, she cocked her head to look pointedly at Clint's bracelet and cooed. Clint slowly put down his bow, but still kept it within reach, "Did Harriet send you?"
Harriet kept the change slow and not too flashy as she transformed back into her normal form, the three agents eyes went wide at the transformation. "Sort of." She said softly, still very aware of the two guns that were trained on her as she slowly pulled her hood down before baring her wrist to show the other bracelet, "You called me."
Clint blinked, "Harriet?" she nodded and her swept his eyes over her, "You look different from your school picture."
Harri gave him a lopsided smile, "Skintight suits do that." She cocked her head, "Now what's wrong? I expected a text before you calling with the bracelet. Did Artemis lose the letter?"
That seemed to put Clint back on track and he shook his head while motioning her further into the nest, that apparently signaling Natasha and Phil to drop their guns, but not put them away. "No, she has it but she was shot flying in." Clint said worriedly, he moved to reveal a shallowly breathing Artemis who had been shot through her left wing and once more on her right side, both injuries bleeding sluggishly, her armor was stacked on the opposite side of the nest with the rolled up letter sitting on top.
Harriet nodded and immediately focused on Artemis, "It will be okay Clint, I can heal her." She soothed as she pulled her bag around and immediately pulled out her emergency potions kit. She knew Natasha and Phil were keeping an eye on her movements, especially since Clint was so completely focused on Artemis. Harriet pulled out several vials and then her wand from its holster, "Clint, I need you to open her beak gently and pour in these three vials okay?" she said gently, handing the three bottles to the shaking archer.
"What are they?" Clint asked even as Harriet ran a diagnostic on Artemis.
"The light blue one is a calming draught. The dark blue is a mild pain reliever. And the red is a blood replenisher." Harri explained evenly as she saw that while the wing wound was a through and through, the shot in the hawk's side still had the bullet lodged inside. "Give her the pain reliever first then the calming draught. I have to pull out the bullet from her side, its lodged in one of her air sacs." Clint nodded jerkily and carefully poured the pain reliever in Artemis' beak first, Artemis let out a pained croak and Clint winced. "Rub her throat, gently. It will help it go down." Harri directed, Harri waited until Clint had poured in the calming draught and Artemis' body has gone lax before she began to dig for the bullet.
Clint's jaw locked as Artemis made pitiful noises until Harriet could pull the bullet free. "What are you doing now?" he asked worriedly as Harriet trained her wand on the side wound.
"I have to seal, clear, and inflate her air sack." Harri explained patiently, "Just like a punctured lung on a human." Harri sealed it with a quick flick of her wand and cleared the blood from it with another, wincing as the slurping sound made Clint flinch again. Harri made a tight circle motion with her wand and the air sac inflated easily. Harri let out a breath as her magic left her, healing always took more energy than regular spell casting and she was by no means an expert. Healing that entry wound itself was easier and Harri did quickly before moving to Artemis' wing. Harriet examined it more closely and huffed as she pulled a small vial of Skele-Gro out of her kit, "Open her beak, I can only give her two drops of this." She said.
"What is it?" Clint asked as he did what he was told.
"Skele-Gro." Harri said, "The bullet clipped her ulna on its way out. This will heal it over and make sure it doesn't fracture when she uses it." Harri let two drops fall into Artemis' mouth before capping it. Artemis made a gagging sound, "I know dear, it tastes disgusting." She soothed, petting at Artemis' open wing gently before healing the wound. "She should be up in a few minutes but don't have her doing anything for a couple of days. She's healed but she shouldn't strain until its settled." Clint nodded seriously and picked up Artemis gently to cradle against his chest and coo at her.
"How did the bullets even get though?" Natasha asked, speaking for the first time since Harriet arrived. "I've seen her take several bullets with the armor without even slowing down."
Harri cocked her head as she sat back against the nest's wall, "Well, how long had she had the armor on before she was sent to me?"
Clint frowned, "Two days." His eyes widened, "And then it took another six days for her to return from you."
Harri nodded, "The armor needs to charge after a week or it won't protect her correctly. Unfortunately, I didn't even think to have her stop to rest. I didn't want to leave you without her for too long."
"So who are you exactly?" Phil cut in, Harri raised an eyebrow at him, "Why do you have such an interest in Clint?"
"I'm very interesting." Clint muttered indignantly, but his eyes never left Artemis who was beginning to become more aware.
"Family should have an invested interest in each other." Harri said lightly.
Clint frowned as he rocked Artemis like she was a baby, "I've never met you before."
"Spoilers." Harri sang without thinking.
Clint's head snapped up and he looked at her, "Spoilers?" he asked intensely, "As in Doctor Who Spoilers? As in time travel?" Harriet didn't respond with anything other than a fond smile, she knew Clint was a rabid Whovian. "Oh my god are you a Time Lord?! Phil I have my own Time Lord! Am I a companion in the future? Do you know the Doctor?"
Natasha smacked Clint in the back of the head, "Stop, she's not Time Lord."
Harri nodded, "I know you're a big Doctor Who fan though. Trust me, it just gets better."
"So time travel?" Phil asked, his face mostly blank, but you could hear an edge of disbelief in his voice.
"That's awesome!" Clint said.
"It's improbable." Natasha said, still eyeing Harriet distrustfully.
Harriet simply smiled, "It's alright. I don't expect you to believe me right away. And trust is earned." She stood up as much as the nest would allow her and backed toward the edge of the nest, "I put my number in the letter. Feel free to text me."
"It would be better if you could just come in and answer some questions." Phil said flatly, "I'm sure the Director and the Council would be very interested in what you have to say."
Harri cocked her head as she took in Phil, he looked completely calm while still being at the ready, seeming to hover over the two assassins protectively even from him position behind them. "I like you Phil Coulson. You are everything that Clint and Natasha told me you were." Natasha's eyes narrowed, she had never told Harriet her name and she was almost positive Clint had never mentioned it.
"Told?" Clint interrupted, "Does something happen to Phil?" he asked edging closer to his handler protectively.
Harri gave him a sad smile, "I will do all in my power not to let it happen again big brother." She said softly, Clint's eyes widened slightly at that but Harri ignored him to look directly at Phil, "Shield has been infiltrated. There aren't many you can trust. Only Clint, Natasha, Fury, and Hill currently that I know for sure. It started with Operation Paper Clip. Look into Project Insight and Alexander Pierce."
"Infiltrated by who?" Phil demanded, "How do you know?"
Harri smiled at him, "Agent Coulson. Silly as it may seem, Clint was correct. Time travel. And infiltrated by the assholes you welcomed into your ranks after the Nazi's defeat. Hydra." Everyone tensed but Harriet just maneuvered so she was crouched on the edge of Clint's nest, "Now, you only called me because you were freaking out over Artemis and if I stay any longer I'm sure my people will do something stupid. Look into what I've told you. Like I said, feel free to text me. Your also welcome to call me again but only when you really feel comfortable."
With that Harriet threw herself from the nest and transformed to Glacia midair, the last thing she heard from Clint as she flew away was an awed, "Awesome!"
Harriet really didn't want to leave but she knew she shouldn't force herself into their lives too quickly. Obviously Clint had only called her because Artemis was hurt, not because he had been truly ready to talk to her. Now at least she had pointed them toward the problems presented by Operation Paperclip and Project Insight as well as that asshole Pierce. She did hope that they texted her though, just seeing her sister and brother had been wonderful but she wanted to start building that trust and camaraderie back up.
Giving a frustrated snap of her beak Glacia flamed to New York and settled down in a back alley to change back, instantly throwing her hood up over her head.
"Whoa, that was cool!" came an excited voice from overhead.
Harriet's head jerked upward, her hand hovering over her gun while she looked for the source of the voice. She relaxed only slightly when a red spandex suited person dropped from the building above, "Deadpool." She greeted flatly. Harri had only met the mercenary a few times in the last timeline, he was a snarky little shit but nice to have around in a long battle. Fred and George loved to banter with him and Deadpool loved to try conning the twins' prank products off them since he couldn't get into the magical alleys to buy them himself.
"Oh, pretty birdy knows my name huh?" the large male cooed, coming forward enough that Harriet could see his many weapons.
Harri rolled her eyes, "Yes, Wade, I know both your names."
Deadpool didn't seem to hear her though, he was talking to himself, "Yeah, I wonder what we could get for her." Harri cocked an eyebrow at him, "No I don't think anyone would believe us if we said she turned into a blue bird." Said blue bird huffed, "And how exactly would we force her to become the bird again yellow?"
Harri rolled her eyes and walked out of the alley, hoping the man had sufficiently distracted himself to let her slip away. Unfortunately, it didn't. Deadpool followed right behind her. "Hold up pretty bird! I wasn't done talking to you!"
"It seemed like you were." Harri replied, grudgingly thankful that Deadpool had followed, since now people were clearing a path for them on the street. "And I don't usually talk to assholes who are trying to sell me."
"Now, now, Birdy no need to get cranky. It wouldn't be anything personal. I may even rescue you once I get the money." Wade said, a clear grin in his voice.
Harri sent him a halfhearted glare, "Shove off Wilson. I have pizza to buy and a family to get back to."
Wade rounded on her and pulled her to a stop, "Pizza?"
Harri cocked an eyebrow, "Yes, pizza. You know. Dough, sauce, cheese, toppings? The disc of heavenly wonder? Pizza?" she said slowly, like she was talking to a kindergartener.
Wade hummed through his mask, "I know of the cheesy goddess. If you buy me pizza I will consider…not selling you and making you my sidekick instead."
Harriet chuckled, "Aw, aren't you adorable. Thinking you would have been able to take me." She slid past the mercenary but he grabbed her arm, in response Harriet used her phoenix strength to spin them into the next clear alley and shove him against the wall. She cast a petrificus totalus on the mouthy man before he could react further and smirked as he dropped like a rock. Harriet settled her knees on his chest and leant over to look into the white eyes of his mask, "Deadpool, you should be careful who you grab. Now, to be clear. First, no selling anyone, especially me as I am already taken. Twins you know." She winked at him, "The ultimate fantasy." Wade made a vague sound from his throat, Harriet smirked, "I don't share, don't even ask. Second, me be your sidekick? If anything you'd be mine. Now, I'm sure we'll see each other again so I'll just go ahead and warn you now little Pool, you try anything I will transfigure you into the team mascot and leave you like that." Harri leaned over and pulled Wade's katanas free from their sheaths, she transfigured them into balloon swords with a quick spell. She stood and brushed her hands off, "Well, have fun! The spell will wear off in a bit!"
Harri left Wade there and continued on her way, the pizza place only being a couple blocks away. It was an old pizza place that Steve and Bucky swore by, a favorite of the team for their traditional after fight take out. When she got there she ordered ten pizzas to go and two to be delivered to the man in red down the street in the alley. Once she had a stack of pizza boxes she stepped out and into the nearest alley to flame home.
"Harriet!" came the twins shouts as soon as she touched down in the family common room.
She yelped as Fred and George latched onto her, making her pizza tower wobble. She saw Tony standing next to his folded up Ironman suit and called out to him, "Tony! Save the pizza's! They're De Marco's!"
"You stopped to get pizza on the way back!" Tony shouted, even as he rushed over to take the stack from her, "Do you know how worried we all were?" Fred and George were checking her over while Tony ranted, "And in New York of all places!"
"You can't just disappear on us like that." Fred said over Tony.
"We were so worried." George added.
Loki was standing next to Tony looking at Harriet disapprovingly, "Harriet, you need to let us know where you're going. How were we supposed to get to you if you-"
"I swear I will put a tracking bracelet on you!" Tony was still ranting.
"You said we're a family you can't just-" Loki continued on under Tony.
Fred and George were still checking Harriet over and she just stood, reveling in the care she felt even as guilt began to well up for making them worry. She could see Bill, Charlie, Percy, Lee, Luna, and Sleipnir sitting on the couches in front of the TV, watching the scene with different mixtures of relief and amusement. Finally, Harriet gripped Fred and George's wrists gently and smiled at them, Tony, and Loki, "I'm fine. I told you I would come back if I needed help." Tony and Loki deflated a little at that but Fred and George just pulled their hands free of her grip so they could wrap her between them in a hug.
Loki's lips pressed into a thin line, "Was our family really a team or did you just go off on your own all the time?" he huffed.
Harriet winced and gave him a sheepish smile, "Both, sort of. We were a team. You, I, Fred, and George were usually the first on scene because we could get prepared faster than the rest, the scouts I guess you could say. I'm used to popping away and everyone coming after us." She bit her lip, "Of course Jarvis is usually directing you." Loki slid a hand down his face with an exasperated sigh.
Tony shifted the pizzas to one hand so he could point at Harriet, "You, young lady, are getting a tracking bracelet! All the tracking bracelets! With a camera and uplink so Jarvis can watch you!"
Harriet's mouth quirked up a little, "Whatever you say big brother."
Tony sagged, "Good." His eyes ran over her to check her for injuries, "Good." He repeated, nodding his head. "Alright. What pizza did you get?"
They spent the rest of the evening introducing the Prewetts to pizza and movies. They watched the Back to the Future Trilogy, Tony picking at the science and Harri and Bill teaming up to argue about the possibility of magic helping out in certain aspects. When part three was coming to an end, Doc Brown flying off on the train with his wife and children, only Harri and Loki were awake. Loki had Sleipnir sprawled over his lap and Harri had Fred and George cuddling her between them. Harri snapped her fingers and several house elves appeared to tuck blankets around everyone. The two dark haired magicians settled in to sleep.
Harriet woke to a slight chime noise, she frowned, snuggling deeper into the couch, Fred and George's grip on her tightened. A few seconds later the chime came again and Harri huffed, she blinked sleep from her eyes and wriggled until she was free of Fred and George's arms. She tucked the blanket back over them as they continued to sleep before straightening as the chime sounded once more. Harri looked around until her eyes landed on the journal that was connected to Bruce, it lay next to Luna who was curled up in a cute little ball in one of the arm chairs. The journal was glowing a slight green.
Harri picked it up and made her way over to one of the windows, willing a small table and a chair in place from the castles storage area. It appeared a moment later and Dianna appeared long enough to set a candle, an ink well, a quill, and a cup of tea on it. Harri nodded to the little elf who bowed to her before disappearing. Harriet sat down at the table and opened the journal to the first page.
Hello?
Harriet?
Does this thing work?
Where all written there on the first page in quick scrawl that Harri remembered from various mission reports. She smiled and dipped her quill in the ink to answer back.
Hello Bruce. Sorry, I just woke up.
Oh, I didn't even think about that. Bruce wrote in response, Harri tilted her head with a fond smile as she watched the words appear letter by letter.
It's alright. I have something to do at dawn anyway. Did Villard make it back to you alright?
Yes, he did. Bruce answered, there was a pause in the writing, How did you know his name anyway? I didn't put it in my letter.
Hulk told me. Harri answered back without hesitation. By the way, did the feather help him relax?
There was another pause then the letters came a little more cautiously, He seemed interested in it when I held it. I can't seem to identify the feather. What is it from?
It's one of my feathers. Harri replied, Smell it.
WHAT? Came the word quickly, the writing turning almost harsh.
Put it up to your nose and inhale Bruce. Harri directed, Hulk will recognize the scent.
Harriet sat back and took a drink of her tea while the page remained as it was. Almost three full minutes later more writing began to appear, He calmed down. You said it was one of your feathers? Are you the ink welled at the end of the 'u' before Bruce continued, a mutant?
Of a sort. My people are human but they differ more than the average mutants everyone is more familiar with.
Meaning? Bruce interrupted.
I'm a witch Bruce. A human born with magic.
Magic isn't real. Bruce returned, Harri snorted.
How are we talking through these journals Bruce? Have you been able to find the cause?
There was a pause, I'm sure if I was in a lab/ Harriet struck a line right in Bruce's path to stop him from writing.
Of course magic can be detected under the right sensors Bruce, but I have yet to see any scientist successfully recreate it. Or be able to explain things that it can do with any certainty or conviction. Would anything you can think of justify what I've been able to do? Just use your own senses, can you see anything other than paper, leather, and ink before you? Can you feel anything? Harri prompted, Bruce didn't write back, What about Villard's armor? Or the bracelet? You can feel me through it, but it's just some etchings, leather, brass, and some of my tears. Harri set down her quill and stroked at Bruce's bracelet gently, sending a bit of her magic into it.
The bracelet went cold. Bruce noted, Harri grinned, she wasn't sure if it would work.
I sent some of my magic into my counterpart. Harri said, Tell me what else it could be. Before Bruce could answer Harriet heard some movement, signally that at least a few people were beginning to wake. Harri looked over to see Tony and Loki stirring in their places. Looking back to the journal she saw another entry, this one looking hesitant with the letters a little further apart and spots where his pen had come to a stop for short periods instead of moving on.
So why would a witch be interested in me?
Harri bit her lip, how to approach this? He likely wouldn't even believe in the magic part until he had seen her in person and could study it. Time travel may be stretching his belief a bit too far at the moment. Not for the Hulk. She began, Don't think I'm not aware of what you're thinking Bruce. I have plenty of power without the big guy. I just want my family back.
And I'm part of that? Bruce asked, disbelief evident, I've never even met you.
I know. I know you've not met me yet. Harriet said, And until you're ready to meet its' best I don't say how I know you. How you're part of my family. You've not even reconciled the existence of magic in your mind let alone this.
"Harriet?" Tony muttered, looking at her sleepily over the back of the couch.
She smiled at him softly, "Good morning Tony." She turned back to the journal, Think over what I've said. Feel free to contact me through this any time. Right now I have to go bring someone out of a magical coma. Stay safe Bruce. Harri closed the journal and turned to Tony again, "How did you sleep?"
The genius groaned, "Terrible." He muttered, "Why did I think sleeping on the couch would be good?"
"Daisy doesn't know Master Tony." The little elf tutted when she popped up with Tony's first cup of coffee.
Tony took the coffee with another zombie like groan, "Daisy you're the best."
"Master always be sayin that. Then complain when Daisy is tellin' him bed time." Daisy huffed, she snapped her fingers and Tony was in fresh clothing, Daisy ignored Tony's grumbles as she fussed about making Tony's clothes lay straight. Harriet giggled at the sight.
"Stark are you being mothered by a house elf?" Loki asked, cracking his eyes open but not moving for fear of waking Sleipnir.
Tony scowled at Loki half-heartedly, Daisy stepped in front of her Master protectively, "Should Daisy be callin' Peri Master Loki?" Loki blanched at the threat and Harri rolled her eyes fondly.
Harriet slipped up to her room and took a quick shower before putting on comfortable jeans and an American Flag shirt, she left her shoes off. She made her way back to the common room, putting her wand in her arm sheath and putting her still damp hair back with a clip. When she reached the common room the first rays of the sun were coloring the sky and she was beginning to feel the pull of her vow. Loki and Tony were now fully awake and dressed, Sleipnir was curled up in the place where his mother had slept. The only other person awake was a groggy Bill who was sipping at some tea.
"Harriet." Loki called as she stepped in sight, she cocked her head at him with a smile, "I'm going to retrieve Jörmungandr."
Harri's eyes lit up, "Great! I'll be happy to see him again. If he's hungry when you get back the elves can retrieve some of the livestock."
Loki shot her a grateful look, "Thank you Harriet."
"No problem." She answered truthfully.
Loki looked to Sleipnir and Bill spoke up, "I can tell him where you went when he wakes up." He offered.
Loki inclined his head, "My thanks, I shouldn't be too long but I will definitely be back before noon." Bill nodded in understanding.
"Can you give me a ride if your heading that way Lokes?" Tony asked, picking up his folded up suit.
"If you're quick Tony." Loki answered
Harri cocked an eyebrow at Tony, "Your leaving?"
Tony grinned and nudged her chin, "Rumor has it Tony Stark's mysterious sister will be at the Stark Expo in a few days. I need to go make sure that the experience is spectacular."
Harriet chuckled and pulled him into a hug, "Alright. Don't cause too much trouble." She said.
Tony pulled back and pouted at her, "Where is the faith?"
Harri smirked, "Crushed under about seven years of craziness."
Tony laughed, "Fair enough. I'll see you guys in two days." He walked over to Loki and they disappeared in a puff of green smoke.
Bill looked over to Harriet, "Why do I have a feeling you're going somewhere too?"
Harri smiled at him, "Because I am. Just not as far as Loki and Tony. I have to go wake up Bucky and talk with him. I won't be able to be disturbed until we come out of his room." Bill's eyes shot over to the sleeping twins before narrowing at Harriet, she cut him off before he could even start talking. "Don't even go there Bill." She said, her voice hard, "I will never cheat on Fred and George. Ever. I love them. I did before I knew they were my soulmates in the last timeline and I would even if the connection wasn't there." She softened slightly, "Anyway, I only see Bucky as my brother. The only reason we need to be left alone is because he's coming out of a situation where he was brainwashed and used as a weapon. He's not going to take a sudden influx of strange people well. I hope to bring him out of his room by lunch for at least the start of contact."
Bill studied Harriet for several tense minutes before his face eased and he nodded, "Alright. I'll keep everyone clear. Griphook should be sending the Prewett information for us to go over anyway."
Harri nodded, "I will assign some house elves to you to get you food and help you settle in. You are all welcome here, I'm sure the Burrow won't take you back in her wards. You can sleep here in the family wing whenever you want to stay at the castle. I have no problem with that."
Bill relaxed even further and nodded, "Thank you Harriet."
Harri nodded with a small smile before making her way down to the main floor of the family wing. On her way she called Dianna, who appeared and walked in step with her, "I want Terra, Gale, and Hera assigned to Bill, Charlie, and Percy while they are here. Twilight should be assigned to Luna."
"Twilight, Lady LeFay?" Dianna questioned uneasily, "That youngling is strange. We only have her tending to the fairies and feeding the thestrals. I don't believe she is a good choice to care for a family member."
Harriet smiled down at Dianna, "I know you hear all that I say within these halls Dianna. You know of one of the great feats I have added to the LeFay legacy."
Dianna nodded, her ears trembling with the movement, "Time travel, a grand feat of magic my Lady."
"Yes." Harri acknowledged, "Unintentional but grand. In the last timeline when we came here Luna and Twilight bonded before I ever assigned the little elf to my sister. I know they will be a great match."
"As you wish Lady LeFay."
Harri nodded, "As for Lee, Dart should be assigned to his needs."
"And will LeFay be assigning a personal elf to her mates? Or taking one for herself?" Dianna asked, "It is only proper for you to have a personal elf."
Harri smiled, "My personal house elf is currently in the employ of another. He is trying to get to me at the moment but the wards are protecting me from him finding me. I will have my personal elf by next year, not to worry."
"He?" Dianna asked, her eyes wide, "Lady LeFay is taking a male elf for her personal elf?" Harri came to a stop at Bucky's door and nodded down at Dianna with an amused expression. The elf let out a slight disapproving sound but bowed her head, "As you wish Lady LeFay." She said, sounding put out. "What of your mates?"
"The elf that matches them best won't become available for some time." Harriet said, thinking of poor Winky who would be forced to cast the Dark Mark in a couple years and was thrown out on her own. Dobby had asked Harriet and the twins if they would consider taking on another elf just days before they had gone to America. They had agreed and Winky had taken to the twins immediately, they pranked her and she pranked them right back, it was an adorable relationship that Fred and George had gotten a lot of laughter out of so Harri didn't want to deprive them of that, especially since she knew that she would take the little elf into her service whether she had a task for her or not. "Until then I won't assign them a specific elf, but their needs and requests should hold the same weight as mine."
"Yes, Lady LeFay. Will that be all?" Dianna asked.
"Just have Lin bring a big breakfast into Bucky's sitting room for us in a little bit. Make sure there are plums with it. That should be all, thank you Dianna." Harri answered, the elf bowed and popped away. Harriet drew in a steadying breath and entered the room, ready to wake up Bucky.
Miles away, at the Potter Manor, Loki and Tony appeared in a disaster area. Loki had aimed for the dining room, hoping he would find the three Marauders here eating breakfast. It was not to be.
"Holy shit!" Tony exclaimed looking around, "Did a tornado hit this place?" The dining room table was covered in burnt, messy, half-finished foods interspaced with empty bottles of fire whiskey.
"Why haven't the elves cleaned up?" Loki muttered.
"And aren't they supposed to cook awesome food like yesterday?" Tony asked, poking at a strange grey lump that had a fork sticking out of it.
A pop announced the arrival of an elf, the little creature glared at them, "What you doin' here?" it snapped.
Loki's eyebrows rose and he leaned down slightly to address the elf, "We're here to see James, Sirius, and Remus." He said evenly.
The elf scowled, "Youse siding with them over Young Lady Harri?"
Tony blinked, "Is that what this is about?" he asked, pointing to the mess.
The elf crossed its skinny arms over its chest, "They not listen to Young Lady Harri. They make her leave. Young Lady Harri was so kind to us. So kind. If Young Lady Harri's fathers turn backs on her we bes turning backs on them! We knows you not suppost to abandon youse young. No matters what they does! How could they?! Our Young Lady Harri only keepin' hers family safe!" the table rattled with the little elf's rage and dust seemed to cover the floor.
Loki nodded, "We agree, we came back to talk some sense into those three. We don't want Lady Harriet to lose her family."
The elf before them looked to consider that before it nodded, "Ike lead you to master Marauders." Loki nodded again, prompting the little elf to set off.
"Damn, remind me not to tick off Daisy." Tony muttered as they followed after Ike.
Loki chuckled, "They are quiet fierce and loyal little creatures."
Ike stopped in the foyer and pointed straight up, "Master Padfoot is being there."
Tony and Loki frowned but looked up only to find Sirius asleep on the foyers chandelier with another bottle of fire whiskey half drank and hanging from his loose fingers. "How the hell..." Tony started.
"Master Padfoot be tryin' to get to Young Lady Harri. Wards threw him back when he try to leave. Ended there and stayed to sleep." Ike said, disgust clear in his voice. Loki rolled his eyes and directed his magic up to cocoon Sirius, the man laid as if boneless in Loki's magic, still snoring.
"Why would the wards keep him from leaving?" Tony asked as he watched, "Did Harri put those up?"
Ike shook his head, "Master Charlus be puttin' them up when Master Marauders was young. Those bein' drunk cannot leave. For theys own safety."
Tony chuckled, "I could use a ward like that."
Loki brought Sirius down next to them but didn't release the man from his magic, "Alright Ike. The next one please." Ike nodded and lead them through the manor some more. He stopped once he had lead them out the back and onto the porch. On the edge of the porch was Remus, he was leaning heavily on one of the posts, and was making strange half howls.
"Remus?" Tony questioned.
The werewolf spun so fast he did a face plant, he looked up at them from his spot on the ground, "Look, ish Ironman! And Lokaye." He slurred, he squinted at them and his voice changed to a whine, "Have you seen my cub? She was right…where is she?"
"I'm beginning to see a pattern." Loki mumbled to Tony who snorted.
"They completely fell apart without her." Tony stated firmly, his eyes widening as Remus rolled onto his back and let out a full mournful howl.
"Now we need to figure out if it's because they took her words to heart or just because they think they've lost her completely." Loki added, he looked down at Remus, "Moony." He said sternly, the wolf looked up at him, "I know where your cub is. You can follow me."
Remus nodded determinedly and got up shakily to follow as Ike began leading Loki again. Tony drug the werewolf's arm over his shoulder as he stumbled, "Come on Moonshine, walking isn't that hard."
"Ish not Moonshine." Remus slurred, "Ish Moonee! Wth, wth ta ee. See?"
Tony rolled his eyes again, "Sure MoonMoon. Just settle down."
Ike led them to the play room where only the desk and couch remained, all of the electronics were gone. James was laying across the couch, he was clutching a recent picture of Harriet to his chest and muttering in his sleep, Loki caught "Sorry Lilly" and "No Princess" as he walked closer.
"Thank you Ike. We'll take it from here." The elf bowed and popped away. Loki leaned down and moved James into a sitting position in the middle of the couch before plopping Sirius next to him, Tony brought Remus over to the couch to sit on the other side of James. Loki waved his hand and his green magic surrounded all three of them, a couple seconds later Remus shook himself as his eyes cleared and James and Sirius woke with a start. "Pathetic." Loki huffed.
All three Marauders gazes flew to him, "Loki?" James questioned.
The God drew himself up and glared at the three of them, "Pathetic." He repeated, "This is what becomes of you once Harriet leaves?"
Pain filtered across all of their faces, Sirius crossed his arms over his chest, "She left us." He grumbled petulantly. "Won't listen to reason."
Tony narrowed his eyes at the man, "Daisy!" he called, the house elf popped up in an instant, "Please collect the weapons Jarvis prepared from my lab." Daisy nodded and popped away, Tony looked to Loki, "Can you heal them if I shoot them?" he muttered quietly. The God gave a discreet nod and Tony grinned, Daisy reappeared with the tray of guns and Tony picked up the handgun. He flicked the safety of and without preamble shot each of the three marauders once in their shoulders. The next several seconds were them screaming and clutching their shoulders, Tony watched with a slight vindictive pleasure, Harriet was his sister now after all and nobody messed with a Stark.
Loki silenced their screams with another waved of green magic, "I want you to feel the pain inflicted by a muggle weapon while we have a little…talk." He said, his eyes flashing dangerously. The Marauders looked up at him warily.
James Buchanan Barnes woke slowly, swimming through a lake of black toward a light voice was calling his name, a voice he thought he recognized if only vaguely. At the back of his mind he felt him, the Soldier, tense and attentive, ready to snap and kill if necessary; but he felt…weaker than before. It was strange. He didn't know…
"Come on Bucky." The voice was saying, "He's still there but he won't be able to force control right now. You can wake up." It was clearer now, Bucky fought through the lake. "That's it Bucky Bear. Don't stop fighting. You're safe, you can come out."
Just as Bucky broke from the lakes surface he felt a gentle hand against his forehead. The Soldier snarled in the back of his head and his left arm shot up in reflex to grip something soft and vulnerable. Bucky's eyes shot open and he looked around wildly, trying to find the voice. He stopped when he found a girl staring at him calmly; she had intense green eyes, creamy clear skin, and wild black hair that framed her face that had streaks of whitish blue running through it along with a few…feathers? She also clearly had his hand wrapped around her throat…his metal hand.
Bucky's mind rebelled but the Soldier just growled in his head, demanding that he not release the potential threat. The arm jerked but didn't release the girl, "It's alright Bucky." She said softly, her eyes never wavering and her voice staying even. "Relax. Easy. I won't hurt you." The Soldier sent Bucky a strong sense of disbelief. "James." Bucky's cheek twitched at his first name, "Breath deep James. In." he took a deep shuddering breath in, "Good. Now out." He let out the breath shakily, "Good, I shouldn't have touched you. That was my bad. But I promise, I won't hurt you." Bucky eyed her uncertainly, "It's alright. You don't have to trust it yet. Can you tell me what you need right this moment? What's keeping you from letting me go?"
Bucky frowned, trying to sort through his emotions and the Soldiers. He spoke, his voice rasping.
The girl gave him a small smile, "I can't speak Russian James. Focus. I need English."
Bucky's brow furrowed as he concentrated, "Threat…" he ground out, "Asset…" he bared his teeth, "I am…unarmed."
"Alright. I understand." She said, her voice gentle. "Reach your other hand up under the pillows and to the headboard. There is a hunting knife there as well as three throwing knives."
Bucky hesitated, studying her face but he saw nothing but sincerity. He slid his hand up under the pillows and found a comfortably worn handle there, he clasped it in his hand before throwing the girl away from him and sitting up all in one go. His eyes darted around the room, which seemed to be a well-appointed bedroom with a fireplace. The girl had landed by the door and was slowly standing, Bucky clenched the knife in the defensive position in front of him.
She held her hands up in the surrender position, keeping her bruising throat bare to him as a subtle sign of trust, "Easy Bucky. Calm down, while you're still panicking you won't think clearly." She soothed. Bucky startled when he…felt music caressing him gently, making him calm slowly. Tense minutes passed until finally his breathing was even and the knife, while still in his hand, was no longer in a choking grip. The Soldier retreated to the back of his mind, a presence but not so close, not dictating his actions, not confusing him. "There you go." The girl said softly, "Look at me Bucky, do you remember me?"
Bucky cocked his head as he looked over the girl again, a lot of his memories were fuzzy and unclear or they were clear and comforting but from a time he was positive was a long time ago. One recent one struck him though, one he thought was a strange, cryo induced dream, "Harriet?" he asked.
She smiled, "Yes. You can call me Harri if you'd rather though."
He frowned, "That wasn't…a dream?"
"No it wasn't. It was in your mind. You were fighting the Programming when I came in, remember?" Harriet prompted.
Bucky nodded, uncertain, "You…you stopped him. The Soldier. Made him…see you as his handler."
Harri gave him an encouraging smile, "And then I turned him into a raccoon."
Bucky gave her a sharp look, "That thing was supposed to be a raccoon?" he responded without thinking.
Harriet gave him a full grin and dropped her hands, "Yes, the adorable raccoon Soldier."
"I think you mean creepy." Bucky grumbled, Harri giggled. He ran his metal hand down his face before pulling it away and staring at it like he'd never seen it before, he looked back to Harriet, "Why can I…feel him? I was so…clear before."
"We were in your mind. It is always easier to separate parts of ourselves within our own minds." Harri said, "When we are conscious, everything compresses together, all of your parts making the whole. You will get impressions of the Soldiers instincts and knowledge but you won't be forced to react that way. You are stronger than him. The main personality, if you want him to take control you will have to give it to him."
"Then what happened earlier?" Bucky asked, looking at her bruised neck guiltily.
"You panicked, you were scared, and while you were only half awake you reacted with the Soldier's instincts." Harri said, "I don't blame you for this. Like I said, it was my fault for touching you before you were fully aware." She turned toward the door, showing him another sign of trust as she gave him her back, "Why don't you get dressed and come on out. I've got breakfast and I'm positive its better than Hyrda's." she slid from the room.
Bucky looked down and blushed, for the first time noticing that he was just in a pair of black sleep pants. He slid from the bed and explored the room around him, he found a full bathroom right next to a walk in closet that was stuffed with clothes, against the back wall though was a glass case holding his mission leathers and mask. The Soldier itched for him to put them on, they were safe, they were what he needed. Bucky shook his head and very pointedly chose dark faded jeans and a red t-shirt. He walked out of the closet, ready to go out and find Harriet, when a small square indent in the wall caught his eye. It was subtle, he had likely only noticed it because the Soldier did in the back of his mind, pointing it out and growling at it vaguely.
Bucky stopped and felt around the indent, it seemed solid but he knew Harriet was a witch and nothing was ever what it seemed with witches. He pressed his metal hand into the indent, meaning to use the extra strength to make it move but as soon as his metal hand pressed flat to the surface the wall peeled away seamlessly. The Soldier made a noise of approval in the back of his mind as they took in the small armory. There weren't any guns but there were clear spaces for them to be stored within, the rest of the weapons were knives, swords, and a few thick staves. With a small pleased noise Bucky armed himself.
When Bucky emerged from his room he found Harriet sitting at a small table that was piled with breakfast foods and fresh fruit, Harri looked up from the book she had been reading and smiled at him, "I see you found the armory. Sorry about not having guns in there yet, all I have on me right now are some hand guns that I took from Hydra when I came to get you and my personal ones. Make a list and I'll do my best to get them."
Bucky arched his eyebrows in surprise, "You're willingly giving me more weapons?"
Harri gave him a lopsided smile and held out her arms in front of her, in the next second a tray of new hand guns and ammo appeared in them, she sat them off to the side of their breakfast. "Of course Bucky. I want you to feel safe here." She wrinkled her nose at the guns on the table, "These are from Hydra but they'll do until I can get you better ones."
Bucky hesitantly sat down across from her and took a handgun case, he opened it and checked the brand new weapon over carefully before nodding and putting it in down next to his plate, "Thank you."
Harri nodded, "You're welcome. Now eat. Those assholes didn't feed you like they should have." She directed, pushing things at him before passing a basket of plums directly to him.
Bucky frowned at the basket, "I don't…" he stopped as the Soldier took an interest in the fruit, cautiously he picked up the fruit and squeezed it curiously before taking a bite. The flavor burst over his tongue and his eyes lit up, he savored the juice that ran down his throat, in the back of his mind the Soldier sent his approval of the food choice. Harriet just gave him a fond smile.
They descended into a comfortable silence as they ate breakfast, Bucky loading up his plate with everything. Relishing getting the correct amount of food to support the serum for the first time. Harri just watched while she ate, Bucky felt her gaze but couldn't figure out what she was looking for. The Soldier was curious as well but as Bucky had remembered their earlier talk in his mind so had the Solider, for him it was just his handler observing him. It was normal.
"Why can't I remember some things." Bucky asked bluntly once he had settled down, eating slower now that he was sure it wouldn't be taken from him.
Harri swallowed what was in her mouth before answering, "The memories of your time as the Winter Soldier are…horrific, painful. I wanted to make sure you knew you were safe before you were forced to remember everything. I've locked them away at the moment and brought your memories of before the Solider to the top. It's why you feel more like yourself right now." She laced her fingers together as she focused on him, "I'd like to help you go through the others, slowly. Having them locked up isn't good for you but suddenly having them all at once will have you an absolute mess. If you'd allow me, once you're more comfortable here I would like to help you with that."
Bucky considered it but nodded slowly. "You said, you considered I and…Steve" He choked out the name with a sad glint in his eye, "family. How? I've never met you before this."
Harri cocked her head at him and he shifted in place, she looked to be debating something but finally she sighed, "Magic is capable of a lot. One of those things is time travel." Bucky's eyes widened, "In the future you, I, and Steve were part of a team, a team that was our family. I'm working on putting our family together." Bucky gaped at her and she stayed still, letting him take it in. Before Bucky could snap out of it there was a knock at the door, his head whipped around and his hand went to his new gun. Harri frowned and stood easily, moving between Bucky and the door, like she knew he needed that extra layer of protection. "Come in." she called.
Bucky looked around her carefully in time to see a blonde girl amble in, shutting the door behind her. Bucky's eyes widened; she was gorgeous, her slightly vacant expression only adding to her ethereal appearance. She was holding a brown paper bag in her hand as she swayed toward them.
"Little sister." Harriet's voice drew Bucky from his staring and he shot a look to Harriet. He knew she was young, about fourteen or fifteen from her current appearance, which meant the other girl was even younger. "What's up?"
"The Nargles said I should come greet our newest arrival." She said with a light airy voice.
That seemed to be all the explanation Harriet needed and she stepped out from between them. Bucky went still as he was hit with the full force of those silvery grey eyes, they seemed to shimmer as they regarded him. She smiled, "Hello Bucky." She said, her eyes seemed to look further into him and the Soldier perked up with interest, "Hello Winter. I'm Luna." She tilted her head to the side, her turnip earrings swaying with the movement, "I know we can't get Steve back until next summer so I have brought you a Steve to keep you company until then."
Bucky frowned but looked down as Luna pulled something from the bag. He blinked but a wide grin spread onto his face when he identified a Captain Ameriabear, he let out a happy laugh as she placed it in his hands, "Thank you." Luna gave him a smile in return.
Off to the side Harriet was watching the interaction with surprise. A thought occurred to her and she slapped her hand over her mouth. "Oh shit." She murmured.
My sister came up with the eleven thrones things, she said that Harri wouldn't like to rule alone so that's what i went for. Plus think how badass it would look with all of them in their thrones, just staring disapprovingly at someone. lol
Hliðskjálf is Odin's throne, that huge monstrosity we see in the movies.
Yes, I made Accolon Morgana's soulmate. No changing it now. It's done.
I am by no means an expert on hawk anatomy. Don't yell at me if its wrong! I looked stuff up by I didn't make a career out of it.
Clint is a total fanboy. You can't tell me otherwise!
I don't know if I wrote Wade correctly. I wasn't actually planning on him popping up, he just sort of did. *rolls eyes* Deadpool you know.
I don't actually know if De Marco's is old enough for Steve and Bucky to know. I put it in because it where my sister are when she was in New York and wouldn't shut up about when she came home.
Yes I will be treating the Soldier like an overbearing animagus.
I just had to put the plums in there. God damn it all he wanted was some plums!
Dun Dun Duh!
Next chapter is the Expo! The Marauders return and Harri gets to meet Pepper again!