2022 Tropes & Fandoms event


Alpine Mission

Bucky hated the cold.

After being at HYDRA's mercy as the Winter Soldier and cryogenically frozen by them countless times, Bucky knew he would be a happy man if he never had to see ice and snow again. In fact, he missed the hot and dry African climate in Wakanda more than he would admit out loud. However, even though he knew that nobody would stop him from going...and that T'Challa and Shuri would welcome him back...he also knew that the Sam and the few Avengers who were left desperately needed him to stay.

Unfortunately, that also meant that Bucky could not pick and choose when it came to important missions. They all had to pitch in and do what they were best at. Consequently, since Bruce tended to stick out too much with his new size and color, only Bucky had the strength and endurance to handle the current trip into the mountains during the frigid winter.

He already had terrible memories of the place from the war. After all, it was where he had met his death. Even though he did not remember the actual fall from the train, he was all too familiar with the aftermath that had led him to being the man he was at present. Still, though, there was nobody else, so he had to be the one to trudge knee-deep through the frozen landscape in order to investigate the suddenly frequent sightings in the Alps of what…against all odds…seemed to be an actual Yeti!

Worse yet, the reports stated that the creature was terrorizing the isolated mountain villages as it stole their livestock. Therefore, action needed to be taken immediately before it turned to the people themselves as a food source, instead.

What exactly he was supposed to do with the beast, though, when…if…he found it was still up for debate, however. After all, he did not even have an extraction plan for himself!

Bucky just sighed at the thought, however, as he plodded along. He also decided…yet again…that he definitely hated the cold more than anything.

...

Hermione hated flying.

She had known that particular fact ever since she had joined the magical world and realized that…for some inexplicable reason…witches and wizards tended to rely on external accommodations when it came to air travel. It did not matter, though, what the mode of transportation was...broom, hippogriff, dragon, magic carpet, or flying motorcycle...if it left the ground while she was perched on it…instead of in it…she hated the experience.

Sometimes she did not have much choice when it came to her job, however. As the Head of the Magical Creatures and Beings department for the Ministry, she often had to investigate strange sightings in otherwise inaccessible places to which she could not easily apparate, floo, and/or portkey. She could have sent an underling, of course, but Hermione Granger had never been the type of person who would pull rank and superiority over someone else – especially just because something was difficult...or perhaps even a bit frightening for her.

Therefore, she pulled on her big girl knickers…and grabbed her admittedly well-appointed Nimbus Infinity that Harry had gifted her on her last birthday for just such an occasion…in order to go and investigate the reported sightings of a rogue Yeti in the Alps. What such a being was doing so far away from its natural Himalayan habitat, though, she just did not know.

However, it was her job to find out. Therefore, she spelled a series of extra strong Warming Charms to envelope her and keep her comfortable from the frigid temperatures of the high altitude before she went on her way.

What exactly she was supposed to do with the magical being when…if…she found it was the important question, though. After all, he or she certainly would not fit on Hermione's broomstick with her.

She suddenly wished that Luna was available to go with her – especially since she and Rolf had met a Yeti before during their travels in the East. However, Luna and her husband were currently in New York…and Luna was heavily pregnant with twins…so it just would not have been a very safe or comfortable journey for her to come back simply to help her friend with a relatively minor problem. Consequently, Hermione knew that she would have to figure out the current situation herself.

The whole mess was extremely inconvenient, though…and it was just another reason that Hermione really hated flying!

...

Bucky finally reached his destination. It was a series of ice caves where the so-called Abominable Snowman could easily hide. He knew for certain that he had arrived when he half-fell, half-slid into the mostly hidden cavern system. However, once there, his instincts...honed by his many decades of being the Winter Soldier...automatically kicked into high gear - especially when he heard voices. As he quietly eased his way around the cold rocky walls and obstructions to follow their source, however, he eventually realized that he could actually only hear one particular voice…and that it definitely belonged to a female.

By the sound of it, she was British…and thanks to the very attractive Peggy Carter, he found that he still always enjoyed hearing that particular accent on a dame. Nevertheless, the one in the cave also sounded quite unhappy. Apparently, she wanted to be there as much as he did. Still, the posh accent seemed very out of place in the current isolated and freezing environment, so Bucky remained on guard – especially when he heard the low gravelly growling sound that seemed to follow each of her questions.

He still could not see the owner of the voice though, not until he rounded the last bend. Then suddenly she stood in front of him, much more petite than he would have thought and wearing far less outerwear than was healthy. In fact, she sported just a scarf and light coat, the kind of outfit that one might wear for a short walk around the block, but definitely not suitable for a long trek into the high mountains…not unless the wearer was suicidal, at any rate.

How is she not freezing to death? he wondered with amazement.

After all, even with his super soldier engineering and heavy protective gear, he was still very uncomfortably cold. Nevertheless, the woman in front of him seemed to be at relative ease…and that made Bucky suspicious.

Maybe she's enhanced in some way? he rationalized.

After all, he had seen too much weird shit with Steve...and then Sam...and, of course, as the Winter Soldier...to realize that something was not normal here. From his current position, though, he just could not figure out exactly what it was.

Therefore, he pulled off his protective hood and face mask, as well as put one hand on his gun as he crept closer to get a better look. In the process, he could not help but to notice that the woman's lively hair tumbled loosely down her shoulders and that she was quite attractive, as well. He attempted to shake those distracting thoughts out his head immediately in order to focus on the problem at hand, however.

What exactly is she doing here? Does it have anything to do with the Yeti creature?

"Let me get this straight," he clearly heard the woman say, even though a large rock formation blocked his view of the person to whom she spoke. "You say that you fell into a glowing golden circle and found yourself here where you had to subsist off the local goat population...and then the farmers' livestock...because these villagers do not make the usual food offerings to you the way they do at home?"

A glowing golden circle? That sounds just like the…. Bucky's train of thought was interrupted by the answering growl and then the woman's sudden expletive.

"Bollocks!" she exclaimed. "You must have wandered onto the Kamar-Taj training fields, then. I thought they had wards set up to prevent this kind of thing, though." She shook her head in annoyance. "Nothing like this ever happened when the woman was in charge, but I don't think the new Sorcerer Supreme bloke even spends time there anymore. In fact, Luna and Rolf live in New York now and have mentioned that he's normally in residence in the Sanctum there. He obviously needs to keep a better eye on his entire territory, though." She shook her head again.

"After this is over, I think I'll pay him a visit and give him a piece of my mind, to insure that something like this doesn't happen again. After all, if he needs assistance with maintaining his wards, all he has to do is ask the local Ministry. Typical man, though…afraid to ask for help." She paused and heaved a heavy sigh before she continued. "Never mind about all that right now, however. We still need to get you home first." The woman paused again…this time in uncertainty.

"Unfortunately, I'm not sure that I can do that by myself," she added in a gloomier tone. "After all, apparation is an elemental Earth magic and it's not very accurate at this altitude…because we are mainly in the Realm of Air here. That's why I had to fly in, but obviously that's not going to work for both of us together on the way out…not on my…"

Here she was distracted by a small shower of pebbles from off to the side and she suddenly realized that she and her companion were not alone. "Go wait in the back," she told the other as she spun around with her wand at the ready…as she also whispered a spell. "Come out!" she then commanded to the unknown presence. A couple of heartbeats later the man stepped warily into view.

Bucky had been watching from the sidelines and listening with increasing disbelief to the conversation that obviously referenced Doctor Strange. He wondered what this woman had to do with such a man and how she could possibly be in a position to confront the powerful sorcerer in the first place. However, just as the answering growl come from the direction of his blind spot, an ice cold draft unexpectedly overtook him again and the accompanying shiver made his foot slip…hence the loose pebbles that had alerted the woman to his presence. After he had caught her attention, though, he saw no reason to continue to try and conceal his presence. Therefore, he simply followed her instructions.

"And whom might you be?" she asked politely enough when he stepped into her line of sight, but it was clear by the way she held her chosen weapon steady that she was still suspicious of him.

Why wouldn't she be? Bucky rationalized. Our location doesn't really lend itself well to the idea that I could just be a local out on a leisurely stroll.

His suspicions about her possible enhancement were justified, though, when he recognized her weapon for what it was. After all, he had seen its kind before since HYDRA had aligned itself with power wherever it could. Therefore, the Winter Soldier had occasionally been in the company of wizards. Unfortunately, while under their spells and HYDRA's brainwashing, he had even fought with them against their own kind. Consequently, he knew that…just like every other group…there were both good and bad Magicals.

He just did not know what category the woman in front of him…the one who was obviously a Witch herself…fell into, yet. However, judging from the one-sided conversation he had just overheard, she was trying to help someone…and she had not immediately attacked him…not even when he had unexpectedly appeared in such an unusual place. That reassured him enough to relax just a bit in her company.

"James Buchanan Barnes, Ma'am," he therefore responded in a polite tone that echoed her own…and even threw in a disarming smile for good measure. After all, he knew that the combination had often worked well for him with dames in the past. "But my friends call me Bucky," he added.

"Pleasure," she answered in a clipped tone, however, as she proved that she was not to be taken in by his good looks and charm alone.

Smart woman! Bucky had just enough time to think with approval…even if he also spared a moment to ponder the tragic possibility that he had somehow lost the skill to impress the ladies due to the lack of use during those times…before she continued.

"And what might Bucky Barnes be doing in an ice cave in the Alps?"

"One might ask the same of you, Miss…?"

"Granger…Hermione Granger," she answered easily enough, "and I'm here on official business."

"So am I, Miss Granger."

"I see." The woman thought for a moment as her eyes studied him carefully. However, her steady grip on her wand did not loosen. "I can also see that you obviously did not arrive the same way I did, so does your official business happen to involve a well-fueled aircraft by any chance that can take a very large and hairy passenger back to Nepal?"

"Ma'am?" asked Bucky, just a bit startled. Does that mean that the story is true? Is there really a Yeti on the loose? he wondered frantically and he finally made the mental connection with the growling sounds he had heard earlier.

"I guess that's a no. I should have known that it was not going to be that easy. It never is." Hermione sighed. "How did you get all the way up here, then?"

The man just pointed to his feet.

"Hmm…" she replied in a noncommittal way although Bucky could practically see her thought process as she obviously evaluated all of the current available data.

Damn, I sound like Bruce, the man spared a thought for his scientific colleague before he turned his attention back completely on the woman in front of him who continued to watch him carefully.

He knew that she was trying to decide if he was trustworthy or not. For some irrational reason, he found himself hoping that her final opinion of him would be a positive one. Just then, though, a strong gust blew through the cave and Bucky still felt it keenly despite his thick gear. The observant woman also noticed when he started to shiver again.

"Here, let me help with that," she offered as she pointed her wand at him.

Bucky experienced just a second of indecision as to whether or not he had read her wrong and if he should go for his gun when she muttered some Latin-sounding words. However, an immediate bloom of warmth infused him from his head to his toes. All of a sudden, he understood why she was able to be dressed in such a casual way.

He also knew then, without a doubt, exactly which kind of Magical she was. After all, none of the ones who were connected with HYDRA had ever been concerned with something as insignificant as his comfort before. They had just used him as their weapon against both Magicals and non-Magicals alike and then handed him over to be put back into the ice. Those memories…even as faint as they were…made him shiver again, but this time it had nothing to do with the current temperature.

Consequently, he missed the moment where the witch holstered her wand because the next thing he realized was that both of her hands were empty and she looked expectantly up at him.

"Well?" she asked.

"Ma'am?" Bucky replied in confusion.

She huffed in a bit of annoyance at his vague…albeit polite...attitude. "Just call me Hermione," she insisted right before she asked for clarification. "What agency are you with? I would say SHIELD, but…" she paused and Bucky thought about how that particular organization had fallen at the hands of his old masters.

"At any rate," she continued. "I can hear by your accent that you are American…even though you are much more polite than most of the others I have met…and I can see that you are well-armed and equally well-trained. Plus, you have not blinked an eye at my wand, so you are also obviously familiar with the magical world without being a wizard yourself. It is also clear that you are enhanced in some other way – especially if you made it up into the mountains by foot without all of the usual necessary gear." She paused again and looked at him for an answer.

Bucky was impressed with her deductions. She was just like that Sherlock fellow whose stories he and Steve used to like to read when they were younger. Not only was she attractive, but she was obviously also smart.

Kind as well, he mused as he remembered the way she had provided a cold stranger with warmth. Therefore, he decided that even though he still did not know who she was, he would introduce himself…and properly this time.

Once he had finished explaining that he was with the remaining Avengers and what his current mission was, she smiled brightly at him in a way that made him feel things that he had not allowed himself to experience in a very long time. He did not have time to dwell on the unexpected feelings, however, because she clapped her hands with delight.

"I knew it!" she exclaimed. "I had a feeling you were here to help Harry – especially when the Intention spell I cast let me know that you were not here for any nefarious purpose. I had to be sure, though."

"Harry?" he asked, and the confusion was obvious in his voice, even though it was clear that the woman had decided to trust him.

"The Yeti," she clarified. "His real name is something completely unpronounceable by someone with a human tongue and teeth, so he told me just to call him Harry. That, by the way, is absolutely hysterical to me - not just because of his admittedly furry appearance, but also because my best friend back home shares the same name." She laughed and Bucky realized that the sound was quite pleasant. He found that he wanted to hear it again, perhaps over dinner…or drinks…or somewhere even more private than that.

His questionable thoughts were interrupted again, though, and he had to refocus his attention when Hermione continued to speak. She explained the entire situation to him, even though he had already overheard most of it, but it was nice to get proof that his assumptions had been correct. She really was a good witch who was simply trying to help out someone in trouble.

"At any rate," she continued, "are you ready to meet Harry? Admittedly, he's a bit…primitive…but he's sweet...and maybe among the three of us, we can figure out a way to get him home."

She called out her new friend from hiding and Bucky suddenly felt a strong need to pull out his weapon to protect the woman and himself as he heard the heavy footsteps that thudded through the icy cavern and caused quite a few of the smaller stalactites to fall. However, he had a feeling that Hermione would not appreciate such an action on his part, so he resisted the urge…even when the huge furry creature…who was apparently named Harry…stepped into view and growled at him.

Bucky was quite surprised, however, when he realized that even though he faintly heard the growl, he also heard a very deep and distinct "Hello!" layered over it. He looked over at Hermione in confusion just in time to see her slip her wand back up her sleeve.

She smiled as she answered his unspoken question. "Just a standard translation spell…After all, I work with a lot of magical beings, so it definitely comes in handy."

Bucky nodded in understanding as he turned back towards the Yeti. At first glance, he saw that the creature…Harry…was quite fearsome-looking with wickedly sharp teeth and claws…ones that even the Winter Soldier might have difficulty with - if Harry proved to be the violent type. Nevertheless, Bucky forced himself to look past such details, and immediately recognized upon closer inspection that Harry was simply tired, scared, and homesick.

I feel you, Buddy! he thought with a sudden surge of empathy. After all, he knew such feelings well.

"Don't worry! We'll figure this out," he therefore told the unfortunate creature to help set him at ease, right before he had a sudden flash of inspiration. He turned back towards Hermione again.

"Do you have a magical way to contact someone over a great distance?" he asked her. At her curious look, he continued to explain. "There's obviously no cell service here and my radio," he paused to indicate the item on his belt, "doesn't seem to work at this altitude. Plus, there's nobody helpful in range, anyway. However, if you can get a magical message out, then I think I know someone who can assist us."

"Well…yes," she answered in a bit of bemusement at the question from the man who was obviously not just a muggle. "I can always send a patronus…if they are a witch…or a wizard…or even a sorcerer. However, I have to know them…or at least what they look like…so I can have an image in my mind when I cast the spell."

Bucky nodded. "I heard you mention Doctor Strange earlier. I know that he can help, but he's always such an ass at first…so I think we should contact him only as a last resort. However, do you know Wong? He's just as powerful as Strange, and from what I know of him, I believe that he would help us without being a dick about it." Bucky then realized what he had just said. "Uh, pardon my language, Ma'am...um...Hermione."

Hermione just waved off his need for an apology, however, even as she beamed at his suggestion.

"Sorcerer Wong! Of course!" she exclaimed. "I've never actually met him myself, but he is a friend of a friend. In fact, Luna has told me quite a lot about him because she frequently takes tea with him at the Sanctum. Apparently, he is also the Kamar-Taj librarian, so he is probably familiar with the grounds and wards there…as well as the Yetis…and can help us get Harry home. Unfortunately, though," here her smile fell momentarily, "I don't know what the man looks like."

The smile returned just as quickly, though, as the solution came to her. "However, if you are willing, I can simply retrieve a memory of him from you and use that!"

Bucky paused. Since his decades of brainwashing, he did not like the idea of anyone messing around with his thoughts. Even though Hermione did not know the reason, she saw his hesitation, and rushed to reassure him.

"Oh, please don't worry. I don't like to admit it, but I'm hopeless at Legilimency. Therefore, I can't read your mind. However, if you focus your surface memories on a single person or event, I can simply pull a copy of that memory straight out. It doesn't hurt at all, or cause any damage in any way, and you still keep the original memory, as well…if you want." Her smile then faded again as she added, "We do have ways of removing memories entirely…and that is also painless…at least physically…but such an extreme action would be completely unnecessary in this case, of course."

Bucky noticed the women's change in attitude immediately and wondered about the sadness. It seemed like a personal situation, though, so he did not ask for details. He did note, however, that she said the magical way of removing memories was physically painless. Therefore, it seemed as if HYDRA could have learned a thing or two from its wizarding allies, if they had wished to do so. However, Bucky also knew that the pain was part of the control, so odds were they would not have cared even if they had known there was a better way to empty his head between missions.

He tried to shake those thoughts away…even if he suddenly realized at the same time somewhere in the back of his mind that, according to what Hermione had said, the few memories he still carried from that time could actually be removed so they could no longer torment him. It was an intriguing possibility...and one he would consider asking about later. For the moment, though, he decided to focus on the situation at hand, instead.

"So if I picture Wong in my head, you can use that image to send him a magical message?" he asked to clarify the astounding concept. When she nodded in affirmation, he grinned. "That's amazing!"

"Magic usually is," she agreed and her smile was at full-force again. It was that extremely pleasant look which decided him.

"Alright." Bucky did not trust easily, but he found he had no reason to doubt her – even though they had just met.

She proved that she deserved that consideration when she stepped up in front of him and spoke softly so she would not spook him. "Picture the man in as much detail as possible…and then push the thought…right here," she requested as she gently tapped his forehead with her finger. "I will then use my wand and pull a copy of the thought away, but you will retain the original. See? Easy peasy!"

Before he knew what had even happened, he saw Hermione's wand pull away with a silver strand clinging to it. She flicked the strand at a nearby smooth rock face, though, and Wong's image suddenly appeared there – just like a photograph.

Harry, who had settled himself down to wait, pointed at the rock and growled. "Wong!" This time, thanks to the translation spell, Bucky clearly heard the word…and the note of happy recognition…in the creature's voice. Hermione did, as well, and smiled.

"I guess that we are on the right track, then. Apparently, you were right! If Harry already knows Sorcerer Wong, then he is definitely the right person to help us!"

Bucky watched as she waved her wand again and called out the words, Expecto Patronum. However, he was certainly not expecting the wispy white animal…Is that an otter?...that flew out of the end of it nor the gentle feeling of happiness and calm that emanated from the creature of white light.

"Please find the Sorcerer Wong…wherever he is...and deliver a message for me," Hermione requested and she pointed to the image that still shimmered on the rock face. The ethereal otter nodded in understanding. "Tell him know that a friend of a friend needs his help and then direct him back here."

She swooshed her wand back down again and the otter of light swam through the air until it disappeared into the rock wall opposite them. Bucky followed its path with wonder in his eyes before he turned back to the witch next to him.

"That's it?" he asked.

"That's it," Hermione agreed. "Now we wait." She crossed back over to the creature, who still sat hunched up against the wall and laid a reassuring hand on his big furry head. "Don't worry, Harry," she told him. "We'll get you home soon."

Harry simply flashed a sharp toothed grin at her words to show her that he understood…and then moved his head to redirect her touch to his ears to indicate that he had an itch he wanted her to scratch there. Hermione obliged the request without a second thought. Meanwhile, Bucky just stood nearby and watched the unbelievable scene before him of a beautiful woman making a Yeti's foot thump the cave floor in pleasure as she apparently hit the just the right spot.

Hermione happened to glance up at the moment to catch the man's eye. She shrugged…even as she kept scratching. "All in a day's work," she responded to the look she saw there with a smile which he just could not help but to return.

They did not have to wait long, either, because at that moment a shower of golden sparks appeared in the air in front of them and formed a circular portal through which a man stepped.

"Mr. Barnes, I wasn't expecting to see you here," the newcomer acknowledged as soon as he saw the other man who stood there. "And you must be..?" he asked as he turned towards the woman.

"Hermione Granger," she answered without hesitation – especially when she saw that he was indeed familiar with Bucky. "It's so nice to finally meet you, Sorcerer Wong."

"Ah, yes, Luna's friend," the sorcerer replied with a wide smile at the thought of their mutual contact. "I had wondered about your patronus message, but it makes much more sense now – especially since she has told me so much about you. It's just Wong, by the way. Some of us don't worry about titles or stand on ceremony. At any rate, what can I help you two with..." he started to ask but Hermione merely pointed behind him.

"Harry!" Wong exclaimed with delight when he saw who sat there against the rocks. "I wondered where you had wandered off to. Let me guess...you got too close to the training fields and now you need a ride home?"

The humans all laughed when Harry let out an almost comical howl of pleasure at the thought of going back to his mountains and Hermione scratched his ear again with affection before she turned back to speak to Wong diplomatically. "If you don't mind, Wong. That would be extremely helpful. After all, neither Bucky nor I are really equipped to transport a passenger of Harry's size...and it really is Kamar-Taj's responsibility...since we can only assume that is how he arrived here in the first place."

"Indeed," Wong replied thoughtfully, far from being upset at her implication. "The wards must need to be reset. Thank you for bringing that to my attention and I will handle it as soon as I return. Thank you for helping Harry, as well. I would never have known his whereabouts without your assistance. Therefore, can I return the favor and drop you...and Mr. Barnes...Bucky...off, wherever you two need to go?"

At the offer, Hermione and Bucky looked at each other as they each realized that they were loathe to leave each other's company quite so soon.

"My broom can take two," Hermione therefore suggested, "especially since you are not exactly Yeti-sized." She smiled again. "It's not the most comfortable form of magical travel, but it certainly beats a trek down the mountainside on foot…unless you'd rather go back with Wong, of course."

"No!" Bucky answered quickly.

If he was being honest, he had absolutely no desire to slough through that cold and wet mess again. However, even though he knew that Wong could transport him instantly and effortlessly, he found that he definitely wanted to extend his time with the lovely British witch for as long as possible. That was something he would not be able to do if he accepted the sorcerer's offer, though.

He was just not sure about the broom part, however.

"It's like riding a bike…with no pedals...in the sky," Hermione explained when she correctly interpreted the look on his face.

"Well, in that case," he replied with a smile before he turned back to Wong. As soon as he saw the knowing gleam in the man's eyes as he looked between him and Hermione, however, Bucky knew that he did not even need to explain his abrupt answer. Wong definitely understood.

He was right. In fact, the man simply nodded and then smacked his hands together before he moved them apart from each other in a slow, almost dancing movement in order to pull open a portal to the Himalayan mountains. "Come along then, Harry," he said and Hermione gave the Yeti a quick goodbye hug around his large furry middle before the obviously-not-so-mythical being stepped right through the glowing doorway without hesitation in his eagerness to be home.

Wong, however, held the portal open a moment longer to extend to them another invitation. "Ms. Granger, it was a pleasure. Please come to visit us at the Sanctum the next time that you're in New York. You, too, Bucky. I occasionally work with Bruce, but I haven't seen Sam in a while...so bring him, also...if you can. After all, those of us who are left...and our allies...need to stick together as much as possible...because who knows what the future might bring? Therefore, don't hesitate to ask for help again if you need it." The sorcerer then nodded his farewell before he stepped through his portal himself and it closed up behind him.

After his departure, Bucky looked, almost sheepishly over at Hermione, before he chivalrously offered her his arm. "Shall we?" he asked. To his surprise, though, Hermione just stared at the arm...and the metal hand which now peeked out of the protective clothing...since at some point after the warming spell he had removed his gloves...as she realized that all was not as it seemed with the appendage.

"Is that...vibranium?" she asked with sudden interest as she eagerly reached out to touch it, as well.

Bucky looked down. He had grown so used to the new and improved extension of himself that he had not even realized that he had offered her his mechanical arm instead of his normal flesh-and-bone one.

"Yeah," he answered in surprise as he flexed the fingers on that hand. "How did you know?"

"It's warm!" she commented wonderingly before she pulled her own hand back and answered his question. "Oh, my friend Neville is a Master Herbologist, so he was asked to help reestablish some important magical herbs in Wakanda after their civil war. He was then given a vibranium cap for his wand as a token of appreciation and friendship from the Princess. It's really quite amazing since it intensifies his own natural power. Therefore, if I had to make an educated guess, I would say that your arm must have magnified strength, as well."

Bucky could not resist the old urge to show off for the lady a bit, so he picked up a large rock from the cave floor and crumbled it to dust with just one squeeze of his hand.

"Impressive!" she remarked.

"Shuri's work usually is," Bucky answered as he thought about what a small world they lived in if he and the British witch he had just met already had so many mutual "friend-of-a-friend" acquaintances. In fact, it really was a shame they had not met earlier. It might have made a difference. However, all that was in the past and he knew that it was time to focus on their futures, instead.

After all, Wong was right. They really should stick together...strength in numbers, and all of that jazz. Plus, he found that he really wanted to know the intriguing woman better on a personal level, as well. Therefore, he took the first steps toward that goal as he suggested again that it might be a good time to leave their not-so-hospitable surroundings.

Hermione's thoughts had been on the same track as Bucky's...both on a professional and personal level. After all, she knew that one could never have too many friends and allies...and it was even better to have someone closer than that - especially someone who could actually understand the crazy kind of lifestyle she led.

Who better than the man who had ended up on the same Yeti-saving mission that she had? Especially one with such amazingly blue eyes? However, Hermione knew that she was getting ahead of herself. First things first.

"Yes, we really should go before it gets dark...as well as cold and snowy," she consequently replied. "I don't fancy flying in all of that!" she replied truthfully with a grimace that slowly evolved into another lovely smile as she watched Bucky's reaction when she reached down into a beaded bag that he had not yet noticed. After all, it was obvious that he was extremely intrigued when she proceeded to pull an impossibly large broom out of the tiny space available inside the fashion accessory.

"Magic?" he asked.

"But of course," she answered playfully as she then held the broom with one hand and with the other one casually took the vibranium arm he had offered earlier while they walked side by side to the cavern entrance. "So...where am I taking you?" she asked.

"Wherever you like!" he responded honestly. "As long as I am able to make my report once we get back to civilization again, I should be able to take a little time off. Maybe we can get dinner together or something." They stepped out of the cavern and onto the snowy ledge. "After all, I'd like for us to get to know each other better...somewhere...anywhere...as long as it's warmer than here," he added when the icy winds surrounded them and they scrambled to replace their gloves and hats.

"That sounds nice and I think I know just the place," the witch answered...a bit mischievously...once she had reapplied their warming charms and showed him how to mount the broom behind her and hold on tight.

After that, it was an easy ride down to the base of the mountains. Bucky found the sensation exhilarating and realized that even the cold was not so bad when he had a soft body to hold close to his own as they huddled together for warmth...perhaps even a bit closer than necessary...on the descent.

For her part, Hermione realized that even flying was not as terrible as she remembered when a pair of strong arms – especially when one of them was made from Vibranium - held her tight against the hard body to which they were attached. In fact, she enjoyed the sensation much more than she would have ever thought was possible before.

Consequently, they were both in a pleasant state of mind as they once again reached the Realm of Earth. There, Hermione took advantage of their location in order to switch out her broom for a more all-around desirable mode of transportation as she apparated them both to the "somewhere warmer" spot that Bucky had requested, instead.

...

In fact, after the man had made the necessary contact with the rest of his team, he soon found himself stretched out on an isolated and perfectly balmy Caribbean beach as he also wore magically transfigured swim trunks that somehow exactly matched the color and pattern of his vibranium arm. Even better than all of that, there was a beautiful, intelligent, and fascinating woman by his side, as well.

"It's official. I love magic!" he declared eagerly.

Hermione just smiled at his enthusiasm as she reclined back next to him with her own sigh of happiness over her impromptu decision to bring him to one of her favorite "warm" places. After all, she knew that she was long overdue for a vacation, anyway...and perhaps for some romance, as well. Therefore, when Bucky leaned over to give her a spontaneous kiss of thanks for everything, she responded with such ardent enthusiasm herself that the kiss evolved into much more...and their two bodies were soon pressed together in a very different way than they had been for warmth during their Alpine mission.