Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series or universe, nor do I own Marvel or any of its universes or characters. I write for the fun of it, hence it's fanfiction. I do not profit or gain anything other than the simple enjoyment of creativity.
Please note this story deviates from canon. Female Harry aka Belladonna Lyra Potter. The timelines have been manipulated as well. Belladonna was born in 1995 and the battle of Hogwarts took place in May of 2012 to coincide with the Avengers Battle of New York. Also… there are soulmates/soul marks at play.
Many centuries in the past, Asgardians left Midgard, or Earth as its inhabitants knew it to be. When they ceased contact with Midgard, they left behind an enchanted gift, a reminder that they had friends in the sky. Each person on Earth had magic within them, however for some it would remain dormant. Others were blessed by Frigga and Loki with the ability to use magic. But this was not all the people were gifted with.
Every single person on Earth would have a phrase and name or names of their soulmate upon their person when they reached their majority. For each person it was different and personal. It was a cherished gift, and many searched for their other half until they found them.
Some were lucky, others never found their soulmate. Those that did not find their soulmate often lived a happy life and were content. As the population of Earth grew it became increasingly hard to find one's soulmate. The legends of the origin were lost to many of the civilizations over time.
However, there were still those that knew of the gift they had been given. The magical population of Earth was aware of the gift and significance, even if some of them sneered at the results if they did not meet their beliefs and societal expectations. The purebloods of Britain in particular would either embrace the results or completely ignore them depending on the blood status of the name and phase.
The Blood Wars of Britain were scorned by the rest of the magical society. It was widely known that many of the purebloods rejected their soulmates and marks if they did not have the same blood status. It was a taboo that many would not dare to admit to. To reject such a blessing was appalling, especially when once the soulmates were fully bonded their magic would boost.
Eventually over time, those that rejected their soulmate would reap what they had sewn. Either their children or grandchildren would be born without soul marks. It was another taboo not discussed or acknowledged.
Magical Britain was stagnant. The old crowd and purebloods were unwilling to change and acknowledge the need for change. Muggleborns and halfbloods were leaving their society in droves, especially after the Final Battle and the fall out. When the society that they had fought to save, the world that they had fought to keep alive refused to progress, they realized it was time to leave.
Most of the muggleborns and halfbloods refused to accept the status quo and were seeking asylum and immigrating to other magical enclaves around the world. Nepotism and the flagrant bias towards the purebloods regardless of their qualifications for positions was something that was not going to be tolerated.
Even when they had been on the run after Ron had abandoned them, Belladonna and Hermione were talking about their future plans. Neither one of them could nor would accept things not changing. They had suffered far too much at the bigoted pureblood agenda.
They would sit in the tent and spend hours talking about what they wanted for the future. The future they envisioned was one of acceptance and peace. It was a future filled with equality and justice for everyone. It was a future where those that had earned their positions based on their merit and deeds rather than their status and family name alone.
Oh, how wrong they had been. As the dust settled and the ash and blood of the fallen was cleared away, the stark reality of the world they lived in was truly revealed. Both women were expected to maintain the status quo. Both women were expected to be the poster puppets of the Ministry and though Kingsley was in power, he was rather powerless against the old guard.
Hiding and blending was a skill that she had learned at an early age. She had also learned to be quiet, as silent as possible. For Belladonna Lyra Potter, remaining in the shadows was a skill that she had learned and honed from her abusive childhood. It carried over to her pre-teen and school age years ensuring her survival in some of the deadliest situations she had ever been in.
Now, having survived her "destiny" as the savior of the Wizarding World she used those same skills as part of her profession. She had graciously given a one fingered salute to the British Enclaves and their generous offer to have her work in the Ministry. She wanted no part of being a member supporting the status quo. She had not sacrificed her childhood and literally died so nothing changed.
When given the opportunity she and Hermione had packed all of their things, had their accounts transferred to the American Branch of Gringotts and quite literally vanished. Both girls had suffered gravely at the hands of the British Enclaves and despite their status as war heroes were seen as little more than second class citizens that those in power wanted to use as puppets to please the masses.
Once they had touched down on American soil, they had politely declined the opportunity to work for MACUSA. As International war heroes and saviors of the Wizarding World they were granted citizenship as well as diplomatic immunity and clemency within any place they chose to call home.
Not long after their arrival they were approached by Agent Phil Coulson who had come to them on behalf of Director Nick Fury, a cousin to Kingsley Shacklebolt. They were wary at first, but also knew that Kingsley had tried to help them as best he could. Despite being Minister his hands were tied. He had helped them to disappear along with the Weasley Twins who promised to visit them soon and often.
They were both offered positions with SHIELD and the Avengers Initiative. The women asked for time to decide. To their surprise they were informed that the invitation was open ended, and they did not need to decide immediately. They were given business cards and packets to review as well as a visitor pass and code to enter headquarters at any time.
Bella watched from the rooftop as someone hopped across the roofs of nearby buildings swiftly. She was in the shadows observing. Over the last few weeks, she and Hermione had been feeling like they were being watched, observed. It was unnerving for them and she needed to find out if they were friend or foe.
Hermione had warded their flat and was waiting within. She was still recovering from her capture and torture at the hands of Bellatrix. Not that she could blame her, Bella thought angrily. That vicious psycho had taken her time and great pleasure in trying to break them. She herself had been dragged from the dungeons by her hair and thrown on the ground beside her best friend.
The pain she felt had been crippling. Nearly biting through her tongue, she had refused to scream. Neither she nor Hermione talked or gave up any information. Lestrange pulled out her dagger and began carving them up. Hermione had 'mudblood' on her arm, while she had 'unworthy' on hers.
In the mind of Bellatrix Lestrange, she was unworthy of her magic. She was deemed unworthy of having inherited the Ancient and Noble House of Black and all of its assets. In their minds she, a mere half-blood, was unworthy of being in the same room as their Lord.
It had been Draco that had saved them. He had turned and whispered for Dobby to get them out of there. He had shoved the wands into their hands before they were whisked away. Had it not been for Draco and Narcissa, Belladonna would have died. She made sure to testify on their behalf at their trials. They too would soon be emigrating to the US.
Movement nearby drew her attention. A male figure landed nearly silently on the roof followed by a female. They kept to the shadows and made their way towards the fire escape. She watched their silent interaction and knew that these were the people or some of them that had been watching them.
Silently she cast immobilizing and incarcerating spells, freezing and tying them both up silently. Both dropped to the roof and looked panicked at her approach. She stalked forward with silent catlike grace, stepping out from the shadows looking down at them.
The male had a bow and sheath of arrows strapped to his back. The female was kitted out in black and appeared to have several weapons hidden on her person. Neither could speak or move as she knelt beside them and stared down at them. She realized why they looked familiar. These were members of SHIELD and part of the packet that Agent Coulson had left with them.
"Well, this is a surprise," she murmured with a small smile. "I certainly wasn't expecting familiar faces but given the circumstances I can't say that I'm not relieved. We knew we were being watched, but we were sure if they were friend or foe."
With a wave of her hand both agents found that they could talk. Both started blurting out things all at once causing Bella to pinch the bridge of her nose in frustration. The tied-up spies fell silent watching her.
"Listen, it's late and I'm tired." Bella said, straightening. "You can both come down to the flat and we can talk. If I free you, you promise you won't harm either of us?"
"Ma'am," Clint Barton began gruffly. "Our task was to watch and observe. We do not mean you or Miss Granger any harm. Coulson wanted to make sure that you were both settling in and safe."
"We're war veterans," she hissed. "Of course, we're going to assume that people watching us mean us harm. We were hunted for a year before the Final Battle. Next time just call or pop in, don't spy on us!"
"How did you find us?" Natasha Romanoff asked. "How did you know we were there?"
"It's getting chilly," Bella said tiredly, waving her hand freeing them. "Just come downstairs before Hermione comes up here thinking something is wrong."
"Too late for that," Hermione stated blandly walking out from the shadows. "I've got the kettle on, let's go."
Snorting, Bella followed as her best friend spun and walked back into the shadows towards the door to the roof. They lived on the top floor in the four-story brownstone. Their flat took up the entire floor, which they magically expanded to fit their needs.
She could hear the footsteps following behind her and hid her grin. She would have to pass it along to Coulson that his best agents weren't as stealthy as he thought they were. However, she sobered realizing that was probably why they wanted her and Hermione to join them.
They all entered the flat and both Hermione and Bella watched in amusement seeing the wide-eyed expressions of the SHIELD agents. The young women walked into the kitchen and got the tea ready before sitting down at the kitchen table.
Clint and Natasha sat down gingerly while looking around the large apartment. They had read the files on the prospective recruits but reading and seeing were two different things. Feeling the zing of power rush through them as soon as they entered the apartment, each of them knew that they had passed through some sort of magical barrier.
"Now that we're all here having a nice cuppa, why don't we get down to business," Bella said with a small smile.
"Magic," Clint breathed, looking around. "Like honest to God magic!"
Hermione and Belladonna chuckled. "Magic!" they replied with smiles.
"I suppose that we will need to head in with you to headquarters in the morning?" Hermione mused with pursed lips. "We wanted some more time to settle into civilian life, but I think that we're both finding it a bit boring to be honest."
Bella snorted into her cup of tea and grinned. "We've been going a bit stir crazy to be honest." She admitted with a light laugh. "Many would retire quietly, but I think that we've both realized that we've been fighting since we were kids, why bother stopping now."
"I'm sure you have many questions for us," Hermione prompted.
"I think that it would be best if we wait until you come to headquarters in the morning," Natasha said carefully. "We've read the information that we had on you, but there were some gaps that they're going to want filled."
"What gaps?" Bella asked cautiously, glancing at Hermione.
"Well, neither of you have confirmed your soul marks for one," Natasha murmured, watching the pair carefully.
"I fail to see how that is anyone's business," Hermione gritted out.
"Mia," Bella said softly, "We both know that we have them. We just need to err on the side of caution. We both know who and what the marks mean. I'm sure they don't mean anything by it."
"You both have them?" Clint said excitedly. "Congratulations! So, who are they?"
The young women shared a glance and grimaced slightly. "We will show the team tomorrow," Hermione murmured. "It'll be interesting to say the least."
"Have the rest of the team read about us and been given our information?" Bella asked vaguely. "Or were our code names the only information given?"
"I believe they were just given codenames," Clint replied. "Your identities are not going to be revealed until you accept and speak with the Director."
"We should at least tell them," Bella said to Hermione. "It may be best to have a couple of people there that can help diffuse any issues."
After a silent conversation passed between the young women, Hermione's shoulder dropped. With a sigh, she pulled a hair tie from her wrist and pulled her wavy hair up into a messy bun. Turning around she tugged the collar of her shirt away from her neck exposing the name and words of her soul mate.
Bruce Banner
Hulk SMASH!
"Holy shit," Clint breathed. "Well, Bruce isn't going to know what to do with you. He is full of self-loathing and is constantly afraid to let anyone in."
Bella wrapped her arm around her friend, giving her what comfort and strength she could. When both of their marks appeared, they had hidden them from Ron and everyone else, letting them believe that they did not have them. Ron would have assumed and demanded they show him or make it all about him. In the long run it had been the right choice, especially knowing who and what their soulmates were.
Stepping away from Hermione, Belladonna moved her hair out of the way. Hermione helped adjust the collar of the back of her shirt and smiled sadly at her friend. Smiling wanly at Hermione, she waited for the reactions of Clint and Natasha.
Captain Steve Rogers
I'm with you 'till the end of the line.
Sergeant James "Bucky" Buchanan Barnes
"Oh my God," Natasha whispered. "How?"
"Believe me when I say that I was completely stunned to find not only two names," Bella said softly. "However, knowing who and what they are, well that was the difficult part to handle."
"Why didn't either of you reach out?" Clint demanded. "If we had known we would have and could have come for you!"
"Our war was just that," Belladonna said hotly. "Most non-magical people stand no chance against what we were facing. Hell, we barely survived it."
"They still deserved to know!" Clint argued.
"They could have looked!" Bella retorted. "Our names are there on them somewhere!"
"Clint!" Natasha said sharply. "Let it go."
They fell into a very tense silence. Bella dropped her hair and stood to leave the room. Hermione bit her lip and watched sadly as her best friend secluded herself to her room. Looking back at the now guilty looking agents she drew a deep cleansing breath.
"It wasn't safe for anyone," Hermione whispered hoarsely. "Not for us and certainly not for anyone who was linked to us. We can explain it tomorrow, but right now I need to go check on her. You have to understand, when she saw her marks, she thought that she was destined to be alone and that they were dead."
"Fuck!" Clint whispered hoarsely. "I didn't even think about that."
Natasha tugged Clint up and told Hermione that they would be back in the morning to pick them up to bring them in. Hermione shut the door behind them and brought the wards back up to full strength before walking quietly down the hall.
Silently, she climbed into Belladonna's bed and curled around her friend. Bella was crying quietly, struggling with the emotions coursing through her veins and body. For so long she had thought that her soulmates were dead. She had wept into Hermione's shoulder late at night when Ron was sleeping.
When they read some of the international newspapers on the run, they found out who their soulmates really were. Knowing that they existed and were alive was thrilling and terrifying. They wanted to find them more than anything, but they also wanted to keep them safe. The guilt of their decision weighed heavily on them.
To have Clint throw it in her face was horrifying. Bella was wrought with guilt and not a little anger. Not for the first time she wished that she could have had a normal life. Closing her eyes, she fell asleep with Hermione clinging to her.
That night both of them had woken up screaming at various times. Their torture and the experiences they had gone through during the war were still fresh on their mind. The discussion with Natasha and Clint only brought it that much closer to the surface of their subconscious, making for a horrible night of sleep, or the lack thereof.
The following morning, Clint and Natasha were waiting outside in the car that Tony had provided for them. Belladonna and Hermione emerged looking withdrawn and exhausted. Both young women had dark circles under their eyes and seemed to be functioning on autopilot at the moment. It was alarming for the Avenger pair.
A relatively short twenty-minute ride later, they arrived at Stark, now Avenger Tower. Natasha pulled the car into the underground parking garage and parked. It had been a silent and stifling ride. Both Clint and Natasha had tried to prepare the team for the meeting they were supposed to have. However, they had a feeling that nothing was going to prepare them for the reality of the situation they now found themselves in.
It was only a few short months ago that they had fought Loki and his aliens in the city. Apparently, during that time the soulmates of their team members were in Britain fighting their own war. It was something that was going to have to be discussed, but they were not sure how the young women, barely adults at this point, were going to be able to handle it. It was clear that they were suffering from PTSD, which was hardly a surprise. They just hoped that they would be able to help the women.
"JARVIS," Clint called out as they entered the elevator. "Let the team know that we're coming with Nightshade and Athena."
"Right away Mr. Barton," a voice replied, startling the girls.
Hermione and Belladonna shared a small smile hearing their call signs. Their names were more than fitting for them, and they were pleased that they had come up with them so easily. Not to mention that they were also their unofficial Marauder names as they had both achieved their animagus forms while on the run. Hermione was an owl and Belladonna was a raven. Their forms were common enough to blend in with nature, but useful because they could move easily.
Clint and Natasha stepped off the lift first, blocking the view of Hermione and Belladonna from the rest of the Avengers that had assembled in the common space of the Tower. Both young women were petite, only reaching around five-foot three inches in height. Both had lost a significant amount of weight and muscle mass on the run and were still recovering from their ordeals. Thus, they were easily blocked by the taller pair in front of them.
"We're recruiting children now?" Tony asked in shock. "What is Fury thinking?"
"Excuse you!" Hermione snarled. "We're hardly children, sir."
"Easy there Poppins," he snorted. "No insult meant, but you're a bit younger than we were expecting. Your files say that you're war veterans and highly decorated heroes as both civilians and military honors."
"Well, war in our world is a bit different," Belladonna replied tiredly. "Those we were fighting did not care that most of us were children when the first battles took place. Nor did they care that they cut down killing or maiming their opponents. We fought to survive."
"It's not right," Captain Steve Rogers breathed in horror.
"Well, someone had to do it," she answered with a shrug.
"Easy there, Bruce." Tony urged the doctor. "Deep breath and reign in the big guy."
There was a stunned and sad silence that followed. Hermione and Belladonna followed the group through the spacious open floor plan to a large sitting area or living room space. The room had several large couches and chairs arranged around a ridiculously large television and electronic system.
Sitting on a loveseat together, Belladonna and Hermione clasped their hands together. Both were trembling slightly, knowing that this was not going to be an easy conversation or situation. Unaware of the shared glances around the room, they were looking down at their hands, trying to fortify themselves for what was surely going to be a trying conversation.
"We should probably start with our names," Hermione said, clearing her throat. "My name is Hermione Jean Granger, and I was born September 19, 1994. I was born to Dan and Emma Granger, both dentists in the suburbs of London. On my eleventh birthday I found out that I was a witch."
Hermione ignored the deep ragged breath from across the room. She looked down at her hands and refused to look up. Despite having Gryffindor courage in abundance, meeting one's soulmate was terrifying. She feared the revulsion and rejection she was sure she would find.
However, the footfalls and large male body crouching down in front of her startled her from her thoughts. Dr. Bruce Banner was kneeling before her with a look of shock and wonder on his face. He looked like he was barely holding himself from sweeping her into his arms.
"It's really you," he breathed, cupping her cheek with a trembling hand. "I can't believe it's really you."
Hermione gave him a tearful smile and a nod. She suddenly found herself in the strong, comforting embrace of the man that was her soul mate. She heard the rumbling of his chest and realized that "the Other Guy" was there as well and welcoming her.
"Soulmates," Clint whisper-yelled to the rest of the room.
Belladonna smiled at her friend. She was glad that Hermione now had someone else to look after her. Despite her independence and strength, her friend needed someone to be there for her. Knowing how Bruce Banner was, she knew he was a perfect match for her best friend's intelligence. Snorting softly, she drew attention to herself.
"Of course, you'd be matched with a genius," Belladonna teased. "The Brightest Witch of our Generation would have to have someone to keep up with her."
"Stop it!" Hermione said, hiding her face into Bruce's chest.
"I guess that leaves me to introduce myself," Belladonna looked around the room. "I'm Belladonna Lyra Potter, born to James and Lily Potter. From what I've been told my parents lived first in our ancestral home in Wales and later moved to a smaller magical community in Godric's Hollow. I was born July 31, 1995 and am a surviving child of prophecy."
"Fucking Hell," Tony Stark murmured. "You're the one that saved them all."
Snorting in disgust, "I hardly did it myself. If not for Hermione I'm pretty sure I would've died when we were First Years in school."
Steve Rogers came to attention at her name. He swallowed thickly and rubbed his hand over his heart. He had two names there, names that had carried him through the worst of his experiences. They had given him hope. Bucky was not around anymore, but Belladonna, she was right here.
He walked across the room carefully. Having read her file he knew that there was more to her tale and was able to read between the lines. She was tiny and he could see the visible scars with his keen eyesight. Nodding in thanks as Bruce swept Hermione up in his arms and went to retake his vacated seat across the room, Steve sat carefully and cautiously beside her.
"It's nice to finally meet you, ma'am." He said taking her hand and kissing the back of it. "I've waited for you for a very long time."
Belladonna flushed hotly, "It's nice to meet you as well, Steve. Please call me Bella."
"Bella," he murmured. "I think after we're done with this, we should take some time to get to know one another. I'm sure there's a lot we should go over."
Bella nodded, "There's a lot to tell. Perhaps we should start with what you know already and then answer what you would like to ask us."
For the next several hours, Belladonna and Hermione relayed their history and experiences. Several times they needed to stop so that the Avengers could calm down hearing just how horrific their war had been. When it came to their capture and torture, Bruce could not hold back and transformed into Hulk, who swept Hermione up and sat with her over in the corner of the room breathing heavily.
Steve had not been much better. Bella swore she heard his teeth clack together as he clenched his jaw. She felt his frame tremble in rage before he suddenly pulled her against him and breathed in her scent. She sighed into his chest and felt safe for the first time in a very long time. He eventually pulled her across his lap and wrapped his arms around her, as if to assure himself that she was there and well.
When both girls revealed their arms, the room was once more disturbed by the very visible anger of the Avengers team. Hulk rumbled as he gently cradled Hermione against his chest and carefully held her arm. Steve was cradling Bella's arm as tears stung his eyes. The entire Avengers team was feeling guilt at the fact that these two women had been tortured right before their own battle in New York. They felt guilty that they had been facing their Final Battle two days before New York even happened and had circumstances been different they could have helped!
"Why didn't you contact us for help?" Steve asked hoarsely. "I would have come for you! We would have come for you!"
"I didn't even know who you were or that you were alive until around Christmas time!" Bella replied tearfully. "When the names first appeared, I thought I was doomed to be alone and that you were both dead!"
"Shh, I've got you, sweetheart." Steve murmured into her hair. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, darling."
Bella was quietly sobbing into his chest. He reflexively tightened his arms around her, fighting back his own tears. He could not imagine what she thought and felt. He didn't know what he would have done in her shoes.
Both pairs of soulmates were visibly upset and emotional. Bruce had reverted back to himself and was now cradling Hermione against his bare chest. The rest of the Avengers were also visibly upset and moved. Each of them had their own soul marks. While Tony and Pepper had found one another, Natasha had not mentioned hers. Clint had found and married his wife Laura, but he kept her existence and that of his children a secret.
"Why don't we take a break," Tony offered, wanting to find and hold Pepper. "If you want, I can have rooms, or a floor arranged here for each of you." He offered the girls.
"I think we need to talk things over before we make a decision," Hermione replied quietly. "It's not that we don't appreciate the offer or that we don't want to be here. We own our flat and have it modified specifically and warded so that we can freely practice our magic."
"Fair point," he conceded. "However, the offer is open ended."
"Thank you," Bella murmured tiredly against Steve's chest.
"It's getting a bit late," Natasha said looking at the clock. "Perhaps we should order take out and take a bit of a break for the rest of the night. We can talk shop tomorrow."
Hermione stood and shuffled to the side as Bruce came to his feet, holding his shredded pants together. He excused himself to get changed and she went back to the seat that he had been sitting in. Bella and Steve were still sitting on the loveseat, however it appeared that Bella had fallen asleep.
Steve kept looking down at her, taking in her delicate and aristocratic features. Her long black hair was curly and unruly, it reminded him a bit of Bucky as a kid. He knew her eyes were a vibrant green. Her dark long lashes rested against her cheek as she drew soft breaths. She really was a beautiful young woman.
He wondered what Bucky would think of their little witch. She seemed to have some of their best qualities and would have balanced them out had things been different. Swallowing thickly, he pushed down the grief of missing his best friend. While they had not been lovers, they were indeed soul mates and balanced one another.
Hermione stared off into space processing everything that had happened. She felt herself being lifted once more and settled against Bruce. She found she enjoyed being in his strong embrace. Even seeing his other side, she felt no fear of him. It was only fair that she accepted all of him when he so readily accepted her.
The rest of the team left to their respective rooms and floors leaving the soulmates to themselves. Each of them had a lot to think about regarding everything that they had learned about their newest and youngest team members. It was clear that the girls were close, and it was almost certain that they would often be partnered together. However, it was also clear that their soulmates would want to be at their side so the future as a team was going to be interesting for sure.
Bruce led Hermione down to the lab where he often spent his time, wanting to show her. He and "the Other Guy" wanted, and needed her at his side. Rather quickly he found her intelligence to be enthralling. Though she had not finished her non-magical education, she easily kept up with his train of thought and the concepts that he was talking about.
He asked her if she wanted to finish her schooling, to which she flashed him a grin and told him that she was in the process of making the arrangements. Laughing, he slung his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head as they walked towards his floor and suite of rooms. They spent the next hour talking privately and getting to know one another.
Meanwhile, Steve was sitting in what was considered the common room of the tower with Bella still on his lap. She was sleeping soundly and he was reluctant to wake her up. He knew that telling them her past could not have been easy. She had already looked exhausted when they arrived.
Taking in her appearance, he realized that she would need to recover both mentally and physically from her ordeal. She was tiny, so damnably small in his arms. He could feel her ribs and knew that she needed to put on a significant amount of weight to be considered healthy.
Making note mentally to let Fury know, he silently vowed to be by her side every step of the way. She should not have had to go through everything that she had experienced. Nothing prepared him for the reality of what she had been through. It was one thing to read it, but when the girls filled in the gaps it was like he couldn't breathe. It was worse than the team had thought or anticipated, infinitely so because they were theirs. It would take time, but they would heal. Closing his eyes, he leaned his head back and wished not for the first time since waking up that Bucky were there.
