AN- Not a long chapter but the last one was pretty longish. Just thought the Horcrux deserved its own chapter seeing as how nasty it gets. Anyone interested in a little interlude type chapter to show what Tommy boy and Hydra or up to or would it mess up the flow of the chapters and remove suspense?

AN- gingin1975 So look forward to your reviews and appreciate your support. Steve and Remus have both been through a lot and I think they've both had the great love of their life Peggy and Sirius so seems they could both use a calm warm supportive partner to share interests with.

AN- BioHazard82 Thank you so much. Its always great to know people are reading and enjoying.

AN-MagicalCatgirl68 Thank you so glad you found us and hope you stick around. :) I do intend to move them to England just got a couple more things I want to happen in New York. Then the muggle with the scar will pop up. Anyone wanna guess who It will be?

CHAPTER 12

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Killer headache was a understatement. Bucky felt as if Bill had ripped open his skull ripped out some grey matter stirred the rest around real good and then stapled his head back closed. Without Steve's arm around him as he emptied his stomach into the nearest trash can the dizziness probably would have had him on the floor. He couldn't even see straight his vision blurred his thinking feeling slow as if he had cotton in his head. He was vaguely aware of Remus pouring something down his throat. He heard the words. "Stomach soother, pain potion, and dreamless sleep." His only coherent thoughts where that Juniper was right the stuff tasted vile. He felt the other men hauling him to his feet and more or less carrying him up the stairs to his room. He was barely aware of being put into bed before he was out unconscious or asleep he would never be completely certain.

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"Juni we're done." Juniper who was sitting with Tony feet still up on the table beside his recounting some of her quidditch games after she'd explained the rules to him (And trying to ignoring how he occasionally for some weird reason went really pale.) looked up at Hermione's words as she appeared in the doorway.

"And we got pizza." Bill said dropping the box on the table as Juniper started to stand. "Sit and eat while we talk then you can go check on him. Steves with him right now."

Remus followed them in as well sitting in one of the chairs.

"Did it work?" Juniper asked anxiously. Bill nodded at the pizza and Juniper gave a sigh knowing she wasn't going to get answers until she did as he asked and picked up a piece taking a big bite. "So did it?"

"It did." Remus answered. "There was a lot Imperious curse, loyalty potions, memory charms, shock treatments, confundus charms. All you need to know is we got it untangled. The trigger words are nothing but words now. We will ask him after he wakes up to let us show him. It may take him a bit to get his mind sorted out the super soldier serum will help him adjust faster than a muggle would but its still a lot. Its quite impressive he was able to break away at all most muggles wouldn't be able too break that level of magical control. Probably has a lot to do with the strength of his bond with Steve. He may be a bit different as aspects of his personality that where being suppressed have been unlocked but I guarantee how he feels about you isn't going to change." He added as he saw a flash of fear in Juniper's eyes. "His desire to keep you safe is part of the reason he went through with it."

"But hes okay?" Juniper asked taking the cup Hermione handed her.

"He is. Hes sleeping now it was rough for him. Fighting back against the kind of mental invasion we had to perform is instinctive even if its something you want done so it wore him down and caused pain. We gave him pain potion and dreamless sleep. Once he wakes up he should feel better. You get to convince him to let me pierce his ear so I can give him a earring to keep him from being reimperioused but other than that no decisions for 24 hours, no physical exertion." Bill told her.

"Why a earring?" Tony asked.

"It will be charmed so no-one can remove it but him. A necklace like that can be used to choke someone a bracelet can get caught on something especially if the person in question uses weapons a lot and a ring or cuff can be a problem if a finger or wrist is injuried in a way that causes swelling a earring especially a small stud avoids all those issues and if its small enough or outrageous enough" He motioned to his own dragontooth earring "its ignored."

"I imagine Bucky would probably prefer something like this." Hermione said pushing her hair back to show the small gold stud in her ear.

"Why doesn't everyone wear them?" Tony asked.

"They are goblin made. Only given to Gringotts employees and their families because of security risks. Goblins have magical secrets Wizards don't and they guard those secrets fiercely." Bill answered. "Hermione's was meant for Charlie but dragons have their own ways of protecting the minds of their keepers. The one I'm giving Bucky was given to me for Juniper as shes been recognized as a member of the Weasley family if only by extension but she doesn't need it."

Juniper grinned. "Imperious doesn't work on me." She took a sip from the cup Hermione had given her and grimaced. "Milk Hermione really?"

"How many teas have you had today already?" Hermione asked raising a eyebrow.

"A fair few." Juniper admitted with a expression close to a pout. Tony had a urge to snap a picture. It was so rare that Juniper wore a expression that actually matched her age. And he realized it was usually because of Hermione.

"Drink your milk. Its good for you and I refuse to support your addiction." Hermione sniffed.

"Fine Bully." Juniper muttered sipping the milk and eating the last of her slice of pizza. "Can I go now?" Bill waved for her to go and she took the chance grabbing her bundle of letters and slipping out the door.

Tony looked over at Bill. "If the imperious doesn't work on her how does Tom Riddle get into her head?"

"Thats the question isn't it." Remus said. "Theres a link between them. If we knew more about the ritual that returned his body we may be able to figure it out but she won't talk about it."

"If you want her to tell you something she doesn't want to talk about you need Luna or the twins. Since we don't have either here I suggest you sic Steve on her." Hermione said softly. "Hes her anchor like Luna maybe she'll talk to him."

"She never talked to Luna or the twins about the graveyard only Sirius, and oh course Dumbledore directly after." Remus answered.

"Luna and the twins never asked." Hermione replied picking up Juniper's snitch from the table making a face and tossing it back in her bag.

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Juniper gave a soft knock at Bucky's door and slipped in when Jarvis opened the door. Bucky was sprawled on the bed. Steve sitting on a chair nearby a book open on his lap. He gave Juniper a warm smile. "If your gonna sit with him for while I'll go get something to eat."

Juniper nodded. "I plan to stay until he wakes up."

"Thanks sweetheart." Steve said pausing to ruffle Juniper's hair on the way out the door. With anyone else it would have annoyed her but Steve's touch like Luna's centered her so she was fine with it.

Steve closed the door behind him and Juniper crossed to the bed looking down at the sleeping man. Merlin he was ridiculously handsome. Genetics where really unfair giving him that thick dark brown hair, rugged features with a square jaw and flawless body. Even more so when he was awake his ice blue eyes open. She gently brushed his hair off his face and then turned to sit in the chair where Steve had been but Bucky let out a soft moan and muttered something softly that she didn't quite catch. She turned back frowning slightly. Bill had said he'd had dreamless sleep so he shouldn't be dreaming which meant he was in that horrible half asleep half awake restless state that usually only made a person more worn out.

"Juni." She heard him whisper her name that time. Warmth blossomed in her chest a smile appearing on her face. She shouldn't be this pleased. She was a awful person. She was most likely going to die and leave him and the more attached he was the more it was going to hurt him. And Merlin help her, Godric forgive her at the moment she didn't care. She sat on the bed back against the headboard legs stretched out reaching out to gently stroke his hair. He gave a soft sigh and rolled towards her resting his head against her hip wrapping a arm around her legs and seemed to settle his body relaxing into true sleep.

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Ron was a bit surprised when he entered the practice room to find Tony's young friend? Protégé? Student? Whatever Peter Parker with Clint and Natasha. He'd changed into a t-shirt and blue jeans but was somehow practically bouncing off the walls and shooting some kind of webbing to catch balls the two assassins where throwing at him. Ron's eyes widened impressed.

"Mate thats wicked." He burst out distracting the boy enough that the next ball a football sized ball hit him in the head causing him to loose his balance and hit the floor sending Clint into gales of laughter as Natasha just shook her head as if disappointed.

"Your gonna have to learn to ignore distractions spider boy if that was a real weapon you'd be dead now." Natasha informed him.

"Sorry Ms. Romanoff." Peter replied sheepishly.

"Don't be sorry. Be better." Natasha answered. "Take a break. Theres pizza in the break room."

"Pizza." Ron repeated the word hopefully. He'd never had it before Tony had ordered it the other night when they where watching movies but it had quickly become his favorite thing in the world.

"Good thing Tony orders like hes feeding a college football team." Clint answered nodding towards the break room.

"Its comforting to know one thing stays the same even if they are superhero wannabes or wizards teenage boys can be bribed, rewarded, or distracted by pizza." Natasha commented watching the two boys gamboling off towards the food.

"Juniper took a dislike to Peter right off. Hopefully we can curve that if Ron and Peter get along. We should probably see if we can get Hermione in on it too. Peters almost as smart as she is hopefully they'll hit it off too. If both her friends like Peter she can't hate him too much right?" Clint commented.

Natasha shrugged. "Depends why she felt that way I suppose. I've gotten to know her pretty well and I don't think its jealousy. She doesn't seem to have that in her. May be better just to leave things alone. Peters a pretty good kid hard to dislike and has a strong little brother vibe going. Just let him charm her."

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Bucky woke quickly. It was something he'd learned years ago in basic training and it had served him well over the years. He didn't move though gave no sign that he was awake except for a subtle change in his breathing.

This was the second time he'd woken up with Juniper in his bed and this time he couldn't even remember how she'd gotten here but he wasn't complaining. He was resting his head against her hip his arm across her legs as her hand gently stroked his hair her attention as he glanced up at her was on a letter in her other hand a frown on her pretty face.

"Doll." He said softly tightening his arm around her legs slightly.

Juniper looked down at him and smiled softly putting the letter on the bedside table. "Hey how are you feeling?" She asked still stroking his hair lightly.

Bucky paused for a moment to consider the question. "I'm not sure yet." He said softly. "My head feels...full if that makes sense. Almost like theres two people crammed in there. Too many thoughts and feelings. But at the same time I feel clearer. Like I was seeing through a fog thats suddenly been blown away."

"Bill said it may take a little time to get everything sorted. He didn't explain everything but it sounded like there where quite a few curses he broke that you where under for a long time." Juniper said.

"He, I guess unlocked The Winter Soldier let him merge with me or my Bucky Barnes part. I don't really understand a lot of it but they had locked away part of my personality to make me the soldier then when I came back It was the other part that was locked up. Now my whole brain is free." Bucky told her sitting up to slide backwards and sit beside her putting a arm around her.

"Are you okay with that?" Juniper asked gently.

"I need to take back what HYDRA took from me. Including the other part of my personality. I was a bit of a ass back in the 40s though you still gonna love me if..."

He broke off as he realized the wording he'd just used. He hadn't meant to say that. "I like you Bucky and yeah I may be falling in love with you. I'm not going anywhere as long as its my choice. I have a pretty high threshold for assholish behavior. You've only met the current version of Ron and Hermione trust me they've had their moments."

Bucky smiled glad his words hadn't scared her away but it turned into a smirk as her statement truly sunk in. "May? how about we work on making that a certainty?"

He leaned in for a kiss but Juniper held a hand up to his mouth. "No exertion for 24 hours." She told him with a mock stern expression.

"Kissing you isn't exertion doll. Its as natural, and necessary as breathing." Bucky said against her hand before putting his own hand on hers bringing it closer and kissing the palm causing her to gasp softly her heart skipping a beat. "Seems like your the one getting worked up."

"No bad Bucky." She said shaking a finger at him.

"Fine 24 hours." Bucky answered with a chuckle tightening the arm around her and pulling her close. "God your adorable."

"Yeah cute as a basket of puppies." Juniper said tone dry, rolling her eyes as she repeated the comment Justin Finch-Fletchley had tried to pass off as a compliment.

"Don't underestimate the power of cuteness." Bucky said rubbing her arm lightly. "What where you frowning about when I woke up?"

"Draco Malfoy's ablity to annoy me even in writing." Juniper answered leaning against him.

"The spoiled brat that got feed to the werewolf? What did he have to say?" Bucky asked.

"Oh just the usual. Its my fault his father was arrested, my fault hes now a werewolf, my fault his parents are dead. And I'm sure if hes had a bad hair day hes blamed that on me too. Everything thats gone wrong in his life since the moment we met is my fault to him. Oh and he sent me that from Snape." She nodded at a small vial sitting on Bucky's bedside table filled with something that looked like liquid mercury.

"What is that?" Bucky asked.

"A memory. I don't know why Snape would think I would be interested in any memory of his. Maybe after Tom killed his best friend and had his godson attacked he reconsidered his allegiance but he murdered Dumbledore. Too little too late." Juniper answered.

"He was a spy right a double maybe triple agent? Natasha would insist you look at it. And since you didn't toss it straight in the garbage I think you may believe you should look at it too." Bucky said.

Juniper gave a sigh and buried her face in his shoulder for a moment. "Why can't anything ever be easy?"

"Because we don't live in a Disney movie unfortunately. Oh course if we did I would have been the evil henchman killed off in the first act and you my lovely princess would have ended up happily married to Prince Steve." Bucky answered.

"Uhh yeah no thanks. I already tried the Prince charming route. Didn't suit me. I need someone with a little darkness of his own." Juniper answered.

"Black Knight? I can deliver that Doll." Bucky said kissing the top of her head lightly. "Are you going to look at it?"

"Maybe later. I'll have to get my family Pensieve from Hermione's bag, and get Remus or Bill to check it too make sure its not been tampered with first." Juniper answered. They where lucky she and Hermione had snuck away from the Burrow one day before Bill's wedding under polyjuice and disillusionment charms to Diagon and Gringotts. They had all known they'd have to go on a Horcrux hunt so they'd taken anything they thought they'd need from the Potter Heirloom vault, as well as money, potions, and the Potter, and Black rings. Rings Juniper still didn't wear. She'd told Hermione it was because they where a symbol of the pure blood sense of superiority but honestly it was because the rings reminded her of her father, James Potter and Sirius. Reminded her that they where dead because of her. The rings should have still been on their hands not hers.

"I need to grab Ron, Hermione, Bill, and Remus and destroy the locket Horcrux. I gotta ask Tony if its okay to do it in one of the practice rooms. I don't think it'll be too bad but there is always a chance." Juniper said sitting up away from Bucky reluctantly.

"I'm coming." Bucky said standing with her.

"You don't have..."

"I'm coming." Bucky repeated and leaned over giving her a whisper soft kiss. "I may not have magic to help but I can be there." Juniper smiled and linked her fingers through his.

"Jarvis could you ask the others to meet us downstairs? Tell them its time."

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"Have you found anything useful?" Hermione who'd retreated back to Bruce's lab and the books and notes she'd pilfered from the Black family library when Juniper had gone to sit with Bucky looked up from the book she'd been reading blinking her dry tired eyes at the concerned look on Bruce's face.

He knew what she was looking for she'd fed him some nonsense about how the horcruxs where in priceless, powerful, artifacts from the founders and she was searching for some way to destroy them and save the vessels. She felt a bit guilty about misleading him about the urgency of the problem though. In truth Hermione would gladly and cheerfully destroy every artifact the founders had left behind herself if it would save Juniper. Unfortunately most of the books and reports she had where spotty and inconclusive. It seemed not even the Blacks one of the families most notorious for been stepped in dark magic, blood magic even death magic wanted to leave records of how to make a horcrux and she could find no accounts of a living creature being a horcrux which only made sense. If the idea was to place the soul fragment in something to keep it safe and out of harms way putting it into a person, or animal that would by their very nature one day die taking the fragment with them seemed counterintuitive. Oh course she and Juniper had already guessed it had been a accident. Juniper hadn't been meant to be a horcrux but more likely the sacrifice to make one possible.

She had the sudden urge to spill everything to Bruce. He was so smart and knew so much more than she did just by life experience. His calming presense reminded her both of Remus and her own father. One who was way too emotionally involved to be objective the other who was out of reach. But she'd made promises to Juniper and she'd never break that trust. She felt tears well in her eyes and tried to convince herself it was only because her eyes where tired and dry. "No nothing." she said in a small voice.

"Hermione I think your taking to much on yourself here." Bruce said sitting beside the girl and taking the book from her hands. "You know even me and Tony take days off occasionally."

"I don't have the time." Hermione said looking up at him with sorrow in her big brown eyes tears starting to run down her cheeks. It seemed a extreme reaction to Bruce but she had so much going on so many other stresses on her. Tony and the others where concerned about Juniper and yes maybe the load on her shoulders was a bit heavier but Hermione, and Ron for that matter had plenty of pain, grief and trauma as well. She seemed more mature than her friends but she was still only 18.

"Hermione..." He wasn't too sorry when Jarvis interrupted as he wasn't completely sure what he was going to say.

"Ms Granger, Dr Banner Ms Juniper has asked everyone to come to practice room. She says its time." Jarvis informed them.

"Slytherin's locket." Hermione said softly wiping her tears from her eyes. "Its going to fight back. I don't know how but Horcruxs don't go easy."

"Its just mental right? It can't physically hurt you? You have to keep that in mind. No matter what happens its all smoke and mirrors." Bruce said kindly. "Do you want me to come?"

"Yes please." Hermione said and Bruce stood with her following her to the training rooms. They where the last to arrive and Hermione's eyes immediately found Ron who seemed by his hand movement to be trying to explain Quidditch to a wide eyed Peter and then Juniper who was standing with Bucky, Remus, and Tony.

Then she noticed Bill who was staring at the open spot in the middle of the room where they would be finally destroying the locket. Hermione walked over to him at seeing the troubled look on his face Bruce following her. "Bill?"

"I have a bad feeling about this. I'm missing something. Hermione is there anything I should know?" He asked keeping his voice low knowing if either Juniper or Ron heard him they'd swoop in to block for her. Its the way the trio worked the way they'd always worked. Even during the summers when Juniper was at her relatives, Hermione with her parents or Viktor and Ron at the burrow the speed and frequency of letter between them aided by Hedwigs speed and skill at delivering them had linked them. He knew they had secrets. Juniper didn't trust adults, Ron wouldn't open his mouth without her okay, and Hermione's trust in authority had been eroded by repeated incidents where they'd had to handle things on their own. He didn't think any of them truly fully trusted anyone but the other two and that even included Ginny, Neville, and Luna.

Hermione paused for a moment but then shook her head. "No Bill theres nothing." She said her voice unnaturally calm.

Bill sighed. "You lie even worse than Juniper. I grew up with two of the best damn liars in the free world you have to know I don't buy that." He said referring to the twins. "Alright then if you change your mind...Lets gets started." He said the last three words louder clapping his hands drawing eveyones attention.

"Right then." Juniper muttered and took the leather pouch Ron handed to her opening it and drawing out the locket. Heavy gold ornate and in Juniper opinion a little tacky the S made of emeralds was in her opinion the only attractive feature. Oh course even that was destroyed by the feel of the thing. Evil just seemed to ooze from it once it was freed from the leather pouch even the muggles could feel it like a thick oily mist had entered the room invisible but clinging to the skin making them all shudder a bit.

Remus who had just heard from Juniper how they had found the locket along with Bucky and Tony including the part Regulus had played glared at it his eyes tinted amber. "Are you sure Juniper? You could let us deal with it."

"I'm the only one who can open it." She took the sword out of the scabbard she'd grabbed from her closet before she'd come downstairs not surprised to find out the sword had already relocated to it. A sword moving around on its own wasn't something she even bothered to question anymore. She looked at it for a moment then held it out to Ron.

"Me?" He almost squeaked.

"I killed the diary, Dumbledore the ring, The locket is yours to destroy." She answered meeting his eyes the odd glint that she got sometimes when she was saying something true but wasn't sure how she knew in them. Ron sometimes suspected she had a drop of seer in her too. Maybe thats how she'd recognized what Luna was when everyone else had just assumed she was nuts.

"Okay I got this." He took the sword and almost dropped it when it shifted in his hand from the smaller lighter longsword it was in Juniper's hands to a larger heavier two handed broadsword much better suited to his larger bulkier frame. "Wicked."

Juniper grinned and carried the locket over to the metal table laying it on the table and kneeling next to it. "As soon as it opens Ron. Don't hesitate."

Hermione joined them and knelt as well behind Juniper. "Just swing Ron I'll make sure Juni is out of the way."

"What am I two?" Juniper asked giving her a scowl.

"You space when you speak Parseltongue. I know...I know you gotta concentrate. It'll make us feel better alright." Hermione answered.

"Fine." Juniper said and glanced over at the others. "Just stay back til we see whats gonna happen."

Bill and Remus already had their wands in hand and Tony's hand was encased in his Iron Man glove ready to blast anything that appeared from the locket to threaten his kid but they all nodded.

Juniper glanced up at Ron who nodded and she took a deep breathe leaning forwards over the locket feeling Hermione's hands on her shoulders. She closed her eyes envisioning in her mind a snake. A lovely green snake like the one that had once hung around the Dursley's backyard. Lazy but quick with pebbly dry skin. Once she had the vision locked in her mind she opened her mouth hearing the word escape from her mouth sounding to her like English but with the hissy infliction that let her know she was speaking Parseltongue. "Open." The same short order than had opened the Chamber of secrets so many years ago.

It all happened at once. The locket opening more quickly than any of them had expected. They had thought it would have resisted been reluctant to open but instead it opened as if there was a pressure inside and she'd flicked a switch to release it. A rush of what seemed to be black fog that slammed all three teens away before Ron could bring down the sword. All three seeming to slam into a solid object. Separated in blinding darkness. Juniper felt as if something was being pulled out of her tearing a pained, surprised scream from her as a long almost hysterical mad sounding laughter filled the room.

"JUNIPER." Bucky wasn't the only one calling out to the teens as he pulled back and slammed his metal arm into the barrier separating them. Hearing Juniper scream again when he did so.

'Ohhh do that again. A little more and she might have a seizure. Save me some trouble.' A cold sibilant almost alien voice hissed from nowhere.

"DON'T touch it." Bill yelled as Tony had leveled his glove at the barrier. "Its tied the shield to Juniper. Attack it you attack her."

"WHAT DO WE DO?" Tony yelled frustration on his face. Bill didn't answer he was already circling the ward studying it waving his wand over it obviously looking for a weak spot or break.

'What do we do?' The voice mocked. 'Helpless, worthless, useless. A failure as a father. At least yours kept you alive longer than a week.'

"Who are you?" Steve growled.

'I am Tom Riddle, I am Lord Voldemort, and once I suck the little girl's magic dry and add it too my own I will be God.' The voice hissed.

"Your vapor. Less than a memory of a nightmare. Preying on insecurities and tossing up shields. A two trick pony at most." Bill said almost absently still circling.

'You. Big brother, protector, brave adventurer. I have them now those you have promised to protect. The little hero, the sidekick, and the mudblood bookworm are mine now. I will drain every drop of magic and life from their bodies. And when I'm done here I will go to France find that pretty little wife of yours and your child. Has it been born yet? Wouldn't be the first time I've murdered a baby.' The voice snarled.

"Yeah and you did such a good job of it to first time around. 16 years later and your still trying to finish the job. Taunting me won't work I'm goblin trained. Stick to picking on children."

'If you insist.' The voice replied then the darkness inside the shield cleared enough so they could see the inside. Ron who'd been standing right over the locket was still the closest on his knees the sword was lying close to him his forehead was bleeding and he looked dazed shaking his head as if trying to clear it. Hermione was on her hands and knees eyes wide looking close to panic. Juniper was laying on her side panting trying to catch her breathe the scar on her forehead open and oozing blood again.

A black mist seemed to form around Ron then coalesce in a form. A tall broad shouldered boy with close shaved black hair with just the barest hint of stubble a handsome face with dark eyes and heavy eyebrows. He crouched next to Ron a sneer on his face. 'You had one job.' He hissed his voice deep with a thick Bulgarian accent.

"Viktor Krum." Remus commented from outside his hands balled into impotent fists.

'Oh course what did Juniper expect giving the job to you.' He snickered. 'Your no hero. You shouldn't be here with them and you know it. It should be me at Juniper's side not you. Your nothing Ronald Weasley. Least loved by your parents who wanted a girl, unwanted by the girl you love, clinging to your best friends coat tails desperate to prove yourself. You'll never save anyone not my Hermione, not Juniper, not even yourself. You've never matched your brother, your sister, your best friend, or the girl you crave so desperately. Not good enough for any of them. Everything you have is because your Juniper Potter's best friend. Your prefect badge, your spot on the quidditch team, your date to the Yule ball even Lavender Brown where only handed to you because of Juniper. You'll never be the hero, you'll never get the girl, and you'll watch everyone you love leave you or die. Your not a man. A real man would be able to protect those they loved.' Every single word seemed to hammer into Ron's soul every weak spot, every fear he'd denied, every doubt he held inside ripped open and exposed by the man he both admired and resented most in the world. The fake Viktor leaned closer. 'You've already proven it once. You've already betrayed Juniper once. Remember fourth year you turned on her. Turned your back when she needed you most. You'll do it again and she knows it. She'll never forgive you.' Ron who'd shrunk back from the not Krum let out a soft moan at that sobs choking him.

"RON stop listening to him. Thats not Viktor. Leave him alone." Hermione yelled.

The not Krum turned with a smirk. 'Ahh look at that the know it all mudblood speaks. Worthless tramp. Throwing yourself at the first rich pureblood who shows interest in you. It was never you. It was improving the view of the Krum name by showing interest in a mudblood and forging a connection to the chosen one.'

"Your not him." Hermione growled nearly showing her teeth.

The creature shifted turning into another young man tall slender with aristocratic features nearly white blond hair perfectly styled with grey eyes and what seemed to be a permanent sneer.

"Draco Malfoy." Remus growled.

'Stupid little mudblood. You know the only reason anyone pays any attention to you at all is because of Juniper. If you weren't her friend noone would notice you at all.'

"Lier." Hermione yelled but it had struck her that was obvious.

'Oh am I. Think back to first year Hemione. Just like primary school wasn't it? Teacher's pet, Know it all, 'A nightmare honestly its no wonder she hasn't got any friends' The last part was said in Ron's voice even though it was still Draco Malfoy's face.

'Noone wanted anything to do with you until Ron and Juniper saved you from the troll out of guilt. After that they couldn't get rid of their third wheel could they? And you where good for doing homework. Good for doing research, Good for when they needed someone to give them a excuse or cover for them. Your on the outside of their little twosome aren't you. Always will be. They will always look to, save each other first. Why was Ron Juniper's hostage in the third task instead of you otherwise. Everyone sees it everyone pities you. All you have is your brain its all anyone wants you for and it won't be enough. Juniper will die you won't save her. All your precious research is worth less than you are and everyone will know. They will all know before you die that you failed her. You'll watch her die before I peel the skin from your flesh. I promise you that.' Tears where now flowing down her cheeks as she tried to control the pain and fear the words had ignited in her.

"Foul loathsome evil little cockroach." Juniper's voice was hoarse and forced but she got the words out having rolled to her knees weakly still breathing hard. "Remember Hermione remember who that thing is pretending to be."

The not Draco turned on Juniper then. 'Your a mudblood too now aren't you. Found your filthy muggle father and everything.'

"Swing and miss. I'm proud of my new father. And I'm not afraid of Malfoy." Juniper answered.

'Then lets try something else shall we?' Juniper expected the full Voldemort experience chalky skin, bald head, serpentine features but she'd forgotten the locket had been created before the destruction of Tom Riddles's body. This version of Tom Riddle was in his mid twenties and just as incredibly handsome as his teenage beauty had promised thick dark hair swooping over his forehead, sculpted features. He looked more like a model or movie star than a evil dark lord and it was easy to see how he'd been able to use his looks to draw in followers.

'Without me you are nothing. Everything special about you I gave you, you took from me when you refused to die. Thats my power in your core, my Parsel abilities, even our IQs match. We are just alike. Both of our Muggle fathers abandoned us, both of our mothers died, we where both raised by those who feared and hated us with no knowledge of who we really where the world we belonged in. We could rule the world together. Nothing and no one could stand before us. You want revenge. How could you not. Revenge on those who hurt you, those who saw but refused to act, those who sent you back to that home year after year knowing what was happening there. I can give it too you. I'll lay the world at your feet. I'll even give you your friends lives.' He dropped to his knees beside her as he spoke sincerity dripping from every word he spoke his hazel eyes fixed on her as if she was the most beautiful and important thing in the world.

Watching Tony remembered what Juniper had said about Tom Riddle that first night. A charming, charismatic handsome sociopath who drew people in. She'd been right and he could see how people would have fallen into his trap. People who weren't his daughter.

"We are not alike. Its not our circumstances that define us its our choices. Not the ways we are alike the ways we are different. You chose fear, hate, and power I chose hope, friendship and love. I could no more understand you and your choices than a sparrow could understand a shark." Juniper near spat in his face. He wasn't scaring her breaking her like he had Ron and Hermione he was only making her angrier.

'Merlin your still spitting back Dumbledore's platitudes. His perfect little lapdog. Fine have it your way.' He snarled pulling back. Then shifted again and this shift had Juniper jerking away falling back on her hands trying to crawl back away from the new form.

A woman this time tall and thin beautiful in a wild way. her long dark curls fell in disarray around her face her complexion was pale her features and expression like that of a queen. Her eyes though where terrifying. Dark mysterious and completely mad.

"Bellatrix Lestrange." Remus's voice was strained this time more amber bleeding into his eyes. If the woman had really been there there was no doubt that he could have wrapped his hands around the woman's throat and squeezed the life from her. They had heard of the woman. Tom's most trusted deatheater, the woman who'd murdered Sirius Black, the woman who had most likely killed the Longbottoms, the woman who'd lost herself in the same madness Juniper had inside her, Juniper's cousin. Steve reached out putting his hands on the smaller man's shoulders pulling him back against him almost protectively.

'Itty Bitty Baby Potter. Or is it Stark now?' The woman purred. 'Don't suppose it matters. You'll get the new daddy killed pretty too soon anyway yes?'

"Your not real. Your not her."

'You would know I suppose after all of everyone in the world you would know me best. We're practically the same person after all.' Juniper shook her head frantically tears welling in her eyes. 'Oh yes. I can see it. The madness, the bloodlust, you get pushed far enough you could slaughter every living thing in this tower and never loose a moment of sleep over it.' She gave the same insane laughter she'd heard the night Bellatrix killed Sirius.

"I wouldn't."

'Oh you would. You will eventually. Looking at you is like looking at a reflection of myself at your age. Do you think I started out this way? I attended school, I had friends, I loved my sisters and my cousins. Then I met Tom and he set me free. You've felt it you know how good it feels no more pain, no more doubt, no guilt or grief. Just the fight, the blood, the kill. I killed my cousin and felt nothing, I killed my brother-in-law and felt nothing. I killed the sister I once loved more than my own life and I felt nothing.'

"Noooo."

'Why fight it you already kill everyone you touch. Your parents, Cedric, Sirius, Dumbledore, Mad-eye Moody, The Longbottoms, Xeno Lovegood, even Madame Malkin and all the poor woman did was make your robes. You destroyed Remus's life, Draco's, by extension Blaise's. Your friends and their families are dropping like flies little Potter. If you where as moral and brave as you want to pretend you would have ended it years ago. You are a curse a plague...'

No one had noticed Clint circling around the shield to the spot where Ron was practically crumpled on the floor panting in the midst of a panic attack until he set of the flash bang arrowhead just outside the shields not to damage it but to draw attention. They'd been calling to the teens at first but as they hadn't seemed to be able to hear them they had stopped but they all heard that every eye including Ron's went to Clint.

"Ron look at your girls remember what you said. You'll protect them, both of them with everything you have until its not enough. You still have more Ron. Its not that day." Clint yelled aware that Ron heard him when his eyes turned to where Hermione was curled up crying and where Juniper was cringing from what was apparently Bellatrix Lestrange.

Ron's eyes frantically scanned the floor and then the Sword of Gryffindor lit up like a star. He reached out grabbing it. The moment his hand closed around the hilt strength flooded his body. Determination, light driving back the darkness the not Viktor thing had implanted in his mind and soul. He stood a hard look coming over his usually mild face.

'No.' The horcrux howled and dived forward shifting as it did as if trying to shield the locket. 'Ron no please please.' The form now trying to protect the locket was a slim pretty young redhead who gazed at him pleadingly.

"Ginny Weasley." Ron said his hand resting on Steves arms where he'd gripped it hard enough his fingernails had nearly drawn blood when the not Bella had accused Juniper of ruining his life.

Ron brought the sword over his head and then down through the misty form of his sister and through the locket shattering the vessel. There was a loud piercing scream that had a few of the muggles covering their ears in pain. Then it was gone the black mist the oily feeling on their skin the darkness in the room was all gone. The shield however still held.

"The shield Bill?" Remus asked pleadingly.

Bill looked over at him. "It used Juniper's power. Thats what hurt her the first time. It shouldn't have been possible. I'm not sure how to bring it down without hurting her again."

Inside the shield Ron still with the sword in one hand had crossed to Juniper put a arm around her and pulled her over to where Hemione was. So he could hold them both.

"Good boy." Tony almost whispered. The three had just had all their insecurities, grievances and wounds ripped open and poured out. That kind of thing could drive adults apart just from pure embarrassment. He felt certain Ron wouldn't let that happen. He was a strong bo...man no matter what that horcrux had tried to make him think.

"Wait I think I have a idea." Bill said softly.

"Thats what Juniper said before she nearly killed herself." Natasha pointed out.

"I'm not a desperate child." Bill answered and raised his wand aiming it at the shield. He was lying though at least about the desperate part he was just as eager as the rest of them to get to the trio and make sure they where okay. Make sure his brother knew that he was loved by his family their parents. Make sure Hermione knew she was worth more than her research skills. Make sure Juniper knew she was not destined to turn into Bellatrix. Merlin how had he missed that they felt like that. "Expecto Patronum." Instead of his tiger forming he sent it all into the shields. Instead of a attack he was feeding the warmth, purity protective love into the shield, into Juniper. Remus's eyes lit up and he pulled his own wand doing the same.

Juniper's head which was buried in Ron's shoulder raised and her green eyes now looking a bit bloodshot focused on them. "Juni brat, it used your power on the shield. Take it back." She looked a bit lost a bit confused and for a moment Bill thought she wasn't going to that he'd have to try something else but then the shield shimmered and fell.

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AN- To quote sweets from Buffy the vampire slayer-'all those hearts laid open it must sting.' but luckily nobody combusted. Poor Hermiones gonna end up with ulcers at this rate. Coming up next chapter. Horcrux fall out, Bill starts to figure some things out, the Potter pensieve may be brought into play but not necessarily how you'd think, and plans start to be made.