AN- Zyanadryn- Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I'm so happy you enjoyed it and hope you continue too.
AN- n7kairos- I already know exactly who will be meeting Juniper when she 'dies' I've had part of the conversation planned since before I even wrote the first chapter. Its probably not who everyone is gonna think of although they have been mentioned a few times. But Death (yup a she.) will be appearing in that part of the story but she seems more concerned with a thing that is coming than the present threat. Wonder what she could mean? Oh a obscurial I might use that. Grindelwald will always be Grindelwald. I always thought it was a waste not to have him join Voldemort in the books.
AN- Kitsune Obsessed Freak- I'm sorry my spelling vexes you so. I don't have discord or twitter only skype.
AN- BioHazard82- As always thank you for you support. *hugs*
AN- airunee- Never heard that song before now I have to go find it :). The ocean blue eyes idea came from the Billie Eilish song you should see me in a crown. It doesn't fit either of them but that phrase stuck in my head along with the Bucky poster I may have hanging in my room. I can also relate to saying stuff I regret later especially as it relates to siblings doing reckless stuff. Hope you continue to enjoy.
AN- elizapi- I do try to have real plot I hate the fanfics where all the conflict with the villains are pushed to the back burner for the romance. I think Grindelwald had potential to be scarier than Voldemort. Voldies just crazy but Grindelwald had a cause to actually believe in and a talent for swaying people to his side. I also saw a tendency to 'collect' powerful and unique people. I can see him wanting to add Juniper and Hermione to his collection.
AN- Rollercoaster chapter this one Pepper and Juniper do some future step-mom/daughter bonding. With pastries. See what happens when you let a baker write a fan-fics muffins always show up. And then Dobby returns with a gift for Juniper. But you know I can't let her be too happy for long so oh course things happen.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
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The nightmares came again. Disjointed half memories half fears. It started as many of her previous ones had her uncle dragging her from her cupboard belt in hand to punish her for...something. Maybe it was the time he'd blamed her for losing a large drill order at work, possibly for the flat tire he'd gotten on the way home another. It didn't really matter. She'd almost forgotten how big he'd been, how strong. The way his hand could not only encircle her upper arm but overlap enough to bruise it all the way around. The smell of alcohol on his breathe, the muttered threats and insults and the fear and anticipation. Waiting for the pain had often been the worse part. Not knowing how bad it would be this time. Not knowing if this would be the time he went to far and there was no recovering. Her subconscious had obviously not forgotten any of it and it flooded her brain as she slept forcing her to relive the memories she worked to suppress during the day. She felt his hard grip on the back of her neck as he shoved her to the floor and from the corner of her eye saw the belt being pulled back but before it hit her she was suddenly no longer at Privet Drive she was in Hogwarts.
Juniper found herself kneeling on the cold stone floor of one of Hogwart's hallways and scrambled to her feet pulling the robes she was wearing more tightly around her against the chill. Something felt wrong. The school seemed empty and quite. The school had never been like this even during Christmas holidays when most of the students went home to their families. There had always been voices and laughter of other students and teachers, meows or hoots from the student's pets, running feet, soft chatter from the paintings, and the soft swish of ghosts floating through the hallways. Even when everything else was silent there was always the soft hum of water running through pipes. The closest had been during second year when a monster stalked the halls turning students to stone. She took a moment to pinpoint her position in the castle and realized she was almost literally just outside the classroom where she had found the mirror or Erised first year. She turned to the door that had hidden the magical artifact. She didn't want to open that door. She knew with the logic of dreams that something bad was in that room. She also had the certainty that she had no choice that she had to open it.
Juniper didn't remember approaching it but then she was reaching out and turning the doorknob pushing the door open. The mirror was across the room from the door but instead of being a simple standing mirror it was huge running almost the entire length of the room the words carved into the frame looking slightly warped as if they had been stretched. When she first looked at it the first thing she noticed was that she had no reflection of any kind at all. Then she saw him. It looked like Professor Dumbledore standing in front of the mirror his back to her. She could see his reflection and in it he was young again and by his side was the same young man from the picture in the book she'd seen today. Gellert Grindelwald. Dumbledore's greatest desire wasn't peace in the wizarding world, the reunification of his family, the defeat of Tom, or even fuzzy warm socks it was his old lover. Or maybe it was more than just that as they where both young in the mirror maybe it was just to recapture his youth or maybe...maybe he wanted a second chance to join Grindelwald in his quest to rule the world? No oh course not that wasn't Dumbledore. It couldn't be true. Skeeters book was a lie. All of it was a lie.
Then Dumbledore turned to face her and instead of the bright twinkling blue eyes she was use too his eyes where the same red as Tom Riddles when he'd been resurrected from the cauldron. "Ah Juniper. We've been waiting for you." He said his voice somewhere between Dumbledore's warm grandfatherly tone and Ton's sibilant hissy one. The form in the mirror Gellert Grindelwald looked at her and smiled with Dumbledore/Tom and those smiles where terrifying in a way she couldn't even define. She had the feeling she was about to be devoured by a huge hungry beast.
She came awake with a gasping cry sitting straight up tears pouring down her cheeks.
"Ms. Juniper. I have been trying to wake you for several minutes. Are you alright? Should I contact your father, or Mr Barnes? Perhaps Mr Lupin or one of the Weasley brothers?" Jarvis's voice sounded a bit anxious but it grounded her. It was completely Muggle. Nothing of Hogwarts nothing of the magical world in it.
"No. I'm fine." Juniper managed to get out rubbing her face to dash away the tears. "You didn't wake anyone did you?"
"No Ms. Juniper. My protocols only require me to inform Sir of nightmares if they become a medical emergency as your breathing and heart rate stayed in acceptable if elevated levels it is left to your discretion if you wish to inform anyone." He answered. "Ms. Juniper you shouldn't be alone after a nightmare. As I understand they can be quite distressing and talking about them can help."
"But I'm not alone am I Jarvis? Your here." Juniper answered standing from the bed and pulling on a pair of socks.
Jarvis was silent for a moment then responded. "I'm quite sure its not exactly the same thing."
"It is to me." Juniper answered she paced for a moment and then paused to look out the window. She didn't think she could sleep anymore at the moment despite still being tired, and the early hour. She didn't want to draw at the moment. Some of the sketches in her book where from nightmares she'd had but she didn't want a picture of the warped mirror and the Dumbledore/Tom thing in there. She didn't want to consider what it meant and she knew if she tried to draw it would come out. She wouldn't be able to read either. She needed some kind of busy work something to distract her mind and keep her hands busy. "Jarvis do you think it would be okay if I used the kitchen?"
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Pepper smelled it before she reached the kitchen where she was heading to make coffee. The delicious mouth watering smell of baking of some kind. Whatever it was it smelled sweet. It was probably Barnes. He usually went for making pancakes, breakfast or something of that sort when he couldn't sleep but baking wouldn't be a huge leap. When she entered the kitchen she was a bit surprised to see it was Juniper.
The kitchen table already held trays of muffins and what looked like cinnamon rolls. She was taking what looked like fresh baked croissants out of the oven brown and slightly golden a tray of cookies waiting to go in.
Music was playing softly something she'd heard Tony listening too and she got the feeling Juniper may have asked Jarvis to play something her father would have liked. The center island was filled with cooking supplies but nowhere near the mess Pepper would have expected considering how much baking she must have done. She glanced over towards the sink expecting to see it filled with dishes and he eyes widened to see a scrub brush busily scrubbing clean a muffin pan on its own.
"Well thats handy." Pepper said amusement coloring her voice. Juniper jumped and almost dropped the pan as she turned but regained her composure in the blink of a eye. She looked as if she hadn't had quite enough sleep but Pepper knew enough people with sleeping issues that she knew better than to mention it. "May I?" She asked nodding towards the croissants.
"Umm oh course. Just be careful they are hot." Juniper answered. Pepper took a napkin off the table and carefully took one of the fluffy croissants from the pan Juniper was still holding and took a cautious bite letting out a pleased sound. The outside slightly crunchy the inside warm and soft with just the right amount of butter. Pepper had never tasted a croissant that tasted better not even at the expensive bakeries she patronized.
"This is very very good honey. Where did you learn to make this?" Pepper asked taking a bigger bite.
Juniper blushed lightly. "I don't know. I use to read cook books at the library back home and then I also watched Molly Weasley in the kitchen, and the house elves at Hogwarts took the bits that seemed right and came up with some of my own stuff." She didn't mention she'd often had to bake for the Dursleys and anything that didn't meet their standards got a harsh reaction.
"Did you make any Blueberry muffins?" Pepper asked.
"Umm no I did chocolate chip, walnut, banana, and a few corn for Hermione. Would you like blueberry? I can make some." Juniper offered her eyes looked huge as she looked up at Pepper.
"They're your dads favorite. How about we make them together?" Pepper offered.
Pepper was surprised by how the simple offer made Juniper's eyes light up then they flicked away. "You probably don't really have the time. Its okay I can do it."
"If SI can't operate without me for one morning then I haven't done a very good job in hiring my assistants have I?" Pepper asked taking off her jacket and tossing it and her purse in a chair. "Besides I'd much rather spend the morning with you."
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The scent of freshly baked bread, coffee and the sound of laughter drew Tony into the kitchen. Pepper had woken up and slipped away around a hour ago waking him slightly and he would have thought she'd already left for SI but it was her laughter and Juniper's that he was hearing bringing a smile to his face. He entered to find the kitchen was filled with fresh baked pastries of diffrent kinds and his fiancé and daughter two things he'd never though he would have where sitting at the center island looking at something on Pepper's tablet. He walked over to join then.
"My two favorite ladies." He said leaning over to see the dresses on the tablet. "What are you looking at?"
"Bridesmaids dresses. Juniper agreed to be one of mine. I haven't quite decided on colors yet though." Pepper answered.
"Red and gold." Tony said as if it was obvious.
Pepper glanced over at Juniper. "See I told you."
Juniper couldn't hold back a laugh. "Hey don't look at me. Those are my house colors you know. I'm kinda fond of them too."
Pepper shook her head in amusement. "Alright I know when I'm outnumbered. Red and gold it is."
"Good girl." Tony said giving Juniper a brief hug before turning his attention to the table. "Ohhh are those blueberry muffins." He asked.
"Careful they just came out of the oven." Juniper warned. He showed none of the caution Pepper had with the croissant earlier and picked one of the cooling muffins taking a deep sniff.
"Oh umm my new favorite scent." Tony said then took a bite of the muffin. It could have been the most disgusting thing he'd ever tasted and he still would have reacted as if it was the best thing he'd ever tasted but luckily he didn't have to pretend. "This is amazing. You two really made these?" He asked taking another bigger bite not even caring that he burned his tongue a bit.
"I helped a bit but it was Juniper's recipe." Pepper answered giving her a warm smile. Juniper smiled back still just a bit of shyness in her eyes when dealing with the woman who reminded her so sharply of the mother she barely remembered. This morning had been something Juniper had given up hope of ever having. She'd more than once watched Ginny and Molly in the kitchen cooking together something Ginny had always seemed to resent slightly and Juniper had longed for. Even in the years when she'd strived and ached for Petunia's approval and affection she'd known better than to spend to much time in proximity to the woman when hot stoves, knifes, and heavy pans where in reach. One blow with a frying pan had been enough to drive that lesson home. She'd offered to help Molly in the kitchen a few times but it had always seemed more of a her and Ginny thing so she'd backed off. But this morning with Pepper passing ingredients back and forth, debating how much cinnamon to add, and talking about the wedding that would make Pepper officially her step-mother she felt she'd gotten a taste of what she could have had if Lily Potter had lived.
"You should add owning a bakery to that list of possible career choices." Tony said taking another bite then shook his head. "On second thought no. These are too good to share with the general public. I'd just end up buying them all." He sat at the table tugging the muffin pan a bit closer and glancing over at the other pastries. "Evil temptations trying to draw me away from my true love. But my affections are true." he said picking up another muffin a smile tugging at his lips at the sound of Juniper's giggles.
"You've got issues dad." Juniper said. Unlike last time this time she seemed to catch what she'd called him and her eyes widened in surprise.
Tony paused for a moment but when she didn't seem to be freaking out over realizing how she'd addressed him answered her statement. "Yes so I've been told. Just part of the Stark charm." He told her with a warm smile then reached out with the hand that wasn't holding the muffin catching her hand. "You know there are kids who call their biological father and their step father dad. Its not a insult to James Potter to call us both dad. You can ask Remus but I don't think James sounds like the kind of man who'd mind."
"I don't think so either." Juniper answered with the same slightly shy smile she'd given Pepper. Tony counted it as a win that she didn't retreat. He'd noticed she was incredibly brave when it came to facing dangers, politicians who wanted to sacrifice her, or enemy spies but anything emotional tilted her into a tailspin and when she got overwhelmed she ran.
Clint entering the room broke the moment and they all looked over at him. "Umm sorry. I can leave and come back in but I smelled something suspicious. I thought I should come eat...I mean investigate the source." He raised a eyebrow playfully.
"Help yourself." Juniper said motioning towards the table.
Clint took one of the cinnamon rolls took a bite then glanced over at Juniper. "You made these?" He asked her. Juniper nodded in response. He looked thoughtful for a moment then looked back to her. "I changed my mind you should dump Barnes and run away with me instead." He said with a totally serious face that had her bursting into laughter.
"Trying to steal my girl Barton?" Juniper glanced over to see Bucky had entered the kitchen giving Clint a mock scowl.
"Have you tasted her baking? Had to take a shot." Clint answered giving Juniper a playful wink.
Bucky took a cinnamon roll Juniper offered him and took a bite his eyes widening slightly in surprise. "This is fantastic doll." He said giving her a smile that made her light up and putting a arm around her waist. He gave Clint a grin. "Mine."
"Your boyfriends a caveman." Hermione informed Juniper slipping in behind them. "Ohh you baked. I love when you bake." She picked out a corn muffin she knew was meant for her as she still didn't eat a lot of sugar. "Did you sleep? Looks like you've been up for awhile."
"I slept." Juniper answered sounding a bit defensive.
"Nightmare?" Tony asked giving her a sympathic glance. She only nodded. "Wanna talk about it?"
"Maybe later. I'm trying to untangle it in my own head at the moment." Juniper answered taking a cup of tea Pepper had refilled for her.
"Yeah those are the worst." Tony said softly. He much preferred the nightmares that where a straight forward replay of past event over the ones that seemed to be giving him mysterious messages from his subconscious.
The rest of the group minus Peter who'd had to go home last night and had school today had made their way into the kitchen sitting around the table eating Juniper's baking when Dobby arrived with his usual bang.
"Dobby! What happened to you?" Juniper asked in alarm standing at the sight of the elf who seemed to be covered in scratches and Band-Aids kneeling beside him to check his injuries.
"Juniper Potter's Uncle Birdbrain said to being her something that would make her smile." Dobby answered. Clint shot Tony a scowl knowing exactly where the elf had picked up the nickname. "So Dobby brought her the thing that always makes her smile."
"Dobby what did you do?" Juniper asked with a frown.
Dobby looked uncertain for a moment before snapping his fingers. A large cage appeared from nowhere and inside was a absolutely gorgeous snowy owl with large amber eyes that seemed to be glaring at Juniper as she immediately started making a barking hooting sound that was undeniable extremely irritated. They had been told that Juniper had a owl that was very unique but even Bucky who had seen her in a dream wasn't quite prepared for the reality of the creature.
"Hedwig." Juniper cried straightening up and crossing to the cage opening it to let the owl out she hopped out onto the arm Juniper offered but then immediately took flight only to land on Bucky's metal shoulder and turning to face Juniper and continue to complain at her with the hooting barking sounds.
"Hedwig...Hedwig I'm sorry. I never wanted to leave you but it was too dangerous to come back for you after the attack at the wedding." Juniper pleaded crossing to sit back in the chair she'd been in to face the annoyed owl. If a owl could sniff Hedwig did turning her back on her. Bucky held very still. He didn't know why Hedwig had chosen him as her perch but he knew how precious the owl was to Juniper and wasn't about to do anything to upset her further.
"Shes beautiful." Pepper said softly. "Shes yours?" She asked Juniper not having heard quite as many of the stories as the others.
"Or I'm hers maybe. Its all kind of vague." Juniper answered.
"Familiar bonds are extremely rare and not well understood. There are very few witches and wizards strong enough and even fewer animals...special enough. Dumbledore and Tom both have familiars but they are magical creatures. Hedwig is just exceptional." Remus said.
"Please girl. Forgive me. I never would have left you at Longbottom manor if I hadn't been sure Neville and his grandmother would take good care of you." Juniper pleaded her full attention on the owl who hopped around to face her again with a series of barks.
"They had to keep you in the greenhouse they where afraid if they let you out you'd come to find me. Everyone knows who you are Hedwig they would have killed you to get to me. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you." Juniper told her.
"Can you talk to her?" Tony asked in surprise.
"Not the way you mean but we understand each other. We spent every summer at Privat Drive locked up together. She hated it just as much as I did. I promised when we left that last time that nobody would ever lock either of us up again. The Longbottoms greenhouse may be much better than a cage in Surrey but its still locked up." Juniper said softly reaching out to stroke Hedwig's feathers not pulling away when she snapped her beak at her hand. Probably because although she did come close she didn't actually make contact. "I shouldn't have broken that promise. I should have found a way. This will all be over soon girl. One way or another I can't see it lasting more than another few months at most. Then I'll never have to leave you behind again. I missed you so much." She raised her arm offering it to the owl. "Please forgive me Hedwig."
The owl gave her one more glare for good measure but the tremble in Juniper's voice must have decided her because she stepped from Bucky's shoulder to Juniper's arm and nipped at her finger's lightly. Juniper's face lit up with a bright happy smile. In some way Hedwig was a part of her. She could say anything to the owl and know she wouldn't be judged and Hedwig didn't want or expect her to be a hero, or savior she just wanted to be with her. She always knew what Juniper needed and if it required her to fly all the way to France to 'remind' Hermione to send her a birthday present or to wait in the neighbor's backyard until they where carrying groceries in the house to snitch a loaf of bread from one of the bags she would do it.
"Shes as smart as she is beautiful." Clint said a bit of awe in his voice. Hedwig was truly a majestic creature. It was no surprise that she was linked to the hero of the wizarding world as much a part of her image and legend as her Hollywood wand and her lightning scar. Hedwig glanced over at Clint preening slightly but also taking the praise as no more than her due. She didn't have the self esteem problems her human did.
"You have no idea." Juniper said.
"She can find anyone no matter where the are with just a name, she can go right through wards even ones specifically meant for mail owls like they aren't even there, and she can fly distances she shouldn't be able too at speeds no ordinary owl could ever match." Bill said.
Hermione's head jerked up her eyes focusing on Hedwig. "Juniper I need to borrow Hedwig to deliver a message."
"She just got here." Juniper objected pulling her arm closer as if to protect the owl from her friend.
"Juni I would never ask if it wasn't super important you know that. I can't tell you why yet just in case it doesn't work but I'm working on some ideas and I think Hedwig could help with a very important part of it." Hermione said then glanced at Hedwig. "How about it Hedwig are you willing to help me. I think your the only owl who could pull off what I need."
Hedwig looked at her then spread her wings as if stretchingthem. Juniper sighed. "Okay fine I get it but you have to be super careful and come straight back to me okay." Hedwig gave a little hoot and tugged on a lock of Juniper's hair that had come loose from her braid fondly before she hopped over to Hermione who held out her arm.
"Dobby I need your help too. Would you come with me and Hedwig so I can explain to both of you what I need?"
Dobby looked up at Juniper. "Dobby made Juniper Potter smile?"
"You always make me smile Dobby. Thank you for bringing me Hedwig." Juniper said hugging the little elf who absolutely beamed at her before following Hermione out on to the patio.
"Whats she up too?" Ron asked.
"Not a clue but we haven't gone wrong in trusting her yet." Juniper answered her eyes still on her owl through the window. "Hopefully it won't take long. I didn't even realize how much I missed Hedwig."
"Didn't we just have a talk last night about secrets biting us in the ass?" Ron asked her and turned as Hermione came back in. "Spill it. What have you figured out? Where did you send Hedwig and Dobby?"
Hermione gave a deep sigh. "I may have a plan for the horcrux but it all hinges on the responses I get from the messages I just send. I'd rather wait..."
"No." Ron said firmly his expression determined as he met Hermione's eyes. "Your not infallible Hermione. Tell us. If theres holes we can find them if it can be improved on we can work on it. This is Juniper's life we're talking about not a school report."
Hermione glanced over at Juniper and gave a soft sigh. "Yeah okay your right." She sat and picked up one of the croissants focusing her eyes on it. "Its a slight modification of Juniper's plan. "We kill her."
In retrospect Hermione probably should have found a better way to phrase that but in her defense she was much more use to dealing with the others of the Ministry Six when planning than the Avengers. Juniper, Ron, Neville, Luna, and Ginny where use to her steam of consciousness way of putting things knowing she would loop back around and explain. She wasn't expecting Tony's protective papa wolf reaction and even less expected was Bruce's similar reaction in her defense.
In fact the whole thing had shocked everyone from Tony standing summoning his gauntlet from his watch holder and aiming it threateningly at Hermione and demanding she explain herself causing Bucky to move as if to shield Juniper while Ron did the same to Hermione. To Bruce reacting almost without thinking grabbing his friends arm and wrenching it upwards nearly dislocating it in a instinctive move to protect the girl who was quickly becoming like a daughter to him. The next few minutes was filled with everybody yelling. Nobody much noticed the two girls they where arguing about meeting each other's eyes over the shoulders of the guys attempting to protect them with exasperated expressions.
"THATS ENOUGH!" It was no surprise to the Avengers that it was Pepper's voice that put a end to the yelling as she slammed her hand down on the table. "SIT down." The last word was almost growled and most of them immediately leapt to obey. "I SAID sit." She repeated pointing a finger at Tony and Bruce who where still facing off. Both men obeyed but their expressions made it clear they weren't happy about it.
"I believe that was a over reaction from both of you." Pepper said to the 'science bros'. "We're gonna put it down to testosterone poisoning and paternal instinct on both of your parts. Now you are both going to sit there with your mouths shut and hear her out as I'm sure Hermione doesn't actually mean for us to kill Juni." Pepper shot the girl a look telling her she better not mean that or she might be facing a mama bear as well as a papa wolf.
"Just listen to her." Juniper said giving her father a look.
"I kinda do mean it. But just because she dies doesn't mean she has to stay dead." Hermione said not seeming at all upset about Tony threatening her. Honestly if anything it pleased her. Merlin knows Juniper needed people willing to protect her. "Neutralizing the horcrux to stop it from draining her wouldn't do a bit of good because it still has to be destroyed to kill Tom. So we skip that and go straight to destroying it."
"What exactly are you proposing?" Steve asked expression dead serious.
"First we lower her core body temperature. The doctors always say someone is not dead until they are warm and dead and the colder you are the slower the poison will spread as your blood circulation will slow. You may go hypothermic but hopeful that will...kill you instead of the poison. It will cause less damage and be easier to bring you back. Once your temperature has fallen a bit we introduce the baskilisk venom directly to your scar. It took around five minutes for the locket horcrux to dissipate once the sword hit it and it was rather obvious so hopefully this one being smaller will go faster and as soon as it does we hit you with everything we got. Raise your core temperature, hit you with the defibrillator. We also have to counteract the poison so for that I sent Dobby for a few things a bezoar and a healing potion from Slughorn and from Hagrid unicorn blood."
"UNICORN BLOOD!" Juniper near shrieked making Bucky jump as both she and Ron looked at Hermione in shock. "Have you lost your mind?"
"Thats the part you have a problem with?" Natasha asked her tone dry.
"Unicorn blood can save you even a inch from death but you have killed something so innocent so pure that from the moment it touches your lips it will be a cursed life a half life." Juniper answered glaring at her friend.
"Firenze right? Merlin centaurs are so dramatic." Hermione said with a sigh. "Thats only if you kill the unicorn and take the blood by force. Unicorn blood freely given is almost as strong at healing as Phoenix tears."
"Shes right." Bill said softly. "Its the almost part that worries me."
"Hermione where did you send my owl?" Juniper asked then he voice going to a worryingly calm place.
"I sent her to find Fawkes." Hermione answered.
"Hermione Fawkes hasn't been seen since Dumbledore's funeral." Juniper said. "He could very well still be in Britain around Hogwarts you may have just sent Hedwig into the heart of enemy territory." Juniper said her voice tight.
"I put a glamour on her anyone will see her as just another barn owl. I would never put her in danger Juni. I know how important she is too you." Hermione promised.
Juniper let out a soft breathe of relief. "Well I guess if anyone could find him it would be Hedwig."
"No." Bucky's voice was hard and harsh and he was glaring at Hermione in a way that actually sent a chill down her spine scaring her more than when Tony had had a weapon pointed at her. "Have you lost your mind. You don't know if this will work. Your talking about killing your best friend."
"Right there with you Buck." Tony said his own expression closed off.
"I am open to any suggestions." Hermione answered. "Please anything because except for just watching this thing drain her dry and possess her body when shes gone I'd rather do anything else." There was almost a tone of desperation in her voice as she spoke.
"I am right here you know. I may have a opinion on the matter." Juniper said.
Bill stood and crossed to her where she was sitting between Bucky and Tony who was at the head of the table and knelt beside her chair taking her hand. "Juni what do you want to do. I know this sounds scary and I can't deny its dangerous. We can keep looking."
"Would it work?" Juniper asked her voice trembling.
"If everything went to plan yes I think it would." Bill answered softly.
"Yeah but when has anything we've come up with gone as we've planned?" Ron asked.
"Not now Ron." Hermione said with a sigh.
"How much would I loose. I mean what if we need Parseltongue to get to the other horcruxes. What if the locket was right what if some of my powers and intelligence is because of this thing in my head what if..."
"Juniper, listen to me." Bill said taking her hand in one of his and putting the other to her cheek. To both of their credit despite what had happened the day before she didn't flinch. "This thing is a parasite. This is not a mutualistic relationship happening here. Its feeding off you its not giving you any benefits. I doubt even the Parseltongue truly comes from him."
"Dumbledore said the Parseltongue was from him." Juniper said.
"Yeah well it is possible Dumbledore was wrong about a few things here and there you know. If he'd talked to a cursebreaker he would have known that a possessing spirit which is essential what this is doesn't give any benefits to its victim." Bill assured her.
Remus leaned across the table. "I knew you when you where a baby Juniper. You where already advanced. Most kids don't have accidental magic until they are at least a year and a half old you had your stuffed animals dancing at 6-months-old. You walked and talked early. Lily was convinced you where already learning to read the way your eyes would move across the page when she read to you. Not to mention you where smart enough that you'd already figured out if you poked out that lower lip and let your eyes fill with tears we'd all fall over ourselves to give you whatever you wanted." Juniper let out a soft laugh at that.
"We can keep looking Juni. But the longer we wait the weaker you will get and soon your magic is going to be affected. Think about it. We will spend the day going over everything again. If we can find a safer way I would be alot happier. We can't do anything until Dobby and Hedwig return anyway." Juniper nodded before leaning back in her chair rubbing her forehead causing Bill and Remus to share a worried glance.
"Pain potion?" Hermione asked her.
"Would you stop trying to shove a pain potion down my throat every time I wince? Merlin Hermione." Juniper said standing and heading for the door to the patio.
Hermione stepped in her path and wrapped her arms around her. "I don't like seeing you hurt Juniper thats why. I can't stand seeing you in pain." They all half expected Juniper to pull away from Hermione and continue out the door but instead she hugged the taller girl back tightly.
They separated when there was a bang announcing that Dobby had returned. They all turned to see the little elf standing in the middle of the kitchen a slightly miserable look on his face. "Dobby you just left...What happened Dobby whats wrong?" Juniper asked.
"When Dobby when to see Professor Sluggy Juniper Potter's Looney was there. She says to brings this immediately. Says is very important."
"Open it Juniper." Ron said eyes on the roll of parchment as if afraid it was going to explode.
Juniper took a deep breathe then did as he said. "Oh Bloody hell." She muttered under her breathe. Then looked up at the others. "We gotta get to London."
"Read it Juni. Out loud." Ron almost ordered. She gave him a half hearted glare before looking back at the parchment.
"Juni, Tom knows what you've done. Hes going to secure the horcrux at the place where he started. He thinks the one in the place where he learned it all is secure but hes worried about the other. He thinks you've already destroyed half of them. He still doesn't know about the 7th. He can't know about the 7th until its too late. Thats important Juniper. You have to get to it before he can. I can't see where hes planning to hide it. To many crossing timelines every thing went haywire when the three of you went to the tower. You need to get it and bring it back to the tower to wait for the muggle with the scarred face. He important. We won't win without him. There should be five. You, Ron, Captain Rogers, Your Winter Soldier, and The Black Widow. Dobby and the other can take you. Call him. Do not under any circumstances let Hermione come..." She trailed off and he face paled.
"What?" Hermione asked a bit of fear entering her eyes. "What happens if I go Juniper?"
Juniper looked up at her friend for a moment as if judging if she should tell her what was in the letter and must have decided it would be worse if she didn't. "If there is a fight Bellatrix Lestrange will be there. In any timeline when Hermione and Bellatrix cross paths it ends with Hermione locked in a room with her screaming and begging as you and Ron try to get to her. You don't always make it in time."
"Don't care for that." Hermione said her voice trembling slightly at the thought of being at the mercy of the insane witch who scared even Juniper.
"I will never let her hurt you Hermione." Juniper said her voice harsh.
"Finish the letter." Hermione ordered.
"Be careful. Ron you will know what to do when the time comes. Trust your instincts. Love you, Juni. To the end Luna."
"How was that somehow more obtuse and more clear than her usually rambles at the same time?" Hermione asked obviously still shook by the news that Bellatrix was such a danger to her.
"Seemed perfectly clear to me." Juniper answered. "The place he started is obviously Wool's Orphanage where he was born and grew up. Hes going after the Horcrux there the cup of Hufflepuff. We gotta get to it first. And she thinks Ron, Steve, Bucky and Natasha should go with me."
"Let me grab some weapon and change." Natasha said as if it wasn't even a question.
"My uniform may be a bit to obvious so I'll just wear civvies but I need my shield." Steve stated in the same manner.
"Just grab me a jacket to cover my arm. If I remember correctly its cold in England anyway." Bucky said to Tasha.
"You don't have to come you know." Juniper said sounding a bit bewildered as if she'd half expected them to object.
"You still don't quite get this whole family thing do you kiddo?" Natasha asked before giving a huff of amusement and heading upstairs.
"Maybe you should change too Doll. Even though I have to admit this particular outfit is giving me a whole new appreciation for penguins." Bucky suggested his eyes skimming over Juniper as she realized she was still wearing her penguin pajamas and blushed while giving him a disapproving look at the same time.
"Right. I'm gonna go change." Juniper said then glanced over at Bill. "Can you make portkeys to get us back here? I don't want Dobby and...the other one hanging around if we have to fight."
Bill nodded. "I can do that. Shouldn't take long as the wards here can act as a mark."
"Thanks." Juniper said and turned hurrying up the stairs after Natasha.
Tony stood and started pacing. "So my baby is going into a battle and I'm sidelined. Damn it. I should be going."
"You?" Hermione said with a snort crossing her arms. "The three of us have faced everything together for the last seven years now I'm being sidelined because of Bellatrix."
"Why are we listening to this girl? Who is she?" Rhodey asked.
"Lunas a seer. Shes also Juniper's other anchor, a member of the ministry six, and the daughter if Xeno Lovegood the Quibbler's owner who died in the razing of Diagon Alley. There is no one more devoted to Juniper." Ron said firmly.
"Its the seer thing thats most important. When generals don't listen to their seers death tolls soar." Hermione said with a gusty sigh. "Besides Juniper she is really the most important part of our defense."
Tony turned to Steve. "Take care of my little girl Steve." It may have made more sense to direct the request to Bucky but honestly he trusted Steve much more and maybe always would. After all he was the legendary soldier he'd been hearing about since he was a child.
"You know I will Tony. Like Tasha said shes family."
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AN-Next chapter the battle of Wool's orphanage. Bella the real one is coming to this party. It ain't gonna be pretty. This will not be a total win for either side and those who crawl away will be the lucky ones.