AN- BioHazard82- Thank you so much.
AN- bahnannah- Leta had her reasons which will become clear in this chapter. Or at least clearer. I love Crooks too had to have him show up. The Weasleys are kind of writing themselves more than any of the other characters. I think Charlie is just being a overprotective big brother type who is sick of watching Juniper get knocked down, but I might get surprised later. Yeah a few of the Dumbledore loyalists may be a pain when they realize Juniper isn't playing by his rules anymore.
AN- n7kairos- Juniper may not know exactly what will be coming soon but she's not dumb enough to toss away a ace up the sleeve like the elder wand. Ya know assuming she gets it. *winks* Yup Leta has arrived. She and Juniper aren't exactly besties at the moment but once things become clearer, they will start to get along a bit better. Even if they do stay snarky with each other on the surface.
AN- Leta- Exists.
Juniper and Nat- Suspicious.
Remus and Steve- Sigh.
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CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
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"I had no idea being famous was so exhausting. No wonder Juniper hates going out in public so much." Hermione said after Bucky and Tony left to head over to the twin's shop.
Ron just grinned as he watched her flop down in a chair next to the fireplace, but there was little humor in it. "I know. I can't believe I use to be jealous of her for all the attention she got. I never realized how heavy a weight it is when everybody expects you to fix everything for them."
"At least now the rest of the wizarding world is standing up and fighting back as well." Steve observed softly. He did have to admit it worried him a bit how much the wizarding world depended on three teenagers. Mostly Juniper yes, but they also seemed to take it for granted that Hermione and Ron were going to be leading the fight on their behalf. He'd gotten some of the same treatment during his war, but he'd been a grown man, a super soldier, the face of the United States Army, and most important had chosen that role. Much like Bucky, Juniper had been drafted and Ron and Hermione stood with her from love, loyalty and friendship.
"It should have happened four years ago." Remus grumbled softly. Steve went over and sat on the arm of his chair putting a arm around him leaning in to speak to him in a soft voice.
Hermione who'd never seen Remus let anyone but Sirius or Juniper near him during the day of the full moon couldn't help smiling when Remus leaned against him. It was nice to see Remus with someone who was capable of taking care of him. Sirius had tried especially on full moon days but in the end because of his mental state Remus was the caretaker 99% of the time. She had a feeling despite age differences and even Steve being a muggle and Remus a werewolf and wizard that a relationship between them would be equal and calm. Based on shared interests and views as opposed to the opposites attract whirlwind that he'd had with Sirius.
"Budge over." Ron said wedging himself into the chair with her.
"There are other chairs Ron." Hermione sighed even as she did as he said.
"Yeah, but none as close to the fire. Besides your thinking too much." Ron answered but once the others had gone back to whatever they'd been doing Ron leaned closer. "Does something feel off to you?"
"Your being paranoid Ron. Everything is fine. Juniper is fine. She is capable of doing things on her own." Hermione whispered back.
"Yeah, and when has that ever actually worked out?" Ron grumbled.
"This isn't like going to save Siri. Shes just going across the alley to talk to Mr. Diggory who's never been anything but nice to her." Hermione answered.
"Are we sure? Did Mr. Diggory take that vow Kingsley told us about to protect the alley and stay loyal to Juniper? Has anyone actually even seen him since the ministry fell?" Ron asked. Hermione started to answer then froze as she realized she really didn't know. "If you were going to set a trap for Juniper using someone she would trust and respond to immediately can you think of anyone short of maybe Luna who would make better bait?"
Hermione was just about to answer as suddenly Hedwig who'd been napping on a perch Tom had brought in for her let out a blood chilling screech. She dove off the perch at the closed window beating at it with wings and beak as if determined to break it if necessary to get out. Crookshanks who'd been sprawled out in front of the fire sprang to his feet moving faster than his chubby frame would suggest he'd be capable of and joined Hedwig in attacking the window.
"Bloody hell. Hold on hold on." Ron ordered. Pepper reached the window first as she was closest and opened it letting the two animals out as Ron and Hermione pried themselves out of the chair. The other's looked after them in differing levels of confusion and alarm.
Hermione and Ron looked at each other. "Trap?" Hermione asked.
"Trap." Ron confirmed and jumped out the window to follow Hermione on his heels. Nat, Clint, and Steve followed Steve pausing long enough to yell for Peter to get Tony and Bucky and for the others to stay put.
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"What is that?" Bucky asked as Tony had made a beeline to a corner of the store with a small fenced in area filled with what looked like fist sized cotton balls in pink and purple. Cotton balls with huge blue eyes that squeaked at both of them as if delighted to see them.
"Pygmy puffs." Tony answered leaning in to scoop one up. "Fred said they are their biggest seller." He pretty much dumped the pink fluff ball in Bucky's hands, so it was either catch it or let it fall to the floor. The small creature immediately curled into his hands looked up at him with what looked like adoration and made a soft purring sound.
"Cute." Bucky said as if not quite sure what to make of the thing.
"I'm thinking about getting one for Pepper. May be a little cutsie for her though." Tony said studying the other puffs in the enclosure.
"You should get one for Bucky instead." George said coming to Bucky's side.
"From the way he looks at our little Juni we suspect he likes cute things." Fred chimed in from his other side.
"This is that creepy twin talk thing Juniper was talking about them doing right? Finishing each other's thoughts." Bucky asked Tony as he returned the Pygmy puff to the enclosure. "You think she realizes she and Ron have a tendency to do the same type of thing?"
Tony just gave him a smirk turning his attention to a display of shoes that would let the wearer walk up walls.
"Charlie already threatened to disappear me if I step out of line. You got plans for disposing of my body as well?" He asked them.
"Nah, the protective big brother is Charlie's role with Juniper."
"Wait until you see the hell Bill will no doubt put Ginny's first real boyfriend through."
"You'll be glad Juniper is Charlie's favorite instead."
Bucky didn't even try to keep up with which of them was speaking. He really didn't think it mattered so much. Although he did know from things Juniper had told him about the two that they didn't have a hive mind like they tried to make people think. From Juniper's stories he knew that Fred was more of a leader, more of a talker, and more reckless. George was more emotional, more detail oriented, and had more than once curved one of Fred and Juniper's more outrageous idea. Or at the least figured out how to make it less dangerous. They did however seem to agree on most things including it seemed this.
"We actually enthusiastically approve."
That did draw his attention to George's face and his earnest expression even though his eyes where sparkling with mischief. "Really?" He asked doubt in his voice on guard for a prank.
George shrugged. "Well, see we liked Cedric."
"But he and Juniper would never have worked in the long term."
"They would have made each other miserable. On paper they were perfect for each other, and they looked good together."
"He was a good guy. Straight and narrow by the book. Never one to color outside the lines was Cedric."
"To Juniper the lines are a vague outline, and she hasn't even read the book." Tony's laugh proved he was still listening in.
"He wouldn't have been able to keep up with her but never would have broken up with her because it wouldn't be the gentlemanly thing to do."
"She would have felt frustrated and restrained but never would have broken up with him because she'd never want to hurt such a nice guy."
"You on the other hand may be a good man but maybe not such a nice guy."
"We get the feeling you would know when to follow the rules and when to make your own."
"So, we have decided to aid you by sharing the wealth of knowledge we have gained from seven years of watching Juniper's back."
"Alright then any advice you want to give me I'd be glad to hear." Bucky answered genuinely amused by the two.
"First off the don'ts." George said leaning against a counter with a display of something labeled Skiving Snack boxes. "Never ever use the word freak in any context around her. Never tell her she's over-reacting, being irrational, or claim you understand unless you can give her a example to prove you really do. Never insult Rubeus Hagrid, Albus Dumbledore, Godric Gryffindor, or Sirius Black in front of her. And if you ever so much as look cross-eyed at Luna Lovegood, Dobby, or Hedwig well I just hope you set your affairs in order in advance."
"A few of those we've already discovered." Bucky admitted. "You may want to talk to Remus or Bill about Dumbledore though."
The twins exchanged a look but evidentially decided that was a hornet's nest they didn't want to poke at the moment.
"A few pointers. She has a sweet tooth. Even when she won't eat anything else treacle tart works wonders. If you need her to make a promise she won't break, ask her to swear on Godric Gryffindor. If she's about to do something totally over the top and Hermione can't logic her out of it and Rons on side as per usual threaten to tell Mum and Professor McGonagall."
"There will be times you will have to remind her she's not alone. She doesn't have to save the world by herself that she has people who will be on her side. When she tells you absolutely insane stuff believe her. Shes right 99% of the time. When she has nightmares and she will, give her hugs biscuits and hot chocolate. Never lie to her or keep secrets she has a annoying habit of finding out and it doesn't end well. And maybe most important never ever ever challenge her to a drinking contest. Something about the Black metabolism halves the alcohol content of any liquor."
George snorted. "Your still sore you got drunk under the table by a 14-year-old 80-pound girl and a half mad man suffering from dementor exposure."
"She was drinking at 14. Sounds like Tony to me." Bucky answered smirking at Tony who looked torn between pride that his daughter could hold her liquor and horror that much like him she'd been drinking at 14.
"Well technically she had her first drink at eleven. It's a tradition after a Quidditch win."
"We only let her have one but still kind of expected she'd get sick and pass out. Nope. She knocked it back made a face then went to play chess with Ron."
"Black metabolism." Fred repeated.
All four men's attention was captured when the door banged open, and Peter ran in looking very out of place in his muggle jeans and NASA t-shirt. He did prove he'd learned to be a little more circumspect as he glanced around and seeing customers hurried over to them grabbing Tony's sleeve.
"Mr. Stark somethings wrong. Hedwig freaked out and took off. Ron said something about a trap and the others followed her." Peter said his voice frantic.
Both the twins went pale, and Bucky swore under his breath. He'd known. He'd felt something off about this whole thing and he'd pushed it off as jealousy for a dead boy.
"Where? Which way?" Tony asked sounding on the verge of panic. A state he'd found himself in alarmingly often since Juniper had come into his life.
"I don't...don't know..."
"Do you have anything of hers?" Fred asked urgently.
"Umm." Bucky made a growling sound and then pulled a hair tie out of his pocket. He'd started carrying it after he'd tugged it out of Juniper's hair that night on the patio in the tower. it was stupid especially since they were usually together anyway, but he liked having it. He handed it over to Fred.
"Avenseguim." George said pointing his wand at it. It immediately seemed to start tugging Fred. "Come on. We'll find her."
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"Why do we have to take the back alleys again?" Juniper asked Leta as they made their way back towards the Leaky Cauldron. She didn't want to be in the back allies even concealed under Leta's cloak as she was, she wanted to be back at the Leaky which would have been reached quicker by taking the main alley. She was tiered and achy and she felt incredibly unsafe without her wand. She wanted Ron and Hermione at her back not this odd woman who should have been dead and ash for 70 or so years. She wanted... she wanted... Merlin she wanted her dad and Bucky. She'd gone her entire life with no family but now after so short of a time of knowing them it was like her dad's voice, and Bucky's arms had become her safety blankets. She shouldn't even be thinking about this she should already be considering how to repair her wand. Her brain would not take the step of assuming it was beyond repair.
"Because you don't want anyone seeing you at the moment. No one needs to see their chosen hero looking all... scuffed up." Leta answered her voice calm and even. Juniper had to wonder if she ever sounded excited or anything but cool or slightly amused. If she spent much time alone with her, she was afraid she'd either start screaming at her or shaking her to get a real reaction.
"Scuffed up huh? I guess that's one way to put it." Juniper said dryly. She hadn't gotten a look at herself before Leta had led her from the house but knew she was probably right. She could feel the pain in her face that let her know it was most likely bruised from where she'd hit the wall. Not to mention scratched from flying wood shards from the sideboard Nagini had destroyed. Her wrist wasn't broken but it still ached as did her shoulder. The worst ache was from the broken bond with her wand, however. With the exception of Hedwig who she saw as more of a friend her wand had always been her most precious treasured possession. Her weapon, her lifeline. If she'd had it, she could have cast a illusion and walked through the alley no problem. Leta had offered but Juniper didn't trust her enough to bear her aiming a wand at her.
"How are you not dead?" Juniper asked. Okay maybe it was a little unfair and insulting to sound so annoyed that the other woman was alive, but Juniper didn't like being confused at the best of times.
"It's a long story. As I feel your little friends are going to be asking as well, I'd prefer to only tell it once." Leta answered with a sigh.
"So, you're not going to run off and hide from Grindelwald again?" Juniper asked.
"Are Newt or Tina here?" Leta asked. Juniper frowned not seeing how the question was relevant.
"No, I think Grindelwald tried to get me to lure them here, but I didn't contact them they are still in America." Juniper answered.
It had taken a few days for her to fully understand why she'd been so opposed to contacting the pair known to have been part of the group that had defeated Grindelwald the first time. Now she suspected that the Gryffindor pair who'd visited them had been working for Grindelwald. Spying for Grindelwald. She didn't know why she believed this, but she trusted the instinct. If Grindelwald wanted the Scamanders in Britain she wanted them in America.
"Good. Thats good. Most likely Grindelwald wanted another shot at killing them." She glanced over at Juniper. "Defeating him, capturing him, that he would forgive. What he wouldn't forgive was they stopped him from 'collecting' Credence Barebone, and Queenie Goldstein. Grindelwald likes collecting powerful witches and wizards with unique powers. I expect he is very interested in you."
"You didn't answer the question." Juniper said a bit impatiently.
"No. No hiding. At least not at the moment. There are things you need to know if you expect to defeat Grindelwald. Not to mention things about Nagini." Sorrow flashed in Leta's dark eyes as she mentioned the snake.
"What is your hang-up with that snake?" Juniper asked.
"Sweet girl things are not always as they seem." Leta answered softly.
"Yeah, I can see how you were a friend of Dumbledore's." Juniper said grumpily making Leta laugh.
Juniper heard Hedwig's screech a moment before Ron's yell. "JUNIPER!" And then he was grabbing her pulling her behind him and leveling his wand at Leta. Hermione at his side doing the same. Before she knew what was happening, she was pulled to Steve's side his arm around her protectively as Hedwig landed on the arm, she held up instinctively barking angrily at Leta.
Leta held up her hands just enough to show her hands where empty that same polite calm amused smile on her face. "Nice to see Gryffindors haven't changed since I was in school." She said lightly.
"Lower your wands she's..." Juniper paused. She couldn't honestly say Leta was harmless or even a friend. "Not openly hostile at the moment."
"Such a ringing endorsement." Leta said dryly.
"Our acquaintance so far does not inspire much confidence." Juniper answered.
"I saved you." Leta informed her.
"From what? Killing Tom's snake and having a functional wand?"
"TOM'S SNAKE?" Hermione shrieked making Juniper wince. "Nagini is here? I though the alley was safe! Barty was here. Nagini was here. How is that safe?" Her eyes locked on Juniper. "Your wand?" She repeated as the words sunk in. "What happened to your wand?"
Juniper was saved from answering as Tony, Bucky, Peter, and the twins came running up. Bucky had his gun out pointed at the only stranger among them Leta his expression cold enough to have her taking half a step back.
"Bucky it's okay." Juniper said stepping away from Steve to him putting a hand on his chest.
"Your bleeding how is that okay?" Bucky voice showed more emotion that his face mostly because he was growling.
"Oh, she bleeds a lot. If she goes a entire week without a bleeding wound, she gets a biscuit." Fred said in that mock cheerful tone he'd always used around Umbridge.
"You're not helping." Juniper told him.
"Was I supposed to be? Sorry not qualified for that."
"Could we please move this elsewhere? It's possible there are extra ears listening in these alleys." Leta suggested. It was obvious she had more respect for the gun pointed at her than the wizards earlier had, but also seemed to believe Bucky wouldn't shoot her. Or maybe that he wouldn't shoot her unless Juniper wanted him to. An important distinction.
"Bucky, she has information about Grindelwald." Juniper said softly putting one of her hands on his holding the gun. He let her push his hand back to his side and he holstered the gun.
Tony let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Alright let's get back to the Cauldron then."
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It was nearly a hour later before the group had settled back in 'their' room at the Leaky Cauldron. When they'd walked back in Molly, Pepper, and Remus had all gone into full mother hen mode at seeing the blossoming bruise and nasty scratches on Juniper's face. A few Episkeys, some bruise paste and a cool washcloth to her face later she looked better except the look in her eyes was almost as bruised as her cheek had been. It was Crookshanks who eventually got them to stop fussing jumping into her lap where she was sitting on the lounge next to the fire curled close to Bucky. He gave them a soft warning growl then curled up in her lap purring comfortingly.
Juniper smiled slightly stroking his thick fur with the hand not holding the cup of tea Molly had brought her. Tony Leta and Natasha where the only ones not sitting. Leta was standing near the fire seeming to watch the flames but truly studying the motley crew of heroes who were all casting her suspicious glances. Natasha was leaning against the wall near the window her gun in plain sight never taking her eyes off the much older woman. Just looking at the woman Natasha knew she had the potential to be very dangerous.
"Alright Kiddo." Tony said pulling a table over in front of Juniper sitting on it and putting a hand on her knee. "Let us have it."
Juniper gave a soft sigh squeezing her eyes closed for a moment before recounting what had happened at Amos Diggory's house. Her voice started trembling as she got to the part where Nagini literally shed his body like a outgrown skin. Tony gently removed her teacup from her hand as it started shaking and took the hand it his own as if trying to warm it.
Her eyes shifted to Leta accusingly. "I rolled away like Nat taught me and was about to curse her. The Killing Curse. It would have worked I could feel it. I could have ended the bloody snake and the Horcrux in her, but she stopped me. She shot a spell knocked me into the wall and...and...broke my wand." her voice broke and a audible sob escaped her.
"Oh Bambi." Remus said softly standing to step closer. "Let me see."
Juniper released Tony's and hand still shaking took her wand from the holster carefully cradling the broken wand as if it were a injured child her tear-filled eyes begging Remus to fix it.
Remus took it just as carefully and frowned shaking his head then glanced over at Fred. "Get Ollivander." The red head nodded expression uncharacteristically serious and hurried out.
Juniper turned her eyes back to Leta eyes narrowing again. "Then she started sweet talking the snake. It started to bite her but then...didn't. It ended up port keying away."
"I saved you. Trust me if you had hit Nagini with the killing curse, it would have killed her, but you would have been doomed." Leta said her voice soft.
"Trust you? Why should I trust you? Did Newt trust you? Did his brother and your brother for that matter? You faked your death hid for decades letting people who loved you mourn you and suffer thinking you were dead and now you want trust?"
Hermione gasped so sharply it had to have hurt her throat. "Leta Lestrange. Your Leta Lestrange."
"You both say that like it is suppose to surprise me. I know perfectly well what my birth name was."
"Yeah, do you know you died like what 70 years ago?" Ron asked.
Leta shrugged. "I had a emergency portkey when I was injured it triggered automatically taking me to a remote Lestrange property in Portugal. I was badly injured. By the time I recovered Newt, Theseus, Albus, and Yusuf had all joined the fight in my name. Very romantic. The first love, husband, teacher, and long-lost brother of the tragic bride murdered on her honeymoon banding together to defeat the evil monster who had killed her. The story just doesn't have the same power if I reappear."
"So, you just walk away. From your home, family, friends, even your new husband?" Juniper asked in disbelief.
Leta shrugged. "I had my reasons. Some of them seem foolish now in hindsight. What can I say I'm a Slytherin we excel in self-preservation."
"Did Dumbledore know?" Juniper asked.
"No one knew. Except Ollivander. He recognized my wand in the apothecary one day but he has always been very good about keeping things to himself." Leta answered.
"You're barking." Juniper decided.
"Well yes likely. Most of the older families are. As a Black you'd know all about that yes?" Leta asked sweetly. Juniper glared at her.
"Tell us about the snake." Steve requested interrupting the face off.
"Nagini. Her name is Nagini. She wasn't always a snake." Leta answered the sadness coming back into her face.
"Wasn't always a snake. What is that supposed to mean." Hermione asked.
"Nagini is a Maledictus." Leta seemed to expect a big reaction but the only one who gave it to her was Remus who still standing turned to her his face paling.
"That curse isn't used anymore. There is no one evil enough to use that curse. I can't even image Tom being that vicious." Remus said voice rough.
"Nine generations. I don't know when it happened, who cast it, or why. I don't even know what family line Nagini belonged to, but she is a Maledictus. Hopefully the last. I don't think she ever had a child so even if she's not the ninth the curse should end with her. Assuming she's not killed with a dark curse." Leta told him.
"What is a Maledictus and how does that make her a snake but not?" Hermione asked as usual not knowing something driving her up the wall.
"A malediction is a blood curse. It runs through nine generations of a family affecting each eldest daughter. A Maledictus changes into a animal usually starting at puberty. At first it's a voluntary thing and the victim even keeps their own mind but as the years pass the changes become more frequent and the human mind starts to recede. Eventually even in human form the animal mind can rule and eventually the victim becomes frozen in the animal form. Trapped. The say a glimmer of the human exists but just enough so that the victim can remember that they are wrong. That they should be more, but they will never be able to regain their human form." Remus said softly. "It makes lycanthropy look downright desirable in comparison."
"What happens if she's hit with a dark curse?" Tony asked.
"Malediction is a odd curse. Most weaken over time, but it grows stronger. Bill could probably explain it better, but it feeds on dark magic and almost seems aware in some way. Light magic, neutral magic, or even muggle means can be used to kill the victim with no ill effects but..."
"But if your little hero here had managed to hit Nagini with the killing curse or any other fatal dark curse the Malediction would have rebounded. You would have gotten the chance to find out first-hand what exactly it means to be a snake but not a snake. You probably would have been luckier than Nagini though as the curse is stronger than it was when it took hold of her chances are you would have lost your hold on sanity quicker. A few weeks maybe a month. Nagini had years of knowing what was happening to her. Years of struggling to maintain her human form and her human mind knowing in the end it was hopeless." Juniper's eyes had widened as Leta spoke.
"You...knew Nagini when she was human?" Juniper asked softly.
Leta nodded. "She was shy, quiet, gentle. Her father sold her to what was basically a magical freak show when she was young, and the curse started showing itself. Thats where she met Credence Barebone. They escaped together."
"The Obscurial." Hermione asked.
Leta nodded. "They were hunted by Grindelwald. He wanted both of them and tempted them Credence with information about his true birth family, Nagini with the offer of trying to pull the curse from her. Credence joined him for a time anyway. Nagini did not. Her morals where too strong to allow her to even though it meant being separated from Credence the only friend she'd ever had. Instead, she joined Albus, and Newt to fight him. I don't know what happened to her after Grindelwald's fall. I had always assumed either Albus, or Newt had taken care of her. I didn't even know she was still alive until I started hearing rumors of You-know-who's familiar and put two and two together."
"She didn't attack you. She knew you. She wasn't threatening you when she said dead. She was saying she thought you were dead." Juniper said squeezing her eyes closed and hugging Crookshanks. What was she supposed to do with this? Nagini was a person. According to Leta a good kind person who had fought against the kind of evil she was now being used to commit. But she was also a horcrux and Tom's familiar. How much of the person that Leta had known was left? How could she kill her knowing this? How could she not knowing what was at risk?
"Shes a Horcrux. For Tom." Remus told Leta.
Leta took a shaky breath. "That bastard." She hissed out and pressed a hand to her forehead the habit that had given her identity away to Juniper. "She wouldn't want to live with that. She hated losing herself to the snake being a familiar being a Horcrux..." Leta paused again. "She would have given her life to defeat Grindelwald. If given the choice she would do the same to defeat, You-know-who if in her right mind. Only the killing curse or fiendfire can kill a horcrux though and both are dark magic."
"No there's another way. Basilisk venom. We have access to Godric Gryffindor's sword its imbued with basilisk venom. As a founder's item it's a strong piece of light magic. So far Juniper, Ron, and Bucky have been able to wield it." Remus informed her.
"We have people here who know Tom and how he operates. Others who've fought HYDRA. We could use the aid of someone who once faced Grindelwald. Are you up to fight one more time?" Steve asked her expression deathly serious.
Leta's eyes swept over the group and settled on Juniper. "One of Albus's greatest talents was in picking his champions." She said softly her eyes softening slightly then she nodded. "Alright. I'm in."
There was silence for a few minutes then there was a knock on the door, and it swung open to Fred pushing Ollivander still in his chair a case of some kind on his lap.
"Ollivander. Thank you for coming." Juniper said standing and carefully picking up the wand. He motioned her closer as she went to him sitting on the floor next to his chair.
"Let me see Dear." Ollivander said and she careful handed him the broken wand. Ollivander closed his eyes and ran his hands over the wand as if searching for something. When he opened them again there was sorrow in them. "I'm sorry." He said in the same tone a doctor would use when telling someone a family member had passed. Juniper took the broken wand back biting her bottom lip and sliding it into the holster.
"I...I'll need a new wand." She said to the old man her voice small.
"You can do wandless magic we saw it." Clint said his tone gentle.
"Yeah, I'm sure shoving Tom against the wall will be more than enough and summoning a bottle from across the room will surely have Grindelwald surrendering in terror." Juniper said a fear in her voice that they hadn't heard from her before. Not even when she'd been telling them how powerful Grindelwald was.
"You can learn to do more." George pointed out.
"Not in time." Juniper answered.
"My wands are powerful, but they are made to start out with a beginner and grow with them. Channeling the kind of powers and spells you have now would destroy them. You know what you need to do?" Ollivander's voice was as gentle as Clint's had been but there was also a tone there like a teacher.
"Find a family wand that responds to me. But Ollivander I don't have a actual blood bond to the Black or Potter lines." Juniper near whispered not ready for Leta to have that tidbit.
Ollivander reached out taking her hands running a thumb over the rings she was wearing. "It's not the blood in your veins in this case. It's the magic in your soul. Your next wand will be from one of your family lines." He motioned her closer and when she leaned in, he whispered to her. "And then perhaps the elder wand. If there is anyone who could master it, I believe it would be you. The only witch to head both a dark and light family at the same time." He laid a gentle kiss on her forehead. "If you need me, you know where I will be. Fred take me home please." Fred gave her a wink and took the handles of the chair wheeling the elderly man out George following.
"Juniper." Bucky stepping and closer and taking her hand helping her to her feet.
"My wands been with me for 7 years. Except for the summer after first year when my uncle locked up my school supplies, I held it every day. Even when I wasn't using it, I practiced the movements. It was a reminder than I wasn't truly helpless. If things ever got really bad there was always the option of using it. It's a part of me. The night we fled from Privet drive the night of the Battle of the Seven potters it fired a spell on its own. Not even Ollivander could explain it, but it was like it recognized Tom as a enemy and attacked him. It destroyed the wand he was using." She looked up at Bucky as if willing him to understand. "It was the first thing that was ever truly mine. From the moment Ollivander put it in my hand it was mine in a way nothing ever was before or since."
Bucky slid his arms around her bending his head to rest his forehead against hers. "If there is a way to repair it, we will find it. If there, isn't we will make sure no one ever forgets that it was the wand that defeated Tom over and over. That protected their hero over and over."
"Juniper, I am sorry, but you can't wait to find a new wand." Remus told her. "We can send Dobby to the Potter vaults at Gringotts to bring the family wands. I'm fairly certain they were moved there when Potter mansion was closed up after James's parents died. The old Black family wands will be stored at Grimmauld Place. Kreacher will know where."
Juniper nodded still in Bucky's arms. "We need to get back."
"I have some food for you to take with you." Molly said. That got Juniper to turn her face to her a hopeful look on her face that had the woman chuckling. "Yes, treacle tart included but I expect you to eat more than that." She waved her wand to summon a small basket that they all knew by now most likely held much more than was evident.
"Ron a word?" Arthur who'd been mostly silent since they'd returned from their tour of the alley earlier requested. He walked outside with his dad as the others started gathering the things, they'd either purchased or been gifted in the alley earlier. Despite them being muggles being connected with Juniper Potter and to some of the inhabitants of the alley Captain America they'd been warmly welcomed for the most part.
Juniper stepped away from Bucky to receive a hug from Molly Weasley who went on to hug Bucky to his complete shock. Then she took a half step back and studied him for a moment. "Hmm, maybe a haircut." She said then patted his cheek and went to speak to Tony and Pepper before they left.
Bucky looked down at Juniper a bit of bewilderment in his face. "Welcome to the wonderful world of the honorary Weasleys. You get a haircut now and Bill and the Twins will never forgive you. They've been fighting that particular battle for years." She informed him glancing over as Ron came back in a smile on his face his eyes bright.
"If your so against the Knight bus Mr. Stark, how are we going to get back to Grimmauld Place?" Peter asked.
"Got that covered. I'll have Kretcher open the fireplace between there and here. Maybe you'll like the floo network better than the other methods of wizarding transportation." Juniper answered.
"Is that safe." Molly asked.
"I'll close it back after we all get through. It can only be opened by me and Kretcher and only if we are on opposite sides of the connection." Juniper told her taking out what looked like a compact and opened it. "Kretcher."
Bucky looking over her shoulder saw the elf's face appear in the mirror of the compact. "Kretcher is here Mistress Black."
"Open the floo connection only between Grimmauld Place and the backroom of the Leaky cauldron. Take precautions to keep it off the ministry's radar." Juniper ordered.
"Yes mistress." Kretcher croaked.
"You can do that?" Leta asked raising a eyebrow in surprise.
"Most of the old families can. As a Lestrange you'd know all about that yes?" Juniper asked sweetly.
For this she didn't need a wand only her links to Grimmauld Place. She felt Kreacher's power reaching out through the fireplace and reached back with her own to create the link.
"Ron, you go first please show them how it's done."
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"Okay a little dizzy but not as bad as apparition, or the Knight bus. You're still getting a car." Tony told Juniper as she came through last closing the link behind her.
"Fine as long as its red." Juniper finally agreed with a smile.
"You are so my daughter." Tony said with a grin putting a hand to her cheek.
"Thats what the blood tests say." Juniper answered with a smile.
"Mistress Black your guests are in the upstairs parlor." Kretcher said in his croaky voice.
"Guests what..." Juniper paused then cursed. "Right Malfoy and his crew. It would be impolite to just lock all three of them in there all night, right?"
"Nope sounds perfect to me." Ron answered with a grin.
"Children." Remus said.
"Fine. Kreacher please take Mrs. Weasley's food into the dining room and prepare the table. We'll go face down the Slytherin Prince and his entourage and if they behave, they can join us for a early tea."
"Yeah, Kreacher probably only bother setting a place for Blaise." Ron sneered.
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AN- The trios face off. Can they manage not to kill each other? The wand search starts, and the end is nigh for Wormtail. The Maximoff twins will be popping back in soon as well and Junipers going to like Wanda even less than she likes Leta. After all Leta didn't have plans to murder her dad.