AN- Biohazard82- As always thank you for your support.
n7kairos- So glad you liked it. I do believe Leta will be giving Juniper more help than she expects she will. Leta is never going to be able to step back as completely as she wants to at this point between feeling guilty about Nagini and liking Juniper she's in too deep.
bahnannah- Pansy like the golden trio *gasp in shock* oh course not. *winks* I see a rant form Juniper about Odin coming up when a few more facts come to light. By the time she's done even Thor may be seeing things a bit differently. Don't worry Steve is not going to let Remus get away with not getting help that is available and he is really had the rose tinted glasses when it comes to Dumbledore torn away.
AN- This chapter somehow turned into a study on Blaise Zabini we see him being nice to Steve, provoking Bucky then hear him in a all out rage. The many sides of a Slytherin. Tony makes a deal with Loki. Good thing? Bad thing? Time will tell. Pansy starts her plan on Ron confusing him and Peter in the process. Somehow we didn't have a whole lot of Juniper this chapter. Next chapter I hope to take a little trip to Privet Drive bring in the Twins and finally have Juniper and Grindelwald met face to face.
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Chapter Thirty Nine
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"How on Midgard did you manage to father such a extraordinary child Stark?" Loki asked Tony as soon as Juniper and Bucky where out of earshot.
Tony looked over at him with a smirk and started to make a snarky comment or maybe ask Loki if he was jealous but something about the look on his face gave him pause. He firmly reminded himself he'd asked Loki to come and was about to ask him a favor. A large favor. To fight a monster. To save his daughter. "She takes after her mother."
"She looks a lot like you man of iron." Thor said giving him a warm smile.
"Loki do you have any children? According to the myths you have several." Hermione asked the look on his face making her curious.
"Children? No. I did have a goddaughter Salazar Slytherin's oldest daughter Ayla Slytherin. She was around your age the last time I saw her. Juniper's power feels quite a bit like hers." Loki answered. Just like with Juniper his voice when he spoke to Hermione was calmer as if something about the teens or maybe just those who could be considered children to the ancient god even if they where warriors as well brought out a softer side of him. Which when Tony thought about it probably made sense if he'd once been a teacher. Oh course they only had Loki's word about anything he'd said tonight and he knew from experience how manipulative he could be.
"Chances are pretty good that she is a heir of Slytherin as well as Gryffindor so that would make sense." Hermione said. "She speaks parseltongue, but she can also call the sword of Gryffindor." She could have also mentioned Juniper's cloak as well passed down through the family line but maybe it wasn't the best idea to give Loki any ideas about the Deathly Hallows quite yet.
"There are other family lines that have parselmouths but from what I understand most relocated to India or Australia long ago. Oddly enough the more poisonous snakes a place is home to the more accommodating they are to those who can speak with them. Britian only decided it was dark a few centuries ago." Loki said with a eye roll. "Godric's sword tends to come to any from his house who need it. Neither of them would have approved of...this. Having a little girl fight battles full grown wizards would shy away from. All four founders would be ashamed of the levels of cowardice the wizarding world as a whole has fallen too."
"Thats rich coming from you." Clint snorted. He still hadn't forgiven Loki for possessing his mind and forcing him to fight his friends.
"I never used a child to fight my battles. I have never harmed a child. My morals may not be as high as yours archer but children should be exempt from war." Loki said.
"Well we aren't children anymore." Hermione said. "And Tom Riddle isn't alone. Hes freed Gellert Grindelwald. Juniper can't beat him."
"Ahh. Never met the man but I have heard stories. He is powerful but not as powerful as Juniper will be." Loki told them.
"Will be?" Tony asked.
"Magical children reach their full power at different ages depending on how strong their magic is. For example I would assume your shield charm for example is much stronger now than it was at eleven?" He asked glancing at Hermione who nodded. "Most do reach their potential by seventeen but occasionally you have special cases like your daughter. I expect she will take another 5 years or so to reach her full strength. At that point she will most likely match if not surpass Grindelwald."
"He won't let her live long enough to get stronger than him." Ron said softly. "Not unless he can control her completely before then. No way would she agree to hide until then. Too many people we love would die in the meantime."
"This is why your message was so urgent then. You need someone with magic powerful enough to fight and defeat Grindelwald." Loki stated. Then a slight smirk appeared on his face a glint in his eyes.
"Can you defeat this wizard brother?" Thor asked.
"I am a God. Wizard or not he is mortal." Loki answered. "But what would I gain by saving your child Stark? For what reason should I take up this cause?"
"Because she's been fighting since she was a kid. Because she is probably the descendant of your godchild and two of your friends. Because you where a Hogwarts teacher and just because you leave Hogwarts doesn't mean you stop being a part of it." Hermione said sounded just a bit outraged by his question.
"You are a Gryffindor, aren't you." Loki stated looking amused.
"What do you want Reindeer games?" Tonys asked his expression hard. The all expected Loki would ask for the Tesseract. They all also expected that if it was the only way to save Juniper, Tony would rip through Shield's security to get it for him. They all also expected he'd have help. Bucky, Clint, and Natasha would not let the greater good stop them from assisting him to save Juniper even if they others would have more of a dilemma with the morality of the situation.
Loki surprised them though. "A pardon. For the harm I caused here. Sanctuary on Midgard. As well as a chance to teach Juniper."
"I won't let you manipulate my kid." Tony said.
"Then it is a good thing you will be around to mitigate any damage I cause then isn't it?" Loki asked his smirk even bigger. "Afraid my influence on her will over power yours? Come Stark she's obviously already such a good girl. How much harm could I possibly do?"
"Tony. Give him what he wants." Pepper said softly. She was still leaning into Tony arm around his waist. and although she'd gained a little color she still didn't look 100%.
"We can't grant a pardon or sanctuary." Steve pointed out.
"No, but a word from a few of the Avengers especially the great Tony Stark and the noble Captain America will go far. Give me your word you will do so and I will do what I can to help defeat Gellert Grindelwald and protect Juniper and her friends." Loki answered.
"My brother was mind controlled during the events of the battle of New York. Our mother has declared him free of outside influences now. He would be a excellent teacher for your girl, man of iron." Thor said cheerfully.
Loki gave him a brief glare then turned back to Tony extending a hand. "Do we have a deal Stark?"
"Deal." Tony growled and shook his hand.
"Isn't this where the thunder claps and the lights go dim?" Clint asked.
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"How are you feeling baby?" Tony's voice was gentle as he led Pepper over to the bed to sit down.
"I don't even know Tony. It was...was so...oh my god Tony I don't know how Juniper stood that for so long." Pepper answered tears coming to her eyes as Tony sat beside her and she turned to him burying her face in his shoulder. "He...It was just crawling around in my head forcing me to do what it wanted. I couldn't fight it. I couldn't even scream for help. I tried to fight it Tony. I did. I just...I just..." She broke off just crying.
"I'm so sorry honey." Tony whispered softly holding her tightly.
Tom Riddle. Fucking Tom Riddle. Tony didn't think he'd ever wanted anyone dead as much as he did Tom Riddle. Especially someone he'd never met. A man who'd murdered a woman he'd once cared about a great deal. Who had been trying to murder his daughter since she was born. Who had now attacked the woman he loved although in a round about way. It seemed almost absurd that the man who was his greatest enemy in a very real way to Tony most likely wasn't even aware of his existence.
He would be aware. Tony promised to himself. Maybe only Juniper could end him permanently but Tony Stark was going to show both him, and the rest of the magical world why he'd once been called the merchant of death.
"I could feel how much it hated Juniper. I'm not sure if it was trying to lure her into the circle so that she would kill herself or would have used me to do it once it possessed me. I can't help her Tony. If anything I'm a liability. A weakness." Pepper said not looking up at him.
"But you didn't. Thor stopped it. Maybe that's what a true family is suppose to do. Each of us stronger in certain ways. Juniper may be stronger than both of us in a lot of ways but she needs us. Lily's sister and Dumbledore damaged her so badly that emotionally she..." Tony paused for a moment and let out a sigh. "I'm more worried about Grindelwald. From what Leta has said he is very good at finding the right buttons to push. You've given her a maternal link that I think she's needed for a very long time. Without you she'd be even more vulnerable to his manipulations. I'm so grateful for the way you've stepped in and accepted her. I know a lot of women who would have trouble accepting a nearly adult stepdaughter coming out of nowhere. Oh course I've always known what a amazing woman you where."
"Ms. Potts may I make a suggestion?" They both jumped and looked over at the sorting hat still sitting on the desk. Pepper remembered it speaking before but had forgotten about it.
For a moment they just stared at the hat in shock then Tony cleared his throat sitting up a little higher still holding Pepper close. He remembered Juniper implying the hat could speak and was more sentient than it appeared but he hadn't taken it as seriously as he should have it seemed. She had also told them the hat could be very helpful when it was in the mood. "I think we would be very glad to hear any suggestions you could make."
"You should talk to the Slytherins. Ms. Potter and her friends are very much Gryffindors. They tend to depend very heavily on wand magic but the Slytherins are as a house renown for their skill with potions. There are some potions with very strong protective properties they may be able to recommend or perhaps even some protective charms." The hat suggested.
"Thank you ummm...hat." Tony said uncertainly.
The hat chuckled softly. "I am a part of Hogwarts. Like Diagon alley Hogwarts stands with Juniper. She needs you both. She may survive the war without you but unlike some others I would also be concerned with her being able to live with all that has happened after its over for that she will need family beyond the Weasleys. I will give you two some privacy. Rest assured when I am needed I will return." The hat seemed to fade out then was gone.
"Magic talking hats." Pepper said weakly.
"Pep, do you want to go back to New York until this is over?" Tony asked her gently. He wouldn't blame her if she did. He wouldn't go with her oh course but he'd never hold it against her.
"No. I won't leave you. Or Juniper and Peter. The three of you are my family. I just hate feeling helpless." Pepper said with a deep breathe.
"Alright. But when we go to Hogwarts I want you to stay here or in Diagon Alley with Ollivander." Tony requested. Pepper nodded and Tony ran a hair over her hair. "Do you think you can sleep honey?"
"I think I can try as long as your with me." Pepper answered.
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Juniper wasn't sure how long she'd slept with no dreams this time. When she woke up she was still lying half on top of Bucky her head on his chest his normal arm around her. She was starting to realize he always tended to make sure she was on his right unless he was in a situation where he might have to pull his gun. She had to wonder if he was self conscious about his metal arm or if he thought it might make her uncomfortable. Maybe if she'd thought to much about the similarities between Bucky's arm and Wormtail's hand it might. In her mind however the separation between Bucky and Wormtail was as wide as the grand canyon.
Which reminded her. She rolled away slightly onto her back and held up her left arm. The light in the room was dim but even with just the flickering of the fire and the light from the window where the sun was finally starting to rise she could see the scars Wormtail had carved into her arm where much less red than they usually where. It was enough to convince her that Wormtail was dead. The scars would never completely disappear oh course but now they would start to fade a bit like ordinary scars would.
Her movement must have woken Bucky because he reached over taking her arm running his metal fingers over the scars cool against her skin. "They aren't as inflamed as usual. Does that mean Pettigrew is dead?"
"Yes. Soon enough it'll look like a normal scar. Siri use to say once we killed Wormtail and it faded he'd take me to get a tattoo to cover it if it still bothered me." Juniper answered.
"You should ask Tony to take you. I mean I could take you if you'd rather but Tony would love it. He'd find you the most exclusive, expensive, and talented tattoo artist in the world." Bucky told her as she lowered her arm pulling her a little closer.
Juniper laughed softly. "Well you know Starks can't do anything halfway."
"Very true." Bucky said giving her a warm smile rubbing her arm lightly. "Your wearing my shirt."
"Yeah. I just keep stealing your clothes." Juniper said grinning up at him.
"Well technically I gave you my jacket. Anyway I like seeing you in my clothes." Bucky said something in his eyes seeming to heat up.
"Is that some possessive alpha male bullshit thing?" Juniper asked a teasing tone in her voice.
"Probably." Bucky answered his eyes intense on her face. "I like you in my clothes. My scent on your skin. That pretty boy Italian of yours can see who you belong too."
If Hermione had heard those words and noticed the way they made Juniper's breathe hitch and her heart pound just a little faster they both probably would have gotten a hour long lecture. "You calling somebody else a pretty boy caveman?" She asked trying not to let him see how his words affected her. From his smirk she knew she'd failed.
"I'm just as much yours doll. I don't think I'd fit in your clothes though." Bucky answered leaning over to kiss her softly making her shiver. "Cold?"
"No. Not even a little bit. Not at all."
"Well I guess its time to get up." Bucky said with a grin and started to pull away.
Juniper grabbed his dog tags the only thing he was wearing besides his jeans and pulled him back down to her. "Not so fast Sergeant Barnes." she said a bit of a growl in her voice.
"Oh you know I love it when you call me that. Especially in that sexy accent of yours."
"Your in my country now Sarge. Here your the one with the sexy accent."
"Well then why don't you show me how sexy I am?"
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Steve was only a little surprise when he approached the heavy iron door that led down to the dungeons to see Blaise Zabini sitting in the floor across from the door a book open in his lap. There was a small table beside him with a teapot and cups. He glanced up and gave Steve a slight smile before returning his attention to his book as Steve joined him leaning back against the wall glancing at the door the younger man had already unlocked.
"Maybe I should go down? Make sure they are okay?" Steve said feeling a bit uncertain. A feeling he wasn't use too.
"He won't thank you for it. The transformation is painful and exhausting. Even more so without Wolfsbane. I've known Draco our entire lives and he doesn't like me seeing him like that. I can't imagine Professor Lupin is much diffrent. Let them wake up, wash up, and come out when they are ready." He looked up at Steve. "You can't fix this. You can't save him from it. You can't even help him except to be there and even then only when he wants you to be."
Steve took a deep breath and nodded leaning his head back against the wall. He hated the truth of Blaise's words. Meeting and becoming friends with Bruce had taught him quite a bit about contradictions in people. A calm gentle quiet man with a monster inside that burst out in uncontrollable violence. He knew in Remus it was more intense. The Hulk could be held back, not easily but it was possible. He could also be reasonable to a point could tell the difference between friend and foe. Moony was different. When the full moon rose he was coming out. He had heard that the Wolfsbane potion could tame the wolf to a point but without it he was a vicious predator that would kill even...even the child he loved as his own. That was the largest difference. Hulk had saved Tony, Moony had nearly killed Juniper.
Blaise's words affected him deeply because he wanted to save Remus. Its what he did he was the hero. He still remembered the pain of not being able to save Bucky. Watching Tony falling from the sky knowing he could do nothing to save him. Even of sitting by Peggy's bedside and half the time seeing the vibrant, intelligent, and wonderful woman he'd been so in love with in her eyes and the other half a confused and frightened woman who couldn't remember what year it was. People he'd loved and couldn't save. And now there was Remus.
Steve had never expected to feel like this again. The rush of attraction, the spark of a new relationship, the connection of two minds that had similar intrests and experiences. He had always thought Peggy was it for him. His one love. His true love. Oh he had always known he was attracted to men as well as women. It wasn't something that was spoken of in the time he'd been born in but he'd always known. The term bisexual wasn't even thought of then and if his mother had found out as much as she'd loved him she most likely would have dragged him to their parish priest for a exorcism. Bucky had been the only one who'd ever known. He could have been happy married to Peggy being a husband. Being a father. But Peggy was gone and he was a different man in a different time. He could see a future with Remus. They could be happy together. If he could accept his inability to save Remus from this other part of himself.
"I get it." Blaise's voice was soft. "When Draco was bitten my first impulse was to find a cure. Any cure. It took Pansy almost literally screaming in my face to get the hell over myself and look to him to finally just accept that there was nothing to be done. Probably did help that I was already one of his anchors so use to supporting him." He continued glancing at him from the corner of his eye.
Steve looked over at him with a slight grin. "Am I that obvious?"
Blaise snickered. "I can't decide if your a Gryffindor or a Hufflepuff but neither are good at being subtle. I saw the way you where watching Juniper when she was facing off with Pansy. Trying to figure out if and when you should step in. You made the right decision. When they spiral its better to break it off by surprising them changing their focus completely like Draco did. Its when they drop that they really need us to pull them back."
Steve shook his head. "What does spiral mean? What's the difference?"
Blaise looked up at him in surprise. "Merlin, I would have thought Lupin and Black would have given Juniper at least the guidelines. But then I suppose they where way more into suppressing the Black gifts than harnessing and using them."
"Andromeda Tonks used that term too. The Black gift. Remus and the kids refer to it as the Black madness." Steve told him.
Blaise snorted in amusement. "Oh course they do. Noble, morally upright heroic Gryffindors. You know what the Slytherins and Ravenclaws call Gryffindors? Cannon fodder. Its insanity to have a weapon like the Black gifts and not use them when your at war."
"Juniper is afraid of hurting someone. How she wants to handle using or not using this thing gift or madness is up to her." Steve told him firmly.
Blaise shook his head. "The more she ignores it the less control she'll have, and the harder it will be to pull back when it comes out. And it will come out. Look Hogwarts keeps a list of the 5 top strongest students in the school. Juniper is number one by a large margin and Draco is number two. The best chance we have of winning this war is for both of them to be at full strength. That means using the Black gifts. In the old days entire armies would retreat if they found out there where Blacks on the opposing side. The two of them would decimate the rank and file Death eaters. Only the inner circle would stand a chance."
"What about the other three in the top five?" Steve asked almost more to give himself time to think. Although it would be a good thing to keep in mind when making battle plans.
Blaise gave him a grim smile. "Terry Boot is number three. He got into a fight with one of the death eater teachers and lost a eye. His depth perception, and peripheral vision is shot to hell. Juniper will never let him fight. Number four is Ginny Weasley even at a year younger than the others. Shes the seventh child of a seventh child and the only girl on the Weasley's side for something like five generations. Both things give her a power boost. Juniper and her family will get their precious princess out of the line of fire as quickly as possible. Number five is Granger she's strong but she's too obsessed with doing everything exactly right. If every movement isn't exact and every word said properly she doesn't believe it will work. Belief and intent are important in magic. Juniper on the other hand has supreme faith in her magic and knows exactly what she wants. Her wand movements can be sloppy and her incantations off but she always gets results."
"Seems a bit unfair." Steve said but couldn't resist a grin as he imagined how frustrated that must make Hermione. He could even understand it a little remembering how hard he'd had to strive to keep up with Bucky when they where kids. Bucky had always been stronger, bigger, better looking until the serum.
"You where around in the 40s, during the war. You know fair doesn't really exist. Polio, bombing, the draft, rationing none of that was fair. This war we're all trapped in now isn't fair. All in all if someone has to have that kind of power I'd rather it be Juniper. Granger and Draco both tend to be rather narrow minded and self-righteous. Junipers more moral than Draco, but more pragmatic than Granger and isn't the type to force her views on others." Blaise told him.
"Considering how isolated from the...muggle world the magic world seems to be you are very well informed." Steve observed.
"My family has a reputation for being rather opportunistic and my mother in particular doesn't confine that to the magical world. She has always made sure I am well acquainted with the muggle world." Blaise answered not showing the slightest bit of embarrassment over it. Oh course if what had been said by the trio about Slytherins was true it would probably be more of a point of pride among the company Blaise usually kept.
He didn't know yet that his mother was dead. The memory of the woman at Wool's orphanage flashed in his mind. It was obvious where the boy got his good looks. He needed to know. Deserved to know. Juniper should be the one to tell him though. He found himself liking the boy but Juniper was his friend.
He was only a bit surprised when Blaise reached into a bag he hadn't even seen until that moment sitting at his feet and pulled out a slim leather bound black book. He would have sworn the bag wasn't there until that moment but he'd had to adjust to so many things since he'd woken up in a new century that he was better than most of the others at not letting magic surprise him. Most of the things Tony could do at the tower where just as amazing to him.
"This is kind of a... guide to being a anchor. I mean its was written by those in the same role but it has to be shall we say adjust on a case by case basis. It explains the difference in things like spiraling and dropping and how to pull them back." Blaise tapped it with his wand and suddenly there where three identical books. One he put back in his bag another he held out to Steve. "It holds a lot more than it looks like. If you need something specific hold it think about what you want to know then just open it."
"I'm not a wizard." Steve said raising a eyebrow.
"No, but chances are you have magic in your ancestory somewhere. Otherwise I doubt you would have been able to become Juniper's anchor. It could also be why the serum bonded with you so successfully." Blaise shrugged. "I could be wrong but its something to think about. It'll work for you either way because you have a bond with Juniper." He held up the third copy of the book. "I'm assuming Juniper also has a third anchor among her crew so who should I give this too? Weasley? Maybe Longbottom?"
"Luna Lovegood." Steve answered.
"Luna..." Blaise looked at him in shock then slowly chuckled which developed into full blown shoulder shaking laughter that actually had tears forming in his eyes. "...Lovegood. Oh Merlin only Juniper. Only Juniper."
"What is wrong with Luna?" Steve asked his eyes narrowing. True he had never met Luna Lovegood but from everything he'd heard about the girl she was a sweet good and loyal friend as well as a reasonably powerful witch.
Blaise finally managed to choke off his laughter shaking his head. "Nothing. Nothings wrong with Lovegood. Its just...most anchors are at least fighters or leaders someone who would understand when and why to help unleash the Black gifts but Lovegood." Blaise paused to shake his head. "Lovegood is a pacifist. When given a choice she lets people walk all over her. People use to steal her shoes. Well until she cut her foot, Juniper found out and well, lets just say nobody touches her shoes anymore. I heard she fought at the ministry and during the battle of the astronomy tower but that was more of a case of standing by her friends. Luna is more likely to help her push it down than use it properly."
Steve sighed softly. "I'll read through the book and talk to Juniper."
Blaise nodded. "Thats all I ask." His eyes had started to return to the book still in his lap when the dungeon door finally opened.
Draco exited first. He looked tiered the circles under his eyes darker his hands shaking just slightly as Juniper's did sometimes. He smiled when he saw Blaise but it seemed more a automatic reaction to seeing his boyfriend than a expression of happiness. He was wearing clean new clothes, hair perfectly styled and the superior expression he was so good at donning. He took the tea Blaise held out to him and took a sip before nodding at Steve. "Do you think there is food?"
"Well since Weasley is staying here I'm sure the elf's have stocked up." Blaise said giving him a soft smile. Draco smothered a smile and let Blaise take his arm leading him towards the dining room as if Steve's existence had been forgotten.
Remus came out a few minutes later. Like Draco he was wearing clean if slightly shabbier clothing but he looked exhausted his face bruised and scratched. He gave Steve a weak smile. "I've looked worse." He confided.
"I find that a little hard to believe. You have to start taking the Wolfsbane Remus." Steve said moving closer and putting a arm around him. Remus started to protest but Steve broke in. "I know you don't want to take the money for it from Juniper but think about what it does to her to see you like this. You are the only marauder left the last piece of her childhood."
Remus took a deep breath then nodded. "Sirius left me some money. I haven't used it because I wanted Juniper to have it." Steve tried not to laugh in his face at that. Not only was Juniper extremely well off in her own right she was also at the moment the only biological child of one of the wealthiest men in the world. Money was one thing, maybe the only thing, the girl would never have to worry about. "But I will start using it for the potion."
"Good good." Steve said. "Do you want food or sleep first?"
"I think I would like some food." Remus answered. Steve nodded and put a arm around him to help him to the kitchen. "Steve." Steve looked over meeting his eyes and seeing a deep and dark satisfaction there. "Don't let Juniper go into the dungeon until the elves have had a chance to wash away what's left of Wormtail. Just because she knows what I'm capable of doesn't mean she needs to see it." Steve swallowed then nodded deciding he wasn't going down there either. Somethings where better not seen.
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"I really wouldn't go in there if I where you." Peter Parker was standing at the doorway of the Black family library looking in at bookcase after bookcase filled with books of different sizes and colors. Peter couldn't even see how far back the room went as only the lights closest to the door where lit sitting on the tables surrounded by comfortable looking chairs. The words made him jump slightly and he looked over to see the smirking face of Pansy Parkinson.
"What? Why not its just a library right?" Peter asked looking over at her eyes wide.
"Oh course not." Pansy sneered. "Its the Black library. The Blacks have a long and proud tradition of dark magic. Blood magic, death magic. There are some books in there that will curse you with a touch. Others that will rip your arm off if given a chance. Some of those books will literally kill anyone who tries to touch them except Juniper or possibly Draco."
"Your joking right? Peter asked in surprise looking disturbed. He loved books and the thought of them being capable of harming someone was not a comfortable one.
"Knowledge is power in our world. The Black's knowledge was passed down in books and they hoarded power just as they hoarded gold." Pansy answered. She walked past him into the room and her eyes scanned the books. "There take that one. Its a schoolbook. We had it during third year in fact." She advised pointing out a green book the title along the spine in gold interesting enough that Peter started to reach for it.
"STOP!" Ron yelled from the doorway then hurried over to them and glanced at the book. He then scowled at Pansy. "The Monster book of monsters Pansy? Really?"
"Just trying to teach the muggle a important lesson since it seems hes going to be hanging out with magicals." Pansy answered giving him a charming smile and a careless shrug. Ron blinked in surprise confused having expecting a insult or snarky comment.
"Umm, yeah. Okay." Ron turned to Peter. "Don't trust Pansy especially if she's being nice. Don't trust Draco unless the alternative is certain death. Don't even trust Blaise he can be nice and charming but if betraying you is in his best interest he'll stick the knife in before you even see it." He advised.
"Its not a school book?" Peter asked.
"Well, yeah it is but the teacher that year...had a unique sense of humor." Ron replied. He reached out taking the book from the shelf. It twisted snapping violently trying to bite into his hand. Peter jumped but Ron ran a gentle finger down the spine and it stilled let out a purring sound and fell open. He held it out to Peter. "There perfectly safe now. You should read the section on hippogriffs. Juniper has one that's staying at Hogwarts. Chances are you'll be meeting him at some point." Peter took the book careful not to close it and crossed to one of the tables sitting and paging through it.
Ron turned to Pansy raising one eyebrow. "Alright Parkinson what are you playing at?"
"I don't know what you're talking about Ron." Pansy said with a pretty smile. She leaned her shoulder against the bookcase making sure not to actually touch any of the books.
"That right there. You called me Ron. what happened to weasel?" Ron answered.
"Well we aren't eleven anymore are we? Isn't it possible I've grown up a little?" She asked her eyes wide as she gazed up at him pouting a little.
Since when where Pansy's eyes so pretty? Darker than Hermione's and defiantly different than Lavender's big blue eyes but still very pretty. Wait WHAT? No. Nope. "You've grown up since you were calling Hermione names last night?" He asked taking a step back.
"Oh, I was just teasing. I think Granger and Potter are both just a little over-sensitive. It must be hard for you being the only proper pureblood in your little trio." Pansy answered and reached over straightening his collar before running a hand down his arm. "Strong shoulders must be from all those Quidditch practices."
"Umm, Juni and Malfoy have both being playing alot long than I have." Ron stuttered out.
"Seekers. They're suppose to be scrawny quick little things. But Keepers now they need muscle and stamina don't they." Pansy glanced up at him again through her dark lashes and bit her bottom lip lightly. "I guess I better go find Draco and Blaise. Make sure he's okay after last night. I'll see you later Ron." She ran a finger up his arm again then glanced over at Peter. "Muggle." She said with a nod as if she couldn't bother to remember his name so muggle was enough and turned almost gliding out of the library.
"What the bloody hell was that?" Ron asked looking over at Peter in confusion.
"I...I think she was flirting with you." Peter answered eyes as wide and confused as Ron's.
"Why would she do that?" Ron asked sounding clueless and if he was considering panicking.
"Why are you asking me? I've never even had a date. You got like a whole girlfriend." Peter almost yelped.
"Yeah, but I'm still not even sure how that happened." Ron answered. Then shook his head. "I'm going to go talk to Clint. Just...just..." He turned to the bookcases and pulled off a few more safe books. "Here these are good. Don't touch anything on the shelves without one of us here."
Peter watched as Ron hurried out and sank down in his chair a little. "A sister, a girlfriend, and his two best friends are girls and he doesn't understand them either." He gave a sigh. "I could always just become a monk." He almost whispered then returned his attention to the book.
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"Where's Juniper." Tony, Leta, Remus, Draco, Hermione Rhody and Steve who where sitting around the breakfast table having a nice civil conversation about the structure of the Wizengamot all looked up as Bucky entered. It was however Blaise who was standing over to the side where Kretcher had set up a coffee and tea set pouring himself a cup of tea who had asked the question.
"She had something she wanted to finish before she came down." Bucky said his voice as cold as his eyes as he focused on the younger man.
"A book or a drawing?" Blaise asked in a innocent tone. Bucky's eyes narrowed even more and he studied him as if measuring him for a coffin. "I've known her for a very long time."
"You've been stalking her for a very long time." Hermione corrected frowning at him almost as hard as Draco was.
"That too." Blaise answered agreeably. "Part of the game. Did she tell you I was her first kiss?"
Bucky gave him a slow smirk and leaned closer almost whispering in his ear. "Thats alright. I was her first everything else."
"Poor Cedric." Blaise smirked right back. His eyes flickered to a mark on Bucky's neck. "Nice. I knew she'd be a biter." He moved around Bucky to slump elegantly into a chair at Draco's side. "So is this the part where you tell me to stay away from your girl?"
"If I had to do that she wouldn't be my girl." Bucky answered. It was a surprise the chill in his voice didn't freeze the coffee he moved to pour for himself. But then maybe it was saved by the warmth in the approving smile Hermione gave him.
"Could we please talk about something that's not my daughter's love life." Tony asked a note of strained patience in his voice. He was suddenly finding himself glad Juniper was with Bucky instead of letting herself get sucked into whatever game Blaise was playing. He was starting to suspect part of the reason Draco was so antagonistic towards Juniper was having to watch Blaise flirt with and chase her so intently. Tony had no problems with open relationships but it was obvious just glancing at his face that Draco was not okay with Blaise chasing his cousin/rival.
"A excellent idea." Draco agreed in a drawl turning his attention back to Tony.
"What's a excellent idea?" Juniper asked as she entered the dining room a sketch pad in her hands. Blaise glanced down to hide his smirk at his accurate guess.
"Not talking about your love life." Hermione answered giving her a grin that turned to a laugh when she rolled her eyes.
"There is only one person in this room who has any business being interested in that. And its not you Blaise." Juniper knew well who in the room was most likely to bring up the subject. Blaise was usually better behaved than Draco and Pansy but he was still a Slytherin and was very fond of poking people to see how they'd react. She crossed to the tea table and slid a arm around Bucky's waist to give him a quick hug before taking the cup of tea he offered her with a smile.
Hedwig swooped through a open window and landed on the arm Juniper had raised for her to perch on even before she'd been visible. "Morning Hedwig." She said fondly. "Did you eat?" The owl gave her a insulted look. "Oh course what was I thinking. I apologize oh, mighty hunter." She leaned over Hermione's shoulder and stold a few pieces of bacon off her plate giving it to her owl.
"Hey get your own." Hermione complained.
"I'm not eating yet and Hedwig deserved a treat." Juniper told her tugging her hair lightly.
"You are eating though?" Tony clarified looking up at his daughter trying to look stern. She grinned at him not seeming impressed.
"Yeah in a minute." She glanced at the sketch pad in her hand for a minute and held it out to Leta who gave her a suspicious look but took it then inhaled sharply.
Steve who was sitting next to her looked over curiously to see a drawing of a lovely young Asian woman. It was a close up of her face and he couldn't help be impressed. Faces where the hardest thing. A arched eyebrow, a twinkle in the eyes, or the quirk of the lips could change not only the look of someone's face but the entire feeling invoked looking at it. The woman in the drawing looked sad but determined. It was a look he'd seen Juniper herself wear more than once. Someone who had been beaten down and knew the odds where overwhelmingly against her but wasn't going to let that stop her from getting up again. There was a air of fragility about her. Someone who desperately hoped for the best but expected the worst.
"Nagini." Leta said tears in her voice. "How?" She knew there where no pictures of Nagini. After Credence there had really been no one who'd cared enough to want a picture of her. She'd also never been one of the main warriors credited with fighting Grindelwald. The few sources that mentioned her at all only referred to her as a friend of Credence Barebone or as the witch saved by Yusuf Kama during the burning of Paris most not even connecting them as the same person or identifying her by name.
"She was in my dreams last night." Juniper told her softly.
Leta looked up at her blinking back tears. "What did she say?"
"She was able to come into my dreams because she and Tom where both asleep. Its the only time she can truly think. Except...she was able to send me the vision of attacking Arthur. She didn't want to do it but Tom had complete control over her. She said Arthur needs to be checked over again that her venom may have done more damage than anyone realizes. Tom and Grindelwald are based in your family manor?" She glanced at Draco who nodded. "But we can't go there they are expecting us."
Juniper took another sip of her tea ordering her thoughts. "Tom knows we destroyed another Horcrux and he probably knows about the one Thor destroyed last night too. Unless... Maybe the wards hid it from him? I don't know I'll have to ask Bill when he gets here maybe he'll know. Evidentially he's gone even more mad. She said he was like a rabid animal. Its not just Barty who's deserted him for Grindelwald its Snape too."
She focused her eyes on Leta. "She agrees with you about Grindelwald being more dangerous though. She thinks if I turn him down he'll go after my family. To destroy any support I have in the theory that If I have no one I'll turn to him."
"She is probably right." Leta answered. "He probably won't straight out try to kill them though. He'll try to make you think they don't want you. That they'll turn on you. He'll try to make you doubt them, them doubt you."
Juniper had to pause for a moment at her words. It could have worked. That thought was chilling but Juniper had no illusions that she had issues. The only two people who's love she'd never doubted was Sirius and Hagrid. She was more secure now than she ever had been in her friendship with Ron, and Hermione but what she had with her dad and Bucky and the other avengers was so new it would be easy to rip up. The right words. The right triggers. It could have worked. It was a terrifying thought.
Bucky slid a arm around her waist and leaned close. "He can try whatever he wants Doll. We aren't going to let him take you away from us. Just remember how much we all love you. You know what he's going to try now." Juniper nodded neither of them noticing Draco and Blaise's eyes on them assessingly watching as the mask of the Winter Soldier slipped showing a man who cared deeply about the woman in his arms.
Juniper nodded and looked to Leta again. "Nagini asked me to release her. She said her life is a torment and she's become the thing she fought not to be. She said to tell you its okay. Thats she's ready to go."
Leta nodded her expression unreadable. "I'm sorry Leta."
"No, sweet girl your not telling me anything I didn't already know." Leta said softly. She stood from the table with a elegance women half her age would envy. "I have a few things I need to do. I will be in my rooms if you need me." She swept from the room and could be going to do anything from having a good cry, to reading a book, or taking a nap.
Juniper let out a soft sigh then turned back to the table. "Draco can I have a word in private please?"
"This is getting to be a habit Potter." Draco said with a sniff but he stood and followed her out into the garden.
It still looked a bit disordered from the night before but at least Kretcher had repaired the windows. She doubted there was much he'd be able to do with the ritual circle anyway as it looked like there had been a missile strike on that spot. Luckily though it was confined to the ritual circle the stones blackened the power probably drained from them the dirt inside fused to glass the ground outside the circle was churned up a bit and several plant beds had been trampled.
"What in Merlin's name happened out here?" Draco asked looking around in confusion.
"You missed a bit of excitement last night I'm sure Pansy and Blaise will tell you all about it. I need to talk to you about something else." Juniper answered.
"Why do I suspect this is bad news?" Draco asked.
"Because your not a complete idiot." Juniper replied.
"Not what you've said in the past." Draco said giving her a smirk.
"No, I may have said a lot of things about you cousin but none that ever implied a lack of intelligence." Juniper answered with a wry smile then took a deep breath. "Before we came back to Grimmauld Place we had a fight with a group of Death eaters in London. Flint who Ron knocked out. Bellatrix and Greyback who survived." Juniper pretended not to see Draco flinch at the mention of Greyback. "Lestrange who Bucky killed and umm Sabine Zabini."
Draco went stiff and the Slytherin mask that was as much a defense technique as Juniper's own Gryffindor mask slammed down. She didn't want to say this. Didn't want to tell either of them. She knew Draco had been friends with Blaise since well before Hogwarts and had probably been close to Blaise's mother not to mention it would no doubt spark memories of loosing his own parents but he was the one of his trio best suited to knowing how to tell Blaise. Not that she thought Pansy would tell Blaise in a intentionally insensitive way she knew she did care about her friends, but she did have a rather callous attitude and couldn't possible understand what it was like to loose someone you loved so much. "What happened?" He asked his voice hard.
"Madam Zabini got ahold of Natasha's gun and shot me. Bellatrix got angry because she wanted to be the one to kill me and she hit her with the killing curse." Juniper answered her voice soft.
Draco closed his eyes taking a deep breath obviously trying to hold back sobs. "Draco..."
"Merlin be damned Bellatrix." He hissed out going so stiff he looked as if he'd break if anyone touched him. Juniper reached out putting a hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her. "You haven't told him?"
"No I didn't want to do it before or when you where locked up. He'll need you with him. He shouldn't be alone." Juniper answered. She still remembered the night Sirius had died. Remus had left to go back to headquarters and secure it almost immediately. Ron, Hermione, and Luna had all been in the hospital wing. After her epic blow-up in his office Dumbledore had escorted her back to her dorm. She would have been alone if it hadn't been for Neville.
Draco nodded. "Yeah. Yeah good decision. Can you umm ask him to come out and maybe send Pansy when she comes down. Don't wake her up she's not great without her umm beauty sleep."
Juniper nodded. "I'm sorry Draco." She turned and started back towards the house.
"Juniper." She turned back as Draco stepped a bit closer. "I know I never said it because well ...at the time we didn't really so much talk as yell at each other but I am sorry about Black. I never met him but I know my mum loved him she cried for hours when she heard what happened."
"Thank you." Juniper said softly. Then completely on impulse she hugged him and was a little surprised he hugged her back instead of shoving her away. Then they both stepped back.
"Yeah tell anybody I hugged you I'll swear you've gone barmy." Draco told her straightening his shirt.
"Oh yeah like nobodies ever said that about me before." Juniper answered her smile a bit wobbly. She turned and this time made it inside. "Blaise Draco needs to talk to you outside."
"What's going on Juniper?" Blaise asked his voice a bit strained. He wasn't dumb he knew something bad was going on.
"Draco will tell you." Juniper answered. He looked like he was about to object but Juniper just shook her head. "Please Blaise." Looking a bit apprehensive he stood and went out the door heading to where Draco was waiting for him.
"You told Draco about his mother?" Steve asked.
"Yeah." Juniper answered. "Nobody should have to be alone or among strangers and hear that kind of thing. Draco is closest to him. He took it pretty rough too Madam Zabini was part of his life for a long time."
Tony reached out catching her hand and tugging her to sit in the chair beside him. "You need to eat your breakfast." He told her. "Kretcher." A full plate of breakfast food as well as her potions appeared in front of her.
"Really enjoying this house elf thing aren't ya?" Rhody said with a grin.
Tony shrugged. "Not that different from Jarvis just a bit less snarky."
"Potter forget how to use a hairbrush again?" Juniper looked up impassively at Pansy reminding herself why she couldn't kill the other girl as she entered looking way too pleased about something.
"Yes I have messy hair but I somehow also have a super hot boyfriend and you?" Juniper asked then reached over to pat Hermione on the back as she nearly choaked on her eggs trying not to laugh. "You need to go out in the garden to Draco and Blaise."
"Why? I'm hungry. Am I not allowed breakfast?" Pansy asked glaring at Juniper her words obviously having hit its mark.
"Madam Zabini was killed by Bellatrix. Draco is telling Blaise." Juniper answered her voice sober.
It was obvious any thought of food or anything else but her friend left her mind and she almost ran to the door and out. The door was only opened for a moment but they could hear what was happening in the garden in that moment. The sound of Blaise's voice screaming "SHE KILLED MY MUM. LET ME GO DRACO. I'M GOING TO FIND HER! I'M GOING TO KILL HER!"
"Kretcher." Juniper said softly. The elf popped into the room. "Blaise is not allowed to leave the grounds without my or Draco's okay. Please take some calming potions out to Pansy."
"Yes, Mistress." Kretcher said then popped out again.
"You okay kiddo?" Tony asked softly.
"Sure. Its not even ten yet and I've already broken one of my friends can't wait to see what else the day brings."
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AN- Once again I promise to try and get the next chapter out faster. Truth is my work schedule has switched up to where I'm working one shift 3:30 am til noon then four days 8Pm til 4AM and its got my sleep and writing schedule all screwed up. I've made a vow to write at least one hour a day from now on. Thanks to everyone who's hanging in with me Love you all. I promise Juniper will have more to do next chapter.