AN- n7kairos- Well not very next scene but we got a battle. I had to put Loki in his full battle armor because of course I did. :)
N. A. Wennerholm- Two she's already got the stone and the cloak all she needs now is the elder wand. Which is at Hogwarts along with the last horcrux. Loki makes a stand here but Thor hasn't really entered into the story so much yet, but I got something planned to bring him further in.
BioHazard82- Thank you so much!
WinterRose- Sorry it took so long RL got in the way. Hopefully next update won't take as long. Thank you so much for the compliment.
MagicalCatgirl68- Thank you so much! I'm glad you like what I'm doing with Draco. I don't want to make him just all the sudden be a Ron clone but at the same time I always thought he was redeemable. I'm not familiar with Uchia but I'd love to read it anyway what fandom is it? Anything that gives a character like Petunia any kind of arc is worth a read.
of Tobii- What is in a name? Would a rose blah blah blah lol. Juniper may be a Stark in the muggle world for a bit, but I think she'll always really at heart think of herself as a Potter.
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AN- I'm sooo sorry this took so long. I really wanted to get this out as the 7th month died for Juniper and Harry's birthdays but the virus that must not be named decided I needed to be bed-ridden for a few weeks. I'm still having residual symptoms but back to work and back to writing.
The Dursleys get to have a chat with Juniper's family and find out exactly how bad it can be to piss off a billionaire, a super soldier, assassin and a couple of overprotective teenage wizards. Grindelwald has a nice chat with the two witches he wants to recruit and meets more resistance than he expected. Leta faces her fears and Loki gets a nice little challenge. Round it out with the entrance of Mrs. Figg and finally Alpine!
I always had a issue with how Mrs. Figg was portrayed in the movie, and this will be a very AU version. Let's just assume she was trolling the wizenmaggot and showing them what they expected from a squib during the trial, and this is the real Mrs. Figg.
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CHAPTER FOURTY-TWO
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Tony watched as Hermione led Juniper out the back door and then turned his full attention to the couple that had made his daughter's childhood hell. A hell that would have resulted in a early death if it hadn't been for Steve. He wanted to kill them. Could have done so and walked away with a smile on his face and a song in his heart. But what Juniper wanted was more important and she wanted them to live. For the sake of the cousin who from what he'd heard had been nearly as horrible as his parents until the last few years. He just hoped the boy lived up to the hope Juniper was putting in his redemption. If he had to put money on one of her cousins though at the moment it would be Draco. The boy definitely had the veneer of a entitled spoiled rich brat but he was starting to see that underneath he was a lot more like Juniper than either would ever admit too. In fact, the boy also reminded him a bit of himself at the same age.
Petunia Dursley was still crying her nose bleeding and Tony was quite sure it was broken. Vernon's face was also still bleeding from the scratches Hedwig had inflicted. In Tony's opinion he was very lucky. He knew from some research he'd done after meeting Hedwig that snowy owl were very protective and where extremely strong and fierce. With Hedwig's intelligence he had no doubt she could have blinded him or severed his jugular vein if she'd wanted to.
"I think I need to practice my skinning curse." Draco said his wand in hand as he took a few steps closer to the two.
"Juniper doesn't want us to kill them." Ron reminded him.
"Well technically it would be the blood loss and shock that would kill them not me." Draco pointed out his expression as cold as his tone in full Prince of Slytherin mode.
"Draco, I know you're not use to being one of the good guys but, as a general rule we don't skin people." Ron told him firmly. Draco glared at him but lowered his wand.
Tony couldn't help the small smirk that appeared on his face. If his daughter had to go into battle at least she knew how to stack the deck. He turned his full attention to Vernon Dursley. "Do you know who I am?" He asked in a low growl.
"The freak's father." Vernon snarled. "You already said that."
"Thats what I am. Who I am is Tony Stark." Tony said coldly the way he referred to Juniper driving the smile right off his face. Although he did take pleasure in watching all the blood drain from Vernon's face. Even in Britain the name Stark held power. The merchant of death, the da Vinci of his time, Iron Man. Dursley must have put a few pieces together and his eyes flew to Bucky in terror. He found no comfort in the cold emotionless face of the man who was one of the most feared assassins in the world. "Oh yes that's James Barnes. The Winter Soldier. Hes absolutely crazy about Juniper. I think if she asked, he'd rip your heart out."
"Why wait?" Bucky asked his voice also the emotionless monotone of the soldier.
"The only thing keeping you alive right now is Juniper's goodwill. If you had treated my daughter halfway decently, I would have rewarded, you beyond all measure." Tony continued. "Since you didn't, I'm going to make sure you pay in equal measure. Juniper didn't get you fired and arrested I did. It's only the beginning Dursley. By the time I'm done with you you'll be unemployable, and homeless. In prison if I can manage it. Prisoners don't like child abusers. And the second the very second Juniper decides she wants you dead I will find you and I will kill you. You can run and hide but there is nowhere I can't find you. No bolt hole you can hide in and anyone who tries to give you sanctuary will get the same treatment. If I where you I probably wouldn't contact your sister either. Her dog breeding business will be shut down any time now. All the dogs taken into protective custody and her home repossessed. She should have been more careful about taking a mortgage that could be called in full at any time. Your son's school tuition will be paid in full because Juniper has a soft spot for him but you three are done."
"No. Leave Petunia alone she never hurt the girl." Vernon half pleaded half ordered.
Pepper's laugh was bitter. "Never hurt her? She may never have hit her, but she hurt her. She may have hurt her worse than you did." She almost hissed. "Rejection, neglect, emotional abuse. All she wanted was a family. A mother. You could have had the most devoted and loving daughter in the world, and you threw it away. Why? Because your little sister was prettier than you and had magic?"
"Your damn lucky you didn't turn her into a Obscurial with her power she would have leveled this neighborhood and half of London." Draco muttered.
"Obscurials are usually trying to suppress their powers or are afraid of them. These assholes actively tried to make her believe magic didn't exist." Ron muttered then shook his head. "Merlin now I sound like Hermione."
"You think that freak would be such a wonderful daughter you take her." Petunia snapped her voice barely understandable through her broken nose.
"Oh, trust me I intend too. I'm going to marry Tony and become Juniper's stepmother and I'm going to do for her all the things Lily Potter would have done. All the things you should have done." Pepper answered anger in her voice.
"I want to beat the shit out of them but Hedwig and Pepper already bloodied them up good. Kinda takes the fun out of it." Ron muttered.
Draco shook his head a smirk appearing on his face. "Such a Gryffindor." He muttered then leaned over whispering in his ear and bringing a matching smirk to Ron's face.
Both boys turned to the Dursley's pulling their wands.
"Don't you point those things at us!" Dursley yelled and started to stand but a kick from Bucky convinced him to stay down.
"Sit eos sentire." Ron and Draco said together a flash of gold light coming from their wands to strike the two.
Petunia immediately let out a whimper of pain hand going to her shoulder. "What did you do?" Vernon roared.
"Handy little Malfoy family spell. From now on anytime you think bad things about Juniper you will feel the pain you caused her." Draco informed him cheerfully.
"Oh, I like that." Tony said his smirk returning. He doubted either of the Dursleys were capable of thinking good things about Juniper and trying not to think about her at all... well that never worked.
Pepper curled a hand around Tony's bicep a look of distaste on her face as she eyed the couple on the floor. "We should go. I hate being around these sorts of people."
"One more thing." Bucky said his voice hard. Tony glanced over at him to see that he was looking past them into the family room. Most specifically a bookcase filled with glass and ceramic figurines. For some reason the sight of them seemed to be enraging the assassin. He stalked past them to the bookcase and reached up grabbing the top and pulled it roughly ripping it free from the anchors in the wall and tilting it so every single one of the figurines fell to the floor quite a few shattering and the ones that survived Bucky stomped with his heavy boots.
Petunia let out a wail of distress watching him destroying the collection that had always meant so much more to her than her niece. He released the bookcase letting it hit the floor with a thud. "Now we should go."
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"Good afternoon, Lady Potter Black, Ms. Granger. It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard so much about you both." He said his voice soft and kind.
Juniper heard Hermione's gasp, but she didn't look at her to busy stepping in front of her protectively. "Lord Grindelwald."
"So, you recognize me? Barty told me you're a intelligent girl." Grindelwald said with a smile. "Hes quite fond of you."
"That might mean a little more if he wasn't a raving lunatic about fifty percent of the time." Juniper said softly. "Why are you here? What do you want?"
"From you? Nothing." Grindelwald answered his face adopting a slightly sad thoughtful expression. "For you? Everything. Everything I never had. The freedom to walk down the street without hiding what you are. To use the powers magic granted you without fear that some muggle will see and try to hurt you. To truly be completely who you are. No more pretending to be less. You two are extraordinary young women being held back. You..." He nodded at Hermione. "By those who have decided that by the nature of your birth you are not worthy of the gifts magic has granted you. And you..." He nodded at Juniper. "By fear. Even among other witches and wizards you are not normal. You are meant for greatness. Albus knew it. Tom knows it. They have made you afraid to fully embrace who and what you are. Purposely of course. They both knew that if you reach your full power, you could crush them."
"You expect us to believe you want to help us in any way?" Hermione asked her voice a little too high. "You started a race war. You killed thousands. You've been promoting genocide against muggles for over a century."
"If I need to dispose of a few muggles here and there to protect my people then it's a small price." Grindelwald answered. "For example, the detestable creatures that live here." He gestured to the Dursley's house casually. "In fact, every foul muggle that dwells in this neighborhood and watched those animals try to beat you down. If I had been free, it never would have happened. I advised Albus more than once that he should remove you from this supposed home. Albus was under the impression that a hard childhood would make you appreciate the wizarding world more once you came to it." He focused completely on Juniper. "What happened to you, how the muggles treated you is exactly what I want to put a stop too. Together little sister we can make sure no magical child is ever again abused by jealous fearful muggles. We can take the place we were meant to occupy and lead the magical world into a golden age of peace and prosperity."
"You can't have a golden age that starts with mass murder." Hermione objected. "Besides not all muggles are bad."
"Destruction is in their nature. Look at all the atrocities muggles have committed. How many species have they driven to extinction? How many others have been driven into hiding? If they are allowed to maintain control, they will turn this entire world into a barren waste land. Even your father Ms. Potter as intelligent as he is, was once a weapons manufacturer. If you add up our ledgers, he may be responsible for more death than I, even at a fraction of my age." Grindelwald told them his voice still soft and kind.
"Don't bring my father into this." Juniper warned her expression tightening.
"How can I not? He is a part of you. Your heritage is incredibly unique Ms. Potter. You have your muggle father's intelligence and the magic of both Potter and Black families. You may be the first witch in history to lead both a dark and light family at the same time. You are burdened with glorious purpose. Albus always believed he was a match for me in magic and now the creature you call Tom Riddle has the same notion but in truth in all my years on this earth only one has had the potential to match me. That would be you."
"So now you want to use me too. Just like Dumbledore. I'm not your tool. I'm NOT a weapon to be used and thrown aside when I'm not being useful." Juniper growled. It was easy to forget she was talking to the most powerful dark wizard in the world despite the power hanging thick in the air. He wasn't like Tom with the threats and flourishes and boasts of power and violence. He didn't need to be. So confident was he in both his strength and superiority he didn't need to flaunt it.
"No little sister. Albus wanted to mold you into his little white pawn. A white knight at best. I am giving you the chance to become the Black Queen you are meant to be." Grindelwald answered seeming a bit more intense and Juniper couldn't help but wonder if he found being compared to Dumbledore offensive.
"I don't want to be the Queen of anything. All I want to do is defeat Tom, so he'll stop trying to kill me and the people I love and then live the rest of my life in peace with my family." Juniper said softly.
"They won't let you." Grindelwald told her seeming sad about that fact. "You've seen how quickly this world turns on those they consider heroes. Their precious girl who lived one day the heir of Slytherin the next. The savior of the wizarding world, then with the flash of a goblet's flame a attention seeking, unstable brat. They will always expect you to solve their problems. Slay their dragons, vanquish their dark lords. When you tell them no, they will turn on you again. At this moment in time you are in the perfect position to change the world. Once Tom is gone they will all look to you to lead them. Dumbledore is gone so there is no one else for the wizarding world to turn too. They will listen to Ms. Granger, and I dare say Mr. Weasley as well as long as they believe they speak for you. But if you let your hold slip there will be someone to try to rip control from your hands. If they succeed they will have to kill you to keep it. With me by your side guiding you, advising you, watching your back no one will get the chance."
"We are going to change things. The right way. From the inside. Changing the laws creating new protections. Not by attacking muggles." Hermione replied.
"Pointless. You grew up in the muggle world Ms. Granger. You both did. How much longer does the wizarding world have before the Statute of Secrecy is shattered irrevocably? Cameras on every street corner, satellites showing images of places that technically don't exist, drones flying over dragon reserves, and divers going deep enough to catch sight of sea monsters. Oblivators are being worked in ways never seen before. Eventually the veil will fall the worlds will collide and the muggles will come for us. Only this time when they come screaming 'WITCH!' it will not be with pitchforks and torches it will be with machine guns and nuclear weapons. What the muggles will do will make Tom's razing of Diagon alley seem like a Sunday picnic." Grindelwald pointed out.
"We have no illusions that the statue is going to hold for much longer." Juniper said softly. She knew much of what the man was saying was right. Leta had been correct he was good at finding the right buttons to push. Being turned on again. Being forced to be the wizarding world's sword and shield for the rest of her life just waiting for a knife to the back. And what the muggles would do once they found out about the wizarding world. Although despite what Grindelwald was saying the Avengers and their reactions had given her hope on that front. The welcome the crowds at Diagon Alley had given the muggle super heros also boded well. Most of all was the support she'd gotten from Fury and Coulson. Support from at least the American Muggle world.
There was a flash of surprise in Grindelwald's eyes. "You intend to repeal the statue." He said.
"Yes, but not your way. Slowly carefully in stages." Juniper answered. "The medical advances alone we can offer will go a long way to soothing some of the fears of the muggles."
"Thou shall not suffer a witch to live. That is all many of them will remember no matter what you do." Grindelwald told them.
"The original text read thou shall not suffer a poisoner to live. Thats what you get for reading the translation. Regardless it's not the 1400s anymore." Hermione objected.
"Clever girl." Grindelwald said giving Hermione a surprisingly warm smile. "Unfortunly most of the muggles will not see it that way and I will not allow our world to be destroyed by their ignorance." His eyes turned to Juniper. "Join me, Juniper. Together we can protect our world. Our people. I will even agree not to interfere with your muggle family as long as they stay out of our business. I will help you destroy Tom and even HYDRA. You can keep you metal armed lover. Having a assassin of his skill at your side will only increase your reputation. I have no wish to follow Tom's path and attempt eternal life, but I will leave a legacy. I want you to be a part of that. My student, my protege, my heir. You are the only magical alive worthy of that honor."
"No." Juniper answered. "I will have no part in your vendetta against the muggle world. Yes, there are some bad things about the muggle world, but the wizarding world isn't perfect either you know. Muggles are smart and strong they have survived without magic and have created wonderful, beautiful things. They can grow, they can learn. Yes, my father once made weapons and now he's working to save the world."
"Just as I am working to save our world. You aren't one of them Lady Potter Black you never will be. I am the only one who will ever really be able to understand you." He gave a soft pained sigh and looked up at her. "You have three choices little sisters. You can join me. Stand at my side as we take our rightful place. The place we were meant to have as magic's chosen children. You will be my heir. You will answer to no one but me. You will have respect and the power to change things. You can make sure your beloved werewolf, and the half giant you are so fond of have the rights and opportunities they deserve. Your friends, your DA will have places of honor in my new order." His eyes shifted to Hermione. "You will be at her side the entire time. I will give you the chance to study magics and theories that haven't been seen for centuries. You will be able shape and change not only the way we understand magic but the way witches and wizards the world over see muggleborns."
Juniper felt Hermione's hand tighten around hers to the point that her grip was painful. She could feel the desire to accept the offer from her friend. The power to change things. The freedom to study the ancient texts written by witches and wizards before the strict lines between light and dark magic had driven many spells and truths underground to be hidden or forgotten was a great temptation. Especially for a intelligent truth seeker like Hermione. That added to the power to change things to be listened to and respected was a powerful lure.
"Your price is too high." Juniper said softly. Her words calculated to remind Hermione of Leta's warning.
"Second choice. Run. Run to one of the hidden Black islands. Take your family and friends and hide. As long as you stay there and do not challenge me, I will have no reason to come for you. You can live in peace and calm. No more fighting. No more expectations to be something you don't want to be." His voice was so gentle so persuasive. This time it was Juniper who was clinging to Hermione's hand. His voice painted a picture of the life she'd always wanted. A life of happiness and laughter surrounded by people who cared about her. Juniper Potter not the Girl who Lived or Lady Black. A feeling of shame accompanied the longing. At least Hermione's temptation would help others. Hers may save those she loved but at the cost of the rest of the humans on the planets. Humans that with Loki's help she may be able to save.
"I can't do that. You know I can't do that." Juniper said softly.
"Third choice. You defy me. I kill you. I will regret it. It would be a great crime to destroy such power one blessed by both magic and fate and not only end the Potter line but in effect the Black line as well in name if not in blood." Juniper's eyes widened as she felt his power building the hair on her arms standing at attention as her free hand closed around the handle of her wand. "I would take no pleasure in destroying such a promising, powerful pair of young witches. Especially as it would also be completely pointless." The kind gentle man trying to reason with two younger witches who wouldn't understand his reasoning seemed to be fading away. This was the man those who displeased him faced and Juniper suddenly understood why Dumbledore had delayed facing him for so many years. His expression was fixed and implacable a coldness coming to his eyes that seemed to seep into the air making both girl's shiver. "I will give you time to consider your options, but my patience is limited. If we meet again, I will assume you did not take option number two so you will join me or you will die. But know this with or without you I will burn their world to ash. You cannot stop me. No one can stop me. Especially not you...Leta."
When he turned to look to his left Juniper and Hermione couldn't help doing so as well. Leta had come around the side of the house and was now pointing her wand at Grindelwald.
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Leta and Loki both had enough intelligence and patience to know that it was likely their Gryffindors would take their own sweet time taking care of things. Neither where the type for a lot of small talk so Leta was telling Loki things about Grindelwald that he may need to know when they both felt the swell of magic from the other side of the house.
Both looked over in alarm. The Dursley's house was between them and whatever was happening in the back garden, but they could feel the magic rising from it.
"Thats...not one of the children." Loki said softly.
"No." Leta agreed her face white. "It's him Gellert Grindelwald." Loki looked over at her and seeing the fear in her eyes for the first time and feeling the magic wondered if this Grindelwald might actually be a challenge. Not that he doubted he could destroy the mortal wizard he was after all a God, but it had been quite a while since he'd had a true magical duel. He flashed Leta a nearly psychotic grin.
"Then by all means lets go greet him." Loki almost hissed. The look Leta gave him showed her reluctance to do so. His expression softened a bit. "I will not let him harm you. I will be right behind you."
"BEHIND?" Leta asked her composure cracking further. "Why behind? Why not in front?"
"So I can get a look at the situation and see if the children or mortals are in the line of fire before any battle occurs." Loki assured her then he sighed seeing she didn't look any calmer. "Alright." He said softly and with a wave of his hand his completely disappeared. Who needed a invisibility cloak? "I will be right in front of you. Trust me."
Leta let out a shaky sigh and crept closer to the house. If she hadn't seen Juniper and Hermione face to face with Grindelwald when she peeked around the corner Leta was convinced she would have frozen up and refused to take another step. The sight of the two girls one only 17 one barely 18 clutching hands but with wands drawn if not raised facing the most powerful dark wizard in the world compelled her forward. She could only hope Loki was true to his word in front of her but either way she couldn't let the two girls do this alone. She gathered every scrap of courage she had left and crept forward.
"...with or without you I will burn their world to ash. You cannot stop me. No one can stop me. Especially not you...Leta." Leta froze as all three of them turned to look at her. Her eyes met Grindelwald and she barely held back a whimper of terror. Memories washed over her like a wave. Memories of the agony of fire washing over her body. Pain so intense and long lasting she'd begged the healers and house elves caring for her to let her die. The smell of burning flesh in her nose, the sounds of others screaming as they died ringing in her ears. The looks on the faces of the two men she'd loved Newt and Theseus Scamander as they'd watched what they had thought was her death. 70-years but just the sight of this man even in another disguise brought it all back like yesterday.
"Oh, I've known since shortly after your supposed death that you were alive. It just wasn't worth my time to hunt you down. But if you are going to attempt to be a thorn in my side again, I suppose I could complete your punishment for destroying my hookah." Grindelwald said calmly.
"Leave her alone!" Juniper yelled at him.
Grindelwald looked over to her raising one eyebrow. "Surely you're not claiming this one as one of yours."
"Yes, I am. She is one of mine. She is my friend." Juniper answered without even seeming to have to consider it. Leta felt a swell of warmth in her heart at her words. There it was. That was it. What reminded her so strongly of Newt in Juniper. Her capacity for love, for loyalty, her willingness to accept, flaws and all, everyone around her. Well, everyone around her who wasn't promoting genocide.
Grindelwald turned his attention back to Juniper not seeming at all concerned about Leta's wand being pointed at him. He took a step towards her. Then Loki was there halfway between Leta and Grindelwald where he could have deflected any spell Grindelwald had thrown at her. "Stay away from my student."
Grindelwald turned away from the girls to face Loki who was now in his full battle armor horned helmet and staff included. He looked more like Salazar Slytherin to all three of the women watching than he had even the night he'd arrived with Thor.
"An Asgardian." Grindelwald said a hint of respect slipping into his voice. "Lady Potter Black you do become more interesting with every move you make." He stepped back away from the girls to face Loki more fully. "A chance to test oneself against a God doesn't come every day."
"No, just on your last day." Loki replied his psychotic grin back in full force. A slow smirk twisted Grindelwald's lips and anyone at a glance would be hard pressed to guess which was the hero and which the villain of the scene as they faced off. Hermione tugged Juniper further back as Leta on the other side of the pair backed further away. Hedwig who'd been silent perched on Juniper's shoulder during the talking let out a bark that almost seemed a cheer for Loki.
The back door flung open, and Bucky, Tony, Pepper, Ron and Draco stepped out into the back garden. Not even the muggles could miss the magic that washed over them. Magic that seemed to stop at the limits of the property. If that was Loki, or Grindelwald's doing or if some remnant of the blood ward remained was a mystery, but Juniper couldn't help being grateful for it. The only thing that could make the situation worse would be Deatheaters, snatchers or perhaps Tom himself sensing the magic and coming to check it out.
Draco and Ron both seemed to stumble a bit backwards Tony and Bucky reaching out to steady them as they quickly evaluated the situation. "Thats...not The Dark Lord." Draco said his voice sounding thick and harsh.
"No." Ron whispered. "That is Gellert Grindelwald."
Bucky took a step forward and Ron grabbed his arm. "Are you barmy? You do NOT step into the middle of a duel between a God and the strongest living wizard in the world." Bucky nodded and Ron saw Juniper and Hermione on the far side of the garden. On the other side of the pair. "No." Ron said firmly. "Trust me the two of them will be able to shield much better if they aren't worried about you."
Leta who'd been to the side darted to them with a quickness that belied her age. She glanced over at Ron then Draco. "Get a hold of yourself little serpent." She ordered seeing Draco was staring at the dark wizard seemingly caught between fascination and fear. "This isn't a regulation duel get ready to shield."
Draco inhaled sharply and nodded. In a regulation duel wards would be set up to protect spectators from stray spells and magic spill over, but this was no regulation duel.
For a few moments neither Loki or Grindelwald moved eerie green eyes locked with pale blue as they sized each other up. Then they both moved at once. Loki shot what looked like some kind of explosive hex with his staff at the same time as Grindelwald shot what looked like black fire from his wand.
Ron, Draco, and Leta all cast a shield charm around themselves Bucky, Tony, and Pepper as Hermione and Juniper did the same. It was likely that neither shield one a triple the other a double would have survived a direct hit from either spell but then neither God or wizard was paying any of them any attention now totally focused on each other.
It looked as if the black fire hit a impenetrable glass wall and broke into two columns whooshing by on either side of Loki. His spell ignited halfway to Grindelwald sending black fire back into his face. A wave of Grindelwald's wand vanished the fire trying to reclaim their creator and what looked like metal bands burst from the ground wrapping around Loki's legs. The bands seemed to freeze solid then snap as Loki's skin took on a slight blue tone and solid sharp icicles formed shooting at the wizard who physically side stepped a few a careless wave of Grindelwald's wand had the rest shooting to the side to bury themselves in trees. A snap of his wand and blue lightning shot at Loki he held out his wand and a golden light shot from Loki's staff. The two forces met with a boom pushing back and forth neither gaining ground for more than a few seconds.
Juniper's eyes where wide as Hermione gasped her hand releasing Juniper's to clutch at her arm tugging her further backwards as stakes of ice flew just past the shields sinking deeply into the nearby trees.
Loki's light started to suppress Grindelwald's lightning pushing back towards the wizard. Suddenly in a split second between one breath and the next, faster than Juniper ever would have imagined possible Grindelwald dropped the spell and cast a shield. Then with a spell Juniper would have almost anything to have in her arsenal his shield seemed to lash out shoving Loki's own spell back in his face.
Loki laughed seeming delighted. "For a wizard you really are quite talented."
Grindelwald gave a smirk than Juniper suspected was more genuine than the gentle smile from before. "Pity we find ourselves on opposite sides. Together we could rule not only this world but perhaps Asgard as well."
Juniper who'd heard a few stories about Loki's previous endeavors felt a brief flash of fear, but Loki shook his head. "Perhaps if Hogwarts and my godchild's descendant where not standing in the way of your goals but as things stand..." He shrugged. "It's time to end this."
The beam of Loki's staff hit the ground in front of Grindelwald and what looked like vines made of ice burst through the ground winding around his body so quickly and so tightly Juniper doubted he could draw a full breath. Still, he grinned. "Yes, it is." He glanced over to where Juniper and Hermione where standing. "Soon little sisters. Utopia." There was a flash and he was gone the ice vines crumbling as a chunk of ice had gone with him.
"Portkey." Hermione said. Juniper nodded in agreement her knees starting to tremble. Merlin. Those spells that had just been used and the amount of power needed to cast them where so far above her head...
"I think I need to sit down." Juniper said her voice a bit trembly.
Hermione looked at her in concern pocketing her wand to take her arm, but it was Loki's arm going around her waist that kept her on her feet. "Typical Stark wait until after the great bad thing is gone to panic." He said voice dry and amused but his tone steadied her almost as much as his arm.
She looked up at him still paler than usual. "Thank you."
"I gave you my word little Stark. I may not be as trust-worthy as my brother, but I keep my promises."
Then the others joined them. Bucky pulling Juniper into his arms where she buried his face in his chest absorbing the safety and comfort his embrace brought with it. Hedwig hopped over to Ron's shoulder as he gave Hermione a quick hug.
"Baby are you okay." Pepper asked Juniper putting a gentle hand on her back.
Juniper turned to face her while still staying in the circle of Bucky's arms. "You hit Aunt Petunia." She said eyes wide. "That was...Brillant."
Pepper smiled at her words. "I told you before Juniper your my girl. You're my daughter. I may not be a witch, but I will do whatever I can to protect you." Juniper's eyes glittered with tears and a smile she never would have imagined she could wear while at the Dursley's home appeared on her face.
"Well, this is quite a mess you've made, isn't it?" The all looked over surprised that anyone had surprised them even Loki.
The elderly woman who stood there was completely ordinary and unremarkable looking. As small as Juniper she had grey hair pulled back into a bun topped by a old fashion violet cloche hat, pale amber brown eyes that where sharp despite her age and kind features in a face lined with wrinkles that told of a life with more laughter than tears. She was wearing a dress that matched her hat a black cardigan over top. The Kneazle in her arms the same one Juniper had spoken to earlier let at least Leta know who she was even before Juniper stepped forward to hug her.
"Mrs. Figg. It's so good to see you."
"Of course, it is love. After that little display I imagine it's good to see anyone willing to offer you a nice cuppa and biscuits." The woman answered with a lovely smile putting a arm around the girl.
"I'm not sure we have time for a cup of tea right now." Tony broke in.
The older woman focused her eyes on Tony. "Mr. Stark did you know that in 1940 the German forces bombed Buckingham Palace? Afterwards the King and Queen refused to be evacuated however they did send their daughters Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret to Windsor to keep their children, their heirs safe. Do you know what they did first?"
Tony looked startled in a way he rarely did. "Ummm, had tea?" He asked cautiously.
The woman nodded regally. "We are British. There is always time for tea." She informed him and handed Juniper the chubby cat and led her away keeping a arm around her ignoring the rest of them.
"I like her." Loki said with a grin before following the others falling in as well.
"So do I. She reminds me of Peggy." Bucky said remembering Steve's old love fondly. Taste in men aside she had been a great dame. Not as great as Juniper but great.
The house they were led too was smaller than the Dursleys. Once they walked inside though it was clear why Juniper would prefer it. There were about seven cats that they saw but the house didn't smell of cats instead there was a scent like pine cleaner. It was comfortably cluttered with overstuffed chairs and knick-knacks. There was a large painting of the Queen over the fireplace and along the mantel and tables where pictures mostly of different cats, and a handsome young man but there were a few of various people that where similar enough to Mrs. Figg that they had to be her family and even a couple of Juniper.
Tony crossed to pick up one on the mantel that showed a Juniper around seven. She was standing in the back garden in one of the houses. She was wearing baggy oversized clothes and held a rake much too big for a child her size to be able to manage comfortably in one hand. In the other hand she held a bright green snake and was leaning her face close to it looking as if she were having a conversation with it a big smile on her face.
"That was the day I realized she was a Parselmouth." Mrs. Figg said. "Such a adorable little girl. She was very firm with the snake about staying away from the kittens."
Tufty who had curled up in Juniper's lap once she'd sat in the armchair she'd always thought of as hers let out a soft hiss at the words. "Oh, hush." Juniper told her. "He never ate any of the babies." Hedwig who was still perched on Ron's shoulder clacked her beak at the cat in warning obviously unhappy about her sitting in Juniper's lap even though it hadn't seemed to bother her when Crookshanks had done the same thing. "Go sit with Hermione for a while." She told Tufty who obeyed crossing to the brunette while Hedwig swooped over to settled on Juniper's arm.
"How did you know who he is?" Draco asked Mrs. Figg suspiciously nodding towards Tony.
"Mr. Malfoy, Tony Stark is as recognizable in the Muggle world as Juniper is in the magical one." Mrs. Figg said glancing over at him with a raised eyebrow. "Not to mention there is this." She picked up a newspaper and tossed it on the table.
"The Sun? You're still reading that trash?" Juniper asked leaning over to pick it up, when she saw the headline, she gasped.
Tony sat on the arm of the chair she was sitting in to see what was reacting too. To Juniper surprise he snorted in laughter his eyes sparkling. "Tony Stark's illegitimate love child in torrid affair with The Winter Soldier." He read smirking. "What do you know a tabloid paper finally got a story right."
"TONY!" Pepper said with a frown looking over his shoulder.
"People were going to find out sooner or later Pep." Tony pointed out.
"Not like this. I have been working on a way to release the story in a respectful way to cast everyone involved in the best light possible. Juniper doesn't deserve to be referred to as a illegitimate love child." Pepper told him.
"Thats not the part that bothers me." Juniper muttered reading the article. Evidently, she'd been seen coming and going from the tower with Bucky and Natasha. Someone had noticed her resemblance to Tony and had run a facial recognition against her and the Starks. She had more than enough points of similarity with Tony for them to assume she was his daughter. She was surprised that they also said the shape of her eyes matched Marie Stark even though the color was different. There were three pictures along with the article one of her and Natasha standing in the Baskin Robbins, one of her and Bucky walking on the beach holding hands, and a third of them kissing on the beach Bucky's arms around her. They didn't have her name. At least not yet but if someone started doing the math and poking around into Tony's college relationships chances are the connection would be made. As much as she looked like Tony, Lily and Juniper's eye color was very distinctive.
"What part does bother you?" Hermione asked.
"The part where they reduce my relationship with Bucky to a 'torrid affair.'" Juniper grumbled.
"You're a Stark kid. The press is always going to assume the worst of any relationship you have. My dad as awful as he could be never cheated on my mom but the rumors where constant, and if I so much as smile at anyone they say I'm cheating on Pepper." Tony said.
"We know the truth." Bucky said softly. "Does anyone else's opinion matter?"
Juniper looked up from paper into Bucky's eyes and smiled slowly. "No." She answered her smile widened as his eyes warmed.
"Lovely. Mr. Barnes would you accompany me to the kitchen and help me with the tea?" Mrs. Figg said it was obviously a order even though it had been phrased as a question.
"I can..." Juniper started standing.
"Sit down dear. I'm sure Mr. Barnes is enough of a gentleman to aid a helpless little old lady." Mrs. Figg answered.
"Helpless my ass." Juniper muttered under her breath.
"What was that dear?" Mrs. Figg asked.
"Nothing." Juniper answered trying to look innocent. Mrs. Figg took Bucky's arm and tugged him into the kitchen. He looked back at Juniper once as if trying to gauge how worried he should be, but she could only shrug.
"I have to admit so far I am very impressed with the strong women the wizarding world seems to produce." Pepper said thinking of Andromeda and Dora Tonks, Molly Weasley, and Leta as well as the girls. Even Pansy who Juniper and Hermione didn't seem to like at all had the air of someone who could take care of herself. Mrs. Figg seemed to fit into the same mold. She crossed to Juniper and knelt beside her chair and took her arms to push up the sleeves revealing the livid bruises around both upper arms from Vernon Dursley's grip. It just made Tony want to go back and punch him but like Ron had said Hedwig had taken some of the fun out of it.
"It's always been that way. Rowena and Helga where truly remarkable women." Loki interjected. His tone was calm, but his expression was harsh as he saw the bruises.
"She is not part of the wizarding world. Shes just a squib." Draco said scowling at Juniper's arms.
"Merlin, Draco could you just try not to be a prat? At least until we get back to London. I'm not up for it right now." Juniper requested with a sigh.
"What did I say?" Draco asked seeming genuinely puzzled.
"Mrs. Figg lived in the wizarding world until she was 11 and didn't get a Hogwarts letter. Her parents hoped she was just a late bloomer. She is as much a part of the wizarding world as oh say someone who didn't know about magic until they were 11. She maintained a friendship with her sister to the point that when Dumbledore was looking for someone who could operate in the muggle world, he knew her enough to trust her." Juniper informed him eyes narrowed slightly.
"It doesn't matter. She doesn't have magic." Draco answered with a shrug.
"Rome wasn't built in a day Juni." Hermione remarked.
Juniper sighed then glared at Draco. "Fine. But I warn you right now Draco if you offend Mrs. Figg, I will hurt you."
"You're welcome to try." Draco responded with a smirk.
"Children." Pepper said in a warning tone. Loki stepped to stand next to Pepper and reached out running his hands over Juniper's arms healing the bruises.
"Thank you, Loki. For everything. If it wasn't for you Grindelwald would have killed us." Juniper said looking up at him.
"I don't think so. He doesn't want to kill you if he did, he would have. As long as he believes he can tempt you to his side he won't kill you." Loki glanced at the others. "His next step will probably be threatening someone you care about. I'd guess Ron as you and Hermione both care about him. Perhaps try Imperio if that doesn't work."
"Imperio doesn't work on me." Juniper answered with a grin.
"Impressive that takes a enormous amount of willpower." Loki commented.
"Or self-righteous stubbornness." Draco volunteered sounding cheerful.
"I'm going to start carrying around coins or something I can throw at you when you're being annoying." Juniper told him eyes narrowed.
"Don't worry Draco. Shes a great seeker but she can't throw for shit." Ron told him.
"Oh, so now you're on his side?" Juniper asked.
"Never just telling the truth." Ron replied. Hermione and Juniper exchanged a look and rolled their eyes in unison.
Tony could slowly feel some of the tension he'd felt since they'd arrived on Privet Drive relaxing. He'd never forget the spark of fear he'd felt when Ron had informed them of where Juniper was going. It had gotten even worse when he'd seen that disgusting pig with his hands on her. If Hedwig hadn't torn his face open Tony was quite sure either he or Bucky would have ended him. Then watching her across the yard with a magical duel happening between them. He wanted to know every word Gellert Grindelwald had said to her but knew he'd have a better chance of finding out if he asked her when they were alone. He briefly wondered if this was how his parents (or at least his mother) had felt when they'd seen him doing stupid dangerous things. Somehow, he couldn't see Juniper getting drunk, doing drugs, or rolling sports cars, but he almost wished that kind of thing was all he had to worry about. Stupid, spoiled, rich kid crap seemed easier to deal with than chosen one, strongest witch in the world, savior of the wizarding world type stuff.
Tony was still sitting on the arm of the chair she was sitting in, and he put a arm around her running a hand over those wild curls of hers so like his own. "You scared the hell out of us kid." He said softly when she looked up at him. "And as soon as this war of yours is over your grounded."
Juniper gave a slight smile. "I'm sorry dad. I didn't mean to scare you. I'm not use to people being worried about me."
"Hey we worry." Ron protested.
Hermione snorted. "Be honest Ron we're usually right beside her when she does this kind of stuff."
"Yeah, and if either of you where my kid you'd be grounded too." Tony informed them.
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Bucky was just a bit bemused to find himself being led into the kitchen by the elderly woman. He wasn't truly surprised though. As Bill had once said Juniper did have a way of sparking protective instincts.
Mrs. Figg dropped Bucky's arm as she crossed to the stove to put on a tea kettle before turning to him a firm expression on her face. "So, Mr. Barnes you're courting my little Juniper?" She asked him taking a silver tray out of a display case and carefully taking out a tea set that Bucky got the impression she probably saved for special occasions.
Bucky couldn't help smiling at her phrasing so similar to Steve's. "Yes, I am. This isn't a fling for me, I intend to be at her side as long as she will let me."
She turned to face him her sharp eyes seeming to pick him apart as she judged the honesty of his statement then she nodded. "An excellent choice of words." She said turning back to the preparations of the tea. "Don't play with her Mr. Barnes. She has a very delicate heart that's already been bruised often enough. I was never able to protect her the way I wished I could have when she was a child. My position in society and Dumbledore's determination to keep her where she was reduced me to mitigating the damage those...people did as best I could from the sidelines. I was terrified when she went to Hogwarts but luckily, she met Ron and Hermione and those annoying twins of hers. She has more people now that love her, that see her instead of who they want her to be but if she's falling in love with you... You're going to have a tremendous amount of power over her."
"I won't hurt her." Bucky promised softly.
Mrs. Figg looked over at him in obvious amusement letting out a laugh. "Yes, you will." She told him. "You'll hurt her. She'll hurt you. But then you'll both learn the others sore spots and learn not to poke them. You'll have days when you want nothing but to hold her and others when you'll want to strangle her. They'll be times when you take each other for granted but then she'll give you a certain smile or you'll touch her hand in that way only you ever do and you'll both remember why your together. Anyone who tries to tell you that relationships are all sunshine and rainbows is a liar or a fool. You're going to argue and knowing how much Juniper holds in before she explodes, I imagine some of those arguments will be volitile but if you're willing to work for it..." She paused for a moment and gazed out the window her expression far away for a moment. "The good times make up for the bad times. The good times will be the best of your life. You're in the honeymoon period right now but when you go through a bad spot remember how you feel for her right now and remember every storm ends and if what you feel is real you will come back together."
Bucky found himself listening to the older woman's words the way he'd once listened to his own mothers. He imagined if she had lived to see him actually fall in love, she may have given him a similar talk. "How long has Mr. Figg been gone." He asked her his voice filled with more compassion than anyone, but Juniper or Steve ever got from him.
"35-years." She answered softly. "We were married for twenty years. He is still the first thing I think of when I wake up and I still can't sleep on his side of the bed at night." She turned to him and put a gentle hand on his cheek. "If you love her don't let her go. There is nothing on the earth more precious than that feeling. She was saved once by her Mum's love who knows your love may be the thing that saves her next. Just don't die on her."
"Yes ma'am." Bucky answered.
"You're a good boy." Mrs. Figg told him then turned back away. "Take the tea tray for me."
Bucky was reaching for the tea tray when something hooked his sleeve. He looked to the side at the half-grown snow white kitten sitting beside the tray looking at him with calm sky-blue eyes her little claws hooked on his sleeve.
Bucky had always liked animals. His fondest dream once upon a time was working on one of the farms in upstate New York which had probably been a pipe dream for a city boy who'd never even had a pet. When you were struggling to feed your family the idea of bringing a pet into a already hard situation was not a good one. But he had always considered himself more of a dog type than a cat type. Until this moment. The moment he looked into those crystal blue eyes he knew the kitten was his, the same way he'd known Juniper was.
"Well, isn't that interesting." Mrs. Figg said amusement back in her voice. "I've never seen a Kneazle bond with a muggle."
"Bond?" Bucky asked reaching over to unhook the tiny claws and stroke the kitten's head provoking a happy purr.
"It's the first step in a pet becoming a familiar." Mrs. Figg informed him. "Since you don't have any magic, it can't become a true familiar bond, but Alpine has chosen you."
"Alpine." Bucky repeated. The kitten merrowed to response and leaned against him so it was either pick her up or let her fall in the floor. He couldn't help chuckling. "Manipulative little thing, isn't she?"
"Welcome to the wonderful world of Kneazles. Like regular cats but smarter." Mrs. Figg said dryly. "She will always be incredibly loyal to you and yours and will always let you know if someone can't be trusted. Just be careful you don't let Hedwig bully her. I'll carry the tea tray."
He would have objected but she'd already picked up the tray and crossed the room to towards the family room. Bucky glanced down at Alpine. "I think I'm starting to understand where Juniper gets her independent streak."
"I heard that." Mrs. Figg called as she reentered the family room.
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AN- I'm having so much trouble getting the Maximoff twins in but seriously I think this coming chapter should be it. I keep saying that don't I. *Sigh* Love and kisses to all.