A little panic and an old friend
Draco looked at Severus and back at Neville. ‘She…just apparated in front of Muggles…what the hell?’ Before Severus could respond, several cracks were heard and people in suits started efficiently wiping people’s memories. The Oblivation Squad nodded politely at the three wizards and they saw how two of them worked on the cameras, while the other six worked the crowd. It took about 3 minutes to ensure everyone was taken care of and then one of the wizards approached them. ‘Sirs, I will ask you to accompany us, back to the Ministry, for a debriefing.’
`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/
Tony looked at Wanda, who was hunched over and obviously not feeling very well. Alexis sat against the wall and stared into the room, seeing nothing. Looking at Wanda, she waved him off, still dry-heaving. Cautiously, he approached Alexis and sat down on the floor next to her. He carefully put his arm around her shoulder and felt her lean into him. ‘I thought I would react differently.’ She sounded calm, but the trembling in her voice indicated that she was far from calm. ‘What happened?’ ‘They were there, they have found me.’ It sounded so unnerving. ‘Who’s they, honey? Voldemort?’ Alexis shook her head. ‘People that work for him. My old teacher and…an old school nemesis.’ That sounded serious. ‘But…Neville was there too…and he would not, I mean, he would never…they tortured his mum and dad, and he would not, right? I…I don’t…’
While Alexis was rambling, her magic became unstable again and Tony saw little tendrils of black smoke beginning to form. Before he could react, Loki stormed into the lab, followed closely by his brother Thor and Steve. ‘Rest is on their way!’ Steve told Tony, while Loki rushed over and sat down in front of his witch. She was pale and her eyes unfocused, like she wasn’t even seeing him. It scared him.
‘Look at me love, hey, I am right here. No one is going to hurt you, not on my watch.’ He held out his hands and blindly Alexis grabbed them. ‘I am sorry.’ She blurted out.
Hauling her off the floor, he embraced her. ‘You have nothing to be sorry for. Please, tell me what happened.’ ‘I saw people in the city who shouldn't be here. Not without obvious reason. People who I know for sure are with Voldemort. And when they get here, it won't be long before he gets here and then...' Her voice trailed off but the message was clear.
`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/
‘Tell me what happened!’ Tom waited for them the moment Neville, Draco and Severus arrived at the Ministry for the debriefing. He and Hermione were about to head to their hotel when a message came in that the Obliviating Squad had been deployed. Severus stepped forward, as the Aurors who had accompanied them politely stepped back. ‘We saw her. I believe she had seen us first, but Neville did not get a chance to speak to her. She was not alone, that other witch, with the red powers, jumped in front of her. Then they disappeared. Not long after that, the ministry swept in.’ Tom looked over at Hermione, who stood back, talking to Hunch.
She walked over and was brought up to speed. ‘I think Neville should go to the Avengers Tower. See if you can talk to her, and explain why we are here. Do you need him for the debriefing?’ she asked one of the Aurors.
‘That will not be necessary.’ A new voice, booming with authority sounded quite close to the group, who collectively turned around. Before them stood two men. One of them, a black man with a bald head and an eyepatch, dressed in black clothes with a long leather coat, looked at them with curiosity. The other man, a middle-aged man, had gray-white hair, with a neatly trimmed beard. He was dressed in a neat suit, with a dark tie and a snow-white shirt. He looked at the group, nodded to the Aurors, and extended his hand to Tom.
‘Paul DuCastra, head Auror, it’s a pleasure.’ The man's eyes were kind, but Tom could tell this was a man who wouldn't be played with. He shook his hand and introduced himself and then Severus, Draco and Hermione.
‘This is Director Fury, of Shield’ DuCastra pointed to the black man. ‘One of our allies.’ Hermione couldn’t help herself and stepped forward. ‘You’re the boss of the Avengers, right? Does Alexis work for you? How is she, is she okay, she’s really scared probably and….’
Tom smiled and wrapped his hands around her shoulders. Hermione blushed and stepped back. ‘Sorry,’ she said sheepishly. Fury looked at her. ‘I'm not really their boss. I send them on missions, but since they never really listen to me and I get threatened quite regularly by the whole lot of them, I've just accepted it.' Hermione smiled. ‘And as far as I know, Alexis can take care of herself just fine, since she can even defeat the two gods walking around here. I don't think you have to worry.’ Fury concluded. ‘Gods?’ Draco asked. ‘As in actual Gods?’
Fury and DuCastra nodded. ‘Thor and Loki are from Asgard.’ Severus looked at Draco as Draco looked back and suddenly Severus chuckled. ‘Cranky God and Sparkly God.’ Draco smiled and Fury let out a barking laugh. ‘I don’t know who said that, but spot on. Come on, let’s get to one of the offices, so we can bring you guys up to speed.’
`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/`/
While the others were discussing how to handle the situation about a bunch of Dark Wizards that had suddenly appeared, Alexis felt safe in the arms of her God. He was standing behind her, hugging her from behind. Loki gave her strength, and she needed it right now. ‘Stop worrying, little witch,’ he muttered into her hair. Alexis sighed. ‘I panicked. I don't even know why. I saw Snape and it was like all the air went out of my lungs.’
‘He's the Potions teacher, right? The one who always treated you so badly?’ Alexis nodded. ‘Should I turn him into a pig for you? Then he can go on the barbecue, which Tony loves so much?’ Alexis chuckled. ‘If he's here, and Draco too, then...’ Loki cut her off by turning her around and putting his finger under her chin. He pushed her head up slightly until she was looking at him. ‘Look around you. You have all the Avengers, and two Gods at your disposal. No one is going to hurt you. And I want you to remember what a great witch you are. Remember how you defeated not only me, but Thor, the Warriors Three, and who knows how many of my father's soldiers without much effort.’
Alexis blushed under so much praise. ‘I love you,’ she whispered.
Tony clapped his hands, causing everyone to look at him. ‘Okay, the plan is this:’
Before he could continue, Jarvis interrupted him. ‘Sir, there is a Mr. Longbottom downstairs at the front desk, kindly requesting to speak to Miss Potter.’ Said girl let out a nervous squeak and looked at her friends.
‘You know him?’ Steve asked her. ‘Yeah, I was in his class, we were in Griffyndor together. He's, well, he was okay. He likes plants.’
Steve burst out laughing, which made Alexis laugh too. The situation was bizarre.
‘How do we know it's really him?’ Tony looked at her. ‘There's something that can change you into someone else, right?’ ‘Polyjuice Potion,’ came the answer. Natasha looked intrigued. That could be useful. She glanced to Clint, who nodded back. Very interesting.
‘Then I have to ask him something that only he would know.’ Alexis thought for a moment. ‘I know something. Are we...are we going to go downstairs, or uhm, is he coming here?’ She looked at Tony. ‘Let him come here, let's see what he does with us around.’
‘Jarvis, tell them he can come up, but he will be escorted. Thor, would you be so kind?’ Thor nodded grimly, grabbed Mjolnir and walked to the elevators. ‘Thor!’ He turned around. ‘Do not electrocute him!’ Alexis said. ‘If it really is Neville I sort of want him to like me…please?’ Thor gave her a nod. ‘Do not worry, my lightning sister. His hair shall not be harmed.’ Loki rolled his eyes and the rest chuckled.
It took five minutes for the elevator to come back up, and the entire time Alexis was a nervous wreck. She paced back and forth, putting things away, Tony having to rescue his screwdrivers, and trying to line up his blueprints. Tony let her, but he drew a line when she pushed Dummy aside and tried to put things away there too. Wanda watched, amused. The nausea had passed, and she and Vision were sitting together, at the edge of the room. Steve and Bucky were standing next to the elevator doors, Bruce was sitting on one of the chairs, and Peter was gone, having gone to school. Clint had crawled into a ventilation shaft, and Natasha was crouched on one of the desks. Loki was juggling his knives, and Jane was trying to calm Alexis down.
Ping.
The elevator doors opened, and Alexis turned around. She wiped her hands on her pants, and her mouth fell open when she saw Neville. Gone was the boy she knew. Here stood a very tall, broad man, handsome too, and he smiled broadly when he saw her. It was as if the others didn't exist, as he slowly walked into the lab.
‘What came out of the closet, during Remus Lupin's class, in our third year?’ Alexis held her breath. If he didn't know this, it wasn't Neville. But the man burst out laughing. ‘Ah yes, that was Professor Snape in my grandmother's clothes. I don't think he'll ever forgive me for that.’
Alexis let out a little squeal and wanted to run to him to hug him, but it was Tony who stopped her. ‘Wait a minute, honey. He's still here with people who work for that jerk. How does that work? And I suggest you be honest, or you'll get to know the less pleasant sides of the Avengers.’ One by one, the others stood next to Tony, shielding Alexis from Neville. He swallowed and then nodded. ‘I really have so much to tell you.’