God I Gotta Be Strong
Jolene Strange and The War of the Worlds
Disclaimer:
Same as chapter 1.
Rating:
M
Genre:
Family|Drama|Action|Angst|Romance
Pairings:
IronStrange|PotterStrange|Ron/Hermione
Lyrics Used:
Miley Cyrus – “The Climb”
Hannah Montana and Billy Ray Cyrus – “Love That Lets Go”
God I Gotta Be Strong
The struggles I’m facing | The chances I’m taking | Sometimes might knock me down but | No, I’m not breaking | I may not know it | But, these are the moments that | I’m going to remember most yeah | Just got to keep going | And I | I gotta be strong | Just keep pushing on ‘cause
A ring of golden orange sparks flickered to life outside of number four Privet Drive as Jolene walked through the portal she had opened in her room. Taking in the sight of the home previously owned by her best friend’s cruel aunt, uncle and cousin, the young witch couldn’t help thinking about how much everything had changed suddenly. She used to think of this place as a little house of horrors – given the stories that Harry had told her and the rest of their friends. But, now … Without the former residents occupying the home, it just felt … different somehow. Jolene couldn’t pinpoint the new feeling it gave off, but it was definitely not the same. Shaking her head clear of her off topic thoughts before striding up the walk and closing the distance between herself and the front door. She briefly entertained the idea of knocking but it just … didn’t feel right. So, she just gripped the doorknob in her hand and opened the door. Walking through the door, she quickly found her way through the living room.
“Jolene!” Hermione greeted her, brightly, throwing her arms around Jolene as she walked into the living room. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Yeah!” Fred Weasley chimed in as Hermione finally released the latest arrival to their group.
“We were your mum and dad would have put you on lock down.” George added to his twin’s thought.
Rolling her eyes in only mild annoyance as she replied “George, how many times do I have to tell you…” She began, gently correcting her friend’s remark. “I don’t have a mom … My parents are both men … I have two dads.”
“Yeah, we know.” Fred shrugged, mischievously.
“We just love to bug you.” George added, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
“Yes, it’s just one big bundle of laughs.” Alister Moody growled, cutting through the group of young friends as he crossed the room.
“Don’t mind Mad Eye.” Ron Weasley added, joining his friends and his brothers. “Fred and George are just the only ones in here trying to do anything about the wicked tension in here.”
“Trust me.” Jolene smiled, warmly. “I know how it is.”
“Jolene!” Harry Potter greeted, excitedly as he found his way over to the small group. “I’m so glad you could be here.” He added, relieved to see all of his best friends had shown up to support him. Throwing his arms around the young witch, he held her tightly for a moment before finally releasing her.
“How did you manage to get here?” Hermione questioned, curiously.
“Yes, please tell us you didn’t do what Hermione did.” Harry all but begged. “I know how much your dads mean to you –“
“Excuse me?” Hermione interjected, clearly hurt by Harry’s response.
“Sorry, ‘Mione.” Harry replied sincerely. “I didn’t mean to imply–”
“It’s all right.” Hermione replied. “I understand.” She added, gently stroking Harry’s arm in a gesture meant to demonstrate her forgiveness and her understanding.
“No, I didn’t.” Jolene shrugged, guiltily. “I uh … I sorta … Bailed on my dads.” She added, shamefully. “I just couldn’t face trying to tell them what I was really doing.” She hurriedly rushed on to explain herself. “I know – if I had told them what I was really doing – they would have forbidden it … Or worse.”
“What could possibly be worse than that?” Ron questioned, curiously.
“They would have bullied me into bringing them along.” Harry, Hermione, Ron, Fred and George all stared in slack-jawed shock at Jolene’s deadpanned response. They had all been so absorbed in their conversation that they had failed to notice the portal that flared to life in a ring of golden orange sparks next to them.
“Damn straight.” Doctor Stephen Strange interjected. The group of young friends all turned to see who had spoken in the dark and furious voice. “Jolene Rose Strange…” Stephen growled, furiously. “What the hell do you have to say for yourself?!”
It’s time to move on even though I’m not ready | I’ve got to be strong and trust where you’re headin’ | Even though it’s not easy (It’s not easy) | Right now the right kind of love is the love that lets go go
There’s an old dance that we’ve done forever | You give me your hand but decide when to reach | You always let me be me | But now’s my time to take chances and find my own wings | And whatever happens I know you’ll be there waitin’ for me
It had taken Stephen far longer than he would have liked to clear his mind enough to focus on the task at hand. He knew that what he had planned would require his complete focus and intense concentration. He focused himself on his daughter and forced himself into a deep trance-like meditative state as he separated his consciousness from his body to allow himself to search through multiple dimensions until he could hone in on Jolene’s energy. As he allowed himself to fall deeper into his trance, he was surrounded by the sight of a home that didn’t look familiar to him. As he continued to take in the sights around him, he recognized a few of the faces around him. He could recognize Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Ronald Weasley – his daughter’s friends from school. Though most of the other faces around him were unfamiliar. Finally, he looked down as if to look down at his own body but instead of seeing his own form he saw that of his daughter. He had connected with her consciousness and was seeing things through her eyes. While he may not know the name or address of the place where she was, he could at least see it clearly enough to conjure a portal to his daughter. That would do. At least he had a way to bring her back home.
Slowly, Stephen began the process of separating himself from Jolene’s consciousness. After slowly returning to his own physical form, Stephen shook the haze from his mind as he slowly raised himself up to a sitting position. Sitting on the edge of the bed, the sorcerer took a cleansing breath before reaching into his pocket for his sling ring. Sliding the ring onto his finger, he prepared to conjure a portal to bring his daughter back home. However, he was soon distracted as he turned to see his husband walk into the room.
“Did you find her?” Stephen shared his husband’s anxiety over their daughter’s mysterious whereabouts. “Please, tell me you know where she is!” Tony was on the verge of begging.
“I did find her.” Stephen replied, forcing his voice to remain calm for Tony’s sake. “I don’t have an address, but I was able to see where she is. I’m gonna conjure a portal and go get her.”
Tony nodded as he took in his husband’s calm demeanor. He only wished that he could be as calm assured of himself as Stephen clearly was. But he trusted his husband. “I’m coming with you.” He insisted, trying to shake the nerves that arose at the thought of travelling via portal. One would think that having married a sorcerer and raised a witch; he would have become more comfortable with magic. But truth be told, he really wasn’t. He supposed that he would never feel fully comfortable with magic. He loved his husband and his daughter dearly. But he just wasn’t totally comfortable using or being exposed to magic that way.
Stephen appreciated his husband’s eagerness to get their daughter back. But he knew that Tony wasn’t comfortable travelling by portal and right now was not the time to try to get him to face that fear. This didn’t require both of them and he knew Tony trusted him to bring their daughter back, safely. “Tony, I appreciate that.” Stephen smiled at his husband warmly. “But I know how you feel about portals and honestly … I can handle this, alone. I promise you I will bring Jolene home, safely.” The Sorcerer smiled at his husband, fondly, as he gently stroked Tony’s shoulders and biceps to comfort the billionaire.
“Just…” Tony began, hating how helpless he felt in this situation. “…Bring our baby girl home.” He added, shakily.
“I will.” Stephen replied, solemnly, before pulling his husband in for a long, slow, kiss, holding him tight against him. He hoped he could instill a sense of security in his husband to get him by until he brought their daughter home. After several minutes, they finally pulled apart. “I love you, Tony.” He added, gently stroking his husband’s cheek with a trembling hand.
“I hate how much this feels like a goodbye.” Tony replied, staring straight into Stephen’s stormy eyes.
“Think of it as ‘We’ll be right back’.” The Sorcerer replied, smiling fondly as he turned from his husband before conjuring the portal that would take him to his daughter. Before stepping through the portal, he offered his husband one final sentiment “See ya on the other side.” The Sorcerer spoke with the smile that Tony loved so much. A smile that brought a similar expression to the anxious billionaire’s countenance.
Watching the portal close behind Stephen Tony couldn’t help feeling a bit sheepish as he waved to the place where Stephen disappeared through the portal. “See ya soon, babe.” He muttered to the empty room.
There’s always gonna be another mountain | I’m always gonna wanna make it move | Always gonna be an uphill battle | Sometimes, I’m gonna have to lose | Ain’t about how fast I get there | Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side | It’s the climb
“Who the bloody hell are you?!” Alastor Moody demanded, heatedly, as he angrily limped across the room to where the intruder stood. “And just what the hell do you think you’re doing here?!” He growled, intending to intimidate the intruder.
“And, just how did you know to find this place?” Kingsley Shacklebolt interjected with his own question. To his credit, he managed to keep his voice far more level and calmer than Moody had done. Still, Stephen was having none of it.
“My name is Doctor Stephen Strange.” Stephen identified, himself, as his back straightened while his senses went on high alert. He knew the men around him were trying to intimidate him and – while he understood their motives as he hadn’t exactly been invited – he would not allow anyone to deter him from his mission to bring his daughter home. “And, I am here to collect my daughter.”
Suddenly all eyes were on Jolene. Taking in all the intense gazes all around her, she had been about to speak when she was interrupted. “Jolene?” Remus Lupin interjected, gently. “Is this true?” The werewolf’s voice held none of the suspicion or accusation of his comrades, merely curiosity.
“Yes.” Jolene sighed, gesturing toward her father. “This is my dad.” She paused, turning to direct her next statement to Stephen. “And, I’m guessing he used astral projection to find me?” She asked, her eyebrow cocked in suspicion that she already knew the answer.
“Yes.” Stephen replied, firmly.
“And, did it ever cross your mind that maybe I asked you not to try to find me or come after me for a reason?!” She asked, clearly irritated that her parents had not heeded her warnings.
“Really?” Stephen asked, unable to conceal his snark. “Do you really expect your father and I to allow you to walk into a war alone and just stand idly by and do nothing?!”
Jolene had to admit that he had a point. She really should have known better than to think that her dads would have not come looking for her the moment they noticed her missing. “Yeah, I guess I didn’t really think that through.” Jolene hummed to herself. She really should have known her fathers better than that.
“I am taking you home, right now, young lady!” Stephen told his daughter – his voice leaving no room for argument – as he gripped her arm. However, he was soon shocked when she shook herself free from his grip.
“I’m sorry, dad.” Jolene replied, her tone of voice conveying genuine sincerity. “But I can’t go home with you.” She added, regretfully.
“It wasn’t a request.” Stephen ground out, trying to avoid causing a scene with his daughter.
“And you know, under normal circumstances, I would follow your orders.” Jolene regretted the spite in her voice. But she really didn’t have time to fight with her father. They needed to get Harry to the safe house and fast. And, Jolene was the key to that mission.
“Jolene!” Stephen warned. “You and I are going home. Right now!”
“Mr. Strange-“ Remus Lupin interjected, attempting to diffuse the situation that everyone present could feel intensifying.
“Doctor Strange.” Stephen hissed, the non-verbal warning clear in his voice. “And, this is none of your damn business.”
“Jolene is a member of The Order.” Kingsley Shacklebolt interjected, his voice firm in hopes of backing Stephen off. “If something concerns her, that makes it our business.”
“Would everybody please just stop talking about me like I’m not even here!?” Jolene demanded, finally standing up for herself.
“’The Order’?!” Stephen repeated, snidely. “Jolene, what the hell is he talking about?! Are you in some kind of a cult?!” He demanded.
Rolling her eyes, Jolene replied, “Oh, for the love of God.” She grumbled. “No, it’s not a damn cult.” Taking her dad’s disbelieving countenance as her cue to continue, she elaborated “We’re a group of witches and wizards dedicated to protecting and supporting Harry in his stance against Voldemort. We all have the same goal. Putting an end to Voldemort’s reign of terror once and for all.” Pausing for a moment, Jolene searched her mind for an analogy that would make sense to her dad. “Think of us as … The Wizarding World’s version of The Avengers.”
“All the more reason for me to get you the hell out of here.” Stephen ground out. “You are too young for this sort of thing. You don’t know-“
“I do know what I’m getting myself into!” Jolene hissed. “And, you look me in the eyes and you tell me that – if you were in my shoes – you would just walk out that door…” Jolene stormed on, not caring about the defiant tone in her voice as she gestured toward the front door of the house. “…And, just go home and live your life – business as usual – and just bury your head in the sand and act like there wasn’t some narcissistic asshole on the loose with mass genocide on his mind.” Jolene demanded; the level of her anger was visibly rising – all those gathered in the house could see it. “Tell me you would let your friends – that you would let Pops walk into a war without you there to protect and look after him!” Finally, Jolene’s anger has reached the boiling point. “You look me in the eyes…” She hissed before shocking the entire audience around them. “AND YOU TELL ME THAT!” She roared. For a moment, everything seemed to just freeze around them as everyone just stared and the Sorcerer and his daughter in slack-jawed shock.
For his part, Stephen just stared at Jolene with a calculating gaze. A gaze that remained inscrutable to everyone else. Meanwhile, everyone else just stared, paralyzed by their shock. Nobody dared to move or say a word for fear of what ramifications there might be. The intense staring contest seemed to stretch on for an eternity until Stephen finally spoke. And, when he finally broke the silence, his voice was perfectly level and calm; the eye of the storm – or so, everyone feared. “You’re right.” The two simple words were spoken so softly that most of the group was wondering if they’d imagined them. “I wouldn’t.” Stephen’s voice grew stronger and bolder. “Which is why I won’t allow you to walk into a war without me by your side.” He added, with a note of finality that he hoped would leave no room for argument.
The rest of the surrounding group sincerely hoped that the Sorcerer’s words would put out the fire that was Jolene’s temper. They did not. “You know I can’t allow that-“
“Jolene Rose Strange.” Stephen warned. “I am the parent. You are the child.” He hissed. “We are not discussing this. I am coming with you and that is final.”
“What about Pops?” Jolene asked, cockily, knowing that would shut down her dad’s decision. “Are you just gonna run off and join our little circus without telling him?” She added, snidely. “I’m sure he’s probably wearing a hole in the floor with his anxious pacing wondering why the hell we aren’t back, yet.”
“And, if your father were here, you know he’d back me up on this.” Stephen insisted. “But … You’re right. He should know what’s happening.” He added, haughtily. “So, I’ll give you a choice.” The entire room waited on bated breath for Stephen to continue. “You either come home with me right now … Or you can explain to your father why neither of us is coming home.”
Damn it. Jolene thought to herself. However, she was soon interrupted when Kingsley rejoined the conversation. “Hang on…” The wizard spoke up, clearly seeming confused by something. “I thought you said that you were Jolene’s father?” He questioned, glancing back and forth between Stephen and Jolene.
“He is.” Jolene replied with a soft sigh. “Look, it’s complicated and we really don’t have time to get into the logistics of how everything in our family tree works, right now.” Finally, she turned back to her dad. “Fine.” She sighed. “You win.”
“Thank you.” Stephen sighed, holding out his hand for Jolene to follow him home. However, when she didn’t move from her spot, he pinned her with calculating stare. “Jolene.” He warned.
“Oh, I never said I was going home with you.” Jolene corrected, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world, as she reached into her bag, withdrawing quill and parchment. He watched on, in wide-eyed shock as Jolene quickly scribbled a letter to her other father.
Dear Pops
I’m sure you’ve figured out, by now, that dad and I aren’t coming back. Well, at least … Not right away. As I should have known, dad found me and – just as I predicted he would if he knew what I was doing – he’s talked his way into joining me on my mission. I know that you’re going to try to help us and … I’ll tell you what you can do. Rally The Avengers. Let them know that another war is coming. I’ll keep you apprised of updates as they arise. And, I’ll let you know when the time for action comes. For now, I need you to stay there and get the rest of The Avengers together. I know you’re terrified and going out of your mind with worry and fear for our safety. But I want you to know that we’re not alone. We have our own army backing us up, here, in the Wizarding World. I’ll be in touch when I can. For now, just know that I’m not alone and that dad is here … Keeping me safe. Just like I know you wish you could. I love you, Pops.
Love,
Jolene Strange
Without another word, Jolene folded the parchment into a paper airplane before gripping it between her lips while conjuring a portal to her home. Once the portal was opened, she retrieved the letter and threw it through the portal before swiftly closing the portal behind the parchment with a wave of her hand. “Now…Where were we?” She added, turning to the rest of The Order.