Jolene Strange and the War of the Worlds

Jolene Strange and the War of the Worlds

Disclaimer:
You know the drill.  See chapter 1.

Rating:
M

Genre:
Family|Angst|Drama|Action|Romance

Pairings:
IronStrange|PotterStrange|Hermione/Ron

Lyrics Used:
Meghan Trainor – “Kindly Calm Me Down”
Daughtry – “I’ll Fight”
Toby Keith – “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)”
Toby Keith – “American Soldier”

For You, I'll Fight

So cold, alone | Could you be my blanket | Surround my bones | When my heart feels naked | No strength, too weak | I could use some saving | And, your love’s so strong

When my world gets loud could you make it quiet down | When my head it pounds could you turn down all the sound | If I lay in pain by my side would you stay | If I need you now would you kindly calm me down | Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, would you kindly calm me down | Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh would you kindly calm me down

            Tony Stark halted his pacing when he saw a portal flicker to life out of the corner of his eye.  “Finally.” He breathed.  Seeing the portal open meant that his husband had finally returned home with their wayward daughter.  Now, they would finally get some answers and they could finally talk some sense into their daughter.  However, his relief started to falter ever so slightly as he realized the portal was smaller than his husband and their daughter usually conjured – not big enough for someone to step through.  That was when he saw a parchment-colored paper airplane glide through the small portal before finally landing at his feet.  Tony glanced up from where the paper landed at his feet just in time to watch the feet fizzle out and disappear.  “No.” Tony muttered, helplessly.  Fighting to control his breathing, he could feel the anxiety start to set in as he slowly bent down to pick the up the parchment.  He tried to steady his slightly trembling hands as he unfolded the piece of paper to read it.

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

            “Damn it!” Tony cried out as the anxiety blossomed into a full-blown panic.  The trembling in his fingers turned to violent shaking that wracked his entire body.  This was exactly the opposite of the outcome he’d hoped for.  Stephen was supposed to just go find their daughter and bring her back!  He wasn’t supposed to join her!  Now, they were both wading into a war and he had no way of getting to them!  They were supposed to be here, with him!  His heart was thundering against his chest and his breath was coming in ragged gasps as he struggled to calm himself down.  A million thoughts raced through his head and none of them were making any sense.

            Sinking down on the side of the bed, Tony wrapped his arms around himself as he silently wished that he had his husband there to help him.  Stephen always knew what to do in moments like this.  He could always cut through the storm of panic in Tony’s head.  And, Tony really needed that right now.  Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Tony was able to focus on thoughts of Stephen; thoughts that eventually lead to memories the breathing techniques that Stephen had taught him to help him through these panic attacks.  Slowly, he managed to control his breathing.  Once the panic had subsided, Tony slowly rose from where he sat on the bed to where Jolene’s note lay on the floor.  Reading over the letter again, he knew what he had to do to protect his family.  He just wished he really didn’t have to use that number.  But, if it meant keeping his family safe, he would do whatever he had to do.

            Drawing a steadying breath, Tony quickly left the bedroom on his way to the study.  Rushing over to his desk, he quickly searched through the scrambled mess of his work until he found it.  A small silver key.  The key to the only locked drawer in his desk.  Sliding the key into the lock, Tony yanked the drawer open.  Reaching into the nearly empty drawer, he withdrew its only occupant.  A small flip phone.  Flipping the phone open, he opened the contacts page.  Staring down at the only contact in the phone, he sighed as he pressed the call button.  “Tony?”  Came the voice on the other end of the line.  “Never expected to hear from this number again.”  Sighing Tony replied “Yeah, well…” Tony began, not really sure how to say what he needed to say.  “We have another situation.” There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line.  And, then a response.  “We’re on our way.”

But if you ever fall down straight to the bottom | And you can’t get back where you started | Any place any time | You gotta know for you I’ll fight

            “If you’re all quite through with the theatrics…” Alastor Moody interjected, impatiently, limping back to the front of the group.  “…We’ve got to get the hell out of here!” He declared, turning to face the group assembled before him.  “Potter.” He added, turning his attention to Harry.  “You’re underage.  Which means you’ve still got the trace on you.”

            “What the hell is ‘the trace’?” Stephen questioned, not realizing he’d vocalized his thoughts until he was pinned by Moody’s glare.

            “It means he won’t be able to sneeze without the ministry of magic knowing who wiped his nose!” Moody snarled.  “Point is we’ll have to use means of transport the trace can’t detect. … Brooms, thestrals, the like.”

            “Which is where I come in.” Jolene interjected, drawing her father’s attention.

            “You?” Stephen questioned; his concern evident in his voice.

            “Yes, me.” Jolene replied, her voice strong and her body language confident.  “You heard Moody.” She added, glancing around the room.  “The Ministry of Magic … And, others…”  Stephen didn’t miss the darkened tone with which she spoke the last two words.  However, he was not granted the chance to question his daughter on the matter as she continued.  “…will be watching every move Harry makes.  Which is why I’ve volunteered to be the one to transport Harry to the safe house.” She added, proudly.

            “What are you talking about, Jolene?” Stephen questioned.

            “I’m the only one here that can get Harry to the safehouse with no possibility of him being intercepted.” Jolene added, cryptically.  “I can open a portal directly to the safehouse, granting Harry safe passage without any unfriendly eyes being able to see it.”

            “Which brings me to my next question, Strange.” Moody grumbled, drawing the young witch’s attention.  “Are you absolutely certain the trace can’t detect your … portals or whatever the hell they’re called?”

            “I’ve already researched the matter, thoroughly.” Jolene reassured the older wizard, earning a quizzical stare from her father.  “The powers that conjure the portals are deeply rooted in the Mystic Arts.” She elaborated.  “The Mystic Arts have no roots in the Wizarding World.  They’re an entirely different magical practice all together.” She reasoned.  “Masters of the Mystic Arts – such as my father – know nothing of the Wizarding World unless they are born with the magic that the Wizarding World possesses.”  Stephen had to admit … He never would have imagined he could be this proud of his daughter.  She possessed knowledge of concepts that he never could have conceived in even his wildest dreams.  “And, conversely…” She added, directing her full attention to the assembled group of witches and wizards “The only way a witch or a wizard could know anything of the Mystic Arts would be to actively seek out a master and be schooled in them.”

            “How do you know nobody at the Ministry of Magic has been schooled in the Mystic Arts?” Remus Lupin questioned.

            “I have done extensive deep dives on everybody in the Ministry.” Jolene assured the werewolf.  “A rather lengthy process, let me tell you.” She added, offhandedly.  “Nobody in the Ministry has ever trained in the Mystic Arts.”  Jolene explained, her voice conveying a deeply felt sense of confidence.  “And, even if they had … There is no way to trace them.  Even if the Minister of Magic, himself, knew about them, he would not be able to trace them as they cannot be traced by any means available in the Wizarding World.”

            “Girl certainly seems to know her stuff.” Kingsley Shacklebolt spoke up, clearly impressed by the knowledge displayed by the young witch.

            “Of course, I do.” Jolene smiled, warmly, as she turned her glance to her father.  “I learned from the best.”

            Stephen returned his daughter’s warm smile.  Words were not needed, in that moment, as he knew that words could never adequately describe the sense of pride and love he felt for his daughter, in that moment.  Perhaps she truly did understand the gravity of what she was getting herself into.

            “All right, then.” Moody nodded, seemingly accepting Jolene’s proposal.  “In the meantime, we’ll need a distraction.” He continued, brandishing an oddly shaped flask with a skull for a cork.

            “A distraction?” Stephen questioned, curiously.

            “Voldemort and his Death Eaters will, undoubtedly, be watching for Harry’s transport.” Jolene replied.  “We need to draw their attention away while the real Harry is already waiting for us, safe and sound at the safehouse.”

            “No.” Harry declared, startling the group.  “No, I won’t have anyone risking themselves for me.”

            “You say that as if you have any say.” Jolene replied as if the very notion was utterly ridiculous.

            “Told you he’d take it well.” Hermione mused, off-handedly.

            “Everyone here is of age, Potter.” Moody reminded the young wizard.  “They’ve all agreed to take the risk.”  Flipping the cork open, he added “I trust you’re familiar with this, particular brew?”

            “No.” Harry replied, vehemently.  “No, I can’t ask you to do that.” He added.

            “Yeah, saw that one comin’.” Jolene rolled her eyes.  “You heard Moody.  We’ve all agreed to take the risk.”

            “What risk … exactly?” Stephen asked his daughter in an urgent hushed tone.

            Turning to her father, Jolene gestured to the open flask held in Moody’s hand as she spoke.  “The brew to which Moody is referring is called ‘Polyjuice Potion’.”  She added.

            “And … what, pray tell, does this … potion do … exactly?” Stephen questioned, carefully.  It was almost as though he feared the answer.

            “It allows the drinker to transform themselves, temporarily, into the physical form of another.” Hermione offered, helpfully.

            “No, I can’t ask that of anyone.” Harry insisted, desperately.

            “Nobody’s asking anything.” Jolene reasoned.  “We’ve all chosen to do this.  To help you.”

            “No, this is different.” Harry insisted.  “Taking that, becoming me!”

            “Becoming you?” Stephen echoed, questioningly.  “Jolene, what is he talking about?”

            “That is the plan.” Jolene reasoned.  “The game plan is for me to conjure a portal to transport the real Harry directly to the safe house.” She began.  “Then, the rest of us will conduct a mock transport to lure the Death Eaters and Voldemort out when they think they’ll have a shot at getting to Harry before he gets to the safe house because they’ll undoubtedly know that it’s been given every manner of protection, possible.”

            “Get to work, Strange.” Moody grumbled waving his hand in Jolene’s direction. 

            “Right, of course.” Jolene muttered, sliding the sling ring onto her fingers.  Raising her hands, she held her right arm up while the left waved in a circular motion.  The rest of the group around her stared on in awestruck fascination, watching the portal spark to life.

            “Jolene, please.” Harry begged, quietly.  “Let me come with you guys.  I can help – OW!” He hissed, abruptly, as Hermione slipped stealthily behind Harry while snatching a lock of hair out of his head.  “’Mione, what the hell?”  Hermione, however, remained silent as she strode over to where Moody stood and dropped the hairs into the flask.

            “Jolene?” Stephen questioned, nervously, as he watched the bubbles foaming out of the flask.

“It won’t hurt you.” Jolene assured her father.  “Well … It won’t harm you … More aptly.”  She mused.  “Harry.” She added, firmly, turning her head toward her young friend.  “We’ve got this.” She assured him.

            “Jolene, please.” Harry repeated his plea.

            All right, that’s it. Jolene thought to herself.  We don’t have time for this.  Waving her hand, she sent the portal hurtling toward Harry.  Just as the portal consumed, him she muttered “All right.  Bye bye.”

Justice will be served and the battle will rage | This big dog will fight when you rattle his cage | And, you’ll be sorry that you messed with | The U.S. of A. | ‘Cause we’ll put a boot in your ass | It’s the American Way

Hey, uncle Sam put your name at the top of his list | And the Statue of Liberty started shakin’ her fist | And the Eagle will fly and it’s gonna be hell | When you hear mother freedom start ringin’ her bell | And it’ll feel like the whole wide world is raining down on you | Oh, brought to you courtesy of the red white and blue

                “What’s goin’ on, Tony?” Steve Rogers asked as the rest of the Avengers gathered at the Avengers compound.

            “Yeah.” Clint Barton chimed in, funneling in with the rest of the Avengers.  “Rogers says you got another situation on your hands.”

            “Yeah.” Scott Lang added.  “Who’s threatening the universe, now?”

            “That’s … just it.” Tony sighed.  “I really don’t know much about this new threat.” The billionaire admitted, throwing his hands up in frustrated defeat.  “My daughter really knows a lot more about this threat than I do.”

            “Where is she?” Hope van Dyne questioned, curious as to why the young woman hadn’t joined them.  “Where is Jolene?”

            “Yeah.”  James Rhodes added.  “And, where’s Strange?”

            “Jolene and Stephen are…” Tony sighed, leaning forward on the back of a seat in front of him. “…They are…on the front lines.” He ground out, reluctantly.  Taking in all the shocked and stunned faces, Tony knew he would have to elaborate further.  Pacing the room, Tony began to recount as much of the story as he knew.  “Stephen and I found out that Jolene took off–”

            “What are you saying?” Wanda Maximoff interjected, concerned.

            “I’m saying that my daughter ran off to wade into a war!” Tony snapped, pinning the young woman with a murderous glare.  Finally, returning to his senses, Tony shook his head clear as Wanda shrank away from him, with a look of fear in her eyes.  “I’m sorry.” Tony apologized, shamefully, dropping his gaze to the floor, for a moment.  “Really, I am.” He added, sincerely, as he raised his gaze up to meet that of the young woman.

            Rising from her seat, Wanda moved to stand next to Tony.  Resting her right hand on his left shoulder, she used her left hand to gently stroke the billionaire’s arm.  “It’s all right, Tony.” She offered, a forgiving note to her voice.  “I understand.”

            “We all do.” Carol Danvers added, moving to stand at Tony’s other side.  “And, we’re here to help in any way that we can.” She added, gesturing to the room full of heroes.

            Looking around the room, Tony took in all the nods and muttered affirmations.  He knew he was surrounded by friends that would be willing do whatever was necessary to help his daughter.  “Thank you.” He uttered, his voice trembling with the weight of his gratitude.

            “So…” Scott interjected, rising to his feet.  “…What’s his name?” He asked, bravely, raising his hands valiantly.  “Whose ass do we have to kick?”

            Tony’s back straightened as his body language steeled.  “His name … Is Lord Voldemort.” He declared, defiantly.  “That’s who my daughter and my husband have gone to stand against.”

            “Then, that’s who we’ll stand against, too.” Steve agreed, as did the rest of the assembled Avengers.

            “Who is he?” Rhodes asked, curiously, arms crossing over his chest.

            “Yeah.” Steve added.  “What’s his endgame?” He asked, clearly ready as ever for the next mission.

            Raising his hands in frustration, Tony replied “I really don’t know that much about him.” He admitted.  “All I know is that – according to Jolene – he has mass genocide on his mind.”

            “What else is new?” Wanda rolled her eyes and crossed her arms impatiently over her chest.

            “Jolene’s told me bits and pieces about him over the course of her years at Hogwarts.” Tony elaborated, pacing the room as he went.  “She’s told me that he’s … sort of … the magical equivalent of a racist.” He elaborated, carefully.  “Jo says he’s … He likes to think of himself as superior and that anyone of muggle heritage is … inferior.” He went on to explain.  “She says that he means to wipe the world of muggles and all muggle-born witches and wizards.”

            “Like Jolene.” Rhodes sighed, darkly.

            “Exactly.” Tony growled, sharing a dark look with his long-time friend.

            “Don’t worry.” Steve declared, forcefully, resting his hand on Tony’s shoulder.  “We’ll take him down.” The soldier assured him.

You can bet that I stand ready | When the wolf growls at the door | Hey, I’m solid, hey I’m steady | Hey, I’m true down to the core

And I will always do my duty | No matter what the price | I’ve counted up the cost | I know the sacrifice | Oh, and I don’t wanna die for you | But, if dyin’s asked of me | I’ll bear that cross with honor | ‘Cause freedom don’t come free

Beside my brothers and my sisters | I will proudly take a stand | When liberty’s in jeopardy | I will always do what’s right | I’m out here on the front lines | Sleep in peace tonight

                “We’ll go in pairs.” Alastor Moody addressed the remaining witches and wizards around him.  “That way, if there’s anyone waiting for us – and, I reckon, there will be – they won’t know which Harry Potter’s the real one.”

            “Or that none of them are.” Jolene quipped, only to be silenced by a deadly glare from Moody. 

            “For those of you who haven’t taken Polyjuice Potion before…” Moody paused, staring at Stephen.  “…fair warning…It tastes like goblin piss.” He hissed, passing the flask around the group.

            Stephen glanced at Jolene.  “Well, I’ve never tasted goblin piss, personally.” She told her father, in a hushed tone meant only for his ears.  “But I can assure you … It’ll likely be the vilest thing you’ve ever tasted.”

            “Have lovely experiences with that, do you, Mad Eye?” One of the Weasley twins joked.  “Just trying to defuse the tension.” He hummed, seeing that Moody was in no mood for jokes, at that moment, and downed a sip of the potion.

            Stephen watched as various people in the room all drank from the flask that was quickly making its way around the group.  He watched in a sort of awestruck fascination as they all either shrank or grew in height and took on all of the other physical attributes of Harry Potter.  Finally, the flask made it around to him.

            Taking in her father’s uncertain look, Jolene reminded her father.  “Look, dad.” She began, gently, resting her hand on her father’s shoulder.  “We’ve all agreed to this plan, but we know that you haven’t so … Everyone here would understand if you’d rather go back home and help pops prep the Avengers.” She added, softly.

            Stephen took in his daughter’s words as he considered the flask in his hand.  There was no way in hell he was leaving his daughter to fight a war without being there by her side to protect her.  So, it was decided.  Steadying his nerve, he just downed a sip of the potion handed to him.  Damn. He thought to himself in disgust as he passed the flask off to the next unlucky person.  Jolene wasn’t kidding. Was his last thought before he felt the effects of the potion start to settle in.  Shrinking down to Harry’s height, he held his hands out in front of him as his eyes roved over his body, watching his body morph into that of Harry Potter.  The last transition he noticed was his eyesight blurring before Jolene pressed a pair of glasses into his hand.

            “Wow.” The Weasley twins mused, in unison.  “We’re identical!”

            “Not yet, you’re not.” Moody growled as he dumped a pile of matching outfits on the floor for all of the Potter impersonators.

            “You haven’t got anything a bit more sporting, have you?” One of the twins joked.  “Yeah, I don’t really fancy this color.” The other added.

            “Well, fancy this!” Moody snarled.  “You’re not you.”

            Stephen shook himself of his shock and reached into the pile of clothes for himself.  Glancing around the room, he started changing his clothes as all the other impersonators were doing as he noticed Jolene turning her back to him to protect at least some of his privacy.

            “All right then.” Moody spoke up once more as the impersonators slowly finished changing their clothes.  “We’ll pair off.”  That was when Stephen noticed his daughter’s return to his side.  “Each Potter will have a protector.”

            “You didn’t really think I was going to trust just anyone to be your protector, did you?” Jolene asked, in a hushed tone, causing her father to smirk in response.

            “Aren’t I supposed to be the one saying that to you?” Stephen asked his daughter in the same hushed tone.

            “Let’s GO!” Moody urged, once all the impersonators were dressed, as the rest of the group all followed him outside.

            As the other pairs split off to the respective modes of transportation, Jolene pulled her father off to the side.  “You’re in for a real treat.” She mused, impishly.  “You get to travel by thestral.” She grinned.

            “What the hell is that?” Stephen breathed, in awestruck horror as he took in the sight of what looked like the skeleton of a horse.

            “It’s a thestrals, obviously.” Jolene mused, as she petted the thestral’s nose.  “Part of the reason we’re one of the pairs travelling by thestral is that … Only certain people can even see a thestral.” She added, her voice suddenly taking on a much more somber tone.

            “What people?” Stephen breathed as he moved to stand by his daughter’s side.

            Turning to look at her father, Jolene didn’t miss the trepidation in his eyes as she answered his question.  “People who’ve seen death.” She deadpanned.

            Before Stephen could question the matter, any further, Jolene had already mounted the thestral’s back and was extending her hand to him.  Shaking off any further questions for the time being, Stephen accepted his daughter’s hand as she helped him up on to the back of the saddle.

            “Head for the Burrow.” Moody instructed as each of the pairs prepared for take-off.  “We’ll rendezvous there!” He declared.  “On the count of THREE!” Jolene had already gripped the reins, firmly, in her hands and checked the wand strapped to her calf.  “One!” Stephen watched all the other pairs preparing for their takeoffs as he vaguely registered the sound of an engine revving.  “Two!”  On the count of two, Stephen checked the stone around his neck and verified that his sling ring was safe as he wrapped his arms around his daughter’s waist in anticipation.  “THREE!”

            That was it.  The pairs were all off to the races.  Stephen felt the sudden rush of wind on his face and in his hair as the thestral took off at a gallop, gaining speed.  Before he knew it, they were in the air.  The sorcerer felt a sense of both fear and adrenaline pumping through his veins as they climbed higher and higher.  “Just hold on tight to me!” Jolene called out, over the wind rushing in their ears.  “And, keep your eyes peeled!” She warned and Stephen meant to do just that.  He had no idea what awaited them in the air, but he would not be caught off guard.