The Avengers: The Marvelous Masquerade

Steve Picks a Fight and Everything Blows Up

(A/N: The last few chapters were a little rough because I wrote them like two years ago, but this chapter is almost entirely new, so hopefully it's an improvement! Enjoy, and let me know what ya think!) 

"Tony Stark did what?!"

Natasha shifted in her chair as Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson gaped at her from across the table.

"I swear, he was robbing the Potions room," Bucky said from beside of Natasha. "We saw it with our own eyes."

"It's the truth," Natasha murmured through gritted teeth. She had pleaded with Bucky not to tell anyone what they had seen the night before, but the pig-headed git had insisted. Now, she found herself sitting with the trio of unruly boys in the corner of the Library, garnering strange looks from her fellow Slytherins.

"Why in Merlin's name would he do something like that?" said Sam, his brow furrowed.

"I'm gonna take a wild guess and say he's making a potion," Natasha replied in a withering tone.

"I'm certain his father could get him any materials he needed," Bucky remarked. "Why does he need to steal them?"

"Unless he doesn't want his father to know about what he's doing," Natasha argued.

"Which means it's something dangerous," Steve added with a frown. All eyes turned to the skinny boy as he drummed his fingers along the wooden table.

"Why do I get the feeling you're about to suggest a terrible idea?" Bucky muttered.

"We need to know what Stark's up to," Steve responded, his eyes blazing.

"And how do you plan on uncovering such valuable information?" Natasha asked, raising her eyebrows.

"I'll ask," Steve said, shrugging his shoulders. There was a pause, then Bucky broke the silence with a groan.

"Brilliant," Sam replied, clapping Steve on the back. "I'll start the funeral preparations."

"I'll threaten him if I have to," Steve said, ignoring Sam's jab as he stood to his feet.

"Steve, let's talk about this," Bucky said, grabbing his arm to prevent the boy from walking away.

"There's nothing to discuss, Bucky," was Steve's sharp response. "Stark could very well be threatening the safety of the school." Natasha sighed as she watched the blonde-haired boy yank his arm away from Bucky's grip.

"Let me do it," she interjected, and the boys' gazes swiveled back towards her. "I can get to him. Go undercover. I happen to be very... persuasive."

"Why are you here again?" Sam retorted in a scornful tone.

"And why should we trust you?" Steve agreed. Natasha held back a scowl. She looked to Bucky for some support, but was greeted by a blank expression.

"Well, if you're so intent on ending up in the infirmary," she scowled, "I've never been one to turn down free entertainment."

"Good," Steve replied, his eyes narrowing. "Now, let's get on with it."

******

Steve marched to the opposite end of the library, where Tony was lounging with his feet propped upon a wooden table and a worn leather notebook in hand.

"Sorry Rogers," Tony called, lowering his notebook. "The intense glowering class was moved to the fourth floor."

"Enough with the games," growled Steve, crossing his arms over his thin chest. "We know you were in the Potions room past curfew last night."