The Unknown

Chapter 24: Christmas Holidays

The Avengers didn't stay at Hogwarts through the Christmas holidays, knowing that Loki's daughter would have likely left, so they went to their London house. It used to be one of Tony's mansions but he converted it for the Avengers, like he did with many of his properties in other countries for when they travelled. It was more convenient for the children and wives to be brought to London a few days beforehand, so they could get over jet leg and spend more time with the others.

As soon as they pulled up and jumped out of their cars, everyone came bouncing out of the house. James was running out and jumping over the steps, even with his tiny four-year-old legs in order to get to his father, and Steve immediately picked him up and kissed his forehead, before he went on to kiss Maria. Jane had come down from Asgard with Brynjar when she was sent word from Thor that he wouldn't be at Hogwarts, and she had spent a few days gossiping with the other women and planning Christmas. She held Brynjar on her hip and as soon as Thor saw them; he picked Jane up and spun her, before turning his attention to his son.

Ben, who was always more sensible and would usually walk towards his father, this time ran and only slowed down at the last second before jumping into Bruce's arms and Bruce couldn't help but laugh that his son had on his lab coat. Betty walked towards him and gave him a simple kiss on the cheek. Anna was the quickest out of all of them, it was no surprise considering she was the oldest, but she almost fell down the steps because of the copper wiring she had tangled around her hand, indicating she was in the middle of making something. Tony just loved the sight of her making things and couldn't wait to get dug into making something with her and bringing her in on his project of getting technology to work in the magical world. They both instantly jumped into conversation about it, while Pepper stood at the top of the steps smiling as she rolled her eyes at her husband and daughter.

Hope came out looking like a battle-ready ballerina. She was in her tutu and pointe shoes but also had her bow and arrows strapped to her waist. She was the only one out of all the children who hadn't seen both parents for months and only received letters, but she was also the one who was better accustomed to her parents going on missions. She was the daughter of SHIELDs two best agents and she knew at a young age that she wouldn't trade her life for anything.

Clint scooped her up into his arms and said, "hey, princess""

"Мы скучали по тебе, милая" (we missed you, sweetheart), Natasha said in Russian as she kissed her daughter.

"скучал по тебе МО," (missed you more) Hope said.

"Oh yeah?" Clint teased, "bet you we missed you more".

"Nah ah," Hope said shaking her head.

"Well how much did you miss us?" Clint questioned.

Hope opened her arms as wide as she could and Natasha said, "wow, that's pretty big. I guess you win for now".

Hope giggled then asked, "mama, did you find the girl?"

Hope asked this just loud enough to get everyone's attention and they all looked towards them as Natasha said, "not yet, sweetheart, but soon".

"She's not gonna hurt someone, is she?" Anna asked.

All the Avengers looked nervous as they didn't know what the child of Loki would do but Tony said, "no, we won't let that happen".

For the rest of the day, the Avengers all spent time with their individual child. Steve and Maria spent it mostly drawing with James, while Bruce spent his time in the lab as Ben wanted to show him the new science experiment he did that Betty taught him. It was glow-in-the-dark slime, a child's experiment as he was still too young to do anything dangerous. Thor spent his time with Jane and Brynjar discussing what had been happening on Asgard during his absence, and it was no surprise that Anna and Tony were in the lab, while Pepper was trying to stop them from blowing the house up. Hope spent her time with her parents showing them her new dance before they sat in the living room and watched a movie.