Widow's Vengeance chapter 19 -

Chapter 19 -

"Loki, drop the weapon and stand down." Natasha Romanoff calmly ordered over a speaker as she was sat in one of Shield's high-tech jets, it currently had its machine gun aimed at the god of mischief who was currently facing down Captain America. The Captain was dressed in a blue uniform that she was sure was at least partly designed by Coulson, she couldn't help but think it was a bad idea to have Steve fight Loki who was standing in his Asgardian clothes, including his gold helmet, and a gold scepter. Thor had been able to level a small town, from what they could tell Loki wasn't as powerful as Thor but that didn't mean he wasn't still dangerous, he would definitely be a challenge if he could fight alongside and against the Prince of Asgard.

Loki opted to do the opposite of what she told him to do and fire a blue energy blast at her from her scepter, thankfully she and her co-pilot were able to react quickly and pull the jet out of the way, barely avoiding getting blasted. She watched as Steve charged into a fight with Loki, despite being a super-soldier it was clear that he was unable to compete with Loki who not only surpassed him in combat experience but also physical strength and durability. Unfortunately, she couldn't assist with the jet's gun without hurting or possibly killing Steve who was still in the strike zone.

"Agent Romanoff," Fury's voice spoke over the comms. "it's clear that this is above Captain Roger's paygrade, send in our big gun."

"Understood," She replied before glancing back over her shoulder at Revenant who was calmly sitting in the back of the jet, seemingly content with staying silent and out of the way. "Revenant," She called, "Director Fury says it's your time to shine." Revenant looked at her and gave her a small nod before standing up, she watched as he disappeared with a popping sound. Her gaze snapped back to where Captain America was fighting Loki, she watched as Revenant appeared just a few meters behind Loki as he tossed Captain America a small distance away.

"Is that the best you've got, soldier?" Loki mocked Steve who quickly got back to his feet, he reached for his shield which had landed just in front of him but it quickly flew out of its reach and zoomed towards Loki. She watched as Loki dodged it and it was caught by Revenant who stood with the shield in one hand and his wand in the other. She half-expected him to proclaim that he was the captain now. "Ah, the wizard," Loki said, a grin on his face. "let's see how powerful you truly are." He smirked before firing another blast at Revenant. Revenant dodged before throwing Cap's shield at Loki, Loki batted it away with his scepter but was unable to stop the small beam that had hit him in his chest, unfortunately, the beam appeared to have not done anything at all. "Is that it?" Loki laughed as he looked at Revenant who she saw was tilting his head in what she believed was confusion. "You second-rate magic-user, did you really think that you could compete with me? With the great Loki, I who had mastered the art of magic since before you were a seed in your pathetic parent's..." Whatever Loki was about to say was cut off as a large bolt of lightning slammed into his chest, knocking him back and sending his weapon out of his hand.

Loki landed a small distance away and gasped out in pain as Revenant calmly walked towards him like there wasn't a single care in his world, Loki tried to get up but he was barely able to get up to one leg before another bolt of lightning shot out from Revenant's wand and knocked him back down. Loki groaned and tried to get up once more, except this time it wasn't a small lightning attack that knocked him back down, this time the attack lasted for at least ten seconds before Revenant stopped. Though he hadn't stopped for long and fired off a red-colored beam that soon had the god of mischief screaming in none-chilling, harrowing pain as he convulsed on the floor.

Natasha watched Cap rush over to Revenant, likely to stop him from continuing to harm Loki when Revenant thrust his free hand in Cap's direction and sent the noble soldier back down to his feet.

"Revenant!" She spoke through the speaker. "Our orders are to bring him back alive, stand down!" She said firmly. Revenant stopped a second later and stared towards the jet, she wasn't sure but she couldn't help but think that he thought she was being dramatic. It didn't seem to matter either way as with a few flicks of his wand, Loki ended up being wrapped in chains and levitated in the air in front of Revenant.

"Wow, I guess I missed all of the fun." She heard Stark's voice speak through her comms unit, letting her know that it had just been hacked into.

"Great, just what I need." She muttered under her breath.

(-)

"Hey guys," Harry said as he and his friends sat at the Hufflepuff table for breakfast. "Hedwig's coming, I think we got mail." He pointed upwards and in the direction of a beautiful snowy owl that was flying towards them, Harry was glad that he had Knight for a familiar but that didn't mean he didn't enjoy Hedwig's company. Natasha had picked up the owl during their last trip to Diagon Alley and pretty much the whole family agreed that they loved the snowy owl, it went unsaid that she was now their family's owl.

"Hi, Hedwig," Clint smiled as the beautiful owl landed on his outstretched arm. "have a nice flight?" He asked. Hedwig hooted in confirmation before leaning into Natasha's touch as she began stroking her.

"Good girl." Natasha cooed as Harry gently removed the letter before handing Hedwig a piece of bacon.

"We're spoiling her and I love it," Harry openly admitted before he opened the letter. "hmm." He hummed as he started reading it.

"Well, what does it say?" Natasha asked, curiously.

"Well," Harry started speaking after a couple of moments. "it's from Matt. He said that Jess was not happy when she got your letter. Apparently, he had to stop her from charging to the school, thank Merlin. But he wasn't able to stop her from going into Diagon Alley and ordering a bunch of howlers and then having those howlers sent to Dumbledore, Snape, and the board of governors."

"Ooh," Clint winced. "is that the worst of it?"

"So far at least," Harry confirmed with a nod. "so...our next potions lesson is going to be interesting then." He rolled his eyes. "I bet he's going to be even worse."

"Well, either Dumbledore does his job and teaches his staff to show some restraint or I do this exact same thing again." Natasha shrugged.

"And what if that doesn't work?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Then I do something much, much worse," Natasha said simply, an innocent smile on her face.

"You're kind of scary sometimes," Harry said, sounding half-amused and half-serious. "anyway, what do we have first?"

"Free period and then we got double charms class with Professor Flitwick," Clint answered. "so what do you guys want to do? Hagrid said he had some targets I could use if you're up for a bit of archery?" He said to Harry.

"Yeah," Harry grinned before pausing as he seemed to have remembered something. "actually, I'm going to go play with Knight for a bit, but I'll meet you there after I'm done."

"Cool," Clint agreed before turning to Natasha. "what about you?" He asked curiously.

"Well, first of all, I am going to take this little cutie to the owlery," Natasha said as she gently took Hedwig from Clint and placed the owl on her shoulder. "and then I'm going to go and head to the library for a bit, you both can join me once you're done. You both still have homework left." She reminded them.

"Homework," Clint muttered, a disgusted look on his face.

"Don't be dramatic," Natasha rolled her eyes before standing up and turning to Harry. "have fun with Knight and make sure Clint doesn't end up shooting someone."

"Yes ma'am!" Harry said with a mock salute, earning a smile from Natasha. She was about to walk off when she - along with pretty much every person in the hall - became aware that Professor Snape was storming towards her with a piece of parchment crumpled up into his hand.

"What...is this?" He snarled, holding up the parchment.

"I'm not quite sure, sir." Natasha respectfully answered. "It seems to be a regular piece of parchment."

"Five points from Hufflepuff," He hissed. "do not act smart with me, I am referring to what is written on here."

"Well, in that case, may I please take it so I can read what it's about?" Natasha before expectantly holding out her hand. Snape glared at her for several moments before roughly shoving it into her hand. Harry and Clint glared at him for the way he was treating her while Natasha, seemingly unbothered by his actions, opened the parchment and took a few moments to read it while Snape stared impatiently at her. "Ah, this would be a copy of a letter I sent to a few of the members of Hogwarts staff along with my parents and the board of governors." She said simply before she held the letter out from Snape, he snatched it from her without breaking eye contact.

"And what would possess you to do something so idiotic?!" He growled.

"Idiotic? Well, sir, that was quite rude. I suppose that's something else that I should report but seeing as you seem to be in a rather emotional state I will leave it this one time," She said in a kind voice, sounding like she was doing him a big favor. She quickly continued speaking before he could come up with a response. "As for why I did what I did, it's quite simple. I have always attended schools where certain standards and rules were always enforced, such as teachers not being allowed to insult or instigate conflicts with students. You had done both in our potions class so I felt it was my duty as a friend, Hufflepuff, and student to inform those who I believed needed to be informed."

"You little brat," Snape glared at her. "you think I care what you think? Or what your squib mother with her stupid howlers thinks?!"

"First of all, Professor Snape, it's not just what we think. I had the majority of students in the class put their names in with my complaints. Second, of all, I believe that you just insulted me and my mother," Natasha frowned before holding up a hand towards Harry and Clint without looking at them. As if it was rehearsed, Clint placed a piece of parchment in her hand while Harry did the same with a pencil, both perfectly in sync with the other. "Forgive me, Professor, I just need to make a note of that." She said, her pencil had barely touched it before Snape had pulled out his wand and had vanished her parchment and pencil. "Well...that was irritating," Natasha said dryly before she looked up at Snape. "thankfully I have more upstairs, I suppose I'll just have to remember what happened until I can go upstairs and write it down, I just hope I can remember to add 'vandalism' to my list."

"You petty little..." Whatever Snape was about to say was cut off as Professor Dumbledore arrived, it was hard to miss a man over a hundred years old in bright orange robes coming up behind a couple of people arguing in front of the whole hall.

"Professor Snape," He spoke in a quiet but firm voice, causing everyone to stare at him. "perhaps you should accompany me, I have several important matters that I need to discuss with you." He turned and walked away, clearly expecting Snape to follow.

"Headmaster," Snape said to Dumbledore's retreating back. "I think that..."

"Now, Severus," Dumbledore called without looking back. Snape growled under his breath before following after him.

"What are the chances of you shooting him with an arrow?" Harry asked Clint.

"Without getting caught?" Cint hummed thoughtfully. "Honestly, I'm probably sure I could get it done." Harry let out an amused snort, not realizing that Clint wasn't joking.

(-)

Natasha smiled after leaving Hedwig in the owlery, she calmly walked back downstairs before she noticed Professor Quirrell walking down a corridor and turning a corner so he was out of sight. She stopped with a frown on her face. She knew that Quirrell would eventually have to be dealt with, the man was a threat to not just herself but also the rest of the school and especially Harry. She hadn't yet decided on how to get rid of him, but she supposed that it wouldn't harm her efforts if she scouted out his office while he wasn't there.