(Updated; 8/17/2018)

Nick Fury wasn't one for superstitions...

They weren't his cup of tea, and he didn't hold to any of them. He found them foolish, unnecessary, and time-wasting. After meeting the Norse god Thor, and helping to free his mind-controlled brother Loki along with everything else that had dared crossed his path during his years as Director of S.H.E.I.L.D... Well, even he had to admit to himself, that some myths were closer to reality then fiction.

So when he got a very odd call from the Queen of England herself asking for help to fighting a long-running curse on one of her favorite Duchesses, Fury decided to hear her out before dismissing it as nonsense.

After he heard the whole story from beginning to end, he quickly made a decision. All the Avengers, every one, were to report to Avengers tower for a 24-hour mission. No exceptions. He only hoped that he was right, and superstitions weren't real. If he was wrong, hope that there was still some way to stay ahead of this.

Tony Stark got everything in the tower ready the day before Halloween.

They were hosting three adults and one child for 24-hours... Very high-security. Like, all-of-earth's-mightiest-heroes-on-call, high.

From mid-night to mid-night on Halloween they were to protect a Duchess and her adopted son. Two of her friends were coming with her as well. Kinda like backup. Orders were to keep them all closed off and away from any and all outside baddies until Halloween had passed. He didn't know why yet, they were all going to be briefed on the situation together an hour before the start of the mission.

He had a good hunch that the call from the queen of England herself had a LOT to do with it. Probably everything. He wouldn't put it past a spoiled, age-old duchess used to getting her way to whine to the queen. Or maybe even the boy did the whining. He wouldn't put it pass any person if it meant they got to spend 24+ hours in a room full of heroes. Heck, a dozen people a day tried to break into the tower just to see one of them.

On the other hand the order came from Fury; so it could be legit.

So he had fixed up one of the more fortified levels of the tower. Blocked it off, set up bedrooms, a kitchen, and other living spaces for everyone. He even got enough normal food, Junk food, pop, juice and alcohol to last a week. If the whole team was going to be together for Halloween he was going to make sure everyone enjoyed themselves. Spoiled, middle-aged duchess and spawn or not.

When 10 pm hit he started to the lift. To his surprise Natasha and Steve were already inside, also on their way up to the roof. Fully suited up, of course. Tony smirked at them as he stepped in, glad that he decided to go to the meet-and-greet in his normal garb. AKA; a nice pair of pants and a workout shirt.

"Going up?" He commented rhetorically as Black widow and Cap smiled back at him.

"Of course... Wouldn't want to miss the arrival of our honored guest." The widow said with far to pleasant a smile and tone to be real. It was obvious that she thought this was a waste of time, she was still playing nice and going with it. Steve just shrugged.

"It IS a request from the Queen... And an easy mission at that. Just one day, then we'll be done." Steve replied. Tony nodded.

"And I stocked us up with enough Pop, Booze, and food to feed an army. Or, well, all of us. Once we lock down the floor, we can have ourselves a Halloween party to end all Halloween parties, then sleep it off the rest of the day."

Steve looked offended at the idea of having a party while on duty. Natasha just raised a questioning eyebrow.

"When was the last time we all got together? Outside of missions, that is. And I mean ALL of us. Not just little groups, or just hanging out at the tower."

Natasha shrugged her head to the side. "You're right, it's been a while."

"Of course it has. So let's use this time and make the most of it! Our very own Heroes-only Halloween party." Tony said with a roguish smile and wink. Even Cap smiled back.

Clint posted himself on the top of the left landing pad tower a while ago, standing guard with eyes on everything when the lift reached the top. Steve and Natasha were discussing guard shifts and rotations by the lift doors. Tony watched the S.H.E.I.L.D Helicopter approach the roof. Slowly and meticulously, it landed. 10:15, on the dot. Just as planned. The doors of the chopper opened, and Agent Hill and Fury jumped out. When Agent Fury offered out his hand, a pale, delicate hand from inside the chopper took it. The woman graceful jumped out of the chopper with a smiling four-year-old beaming with happiness on her hip.

Whatever Tony had been expecting from a meeting with a wrinkled age-old Duchess was now thrown out the window. This girl could be no older than 18. Her suspicious and wide green eyes were alert and watching everything. Her dark, pitch-black hair was pulled back into a french twist, with a butterfly hatpin holding it in place. She had a black London Fog coat with matching black leggings on. On her feet was a pair of Running shoes instead of heels or flats. She looked like a woman at least semi-prepared for a fight.

She carried only one overnight bag, slung over her shoulder. Her little Boy, ironically enough, had a backpack with Batman on it. They carried nothing else with them. The only peace of jewelry she even had on was what Tony guessed to be a family Signet ring, and for a duchess, that was nearly unheard of. Something about her overall appearance, worry and seriousness on her face made them all quickly second guess themselves.

Agent Hill then helped two other women out of the helicopter. One had long red hair and soft freckles. The other with short honey brown hair cut into a classy bob with a rather intelligent air about her. The Duchess and Fury waited for the others to catch up, then they all made their way from the landing pad towards the lift together.

Captain and Tony quickly their backs a bit straighter as they approached, and Natasha gave the little boy a friendly wink that sent him into giggles. Fury took over after that.

"Everyone; I would like to introduce you to our guests." He pointed and started from the left. "This is Hermione Granger, Ginny Weasley, Lord Theodore Lupin, Her Grace, The Duchess of Avalor... Hyacinth Potter."

"Flowerpot?" Tony burst before he could stop himself. Steve openly winced. You could clearly hear Clint burst into laughter from his self-made metal birds-nest. Hermione and Ginny glared, as little Theodore's mouth dropped open into a little O with matching wide eyes.

"Sorry, Duchess, Sorry... It's just... Your name LITERALLY means Flower Pot." Tony Stark explained.

The Duchess, highly amused, just held out her hand anyway.

"Yes, it does... But you can call me Harri. Harri Potter."