A/N So I'm about to start Uni and things will be getting hectic, so I've got no idea when I'll be able to publish next. I made this chapter extra long! Just over 4800 words!

I'll keep people posted via tumblr at "Theavengingangelsarehere."

So yes chapter 10! I'm pretty paranoid about this chapter, so be nice people!

Chapter 10

Making Amends

As dinner ended, Natasha was one of the first ones out. She wanted to get away from Loki, and pretty much everyone else in the Chitauri. They had been acting fairly hostile to her, which confused her. She had done everything they had asked. What had she done wrong? Having made up some stupid excuse about getting help with Charms, she escaped quickly. Running out of the Great Hall and down the corridor. When she saw Clint in the hallway she paused, moving quietly beside him. She knew for a fact he didn't know she was there, his head bowed and all. Standing next to him, she frowned down at him, not concerned but nervous for him.

"You okay...?" She eventually asked, even managing a friendly tone.

Clint's head snapped up when he heard Natasha's voice, his eyes slightly bloodshot, "I'm fine, Natasha," He said quietly, his throat dry.

"Head down, eyes red, voice cracking. Not fine." She replied simply, leaning on the wall beside him. "Are you going to yell at me too?" Natasha knew all about his attitude at dinner. She saw him storm out, then a hurt looking Bruce hurry out the hall, looking scared.

Clint shook his head in response, "No. No I think I'm all yelled out," He mumbled, letting his eyes slip shut.

"Is it the Loki thing again?" She asked quietly, bending down beside him. "I thought we worked this out, Clint..."

"Yes and I seem to have relapsed," Clint's tone was bitter as he shifted away from Natasha.

"Well apparently," She commented, finding it hard to stay pleasant as he was bitter.

"I just feel so guilty. I don't want to be like him," Clint placed a hand on his head, trying to rid himself of the dizziness. He hadn't eaten properly all day, which didn't help.

"You're not like him. For the billionth time. You were, for five seconds. I'll give you that. But the thing is, you're still you on the inside. You're nothing like him really!" Natasha snapped, her voice insistent.

"The past two days I've been a monster. Hell, I scared you. I'm worried that, like Loki, you're only getting closer to me because you're scared of my reaction," He admitted.

Natasha shook her head. "I would, if you were him. But again, you're not, " She exhaled a little, trying to find the words to say.

"I'm getting closer to you because you're not bad. You're helping me realise that some people aren't as horrible as they seem... at least most people. Now please, drop the act, be yourself. Because now, when you're moping around, you are more like him. And I don't like it. "She told him, being completely honest for once in her life. No sarcasm, no hate.

Clint stared at her in surprise, his eyes wide, completely speechless for once. "I...I...uh..." He dropped his gaze and nodded once, "Thank you." He whispered, feeling slightly better, "Really, thanks. I needed to hear that."

"Yeah, well, we're friends, right?" She asked, after a considerable pause. She managed a smile over at him, content with his surprised gaze.

He nodded, smiling a little in response, "Yes. Yeah I hope we are. Speaking of friends, I may have lost a few with all my outbursts."

"Bruce was okay. Just a little shaken. Who else?" She asked, raising an eyebrow, having been talking to Bruce.

"Bruce, merlin, I've never acted like that with him," He groaned, "Uh...Tony."

"You really consider Stark a friend? He'll be fine. He's a jerk to everyone else, so I guess if you acted like a jerk towards him it'd be a taste of his own medicine…"

"Tony is an ass, but he's a good friend," Clint swallowed, "A good friend who knows I almost tortured."

"You have issues with keeping things to yourself, don't you..?" Natasha commented, letting out a sigh. "I'm sorry to tell you this, but if Tony's mad, then I bet half the school knows."

Clint froze, "No...No! He wouldn't do that. Would he? Shit. If he tells anyone then I'm screwed. I might get expelled or the ministry might get involved!"

Natasha sighed, feeling bad to be the bearer of bad news, "He is the run of the rumour mill. I don't know him as well as you do, but even I've heard bad things about others from him."

"Tony's my friend. He wouldn't do that," Clint stood up though, his legs shaky. "Where is he?"

"I don't know; I didn't see him in the Great Hall," She said, standing as well and looking down the long hallway.

"He's probably with Steve. If you see him...tell him to come find me," Clint took off, sprinting down the hallway in slight panic.

"Alright, I'll look." She called out after him, walking the opposite way. She didn't mean to scare him; she just needed to let him know.

Clint found Tony soon after, the boy heading towards the Slytherin dorms, "Tony!"

"Oh look, it's pissy himself.." Tony muttered, quite unenthusiastic. "What can I do for you?"

"You've not told anyone about...you know..?" Clint breathed, his eyes wide, clearly nervous.

"Calm down, Barton. I didn't tell anyone." He replied, rolling his eyes. "You seem to be more.. pleasant. Stressed sure, but not ready to bite my head off," He admitted, still not so happy with him.

He exhaled sharply in relief, "I spoke to Natasha. She knocked some sense into me. I guess I've got some explaining to do."

"You bet you do," Tony said, rubbing a hand over his eyes. He was tired; they all were.

"I lied. A while ago. In the library," Clint admitted quietly.

"Lied about what?" Tony raised an eyebrow, "When was this?" The situation not exactly coming to mind. He was a live in the moment kind of guy, after all.

"About Natasha threatening me. The other day. You were cuddled up to Steve on the couch and Natasha came in?"

"Right, right.. What was the lie?" Tony asked, almost interrogating him. He was offended that he was lied to so easily.

"I don't know how to explain this without caring the crap out of you," Clint sat down on the bench, looking up at Tony.

Tony stared down at him, crossing his arms over his chest. "It takes a bit more than one of your stories to scare me, Clint." He tapped his foot impatiently.

Clint suddenly felt like a kid getting scolded by his parents, "Uh, this one might."

"I'm listening."

"Natasha was warning me that a group of Slytherins have started a neo-death eater group, I'm number one on their hit list, Loki really wants to kill me, Natasha is undercover with him to try save both of our asses, at the match yesterday he kidnapped and sectumsempra'd Natasha and the girlfriends of all other gryffindor team members, wiped their memories but not Tasha's. Tasha now considers me a friend," He finished, taking a deep breath.

"So, wait- what? That's why she's been tagging along with you?" Tony asked, clarifying. "And she doesn't want you dead... Hmmph. I thought she finally actually liked you. No luck, eh Barton?" he took all of the information in, making assumptions to fill in the missing pieces. "And I haven't heard anything, but I would assume Loki would do that. What a creep." He sneered.

"No she has made it clear that she doesn't want me," Clint shook his head, trying to rid himself of the disappointed feeling. Natasha's friendship was enough. More than he could have ever imagined. "Yes that's why. And yes I know. I'd say psychopath is a better term."

"Okay, I'm not one to admit this, but you're right. I am actually a little scared," Tony murmured. "Well, what's next? I mean, of course I'll help you. As long as you're not suddenly an asshole like you were before."

"You're a little scared? I'm terrified he will hurt Natasha more than he already has!" Clint shot back before sighing, "Nah I'll leave being an asshole to you," He added.

Tony scoffed finally taking a seat beside him, "He won't do it again, I'm guessing. He only did it to hurt you. So go back to not liking each other in front of him. It's that easy," He smiled slyly, though not totally grasping the situation.

"Not that easy. He has told her specifically to become close to me, so taking me down would be easier. She has to like me."

"That's one way to get a girl," He teased, keeping it quiet. "So what? We take them down before they can get us?"

"Yes. It seems that way. So far it's you, me, Natasha and Bruce against Loki and god knows how many neo-death eaters," Clint listed off, sighing.

"His usual cronies count off at seven, but with groups like this it's never that obvious," He thought for a moment. "So we can't kill them, sadly that's not an option," He muttered under his breath consciously reminding him not to use unforgivables. "Stupid hexes and defense won't help us here. We have to be on the offensive."

"One teacher knows. Coulson," Clint informed him quietly, "He believes us, but he says that they'd need more solid evidence."

"We'll set him up. Make him an offer he can't resist," Tony said, scheming. "Duel him and his buddies. If you've got Bruce and I on your side, then you've got a shot." He still wasn't convinced Natasha was on their team.

"It'd probably be more tempting if it was just me," He shrugged, "I'm what he wants, after all. I could be human bait."

"Have the teacher waiting in the hall. It's simple, but it just may work. When should this happen?" He asked, keeping an even mind through this drama.

"As soon as possible," Clint nodded, "Just...nobody can know about Loki's plans. Not even Steve for now. Okay? Everything I've told you is secret."

"Right, right. Secret. I've got it," Tony nodded, sure that he would keep this serious secret. No more rumours. This was serious.

"Thank you," Clint sighed, "So the plan? I say we do this as soon as possible."

"Today? Though you might want to take some time. You look pretty beat up..." Tony said honestly.

"Tomorrow. It's pretty late anyway. Best just leave it till morning. Plus I need to go make it up to Bruce," He smiled sadly.

"Good luck with that, Buddy." Tony patted his shoulder, bordering on a comforting smile.

Clint sighed, "Well I was an asshole to him. I'm never mean to Bruce," He closed his eyes, "Thanks Tony for being so understanding. You could have easily just hexed me."

"I was thinking about it, honestly. But you're not exactly right in the head. Never have been," Tony said with a smile, obviously teasing. "Find him, he'll need it." Tony instructed, Steve having told him of Bruce's distress.

"Asshole," Clint replied fondly, nudging him. "Kay. Okay. I'm going," He nodded, heading down the hallway.

"Yeah, have fun." He said, moving the opposite direction.

Bruce was in the library, in a rather secluded section. He usually went there when he needed to clear his mind, so he wasn't surprised when he heard Clint's footsteps approaching behind. Clint bit his lip as he headed over to what he dubbed Bruce's spot. He sighed, seeing his best friend and knowing that it was him who did it.

"Hey...Bruce?" He said quietly.

Bruce did nothing but raise an eyebrow as he approached. "What do you want..?" He asked, trying to remain involved in his book.

"To apologise," Clint replied quietly, standing in front of Bruce's chair, wrapping his arms around himself.

"I'm listening," He said plainly, obviously not entertained by his little asshole stunt.

"I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. You've been nothing but helpful to me this entire time and.." He swallowed, "I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I'm sorry."

"You're right.. you shouldn't have.. You scared the shit out of me, Clint." He said, being honest as usual, and finally looking up through his glasses. "Just.. don't do it again, okay..?"

"I scared you?" Clint mumbled, his tone and expression guilty. "I'm so so sorry."

"It's fine. I'm fine," Bruce assured him, always quick to forgive and never holding a grudge, really. "I mean, you're going through tough stuff. I understand."

Clint shook his head, sitting down on the sofa opposite Bruce, his head in his hands, "I just...I lost it."

"Yeah, I get it," Bruce finally put his book down, marking his page before closing it. He decided to go against telling him that he nearly wolfed out- it would only make things worse. The problem with Bruce was he carried a specific werewolf gene that meant that if he got over emotional at any time, he could turn into a werewolf. Not just during a full moon. It was awful and scared him a lot. Anything said or done wrong could have made him turn.

Clint took a deep breath and told Bruce what happened. How Loki claimed they were they same and his subsequent inner turmoil. How he had snapped at Tony and Natasha and it was only an hour ago he finally saw sense.

"He's messing with you, Clint." Bruce finally replied, easily seeing the clarity of the situation.

"Yeah...but I..."

"It's a mind trick. Reverse psychology." Bruce explained. "He knows that you, well, normal you, would never do that. Never scare anyone, keep your mouth shut. You're only turning into him because you believe it."

"I almost used crucio. That's how bad it was," He admitted, finally looking up at Bruce, his expression scared.

"Crucio..?" Bruce whispered, eyes widening only the smallest bit. "I- really?" He tried his best to keep his calm for his best friend, but unforgivables were a different story.

"I didn't. I stopped. I promise you, but he just kept pushing and pushing..." Clint averted his eyes.

"You've got to stay away from him. He's getting to you, Clint... I'm sorry to admit it," Bruce said quietly, moving to sit on the couch beside him, leaving his book on the other couch.

"No. Don't I know it. I'm just scared because I don't want to be anything like him!" Clint shifted away from Bruce a little, still nervous.

Bruce put a hesitant hand on his shoulder. "You're not! Maybe you just need a break from this" He said, making a desperate attempt at a logical answer. But his mind was flooding with possibilities, which would be best for him. "Maybe you should take a day off, two maybe.."

Clint looked down at his lap, "Easier said than done. Tony and I are planning to trap Loki tomorrow. Have a teacher there when he attacks me, so there will be evidence."

"That doesn't seem like the best idea," Bruce said quietly, brow furrowing. "What if the teacher doesn't catch him in time? And wait- Tony knows too now?"

"We need to try something," Clint replied, "And yeah. I had to explain why I freaked out on him."

"Something shouldn't mean Stark-brand suicide. It was his idea, I assume, because you generally aren't that stupid or reckless."

"Well...yeah...but..." Clint tried to argue.

"But, you're asking for him to hurt you. As much as I don't want to admit it, Loki's clever. Really clever. More clever than me, even," He explained. "Even if you do trap him, catch him off guard, he may have an idea to counter yours."

"I just- I'm sick of playing defence. Need to show my Gryffindor bravery!" Clint eventually replied.

"Fine. I'll help," Bruce agreed with a sigh. There was no changing his mind, so he may as well do as much as he could do.

"Thank you, " Clint moved a little closer to him, "I really am sorry Brucie," He just had to apologise again.

"Don't worry about it. You've got enough on your plate," Bruce replied with a small smile. He was a bit more jumpy since he nearly wolfed out, and just a little sore. He had come so close; he only did when he was on edge or defensive.

"Nah. You know I will worry about you," Clint rested his head on his shoulder, "I always do."

Bruce tensed only a little as Clint put his head on his shoulder, relaxing a few seconds later. "No need. It's all good, really." He assured him.

"Why are you so tense and jumpy?"

"Too much caffeine this morning." He explained, using the excuse he had used with everyone else. Apart from the teachers, Clint was the only one who knew about the wolf thing. He was a horrible liar, but hoped it would suffice.

"Bruce. I know you're lying. We've been best friends for too long," Clint sighed, looking up at him.

Bruce cursed internally, not letting it show on the outside. "It's not lying... I just don't really like the truth.." He said quietly. He hated it when he lost control.

"You...almost...didn't you?" Clint mumbled, feeling another pang of guilt.

"Almost. But I didn't. There's a difference."

"I'm so sorry," Clint shifted away from Bruce.

"I didn't, that's all that matters."

"I know. But I caused that," Clint shook his head.

"Forget it happened. Please." Bruce sounded desperate. He didn't want to be the monster he knew he was.

It was second year, and Bruce was searching for his best, and almost only, friend. He was an outsider, a loner, and more different than anyone would ever think. The Ravenclaw did speak to some people in his house, but he usually kept to himself and buried his head in his book. Ever since the Hogwarts express, Bruce really only spoke to Clint. Clint, himself, was fairly average in popularity. He had made a few friends in Gryffindor, then a few more in other houses. But he'd still say to anyone that asked, that Bruce was his best friend. Yet Clint didn't know Bruce's biggest secret. Bruce couldn't do it alone anymore. Someone had to know. He raked a hand through his hair, hoping to find him.

Clint, meanwhile, winced as Natasha sent a stinging hex at his back and whirled round, pulling out his wand, "I don't want to fight you." He sighed, studying the girl he had a crush on. The red head certainly had a temper. Clint had just been walking along the corridor, looking for Bruce, when he accidently slammed into her.

Natasha eyed him harshly. "Watch where you're going next time," She growled, picking her books up after sending the hex at him. She smiled her flawless, yet devious, smile. "Coward mudblood. You won't fight me because you're scared."

"I said I was sorry!" Clint frowned, "And I'm not a coward...what's a..." He trailed off, looking confused. He had heard that word before, maybe once or twice, but he had yet to find his meaning. Must be some weird wizard insult. "I just don't want to hurt a girl."

"What's that supposed to mean? You think I'm weak?" She hissed, her eyes darkening, as her wand pointed straight at him. "I am not weak."

"Just leave it," Clint turned round, shaking his head, "I'm sure you're not weak. But I was raised not to hurt girls."

"Telling me what to do," Natasha rolled her eyes, still facing him, watching him walk away. "You were raised weak. After all, you are a mudblood. Weakness will get you nowhere, Barton."

Clint ignored her, heading through the corridor, taking a deep breath to calm down. "Okay." He sighed before taking off in the direction of the library, "Hey Bruce!" He called, spotting his friend. Bruce turned, having passed their corridor by. He waved his friend towards him, the rest of the students dispersing to their classes.

"Clint, hi.." He said, nervousness showing. He hadn't ever told anyone outside of his family and others that needed to know of his condition, such as teachers. There was no way to tell how Clint would handle it.

"Hey, sorry, I just had a run in with Natasha. She's cute, but deadly," Clint shook his head, "Are you alright?" He asked Bruce, sensing his nervousness.

"I'm fine... kind of." Bruce said, having always been a crappy liar. "Look, there's something I should tell you if we're going to be friends," He pulled him over to a more private area, trying to keep his hands from shaking. He didn't want to lose his only real friend.

Clint frowned, "We're already friends," He said, slightly confused, studying him intently, "But...sure. Okay. What's up?"

Bruce paced a little, obviously stressed. "I'm not normal, Clint... I mean, more weird than you thought.." He raked a hand through his black hair.

"I don't think you're weird. Quiet sure, but not weird. Why do you think you are weird?" He replied, tilting his head a little.

*I'm not human, Clint.." He said, biting down on his lip hard. Being his over-analyzing self, he had thought of a billion different bad outcomes to this.

Clint gave him a confused look, "What do you mean, 'not human'?"

"Have you ever heard of Lycanthropy?"

"Isn't that the werewolf thing-" He paused, staring at Bruce, "Oh...my...god..." He remembered Bruce sometimes being hard to find once a month, sometimes not being in classes, often disappearing

Bruce stepped back, looking down, ashamed of himself. "Every full moon, I change into a murderous dog, and I ... I don't remember what I do. Just please... don't hate me..." He mumbled, so many people having judged him when he was younger for the one thing in his life he couldn't control. His parents had even attempted to abandon him. Now, of course, they accept him. But it was so hard at first.

"Why would I hate you?" Clint sensed his friend's distress, "I could never hate you. You're such a good guy! And lycanthropy is just a condition right? I'm not judgmental."

Bruce turned back, eyes just the smallest bit watery. "Wait, you don't hate me...?" He asked, honestly surprised. "I.. thank you.."

"Of course not! I mean all of this...this magical society..it's quite new to me. So I don't know much about werewolves and how dangerous they are. But I do know you. You're so nice. Impossible to hate," He hugged him gently.

Bruce returned the hug, feeling reassurance flood his mind. He knew he would still have to stay away, but he finally had someone on his side, someone who knew. "Thank you," He repeated, feeling much less empty than he had his whole life.

"Don't thank me." He chuckled, "You're my friend. Okay? Nothing you could do would make me hate you." He smiled at him reassuringly.

"You're my friend too. My best friend." He added, releasing the hug and smiling up at him. "Don't tell anyone, please," He added, knowing that if it got out, there would be people after him.

Clint grinned at that, "Same," He sat back, "Don't worry about that. I'm trustworthy. I won't say a word," He said gently. "But not everyone out there is judgmental and scary. You should trust more people."

"I just don't want very many people to know... It's embarrassing, how different I am," He said quietly. "I don't know what would happen, and I had such a hard time telling you, so-"

"No. It's fine. I know." He reassured him, "I won't say anything. Promise."

"I trust you completely." Bruce told him with a smile, getting the feeling that it actually wouldn't change them.

"And I trust you too," Clint smiled, "So calm down. You're fine."

"You're right. I'm fine," He nodded, pacing only a little more before finally calming down.

"Yeah...so you want to head to class?"

"Yeah, sure," Bruce said, calm now. "I'd hate to make you late, but it felt good to have that off my chest."

"It's alright. I was already running late. Like I was saying, had a little bit of a run in with Natasha," He rolled his eyes, patting Bruce on the back.

"Right, sorry, skipped out on that part.. You okay?" Bruce asked, quickening the pace a little.

"Well my back got hit by a hex. It's probably a little swollen. Apart from that I'm fine," He paused, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Anything," Bruce said with a nod, looking back up at him.

"What's a mudblood?"

"A- How did you hear that?" He asked, not repeating the swear.

"Natasha called me a 'coward mudblood'," Clint explained, shrugging his shoulders.

"It's a really bad term, a swearword really," Bruce explained quietly. "Derogatory name for those who are muggleborn," He hated to be the bearer of bad news, to tell him that he was hated on mainly for something out of his control as well. "It means that they think your blood isn't pure or clean like there blood is."

Clint's eyes widened, "You're kidding," He scoffed, "People are actually that prejudice?"

"Not most people." Bruce said, frowning a little. "So many families have gotten over it, especially after the war, but I guess there are still a few who passed it onto their kids."

Clint shook his head, "Tell me something: Why on earth do I like her?"

Bruce smiled a little up at him. "Well, that's one thing I can't tell you because she's pretty, but aside from that I have no idea."

"You know, I think I'm a little more annoyed by the fact she called me a coward," He mused. "And yeah. She's very pretty."

"Calling someone a - well, you know, it's hardly offensive anymore. There are so many non pure-blood wizards who did great things." He told him, taking the topic off Natasha. In Bruce's opinion, pretty is an understatement. She was stunningly beautiful.

"Ah. Well. I don't find it offensive. I'm proud to be a muggle-born. We have better music," He joked.

Bruce chuckled. "You really do." He agreed, smiling and heading back to class.

Clint shook his head, smiling fondly at the memories, "Just remember you're not a monster."

"It's hard to remember sometimes..." Bruce admitted, wondering what he had thought about for so long. He was thankful his friend had never seen him turn into a werewolf, and hopefully he never would.

"You're my best friend and I hate hurting you," Clint added, breathing out.

"You've never hurt me. Pissed off? Scared? I'll give you that. But I know you're on my side. Always have been," He nodded, hinting at a smile.

"Aww Brucie," Clint couldn't help but smile back, "Always will be too."

Bruce grinned at his nickname, one which he had outgrown years ago. "Never doubted it for a second."

"So we good?" Clint stared at him for a moment, his expression hopeful.

"Of course," Bruce nodded, his smile small yet genuine.

"Good. Because I can handle fighting with Tony. But fighting with you is depressing."

"I didn't mean to give you such a cold shoulder.. I was just mad," Bruce replied.

"Better a cold shoulder than getting hit by a frosty hex," Clint chuckled, feeling much lighter. He shifted position so his head was back on Bruce's shoulder.

"You know I wouldn't hex you. No matter how huge of a jerk you decide to be."

"Thank you. That's good to know." He yawned. "So you don't think I should try trick the trickster?"

Bruce shook his head. "It's a stupid idea. You'll get hurt if you don't have any back-up."

"I'll have Tony and you. Probably not Natasha." Clint shrugged.

"Not gonna tell her?" He asked, curious as to why she wasn't joining them. Of course, he had the smallest crush on her, but he never acted on it. Or any crush really. He was afraid to hurt anyone, and even if Bruce wasn't dangerous, his best friend was in love with Natasha. He couldn't go for it. Plus he was too shy.

"I probably will but I doubt she'd want to help. She'd agree with you. That this is stupid."

"She's smarter than I thought, then." Bruce agreed with a smile. "But I'm with you all the way, no matter how stupid you are. Even if it makes me the one to run to get the teacher."

"She's very intelligent" Clint shrugged, smiling a little, "Yeah. Probably best you get Coulson."

"That works for me. I'm not that intimidating, after all. And it's better I don't get angry," He added on quietly.

"Tony and I will challenge him." Clint stood up, deciding to head to bed. "Don't worry about it. You've got good control."

"Yeah, good enough." Bruce nodded. "You need rest. I'll talk to you at breakfast?" Bruce asked, happy to have made amends.

Clint nodded, "Yup. Bye Brucie."

"Bye!" Bruce called after, retrieving his book and reading until curfew.

A/N Hope you enjoyed the mega long chapter! Please review! They really do make my day. Even one makes all the difference.

So yeah! What did you think!

More Clint/Bruce mega-Bromance.

And plot twist! Bruce has a crush on Natasha!

What will happen with Tony's plan? Stay tuned folks!