"Thank you, little Hermione. I love it."
Pepper put the necklace on right away, looking delighted.
The two left the laboratory and went into the bedroom.
Five minutes later, only Tony returned. Pepper was nowhere to be seen.
"Only five minutes? That was fast! Where's Pepper?"
Hermione did not even look up, concentrating on stirring her cauldron.
Tony froze for a moment, then glared at her as her meaning sank in.
"She's getting ready," Tony said, curling his lip. "Pepper and I are heading to Monaco to discuss business. The plane's ready, and we're leaving shortly. Behave yourself while we're gone."
Hermione was focused on brewing her potion when something suddenly occurred to her.
"You're going to Monaco?"
"Yeah. What's wrong?"
Tony looked puzzled.
Hermione started to speak, then stopped. In the end, she shook her head. "Nothing."
"Are all wizards as weird as you...?"
Tony walked off, muttering.
Hermione's eyes flickered as she looked at the palladium detector in the corner.
"Phew... finally finished."
Looking at the rows of potions in the case, Hermione nodded in satisfaction.
Although following the steps guaranteed that the potions would succeed, brewing them still took time. Before she knew it, evening was approaching.
She put the case into her backpack and was just about to leave when her phone rang.
She had assumed Tony was calling to nag her about not wrecking his laboratory again, but to her surprise, the caller ID showed Black Egghead.
After a moment's hesitation, Hermione answered.
"Miss Wizard, excellent! You finally answered."
Fury sounded delighted.
"If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, I'm hanging up."
Hermione's voice was ice-cold.
Fury inwardly seethed.
Not at Hermione, but at Pierce.
Ever since the last attack, Hermione had unilaterally cut off contact with S.H.I.E.L.D.
She had refused all