Edit: Completely rewritten. Well, the first half of the chapter, second half only had a few changes. I hope you guys still enjoy it. :)

Warning: nothing major...yet. Grey! Harry

Pairings: Undecided. Mostly Canon, except for Harry and Ginny.

Disclaimer: I don't own characters.

James Potter lovingly gazed down towards his sleeping infant son.

The boy was tiny - only four months old and an exact replica of him, but with vibrant green eyes and James couldn't help but feel like everything was a dream.

His life, his marriage to the most wonderful woman in the world, and his friends and family.

His life was perfect in every way, except for one thing.

A prophecy about a child born at the end of July that would have the power to defeat the current Dark Lord. A selfish part of him wished that it was the Longbottom child that was chosen, but then the pang guilt of wishing something so horrible on his friends made him feel despicable. Though deep down inside, he knew that Lily secretly wished the same and in return, the Longbottom's probably wished that it was the Potter's that were hunted down by Voldemort instead.

He knew that prophecy's were a fickle thing, most going unfulfilled but James had had personal experience with the Norn Sisters, Goddesses of Fate, himself.

After all, wasn't their a prophecy about him and Ragnarok?

Or to be precise, about his true form, Loki The Trickster God?

It seemed, he and most of his children were to be weighed down by some form of prophecy.

Gently, running a finger down his son's face, Loki thought about what the future was going to hold. Voldemort did not scare him. The man claimed immortality but Loki knew positively that the Dark Lord gained a bastardized version of immortality and was no match for him, a god. Loki could easily wipe the man out, however, Asgardians were forbidden to involve themselves with affairs of the other eight realms. Doing so, would gain Odin's attention and then he would be banned from visiting the world until Odin deemed it time.

He wouldn't do anything that could put his family in danger from Asgard.

Loki huffed quietly to himself. He wondered how Thor and everyone else on Asgard would react to his Midgardian wife and child, although there was a high probability that his son would inherit his powers. However, the question of his immortality was still unknown, but Loki dare not try it out.

After all, very few things could kill a god.

That being another god.

However, with his blood running through his son's veins, Loki knew that his son would be much more sturdier than a normal human.

"James?"

Loki, still in his disguise of his persona James Potter, smiled softly at his half-awake wife.

"Lily." Loki whispered. "What are you doing up?"

Lily smiled tiredly and whispered, "I could ask you the same thing."

"Just gazing upon Harry. Sometimes I can't believe that this is all real. That I married you and have the most perfect little boy in the world. And with the way the war is going, I worry about the future." James sighed.

Lily embraced her husband, resting her head on his shoulder as she too gazed down towards their child.

"Everything will be fine, James. We're under a Fidelius and Dumbledore is the greatest wizard upon all time. Don't lose hope just yet."

"You're right. This war will turn around. I know it." James said, because Loki knew in one way or another, the war would change, but whether for the good or bad, he wasn't sure.

The couple stood by the crib for a few more moments before they both headed back to sleep.

Months had passed and the war had only gotten more intense. The Order had lost so many comrades but that didn't mean that they hadn't taken some Death Eaters with them as well. It seemed Voldemort was doubling his efforts to overpower the Order and was quite close to taking over the Ministry of Magic as well. As the fighting intensified, Loki had decided to place every protective charm and spell that was both Midgardian and Asgardian on his young son and when Lily wasn't looking or awake, he placed them on her as well.

He wanted to do his best to protect his small family.

Halloween night came and somehow, Loki couldn't shake off the gut feeling that something major was going to happen.

He was constantly telling himself that he was just anxious because he had been in hiding in the last few months instead of fighting Death Eaters with the Order. To get his mind off the terrible feeling, Loki had used harmless spells like making bubbles to get Harry to laugh. His son could always cheer him up.

Suddenly, the front blasted into tiny pieces of wood and there stood the Dark Lord, red eyes gleaming menacingly under his hood.

"Lily! It's him! Take Harry and Run! I'll homed him off!" Loki yelled to his wife.

Before he knew it, a bright green light headed straight towards him.

"Boy! Get over here and make sure breakfast is ready before your Uncle gives you a good wallop!"

Harry immediately exited his cupboard to the kitchen where Aunt Petunia loomed over him with her face looking like she had swallowed something sour. She sniffed and up turned her nose before walking back to the sitting room to greet her husband and son. Harry was quick to start on the bacon because if Uncle Vernon and Dudley didn't have their morning bacon, there would be hell to pay for poor little Harry. He shuddered at the thought of getting the belt so early into the day.

Heavy footsteps shook the floorboards of the stairs and Harry knew that Uncle Vernon had just entered into the living room and greeted Aunt Petunia before they paraded on about their oh so wonderful Duddykins, Harry rolled his emerald green eyes at the horrible nickname his cousin was bestowed by his parents.

"Mummy! It's my birthday! Can I have cake and ice cream for breakfast!? Where are my presents?! When is everyone getting here for my party!?"

Speak of the devil and he shall come.

Dudley's loud whining voice grated on Harry's nerves but he couldn't show his dislike unless he wanted to be knocked around a bit by Uncle Vernon. And Uncle Vernon's pudgy hands hurt when they hit Harry's little frame.

"Happy 8th birthday, my son!" Aunt Petunia cooed. "You're presents are here in the living room. Come come. And we're having a special birthday breakfast just for you!"

"How many presents are there!?" Dudley demanded.

"26. I counted them myself." Uncle Vernon stated proudly.

Harry placed the bacon onto the three plates upon the table. Just in time as the Dursleys practically ran him over to sit at the table and devour the food. Harry went to wash the pans while his family ate breakfast. The smell of bacon, eggs and toast were teasing to Harry's senses, his stomach groaning in hunger. He desperately hoped that the Dursleys would be too full and leave some scraps for him.

"Boy! Clean up the table and when you're finished get to work on your chores. This house needs to spotless before Dudley's friends arrive for the party at five! Do you understand? And no freaky things better happen or else!"

"Yes Aunt Petunia."

Petunia narrowed her eyes before huffing and leaving the kitchen to gush over how handsome Dudley was in his new clothes with Uncle Vernon saying how proud he was of the fine man Dudley was growing into. Harry glared at the dirty dishes on the table as if they had personally offended him.

It wasn't fair.

He wanted to be loved and spoiled too. Why didn't Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia love him? He never knew why freaky things happened around him. He didn't mean too. They just happened. He wished that his parents hadn't died in that car crash when he was a baby. Then he would be living with them and they would remember his birthday and buy him presents.

Maybe his dad would be saying how proud he was of Harry for being his son. His mum giving him hugs and kisses, saying how handsome he was getting. And maybe, just maybe, they would still love him even with all the freaky things that happened to him.

Harry shook his head to rid the thoughts of his parents and focused back on cleaning the kitchen spotless.

Harry worked hard the rest of the day, cleaning, mopping, dusting, gardening, more dusting, and scrubbing. By the time five o'clock rolled around, his fingers were red and stinging from the work and chemicals. He just wanted to eat something and go to sleep but Dudley's guests were coming in less than thirty minutes.

"Boy!" Uncle Vernon bellowed from the front door.

Harry stood straight in front of the whale of the man who scrutinized him unhidden disdain. "As you know, we are respectable normal citizens and we have a reputation to up hold. Dudley's friends and their parents will be here shortly, so you will need to be out of the house for the remainder of the day. We don't care where you go or what you do but you need to be gone in five minutes. I'll allow you to have a piece of bread and one water bottle then after that, you're on your own. Do you understand, boy?"

Harry nodded his head hurriedly in understanding. "Yes, sir."

"Good. Now grab your food and get out."

Harry was quick to grab his one piece of bread and a water bottle, not lingering any longer in the kitchen. As soon as he was out of the door, Harry heard the tell-tale signs of the locks shutting in place. He wouldn't be able to go back inside even if he wanted to. The seven year old quickly left the front steps and decided to head to the park.

Luckily, it was still warm, with the summer heat with the sun just low into the sky, indicating that it would be a few more hours before it became dark. Harry sat on a bench shrouded in semi-shade before digging into his bread. He tried to make it last but he was just so hungry. He took small sips of his water trying to make it last longer than his bread did.

The park was abandoned, which Harry was glad for because he didn't have to worry about nosy parents trying to talk to him and bigger kids bullying him. Harry settled on a swing, moving his legs back and forth. Back and forth. He kept moving until he was high into the sky. He loved the wind in his hair and the rush. Harry could pretend he was flying. Here on the swings he could forget all the bad things that happened.

No one could find him if he was high in the sky.

He could've stayed all day on the swings but unfortunately, hunger made itself known. The burning sensation made it hard to continue playing so Harry decide to sit back down on his bench. Judging by the position of the sun, it had been at least an hour since Dudley's party had started. And knowing Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, they would try and keep their guests as late as possible, making Harry wait out here until dark before they let him back inside or "conveniently" lock the door and already be asleep. He hated when he was locked out. The dark was scary and sometimes it got too cold for him.

"Should you not be home, little one? It is almost dark."

Harry startled from his thoughts and saw a tall man with shoulder length black hair and vibrant green eyes. He stood regally in a dark blue suit, and Harry had to stop himself from staring too long at the well-dressed man.

"I'm fine, sir. My Aunt and Uncle are… busy and I am not able to go home right now." Harry lied. Well, it was true that they were busy… with guests and he wasn't allowed home right now anyway. So it wasn't a complete lie just not the whole truth.

The man raised an eyebrow at the child's vague statement. "I see. Then is it alright if I sit down?"

Harry nodded his head hesitantly and watched as the man came to sit next to him. Harry didn't feel confident sitting next to the well-dressed man when all he had was his cousin's hand-me-down clothes that were five times too big for him and ratty old trainers that were practically hanging on by the last of their streams. Both the man and Harry were quiet for some time and Harry could feel the man's curious gaze upon him. Harry looked up and met identical emerald green gazing at him.

"You should start heading home. It is getting dark." The man tried to persuade.

"Thank you for your concern, sir. But I'm fine right now. I'll make sure to go home before it gets too dark." Harry smiled what he hoped was reassuring. Apparently it didn't work because the man didn't look convinced. "I'm Harry. What's your name?"

"I am called Loki."

"What are you doing here at the park Mr. Loki?" Harry asked curiously.

Loki gave a little smile. "Well, just wandering around. I was looking for someone very important to me. My son."

"Oh." Harry wished that someone was looking for him. Then he wouldn't have to live with the Dursleys anymore. "I hope you find your son."

"Thank you. I hope I will be able to tell him who I am soon." Loki said with a smile.

Grrrumble.

Harry blushed in embarrassment at his stomach's bad timing. He tried to muffle it by covering it with his hands but it was no use. The noises just got louder and on top of it, the man was laughing at him! He just wanted to disappear somewhere far away. "I'm sorry, sir." Harry was so miserable and now someone was laughing at his expense.

"No need to apologize child. It is almost dinner time, you should probably head home before your family becomes worried."

Harry lowered his head. He didn't want to leave. Even though he didn't know Mr. Loki very well, the man was better company than any other adults he had known. His company was comfortable and as soon as he went home, it would be back to the cupboard with little to no dinner.

"But I don't want to go home." Harry whispered desperately.

However, Loki had heard as if the words were screamed at him. He narrowed his eyes and took a very close look at the child next to him. The child was supposed to be seven years old, but looked five with how small his frame was. It didn't help that the clothes he was wearing were much too big.

"Harry. Look at me please." Loki gently commanded. "Why don't you want to go home? And tell me the truth because I am very good at detecting lies."

Harry bit his lip in uncertainty. He wanted to tell the man about the mistreatment from the Dursleys but experience had taught him that adults say they want to help but when they confront the Dursleys, they fall into their lies that he was a troubled and delinquent child who told "lies". And he didn't want this man to think of him as a liar.

"I don't want to go home because… because… I do freaky things. And Auntie and Uncle don't like when that happens. I don't mean for it to happen but… but they just do! They make me do all the cooking and chores while Dudley gets to play and do whatever he wants! And most of the time, they send me to my cupboard with little to no food. Or give me the belt if I'm doing something they don't like. It's not fair! Why don't they love me!? Why did my mum and dad have to die!?" Harry never noticed when he had started crying and he tried to wipe them away but the tears kept coming. All his pent up emotions burst through and he couldn't stop.

Loki was furious! Those mortals would pay for how they treated the child! He would make sure of that!

"Harry, you are so much better than them and you deserve better. I can give you better. Even though your mother is dead, I am still alive. Do you remember when I said I was looking for my son?"

Harry nodded, unsure of the point of the question.

Loki calmed his nerves before gazing back to young emerald green irises. "Well, you are my son."

Harry shook his head. "No. My daddy is dead along with my mummy."

"No. I'm very much alive." Loki smiled gently. "Perhaps if I showed you how I looked like when your mother was alive."

Loki quickly shifted to his James Potter persona, his hair becoming shorter and more wild, black hair lightening up a few shades to a dark brown, emerald green changing into hazel and sharp features smoothing out only a tiny bit.

Harry had watched in awe as the man changed. It was like Magic!

"I know that this is a surprise for you but it is very much true." Loki stated to the awe struck child. "I am not human like your mother and I am from another world called Asgard."

"You're an Alien?" Harry questioned in disbelief.

"Not quite." Loki chuckled. "In Ancient times of humans, we were called Gods. I am known as Loki, God of Mischief and Lies, the Trickster God, the Dark God, God of Chaos, Liessmith, Silvertongue, and more but those are my well known names among the humans. But the most important thong here is that I'm your father and you are my son." Loki said lovingly, gently placing a hand upon his child's messy hair.

Harry wanted to believe. Oh how he did. If he did believe and accepted that this man was his father, would he just say that it was just a joke at the last minute? He dared to hope that it was true. He could have a family, a real one.

"You're… my dad?" Harry felt so small right then, hoping with his very being that this was not some elaborate prank created by his Aunt and Uncle to laugh at his hopeful expression before completely destroying it.

"Yes. Your Asgardian name is Haraldr Herleifr Albrecht Vali Lokison. You are my son and heir."

Haraldr. That was his real name. It felt right, like a mist surrounding his senses suddenly being lifted. Tears of happiness escaped from his eyes before he hugged the man that was his father tightly. If this was a dream, he never wanted it to end.

"Father. You're really here." Harry sobbed. "I'm happy. So happy."

"Yes. I'm really here, my little prince." Loki reassured.

I hope the rewritten version was much better. :)

PLEASE REVIEW! They inspire me!