Once Upon a Dream

By Ammie Hawk

Disclaimer: Still don't own either, if I did several people in both series would not have died.

AN: Okay, so I'm going to try and post on all the major holidays that come up for me here in the States, so in honor of Memorial Day (not that this chapter has anything to do with our fallen soldiers) here is the next chapter. Hope it answers some questions. Anyway, enjoy.

Chapter 1

Thor sighed heavily as he sat in his room in the palace of Asgard. It had been a little over a week since he had talked with his brother, and he had yet to seek an audience with his father. True, he had promised to do so, but he wasn't entirely sure if he should believe the trickster. He was just starting to give himself a headache when his four closest friends, the Lady Sif and the Warriors Three, entered the room.

"So," Volstagg said, helping himself to some wine, "what have we on the agenda today?"

"Nothing," Thor shook his head. "For the time being we have no orders. A fact I prefer at the moment."

"Something troubling you, my prince?" Fandral frowned.

"Nothing that need concern you," the god of thunder sighed. "This is my burden and mine alone."

"Come now, Thor," his friend insisted, lounging ostentatiously on the couch opposite him, "tell us what is troubling you, and if nothing else we may be able to provide council."

"You? Give council?" Hogan scoffed, moving the other's feet off the couch and taking a seat.

"I can give good council," Fandral pouted, placing his legs across the darker man's lap.

Thor couldn't help but smile at his friends' antics. It had surprised everyone, including the pair in question, when they had discovered that they were actually each other's Fated. They were an odd coupling to be sure, but they made it work. Though, maybe because of that, his friends could help him with his current predicament.

"Fine," he ran his hands through his hair. "Perhaps you can provide council. About a week ago, I spoke with Loki."

"Loki?" Volstagg scowled. "I thought the king forbade anyone from visiting that bothersome creature?"

"King's edict or not, he is still my brother," blue eyes narrowed into a glare. "He reached out to me, and I responded. But that is not what troubles me. It is what he told me that has me unsure of how to proceed."

"What did he tell you?" the lone female of the group asked curiously.

"He believes, that after all these years, he has finally received the call from his Fated," Thor took a deep breath. "He was very sincere, and I want to believe him, but I don't know if I can."

"Of course you can't," the redhead scoffed. "He is Jotun, he has no Fated. Besides, he has pulled this trick before, as I'm sure you will recall."

"I remember that," Fandral chuckled. "She was a blonde creature, with eyes as blue as sapphires, and skin as soft and pale as cream. She wasn't tall, but wasn't too short either, with perfect curves in all the right places. I really wanted to meet this perfect specimen of womanhood. That is, until Loki conjured an illusion of her and tried to pass her off as real."

"Yes," the long haired blond shook his head. "I well remember. This time, however, it sounds more like a Fated dream: the darkness, the eyes, and he got a name."

"Then he has gotten better at lying," Volstagg shrugged. "None of this changes the fact that he is Jotun, and therefore does not have one."

"I have to agree with Vols on this one," Fandral sighed sadly. "Jotun do not have a Fated and no matter how much Loki wants one, he cannot have it. It's as simple as that."

"Thor," Sif frowned as Hogun nodded his agreement, "might I have a word with you, alone?"

The prince looked at the female warrior for a moment before motioning for the others to leave. The Warriors Three left without protest, knowing that if they did, Sif would take great pleasure in kicking their asses. Once the door closed behind them, the brunette took the seat recently vacated by Fandral.

"You want to believe him, don't you?" she asked quietly.

"I do," he rubbed his forehead tiredly. "But they are right, Jotun do not have Fated. And Loki is Jotun."

"Is he though?" a dark brow rose curiously.

"Come again?" he looked up startled. "My father confirmed it to be true after his fall from the Bifrost."

"I have always been suspect of that," the brunette sighed. "Now, you know I am no fan of Loki's, but hear me out. For an Asgardian, Loki is about average in height and build, if not a bit scrawny some would say. But for a Jotun…? Even their children tower over us. He would be considered very small indeed, even for a runt. Therefore, would it not make more sense for him to be only half Jotun? Laufey could have taken a Midgardian, or, dare I say it, an Asgardian to be breeding stock. Though, the more I think on it, an Asgardian makes more sense, given Loki's abilities. And Laufey capturing a high enough ranking Asgardian could have caused the war."

"That actually has some merit," Thor gaped at her slightly. "Though, as Volstagg pointed out, it could still be one of his tricks."

"It could," she conceded. "But my advice to you from here is to wait. If he truly met his Fated, he will have another dream soon. And when that happens, take the matter to the Allfather."

"Thank you, Sif," he finally smiled. "That eases my mind greatly. Speaking of Fated, what about you? Of our inner circle, only you and Loki had not met yours yet. Now that Loki has claimed to have met his, have you?"

"I have," a soft smile graced her features. "About nine months ago now."

"That is wonderful news," he leaned over and clapped her on the shoulder. "Have you actually found them, or is it just the dreams?"

"Dreams," she sighed. "I fear I may not meet her for some time yet. She is Midgardian."

"Midgardian?" a blond brow rose curiously. "That is an interesting notion."

"I recall you having the same notion years ago," she scoffed.

"Yes," he frowned. "Though the more time that passes, the more I doubt it. Midgardians have painfully short life spans compared to ours."

"This I know," the brunette sighed sadly. "However, it does not change the facts. I had meant to ask if I could accompany you on your next visit, however, with circumstances what they were, it was not feasible."

"Granted," he nodded. "Though, I have a feeling I will be returning soon and I promise I will take you with me."

"Thank you," she grinned. "Now, why don't we join the others and I'll kick your ass in training."

888888

Harry sighed as he settled into the compartment he'd found on the Hogwarts Express. Ron and Hermione were up in the Prefects' carriage for the time being but would be joining him around lunchtime. Hermione had been named Head Girl and Ernie Macmillan was Head Boy. He didn't begrudge either one of them their positions, he had too much on his plate as it was.

Several people tried to join him, but he managed to fend them off. Ginny came in after awhile, but would not take the hint. She sat down across from him and began babbling about their future together. After about fifteen minutes of her inane yammering, he had enough and finally snapped.

"Ginny, enough!" he shook his head. "You and I are never going to be together. You are not my soulmate. Now, just go."

"You don't mean that," she smiled indulgently. "Ron explained everything to me. Once you and your soulmate both turn sixteen, you start dreaming of each other. And Harry, I haven't stopped dreaming about you since my birthday."

Green eyes rolled in annoyance. Instead of continuing to argue with her, he pulled his wand out of his pocket and pointed it directly at her.

"If you don't leave," he said tiredly, "I will hex you and remove you myself."

"Fine," brown eyes filled with tears, "I'll go. You'll realize I'm telling the truth eventually."

She shot out of the compartment. He chose to ignore her sobs as he closed and locked the door. He didn't want to hurt her, but he knew she wasn't his soulmate. And that brought him to the reason he truly wanted to be alone.

He had not spoken to his soulmate since their initial meeting. It's not like he hadn't tried. He had gone to bed early, and gotten up late. He'd even tried catching naps throughout the summer, but that had proved rather difficult with so many people around all the time. He was starting to think he'd looked too deeply into the whole thing and it had been an actual dream.

With these depressing thoughts filling his head, he stared moodily out the window.

At around lunchtime, Ron and Hermione joined him. He nodded at them by way of greeting, but turned almost immediately back to the window. His best friends shared a concerned look.

"You haven't had any more dreams, have you, Harry?" Ron asked hesitantly.

Green eyes warily met brown. Was this a trap? Ron hadn't stopped insisting Ginny was his soulmate since he first found out. And over the rest of break had annoyingly kept leaving Harry alone with her. Though, he finally just shook his head.

"I'm sorry, mate," the redhead looked down sheepishly. "I guess I should've been more understanding. I guess I just got caught up in the idea that you might actually become part of my family. I shouldn't have been so bullheaded. I'm sorry."

"Thanks," Harry said cautiously.

"I mean, it didn't help that you were sleeping all the time," Ron continued. "And Ginny said she'd been having dreams every night. That should've been a clue in and of itself. I mean, I should know, once I found out my soulmate was Lavender and we started hanging out, the dreams stopped. They didn't start up again until a week into break, when I really started missing her."

"I really appreciate that, Ron," a faint smile crossed the raven's features. "Though, I'm kinda surprised you're here and not with Lavender."

"Oh, I'm going now. I just needed to get this out first," the redhead grinned. "And to suggest you get some sleep. Don't try and force the connection, just sleep. You're looking kinda run down."

"Gee, thanks," green eyes rolled slightly. "But maybe you're right. Sleep does sound good."

"Great," he pushed to his feet. "Well, I'm off. Unless you need me to stay. You don't need me to stay, right?"

"Go find Lavender," Hermione huffed. "I think Harry and I can handle things."

"Okay."

And with that he was out the door in search of his girlfriend.

"I can't wait to meet Sif," the bushy haired witch sighed wistfully, as they watched him leave.

"Sif?" a dark brow rose curiously. "Your girlfriend's name is Sif? Is it short for something?"

"It's not short for anything," she glared playfully at him. "Though, I think Ron might be right, you look exhausted. Maybe you should try and get some sleep, without trying to talk to your soulmate. It will happen in its own time."

"Alright," he sighed, shifting so he could lie down along the bench. "How long did it take you?" he yawned. "To meet up on a regular basis with Sif?"

"About a week," she answered, pulling a book out of her trunk. "But that doesn't mean anything, Harry. Every experience is going to be different. Just give it time."

"You're right," he sighed, finally allowing his eyes to drift closed. "Wake me before we get there."

She didn't bother to answer as she could tell he had already drifted off.

888888

Loki paced around the small confines of his cell, his mind going in several directions at once. It had been weeks since he had the dream of his Fated, and he hadn't been able to sleep since. He had been too anxious and excited. Above all, he was scared. He was terrified that he'd fall asleep and find out that the dream hadn't been real at all. That the delusions he'd been having since he fell from the Bifrost were continuing.

His steps faltered as he passed the magical mesh surrounding his cell. On the other side, obviously waiting patiently, was Thor. It pained him to admit that he didn't know how long the other had been standing there.

"Brother," he turned to face the blond, "to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Loki," Thor said patiently, "I came to check on you. You haven't been sleeping, have you?"

"I don't see how that would be a concern of yours," the raven sighed, leaning his shoulder against the actual wall where the mesh began.

"I want to believe you, brother," the god of thunder shook his head. "But I have been advised to wait and see if the dreams continue. But that won't happen if you don't sleep."

"I can't," he bowed his head sadly. "I know no one wants to believe me, but ever since I fell, everything has been a haze. I know that I did horrible things and I must pay the price for that. But I feel that I cannot trust anything that goes on in my head, there were so many visions and voices I cannot decipher them. What if this was just another of those? I would not be able to deal with that."

"I do not know about the other things you speak of," Thor sighed and took a seat on the floor. "But for what it's worth, I do believe you about your Fated, as does Lady Sif. But before I take this matter to father, I need more proof. So, please, brother, sleep, not just for yourself but for your Fated as well. If you truly have made the connection, how do you think he feels from your long absence?"

"Will—will you stay?" he asked hesitantly, not sure he could handle this on his own.

"You haven't asked that of me in ages," the blond chuckled. "I cannot be in the cell with you, but, I promise you, I will be right here when you awake."

"Thank you," the god of mischief smiled faintly as he made his way to his bed.

He lay down and made himself comfortable. He took a deep breath and let his eyes drift closed. Due to his lack of sleep over the past few weeks, it didn't take long for his breathing to even out and him to succumb to the peaceful oblivion of sleep.

Loki stared around at the darkness surrounding him. He barely dared to breathe, this was almost too easy. But if this truly was happening, he had to be sure.

"Harry?" he said quietly.

"Oh, it's you," Harry's voice sounded surprised as it crossed the darkness. "I was beginning to think our last meeting was actually just a dream."

"My apologies," Loki sighed. "I feared the same thing. It was a fact that I could not bear, so I have not been sleeping. And I'm not sure why I just told you that."

"Well, isn't that the nature of these dreams?" Harry asked curiously.

"Before I have you explain that," he shook his head, "may I see you?"

"I don't have a problem with that," the other replied. "But I don't know how. This is really new to me."

"It is for me as well," Loki chuckled. "But I think I have an idea of what will work."

"Wait, before you do, I have one condition: I want your name. Because unless you're Voldemort, I think I can handle it."

"I am not familiar with that name," Loki sighed. "But very well, my name is Loki."

"Loki," Harry paused. "It's kind of an unusual name, but it's nice. Okay, Loki, do your thing."

The god of mischief smiled to himself, at least his Fated hadn't rejected him outright. He closed his eyes and tried to bring a place into focus. He didn't want to have Harry see his cell, that would definitely make him reject him. He didn't know where the other was, so that was out. Ah, he could use his sitting room from his former quarters.

He frowned, however, when he opened his eyes again. This was not his room. Yes, it was a sitting room, of sorts, there were several armchairs and couches situated around a large fireplace with a roaring fire. There were also some table and chairs in the other half of the room. But what really clued him in to the fact that it wasn't his chambers was all the red and gold. That was more Thor's thing, he tended to favor greens and blacks.

"Huh, Gryffindor common room," Harry said from behind him. "You've been here before?"

"No, never," he shook his head and turned around. "If you recognize it, you must have helped."

His eyes drank in the sight before him. Harry was young, probably just having entered his adulthood, with short, shaggy black hair. He was shorter than Loki was, but that was alright by him, and a bit on the scrawny side, but that could be a deception due to his baggy clothes. All in all, he liked what he saw, except for the small lightning shaped scar on his brow, whoever had hurt his Fated would die a slow and painful death, and those hideous glasses that obscured his eyes.

"Come," he extended his hand, "sit with me."

Harry hesitated for just a moment, but Loki could tell it had more to do with the action itself than actual rejection, before taking the proffered hand. The god of mischief led him over to the couch closest to the fire. He sat down with his back to the armrest, and settled the other in front of him. He knew it was a bit bold and forward, but he couldn't help himself. Not that he really wanted to, especially when he noticed the blush dusting his Fated's cheeks.

"So," he wrapped his arms around Harry, relishing in the completeness he felt, "you were going to explain what you meant by the nature of the dreams."

"Uh, right," the teen shifted slightly, but didn't pull away. "Well, from what we read, me and my friends, the connection with a soulmate starts with a dream connection."

"I know that," Loki said impatiently. "I have been told the tale of how one meets their Fated since I was a mere boy. Long before the beginning of your few years."

"Okay, old man," Harry rolled his eyes. "If you'd let me finish… As I was saying, the dreams are a means of getting to know each other on a deeper level, before actually meeting each other in person. It's a bonding of souls, the purest meeting of two beings. You cannot lie or hide anything in these dreams, just as you cannot lie to or hide anything from yourself."

"I see," the trickster frowned. "I had not heard that before. Though, I suppose it makes sense, even if it is most annoying."

"You used to telling lies?" he tilted his head back to lock gazes, before flinching slightly. "Shit, I think someone's trying to wake me up. Look," he seemed to be struggling against the pull to wakefulness, "I'll be asleep again in a few hours. Meet me?"

"I will be there," he ran the back of his hand down the other's cheek. "Till then. Now, go."

Harry disappeared and the room faded to blackness once more.

Loki's eyes flew open, revealing he was in his cell once more. He swung his legs off the bed and sat up, placing his head in his hands.

"So?" Thor's voice cut into his thoughts.

"Thor," he let out a breathy chuckle. "He was there."

"I am happy for you, brother," the blond smiled softly, but he still wanted to be sure, so he waited.

"He allowed me to see him," the younger shook his head. "He is Midgardian."

"How could you tell?" the god of thunder scowled slightly.

"He wears glasses," Loki touched the side of his face next to his eyes. "By the way, you haven't marked anyone in the past twenty years or so, have you?"

"Marked?" a blond brow rose curiously. "No, I cannot say that I have, at least not that I am aware of."

"Good, I would have had to kill you if you had," green eyes met blue seriously. "Harry bears a scar on his forehead in the shape of a bolt of lightning."

"I could see how you would believe that would be mine," Thor conceded. "Though, I believe I should be going now, if I stay too long I will be missed."

"Before you do," the raven held up his hand, "I have one more question. Did you know that it was impossible to lie in these dreams?"

"Aye, I did," a grin began forming on the elder's face, that was something he could not fake, the information was never available in the tales they were told growing up. "It was something I found out when my own dreams began. I believe mother intentionally left that out of her stories for your benefit. You were always so excited to meet your Fated, I believe she did not want to damper that by instilling doubt whether you wanted to be truly honest with another."

"She is wise," a rueful smile graced the raven's features. "It would have given me reservations."

"I will be going now," Thor nodded. "I will take this matter to father immediately. For now, rest, get some more sleep."

"I will, soon enough," Loki shook his head. "And, Thor, thank you."

"You are welcome, brother."


Ammie: Okay, so there it is. We'll get the full story on how Loki managed to have a Fated very soon. Anyway, please let me know what you think.