So it's almost been three years since I've updated this story. I'm sorry. The following chapter has been sitting around for a couple of years with me adding a few words here and there. I can make no promises about continuing this story but here is another chapter.
Chapter 9: Mother May I
"Wait, its not wicked. I'm still mad at you," Harry frowned.
Coming face to face with the image of his mother he had held in his head for the last two years had made him forget about just how angry he actually was with Loki.
"I understand you're upset," Loki nodded.
"Of course I'm upset. I'd just given you another chance after the whole leading an alien invasion against Earth thing. Then you go escaping without even telling me," Harry cried.
"You know very well, Harek, that it was to protect you. You're a terrible liar, and Fury would have known you knew the truth in an instant. He would have tried to imprison you, causing Thor to react negatively. I didn't want to put you in that kind of position," Loki argued.
"That would have ended badly," Harry conceded.
He could only imagine Thor's reaction. Loki wouldn't have been the only Asgardian on SHIELD's radar after that.
"He would have leveled their hellicarrier with very little difficulty," Loki agreed.
"I would still prefer that you were honest with me from now on," Harry replied.
"I have never lied to you. Nor will I ever lie to you, Harry," Loki insisted.
"No, you just withhold information you think will protect me, which is nearly just as bad," Harry glared.
Loki sighed, "You're still a child, Harry. I know your experiences have made you grow up quickly. But I don't want that for you. That's why I'm here now. You don't have to carry all of this reasonability on your own anymore."
"I'd rather be an adult, and be kept in the loop than be an ignorant child," Harry insisted.
Loki regarded Harry closely.
"I will do my best to tell you about things that directly involve you, better?" Loki finally questioned.
"It's a little better," Harry agreed.
"We will get the chance to spend a lot of time together now," Loki smiled, gently touching Harry's shoulder.
There was a look of fear in Loki's eyes. Fear of being rejected by Harry. Everything Loki did was to try and protect Harry. He just wasn't going about it in the best way.
Jormungandr's words about Loki's distressed state of mind replayed themselves in Harry's mind. He was just going to have to be patient with Loki for now. Hopefully now that Loki was somewhere safe, and somewhere he could heal Loki's state of mind would improve. Harry wanted to get to know Loki. What better chance could he possibly have than to have Loki right here with him?
Harry allowed an answering smile to spread across his face, and he embraced his mother.
When Loki pulled back the look of utter relief in Loki's eyes sent a pang through Harry's heart. It made him realize just how important his acceptance was to Loki.
"Let's get back to the feast shall we? After all I have to make my grand entrance," Loki smirked, amusement flashing in her eyes.
Harry nodded and the two of them slipped back into the main hall.
They had just finished up the sorting as Harry settled himself in place beside Ron and Hermione.
"Where'd you go, mate?" Ron questioned.
Hermione leaned closer to hear his answer.
"You'll find out soon enough," he smiled, and in that moment he was certain he resembled his mother quite a bit.
"Now, before we begin the feast I have several big announcements to make," Dumbledore stood.
"We have two new Defense Against the Dark Arts professors this year. They will be sharing the position," Dumbledore continued.
Murmurs broke out as the students scanned the head table for the two new faces. This was definitely something new for everyone. Hogwarts had never had two professors teaching the same subject before.
"The first of our new professors is Professor Remus Lupin," Dumbledore waved towards the scarred and tired looking man who Harry, Ron, and Hermione had shared a compartment with on the train.
Professor Lupin stood up and waved to the crowd. There was some respectable applause. Not as much as Lockhart received last year but it was just a relief that Lockhart was gone. Lockhart made Tony Stark look like the most humble man on the planet.
"And now for our second new professor. Some of you may recognize her name, and until recently she was believed to be deceased. I am more than happy to announce that this is not the case. She is very much alive, how she is alive is not a matter to concern yourselves with. Simply know that she is indeed who I say she is, and I ask that you respect her privacy and do not pester her with questions. Treat her as you would any of your professors. I have faith that you are all more than capable of it," Dumbledore smiled kindly down at them.
More murmurs erupted. Everyone was trying to figure out just who Dumbledore could possibly be talking about.
"May I introduce Professor Lily Potter, our second new Defense Professor for the year," Dumbledore waved grandly to Loki who stood.
Dumbledore's pronouncement led to complete silence. People were openly gaping at the red headed woman with the deep emerald eyes.
"I know all of you have questions. But as the headmaster said I won't be answering those questions anytime soon. I'm here to be your professor and teach you to protect yourselves. After all who better to teach you than me?" Loki smiled.
Of course only Harry really got the inside joke. Everyone else just assumed she was talking about how she had fought against Voldemort but Harry knew Loki was talking about how one of her many titles was the God of Magic in Norse Mythology.
After Loki's words there was an uproar as students began to mutter. Ron and Hermione instantly whipped around to stare at him to see how he was taking the news.
"You're very accepting of this, Harry, even if you did find out a few moments ago," Hermione observed shrewdly.
"I'll tell you all about it once we're alone," Harry assured.
Hermione nodded while Ron looked wide-eyed between Harry and Loki.
The rest of the feast passed with everyone whispering, and creating crazy theories about how Lily Potter could possibly be alive. Everyone kept trying to ask Harry what he knew. But Harry was going to follow his mother's example. He wasn't going to answer any questions.
"Yes, I knew, but I've been sworn to secrecy," he finally admitted to the other Gryffindors.
They didn't look happy about it but they accepted it, and Harry knew that thanks to Lavender and Parvati's gossip skills that what he said would quickly be spread throughout the castle by tomorrow. He was certain that there were still going to be people asking him questions about it but he felt confident that he could brush them off. Harry just wondered how long it would be before the news that Thor was his uncle got out.
Harry was fairly certain that some of the muggleborns had recognized Thor at the platform. The only thing that he had going for him was that it would take some time before the pureblood wizards readily accepted that Thor and Asgard actually existed. Of course the Malfoys' words would go a long way to making the news concrete in the wizarding world's eyes.
After the feast Harry, Ron, and Hermione met up with Loki.
"I want to tell them truth but we need a private space," Harry explained.
Loki regarded Hermione and Ron under a sharp, assessing gaze.
Finally she sighed. "Very well, you can go to my quarters. I have to have a chat with Remus but I'll meet the three of you there."
Loki gave him the location of his private quarters.
"The password is the name of your furriest brother," Loki informed him.
Hermione and Ron both frowned at the clue.
Hermione seemed to be attempting to piece the clue together as they made their way towards Loki's chambers.
"Fenris," Harry murmured to the portrait of the griffon guarding his mother's rooms.
The password only deepened Hermione's frown of confusion.
Once the three of them were safely secure in Loki's private chambers Harry let Jormungandr slide out from beneath his robes.
"Finally, it was getting stuffy in there, little brother," Jormungandr complained.
Ron yelped in fright at the sight of the large red snake. Hermione took a step back in surprise.
"I know you're a Parselmouth and everything but I didn't think you'd want to run out and get a snake as a pet," Ron frowned.
"A pet?" Jormungandr sniffed, of course Ron and Hermione couldn't understand him or his outrage.
"Don't worry, he doesn't bite. He just likes to complain a lot," Harry smirked.
"Don't do that, you look like Father," Jormungandr slithered along the couch to drape himself over the back of it.
Harry snorted. "And he's not a pet or a familiar. He's my brother. His name is Jormungandr."
"Brother?" Ron stared at him as if he'd gone mental.
Hermione was looking at Jormungandr in a calculating manner.
"Thor's your mum's brother?" she murmured.
Harry gave a half shrug, half nod. He had no idea how to refer to his parents' rather complicated relationship.
"Jormungandr, Fenris. They're your brothers?" Hermione questioned.
Harry nodded, knowing that Hermione was smart enough to figure everything out he gave her enough clues.
"What are you talking about, Hermione? Harry doesn't have brothers," Ron scoffed.
"I thought wizards revered Norse gods? Don't you recognize those names, Ronald?" Hermione insisted, her eyes alight with the new information.
"Yeah, old pureblood families used to worship them. Some of them still do. Our parents don't but mum still told us the stories. It's just been awhile since I've heard them, and I don't remember every little name," Ron shrugged.
"They aren't little. In fact Fenris, and Jormungandr were the largest creatures in Norse Mythology and they were very important especially in the Norse end of the world mythos. Fenris was meant to eat Odin, the king of the gods, and Jormungandr was supposed to swallow or poison Thor. Sometimes the myths can conflict with one another. They were also the sons of Loki," Hermione explained.
"She's a clever one," Jormungandr praised, of course it was probably just because Hermione was currently complimenting him.
"Yeah, I remember. What does that have to do with Harry or his mum being alive?" Ron frowned.
"Because the reason that my mum's alive is because she's a god. A Killing Curse can't kill an immortal," Harry said.
Hermione gave a gasp, a hand flying to her mouth as she realized her theory was correct.
"Am I the only one not getting this?" Ron sulked.
"Yes," Jormungandr rolled his eyes.
Harry glared at his brother. "My mum is Loki, the Norse God of Mischief and Magic."
"What?" Ron looked between Hermione and Harry in confusion.
"Loki is Lily Potter. He just didn't know at the time who he was. It all started…" Harry went on to explain the entire story.
By the end of it both Hermione and Ron were sitting on the couch looking more than a little bit stunned. Ron definitely had to be stunned to be all right with Jormungandr's snakey face so near his own.
"So Thor's actually your father?" Hermione questioned carefully.
"Yup," Harry nodded.
"Wow, Harry, that's absolutely mad. You definitely had a crazier summer than I did," Ron forced a smile, still looking a little shocked.
"I think they're taking it well," Jormungandr remarked.
"Your comments aren't helpful," Harry muttered.
"They're not supposed to be," he flashed a snakey grin.
"How are you feeling about all of this, Harry?" Hermione worried.
"It's been a bit…odd—"
"You can say that again," Ron nodded vigorously.
"And it's not going to be easy to have a relationship with Thor and Loki, since their relationship is… difficult at the moment," Harry sighed.
"To say the least," Jormungandr cut in.
"But… I'm glad they're my parents. I haven't met my other siblings but Jor's awesome when he's not whining about being shrunk," Harry grinned at his brother.
"You would too after spending most of your life as the biggest thing on Midgard," Jormungandr muttered sulkily.
"I wish we could speak to him," Hermione smiled at Jormungandr.
"That can be arranged."
The four of them all turned to see Loki, still in her female form, standing in the doorway.
"However, you might regret it afterwards," Loki smirked at Jormungandr.
"And that's the thanks I get after breaking you out of the Midgardians' prison," Jormungandr glared back.
"Mum, this is Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, my best friends. Ron, Hermione this is my mum, Loki," Harry introduced. It was easier to refer to Loki as his mum when she was in her female form.
"Nice to meet you, Professor Potter," Hermione greeted, ever the professional one.
"Uh huh," Ron nodded, staring with barely concealed awe at Loki.
"It's nice to meet the friends who have been by Harry's side the past two years," Loki smiled at his friends.
"Now that we've dispensed with formalities can you perhaps change me into my other form?" Jormungandr spoke up.
Loki sighed and waved her hand.
Ron and Hermione jumped as the snake behind their heads became his tall, long limbed brother. Jormungandr dropped down on the couch directly between Hermione and Ron, forcing them to scoot over to accommodate him.
"It's nice to formally meet both of you," Jormungandr greeted.
"You too," Hermione smiled.
Ron squeaked, gaping at Jormungandr.
"And don't listen to anything Harry said about me. I don't complain. I politely request," Jormungandr smirked.
"Of course you do," Harry rolled his eyes.
Ron started laughing. "Blimey, the two of you are already sniping at each other just like my brothers and I."
"Well, when you have to spend days hiding in your brother's sleeves you strike up a certain camaraderie," Jormungandr chuckled.
Ron laughed again, put at ease by Jormungandr's good humored pouting.
Loki smiled at all of them.
"Is there anything else you would like to know?" Loki asked.
"Maybe later? There are loads of questions I would love to ask you but curfew is soon and we need to get up to the tower," Hermione stated.
"Of course," Loki nodded, smiling at Hermione's strict observation of the rules.
The three of them said their goodnights. Jormungandr had elected to remain with Loki for the night so that he could spend more time in his two-legged form. He promised to rejoin Harry tomorrow for his first class.
/
Over the next few weeks it was quite easy to fall back into the familiar routine of life at Hogwarts. However, there were some changes.
Malfoy continued to keep his distance, and when they did run into each other Draco was strangely polite. Harry was just waiting for the moment for Malfoy to snap, and go back to being his normal self. He didn't know exactly why he was suddenly being so polite to him but he could make a couple of guesses. The Malfoys would want to use him and his connection to Asgard so they were going to suck up to him to get into Thor's good graces. No doubt they would be scrambling even more if they found out about Loki.
Harry got the chance to meet his godfather, Sirius Black, and was re-introduced to Remus Lupin who, along with Sirius, had been good friends with James and Loki. Loki had told Remus the truth the same night that Harry had told Ron and Hermione. The other man seemed to have taken it well. In fact he seemed to be far healthier than when Harry had seen him on the train. Remus had said it was due the fact that he had two of his closest friends returned to him. The man had spent the last few years of his life alone with the guilt of his friends' deaths.
The best change was the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. They were the best they had ever been. Remus and Loki worked brilliantly together. Remus focused on dangerous creatures while Loki taught them practical defensive and offensive spells. They even got to practice dueling, and apply their knowledge in facing various creatures. Of course Professor Lupin introduced them to dark creatures in a much better manner than Lockhart had last year, which meant the pixie incident of the year before was not repeated.
Loki was also giving Harry private lessons on Asgardian magic at night. Harry was doing really well with it. Jormungandr was teaching him how to fight without magic. That wasn't going quite as well. Harry was too clumsy with weapons, and he was worried he wouldn't ever be a warrior like Thor. Loki and Jormungandr insisted that it wasn't something he should be worried about. After all both of them relied more on their magic than actual physical ability. It was something he would inevitably need to learn considering Asgardian culture favored the physically strong.
Perhaps the strangest change of all for Harry since coming back to Hogwarts was Snape. His hated potions professor was actually being kind to him. Well, maybe kind was too strong of a word for the complete apathy Snape now showed him. He was being kind compared to the utter loathing and bullying Snape used to treat Harry with in his first two years at Hogwarts.
It had been a little terrifying for Harry on the first day of potions lessons when Snape didn't have a single snide comment to toss Harry's way. He'd been certain the greasy professor was just having an off day. But the pattern continued in the following weeks. Harry and Ron had become convinced that someone had messed with Snape's mind to get him to leave him alone, and Harry had known just the person capable of it.
Harry had decided to ask the people who knew his mum best before he accused his mum of tampering with Snape's mind.
"Oh, you're mother messed with old Snivellus's mind all right. But not in the way you think," Sirius explained with a smirk.
Harry was having lunch with his godfather, and Remus in the defense professor's quarters. Sirius came to Hogwarts at least once a week to see his friends and godson, and today the three of them were having lunch together while Loki was busy grading papers.
"What do you mean?" Harry frowned.
"Sirius, it's not really our place—" Remus tried to butt in.
"Snape's had the biggest crush on your mother for years. Never left her alone during our years at Hogwarts. It's why he hated James so much," Sirius completely ignored Remus.
"It wasn't like he followed her around, stalking her. They were actually friends before they even came to Hogwarts. They even lived near one another growing up," Remus cut in, glaring at Sirius.
"Yeah, but there was this incident in our fifth year. He called her something he really shouldn't have, and they stopped being friends. Of course before that it was obvious he was going down the path to being a real slimy snake, hanging out with the likes of Malfoy and Mulciber. Now that Lily's turned out to be alive he's been tripping over himself to get back in her good graces," Sirius continued.
"Which means being nice to me. Or well not rude, I suppose," Harry nodded in understanding.
It was a revelation to Harry to learn that Snape had liked his mum. It made so much sense now. He hated Harry and James because he'd seen them as the reasons why he hadn't gotten the woman he loved.
"What do you think he'd do if he found out my mum was actually Loki?" Harry pondered out loud.
"Loki is something of an idle to most pureblood families. After all Loki is the Norse God of Magic. Dark purebloods worshipped even more. My mother used to have a little shrine set up for Loki in our house," Sirius shrugged.
"Do you think Loki knows what an arse Snape's been to me?" Harry asked.
"I don't think so, if your mother knew she'd have ripped into Snape, and the whole castle would have been able to hear her cursing him," Sirius answered.
Harry wondered if he should tell Loki. He was going to hear the truth sooner or later anyway. Honestly, Harry wouldn't mind seeing Loki curse Snape either. The Potions Professor had made his life a living hell ever since he'd started Hogwarts, and Harry hadn't even done anything except exist. That first day he'd even been looking forward to the class, and had been prepared to take notes until Snape had taunted him. It hadn't been right that Snape had taken his frustration in losing Lily out on Harry.
It was strange to think that Snape was in love with Loki. But Harry decided he wouldn't run to his mum just to tattle on Snape. It was just felt too childish, and Harry was trying to prove himself to be mature to Loki. He couldn't just go running to his mummy for something so simple as a few mean words. If Loki happened to find out then she found out, and Harry would gladly let her mete out any punishment she wanted to. Harry would just let the chips fall where they may.
He had sent Thor a couple of letters since coming back to Hogwarts. Thor wanted to know when he could come and visit Hogwarts. But Harry had been putting it off. One look was all it would take for Thor to recognize Loki as Lily. Harry didn't want that to happen. He didn't want Loki to be locked up. However, he didn't exactly want to lie to Thor either so he just kept putting things off. But he knew he would eventually have to talk to Loki about the possibility of Thor visiting.
The first Hogsmeade visit was coming up, not to mention Quidditch would be starting soon. Their first match was in just a week. Harry wanted Thor to attend the match. He wanted to show off a bit of his prowess in the air. It was something that Harry thought Thor would appreciate since Thor enjoyed flying himself.
In order for Thor to come to his matches he was going to have to approach Loki first. Together the two of them could come up with a plan that would let Thor come to the match without the God of Thunder finding out about Loki.
/
"Fudge is an incompetent idiot," Loki sneered by way of a greeting.
Harry had just arrived to spend an afternoon with Loki, and Jormungandr. Today he was going to try and broach the subject about meeting Thor in Hogsmeade and how to get Thor to attend one of his Quidditch matches.
In the safety of his own room, Loki had returned to his male form, and Jormungandr was in his human one.
"What did he do?" Jormungandr asked curiously from where he was reading an ancient wizarding text from the forbidden section of the library.
His brother was actually enjoying himself at Hogwarts, and the chance to read and study magic to his heart's content. There weren't exactly that many books at the bottom of the ocean, or anything regarding entertainment really.
"The wizarding world has finally found out about the events that took place in New York," Loki started pacing.
"I know, its all anyone can talk about even though it happened ages ago," Harry sighed as he flopped down beside his brother on the couch.
"It only took them four and half months," Jormungandr snorted.
Harry swung his feet into Jor's lap only for his brother to immediately shove his feet off him. There was a brief scuffle over whether or not Harry's feet would end up in Jor's lap. Eventually Harry was victorious and settled down to stretch out more fully onto the couch.
Harry had enough of listening to his classmates talk about it. He'd heard enough about the battle the first time around with all of the news stations playing it none stop. Plus he'd also had to hear about while he'd been living on the helicarrier. He didn't like the reminders of the horrible thing his mother had done. Even if he hadn't exactly been in control of himself at the time.
But to the wizards it was all new even if it had happened nearly five months ago. They had only just accepted the fact that there was intelligent life out there in the galaxy, and that muggles weren't as helpless as they thought they were. The muggles had powerful defenders, and their name was the Avengers.
Wizards were also now reminded of their old traditions of their worship of the Norse gods. The proof that these gods were real was earth shattering for some while others only felt vindication that their beliefs turned out to be true. Of course they didn't realize that the Asgardians weren't exactly the same as their legends stated but they didn't care. Proof of their existence was all they needed to stir up a frenzy.
Luckily for Harry no one had realized his connection to Thor yet. Harry's paranoia that people had recognized him on the train platform was unfounded, and so far the Malfoys hadn't broken their silence about Harry being Thor's nephew. But all of that was going to change if Thor came to Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. Everyone knew about Thor now, had seen pictures of him, and spending an afternoon in Hogsmeade would definitely give everyone enough time to get a good look at his face.
"Fudge has gotten it in his head that he needs to protect the youth of the wizarding world from such muggle abominations. And how does he plan to protect them you ask? By sending dementors, the most loathsome creatures to have ever existed, to protect a school full a children from a threat that has already been vanquished," Loki spat.
"Not to mention the person that led the threats to Earth is already inside Hogwarts teaching their children," Jormungandr remarked.
"Not the point I was trying to make," Loki glared at his older son.
"Anyway Fudge does sound like a complete idiot," Jormungandr agreed.
"Who would ever think to put dementors around children? They're more of a danger to them than anything else. They can't be controlled, only the promise of feeding off misery keeps them in check. It's a foregone conclusion that they will eventually try to attack a student. At the very least it well vastly affect the dispositions of the children here," Loki continued to rant.
"This is probably a bad time to bring up the fact that Thor wants to come visit?" Harry flashed a sardonic smile.
"Of course he does," Loki rubbed his temples.
"Maybe I can just meet him in Hogsmeade? Somewhere private where no one else will see us," Harry suggested. "I know he wants to meet Dumbledore but I think he'd be happy enough to meet me in Hogsmeade."
It might mean giving up his secret but he couldn't hide forever, and Harry felt guilty about putting Thor off for so long. Thor was his father, and his father wanted to spend time with him. Harry should have been thrilled with the opportunity, and he was to a point. It was just that everything had to be so complicated. There were so many other things to consider in meeting Thor in public. Harry wished his life could just be normal for a change, and he didn't have to worry about the entire world trying to nose its way into his private business.
But he didn't have a normal life, and ignoring Thor's request to spend time with him wasn't fair. It was only denying the meeting that both of them wanted.
"That would be a good compromise for now. Thor, however, won't give up if he wants a meeting with the headmaster. He's pig-headed that way. Once he's set his path, he won't give it up until he smashes his way through it. Most of the time the smashing is literal and involves Mjolnir," Loki sighed.
"I did want him to come to my first Quidditch match. He could speak to Dumbledore then," Harry suggested.
"Someone is bound to mention Father to Thor," Jormungandr pointed out.
"And I wanted to attend your Quidditch match. It's against Slytherin, is it not?" Loki questioned.
Harry nodded.
"I wanted a chance to speak to Lucius Malfoy, and just what he was thinking when he gave a magical object created by a dark lord to a eleven year old girl," Loki growled darkly.
"Thor already threatened him," Harry revealed.
"A second time certainly couldn't hurt dear Lucius," Loki smirked.
Jormungandr chortled.
"So then I shouldn't invite Thor to the match," Harry couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
Loki's brow creased, and mouth turned down in a frown.
"If you wish to invite Thor then do so," Loki insisted.
"I can't have you both there," Harry sighed.
"The first Hogsmeade weekend is this weekend, correct?" Loki asked.
"Yeah, why?" Harry frowned.
"Invite Thor," Loki commanded.
"Are you sure?" Harry questioned.
"Yes, I'll to speak Thor. I'm sure I can find some way to persuade him to let me stay," Loki assured.
"If you say so," Harry sighed.
He couldn't help but wonder what he was getting himself into.
Again I can't make any promises about finishing this story. My muse has been very fickle the last couple of years due to real life. I can never seem to find enough time to get my thoughts written down. But anyway I hope you enjoyed this small update. I'm not sure how I feel about it, which is why took me so long to actually post the chapter.
Thanks for reading!