AN: to guest who keeps saying i'm copying and pasting things... I've never done that it must have been a glitch for a short while on the site or maybe just on your computer. no one else seems to be complaining and maybe don't cuss it's rude... so... yeah. Sorry everyone else seems to be able to read this just fine. :) Also maybe right review as not a guest but as the actual person you are so i can reply privately... Kay thanks.

-o-

Hermione took a deep shaking breath as she leaned against the railing of a stone bridge overlooking a majestic stream. At first she had headed to the libraries, but she knew that would be the first place Loki would look. If he was looking at all. She closed her eyes. She knew she shouldn't have snapped at him. But she didn't want to do what he wanted her to do and he just kept pushing and pushing. Her eyes closed tightly as she felt every scar in her body reappear as she let her cloaking spell drop.

"Where did you get that sword Mudblood…" Bellatrix mused as she set a knife against her cheek. "It was in my vault at Gringotts how did you get your filthy hands on it? How dare you take my things!"

"I didn't take it…" Hermione said softly her eyes wide unable to move thanks to a spell. "I swear I-."

"Lies!" she ripped open her shirt and Hermione's eyes shut tightly. There were men in the room who were leering at her now. "Such… Pretty skin…" Hermione's jaw clenched as her eyes opened to stare into the crazed ones of Bellatrix. "You see this knife deary?" she asked holding it in front of her face. "I asked if you see it!?"

"Of course I see it!" She shouted and Bellatrixs eyes narrowed.

"This knife… This dagger is enchanted… It won't harm Pure Bloods… But if you slice into the skin of a mudblood." She set the knife against her stomach and started to cut. Hermione's head threw back as she let out a sound of pain. "It burns the skin with dark magic… Now…" she took the knife away and Hermione took a deep breath. "Tell me… How did you get your hands on the sword? How did you take it!?"

"I didn't!" She shouted.

"Who did?"

"I don't know…" Hermione lied.

"And if you did?" Bellatrix asked. Hermione's jaw clenched.

"I wouldn't tell you." She said her voice shaking in fear and defiance.

"What a brave… Stupid…" She spat. "Little mudblood…" She looked over her shoulder. "Bring me the brands!" She ordered before she began to cut away at Hermione who tried not to scream at the pain the enchanted blade caused.

"We had been caught by snatchers…" Hermione said sensing Loki walking onto the bridge. Loki stopped as he looked her over seeing her scars fully visible. "They didn't Take Ron and I to the ministry of magic though for sentencing… Instead they took us to a house. A house full of death eaters. We had magical objects upon us, objects that were taken and looked over by them, one being the enchanted sword of Gryffindor… One of the few weapons on earth that could destroy a Horcrux, the sword we used to destroy the locket." Loki walked to her side.

"You don't have to tell me if you do not wish…" He said softly as he looked over her haunted expression.

"They separated Ron Harry and I… Tore them away from me. Took them somewhere I did not know, later I found out It was a cell with other prisoners of war." She continued quietly. "They threw me into a room full of Death eaters. I knew it wasn't going to be good, but I didn't know how bad it would get…" She said softly. "At first they started to argue over who would get to kill me… They chose a school mate of mine to do so. A boy by the name of Draco Malfoy… Then they started to discuss how to end my life…" Her expression darkened. "Saying that a mud blood like me didn't deserve a quick death…"

"Mud blood?" he asked.

"A derogatory word meaning a witch or wizard not born of a witch or wizard but of a muggle." He slowly nodded. "Before they decided how to end my life a woman by the name of Bellatrix Lestrange the Aunt of Draco walked into the room the sword of Gryffindor in hand. She was visibly upset. She tossed it aside and grabbed me by the throat and slammed me to the ground. Before I could defend myself I was stunned… Frozen… I could speak, look around…" Her jaw clenched. "Feel pain… But that was all. She pulled a dagger out from behind her and I'll never forget what it looked like. It had a black blade and a snake as a handle… She begun to yell at me. Ask me how I got my hands on the sword… I wouldn't tell her of course… When I refused she ripped open my shirt exposed me to all the men in the room and began to explain to me that the dagger she held was no ordinary dagger but charmed to burn and cut the flesh of muggle borns."

"She began to cut you with it?" He asked his eyes wide.

"Over… and over again… And when I refused to talk she… She called for brands to be brought." Her jaw clenched. "I saw the M and the B and I knew they stood for Mud Blood… I knew they were going to mark me with the term I hated the most… I watched them magically heat those brands with dark magic and I knew…" her eyes shut tightly her anger rising. "I knew that not only the cuts but the brands as well would never go away… You can't make dark magical wounds disappear… They always scar… Always hurt… Bellatrix knew that I knew this and asked me again to speak all that I knew but I refused… I wasn't going to tell her anything…"

"Of course not…" Loki said his hand on Hermione's.

"She undid the spell that froze me and ordered the men in the room to hold my hands and feet down. She wanted to see me struggle, they also put a charm on me so… So I wouldn't pass out from pain or shock. They wanted to make sure I stayed alert and awake through the whole experience…" Loki stared wide eyed at her. "They waved the brand in front of my face and…" her voice shook. "I…" Her voice wavered. "I could feel the heat of it across my face, could smell the burning iron… They asked me once more if I knew anything… I of course said no… And they-." Her voice broke as her jaw clenched violently. Loki watched a tear slowly cascade down her cheek.

"Hermione…" he said softly.

"I could smell my flesh burning, and hear the sizzle of my skin… The pain Loki…" her voice shook. "The pain… I can still feel to this day." She bowed her head as tears fell to the stream below the bridge. "They cut me, flogged me, beat me, water boarded me, and… Branded me…" more tears fell as she stared at her reflection in pure hatred. "It lasted for three days… But… They had put an enchantment on the room… One that extended time so in truth it had only been three days but my reality was that it had been three weeks of unrelenting torture at the hands of my captors."

"How did you get away?" Loki asked horrified.

"Harry finally got word out, a house elf by the name of Dobby risked his life to save ours but during the escape Bellatrix slit my throat…" She said touching the scar across her throat. "I… I nearly bled out but Ron kept me alive long enough for help to come and for them to heal the cut…" her head bowed as she took a shaky breath. "I… Begged him to let me die." Loki looked at her for a long moment. "I was in so much pain and I just wanted it to end." She said looking to him with desperate expression. "I just wanted it to stop."

"I know…" He said as he moved forward and wrapped his arms around her.

"I was so weak… How could I have even thought of abandoning them?" he pulled back and cupped her cheek as he brushed her tears away with his thumb.

"What had been days in a cell for them, was weeks of torture for you…" he said with such understanding she found it painful.

"They never held it against me…" She said softly.

"Nor do I…" Her jaw clenched as a tear fell and cascaded down over his hand. "What I can't understand is why you didn't want to tell me… You were so strong after all." She shook her head.

"Because when I think back on that all I think about is the pain I felt and the grief I had that I didn't die from it…"

"I care for you deeply but you are such a pessimist." He said with a soft expression. "Your strength was… Is unmatched Hermione. These scars…" he said this thumb brushing across her throat where a harsh one lay. "You should be proud of them because they are evidence of your bravery and strength… They prove that you are a strong and brave woman Hermione. One who…" He took a deep breath as he mustered together his own strength and bravery. "One who I love deeply." She stared up at him for a long moment.

"What did you just say?" she asked quietly.

"I love you Hermione…"

"You love me?" she asked with a soft expression.

"With every fiber of my being. I, Loki Odinson, Prince of Asgard Love you." He proclaimed.

"I never thought I'd say this to anyone…" she said as she looked away before she laughed softly. "I…" she looked back to him. "I Love you too…" She smiled brightly before laughing. "That is by far the scariest thing I have ever had to admit."

"That's the scariest thing you've ever had to admit?" he asked. "Not the whole torture thing you just said, but admitting you care for me terrified you more?" He laughed as did she before her expression fell. "Oh no I know that look, that's doubt."

"It's just why are you telling me this?" She asked softly. "Why say you love me now?"

"Must I need a reason to proclaim my love to you?" he asked and she smiled softly.

"No…" she said. "It's just…" her voice trailed off as he cupped her cheek his thumb brushing over a small blush as he did.

"You opened up to me tonight, I wanted to open up to you." Her expression softened. The sound of horse hooves made them look to the edge of the bridge to see a guard.

"Lady Hermione, Prince Loki is everything alright?" A guard asked not accustomed to seeing people with in the enchanted forest so late. "You're not stranded are you sire?"

"No we're fine…" Loki said with a nod.

"In the nines is she alright?" The guard asked leaping down from his horse. Loki looked to Hermione to see her scars were still showing.

"Oh." She said quickly putting them under her cloaking spell.

"She's fine." Loki said turning to the guard.

"I saw-." Loki moved forward and grabbed a hold of his uniform.

"Loki-."

"You saw nothing." Loki ordered with a point.

"Loki it's alright…" She said moving to his side and setting a calming hand on his arm making him let go of the shaken guard. "Please, if you would grant me this one courtesy don't speak of what you saw…" Hermione pleaded with the guard. "They are marks left over from the war I was in, and I don't wish anyone to know… I don't want to have to explain them you see?"

"And by grant she means I order you not to say anything under pain of death."

"Loki." She said in a scolding tone.

"Understand?" Loki asked the guard with an intense gaze.

"Understood, so sorry sire." He said bowing deeply before rushing off.

"That wasn't needed." Hermione said and Loki turned to her.

"I know how you want to keep the scars to yourself, it's my job as the man who loves you to make sure all your wants are met."

"So you go about threatening people?"

"Well… Yes." He said like it was obvious and she laughed softly before shaking her head.

"Come on let's head back to the palace." She said taking his hand as they walked off.

-o-

When they got back to Hermione's room she turned to look at Loki as she pushed open her door. She smiled softly as she looked him over. She wasn't sure if she should ask, but she wanted nothing more than to do so.

"Do you-."

"Yes." He said and she smiled as she walked into her room hearing Loki follow behind her.

Loki closed the door and locked it before turning to Hermione who was smiling softly. He moved forward and kissed her deeply his hands resting on her slender hips. She pulled back and looked him over as all her scars slipped into sight once more. Loki smiled softly, there was something about them. Despite the fact they came from a cruel experience, one which had shaped the course of Hermiones life for the rest of her days, he still found them exhilarating. They were a testament to her strength and bravery, both which were attributes he found quite alluring. He pushed her back gently and Hermione laughed as her knees hit the bed making her fall back.

Loki moved over her body slowly and Hermione smiled up at him as he swept his lips across hers. His hands moved up her back where he pulled at the ribbons of her dress. In all honesty he had never had so much fun when being intimate with a woman. But there was something very whimsical about Hermione that elevated the experience. As Loki pulled back from her he took her dress with him revealing her body. Hermione smiled softly and Loki watched as her scars went to disappear.

"No…" he said as he moved forward and kissed the middle of the large brand right underneath the center of her breasts. "Let me see you…" Her eyes drifted closed as she felt him begin to lay chaste kisses across her skin. She never thought this would happen. Never thought she'd be able to share herself completely with anyone. But here she was leaving herself completely open to Loki, and in truth, it felt freeing. She had never felt this free in her life. Hermione pushed on his shoulders and rolled him onto his back causing her to straddle him.

They kissed passionately as Loki sat up and wrapped his arms up around her tightly bringing her body close to his. Hermione smiled as she cupped his face in her hands before letting them fall to his broad shoulders. She pulled back and let her hands cascade down his chest while his armor magically dissipated revealing his toned chest beneath. As her hands moved down his body she smiled at the way his muscles rippled beneath her touch. Her eyes drifted closed when she felt Loki rest a hand on the middle of her chest before trailing it down her body. He watched as goose bumps lit up across her skin.

"Your hands are cold…" She said softly and he smiled.

"I'm sorry…" he said with a smile, though he wasn't. He liked the way her skin shivered beneath his touch.

"It's fine, adds a new sensation…" his hands rested on her hips and he flipped her onto her back as she smiled.

"I can make you feel many new sensations." He said and her head threw back as she felt a pulse erupt in her most sensitive of areas. "Magic can be good for many other things other than mischief and defense…" Hermione moaned softly and he smiled as he kissed her neck and continued to let his magic flow into her sending tantalizing sensations through her body. Her hips bridged towards him and his eyes drifted closed as she grinded against him pleasurably. His mouth crashed against hers as he let his hand move down from her cheek to roam over her breasts.

He wanted nothing more than to burry himself within her. Making her scream his name in pure ecstasy. Loki knew that wouldn't happen though. Hermione had honor, and she wouldn't give it away to him that easily. Not even when he had told her he loved her. It was something he admired about her. He was thankful for what he was getting, and truth it would have just been as satisfying to lay in her arms all night.

"I want to try something…" She said softly and he pulled back looking her over and she smirked. "Not… That something." He slowly nodded.

"Of course…" he said and she laughed softly. "What do you want to try?"

"It's something I read about once…" she said. "You have to be completely open to what you're feeling though because it won't so much affect me as it will you…"

"I find your riddle to be alluring." He said unsure of what she was speaking of, but intrigued all the same.

"Just… Continue what you were doing and allow to feel what you are going to feel…" Hermione said and he slowly nodded.

"I can do that." He said before kissing her deeply. Hermione smiled softly. She knew how to please a man, maybe not the ways in sex but there were other ways to get a man off. But she didn't want to do those things to Loki. At least not yet. Not when she was pretty sure every one of his emerald wearing groupies had. No, she wanted to do something that she was sure only she could make happen. Her eyes drifted closed as she felt his thumb move against her sweetest spot while his magic continued to pulse deep within her making her moan softly.

Loki took a deep breath as he felt pleasure begin to build within himself. He pulled back and looked down at Hermione to see she was smiling softly. She wasn't doing anything to him, not physically. So he didn't understand how he was feeling what he was feeling.

"Just let it happen…" She said with a mischievous smile and he nodded as he kissed her deeply once more.

As he slipped two fingers deep within her he took a shaky breath and moaned while Loki groaned his head falling to her neck. He was feeling pleasure. Her pleasure. She was sharing her ecstasy with him. At this realization he began to pump his fingers into her over and over again his magic still swirling deep within her sending tantalizing sensations not only through her body but his as well.

Her hands moved up his strong back as his free hand braced himself against her hip. She could feel him through his pants, and in all honesty it was driving her crazy. She wanted him then. Wanted to feel what it was like to have him deep within her. But she wasn't ready to share that part of herself with him yet. His hand gripped onto her hip and she felt the pain it caused mix with her pleasure. Her hands gripped onto his shoulders as his mouth crashed against hers.

"Loki…" She moaned and he pulled back looking her over. No woman had ever said his name like that, and he wanted to hear it again.

"Say my name…" he said and her eyes locked onto his for a moment. He moved forward and kissed her deeply. "Say it…" he said softy his lips brushing against hers as he spoke. A pulse of magic hit her and her head threw back. "Say it."

"Loki…" he smiled against her cleavage. He wanted to hear her say his name like that for the rest of his days. His eyes closed tightly as his breathing quickened. Her Ecstasy was building and in so doing so was his. "Loki…" She breathed her hands gripping onto his shoulder as she felt a wave of pleasure build deep within herself. "Loki…" her hands slid up his back and her fingers buried into his hair as kissed one of her breasts. "Loki… Loki… Loki!" A wall of pleasure slammed into her like a sledge hammer as her body arched towards Loki and she felt herself come completely undone.

"Gods…" Loki moaned into her breasts as he felt himself get pushed right over the edge, an orgasm hitting him like nothing ever had. In that moment the world completely fell away. There was no ceiling, walls, or even Asgard. There was just him and Hermione clinging to each other as they came down from their equal highs. Loki held onto Hermione tightly as he rolled onto his back taking her with him and causing her to lay half away on his body. He didn't want to let her go not when he had felt what she had felt. Hermione laughed softly as she ran her fingers through her hair and stared up at the gold ceiling of her chambers.

"I have never ever felt that way…" she said.

"Nor have I…" He said taking a deep breath.

"So that's what all the rumpus is about…" she said and he smiled.

"No man has ever made you feel that way?"

"No man… Not ever." She said. "Of course it would take a god to make me come undone like that." He laughed as he held her tightly and kissed the top of her head.

"Thank you for sharing that with me…"

"It would have been unfair if I had been the only one to gain pleasure from tonight." He smiled as he looked down at her.

"I love you…" he admitted quietly and she smiled as she looked up at him.

"I love you too…" She said as she kissed him. He smiled as he cupped her cheek his thumb brushing over a soft blush.

"I have to go…" he said looking to the window to see the light of the new day fighting away the darkness of the once reigning night. "I wish to speak to my father and the only time he'll be free today is in the early morning…"

"I understand." She said and he looked to her.

"I wish to speak about you to him." She smiled softly.

"I know…" she said with a nod.

"He may call upon you afterwards."

"Why don't we face him together?" She asked and he tilted his head.

"You would want to?"

"I know it's hard for you to talk to your father sometimes, I'd like to be supportive of you and stand at your side." He smiled as he tilted her chin up and kissed her deeply. He pulled away and smiled as he looked her over. "Go get ready, I'll meet you at the throne room." He nodded as he kissed her again before getting out of bed the top part of his armor reappearing.

"I'll see you soon!" He called as he rushed from the room, and Hermione smiled softly. She wasn't sure what the all father would say but she was sure not matter what he said it wouldn't change how Loki felt about her, or how she felt about Loki.

-o-

Loki quickly walked down the hallway, his hands sliding down his uniform. He wanted to make sure he was in tip top shape. After all this wasn't just any meeting he was going to have with his father. This was important. He brushed passed Thor who laughed.

"Brother where is the fire?" he asked and Loki turned to look at him all the while continuing to walk backwards.

"I'm telling father about Hermione and I."

"Oh…" Thor said. "I shall accompany you." He said with a bright smile as he quickly followed him. "For moral support."

"I have Moral support, Hermione is coming with me… Though truthfully… I would feel better with you in the room."

"Then in the room is shall be." He said clapping him on the back as Loki turned and headed off straight. Loki straightened out his clothes once more.

"Does this look okay?"

"You look just as kingly as you always do brother." Thor said with a smile. "In fact pull back on that I am the oldest after all." Loki couldn't help but laugh nervously. He came to a stop making Thor do so as well. "You're not getting cold feet are you?" Loki didn't say anything just smiled softly. Thor followed his brothers gaze and smiled as his eyes rested upon Hermione who was wearing a long gold Grecian dress and a maroon cloak made of silk. "Ah not cold feed just struck speechless…" The hoodie lying down her hair rolled around her in perfect waves. She turned and smiled instantly as her eyes set on Loki who instantly moved forward.

"You look beautiful." Loki said taking her hands in his and kissing her cheek.

"You look quite princely." She said with a smile.

"Looking at the vision you are how could my father deny my brother such a maiden?" Thor asked and Hermione smiled softly.

"Coming with us?" she asked.

"Of course, for moral support." He said with a smile as he clapped his brother on the back.

"Sires, Lady Hermione the All Father will see you now." A guard said before opening the doors.

Odin tilted his head his wife standing at his side upon the throne. He had gotten word that his son Loki wanted to speak to him. He found it odd. Loki never put in a formal request for visitation. Nor did he have to. After all he was his son.

"What do you think it's about?" Frigga asked softly seeing not only Loki but Thor and Hermione at his side as well.

"I think I may have a feeling." He said as they reached them. All instantly knelt and covered their hearts with one fist before standing. "Sons, Lady Hermione." He greeted. "I was only expecting Loki."

"Lady Hermione and I are here to give moral support Father." Thor said with a bright smile.

"I see… And what does my son have to say which would require such a cheering section?" Odin asked. Loki stared up at his father for a long moment before he slowly reached and took Hermione's hand in his. Thor smiled while Hermione looked to Loki in surprise.

"This woman who stands beside me, has won my heart. I wish her to be my wife."

"Wait, what?" Hermione asked blinking.

"Yes!" Thor cheered before looking to his father who sent him a glare. "Only if you think it yes of course." He said rocking back on his feet with a cheeky expression.

"Your wife…" Odin said and Hermione couldn't help but contain a nervous laugh. This hadn't been what she had been expecting. "You have only known her for a few short weeks…"

"Your father makes a good point…" Hermione muttered.

"That doesn't matter." Loki said looking to her before looking to his father. "In that time I have seen her heart, and it is unmatched… I love her." Hermione smiled softly. "The thought of her standing at the side of another man enrages me to the point of insanity… I don't want to risk anyone ever having a chance to hold her heart the way I have…"

"Lady Hermione what do you think of this?" Odin asked and she looked to him with a smile.

"May… I speak freely?" she asked.

"Usually you don't ask." He said and she smiled.

"Right then I'll just do it." He said making Thor Loki and Odin smirk. "I love your son." She said. "I love him in a way I never thought possible. But I do not wish to be his wife."

"What?" Loki asked turning to her and her expression softened.

"Don't get upset… I… I do want to spend the rest of my life with you… Even though logically speaking that makes no sense seeing as we have only known one another for a few short weeks… But my heart beats for yours, yearns for it really… I told you once though, that I did not wish to ever have the chance of being queen… I know that Thor is in the running and what a splendid king you will make." She said and Thor smiled. "But if that ever shifted and if you were ever in line to gain the burden of the throne…" She said looking to Loki. "I would not want you thinking that I ever thought of this being an outcome. Of me ever becoming queen. I would want you to know that I chose to stand at your side not because of that possibility but because I loved you… Truly, and deeply." Frigga smiled softly. "So I do not wish to be your wife, because if I was, it-."

"Would mean she would have a chance at wearing my crown." Frigga said and Hermione looked to her. "My dear girl I think you are the only woman in Asgard who doesn't wish to bare this tiara or my royal jewels. You do realize that if you were to not marry my son and continued a relationship with him you would be considered a whore by near all of female Asgard."

"Yes…" She said.

"You do not care about this?" Odin asked.

"I don't really care what other people think of me." She said. "The only person whose perception of my character I do care about is Loki."

"I cannot let my son marry a woman perceived as a whore." Odin said and Loki looked to him quickly. "You understand that this would change how people would view him." She slowly nodded.

"It was selfish of me not to think of that…" She admitted quietly.

"So what are we to do about this?" Odin asked. "You both clearly love each other very much… It is a match I find very fitting." Loki looked to his father with a smile. He seemed to agree with their union. "Thor." He said.

"Yes father?" He asked.

"I have a job for you and the warriors three."

"What is it father?" he asked.

"If Loki ever thinks for a second that his wife Lady Hermione, or soon to be princess Hermione was in this relationship for the crown, you all have permission to remind him of this day and her proclamation and then beat him to a bloody pulp so he never forgets it." Hermione smiled. Maybe this is where Loki got his mischievous side. "Do you accept?"

"I do." Thor said with a proud smile.

"Lady Hermione do you agree to the terms"

"I…" she looked to Loki. "Are you sure about this?" She asked him quietly.

"Of course." He said. She took a deep breath as she looked back to Odin.

"I… I do." She said.

"Then a union we have to celebrate... Eventually." Odin said.

"Eventually?" Frigga Loki and Thor asked.

"That depends on Lady Hermione…" Odin said standing. "She is of Asgard blood, but she was raised on Midgard who have far different rituals when it comes to marriage. People do not get married the second they find their soul mate, they take time to see how they fit with one another, though when soul mates are find they do nearly always get married but some realize they were not meant to be and go their separate ways."

"Hermione is the mate to my soul." Loki said.

"But does she know that?" Odin asked looking to Lady Hermione. "Lady Hermione do you trust your soul has pointed you in the right direction?" Hermione took a deep breath as she slowly looked down at their entwined hands. Never before had she listened to her heart, or her soul, only ever her mind. She smiled softly realizing that in that moment for the first time in her life she was going to let her heart scream at the top of its lungs to drown out any doubts within her mind.

"I do." She said with a soft expression as she looked to Loki before looking to Odin. "I love your son very much… I know what I'm about to say might seem foolish but I think I've loved him from the moment I first set eyes on him…" She laughed softly as she shook her head. "No that's wrong…" Loki stared wide eyed at her afraid she was going to take it back. Hermione slowly looked to Loki. "I think I loved you before that…" Frigga smiled softly as her eyes welled up as she watched Loki cup her cheek in his hand and let his thumb brush over her cheek.

"Lady Hermione?" She looked back to Odin. "Come up here will you?" He asked and she instantly moved towards him up the stairs. Odin smiled, whenever he asked someone to approach him there was always fear in their eyes, Hermione didn't seem to know what that emotion was though. She was fearless, and he couldn't be happier about that fact. She came to a stop right before him. "A beautiful brave strong woman for my beautiful brave strong son." He said. He moved forward and wrapped his arms around her. "Welcome to the family of Odin." She smiled softly as she hugged him back. Odin pulled back and cupped her cheek. "And congratulations on helping to start the family of Loki… A smart match indeed…" He said before stepping away.

"May I?" Firgga asked.

"As if I could stop you dear." Odin said and Frigga laughed as she rushed forward and hugged Hermione tightly.

"I'm always wanted a daughter." She said with a laugh.

"How is that supposed to make us feel?" Loki asked Thor who just laughed as Loki smirked. Frigga pulled away from Hermione and quickly walked down the stairs to Loki. Odin walked to Hermione's side as he looked her over.

"Lady Hermione?" he asked and she turned to him.

"Yes, all father?" she asked looking to him. He looked at her for a long moment before looking to his son who was smiling brightly as he was congratulated by his brother and mother. Odin wanted to tell Hermione of the turbulence on Midgard, but how could he when that could put into jeopardy the happiness of his son.

"I was thinking of holding a party to announce your plans to marry my son."

"If you feel it necessary."

"I do… I want every man to know that my son holds your heart." She nodded with a smile. "Go on then." She nodded with a smile as she headed down the stairs to Loki who moved forward and picked her up in his arms spinning in a circle as she laughed softly.

"Put the girl down I'm sure your brother Thor can look after her as you and I take care of some very important business." Frigga said leading her son away.

"Yes I will look after her and fight off any man who even looks her way." Hermione laughed as she looked to Thor. "You're my little sister now, I'm very protective of my family."

"I'll see you later…" Loki said and she nodded with a smile as he kissed her cheek before allowing his mother to drag him away.

"So little sister." Thor said patting her on top of her head. "What shall we do?" he asked.

"Want to go for a horse ride?" she asked.

"Only always." He said.

"Good… Want to race?" She asked and he smiled.

"I love competitive things… you say when." He stated and Hermione nodded before looking to the all father.

"Did you say something Sire?" she asked and he smirked as Thor looked to him before Hermione took off.

"Uhm… Son." He pointed and Thor looked to see Hermione laughed as she ran out of the throne room.

"You cheated!" Thor yelled going after her.

"I know I'm sorry!" She called and Odin suppressed the urge to laugh.

"Where are we going mother?" Loki asked as they walked together through her room.

"If you're going to marry Hermione…" She said pulling a portrait aside to show a room full of grand jewels. "You're going to need to give her a ring." Loki smiled before walking in.

-o-

Thor laughed as he dismounted his horse. Hermione had become quite the equestrienne. Giving him a run for his money more than a few times. She leapt off her horse easily and petted it with a smile before walking it over to Thors.

"So shall I have food brought?" Thor asked.

"Only if you want some." She said with a smile.

"Not at all, there will be a grand feast tonight." He said. "I will save my appetite for then." She nodded with a smile. They both walked out onto the bridge and Thor smiled as he looked her over. "This is the first time I'm seeing you truly happy Hermione."

"That's because for the first time in a long time I am…" She said her hands resting on the railing. "After the war, I thought I'd never be happy again, I mean how could I after all I had seen?" He nodded as he looked her over. "But Loki he's shown me that I don't have to dwell in the past… He's shown me that even though my friends are dead, I can still live… I will always be in his debt for that." She laughed. "I can't believe we're going to get married." Thor laughed.

"It's a fitting match indeed. You looked quite surprised when he said he wanted to."

"Honestly I just thought he was going to go to the all father and say something along the lines of this is Hermione I want to be with her kay thanks." Thor laughed. "I still can't wrap my head around it. This is all… Moving very fast." Thor tilted his head. "Maybe too fast… Do you think it's moving too fast?" she asked looking to him and he laughed. "What if, I don't know, what if he realizes that-."

"I know what you're about to say and stop it." Thor said with a smile as he rested his big hands on her narrow shoulders. "I have never seen my brother look at another woman the way he looks to you… And yes you are moving fast, but the best loves do… My father proposed to my mother after only knowing one another for a week. When you know you know Hermione… Why should you postpone your happiness?" She smiled softly as she nodded.

"Very true…" She said with a smile as she nodded. "Hey… Can I ask you something, something I've been wanting to since I met you."

"Anything." He said.

"You can't tell Loki." He tilted his head.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Can I try and pick the hammer up?" He gave a boisterous laugh.

"Sure." He said calling for it. "Why not." It slammed into his hand and he put it down. Hermione rubbed her hands together. "You won't be able to do it."

"I know but if I don't try I'm always going to wonder."

"Understood." Hermione tried to pick it up and Thor smiled as he quirked an eyebrow.

"I can't pick it up." She said and he laughed at how confused she looked. "I feel like using magic to do so."

"Loki has used every spell to do so." Thor said with a smirk.

"A fitting weapon for you Thor." She said with a smile as he easily picked it up.

"Speaking of weapons…" He said and she smiled.

"Oh no…" She said.

"Oh no?" he asked.

"Weapons makes you think of battle and battle makes you think of what happened in the library." He smiled.

"You are very smart."

"You're going to scold me aren't you for not protecting myself?"

"Not scold, just ask… Why? It's clear you can protect yourself." He said.

"Honestly… I've been asking myself that same question as of late… After the war I vowed to never use magic again because magic is what in the end killed my friends…" She said with a thoughtful look before looking to him. "No." she said.

"What?" he asked.

"You were going to ask me to join your fan club."

"Fan club?" he asked.

"Lady sif and the warriors three. You were going to ask me to join up. No."

"Oh come on we could use you on our missions!" He said. "Besides… If you're not on board one of us may get hurt… Loki goes on our trips… He could get hurt… but if you're there chances of that go way down." Her jaw clenched.

"Are you trying to manipulate me?"

"Of course not." He said with a smile. "Is it working?" She couldn't help but laugh.

"Thor…" she said shaking her head. "I don't have it within me anymore."

"Oh but you do." He said turning to her. "If you did not you would have let those men into the sacred room to steal the books of our people…" He stood up straight. "Besides the only time I've seen you truly alive Hermione is when either you are at my brothers side, or you are engaged in battle… You say you have had enough adventures to last you a life time… But we both know that's not true…" She looked to him for a long moment. "You are a warrior Hermione, that's not something you can just put aside for the rest of your days." She slowly looked back out at the stream. "If Midgard was under attack would you fight for it?"

"In less than a heart beat." She said.

"What we do, Loki, Sif, and the warriors three is protect Asgard from attack… So if you'll protect your adopted planet Midgard why would you not protect your true home planet?" She shifted on her feet.

"Well… When you put it like that."

"So… If the time comes, will I be able to call upon you." She took a moment.

"I'm going to regret this… Fine."

"Yes?" he asked with a laugh.

"Yes… Maybe."

"I'll take a maybe!" He said hugging her and she just laughed. "This will be fantastic!"

"It was a maybe Thor!"

"Oh please that was a yes!" She just rolled her eyes with a good hearted smile.

-o-

AN: I know big leaps made just trust me people and review!