Loki entered the huge hall, it was a bare room, without statement decorations. The Ancients didn't have to prove their superiority to no one, after all.
The god's steps rang out clearly, marking the time like a clock's hands.
Loki's eyes began to search out the room frantically, then stopped on a spot. A tall rock arch stood behind the Ancients and, inside it, there was Hermione. Her image, though, seemed lightly blurred, as if there was an impalpable veil that kept her from moving. The girl was clearly exhausted, still suffering, but being too tired to either scream or squirm, she laid on the ground like a motionless puppet as her chest raised and lowered with light breaths.
To that sight, Loki's jaw contracted as he tried to contain his anger and kept walking. When he reached the middle of the room, he kneeled and, slightly shaking, he raised his arms to show the Tesseract, which he held for the whole time.
« I am so very sorry that my delay in the Tesseract's delivery has been interpreted as a betrayal. I had encountered an obstacle, but I took care of it, as you can see» he said slowly, keeping his head low reverently. His eyes flickered impatiently towards Hermione.
An Ancient approached the god silently and took the cube «Do not try to insult our intelligence, we know what your intentions were the same way as we know that these humans seem to affect you Asgardians strangely. You did your job, now you can have your useless mortal back» he rumbled.
Then, he walked to the veil trapping the young witch and, with graceful gestures, he began to break it as if it were a spiderweb.

As soon as the opening was large enough, he moved aside.
Loki reached him quickly, watching out carefully for every move the Ancient made. He took Hermione in his arms, walked away from the arch and laid her gently on the ground. She seemed to be so weak se couldn't keep her eyes open. Loki held her hands tight and bent over her face.
«It is going to be ok» he whispered to her ear, his voice shaky with happiness: finally he could hold her once again.
«Forgive me for...» Hermione started, but her voice broke.
«Enjoy your stupid human while you can. Now the Tesseract is in our hands and no one will object our power. Whoever will try, will die
Loki turned to him and gave him a firm look.
«Sorry to ruin your party, but it looks like I'm not the only one with obstacles in his plan» he said.
In that moment, Thor, Sif and the three warriors entered the room, making the Ancients jump to their feet. With a shout, the warriors lashed out at their enemies, beginning a fiery battle, as Loki made sure that Hermione was safe.
«LOKI, NOW!» Thor screamed.
Loki got up and ran towards the broken veil, that broke completely, and then moved to its side.
After gathering the Ancients to one point without them noticing, all the warriors stepped away from their opponents, confusing them for a moment. Thor gripped Mjolnir tightly and, with a wide movement, he unleashed a force that blew the Ancients away, making them fall in the arch.
Thor smiled, pleased, and after nodding with approval to his brother, he turned to compliment his companions. Loki walked back to Hermione, that managed to sit up, and hugged her.
«I thought I would have ever seen you again, even though, given the situation, it would have been better...»
«Just know that I'd slap you if I had the strength to» she muttered «But I missed you too.»

Suddenly, the girl stiffened and released a bloodcurdling scream as something took her away from the god's arms, towards the arch.
«You are a fool, you will never see her again» an Ancient's voice rumbled for the last time, before dissolving, bringing the young witch with him.
Loki was petrified. Then he looked at his brother.
«Loki, do not...» Thor said, shaking his head «Loki, NO!» he shouted.
But it was too late: Loki had taken the run already and, with a jump, had entered the unknown following, for once, his heart.


Hermione was laying on the grass, a tree shaded her and, when she recovered her senses, the perfume of the flowers surrounding her filled her nose. She raised a hand to her face: was she dreaming? Or was everything she had been through just a dream she had while being asleep in a park?
Then, she felt her muscles being relaxed, finally free from the pain they had to tolerate for hours, days or maybe more.
«At the cost of not seeing him ever again, I almost wish this was just a dream» she said to herself, getting up «Where am I anyways?» she asked herself, noticing that the weather was too sunny to be in the UK. Actually, everything was too perfect to be any place on Earth. The flower field extended out of all proportion, it was impossible to see where it ended. The only building Hermione could see, far away, was Hogwarts' castle.
«Honey, you're home finally!» a voice said happily to her back.
Hermione turned and saw Ron smiling cheerfully. Yes, it was Ron, but he was different. His voice was, somehow, deeper, his eyes more intense, his body more harmonious, his face brighter, his behavior more elegant and mature, but there was no doubt: it was Ron. Did he really change that much?
«Home?» she repeated, stunned.
«Why, of course!» Ron said, encircling her shoulders with his arm and pointing to a modest house, very pretty that, Hermione swore, wasn't there two minutes ago.
«Mommy! Mommy!» she heard. Two kids approached her running and hugged her. Hermione stroke their hair, doubtful. They were a boy and a girl, they both had red hair and dark eyes. They were a few years apart and they both were beautiful.
Laughing, they separated and began running after each other.
«Rose! Hugo! Pay attention, don't get hurt!» Ron shouted at them, still smiling, and, holding Hermione lovingly, he brought her in the house. The girl observed the inside with amazement: all the rooms, all the furniture were her favourites from her house and the Weasley's. It seemed to her like she had entered a perfect world, coming out from her deepest wishes. Where was she?

The End

The End?


Notes:

Hi y'all! I hope you liked my little story here, I sure liked writing it! So, since many asked, the story does not end here and most importantly there will be a sequel! I have planned it and I'm writing it slowly (what I planned is a little hard to write and I need to think about it in order not to make Loki OOC... also, I'm a little busy now :c ). I am doing my best, hopefully I'll make it. See ya!