Hi,

I know, I know…it's been too long.

And you'll find out who the mysterious villainess is soon…

Also, a warning about this chapter, so I am putting in a TRIGGER warning just in case it triggers anything. It's sad and it's sucks…I am sorry for anything this may cause.

I own nothing but the story. Everything else belongs to JK. Rowling and Marvel respectively.

Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty

Hermoine's POV

I screamed, the weight of the woman on top of me cutting off my air supply as she sniffed around my face. I sobbed as my arms were stretched out, and she held her hand around my throat, her wand dangerously close to my face. I turned my head to the side, the sight of emerald green orbs comforting me as Jacinta looked at me, trapped in the arms of a deatheater, trying to free herself to save me.

"That sword is meant to be in my vault at Gringotts. How did you get it? What else did you and your friends take from my vault?" the woman yelled, her teeth baring at me.

"I didn't take anything…Please…I didn't take anything." I begged, tears falling from my eyes.

"She didn't take anything, you vile creature! Let her go! It's me you want anyway!" Jace growled as she thrashed against the man holding her.

"Shut up you filthy half-blood! I don't believe you!" The woman sneered as she moved her wand to my arm, the pain from her cruel branding causing me to scream.

"Hermione!" I heard Jace scream. "Let her go! Please! I'll do anything! Let her go"

The woman stopped, lifting her face up to stare at Jace. "Very well."

She got off me, give a brisk nod to the men behind Jace and I panicked as they walked over to me, lifting me up. I hissed as the deatheater grabbed my wounded arm but I then gasped as the deatheater holding Jace pulled her roughly to the ground, making her sit up on her knees. The deatheater grabbed her head, making her face the woman.

"NO!"

"Shut up Mudblood! You'll get what's yours. But for now, I want to have some fun with the Girl Who Lived. Such a shame that I can't do what I really want, but alas, you're the Master's gift. But doesn't mean that I can't do a little something." She chuckled evilly. "In fact, you can be my first tester. You see, I've been wanted to try a little spell that I have discovered. Quite a delicious spell, this one and terrible. You see, when casted on a person, or witch, it makes them barren, completely barren that is. Imagine that! Casting it on a mudblood, like your dear Hermione, and making them unable to have to children. My My, what a…wonderful spell. Cast it on every mudblood so that they don't pass on magical gene, though really I think all of you halfbloods and mudbloods stole the magic, but anyway, moving on. Shall I test it?"

I gasped. "You're a monster!"

"Oh no deary, just an idealist…Gentlemen, be a dear and hold down Miss Potter for me. This spell is going to painful."

The woman then glared as Jacinta was held in place and pointed her wand at her, casting a silent spell. I knew that it took effect as a dark blue light emerged from the woman's wand, hitting Jace in the stomach and she started to scream, her high-pitched wail filling the hall. I gasped, tears falling from my face as the woman lunged forwards, pushing Jace from her sitting position to the ground. I thrashed widely as the woman held her wand to Jace's stomach again, the dark blue surrounded them and the woman's evil laugh filled my ears.

"Jacinta!" I screamed.

"Hermione!"

I kept screaming Jace's name, not noticing that a male had joined in, calling my name. A hand grasped my scar and I gasped, the pain from my arm intense. I closed my eyes as I screamed again, hearing the male voice scream my name once more.

"Hermione!"

I screamed as I woke up, pulling myself into a sitting position as the memory of Bellatrix Lestrange branding my arm clouded my mind. A pair of hands grabbed me and I panicked, thrashing wildly.

"Hermione, it's me!" Thor's gentle but firm voice broke through my panic and I hyperventilated, staring into his blue orbs. "You had a nightmare. The maids heard you thrashing about, and alerted me. What was it that made you act so?"

I tried to control my breathing as I looked around me. I was in my guest room, in the lavish and large bed and from what I saw outside on the balcony, it was night time, as the dark starry night was still out and the lights of Asgard made the city look golden among the black. Thor was sitting down on my bed, dressed in nothing but black leather pants, and no shirt but I didn't notice. His hair was down and his face looking at me worriedly.

I closed my eyes, leaning my forehead against Thor's chest as I gained control of my breathing. He placed his arms around me, engulfing me into a hug.

"It just a nightmare, Milady. Nothing to worry your head about." Thor whispered.

I sighed, knowing full well it wasn't but his presence and words were soothing and I savoured the moment a little longer. I then tilted my head back, causing his arms to drop, but he then lifted his hand, cupping my face.

"Are you alright?"

I nodded. "I am now. Like you said, it was just a nightmare."

"Would you care to tell me about it? You don't have to, but I find that talking about the nightmares helps them go away." He murmured, dropping his hand.

I grabbed his hand, tracing the lines of his palm. "Thank you, and yes, talking about it does help."

I was wearing a simple silk nightgown, which had no sleeves, and I noticed my scar burning red. I lifted my hand from Thor's palm and traced the scar, frowning as it felt hot.

"I was dreaming about the night I got this. We had been captured by a witch so cruel, she was Voldemort's right-hand woman. You've probably heard of her, either by me or Jace or Heimdall. Bellatrix Lestrange."

"Aye, I have heard of the name…. She is the one that gave you both those scars, is she not?"

I nodded. "She gave me this, and Jacinta has one on her stomach, only hers read 'traitor'. She tortured us, trying to extract information from us about an object that had supposedly been in her vault in Gringotts Bank. She didn't believe us when we told her when didn't know anything, which we didn't and so, as punishment, she gave us these scars. I was first, because I was a mudblood. I wish I could say that was the only thing they did to us, but no. I got a beating, my body and face covered in bruises, but if you think that was bad, what did they did to me is nothing compared to what they did to Jacinta. Bellatrix wasn't allowed to kill Jace because that was Voldemort's job so Bellatrix did what she did best."

"You don't have to tell me." Thor assured me.

"I want to. In fact, I must, because it's a secret that both Jacinta and I have carried for years. She seems to think that what I went through was worse but no, she copped it for more than I did. They tortured us, so merrily but they did more than just torture her. Bellatrix casted a spell...A permanent one. She casted a spell that takes away a woman's ability to have to children. Jace is barren, unable to have children…and I witnessed the whole thing and didn't do anything. Sure, I was being held back, but I am Hermione bloody Granger and I watched as that woman took away my best friend's ability to have children. You would think I would have done something." I spat, my anger arising. "That is what I dreamt about tonight."

Thor sighed, rubbing his hand against my arms. "You may have not been able to save her then, but you have saved her countless times since then. You have saved her life, her dignity and herself. By being there for her, Jacinta Potter can save the world. It is sad about her condition, but you mustn't blame yourself for something that you had no control over. You were not the one the casted the spell, nor were you the one that tortured her. Do not blame yourself for the actions of mad witch. You have done more than anyone would have done to Jacinta."

"But she can't have kids. I can. That spell was meant for me and Jacinta copped it first." I muttered, my eyes swelling.

"I may be, as you mortals say, slapped for this comment, but that is Jacinta's problem. Does it bother her?"

If I was honest, I would say yes, but that was my opinion. Jacinta had assured me countless of times that having kids wasn't her future, but I had seen her around Teddy, her godson. She was a wonderful god-mum, and would have been a wonderful mother but she often told me that she had dedicated herself in being the Mistress, and if she had been a mother, then her duties as the Mistress would suffer. And now that she had Steve, I knew that one day the conversation would be brought up.

"She says it doesn't bother her, and that given her duties as the Mistress of Death, being a mother would be madness but she has a godson, and I've seen her around him."

Thor nodded. "Did you ever speak to her about your nightmares and your problem with it?"

I shook my head. "No…After the war, we got checked at St. Mungo's. Sometimes I ask her about kids, and all that jazz, but I rarely tell her the reason why."

After the war, I had to drag Jace to St. Mungo's to get her checked out. It was there that we found out that the spell had taken affect, and that Jace was barren. I wasn't, as during the torture, we were saved by Dobby. I had come awfully close to having the spell on me, but Dobby saved our lives, only to perish moments later by Bellatrix. But after Jace's check-up, I had asked countless questions, and she tried to assure me that she was fine. I remember her telling me that she had worse things to worry about, and what Bellatrix did to her was nothing compared to the years of emotional and physical torture she got from Voldemort. She glad to be alive, even though she had paid a heavy price.

"Then that is your task. You are to seek her out when you reunite with her and tell her your feelings." Thor reasoned.

"That's a lovely thought, but there's the matter of how to get to her. We're in Asgard, and she's on Earth." I pointed out.

"It just so happens that the Bifrost is near completion of being restored. So, when it has finished, you have no choice but to reunite with Jacinta and tell her your feelings. You need to talk her. I gather you must miss her, if your feelings are anything to go by." Thor concurred.

I nodded. "I do. She's my best friend…as well as Ginny but Jace and I have been through so much, and there are things that have happened to me that she blames herself for, so my guilt is something we share."

"What you and Jacinta have been through is something I would not wish upon anybody, unless they deserved it." Thor spoke and I giggled. "But you share a connection with Jacinta, a bond if you will. That's something that no-one will ever break. I am glad you told me, because while I may know so much about Eir, there is still much to learn about Hermione. I hope that you continue to tell me your memories, both the good and the bad."

I smiled. "I will…You know, it's funny. I often have nightmares about the war, but lately I haven't since I arrived here. Mostly these nights, I dream memories that aren't mine, well they are but, they're Eir's."

"What do you remember about Eir?" Thor asked, moving closer and grabbing my hands.

"Mostly healing, like healing the people of Asgard, but I have memories of you…and Loki. Good ones." I breathed and looked at him. "In fact, I remember the moment your feelings changed for me, well Eir but me. You were wounded in battle and in moment of stupidity, I raced onto the battlefield and saved you. You thanked me, later in your bed by kissing me and you gave me a look, quite like the one you're giving me now."

The look on Thor's face, was one I had dreamt about often. It was a look of love, desire and wanting. And now, he gave me the same look, and my heart fluttered.

"That look, it's one I often dream about, and it makes my heart burst because of my feelings for you. Not Eir's feelings, mine…But that look, it's reserved for Eir, isn't it?" I whispered.

He looked down, before glancing back up again, shaking his head. "No…though I will always love Eir, I find myself infatuated with another. A woman who is a witch, and has captured my heart in such a way that I'd never thought I'd feel like this again. But I have. You have bewitched me, which is fitting because you are magical. My feelings for you have grown, Lady Hermione."

"But Eir was the love-"

"Enough of this…"

Suddenly, every so abruptly and gentle, cupped my cheek and pressed his lips to my own. They were warm, and I relished the kiss, gasping softly, causing my mouth to open. This allowed Thor to push his tongue into my mouth, and I moaned as he kissed me passionately, our tongues fighting for dominance. I then gasped again, breaking the kiss as he moved me so that I was sitting on his lap, the bed sheet thrown off. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed him again, this time more passionate and intense as our first. I grabbed his hair, threading my fingers through them and he growled at the feeling, the vibrations of his growl against my mouth.

I broke the kiss, using my hands to cup his cheeks and I looked at him, my chocolate brown eyes boring into his brilliant blue.

"Stay?"

"Always…"

0*0*0*0*0

The sound of birds woke me from a peaceful slumber. I opened my eyes, trying to focus and noticed that there was a presence next to me, with it's arm trapping me in a warm cocoon. I turned my head slightly over my shoulder, as I was on my side, and smiled as I saw the sleeping face of Thor. Without trying to wake him up, I shifted so that I was facing him, his arm still over me, trapping me. Lifting my hand up, I gently touched his face, tracing his lips and cheek. He frowned, his eyes blinking open and he smiled as his eyes fell upon mine.

"My love, as much as I wish to enjoy another round of copulation, we did not retire to sleep until the early hours of the morn. But if my lady wishes it, then I will stop complaining and give in." He murmured.

Well, he wasn't lying. In a so unlike-me fashion, we had gone round after round of sex, before the sun was peeking through the tall buildings of the city and we had decided to catch up on sleep. The whole process was so unlike me, as I usually got to know the person before I would sleep with them, but with Thor, it felt right. I wasn't sure if it was a combination of mine and Eir's feelings for him, but either way, I didn't mind. I knew that I had feelings for him, and that those feelings would soon grow.

I giggled. "As much as I want you to, I too need sleep, but the sounds of those birds woke me up."

"Birds? Oh, the crows. Yes, the Allfather is rather fond of the crows, and every morning he spends time in gardens, speaking to each crow. He has the quite the conversations with them."

I frowned. "I can't tell if you're serious or not."

He chuckled. "I am merely jesting, though my father does have a fondness for crows."

"But aren't crows a death omen? At least in my world they are." I wondered aloud.

"Yes, but the crows don't seem to harm him. They may be a symbol of death, but they are also brilliant messengers and often used to send messages." Thor informed me.

I nodded. "Well, at this moment, they are annoying. And now I am wide awake due to their screeching."

He leant forward, moving so that he was on top of me. "Well then my lady, I am sure that I can make you screech louder."

He kissed me on the lips, moving his legs in between mine. I moved my hands up his arms as he kissed me, kissing my jawline, neck and collarbone, before capturing my lips again.

Suddenly, the door slammed open, and I jumped, breaking the kiss as Thor growled, getting off me and out of the bed. I quickly pulled the sheets up to my chest, covering myself as I sat up.

"Who dares interrupt me?" Thor growled.

A young man, who looked like he was in his late teens but knowing Asgard, he could be older, stopped and bowed low, keeping his face down.

"I am sorry milord! But I have an urgent message from the Gatekeeper Hiemdall! It is for the Lady Hermione." The man announced.

I frowned. "What is it?"

"Heimdall wishes to tell him yourself milady, but there is trouble on Midgard and it involves your family. Heimdall sent me to tell you to come quickly." He relayed, before standing up, bowing and walking out of the room.

I turned to Thor, who gave me a look and I held my hand out, silently summoning my wand. I got out of the bed, giving him a look. With a quick flick of my wand, I was instantly refreshed with a refreshing charm, and I casted the charm on Thor, who looked bewildered as the charm worked on him. Then with another flick, he was dressed in his usual battle armour – black leather pants, silver armour plate and red cape. I turned to myself, flicking my wand over me, and looked as my body was covered in a pair of black leather pants, a red corset vest with gold stripes and a silver cape that went over my shoulders, but left my arms bare. It was a new battle armour that was designed by me, just in case I needed it. If there was trouble on Midgard, then maybe, I would. I looked down as black knee-length boots covered my feet and legs, placing my wand in the harness that was strapped to my leg.

Thor, who hadn't seen the outfit before, eyed me appreciatively. "Milady, you look…"

"I know…I designed it."

He smiled and I walked over to him. "You'll have time to pull it off me later, but now, we need to see Heimdall."

I grabbed his arm, and with a loud astounding CRACK!, we apparated from my room to the Bifrost. You'd think that after all these years of apparating and teaching myself to apparate without a wand, I'd be used to the feeling but no. We arrived with a thud in the Bifrost, the move making Thor bend over to gather himself and I grimaced. Looking around, I found Heimdall standing near the portal exit and once Thor stood up, we made our way over.

"What is it Heimdall?" I asked.

"The Lady Jacinta is under attack. Earlier today, accompanied by the Avengers, she was attacked by a wizard named Antonin Dolohov. The attack occurred in Diagon Alley, but it dissolved soon as the Avengers helped her. She is now under attack again, only this time the attack is led by a man named Vincent Crabbe." Heimdall.

"Antonin Dolohov was apprehended by us before we were recruited by Fury and as for Crabbe, the idiot died in a pit of fire at Hogwarts, so how?" I quickly spoke, walking up to Heimdall and standing next to him. Though all I could see was the galaxy and stars, I looked out and kept glancing at Heimdall.

His golden eyes bored into my own. "Milady, I do not know how the two survive, only that they did. Antonin Dolohov is captured once again, but Crabbe is currently attacking the Burrow. Don't worry, they all made it out but the Weasley family has been taken hostage by the deatheaters. I fear that it will soon get worse, as Grabbe is there on orders from another. It would be wise to leave now, and help."

I shook my head. "How? The Bifrost isn't fixed yet."

"It has been repaired enough to allow you to travel to Midgard." He said.

I turned to Thor, and he nodded, holding out his hand. I frowned, wondering why when the sound of a whoosh filled my ears and I saw Mjolnir fly into his hand.

"We shall both go."

"Wait!" Both Thor and I turned to Heimdall. He seemed to be peering over something, as if he was watching a battle in his head.

"My hunch was correct. There are seven deatheaters, but I can only make out the ones talking. Georgy Goyle, Theodore Nott and Aymcus Carrow. The Hulk was unleashed, and this allowed the Avengers to gain the upperhand, but now the deatheater Carrow has captured Ginny and is initiating a trade. You need to leave now."

He walked over to the large sword in the middle of the circular room, putting into position. Immediately, the portal lit up, glowing a bright swirling blue.

"I will explain your absence to the Allfather! Go now!"

Without thinking, Thor grabbed my hand and we jumped through the portal. Like my first time through the Bifrost, the rainbow coloured vortex travelled me through space, stars and planets flying past me as I held onto Thor's hand. I didn't pay much attention, and kept my focus, staring straight ahead. Suddenly, I let go of Thor's hand as I braced myself for landing. I then landed on a bended knee, as did Thor, the blast of the Bifrost knocking back anything that was in it's path. I stood up quickly, looking around and saw that I was in the Burrows.

Due to the Bifrost, almost everyone had been knocked to the ground. I looked around, and gasped when I saw Jacinta laying down. I raced over to her as Thor threw his hammer to the sky, causing it to light up with lightning and rain started to pour, putting out the flames. I saw that people were coming to, including the deatheaters, but I was more worried about Jace.

I reached Jace, kneeling. "It's alright Jace, you're safe now. Stay with me!"

She glanced at me before passing out and I pulled out my wand, quickly waving it over her as I silently casted the healing spell. I then heard sounds behind me, as if a fight was going on, but I didn't look over my shoulder.

"So, you think you can best a god with that stick? As once heard by a dear friend, BRING IT ON!"

"Seriously? You had to say that…" I heard Clint mutter.

"I thought I told you to stand down. My mistake." Tony shouted.

Then, I felt a presence behind me, but before I could turn around and cast a spell, the sound of grunting and a whimpering could be heard and I turned my head, noticing Steve knock out a revived Carrow. The deatheater collapsed to the ground, and I quickly placed a stunning spell on him, before restarting the healing spell on Jace. Steve dropped to Jace's other side, taking her hand.

"How is she?"

"I'm healing her. I'm using the same spell I used during the New York Battle."

"Thank God you're here. She was about to leave with Carrow before you arrived." Steve breathed.

"What the hell happened?" I asked.

"We were ambushed by the deatheaters, wanting to capture Jacinta. Apparently, they were here to capture her, kill the Weasleys and take her back to their boss. They weren't here on their own accord. There is another giving out the orders. A woman, who is not a deatheater and wants Jacinta for some reason. And so, she had an argument with that Grabbe guy, but then Hulk made an appearance and shocked them all, giving us the upper hand. Just when I thought we'd stopped it, Carrow captured Ginny. He then initiated a trade, Ginny for her, which Jace said yes to." Steve informed me.

"What? She willingly gave herself over? Oh, I am so going to kill her."

"You'll find that there'll be line to do that. Not everyone is happy that she gave herself up." Steve remarked. "Including me."

I looked to him, his face frowning in concern, fear and love. "You love her…"

He looked at me, before nodding his head. I sighed, waving my wand over Jacinta as I healed her. By now, most of her wounds were healed, and the blood had disappeared. The sound of a roar made me look over my shoulder, and I saw that most of the deatheaters, including Grabbe, Goyle and Nott were now apprehended, tied up and stunned. I turned back to Jace, and sighed in relief as the wounds were healed and that Jace was coming to.

"Mmm…Merlin, I feel like shit." I heard her mumble and I lowered my wand, watching as she blinked her eyes open, frowning as she came to her senses.

"Well, if I was captured, traded and then knocked out, I too would be feeling like shit but alas, I'm not the one laying on the ground. You have a lot to explain, young lady!" I scolded.

She frowned, blinking furiously as she stared at me. "Hermione?"

"No, it's Santa Clause!" I snapped as I slapped her on the shoulder.

"OW! Fucking hell, Hermione! I'm injured enough already!"

"Oh don't give me that! How could you give yourself over to Carrow? A deatheater that's supposed to be in Azkaban, by the way but still! You smarter than that! You could have casted a spell, or knocked the bloke out! Not give yourself willingly!" I growled at her.

"I was trying to save Ginny! And you would have done the same, don't lie. Steve, help me out!" She slowly pulled herself up into a sitting position and turned to Steve.

"Oh, I agree with Hermione. In fact, if she hadn't turned up, you would have been killed, or worse, taken." Steve expressed, his anger rising.

"I had to save Ginny. I am sorry but don't tell me than none of you wouldn't have done the same thing." She said.

I then noticed that there were people standing near us. Guarding the deatheaters, was Arthur and George, along with Clint, who had his arrows pointed at them. whereas Molly was helping a shaken Ginny repair a now de-flamed house. Ron had his wan pointed at an unconscious Carrow, eyeing me slightly, giving me a smile. Standing around us, was the Avengers. Thor stood behind me, with Natasha next to him, her arms crossed and Tony, who gave Jace a death glare. Hulk stood next to him, his heavy breathing indicating he was annoyed.

"Despite that, you still should have resisted. Ginny is more than capable of handling herself. While I don't condone what you did, I understand the reason." Natasha stated.

"It was badly done, but you're safe now. Don't ever do anything like that again, or I'll lock you up in Mooney's trunk for being reckless." I warned.

Jacinta frowned. "How is it that you have Mooney's trunk?"

I eyed her. "That is a secret I will never tell. Now, let's go help Molly and Ginny repair the Burrow."

I helped her up, and walked past Tony, raising my wand at the house. I knew that we all needed to have a conversation about the events of the night, but for now, we needed to repair what had been broken. We were back now, both Thor and myself. Though Steve's along with Heimdall's words got to me. There was someone after Jacinta, which didn't surprise me as there was always someone after her, but this time, it was a woman. Usually, it was deatheaters with a grudge that came after us but this woman was not a deatheater, but simply gave orders to them. It was strange, and for some reason, I had a gut feeling that Heimdall's hunch was right.

Things could very well soon get worse.

Until next chapter,

Love,

bNd...