Loki watched as a group of wizards Levitated Hermiones body up into the air before slowly lowering it back down into a large stone sarcophagus seated before a large marble mausoleum. He averted his eyes before he could watched her body disappear for all eternity deep inside the stone casket. Instead he looked to the patronus Stag and patronus Labrador of her friends' tombs who looked on the funereal with almost sad expressions. His eyes then went to a small patronus otter which was playfully flying around the top of Hermiones Mausoleum. His eyes slowly travelled back to the casket where he allowed his gaze to linger on grand carvings of lions with snakes in their mouths. He watched as they began to lift the top of the casket to seal Hermione in for all time. Once again he found he could not watch. So instead he slowly began to look around at the faces of everyone who had come to view funereal the great Hermione Granger.

There were more people present now then there had been in the war the night before. Hundreds stood around the graveyard while thousands were seated up in the stands to pay their respects. Hermione it seemed had been a revered and loved person, though she had never known such in life. What struck Loki wasn't the amount of people but the fact that with all these people present none had felt the need to say anything. Then again he figured everyone's reasoning for not speaking was the same as his. The loss of Hermione was just far too devastating to talk about.

"This is wrong…" Loki slowly looked to Sif who was staring at the casket of Hermione, her jaw locked firmly. Her eyes were red, and he could see evidence of tear tracks. It seemed the strong lady Sif had been greatly impacted by the loss of Hermione. Then again they had been fast friends. Sif was the first person on Asgard Hermione really warmed up to.

"It's okay Sif…" Loki said quietly.

"No…" She said shaking her head. "It's really not. It's her funereal, and…" she swallowed down her emotion. "I never found her wand… She should have her wand… She would have wanted her wand." Loki looked her over for a long moment. He felt truly sorry for the female knight. After all Sif had been Hermione's lady in waiting, and in so being she had taken in oath to put her life before Hermione. That hadn't happened though. Then again, Sif hadn't been given the chance to protect Hermione. None of them had. Hermione hadn't allowed them too. He slowly looked back to the casket and his jaw clenched as he watched the lid come down upon it. Sealing forever with a loud hiss. Loki couldn't help but think that if finality had a sound it would be the sound of the hiss that had just resonated through the air.

"We're done here." Loki said and the other Asgardians watched as he turned and walked away. They looked to Thor who nodded and they all instantly began to follow.

"Come on Rainy…" Draco said. "It's time to leave this place." The small elf nodded as she dabbed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.

As Loki led the way he didn't miss some of the glares that were sent towards him for leaving the funereal early. He didn't glare back though. Instead he kept his eyes set straight forward. He owed these people nothing. Hermione had felt as if she did owe these people something and that feeling had gotten her killed. All he wanted to do was leave Midgard behind and never step foot upon its grounds ever again. They made it outside the gates of the graveyard and Loki slowly stared up at the sky.

"Hiemdall-." His voice broke with emotion before he could ask him to bring down the bifrost. He went to call upon Hiemdall but once more emotion raised deep within him, silencing his words.

"You're really leaving?" Loki slowly turned to see George glaring into him.

"Son of Weasley now is not the time." Thor said.

"I won't ever get the chance again so now is the time Thor." George said. "You're really leaving?" He inquired looking to Loki. "Now? In the middle of her service? Do you know how that looks!?"

"I don't owe you dull people anything!" Loki yelled.

"No you owe her! You owe the memory of her!"

"She wouldn't want me to weep beside her grave!" He yelled.

"No but she would want you to show respect to it!"

"No!" Loki yelled rushing forward and before he could throttle the midgardian Thor set a sturdy calming hand on his shoulder. "No she wouldn't have… Hermione never demanded respect… She may have wished it but she never demanded it and you know what she never ever seemed acquire it from you lot!"

"I respected her."

"That's not what I saw up on that tower that night." George's eyes grew wide.

"I was bewitched!" He yelled. "I loved her!"

"Well she didn't love you, she loved me now get over it!"

"Yes she loved you and what good did it do her huh!?" George asked and Lokis jaw clenched. "She's still dead!" Loki stared down at the ground. "All that power you claim to have over us and it still couldn't save her. Did you even try?"

"George…" Draco asked and he looked to him. "Just walk away."

"He's leaving the-."

"We all are." Draco said. "He's right… Hermione wouldn't want us to linger and grieve over her body… She'd want us to take time and grieve on our own. To find solace within ourselves." Thor nodded as George slowly looked back to Loki.

"You didn't deserve her…" George said his jaw clenching as he slowly backed away. "You didn't deserve her." With that he turned and headed back to the graveyard held on the field of the quidditch pitch.

"He's right…" Loki said. "I didn't deserve her…"

"Loki…" Thor said as his brother turned away from him.

"I wish to leave this place." Loki said before looking to the sky. He went to call upon Heimdall and once more his emotion got the better of him. "Thor…" He managed to get out and instantly his brother walked to his side.

"I've got this brother…" Thor said setting a hand on his shoulder before looking up at the sky.

"Rainy, better hold on." Sif said and the elf instantly walked to her wrapping her arms around her leg as Sif set a protective hand on her back.

"Brace yourself chap." Fandral said to Draco who nodded as he stared up at the sky.

"Hiemdall!" Thor called. "Open the Bifrost!" Instantly the ground beneath their feet began to burn with an Asgardian symbol. The sky instantly opened up and light slammed down upon them. Loki used the sound of the Bifrosts energy to let out a scream of Agony and sorrow as he was transported back to Asgard.

The second his feet touched ground within the Bifrost he stumbled forward and fell to his knees. No longer having the strength to stand. His head bowed forward as his hands planted on the cold gold ground. He took a shaky breath, all he wanted to do was scream. He could feel one perched beneath his chin waiting to be released. He felt two hands go to his shoulders and slowly looked up into the face of his mother.

"Loki…" He suddenly moved forward and wrapped his arms around her tightly. "Oh my son…" She said as she held him tightly before looking to the devastated expressions of the others.

"I lost her…" He said his jaw clenching. "I lost her."

"Come…" She said as she stood bringing him to his feet with her. "Your father wishes to speak to you… To all of you…" he slowly nodded and headed forward to his horse Tristan. The horse he and Hermione had road upon through the gardens and enchanted forest so many times. Frigga watched as her son slowly mounted the horse before extending his hand to a small elf.

"Come Rainy, you can ride with me." He said and the elf nodded before grabbing a hold of his hand and allowing him to lift her up onto the horse.

"Mother?" She slowly looked to Thor who took her hand in his. "I failed him…"

"No son…" she said setting a hand on her cheek. "You didn't… Now come we shouldn't keep the all father waiting."

"Rainy…" Loki said as he heard the horses of the others come up behind him. "There is only one person you will ever show complete devotion to in the sense of a master… That is my father. You are to call him All father, king, or his royal highness… Do you understand?"

"I do…" She said nodding.

"I don't want this to make you think you aren't free here, because you are…"

"Of course not…" She said and he slowly nodded before staring out at the road ahead.

"Stay by my side, and follow my lead."

"Thank you Prince Loki…" She said quietly and his jaw clenched.

"Hermione would have never had you refer to her with a title, so nor shall I. Just Loki to you Rainy."

"Okay… Prince Loki…" He smiled at the Elfs shyness before looking at the grand palace of Asgard. Before Hermione had come into his life he wouldn't have given this creature two thoughts. But he knew Hermione had cared deeply for the elves on midgard, and now he did so as well. He knew Hermione would have wanted him to take care of Rainy in her absence and he would do just that for the rest of the elfs days however long that may be. When they got to the palace Loki lifted the elf off the horse and together with the other Asgardians and Draco they headed to the throne room.

"Why does he want to see us?" Draco asked Fandral.

"Most likely to talk about what happened with Hermione, to welcome you, and to ask why a small elf has accompanied us back here from Midgard." Draco slowly nodded.

"Nervous?" Volstagg asked him.

"A little…"

"Hermione had no one when she faced my father for the first time… If she could do it. So could you." Thor said clapping him on the back.

"You'll do fine dear." Frigga said and Draco nodded as he looked to the kind woman.

Loki's jaw clenched as he and the others stood before the doors of the throne room waiting to see the All father. Loki couldn't believe he was having to wait. If ever there was a time that his father may want to see him quickly, now would be the time. But once more they were having to engage in pomp and circumstance.

"Presenting Her majesty the Queen. Their Royal Highnesses Thor Odinson, and Loki Odinson. The warriors three, Fandral, Volstagg, Hogun, The Lady Sif, and The Lost Child of Asgard Draco Malfoy…"

"Along with Rainy the noble houself." Loki said and Rainy smiled softly as the doors slowly opened to the throne room. As they swung wide they all slowly entered the room. Instantly though Loki and the others came to a stop. Standing beside Odin who sat perched on his throne was a familiar young woman.

"Hermione…" Loki said softly.

"Well…" Odin said looking to Hermione. "What are you waiting for?" She smiled instantly and ran down the steps from the throne.

"Loki…" She said.

"Hermione." He rushed forward at his top speed, not truly believing his eyes. For a moment he believed he was going mad. In those few seconds he truly believed his grief had pushed him over the edge, and then his body crashed into hers. His arms wrapping tightly around her as he breathed in her sweet scent.

"Loki…" she said holding onto him tightly, and at the sound of her voice he knew he hadn't gone mad. He knew that somehow some way the love of his life had survived. She was alive, and thriving in his arms. "I'm so sorry." She said. "I'm so sorry." He kissed her neck and her cheek as he pulled back before his mouth crashed against hers.

"How is this possible?" Thor asked with a laugh.

"Magic Mate." Draco said and he slowly looked to him.

"You knew about this?" Thor asked and Draco just smiled.

"I'm not the only one." They slowly looked to the house elf who was smiling brightly.

"How this possible?" Loki asked as he pulled back and cradled her face in his hands. "How are you here?"

"You have your illusions… I have mine…" She watched as his happy expression was instantly taken over by rage. "Loki…"

"How could you do this to me?" he asked.

"Loki I'm so sorry."

"How could you do this to me?" he asked again.

"Loki please-."

"Answer me!" He yelled making her jump.

"She did it for you." Odin said his voice booming through the throne room.

"I did it for you…" Hermione said softly making him look to her. "This is the only way I could truly be with you don't you see?" she asked with an imploring look. "If I hadn't died, if I hadn't made everyone think I had died back on earth… They would have just been calling me back to handle their problems… I would never be free Loki, from them, from my grief, from my past, from any of it. I wanted a fresh start, with you… This was the only way I could do that… I had to die to finally be able to live."

"Why didn't you let me in on the plan?"

"Because people would be looking to your grief for validation of my passing…" She took a deep breath. "Loki I'm so sorry I had to do this, but it had to be done." He moved forward and wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"I love you." He said and she smiled softly.

"I love you too Loki…" he held her tightly before pulling back and kissing her deeply. "Can I ask something?"

"Ask anything." He said as he pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Can I have my ring and necklace back?" She asked and he laughed.

"Of course, of course." He took her necklace off from around his neck and placed it over her head. She smiled instantly as she looked it over before looking to see Loki holding her ring in his hand. He took her left hand in his and slowly slipped the gold and ruby ring onto her long slender finger. She smiled softly as she looked it over before moving forward and wrapping her arms around him.

"I've missed you…" she said softly and he smiled as he held her tightly in his arms. He kissed the top of her head before she pulled away and looked to the others.

"Hi…" she said with a small wave and instantly Thor laughed as he moved forward and picked her up in his arms.

"I'm very glad to know you're not dead Hermione!" He said with a boisterous laugh. He set her down on the ground and she smiled brightly up at him. She then looked to Sif who rushed forward and wrapped her arms around her.

"Thank the gods, I thought I was going to be stuck with the guys again."

"Hey." Fandral said as the others laughed. Hermione smiled softly as she looked over her friend who quickly wiped a tear away. Before she could say anything Hogun slammed into Hermione his arms wrapped around her tightly.

"Well… That's unexpected." Fandral said as Hermione smiled hugging him back.

"Good to have you back." Hogun said, instantly pulling away and she smiled before Volstagg and Fandral moved forward giving her a hug.

"Welcome back." Fandral said.

"Glad you're not dead." Volstagg added.

"Me too." She said with a smile.

"So do your accomplices get hugs?" Draco asked and she smiled as she walked over to them and hugged both Draco and Rainy.

"Thank you two for helping." Hermione said.

"I'm just glad you truly didn't fall!" Rainy said. "The body looked so real."

"It really did." Draco said. "For a few moments there even I wondered… But you're here." He said and she smiled as she took his hand in hers.

"So are you… Come on I want you to meet the all father." She said with a bright smile. Together they walked hand in hand up to the throne. "All father, this is Draco Malfoy. A very great friend of mine, also a hero of midgard. He single handedly protected the injured during the war that occurred two weeks ago."

"Two weeks?" Draco asked looking to her. "No that was yesterday-."

"Time moves differently here." She said with a smile and Draco turned back to look up at Odin.

"To come here to Asgard Draco is to leave your old life behind…" Odin said. "So I asked you now, and this is your last chance, is there anything else you'd like to leave behind on Midgard other then what you already have?"

"Yes." He said. "My name. Well my last name." He reiterated.

"So you leave behind the name of Malfoy and become what?" he asked.

"Black?" Hermione asked. "Your mothers maiden name?"

"No, that was also the maiden name of my aunt Bellatrix..." She slowly nodded.

"So what name then?" She asked.

"I'll just be Draco." He said with a shrug. "I'm good with that."

"No." Odin said looking him over. "That won't do."

"If I can make a suggestion?" Hermione asked and Odin nodded.

"What are you thinking?" Draco asked and she looked to him.

"Here on Asgard they have last names like Odinson so why can't you be something similar to that? Like Draco Son of Narcissa." He smiled before looking to Odin.

"How does that sound your majesty?" Draco asked.

"It sounds like a fine name." He said. "Draco son of Narcissa, lost child of Asgard welcome." Draco instantly smiled. "Tonight a ball will be held in celebration of your win on Midgard and in welcome of you Draco…. You all deserve a great rest before the ball… I'll see you all then. You're dismissed." Hermione smiled softly as she looked up at Odin while she heard the others leave.

"Can I approach?" She asked.

"My future daughter has no need to ask such a question." Loki watched beside Frigga as Hermione slowly walked up to Odin.

"Thank you for letting me do what I felt needed to be done."

"My dear…" He said laying a rare kind hand upon her cheek. "If anyone knows what it's like to have to make difficult decisions it is I… Now run along, and start your new life with my son." She smiled softly before nodding and turning to Loki. Instantly he took her hand in his and they quickly walked away. As Hermione passed Frigga she flashed her a dazzling smile.

"Was it needed?" Frigga asked as they left the room. "To test him and see if he could not only make it back to Asgard in one piece but to this very throne room thinking the love of his life was dead."

"Yes." He said. "I need to know how strong he is."

"Why?" Frigga asked and Odin looked at her for a long moment.

"You know why…"

"You said he would be our son, always our son, and yet you constantly look for Laufey within him."

"He is my son." He said instantly. "He is my son." Frigga slowly nodded.

-o-

Hermione laughed softly as Loki and she ran through the hallways. She wasn't sure where they were going but she had a pretty good idea. She smiled as he ran to his room and opened the door. They instantly ran in and Loki closed the door before turning to look at Hermione who smiled softly at him. There was something different about her. He slowly walked to her and cupped her face in his hands as he looked her over. He suddenly moved forward and captured her lips with his in a slow heated kiss. He wrapped his arms around her bringing her close to his body. Suddenly he dropped to his knees and buried his head into her stomach as his hands gripped onto her hips.

"Loki…" She said softly as her hands slowly moved through his hair. He slowly looked up at her with an unreadable expression.

"I love you…" He said. "You know this, yes?"

"Of course." She said. "Of course I do."

"I didn't say it to you before it happened… You said it to me, and I didn't say it back." she dropped to her knees and took his face in her hands. "I thought you might have not known. I thought you had died thinking I didn't love you-"

"I knew you loved me, I know you love me, and I didn't die… See I'm right here… In front of you." He wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"I keep thinking this is a cruel joke. That I've fallen asleep beside your still body and this is just a dream."

"Loki…" She said softly as she held him tightly.

"If it is a dream I shall kill the man ten times over who wakes me from it."

"This isn't a dream." She said pulling back. "I'm here… With you." She took his hand in hers and pulled it to her chest. "Feel that?"

"Your heartbeat." He said softly.

"It wouldn't be beating if I weren't truly here with you."

"How did I not know that body was just an illusion?" he asked. "How could I not know?"

"Loki as you have been learning from me, I have been learning from you… Studying your ways of illusion… The only person who could ever fool you would be yourself. I used our connection to tap into your powers… to use them against you, against everyone." His jaw clenched.

"I'm so angry with you." He said and she slowly nodded.

"I'm so sorry Loki."

"Don't ever do that to me again." He said with a point.

"I could never do that to you again… Leaving you behind was the hardest thing I ever did… Even if I knew it was only temporary… The separation was agony."

"I need to know how you did it."

"I just told you."

"I need every detail Hermione… I need to know or I won't believe what I see now."

"Okay…" She said nodding. "It's a very long story though."

"I'm prepared…" She slowly lifted him onto his feet and together they walked to the bed and took a seat. "Tell me." He said.

"Alright… Well I should start from where you ran into the forest."

"Just as you were killing Tesla."

"No…" She said. "Tesla… He's not dead…"

"What?"

"Just listen, like I said… It's a long story."

-o- Two weeks ago in Asgard –o- One day ago in Midgard-o-

"Oh love… You look tired." Tesla said with an air of arrogance to his voice.

"I am." Hermione said with a soft expression. "I'm very tired." He tilted his head.

"Life's beaten you down."

"Yes and I'm sick of it."

"You've come here to have me kill you." He said as he slowly walked towards her. "You disappoint me."

"You haven't heard the catch." Hermione said. "I'm taking you with me." He laughed.

"Is that so?" he asked and she nodded.

"Think you can?"

"If I put every ounce of my being into an attack it will kill you."

"And in so doing kill yourself."

"Like I said, I'm sick of life."

"You can't even live for your dear god Loki?" He asked.

"I don't really have a choice… You have to die to save this world…"

"My army will go on."

"Voldemort's army didn't go on after he died." His jaw clenched and she smiled. "Never thought you'd face your mortality or failings did you?"

"You really think you can kill me? You're damaged."

"I've got just enough strength left to take you out." Her wand slowly slipped down into her hand.

"You're really going to use a wand?" he asked and she smiled.

"I started my true life as a witch with a wand in hand… I'll end it as such."

"We could have done wonders together love…" He said with a dark expression. "You could have been mine, I could have been yours. We could have ruled together."

"These people aren't meant to be ruled." Hermione said softly.

"No?" He asked.

"No Tesla…"

"Well…" His wand slipped down into his hand. "I guess there's nothing more to say." With that he stepped forward and fired a spell her way. Instantly Hermione countered and their spells slammed into one another.

As Hermione watched her energy mix with Tesla she simultaneously began to use her connection with Loki to draw his magics to her. In so doing she could feel him. He had found her letter. He knew what she was planning, or what she wanted him to think she was planning. He was coming for her. Desperately trying to get to her before anything bad could happen. She could feel his agony and desperation and for a moment she wanted to throw out her well laid out plans.

No… No it's not an option… I have to do this. I have to or it'll never just be Loki and I. It will forever be Loki, I, and the whole magical united nations… If I want to start living again… I have to die… At least here on Midgard I have to die… This is my only chance to be happy and by the gods I'm taking it!

She yelled out with a ferocious battle cry as she readied the one last spell she'd ever do upon the ground of Midgard. As she did she could see Loki running into the clearing out from her peripheral point of vision.

"Hermione!" He yelled in desperation and she shut her eyes tightly as she let out one last cry of power feeling all her magic drain out of her all at once as a great light exploded from her wand and another crashed down upon she and Tesla. She felt herself get propelled up into the air and instantaneously all the nine realms began to rush by.

"What have you done!?" She heard Tesla yell before they came crashing down upon the ground She looked up to see Tesla glaring daggers into her. They both kicked up to their feet at once and Hermione dodged a magical spell of his before grabbing a hold of his head and slamming him back down to the ground.

"Obliviate!" Before her magic could take a hold he slammed his elbow across her face his hands gripping onto her throat as he turned her onto her back.

"I'm no longer going to kill you with magic. Instead I'm going to kill you with my bare hands!" He bellowed spit flying from his mouth. She gripped onto his wrists and stared directly into his eyes. A flash reflected within them and she watched as he suddenly fell passed out on top of her. Instantly he was kicked off her by Heimdall who lifted her onto her feet.

"Princess are you alright?" he asked.

"Not a princess yet." She said as five guards rushed forward and took Tesla away. "Where are they taking him?"

"The Asgardian prisons, Frigga has made a special cell for him. One that will withstand his magics." Odin said coming out with his wife at his side. Hermione smiled instantly seeing Frigga who walked to her and wrapped her arms around her in a way that only a mother could.

"Well done my darling girl… Well done…" She said.

"Thank you for your help I couldn't have done this without all of you." They nodded and Hermione looked to Heimdall. "How is he?"

"Look for yourself, I'm very sure you can see all you need to within these stars…" Hermione walked to his side and she took a deep breath as she stared out at the stars. To her though they weren't just stars. They were a novel. One she could read like a child could read mother goose.

"She has the sight…" Odin said and Frigga smiled brightly before coming to the side of Hermione.

"You can see it child?" Frigga asked.

"I can see Loki at least."

"Your eyes always get pulled to those you care about most." Frigga said.

"He's not doing well…" She said softly.

"He yearns for you…" Heimdall said. "His rage and agony are piercing through the realms… Then again so are yours." Hermione slowly looked to him.

"This had to be done." She said before looking to Frigga. "It was the only way."

"I know dear…" She said taking her hand in hers. "You have done the right thing…" Hermione slowly nodded.

"I… I need to go check on Tesla. Make sure he's secure."

"No." Odin said and she looked to him. "You did what you did to leave behind the burdens of Midgard, but in so doing you had to take a part of them here with you which is Tesla… As penance for the agony you have caused my son Loki Prince of Asgard you shall never look upon the face of Tesla again… Never even give a thought to him again. Do you understand?" Hermione slowly nodded with a soft expression.

"Thank you all father…" she said with a soft expression and he nodded as he looked her over.

"Go rest…" He said.

"I can't I have to look over Loki…"

"What will be a few hours to him will be days to you… Trust me you have time…"

"You should go rest dear…" Frigga said. "I will look after him in your absence…"

"I don't think I can sleep without him at my side…" She admitted softly.

"Still, you must try… For when he returns you want him to meet the face of a beautiful rested Hermione, not the face of a tired warn Hermione…" She said setting a hand on her cheek.

-o- Present day Asgard-o-

"I tried to sleep…" Hermione said and Loki slowly nodded as she looked him over. "But I couldn't, not without you. Despite your mother and fathers wishes I kept sneaking back to the Bifrost to watch over you… Even if what I viewed moved at the pace of molasses. That was torture though… Seeing your agony move at such a slow pace." She took his hands in hers. "Loki I'm so sorry, but there was no other way I could leave it all behind. I did this for you, no…" She shook her head. "That's a lie and an awful one… I did this for me. I know that's selfish but, I want to be happy with you here on Asgard… I don't want to give another thought to all that happened on Midgard and be in constant fear that I'm going to be called back. Again I know it is selfish but-." He moved forward and kissed her deeply.

"I'm glad you did what you did. Now that I know why and how. I'm glad you did this."

"I'm sorry I caused you so much pain…"

"I can see that you were caused pain as well by my absence."

"Two weeks without you was unbearable…"

"Well the prospect of eons without you was unbearable as well. So good. I'm glad you were in so much turmoil." He said and she couldn't help but laugh as he smiled at her with a mischievous look. She took his hand in hers and smiled as she kissed the back of his knuckles before holding it to her chest. She took on a soft expression before looking to him with one he couldn't quite place. "What is it love?"

"Are you terribly cross with me?" she asked.

"I was at first, now though, I see why you did what you did. I'm also thankful you did such…"

"So you still wish to marry me?"

"I would take you as my wife right now this second if I could."

"Why can't you?" She asked.

"Because like you pointed out to Heimdall, you're not yet a princess of Asgard." She sighed heavily and he smiled as he watched her fall back exasperated to the bed. She looked irritated for a moment before smiling at him mischievously. She used the hold she had on his hand to pull him on top of her. He smiled as he kissed her deeply before wrapping his arms around her tightly and turning in such a way it made her lie on top of him. Hermione smiled softly as Loki continued to hold her tightly to his body. There were no words exchanged, no kisses, just his arms wrapped around her tightly. Just what he needed at that exact moment and Hermione couldn't be more happy to oblige him. After a long while Loki took a deep breath making Hermione pull back slightly and look him over.

"The ball will be very soon, we should get ready…" She nodded with a soft expression before laughing softly. "What is it?" He asked.

"You're going to have to wear the helmet aren't you?" She asked.

"You think my helmet funny?" he asked and she laughed giving him his answer. "You know when you're princess you'll have to wear such a helmet."

"I will not!" she said instantly as he turned her onto her back and moved over her.

"Yes maybe we'll get you a helmet to match mine."

"No!" she said making smile.

"I know we'll get a helmet that wraps around your head to form that of a lions mane."

"No- wait they can do that?" she asked.

"You can't be serious." He said.

"What's wrong with a lions mane?" she asked.

"What's wrong with horns?" he asked.

"Well I don't know we can start with the puns." She said.

"The puns?" he asked.

"Yes the puns… Like oh Loki feeling horny?" He couldn't help but laugh as she smiled brilliantly. "You can't make a pun out of a lions mane."

"Oh no? If you had the helmet you wished I could walk up to you and say Gee Hermione feeling like the main attraction."

"That's terrible!"

"So was yours." He said with a laugh and she smiled brilliantly.

"Well a lions man, and your horns are far better than Thors little fairy wings."

"Agreed." He said with a laugh.

"Maybe not a mane for me though… Maybe just a tiara."

"That's what my mother did instead."

"A tiara then." She said with a nod. "From now on I'll be following your mothers lead when it comes to having to be a royal."

"She's a good person to follow."

"I'm not really used to following though." She said before sitting up. "Guess I'll have to get used to it… Should I meet you here or in front of the ball room?"

"The ball room." She nodded as she got up and stretched.

"I'll see you there then…. Oh." She turned and looked to him. "Will you be wearing the horns?" He just scowled and she laughed making him smile. "I'll see you there…" she said before heading to the door.

"Hermione?"

"Yes?" she turned just in time to have Loki bring her into his arms and kiss her deeply. He pulled back his forehead leaning against hers as he looked deeply into her eyes.

"I love you…" he said and she smiled softly before moving forward and kissing him deeply.

"I love you… I'll see you shortly." She went to leave and Loki held onto her hand.

"Wait… Just… Wait a few a minutes I'll accompany you to your room."

"No it's okay-."

"I'll accompany to your room, just let me get ready."

"Alright." She said with a soft expression and he nodded before heading off. He went to the bathroom and stopped at the door looking back at her.

"Just wait there." She nodded as she walked to his desk and pulled one of his books into her hands.

"I'll be here." She said with a smile and he nodded before quickly going to wash himself. It was the shortest bath of his life, and when he was done he quickly got dressed in his Royal apparel. Before Hermione a group of women would have dressed him, but the first night he had laid eyes on her he had dismissed his hand maidens. He had yet to replace them with Footmen. He would have to so eventually though. He looked himself over before nodding in approval and walking out to see Hermione sitting at his desk immersed in a book.

"Loki?" she asked.

"Yes love?" He inquired.

"When you're done reading this may I borrow it?" She asked. "It's beautifully written."

"Which is it?" he asked as she stood and instantly she handed him the book. "Oh yes, the history of Asgard written by Velhamar Crisonson… I've read it many times you can borrow it now if you like." She smiled instantly. "Shall we head off?"

"Mmm indeed… I'm actually glad you'll be with me as I get ready." She said as they headed out of his bedroom.

"Why?" he asked.

"Maybe then my Ladies in waiting will stop trying to dress me." He laughed.

"That's what they're there for."

"I'm perfectly capable of getting dressed myself. Well mostly…" She said and he could hear her irritation. "What's weird is when I dismiss them they seem almost sad about it…"

"You said mostly, why did you say mostly?"

"Well they are gowns, they're not easy to get into." She said with a smile.

"Then have them help you-."

"I can do it myself."

"Always so stubborn." He said.

"Would you love me any other way?" she asked and he merely smiled as they headed into her bedroom. Loki instantly came to a stop seeing Sif and the other ladies standing in maroon and gold gowns with ruby's around their necks.

"Sif… You're wearing red instead of your violet…" Hermione said looking her over. "Why?"

"I'm your lady in waiting am I not?" She asked with a smile.

"Yes but… I so love you in violet…" She said. "You don't have to wear red because I wear red, none of you have to wear red because I wear red."

"It's what is custom my lady…" one of her ladies by the name of Adessa said.

"I've never really been much for customs… So… Let's break the mold shall we? All of you out, go put something else on. Something you really want to wear." Sif smiled instantly. "Go on."

"What about you?"

"I can get dressed on my own I really can." She said with a smile. "No go on." They all nodded and dismissed themselves.

"Thank god, I look terrible in red." Sif said and Hermione only smiled as her friend headed out. The second the doors closed Hermione walked over to two double doors and opened them up.

"Seems they already picked dresses." She said seeing two gold mannequins set up in red gowns.

"You're going to pick out something different naturally."

"Naturally." She said with a smile as she grabbed a velvet dress bag. "I'll be out in a bit." She said with a smile heading to her bathroom. Loki walked to her desk and tilted his head seeing a book set out by a large journal. He picked it up in his hands and smiled as he looked over the title.

"Magic Managed Year One." He read aloud with a smile. It was the book written by Hermione about her experience on midgard in the magical world. His eyes then travelled to a large leather bound journal he opened it up and smiled. He looked over the desk again and took on a soft expression seeing a large leather bound journal. He opened it to the first page and smiled instantly. She was writing the next book in her series. "Magic Managed year 2…" He read the title as his fingers slowly moved over her hand writing.

"I wasn't going to write a second one but your father liked the first one so much he asked me to keep going…" He turned and smiled instantly. Hermione was walking out of the bathroom with a long red gown on. It had a sweet heart neckline and draped sleeves that rested off her shoulders and came to a point of her hands. Across the gown were Gold ivy inlays. Her hair rolled around long and free in soft waves. Her eyes smoldered from beneath gold eye shadow that had a light red tint to it. The dress reminded him much of a Grecian style gown the way it was draped over her body so elegantly. "Is this okay?" she asked moving her hands down it."

"It's lovely. You're lovely." He said and she smiled softly as she walked to him while putting her necklace back on and letting it fall down the front of her dress. Loki took the pendant in his fingers and smiled softly.

"You have me facing out…" He said seeing his silhouette facing forefront instead of towards her chest like it normally was.

"Is it wrong?" she asked.

"No. it's just I'm very surprised."

"A happy kind of surprised?"

"Yes." He said with a smile. "I'm very happy." She smiled softly before taking his hand in hers.

"Ready then?" she asked.

"Yes." He said.

"Good lead the way." Hermione said as they slowly headed out of the room together. Loki kissing the back of her hand as they walked to the min ballroom. Though everything felt okay in that moment, Hermione knew deep down she had a long road ahead of her to make up what she had put Loki through.

-o-

AN: So there you go. Hope you enjoyed it! There are more chapters to come. We'll be entering the events of the first THOR movie soon! I hope you guys continue reading! It will be going through the first Thor movie, Avengers, and Thor 2! Maybe farther it depends! I just love this pairing so much and I think we can dive into their relationship even deeper now!