Hermione took a deep breath as she looked out at the city of Asgard. It was just as beautiful as the palace. Filled with gold and gran jewels. Men and women dressed in beautiful draped clothing. Everyone was smiling brightly. They smiled more when they spotted the queen who the cheered for as they passed.
"The people love you." Hermione said and Frigga smiled.
"They love you as well…"
"Lady Hermione!" A child yelled as she waved. Hermione smiled and waved back.
"I'm going to have to teach you how to properly wave to the people." Frigga said.
"Did I do it wrong?" Hermione asked instantly. "I didn't offend anyone did I?" Frigga laughed.
"Of course not dear, you just wave a little too excitedly."
"But I am excited!" Hermione said with a small laugh and Frigga smiled. "I want to meet every single one of them."
"You'll get your chance after the wedding." Frigga said. "Loki and your self will take a tour of the realms…"
"How exciting." Hermione said with a smile. She looked down at a woman with a baby and her smile faltered for a moment. Instantly she was reminded of Rayna and Sitara. Frigga took her hand and she looked to her.
"Don't think on it for a minute."
"I worry for Loki."
"He'll be okay. Trust me. We all just need to put this behind us." Hermione nodded. "Soon you'll have your own children to think about."
"We won't have children straight away." Hermione said with a smile.
"Sure you will…" Frigga said and Hermione laughed "I'm not kidding Hermione I want grandchildren well on their way within a year."
"Give us a few years for Loki and I to be on our own and enjoy married life?" she asked.
"Oh if you very much insist."
"Wait…" Hermione said looking down into the capital. "There seems to be something going on down there…" they looked to see a scuffle in the city. "Wait a minute…" She apperated from sight.
"Hermione!" Frigga and Sif called seeing her appear down in the middle of the city.
"Land quickly." The queen ordered.
Hermione walked down a long line of shops where she could see a scuffle ahead. In the middle of that scuffle was an innocent. One who she thought could use her help. As she walked the noise around her went silent as people turned and looked to her.
"Lady Hermione…" Someone breathed softly and Hermione turned and smiled to her before moving forward.
"There seems to be a problem?" Hermione asked and the crowd parted. Hermione saw a young man in the grasp of an older man. The child could be no more than the age of eleven. He had ginger hair and wide blue eyes as he stared up at the man who held a dagger.
"Lady Hermione?" The man asked.
"Please release the child…" Instantly he did so. "Come to me…" Hermione said and the boy instantly ran to her. As he came closer and closer Hermione could tell it wasn't a boy at all but a little girl. One who was in obvious need of help. She came to Hermione's side and clutched onto her skirt. "What seems to be the problem?"
"This little waif stole a resinberry from my stand…"
"Do you have it?" Hermione asked her.
"She says she doesn't but she does!" The man said angrily.
"Do you have it?" Hermione asked her again and she slowly nodded. "Give it here." The girl slowly handed it over. Hermione looked over the fruit that looked like stark yellow grapes. She smiled down at them before walking to the men. "These are interesting, I've never seen them before…" Hermione said.
"No you wouldn't have, they have just come into season and you've been away…" The man said with a smile.
"Do you harvest them yourself?" Hermione asked.
"I do…" He said.
"Well this harvest is beautiful indeed." He nodded with a smile before Hermione looked over her shoulder. "Do you have something to say to…" she looked back to him. "I'm sorry I didn't catch your name."
"Aradod." He said.
"Do you have something to say to Aradod?" she asked.
"I'm sorry sir…" the little girl said.
"See she's sorry… Maybe we can let this transgression pass."
"Her parents need to get a better hold on her." He said pointing at her.
"Pretty hard for them too considering my parents are dead." Hermione turned and looked to the girl.
"Then she needs to get a handle on herself… But I guess I can forgive this little transgression…" Aradod said and Hermione turned and looked to him.
"Thank you very much sir." Hermione said.
"It's nothing Lady Hermione, and here… Please as a token of my thanks to helping us with this matter… A basket of my finest harvest…" he said handing it to her.
"How very kind." She said taking it with her arm. She plucked one of the berries and put it into her mouth. "Oh that tastes wonderful. I will have to come see you again for such a treat." He smiled brightly. "Come along child." Hermione said to the little girl as she wielded her to the carriage which has landed as guards ran out and surrounded Hermione from the crowd her cheered and waved at her. "What's your name?" she asked looking down at the little girl.
"Inari…" She said.
"Inari… Are you truly an Orphan?"
"Yes My lady…"
"You truly have nowhere to go?" she asked.
"No my lady."
"Then if you like, you can come with me." The girl looked up at her quickly.
"My lady?"
"If you'd like."
"I'd… I'd like that very much." She said.
"Fabulous now you're about ot meet the queen so curtsy the best you can."
"I hate curtsying."
"So do I but sometimes we have to do things we don't like…" Hermione said and Inari nodded before meeting the queen.
"Now who is this?" Frigga asked.
"Inari your royal highness." She said curtsying in a clumsy way.
"Inari is now my little sister." Hermione said and Firgga looked to her with a smile.
"Is that so?"
"Indeed can't you see a resemblance?" Hermione asked putting her face next to the little girls. Sif smiled as she tilted her head. The girl looked nothing like her with her curly red hair, and bright blue eyes.
"Not even a bit, but if she is to be your little sister then we should get her to summertide straight away as to make her look the part." Hermione smiled as she looked down at the girl before escorting her into the carriage.
"Here eat." Hermione said handing the basket to her.
"Thank you my lady."
"Please… Just Hermione…"
-o-
Loki looked up from his plate of food to see Thor and the warriors three walking in. They were sweat covered thanks to the battle practice they all had endured. Loki hadn't joined them. He never did. Instead he had stayed behind to read some of Hermione's texts on magic.
"So brother did you hear?" Thor asked and Loki looked up from his book.
"Hear what?" he inquired as he took a sip of wine.
"Hermione she made quite an impression on the people today while on her way to castle summertide."
"What happened?" Loki asked his interest peaked.
"Seemed Hermione spotted a squirmish amongst the people. Saw something was wrong and went down to handle it. A young orphan boy some say girl had tried to steal some fruit. The vendor was going to take her hand for his or her indiscretion. Hermione stepped in. Smoothed things over and apparently as proclaimed the waif her little brother and sister… The people are hailing her a saint." Fandral said with a smile.
"Sounds like my Hermione." Loki said with a smile.
"I wonder what father will think of this." Thor said.
"He would let her get away with murder let along taking in a little waif." Fandral said.
"As much as our father tries to act as if he isn't, he is under her spell just like everyone else." Thor said with a smile.
"Do you think it be a spell?" Volstagg asked as he piled food upon his plate.
"Figure of speech my friend." Thor said and Volstagg nodded with a smile.
"When are we going to see to her anyways?" Fandral asked.
"After the funereal I should think." Loki said and the table went silent.
"Comrade?" Loki slowly looked up to Hogun who sat across from him. "My deepest sympathies." Loki was taken aback he was pretty sure that was the first time in a year Hogun had said anything to him.
"Uhm… Thank you." Loki said and Hogun nodded before going back to his meal.
"How are you and Hermione?" Fandral asked and Loki looked to him.
"Everyone keeps asking that." He said with a hint of irritation.
"Well it couldn't have been easy for the girl you potentially having a child with another woman." Loki glared into Fandral who merely smiled. "Too soon?" he asked.
"Too soon…" Loki said.
"Later then."
"How about never." Loki said before draining his glass of wine. "I take my leave."
"Where are you going?" Thor asked.
"Father, in Hermione's absence, has left the Asgardian libraries to my care and protection…" Loki said before leaving. Thor watched him with a quirked eyebrow, again his brother was being far too short with him. He wondered what he had done to make his brother so angry.
"Something wrong Thor?" He looked to Fandral.
"It's nothing." Thor said with a smile.
Maybe Hermione would know what is it I've done to set him off…
"Friends I think I may ride to Summertide tonight…" Thor said.
"Mind if I come?" Fandral asked.
"Not at all… Would you two like to come also?"
"Might as well, but what of Loki?" Volstagg inquired while Hogun nodded.
"Maybe… Not tell him…"
"Right then." Fandral said raising a glass to him.
-o-
Hermione smiled as she and Sif waited for Inari to come out of the bathroom where she had been thoroughly washed and fitted for clothes.
"I chose blues and purples for her." Frigga said. "I think she'd look lovely in those colors with that shade of red her hair is…" Firgga said and Hermione nodded. The door opened and they watched as Inari with her curly hair slowly came out of the room, a lovely violet dress with sleeves that came to points. Hermione smiled at a the silver embroidery that covered the dress.
"Inari how do you feel?" Hermione asked.
"I like how it moves…" She said with a soft smile.
"The hair is something less to be desired…" Frigga said quietly. Inaris hair was so curly it all bunched up on the top of her head.
"Come here Inari…" She walked to Hermione who smoothed her hands over the hair. Instantly the curls released enough that her hair fell to her shoulders. "Yes… Very nice indeed." Inari smiled brightly.
"Thank you my lady- Hermione." She said and Hermione smiled.
"Hungry?"
"Starving."
"A lady never says she's starving Inari." Frigga said. "A simple nod will do."
"Yes a simple nod." Hermione said as she stood. "Now come on kiddo I'm starving." She said and Inari laughed.
"Very funny." Frigga said with a smile.
The lunch they had was very quiet. Mostly everyone tried no to watch Inari stuff her face full of food. Though they could understand why she did so. After all the girl was a right side thin. Gaunt would be the chosen word to describe her state. She had deep circle under her eyes, and chapped lips from dehydration. Hermione had to wonder how this little child had been left to her devices so long. How an orphan had been allowed to go uncared for.
After a while Inari started to slow down. Looking a little green around the gills as she stared at the abundance of food. Frigga gave a soft expression as the child sat back in her chair, her hands resting on her stomach.
"I think I ate too much…" She said quietly.
"A brisk walk will help settle things then." Hermione said with a smile. "Would you like to walk with me?" She nodded and the two got up. The guards moving to follow them close behind. Hermione stared quiet for a long while as they walked together through the castle. Hermione smiled every time she saw a diamond rose hanging above the doors.
"Are those real?" Inari asked pointing. "Real diamonds I mean."
"Yes they are."
"Seems a waste to have them just sitting above a door like that."
"My fiancés great grandfather built this castle for his queen Bellanina… He put diamonds above the doors in the shape of roses to remind her upon entering each rom that she was loved dearly by him."
"Must have been some fussy lady to need diamond roses to remind her of such." Hermione smiled as she looked to Inari.
"Truthfully I thought the same…" They walked together in silence for a little longer before Inari smiled softly.
"Is it true?" She asked.
"Is what true?" Hermione asked.
"What they say about you…"
"What do they say about me?" Hermione asked.
"That you've played chess games where the pieces have moved on their own, battled three headed dogs, and have gone up against the worlds darkest creatures and men."
"I didn't so much battle a three headed dog as I ran from it." She said and Inari smiled.
"They said you wrote a book about what you've done."
"One of many to come…" Hermione said.
"I've been trying to get someone to read it for me…" Hermione looked to her.
"Inari can you not read?" she asked carefully.
"I can… Just not well enough to read such a book as yours…"
"Would you like to learn to read well enough?"
"I'd like to do a lot of things but they're not in the cards…"
"They are now." Hermione said coming to a stop.
"You're really going to keep me around?" He asked.
"Inari…" Hermione said kneeling to meet her small stature. "I will not abandon you…" Inari blinked as she looked her over for a long moment.
"Why do you want to help me?"
"I know what it's like to move through this world alone… It's not easy… Is it?" A flash of pain raced across the girls expression.
"No…" she said.
"Can I ask you how you ended up alone?"
"I've just… always been alone…" Hermione smiled softly.
"When you're ready to tell me the truth I'll be waiting to hear it." Inari nodded with a soft expression as she watched Hermione walk off.
"My father I didn't know, my mom was a woman of the night…" Hermione came to a stop. "One night she went out to do her work and then… She didn't come home." Hermione turned and looked to her. "She just didn't come back… I don't know if she was dead or not, but… She never came back…"
"Do you want to try and find her?" Hermione asked walking to her.
"No."
"Okay…"
"I just… I don't want you to leave and not come back." Hermione smiled softly.
"Never happen." She put out her hand. "Now come on, let's go pick our rooms." Inari walked and took her hand in hers before heading off with Hermione her step lighter than it had been since her mother left.
Frigga stepped out from behind a pillar with a smile as she watched the two head off. Hermione would make a fine mother someday. A fine mother indeed. Frigga held her hands behind her back before walking off. Her dress flowing around her as she moved.
-o-
"Boys." Sif greeted seeing Thor and the warriors three heading up the stairs onto the second level of the castle. "What are you all doing here?"
"I've come to see Hermione…" Thor said. "Do you know where she is?"
"I do I was going to see her now." Sif said.
"We shall accompany." Thor said with a marry grin.
"So is it true?" Fandral asked coming to Sifs side. "Has Hermione taken in an orphan?"
"Aye." Sif said. "Her name is Inari. She's a tough little thing. Pretty though. Red hair and big blue eyes… Hermione took quite a liking to her. I think she may see something within her."
"She has truly proclaimed this child sister?" Volstagg asked.
"Indeed." Sif said with a smile. They heard wild laughter and all came to a stop before looking to a door at the end of the hallway. They moved forward and opened it up to see a little girl running around a room chasing a grouping of canaries. She was laughing wildly as Hermione smiled brightly moving her hands and directing the birds.
"Oh." Hermione said spotting Thor and the others. The birds instantly popped into feathers and fell to the ground as a heap of leaves. "We have company." She stood and walked to Inaris side. "Inari may I introduce you to my soon to be big brother Thor prince of Asgard." Thor smiled brightly as he bowed while Inari curtsied. "And his wonderful group of companions the warriors three, Volstagg, Hogun, and Fandral."
"Sirs." She said curtseying again.
"Boys this is Inari…"
"I'm her little sister." Inari said and the boys laughed while Sif smiled.
"Well a little sister to Hermione." Thor said moving forward. "Is to be my little sister too." He picked her up easily and Inari laughed. "Nice to meet you Inari."
"Your highness."
"If I am to be your big brother you must only call me Thor." He said with a point and she smiled.
"Thor." She said with a smile.
"And those three." He pointed. "You can call them whatever you want."
"I'll call you long beard." She said pointing to Volstagg. "Dashing dash." She pointed to Fandral. "And you I'll call… Hogun." They all laughed.
"How come he gets to keep his name?" Vlstagg asked.
"Because he looks like a Hogun."
"I like this one." Hogun said with a hearty laugh.
"Witch! She made him laugh she's a witch!" Fandral said pointing to the girl who smiled.
"Inari would you mind if you gave my little sister, your big sister some privacy, I have to talk to her about something."
"Sure!" She leapt down from his arms.
"Is anyone else hungry?" Volstagg inquired.
"I'm hungry!" Inari said.
"You just ate a few hours ago." Sif said as they left the room.
"So?" Inari asked with a smile. The doors closed and Thor turned to Hermione who was smiling.
"I bet you were a lot like her when you were her age."
"No, I was far more bossy and a lot less funny." She said with a smile. "When she's comfortable I want to figure out what she's been doing this whole time. If there are other ones like her In the Asgardian streets. If there are I want to set up a place for them. Where they can be educated and well taken care of…" Thor smiled.
"A fine idea… One that most likely should have been thought up of many years ago…" Thor said.
"So, what has you so troubled?" Thor tilted his head.
"What makes you think I'm troubled?"
"Your smile."
"What's wrong with my smile?"
"It doesn't reach your eyes…"
"It's Loki." He said. Hermione sat up truly
"Is he alright?"
"He's fine… He's just… Hostile towards me." Hermione grabbed Thor by his arm and led him over to a table where they sat down.
"Hostile?" she asked.
"He's quite cross with me. For reasons I'm unsure…"
"I think I can shed some light." Hermione said pouring them goblets of wine.
"Then please by all means shed some light…"
"I'm afraid it's my fault."
"Is this still because I saved you?" he asked.
"Yes… He confronted me about it at the feast right before I helped protect king Alverdus... I think he may feel as though I hold affection toward you in a romantic sense… Then again Loki tends to think I hold romantic feelings for any man who dares look at me…" She said. "He's kind of a jealous type."
"What did you tell him when he talked to you about this?"
"I told him that you're like a brother to me."
"I told him you were like a sister to me…" he said.
"Then the issue should be done."
"Well it's not. He's… Hostile towards me Hermione." Hermione could see Thor was hurt. "I want to say it's because of what happened with Rayna, but… he hated her.. As hard as that is for me to say. He did." Hermione nodded. "Now I know Sitara would cause some hurt, some heartache. But he's been this way with me for a while now… It started even before you came to us."
"Well… It's…" Hermione took a deep breath as she looked off. She wasn't sure if she should say what she was going to so instead she thought the better of it. "He's been going through a lot… I'm sure the things that happened before I came was just him being a little brother… As for all the things that have happened since I came to Asgard. His hostility, it's caused by me."
"No you're lovely." He said and she smiled softly.
"But I've put a lot of pressure on him… Truth be told he hasn't been the same since I faked my death."
"You did that for him so you two could be with one another."
"I broke him." Hermione said quietly and Thor could see her heart break over such an admission. "I thought he was strong enough but he wasn't…" Her jaw clenched. "He's not the same Loki he was before everything that happened on Midgard went down. He needs time to heal. He needs a break from all the drama. I think we all do… We… We all just need a few easy months of peace and happiness. Once he has that I think you'll find his mood will change towards not only you but everyone." Thor looked Hermione over for a long moment.
"Are you alright?" he asked. She smiled softly as she looked to him.
"I'm just worried about Loki right now… I wish I could be with him for Sitaras send off…"
"Tradition is tradition. You have to stay here until your coronation." Thor said.
"Will you stand by his side in my absence?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know if he'd want me too…"
"You have to stick with him Thor…" Hermione said. "Even when he shouts for you to leave him be, or glares, or makes nasty comments. You have to stick by him… If you do… I swear it's worth it." Thor smiled as he nodded.
"Thank you for reminding me." he said with a smile. "I have to go see to my brother." Hermione nodded with a smile. "Thank you for this talk Hermione." He said.
"My pleasure." She said with a smile. As he left Hermione walked to the balcony of her room and stared out at the night sky that had fallen over the realm of Asgard. She smiled softly as she looked to the palace where her love resided. He was so far from her touch and yet she could feel him. She could feel Loki. He was staring out at the night sky too.
"Loki?" she asked quietly.
Loki took a deep breath as he blinked. His hands resting on the banister of the balcony. He swore he had heard Hermione in that moment. He looked out at the realm and smiled. He could feel her. Hermione. He looked to the glint of light which was the large tower of Castle Summertide.
"Hermione?" he asked.
"I love you…"
"I love you…" he said with a smile. "Good night…"
"Good night…" He smiled as he headed back into Hermione's bedroom. He wouldn't stay in his own. It was too quiet and lonely there. He wanted instead to be where Hermione spent most her time when at the Palace. He walked over to her vanity and saw a hair ribbon. He picked it up in hand and took a deep breath inhaling the sweet scent left behind. He walked over to the desk her ribbon still in hand before sitting down. There upon the desk was a journal. One holding the next book in her series. He hadn't read the first one, mainly because she had asked him not to. Still he was far too curious not to crack this one open.
"Just…" he said looking to the book. "A small…" He took a hold of the cover. "Peek. No." he stopped trying to flip it open. "That's wrong of me…" he looked away and flicked his finger the book flying open on its own thanks to his magic. "Would you look at that it opened by its self…" He smiled seeing Hermione's hand writing.
The summer before second year was a summer like none I had ever encountered. In my years before I spent such a season reading outside on my tire swing. Playing chess with my dad on the porch. Or baking the sweetest of concussions with my mom in the kitchen. I had none of those activities that summer. Instead I kept to my room. I sat at my window sill, a spell book on my lap as I stared out at the world in which I did not belong from my window.
I didn't have time for light reading on my tire swing, games of chess, or bouts of baking with my mom. I didn't have time because I needed to study. Not for school, but for what was to come. I may have only been 11 years old but I knew a fight when I saw one. And I saw one. I saw it coming. It may have been years off but I could already sense it. Brewing in the distance of time, like a storm brewing over the sea.
I worried for my friends. More for Harry, then for Ron. After all Ron had his magical family to surround him and protect him. Harry though, he was on his own. With no one to protect him. He may have been the boy who lived, but he was a boy all the same. One who barely knew a thing when it came to defense against the dark arts.
What was worse was that I had been writing him every day, sometimes three times a day, and I hadn't heard a word back. Little did I know forces were at work to keep Harry isolated from his friends, to keep him isolated in general.
He wasn't the only who was isolated though. Harry was isolated from everything, Ron was isolated from his friends, and I was isolated from my own family. All at the same time that summer, we wished to be reunited once more. The three of us counting the seconds until we could see one another on the train. As fate would have it, we would not be reunited in such a way.
Loki smiled seeing he had come to the end of the page. He now saw why her first book was so popular. She had a flare for writing. He wanted to flip the page to see what happened next but he also knew if Hermione found out he had read any of this text he would be in a world of verbal hurt. He closed the book and smiled before sitting back.
He missed her now. Missed her more than ever. He walked over to the bed and laid back his leather coat flowing around him as he did. His eyes drifted closed, his hands setting on his stomach. He wished she was with him now. Her head laying on his chest her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. He took a deep breath trying to calm himself. He knew no sleep would come. He couldn't sleep. Not without Hermione at his side. His jaw clenched, everything that had happened the past two days came flooding back.
He couldn't keep the image of Raynas swollen stomach out of his mind. He sat up quickly and covered his face. He wished to know the daughter who had been growing inside her. The daughter Rayna had stole from him by taking her own life. His heart ached in that moment. He felt two arms slowly move around him. He smiled a familiar scent hitting him.
"Hermione…" He said softly. She kissed his neck.
"I'm not really here…"
"I know…" he said knowing she was just contacting him through their connection. "Still it's like you're here…" He turned in her arms.
"Dream space… You fell asleep."
"I don't know how I was able to…" She set a hand on his cheek as he pulled her into his lap. Her legs now on either side of his hips.
"You were exhausted. For good reason…" he set his hand on her face as he looked into her russet eyes.
"You said you wouldn't get angry if I talked about Sitara."
"I did… Say whatever it is you wish to say.
"I wish to have known her…" Hermione took on a soft expression as she ran her fingers through his black hair.
"Why don't we find out?" She asked.
"It's impossible." He said.
"We're in dream space remember?" she asked. "Just… Think about her."
"I didn't know her, I never got the chance."
"Think about her Loki…" The area around them began to shift. They went from being in her room to being in a vast meadow. They stood side by side to see a little girl racing through the field. Long black hair flying behind her as she ran. She had a mischievous laugh as she came to a stop.
"She's beautiful…" Hermione said.
"But she's not real." Hermione looked to him.
"A dream is better than nothing…" he looked to her and the area around them shifted back to Hermione's bedroom.
"I will not dream, but will look forward to the future…" he said setting a hand on her hip. "Soon you and I will be married…" he moved forward and kissed her deeply. "Then sometime after we'll have daughters of our own. Sons too maybe…" he pushed her back on the bed.
"We aren't starting now." She said with a smile as he climbed over her, pushing her down into the bed.
"It's just a dream…" he said kissing her deeply.
"We said we'd wait until the wedding…"
"Again…" he kissed her neck and her eyes drifted closed. "It's just a dream…" his mouth found hers once more as his hands pushed hers above her head stretching her body out for him to see.
"One I can feel coming to an end…" Hermione said kissing him deeply. "Morning approaches."
"You only just got here."
"The sweetest of dreams pass the quickest." She said as he pulled back his hand sneaking up her dress.
"It's ending..." Hermione said looking around. "I'm waking up."
"Stay." He said his fingers finding her sweetest spot.
"I can't." she said looking to him and Loki kissed her deeply.
"Come to me tomorrow night…" He beckoned as she moaned from the contact.
"Loki…"
"Please."
"Okay." Loki took a rushed breath as his eyes shot open and he sat up in the bed. He groaned instantly at his pleasure unfulfilled. He looked down at the bulge under his leather pants and groaned more before laying back.
Hermione took a deep breath as she sat up in bed. Her body was buzzing and she smiled as her finger tips gingerly ran across her lips. She heard a knock on the door and turned to it.
"Come in." She called and the door swung open to reveal Inari.
"Good you're up!" She said skipping in before jumping onto her bed. Hermione smiled as she watched Inari jumped up and down on the mattress. "So big sis what are we doing today!?" she asked.
"Well I thought first we could eat, and then I have to do some planning on the coronation, then after that we can do something fun like-."
"You read me your book?"
"I want read it to you, we'll read it together…" Hermione said.
"Sure that's what I meant!" She said continuing to jump.
"Alright you head to the dining room, and I'll meet you there, pile up a plate for me."
"Okay!" she leapt off the bed and ran to the door before racing off.
"Come on Sif breakfast!" She heard her yell and Hermione smiled before getting off the bed and walking to her bathroom, all the while thinking of Loki. After pulling on a maroon and beige Grecian one shoulder dress she headed out of her room.
"Morning princess…" Draco greeted with a smile.
"I'm not a princess."
"Not yet." He said and she laughed lightly.
"Hey any princess's into this realm?" Draco asked. "You know some who may be looking for a man who the soon to be Princess of Asgard calls brother?" he asked elbowing her and she laughed.
"So driven." She said with a smile as she looked to him.
"I'm not kidding… Starting to get lonely if you know what I mean."
"If you mean you're hornier than a teenage boy, then yeah."
"You've always been good at reading between the lines." He said with a smirk. "Where do you meet women in Asgard?"
"No clue… You should ask Fandral."
"You think?" He asked.
"Yeah I hear he's kind of a play boy, well Knight." Hermione said.
"I'll ask him then."
"Also…" Hermione said seeing her ladies in waiting at the end of the hall. "All of them are single."
"Really?" he asked as they walked passed. "Ladies." He greeted with a smile and they all giggled.
"Moira, the red head, she's my favorite."
"Right so that's your top pick?"
"No that's who I want you to leave alone…" Hermione said with a smile.
"Aye Aye princess to be." He said while poking at her tiara.
"So glad we're close enough now that you can poke at me without fear of hexes." Hermione said and he smiled.
"Me too. Me too." He said.
"Oh hey Draco?"
"Yeah?" he asked.
"Nice hair…"
"What?" he asked looking to a mirror where he jumped and shrieked making Hermione laugh.
"You died my hair blue!" he yelled.
"Sorry!" she called over her shoulder.
"Change it back!" She merely laughed more. "Hermione!" he whined.
-o-
Thor walked down the hallway to his brother's room. Today was the day for Sitaras send off. Like Hermione wanted, he would stand at his brother's side in her place. Be the rock when she couldn't. He knocked on his door and slowly it swung open. He smiled seeing his brother before a mirror running his hands over one of his finest leather outfits.
"Brother." Thor greeted before walking in.
"Thor." Loki said.
"I didn't see you at breakfast."
"Wasn't hungry."
"I can imagine." Thor said.
"You look dashing today brother." Loki said seeing he was in his best armor and cape.
"Well today is a day for more formal dress."
"Indeed…" Loki said with a dark look.
"I talked to Hermione yesterday." Loki looked up at his mirror to see his brothers reflection.
"You went to castletide?" Loki asked his jaw clenching.
"I did I wanted to meet her young charge."
"I see." Loki said before turning to look to him."
"Talked to Hermione for a bit as well… She was troubled."
"And I'm sure you helped her out."
"She was worried about you." Thor said ignoring his hostility. "About what has to happen tonight for Sitara..."
"She always worries." Loki said. "But for good reason this time…"
"I would ask if you were okay… But I know there's no way you could be." Lokis jaw clenched as he held his hands behind his back and walked a few paces away. "Last night… Hermione and I shared a dream space, something we're able to do because of our magics and connection…" Thor nodded. "I told her how I wished I could have seen Sitara grown. She told me to dream and I did…" Loki leaned against his desk. "She was… Beautiful… Long black hair, green eyes like that of the purest emeralds, and she had this laugh." He smiled. "Thor this laugh was…" He looked to his brother before looking off. "It wasn't real though." He said. Thor walked to him and set a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry brother…" He said and Loki merely nodded.
"I just can't wait to be with Hermione again… I'm thinking of instead of waiting for tomorrow of seeing her tonight after the ceremony."
"A fine idea… But first why don't we take a walk? Take in the air."
"A fine idea." Loki said. They walked in silence for a long while. Out the palace, and straight into the gardens. It wasn't a comfortable silence. Not how they used to be able to walk.
"You know brother." Thor said trying to make conversation. "I envy you." Loki looked to him.
"You do?" he asked in a tone that told Thor Loki didn't believe him.
"You have a woman to call your own. Someone to talk to. To hold. To love. To cherish. I do not have that." Loki looked to him.
"I'm pretty sure Lady Sif is waiting in line." Thor gave a hearty laugh.
"Sif? No." Thor said. "We're friends. Great friends." Loki smiled.
"Well plenty of women are in line."
"Plenty of women are in line because of the throne. Hermione though she doesn't love you because of that. She loves you because she loves you. I don't think I'll ever know what that is like."
"Father found our mother, I'm sure you'll find someone too Thor." Loki said.
"One can hope… I'm just, I'm very happy for you Loki, and very envious."
"Thank you…" Loki said with a soft smile. In truth he was happy Thor was envious. After all Loki doubted Thor had ever felt envious in his life.
-o-
"I felt at that moment as I stared up at the…" Inari stopped her eyes glued to the book before her. "I felt at that moment as I stared up at the…. I don't know what that word is." She said pointing.
"Sound it out." Hermione said.
"C…Cass-t-le."
"The t is silent."
"Well that's stupid." She said and Hermione laughed softly. "I felt at that moment as I stared up at the castle as if I were truly coming home for the first time…" Hermione smiled as Inari slowly began to read. Inari got stuck on words every so often but she was only 12 years old, she had had minimal education, most likely none. All in all Hermione thought she was doing beautifully.
"Hermione dear?" she looked up to see Frigga.
"Let's take a break hmm? They brought in tea and cakes." Hermione said to Inari who instantly rushed over to the table full of goodies making Hermione smile. Hermione walked over to Frigga who smiled brightly at her.
"How's our girl doing?"
"She reads exceptionally well considering, she's had little to no education… I want to get her tutors though. We need to get her caught up."
"That's what I wanted to tell you, I want to start looking for tutors for her."
"By all means. But I want her to be a part of her educational plan. I want her hands on. I want her to feel as if she has control… I don't think she's had much of that in her life."
"Of course…" Frigga said looking over at Inari who had crumbs on her face from a tea cake. "First let's start with Table manners… I'll do that while you go with Sif to look over the ladies in waiting dresses for the coronation."
"Will do." Hermione smiled and turned to Inari. "Inari?" she looked to her. "I'll see you in a bit okay?"
"Okay!" she said with her mouth full. Hermione smiled before heading off with Sif.
"You seem to really have taken to Inari."
"I have…" Hermione said. "She's a great kid… Sif could I ask you to help me with something?"
"Of course.
"I want her to be proficient. Able to protect herself. I want her to be a confident young woman such as yourself." Sif smiled as she looked to her friend. "Will you train her?"
"I'd be happy too." She said with a smile.
"Horse riding, swordsmanship, the works."
"It would be my genuine pleasure."
"Also… I want you to help me with something else."
"Name it."
"There are other children like Inari out there in Asgard. They have no place to go. No way of obtaining an education…"
"You want to build a shelter."
"I want to build a safe haven." Hermione said and Sif nodded. "This safe haven will need teachers..."
"You want me to teach battle tactics?"
"I do." Hermione said.
"What will you teach?" sif asked and Hermione smiled.
"What else? Magic." Sif smiled.
"Not everyone in Asgard is Magical Hermione."
"Well I'll also be teaching reading, arithmetic, and things like that. But some of those children are bound to be magical."
"Bound to be." She said with a smile. "Besides everyone's got a little bit of magic in them you just have to learn how to obtain it." Sif smiled as they entered a large ball room where thirty or more dress makers lay in wait. "Ladies and Gentleman." Hermione said. "Let's get started."
-o-
Loki stood in the garden along side his brother. The warriors three stood behind him. They were all watching as a boat carrying the body of Rayna was levitated through the garden. You couldn't see her face though. All that could be seen was the bare pregnant belly of Rayna. Loki's jaw clenched and Thor set a hand on his shoulder.
"I wish Hermione was here." He said quietly.
"I know brother."
"I would not subject her to this." Odin said and Loki's jaw clenched. "She shouldn't have to mourn the death of your whore." Loki's jaw clenched further. One minute his father was being kind to him, the next he was belittling him.
"I'm not mourning my whore…" Loki said with an edge to his voice.
"Loki..." Thor said quietly trying to calm his brothers anger.
"I'm mourning my child." Loki said his voice wavering for a moment. Loki slowly looked to his left. They had allowed Raynas father out of the prisons to look on his daughters service. Her father wasn't looking to the service though. He was looking straight back at Loki. Lokis jaw clenched for a long moment before looking back to the service.
-o-
Hermione took a deep breath as she stared out at the palace. She service was going on. She could feel it. She could feel Loki. He was in pain. Physical pain. Her jaw clenched as she gripped onto her balcony. She heard someone come up behind her and took a deep breath as a shiver ran up her spine.
"Well you're not here to kill me… If you were you would have already made your move…" Hermione slowly turned and looked to see an older man in his mid-forties standing before her. He had brown eyes, and brown hair. His hands were large and twisted from what looked like battle. If that wasn't her first clue that he was a warrior a jagged scar across his cheek was clue enough. "Who are you?" He stared at her for a long moment his eyes slightly wide.
"My name is Vili." He said his eyes slowly moving over her. "I'm going to be your uncle as soon as you marry my nephew Loki." She smiled softly.
"Uncle Vili… Yes." She smiled instantly as she walked up to him. He took her hand and bowed before kissing the back of her hand. Instantly she curtsied and he smiled as he looked her over.
"May I inquire something to you?"
"Of course."
"How long did you know I was standing behind you?" She smiled.
"I knew the second you hit the hallway." he smiled.
"I thought you might. Why didn't you turn to face me straight away?" he asked. "Or call your guards?"
"I can handle myself." He gave a hearty laugh.
"You remind me much of Frigga." He said with a smile. "My nephew has found a fine bride indeed…" She smiled. "Can I ask what was troubling you?"
"Troubling sir?"
"First call me Uncle Vili, secondly you looked troubled looking out at the realm."
"You know of Loki of what has happened."
"Yes I heard of Lady Raynas suicide." He said. "And the other life that action took…"
"The service is today…" She said and he nodded. "Loki isn't doing well… I can feel it."
"If you were to go back to the palace to see to Loki, as I imagine you are thinking of doing so, my brother the king would be in an up roar."
"Yes I know…" She said.
"Still thinking about it though…" He laughed seeing her mischievous look in her eyes. "Yes you are indeed a fine choice of a bride for Loki." He said with a smile. "How about this, I go check in on my nephew on your behalf and maybe try and convince that stubborn old hog they call the king to let you back if only for a few minutes to check on your beloved."
"If you did that I would forever be in your debt."
"You're never indebt to family my dear, not ever." He said with a smile. "I am off then." She smiled as she watched him leave.
"Safe journey." She said.
"Thank you dear." He said with a smile before walking out of the room. Vili came to a stop before Frigga who was smiling.
"She looks a lot like you…" he said. "But she has her grandmother's eyes…"
"I noticed that too…" Frigga said quietly as she closed the distance between them.
"It was hard for me to not embrace her straight away as my niece…" He said. "She's lovely Frigga."
"Thank you." She said with a smile.
"Can I ask something?"
"Of course."
"If she hadn't fallen in love with Loki would you have told all three, she, Loki, and Thor the truth? The truth about her origins."
"Yes."
"But not about Loki's."
"It's too late to tell him Vili." Frigga said. "It's too late to tell all of them…" Frigga said. "It seems to be working itself out though…"
"Things like this have a habit of catching up Frigga."
"I know." She said. "But this… This will stay in the past where it belongs… Now weren't you heading somewhere?" he asked.
"I was." He said with a smile. Hermione stayed standing against her door her brows knitted. She had gone to go see to Inari when she had overheard Frigga and Villi. Something about heritage. About her true heritage. They had been so far away she truthfully hadn't heard it all. But they had also mentioned telling the truth to her, Loki, and Thor. She hadn't understood that, but something within her told her that things would come to light eventually especially if she kept looking into her past.
Hermione took a deep breath before peeking outside her room to see the coast was clear. She headed down a hallway and instantly came to a stop instantly she felt eyes on her. She slowly turned and smiled seeing a young man. He was leaning against a pillar. His long blonde hair hanging to his shoulders. Some strands were in braids with Celtic beads holding them in place. He had clear blue eyes and a strong jaw.
"Vidar?" Hermione asked and he smiled.
"Cousin…" He greeted. "Or soon to be." He walked up to her and took her hand in his. "A joy to meet you Lady Hermione." He kissed the back of her hand all while keeping eye contact. Hermione instantly felt a little uncomfortable. She shifted on her feet as he tilted his head while standing up straight.
"You have such smooth hands." he said while looking over the one he had in his grasp.
"Uhm…" Hermione cleared her throat. "Thank you."
"Of course…"
"Vidar?" Hermione turned to see Loki who was walking down the hallway.
"Loki…" She moved away from Vidar and walked to him. Loki wrapped his arms around her all while eyeing Vidar who gave a devilish smile.
"I wasn't expecting you."
"I had to see you." Loki said holding her closely. He pulled back and kissed her deeply. "Are you alright?" She asked softly.
"Now that I have you in my arms I'm fine…" he said to her softly and she nodded. "I came to you tonight because I hear you have a new charge."
"Inari. Yes." Hermione said.
"I'd like to meet her."
"Of course, she should be in the library, I'll go see to her."
"I'll be along shortly." Loki said and Hermione nodded before turning to Vidar who flashed a dazzling smile. "It was nice meeting you."
"You as well…" He said with a smile and she nodded before walking off. Vidar waited until she was out of earshot before walking to Loki. "Cousin." He greeted.
"Vidar." He said.
"You don't seem happy to see me."
"It's been a long night."
"Yes I heard about your whore and the bastard…"
"I'm getting this enough from my father I don't need it from the likes of you…"
"The likes of me?" he asked.
"If anyone should be sympathetic to what I'm going through it should be the bastard son of General Villi Borson."
"Cruel Loki. Very cruel."
"So was calling my child a bastard." Loki said his jaw clenching.
"Indeed." Thor said stepping out from behind a pillar. Vidar turned with a smile.
"Hello Thor."
"Is your brother here?"
"Vindi. Yeah he is." He said.
"Why don't you go find him? I'd like to say hello."
"Of course Cousin." With that Vidar walked off bumping past Loki as he did.
"Thor you want to help me?" Loki asked.
"Of course Brother." He said walking to her.
"Then please… Keep Vidar away from Hermione… You know how he is."
"I do indeed." He said walking to his brother while clapping him on the shoulder.
"Thor I can't stay here over nights, father has forbid it…"
"Then I shall stay as chaperone…" Thor said. "I'll take the bedroom next to hers."
"Thank you Thor."
"Of course brother." Loki watched as Thor went off to tail Vidar before he turned and headed into Hermione's room. He paced the length of it before hearing a familiar laugh. He turned to see Hermione walking into the room a little girl around the age of 12 at her side. She had bouncy red hair and white skin riddelled with freckles.
"Inari, this is my fiancé Loki." Hermione said. "Loki this is my little sister Inari."
"I don't see a resembelence." Loki said with a good hearted smile as he looked the child over.
"Your highness." Inari said instantly going into a curtsy.
"What a fine little lady…" Loki said with a smile as he walked over and bowed to her. "But please, call me Loki. After all I'll be your big brother soon…" She smiled. "Are you hungry?"
"I am." She said with a nod.
"So am I. Let's sneak into the kitchens for a snack." He took her hand and led her away. Hermione smiled to herself as she watched the two. For the first time in a long time Hermione felt as if everything was going to be okay. "Love?" she looked up to see Loki and Inari looking back at her.
"Coming." She said with a smile catching up and taking Inaris other free hand.
"So if Hermione is going to be a princess can I be a princess too?" She asked and the two laughed.
"I don't see why not." Loki said. "We'll have to take it up with the king though." Loki said and Hermione smiled as she looked him over. She could tell he was still hurting from what gone on just a mere hour earlier, but she felt as though he would persevere. Somehow she knew he would persevere.
-O-
AN: wow look at me update. Lol. Hope you guys like where the story is going. I like where it's going and we're nearing the "Thor" motion picture story line chapter very very soon!