When the group opened their eyes, they gasped.
Asta fell to the ground and flexed her hands in the dark orange grass, then she raised her eyes to the twilight sky, and into a field of blue trees bearing silver fruit, and then up to Mikhail. She pointed to a yellow cottage in the distance and cried out with joy. She jumped to her feet and pulled Mikhail towards the house.
"What have you done?" Nikolai hissed at Mithrax. Nyssa looked too shocked to speak.
"The magic-eater would have killed all of us. It diffused your power," he looked at Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione. "It was our only escape."
Harry shook his wand, and red and gold sparks flew out the end as they began the walk to what Hermione was sure was Asta's home.
"Seems all right now," Harry confirmed.
"Why did you bring us here?" Nyssa asked.
"If there were coordinated attacks, this place would be safe," Mithrax explained. "I'm obligated to protect the Blood of the Gods." He bowed to Hermione, and she threw him an annoyed look.
"I thought Asta was a Princess," Nicolai said. "Yet her dwelling is a cottage?"
"There are many Princes and Princesses within her kind."
"Is she in line for something?" Hermione asked.
"Long ago, but those times are gone," Mithrax said, regeretfully. "Titles and antiques are all that are left."
The humans waded through the grass and were nearing the boundary fence when the screaming started. It sent the hairs on the back of their necks up, and a primal part of Hermione recoiled in fear.
Harry started to run, but Mithrax held him back. "It's their language."
"Their language!?" Hermione blurted. "What kind of language is that?"
"Don't you know?" Mithrax laughed.
"What is she?" Ron asked, swallowing nervously.
"A banshee."
"She can't be!" Nyssa exclaimed. "People have died in the tower before and she never wailed!"
"She's young," Mithrax said sagely.
Suddenly, Mikhail ran from the house and towards them, his face pale. Before anyone could say something, a blond, pale woman chased after him, swinging a shoe.
"I didn't do anything!" Mikhail squeaked. "I swear!"
The woman caught sight of the small crowd of people and stopped short. Meanwhile, a large man with onyx skin and snakes for hair strolled around the corner with Asta.
Hermione looked at Mithrax, then at the man.
"You knew we were related," he reminded her.
"You're a banshee, too?" Hermione blurted out.
"Men can't scream, if that's what you're asking," Mithrax said coolly.
"Calm down, Helga! They met at a ceremony with searing human flesh! She lives with only women! He tells the truth!" the man bellowed. "I saw her memories!"
The woman had the decency to look embarrassed.
"She lives with me," Nyssa said cautiously.
"And he with me," Nicolai added. "Thousands of miles apart. They communicate through letters and gatherings."
"That's where we were tonight!" Asta said excitedly. "I danced papa!"
He laughed, picked her up by the waist and swung her around like a child. "You were beautiful, my princess!"
He set her down gently. "Now tell mama you're sorry for nearly killing her with worry."
"I should have told you about the ceremony first, Mama," Asta said, pointedly not apologizing.
Helga seemed not to mind and brushed Mikhail's jacket off. "You run fast, for a human… what's this?" she brushed back a lock of his hair. "Ah. No wonder you were drawn to each other."
Hermione gasped as she saw the tips of Mikhail's ears. "Those weren't there before!"
"What?" Mikhail asked, feeling with his hands and looking surprised.
"Many people have a sliver of giant blood in them. Unless it's strong, it will only show in your homeland, where your magic is strong," Helga nodded.
"What does that mean?" Mikhail asked.
"You'll be faster and stronger. Not much. Your clan might be interested in you. You'll be a novelty."
Mikhail looked decidedly unhappy.
Nicolai stepped up to examine the young man's ears. "Curious."
"You know, I never thought I'd have an adventure with you two again." Harry smiled at Ron and Hermione despite himself.
"It's easy for you to say that with Ginny next to you," Hermione snapped. She wheeled around on Mithrax. "Where is my husband?"
"He was on patrol and apparated out with everyone else," Ron said reassuringly.
"How does he know where I am?" she asked, afraid.
"He doesn't," Harry said grimly.
"He'd know if you were dead," Ginny reassured her. "It's part of the binding spell you used when you were married."
"Does he know if I'm alive or injured and trapped somewhere?" Hermione asked desperately. "Is there any way to communicate?"
"We must go to a gate to return you to your earth," Mithrax said. "There are ways of communication, but they aren't near."
"You must rest first," Asta's father said. "You have come far. We will have rooms prepared. When you wake, we will discuss your quest."
They agreed and went to the little house. When the little door was opened, it revealed the interior of a large home with a wide, sweeping staircase and lush carpets. The hall was fashioned of gold, silver, steel, and bone. Hermione shivered.
They were shown to their rooms, there was enough room for each of them to have their own, except for Harry and Ginny.
"I'm not tired," Hermione insisted.
"Herbs in the hearth will refresh you." Asta's mother offered.
Hermione had respectfully declined at first, but had finally conceded. She slept.
0
"Gone?" Severus looked at Dumbledore blankly. "What do you mean, gone?"
"She is among the missing, but we have reason to believe she was evacuated," Dumbledore said calmly.
"There was a circle burned on the balcony. A reverse summoning circle," Arthur Weasley said. He looked deathly white, but then again, he was missing two children.
"Circle to where?" Severus asked.
"Jotunheim," Arthur said bleakly. "At least we know where they are and who they're with."
"What?" Severus asked sharply.
"I don't think it was their fault," Kingsley Shacklebolt interjected. "The golem was near to them when it appeared. They couldn't apparate if their magic was cancelled."
Severus sat in a burgundy armchair, his head in his hands.
"We'll get them back—" Arthur began.
"I'll get them back," Severus said firmly. "I don't need your help. I don't need your permission."
"No one's telling you not to go. You're the only one that can go," Kingsley said.
"According to whom?" Severus asked.
"There was a Jotun left behind. She wasn't at the Ball," Dumbledore said.
"The Amazons aren't keeping this one, too?" he asked sharply.
"No, they aren't," Arthur said levelly. "However, women in their species can't teleport. They have a magic attack that rattles the nerves."
The females fight, and the males use flight. Interesting," Severus said flatly.
"It is interesting. It's also problematic because her brother was her ride back and he's gone. She needs us as much as we need her." Kingsley said.
"Who says we need her?" Severus said stubbornly.
"You need a guide." Kingsley said flatly. "You aren't a Shard-keeper. You're just the next-of-kin to one in possible danger. It allows for much, but you still must be cautious."
"We know you have access to the Shard, Severus," Arthur said abruptly. "Let us know when you're leaving, and you'll have the support you need from us."
"I will leave tomorrow. I will procure the Shard from Gringott's. Make sure the woman is ready by ten o'clock."